Chapter 121 - 10-8
Udoh's unit, which had been continuing their training while moving around the periphery of the Plains Nations, was waiting for the order to deploy with a feeling of restless impatience.
Captain Udoh Renne's immediate concern was food.
Udoh acted boldly. Taking a few men, he made a long trek to scout the grazing lands of the Tawaru tribe. At first, he had intended to steal their sheep. He soon realized, however, that if he did that, he would have to kill everyone, regardless of whether they were women or children. The people of the grasslands drove horses even as children. If he carelessly left them alive, information would get out.
The nation of the grasslands was simply that kind of place.
If one was going to do it, one had to do it thoroughly, otherwise a state of alert would be established and they would be the ones cornered.
Udoh did not do anything reckless; instead, he spoke to a clan of Tawaru herders at the edge of the grazing lands.
"Who might you be?"
The chief dealt with him. He was an elderly man wearing quite splendid attire.
Udoh said in rather poor Enagamo that they were members of Great King Kosa's army.
"These days, soldiers gather from all sorts of countries. The scenery itself seems to have changed quite a bit from the old days. Unfamiliar faces like yours were hardly ever seen around here. Are you of the Tewa tribe?"
"Nah, we're Northerners."
"You aren't Siddim people, are you?"
"No way," Udoh laughed. "We're soldiers hired with money to guide the unit of Lord Molchi Rajif."
"Mercenaries, eh. In the old days, travelers from afar were welcomed with a great fuss, regardless of rank. Recently, strange folk have been wandering about."
"Chief. I'd like you to share a bit of food with us. In exchange for money."
"There, there. Everyone says that. Saying they'll pay money."
While criticizing the current trend, the chief accepted the money and shared some sheep.
The money given to the chief had been issued in the southern Koroi, and was something Vimherik Bell of Belgau had scraped together for this special operation. Aside from that, Udoh's unit had been given a considerable amount of funds.
Regardless, by successfully bringing the sheep back, Udoh gained a sense of confidence.
It worked surprisingly well. Once that happened, Udoh was a man to immerse himself. Armed with his clumsy Enagamo, he ventured out here and there. He bought horses and bows and arrows from the Tawaru. No one suspected them of being Siddim cavalry.
With his confidence deepened, Udoh spoke with a young man named Jess Totan, the vice-captain.
"I'm thinkin' I want to leave this unit to you."
To this nonsensical proposal, Totan nodded with a vacant expression. "I don't mind."
Totan was short, thin, had bright red hair, and freckles scattered from his nose to under his eyes. He had a face like a picture of a young Northern farmer.
"What'll the Captain do? Go home or somethin'?"
"Nnyah, I wanna try and see if I can make another unit, a raiding party."
"Heh, how're you gonna do that?"
The ten city-states of the Plains Nations were originally international cities where people from various countries gathered. Recently, it seemed that mercenaries who would do anything for money were especially loitering about, waiting to be approached by the Kosa army. Among them, there were groups lacking ethics, and furthermore, there were apparently remnants of Koroi mercenary bands and regular soldiers who harbored resentment toward the Kosa Empire.
Could he organize these and create a large anti-Kosa current?
"I see. I mostly get it, but I'm worried about the Captain," Jess Totan said.
"Aw, if it gets dangerous, I'll just stop."
"But you know, since it's enemy territory, I reckon you won't be able to run away that easily."
"You idiot, it's a war, so you gotta be a bit reckless. Listen, I probably won't come back to this unit, but we're doin' it as planned, alright?"
"Well, I guess we will. But I'm worried."
Udoh's unit's operation required no special command. They would decide on a gathering point and then depart. They would carry out sabotage and seizure of supplies until discovered by the enemy. If discovered, they would scatter and flee without engaging in combat. Rather than the ability to obey orders, what was required was a kind of survival instinct.
—If it's the Captain's order, I'll do it.
Totan beat his chest, and Udoh nodded.
Udoh entered a city called Pardil, one of the Plains Nations, alone. For the first two days, he spent money lavishly in the pleasure district with women surrounding him to make a name for himself. On the third day, he became acquainted with a big shot who acted like the face of the city, and on the fourth and fifth days, he played with him.
On the night of the fifth day, when he was alone with the big shot, Udoh was asked about his identity.
"Now look, brother. I didn't intend to ask, but I've taken a liking to you. Who are you? I've never heard of a rich man who speaks such clumsy Enagamo."
