Chapter 300. Yulian(3) (The End)
At Yulian's unexpected words, Ordwin glanced at the docunt.
As he said, the docunt Yulian handed over was indeed a resignation letter.
However, it was perplexing.
Though they hadn't had deep interactions, he was aware of Yulian's insatiable thirst for power.
Why would he throw away the stepping stone to accumulate that power?
"Are you saying you're the one who killed the Emperor or sothing?"
She asked, just in case.
"That joke has gone too far, lady Ordwin."
He chuckled softly.
Despite the chill that ran down his spine from the low laughter, it didn't seem like he was lying.
"You're right, it was a joke."
Ordwin cleared her throat and placed the resignation letter in her hand. After putting it in a drawer, she said.
"I will not accept your resignation."
"Why is that?"
"Because it's infuriating."
At the unexpected words, Yulian displayed a slightly bewildered look.
"Submitting a resignation in such a chaotic ti sounds like you're trying to run away."
"Well, aren't the docunts I'm dealing with irrelevant to anyway?"
"That's exactly why it's even more infuriating, so I can't accept it."
What's that supposed to an?
As Yulian made that expression, Ordwin gave an awkward shrug.
"That was also a joke. It's just that without you, 'Blind Eyes' can't properly function as a imperial-affiliated organization."
Thud.
After closing the drawer, Ordwin spoke again.
"Co back whenever you feel like it."
"How can you say that when you don't know when that will be?"
"It seems we'll see each other again soon enough."
"It won't be that soon."
"Can I take it as a sign you'll return?"
Thud.
After closing the drawer, Ordwin showed a rarely seen smile.
"Once you're gone, it's only a matter of ti before 'Blind Eyes' disbands, so please, let's leave it at that."
At Ordwin's brazen words, Yulian nodded with a smile that was both incredulous and amused.
***
Having left the 'Blind Eyes' building, I purchased a bottle of liquor.
It was quite a pricey one. Though the recipient tended to prefer mid-range brands, when else would I buy it if not now?
"For the grave of the Empire's hero, it sure is a modest one."
Upon arriving at the 'Sword Saint's Grave', I muttered to myself. The achievents he built up over his lifeti warranted nothing less than a morial.
It was expected for him to be buried in a national cetery. However, the 'Sword Saint's' grave was so modest it was laughable.
It was probably because of his exile. Without a personal request from soone like 'Ornn Cryphart', even this much of a grave wouldn't have been possible.
"Hmm?"
Next to the tombstone, there was a bouquet. It made wonder if soone had visited, but only one person ca to mind who might have.
'Was it Rinne who ca for a visit?'
Today wasn't a special occasion, yet seeing the bouquet, it seed she visited now and then.
"Well, you're lucky, master. At least you have one disciple who visits you regularly."
As the cap of the liquor bottle I brought opened, a pleasant sound rang out.
Pouring its contents onto the stone inscribed with 'Hayden Reich', it started to flow down in a torrent.
"Bringing you ad, which you so disliked, I'm such a poor disciple for visiting rarely."
Watching the ad flow down the tombstone, I smiled.
He was a stubborn old man who insisted that liquor shouldn't be sweet. I understand.
If the liquor's flavor is too strong, it could dull the taste of the snacks accompanying it.
"Well, what does it matter? You wouldn't be thinking of eating snacks after having passed on, would you?"
As the stream of ad flowing down started to dwindle, I looked back at the soaked stone just as it stopped completely.
"They say you rest only after you're dead, and it seems they were right."
As I kept staring at the tombstone, a voice ca from behind. I wasn't surprised as I had already noticed the presence.
Turning my head, I saw a familiar face entering my view. It was Kaldrach and Abisha.
His wounds from the battle didn't seem to have healed completely; he was being assisted by Abisha in a wheelchair-like aid device.
"I guessed you'd be here, so I ca."
"You barely survived, I see."
"That remark reeks of malice. But what can I do? I'm rely an ignorant guy who has no choice but to cling on to life with all I've got."
To think the prince would refer to himself as ignorant.
"That's a joke."
I don't know where the joke lies in that.
"Flugel saved . He's said to be the Empire's top mage and doctor."
"Sir Flugel has awakened as well, then."
"Yes, in fact, he's been awake for quite so ti now."
Yet he remained in the dical ward without doing anything.
"How fascinating. The one who's taken my life several tis saved this ti."
Kaldrach, speaking of his 'repetitions', left Abisha puzzled, as if she still hadn't fully understood it.
