Chapter 144
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 144
Neither Rashumer nor Uin could have done it. Emerging from those flames completely unscathed wasn't a matter of mere strength.
"It makes no sense."
Therefore, there was only one answer.
"The 36 Masterpieces..."
"I agree."
The Pope had already played the card of a Masterpiece.
A bit more information was exchanged. Ar shared everything Rainmay had told him with Rashumer. When Ar mentioned that the Paladin had brought up the Hero, Rashumer finally realized Ar's true objective.
"So, is it time to send out the Hero?"
"It would be fine if you stepped forward, Sir Rashumer."
"I'll pass. I have no intention of getting caught up in our captain's schemes."
Ar simply smiled in response. Rashumer knew Ar's plan but had no intention of interfering. His only responsibility was Uin's training.
"How is Uin?" Ar asked, smoothly changing the subject as if he hadn't expected anything from Rashumer in the first place.
Finding the question difficult to answer, Rashumer swept back his bangs and hesitated.
"I don't even know how to describe it."
A Hero is the culmination of talent. Their potential is so vast that ordinary people cannot even hope to compare. To be precise, it is because they possess such overwhelming talent that they are chosen as Heroes in the first place.
"Bern was a genius. And so am I, of course."
Indeed, all Heroes were. They were beings who could master countless things from a single experience, defying the opening chapters of training manuals that preached experience as the ultimate weapon.
"Even for a genius like Bern, it took a week just to get used to holding a sword. It took him about two months to mimic what he was taught, six months to make it completely his own, and about a year to infuse his own style into what he had learned."
It had only been a few days since Uin began her training. For anyone else, this was the period when they would still be running laps around the training ground just to build basic endurance.
"She is already at a level where she can mimic everything I teach her."
"So she's made astronomical progress."
"On the first day, she barely landed a couple of hits on me. Now, we're at the stage of exchanging blows. Of course, I still land far more hits... but the training gauntlets Uin is using can't emit shockwaves. If this were a real battle, the outcome would already be decided."
"Thank you for your exceptional guidance."
"However, she has yet to develop her own unique style. If you're asking whether her training is complete, the answer is no."
Ar stood and bowed his head in sincere gratitude. Rashumer knew this gesture signaled the end of her training.
"And yet, you still plan to deploy her immediately?"
"We must begin our preparations. We never know what might happen."
Rainmay's report had made one more thing certain.
While the Orcs and the Pope had joined hands, their alliance was far from solid. This was evident from the Paladin's passive behavior—disappearing immediately after instigating the rebellion. They were merely business partners.
It was an obvious outcome, really.
The Orcs and the Papal Faction were ideologically incompatible. One side consisted of monsters whose entire way of life revolved around shamanism and totemism, while the other consisted of humans driven by religious faith. They could never truly harmonize.
It was clear they were just using each other. Given that the Papal Court was empty when Ar had visited, they were undoubtedly preparing something in the shadows.
Now that a Masterpiece had appeared and the Paladin had specifically mentioned Ar, it was practically a declaration of all-out war. Ar had to make thorough preparations of his own.
"Now, I must speak with Miss Uin for a moment."
Bowing once more, Ar slowly stood. He was just about to open the door and head to Uin when a voice stopped him.
"Are you sure about this?" Rashumer asked quietly.
"...What do you mean, Sir Rashumer?"
"Well, I suppose it's meddlesome of me to worry when I've already decided not to interfere."
When Rashumer had first accepted Ar's proposal, Ar had been forced to share his plans and the current situation. Because of this, Rashumer could see the situation from Ar's perspective—and that was precisely why he was worried.
"It's fine to expand the board before wiping out the Pope. It's also fine to seize the Masterpiece from him and use it to subjugate Swallow."
"..."
"But tens of thousands of imperial citizens have already died in just a few days. If things go according to your plan, that number will multiply by several, if not dozens of times."
"I appreciate your concern, but—"
"I'm asking if you'll be able to handle the fallout when Uin and the others find out."
