Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Niceta (4)
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“We’re almost at Rzhev.”
“Finally!”
We had traveled for days from Libria to Rzhev without stopping in a single town. The state of the North, as seen from the carriage, was more dire than I had expected.
While cities with walls might have been holding on, the people in small villages, lacking even decent fortifications, were trembling in fear of monsters that could attack at any moment.
Every time we passed such a village, the faces of our party darkened.
Even for veteran mercenaries like Seamus and Reinhardt, who had been on countless missions, an atmosphere like this wasn't something they encountered often. For Niceta, it was even worse.
No matter how promising a rising star she was in the Holy Kingdom, considering her age and experience, seeing such scenes firsthand was bound to be a shock.
This is the reality of the world outside your walls, kid. This is what a greater evil looks like. No matter the justification or reason, all that remains is suffering.
But no one explains it to you gently. It comes at you violently, searing itself into your mind.
“It’s so devastating.”
“Reality is always waiting outside the door. No matter how many prayers you offer in the Holy Kingdom, you can't truly know until you see it for yourself. The reality you hear about is vastly different from the one you see.”
“I didn’t know. Not at all. That it would be this bad.”
This continent was undeniably breaking down. The light was slowly losing its power, and its place was being filled by evil.
Even without a war, this continent needed to change.
The kingdom that once fought against oppression had now become a new oppressor, pushing the continent to the precipice of suffering.
“It would be good for you to see and feel as much as you can on this mission.”
Niceta nodded grimly at the advice.
“Rzhev isn’t in good shape, either.”
“The fact that it’s holding on this well is a testament to Lord Krain Rzhev’s ability.”
Rzhev was visible in the distance. Plumes of smoke billowed from its walls. Even from afar, the signs of battle were unmistakable.
“Demonic energy is everywhere.”
“That’s what this place is. The frontline of the Demonic Realm. A place where monsters tainted by demonic energy are always baring their fangs, ready to devour people.”
Niceta muttered, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword. Since her defeat, she had been keeping her promise. Except for the pout on her lips.
If we hadn’t fought any monsters on the way here, would her pout have been several times worse?
“Take your hand off it. You’ll get sick of fighting once we enter the Demonic Realm anyway.”
Of course, I had also started speaking more casually since I woke up. After all, I was the one giving orders; I couldn't keep using formal speech.
It seemed the wall repairs were finished, as the collapsed outer castle had been restored, but it still looked precarious, as if it could be breached at any moment.
“Why don’t they retreat?”
“Because this is the final bastion against the Demonic Realm. If this place falls, the Empire will be overrun by monsters pouring down from there. These people are dedicating their lives to this place out of pure responsibility and duty.”
As we drew closer, the stench of crackling, burning monster corpses grew stronger. The ground was littered with uncollected blades mired in the mud.
The scene, a vivid testament to fierce battles, brought back memories of my first time here.
To think I’d be back in Rzhev. Compared to my first visit, it feels like a different era. I was nothing but a greenhorn back then.
I changed my face back to its original form. The people here would be more familiar with this one.
Niceta flinched in surprise.
It made sense. This would be the first time she had seen this face. It was natural for her to be startled.
“What’s with that face?”
“This is my real face. I usually disguise myself with various other faces.”
“But why would you hide that handsome face…?”
“Is there any reason to draw attention? It’s not like I fight with my face. A face like that just gets seared into people’s memories.”
As we approached the wall, a shout came from above.
“Who goes there! Identify yourselves!”
“The White Mercenary Corps!”
This time, we were the White Mercenary Corps, not priests of the Holy Kingdom. We needed to establish a base here, not just pass through like in Libria.
Besides, there were likely other companies already operating here.
“Open the gate!”
The soldiers’ faces were worn from battle and etched with fatigue, but their eyes were sharp. They were on edge.
“We’ll check your credentials.”
“Kratos?”
“It’s the mercenary Kratos! *The* Kratos!”
A soldier who recognized me shouted in surprise. Turning my head, I saw quite a few familiar faces. A wave of warmth washed over me, knowing we had fought together once.
“Kratos has returned!”
The cry echoed loudly throughout Rzhev.
“What? *That* Kratos is here?”
The soldiers who had given me food, asking me to take care of them. Even the ones I had saved. Many soldiers I remembered gathered around.
“Oh, by the gods!”
“To come back to this place, now a battlefield again! Hahaha, what a madman.”
“I told you I’d see you again someday.”
“You remember!”
For the soldiers, the memory of that day was still vivid. The survivors had shared countless stories about it over drinks.
The main topic of conversation was, without a doubt, Kratos. How could they forget the sight of him staying behind, fending off monsters to let the soldiers he saved into the inner castle?
Of course, that hadn’t been Kratos’s true intention.
But isn't how others remember you more important than your own intentions? In any case, it had earned me a good deal of favor.
“Luther!”
“Kratos!”
At the news of the White Mercenary Corps’ arrival, the captain of the 5th Company came running from a distance. The same captain who had held a sword to my throat when we first met.
Of course, our relationship was no longer one where such misunderstandings could arise.
“Good to see you!”
Luther pushed through the crowd of soldiers, embraced me in a friendly greeting, and whispered quietly in my ear.
