◈ 173. [Side Story] Guardian Meeting (2)
“Have you lost your memory?”
The emperor’s deep, black, abyss-like gaze scanned me.
Somehow, I felt as if I was being scanned by a cutting-edge machine, so I flinched.
“… … hmm. what good It’s a memory, it’s something you’ll have to find later.”
Fortunately, the emperor did not inquire deeply.
Is he trusting Ash that much, or is this not even worth worrying about? I don’t know which one.
“As a guardian, there is nothing I can’t explain to my son who is in charge of the southern front.”
The emperor buried himself in the throne and slowly began to explain.
“Do you remember what color this tree was originally?”
What the emperor pointed to was the white icethorn tree that swallowed the throne and covered the throne room. I shook my head.
“I do not know.”
“It was black.”
A bitter smile formed on the emperor’s lips.
“This tree is the national tree and guardian tree of our Everblack Empire. Always black thorns – Everblack Everblack.”
I swallowed dry saliva.
Did this country get its name from this tree?
“It is also a magical beacon that illuminates the future of the empire, brought and planted by the first emperor from the spirit world.”
The emperor ran his hand through the frozen branches.
“But seven years ago, suddenly, this tree froze like this. Our flagship Guardians immediately scrambled to find the cause.”
Recalling that day, the emperor’s eyes were tightly closed.
“The tree was frozen, but it was still functioning. I, who illuminated the future with a magic beacon, came to know. The fact that this tree has only 10 years left to live, and the fortunes of the empire will end then.”
“That word… … ?”
“okay.”
The emperor opened his eyes again.
“That was seven years ago. In the next three years, the empire will perish.”
3 years.
It’s a familiar number. I frowned.
“The tree told me that there are a total of four fates that lead to ruin for the empire.”
The Emperor looked down at the chessboard next to him.
“The first destruction comes from the west. Our friend with dragon blood, the Principality of Bringer, invades and destroys the empire.”
West, Dragon Blood Front.
“The second destruction comes from the center. There are unidentified shadows that move secretly within the ecliptic. They destroy the empire from within.”
Central, dark front.
“The third destruction comes from the north. The different races we conquered. The gods they worship came down directly from the spirit world to save their children. They destroy empires to set their children free.”
Northern, Isin Front.
“The fourth destruction comes from the south. Nightmare monsters have risen from the bottom of the Lake Kingdom, which was destroyed long ago… … It destroys the whole world.”
Southern, Monster Front.
“In this way, four destinies of destruction have been strangling the empire… … To prevent that fate, I have summoned all remaining Guardians within the Empire.”
I asked cautiously.
“What is a ‘Guardian’?”
“Those who have the right to access this tree. Those who see the future as a beacon of magic and protect the empire. They are the ones who inherit the lineage of our Everblack imperial family.”
The emperor looked at his three sons in turn and laughed.
“Now it’s just the four of us.”
Lark and Fernandez knelt down on one knee and bowed their heads, silently listening to their father.
“In this way, having identified the four destinies of destruction, we resolved together that day. No matter what happens, I will definitely prevent that fate of destruction. To protect the empire at any cost.”
No matter what.
At any cost… … .
“The Duchy of Bringer has been loyal and devoted to the Empire for the past hundreds of years. my distant brothers… … They decided to kill us before they hit us first. We have been preparing to attack the Principality of Bringer for 7 years, and now Lark has launched himself.”
Lark lowered his head even deeper.
“The shadows hiding in the ecliptic. To find them out, the Aegis Task Force tripled in size and the Central Standing Army increased fivefold. All those who are even the slightest suspicious are being rounded up and behind the scenes. Fernandez has been struggling for years.”
Fernandez also bowed his head more deeply.
“The deities descending from the northern spirit world… … They are blocked by me myself. I access the spirit world through this tree, and I exchange magic with them every day.”
The emperor smiled bitterly and looked down at his hands.
