Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Hostage
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Summoning the pro-Emperor nobles to the capital was a move to secure their loyalty. Only those who wholeheartedly backed the Emperor's policies were invited.
They might all be tainted by demonic energy. If they weren't already.
Then what about the nobles who weren't invited, the ones the Emperor needed to make an example of? For them, a survival game was about to begin. Monster waves would soon pour into their territories.
“The Raelian bastards will protect the territories of those who swore loyalty. The territories of those who didn't will be abandoned. Just like Rzhev.”
Monsters don't just spring from the ground. To unleash a massive wave across the continent, they'd have to break through a major concentration of monsters, whether in the east, west, south, or north.
The monsters within the continent's interior alone wouldn't be enough.
The reason I predicted the monsters would be funneled toward Rzhev was simple. It's the region closest to the Demonic Realm.
Besides, an emperor needs to make an example to rule through fear. The bigger the example, the more terrified the people will be.
And what better example than Rzhev? A resistance stronghold, friendly with the White Mercenary Corps, led by Krain Rzhev, who has shown no reaction to the Emperor's power plays.
In the south, Mike Hoare hadn't finished his mission. The Ashar Desert's monster problem had already been partially resolved along with the ruin, and even if more came, the White Mercenary Corps would handle it.
The Lagaris region was a problem, but there was nothing to be done about it. We couldn't defend every corner of the continent. It was fortunate that we'd managed to destroy the ruin there and fend off a few monster waves.
That meant the monsters were certain to pour into this very place.
The Demonic Realm was right above us, and this was the place that had defied the Empire.
Truly vicious bastards. They'd struck right at our weakness. It was a classic catch-22.
*CRASH—*
“Rzhev is in danger. We must come up with a plan immediately.”
As I burst through the closed doors of the lord's office, Luther and Krain Rzhev stared at me as if I'd lost my mind.
Ah, was that too blunt?
“Rzhev in danger? When has it ever *not* been in danger? It was in danger in the past, it's in danger now, and it will continue to be in danger in the future.”
Krain Rzhev chuckled as if it was nothing new, then rubbed his weary eyes and gestured for me to sit.
No, even if I was being blunt, these people... they don't seem to grasp the gravity of the situation.
“A massive wave is coming. One unlike anything we've seen before.”
“Explain in detail.”
Luther asked, perhaps reading the seriousness on my face.
I walked over to the map and pointed to the Demonic Realm.
“I assume you've already heard the news. About the Raelian Church, the Empire, and their recent unusual activities.”
“Unusual activities?”
Ha, just like someone who withdrew from central politics due to his stubbornness. He's completely failing to read the room.
“The Empire's nobles are abandoning their territories and flocking to the capital. And the Raelian bastards, riding on the people's trust, are pulling out of Rzhev and heading to those nobles' lands. What do you think that means?”
Their expressions finally turned grim as they understood my words.
“A monster wave from the Demonic Realm is going to pour down on Rzhev.”
“If this place falls, the continent will be devastated. The places unprotected by the Raelian Church will be left defenseless.”
Krain Rzhev finally seemed to grasp the ominous signs surrounding him, letting out a deep sigh followed by a curse.
Now it all made sense. Why our requests for aid were ignored and why news from the capital had grown scarce.
“Damn it.”
“Is there no solution? The antenna. Can't we just destroy it?”
Luther asked, looking to Kratos for a solution.
“That will be difficult this time. The Empire... the Empire has effectively taken the entire populace hostage.”
“Hostage?”
“What happens if we destroy the antenna and the Raelian bastards can no longer use their divine power?”
“Ah. I see...”
Luther let out a deep sigh, finally understanding the meaning of 'hostage.' If they destroyed the antenna and the priests couldn't use their divine power?
The monsters would overrun the cities. Then, not only the Raelians but also the common people would suffer the full consequences. It wouldn't just be damage; countless citizens would lose their lives.
“Then, what do you think we should do now?”
“First, we need to send out our swiftest people to locate all the nearby antennas. That will allow us to predict the monsters' path. Second, we must go to Adma.”
Everything now hinged on the choices made in the moment. My predictions had been off, but the entire continent becoming a battlefield remained the same.
A war not of human against human, but human against monster. And it might even evolve into something more.
“Didn't you say the antennas were meaningless?”
“That only applies to the towns defended by the Raelian Church. Having them in the Rzhev region does us no good.”
“And Adma? Why Adma, not Rzhev?”
“Adma will serve as the first line of defense for Rzhev. Unlike Rzhev, which needs immediate repairs, Adma's walls are still sturdy. We can buy time there for Rzhev to repair its walls. Plus, there's still a large supply of food there that hasn't been moved. It will be a great help in many ways.”
Rzhev, who had been staring at the map for a long while, slammed his fist on the desk and shouted.
“Is that all?”
“And we must pray.”
“Summon all troops. Rzhev will survive in its own way.”
With that, the last shred of loyalty to protect this nation vanished.
“I'll contact the White Mercenary Corps myself. About dispatching additional troops from the 3rd Company.”
No nation that abandons its people has the right to exist.
“It's better this way. Much better. Even if it's only now.”
Krain Rzhev muttered to himself, his voice laced with self-mockery.
***
This news spread quickly to all corners—to the Holy Kingdom, the Mercenary Corps, and even Hattie Shaw.
Their reactions were predictable. They all thought the Empire had gone mad.
No one could guess what they hoped to gain by taking their own people hostage.
One could only speculate. They were plotting something immense.
