Chapter 62 : Free City, Bernhard (9)
Was it good luck?
Soon enough, we were able to join up with Alicia, who had been running toward this place.
“It’s you. Did you hear the sound?”
Alicia, who gave a small nod at Edric’s question, imdiately shifted her gaze to , slung over Edric’s shoulder.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m not okay.”
“That’s a relief.”
“I said I’m not okay.”
It seed that not listening to what people say was also included as a basic requirent for the 4th Special Task Force.
“Then, we just need to find the others and get out of this place. Do you have any idea where Albino and Conlan might be?”
“I’m not sure. If we move carelessly, won't we just miss each other?”
“That’s true, too.”
Edric said.
“Then let’s do this. You two go to the west gate first. I’ll find Albino and Conlan and join you.”
“I don’t think there’s a need for that.”
“Hm? Ah.”
Edric also seed to have spotted Albino and Conlan coming from the distance, as he nodded his head.
It was a much faster rendezvous than expected.
“They’re finding their way well on their own. I suppose this must also be the result of training. Excellent.”
“I don’t think that’s quite it.”
Realistically, it was probably correct to assu they headed here after hearing the gunshot.
Whether that was the case or not, Edric laughed heartily as always.
“Anyway…… they’re here.”
Just as he said, Albino and Conlan joined the group.
Finally, all the mbers of the 4th Special Task Force were gathered.
“What in the world happened here?”
Edric replied to Albino’s question.
“We succeeded in catching the Mage of the Celestial Sound, but we couldn't reverse this situation. Unfortunately, we have to give up on Bernhard.”
“Is that so? Then let’s hurry.”
Albino, who had little interest in Bernhard to begin with, obediently followed Edric’s opinion.
No, in the first place, there was no way Albino would have any sense of loyalty to risk his life fighting in a place like this.
“……What does that an? Giving up on Bernhard?”
But Conlan was different.
I didn't know exactly what Bernhard ant to Conlan, but at least he showed no sign of giving up obediently like Albino.
“Unfortunately, that’s what happened.”
“Isn’t this different from what you promised!”
“From this point on, it’s not sothing we can handle. You can see that too, can’t you?”
There is power in sound reasoning.
That was why Conlan, too, couldn’t strongly refute Edric’s words.
The fact that Bernhard was finished was clearly evident, without any need for confirmation.
“You.”
Conlan’s gaze turned to .
“You said there was a way!”
“To be precise, I said I could probably find one. But a variable appeared.”
“A variable? Ha! A variable?! Are you seriously saying that right now?”
Edric interjected.
“That’s enough. Vell did his best. Can’t you tell by looking at him?”
“Then what are you telling to do!”
“Did I not already give you the answer? You just have to give up on Bernhard.”
“Such ridiculous……!”
Conlan’s gaze burned as he looked at the 4th Special Task Force mbers.
“Do you all think the sa way?”
“Hey, big guy, I get that you think Bernhard is special, but grasp the situation. Do you think anything will change just because we step up? It’s just a aningless death.”
“I think so, too.”
As Albino and Alicia said that, Conlan dropped his head as if he had nothing more to say.
“……Then I will remain, at least.”
“Not permitted. I cannot watch a precious squad mber go to a place of death.”
“Then just kill . You won’t be able to take by force.”
Conlan’s will was resolute.
To the point that even Edric found Conlan’s reaction unexpected.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“To declare desertion so boldly in front of your commander……. Even if I am a nice guy, I cannot help but enforce military discipline.”
Srrng─
With a tallic sound that felt even more chilling today, Edric’s sword was drawn.
“I’ll ask one last ti. Do you have no intention of coming obediently?”
“Commander, you are a coward. You made a promise, and now you’re bailing because the situation has turned unfavorable? Is that all the great Empire amounts to?!”
As I said before, there is power in sound reasoning.
Conlan’s words right now were also like that.
“I will endure the criticism. But making the bitter judgnt at tis like this is also a responsibility a commander must bear. There may co a ti when I must unavoidably send you to your deaths. But that ti is not now.”
