Chapter 65 : Free City, Bernhard (12)

The water mist that had spread in all directions seeped into the wounds of those nearby.

The restorative domain emanating from the Orb of Water had been activated.

“Hm? Somehow, I feel……”

“My body…… feels a bit more comfortable. No, my wounds are also healing a little.”

“This is……”

Alicia's gaze, who had experienced the power of the Orb of Water before, turned to me, and naturally, Conlan’s and Albino’s gazes also turned to me.

“Is this your doing?”

“It is.”

“Indeed…… so this was also possible. The abnormal improvement in your physical abilities until now makes a bit of sense. You’re still a monstrous bastard.”

Albino came to an understanding on his own and nodded his head.

Conlan spoke in a slightly excited voice.

“Amazing! If you had something like this, why didn't you use it sooner? This is great.”

“It's not something I can use often. Especially so at the Winter Castle.”

“Really? That's a shame.”

Conlan smacked his lips.

Just then, Alicia looked at me with an unreadable expression and spoke carefully.

“Are you okay? Is it perhaps some kind of burden……”

“It's nothing like that, so don't worry about unnecessary things.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Still……”

“I said I'm fine.”

It was to the point where I wondered if this wasn't being overprotective.

‘Come to think of it, we haven't talked about that since the subjugation of the Mage of Blazing Fire.’

I had put it off until now, but it seemed like it wouldn't be bad to talk about it on the way back.

If only to find the answer to the unexplainable favor Alicia held toward me.

“Anyway……”

Just then, Conlan stopped his steps and looked back at us.

“Thanks to everyone for stepping up for Bernhard. It was an absurd situation, but you all managed to step up.”

“Hmph, I didn’t expect you of all people to say something so unfitting. Why don't you act like your usual self?”

Conlan laughed lightly at Albino’s usual taunt.

“Still, thank you.”

Not expecting Conlan to speak so obediently, Albino was dumbfounded.

“Uh…… got it.”

Alicia, who was watching that, made a comment.

“He’s embarrassed.”

“He is embarrassed.”

I also agreed.

“……Shut up.”

Unexpectedly, Albino was the type of person who was quite fun to tease.

At first glance, he was off-putting with his snake-like impression and temperament, but the more I got to know him, the more he seemed somewhat clumsy.

‘Stepping up this time is also like that…… anyway, it’s unexpected.’

No matter how dangerous it was to escape Bernhard alone, it couldn't compare to staying in Bernhard and facing the demonic beasts.

Did a mage of Albino’s caliber really fall for the sophistry Edric was spouting?

‘I wonder…….’

It was true that it still felt somewhat embarrassing to call the 4th Special Task Force members colleagues or comrades-in-arms.

However, since our destination was the same, even for a short while, couldn't we be called a party?

“Alright, alright, stop chatting and let's go back and sleep. I feel like I’m dying.”

“Such a baby, what a waste of your build, big guy.”

“Let's get going.”

A peaceful scene, as always.

Finally, this long, long mission had come to an end.

***

The moment he saw the overwhelming horde that filled the Mülhen Granary Zone, Garrett Mason thought it was all over.

Bernhard's forces could not stop that horde, and even if the Winter Castle's Special Task Force helped, it wouldn't have any effect on the overall tide.

But even in despair, Garrett Mason did not give up.

He convened the council and, despite countless opposing opinions, somehow mobilized the troops.

Of course, Garrett Mason also knew well.

The fact that Bernhard's forces alone could not overcome the disaster that was currently swarming in.

Nevertheless, Garrett Mason did not give up.

Just as despair was gradually spreading on the front lines, a miracle occurred.

The mage who appeared with the thundercloud completely changed Bernhard's fate with just a few light gestures.

Something that could only be called a miracle had happened.

“……Ah.”

The miracle he had so desperately wished for had arrived, but Garrett Mason could not be purely happy.

Because he knew all too well what price Bernhard would have to pay after that miracle.

Creeeeak…….

The firmly closed door of the council opened, and Garrett Mason's expression hardened as he looked at the person who finally entered.

“……You’ve come.”

“Were you waiting.”

“I can't say that I was, not even as a pleasantry…… but I am prepared.”

“That’s a relief. I also want to go back and rest quickly.”

The 4th Special Task Force Commander Edric smiled with extreme ferocity.

