Chapter 153 – The Road to the Destination (12)
A fortress located at the forefront of the Gallic Kingdom.
A bastion to stop monsters and demons from invading human territory.
Fortress Peridot.
Some will remember its symbolism, while others will remember its brutal battlefield.
Except for the newborn baby, it was a famous place that few people in the kingdom of Gaul did not know about.
By notoriety.
People die or become paralyzed if they die, so it must be strange that they are not famous.
It was proof that the battle with the demons was fierce.
Peridot’s citadel was built in the canyon.
This is because in order to deal with physically strong monsters, you have to take advantage of the topography.
The fort, built on a rugged mountainside, is truly a natural fortress.
‘They’ve built it up too high.’
Just looking up at Peridot’s citadel like this made my throat ache.
I don’t think it’s a defense structure, so I built a height.
If I had to point out the fortunate thing, the mountain roads were well paved, so I was able to get there easily even by horse-drawn carriage.
Hagiya, if even the mountain roads were a mess, there would have been a lot of problems on the supply side.
It is a fortress in an environment that cannot be self-sufficient even without it.
They must have laid out a good supply route as they have no choice but to rely heavily on external support.
Why is Peridot not self-sufficient?
It is because the land in this area is not an environment to grow something.
Specifically, soil acidification was severe.
Why is the soil acidic?
It’s nothing short of simple.
Because there are too many bodies
It was a cause and effect that was difficult to avoid as the number of corpses increased as the battle broke out with each passing day.
Of course, it’s not that the soil doesn’t have a purifying effect, but the number of corpses was too many.
Moreover, corpses are not only human.
Due to the demonic energy expelled by the dead monsters and the acidity of the corpses, the soil around here became a barren land where even a grain could not be properly harvested.
It was the content I studied when I was educated as a saint in the past.
I look at the front, erasing trivial thoughts.
The gate was guarded by two men in gray armor stained with blood.
He was the gatekeeper of the castle.
Their momentum felt like well-forged long weapons.
Even though it’s just the two of them, I feel like I’m going to be overwhelmed by the strict atmosphere.
As the carriage stopped in front of the gates, they approached.
“What is your business?”
The tone was so mechanical that there was no emotion to be found.
Ain poked his head out of the carriage and replied indifferently.
“Execution of Official Duties.”
The simple words changed the complexion of the two gatekeepers at once.
It was like a monster’s dragon burp.
Weird.
Why would he show a stunned reaction?
Could it be that there will be some unsavory friction?
I had an anxious imagination for a moment, but after a while I realized that it was nothing more than a futile worry.
For joyous voices came from the gatekeepers.
“Isn’t this the hero Einstein!”
“Five! Are you finally returning to the front?”
Such a heated reaction from those desolate people.
Apparently, Ain was acquainted with these two soldiers.
My hero replied with a grin.
“Finally, I’m going to catch the Demon King.”
The two gatekeepers exclaimed exclamation at first, but soon put on a firm expression.
“Isn’t that a military secret…”
Ain answered at once.
“Right.”
“… Wouldn’t it be nice to let us know?”
“It’s not even secret enough to hide from a comrade who entrusts his back. In the first place, the demon lord must be aware of it.”
It was a no-nonsense attitude.
Perhaps impressed by Ain’s attitude, the gatekeepers didn’t bother us any more and let us through.
(It’s no secret that there was another uproar over the fact that Prince Leon was on board while trying to figure out the number of people in the middle.)
“… They just.”
“As I just said, comrade. If you see that they are still alive, they must have very strong strings.”
To my question, he responded that he was both happy and sad.
It must be so.
They are characters living in a place where people die like flies.
After that, Ain closed his mouth.
I was curious about his past, but he didn’t want to know it by touching a sensitive part.
It would be too selfish to open his wounds with my curiosity.
The carriage quietly moved through the streets of Peridot.
The interior of the fort showed a truly barren landscape.
The rectangular building, which had no sense of architectural beauty, seemed to be looking at a modern apartment complex.
Even some of them were neglected in a damaged state, so they approached sadly.
Is there not enough manpower to repair it?
Or did they judge that leaving it alone was more efficient?
Either way, it wasn’t a good impression.
In addition, people’s faces were basically gloomy.
It’s not a very gloomy top, but it was shaded somewhere, creating a dark atmosphere.
Are the faces of the residents in cruel fairy tales like that?
I said looking at Ain.
“Is it my mistake? Everyone looks dark.”
“Your guess is correct. It is not an illusion.”
Rather, it was strange that her complexion was bright, Ain asserted.
It’s a fortress where battles do not end several times a day, so it’s worth it.
Yes, this was a space very close to death.
I replied in a somber tone.
“… Okay.”
The most unbearable thing was the vibrating smell of blood and the smell of rotting corpses in the streets.
It’s a smell that doesn’t go away even if it’s not.
It wasn’t enough that the smell was mixed, so it melted all over the fortress, giving off a strangely unique stench.
My head is about to get dizzy.
