Chapter 947 – 947. Continental Congress (6)
The place we arrived at, guided by garrison commander Malek, was the mansion of the lord in charge of the border territory.
The manor house was quiet.
It’s so quiet that it’s almost desolate, as if no one lives there.
Eun-hyeon entered her mansion while holding the sleeping Erin and opened his eyes to take a look inside.
He felt suspicious about the quiet interior of the mansion, where there was not even a trace of human presence.
“Where has the lord gone?”
“I ran away.”
“Yes?”
“I ran away. “With my family.”
“…”
After that, Eunhyun didn’t say anything.
This is because Malek’s expression as he spoke those words was so dark and deep.
The lord’s family, who were no different from his superiors, abandoned the people of the territory they were responsible for and ran away to find their own way.
What blooms in Malek’s heart is a deep sense of betrayal and anger, and the shame of having such a person as his master.
Suppressing those various emotions, Malek sighed and said.
“You can stay here for the time being.”
“Are you okay? This place…”
Even if it was a mansion whose owner ran away, this was the mansion of a lord who protected the border.
Is it okay for someone outside the country to use such a place?
“It’s okay.”
Malek said with a smile.
“Now, no one has higher authority than me in this territory.”
The lord, who was responsible for managing the estate, ran away.
Currently, the person in the highest position in this crumbling territory was Malek, who was responsible for protecting the gates and borders of the territory.
“You must be very heartbroken.”
“…”
While fending off endless waves of undead and demonic beasts from outside, he had to take charge of chaotic internal affairs on behalf of the runaway lord’s family.
The number of soldiers is decreasing day by day, and morale is dropping proportionally.
The stored food will eventually run out, and the labor force within the territory will gradually decrease as a result of excessive attempts to conscript troops to replenish troops.
On the contrary, the anxiety and confusion of the soldiers and residents of the territory will increase day by day.
The end of this territory and border territory was almost certain.
In such a situation, Eunhyeon and Erin appeared and prevented the catastrophe of breaching the castle gate, so this level of treatment was natural.
Guided by Malek, Eunhyeon entered the lord’s bedroom and inspected the condition inside.
Despite the chilly silence inside the bedroom, it was fairly well-maintained.
This is because it had not been that long since Yeongju’s family ran away.
When I put my hand under the bed’s blanket, it was still cold inside.
Eunhyeon took out an artifact from her inventory, warmed the bed and blanket, and laid Erin down.
“Yes… Hyuna…”
He frowned slightly and had trouble sleeping, which made me chuckle as I wondered what I was dreaming about.
I covered Erin with a blanket so she could sleep comfortably and warmly, and Eunhyun sat down at the table.
Now it was time to hear the details.
“Thank you.”
Suddenly, Malek bowed his head towards Eunhyeon and expressed his gratitude.
“What are you saying all of a sudden?”
“You… “If it weren’t for your wife, we would still have died.”
Raising his lowered head again, Malek spoke to Eunhyeon with straight eyes.
“You two… “It saved thousands of lives.”
Eunhyeon smiled slightly and waved his hand.
“We moved because we also needed it.”
“… Yes?”
Malek’s question was full of doubts.
The need to save the ruined territory sounded like they were expecting something in return.
“We… Is there really something in return that I can give you both? .”
“Oh, no. I’m not asking for anything in return. Well, it seems like the conversation is not working well because of some difference in perception.”
“… ?”
“Shall we talk first?”
Eunhyeon gestured toward the chair across from the table.
I accepted his invitation and spoke with Malek, who was sitting at the table.
The first topic raised was the purpose of Eunhyeon and Erin coming here to the Kingdom of Lucadia.
“In the Kingdom of Leucadia, the Continental Congress…”
“You know the Continental Congress.”
“Isn’t that natural? Isn’t it a meaningful event where every four years, countries from all over the continent participate to discuss the direction and future? Even though I am the commander of the garrison guarding the border here, I know very well how important this event is.”
Soon, Malek’s expression darkened.
“Why are you doing that?”
“… I have not heard anything about such an event being held in our Kingdom of Leucadia. If such an event was scheduled to be held and the border was opened… “I really don’t want to even imagine it.”
It was a problem that did not end with just a catastrophe.
A problem in itself that could call into question even the prestige and existence of the nation.
But Eunhyeon was convinced after hearing Malek’s story.
‘… ‘They don’t know that the entire Lucadia royal family has died.’
Is it possible?
Considering the distance of this place from the capital of the kingdom, it is not an impossible story.
But just because you don’t know now doesn’t mean you can’t know forever.
A country where the royal family has already been destroyed is bound to collapse quickly the moment the pillar that is not holding the center disappears.
Eunhyeon sighed softly.
In the end, I thought it would be better to tell the truth here.
“The Lucadian royal family is ruined.”
“… Yes?”
When Malek first heard that, he couldn’t understand what was being said.
However, after listening to Eunhyeon’s detailed explanation, his darkened face became blank.
“That… That’s right… Medical charge…”
Malek’s expression was closer to a reaction of not being able to accept this fact itself rather than an emotion of fear or fear.
It was such a shocking fact that it was not easy for me to accept it.
And when I accepted and understood that fact, fear and despair finally came.
“Then, I…” . What on earth do we believe until now…”
The border gates were desperately and tenaciously guarded.
Burning the lives of the soldiers who were his subordinates.
This was partly because they had a family and country behind them that they had to protect, but also because they had expectations of the royal family that they would send reinforcements if they requested assistance.
If you just hold on, if you can somehow stop it, the royal family will definitely send reinforcements.
That’s what I thought.
Their master, the lord, and his family may have abandoned them and their people, but they thought that the royal family would not abandon them.
If this place is breached, the inside will reach even deeper, and one day the shadow of death will reach the royal family, and the only outcome will be destruction.
