Chapter 548

Translation: Berthus is moving back and forth between the Huangdo and the Allied forces' camps. However, this time was special, so Berthus watched the battle from beginning to end. Despite the objections of those who said it was dangerous and he should return to Huangdo, Berthus watched everything. He saw monsters and countless magic sweeping through the battlefield, as well as falling monsters and humans. "6 minutes and 47 seconds...." And the first movement of the Titan. The research director, Duke Sangtu-an, and Adelia, who played a decisive role in the design of the Titan, stood in front of Berthus. They had not yet heard the news of what had happened to their peers. "In the overall war, it would be a very short time, but it's amazing that the situation can be reversed in just that time... It makes me wonder if war is always like this." "...." "I'll try to extend the movement time, Your Majesty...." Adelia said in a voice that crawled in front of Berthus. "I'm not scolding you. It was great. No, it was excellent. If the Titan is operated for too long and suffers fatal permanent damage, that's more of a problem. It might be better to operate it for only a short time like this." "Is that so...?" "There is no more room to make another Titan. If the Titan is destroyed, there will be no more Titans." It was nothing less than a project that put the fate of the Empire at stake. Even if the Empire had all its resources intact, it took an enormous amount of resources to create such a level of war machine. It was possible to put an unreasonable burden on a mere 20-year-old magician, no matter how much success he had achieved, because it was a war that put the fate of humanity at stake. As for magical materials, the Empire now lacks the ability to create even half of a golem, let alone a Titan. Therefore, if the Titan is operated for a long time and is permanently destroyed, it cannot be rebuilt. Adelia, who thought that if the movement time had been a little longer, more people could have been saved, could not help but feel gloomy at Berthus's words. Materials are more important than people. Titans are not human. However, if one has to exchange one battalion of the Allied forces for a Titan, it is a reality that one has to make the exchange. The reality is that war machines are more important than humans. Therefore, Berthus's words that it is more important to keep the Titan alive until the end of the war than to operate it for a long time to save people contain a cruel logic that cannot be denied. Berthus looks not at the gloomy Adelia, but at Duke Sangtu-an. "What is the damage rate?" "There was about 14% external frame damage." Berthus narrowed his eyes at those words. "Is it that much?" It only moved for a little less than 7 minutes. No matter how short the battle was, Berthus couldn't help but feel bitter that the Titan was damaged that much. "The Titan was designed to have an internal and external frame. The Titan wears a kind of buffer frame that covers the external frame on the core frame. As long as there is no damage to the internal frame, the external frame can be damaged as much as possible and automatically restored. You can think of it as wearing an automatically restored plate armor. Berthus breathed a sigh of relief at the news of its automatic restoration. However, the Titan is a long-term operation goal and is at risk of collapsing due to its huge size. Therefore, the external skeleton of the Titan is practically a buffer zone, and Berthus sighed at the news that it is automatically restored. If a weapon project that has put all its efforts into it can only be used a few times, it doesn't make sense. Anyway, I hope both of you will continue to work hard on the maintenance and improvement of the Titan in the future. Yes, Your Majesty. Yes, yes! Hearing their answers, Berthus sat in his chair. The sound of monsters could be heard from far away. The occupation of Serandia is not over. It needed about four days for the troops to rest properly. They need to clean up the surroundings, secure safety, and set up a base camp. The end of the long march and battle does not come easily. ... The Duke of Saengtuan and Berthus were silent for a while as they listened to the outside sounds. "Duke, if there was Heliott, could the Titan have been better made?" "...What do you think?" At the sudden mention of his youngest daughter, the Duke stared at the Emperor without saying a word. He didn't even smile or have such a stiff expression. Heliott de Saengtuan. It is as sensitive a topic as the Demon King, and it is even more sensitive to the Duke. There are many things that the Duke has to endure because of what his youngest daughter did. Just as the Emperor did not show any signs of anger or reprimand, the Duke did not show any emotions at that mention. The Emperor's question. Titan. And the existence of his youngest daughter. "I don't know." That was all the Duke had to say. "I don't know what you mean by 'better made' Your Majesty. If you mean that it can have a longer movement time, or carry more weapons, or have a stronger internal and external frame, then maybe it can be done. However, if it is damaged after operating the Titan for a long time, I don't know if that can be considered well-made." Berthus laughed at the