“It’s not something an emperor would do at his age. What can I do? Of all our Guardians, I am the most familiar with this.”
“… … .”
“And finally, the southern monster front.”
The emperor looked at me.
“My youngest son, you were the youngest and most foolish. ash. This year, when the monster’s invasion is in full swing, you left with the remaining troops to stop it.”
“… … .”
“And so far they’ve been holding up surprisingly well.”
I clenched my fists tightly.
I mean, what is it?
The emperor is playing an action RPG alone in the northern spirit world.
The first brother is doing a real-time strategy simulation in the west.
The second brother is playing a national management simulation and mafia game at the center.
I’m the youngest and I’m in tower defense in the south.
Is that a situation where each of them is protecting their empire?
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‘Are you playing four genres of games with one title <defend the empire>?’
This is a very clever game, yes!
“How are you? Do you remember something now?”
the emperor asked softly. I raised my head.
“I have a question for you.”
“Tell me.”
“Why the South… … Are you neglecting the monster front the most?”
I looked around at my two older brothers and the emperor in turn.
“According to what you said, the other three fronts are also a big crisis, but in the end, the fate of only one empire depends. But isn’t the Kaiju Frontline a global crisis?”
West, Central, and North.
Even if they were defeated, the empire would perish, but the world would survive.
However, if the South is breached, not just the empire, but the entire world will perish.
everyone dies Even the emperor already knows this.
Yet, while giving all one’s strength to the other three places, how can the South be so openly neglected?
why the hell
“Ha ha ha ha ha!”
Then the emperor grabbed his stomach and laughed. I frowned.
“Why are you laughing?”
“No, because he said he lost his memory, he said the same thing as before he lost his memory.”
The emperor smiled with clear wrinkles on the corners of his mouth, as if he was genuinely happy.
“Ash, you asked the same question 7 years ago. If the southern front is for a greater cause, why is it the lowest priority?”
I was amazed inside.
The original Ash said that too?
“The answer is simple. Because we are the guardians of the empire.”
“… … yes?”
“As you said, the monsters’ attack is the largest of the four destructions. However, it is not a direct threat to the Empire. That’s why I put my priorities on hold.”
what is this sound.
“What the monsters want is not the destruction of the empire. It is the destruction of mankind. But the other three crises are clearly aimed at the Empire. It means that the innocent hostility is aiming for the neck of our Everblack.”
The emperor tapped the throne he was sitting on with his fingertips.
“I am not the guardian of the world. he is the emperor of the kingdom If so, wouldn’t it be natural to remove the sword closer to the empire’s neck first?”
The emperor’s logic was clear.
“If the southern front is broken through, the war against the monsters will spread to the entire south of the continent. Then other countries in the south will also buy time to join the war to stop the monster.”
“… … .”
“There is also a heterogeneous district in the southern part of the continent. When the monsters arrive, the other gods who are fighting with me will go there for salvation. In short, even if the monster frontline is given a low priority, our empire has more time.”
the emperor declared.
“You understand? It is inevitable that the priority of the monster front will drop.”
“… … .”
“Of course, it’s just that the priority is lower, but I have no intention of ignoring it. If we overcome all three other crises first, then we will mobilize all the power of the Empire to wipe out the monsters.”
I slowly lowered my head.
“… … understand. Obama.”
So, send the youngest prince and the remaining troops to the south to buy time.
Even if the youngest died and the southern front collapsed, while using other countries and races as shields to endure.
After clearing out the remaining three crises aimed at the empire, in the end, I put all my effort to drive out the monsters-
This is what these self-proclaimed ‘Guardians’ think.
‘iced coffee.’
how much… … Is it reasonable?
defend the empire
Use and kill other than the Empire.
Even if the rest of the world perishes, the only thing left to do is to protect the Empire.
When it comes to protecting the system called empire and the concept of empire, where is the principle that is clearer than this?
however.
“… … .”
I gritted my teeth.
But- can I understand these conclusions?
