Chapter 573

Ludwig headed to the 17th district guard post the next day. While Heinrich and Ellen could patrol the outskirts of the Yellow Road voluntarily, Ludwig couldn't and wasn't allowed to. He felt a sense of deprivation, but he knew the difference in absolute ability. He couldn't dare to exceed what Heinrich and Ellen could do. Ludwig headed to the guard post. It was a difficult and painful task, but he hoped to find even a small task he could do in it. Even a small task like returning a lost child to their parents would surely not be meaningless. With that hope, Ludwig headed to the guard post. "Ludwig, there is an important mission." "An important mission?" "It's a job that suits you, Ludwig." A job that suits him. Both Sontaine, who was assigned as a marksman, and the guard captain respected Ludwig. But apart from that, Ludwig knew that he couldn't handle the horrors of the refugee camp and the cruel things the guards were doing. A job that suits Ludwig. "It's a guard duty." The guard captain said to Ludwig, who was surprised. "Guard duty...?" "Don't you know about the epidemic?" "Yes... I saw it yesterday." "The priest was dispatched for purification work." An epidemic. And purification. Ludwig's eyes widened. "Please escort the dispatched priest." It was a job that was absolutely necessary to eradicate the epidemic and to save people. "Thank you for your consideration." They gave him this job because they knew what Ludwig found difficult and what he wanted. * * * To purify the epidemic, a priest from Tu'an was needed. However, Tu'an and the Al's sect were being persecuted because of the Demon King. In such a situation, it was impossible for Tu'an's priests to move publicly, even if they said they came to cure the epidemic. Not only were Tu'an's followers being persecuted, but the priests were also in a worse situation. But they couldn't just leave the epidemic alone. If the epidemic spread beyond the refugee area to the Yellow Road, it could become a situation that couldn't be solved with divine power. That's why Tu'an's priests had to come to the refugee area at the risk of their lives to purify the epidemic. Of course, they couldn't wear their priestly robes, so they had to move secretly. They couldn't receive a lot of escorts either. Then they would attract attention, so they had to move secretly. Even though they weren't doing anything bad, they had to move secretly to save people. "Sir, Ludwig will be in charge of escorting you today." Ludwig bowed his head when he saw the priest in a gray robe. "Nice to meet you, I'm Rowen." "Hello." The priest, who seemed to be around the same age as Ludwig, smiled when he saw Ludwig. "I don't think you'll be a burden, but I'll do my best." Ludwig added that the only escort given by the 17th guard post was a loner, so he might feel upset. "Yes, please take care of me." But the priest didn't seem to think about such things at all and just smiled softly, nodding his head. * * * Ludwig left the 17th district guard headquarters with Rowen. Purification work for the epidemic. Ludwig felt like his head was clearing up for the first time in a while. It was a simple task where he didn't have to judge what was right or wrong. They were dressed in guard uniforms and Rowen was wearing a hooded robe to move secretly. Rowen noticed that Ludwig wasn't an official guard and complimented him for being a veteran. Rowen explained the precautions they needed to take and asked if Ludwig was good at running with someone on his back. Ellen and Heinrich went on patrol together again. Outside the Royal Class dormitory, the protagonist and Sarkagar pretended to be returning students and had a conversation. Translation:

The inside of the temple is almost deserted. There are very few people, and the only ones visible are the guards. Our group has found Sarkagar and received news of the Elder Council's decision. It's strange that alchemy is not involved in the epidemic, as it deals with the manipulation of life. The Empire is not known for investing in pure academia, and the list of Antirian research only adds to the confusion. The possibility of the Empire knowing how to turn a mage into a lich is concerning. Liches are created when a living mage turns themselves into an undead, but turning a dead mage into an undead opens up many possibilities and increases the Empire's power. The role of mages in war is important, and the possibility of a large-scale mage army is daunting. The concern is that the Empire may use this power to attack Edina. Translation:

Summary of previous part of chapter only for context: In this chapter, the group has arrived at the temple and found Sarkagar. They have received news from the Elder Council that alchemy is not involved in the epidemic, which is strange as it deals with the manipulation of life. The Empire is not known for investing in pure academia, and the list of Antirian research only adds to the confusion. The possibility of the Empire knowing how to turn a mage into a lich is concerning, as it could increase their power. Liches are created when a living mage turns themselves into an undead, but turning a dead mage into an undead opens up many possibilities. The role of mages in war is important, and the possibility of a large-scale mage army is daunting. The concern is that the Empire may use this power to attack Edina.