"Will you never walk again?"
"Hmm."
Kaldrach let out a short sigh.
"They said it's hard to say, but I shouldn't get my hopes up."
"I see."
"That's not a great response. Were you displeased by seizing the initiative with the retinue?"
Smiling faintly, Kaldrach continued.
"I only moved first because otherwise, soone with the most power wouldn't think of taking action."
Frankly, I had a vague suspicion. That he didn't plan to genuinely threaten with the information about the 'Dawn Society'.
His aim was to kill Eulsis as soon as possible. And for that, he didn't see my prolonged preparation as anything favorable.
So he moved first. 'Kaldrach' and the 'Wedge Knights' were pieces I could use from my perspective, and I couldn't just waste them like nothing.
"Claiming you wanted the throne was also a lie?"
"That wasn't entirely a lie. But with my legs in this state, what can I do?"
Chuckling briefly, Kaldrach laughed.
"Looks like I have no choice but to entrust it to Elder brother Osborne."
In the end, the one who secured the final victory in the struggle for succession was Osborne.
Not doing anything beca beneficial after all.
"Are you planning to leave the Empire?"
Kaldrach suddenly asked, catching off guard. I turned to look at him, curious how he noticed.
"It might just be a hunch, but that's the feeling I got."
"I've suddenly felt like going on a trip."
"A trip?"
I nodded at his question.
I had never thought about wanting to travel the Rozenda continent up to now.
But a conversation with Milena made realize sothing.
There was sothing about this world that once captivated . And that resided only in 'mories', having never been seen with my eyes.
Therefore, I wanted to revisit it.
"Well, everyone needs ti to rest sotis."
I'm not actually leaving to rest, but let's just say I am.
"Contact when you return. Just in ti, the commander position of the Imperial Knights is vacant, and I couldn't think of a suitable candidate."
Kaldrach offered a position much higher than the 'Blind Eyes'. However, I feel no inclination towards such things at the mont.
"I'll consider it if the position remains vacant by then."
"Well, has the Empire worn you down so much that you refuse even the top swordsman's position?"
I like money. I like power.
Having both in hand is the best situation.
The Empire is the best place to obtain those, and it's the only place where I currently feel a sense of ease.
"Do you think so? I love the Empire dearly."
"There's a thorn in your words."
"How can I dislike an Empire that cherishes even such thorns?"
After glancing once more at the Sword Saint's tombstone, I picked up the bottle.
"What's to beco of the Dawn Society?"
Just as I was about to move, Kaldrach brought up a sensitive topic. I stopped in place and directed my gaze at him.
"There would be no resurgence of the chaos caused by the High Pontiff like in the past."
"Even without you on a leash?"
Kaldrach's words carried a slight hint of worry. Given how the 'Dawn Society' has unbeknownst grown, that makes sense.
With the imperial family currently unstable, it would be difficult to counter if they started to stir.
"Yes, I'm sure of it."
"...... Though it's hard to believe, I can only say I understand for now."
With the 'Wedge Knights', the 'Heavenly Reverence Guards', and the Imperial Army all decimated.
For the 'Dawn Society', anything beyond acknowledging them would be futile.
"I'll be off then. There's much I need to prepare."
With those words, I left the 'Sword Saint's Grave' behind. And before long, I left the capital and began my journey.
***
"...... Sir Yulian has suddenly disappeared from the capital?"
At the unexpected report, Pintel couldn't hide his bewildernt.
Yulian had always given him a heads-up before leaving the capital. But to hear he had disappeared was indeed surprising.
"Yes."
Rim Hashar, who brought the news, nodded.
After stroking his chin once, Pintel let out a sigh.
Could it be he left because of so accumulated pressure?
'No.'
Knowing Sir Yulian, he wouldn't be soone driven by such things. Then, why did he suddenly leave the capital?
"I am sorry."
As Pintel organized his thoughts, Rim Hashar offered an apology.
"If we'd been more observant regarding Sir Yulian's status......"
"How are we to fathom his thoughts? Let's perceive this incident as a re act of God."
After calming Rim Hashar, Pintel began to reorganize his thoughts.
Then, a smile began to form at his lips.
"Could it be?"
"Yes?"
"The departure of Sir Yulian from the capital must have its reasons."
Rim Hashar paid close attention to Pintel's words.
"With this recent incident, the imperial family can't help but keep an eye on Sir Yulian. After all, he is one of the two surviving witnesses of the chamber incident and simultaneously the observer of the entire situation."
