Episode 113. I must be prepared to eat ten times more than last year.
An era of peace has arrived after a long war.
However, the international situation was in a state where even empty words could not be said to be good.
The obsession with peace made them avoid friction in the sun to the extreme, and that’s why the leaders were in a state of unfolding all sorts of schemes and secret plans under peace in order to take advantage of their power.
‘In the midst of an invisible check, the sword of the empire moves and the former staff member is arrested… …. Even empty words wouldn’t be a good sign.’
There are two possibilities that I can think of right now.
One is that the situation is so absurd that he uses a sacrifice rather than an idol as a means of controlling public sentiment, or he is trying to get someone to move by restraining the marquis.
But if it’s the former, it means that the general sentiment of the people of the empire is in a serious state, and if it’s the latter, it means that the anti-imperialists are rampaging and disrupting public order.
As both countries dominate half of the continent, it is not something that Maris can welcome.
Especially because the reason might be that the sword of the Empire set foot on this land.
“You seem to have a lot of worries. Chairman Mariel.”
While I was feeling anxious about such signs, I heard a voice.
It was still the head of the Laika warrior standing opposite her, but despite her words, Mari El couldn’t calm down.
“… It has to be. Because I have to protect this place.”
All the more so because this isn’t the only thing you need to pay attention to.
What the emperor’s thoughts are, what the hell is the danger to the point of even going to the sword of the empire.
And especially since we don’t know when such a danger will strike us.
“On the other hand, Commander-in-Chief Leica looks very happy.”
“Of course. Our long-cherished wish is to end that life on the most noble battlefield……. Wouldn’t it be absurd to back down when the right time to fulfill that wish has arrived!?”
A great warrior of Valhalla who folds his arms and shows his sense of victory.
Perhaps it is an emotion that has never been shown in times of war.
The fight they pursue is not just a blood and flesh slaughter battle, it is based on the premise that they will be able to win honor at the end.
“Chairman Mariel, as you know, our church worships the god of war, but I don’t think there was any glory in the war that lasted for half a century. In a fight where everyone hates each other for no reason, everyone is a victim, and there is nothing that can be clearly called evil.”
There were times when such things existed, but at least when he bore the name of a warrior, everything the ancestors emphasized was gone.
A situation where those who have already started the war withdraw, and only their descendants repeat the competition without knowing the reason…….
Disillusioned with him, they decided to settle down in the city and use their strength to maintain peace.
Because the writers who aim for this city, which everyone wants to protect even during the war, will be defined as ‘evil’ who go against the choices of the times.
“If there is a force that threatens this place, which has emerged as a symbol of peace after the war, in such a yard……. It must be honorable to chew their flesh and drink their blood.”
“… It’s a pretty bloody expression to pursue righteousness.”
“It’s not an expression, it’s a literal meaning, but I won’t force you to understand it. Only those who are willing to sacrifice themselves for glory will head to Valhalla.”
When the body and mind cultivated through fierce battles, and the soul governed by them, meet their end and ascend to heaven, if that soul has qualifications, it will be able to open the way to heaven (Valhalla).
The warriors of Valhalla who absolutely believed in it always kept repeating that the process of pursuing that belief could not be done by anyone.
The road to heaven must be special.
Because you can only boost your self-esteem if you have the right qualifications and are special.
‘I fight with my life for those I don’t know for that one special thing… …. After all, people with religions are hard to understand.’
However, even though they may not be able to relate to their values, they are trying to respect their actions.
Whatever the reason, the blood they shed will contribute to keeping the peace in this city, and furthermore, contribute to the peace of the continent.
“I understand how you feel, but… …. Coincidentally, since we are in a position to be cautious, I don’t think we can allow that struggle to be monopolized.”
“Sharing information is a matter of course. Because it also exists in the oath that our church made with this city in the first place.”
Yes, this relationship right now is because each other’s goals and interests coincide.
If there is no communication, in the end it’s just strangers. If the risk is ahead like now, the sharing of information will have to be considered more important.
“Unfortunately, however, we are only good at identifying risks, but we are not at all good at collecting information. At best, I only measured the strength or found out the names of those who directly divided the sum.”
“Even that is enough, so please teach me.”
Mari El asked, putting her hand in front of her pod.
“…… What forces threaten this city?”
Leica said.
“The Elder Fanatics.”
A name I’ve never heard of, even in this city where all kinds of information on the continent is gathered.
Does that mean that they are hiding their existence?
“Cultists serving the Great Old One.”
“…The Great Old One?”
But there was a strange feeling of deja vu in the words that followed.
As expected, I had never heard of it, but I couldn’t overlook the meaning of the word.
“Yes, that’s how they define who they serve. The number was small, but according to those who encountered them, they said that they had tenacious vitality that would not kill them even if they were cut through vital points.”
Mariel’s expression gradually hardens at the explanation that follows.
It’s surprising that he doesn’t die even if he cuts the vital points, but in the first place, the powers that cultists handle are often abnormal, so there was nothing I couldn’t understand.
The important thing is the name they define themselves.
‘Great.’
