Chapter 160 : Liberation (2)
Liberation (2)
The special task force, having escaped the 7th Legion, had finally found complete freedom.
Even within the 7th Legion, the special task force had always been treated specially, but leaving was just as difficult as ever.
Unless it was for some extraordinary reason, changing affiliation was impossible.
That was because only by remaining there could their very existence as a special task force be thoroughly concealed.
And the subject of concealment—the one most to be wary of—was, of course, the Holy Nation.
But what was going on?
Right now, the Holy Nation's forces were stationed as reinforcements to the 7th Legion, where the special task force had vanished.
"Ugh... How did it come to this...?"
Bellain wore a troubled expression as he set foot, for the first time in his life, on the lands of the demon realm that housed the 7th Legion's stronghold.
"So this is the demon realm I've only ever heard about. It's even more dreadful than the rumors."
A man wearing an outfit similar to Bellain's spoke.
He was also holding a staff, one of the other Heroes just like Bellain.
"To think the world would have such dreadful demonic energy as common as air. How long are we supposed to stay here, anyway?"
"..."
Bellain kept his lips sealed in reply.
"Hey, Bellain, say something. You're the one who knows the answer, aren't you?"
"Crusch. Do you really want to know that badly?"
Bellain gave a bitter smile to his fellow Hero, Crusch.
"The Pope assured us that we would regain our freedom someday... but that day will probably never come."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Haven't you heard?"
Bellain let out a sigh as Crusch looked flustered.
"I mean, we might have to stay here for the rest of our lives."
"No way... Until we die...?"
When Bellain nodded in affirmation, Crusch became infuriated.
"Don't joke with me. Are you saying we're to stay in this accursed demon realm until we die? The Pope would never issue such an order!"
"Crusch. That's enough...."
"Admit it? That we, who seek holiness above all else, are to plant our feet in a hell like this for life? And on the Pope's orders, no less? How could that possibly make sense!"
It was an idea that was utterly absurd by the Holy Nation's standards.
It was enough to suspect that perhaps this Pope was a fake, an impostor in disguise.
"Do you think I'm the only one upset? Things are wild right now among the other White Knights, too. Some are quitting as knights and deserting on the spot."
"Are you saying there are desertions?"
"Of course! Given this situation, what else could you expect!"
At last, Crusch grabbed Bellain by the collar, demanding answers.
"Tell me the truth, Bellain. What happened in the elves' village back then? You were there, weren't you? You must've heard everything: the discussion between the Pope and the Imperial Court's Emperor!"
It was true. He had heard it all.
Bellain had been on the scene and knew everything.
As a result, he had lost one arm, now replaced with a metallic prosthetic.
"Well..."
Bellain wondered if he ought to tell the truth.
But he found it hard to open his mouth.
Even the Pope had kept silent in front of everyone about what had happened.
The Holy Nation's faith in the World Tree—what would happen if it were revealed that faith was false?
If it became public knowledge that their devotion was actually built on the sacrifice of innocent people, a huge storm would sweep across the entire continent.
'Most likely, the Holy Nation would be utterly ground to dust in that storm.'
As for the Imperial Court, they would suffer little damage.
But the risk was that the Holy Nation might collapse from within.
Who knew what thoughts would stir in the hearts of common people once they felt betrayed by false faith?
Next, they would certainly accuse the authorities, saying they intended to sacrifice them as well.
There had never been any fixed target of sacrifice.
"You're better off not knowing."
In the end, Bellain had only one thing he could do.
Just like the Emperor, he could only keep the secret.
"Ignorance is bliss."
"Ha..."
At last, Crusch let out a sigh and let his staff fall to the ground.
"I've been thinking this over, and no matter if it's the Pope's decree, I can't follow this order. Sorry for saying this here, after coming all this way, but I'm dropping out."
"...."
"I'm sure there are plenty of other White Knights who feel the same as I do. I'll leave with them."
No matter how powerful, even the Pope could not withstand the rage of the majority.
But Bellain made no effort to stop Crusch.
"What if this is the will of the World Tree?"
Just a single remark was enough to bring his steps to a halt.
"The will of the World Tree?"
"Our sacred aura, our holy magical power. Surely you know where all of that comes from."
The Holy Nation's primary tactics relied on their holy power.
All of that strength was rooted in the wisdom of the World Tree.
Without the World Tree, this power could not exist.
"And you say there are many knights who think like you? Have you never considered there would be those who stand opposed?"
"What are you getting at?"
"I mean there are those who think as I do—White Knights who've learned the truth, resigned themselves to it, and decided to obey without question."
There were White Knights who, like Bellain, had discovered the truth about the elves' village incident.
"And now... do you know where the World Tree is?"
"What do you mean where it is? Isn't it still standing in the elves' village?"
That's what the world believed.
"The World Tree has changed. It's not the same as the one you know."
"Explain yourself."
"In short... the World Tree is now in the hands of the Imperial Court. That's what I mean!"
What kind of insanity was this?
Crusch shook his head, refusing to believe.
For this guy to make jokes out of nowhere...
"Is that... really true?"
But if it was true... the Pope's irrational orders now made sense.
The Holy Nation was a country that survived by virtue of the World Tree alone.
If the central pillar of their faith disappeared, so too would their religious devotion.
If that religious core fell into the enemy's hands, then surely hell would descend upon them.
"Hahaha..."
