◈ 239. [Side Story] Indelible (2)
Camus sat unconcerned in his prison cell.
Ah-ah, even though it was almost certain that the death penalty would be handed down to him for trying to kill his long-awaited superior. It was a calm attitude, not agitated.
“It’s just a pity that I couldn’t finish properly due to a moment of carelessness.”
His dry voice was raspy.
Sitting in a chair in front of him, I had to swallow dry saliva to moisten my throat.
“From the reports of the previous investigators, I can understand the general situation, Camus. He was a soldier in a country destroyed by the Everblack Empire.”
“That’s right. He was a soldier in the Kingdom of Camilla.”
“Did you keep looking for an opportunity to take revenge on the Everblack Empire?”
“Once upon a time it was.”
There was no hatred in Camus’ eyes as he looked at me. Instead, there was no warmth.
It was just an indifferent look, like glancing at a rock on the side of the road.
“But after playing as a guerrilla for about 10 years, I realized. The fact that no matter how desperate a soldier like me is, no matter how hard he tries, the Everblack Empire cannot be damaged.”
“… … .”
“So I gave up. And while living because he couldn’t die, he became a mercenary who would throw himself wherever he could earn a meal.”
A smile flickered across the gloomy man’s lips.
“I never imagined that I would meet the person who killed my wife and child in such a remote remote area.”
“… … .”
“The Magic Corps is the most important enforcement force responsible for the massacre of civilians in our kingdom. I’ve been training in combat against mages to kill at some point, but I never thought I’d be able to use it in real combat.”
Through his long hair, his melancholy eyes flashed like knife points.
“We aimed for a time when the escort around the commander-in-chief, Reina, was thinning. The best time to bring in a young mage for healing. That was the only time I had to defeat the 4 direct wizards around me.”
“So that’s what I did today.”
“I have done enough.”
Camus slowly put his back against the wall.
Chains rattled from his limbs, chained to the floor of the narrow prison cell.
“If she felt even a thousandth or ten thousandth of the pain my wife and children felt, that was enough. I guess this is the end of what I can do.”
“… … .”
“Kill it. There is no regret.”
A dry silence passed.
I ran my hand over my neck.
Even if there is a justification for revenge, I, the commander of this place, cannot tolerate it.
The monster front here is governed by law, and any attempt to kill one’s allies for any reason is unforgivable.
I had a hunch that this man in front of me was going to be executed, and that I had to approve the death penalty.
“… … .”
I asked as I looked down at the failed avenger.
“It has been 15 years since the country collapsed. Does this revenge have any meaning?”
“This is nonsense, Your Highness.”
Camus muttered in a voice that sounded like sand would fly.
“Revenge has no original meaning. There is no way that the deceased wife and children will be happy for doing such a thing, and there is no way that the ruined motherland will return. I know.”
“… … .”
“I am… … I just couldn’t stand it.”
I slowly got up from my chair and asked one last question.
“If you’re going to get revenge on the Everblack Empire, wouldn’t it have been better to aim for my head instead of Sir Rayna?”
Camus glanced at me and smiled.
“It’s not like I didn’t think about it when I first saw you.”
Be honest, man.
“But my bowl is so small. As a survivor of the Kingdom of Camilla, if the cause of defeating the evil called the Empire was my goal, I would have aimed for the royal family.”
“… … .”
“I just wanted to avenge my wife and children. Even if the opportunity comes again, I will aim for that woman, not her Highness.”
Camus slowly bowed his head to me.
“Thank you for listening to a bastard like me.”
“… … .”
“The monster front here protects all the worlds above here. I wish that Your Highness’ future path will be filled with only light.”
Shortly thereafter, Camus added smallly.
“I am a body that has nothing to protect in this world anymore.”
kiik-
Opening the iron window, I got out of the prison. Along with Lucas and Evangeline, who were escorting me.
“hmm.”
Outside the prison stood four wizards in uniform wearing white robes.
Fox, Rabbit, Kitty and Piggy.
It was 4 members of the magic corps under Reina.
“He is a vicious criminal who seriously injured the commander-in-chief and injured our soldiers.”
Fox stepped forward and let out a bloody voice.
“We want to do some ‘interrogation’, but that’s okay. majesty?”
“… … .”
I passed them without answering, and slowly pulled myself out of the prison.
The sound of footsteps echoed behind the four wizards as they stampeded into Camus’ prison cell.
I left the prison without looking back.
——————
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“Whoa… … .”
Standing outside the prison, facing the cold wind, I let out a long sigh.
… … I was complacent.
A large number of people gather here on the southern front.
Different nationalities, different ethnicities, and even different races.
There is no way they can harmonize well without any conflict. Conflicts inevitably arise.
because it is human
‘I wanted to gather the abandoned and drifting people from all over the world to form a Foreign Legion.’
However, they all have their own circumstances, and each holds their own wish like an awl.
The more people join the front, the more intense the conflict between them.
And those who hold grudges against the Empire may seek to harm me as well.
How can we unite them into one army?
“It’s difficult, man… … .”
People are always the hardest.
These elements, which I didn’t have to worry about when it was a game, were the hardest part for me as a commander.