“I heard about the mission. I’ll see you at your quarters this evening.”
“Understood.”
Luther, a wide smile on his face, stated his original purpose.
“Ah! The Lord of the Castle wishes to see you. He was pleased to hear you’d arrived. I’ve already heard what happened.”
“Thank you. I’ll head over as soon as I’ve unpacked.”
Leaving the soldiers’ farewells behind, our party was guided to a place close to, but separate from, where the other mercenaries were staying.
It would be more convenient for the independent mission ahead.
Considering the constant battles, the people’s expressions weren’t as grim as one might expect. It was as if they believed they needed to be even brighter in times like these.
And as expected, the stones of the Seven Deadly Sins were not laid here.
“There are a lot of Raelian Church members here, too.”
“It’s best not to approach or speak to them. No good can come from leaving an unnecessary impression.”
“I wasn't going to. It’s just strange. I can’t feel any demonic energy from them.”
That was probably a puzzle I needed to solve. It was a real mystery what kind of method they were using.
***
After a quick tidy-up, I went to the lord’s castle. Krain Rzhev, his beard now much fuller than before, rose from his chair.
“So, it’s you.”
He had dismissed all his knights, so with no one else around, Rzhev spoke freely.
“I heard the story from the Pope and Batoni. Those crafty old foxes.”
He rubbed the bridge of his nose wearily and held out a bundle of papers.
“This is a collection of reports on the situation in the northern Demonic Realm and records of the Raelian priests. Use them if you need to. I just wish this damn business would end quickly.”
He looked utterly exhausted. It was understandable. Krain Rzhev was an Imperial noble with ties to the resistance. This whole situation was tormenting him.
The internal affairs of the Empire were a complete mess, and it had been a long time since any proper support had come from the capital. On top of that, signs of a potential war were popping up everywhere.
He, too, was standing at a crossroads.
“Thank you.”
“It’s been a while for you. Hmm. You’ve grown stronger than before. Much more dependable.”
It made one wonder just what kind of intense experiences this man, Kratos, had gone through in less than a year.
“And to think you’re *his* disciple. Why didn’t you mention it back then?”
“Ah. I didn’t have the presence of mind. Things were a bit chaotic.”
“Yes, I can see that. Given the circumstances. In any case, it’s good to see you. His disciple. I’m glad to know, even if it’s late.”
His eyes held the kind of look a grandfather gives his grandchild.
A thought suddenly occurred to me. Ah, so not every moment of my first life was in vain.
What a relief.
***
After finishing my private meeting with Krain Rzhev, I returned to our quarters to find Luther waiting for us, his face worn with fatigue.
“What’s the situation in Rzhev? And the Raelian Church people?”
“Just as you’d expect. Battle after battle, every single day. There’s nothing unusual about the Raelian priests’ actions. They’re just cooperating in fending off the monsters.”
The situation hadn’t deviated from what we expected.
“But the soldiers and the common folk must have a good impression of them.”
“That’s inevitable. It’s a fact that they’re effective.”
As I thought, they had gained the absolute support of the common people and soldiers. One way or another, it’s only natural to praise a god who solves your immediate problems and keeps you from dying.
However, their true intentions remained shrouded in mystery. What exact role did the Raelian Church play in the Empire’s grand design?
If they failed to push the Raelian Church into the Holy Kingdom, would the Empire halt the war, citing a failed plan? I highly doubted it.
They must have a Plan B, and a Plan C. The usefulness of the Raelians would surely not end just because they couldn’t infiltrate the Holy Kingdom.
What is your goal, Shiv Grewele? What on earth is your purpose in all this?
The stones of the Seven Deadly Sins were definitely not in Rzhev. If they weren’t securing demonic energy through the stones, then why were there so many Raelian priests here?
Why? The question echoed in my mind, and though I wracked my brain, recalling all sorts of memories, I couldn't find a suitable answer.
“Battles break out frequently, once or twice a day. As if they’re trying to conquer this place at any moment. We face a crisis or two every single day. I don’t even know where all these monsters are coming from.”
Luther hesitated for a moment before spitting out his next words.
“Honestly, if it weren’t for the Raelian Church, this place might have fallen long ago.”
“That’s unavoidable. By any chance, could you provide us with information about this area?”
“Information about this area? You’re planning to?”
“We plan to head toward the Demonic Realm.”
At the mention of the Demonic Realm, Luther’s expression hardened. Rzhev had tried to send reconnaissance teams toward the Demonic Realm, but none had ever succeeded.
First, the monster incursions were too frequent. A small scouting party wouldn't stand a chance. Second, no one volunteered. Who would willingly go somewhere knowing it was a death sentence?
“If that’s the reason, then certainly. But, will you be alright?”
“We have to go. For the sake of the mission, we must.”
“Hah… If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do my best. Just say the word.”
Luther provided the additional information we needed and an update on the current situation before returning to his own quarters.
“Alright! We’ll meet at the entrance to the Demonic Realm tomorrow, before dawn. Get as much rest as you can.”
In a situation with continuous fighting like this, every spare moment had to be used for recovery.
This was the true beginning of the mission. The start of a mission whose outcome was unknown.