Chapter 240 : Chapter 240
Chapter 240
“Cordis is too big.”
Secundus Debius said so.
Just like 7 years ago, during the Succession War, he crossed his massive arms, his voice low.
“Is there a reason for it to be this one giant thing? Hmm. No matter how hard I think, I just can't find one.”
“......”
“An unmanageable, large body is the start of all problems. Even though it has plenty of everything, it constantly wants to start fights.”
It's natural to want to use power if you have it.
Possessing dozens of legions and monstrous generals, it was inevitable that it would want to constantly conquer and invade.
The most vicious part is that the Empire doesn't think of its actions as invasion.
It often stole others' lives and believed it was merely reclaiming a just right.
I agreed with Secundus's sentiment.
The reason why I could never forgive the Empire, no matter how much I thought about it, was right there.
If the Empire had invaded the West for survival, perhaps there might have been a small room for forgiveness.
But Cordis, it invaded the West merely for things like honor.
That was why I had no choice but to become inhuman.
“Talk is easy.”
I was cynical.
I had lived for a long time with the sole conviction of tearing down the Empire.
Because of that, I knew well just how strong the millennial Empire Cordis was.
It wasn't a country that would break into pieces just because one wanted it to.
“How do you intend to break it into pieces?”
Cordis CORDIS.
It did not collapse.
It did not split.
It did not decline.
The millennial supreme leader that grasped the continent's heart.
Its hidden potential was on a scale no one could imagine.
Even for a regressor who had returned 19 years, I had no choice but to hold my breath for several years.
Because of this, I was skeptical.
“Sister Leniar became the Monarch of Volmark.”
The Duchy of Volmark was a country where a woman often became the monarch, so it wasn't strange.
Leniar de Volmark had been a vessel of an emperor, comparable to Ferbias.
“I don't know what strings she pulled, but the Silver Dragon Magic Kingdom supposedly approached her. She's preparing soldiers while receiving their support.”
“...The Silver Dragon Magic Kingdom.”
“Mm. I don't know how much we should trust them, but their support is on an enormous scale.”
I muttered.
The Silver Dragon Magic Kingdom was the country of my master, Sen Sorti.
I knew well how much my master hated the Empire.
“Also, I've spoken with Horm.”
“They're willing to talk to the very person who trampled them?”
“It's a thankful thing.”
Secundus added a brief explanation.
He said that he had been in contact with the King of Horm since the middle of the Horm conquest, and that they had agreed to spare each other's soldiers in preparation for the future.
Ferbias thought Horm was split in half, but the reality was different.
Horm's core forces were preserved and waiting for the right time.
“So, to summarize.”
I said.
“You intend to start a rebellion.”
“You don't look very surprised, as if you already knew.”
“How could I have known? Such a surprising thing.”
I chuckled.
I, Shion Pollinglight, am a regressor.
So I already knew about Secundus and Leniar's treason.
I felt that the time had come once again.
Their treason hadn't been very successful, but it had certainly chipped away at the Empire's strength.
“Good. I understand your intentions well, Brother.”
I suppressed my overwhelming emotions.
Finally, finally.
It's been 7 years since the regression... no, it's closer to 8 years now.
Many things had passed, another war had broken out, and we had reached the point of Secundus and Leniar's treason.
This meant the day to tear down the Empire was right around the corner.
But I didn't let it show.
I acted as if I had little interest, as if all I had to do was protect the West.
I couldn't tell if Secundus had noticed or not.
He was still looking at me with his arms crossed.
“What do you want from me, Brother?”
“We must wage war, Shion.”
Secundus did not call me Zionis.
This was because he was speaking to the Vice-Commander of the West, Shion of Merion.
“Mm. We must fight spectacularly. But with no decisive result, while preserving many lives, we must drag it out endlessly.”
“And so?”
“Let's cover his eyes that way. So that Brother Ferbias has no time to worry about Horm or Volmark. So that all eyes of the entire Empire are directed only at us.”