"I'm a soldier from Siddim."
Udoh spoke of his identity without concealment. This man was already eating and drinking on Udoh's money. Many people had seen the two of them playing lavishly. He wouldn't be able to report Udoh. If he did, he would fear that blame would extend to himself.
—I want to unite with those who object to Kosa's ways.
When Udoh said this, the big shot of the backstreets turned pale.
"That, that's no good."
"I ain't askin' you to do it. I want you to introduce me to contacts who look like they'd do it."
"No."
The big shot shook his head.
According to the story, a king named Kushitante was responsible for the Plains Nations, and this king's crackdown was so tight that the people of the nations were in a state where they couldn't even breathe.
"An anti-establishment movement would be a dream within a dream. The only man who did something like that—"
"Was he killed?"
"No, he was just arrested. He's being forced into labor repairing roads in the Dark Forest."
It seemed a genuine Kosa person, who was neither a Tawaru man nor a Southerner, had called for a resistance movement. Udoh thought he would try to meet that man.
That very night, he made something that looked like a messenger flag and practiced words in the Kosa language equivalent to "Make way." The next day, after purchasing a Tawaru horse which was easy to handle, he covered the lower half of his face with a cloth, raised the fake messenger flag, and departed.
—Make way, make way.
Though it was quite forceful, he pushed through the military road of the "Dark Forest" in that manner.
Kosa people who held rebellious intentions toward the Empire were apparently famous, and when he asked the workers, the location was immediately revealed. Udoh sneaked into the forced labor barracks and met the man. He was a large man, like a caterpillar, with thick body hair. His name was Jilkito. He was a good-for-nothing man. When Udoh revealed the secret matter, he readily handed Udoh over to the site supervisor.
"Report to Geraha. That this Jilkito prevented a rebellion."
Seeing how he boasted to the site supervisor, perhaps his making a fuss about anti-Kosa was merely because he wanted to attract the Great King's attention.
Regardless, at the very end, Udoh's eye for people was clouded.
He was captured and subjected to crude torture. Unable to bear the pain, he first revealed his own name, and then spat out up to the point that he "plotted a rebellion in the Plains Nations." With this, Udoh's head would be separated from his torso.
He couldn't bring himself to pity himself. It was an operation that would decide the survival of the kingdom. It was the result of throwing that to his subordinates and becoming absorbed in his own inspiration. Udoh felt regret. However, there was a part of him that felt relieved. He knew that Jess Totan could brilliantly carry out the rear disruption. Provided, of course, that Udoh did not speak about the operation.
Before such an Udoh, an unexpected person appeared.
The Great King.
Udoh felt a chill, wondering if his heartbeat would reach the other's ears.
"As always, you maintain a great countenance," Pashke the interpreter said.
Udoh Renne remained composed. He could no longer be called a prisoner. He was an enemy agent. He likely didn't think he could return alive.
"Ask him if the conspiracy he is said to have carried out in the Plains Nations was by order of the Siddim army," Geraha said.
Hearing Pashke's question, Udoh shook his head. With a bold light dwelling in his eyes, he said something.
"That it was a motive based on his own justice."
"That cannot be," Geraha said in Enagamo.
"I took the dark road after deserting," Udoh answered in somewhat clumsy Enagamo. "When I reached the Plains Nations, I toured various towns and gathered comrades. Be careful, Great King. The enemies are many."
"I shall have your remains hung from the gate of some city in the Plains Nations."
Having cast those words aside, Geraha left the West Fort.
However, he immediately retracted his words.
"Hazab, you must not kill that man. Make an example of him in the Kingdom of Pardil and verify if there is any reaction. Just never kill him. He seems to be someone with a connection to the enemy's strategist, Necrat. He can be used when it comes to negotiations."
"Understood. If there are movements of rebellion, I shall surely smoke them out for you."
"Also, could you send a messenger to Kushitante to keep an eye on the Plains Nations as well?"
Hazab's expression became one of awe. "Yes, sir."
Hazab was originally a man who had been Kushitante's assistant. He would work hard so that no trouble would extend to Kushitante.
Geraha visited the newly established prisoner camp. Several long buildings made of plank walls and plank roofs were lined up. The Siddim soldiers made a great fuss when they saw Geraha. They were welcoming him greatly. They were saying something in words Geraha did not understand. First, it was undoubtedly a case of them insulting him.
