Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Aleng's Sacrifice
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Chapter 142
"Is this the answer you've come up with?"
Ardhen narrowed his eyes.
He had just received a report through the Chief Chamberlain. An unidentified object had appeared in the skies over the noble residential district.
It was presumed to be a magical phenomenon, but further confirmation was needed.
Aleng shook his head.
"I provided the stepping stone, but I didn't issue any orders. I left it to their individual choices, and they acted on their own."
"It seems the chain of command isn't as unified as one might think."
"Gilliuud merely made a proposal. Following it was each person's choice. Of course, there are devotees who follow him fervently regardless of reason. They all claim to have experienced miracles, one after another."
"And you?"
"I thought Gilliuud's proposal was reasonable. I agreed with his ideology to some extent. As I said earlier, he has charisma. He has the power to lead people. If I'd met him sooner, I might have become a devotee myself."
"I'd like to see him in person, sincerely. To think he could shake you this much."
Aleng stroked his beard as he spoke.
"Now that I think about it, he only approached those who seemed receptive. With the power of prophecy, selecting people must have been easy."
The Chief Chamberlain entered alongside the Defense Commander.
"I've deployed all available forces within the palace, including the Imperial Guard, to the perimeter. For protecting the noble residential district, a fixed number of troops have been drawn from each district and are en route."
"And the mages?"
"Pursuant to the Capital Guild Accord, they're heading to the scene. We've sent cooperation requests to the clans as well. Anax is taking charge of coordination."
"He's in the Holy City. The mages will follow his word without issue."
Ardhen let out a small sigh.
There were mages who researched with state support, but most belonged to guilds or clans.
Especially the skilled ones operated in small clans, making cooperation difficult.
Placing mages under the national command structure was one of Ardhen's long-cherished goals, but he'd given up on it a few years ago as impossible.
"And... one Giant Soldier prototype is heading to the scene."
"If it's a prototype, no approval from me is needed. Did they issue the permit?"
"It was unauthorized. One of the technicians claimed it was an emergency and pulled a Giant Soldier that was moving inside the hangar out into the open."
"The director must have flipped out. The guy's always whining about budget shortages."
"We've granted them too much autonomy. The Giant Soldier Administration Bureau and workshops should fall under our command during emergencies to make management easier."
The Defense Commander puffed out his chest as he spoke. His expression was resolute, as if to convey that his words stemmed purely from loyalty, without personal ambition.
"Focus on handling the situation now, not politics. We'll discuss that later."
"I have no intention of engaging in politics. I'm merely speaking up for Your Majesty's safety and the security of the Holy City."
The Defense Commander's expression remained steadfast.
It was ironic— the man who loved politics more than anyone and pushed hardest for expanding the Defense Command's authority was saying this.
He was brazen, but not incompetent. The fact that he could say such things so boldly was proof he managed things well.
"Understood. What's the damage assessment?"
"It's impossible to gauge at the moment. Even approaching the scene is proving difficult."
"We'll decide on deploying the Giant Soldiers based on the prototype's status."
"I'll compile the details and keep reporting."
The Defense Commander left. The various department heads were likely convening in the palace conference room.
Ardhen had considered joining, but concluding his conversation with Aleng took priority.
"First the common citizens, now the nobles."
"There was some discontent from within, after all."
"You knew and let it slide. How many more must die before the salvation you seek arrives?"
"The prophecy has already gone awry. Gilliuud's credibility has suffered as well. From the start, I've focused on freedom won by our own hands rather than salvation handed down by others. It's regrettable that things didn't follow the prophecy, but I've achieved a fair portion of my aims, so I have no regrets."
"No regrets, you say. What do you plan to do now?"
"I've planted the seed of enlightenment, so I've done my part. But I'm not entirely expendable yet. The reputation I've built remains."
Aleng removed his jacket. He folded the uniform with its epaulets and placed it on his knee.
Taine approached warily beside Aleng. Ignoring him, Aleng stripped off the rest of his clothes.
Ardhen narrowed his eyes. Blue veins were bulging prominently around Aleng's left chest.
"What have you done to your body?"
"I've received mana."
The protruding veins writhed in time with his heartbeat.
"I don't know much about magic. I'm not that knowledgeable. But I know full well what this body will bring about."
"What happened in District 8 will happen here too."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
He must have passed several checkpoints to reach this audience chamber. Any abnormal mana flow should have been detected.
As if answering the unspoken question, Aleng displayed a ring.
"It's a Legacy. It allows stabilized mana to manifest externally, apparently."
"A valuable item."
"The only downside is that it's single-use."
Aleng removed the ring. At that moment, Taine stepped in front of him.
Ardhen could feel it too. The rough, savage flow of mana.
"Your Majesty, we must leave."
Taine said.
"Not yet. Aleng, if you're explaining so kindly, it means you don't intend to kill me."
"Correct."
"Is the goal the palace's destruction?"
