Read Novel Full Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Chapter 187 – The Betrayal of a Prominent Figure
There are stone monuments and special books called “golden tablets” that remain in various places.
At least a few legends from these records indicate that divine judgment was brought down on this continent.
It is likely that not all of these legends are true, as some may be rumors or fabrications.
However, many records state that one of these events took place in this land, and unlike dubious records, the content of these records is also specific.
An estimated 10,000 to 11,000 years ago, the country known as the Magical Kingdom of Primus achieved great prosperity.
According to legend, the sky suddenly split open, and a huge flash of light shone from within, engulfing the surrounding mountains and instantly destroying this superpower.
The phenomenon was so unnatural that later, when the only person capable of communicating with the gods, the “Shrine Maiden,” came in contact with the event, it became known to the world that it was the judgment of the gods, but the exact reason why they were supposedly angered remains unknown.
The human supremacist country of Primus, which viewed the demi-human race as a kind of monster, used magical weapons to kill the demi-human race.
The accounts vary, perhaps due to the writer’s perspective and feelings. Some say that the demi-human race started the war in an attempt to seize the magical weapons, and others say the opposite.
What they all have in common, however, is that a war broke out between humans and demi-humans.
The fighting caused great damage, and the angry gods brought down their judgment of purification…
These ancient records remain in many books and stone monuments. They are also said to be the stories that the old woman heard directly from the high elves when she was young.
“This land has long been abandoned by both humans and demi-humans as a place under divine judgment. For better or worse, I hear that the mountains were cut away and the land leveled, leaving only a vast, untouched plateau. For some reason, the first king of Lagreath is said to have entered this land and founded a nation there.”
“You also knew the approximate reason why this land was condemned, so you’re saying that you still refuse to have contact with the demi-humans, even though it could be a chance for you to make progress?”
“It’s also possible that he found out about it after he founded the country. Either way, there are many countries where humans and demi-humans coexist peacefully. From my point of view, it’s a really stupid reason.”
“…..”
“But even so, this country still has concerns about trespassing in the former forbidden land. They are also cursed and afraid of the wrath of the gods that might rain down again.”
“I see…”
A land that was once even neglected by the demi-humans.
Then why are the demi-humans not afraid and trying to intervene now?
Of course, the main reason is that they have lost the trade route to the north and are in a desperate situation.
However, it doesn’t make sense that only humans are afraid when the war between humans and demi-humans is said to be the cause of the judgment.
Either the demi-humans are interpreting the ancient records to suit their own purposes, or they know some other fact―it seems unlikely because I can’t see their intentions, but is it possible that the old woman is giving me false information?
I can’t understand this area even when I think about it now, but…
“Why did you tell me all this?”
I could have just ignored it, but I asked anyway.
The old woman, Neival-sama, is a prominent figure in the country, no matter how you look at it.
Normally, if she saw me as a valuable asset, like Deputy Director Kamuria, it wouldn’t be strange for her to try desperately to recruit me.
But what she’s really doing is exposing the country’s weaknesses – or rather, its darkness.
The royal family of Lagreath is trying to avoid the war against the demi-humans as much as possible, lest they repeat the mistakes of the past.
“There are two reasons. First…”
“…..”
“Because this country is trying to use you as a sacrificial pawn.”
“Eh?”
“Haven’t you noticed? Then it’s even more important that I tell you this.”
The old woman’s words made me tilt my head, but my thoughts were racing at high speed.
What does this mean?
Are they planning to make me participate in the war and take the lead?
Well, it’s better to send an outsider like me to do the fighting than to waste their own soldiers, and if they think I’m a particularly strong Otherworlder, they’ll probably want me to be the one to take the brunt of the fighting.
But I think that’s only natural…
“Do you understand what I’m saying when I say that the brunt of the Gods’ judgment will fall on you?”
The old woman corrected me, and I finally understood what she meant.
Deputy Director Kamuria was eager to involve me in the war.
“The higher-ups in Lagreath are afraid of the judgment and want to avoid a war with the demi-humans… But if they are attacked, there will come a time when there is no way to avoid it. When that happens, will I be the target?”
