#14 Crossroads (2)
It was an urgent report among urgent reports.
Even here, Wibin, who didn’t care much about how the battlefield in the west was going, was only talking about Sang-hwang’s participation in the war.
So was the mansion.
“So what about the War in the West now?”
“Hey! The Sword Emperor came out, what will happen? Of course the Empire wins!”
“Saying that, we don’t know. Were the other 7 strong too?”
“Ugh, now the era of not knowing the sword system has come!”
There were mainly differences of opinion between generations.
Those who lived at the time when the Sword Emperor was active were certain of his victory, and those younger than him predicted the intensification of the war.
There was one reason for the divergence of opinion.
This is because one of the emperors who had been knocked down by the Sword Emperor in the past was a knight who was no different from the owner of the East.
The elderly could hardly calm themselves down in fear that the despair of the day would strike again.
“There will be no change. Isn’t that right, Aldio?”
“I think so too.”
The head maid and Aldio sighed deeply.
Elric watched the scene from the window of his office.
It was at that moment that Tyria opened her mouth.
“Patriarch, what do you think of the patriarch? Do you think the War in the West will end like this?”
“… I don’t know.”
“I am surprised. Aren’t you always quick-witted about war?”
“The situation is someone I’ve never met in my wandering days.”
A bitter smile appeared on Elric’s lips.
“Just because I am, doesn’t mean I know everything.”
I do not know.
I also want to know
It had to be.
“I am not an Easterner to begin with.”
It was because the answer that this uncomfortable mind eventually chose was by Tyria’s side.
Whether or not the war deepened, only the desire to be by her side was growing bigger.
Even though it was selfish, there was nothing to say.
But to be sure, no one could force him to lend a hand to the battlefield.
Anyway, wasn’t Kasha just a mercenary who paid money to participate in the war?
You can step out whenever you want.
As the hopes were the same, fortune-telling was also optimistic and convenient.
‘The war may end when the West is unified.’
Frankly, I wasn’t interested in who would rule the West.
If you were sensitive to that kind of thing, you would have stayed in one group and raised their power when you were a kasha in the first place.
As Kasha, her interest was simply the most intense battlefield.
Also, now that he is Elric, his interest was Wi-Bin.
Elric, who is for Weebin, just wanted the war in the west to end no matter who wins.
After the war, Kasha would no longer be needed, so wouldn’t there be nothing to do with the battlefield?
Credon’s speculation that the devil’s grip on the situation would extend to the East was literally speculation.
Nobody knows until then.
‘An era of peace might come.’
Elric sincerely hoped so.
When that time comes, when there is no need to become Kasha, this feeling of having a thorn in my throat may also disappear.
Thinking, Elric said.
“… Well, it’s not a long story after all. We only care about our own business.”
The inauguration ceremony is over.
At that time, whether voluntarily or unintentionally, Kasha would no longer appear in the world.
When we talked about the inauguration ceremony, Tyria’s expression softened a bit.
I could see the satisfaction on her face.
When I see that expression, I don’t know why, but it fills me with a sense of security.
I wish this moment would last forever.
‘There are only a few days left… .’
Suddenly, a sense of urgency arose.
*
Preparations for the inauguration ceremony continued diligently.
Letters from distant guests who expressed their intention to attend flew into the mansion day by day, and Yubin’s plaza was also decorated with more splendid decorations than usual.
There was a welcome guest among them.
“Leader! No, lord now?”
From noble mtl dot com
It was Lutten, a childhood friend who had been appointed as a knight in the next estate.
He embraced Elric, still wearing his arrogance.
“Your leg is better too! congratulations!”
“Thank you. But you came very early.”
“I took a vacation as well. It’s time to start farming now, but I’m going to help my parents with some work.”
“You are a filial son.”
“Unlike anyone else.”
“I don’t have parents to be filial to.”
“Ouch.”
Rutten exaggeratedly shook his shoulders.
Elric chuckled and tapped him on the shoulder.
It was nice to have a friend with whom I could make jokes like this.
The inauguration ceremony is already six days away.
My mind has been sorted out to some extent.
No, I should say it’s easier to distract yourself from Western affairs.
The situation is still silent after conquering Disha, and the clash between the devil and the saint has temporarily stopped, so there is nothing more to worry about.
