NOVEL WEB Chapter 473
Chapter 473. Doubts and Loyalty
That day, we took a room in Kaemuran.
Until now, it had been nothing but camping out, charging headfirst into everything, but given the shock of the recent events, Orderju decided it was best for us to take a proper rest.
(By the way, Orderju himself was doing just fine. It was merely out of concern for Liliana’s mental fatigue.)
“…So, what shall we do?”
In the four-person room of the inn. To be sure, while deploying a soundproof barrier, Helena opened the discussion.
In the room were, of course, only Liliana, Helena, and Orderju. Liliana sat on the bed, her hands tightly clasped over her knees, and her complexion seemed a bit pale. Meanwhile, Orderju sat cross-legged on the bed, looking as calm as ever.
“Is it even correct to contact ‘Alex’… in the first place?”
With a stern expression, Helena compared the faces of Liliana and Orderju.
“It’s alright to raise questions, isn’t it?”
It was true that Zilbagias saved Liliana. However, it was also an undeniable fact that he had exterminated hundreds of soldiers.
—Could he really be a danger?
Was it worth the risk to establish contact? Helena, who bore the oath of “I will protect Liliana at all costs,” couldn’t help but harbor doubts.
It was something she didn’t even want to think about, but there was a possibility that Zilbagias and the demons were masters of curses that could even override the High Elf Queen, leaving Liliana in a state where she couldn’t be purified.
What assurance was there that Liliana’s fierce desire to reunite with Zilbagias wasn’t orchestrated?
…Well, I suppose I can’t imagine Zilbagias would go through the trouble of letting Liliana escape and leaking information, then come out to the alliance himself just for that…
Still, it was worth being cautious. Helena’s posture was not wrong in any way.
“Alex… is not someone who willingly gets his hands dirty with killing.”
Liliana squeezed out those words.
“That doesn’t change even if he is reborn as a demon.”
“But… if that’s the case, then why is he acting like this?”
“There must be some reason.”
“What kind?”
“…Woof.”
“You won’t be fooled by pretending to be a dog!”
Helena smacked her head lightly, and Liliana let out a pathetic “kyuun kyuun.”
“I agree that Zilbagias is a dangerous figure… but I can’t say I don’t understand his intentions at all.”
Orderju finally spoke up.
“Fact is, the Imperial Army has halted. In this situation, infighting among humans is absurd, and Alex, as a brave hero, would likely feel the same way.”
With a sigh, he continued while crossing his arms.
“I treated mainly the injured citizens of the principality at the Holy Church earlier. There are many voices mourning the sacrifice of the priest hero, but regarding the repulsion of the Imperial Army, there were even some thanking Zilbagias. Although they didn’t say it out loud.”
Especially the cat beastmen were quite noticeable in that regard, Orderju shrugged.
“…That’s right. There are many cat people in this country…”
Nodding while recalling Garunya, Liliana agreed.
She had always treated her well despite her becoming a dog-like figure, but ironically, they had never exchanged words.
What would happen if “her current self” were to reunite with her?… It was something she didn’t want to think about. The white tiger tribe held animosity towards humanity, while the forest elves were simply opposed because they belonged to a different faction. Liliana herself held no particular feelings toward it.
But if their reunion took place on the battlefield…
By the way, the night elf Viene, who was also Zilbagias’s attendant, she really disliked. Regardless of her taking care of her in various ways, there were times during her captivity when her skin was flayed by her.
“While Zilbagias committed unilateral massacres against the Imperial Army, it was testified that he struggled once the heroes of the Holy Church appeared.”
As these thoughts wandered through her mind, Liliana too began to speak.
“He might have set out with the intention of pushing back the Imperial Army, but with the reinforcements from the Holy Church showing up, it might have left him unable to escape…”
However, based on what Liliana knew of Zilbagias’s abilities, she couldn’t believe he would struggle against a mere moderate opponent. Did he perhaps fail in trying to hold back? …That was possible.
“…If he attacked humans, it’s only natural for the Holy Church to appear, right? If he is a hero himself, he should be well aware of that.”
