Chapter 117
The night breaks. Yet, there are shadows that do not fade.
Even though your symbol has already been lost. Even though the royal family you were meant to serve no longer exists.
The soldiers at the front lines know nothing. They simply believe in their nation’s victory, believe in justice, believe in their king, and throw themselves into battle.
That too is a kind of faith. You could even call it blind devotion.
A bundle of faith that is laughable, endearing even.
This battlefield continuing even now is the darkness. How adorable are the soldiers who, having lost their path in this darkness, still fight on.
“Stop! This area is currently under military operation! Civilians are forbidden to enter!”
“My, so the war continues here as well?” (Still)
“It only began yesterday. Of course it continues. The accursed Lendia declared their invasion of our nation!”
“Oh, how dreadful. So that is why the royal capital ended up in such a miserable state.” (Still) So long as they are the ones being declared against, Golda can remain “the victim” no matter what.
They are granted a “just cause.” That fact lets them believe blindly in themselves.
This logic, ugly yet beautiful, completes their faith. It swirls inside these humans.
“W-What are you saying… The royal capital’s…devastation…?”
“Indeed. I was trying to conduct missionary work in the castle town when…a sudden massacre broke out. I barely escaped with my life and have been making my way here toward the border…” (Still)
“Nonsense! No such report has come that the front lines have been breached!”
“I do not know… The only thing I know is that it was terrifying, and I could do nothing but flee…” (Still)
“…It seems we must confirm this. I thank you for this valuable information.”
I watched as they urgently sent riders both to the front lines and the capital.
…Now, it’s only a matter of time before word of the devastation at the capital reaches the battlefield.
Even if the root of the war was destroyed in a single day, there will be a time lag before the front lines learn of it and the fighting ceases.
…Such chores are not truly my role.
But since My Lord declared that the war would be ended in a single day, assisting in that is my duty.
If they hurry, the riders should reach the front lines by evening today.
It makes me wonder…why were these two nations divided in the first place, when they are so close?
One should have simply taken control through strength long ago.
Because they did not, they are now being used by a third party.
Though perhaps, it was because of the faiths of both nations that clashed and could not reconcile.
That too is a kind of beautiful faith.
“Well then… Though it may be somewhat improper under wartime circumstances, I shall continue my journey of missionary work… Soldiers, I shall take my leave.” (Still)
“H-Hold it! I told you, this is an active operation zone…!”
“Faith cannot be stopped by anyone. I shall head to some corner of the border so as not to be in your way.” (Still)
“…Well, I suppose we cannot forcibly stop someone who is leaving rather than entering. Wait here a moment, we’ll assign you a safe route.”
“Oh my, how very kind of you.” (Still)
The soldier directed me to a route toward the border that would not interfere with their operations.
No doubt, others have already tried to flee the country. Not defecting to the enemy, but simply distancing themselves from both nations until the war settled.
Hmm… Could it be that Lendia anticipated this, and stationed adventurers along the old border mountain path?
To safely receive those who fled. To safely see off those who left.
Adventurers from both nations were likely acting under the instructions of Bark, the guildmaster of the Adventurer Guild of Lindblum.
So much for neutrality. They are clearly a group led by a single leader.
This too could be seen as faith, or mere devotion, or perhaps a technique of control through exploiting desire.
“Well then, thank you kindly for your help.” (Still)
“…Okay. But still… the story of the capital’s devastation, I can hardly believe it…”
“Of course. Even I, who witnessed it with my own eyes, could scarcely believe it was reality.” (Still)
“I see… Perhaps this war…there truly is something wrong about it…”
“My, what a strange thing to say. But war itself is strange, is it not? Humans attacking and destroying other humans. Both sides knowing this, yet still choosing violence over words. How could such a thing ever be normal?” (Still)
War and faith are both things humans cause by throwing away their wisdom, dignity, and sense of society.
Perhaps at their root, war and faith are the same thing.
It makes one think. Fascinating. The fact that I am now drawing near to the front lines of war itself feels as though I am seeking to discern the true nature of faith with my own eyes.
“…Well, in this case, my position has already been decided, though.” (Still)
This is Golda. I will overlook it.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do…or perhaps not, but this is Golda’s land.
You are but believers in your homeland and in your sense of justice.
—————-
Thus, I used my abilities even though it is uncharacteristic of me. I had already entered deep into the forest before the sun had fully risen, walking along the old highway that led to the mountain path of the former border.
“If I recall correctly, crossing this border should bring me near the east of Lendia… Close to the place of that subjugation mission.” (Still)
There’s probably no few people who feel a sense of crisis about this war.
Many nobles of Golda must be panicking at the sudden declaration of war and hiding somewhere until things cool down.
