unsolved riddles (9)
“yes? Are you preparing… … what the hell… … ?”
“You are asking the obvious.”
Ready to come out into the world.
I said it so emphatically.
The content that black magicians will be in earnest in the future.
It was never something that could be easily put into words. Even more so against the person called the saint who is located at the top of the Holy Land cartel.
“no way… … ! Really?”
“Yes, let me explain first. Now the two groups simply refer to each other as moderates and hardliners.”
“The moderates and the hardliners… … .”
“The moderates are probably the black magicians the saintess knows. They live in hiding in their anger, hoping that their hatred towards them will one day disappear.”
The hideout of the black magicians I visited was also of the moderate faction.
Of course, it was overgrown because it was not managed, and even though it was eventually swallowed up by vengeance and stored up negative power… … Those who never vented their anger on an innocent world.
but… … .
“The hardliners, on the other hand, are those who somehow want to express their anger to the world.”
“ah… … .”
“They have a tremendous vengeance on the Holy Empire that led to their destruction. And they are conserving their strength in preparation for the ‘hospital’ that will follow.”
“… … sanctuary.”
“If you do, do you think you know why I am telling you this?”
I asked with a small smile. Soon, the saintess blinked her eyes and guessed the intention.
“A hardliner… … You joined hands with the Federation Empire. And those warlocks are hardliners.”
“Yes that’s right.”
As if that was the correct answer, I nodded my head.
“The Commonwealth Empire and the hardliners have a common ‘enemy’ called the Holy Empire. As the saying goes, the enemy of an enemy is a friend, so they are also moving to benefit each other.”
“… … .”
In addition, the current Federation Empire seems to be shouting that strength is everything.
It reaches its climax in the current emperor and the 4th prince who will occupy the throne afterwards.
It must have been very pleasant to meet them and the black magician.
A shelter and technology for the black magicians. For them, the lost power of black magic.
‘Since we were able to share and share what we each needed, should we say it’s a match made in heaven?’
And that word meant only one thing.
The purpose of the Federation Empire was not to stop at Esteban, but to conquer the entire continent, including the Holy Empire.
Now everything I have to say has been said.
Looking at the saintess’ swaying eyes, she wouldn’t need anything more.
Even though she looks like that, she seems pretty smart.
“Then it would be better to choose the Holy Empire before that time arrives.”
… … Is the power that has nothing but faults to take precedence? If not, the priority is to defeat their ambitions.
I said the last thing and left the seat.
* * *
Once the village was purified, it became dirty again due to the influence of the black magician who appeared again.
But how many priests are there?
In addition, the appearance of a high-ranking black magician that he had never experienced before.
And the fact that they were prepared to die for those who thought they were prey was enough stimulation.
Rather than being discouraged, the priests gathered their strength and devoted themselves to purification.
Just like that, the purification work continued almost without a break.
Thanks to this, the influence of black magic in the village had almost disappeared a long time ago.
“Perhaps from now on, there will be no problems even if you continue your daily life.”
“Right.”
I nodded my head at the priest’s report. The village chief, who was standing next to him, seemed relieved at those words.
The change in his expression was dramatic, as he almost became a victim of black magic and was almost killed.
I gestured to the village chief and asked what I was curious about.
“Did these people commit crimes and run away?”
“Wow, never. If you did, you wouldn’t have accepted it in the first place, Your Highness.”
“Then did you run away without being able to overcome the excessive taxes collected from the territory?”
“… … .”
At those words, the village chief shut his mouth as if he was troubled.
How dare you do it in front of the royal family… … It must have been a burdensome thing to say in front of the first prince who would become the future king.
Because it’s hard to live because of you or your father.
But that was a situation that didn’t make much sense now.
“Most of the villagers must have flowed in from the neighboring Lukins estate in the east, right?”
“… … That’s right.”
“Then let’s go back. I will not allow disagreement.”
“yes… … All right.”
Somehow it seemed like it would be like this.
If you didn’t know, there was no reason to neglect those who don’t pay taxes.
Although he knew, the bitter ending swallowed the pain in his heart.
The prince had no way of knowing, but he knew all too well. The end of those who escaped and were captured.
Viscount Lukins would probably exploit them by turning them into cattle less than serfs. It was because the people he passed by when he was young were like that.
The scenes of being whipped and mobilized for labor are still vivid in my mind.
Isn’t that why he came to this place, where people are often killed by monsters or beasts while running away?
‘You can… … There is none.’
It was dark in front of my eyes that I had to go back to that hellish life, but I still didn’t save my life.
Even if you roll in dog sh*t, life is better, and now you should express your gratitude for being able to save your life.