Glenn Hilboro walked over here.
Looking back at the prisoners, Hilboro shouted something. The prisoners fell silent and shrunk. As expected, they must have been making fun of Geraha. They must have been reprimanded by Hilboro.
"Great King, this is no place for you to be."
"I have been thinking about your proposal."
Hilboro had proposed to arrange a venue for end-of-war negotiations.
"Oh, that is—"
"I am thinking that I may accept the proposal. However, as things stand, it is difficult to end this war."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Udoh Renne was captured around the Plains Nations. I have mostly understood your army's scheme."
"Now, exactly—"
"With that attitude, I will become unable to trust you," Geraha said.
Hilboro's gaze shifted slightly.
He seemed to have looked toward the Dwarf Mountains.
"You seem to be plotting something quite reckless, but there are many innocent people behind my army. You've been bullying them quite a bit, but I want you to grant them a reprieve."
"Great King—"
"Decide on your attitude. I shall come again."
Geraha turned his back on the enemy general.
There was no mistake; the enemy was unfolding schemes around the Plains Nations.
—Scary.
Geraha thought.
Assuming that soldiers embody something like an ethnic nature, two types of reactions are possible.
Either confront or flee.
These two are two sides of the same coin; they will flee rather than fight and be destroyed, and they will confront rather than flee and be ruined. Usually, the weight tilts toward one or the other. But what is this country? At first, they were hesitant to fight. Then they confronted. Or rather, they went mad.
The entire ethnicity has become infuriated.
Even so, crossing the mountains to lay a hand on this territory is quite something. There is such a thing as knowing one's place. Are they not overexcited?
The entrances and exits connecting Kosa's territory and Siddim are concentrated in the east. It will be necessary to place these entrances and exits under the management of the Kosa Empire.
Make the east under this side's jurisdiction.
There is no choice but to set that as the immediate goal.
Why was he going that far? Geraha thought with a tired head.
It was Kosa that infuriated the enemy's ethnic nature. Kosa should take responsibility for this.
—No.
Geraha tilted his head.
Originally, it was to use the north as a foothold to place the west under control and obtain a port. This was to deter Koroi through the ocean.
—No, that's wrong. Wrong.
Geraha stopped his feet and shook his head.
It is because it is such a path of hegemony. It was decided from the time Geraha was born, from the time he was held up by his older brother. No, perhaps it was decided even before he was born. Why did Great King Aframa drive his horse west and east? Because that is Kosa's path of hegemony.
Kosa cavalry are said to be the strongest in the world. What should one do with the strongest army? The construction of peace. That is the ultimate purpose of soldiers, and as long as soldiers exist, one cannot help but aim for that. It is not a mere ideal. It is achieved by crushing unstable elements. Kosa has that capability. This war, everything Kosa has done until now, is not invasion. It is nothing more than the adjustment of interests. It is a leap toward a new system, and a necessary process to liberate the people from all oppression and make them truly active and vivid.
—This is my destiny.
Geraha exists under such a destiny. Great King Aframa must have been the same.
This activity of Kosa is the will of heaven.
If that is the case, then finally, the question becomes: what is this country? Kosa's ideal, aiming for the form that should be correct, is once again blocked here. Once again, it is the Alish family. Geraha is about to repeat the ruts of two hundred years ago. This must be overcome.
Regarding this, what does the enemy general's princess think?
He hinted at negotiations to Hilboro, but Geraha has no intention of speaking with Lucy, at least not yet. However, if he could meet and speak, he wanted to ask.
—Would the peace of Siddim not be realized precisely by joining hands with Kosa?
Geraha's policy of first aiming to win over the Siddim royal family is not wrong. Even if it is a rustic nation, if the power of the royal family is this strong, it should be utilized.
But if the survival of the royal family harms Kosa's future, it should be crushed.
Tackle it with determination. Make eastern Siddim Kosa's.
It doesn't matter if it takes several years. This is the mission of the Kosa people.
—The war against Siddim is the Empire's historical mission.
The Great King's declaration spread to the Kosa side overnight. Although it wasn't welcomed by the soldiers, it changed their consciousness.
The Kosa people merely thought "Is that how it is?" and showed no great reaction. They merely held a faint feeling that if it was to clear the regret of Great King Aframa, then Great King Geraha was indeed admirable.
The various ethnic groups that came from the east shouted with joy at the declaration.
