Chapter 41

The streets of the imperial capital were in a terrible state.

While I was receiving treatment from Leen, I was looking out from the top of a very tall building.

I couldn't look straight down because it was too frightening, but as far as I could see horizontally, black smoke was rising everywhere.

Something must have happened while I was crashing into the building.

──What exactly happened──?

"Could it be – this scene is because of that light that fell just now?"

That strong light I deflected – could it have caused such destruction to the city?

"Yes, that's correct.

The powerful magic light that was deflected by you split and rained down on various places in the imperial capital.

All the facilities where the smoke is rising were burned by that light."

"──I see, I've done something terrible. I didn't think it would come to this."

At that time, I was just focused on deflecting the light and didn't think about the consequences.

I didn't realize it would cause such significant damage...

"No... I don't think you should feel guilty.

That was something the imperial side launched, and you protected us from its threat.

I don't think you should feel any guilt."

"Even so...

Did anyone die...?"

The thought made me feel heavy-hearted.

"– According to my brother, that light had a [Magic Tracking] enchantment, and the main targets were the magic research facilities and the 'Magic Furnaces.'

The 'Magic Furnaces' have high spatial magic density and are places where people cannot enter in the first place. In the magic research facilities, areas with high magic density are also places where people cannot stay for long...

The residential areas, where many people live, were apparently unscathed, so I think the number of casualties will be minimal.

Of course, it will affect the residents' lives, but not as much as in our country."

"I see – I hope that's true."

Leen's explanation made me feel a bit better, but this much damage... Someone must have been injured.

We came here to chase the emperor, but for the many people living in this city, the sudden destruction of their city must have been completely unexpected.

Even if it was to avoid danger, I feel sorry...

While I was thinking about this, Leen's brother and the instructor appeared.

"Lord Noll. Leen. You were here."

"Brother... Is the discussion over?"

"Yes – the emperor listened to our talk very sincerely.

The war is over.

From now on, post-war adjustments for mutual reconstruction will begin."

"– Yes.

He deeply reflected and repented.

He accepted all our proposals willingly.

It's important to talk things out while we're still alive.

It's too late once we're dead."

"… Whether to call that a discussion is another matter."

It's a bit anticlimactic.

The war that seemed to have just started has ended with both sides agreeing not to invade each other's territories.

I think it should have been resolved through talks from the beginning, but it's probably not that simple...

It must have been a situation where even that wasn't possible until now.

"As a result of the talks, the emperor decided to abdicate at his own request.

In the future, a successor will be chosen from among the emperor's blood relatives and will take over."

"I see. That does sound better."

I'm not well-versed in politics, but I think that's a good idea.

He seemed to be a bit weak-willed and was quite old.

"The successor will likely be the emperor's grandson, chosen for the convenience of future state management."

"Grandson? That would make him quite young, wouldn't it?"

"Yes – he is ten years old this year.

Of course, he cannot make difficult political decisions on his own, so a guardian will be appointed.

The new emperor's advisor will be the prime minister, who has long been in charge of the actual politics, and the ten people who were with the emperor earlier – they, the 'Ten Mechanized Knights,' will take care of him during this period."

"– What? Those ten?"

It's surprising that a young child will inherit such a large country... and even more surprising that those ten people, who completely ignored my words and were quite violent, will also take over the governance of the imperial country.

To be honest, I'm a bit... no, quite worried.

Is this country really going to be okay...?

While I was thinking this, those ten people came out one by one.

For a moment, I braced myself, thinking they might attack again – but...

A particularly tall and conspicuous man approached, removed his helmet, and bowed deeply to me.

"– I apologize for earlier.

You are not a guard hired by the emperor, but someone from the kingdom.

I apologize for attacking you due to a misunderstanding.

I can't ask for forgiveness, but if there's anything I can do to make amends, please let me know."

I was a bit surprised by the man's sudden polite demeanor.

It seems he wanted to apologize for attacking me earlier.

It wasn't a significant threat, so it's not something I really cared about.

"I'm not worried about it, and there's no need for compensation."

"I see, thank you for accepting my apology."

"But... I don't think it's right to gang up and beat up an old man.

I don't know the circumstances, but resorting to violence because you can't communicate is not good."

"Yes – you're absolutely right.

Now that I'm calm, I feel ashamed of my actions.

I will strive to handle everything peacefully from now on.