“That is… true…”
“Apparently, a famous hero in this area, the hero ‘Arthur’, was defeated by the Demon Lord’s Prince. It was said that even the ‘Excalibur’ couldn’t match him…”
Orderju muttered with a serious expression.
“Excalibur?”
“It’s the magic sword that ‘Arthur’ uses as his trump card. It’s a great magic that sacrifices its own lifespan, allowing the wielder to possess tremendous magical power. I haven’t seen it directly, but a friend of mine was there a long time ago.”
Given that Orderju referred to it as “a long time ago,” it must have been quite a while. We could safely estimate at least five or six hundred years past.
“So that kind of great magic exists. The captives from the Imperial Army kept saying things like, ‘The heroes of the Holy Church were amazing,’ which explains that.”
Helena nodded in agreement.
“Well, if Zilbagias’s intention was ‘that,’ it’s somewhat understandable, but it’s still an act that greatly damages the fighting strength of humanity. It feels like an uncharacteristic action for humans, especially for a ‘hero.’”
Helena maintained her stance of suspicion towards Zilbagias.
“That is…”
“Hmm…”
Liliana and Orderju exchanged glances.
Orderju was one of the few forest elves who knew about Zilbagias’s contract with the “Forbidden Demon.”
And all who knew it were bound by an oath of “not disclose to third parties without the Queen’s permission,” with the consequence of having their hearts stop if they broke this taboo. Meanwhile, Helena, although informed of Zilbagias’s identity, had no knowledge of the details of his hand.
The recognition that Zilbagias’s assault on the Imperial Army was a twofold act of repelling them while simultaneously committing the taboo of slaughtering humans, was something only Liliana and Orderju could comprehend.
However, due to their oath, they could not inform Helena—
“…Something is indeed going on, isn’t it?”
Helena sensed the reluctance in the two.
“…Haa. If that’s the case, there’s nothing we can do.”
With a deep sigh, she lay down beside Liliana and started poking at Liliana’s rear playfully… with her cheeks puffed out. Naturally, she wasn’t in a particularly good mood.
Having taken the oath regarding Zilbagias’s true identity herself, prepared to risk her life while acting as Liliana’s bodyguard, she understood her own boundaries and wasn’t asking for all information to be disclosed, but even so… it felt emotionally unsettling being excluded.
“I’m sorry…”
As she stroked Helena’s hair, Liliana wore a somber expression.
“Your caution regarding regarding Alex is not wrong at all. You too are right, Helena. You must not let your guard down…”
Orderju also seemed apologetic.
(—Indeed, we cannot let our guard down.)
Leaning against the wall, he murmured internally.
(Even if Zilbagias’s actions were based on the intent to curb the meaningless internal strife among humanity—)
Even if the powers of “Forbidden” were backing it up.
(—The nature of gaining strength through committing taboos is indeed something to be wary of.)
It was possible that no matter if he was a hero in his previous life or a person of good character, it didn’t guarantee that he would always act decently.
In other words, he could be an evil person who becomes stronger the more atrocities he commits. Humanity who drowned in power, he had seen far too many throughout his long life…
Though he wouldn’t voice it out loud since Liliana would surely deny it.
(What guarantee is there that he won’t harm the princess and commit further taboos…?)
If that were to happen, he would…
“I will protect Liliana at all costs.”
That vow wasn’t only held by Helena—
“Well then, let’s have a meal to lift our spirits.”
Without revealing those inner thoughts, Orderju cheerfully invited the two to dine.
Descending to the dining area of the inn, they ordered this and that.
“I’d like three salads, a platter of fruit, and a stir-fried veggie—”
“Oh, if the stir-fried vegetables have sausage in them, please remove it.”
“I don’t need the bread.”
“Oh, I’ll have the bread. If it’s alright, please also add some jam.”
“Lily!? You eat bread?”
“It’s quite delicious!”
“Wait, but… wheat…”
In their view, wheat was produced in fields that had cleared forests, so they held the notion of it being something undesirable, causing many forest elves to avoid wheat products whenever possible (if the circumstances allowed).
“I actually quite enjoy sweets and had been eating them on the front lines.”
And here, the ‘Saint’ cheerfully stated this.
