Awakening the Great Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Silence and Shadow (2)

Royce looks toward the entrance of the inner castle. The Mountain Rabbits have gathered in one place and are confronting those whose identity is unknown.

Fortunately, the enemy forces are not nurous. About thirty soldiers and two knights on horseback. Their uniforms were close to those of regular soldiers, but their equipnt was not in good condition.

"This is the residence of the one who rules Erianka. It is not a place that re bandits can occupy!"

"Those 're bandits' are quite strong, my lord."

"......Then, call the person in charge. I must speak with that person!"

Perhaps because their resentnt toward the nobility had reached its peak, sharp responses flowed from the veteran rcenaries.

The middle-aged knight who stepped forward showed a surprisingly moderate reaction and soon proposed an alternative.

It was ti for the leader to step forward.

"Stop! Lower your swords."

"Are you the one."

"Yes. I am Royce, who leads the rcenary company, the Mountain Rabbits."

"......"

"......"

"......Baron Volgram, who rules Erianka and Viazla."

The brief silence during the conversation was due to Royce's very short introduction. If it was Baron Volgram, he was one of the nobles under Viscount Erchi. Since it wasn't clear whether he was ally or enemy, there was no need to bow his head excessively.

Naturally, Baron Volgram brought up the next words as well.

"My injuries are deep and I was recuperating, but now I've co to see Viscount Erchi. You should clear the way, shouldn't you."

"......"

"You insolent fool! How dare you not even respond!"

The forr was a gentle plea, while the latter was another knight's outcry.

"Who is that person?"

"Sir Susi. Please understand. He has...... Lost much. We all have. Isn't that so."

Even at the aningful remark, Royce's sharp eyes did not lose their intensity. Since the fatigue from the previous battle had not been relieved, consecutive combat should be avoided. But he wouldn't hand over the initiative either.

He once again answered with silence instead of words.

It ant to ramble on a little more.

"......I heard from the outer castle soldiers that you had returned. Shouldn't you end these evil acts now. I can no longer stand to watch such tragedies."

"......"

A little more than that.

Cross the line.

"......Your stubbornness is extraordinary. One who leads warriors should be like that. Good. I will assure you. I have co to execute Viscount Erchi. Is that sufficient?"

"You have. I understand."

Only then does the leader's speech begin.

This seed like an unnecessary battle of wills at first glance, but it was also necessary work. While external excuses were prepared, convincing the people inside Erianka was a different matter.

"Then—"

"Regrettably, that person has been embraced by Kriya."

"......The Viscount, the Viscount has passed away?"

The imdiate change in the other party's attitude was telling. Didn't he go from Viscount to Viscount Sir in an instant? Since they were those who knew the reality of the incident, half-hearted excuses wouldn't work.

They could have made the Mountain Rabbits scapegoats to appease public sentint.

That was precisely why they had to hold each other's weaknesses.

"It was a noble end. He fought with all his might against the monster from the Shadow Lands. Though he shed tears looking at the sacrificed residents, he did not waver and resolutely stepped forward to thrust his spear. Thanks to that, we were able to complete the sacred spell."

"......"

For an instant, Baron Volgram's gaze turned toward Ella, then returned to Royce again. What was reflected in his eyes was clear disbelief.

The Baron did not believe the rcenaries' words.

However, at the sa ti, he had to believe them.

With a cleric existing among the rcenary party, he couldn't risk antagonizing the Order and shifting responsibility to them. Since he confird that both sides' interests aligned.

Without realizing it, he accepts the fact that they had beco intricately entangled.

Viscount Erchi was dead.

Nobly.

"......There are no surviving family mbers to tell that story to. The Viscount's wife and children passed away last spring."

"Yes. Sohow, there was no sign of human presence in the inner castle. Then, it must be reorganized."

"Reorganized?"

"Until an answer cos from the royal court, wouldn't Baron Volgram beco Erianka's representative? These are difficult tis. Please take good care of the residents."

"This is...!"

No further conversation was necessary.