So where will those people head? The answer is this old highway.
As expected, I could see a large number of carriages stopped further down the road.
“Let me through here! I am of the house of Count Gustaf! My lord has ordered that we pass along this road!”
“Then we are of the house of Count Henzelv! We too are to pass this way and make for the port…”
How ugly, really ugly.
It was obvious that those fleeing their homeland had neither loyalty nor faith.
But they won’t be allowed through here. Why would they think that nobles fleeing during wartime would be received by Lendia and allowed to pass?
Did a country without a port really think it had a chance of winning against Lendia?
Did Golda’s nobles really think they could escape from their own country?
Probably, this country had become so complacent and soft compared to Lendia, that it lost the ability to think.
…In that sense, making that dungeon called the Dreamhill Great Forest was nothing but a foolish move.
If they had just gotten through that forest, they could have reached the sea.
…No, perhaps they even made that forest into a dungeon expecting this outcome.
To completely isolate Golda.
Now then, shall I throw them a rescue rope? Or shall I…throw fuel into this vortex of chaos?
“Oh my, everyone! It seems you all ran away too! I’m so glad you’re all safe! Are you alright!? The massacre in the royal capital! And the sudden collapse of the royal castle! I never dreamed anything like this would happen! I hope your estates are safe!” (Still)
Walking past the mass of halted carriages, I spoke loudly and exaggeratedly so they could hear, and headed toward the crowd.
Probably the ones blocking passage are adventurers, and they have already made arrangements with the Lendia adventurers.
And the people swarming over were the carriage drivers of the nobles who had fled Golda.
Now, let’s see how they’ll react.
“You there, is that story true?!”
A carriage window opened at once, and a man who looked like a noble leaned out and peered at me.
One after another, nobles stuck their heads out. No…that country is already doomed; these fools are no longer nobility.
“Yes. In fact, when I fled the capital I saw it clearly. It was like…divine punishment. The castle suddenly collapsed. If it had ended with the castle, that would be one thing, but…” (Still)
The men called back to their coachmen in a clamor at these words, and the long line of carriages that had filled the old highway all turned around at once and fled.
The war had broken out so suddenly they probably couldn’t even take their personal wealth with them.
For men of such low caliber who worry about their property more than their country’s loyalty or their own safety, this kind of story is effective.
In every age…those base nobles are even more foolish than the lowly commoners they look down on.
“It’s grown rather quiet, hasn’t it. Now then…” (Still)
I headed to the group of adventurers that sealed the old stone gate leading to the mountain road.
But I realized they were not adventurers.
…Whether by chance, or because they judged this place to be one of the strategically important keys, the ones leading the blockade -though there were indeed a band of adventurers- appeared to be members of the Killcrawler clan, a group from the Explorer Guild who seemed to have been dispatched from Lindblum.
Really, I have a lot of connections with strong people. Or perhaps it’s inevitable.
Since I’m heading into the heart of a war, I suppose I’ll keep meeting them.
“Excuse me, could you stop right there?”
“Yes, what is it?” (Still)
The representative of those guarding the gate was, if I recall…someone My Lord met inside an artificial dungeon.
His name was Gark, I think. He held the title of vice-captain of the First Assault Team.
“Thanks to your quick thinking we were saved. But…can we assume that story is a fabrication?” (Gark)
“No? It’s all true. I am a humble priest who fled the capital. Not of a grand church like the Elkood Church, but a tiny, narrowly-followed sect. I was staying in the capital to try to gain their backing, but a terrible roar and an enemy attack forced me to flee in panic.” (Still)
Explaining it all was getting tedious.
How much easier everything would go…if I could kill them all….
“…When I reported this information to the Golda soldiers who had been deployed earlier toward the true border, they hurried off to check on the capital. They even sent couriers to the direction of the front lines. It’s only a matter of time before Golda’s front collapses…” (Still)
“…Who are you?” (Gark)
“Just a priest and missionary, sir. I know I look suspicious as can be. From the looks of you, you’re not from Golda, are you? I suppose you were keeping an eye out for enemy forces slipping in as Golda’s nobles fled? Rest assured, I do not think Golda has that luxury. It was a sight straight from hell.” (Still)
In this world, we can reproduce hell all too easily.
The moment I recognized that, a faint dark desire, a curiosity, sprouted in me…and I do not deny it.
But for now I must keep the vow to My Lord. To protect My Lord’s peace…I must make this lie come true.
“…Please let me pass. My missionary work is not finished yet.” (Still)
“…Let me think…” (Gark)
“No.”
At that moment I felt something hard press into my waist.
I also heard a short voice of a young girl from behind.
“Captain…” (Gark)
“This one is suspicious.”
