Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Does Spring Come to Stolen Fields? (2)
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Kratos entrusted Hattie Shaw with rebuilding the information network and detailed the current situation within the Empire.
The use of enhanced humans and the abandoned as sacrifices. And the traces of black magic he had seen in Libria.
The more she heard, the more devastated Hattie Shaw’s expression became. Until now, survival had been her priority, so it would have been difficult to grasp such detailed information.
Especially for events happening outside the capital.
Rebuilding the organization wouldn't be easy. However, he had given her a substantial amount of money, and with her skills, she would undoubtedly create an information network beyond his expectations.
*Creeak-*
“You! Where have you been? It's absolute chaos out there. You've seen what's going on, right?”
“I have. It's a complete mess. Holy Kingdom priests and soldiers are all over the streets. I can't even count how many times I was stopped on my way here.”
As Kratos entered the mercenary office, Alje rushed over in a flurry, his face flushed and his hair a disheveled mess.
“The Holy Kingdom has stepped forward because of this incident. They've even sent word that they won't stand by if there's even the slightest connection.”
Kratos smirked at Alje’s words, then winced at a twinge of discomfort in his side.
“It really is a mess. Demonic energy in the middle of the capital. What the hell… What's the Empire saying?”
“The Empire has announced its full cooperation. They're saying an unforgivable incident has occurred, and that they knew nothing about it.”
He furrowed his brow, dumbfounded. To deny it now, of all times.
Damn them. What do they mean, unforgivable? They're the ones who created that place.
From the beginning, this was all part of the Empire's grand design. Creating District 13, digging the tunnels beneath it, transporting the kidnapped people, and the experiments—all of it.
“That makes sense. Demonic energy in the abandoned District 13. Who would have ever imagined it?”
Still, his plan seemed to have succeeded. The plan to restrain the Empire from any further foolishness and bring in the Holy Kingdom to keep them in check.
“Rumors are spreading like wildfire on the streets that black mages are on the move again. The mercenary corps are in an uproar too. They say the Holy Kingdom is dispatching inquisitors to each corps to root out anyone involved.”
Inquisitors, even. Well, when demonic energy is involved, it's a different story. It was enough to make those Holy Kingdom bastards see red and come running.
“Black mages? Are they saying black mages are responsible for what happened in those tunnels?”
“That seems to be the story. With all that demonic energy seething, who else could it be but those black mage bastards?”
But the rumor about black mages was unexpected. He suspected it was a story spread by the Empire to divert attention.
He'd have to wait and see what that bastard Ludwig's purpose was in spreading such a rumor. Besides, if it was black mages, they themselves wouldn't be safe.
After all, the Northern Inspector, Sejanus, was one of those who had accepted demonic energy through those filthy deeds in the underground.
“Ah, and the corps has issued a recall order for you. A new mission, they say.”
This was probably the main reason. They likely wanted to question him about the incident in the capital as well.
To be honest, it was safe to say that besides Hattie Shaw and himself, no one knew the full story.
“Hmm. That's a relief. I accomplished everything I set out to do before leaving.”
He had arranged for Hattie Shaw to provide him with information once she had rebuilt her network in the capital to a certain extent.
It was safe to assume he wouldn't miss any major intelligence within the capital. He knew Hattie Shaw's skills better than anyone.
It was a real relief. First Lubeck, and now the capital. He had spent this vacation quite productively.
“You'd better get going right away. The checkpoints to leave the capital are no joke. Still, I'm glad you were able to meet your friend.”
“I know. I should leave immediately. Thank you for everything during my time in the capital.”
“Don't mention it. We're in the same corps. It's only natural we help each other out.”
Kratos shook Alje's hand and left the office.
The capital's atmosphere was grim. People wore dark expressions, as if unable to fathom the future, and everyone was on edge.
It was demonic energy, after all. And the incident had erupted without any warning.
It was like pouring oil on the already smoldering fire of the capital's mood.
