Chapter 305

Gottval looked at the fallen Hamel. Someone's victory was someone's defeat, and just like that, Urich had become the best, which meant others could not.

No matter who won, Gottval could only smile bitterly. Although he sided with Urich, the fall of the empire was not exactly joyful.

‘In the end, Urich won.’

A great hero was born. Even if Urich was a demon in the civilized world, no one could deny that he was an unparalleled hero.

‘The one blessed by all gods.’

He might be the one chosen by the era, as the Serpentines said.

Gottval walked down the stairs leading to the underground prison where the warriors guarding the entrance recognized him and opened the door.

Creak.

In the dark basement, Gottval held a torch and inspected the prison.

“Your Majesty,” Gottval spoke.

Yanchinus, crouched in the darkness, lifted his head.

“Who are you?”

“I am Gottval.”

“Ah, you’re that one-armed priest.”

Yanchinus had also heard of Gottval. A Sun priest yet a close aide of Urich, but was also reputed to be a man of high virtue. Even knights who had been captured and returned spoke well of the one-armed priest.

“Have this, Your Majesty.”

Gottval took out bread and wine from his pocket. The bread, freshly baked that morning, still smelled delicious.

“You have my thanks.”

Yanchinus did not refuse and devoured the bread and wine.

“I feel regret for this situation, Your Majesty.”

“You side with Urich, yet you express regret to me?”

Yanchinus wiped his mouth and laughed.

“I do not take pleasure in watching the misfortune of others,” Gottval said.

“Those barbarians have plunged many civilized people into misfortune, and you belong to their army. Do they believe in Lou, Priest? You brought misfortune to the sons and daughters of Lou for the sake of those who did not believe in Him. You might not have done it yourself directly, but you certainly played a part in it,” Yanchinus reproached Gottval.

“You’re not wrong.”

Gottval did not deny Yanchinus’ words. If Urich’s existence was a calamity, then Gottval was one of the people who had aided that calamity.

“A world that has lost the order of the empire will fall into misery and chaos. Many more people will die.”

“Yes, many will die.”

“I appreciate your honesty.”

Yanchinus grasped the bars and leaned his face forward, but the dignity of the emperor was nowhere to be seen on the revealed face. Only a wounded and weary vagrant remained.

Gottval slumped down in front of the bars.

“All this time, I’ve been thinking that I treated both the civilized and barbarians fairly. But in retrospect, I was partial to Urich. I was attached to this barbarian named Urich and arrogantly thought I could guide him on the right path with my own power.”

“Priests deceive themselves, thinking they can change people and the world with Lou’s teachings. But in reality, it’s the blood spilled by men and well-forged steel that changes the world. The order of the world was built by the power of the empire, not the mercy of Lou. Gottval, take a good look at a world without order.”

Yanchinus' eyes were cold, seemingly glowing bluish in the dark.

“Your Majesty, you were born with everything. From the moment Lou gave you life, you were destined to be the ruler of the world. Everything went according to your plans, and you never had to bow to anyone.”

“That is indeed what people say. So? Are you envious of me?”

“To be born human and not envy the life of a monarch would be a lie. The emperor who possessed everything in the world... why couldn’t you be satisfied and instead plunged the world into misery?”

Yanchinus gulped down the remaining wine.

“People, including you, say I had everything. But you don’t know me at all.”

“Because it’s true.”

“I had nothing. The empire, the world, they were all handed down by my father and grandfather. Nothing in this world was truly mine. What meaning is there in living a life of complacency with what you’re given at birth? Priest Gottval, is there value and meaning in a life where you achieve nothing with your own hands?”

“It’s better than losing what you already have.”

Gottval frowned as he sensed the madness and ambition that Yanchinus was radiating that seemed to be heating up even the damp underground air.

“Gottval, there is no meaning in a life of complacency because we humans were not born for that. Farmers want more farmland, and merchants want gold coins. Nobles want land and power, and kings want immortal achievements. Our nature is to be dissatisfied with what we have. The greatness of civilization lies in our greed.”

Gottval remained silent.

‘These are extremely selfish words, but....’

In a corner of his heart, he thought Yanchinus might be right.

“Urich hates you, Your Majesty. He blames you for his misfortune.”

“Hah, the man who gained the world is upset? Urich gained immortal life! Even after he dies, people will remember him as a great conqueror.”

“Yet Urich is still an unhappy man. He never truly lived the life he wanted, and he resents you for it. When the status of emperor becomes a mere mockery, Urich will skin you and cut your flesh bit by bit, killing you slowly.”

