Chapter 171 – Pile of Ashes (3)

Erzsebet saw black smoke rising from the student council room.
I was in the middle of receiving a report on Goliath’s investigation into the incident where the border was breached near the previous border.

“In the end, you set fire to the forest.”
– Is there a problem?
“No, it has nothing to do with war. “Did you find the intruder?”
– That is…

Mareille’s expression beyond the communication crystal did not look good.
The mere fact that the border has been breached is bad news enough.
On the continent, there are countless groups with more power than a single soldier, which can be called asymmetrical power.
It was common for borders to be breached by wizards or knights with extra-standard force, so during the Little War, Monarch and Fenheim fought information warfare by crossing each other’s territory countless times.
However, those who infiltrated the western border this time were not the Blood Gate Brigade like then.

— It appears to be a heavenly evil belt.

As soon as he heard Mareil’s words, his eyes closed tightly, showing the seriousness of the matter.
A special unit under the direct control of the Pope that does not belong to any of the four major dioceses of Monarch.
If they crossed the border, it really meant an all-out war between the two countries.

“Are you sure?”
— La Ruel of the Holy Light Knights is still stationed near the Demon World. It was confirmed that the wandering missionary group Mitinami gathered at the Ruby altar, and the hymn band Hilalonian…
“This is not a unit originally created to infiltrate enemy territory. “What about the Blood Gate Brigade?”
— It’s definitely different from Inquisitio’s infiltration method. They crossed the border, causing casualties. If you ask Caroline Magdalena, you’ll be more certain.

In the end, there is only one thing left.
Orphesia of the Central Diocese of Sol-Ruvi, the capital, under the Monarch Pope Nicholas of Cassel.
Erzsebet turned her gaze to the map hanging on the wall.
If the western border was opened, behind it was the small city of Aldran, a huge forest, and beyond that was Parenzia.

“What is their purpose?”
— Unknown. In the first place, the Cheonakdae was the Pope’s final bodyguard, not an assault trooper. Other than one knight corps guarding the border, no other damage has been reported. But…

Mareil’s gaze turned slightly upward.
To the black sky reflected in the window of the student council room where Erzsebet is sitting.

— A report has been received from the Royal Meteorological Society that there has been a problem with Penheim’s anti-aircraft perimeter. Exactly on the day they crossed the border.
“Anti-aircraft alert?”
— Yes, President Osborn has often complained in the past about not being able to observe celestial bodies due to the telegraph wires covering the entire kingdom… Recently, it was said that all aerial photos were taken properly except for one area.
“If it were a telegraph line…”

The Lighthouse of Horus.
Terra Ernesten.
The eyes of the great mage, called current eyes, focus on one point.

“Where is that place?”

In response to Erzsebet’s question, Mareil spoke without taking his gaze off behind her.

“This is where the princess is now.”

***

The forest is burning.
The dry wind does not extinguish the embers, but spreads them further and brings out the last autumn leaves that flutter on the dry twigs.
Whistling, a mixture of fierce flames and screams of death, passes through the towering coniferous trees, followed by military flames.
Parencia’s soldiers were moving forward cautiously through the forest that had become ashes.

“Go forward, there may still be living monsters left, so don’t lower the tip of the spear.”
“For scouts, extinguish the remaining fire with an arsonist and quickly secure the guard post again. “If any signs of abnormality appear in the surrounding area, please contact Communications Sujeong.”
“Yep!!”

The western forest is very large, so it is difficult to burn it all in a short period of time.
Therefore, all we had to do was get to the targeted observation post number 4.
Unlike previous years, there were no separately hired adventurers or mercenaries.
This is because they all headed to the front lines because of the war or did not bother to focus their efforts on occupying the forest.

“There is no sign of a living monster.”
“Even inside the dungeon, all that remains is a burned nest.”
“Okay, let’s keep going”

Nevertheless, the soldiers advanced forward, deftly cutting through the forest.
In Parencia, where there was no war, this was close to regular training for them.
Since the wizards belonging to the top were on standby in the rear, there was no fear of losing their lives in the suddenly growing fire.
And the reason the soldiers were more motivated was not just because this work made their hometowns safer.

“Century Commander, if you find anything, report it immediately.”
“Yes, I understand, my lord!”

Because right behind them is Darling wearing a red cape.
To the citizens of Parenzia, Darling Tokarev was not simply a cold but cute lord.
The only successor to Fabian Tokarev, the former head of the family who protected the city from a monster wave seven years ago.
In addition, he was the person who grew Parenzia, a rural fiefdom that was already on the verge of collapse, into the best trading base in the kingdom.

After the Monster Wave, we created an economy that had become so difficult to make a living, and created the highest level on the continent.
Although the first reason it was possible was because an academy was established in Parenzia without anyone knowing, under the leadership of the royal family.
It was clearly Darling’s ability to seize the opportunity and develop the city.

Since no one knew why she was heading to the forest, the morale of her unit was very high.

“Matriarch.”

While walking through the forest with the soldiers, Darling heard from Bill that Louis wanted to meet him.
Normally, when she heard the sound of his slippers being pulled off, she would stop whatever she was doing and run out with her socks to welcome him.
But it was different now.

