Chapter 79
The Fortress Commander's Office. Having received reports on the entire situation, Richter remained silent for a while. His eyes, with a complicated expression, observed Franz, who had made it back alive.
Finally, Richter managed to open his mouth.
"... Franz, welcome back to the fortress."
"It is an honor to serve you again, commander."
"If there's anything you need, feel free to ask anytime."
"Commander."
Franz paused for a moment. His lips twitched, but the words did not come easily. However, after gathering his thoughts, Franz continued.
"As far as I know, none of us have ever blamed you, commander. So please, don't feel too burdened."
"... You may go now."
After Franz bowed his head and limped out of the office, the door closed, and Erich spoke.
"You have good subordinates."
"They are more than I deserve. Now, is there any progress with the interrogation of Joseph?"
"Frederick and Barnes are interrogating him right now. But, honestly, I'm not expecting much."
"We went through the trouble of catching him; we'll have to make him talk, no matter what. A necromancer... To think someone like that was behind all this. Honestly, it's still hard to believe."
"I doubt he was acting alone. I suspect... there's someone high up in the Watch backing all of this."
As Erich's words sank in, the lines on Richter's face deepened.
"A high-ranking officer, huh? There are people who come to mind, but it's difficult to say it out loud."
"Speak freely."
While waiting for Richter's answer, Erich brought to mind several individuals. Then, as Richter finished his contemplation, he spoke.
"This is not something to be said lightly, but I am suspicious of Chief Albrecht."
"... You mean Albrecht?"
"That's right. It was Chief Albrecht who sent Joseph here. He's also head of the research division overseeing the research teams. If he didn't know about this, wouldn't that be more laughable?"
"Is the research division actually an official organization?"
"It wouldn't be strange for you not to know. Even I only found out when I was notified that they were coming here."
Erich fell into thought.
This wasn't some temporary group; the fact that there was a research division within the Watch was itself something he'd never known, even as a former commander.
And yet, Albrecht was the head of that division.
'I shouldn't jump to conclusions... but there are certainly suspicious points.'
Surely, one of the high-ranking officers of the Watch was already in collusion with the dead.
And Albrecht had plenty of other things that raised suspicion as well.
For instance, considering how high up he was, his traces were so faint that even Erich, the former commander, barely knew what kind of person he was.
Richter watched Erich's reaction closely.
"Is there something you're picking up on?"
"... I'll keep the possibility in mind for now."
"That's best for now. But don't underestimate Albrecht's reputation within the Watch."
"As far as I know, several fortress commanders are closely connected with Albrecht."
"You know a lot for a lower-ranking officer. And you're right. At least three fortress commanders are favorable towards him. One of them..."
"Is practically his subordinate."
"You can call that one a bastard right in front of me if you want."
Erich allowed a bitter smile. He had a good idea who Richter was talking about.
A man who could be called Albrecht's lapdog. In the past, this man had been a candidate for the next commander but lost the position to Erich.
'Thanks to that, things were rocky between us to the very end.'
But the reason Erich hadn't suspected Albrecht more strongly after returning was firstly because, after Albrecht went missing, even the fortress commander he called 'bastard' had fought alongside Erich in the final stand on the Great Wall.
Thus, he couldn't be certain, but couldn't entirely drop his suspicions either, so Erich merely raised the level of suspicion for now.
Then Erich spoke.
"That aside, we need to gather everyone who used the blood of the dead left in the fortress."
"To use that power of yours?"
"Yes, that's right."
"But, some have died, haven't they? You said one in ten couldn't withstand that power."
"My guess is, if the cells of the dead reach a critical area, even my power won't be able to help."
"... I see. That's unfortunate. I thought of using the blood of the dead and healing them with your power."
"It probably can't be used that way."
"All right. I'll have those who need healing gathered as quickly as possible."
The blood of the dead acts on the entire body the moment it's injected.
It's impossible to know which parts might become contaminated by the cells of the dead, not just the wounded area.
Even among the ninety percent who were healed, most lost function in parts that turned black and charred. Their combat abilities plummeted.
Considering all the risks, using it as a panacea was simply impossible. Richter accepted that fact quickly.
"One last issue remains."
"What is it?"
"This 6th Fortress feels obviously different from other fortresses. The personnel are suspiciously passionate about their duties. Does that make sense to you?"
"... Hrm. What's strange about Watchmen simply doing their duty?"
"You know perfectly well what I mean."
Though Erich spoke softly, Richter would hear it as a warning. What could possibly drive them to such extremes?
Even when fighting Barbarians and losing limbs, these people would patch themselves up with the blood of the dead and go right back to fighting.
It was hard to believe that this was simply a matter of duty.