"Our holy power, our faith... it all now dances to the tune of the other side."
Crusch wore an expression of despondence.
But letting one's guard down in the demon realm meant death.
Even now, a monster leaped out from behind, aiming for Crusch's back.
*Shff!—*
"So... let's face reality now."
Bellain cut down the monster, saving Crusch.
"I don't want things to be this way either, you know."
Faced with his companion's words, Crusch had no choice but to pick up the staff he'd dropped to the ground.
He had no choice but to keep fighting through his tears.
And he had to survive.
****
"Is someone talking about me?"
Pram scratched her itchy ear as she spoke.
It was during her morning training in the strength arts out in the backyard garden.
The light radiating from her looked divine, but it was causing the roses in the garden to wither.
It looked wicked, for all its brilliance, but not always so.
Roses that wilted would spring back to life, only to wither again in a repeating cycle.
"How is it? Are you getting better at it?"
"Well..."
Louis, who had been watching close by, asked.
During her training, Pram suddenly turned to Louis and asked,
"You know you're closer to me than that withering flower, don't you, Young Master?"
"Of course."
"But then why is it you're not affected at all?"
She had always been curious.
No matter how much of the Great Devil's power she used, Louis was never harmed.
She'd once just chalked it up to Louis being a monster, but now Pram was also imbued with the power of the World Tree.
It was that power that brought flowers back to life.
"To have both a wicked power and a holy one at the same time... Should I call this beautiful or chaotic?"
"That's your problem, not mine. Isn't your own strength even stranger? How can you ignore even the power of the World Tree?"
Even her power to revive flowers had no effect on Louis.
Maybe it was just a kind of healing arts, and thus didn't impact healthy people.
"I can't say for sure it's entirely ineffective. Don't you remember who calmed me down when I went on that rampage?"
Louis had once lost control in the elves' village.
If not for Pram, everyone there might have died.
"Torture spells also originate from the World Tree. So they can affect a Chaos Dragon like me, too."
"You mean you have the power to suppress rampage?"
Pram realized how her power was being used.
She murmured with a pleased look.
"Then there's no need for the officers' spells, right? As long as I stay near you, Young Master?"
"Maybe... probably."
If so, then the one Louis needed most at his side was Pram.
Louis had set his heart on controlling the power of the Chaos Dragon, making Pram indispensable.
"Hehehehehe."
Pram laughed, feeling as if she'd become the most important person.
"Don't get carried away."
Of course, Louis saw through her feelings and shot back.
...
...
...
"Goodbye, lady Rio! I'll definitely come to visit, so please wait for me!"
Today, the special task force was to leave the capital and settle in a village designated by the Imperial Court.
Princess Estelle shouted toward the carriage carrying the departing special task force.
As her voice faded, Rio let out a breath and finally relaxed.
"I can finally breathe."
"Was it so hard being with the Princess?"
"It's not that... it was just overwhelming."
No matter what Rio did, she was nothing less than a treasure to Estelle.
From Rio's perspective, not understanding that was only exhausting.
"I really hope she doesn't come to visit."
"And if she does?"
"I'll just hide."
"But the Princess has Mind's Eye."
If she hid, it would just turn into Louis hunting her down.
"Ughhh..."
Louis patted Rio's back as if she were about to go smoke out of stress.
He knew it would be hard for her, but what could be done?
He was the one who saved the Princess, so it was up to him to deal with her.
"But Young Master. Are we really living a normal life now? No more fighting?"
At Rio's earnest question, Louis answered,
"Strictly speaking, yeah. The fights in the demon realm were just because of circumstances."
"Mm..."
Rio looked somewhat disappointed and stayed quiet until they reached the village.
The others also seemed to fall into contemplation at the thought of being free.
The village they arrived at was in the Seifert domain.
As soon as they stepped out of the carriage, several villagers recognized and welcomed them.
"Young Master!"
"We've been waiting for you."
"I thought my neck would grow long waiting."
Victor, Simon, and Rozen had arrived at the village ahead of them.
The three had been waiting for the carriage, and greeted them as soon as they alighted.
"I heard you made a big scene against the Holy Nation this time?"
"It's all thanks to you, Young Master!"
"Now we can finally live peacefully."
"That's right. I'm glad to see you all looking well."
Louis smiled and asked the three,
"Really, there's no problem with things ending up like this?"
"Problem? Not really...."
"No complaints here. If anything, I'm grateful."
"Same."
The three voiced no particular complaints.
Instead, they simply accepted it as natural.
"Thanks to you, we'll all be living here from now on."
"Our family's already collapsed, so there's nowhere else for us to go anyway."
Silia and Kelian also had little choice but to settle in this village.
No one minded them being there.
In fact, the team especially welcomed Silia becoming a village resident.
"Oh, right! There's something you should know, Young Master."
"Recently, there's been someone breaking into the village..."
"I know."
Louis cut off Victor's words.
He then looked toward the direction where the Seifert lord's manor used to be.
There was once a graveyard there, but now it was cratered, the terrain transformed.
Naturally, the buried remains inside had also been vaporized.
"Come with me."
Without further explanation, Victor led the group.
They walked through the village's underground passages, which had once served as escape routes during a bandit attack.
There, someone had been captured.
"We thought you should be the one to deal with it, Young Master."
Clive, the leader of Saber, was there, barely alive, still breathing.
Next to him lay the same villagers who had attacked recently.