In the east, there are regions that do not submit to the Empire's prestige, such as small jungle nations and island nations. The Great King will surely make these impudent nations surrender in the future.
Those who debated were the Southerners, the mercenaries of the Plains Nations, and the Tawaru cavalry. After debating, they arrived at the true meaning of the "historical mission" the Great King spoke of. It was not a war to simply expand controlled territory on a flat plane. There was a time axis. They understood this war as a project leading to the future, in accordance with the background of history.
"It is a great thing."
It could become the foundation for peace for the next thousand years—.
The people belonging to the southern cultural sphere, who could live by concepts, were stirred by the significance poured down from the Great King. The exhilarated atmosphere that arose among the Southerners immediately infected the entire army.
Next time, we win. There is a meaning to winning. Contribute to the Great King. Dedicate the victory.
That was the atmosphere.
As if to throw cold water on that atmosphere, the Eastern Army moved.
The Kosa army rose with the spirit of meeting them head-on.
'Is the land of our country sacred?'
Lucy Alish's voice echoed from the castle terrace to the front garden, and beyond.
'Not necessarily. To the enemy Kosa people, this country is nothing more than a small, snow-deep nation.'
Those Lucy was facing were the soldiers awaiting deployment.
'But what about for us? What meaning does our homeland hold for us? Right now, the country of our fathers, the country of our mothers, is about to be swallowed by a great empire. Shall we allow that without the slightest resistance!'
And so on.
The soldiers surged. The cheers dominated Maslow City. Eventually, they would cover the east.
Why was she going that far? Lucy thought with a tired head.
When she raised her voice in Bolsa City and the citizens responded, Lucy felt ecstasy. It was a sensation of a sense of unity, where her own thoughts coincided with the thoughts of others, being pushed out to some distant place. Even as a skin sensation, goosebumps rose all over her body, and there was a tremor that felt almost obscene.
Our kingdom.
This small kingdom where towns and houses lined up like grains on a gentle horizon. The country of black forests, the country of blue hills. It must have been the joy of being able to share this unbearable attachment with the people.
She could not afford to drown in this warmth. When touching this warmth, one ceases to notice that it is a feverish heat that also scorches the heart. Lucy intended to discipline herself. She had to draw a line somewhere and control the situation. In the first place, for a member of the royal family to preach the sanctity of the kingdom was accompanied by a ridiculousness like self-praise. It was also unacceptable to deliver a speech in a floating mood and send the people to the battlefield.
She must not incite the emotions of the people. She must not toy with the feelings of the people.
But this voice. This echoing voice.
How many people must have been starving for hope? How many people must have harbored anger?
We can fight. We can win. Lucy even went as far as to say she would be the guarantor of victory. Those who pointed out that "guarantor" was an exaggeration were her two maids, Nona and Kiara.
"Even if it were a defeat, there is no way responsibility could be questioned on the part of the royal family."
Lucy felt ashamed of herself. However, only while standing before the people, she could only think that they could win. That they couldn't possibly lose.
Now, she understood Yugis Necrat's intention.
This support was necessary. With this support, they could win. She could certainly believe that. This help, the help of the people, was essential for Siddim.
'What is the problem we are facing? It is a crisis of sovereignty! I will not permit a path of hegemony that tramples our sovereignty with force!'
Lucy spoke to the soldiers.
'Where, exactly, does this thing called sovereignty exist? If I dare give my opinion, it is us. It goes without saying that the royal family is included within "us." But what is the majority that remains when that is extracted? It is your great decision! Sovereignty rests upon your shoulders!'
The freedom to decide for oneself.
If asked whether that was recognized for the masses, the current situation was not so. Lucy's words were platitudes. But the fate of the kingdom was indeed being moved by their decisions.
Lucy had unified too much with the people, and had come too close to their position.
—Lucy! Lucy! Lucy Alish!
The soldiers raised their fists. They were looking at the daughter of the royal family.
But the scenery Lucy looked down upon was different.
Lucy was no longer a princess. Lucy was just a girl. Lucy was within an inverted concept that she was one who served them.
However, regarding this speech, Lucy was severely reprimanded by Laicanel.
Immediately after coming to the east, Lucy had resolved the troubles that were stagnating this land. In terms of personnel, Lucy took the position of general manager of the operation. She would participate in the operation as an auditor of the royal army to Aram Danforth, the Eastern Governor, and in exchange, she decided to show a certain understanding of the Kraff problem. The supreme commander of the operation was entrusted to Haider Skyner.