But this might actually be for the better. Better than being kidnapped and used as materials.
***
He didn't have much luggage to begin with, so he put the crowbar and hammer in his inventory and strapped a suitable sword to his waist.
Different from how he looked during his previous battles. This was important. Weapons like a crowbar or hammer were especially conspicuous.
When he arrived at the train platform leading out of the capital, a long line of people was already waiting.
Paladins, inquisitors, and Imperial soldiers were stationed grimly around the entire platform, and an inquisitor was emitting holy power at everyone trying to enter.
Come to think of it, he wondered how that quack priest was doing. For a priest, the man had been shamelessly fond of alcohol and money.
Despite that, his skills were among the best in the Holy Kingdom.
As an important figure in the Holy Kingdom, he must have at least survived the disaster from ten years ago.
“Next. Purpose?”
“Kratos of the White Mercenary Corps. I'm returning to the corps' base in Ashar.”
The inquisitor, his face etched with fatigue and dark circles under his eyes, checked the mercenary tag before extending a hand and releasing holy power.
*Nothing will happen, right?* An unnecessary anxiety crept up on him.
After all, he had fought in a place teeming with demonic energy, and though he had purified it, he had also absorbed some. His wounds hadn't even fully healed yet.
A white light emanated from the inquisitor's hand, enveloping his body as if dancing, lingered for a moment, and was then absorbed into him.
It felt quite refreshing. The stinging in his side had subsided considerably. *So this is holy power, huh?*
“Hoh…?”
The inquisitor's eyes lit up at the unusual reaction.
The reaction when the inquisitor's unique holy power—used to judge evil—touched a person was simple.
It would either scatter and disappear, or it would run wild. Holy power would react to even the faintest trace of demonic energy.
The former meant the person was ordinary; the latter meant there were traces of demonic energy. In the latter case, a serious investigation would begin.
Whether they were simply exposed to demonic energy, or if they were someone who had dabbled in it.
But a case where the holy power danced around as if pleased before being absorbed was extremely rare.
It meant the being before him was far more compatible with holy power than expected.
Such an individual could never be involved with demonic energy. Demonic energy, by its very nature, was incompatible with holy power.
“So you are a brother close to God. It's impossible for you to be involved with demonic energy. May His blessings light your path, brother. Pass!”
As the inquisitor, who had been mechanically shouting "Next," "Purpose," and "Pass," gave a benevolent smile and a blessing, the expressions of the people around them changed.
“He could make a face like that?”
“Look how gentle he is. I heard all inquisitors were out of their minds.”
“But why? Is there something special about that mercenary?”
While the people whispered, a young priest, who looked like an apprentice, scurried over and handed him something.
“On your way to Ashar, if you encounter anyone from the Holy Kingdom, show them this token, and you will be allowed to pass immediately.”
It was a small wooden token filled with holy power, with the inquisitor's mark embedded in the center.
“Thank you.”
“May God's grace be with you.”
It was an unexpected situation, but not a bad one, so he smiled and accepted the token gratefully.
Just being able to bypass the Holy Kingdom's checkpoints would save him a lot of time. Besides, the phrase "a brother close to God" was worth remembering.
He had gained another useful card to play.
***
As the train left the capital behind, the tension on people's faces eased slightly.
“Phew—I thought I was going to suffocate.”
“Ugh, seriously. What in the world is happening to the capital?”
Of course, there were still people from the Holy Kingdom and soldiers on the train, but at least it wasn't the stifling, oppressive atmosphere of the capital.
“Mmm… Mmph. These bast—!”
He hastily swallowed the words he was about to spit out.
*What the hell are these bastards doing.*
In the innermost seat of the train heading to the midway stop, Lubeck, he was reviewing the materials recovered from the ruins when he crumpled the paper in his hand.
Most of it was background information on the ruins currently being excavated and data on that antenna.
