Chapter 464

Like the Hwangdo, which the empire was able to defend, and the direct command areas, there were powerful imperial countries that could defend cities, including the capital. Many imperial countries have perished, but there were still surviving cities and countries that have defended their capitals. The Saengtuan Kingdom was one of the few countries that succeeded in defending its capital. Saengtuan Kingdom was the most proficient in magic, except for the empire, and had produced many excellent wizards. Saengtuan Kingdom's capital, Arnaka, was not structurally deformed like the empire's capital, Gradium, due to refugees. We teleported to a street in Arnaka and saw the city of magic, which was still intact like the capital. The city had thick walls and high towers at regular intervals, but there were no lookout towers at the top of the towers, and huge blue crystals floated in the air at the top. We could only assume that they were towers to intercept monsters approaching the city. Most countries that succeeded in defending their capitals could only become city-states. Arnaka was no different. Most refugees did not flock here because most of them flocked to the empire's capital. The city was intact, but it was not overflowing with happiness and hope. The remaining power of Arnaka was likely to have been exhausted in constructing a defense system using the giant tower. There must have been a reason why the empire could not use this defense system. Harry looked at the streets and people of Arnaka quietly, with an expression of guilt and sadness that he could not hide. He could not help but think of the countless cities and people who could not survive. The white palace, Arnaria, which looked like it was carved out of a mountain, was also intact. The scenery of Arnaka was not much different except for the walls and towers surrounding the city's outskirts. The only thing that had changed was the sadness and despair that could be read from the faces of the people on the streets. There was no one to talk to. The city of Arnaka was a quiet and desolate place. Harry felt guilty and sad as he looked at the streets and people of Arnaka. The Saengtuan Kingdom successfully defended its capital, but the remaining power of Arnaka had been exhausted in constructing the defense system. The white palace, Arnaria, was also intact, but the only thing that had changed was the sadness and despair on the faces of the people. The citizens avoided the Saengtuan Kingdom's ruler, the Duke, as if he were a curse. Despite the safety of Arnaka, they knew that the Empire's retaliation would begin after this crisis was over. The city was filled with despair and sadness, and the guards protecting Arnaria were not human, but magical golems. Therefore, if Harry wants to meet the Duke, he can. Harry knows everything, that the Gate Incident did not happen because of his will. But it is a reality that everyone in Arnaka may be sacrificed because of his choice. "Do I have the right to do that?" So Harry could only feel guilty. Even if it is said that the Gate Incident did not happen because of his will, people will not believe it. So if the revenge of humanity comes to Arnaka, Harry can only take responsibility for it. The responsibility for the princess who betrayed humanity should be borne by the country and the citizens, not the princess. In that position, Harry can only think that he has no face to see his father. He may hear reproaches from his father for making foolish choices. He may think that his father will hold him and not let him go. He may hear all kinds of hatred and anger from his family. "I don't think you're an idiot just because I call you a pain in the ass." "...." "The Duke of Saengtuan that I saw in the battle was a fool who should be called a daughter fool." In fact, my first impression of the Duke of Saengtuan was that he was a daughter fool. "Just like you're not a fool, your father, the Duke of Saengtuan, must be a wise person." "...." "You must have tried to understand why you had to do that and what answer you got." Just like Harry is wise, I think the Duke of Saengtuan is also a wise person. Harry holds my hand that touched his face. "Yes... I'll go." What courage did my words give him? "And I'll definitely come back." I can't just leave after seeing only the despair of the city. He faced a heavy sense of responsibility that he had to bear. Can't he take the joy and sadness of reunion with him? * * * The missing Duke's daughter who followed the demon king has returned. But there was no commotion. The security system of Arnaria was under the control of the Duke's family, and there were very few users of Arnaria. The contents reported through the golem were not known to the visitors, and only members of the Duke's family knew that the missing Duke's daughter had visited. The returning Duke's daughter was nothing but a sinner. Contrary to Harry's fear, the three older brothers, including the wife of the Duke of Saengtuan, did not blame the youngest member who caused a great burden on the family. Just a tearful reunion.

Despite the long conversation, neither Harry nor the members of the Duke's family mentioned the demon king.

They didn't ask where she had been or how she had been.

It was as if being safe was enough.

Mother and three older brothers.

It couldn't be said that it was enough, but after the conversation, Harry finally entered the Duke's study.