This incident would undoubtedly grant the Emperor absolute power. A single word from him could offer protection from the monster waves.
“So, what's the plan?”
What in the world was the Emperor—no, Shiv Grewele—thinking? What grand picture was he painting with all this?
A war? No, war couldn't be the objective. The Empire had already conquered most of the continent, so what war was there to fight?
The only possible opponents were the Holy Kingdom or the Eastern Continent.
“The Empire has abandoned Rzhev.”
Krain Rzhev's speech drifted faintly through the window.
A murmur rippled through the crowd at Krain Rzhev's words.
“I don't know when, but a monster wave is coming soon. A wave unlike any we have ever seen. And there will be no support from the Empire.”
The murmuring slowly died down, replaced by expressions of anger and bewilderment.
“Those who wish to leave may do so. I will keep the southern gate open until tomorrow. No one will be blamed.”
He couldn't stop them. There were surely knights loyal to the Empire, not to him. There were soldiers and citizens worried for their families and their own safety.
How could he ask them to stay here and fight to the death? He couldn't guarantee them anything.
Even if they managed to repel this monster wave, it wasn't as if the Empire would suddenly praise them for holding out and send reinforcements.
I closed the window, shutting out the speech. There were more important things to deal with right now.
“We need to identify the locations of all the antennas installed across the continent.”
- The antennas' locations? What for? Didn't you say they're meaningless now?
“Not necessarily. The Empire wouldn't have improved them if they weren't needed. There must be something more to them that we don't know. We're taking a step back for now because we don't know the enemy's hand, but after one step back, we must prepare to take two steps forward.”
- Right. He often said that, too. One step back for two steps forward.
The antennas couldn't be completely meaningless. While the focus had been on them providing divine power to the Raelian bastards, didn't those towers originally have a monster-luring function?
If so, that function would still be there. After all, it's all based on demonic energy, not some other power.
But we have to be wary of variables. They might have some other auxiliary device. For now, it's best to locate them all.
We must consider all possibilities before making a judgment.
“The most important thing is figuring out what they're plotting in the capital. It's completely unpredictable. I'm counting on you for that part.”
- Understood. I'll mobilize all our information networks.
“Thank you.”
Hattie Shaw would have her work cut out for her, but at least we wouldn't miss whatever was happening in the capital.
“Hoo. What a mess. A total mess.”
My head feels like it's going to explode for the first time in a while. I just wanted to live a simple life, using my brawn. But this world just won't let me.
- I've heard the news. Something strange is happening in the capital, I hear?
After my call with Hattie Shaw ended, a connection was made with Pope Provino, and his weary voice came through.
“That's right. I can't fathom what they're planning. It doesn't seem to be war, that's for sure.”
- Not a war, you say. This whole movement seems to have started the moment the final decision was made not to accept the Raelian bastards into the Holy Kingdom. The timing is just perfect.
His voice was dripping with sarcasm. It was anger and sarcasm directed at whoever had spread the news everywhere as if they'd been waiting for it.
- The Holy Kingdom has begun its preparations as well. Fortunately, those old fools in the council have had their pride knocked down a peg. Everyone agreed that the situation on the continent is serious. Will Rzhev be all right?
“I can't be certain of anything. We'll just do what needs to be done.”
- A good attitude. Not running away, just doing what must be done. You can't imagine how many problems arise from people *not* doing what needs to be done.
How could I not know? I might know better than anyone.
- Anyway, I'll pass along any special news. Keep yourself alive until we meet again. Don't they say opportunity follows crisis?
Tch, what an ominous thing to say. That's the kind of line that sets up a death flag, like asking, "Is it over?"
Until the very end, Provino never once mentioned Niceta.
Was it because he believed the role and duty of a priest on a pilgrimage was their own to choose, not for the Holy Kingdom to decide?
After Provino, my call with Peri Batoni ended, and the sky had grown dark.
The commander also reported that signs of a monster wave were appearing, and the entire mercenary corps was on combat alert. Members had been dispatched to Kanta Village as well.
It seemed all possible preparations had been made. Unfortunately, no one had the spare forces to send aid.
The Holy Kingdom, the Mercenary Corps—they all had their own fronts to defend.
After all the calls were finished, I went down to the first floor. The sight of the slightly empty inn felt strange.
“This isn't a good situation, is it?”
Niceta asked cautiously, endlessly fidgeting with her beer mug. This was her first time facing a battlefield like this.
“It will be fine. I'm sure of it. Just do your part. Slay monsters and save people.”
Seamus and Reinhardt were surely worried sick, but they tried not to show it. They just silently prepared for what was to come.
Didn't Admiral Yi Sun-sin say it? 'Those who seek death shall live, and those who seek life shall die.'
There's nowhere to run. If that's the case, shouldn't I at least choose my own battlefield?
Besides, if I can't overcome a crisis of this magnitude, how can I ever hope to get my revenge on them?
***
Chaos erupted. The people panicked, and the soldiers and knights were lost in their own worries.
Those who decided to leave were already on their way, while those who remained began preparing for survival.
The meeting room felt a bit empty. Everyone had gathered, except for those still deliberating or who had decided to leave.
Fortunately, Luther's 5th Company had also decided to stay. It must have been a difficult decision, knowing they could die, but it was a case of high risk, high return. It seemed he and his members were in agreement on that point.
Rzhev had also willingly vouched for him.
With the remaining people gathered, Rzhev looked each person in the eye as if he had made up his mind, then announced his decision.
“All remaining personnel will move to Adma. We will face the enemy on the very front line.”
Good. An excellent decision.