... We originally didn't like solving things through war.

That's why we ended up in these idle positions."

"Is that so? You didn't seem that way..."

"I understand if you don't believe me – but let me say this.

If you hadn't intervened, our country would have plunged into a quagmire of civil war, and our exhausted nation would have been attacked by neighboring countries.

Thanks to your intervention, we avoided that and resolved the situation peacefully – I am truly grateful."

"– I don't think I did anything that significant.

I was just there by chance."

"By chance –?

I see – it really was a strange coincidence.

You just happened to crash into the 'Throne Room' on the top floor of the palace, which was protected by several layers of thick iron walls."

"Yes – I thought I was going to die when I jumped off the dragon's back and hit the wall with great force.

Fortunately, I had a sturdy sword that could break through that hard wall... otherwise, it would have been dangerous."

"I see... You just happened to have such a sword and just happened to crash into the top floor of the palace, the heart of the imperial government.

– So, you're saying that you don't feel any obligation for stopping us, and that you were the one who was helped?

Is that what you're trying to say?"

"That's right.

In fact, I was the one who was helped.

I was really grateful to land on the floor there.

Thanks to that, I didn't fall all the way to the ground."

"Ha, a lucky floor, huh?"

The tall man laughed loudly.

"You're a really interesting guy.

I understand. Let's leave it at that.

– But, remember this.

In the future, we will not hesitate to assist you in any way.

If there's anything we can do to help, just let us know.

We will come to your aid, even at the cost of our lives."

"I don't think it will come to that... but I'll keep that in mind."

He was more talkative than I expected.

I feel like I might have created another misunderstanding... but at least, they won't attack me or throw bombs at me anymore, which is a big improvement.

This isn't the end of the matter yet.

– Wait, I forgot something important.

Actually, shouldn't I be the one apologizing?

"No... Come to think of it, I have something to apologize for.

Our actions caused this much damage to the city – I'm sorry."

"The city...?

You mean the [God's Lightning]?

– No, that was our mistake.

I see, you were on that dragon.

You were also put in danger by that.

The destruction of the capital was due to the 'runaway' of an incomplete product – you shouldn't feel responsible for it."

"But, didn't anyone die?"

"Maybe. But so far, there have been no such reports.

If you're going to talk about responsibility, our country, which broke the treaty and attacked yours, is more at fault.

In any case, I won't blame you for it."

"I see – but if there's anything I can do, let me know.

I can help with clearing the debris, for example."

"– Are you serious?

Ha, you're a real good guy."

The man laughed heartily, his laughter echoing through the city.

He's a pretty boisterous guy.

After a bit of casual conversation, Leen's brother approached the man and spoke to him.

"– Well, Lord Randeu.

It's time for us to leave.

We have a lot to report to our superiors when we return to our country."

"Understood. We will see you off from here – but, Lord Rain.

You said you will leave the aftermath in our hands, but is that really okay?

Don't you think a supervisor is needed?"

"Politics are ultimately your country's problem.

We won't interfere excessively.

As long as you reach a satisfactory conclusion, that's fine.

The emperor has promised to provide secret technology and promote exchanges between our citizens.

As long as you keep that promise, you will be our good neighbor.

And, as a person in my position, I believe I have a good eye for people.

I believe there is no lie in your words.

I hope you will not betray that trust."

"– I appreciate your consideration.

I will not do anything to betray your kindness."

"It will take time for both of us to rebuild.

Important research institutes, which housed valuable research, have been reduced to ashes, right?"

"That's our own fault.

While valuable research materials have burned, fortunately, the people are still alive.

We will have to start over.

We will guarantee your safe return.

The war is over, and the entire army has been notified.

You can go back with peace of mind."

"Yes, then, I will take my leave. We will communicate through messengers in the future."

"Yes, please return safely.

– By the way, I haven't heard your name. Would you mind telling me?"

The large man, who had been having a difficult discussion with Leen's brother, turned to me.

"… Me? I'm Noll."

"I see, Noll.

I am the leader of the Magic Imperial Kingdom's 'Ten Mechanized Knights,' Randeu.

If you need to rely on us, just mention my name."

"I see. Then, see you later.

Don't pick on old men anymore."

"Yes –

I look forward to meeting you again."

We mounted the dragon's back, said our goodbyes –

and left the imperial capital, escorted by the ten people who had attacked the old man.