There was also an operation order stating that the excavation of the ruins was being directly commanded by the Central Intelligence Department, along with a pile of papers filled with questions.
From the contents, it seemed they hadn't yet accessed the ruin's secrets, but conversely, it also looked like they were running out of time before they did.
Was the Empire digging into these ruins because they already knew its secrets? Or were they digging to find them?
This was something he needed to investigate further.
And that damn antenna was just as he'd expected. It spread the demonic energy concentrated within it in all directions, amplifying the ferocious nature of monsters.
It was an artifact that herded monsters in the direction of its paired receiver.
Which meant that the receiving artifact was somewhere in Kanta Village.
“But this is strange. How do these bastards know about this? The basic framework definitely seems to be mine.”
Strange. This method. It seemed to have been heavily modified, but there was no way he wouldn't recognize it.
Broadly speaking, it was one of the subjects he had researched during his Da Vinci days. The study of stimulating the primal nature of monsters.
And he was certain he had buried that research data somewhere deep. With heavy security measures in place, no less.
The key resting in his inventory was the only one. The key to the place where his undisclosed inventions and research data slept.
They say to trust your gut. The gut feeling that the Empire had stolen his research and was using it flashed through his mind.
*Grind-*
The sound of teeth grinding could be heard from his clenched jaw.
This was a problem he had to investigate thoroughly. If his research or undisclosed artifacts had fallen into their hands, it would be a huge pain.
Then he took out the second set of documents. The ones from the Lubeck bank manager's safe.
It was a rather thick ledger. Though it might not be useful right now, it seemed like something that would definitely come in handy later.
“Hmm. This is somewhat helpful.”
Perhaps later. If time allowed, he would have to visit Lubeck again. For now, they would be on high alert.
Later.
***
“Oh! Did you have a good vacation?”
“It was a rather dynamic vacation.”
Upon his return to the mercenary headquarters, the guard on duty greeted Kratos warmly.
“Glad to see you back safely. The Vice-Captain is looking for you, so you should go see him. He said to send you over the moment you returned.”
What could be so urgent that they wouldn't even give him time to unpack?
*Knock, knock-*
He knocked on the Vice-Captain's door, and soon after, a voice told him to enter.
“You're here.”
The Vice-Captain's office, which he was seeing for the first time, was the very definition of neat. As if reflecting his personality, the books were arranged at perfect angles, along with maps and various other items.
Even the papers on the desk boasted sharp, precise angles.
“It seems something quite interesting happened in the capital.”
Kratos could only offer an awkward smile in response to Peri Batoni's question.
“Well. It wasn't bad.”
“Is there anything you need to report urgently?”
“Hmm. I don't think so.”
Well. He hadn't yet figured out what kind of person Peri Batoni was, so he had nothing to say.
He wasn't sure where to begin or end the story. In that case, it was better not to say anything at all.
“In that case, we'll hear your detailed report when the Captain returns from his mission. There's a reason I called you in so urgently.”
He approached the large map at Peri Batoni's gesture, where various markers were scattered about.
“I've already briefed the other members, so I'll keep it simple. The current situation is not good at all. Monsters have suddenly started rampaging across the entire continent.”
The numbers on the flags probably indicated squads. Most of the squads were scattered here and there, carrying out missions.
“It's a joint mission between Squad 12 and Squad 10. The mission area is monster extermination on the eastern Benya Beach. Just like with Rzhev, and again in the desert, this is a job that requires your skills.”
Monster extermination, huh. He probably wasn't called in just for that.
“And, I've told Derek and Lando this, but I have a separate order for you as well. There's a small island near the beach. We've received intelligence that Imperial bastards have been spotted there. If you have time, I want you to check it out.”
At Peri Batoni's words, he couldn't stop a wide grin from spreading across his face. To think he'd get help like this.
Good. Very good.
Not only could he hunt monsters and raise his stats, but there was also a ruin there.
The ruin of the Venatio species.