***

The Mountain Rabbits handed over control of the inner castle to Baron Volgram and headed for the main gate of the outer castle. Now it was ti to leave. The main road was extrely quiet, making it perfect for conversation.

"So Duke Saitz was manipulating things from behind the scenes. How terrifying."

"Mmm."

"Were they targeting us?"

"Basim, do you think it makes sense that they were targeting us?"

To the dwarf Basim's question, Zahira snorted dismissively and scolded him.

"We're just rcenaries. Well, we do pretty well in this field, but nobles don't pay attention to rcenary companies. Much less would the great Duke Saitz do such a thing."

"This girl is nitpicking again? Why do you only give

hell!"

"Sigh."

However, unexpectedly, Vice-Captain Marik stepped forward to defend Basim.

"It's not entirely wrong. Anyway, we ended up interfering with Duke Saitz's sches. We've been entangled twice now. We should be careful."

"......I agree with that too. We should lay low for a while."

This was sothing Commander Royce also agreed with.

There were quite a few wounded, and since they had been entangled in a bad relationship with a powerful figure of the kingdom, it was right to rest for a while. They needed to give the injured ti to recover and fill the vacant positions.

But before that—

"Volga."

"......Yes. Yes? ?"

He raised his fist to stop the movent of the supply wagon and spoke the na of the large rabbit for the first ti. And imdiately, he raised his finger and pointed to the other side of the road.

On the main street where buildings were densely intertwined, there stood an unpopulated brick building among them. As if it hadn't been maintained, dust had accumulated in layers on the window fras, and traces of dried filth were visible in front of the door.

A place that once functioned as a tavern and lodging for travelers, delivering requests to rcenaries. Royce concluded his words while pointing to the top of that building.

"Raise the flag."

"The flag......"

Basim headed for the supply wagon on behalf of his student who didn't understand the aning, retrieved a flag from inside, and shoved it into Volga's arms.

"Hang it on the flagpole. However, you mustn't hang it higher than the rcenary Guild's flag. Right below it, hang it one arm's length lower."

"Ah, yes!"

The large young man climbed up to the building's roof making groaning sounds. The flagpole wasn't very high, so before long two flags were fluttering together.

One was the flag symbolizing the rcenary Guild, and the other was a flag depicting a Mountain Rabbit vigorously leaping against the backdrop of three mountain ridges.

"What does that an?"

When Calix asked this, Hadiya smiled with a grin—a splendid smile—and answered.

"It's a sign that the abnormal phenonon in that area has been resolved. I don't know if the person who operated this building died in the incident or is hiding sowhere...... But soone will see this and spread the word around. That the Mountain Rabbits solved it."

"Ah......"

Mission accomplished.

That was the aning the flag held.

And imdiately after that. The Mountain Rabbits left Erianka and disappeared without a trace for quite a long ti. They went into hiding until the season when heavy snow poured down ca.

Thus, winter ca.

***

On the day that marked one month since the Mountain Rabbits had vanished without a trace. Rumors that they had resolved the Anomalous Phenonon reached the southwestern cities adjacent to Erianka.

"About the Mountain Rabbits...... Have you heard, by any chance?"

"About Erianka?"

"Yes, there! Well, didn't evil things in black armor rip out and eat people's hearts!"

"Huh! And then?"

"A young rcenary made the monster take its own life with just a few words!"

"Hey, does that even make sense?"

"It's true, I tell you! Didn't he also persuade Viscount Mozak with his silver tongue!"

"The desert viper? No way!"

Stories half truth, half lies.

And the rumors that flowed into taverns and squares, between market alleys soon spread throughout the entire kingdom following various rchant groups.

That was the second month's events.

"The saint emitted Kriya's light and burned it alive!"

"No. From what I heard, the captain grabbed the monster by the scruff with one hand and lifted it up?"

"......Which one is real?"

"What does that matter? What's important is that the Mountain Rabbits killed another monster! They stepped up to handle what even the noble bastards couldn't do!"

The rumors underwent ceaseless reproduction in the process of reaching the central and northern regions, and expanded into multiple branches.

Regrettably, no content about Viscount Erchi was included at all. This was because the residents living in Erianka, where the rumors started, were reluctant to speak his na.