As such, it also included a realistic judgment that this border defense line would not be allowed to be breached.
“Perhaps the lord knew this.”
Although he is said to be a lord who protects the border, he is also a nobleman.
The lord must have heard the news of the fall of the royal family in the capital through his personal connections.
Therefore, he must have concluded that tenaciously protecting his territory and borders from the endless influx of undead and demonic beasts was all futile.
His decision to quickly abandon the place where defeat was confirmed and flee with his family into the night was wise when considering only survival.
Of course, whether garrison leader Malek accepts the lord’s judgment and actions is a completely different matter.
“Then what on earth did we believe and have endured until now?” !”
The differences between the lord, the garrison commander, the soldiers, and the residents of the territory were sharply divided by whether they had heard the news of the ‘fall of the royal family’ or not.
This is the result of sacrificing many subordinates.
An unbearable sense of betrayal and despair took over my entire body.
The dam of emotions that I had endured and endured for so long completely collapsed due to the fact that it was the ‘fall of the royal family’ that Eunhyeon relayed.
“…”
Eunhyeon couldn’t say anything.
The anger he expressed was not directed at Eunhyeon.
Because he knew that, he was even more reticent.
No words of comfort would be of use to him now.
After taking a moment for him to calm down, Eunhyeon opened his mouth.
“I’ll give you my strength.”
“… Yes?”
“I told you I would help secure the border.”
“… “Why?”
He had no choice but to ask.
I asked him why he was going to help this worthless fiefdom where even the lord he was responsible for abandoned his duties and responsibilities and ran away.
It was an offer he had no choice but to accept, saying “Thank you,” But he was still curious.
And I also felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
It seemed like a similar question had been asked a long time ago.
‘How can you put yourself in that danger without receiving anything in return?’
The silver-haired young man had answered Malek’s question in his younger days as a soldier.
‘Someone has to do it.’
Eunhyun smiled and answered Malek’s words.
“Someone has to do it.”
“Ah…”
Malek sighed.
Something in my heart that was quickly collapsing somehow begins to bloom again.
It was a small glimmer of hope.
He had no choice but to bend his waist again at 90 degrees.
“Rest in peace. If you need anything, please let me know. “I will assist you with all my heart.”
“Hmm… “Then can we take a quick look around the market?”
“What is it for?”
“Actually, when my wife wakes up, she says she wants to eat right away. “I want to buy and prepare food in advance.”
“I will get it for you. All you have to do is rest comfortably.”
◆ ◆ ◆
As soon as Malek left his mansion, he summoned several of his lieutenants and soldiers.
A red sunset evening as the sun begins to set.
The soldiers who survived the fierce battlefield were so exhausted that it seemed as if they were sick from the aftermath.
“No. Captain! “Isn’t this really too much!?”
But when they were summoned and ordered to work so urgently, it was truly to the point of death.
I wanted to stretch out my legs and cover myself with a blanket right away and go to sleep, but all I was told to do was go grocery shopping.
“Who on earth are these people, Captain, who spend their own money to buy bread and give it to them?”
The adjutant, who could no longer bear it, asked Malek as if he were arguing.
“You’re noisy, man! “Stop talking nonsense and move!”
“Ah-oh! “Whether I need to know the circumstances or not!”
Not only he, but his adjutants and other soldiers did not say anything, but they looked at him with dissatisfied eyes.
“These are great people who will help us defend our borders. “You have to treat it with the utmost respect.”
“Ha, really, who are those people…?” .”
The adjutants and soldiers were shocked.
What kind of person is their superior, the garrison commander, Malek?
He is a person who dedicates all his energy to taking responsibility for the rights and safety of the garrison and the residents of the territory, saying that he is not above the unfair instructions of the lord who has now run away.
Therefore, Malek’s reputation was very good both within the garrison and within the territory.
However, it is natural to be shocked that a strong man who did not bend his opinions even in front of the lord, the owner of the estate, showed such a servile attitude toward two strangers, a man and a woman, whom he had never seen before.
I couldn’t understand who the garrison commander was that would spend his own money to buy bread and give it up.
“Who is he?”
“Yes. “Please tell me who the captain is so servile.”
“No. But this kid has a habit of speaking… “Ugh, that’s it.”
Malek gave up with a small sigh as he tried to scold his subordinate.
Certainly, in their view, his actions must have been very unnatural.
But since he had seen Eunhyun 20 years ago, this was natural.
Finally, Malek opened his mouth and called out to his lieutenant.
“Yumma.”
“Yes?”
“If you were to choose the three strongest people on this continent right now, who would they be?”
“Uh…”
The adjutant thought for a moment in his head, then immediately mentioned the three people that came to mind.
“First of all, there is Liod Olivion who is praised as the best knight in the Kingdom of Pernias, right?”
“Also?”
“That… “Anies Yersaleca, Archbishop of the Holy Kingdom of Erenia?”
“And?”
“Well, it may not be physical strength, but wouldn’t it be a female wizard named Illyana Kennifer, known as the Black Witch, who is reputed to be the most outstanding among wizards?”
All three were names of heroes who had disappeared and were known to the outside world.
Heroes that anyone can think of and who accomplished the most praiseworthy feat of ‘ending the Great War 20 years ago’.
All of the soldiers nodded as if there was no disagreement with the adjutant’s words.
Malek said, snorting at his subordinates’ reactions.
“He is greater than those three.”
“… Yes?”
“If this answer doesn’t convince you, just wait quietly! “Don’t do something rude that you’ll regret later when you find out!”
Malek took the initiative and carried boxes containing a huge amount of bread, meat, and various fresh vegetables and headed to the manor house where Eunhyeon and Erin were staying.
The adjutants and soldiers all looked at their bosses who were walking ahead with blank expressions.