“Oh my my… Such a charming young lady. But you shouldn’t be sticking a weapon at people’s…butts, you know? It’s already split down the middle, you know?” (Still)
How adorable. I’ll forgive this rudeness and the blade at my rear.
I know you. A heretic named Livana, still retaining some childishness.
A warrior with power rivaling even the Thirteen Knights.
I’ll forgive you. Because…you are my “comrade.”
You are someone who adores My Lord, Shizuma, like I do.
Not the master of the body they temporarily control, but someone who seeks Shizuma himself.
So let us speak without lies.
“! Saying funny things won’t work.” (Livana)
“Oh, what a shame.” (Still)
When I turned, the small woman withdrew her dagger. As I expected, Livana stood there.
You, like me, are someone who reveres My Lord, Shizuma. We are allies.
“I’m not lying. I escaped from the capital’s carnage. And I intend to do missionary work toward Lendia. War wounds people painfully. But faith has the power to heal. I do not mean to prey on the broken-hearted. I simply have the power of healing. I want to heal those injured by this war. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go to Golda’s frontlines, though.” (Still)
A plausible lie, and a truth.
Yes, I move to heal.
To slowly spread the name of this abnormal being named Still.
“You’re a healer! Then…Captain, we should let him pass. Our field hospital still receives many soldiers wounded in the vanguard battles.” (Gark)
“…But this one is dangerous.” (Livana)
“I’m not dangerous at all~ Just a somewhat shady man, you know? Miss, would you tell me your name?” (Still)
“I…won’t.” (Livana)
“Too bad. So, what shall we do? My healing is only a minor thing, you know?” (Still)
Saying that, I activated the skill called [Holy Evil Reversal] -a so-called [God’s Curse]- on the group of adventurers guarding the gate.
…There was no healing magic that existed within me. I only had the power to heal myself until I learned [Holy Evil Reversal].
Apparently it was judged that miracles of divine healing were not suitable for me.
So I can only heal others by such a roundabout method.
[God’s Curse]
All stats down 20% and randomly inflict status ailments.
Inflict DoT damage equal to 50% of max HP and lowers MP recovery rate.
Halve action speed and halve field movement speed.
I convert this evil curse into a miracle of healing, a divine blessing.
…It doesn’t reach the highest-tier healing spells, but this power can be given with reversal.
For me it’s more than sufficient. Its healing power should be exceptional.
“W-What! Strength is suddenly…!”
“H-Hey! My twisted ankle! It’s healed!?”
“…No way, my old wound… It’s disappearing…”
The adventurers were apparently more exhausted than I thought.
Seeing this power, even Livana-jou changed her mind.
“…Even though you’re suspicious…” (Livana)
“Am I allowed to pass?” (Still)
“Of course! I’ll mark the location of the field hospital on this map… Wait here.” (Gark)
“…Still suspicious…” (Livana)
“Fufu, don’t say that. Let’s be friends, shall we? Here, a token of our acquaintance.” (Still)
It seemed this comrade still harbored doubts about me.
Then the final method.
I pretended to take something out of my pouch, and instead drew from my item box a [Glistening Holy Amber Candy +15].
It’s my favorite item…apparently.
For some reason I pulled that item first from the menu screen.
“It’s a very tasty candy. Since it’s my favorite, I can’t give you all of it— Ah!?” (Still)
“I’ll take it.” (Livana)
How can this be… An entire can was taken!
…Well, I still have about eight stacks left.
It’s extremely delicious. It supposedly has such an effect that if you accidentally activate [Holy Evil Reversal] and eat it, you’d die… It’s that potent.
“…Delicious!” (Livana)
“…Go ahead, please enjoy it.” (Still)
“Crunch crunch… Alright.” (Livana)
“…!”
If she weren’t a comrade, I’d have smacked her.
…She doesn’t understand. This girl doesn’t understand.
“Sorry to keep you! It’s a rough map, but will this do?” (Gark)
“Hmm… Yes, I roughly know the location. So should I tell them you told me to come?” (Still)
“Yes. My name is Gark. Gark of Killcrawler.” (Gark)
“Hmm, and this young lady? I gifted her some snacks and became a friend of hers just now.” (Still)
“We didn’t.” (Livana)
“I am sad. Please return the candies.” (Still)
“Don’t wanna… Livana.” (Livana)
“Hooh, Livana-san, right?” (Still)
“Haha… Looks like our Captain has taken a liking to you? Then, we will be counting on you with the matter of the field hospital.” (Gark)
“Yes, leave it to me.” (Still)
Oh well, that’s fine. You could say being known by a strong individual is already enough of a result.
…Crunching on Amber Candies is taboo. Sucking it while drinking tea is the ultimate bliss…
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