“Shall we go then.”

“……Yes. This way.”

Garrett Mason headed inside with Edric.

The pro-Hanover faction council members had already been convened without a single one missing, so all that was left was to finish the big event.

After passing through a long hallway, they finally reached the central conference hall, and the voices of the council members began to be heard from inside.

-For a mage of that level to appear at such a time…… The goddess must be on our side.

-Hahaha! That's right. Now, all that's left is to solidify our relationship with Hanover even more, using this incident as an opportunity, isn't it?

-Yes. We must. Since a mutation occurred in the Mülhen Granary Zone due to diplomatic issues with Hanover, this is something we must naturally resolve.

Hearing that story, Council Member Garrett Mason's expression gradually hardened.

“It seems there's no need to separate those who need to be disposed of inside, is that correct?”

“……Yes. The council members other than the pro-Hanover faction are currently bustling about trying to resolve this incident. The only ones gathered here now are the pro-Hanover faction members.”

“How truly ridiculous. To have almost been killed by Hanover and still be unable to abandon that attitude.”

“To them, war is not something they wage themselves. It's just something mercenaries and soldiers do; they probably didn't feel the slightest sense of crisis. Foolishly so.”

Edric laughed lightly.

“How are all statesmen so alike?”

Immediately after, the sword drawn from Edric's sheath shone chillingly.

As Garrett Mason and Edric entered the central conference hall like that, the council members who were already seated acknowledged Council Member Garrett Mason.

“Council Member Garrett Mason, you're late.”

“Yes. I was a bit late resolving the situation.”

“How can the one who convened the meeting be like that? Please, sit down for now. We were just about to start the council.”

“Are you not waiting for the other council members?”

“Is there really a need for that?”

There was no way Garrett Mason didn't know what that meant.

Since the council members not in this room were those who were not part of the pro-Hanover faction.

“……Is that so.”

After giving a small nod, Garrett Mason’s gaze finally turned to Edric behind him.

“Hm? But who is that person behind you? Have you forgotten that it is policy not to be accompanied by an escort in the sacred conference hall?”

“I will answer that instead.”

As soon as the corner of Edric’s mouth twisted, a flash glittered.

Thud.

A head falling futilely.

“This is my answer.”

Immediately after, as gushing blood began to splatter everywhere, the conference hall was thrown into chaos in an instant.

“Ga, Council Member Garrett Mason! What is the meaning of this!”

“I am merely correcting what is wrong.”

“Don't tell me…… you've joined hands with the Empire! Garrett, do you think you'll be safe after this?!”

“If there is something I must rightfully take responsibility for, I will not avoid it.”

Garrett Mason's gaze looked down coldly at the council member.

“Because that is the responsibility those who enjoy rights must naturally bear.”

“Excellent.”

Edric laughed heartily as he repeatedly swung his sword.

Each time, the heads of the Bernhard council members inside the conference hall fell like autumn leaves.

“Uwaaaa!”

“R, run away!”

“Wh, what are you doing! Call the guards quickly!”

The time of ruthless slaughter was not very long.

For someone of Edric's caliber, killing unresisting humans was an extremely easy task, and above all, such acts were extremely familiar to Edric.

“S, save……”

“If you wanted that, you shouldn’t have made such a choice. Isn't that right?”

“I was wrong, wrong. Even now─”

“It's already too late.”

Watching the head of the council member who was pleading fly off, Council Member Garrett Mason, who was observing this, opened his mouth.

“That person was the last one. Thank you for your hard work.”

“May I leave the rest to you?”

“……Of course. Bernhard will never disappoint the Empire and the Winter Castle. Not now, and not in the future.”

“It was worth the trouble.”

Seeing Edric laughing heartily amidst the sea of blood and mountain of corpses (屍山血海), Garrett Mason could understand what true fear was.

One must not oppose the Winter Castle, which has such a person.

Only that fact lingered in Garrett Mason’s mind.

“Now then, shall we finish the final calculation.”

“Pardon?”

“My squad members' efforts in this war were truly great. As their commander, shouldn't I be giving them a decent reward?”

“Ah…… O, of course! I will prepare it so you are absolutely not disappointed.”

“Haha, I'll look forward to it. Especially since Bernhard's treasury seems like it will be handsomely filled. Isn't that right?”