Ar, who had turned to look at Rashumer, faced forward once more. His answer only came after his hand gripped the doorknob.
"That, too, will have its use when the time comes."
The door clicked shut behind him.
* * *
Uin was still sprawled out on the training ground floor.
At the sound of the door opening, she whipped her head around to look at Ar.
"Ar!"
She pushed herself off the ground and sprang to her feet. Ar walked slowly toward her, a cold, sharp light glinting in his narrowed eyes.
"Miss Uin."
Ar gestured for her to sit, then plopped down beside her. Once seated, he remained silent for a long time.
Thick clouds blanketed the sky. The cool breeze felt like an omen of what was to come.
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Uin watched Ar's expression before speaking cautiously. "Something important is happening, isn't it?"
"Thank you for noticing, Miss Uin." Only then did Ar smile. Feigning hesitation, he called her name. "There is one thing I would like to ask you."
"I'll answer if I can."
"There is an enemy threatening the citizens of the Empire."
At the mention of the imperial citizens, Uin's shoulders flinched.
"A truly wicked entity that is taking tens of thousands of lives."
Though he was referring to the Paladin, Rashumer's words suddenly flashed through Ar's mind. Strictly speaking, those words applied to him as well, making the situation deeply ironic.
"If that enemy is human, and the only way to stop their atrocities is to kill them... would you be willing to put an end to them, Miss Uin?"
"What kind of question is that, Ar?"
Contrary to his concerns, her response came without a shred of hesitation.
"You said they have to die for the sake of the Empire's citizens." She spoke with such casual certainty that the sheer madness of it sent a chill down his spine. "Then of course I have to kill them."
* * *
Two days after the Siege of Rubhem ended, the survivors of the defeated Nixir Red Dragon Subjugation Squad returned to Riaze.
Less than half of those who had set out returned. The survivors were gaunt and hollow-eyed, speaking only in hushed whispers.
"...I have no excuse."
Rainmay, the deputy captain, could only offer Ar those few words.
Although Kart had chosen an honorable death, the fact that they couldn't even retrieve his body made every waking moment a living nightmare.
Drowned in regret and guilt, none of them could shake off the nightmare. It was as if they had all lost their souls.
"Focus on recovering your peace of mind."
Ar did not scold them, nor did he offer any empty words of consolation. Receiving her orders, Rainmay bowed her head and immediately departed.
Her red hair, matted with Orc blood, no longer held its former beauty.
And then.
"Deputy, I assume you are aware of the state of the war."
"I am."
"Then this conversation should be simple. Let me ask you: I do not believe you are fit to be the Deputy. What are your thoughts on the matter?"
—A barrage of criticism rained down on Ar.
* * *
For two days following Kart's death in the Siege of Rubhem, the Orcs marched aggressively toward Riaze. In that short span, a total of three siege battles and one pitched battle took place.
The lords of each territory fought with desperate resolve, but the outcome was painfully obvious. The Empire failed to secure a single victory.
"Father will never forgive you for this."
Every single person berating Ar was a member of the imperial family.
The Commander of the Dungeon Subjugation Union Headquarters was one of the most powerful positions in the Empire, granting the easiest access to military force. Consequently, it was a seat traditionally occupied by the most influential figure closest to the throne.
Although Ar only held the title of Deputy, he had effectively pushed aside the imperial family to claim that seat. Naturally, the royals found his presence highly offensive.
"Do you have any idea how many imperial citizens have perished over the last few days?! Your incompetent command and poor judgment are driving the Empire to ruin! Even if Father forgives you, I never will!" the 2nd Imperial Prince bellowed.
"Do as you please," Ar replied with a polite smile, thinking to himself:
They truly are beyond saving. Idiots.
A war against monsters was a war of extermination—one devoid of gentlemanly conduct like taking hostages or holding negotiations. Yet, even in the face of such a crisis, they remained utterly oblivious, trying to stir up internal strife. They couldn't even grasp the sheer gravity of the situation.