“Hmph, you talk about a big ga. Even so, it doesn’t change the fact that you’ve stained the honor of that great Empire, the Imperial Household, and the Winter Castle.”
Was bringing up honor quite effective?
Edric’s eyebrow, which had shown no change until now, twitched.
“……Hoh, you say so rather interesting things. Can you take responsibility for those words?”
“Aren’t you going to kill anyway? If you’re going to kill , just kill . I was planning to die with Bernhard anyway.”
His aura was such that he seed ready to sever Conlan’s head at any mont, yet despite Conlan’s taunts, Edric’s sword didn't move an inch.
“It seems you have no intention of changing your mind.”
“Unlike you, Commander.”
“Haha, you taunt like that, I have nothing to say.”
“I’m all ready, so if you’re going to kill , kill .”
Conlan looked serious.
So much so that even Edric couldn't say anything more about it.
It was then.
-Buuuuuuuuuu───!!!
A resounding horn sound coming from sowhere.
Along with it, armored soldiers began to appear on the roads inside the city.
“That’s……”
Council mber Garrett Mason was said to have convened the council, and it seed Bernhard’s side had mobilized its troops more quickly than expected.
Thanks to that, a tiny bit of hope erged in Bernhard, which had been steeped in despair.
-To your positions!
-For Bernhard!
With the resounding shout of the commander at the front, the soldiers began to move toward the city wall in formation.
Everyone thought it was over, but there were still people left in Bernhard to fight against that horde of demonic beasts.
“It seems they intend to fight back as well.”
Edric’s gaze grew heavy.
I couldn't know how those who were rushing into a matter whose end was already in sight appeared in his eyes.
But at least, it was clear that it had swayed Edric’s heart.
Edric’s gaze turned to Conlan.
“Go.”
“……You’re letting go?”
“Though I won’t be able to lend you our strength as promised. I will endure this dishonor.”
“That is enough.”
Conlan bowed his head slightly to Edric in greeting, then glanced over the Special Task Force mbers one by one.
“It was dirty being with you all, let’s never et again.”
“Hmph, look who’s talking.”
Conlan, giving a light laugh at Albino’s sarcasm, added.
“Still…… you all should live.”
At Conlan’s last words, Albino, who had been sarcastic, made a stunned expression.
If Conlan had seen that expression, it would have been quite a sight, but Conlan had already turned his back.
Why on earth was Conlan heading to that place, which was clearly a place of death.
I still didn't know the reason, but I knew at least one thing for sure.
‘I can’t give up on Bernhard like this.’
I thought, and thought again.
About what to do with Bernhard right now.
‘So kind of faction is targeting the Empire beyond it, starting with Bernhard.’
‘If the Empire’s military strength is weakened at this point in ti, it might not be able to respond properly when sothing happens later.’
‘At this point, when Bernhard still has so strength left, just giving up on Bernhard is an unparalleled blunder.’
The conclusion reached after countless thoughts was always the sa.
‘Protect Bernhard.’
Fortunately, thanks to Council mber Garrett Mason moving without delay, there was still hope left for Bernhard.
The only thing left was to properly grasp that incredibly faint hope.
“I’ll walk on my own now.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
I moved away from Alicia’s support and then shifted my gaze to Edric.
“Commander.”
“Do you have sothing to say?”
The mind of the Postponer of Ruin always allows to maintain my composure.
Therefore, the judgnt I was making now was also not based on a montary emotion or so misjudgnt, but on thorough reason.
“I will go too.”
“Hm?”
“Hey, are you serious?”
“What does that……”
My declaration caused a stir among the group.
To the point that even Edric, who wouldn’t bat an eye at most things, widened his eyes.
“Are you serious? Aren't you having trouble moving?”
“I can move to so extent now.”
Of course, my wounds were still not small, making it difficult to engage in active combat, but nevertheless, now was the ti to go.