Duke's words. "I see. The Titan may not need improvement after all." "If you think it's just an excuse from a technician who didn't make it properly, there's nothing we can do. But I have no reason to do that." Berthus crossed his arms and leaned back. "If we were to stamp and send out medals to the sky, it would still be insufficient. The reason why I bother to talk about this is because people will be intimidated by the fact that one of the keys to this weapon is in the hands of the Duke in a situation where even medals cannot be awarded. I can give them to Adelia, but not to the Duke. The same goes for all the magicians in the kingdom. I know, Your Majesty. It may not be Adelia alone who made the Titan, but it will be Adelia alone who made it. Everyone knows that the technology of the Duke and the Saengtuan Kingdom went into it, but it will be seen as providing technology to repay for the sin. The Duke was not particularly upset or angry. He had no interest in such things in the first place. We can talk about the weapon and the reward after the war is over, so what is the point of talking about it now? However, I wanted to say that in a situation where people cannot even be awarded medals, people will be intimidated by the fact that one of the keys to this weapon is in the hands of the Duke. " Even now, it will become more dangerous. So, as they continue to fight, those who must receive only fearful or disdainful, hateful glances from others should be given the opportunity to step back. On the contrary, the Allied forces will welcome it. The Grand Duke who created the dangerous weapon is stepping back himself. There will be a significant decrease in power, and other magicians will steal the vision of the Kingdom of Life and fight over the achievements of the Titan, but what use is everything in the face of death? Material and intellectual gains are secondary. They fought risking their lives, unable to even take honor, and left behind achievements that will be remembered in history, so now they can return home. From the Emperor's point of view, who must maintain even a little more power, this was a significant concession. The Grand Duke's worries were not long. "Your Majesty, I know that many people hate me." "I also know that many people fear me." "How many angry, hateful, and disdainful words have there been about me so far? I have not refuted, responded, or explained any of them because I admit that I am guilty." The Grand Duke looks at the Emperor of Berthus. "I am not fighting for the sake of atonement, nor have I ever thought so." "...." Many people talk about the Grand Duke's mistakes, sins, and wrongdoings. But just because he doesn't refute them doesn't mean he admits guilt. "I have no guilt in my heart," the Grand Duke says confidently. "Your Majesty, so I will act according to my honor and beliefs, even if they hate and fear me because of some delusion. I did not fight because people told me to pay for my youngest daughter's sin or because I created the Titan." "I am fighting because I believe it is right." "So, unless the purpose of the war is wrong, I and my soldiers will hold our positions." "It was the teaching of the family that has been passed down from generation to generation, and although it is not always the case, I follow it." Walk the right path. Because he deeply ingrained that path in his heart, he has no intention of being swayed by the words and principles of the world. The Emperor looks at the Grand Duke of Sengtu-an quietly. It was an attitude that could not be said to be arrogant. Unless he admits it as his own mistake, it is not wrong or a sin, no matter what the world demands. He does not follow the path that someone tells him to take, believing that it is right. That is the long-standing teaching of the family. This war is right. That's why he fights, without any wrongdoing or guilt in his heart, holding his position. Because it is right. Indeed. Regardless of how the world sees him or judges his actions. Isn't it the same attitude as Harriet de Sengtu-an, who followed Reinhardt because she believed in him? "If you decide that way, I'm fine with it, but I cannot promise to protect the Grand Duke and his soldiers." "It's okay, Your Majesty," the Grand Duke responded as if he knew what he had to do, showing no signs of regret. Berthus gave the Grand Duke a chance, but he failed himself. The Grand Duke made his decision based on his beliefs, and he accepted the consequences of his choice, even if it meant facing criticism. Berthus felt that the Grand Duke would not blame himself for anything that happened. The chapter emphasizes the importance of following one's beliefs and principles, even in the face of opposition and judgment from others. The Grand Duke's decision was his own, and if he couldn't handle it himself, he would be responsible for his own shortcomings. The Emperor did not offer any other options, which could be considered a noble attitude. Berthus was curious about how the Grand Duke felt about his missing daughter, who was not guilty in his eyes. The Grand Duke admitted that he may have raised his daughter wrong, but she did not grow up badly. He believed that his daughter's words were true and that she had not committed any wrongdoing. Berthus agreed with the Grand Duke's statement.