Every single human carrying the Emperor's blood is brainless. The Emperor is the only sane one among them.
After enduring the royal family's tirade, Ar proceeded to his scheduled audience with the Emperor.
When Ar entered the audience chamber and knelt on one knee, the Emperor personally approached and placed a hand on his shoulder. Before telling him to rise, the Emperor spoke in a quiet tone.
"The war is not going well."
"I have no excuses, Your Majesty."
"But what does the process of war matter? The end result is all that counts. Tell me, can you stop them?"
"Without a doubt."
His conversation with the Emperor was brief.
The Emperor trusted Ar. He placed far more faith in Ar than in his own flesh and blood, and it was that very trust that had earned Ar the position of Deputy. Though they occupied different stations, they shared the exact same core philosophy: prioritizing the revival of the Empire above all else. Ar was the ideal instrument for the Emperor's ambitions.
"Do not take my second son's words to heart. He only understands what is right in front of his eyes."
"I am deeply grateful for your grace and consideration, Your Majesty."
"Just bring me results."
As if he had no need for a verbal confirmation, the Emperor turned and departed the moment he finished speaking.
The moment Ar returned to his office, he collapsed onto the sofa.
"..."
He couldn't even muster the strength to speak.
For the past thirty minutes, he had felt completely lightheaded, as if floating. His head throbbed, and he struggled to breathe. Occasionally, a black, viscous fluid—resembling thick pus—oozed from his eyes, which had lost their light and turned pitch-black. Although he was using disguise magic, his secret would be exposed instantly if anyone saw this black fluid leaking from them.
And above all...
"...The Emperor."
The Emperor had looked like an unrecognizable, grotesque monster.
Staring at that monstrous form, a fundamental question had plagued him. Was the Emperor truly a monster? Or was a monster merely masquerading as the Emperor? Even now, he couldn't find a definitive answer.
...His condition had deteriorated to the point where he could no longer distinguish reality from illusion.
As the corruption spread, its pace accelerated. He had initially estimated he had about six months, but the encroachment was progressing several times faster than anticipated. The windows of time in which he could maintain his sanity were shrinking rapidly.
It's not six months... At this rate, I might actually collapse the moment this war ends.
Even when he had met with Uin just moments ago, Ar had suffered from severe hallucinations right before seeing her. Because these episodes usually only recurred after several hours, he had been able to act perfectly normal in front of her. But he hadn't been able to hold it together in front of the Emperor. The intervals between attacks were shrinking even faster than he had feared.
"This is driving me mad."
Supporting himself with the sofa, he forced himself up and stumbled over to his desk chair. Still reeling from the aftereffects, he slumped over his desk, unable to move for a long while.
The symptoms were changing.
While his body continued to deteriorate, the nature of the decay was shifting. Before, hallucinations had been the primary symptom, but no longer. Now, he felt a distinct sensation of something squirming and crawling deep inside his body.
Something incomprehensible.
Something that defied all of Ar's logic and common sense.
Something that felt as though it didn't belong to this world at all.
That entity was writhing and thrashing inside him. As it roamed erratically, a searing pain would flare up in his arm whenever it brushed past, or in his leg when it drifted lower. He was absolutely certain that if this thing ever reached his head, he would truly lose his mind. His brain would fail to comprehend its existence and simply rupture.
"...Sigh."
Only after several minutes did the agony finally subside. Only then did Ar pick up his pen.
He had to hurry. Before his body completely collapsed, he had to bring this war to an end and secure the successors who would carry on the will of the Empire.
He had to protect the Empire.
First...
The 2nd Imperial Prince had spoken as if their defeats were meaningless, but their sacrifices had been noble.
Thanks to the time they had bought, the mobilization of the subjugation squads within Riaze was complete. These squad members were on an entirely different level from the mercenaries of other kingdoms; every single one of them was a seasoned warrior ready to deploy at a moment's notice—