“Huh…… I didn’t expect you to say that. What’s the reason?”
“Thinking about it, I haven’t received my proper paynt from Council mber Garrett Mason yet.”
“……Hm?”
“After going through all that trouble, shouldn’t I at least receive enough to make a fortune?”
Albino made a dumbfounded expression and Edric also had a stunned look for a mont before he burst into his usual laughter.
“Haha! That’s just like you. Will you really be okay?”
“If it were a place to die, I wouldn’t have gone.”
“Well, that’s……”
While Edric was scratching his head in bewildernt, Alicia had already co to stand by my side.
“I’ll go too.”
“Why you, now?”
“I can’t send Vell alone.”
“Good grief, you didn’t budge when the big guy was going, but now?”
Albino taunted, but Alicia didn't show the slightest reaction.
“Really…… you all just make things difficult for .”
Edric shook his head.
“It can’t be helped. I’ll go too.”
“You too, Commander?”
“All my subordinates are saying they’ll go to their deaths; wouldn't it look quite bad if I alone backed out?”
At this, Albino, who was next to him, spoke as if he was dumbfounded.
“I never said I was going.”
“I won’t force you. If you won’t go, then you are to return to the Winter Castle alone.”
Albino’s gaze scanned the surroundings.
It might be different if the entire Special Task Force moved with Edric in the lead, but the entrance to Bernhard had now beco too dangerous a place to escape from alone.
To the point that Albino would have to risk his life if he tried to get past the west gate alone.
“……Damn it. I’m going, I’m going.”
“A wise decision.”
The 4th Special Task Force’s destination was set.
Having decided what needed to be done, there was no longer any need to hesitate, so I imdiately joined Conlan, who was walking ahead.
“Yo.”
Conlan’s face colored with surprise upon seeing .
“You…… Why did you co here?”
“Thinking about it, I went through a lot of trouble this ti, and it seed like I wouldn't get my compensation if Bernhard fell. So I ca.”
“Huh…… are you serious?”
“Have you ever seen joke? I ca with the intention of bankrupting Bernhard, so let's make sure to grab a hefty share.”
Conlan burst into a hearty laugh, as if in disbelief.
“You’re still not normal.”
“Ah, and for reference, I didn't co alone. There are other guys who aren't normal, too.”
“What?”
Soon, the 4th Special Task Force mbers, including Edric, revealed themselves before Conlan.
Seeing Edric, Conlan spoke as if dumbfounded.
“……Just a mont ago, you were talking about killing or sparing , did you change your mind already?”
“Well. At my age, I sotis find myself wanting to embrace a miracle. That’s all it is.”
“You’re quite the romantic gentleman.”
“I always have been.”
Edric laughed heartily as always.
Following that, Conlan’s gaze turned to Albino.
“You ca too. I didn't think you were the type to look for a place to die like this.”
“……Hmph. None of your business.”
“Anyway, thanks for coming. If we get out of this place alive, I’ll treat you all big ti.”
“You’d better not forget that promise.”
“Of course. And thank you for coming too, Alicia.”
Alicia shook her head.
“I just couldn’t send Vell alone.”
“Thank you, nonetheless.”
In the anti, Edric, who had subtly approached my side, spoke covertly.
“Now, Vell. Since we’ve co this far, I must ask. Is there so kind of thod? No, surely there is, right?”
“I wonder.”
“That’s an answer that chills the heart. Didn't you have a slightly more plausible answer?”
“Unfortunately, this is the best I have.”
“Well, that’s…… very unfortunate.”
Just as he said, it wasn't like I had a special thod.
It was just that there was one thing left that was worth trying.
‘It’s a gamble, all said and done…… but it’s worth a try.’
Yes, a gamble that might just be able to completely change this situation itself.
[Accessing the Anonymous Bulletin Board.]
After accessing the Anonymous Bulletin Board, I imdiately posted a single thread.
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-Dragon Slayer : I think I saw soone who looks like Cain near Bernhard... Is he the real deal?
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