"I didn't want the Gate incident to happen, but it happened because of me. Berthus and I don't want war, but we don't know why it might happen. I am convinced that there is some kind of curse that keeps me in situations I don't want to be in, whether it's fate or someone's manipulation. If we leave the Empire's research alone, we might be able to end the Gate incident without further harm. But if it means destroying the world I've built so hard, I can't be sure that losing everything is my destiny. However, if we ruin the Empire's dangerous research, isn't that also someone's intention? If I destroy the Empire's core project with my own hands, war may break out because of this. If we attack the Empire now, war will inevitably break out. It may even prevent the Allied Forces from advancing any further. If we leave the Empire alone, the Gate incident may end more easily, but I may lose everything. Berthus and I know that we are not enemies, even though we haven't talked about it. If the situation changes later, it will not be because of Berthus' will, but because of someone else's. No, Berthus, who doesn't want war, may be assassinated and the new emperor may want to wage war against the Demon King. Wherever I go, I see a future where I have to fight the Empire. If we attack, this incident will be justified. If we remain silent, the demands of the world will be justified. If we are going to have a war anyway, it may be better to face a weakened Empire. But if the Empire becomes stronger, we may be able to prevent unexpected deaths like Delfin's and Rudbeck's arm. What about the countless Allied soldiers I don't know about? If we leave the Empire alone, tens of thousands of people may survive, and if the Gate incident ends quickly, we may be able to use that power to help refugees. But Edina...my people...I am in a position where I must take responsibility for a country. The Empire has more citizens, so my country can disappear and you can live. I can't make that choice. I feel like I'm at a crossroads of destiny. The choice I make now will change the future greatly. I know one thing for sure. Whatever choice I make, I will surely regret it. I will suffer from nightmares again for a long time. The problem raised by the Elder Council is not a small one this time. The resurrected warrior and the resurrected mage. The possibility that a mage can be resurrected as a lich. All problems start from there. But if this can help end the Gate incident, we must also consider the option of leaving it alone. If that army can help break the last Gate, we may have to use Alsbreinger when facing the dragons of the other world because we destroyed the Empire's new power. Then, stopping the Empire's project would be a suicidal act. "And there is one more important issue." "The most important issue?" "There is a possibility that the Empire has joined forces with the Black Order." "......" I could only remain silent at Sarkergar's words.

The Black Order.

Yes, if it's a golden opportunity related to alchemy and undead, they could be involved.

Whatever the Empire does, the source of knowledge could be the Black Order.

Although the Black Order's power itself has weakened, their knowledge remains, and there is a possibility that they have found a group that can use that knowledge more valuable than themselves.

But.

The Black Order tried to kill me.

They believed that my death was necessary for humanity.

So there is still a possibility that the remnants still wish for my death.

If an antagonistic force has joined hands with the Empire, I need to see what is happening as soon as possible.

There are two ways to do this.

Risk meeting with Vertus and ask him everything, or send Sarkergar to gather information.

Meeting with Vertus is a very dangerous thing to do. It is dangerous for me and of course, dangerous for Vertus.

But Sarkergar is not almighty either.

And it is highly likely that the project the Empire is working on is a place even Sarkergar would find difficult to enter.

"I have to meet the Emperor. In person."

I finally had to conclude that I had to meet Vertus in person.

"Your Majesty, it's dangerous."

Of course, Sarkergar could only express his concerns.

"It may become dangerous someday, but not right now."

Just as Vertus wouldn't attack me just because he knew my whereabouts, he wouldn't try to attack me even if we met face to face.

We can have a conversation. I don't know about later, but for now, it's clear that a conversation is possible.