So, I could have talked like this in front of my friends.
“Hasn’t Yubin changed a bit?”
“That’s right. By the way, they said they even made a knights team.”
“They are still lacking friends.”
“Make a place for me, too. The contract ends next year.”
“Consider.”
Elric replied with a smile.
I guess I should just care about life here.
As I raised that mindset, I suddenly pictured the future at Wee Bin in my head.
In the years to come, Lutten will become a Fortman knight.
The locals who greet you every time you head to the village will be your vitality to live each day.
I will continue to try to get closer to Tyria, and the mansion will become a little brighter under her guidance.
In the meantime, you might have a baby.
Spending the rest of my life teaching that child how beautiful Wibin is… .
“Leader?”
“… Oh, I’m sorry. I thought about it for a while.”
“What is it? Are you worried about anything these days?”
“It is nothing.”
Embarrassed to have been absorbed in other thoughts so quickly, Elric shook his head.
“Then I will go back to work. You may rest in peace.”
“Ah oh. yes. Since you are the lord, you must be busy.”
Thankfully, Rutten agreed without digging further.
Elric climbed into the carriage to return to the mansion.
“Lord! Let me know if you need anything!”
Lutten waved his hand over his head.
After that, the villagers also sent warmth with bright smiles.
The idyllic spring scenery and the warm people naturally relax your mind.
Elric tried to end the greeting with a small wave.
That was the moment.
“Younglord!!!”
An unpleasantly familiar face was stuck somewhere.
A man with black braided hair who makes a fuss and catches everyone’s attention at a glance.
‘Goldsmith… ?’
Edward Wight was jumping among the crowd.
He was wearing an ugly beard disguise.
Elric’s eyes narrowed.
*
“Hey, Lord Juju is going to be inaugurated as the lord, so how can this filthy Edward be left out!”
These were the words Edward spat out as soon as he entered the drawing room of the mansion.
He was kneeling on the floor with the sofa still intact.
“I’ll give you a reduction!!!”
thud!
The sight of him banging his head on the floor was quite funny.
However, Elric’s planting was not very good for a smile.
“I know you don’t like coming to me in person.”
Edward was taken aback when he made a voice that was blatantly embarrassing.
However, that did not dampen his momentum.
“Ah, but you are our shareholder… .”
“If that’s the case, shouldn’t it look better? Don’t be so intrusive.”
“that is… .”
Seeing Edward break out in a cold sweat, Elric had a hunch that he would hear bad news.
conclusively correct.
“… Me, about the war.”
“Go back.”
Elric jumped up from his seat.
didn’t want to hear
I didn’t want to create more things to worry about.
However, Edward shouted as he jumped up right away, as if he had no intention of doing so.
“alliance! I came because of the alliance!”
Towering, Elric’s steps stopped.
At that moment, Edward continued talking like a rapid-fire gun.
“As a result of Situation’s entry into the war, the four remaining kingdoms have formed an alliance! All-out war is right around the corner! We need your strength!”
It’s news you haven’t heard in the newspapers.
Covert information that has not yet been disseminated.
His gaze turned to Edward.
“… Who is the proponent?”
“I am the third prince. Prince Graham is assisting.”
It seems that this was the intention of the two.
There were definitely words that came to mind.
-I’m not just asking you for help. It will probably change the face of the battlefield. We will do our best to prevent the situation.
Is it a plan to summon all remaining top 7 members to confront the situation?
If you do that, your odds of winning will be higher than they are now.
But, if so, even more so.
“Go back.”
There was no reason to intervene.
“Lord… ?”
“I don’t want to get involved in the war any more. My part has already been done. I now… .”
I would live for Wibin.
As long as Tyria is here, that will be the case.
Elric shut his mouth and cut off his words, but his will was clearly conveyed to Edward.
He lifted up his troubles, then exhaled as he scratched the back of his head.
“… Yes, in fact, it would be rude to say this to someone from the East. I understand what you mean.”
Bowing his head, he turned around and trudged away.
It’s suspicious that they leave meekly, but whatever it is, it’s a good thing.
Isn’t it another step away from the war?
… Surely it is.
‘To rot… .’
My stomach felt uncomfortable.
Some part of my body was itching like crazy.