Chapter 117

‘…The Giants were already annihilated?’

The Future Diary, showing the future four years from now, contained quite shocking content.

I thought I might have misread it and read it again, but what I had read was correct.

It was clearly written in the Future Diary. In four years, Ronak, who was scouting the monster army, sent me a report saying, 「The Giants had already been annihilated, and the monsters had fed us false information」.

‘Those incredibly strong Giants… annihilated?’

I dazedly turned my head and looked at Barut and Grondar. Even after the fierce battle, Barut was still staring blankly into the air, lost in the grief of losing his friend, while Grondar, perhaps sensing my gaze, waved his hand enthusiastically.

He was like a large dog wagging its tail upon finding its owner.

…That wasn't what was important.

‘Why were the Giants annihilated by the monsters? Did they lose because they were overwhelmed by the monsters' numbers? Like the saying goes, there’s no champion against a mob?’

As I continued to mull over these heavy thoughts.

Another thought occurred to me.

‘But why is the Future Diary suddenly showing the future four years from now? I opened the page closest to the present.’

This had happened before. I had checked the ‘future closest to the present,’ but a future several years later had appeared.

Looking back on that experience…….

‘It probably means that now is the only time I can fix the future that will happen in four years. That’s why the Future Diary is showing me something from the distant future right now.’

The diary stated, ‘The Giants had already been annihilated.’

However, it didn't specify exactly when.

But since the diary said ‘already annihilated,’ the Giants’ destruction must be something that happens within four years. It could be that the Giants would be attacked and annihilated by monsters in the near future—tomorrow, the day after, or perhaps a month or two from now.

‘Since I don’t know when the Giants will be attacked and annihilated by the monsters, I have to prepare for it as soon as possible.’

For now, I decided to check the rest of the Future Diary that I hadn't finished reading.

…….

A few days later, a report that looked like it was hastily scribbled by Ronak arrived.

「…Your Highness, we tried to support the Giants, but the Giants of the Wasteland of Ruin had already been annihilated. The monster army headed to the Wasteland of Ruin to surround and attack our kingdom's reinforcements from the north and east simultaneously. They fed us false information.

Your Highness, they have already finished preparing to attack the kingdom from the north and east simultaneously. We will stay at Zakar Castle in the northernmost part of the kingdom and try to block the monsters from the north. We do not know when the monster army will begin its advance, so we ask that Your Highness also prepare quickly.」

This was the end of the newly written diary entry.

‘The monsters were preparing to attack from the north and east simultaneously… is that it.’

This was still a future four years away, so it was fine for now. But it was a crisis that would surely happen in four years if I did nothing, so I had to act now.

‘Honestly, I don’t know much about war or battle tactics. But it’s an obvious fact that being pressed by the enemy from the north and east at the same time is not a good thing.’

The reason I wanted to prevent the Giants' annihilation was largely because Barut and Grondar had helped me.

But setting aside my personal feelings, the Giants' role seemed crucial in the upcoming war with the monsters.

If the Giants were not annihilated, the entire kingdom would not be surrounded by monsters.

If we had to fight a war while the entire kingdom was surrounded, there could be no more disadvantageous condition.

‘Come to think of it… I think Grondar briefly mentioned something to Barut. About all the Giants leaving the Wasteland of Ruin and moving to the kingdom.’

At the time, I had let Grondar’s words pass by lightly. I had just thought it was a joke.

But thinking about it now, it seemed to have been quite an important statement.

‘If I can have the Giants immigrate to the kingdom, they won't be annihilated so senselessly. And if anything were to happen, I could help them quickly.’

Thud—.

Organizing my thoughts, I closed the diary and put it back in my backpack.

What I had to do was more or less decided.

“Lord Barut—.”

Just as I stood up from my spot to call Barut.

“Your Highness, I have returned. I apologize for being late.”

Jereuth emerged from the bushes. My gaze naturally shifted toward him.

But.

“C-Commander. Are you alright? The blood…?”

“I am fine. It is not my blood, but the monster’s. The beast did not open its mouth as easily as I thought, so I had to use somewhat forceful methods.”

‘Somewhat forceful methods’… probably meant he inflicted pain until Jereuth got the information he wanted.

“I tried to wipe it off, but it seems I didn’t do a proper job. I apologize for showing you such a rough sight.”

“Not at all. As long as you are alright, Commander… So, how did the interrogation go?”

“I could not obtain a great deal of information. However, I did obtain some important information.”

“Important information?”

“Yes. The monsters knew that the Minotaur’s revival was near. That is why they were coming here, to protect the Temple of the Minotaur. Then they realized we had sealed the Minotaur again, and they attacked us.”

“…….”