If this situation erupted at any other fortress, no matter who the commander was, requests for rear deployment and desertions would skyrocket.
But these people did not do that. Instead, they treated Richter as their sovereign, fostering and soothing their resolve to resist.
Therefore, all of this pointed to just one thing.
'Richter is clearly providing them with something.'
Erich did not know what that 'something' was, but he was certain it existed.
However, hearing this, Richter just relaxed into his chair. Even under Erich's persistent questioning, the experienced commander's composure didn't waver.
"Sometimes, there are things better left unknown."
"It'll come out eventually anyway. The main force will arrive soon enough."
Erich quietly made his threat.
This place was destined to become the center of the northern vacuum once the main force, led by the commander, arrived.
One way or another, it couldn't stay hidden.
At that moment, Gustav, the chief of security who had been quietly listening, slowly placed a hand on his sword. But Richter shook his head.
"Enough, Gustav. You know as well as I do. Even if we all attack him, he has the ability to cut us down halfway and then escape. Don't do anything pointless."
"... But, commander."
"Gustav."
When Richter spoke coldly, Gustav lowered his hand. Even he knew he was no match for Erich. Interest flickered across Erich's face.
'To think they're hiding it this much. Just what kind of secret is it?'
Richter wordlessly stood and draped a black cloak over his shoulders—the golden badge denoting the fortress commander flashed.
"Follow me. I'll give you the answer you want."
Richter left the office and headed outside.
Gustav, following him, looked worried. As they walked, Erich passed personnel with cheerful faces.
The threat of the Barbarians was gone, and the possibility of becoming one of the dead had vanished.
Though some might die during treatment, everyone seemed sure that it wouldn't be them.
It was an unbelievably optimistic attitude.
'What the hell method did he use?'
Richter's destination was not the interior of the fortress but outside.
Not the north, where the field and river lay, but east, down past the slope beneath a cliff.
Erich began feeling curious. If this was something so secret and precious, it should have been hidden inside the fortress. The more suspicious it became, the further they walked.
Eventually, Richter led Erich into a thick coniferous forest. The foliage was so dense they could hardly see a step ahead. For a while, Richter remained silent before finally speaking.
"I brought you here partly because you were so persistent in finding out, but more so because there's something I desperately need to ask of you."
"... Of me? Are you hiding another of the dead somewhere?"
"The dead? Well, I suppose you could call them that. Maybe even worse than the dead."
At these words, Gustav allowed himself a faint smile. The only one here who didn't know the inside joke was Erich.
"I'd laugh too, if I knew what was so funny."
"I'll show you. But first, promise me just one thing."
"As long as it's not an unacceptable promise, I will."
"It's nothing problematic. Have you heard of the Barbarian's curse?"
"... The Barbarian's curse?"
Erich's eyes narrowed.
He'd never heard of Barbarians casting curses. Sure, shamans manipulated magical powers, but that was very different in character from a curse.
Richter pushed through the undergrowth as he continued speaking.
"Joseph said the Barbarian's curse can only be broken by the blood of the Barbarians. Part of why I allowed Joseph to capture Barbarians was to find out how to break the curse."
"That's a lie."
"And why are you so sure?"
"As far as I know, there's only one type of being who can cast a curse."
"... You mean the ones leading the dead?"
"Worse than them, actually. But yes. Regardless, barbarians do not possess the power to curse. I can say that for certain."
He hadn't seen all the Barbarians in existence, but Erich was sure.
The Empire had misunderstood much about the Barbarians, but there was never anything about curses.
Richter made a low groan, surprised by the certainty of the young officer.
"... To be honest, I thought so too. If you think about it, there's no record of anyone experiencing a curse through centuries of fighting with Barbarians."
"Then why did you even consider it a curse? You yourself thought it impossible."
"Because Joseph said so—and he really could block the 'curse'. But I developed a theory. That the curse didn't originate with the Barbarians."
Erich nodded slowly. Richter was a sharp man. He wouldn't have believed Joseph's lies so easily.
Finally, Richter's steps stopped at a wooden palisade with a timber gate.
It was surprising to see a makeshift wall in such an unseen place; even more surprising were the personnel standing guard there.
They seemed genuinely startled that Richter had brought Erich with him.
"... C-Commander?"
"Open the gate. He's with me—it's fine."
Hesitating, the guards opened the gate at Richter's command.
And, at last—
Erich narrowed his eyes as he looked inside.
Beyond the gate, there were numerous people. But none of them were Imperial.
'Barbarians.'
Countless Barbarians stared at Erich—Barbarian women, children, even several elders.
The personnel of the 6th Fortress had established a village with the Barbarians within.
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
Ohh....
【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】