Chapter 25
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 25
Returning the Title (2)
Carmil opened his mouth with a voice whose emotions had sunk.
"Your Majesty, what did you just say?"
I couldn't believe it even hearing it myself.
He looked at the hand the King was holding him with. I tried to pull it off, but he didn't let go. Rather, he was holding Carmil's two hands more desperately.
"Captain Carmil. Whose sword are you."
"...I am the sword of the Kingdom."
"No. You are wrong."
The King tightened his hand holding him even more.
"You are my sword. That sword and strength of yours exist solely to protect our Royal Family and this capital!"
"..."
"Yet why do you keep trying to disturb my peace with such trivial matters like the battlefield or demons every time?"
It is fine as long as here is safe. Even if any place in the Kingdom collapses, as long as this capital and the Royal Family's bloodline are alive and well, the Kingdom can resurrect anytime.
Especially, if the Demon King resurrects as Carmil said, he had to stay here even more.
The King's eyes looking at him had bloodshot veins before he knew it.
"The Hero and the North will take care of the Demon King's army. Isn't it their mission and fate to die fighting demons anyway. So leave the battlefield to other soldiers now, and you protect me and my children here from now on."
"Your Majesty. If I let go of both those tasks, countless people will lose their lives."
"Yes, I know. I know too. But what can be done?"
The King, who had been speaking heatedly all along, shook his head as if it were a pity.
"In the end, the weight of my life and the people's lives are different. No matter how many people die, the country is maintained, but the Royal Family is different. If we disappear, who would dare to replace this bloodline."
"..."
"Do not be swayed by personal feelings. If the Demon King really resurrects, you must stay here even more. If you and Captain Leohar join forces, who would dare to break through this capital? Surely not only the Demon King's army but also any other country will not be able to look down on this place in the future."
Right. As long as we are here, it's safe. Those high castle walls and numerous troops. And above all, if only Captain Carmil is here, at least this capital will never collapse.
Carmil didn't give any answer to those words. At that reaction of his, the King smiled.
"Right. It's good that you know even now. A true loyal subject knows when to bow his head. So from now on, dedicate the rest of your life here as a 'Hero of the Royal Family', not a War Hero."
"...Your Majesty."
"Do not worry. I will mediate well the matter with Captain Leohar. So you also must protect me and this place together with him in the future."
Saying that, the King's two hands went up on his shoulders. The King looked at him with a proud face. He was convinced that the one who was just a 'son of a bitch' just a moment ago had finally been reborn as the 'Hero of the Royal Family'.
"..."
But even seeing such a King, Carmil didn't say any words. Neither affirmed nor even denied.
His gaze looking at the King was just coldly cooled down.
"Is that so..."
He muttered quietly. Everyone in the room heard it, but they didn't know who he was talking to.
Nevertheless, he continued his words. Looking somewhere beyond the King, not the King.
"I should have done this from the beginning."
He brushed off the King's hand and detached the Hero's epaulet on his shoulder. And put it on the King's table without any hesitation.
"I should have done this earlier."
Regret and bitterness. And even resignation were buried in those words.
Seeing that action of his, the King made an expression of not understanding.
"Captain Carmil... What are you doing right now?"
"I just did what I had to do."
However, what returned were words that were even more incomprehensible.
The King urged him with an anxious expression.
"Put this epaulet back on right now."
"Your Majesty. I-"
"-It is a royal command!!"
Unable to bear the anger, the King cut off Carmil's words and glared. Nevertheless, he was calm. No, he was calmer than ever. To the point where no one could throw a stone into his river anymore.
He just called the King with a nonchalant expression.
"King of the Ar Kingdom."
"You? What did you say just now..."
"You already know."
Carmil put his hand on his chest and bowed his head.
That was the last loyalty dedicated to the King, and the last time he bowed his head.
"Knight Carmil. I will lay down the title of War Hero at this place right now."
"Y-You, how dare you...!"
"And I will also resign from the position of the 4th Knight Order Captain."
At those words, not only the King but also those around couldn't hide their astonishment. Carmil didn't wait for their answer.