Of course, through so who received detailed news, the nickna 'rcenaries who lead knights to death' was created.

Strictly speaking, the Mountain Rabbits had sent exactly two Viscounts to the afterworld, so it wasn't a completely wrong title. However, the majority were supporting them for fun, saying 'as expected of the Mountain Rabbits'.

Then around the ti three months had passed, the situation changed a little.

The Holy Kingdom had sent an envoy.

"From the Elvra Holy Empire? Why on earth?"

"They're coming to retrieve the Draug's core. That guy must not have been ordinary."

"The Holy Kingdom sending an envoy...... How many years has it been?"

"Eleven years. No, hasn't it been about twelve years?"

The one letter Ella had entrusted to a monastery within the kingdom brought about an effect no one had anticipated.

How terrible was the level of this ‘Anomalous Phenonon'?

It was impossible for commoners to know facts that even nobles were completely unaware of. Therefore, the Elvra Holy Empire kindly set the standard.

They would send an envoy to take away the broken core of the Draug that the Mountain Rabbits had sent to the central branch of the kingdom's rcenary Guild. That it had been a special monster different from those that had appeared before.

Thus, rumors about the Mountain Rabbits swept through the capital of Astria Kingdom.

***

The capital of Astria Kingdom, Star Haven.

The place called the Resting Place of Stars was the heart of the kingdom and the center where culture and politics intersected.

Stone buildings neatly aligned along the vast boulevards displayed their antiquity, and among them, the royal palace was located on the highest ground. The royal walls built of blue-white marble were thick and solid, and the star and sword emblems symbolizing the royal family were carved on the castle gates.

But today, power lies outside the royal palace.

The noble district located in the western part of the capital.

Among the elegant gardens and mansions painted in various colors, carriages of nobles continuously entered and exited the largest mansion among them.

Thump!

Inside the spacious room.

Count Antoine strikes the marble table and expresses his displeasure. Nobles were packed all around.

All of them were followers of Duke Saitz.

"I don't understand why those re rcenaries are causing such a commotion. I hear the commoners worship them like gods—have you heard this?"

"What?"

"Oh well, they say if you apply rabbit blood, you'll be protected from evil forces. Isn't this a truly unseemly affair?"

"Huh......"

The lower nobles all chid in in unison and the higher nobles let out exclamations, so Count Antoine's words gradually gained strength.

"Above all, the bigger problem is accepting the deaths of nobles so indifferently! Count Anglaise died, and Viscount Erchi also died. No, isn't sothing strange? How is it that whenever they get entangled with those bastards, those with noble blood grow cold?"

"Right!"

"Therefore, I speak thus. Your Grace Duke, those bastards are disrupting the kingdom's order, so a decision is needed! Please deliver stern punishnt!"

And at the end, about thirty key nobles look toward the head seat. The actual ruler of the Astria Kingdom seed lost in thought, silently watching the scene of the eting room.

Lord Roderick Saitz.

The head of the Saitz Ducal family and one called the 'cunning snake' by his political enemies. However, at the sa ti, he was also a strategist and a ruthless realist.

Indeed, since the eting began, he had maintained only a calm expression.

"You want to eliminate those bastards?"

"Yes, yes! That's right."

"If we eliminate them, what cos next?"

"......Pardon?"

"Setting aside making an enemy of the Holy Kingdom, the ignorant people will worship them as martyrs. Is there value worth bearing all those costs?"

"That...... I'm sorry. My thinking was short-sighted."

The old duke gently swirls the glass containing wine. The transparent purple liquid swirled within the glass. The kingdom was the sa way.

Always in his grasp.

"You have to look at the big picture. They also have their uses. If it's a rcenary company that can subdue Anomalous Phenona, there's no reason to kill them for now."

"Duke, shouldn't we at least give them a warning?"

"Warning, warning...... If you hadn't brought it up, I wouldn't have even known of their existence. The conflict with Marquis Hoover, Count Mozak, and the Anomalous Phenonon in Erianka are all the sa. Was the reason for failure because of so re rcenary company? If so, it's because the plan was poorly made."

