Chapter 75: "I-I Know That Woman's Whereabouts!"
Ash's words brought the holy knight's movements to a halt. Ash let out a sigh of relief. To survive, he had sold out the benefactor who had saved him—and the one he harbored feelings for.
"Oh? That's intriguing... You claim to know the whereabouts of the bastard we've been hunting relentlessly for fifty years? If you're spouting nonsense, you won't get off easy."
"Th-then, no more torture—"
"But we can just torture it out of you starting now."
"……!"
"What a truly idiotic prince."
The holy knight chuckled as he approached Ash, torch in hand.
"Shall we sear that face this time?"
The scorching heat twisted Ash's features in despair.
"Ro-Ronia! I offer you my homeland, the Kingdom of Ronia!"
Ash cried out, clutching his head.
"I swear my loyalty to you. I'll obey anything... please... please spare me!"
Ash sobbed and begged. The holy knight burst into laughter at the sight.
"...Everyone says that. 'I'll give you everything, just don't make it hurt.'"
The holy knight fell silent at the sudden voice. Yuma, the captain of the Black Judges, poked at the campfire with a stick in his campsite, speaking in a dry tone.
"But those types are usually not worth trusting. Know why?"
Yuma glanced at Ash.
"They've got nothing left to give. Everyone we capture has already lost everything. And now you're offering Ronia?"
Ash's eyes shook violently.
"I-I mean it literally! Just put me on the throne! Then I'll give you all of Ronia!"
Yuma frowned. What utter nonsense—original, at least.
He shot a look at his subordinate.
"Hey, you've ruined him too much. Made him spout crazy shit like that."
"Apologies. But doesn't it make him look more like a heretic this way?"
Acting insane made them seem like devil worshippers. That was why they tortured heretics to madness.
"I'm not joking!"
Ash was frantic.
"There are still nobles in Ronia who follow me! With their power, I can rise again. And if the Holy Church aids the east, we can overcome this crisis! Once this war ends, I'll hand the entire Kingdom of Ronia to the Holy Church!"
A passing dog would laugh. The holy knights mocked Ash for it.
"An intriguing tale."
But one didn't laugh.
"A prince selling out his own country."
The knights' laughter died at Yuma's words.
"But they already follow our church. We supported western Ronia, didn't we? Isn't that right, prince? So why should we help you now?"
Ash racked his brain. Fail to give a good reason, and the torture would resume.
"You think that'll continue?!"
"……."
"Ronia has Marquis Pam Heirlo!"
The one who had trapped Ash and elevated this prince to first in line for the throne.
"He only used the Holy Church! And once this war ends, they'll try to break free from subjugation to you!"
"That won't threaten us."
"Yes, no real threat! The Holy Church is too strong! But they'll thrash about at any chance to escape your influence."
"……."
Had torture sharpened this fool prince's wits? Indeed, the war had revealed it: western Ronia was maneuvering to slip their grasp.
"But I'm different! I'll do whatever you command! I'll just sit on the throne. Offer my people as slaves? Done. Demand territory? Yours. Let the Holy Church make all decisions!"
Ash slammed his forehead into the ground.
Thud!
The crack of splitting skin echoed. All eyes turned to him—and in that moment, Pol stealthily moved his hand, snatching a sharp twig from the dirt and tucking it into his robes.
"...This mad heretic bastard, spouting such crap—"
As a holy knight stepped toward Ash, Yuma spoke.
"We don't trust heretics' words."
"……?"
"But a faithful worshipper? That's different."
The knights were stunned by Yuma's words.
"We demand not loyalty—worship."
"Are you serious?"
"One month."
Yuma ignored his subordinate.
"We'll watch how you pray to Lord Azelan and our church during that time."
Yuma rose and approached Ash, looming over him.
"If the Constellation answers your prayers as you claim, we'll grant your wish."
In Asgard's audience chamber, Loki listened silently to the reports.
"A petition from Elder Lapl. Food supplies aren't smooth, so they'd like to discuss—"
"Elder Gelt is holding coming-of-age rites in his territory for the children. But he's short on wine-soaked grapes and meat—"
One after another, they chattered noisily. For Loki, with his keen hearing, it was dizzying.
'Need to clear my head.'