“…That’s what I mean. No one knows if the judgment will actually come. But if it happens, it must never be in the capital, where there will be tremendous damage.”
“That’s why you’re taking the initiative to let me be the one to face them… so that if it comes to that, the judgment will fall on me… I see, I see, I see…”
I say ‘I see’ with my mouth, but I’m not convinced at all.
I can still somehow keep my cool because I can predict what the ‘judgment’ will be like… but…
Still, when I’m called a ‘sacrificial pawn,’ I can’t bring myself to correct what was said about me, and I can’t help but feel frustrated.
“Huh… Then why me?”
It’s a simple question.
If I were told something like that, I would naturally turn my hostility toward the country of Lagreath.
So why me?
“What if Loki himself realizes this fact on the way? Lagreath will have to deal with a powerful enemy in the form of the people from the other world, in addition to the two countries to the east.”
“…..”
“If that happens, this country won’t be able to hold on. That’s why I brought you here on purpose, to tell you the country’s intentions before it’s too late.”
“Even so, I can’t possibly help you…”
“And the second thing…”
The old woman turns to me and holds up two fingers as if to interrupt me.
Her eyes, which until now I doubted would open, are sharp, and I can’t help but gasp at the pressure.
“Those who serve the state are bound to blindly follow the long history and thinking of the royal family. That’s why I wanted to ask you. If you’re a person from another world who has no connection to the affairs of this country, how would you judge the situation and work toward a solution? Isn’t there more to it than just participating in a war to offer help?”
“…Is that what you most wanted to confirm?”
When I asked her this, the old woman, as usual, tried to evade the question with a giggle.
I think I’ve probably guessed the right answer by now.
That means she’s already considered the fact that I’m going to be annoyed with the higher-ups in Lagreath.
I wonder if there will be any proposals to protect this country, me, and even the soldiers of the enemy country.
So she’s betting everything on me, even betraying her own country.
“What will you do if nothing comes of it? I have no intention of participating in a war, at least not in any way.”
“However, as long as Loki is not on our side, the status quo will remain. Thanks to the wealth of our land, this country is still better off than others, but if things continue as they are, we will eventually be burned from behind. Before that happens, we must find a way to end discrimination at all costs.”
“…..”
“In truth, we shouldn’t be fighting among ourselves… what idiots we are.”
The old woman mutters, not to me, but to the ground―as if complaining to this cursed land and the royal family bound by the land’s past.
Even with such power, she is unable to move the land or the royal family.
This is a betrayal born of understanding the situation on the continent and worrying about this country’s future.
When I see her pressing the tip of her staff into the ground with such force and sinking into her worries, I can’t help but think about her plan despite my own mixed feelings.
(Felin was here yesterday, so I can use Divine Communication right away…)
I look up at the sky and think of a few different patterns, but I quickly realize that I cannot solve this problem alone.
The worries and fears this country is facing are truly on a mythical level.
No matter how much I’m someone from another world, there’s no way a single person like me can convince them with a cheap “it’ll be okay, don’t worry” kind of thing.
No matter what I do, I can’t show them enough evidence to convince them, and if I try to force it, I’ll end up having to bring out the goddesses behind me.
If they’re afraid of what the gods are doing, then only the gods can solve it.
And if I accept this request, it’s also true that I’ll be taking unnecessary risks myself…
First of all, I wonder if the Gods who hate war will get involved in this matter.
And if it works out, I wonder if I’ll be able to silence this old woman who I don’t think I can beat in a fight.
When I looked at her, the old woman looked at me with her narrow eyes.
“Do you have a plan?”
“I don’t know. I’m thinking about it now.”
“That’s good, I hope it’s a peaceful solution.”
The old woman, smiling with a scrunched-up face, had a good smile that made the irritation I had just felt seem ridiculous.
Hah.
“…Neival-sama. I’m going to do something, so please keep it a secret.”
I wonder…
Without waiting for an answer, I close my eyes.
There’s no choice.
The gods―I have no choice but to negotiate.
Divine Communication.
(It’s Loki. It’s urgent―is Ria there?)
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