“And… they say that monsters have gathered and formed an army in a place called the 'Basin of Glory' in the center of the Monster Mountains. The reason the monsters gathered was because they were drawn by the Minotaur’s revival, but since we have sealed the Minotaur, I do not know what stance they will take.”

Jereuth said, ‘I do not know what stance they will take,’ but I felt from his voice that he was hiding something.

Even if he was hiding something, it didn't feel like he was trying to deceive me. Rather, Jereuth seemed worried about me, as if he was trying to be careful with his words so as not to shock me.

“Is there anything else? It feels like there’s something you haven’t told me.”

“…….”

“Please speak comfortably. Any matter is fine.”

“It is not important. After you return to the royal capital—.”

“Please just tell me. Not telling me makes me more uneasy.”

When I asked again, Jereuth hesitated for a moment. Then he came closer and whispered into my ear, in a voice only I could hear.

“According to the Orc I interrogated, the one who is effectively ruling the monster army is a Black Oak named ‘Krokas.’ And Krokas said that whether the Minotaur is revived or not, he will attack the kingdom… so said the Orc I interrogated.”

“…….”

“It seems the number of monsters gathered so far is about 30,000. I do not know when they will attack the kingdom, but their numbers will continue to grow from now on.”

Jereuth watched my expression the entire time he spoke. I didn't know why he was watching me.

Perhaps he was worried I would be shocked by such startling news.

But I wasn't that surprised. Of course. I already knew.

However, just because I already knew didn't mean I felt nothing.

‘…So it’s finally starting. The war with the monster army.’

I felt my blood run cold.

***

Jereuth.

‘Is His Highness… going to be alright.’

He had told Leonardo that ‘there is a high probability the monster army will attack the kingdom.’ And he was regretting and worrying about it. Because, honestly, Jereuth hadn't wanted to tell Leonardo such shocking news at this point in time.

‘His Highness just lost his father. And before he could properly compose himself, he had to fight against monsters. In such a mentally and physically exhausted state… I didn’t want to tell His Highness such a serious matter.’

No matter how great a figure Leonardo was, and even if he was 'royalty' and fundamentally different from a commoner like himself.

He was still human. He had a limit to his mental strength. If too much pressure was applied, he was bound to break.

Jereuth, fearing this, had not told Leonardo the information that the monster army might attack. He had planned to tell him a day or two after returning to the royal capital. After Leonardo had rested a bit.

‘But because His Highness told me to speak, I ended up saying it. …I am concerned about His Highness' heart. So much pressure all at once—.’

Just as Jereuth was cautiously looking at Leonardo and worrying.

“I see.”

Unexpectedly, and truly surprisingly, Leonardo calmly nodded his head and spoke.

‘…How can he be so calm? Did he misunderstand my words?’

At Leonardo’s incredibly calm demeanor, Jereuth was taken aback. However, contrary to Jereuth’s thoughts, Leonardo had heard and understood his words perfectly.

“Let’s talk about the monster army in detail when we return to the royal capital.”

“…….”

“You’ve worked hard, Commander. I have something to say to Lord Barut for a moment, so while I’m gone, please rest and wipe some of that blood off your face.”

“Ah… yes.”

Leonardo turned his back and walked toward Barut.

Jereuth stared blankly at his retreating back.

‘Is that… the difference between royalty and an ordinary human like me? Is that the dignity of royalty?’

Leonardo was a boy of only twelve, now thirteen. Yet, upon hearing that a crisis called the ‘advance of the monster army’ could befall the kingdom, the boy’s expression didn't change one bit.

Even Jereuth himself, who had been through all sorts of trials and tribulations, felt his heart sink when he heard the Orc say, 「“The monster army will trample the kingdom! They will slaughter everyone, women and children alike!!”」.

‘Philip showed a similar side. He never panicked in the face of any crisis and always found a way.’

The back of the now-dead king and friend seemed to overlap with Leonardo’s in Jereuth’s eyes.

As the king came to mind, Jereuth suddenly remembered what he had said to him in the royal capital.

‘Come to think of it… Philip told me. That when my time comes to die, like him, I would feel when and how I would die.’

Was it because of that thought?

For some reason, Jereuth also felt it.

A feeling that within a few years, at his most glorious moment, he would meet a death he would not regret… that kind of intuitive feeling.

‘Philip, was this how you felt?’

Jereuth looked up at the sky and finished his thought.

‘I, too, want to die smiling when my time comes, just like you.’

***

As Leonardo approached, Barut raised his head and looked up at him.

“What is it, King Leonardo? Is it time to descend the mountain? Then go down first. I… need to send Philip off here a little longer. What’s with a guy the size of a mountain being so sentimental—.”

“Not at all, Lord Barut. I do not think so. I told you earlier. Thank you for mourning my father’s death so sincerely.”