"According to the prophecy, this symbol of the Empire should already have been destroyed. But it stands firm. The regime's solidity remains unchanged. So, I have no choice but to offer this old body to test it."
"What will the citizens think? I'll announce that you orchestrated all this."
"I know. But it's fine. My message will get through. I've sent my statement to every newspaper. Those under imperial control will stay silent, but there are plenty that aren't."
"Sacrificing your life to shatter the symbolism. How touching. Do you think the citizens will understand your intent? Before any noble ideology, there's the massive damage. Do you really believe they'll comprehend this violent enlightenment?"
"Truth is always violent. And I don't expect this event to bring about sudden change. Perhaps one in a hundred will grasp my intent. That's what I'm hoping for. That single sprout will one day create a world for the citizens."
"Honestly, I don't understand the world you dream of."
"I'm not claiming to be right. The world after change might be even more horrific. Even so, it must change."
"Revolutionaries have always said that."
"That's what Your Majesty said back when you were the 4th Imperial Prince."
"So I can't refute it."
The veins around his chest gradually spread further. Aleng looked strained as well.
"Taine, can you stop it?"
Ardhen asked.
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty."
He nodded at the curt reply. Would it have been different with Huse there?
The Chief Chamberlain, gauging the mood inside, was likely preparing countermeasures outside, but there'd be no easy solution.
"You should go now. I won't hold out much longer."
"You're really going to die here?"
"Your Majesty, I've driven innocent citizens to their deaths. I can't go on living. That said, this isn't atonement through death. I'm simply offering what's necessary."
"Why didn't you at least tell me before things reached this point? We could have explored options, and it might not have come to this."
"Your Majesty sits at the pinnacle of class society. You may be a sage ruler, but you can't escape that framework. Knowing it couldn't change was why Gilliuud's proposal was so appealing."
"What a stubborn fool."
"My apologies, Your Majesty. Forgive my disloyalty."
Aleng bowed his head deeply, then coughed harshly. He vomited blood and collapsed to the floor. He seemed to lack even the strength to support himself.
"You need to evacuate everyone outside."
Ardhen was staring at Aleng sprawled on the floor when the Chief Chamberlain hurriedly opened the door.
A familiar face stood beside the Chief Chamberlain. Ardhen didn't know his name, but he worked in the 2nd Bureau.
"I'm Trunble from the 2nd Bureau."
The Chief Chamberlain said. Trunble stepped forward, offered a salute, then froze. He'd spotted the fallen Minister.
"M-Minister."
Aleng spoke to the awkwardly standing Trunble.
"Tell me why you're here. We don't have time."
The Chief Chamberlain had let him in, meaning he had value. Trunble replied "Yes" and spoke rapidly.
*Huse is there,* Ardhen sighed inwardly with relief. Whether it was some mysterious creature or magic, his friend would sort it out.
That matter was handled now.
Ardhen instructed the Chief Chamberlain.
"Issue the evacuation order. Everyone out of the palace."
"Shall we send the guard forces out too?"
"No exceptions. This place might collapse. Tell the department heads outside to take cover as well."
"Understood."
The Chief Chamberlain hurried off. Protective magic shielded the palace walls, but it couldn't handle an internal explosion.
Magic that granted mystical powers wasn't omnipotent.
"Your Majesty, let's go."
Taine said from the side. Ardhen nodded. As he crossed the threshold into the corridor,
"Go ahead. I have words for the Minister."
"I'll wait."
Ardhen returned to the room. Aleng was breathing raggedly. Blue veins covered his entire body.
"You said you still respected me?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"What about Huse, then?"
"He was the most terrifying person I've ever encountered. But I didn't serve out of fear. If I could serve only one in my life, I would choose the Chairman."
"Huse has returned to the Holy City. He went searching for a gravesite and learned a chilling truth."
"Could it be... he changed his name to Lander?"
"You knew."
"To some extent. Investigating District 8 and the Kea matter revealed it."
Aleng raised his head. A smile touched his bloodstained face.
"Is the Chairman well?"
"He's healthy. But his heart isn't. It seems Gilliuud is the one who killed Naria."
"...I didn't know that."
"I figured as much."
Regret welled in his weary eyes. Aleng half-closed his eyes and spoke.
"Your Majesty, may I make one shameless request?"
"Speak."
"Please convey my apologies to the Chairman."
"I will."
"Truly, I truly didn't know. But ignorance doesn't erase the sin. And now, it's a life that must not continue."
"Can't you stop it even now?"
"My apologies. I only received this power; I can't control it."
"...You've been such a thorn in my side. And truly, I liked you."
"Thank you."
"But mark my words: none of what you wish for will come to pass. I'll take Gilliuud's head myself and send it to you."
Ardhen gripped Aleng's shoulder firmly, then turned and left the palace with Taine.
People had gathered in the garden outside the palace.
"Fall back further!"
Ardhen shouted.
And shortly after.
A deafening roar accompanied the palace being engulfed in light.
(To be continued)