***
Temple.
I tried to visit Reina first, but I couldn’t go to see her because she was in critical condition and was receiving intensive healing from the priests.
“Fortunately, I got over the hurdle.”
Saint Marherita, who performed the surgery, said while wiping her blood-soaked hands.
“He was strong like a soldier. There are many mountains to overcome before recovery… … .”
“You have suffered a lot, saintess.”
I smiled at Marherita.
“By the way, weren’t you afraid of Lord Reina?”
When we first met, I thought he was scared because he was almost killed by wind magic.
“We have to save the injured person in front of us, what can we do?”
Marherita shrugged and went back into the room.
“That’s why I’m here.”
Watching Marherita’s back as she went to heal the other attacked soldiers, I turned around.
I was thinking of going to see Junior.
Junior was staying in a regular ward.
Fortunately, I wasn’t hurt, but the complexion that wasn’t good was getting tired of it, so I was stuck in bed.
“Junior, are you okay?”
“… … Your Highness the Prince.”
“Sir Reina has passed the hurdle. Don’t worry too much.”
The hesitant Junior asked cautiously.
“What about that man?”
You mean Camus?
I nodded heavily.
“I am in prison now. You will be punished appropriately.”
Junior, who had swallowed his words, opened his mouth slowly.
“… … That man, like me, was from the Kingdom of Camilla.”
I sat down next to Junior’s bed. Lucas and Evangeline followed and stood by the bed.
Junior stuttered.
“He asked me. Why are you covering Lord Reina… … He is the one who destroyed our country and made my body like this with magical bombing.”
Junior covered his face with both hands.
“I am… … I don’t know I’m from Camilla Kingdom, but I grew up as an Imperial citizen for the past 15 years. Of course, the Kingdom of Camilla no longer exists. It was subjugated to the Empire, and all its people were incorporated under the Empire.”
Junior was adopted by Jupiter and grew up as a member of the Everblack Empire.
Her identity was already imperial.
“I forgave my mother. He regretted what he had done all his life, apologized, and raised me.”
“… … .”
“But what should Sir Reina do?”
Junior’s hand that covered his face trembled.
“My country, my village, my parents… … I am the one who killed him. I don’t think I have any regrets about it. But he taught me magic and cured me of my illness. We fought the monster shoulder to shoulder on the frontline together.”
“… … .”
“I wanted to forgive him. The more friendly he treats me and the better we get along, the more comfortable I feel. The more the resentment that remained in my heart melted away, the easier it was to breathe.”
“… … .”
“Even if you don’t forgive, nothing will change. If you forgive, it’ll be easier… … But is that wrong?”
Junior stared at me with drooping eyes filled with tears.
“I am confused. Am I a Camilla Kingdom? Or the Everblack Empire? Should I get revenge? Should I forgive? I don’t know, I can’t… … I don’t know.”
“… … .”
“What am I supposed to do?”
It was such a difficult question that I couldn’t bear to come up with a clear answer.
So, the only answer I could come up with was this obvious.
“Let’s think together.”
I carefully tapped Junior’s shoulder.
“I had a similar problem this time.”
“His Highness too… … ?”
“I don’t know what the right answer is, or even if there is a right answer… … .”
I smiled bitterly and looked around at Lucas and Evangeline.
“If we think about it together, we will be able to find a direction that is a little more convincing.”
Lucas smiled silently, and Evangeline replied yes! She chuckled and nodded her head.
“oh.”
At that time, Damian, who was running outside the hallway with a bandage and a sheet, noticed this side of him, and came inside in a hurry.
“Me too, me too.”
“Draw. Erikom.”
Five members of the main party gathered in one place after a long time.
“We are a party, Jouju unnie!”
Evangeline reached out and held Junior’s trembling hand.
“Even if I can’t solve your problems, I’ll be with you!”
“… … .”
Junior, who looked around at his colleagues one by one, lowered his head.
“Haha, what is it, they are really cute… … .”
Fortunately, I was laughing a little.
***
outside the temple.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!”
I let out a long sigh and turned around.
I saw Lucas, Evangeline, and Damian following me.
My party members are giving me eyes full of trust, as if they would support whatever choice I make going forward.
“… … .”
I don’t know.
How to harmonize the different people of the numerous interests gathered on the front line here.
What choices will the comrades agonize over between forgiveness and revenge, grace and resentment, life and death, in the end.
what is right and wrong
I do not know.
You have no way to know.
Because I’m just one player who digs into this game.
But because of that, there is one thing I know for sure.
“The next expedition is in two days.”
kill the monster
protect the wires
Even if you don’t always make the best moves, you don’t stop walking.
I know this is what I need to do right now.
“Sir Reina has been sidelined, and the newly recruited skilled warrior has also become a criminal. And we have to do what we did.”
I smiled at the party members.
“Just like you always do.”
Everyone in the party smiled and nodded.
All members of the main party reach level 50, and the 3rd job is changed. Then, the main party can carry enough for this defensive battle.
‘Somehow, step by step, if you keep going… … .’
The answers to your worries will also appear little by little.
I wanted to believe that.