Loki glanced slyly at the audience chamber entrance.
Ditch them? The thought flickered, but beside him stood Aum, Hans, and Shaman, diligently assisting.
'...Can't bail like last time while they're suffering.'
As Loki sighed deeply—
"Lord Loki."
Shaman called to him.
"A messenger from the eastern island."
"……?"
Eastern island?
"Astoria Island, a new continent discovered fifty years ago."
"A new continent, huh?"
"Yes, though it's more a vast island than a true continent."
A Nod tribe had settled there decades ago and founded a kingdom.
"...A Nod kingdom? Oh! Another power like ours?"
"Hardly a proper kingdom. Astoria has dozens of factions all claiming nationhood."
The messenger came from a nation of some thirty Nods ruling ten thousand natives.
"The Kingdom of Nodrian. Invaded by a neighbor three months ago. They're requesting reinforcements from us—"
A Nod kingdom built on their frozen northern homeland. They'd heard of Asgard and sought aid now.
"Did they know of our existence?"
Rumors swirled even on the continent. To send a letter from so far?
"Likely sent on a whim, half-doubting."
"Benefits?"
"Secure sea routes, and trade deals could bring furs, meat, horses, exotic fruits—luxuries aplenty."
"'Could' meaning uncertain."
"Yes. No trade ships there to begin with. And the seas around are treacherous—supply volumes would be low. Distance too... "
What could a remote micro-kingdom provide?
'But Asgard always grapples with food shortages and horse lacks.'
For three years of undisturbed growth, they'd minimized continental contact. Trade was limited to nearby villages and territories.
They hunted or tamed magical beasts for livestock, fished for food.
'Greenhouses built, but still experimental...'
Dreams differed from reality; greenhouses didn't guarantee easy crops. No electricity either. Magic could substitute, but Nods lacked mages. Even skillbooks from Loki would take time.
'Kingdom of Nodrian...'
"Where are the visitors now?"
"...All dead but one."
"Dead?"
"Sea monsters, apparently. The waters around are notoriously vicious... "
Shaman recalled a ship washed ashore on the frozen coast recently—a wooden warship. Seven Nods aboard; six rotted corpses. One had collapsed on the ice, barely alive, clutching a desperate dispatch from Nodrian.
"We're protecting the survivor. He was unconscious until days ago, so we couldn't bring him to you yet."
"I see."
The ship held luxuries as tribute: dead horses, furs, exotic fruits—exactly what Asgard needed.
"Do we have ships ready?"
"Interested?"
"Eh, somewhat."
"We've built a few warships as befits a nation."
Ships existed; navigators were the issue.
"Experienced sailors?"
"Rare talent. Reran is training them now."
Loki pondered.
"What to do... "
"...Reinforcements?"
Aum Linia perked up.
"Will you answer the call?"
"Time for continental exchange. Preparations needed."
Good chance to gain horses from Nodrian, build sea trade experience.
"Then... why not go yourself, Lord Loki?"
"Me?"
Unexpected. Aum usually clung till tasks ended.
"Best you confirm if Astoria suits trade firsthand. Plus... "
Aum recalled Loki's power. Learn once, gain 'skill' blessing; his writings became miracle-infused skillbooks. Perfect for rapid specialist training.
Knowledge alone wasn't mastery, but—
"We need navigators ready to sail now."
Thus, Loki using skillbooks would—
"Indeed."
Compress talent cultivation timelines drastically.
The sea... He hadn't seen this world's oceans yet.
"I could go, but then no skillbooks. Better you do it. Their meats sound delicious—perfect to check food viability too... "
Loki smacked his lips.
Island cuisine...? Appealing. He'd grown curious about isekai foods.
In the end, dispatch to Astoria was decided.
A week after Asgard's warship set sail on its maiden voyage—
"Damn it, th-that's him—!"
The man who requested Asgard's aid. Prince Torsen of Nodrian shouted in terror.
"The bastard who sank our ship!"
In the ocean's midst, massive currents surged, a water pillar erupting. The huge warship rocked violently.
Loki on deck looked up at the sea monster emerging.
Hundreds of slimy tentacles, two massive eyes. Thousands of teeth.
Ruler of the seas.
Kraken.
The beast blocked Loki's path.