“Your eloquence has improved greatly.”
“Ehem. It had to. How long could I just be reckless?”
Secundus Debius laughed heartily.
Still, hearing his younger brother's compliment felt good.
“You must know, too. If the war drags on, the West has no chance of winning. Your side's supplies will run out quickly.”
“I know, so let's talk about the specific plan.”
“We have to deceive their eyes with a few large battles, without minor skirmishes.”
“How long will they be deceived?”
“Mm. We don't need that long.”
The Three-Mi Grand General nodded.
“Three times. Three battles will be enough.”
Secundus looked into the distance.
“Each and every time, spectacularly... as if everything is flowing smoothly....”
“Three battles, it reminds me of the Grand Convergence.”
“The Succession War's Grand Convergence? Yes, there was such a thing.”
We chuckled.
“Even if it's a war we're fixing together, we have no time to coordinate our moves, Brother.”
“Just follow my lead. You can do that much, can't you. Let's just roughly decide the first battle.”
“But I haven't agreed yet.”
“Do I not know you? If you intended to refuse, you would have already stormed off.”
“Yes, you are correct.”
Secundus smiled faintly.
“I'll give the victory of the first battle to the West. In return, we also need an achievement.”
“What shall I give you?”
“Something that will immediately add to our forces... and become a reason for victory in the second battle.”
In that case, there was only one thing.
“An Ancient Weapon.”
I nodded as if I had expected it.
“The West has already stolen three of Cordis's Ancient Weapons. If we retrieve one of them, it would look pretty good, wouldn't it?”
“It's a difficult item to use anyway, since there's no possessor of an aptitude. Which one shall I give you.”
There were three Ancient Weapons that had crossed over to the West.
‘Moon-Shadow Cranium’, ‘Bellows’s Afterheat’, and ‘Sinew of the Great Sea’.
Moon-Shadow Cranium resided in the Widow Queen's body, so I couldn't give it.
In that case, it was one of the remaining two.
“‘Bellows’s Afterheat’, as expected?”
“No, ‘Sinew of the Great Sea’.”
Ahem. I narrowed my eyes.
‘Sinew of the Great Sea’ was the item I took from Niko Nereyades.
I took it after becoming a giant of blue flames and killing the White Whale.
I glanced at Amethus and Nana, who were standing far off.
“I'm going to give power to Nana Nereyades. She will be a good card to play.”
“She is Ferbias's junior. Can she be trusted?”
“Don't you trust Amethus?”
“I do not trust him.”
“Mm. A lie.”
“......”
Silence fell in the dead of night.
It wasn't long until dawn, so the sky was dim.
Secundus made an, "Mm," sound and stood up from his seat.
I'll eat this on the way.
He didn't forget to grab a few pieces of meat.
“This should be enough. I should be getting back.”
“I won't see you off.”
“I didn't expect you to.”
Seeing Secundus stand, Nana approached.
They prepared to leave.
Though, preparing just meant brushing the dirt off their rears.
Secundus, who had been postured as if to bolt off at any moment, slowly turned his head.
“...Zionis, let me ask just one more thing.”
“Yes, please do.”
“...Nebulo...”
My face hardened.
It was a name I'd heard for the first time in 7 years.
Nebulo Le Etier, the Fourth Prince.
Fat Nebulo, who had died at my hands.
But Secundus had considered him a brother.
“...Did he really die because of Brother Ferbias.”
“......”
I couldn't bring myself to answer.
That became the answer.
“......Is that so, as expected.”
Secundus didn't ask further.
He didn't blame me either.
He just ruminated deeply on the sorrow of life, his expression darkening.
I didn't make excuses either.
“...Still, thank you for being alive.”
“Go, Brother.”
My, Shion Pollinglight's, voice was cold.
“If this goes on, we'll end up hugging each other and shedding tears.”