Edric spoke as his gaze fell upon the corpses scattered in the conference hall.

There was no way Garrett Mason also misunderstood those words.

Those were all pigs who fattened their own bellies by sucking the marrow of Bernhard, and naturally, the wealth they had illicitly accumulated was also enormous.

“The reward for saving Bernhard will absolutely not be small.”

“I thank you for your consideration, Council Member. Then I will be returning to the lodging now. I think my squad members are waiting.”

“Yes. Once again, thank you for fighting for Bernhard. I will never forget this gratitude.”

Garrett Mason bowed his head to Edric with sincerity.

Watching that, Edric scratched his face a bit awkwardly.

Still, it didn't feel bad.

‘That aside…….’

Edric's gaze turned to the east, where the Mülhen Granary Zone was.

To be precise, at Hanover and the Union beyond it.

“A storm of blood is about to blow.”

The fishy smell of blood stinging his nose.

To Edric, it was an extremely familiar smell.

***

A place where lush green lawns and small trees surrounded the cemetery.

Gravestones made of white stone were arranged in rows, and on each gravestone, bouquets or incense left by families were placed.

A quiet wind rustled past the gravestones, and sometimes, the chirping of birds could be heard.

Just how long had it been.

Conlan, who had recovered his body a step faster thanks to Vell Blackwood's help, moved his steps toward a gravestone.

If it hadn't been for Vell Blackwood's help, he would still be unable to escape the life of a patient in bed right now, but whatever magic he had cast, all his major wounds were healed.

‘He's an amazing guy, anyway.’

Around the time he reached his destination, Conlan discovered a woman in front of a gravestone.

A woman with a face extremely familiar to Conlan.

“……Leila?”

Conlan, who finally confirmed Leila's appearance, could not hide his shock.

The bandages wrapped tightly around her entire body and the blood that was still seeping out from under them.

It was the clear trace of battle.

“You’re not dead? Both you and I have really strong, bad luck.”

Leila, who faced Conlan as if she had been waiting, chuckled.

“What in the world is this……. Didn't you leave Bernhard?”

“I left. And I came back. That’s all there is to it.”

“……What does that mean?”

“Conlan, I have to be responsible for the guild. I have a duty not to drive those who follow me, and those I must be responsible for, to a meaningless death.”

“Then why did you come back?”

Leila laughed lightly and added.

“Among the lives I have to be responsible for, my own life isn't included. So I came back.”

“……Why?”

“How foolish. Did you already forget what you said with your own mouth? This is our hometown. And…… it’s where Mary is.”

Leila’s eyes trembled violently, and her hand carefully stroked the gravestone in front of her.

“As this child's mother, there wasn't much I did for her…… but still, I have to stay by her side until the very end.”

“……”

When he had first returned here, he had thought Leila had changed.

But she hadn't.

Leila had simply gained things she had to be responsible for.

In place of Conlan's empty spot.

“I know you didn't betray us. No, there's no way you would.”

“……You believe me?”

“There was never a time I didn't.”

Leila carefully stroked Mary's gravestone and then rose from her spot.

“You have to leave, don't you?”

At that question, Conlan's expression hardened.

Although he had briefly stopped by Bernhard now due to a mission, strictly speaking, Conlan's current status was that of a prisoner.

Until he paid the due price for his crime through service at the Winter Castle, Conlan could not leave the Winter Castle.

Of course, there was the option of desertion, but that would only make him a wanted man again. The life Conlan wanted was not like that.

“……Yes.”

“Right, well. Hurry up and go. Whether you go off somewhere and die or whatever.”

“I'll promise one thing.”

Conlan spoke in a voice that seemed to have firmed its resolve.

“Someday, if I shed all the shackles placed on me…… I will definitely return then.”

“I won't wait. I'm sick and tired of that now.”

Leila laughed lightly and added.

“Still, I hope you do.”

For now, that was enough.

For Conlan, and for Leila.

“Take care of Mary.”

“I will, even if you don't say it. No matter what anyone says…… I am this child's mother.”

Leila carefully stroked Mary's gravestone.

As if stroking a child's head.

“So you don't forget, either. You are Mary's father.”

“Of course.”

At this moment, Conlan resolved once more.

That he would somehow survive and return here again.