"That wasn't what I ant."

And he reflected on and analyzed past failures, but did not look back.

"Then leave them be. Hindering and making an enemy are different things. The latter must be finished sohow, but the forr can be picked up and used if it has utility."

Thus, the Mountain Rabbits passed a crisis without even knowing it.

At least within the Astria Kingdom, that was the case.

***

The eastern border of the Astria Kingdom was blocked by terrain called the Storm Forest. If you sohow crossed that place, you would reach the 'Umbra Region'.

A place full of evil creatures. Though it was strictly land where humans lived, it couldn't form a national system, so it hadn't been given nas like kingdom or empire.

And if you went further east past the Umbra Region...... You would finally reach the eastern part of the continent, the 'Shadow Lands'.

A space where darkness refuses and devours light.

This was not an exaggerated expression.

In the sky, dark red cracks occasionally appeared creating strange forms, and the soil was deep black, not tolerating the existence of life. The earth was cracked everywhere as if split. The air was heavy and damp, and the sll of despair seeped into the lungs.

Kiiiiiii—

Just then, a wind like sobbing crossed the vast space. What the wind carried were the screams of lost souls.

And at its center existed the corrupted soul, 'De Generitum'.

A form that had a body but could not be called a living being. Instead of sitting or standing, he floated in midair, connected to sothing. Human skin and bones ford a massive throne of evil, and twisted horns protruded from its ends.

Truly infinite darkness.

Draug kneels before him.

Thud—

"My master......"

He had barely reconstructed his physical body, but with parts of his body cracked and corroded everywhere, he boasted a miserable appearance. The darkness flowing from the Shadow Lands wrapped around his wounds, but he dared not raise his face before his lord and only bowed his head.

[Dhr'augz.]

[Draug.]

After quite a long silence, a low voice that shook the space followed.

[State your reason.]

That single sentence was an irresistible command. It contained disappointnt and anger, rciless punishnt. Draug's body, his soul trembled finely.

Excuses were worse than useless.

"I...... Failed to fulfill the mission you bestowed upon . I will...... Receive judgnt."

The defeated lose the value of existence, and judgnt ans annihilation. It was the law of the Shadow Lands.

However, De Generitum did not spew out disappointnt and anger. Instead of imdiate punishnt, he asked in an even lower and deeper darkness.

[What blocked you.]

Even without speaking, mories are read. The tendrils of darkness vividly reproduce every scene. The burning sword, the sacred spell, but above all—

One human.

"There was one who bore Ranita's blood."

At that mont, the space exploded with turbulence. The cracks beca even more massive, and countless whispers flowed from beyond. It was an old mory and yet an unforgettable na.

A collection of emotions mixing hatred and joy, resentnt and admiration swept all directions.

At this, Draug discovered a way to live and hastily added explanation.

"There was blood that should not exist. Divinity and magic mixed and burned my flesh. Things that should not be mixed were improperly entangled......"

[Na]

De Generitum spat out blood in an even lower and concentrated voice. Draug flinched montarily, then spoke as if whispering.

"Calix."

Kwaaaaaaaa!

A wave of black light spreads out.

The Shadow Lands undulate, and sothing burrows up through the floor. The formless beings sensed their lord's presence and cringed.

[......Tomorrow is needed.]

Draug did not understand the aning of the words but dared not ask back. He simply bowed his body and waited for orders to be given.

[You receive a new mission.]

Whiiiiii—

As De Generitum's gesture cut through space, black mist enveloped Draug's body. The broken and weakened flesh beca strong again. Pieces of flesh attached one by one, and the tattered form beca more complete.

However, that power was different from before. Magic power originating from even deeper darkness condensed to form a core made of polyhedra.

[Find him.]

[The one who bears Ranita's blood.]

[Confirm his existence and lead him back.]

[Guide him to destiny.]

Kigi-gi-gik.

A chilling light seeped into the dozen or so newly created eyeballs. Draug was given a new mission. He had grasped another opportunity.

And soon, his form disappeared into the darkness.