"Does this an the imperial family forcefully pushed Sir Yulian out of the capital?"
Hmm.
Pintel did not deny Rim Hashar's statent.
"At the sa ti, it indicates the imperial family's dire condition, so severe they had to banish him."
Pintel stood from his seat.
"Sir Yulian left the capital to inform us. Now, the 'Dawn Society' has the chance to devour the imperial family."
"...... Then, Sir Yulian is asking us to bring another storm to the capital?"
"No."
Pintel strongly denied Rim Hashar's doubtful words and rested his hand on his staff.
"I suppose Sir Yulian wishes to convey this ssage."
"What could it be......?"
Currently, 'Osborne de Adratan', the much-discussed candidate for the next Emperor, doesn't quite garner the public's support compared to Kaldrach or Eulsis.
The third Prince, Kaldrach, is alive but due to his poor health, can barely wield any influence right now.
"To lay the groundwork for the day he returns to be proclaid the Emperor of the Empire."
If so, it wouldn't be far-fetched for the next Emperor's na to be jokingly referred to as 'Yulian'.
"Sir Yulian feigned being expelled by the imperial family and provided the 'Dawn Society' with a reason to unite during this tumultuous period."
"Oh, oh..."
"We don't know when Sir Yulian will return, so we must prepare from now on for that day."
Pintel pointed his staff at Rim Hashar and started speaking.
"Summon the Archbishops for a council."
"Yes!"
Watching Rim Hashar disappear with a nod, Pintel chuckled softly.
'I finally grasp the depth of Sir Yulian's foresight!'
Pintel sincerely believed so.
***
The intense sunlight and the vast desert devoid of green.
So called this place the 'Desert of Death,' and others referred to it as 'The End for Wanderers,' but this place indeed had a proper na known as the 'Suranun Desert'.
An individual was making his way through such a 'Suranun Desert'.
The sun was blazing so fiercely that a few seconds of exposure could cause burns.
Draped in a head covering and cloth to shield himself, the man pressed on through the desert.
In due course, his eyes caught sight of a few trees that could provide shade. The wanderer, in search of rest, settled his body in the shade.
"A wanderer in this desert without even a cal in tow, you must have a death wish."
A voice greeted him from within the shade. The old man had been resting in the shade before the wanderer's arrival.
The old man clicked his tongue seeing the wanderer's condition.
The Suranun Desert wasn't a place one can venture thoughtlessly, even as a local.
One must be thoroughly prepared, and it's essential to have a cal to carry water and supplies.
"Still, for soone to co this far ans you're not one to scoff at."
"Thank you for the complint, Sir."
"I'm not old enough to be called 'sir'."
"Hehe."
The wanderer let out a short chuckle.
"You're familiar with the common tongue of the continent. Are you from outside?"
"Do you think the Suranun Desert so rural village? We, too, have embraced the common tongue for quite so ti now."
How else could I read newspapers here, the old man added, flicking his newspaper casually.
"Are you a citizen of the Empire?"
"Yes."
"I knew it by your skin."
Clicking his tongue, the old man continued.
"Speaking of which, I heard there was a significant event in the Empire about a year ago. What should I call it... Sothing that shook the very foundations of the capital?"
"Yes, you're quite well-inford about the outside world, Sir."
"Well, what else is there to do in this desert? All I do is read the newspapers that occasionally arrive deeply."
Waving his stick around, the old man glanced at the nearby cals roaming around.
Seeing that his cal was indeed there, he began speaking again.
"To be honest, I harbor no fondness for the Empire. If it fell, I'd welco it with open arms, but! Don't get the wrong idea. It's just the country I despise, not ind..."
His words trailed off as he t eyes with the wanderer, taken aback.
Mystically, an unseen bird, a robin, perched on the wanderer's shoulder, whispering sothing.
"Imperial Family encroachnt...? Pintel, what on earth are you planning?"
The wanderer muttered sothing under his breath before standing up.
"Hmm? Have you rested already?"
"Yes, I suddenly have a place I need to get to."
"In that case, allow to accompany you. Anyhow, you were planning to head to Rahman Village, right?"
"That's true, but it seems I might need to backtrack."
The wanderer put on a smile. Flashing a refreshing smile, he left the shade, mumbling sothing again. The old man tuned in as the wanderer's voice echoed through the desert.
Damn it, damn it all.
〈Main Story End〉
Clacky's Corner:
No long ssage. I really liked the story.
And thank you for reading!
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