However, the unbelievable content continued through his ears with such determination.
“Because the nobles who made you suffer are no more.”
“yes?”
I didn’t pay attention to the village chief’s stupid question and continued talking.
“A new manager will arrive at the estate soon. He is a person from the royal family, so there is no need to worry.”
“Well, what do you mean by that… … .”
“Viscount Lukins, it means that I already knocked him out with my own hands.”
“… … !”
The village chief’s eyes widened beyond measure at my calm voice.
The guy and his family were all arrested for daring to harm the first prince.
And the land had long since been under the direct control of the royal family. That was already a story dozens of days ago.
“Of course, running away without fulfilling your tax obligations is something that deserves punishment. However, if it was the aftermath of the punishment to satisfy the bastard’s self-interest, then I will take into account all the other crimes in the name of the first prince.”
“Um, can we really go back to the territory… … .”
“I said I would forgive in the name of the first prince.”
Although it was calm, as if having a light conversation, it was full of confidence.
that it will surely be There is not the slightest lie in that voice… … .
Now that the reason I had to come here is gone, I can really finally leave this uncomfortable place.
“… … .”
The village chief closed his wrinkled eyes and lost himself in thought.
After a while, he said with eyes that did not leave the slightest remorse behind.
“Since this old body has lived long enough, I was just facing the passing years no matter what. However, if Your Highness gives us a chance, we will work together so that the people living in this village can live a normal life.”
“Yes, so be it. I’ll let you be guided by the knights when you leave here.”
The given opportunity ended there. Now, the rest will have to be made with their own hands.
Even if they decided to live in hiding here for whatever reason. After all, it was clear that they were my people.
After a while, the residents of the slash-and-burn village who heard the village chief’s message began to move breathlessly.
It was a busy move to pack things.
And it was Esteban’s knights who were watching this situation from the closest.
“also… … !”
“There is nothing wrong with the rumors about the prince.”
The noblesse oblige looks like a painting. It was a look befitting Asteban’s successor, the kingdom of knights.
They nodded their heads in excitement.
Reality cannot be like the ideal.
That’s why chivalry was practically a thing of the past.
Humans are inherently creatures that seek comfort.
In the process of compromising with reality, the spirit of the knights who tried to protect the weak and spread fairness soon faded and rusted.
However, the appearances of Prince 1 so far were different.
It was a bit extreme, but the sword has always been aimed at those who are rotten.
It is not easy even for a prince to oppose those who have omnipotent power, but the way he pushed for what he thought was right was even noble.
That’s why, the appearance of the prince shown in this incident was certainly not lacking in envy of the knights who followed him.
“… … Anyway, I’m trying to do all the cool things by myself.”
The dissatisfied voice of George, who threw a scolding, continued. In his hand was a carefully wrapped object.
“Here, this is the item I found from the warlocks.”
“Right.”
I stared blankly at the small pills George handed me.
An inhumane pill that strengthens the power of warlocks.
In the past, it took a lot of damage to deal with it, but since it was already secured, it was just a means to prepare.
‘It’s interesting.’
Besides that, the information I found from the corpses of the warlocks will help me with my plans.
okay… … as bait.
“I have achieved my goal, so I will return soon.”
“Well, when did you say something?”
The cause of the contagious disease was also removed, and the corpse was incinerated, so there would have been no regrets left.
Then there was nothing to do in this town anymore.
Without hesitation, I turned around and moved on.
* * *
The saintess was deep in thought as she looked at the empty slash-and-burn village.
-It would be better to choose the Holy Empire before that time comes.
Choosing something was not familiar to Seongguk.
It was also something that was never familiar to her, who had walked the path of the natural order.
However, the opponent forced them to choose as they had in the fall.
Then, ruthlessly, he sent an abstract warning, as if taking away even that option.
Do not prioritize authority over which only faults remain.
“A power that has nothing but skin left behind… … .”
As if recalling a conversation with the first prince, the saintess thought over the same words.
I did not fully understand what he meant by allusion.
but its meaning. It was quite understandable that they were saying that their actions were wrong and that they were telling them not to repeat the same mistakes.
So, as a saintess, she couldn’t understand that nonchalant answer.
“Chasing those who have been engulfed in black magic… … Was it just a means to continue the power?”
There was no one left to answer the saintess’ question. And he knew that the advice meant nothing.
Even so, in the saintess’ mind, the figure of the first prince who said that shimmered.
“… … .”
just need a little more time
Thus, the saintess repeatedly made choices that were unfamiliar to her.
Just like the time when I chose to remain on this earth. With a new question in mind.