And the Old Ones.
How long has it been since the beings that fit the two words come to mind one by one and are erased by elimination?
-Jureureuk.
As soon as an answer came out at the end of that guess, chills began to run down her spine.
To the extent that I couldn’t even afford to wipe the cold sweat from my forehead.
“Chairman Mariel?”
“Let’s end the conversation here. If all of the things I just mentioned are true, it seems like we have a lot to prepare for.”
After hurriedly wrapping up the story, Mari El started walking briskly around the campus, leaving her head office ahead of her.
Her teachers, whom she met in the hallway, pretended to know her, but Mariel, who was in her midst, did not pay attention to her and proceeded.
‘I think I understand why the sword of the empire moves.’
That’s right, if you’re not a person of that level, there’s no way you’ll move.
If she really is her ‘old existence’ they serve, that’s what he guesses, then it could explain why her emperor encouraged her to come here.
Having been treated as cursed during a war that lasted half a century, and at the end of it, he became disillusioned with the very existence of human beings…….
If it is to remove without a trace everything left behind by the ‘culprit’ who prepared the decisive opportunity.
“What is this, I don’t think even my grandfather has ever tried to deal with the rampaging imperial sword… ….”
If that speculation is true, then there is something else to worry about.
The uproar that will be caused by those who will go out of their way to punish the forces that threaten this city…….
If it leaks even a little bit, wouldn’t it have a big impact on the school festival?
“…I must be prepared to roll ten times more than last year.”
The moment when the mind that had been loose in peace was tightened with tension.
Let’s handle this situation quietly, and a smile gradually forms on her lips as if she’s bluffing.
And…….
***
Around the time when the school festival was only four days away.
As I had planned, I was preparing to leave work for a while and attend as a representative of the denomination meeting Mariel had instructed.
The place where the meeting takes place is a public temple located at the far end of Academic City.
It is mainly used when each denomination holds a meeting on a common theme, and the traces of culture symbolizing each denomination are clearly visible on the street where the temple is located.
I feel like I’m in a tourist spot where I can experience all sorts of culture just by walking around the city.
It is the position that even after the meeting is over, the activities of each denomination must be intervened and coordinated.
As long as I’m staying here for a while, it was a moment when I thought that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to spend time as if I were on a tour if I could afford it.
Especially as there are children who followed me.
“Then the teacher will be back from work, so keep an eye on the house.”
“Welcome!”
After Dale’s lively farewell, I got out of the inn and prepared to head to the conference hall with the saintess waiting at the entrance.
It’s a bit unsettling to leave the children alone, but well, it’ll be fine.
In the case of Makina Ratel, Dale’s ability will somehow control it, and Heide’s knights stationed around external dangers will somehow block it.
“Thank you for providing accommodation for the children to stay.”
“No, no words… …. Rather, since our denomination joined Maris this year, I was in a state where I had no idea how to proceed with the meeting.
“For me, unlike other times, there are many disparate parts, so it is a great comfort that one of the representatives of the denominations participating is a saintess.”
I didn’t mean that out of politeness.
Events where many people gather, such as the school festival, are considered very important to the church, and the competition to somehow get a large share in the meeting is bound to intensify.
Since two of the denominations that were originally scheduled to attend have dropped out in such a yard, it is certain that the other two denominations will be eager to attend the meeting to take advantage of this opportunity.
How can I not feel comfort when the saintess is holding the two powers in check?
‘By the way, I don’t know about Ragrid, but I didn’t expect Valhalla to be excluded.’
Lagrid knows the situation, but in the case of Valhalla…….
Unlike other denominations, they claim to find faith in battle, but because they have such an intelligent value system, they tend to value the opportunity of evangelism more than other denominations.
But even all of them are going to be absent.
For me who understands that characteristic, I couldn’t help but be concerned about why they didn’t attend the meeting for some reason rather than how the meeting would go.
Those who worship the god of war consider it more important than evangelism. Wouldn’t that be especially sensitive in times of peace?
“Are you worried about something?”
A saintess who carefully asks me if she cares about me.
While worrying about how to answer that question, I just continued on my way, covering it up with a smile as usual.
“There are always worries. Right now, I feel like I’m going to break my head on how to coax the two denominations…….”
Yes, no matter what happens, there will be no harm to the school festival.
This city is the place where the entire continent is paying attention, and the defense to protect the city is thorough.
No matter what, everything will end well. After trying to organize my thoughts like that, I ate my heart lightly and stepped into the temple for the meeting.
From noble mtl dot com
***
And then, just before returning to the dorm after the meeting.
– Clink!
The moment when the sound of breaking glass resounded.
I was just about to step into the building, but my steps stopped and I hurriedly headed towards the place where I heard the sound.
The window of the hostel where the children are staying.
Something ricocheted out of it, then fell at my feet with a thud.
“No way… ….”
Something happened.
As the anxiety I felt throughout the meeting made my heart sink, I broke the window and looked down at something flying at my feet.
With pale skin and weak eyes.
The head of a girl rolling around on the spot and looking into my eyes.
