Chapter 442: Accumulating Trust

I let the faint scent of the chewing tobacco pass through my nostrils. However, the smell felt watery since the air was humid.

The road ahead of me had been completely covered in death snow for the past few days, erasing all traces of Saleino’s soldiers.

The road was so quiet that I could hardly hear any horse-drawn carriages passing by. The whole area seemed to be asleep.

In fact, the peaceful surroundings acted as if they were completely unaware that far away and far down the road, a large army of the Bolvat Dynasty was marching with their military boots.

The West Expedition of the Bolvat Dynasty. That ambition, which had been cultivated repeatedly throughout history, was coming at the worst possible time, in other words, during the major catastrophe.

While exposed to the threat of demonic beings and faced with human survival, the Bolvat Dynasty pursued a place for themselves. Even if their decapitation was only slightly postponed.

How wonderful. It was wonderfully human. The Bolvat Dynasty probably had similar ambitions in the past.

But, for some reason, those ambitions weren’t put into effect.

The reason why they couldn’t achieve it in the past wasn’t clear, but the reason why they wanted to achieve it this time was obvious. I couldn’t ignore it.

I had to do something. Problems always arose even when I thought I had done a good job.

It was my job to remove such problems even if I had to sacrifice my body.

I pulled the horse’s reins in front of the gates of the puppet city of Philos. Even though the outside was covered in death snow and felt chilly, the green military uniform felt strangely warm on my skin.

Below me, Largud Ann was busy raising her voice. She looked even smaller than her petite self when I looked at her from the horse.

「Lord Hero. Saint Matia wishes that you to make a triumphant return to the capital! The Princess will only be able to take the throne if you return. 」

It was a firm voice. Even though she tried her best to persuade me, she already knew what was going on my mind and what kind of words I’d give in response.

As expected, we had been together for a long time. Of course, it would’ve been better not to say anything at all, but it was not possible because of her personality. She knew what I’d say but couldn’t back down anyways.

I removed the chewing tobacco from my mouth and smoothed my lips. I had already decided what to say.

「I’m going to the royal capital. But I’ll make a detour. It’s boring for humans to just walk on a straight line. 」

When Ann heard my words, she lowered the corners of her eyebrows and stiffened her expression. She wanted to say something, but she couldn’t. I saw that she was forcing herself. In fact, she even had a miserable look on her face.

I wanted her to stop. It made me feel like I was doing something terrible. While my vision was slightly distorted, a familiar voice hit my earlobes. This high-pitched voice was full of confidence.

In a sense, it was a reassuring tone.

「Ann, why are you doing something pointless? Even if people have ears, there are those who can hear and those who cannot. You must be aware which one of those is Lugis. 」

Caria said as she tied up her two strands of silver hair, as if to say that she could see through everything. She looked a little proud for some reason. Her silver eyes were flickering brightly.

I was speechless. Caria was probably the type of person who didn’t listen to what other people had to say. I wondered how often she listened to what I had to say.

However, to Ann, Caria’s words seemed to have more meaning. Her eyes opened as if to suppress her emotions.

「…The Bolvat army is said to be a large army of over 30,000 people. If there are also magical armored soldiers, then it means they’ll pour in as much force as they can wield. 」

Magical armored soldiers. The demoniacs of the Bolvat Dynasty. It was a group of soldiers in which everyone was equipped with magic tools.

A magic tool was something created by a sorcerer with a spell that had resided for a long time… a spell that could be seen as a curse. It seemed to be a sorcerer’s greatest heirloom.

However, it was a useful and frightening thing because the nation gave it to the soldiers to use as a tool of war. Long live the magical nation, huh.

Precisely because they were replacements, magical armored soldiers were even more ferocious than cavalry. A chariot pulled by several horses couldn’t stand against a single magical armored soldier. According to what I had heard, they could easily destroy even large trees.

It would be a nightmare if the enemy came with a large number of those soldiers.

Outer walls would be pointless and would be smashed down easily. In terms of numbers alone, 30,000 so to speak, it was better to think that they were worth more than that, considering it in terms of military strength.

「It’s probably something that a group of city-states cannot withstand. Even the walled city of Garoua Maria will not survive against this enemy. 」

「I understand, Ann. It will be reckless to go with a small number of soldiers. You’re trying to say that I shouldn’t go. Well, you and Matia are right. 」

Ann remained silent and glared at me while I moved my mouth. I shrugged my shoulders and continued speaking, avoiding her resentful gaze.

「…I already have too many acquaintances to abandon. Wood and Sereal. Those old geezers I drank ale with, and the little kids whom I met along the way. 」

I couldn’t close my eyes no matter how much I tried to ignore it. If I crossed my arms and abandoned them, all of them would end up being a meaningless sacrifice.

I was sure I wouldn’t be able to do anything anymore. How could I look for a reason to give up? How could I swallow my irrationality and try to live on? Nothing would change if I did that.

…In the end, I’d keep thinking about it until I died. At that time, I would punish myself for abandoning them because of my own pettiness.

I could no longer tolerate that kind of lifestyle. First of all, how could I, who used to be in a lower position, do something stupid as if to sacrifice other people for my own sake?

Suddenly, I thought. Heroes were still far away from my sight. The person I knew probably didn’t worry about things like this. It would’ve been easy to save someone else no matter how difficult the situation was.

I was sure that what I was capable of now was just an imitation of a hero. Ah, that’s why I’d do my best at this imitation.

I said while tilting my cheeks. Ann was still staring straight at me.

「Listen, it’s not like I’m going to fight them head-on. I’m just doing what I can. Please have a little faith in me, Ann. Am I not a Lord Hero to you? 」

I wondered if Ann had something in her mind after hearing my words. Even though her eyes were wide open for a moment, her expressions changed, and she distorted her cheeks.

Then, she took a deep breath and said the following words.

「…Trust is meaningful only if it is accumulated. Please take this advice, Lord Hero. Please return safely after your endeavor. 」

My eyes suddenly raised. I wondered if she really didn’t have that much faith in me. At least, I thought that her approach was better than Caria’s.

My cheeks twitched, and when I looked over at Caria, I saw her shaking her head while saying the next words.

「It seems that the things we do in peacetime bloom in times of crisis, Lugis. Now, what about you? 」

It seemed that Caria had already decided on the answer since she was happily lifting her cheeks in amusement while speaking. Why did I feel such unease? It would’ve been on the rather soft side if this talk were with Filaret or Eldith.

I cleared my throat and paused for a moment before speaking to Ann.

「So, how is it going with the prison I’ve mentioned earlier? I think it’ll work out somehow. 」

When I asked that question, Ann’s expression suddenly changed to a mysterious one. Then, she narrowed her eyes and said in a low voice.

「I’ve made arrangements. You can go ahead. However…」

A look of caution or suspicion appeared on Ann’s face when she paused for a moment.

「…Because it’s necessary. Humans use blades to cut meat, even if it’s dangerous, right? It’s just like that. 」

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