There was the Duke of Saengtuan, with an indelible sense of fatigue on his face.

Always dignified but always kind, but his gaze at his daughter, whom he had sometimes tried to control with coercion, was very different from before.

"Sit down."

It was too simple to call it a long-awaited reunion, and Harry sat in the chair with a stiff expression.

All important conversations always came from his father's mouth.

Even scolding for doing something wrong.

Even telling him to go to the temple.

Even telling him to quit the temple.

All came from the Duke's mouth.

The reason why there was not a single word of reproach or scolding from his family was because everyone knew that it was the role of the Duke of Saengtuan.

His mother and brothers didn't say anything about it to Harry because everyone knew that it was the role of the Duke.

To Harry, his father was a troublesome person.

He was so troublesome that he was obsessed with his appearance.

He was so troublesome that he worried too much.

He was so troublesome that he couldn't stand his own mediocrity.

But now, Harry came to face his father, the lord of the family, as a sinner, having made a decision that could destroy the entire Saengtuan family.

Encouraged by Reinhardt's words, he returned to Arnaka.

His family, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, was happy that he was safe.

But now, Harry felt like he was standing on the judgment seat.

He felt like he had to explain in detail what his sin was and pay for it.

So now.

For the first time in his life, Harry was afraid of his father's stern expression.

Thank goodness he was alive.

He had returned safely.

Without saying anything like that, his father calmly told him to sit down, as if he were telling him to stand trial.

Harry sat across from the Duke, staring desperately into his eyes with a stiff expression.

Tears were about to pour out.

He was always a father who hugged him and was troublesome.

But why wasn't he hugging him in this situation?

It was frustrating.

I know I did something wrong, I know I did something big wrong.

Can't you just hug me now that I won't be troublesome anymore?

That's what he wanted to say, but he couldn't open his mouth.

"Have you come back completely?"

At the Duke's question, Harry quietly lowered his head.

He had to leave soon. And even if he wanted to come back completely, he couldn't in this situation.

The Duke nodded as if he understood.

"Do you know what choice you made?"

"......"

The Duke looked at Harry quietly.

"If this situation does not end, humanity will perish and the Saengtuan family and the kingdom will end." "If the situation does not end, humanity will perish and the Saengtuan family and the kingdom will end."

"Daughter."

"I only have one question."

"Was it a choice that you wouldn't regret even if such a thing happened?"

Countless deaths.

The destruction of the family.

Was it a choice that you wouldn't regret even if such a thing happened?

The youngest son stares silently into his father's eyes.

It wasn't a rebuke or a scolding.

It wasn't a question about where he had been or what he had done.

As a member of the family, as a person.

It was a question of whether he would regret the decision he made.

Harry thinks back to two years ago.

He trusted Reinhardt. That was the decision and choice he made. At the time of the Gate incident, he didn't even know what was happening.

But now, Harry knows everything.

Why the Gate incident happened, what Akasha was, and what people's misunderstandings were.

What kind of existence the demon king really was.

He knows everything now.

But regret.

His father asked about regret.

If his decision led to the destruction of his hometown and the death of his entire family.

Harry closed his eyes tightly, as if in pain.

"I think...I will regret it..."

"..."

He can't help but regret it.

Tears flowed from Harry's closed eyes.

"But...but...Dad...I'm still here..."

"If...if I could go back to that day two years ago...even if I knew it would end up like this...even if I knew everything would turn out like this..."

"I...I would still...do the same thing..."

He will regret it.

Even if the Saengtuan kingdom is destroyed and all the people of the family die.

He thinks he has to help Reinhardt.

He will regret it, but he has no choice but to make the same decision.

Certainly, he didn't fail to achieve something.

Not just to help Reinhardt. He could save countless people.

Now that he knows that this choice did not bring about only wrong results.

It's not that he doesn't regret it, but he knows he has no choice but to regret it.

The youngest son's words that he will make the same decision even though he knows he will regret it.

The Duke nodded silently as he watched his crying daughter.

"Daughter, you have the most outstanding talent in the long history of the Saengtuan family."

"..."

"That's why you will be the wisest descendant in the history of the family."

The Duke stood up and approached his crying daughter, placing his hand on her head as she cried.

"So your decision is right. Your father believes in you."

"Ugh...huh..."

"Now let me hug you, my daughter."

Finally, Harry was able to embrace her despised father and cry in his arms.