Laicanel was a general of the Siddim army, but in this operation, his command authority was restricted as Lucy's assistant. Laika, from the position of an assistant, scolded Lucy.
Maslow City, Ganlord Castle, the office lent to Lucy.
"That is not allowed, Commander," Laika said with a bitter face. "The kingdom was founded on a contract between the first Siddim king and the people. By what right do you overturn that?"
"No, I am not denying that..."
Letting her gaze wander, Lucy spoke weakly.
Laicanel stood before Lucy's desk with a sincere expression.
"I understand what you are trying to say. You must give the soldiers a sense of purpose. You likely made it clear that the purpose is sovereignty. However, the question of where the kingdom's sovereignty resides is historically determined. It is the royal family. Power flows from the royal family, granting ruling rights to the nobles and powerful clans in various regions. Is this history and this system not what you are trying to protect?"
"No, I didn't mean it that way..."
"There is a limit to innocence. Do you intend to bring another crisis to the kingdom with careless remarks?"
"No, I..."
Laika was a man who, contrary to his appearance, spoke detailed complaints for a long time.
Lucy could only hang her head and make herself small.
"It seems I let my tongue slip a bit too much."
Being soothed by the maids Nona and Kiara, Laika finally lowered his spear.
"This is a remonstrance precisely because I think of the kingdom. I ask for your forgiveness." Laicanel bowed his head slightly. "You have a habit of running wild a bit when you are away from Yugis."
Laicanel said even that and left the office.
On the other hand, there were those who praised Lucy's speech.
It was Haider Skyner, who visited Lucy's office late at night.
"Those were wonderful words. The morale of the soldiers is higher than it could possibly be."
Haider spread a map on the desk, likely for the final report of the operation.
"Bringing up sovereignty was thoughtless, though."
When Lucy tried to peer into the map, Haider rolled it up.
"Forgive me, but what exactly do you mean by that?"
"It's nothing," Lucy panicked. "I said something trivial."
She panicked, but it was already too late. Haider gave a short speech right there.
—With all due respect, I believe that part was the highlight of Your Highness's assertion.
"What is necessary to win against the enemy. This is the most important thing."
As for what is necessary, Haider said it is the concentration of power. In Kosa, power is centralized, and the Great King's judgment becomes the army's policy. This high-speed and powerful decision-making. To oppose this, one must likewise aim for the concentration of power.
The source of power gathered under His Majesty was originally a collection of small powers held by ordinary commoners.
"The idea that the king's authority descends from above is the thinking of the Roma religion. I am not denying that the Tenshu determines the king, but in Siddim, it is different. The people support the king by giving power from below. That is to say, the snake god Meki is the 'King of those who crawl the earth'."
The Commander pointed out the location of power. It seemed that in the deployment ceremony just now, the soldiers had agreed to gather their own rights once again under Her Highness.
"...Is that so?"
"Your Highness has achieved the reconstruction of power. Is it not very flexible as an emergency measure during wartime? It becomes a precedent that we can unite in times of crisis. I believe it was a speech that leads to the future."
"I understand well."
Lucy smiled. It might have been a tired smile.
"I will ask about the Twin Forts Recapture Operation."
She listened to Haider's explanation of the operation.
It was a talkative but sincere explanation, and it seemed there were no gaps. Lucy stood up and held out her hand. Haider bowed stiffly before responding to the handshake. Regarding this, she could not show a tired face.
"If there is anything I can do, please do not hesitate to ask."
"We will win," Haider said. "Because it is a war that must be won."
Lucy nodded at Haider's words. Siddim had been unilaterally trampled.
There was a reason they must win. No extra logic was needed.
The enemy entered.
Therefore, they drive them out. Is more reason than this necessary? Lucy's look changed. She felt the response of a firm bone passing through her objective.
Alf Cedar was unable to leave Aver City.
While chasing the presence of the strange old man Manam, Alf had spotted a suspicious woman. He intuited that she might be the woman the knight Lucifont Nera was searching for. When he touched the crown of the woman's head using a suitable excuse, an unsettling presence was transmitted through his palm.
—I'll tell that Lucifont guy.
Alf visited Aver Castle. He intended to ask the gatekeeper to give a message to Lucifont.
"You, are you Alf?" The gatekeeper had a suspicious face. "I see, mages are something else."
