Episode 145
As rumors of war spread throughout the Empire…
“Dustin! You have no heart! Not a single call!”
…the Elliot territory remained strangely peaceful. My father was scolding Dustin, his voice thick with emotion, while my mother was berating me.
“And you, Yuri! How could you not contact your mother?!”
“Celia called you, though…”
“That’s not the same!”
I received a few more whacks on the back before being released. Dustin was being… embraced by his father, the Knight Commander. A heartwarming scene, unlike my own… chilly reception. I glanced at my mother, who simply raised an eyebrow. Yep, that’s my mom.
“You faked your death and now you’re just… wandering around?”
My father asked.
“The… deception is over.”
“I’ve heard… unsettling rumors.”
News of the impending war had reached them before we did. My mother’s face was etched with worry.
“Are you sure you’re alright?”
“Don’t worry, Countess. I’ll protect Master with my life.”
Dustin… that’s sweet, but… not the right time or place.
“That’s the spirit! A knight’s duty!”
And my father… he was hopeless.
“So, I’ll be fine.”
I shrugged, but my mother still looked worried.
“The Elliot territory might be evacuated.”
The three kingdoms had formed an alliance. Our territory, near the border, was vulnerable.
“Come with us, Yuri.”
I wanted to agree. War… it wasn’t something I was prepared for. I was just a… boar hunter. But I couldn’t abandon my friends.
“I can’t. My friends are fighting for me.”
Well, they were fighting for me, but…
“I can’t abandon them.”
And I had volunteered for this. I couldn’t back down now.
“Our daughter… so brave…”
“A true adult…”
I had been an adult since… well, since my past life. I was a little disappointed they weren’t more insistent.
“You’ll be returning to the capital soon, then.”
“I have to meet up with everyone. Mother, Father, please evacuate if you receive the order.”
I didn’t want them to try and defend the territory. Their lives were more important.
“We will. Don’t worry about us. Take care of yourself.”
I was relieved they agreed.
“Father, please help the people evacuate.”
Dustin also spoke to his father.
“Of course! I’ll protect the territory! These are my people!”
The Knight Commander’s words were reassuring.
“They’ll follow your orders. They trust you.”
My parents were well-loved. I felt a swell of pride.
“That’s… embarrassing.”
“It’s true, my lord.”
The bond between my father and the Knight Commander was strong. I felt like I could entrust the territory to them.
“Let’s all have dinner together! We can’t let our daughter leave on an empty stomach!”
We all headed to the dining room. The last supper, perhaps, in a place I might never return to. The atmosphere was warm and comforting.
The capital was tense.
“War… what’s going on?”
“The capital is safe. It’s in the center of the Empire.”
“But what if…?”
“Where would we even go? Three kingdoms are attacking us!”
The atmosphere was unsettling. I felt a surge of anger towards the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Master, please stay safe during the war.”
That wasn’t… exactly what I had in mind.
“Suddenly?”
“I don’t want you to be in danger.”
Did he know I was weak?
“I know you’re invincible, but… I still want you to avoid dangerous situations.”
…Maybe not.
“I’ll… try.”
I’d probably be hiding in the safest place possible.
“Your safety is my priority. I’ll do everything I can to protect you.”
Dustin’s serious expression… he had grown up. I still thought of him as a child sometimes, but… he had matured.
“Dustin.”
“Yes, Master?”
“Thank you.”
“…I should be thanking you…! Just being by your side… is enough…”
His devotion was… touching, and a little sad. He could have been happy with Lia if he hadn’t met me.
“…Let’s go. Everyone’s waiting.”
“This way, Master.”
He escorted me inside, and I saw… an army. Soldiers in gleaming armor, ready for war.
“That traitor!”
The sound of grinding teeth echoed through the dark meeting room.
“Those adventurers… they’re still alive. We’ve been played.”
“Tricked.”
The Holy Empire, the Emperor, the Duke, the Alchemist Association, the Magic Tower… they were all connected. The leader who had vouched for Justice had been purged. His severed head lay in the center of the table.
“It doesn’t matter. A larger war is… beneficial.”
“More deaths, more demonic energy.”
“…But they’ve gathered their elites. The war might end quickly.”
The allied kingdoms might surrender without a fight.
“…We’ll send reinforcements.”
“No. We’ll go ourselves.”
“What?! Are you insane?!”
The leadership had never directly intervened before.
“They’re just humans. They’re no match for us.”
“We have to take charge to turn the tide.”
The hardliners and the moderates clashed.
“Are you afraid? Even with His power?”
“This is necessary. For us, and for Him.”
“If this fails, we’ll have to wait even longer!”
Bam!
A leader slammed his fist on the table, shattering it.
“Are we going to sit here and wait?!”
“Since when were we cowards?!”
“It’s time! We’ll awaken Him ourselves!”
Their eyes gleamed with fanaticism. The hesitant leaders were swept up in their fervor.
“With His power, we’re invincible!”
“We’ll rule the world! Hahaha!”
There was no stopping them. They were consumed by madness.