“Right. We were glad to see each other, but we weren't that close.”
Secundus muttered.
“I'll be going, little brother.”
***
Secundus and Nana crossed the mountain range once again.
Their steps were lighter than before.
It might have been thanks to filling their stomachs.
As they bounded along, they neared the mountain peak before they knew it.
Convinced that no one would hear, Secundus quietly opened his lips.
“Nana.”
“Yes, Grand General.”
Nana Nereyades had just stepped on a tree and leaped high.
She was giggling like a young girl.
She knew it wasn't the time for it, but she had gotten excited just from running.
“What do you think I discussed with Zionis?”
“......”
Secundus's single remark made Nana's heart sink.
Nana narrowed her eyes.
“...I don't really want to hear it.”
“No. Listen.”
He had no intention of seeking her consent.
“I intend to break the Empire into pieces.”
“!!!”
Nana Nereyades stopped.
Secundus stopped along with her.
They stood facing each other near the peak.
Nana's eyes quickly turned fierce.
Killing intent poured out in streams from her small frame.
But Secundus was not frightened in the least.
“...Do you know what you are saying?”
Nana felt betrayed.
He had approached her warmly when she was hurt and tired, and she had even felt like she wanted to rely on him.
But for him to pour out such a thunderbolt of a statement.
It would be a lie to say she felt no resentment.
“Grand General, you are talking about treason right now.”
“You heard correctly.”
The Three-Mi Grand General Secundus Debius did not back down.
He stood his ground as if he were a thousand-year-old rock.
Nana clenched both her fists tightly.
With her slightly limping leg, she prepared to swim across the earth at any moment.
“Then I cannot stand by idly anymore, as I am His Majesty Ferbias's servant.”
“I knew you would react that way.”
“Then why did you tell me?”
Nana spat out her resentment.
“We were supposed to eat together in Hobel Bay, just the two of us, Grand General. But why would you say such a thing? Why, why, when you could have just let me not know....”
She was struck anew that there was such a weak part in her heart.
At the same time, she was surprised at herself for showing this weak part so easily to Secundus.
“...Why are you making me make a painful choice again?”
“Because you deserve the chance to choose.”
“I didn't want it.”
“I wanted you to choose.”
“......”
Nana's aura inflated further.
The sound of the Drako Great Mountain Range's magical beasts fleeing in fear could be heard.
Now that she had heard it, it couldn't be helped.
Nana began to harbor the intent to kill Secundus, even at the cost of her life.
She was someone who once held a loyalty that was like an obsession.
Now, it was softer than before, but she still lived with a firm loyalty.
“I spoke with Zionis, we decided to make the next battle the West's victory.”
“Shut up. Enemy of the Empire!”
“In return, I decided to receive one Ancient Weapon.”
“...An Ancient Weapon?”
“‘Sinew of the Great Sea’.”
“......”
Nana bit her lip.
‘Sinew of the Great Sea’, an item that was practically Niko's memento.
Her own favorite weapon, which she had used for several years.
Secundus's meaning was all too clear.
He was trying to appease her.
Even though his intention was obvious, it was so sweet that it was hard to refuse.
“It's not about killing Brother Ferbias. It's to drain the Empire's dead blood. The Empire cannot manage its own body.”
“...That's an excuse.”
“I know. So I'm asking you to choose.”
Secundus said, as if reciting.
“If you, Legion Commander Nana, relay this story to His Majesty, I will obediently accept the crime of treason. But if you do not... I would be glad.”
“......”
Nana squeezed her eyes shut.
Her heart wavered.
Ferbias Caseptus, His Majesty the Emperor, to whom she was unfailingly loyal.
But was this really loyalty?
Or was it just being tamed like a dog, seeing his face since she was young?
For what purpose did she serve Ferbias?
No, did she ever expect anything in return?
She found herself completely unable to know.
“...I won't cooperate. I will just stay still.”
“That is enough.”