According to the gatekeeper, there was a man who had predicted that Alf would come to this place at this time.
It clicked for Alf.
"It's Laje, right? He's my senior disciple."
"Seems so. Master Laje is out and is not in this city right now. I have a message. You are to wait for Master Laje at the castle."
The gatekeeper did not know where Laje had gone. He had probably gone to mourn the remains of the One-Eyed Zarko sleeping in the Great Sea Forest. Alf was impressed.
"Also," the gatekeeper continued. "I've been told to let you meet General Ness Syllabus."
"Ness is here?" Alf flinched. "Ness is here...!"
To break the curse placed on Prince Ness Syllabus of his hometown Karnain, Alf had set out on a long journey. However, without fulfilling that purpose, Alf had returned to Siddim. It's hard to meet him, Alf thought. He had no face to show. But he couldn't just not meet him.
Another young sentry came and guided Alf to the castle courtyard.
Ness was sitting in a chair in the sunlight, just as he had been when seen once before.
His eyelids were half-open, and his mouth was open. His cheeks were slack. A fly was walking around on his forehead.
"Young master!"
Alf rushed over and slapped Ness's cheek. The fly flew away and immediately landed on his forehead again. Ness showed no reaction. Alf stopped breathing. It was a shock that felt as if he couldn't breathe. He wasn't like this. He was a bit more energetic before. When they last met, Young Master Ness had been playing with a stick, his upper body covered in sweat.
He touched Ness's head. He was being shown some kind of dream. He wasn't looking at Alf. He wasn't looking at anything. A dark, blackish dream. He was being shown a dream of despair. That strong and kind Ness, the youth whom even the twisted Alf had recognized as a first-class person, was being left to have his life destroyed.
Alf crossed his arms and thought. To the point of making him tackle something he was bad at—thinking seriously—the sight of the person before him in a state of inanity shook Alf.
—Is this not wrong?
Alf had been unable to be of help to Zarko. Unable to fulfill his mission, he had not been able to save Ness. Looking closely, Alf had done nothing. The reason he thought it was strange was that Alf intended to have done his best in his own way. And yet, no results came.
Now, as if looking at the wreckage of his own failure, Alf looked down at Ness coldly.
—Maybe my method was wrong.
The young mage left the place without a word. Wanting to meet Lucifont, he asked the young sentry. Lucifont was in the castle kitchen. He was telling some joke to a young maid.
"Hey, Lucifont. Tell me."
Alf unilaterally consulted him about the matter of the disappointing results of his mission.
Lucifont was a strange man; he listened with a smirk without inserting his opinion.
"What do you think? Where am I wrong?"
"You can't find the old man you're searching for, so even a mage is at his wit's end, eh?" Lucifont said. "Hmph, I'll give you one piece of advice. Search with the eyes of the people. Specifically, this."
What Lucifont took out from his bosom was a wanted poster for Marvel Boony.
"What. Is that all? Come to think of it, I've seen this woman."
Alf spoke of the suspicious woman he had encountered on a street corner.
Lucifont's expression changed drastically. "Where? When? Just now? You idiot, say it first!"
Lucifont's expression brightened instantly and he started running.
"Alf, well done!"
Around that time, Aver Castle was full of spirited soldiers. Since there was no place to sleep, Alf slept among the fodder piled up in the stables.
Among the soldiers, there were low-quality ones. Alf was frequently teased.
—Hey, there's a Louwi here.
Louwi were an ethnic group that wandered from town to town performing arts or fortune-telling. They were characterized by ash-brown hair and gray eyes, and were not liked by the ethnic groups who tilled the land.
Alf also seemed to be a Louwi with gray hair and eyes, but he didn't have much awareness of it. Therefore, he always snapped back grumpily. He resisted by using insults and foul language he had learned in the slums of Karnain. If it looked like he was going to be hit, he protected his vitals and waited purely for someone to appear and stop the fight. The trick was to end the scene by foully insulting the fighting opponent again as they were being forcibly pulled away.
Eventually, there were no soldiers who dealt with Alf.
While waiting for his senior disciple Laje Jink in the stables, Alf refined his energy.
He tempered his spirit and polished his intuition. Training the magical power dwelling within him, he continued to extend invisible tentacles to search for the old man's presence.
Lucifont's idea of searching with the eyes of the people had a point. However, Alf did not have the artistic skill to draw a portrait. In short, as long as there were many eyes and many tactile senses, it was fine. Alf thought he would realize that with magic.