“And… at the previous place, we were sometimes served meat too…”
A shadowy smile crept across Liliana’s face.
“Ku-ki-ki…”
Helena’s mouth twisted into an awkward grin.
“Ho-ho-ho…”
Orderju was also laughing cheerfully, but the veins were bulging on his tightly clenched fists.
—Zilbagias will pay.
The hearts of the two united as one—!
“Okay~ Your order has been taken~”
Sensing some ominous air, the waitress quickly retreated to the kitchen.
(…Still, what should I do…?)
Oblivious to the surrounding atmosphere, Liliana propped her chin on the table and sank into deep thoughts.
(In the end, I still don’t know Alex’s whereabouts…)
From the soldiers’ testimonies, it was known that “he fled east on a White Dragon.”
However, she didn’t believe he would have flown east so honestly. The likelihood was high that it was a disguise.
(But, if that’s the case, where could he have flown to…?)
With the mobility of a dragon, he could go anywhere. Remembering the number of voices that had expressed outrage at “why the White Dragon is siding with the Demon Lord’s Prince,” Liliana felt a prick of pain deep within her heart.
(I’m at a dead end… What should I do…?)
She wanted to see Alex. In that fervent desire, she had flown out of the village, all the way to this place.
(Kuu—n……)
Burying her face onto the table, the impulse to run out without a plan washed over her, but she desperately suppressed it.
(…I can’t afford to cry. I must find some clue…!)
Raising her face, she caught sight of the people of Kaemuran enjoying their drinks, meals, and conversations.
Thanks to the intervention of the Demon Lord’s Prince Zilbagias, they were able to spend such leisurely time—at the cost of countless lives and the precious fighting power of the Holy Church.
“…………”
How did it come to this?
(Alex… Where are you now, and what are you doing…?)
There were whispers of him being poisoned, which worried her. Above all, she fretted about whether he was suffering from the guilt of taking many lives.
“…!”
With Ante and Leila nearby, he must be fine—she thought just as she reflexively felt a pang of jealousy, “How envious!” What? Such emotions shouldn’t be coursing through her!
(I want to see you… Alex…!)
Waan…
—At that moment, the tavern burst into life.
“Greetings, everyone!”
A bard carrying a harp entered.
“Good day to you all. Without further ado, let me sing a song about the heroic tales of Duke Johannes, the ‘New Wind’ in the spotlight, and our former king, Duke Graham…”
Sounds of excitement like “Good, we’ve been waiting!” erupted, and already offerings were tossed. The bard, beaming with joy, began to sing loudly.
“Oh, the lovely Hamilton Principality!
Cutting through the heavens like a sword
From the peaks of Dicosmou, gazing down
At the vast azure of Auritos—”
Helena murmured, “Songs around here tend to start off alike, don’t they?”
“Steam wafting,
In the hot-spring city of Bakkosu!
A city that never runs out of smiles, a city of peace
However, dark clouds gathered as shadows of ruffians loom…”
Liliana listened attentively, but it was about bandits who had taken residence in the mountains near the town, and as the soldier squad attempted to subdue them, major casualties resulted. A bandit turned out to be a Sword Saint! What a ridiculous development that was!
(A bandit with a Sword Saint, what an absurd tale—)
Well, it’s common for bards to embellish their stories…
“Here you are! Salad and vegetable soup!”
“But I ordered the stir-fried vegetables?”
“I’m so sorry! I turned everything into soup!”
“Hmm… If that’s the case, there’s nothing to be done.”
They began their meal in haste. “Oh, there’s sausage in this…” Orderju made a sour face as he drank the soup. Just because they were forest elves didn’t mean they couldn’t eat meat. It was simply a matter of preference.
Liliana also began to munch on the salad slowly—
“And now, Duke Johannes charges into the lair of the bandit Sword Saint!
The hungry ruffians greet him with swords in hand!
However, unfazed, Duke Johannes goes forth, the brave hero Alex!
With a single swing of the Holy Sword, he takes down five bandits!!”
“!?”
A piece of vegetable fell from Liliana’s mouth.
――――
The hot spring town of Bakkosu starts around chapter 426… (with a solemn expression)
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