“……Hmph, you are a good fellow. I wish Grondar would learn to respect his elders by your side. I raised that boy, but he’s a lost cause.”

“Hey, why me all of a sudden! …Never mind.”

Grondar, who was insulted out of nowhere, was about to flare up but held back. He realized his father, Barut, had made a joke to lighten his mood.

“So, what business brings you here?”

“I came to thank you for fighting so hard earlier. And Grondar, too.”

“Ah, smashing trees and throwing them is just a morning exercise! I can do that much anytime!”

“Haha, alright.”

Leonardo laughed lightly and replied to Grondar, then looked at Barut again.

“Lord Barut. Do you remember when Grondar said he wanted to leave the desert-like wasteland and live in a place with lots of grass and trees?”

“Hm? Well… I remember, but if it’s because that rascal blabbered about moving to your kingdom, you don’t need to worry about it. I know how difficult it is to give land to Giants. Giants and humans are not fundamentally well-matched races, are they?”

“What do you mean by not well-matched?”

“Why ask when you know. Humans fear big beings like us, don't they? You, Jereuth, and Philip… were a bit different, though.”

As he mentioned the king’s name, Barut let out a sigh. It seemed his heart grew heavy again at the thought of his friend’s death.

Leonardo silently nodded at this new information.

‘I didn’t know humans feared Giants.’

That aside.

‘The way Barut is talking, it’s as if he wants to come to the kingdom too.’

“If I were to offer the Giants a place to live, would you consider moving to the kingdom?”

“……Offer us land?”

“Yes.”

“Then we would—.”

Barut seemed about to say, 「“Then we would be grateful.”」

But before he could, Barut stopped and changed his words.

“Why would you offer us land? I haven’t known you for very long, but I am a good judge of character. You are a wise, brilliant, and meticulous human. It seems there must be a reason for you to offer us land.”

It was a sharp question. But as if he had anticipated such a question, Leonardo answered immediately.

“It is because I am worried about the Giants.”

“Worried about us?”

“Yes. Commander Jereuth mentioned a little while ago that monsters have gathered in the depths of the Monster Mountains and formed an army. There is a high probability that they will attack the Plank Kingdom.”

“The monsters will attack the Plank Kingdom. What does that have to do with being worried about the Giant race? Shouldn’t you be worried about your kingdom? It seems to have nothing to do with the Giants.”

“No, it is related. Because if I were leading the monster army, I would attack the Giants first before attacking the Plank Kingdom.”

“What do you mean by that? Why would they attack our unrelated race?”

“How is it unrelated? Today, you helped me defeat the monsters that were trying to kill me. Also, the son of the Giant Elder and the next king of the Plank Kingdom are friends. It’s more than related; it’s very related.”

“……Are you threatening me right now? King Leonardo?”

Barut didn't hide his displeasure and growled. But Leonardo continued to say what he had to say.

“I am not threatening you; I am saying I want to help. The Giants could be in danger, so wouldn’t it be good if we gathered and joined forces?”

“We don't need it. The monsters might not know that the Giants helped you. They might not know that Grondar is your friend either.”

“Are you going to bet the fate of your race on such a dangerous probability as ‘they might not know’?”

“……I cannot do that. But anyway, even if the monsters attack the Giants, we will not be annihilated. We Giants are not so weak as to lose to mere monsters. Besides, our home, the Wasteland of Ruin, has constant sandstorms, making it difficult for anyone but Giants and a very few monsters to even open their eyes properly……”

As Barut was speaking.

He remembered the prophecy his wife had seen before he left the village.

—‘A king will come who will bring peace to the Giants through true friendship.’

—‘The sandstorm, having lost its purpose of protecting the Giants, has left the wasteland.’

—‘Help that king and return to a land lush with vegetation.’

—‘Pride is meaningless, so accept his mercy. Otherwise, a disaster will befall you.’

His wife’s prophecies had never once been wrong.

And if his wife’s prophecy was right this time too—.

‘Does the prophecy’s warning, ‘a disaster will befall you if you do not accept his mercy,’ mean that the Giants could be annihilated by a monster attack…?’

Deep in thought, Barut looked into Leonardo’s eyes.

‘…This young boy is the king who will bring peace to the Giants through true friendship. According to the prophecy.’

“Then what is it that you want? You offered us land, so there must be something you want.”

Barut, having essentially decided to accept Leonardo’s proposal, asked.

To that question, Leonardo answered cautiously.

“I would like the Plank royal family and the entire Giant race to become friends.”

“…….”

“Just as you, Lord Barut, devoted yourself and worked for my father, and just as Grondar follows me, I want to form a similar relationship. On a race and kingdom level.”