Alf's senses left his body and spread to the forest, the road, the fields, villages and towns, the coast and the mountains. If there was a possessor of huge magical power, Alf's senses would be stimulated, and he should be able to tell the general location.
Morning and evening, Alf sat on the ground, closed his eyes, and sent out his senses.
One day, after finishing a search with no harvest, he opened his eyes to find bread wrapped in paper placed before him. Some soldier must have mistaken Alf's appearance for prayer. It must have been a donation given out of gratitude.
—There are some stupid bastards.
Alf ate the bread happily. After that, he closed his eyes again and began magical detection.
Before long, Laje returned to Aver City.
Alf clung to his senior disciple and shed tears. He spoke of Zarko. However, he couldn't depend on Laje forever. The fighting in Siddim had begun.
It was nothing more than a single day of battle. The soldiers, who had been there in overflowing numbers, disappeared overnight. Aver Castle fell silent for just a few hours. It was an unsettling silence. There was a tension that anyone could feel as a harbinger of something.
Eventually, a storm arrived. A storm of dead and wounded. People carrying stretchers where the wounded were laid ran toward them. They rushed into the castle. They let out loud voices. They were shouting. Everyone was on edge. Those carrying the wounded were not necessarily soldiers. There were many craftsmen and farmers from somewhere. People in clothing that seemed to be of considerable status were also carrying the wounded. In wagons, the dead and wounded were piled up haphazardly, arriving with a bouncing momentum. Eventually, it even started to rain.
Laje had knowledge of medicine. He attended to the treatment in silence. Alf served as Laje's assistant and ran around here and there.
"Alf," Laje said in a lowered voice. "Bring those who seem likely to survive."
Alf nodded. He wanted to cry. A deathly pallor floated on every face. White faces. Feverish breathing. Desperate eyes, dirty wounds, black blood. The lot who had acted tough and teased Alf like bad boys seemed to have aged in a single day. There was a space and time like a nightmare. This carnage seemed endless.
Before he knew it, two days had passed.
When he found time to take a breath, Alf slept in the same room as Laje. Before sleeping, he did not forget to concentrate his spirit and detect the old man's magical power.
As time passed, the situation settled down. Laje and Alf continued medical acts for about seven days. One night, Alf's tentacles found a sticky trace of magical power.
"I found him, Laje."
"Then, let us go."
Together with Laje, who stood up with a smile, Alf departed that evening.
When he stepped outside Aver City, which had been like hell, the scenery looked clear. The faces of the people they passed on the highway were bright. Alf's pace also became light. Malfa City had been liberated.
Laje cast a sad atmosphere as if it were the basis of his personality.
"Alf, did you meet Ness?"
"Yeah."
Laje said that Ness's appearance, that was the appearance of the current Siddim.
"Siddim is dreaming."
"That ain't true. We won, didn't we?"
"Alf, you must not approach the thing called a country," Laje said as if whispering. "If you involve yourself with a country, you will be killed. This was true in the past, and it will be true in the future. A country demands the lives of people. A country sucks a single person's life dry until it shrivels. A country is a terrifying thing."
"Hey, Laje!" Alf instinctively stopped his feet. "I can't get on board with that at all. Didn't you see those soldiers? Everyone charged into the enemy because they wanted to protect Siddim, right? That way of putting it is cold."
"But they died. That is a fact."
Laje looked back at Alf.
"Alf, that is precisely why we should respect them. Knowing that they would die if they involved themselves with the country, they calmly listened to orders. The soldiers and the knights. If you involve yourself with a country, it is a lie if you do not have the resolve to offer your life. A country has the function of demanding power beyond a person's actual ability and taking it away. A truly great country is a country that possesses that function."
"I don't get it. Siddim is a great country, right? Right?"
"Yes. Anyway, I do not want you to approach the country."
The two mages who had stopped on the road began to walk again.
"Maybe Kosa is also a great country?" Alf asked.
In the Kandasyata Alf had seen, there were hardly any buildings. It was a country that seemed to be sustained only by the warm consideration between nomads.
"I think it is a very great country," Laje laughed. "Besides, Kosa is also dreaming. That is why this war is miserable."
Laje spoke as if singing, while looking at the western sky trailing in purple.
When Alf looked in the same direction, the first star was twinkling.
The war between Lucy and Geraha was about to begin around this time.