Step. Step. Amidst everyone being flustered, only the sound of Carmil's leaving footsteps was heard.
"Will you not stop right now!!"
The King called him to stop urgently. However, even if he stopped his footsteps, he didn't turn his head.
He just waited for the King's last words with his back turned. The King got even more angry at that attitude of his.
"Wh-What on earth are you trying to do. Did you not hear my voice asking you to protect the Royal Family with your sword?"
"Therefore, I laid down that sword."
"Just what have you been listening to my words as until now!!"
I can't understand. I can't accept it. And above all, I couldn't accept it.
Eventually, unable to bear it, the King ordered the knights.
"What are you doing. Make that disloyal one's feet stop right now!"
Sh-ring- The knights around drew their swords all at once and aimed at him.
Dozens of blades touched his body, but nothing changed. Rather, it was the knights who made eye contact with him who felt pressured.
"Can you handle it."
"Kuk! We are just following Your Majesty's command."
Having seen the match a while ago, they knew Carmil's skill well. Even though the knights were aiming their swords, they rather had the illusion of having a sword aimed at their own necks.
Seeing the knights overwhelmed by that momentum, the King fumed even more. Why does he refuse these glories while having that level of skill.
Why can't he understand my will?
"Just what is that damn battlefield that you are being so stubborn? Why do you keep trying to go on a wrong path alone!"
"..."
"Demons or the Demon King, if you bring up those words, do you think the Empire or Republic guys will fight together? Not a chance. Rather, they will just look for other opportunities vigilantly."
The previous war with the Demon King's army was the same. Everyone could join forces because the Hero's leadership and the North's sacrifice were possible. The current Hero is too young, and the North has already lost a lot of strength.
Above all, at that time, it wasn't as peaceful as now, so there was desperation. As much as it was a crisis where the continent might perish right tomorrow, everyone could gather their will and join forces.
But now? Will everyone really lend their strength believing that one absurd sound. It would be fortunate if they don't backstab instead.
"So what we have to prepare for is not preventing the resurrection of the Demon King! But how to take advantage after the Demon King resurrects!"
"Even if it means abandoning the people outside the capital."
"Think carefully. When other countries fail to prepare and perish, at least we will be able to dream of the next future here. The Kingdom lives when we live. How can you not fathom this simple meaning!"
He poured out with a frustrated face.
The subjects around also nodded at his words. However, Carmil was curious.
If they were the people outside this capital, would they be able to nod at those words like now.
Could they really spit out those same words.
One thing for sure is that the path they are trying to take is different from his. Behind the slick excuses, in the end, only their own safety was guaranteed.
Carmil looked at the epaulet placed on the table with a bitter expression.
"I intended to return someday. When the work in the North is finished, I would have returned someday."
His dark red Aura pushed away the surrounding swords. Everyone just watched that scene blankly.
"But, that won't happen anymore."
No one could stop his steps saying so anymore. Only the King, who lost his mind, shouted at his back.
"You bastard. Where are you trying to go! Return right now."
However, he didn't stop anymore, and the more he did, the more the King shouted as if possessed by something.
"Can't you hear my words? It is a royal command. I said it's a royal command...!"
Thud- Nevertheless, the door was completely closed, and outside the door, only the sound of unhesitating footsteps faded away.
Only then did the King realize.
"Carmil. You bastaaaaard!!"
The fact that a War Hero no longer exists in this country.
The Kingdom's underground sewer.
In that place full of unpleasant stench and rotten dampness, various monsters inhabited as usual.
However, it wasn't a hugely strange thing. It was just that sometimes lost monsters flowed in through underground holes. Other countries also inspected regularly and subjugated monsters every time.
So even if the number increased 'a little', the Kingdom also considered it trivially.
"Sigh. Just until when do I have to hide here?"
However, the presence of someone was heard in that place where usually no one was.
A woman wearing a robe muttered while feeding something to the monsters.
"Now, now, eat a lot."
What was held in her hand was the demons' magic power that controls the minds of monsters.