“I’m busy, so tell them I’ll see you later.”
“It’s really important.”
“Bill. “Can’t you hear yourself?”

Darling’s gaze was like a flame burning alone in the bitter cold and snowy wind.
Her eyes, as beautiful as amber, were always deep, but they were full of ripples caused by tension and anxiety.
She is the head of Viscount Ruhilen, the lord of Parenzia, the best merchant on the continent, and the spiritual leader of all citizens living in this city.
Bill fully understood that Darling hated showing weakness to Louis more than anyone else.
But–

“But he will come.”

Lewis knows everything.
The reason why the girl thrown into the middle of the tragedy was barely able to stand up, supporting her small legs.
It was to protect this city, the only legacy he had left, and to find the remains of his family.

— It’s a little early, but he decided to become an adult. So, from now on, please be polite when talking to me.
— Come to think of it, I heard they are building an academy here. Are you ever thinking of moving? There is some spare land near Yeongju Castle.
– What? Are you going to open a store? Hey, I’m sorry if I sound like I’m hitting the mark, but business isn’t that easy. Well, if you’re asking me for advice on running a top, think about it… Huh? Don’t you need blood?

After Parencia was trampled by a horde of monsters, how much Darling had relied on him as a child.
Even as she paid for the land the royal family had purchased to build her academy, she visited Louise several times a day.
I tidied up the ledger, hiding a smile at the blunt compliment.
Soldiers were recruited using light encouragement and small advice.

Although he showed a bit of obsession in order to hold on to Lewis, who was increasingly building a wall with him and trying to move away from him.
As a result, I supported his work and secretly helped him behind the scenes.

“You will come and reveal to the head of the family the truth that has been hidden for so long.”

The final resting place where Darling Tokarev could lean on to avoid falling.
Until now, Lewis has quietly performed that role.
Now he will no longer hide his mistakes.
He was going to find her on his own to end their long relationship.

***

When I first arrived in Parenzia, my first thought was, ‘I want to rest now.’
After digging the ground with his bare hands and burying the sacred relics and building a house out of planks in the wasteland, he slept almost as if he were dead for a year.
One day, when the lord suddenly invited me and said he wanted to treat me to dinner, I had to remember what the meal was.
The terrified expression of the person who made eye contact made me seriously think about whether this guy was food.

“Come on, guys, let’s eat.”

It’s almost a joke, but it means that his mental state was fluctuating to that extent at the time.
Animals that are residing in the canteen after the business is over like now -? It was something I couldn’t even dream of providing food for them.

When I made a gesture, the ice ducks and iron dogs followed suit.
I gave the iron dogs a pickaxe that had been damaged while digging in the basement.
Since it was an item with Kano’s magic, its tail was wagging rapidly as if it were a delicacy that exploded in the mouth.

“You guys come this way.”
“Beepeeeee——!!”

Next, ice duck.
These guys are quite picky eaters.
Of course, if you give me the leftover bread after selling, I eat it and grow in size, but recently I realized that it is not a good idea to get that big.
Instead, they were trying to feed him chocolate milk, red beans, syrup, etc.

“I’m going to run a shaved ice business next year.”
“Beep—?”
“There’s nothing to worry too much about. I changed it last time and it didn’t cause any major harm to my life. Now, eat quickly.”

After preparing all the meals while concentrating on developing a new menu, I turned my attention to the forest to the west where the fire had died down.
Is Bill still there?
I definitely asked to reschedule an appointment last time, but I’m busy now, so it might be difficult to meet.
Still, if I go in person, wouldn’t I act like I can’t win?
It would be a good idea to visit tomorrow.
If you meet Darling…

‘What should I say?’

My heart was heavy.
Because no amount of words could avoid hurting her.
The past time is always full of regret.
If only I had done a little better.

“No, it’s okay.”

The change in thinking was very quick.
I’ve regretted it to the point where my brain was worn out.
Now all I had to do was take out my shield and holy sword and end the war.
Oh, and one more thing.

“That guy was there too.”

I forgot to feed the little dragon that Nova brought.
At first, I had a hard time not knowing what he would eat.
I tried tying up the leftover bread and the cheekiest ice duck that had kicked my butt and throwing them into the cafe, but nothing touched my mouth.
Then, after hearing from Nova that dragons are the totality of magic and for them food is knowledge, I have been feeding them two magic cubes a day.
I was wondering if I would have to sell this guy to the circus sooner or later, as he sometimes kicks the door asking for more and costs 100 gold a day for food.

“Let’s see, the Magic Cube…”
“Louis.”
“Huh? Nova?”

The moment I picked up the Magic Cube, Nova came down from the second floor.
Her eyes, shining every time the sun disappears, always pointed a little ahead of the future we should envision.
Like a navigator pointing to the North Star from a boat swaying in the wind, Nova’s hand pointed west.

“I have to go now.”
“What?”
“Or it’s too late.”

She said no more.
She did not have any of the six principles properly.
However, having seen her in her demon world for a long time, I immediately put down the Rubik’s Cube.
After taking a look at the basement where most of the shields were taken out, I headed towards the western forest.