If you live in a place like this, your sense of smell will soon become paralyzed.
Azazel, who pinched her nose with her forefinger and thumb, finally frowned and whispered something to her.
Then Mana made her own magic formula, and the stench she exuded was gone.
As soon as the scent of blood that had been bothering us disappeared, four sets of eyes turned to Azazel.
She replied bluntly in her tone about what she was looking at.
“I got rid of the smell with magic. Well, I have nothing to say if everyone likes to smell blood.”
Who could have a hobby close to such an eccentricity?
I spoke on behalf of all.
“Thank you, Azazel.”
“It was nothing.”
Azazel shrugged her shoulders to hide her embarrassment.
It seems he doesn’t want to express himself.
Cute
The carriage steadily headed toward her inner chambers.
All I could see was a broken building, a soldier with a physical defect, or a corpse of a monster or a corpse presumed to be human.
Even with empty words, it was not a very pleasant scenery.
Naturally, the atmosphere calmed down.
“Ain said that he was in a place like this.”
At my question, Ain made a bitter expression.
“Because in order to become stronger, actual combat is the fastest.”
That was right.
The trials that can be endured make a person stronger.
However, if the ordeal is repeated over and over again, a person’s heart will break down little by little.
Ain didn’t even mention that kind of pain, but I knew it implicitly.
To the extent that it was a truly painful day.
It felt like my heart was being crushed by the patience of my loved one.
“Don’t look at me like a pitiful person. If that’s the case, who’s more pitiful?”
Are you looking into my heart?
Maybe I want to fit like this.
“Did I see that?”
“It was a pitiful look.”
“I’m sorry, ah…”
I couldn’t finish talking.
Because you hugged me
“If you really feel sorry for me, give me a hug. Azazel did a good job. Why don’t I do it? Are you secretly sorry about that?”
It was said jokingly, but it didn’t hurt.
Even though he was of the same sex, his skinship with Azazel became natural.
I replied in a hurry.
“Yes, yes! I-I will!”
Ain smiled softly.
I stared at him with a hazy gaze.
Your face is always good to see.
It suddenly became like sharing a hug in front of the three of us, but it was still good.
Silky, it seems I wasn’t the only one who felt that way.
“Good. Because you are hugging Aria like this.”
“I-I like it too.”
Display of affection.
I could feel Azazel giving me a disapproving look.
I didn’t bother to look at her.
… I’m so sorry.
“…”
Azazel somehow held her back.
It was clear that he looked dissatisfied.
I’m sorry.
… Still, I belong to Ain.
* * *
Upon arriving at the inner sanctuary, we were immediately directed to the drawing room.
It was a response that already had our coming in mind.
“It’s funny when the landlord calls and refuses.”
Ain said so and walked away briskly.
At his action, Leon laughed bitterly, Azazel pursed her lips, and Edelis remained silent.
Me?
I just thought so.
Isn’t it stupid to question Ain’s actions?
Does he always do the right thing?
In any case, the parlor she arrived in showed more formality than dignity.
There was no splendor or beauty at all, and it was a look that focused on moderation and practicality.
To be honest, I like Peridot’s flat parlor much more than Seongaegyo’s grand parlor.
“Could you wait a moment?”
The person who appeared to be a knight left after leaving the word that the commander-in-chief would arrive soon.
It was an effortless request.
Azazel stared down at the tea she was serving her guests and asked Leon, putting her teaspoon in her mouth.
“Isn’t the commander-in-chief a high-ranking person? Does such a person meet us well?”
Leon kept his wry smile as he tapped the document he was holding.
“It will be a pain in the ass. The document we are holding is the transfer of part of the operational command of the ‘Commander-in-Chief’.”
It was a content that pulled the back bone just by listening to it.
No matter how much the king’s order, to transfer some of the command authority of the commander on the battlefield?
Strictly speaking, I think it’s a monthly ticket.
More than that, I think I’ll be nervous if it’s a tabletop discussion of those who are living safely in the rear.
I would love to hear from those with warm backs and stomachs in a safe area.
Those who infringe on their rights have always been the target of vigilance.
I received Leon’s words in a rather gloomy tone.
“I don’t think the way they look at us will be so mild.”
Edelis nodded in affirmation.
“I will. We are the ones who will cause dissonance.”
Ain was just about to open his mouth.
Rattle.
The door is open.
Who came in
Of course, he is not the one who holds the real power of this city.
Fortress Peridot’s frontline commanding person was seen.
“I am late.”
It was unexpected.
I never thought the person who controls Peridot’s military power would come so soon.
I wonder if it’s because it’s such a serious issue.
Ain answered calmly.
“It’s not that late.”
Her eyes turned to her child.
There was a mixture of intimacy and affection.
“Long time no see, soldier Einstein.”
“Have you become a general before? Not carry.”
“It’s an insignificant place, but it is.”
She seemed familiar with Ain, so it was a familiar reaction.
Why is this?
Something is trying to make my heart feel stuffy.