The rationality of the empire, the principles of the empire, I, the youngest prince of the empire, but the commander of the southern front.
I decided to protect people.
how… … should I accept
“But, Ash. Please don’t be too depressed.”
The Emperor chuckled and glanced at Fernandez.
“Actually, when I just woke up from hibernation, I already talked to Fernandez. I also heard about the general situation. Don’t worry, I’ll send reinforcements to the south.”
“… … !”
“I hoped that you, young and stupid, would grow up fighting for life and death. And so it happened. To be able to stop the invasion of monsters this much is a feat.”
The emperor smiled warmly at me.
“It’s unfortunate that you lost your memory, but to be honest, I’m glad you’ve become a much more useful Guardian.”
“… … .”
“I will send ample reinforcements. Instead, from now on, should I listen carefully to this father and her older brothers?”
I didn’t answer, so I stayed still with my head down. The emperor waved his hand at us.
“You are a little tired today. I’m going to go back to the spirit world, thinking that each of us was in charge of the front line.”
After clearing his throat, the emperor sank into the throne again.
“They said it would be a victory party soon. It’s been awhile since I’ve had to show the whole world that I’m in good health.”
“… … .”
“Until then, I will close my eyes again. See you soon, boys.”
Lark and Fernandez said at the same time.
“Have a nice dream, Obama.”
“OK.”
White frost dust began to cover the entire body of the emperor who laughed bitterly.
“It’s just a dark nightmare here, but… … .”
Before long, the emperor and the throne, along with the thorns, froze to white and could not be discerned.
Larc, Fernandez, and me. The three brothers stepped back from the audience room.
***
“Your marriage partner has been decided.”
outside the audience room. corridor.
Fernandez handed me a piece of paper.
“This time, it’s a girl of proper noble blood. I’m the princess of the Aryan kingdom, and as you know, the Aryan kingdom is the largest of the northern allies… … .”
After accepting the document, I blankly read the words written on it.
In my ears, Fernandez’s tedious explanation continued.
Marriage talks were held to strengthen the alliance between the Aryan Kingdom and the Everblack Empire on the Northern Front, and I decided that I was the right person to break off the engagement with my fiancée, so the story proceeded.
“What if I hate you?”
I asked quietly.
“What if you refuse this marriage talk and say you want to keep your engagement with the Wintersilver family?”
Fernandez didn’t even pretend to be worried.
“Of course you can’t. The princess of the Aryan kingdom is already coming to the ecliptic. To participate in the victory celebration party.”
“… … .”
“This time, we’ll just say hello to each other, and we’ll get married within this year. The bridal chamber should be set up on the southern front.”
Fernandez muttered in a low voice to me who pursed his lips tightly.
“Do you remember what Obama said? You have to listen carefully from now on.”
“… … .”
“Please, Ash. don’t resist anymore If you have the responsibility as the prince of Everblack’s imperial family and as a guardian, then don’t hesitate to marry for convenience.”
“… … .”
“If you accept this marriage talk well, you will be able to return with enough elite troops to protect the Crossroads.”
A large hand grabbed my silent shoulder. When she looked up, it was Lark.
“It may be painful, but this is also the prince’s job, Ash.”
“… … .”
“I heard you lost your memory and lost many of your subordinates during the battle? I came all the way here by making such sacrifices, but I can’t stop at this point.”
Lark grinned and yanked Fernandez’s shoulder with the other hand.
“Come on, dear brothers and sisters! With the intention of working hard in the future, let’s hug each other!”
Then, Lark’s muscular arms came out and forcibly hugged Fernandez… … .
“Queaeaek.”
“Kuhuhuhhh.”
Being forced into brotherly love like that.
After the hug was released, I sighed and said,
“okay okay. I will.”
Lark and Fernandez laughed brightly. I gritted my teeth and nodded.
“I will break off my engagement with Wintersilver. And, I will meet the princess of the Aryan kingdom.”