“That would be quite a spectacle,” Yanchinus said, seemingly undeterred.

Gottval took out a small vial from his pocket.

“...This is the mercy you need, Your Majesty.”

Yanchinus looked at the vial Gottval held out. The liquid inside sloshed.

It was obvious that the liquid was for ending his life before experiencing a fate worse than death.

Drip.

Yanchinus poured the vial’s contents on the ground, and then smiled and looked at Gottval.

“Gottval, I will remember your kindness. If I reach Lou first, I will mention your name. I respect the right of the victor, so... if Urich wants to give me a horrific end, then I must accept it with dignity.”

Gottval nodded and stood up.

“I will remember your folly, Your Majesty.”

“We humans are always foolish.”

Gottval ascended the stairs as Yanchinus' laughter echoed behind him.

* * *

Varca hurriedly came to find Urich. The cold air of early dawn still lingered.

“Urich, I have to leave.”

Urich was up early, reading a book. It was rather awkward to see a hulking barbarian holding a tiny book in his hands.

“I heard the news earlier. The neighboring countries are finally starting to move, huh?”

“It’s an unusual military activity. If my army doesn't come back to our kingdom, Porcana could be attacked.”

“You always have to be cautious about leaving your home unguarded. Do you want me to send some of my warriors to help?”

“Just the promised number should be enough. They probably won’t go as far as attacking Porcana. It’s more likely that they’ll just try to negotiate after a show of force.”

Urich closed the book and nodded. It was a book containing the history of the empire.

“I tried to read this thing, but there are still many letters I don’t know, so I didn’t get much of it. After all, a barbarian is still a barbarian.” n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“There are plenty of civilized people who can’t read either.”

“Thanks for everything, Pahell.”

Urich extended his hand for a handshake. Varca hesitated for a moment before grasping it.

“No need to thank me. I acted for the benefit of my kingdom and myself. Even after hearing that you had opened the gates alive, I waited until the Alliance Army had firmly entered Hamel before making a move. We were fully prepared to retreat if the breakthrough had failed.”

Varca spoke frankly. The Porcana army had intentionally delayed entering Hamel.

“That’s a reasonable decision. I would have done the same in your position.”

Urich and Varca could no longer risk their lives for each other as their lives were not solely their own. Their perspectives changed along with their positions.

“I’ll pray to Lou for your speedy recovery.”

“Hold on.”

Urich stopped Varca as he was leaving in a slightly trembling voice.

“...Salong, was it?”

Varca burst into a clear, stream-like laugh as his blue eyes leisurely looked at Urich.

“You’ve already forgotten your son’s name? It’s Salone. Of course, I’ll give him a proper name later, in the Porcana style. He’s a son of Porcana, not the empire or the west.”

Urich, who had initiated the conversation, felt awkward after realizing that Varca was resolute.

“You wouldn’t give Salone to me even if I asked, would you?”

“Salone might be your son, but he is also a royal of Porcana. If my sister were alive, do you think she would have let you raise Salone? Urich, you’re a great warrior and a wonderful friend, but... you wouldn’t make a good father.”

Urich gave a bitter smile and waved his hand.

“Take care.”

They might never meet again. Neither Urich nor Varca was a free man.

Varca responded with a faint smile and walked out steadily. A maid holding Salone met him as he left.

* * *

The empire had already fallen, but the chaos was just beginning. The civilized people who witnessed the empire’s downfall did not dare to touch the west, but they also knew the barbarians lacked the capacity to reign over the civilized world.

‘As long as we wait, the era of the civilized people will return.’

Everyone was just waiting for the westerners to go back to their home.

Meanwhile, the northerners, on the verge of establishing their kingdom, were constantly eyeing the south as they aimed to seize more territory. The remnants of the Northern Imperial Army were absorbed by surrounding nobles, and powerful border lords declared themselves grand dukes, proclaiming independence from the empire.

All that was left of the empire now was just its name, and the bureaucratic system they had established had completely collapsed. Some called it a regression of civilization, while others fervently argued it was a step back for two steps forward.

The Porcana army set off to defend their land, and the Alliance Army was resting and planning their next moves.

Urich went out to the garden on crutches. As he dragged his leg and went outside, the warriors glanced at him and bowed their heads.

The Alliance warriors sensed that Urich’s condition was serious. Despite daily visits from the imperial physician, he couldn’t use his lower body properly. His injuries showed no signs of any recovery.

‘What if Urich is crippled for the rest of his life?’

It would have a tremendous impact.

No matter how great a warrior, he couldn’t stay as the Great Chief as a cripple. If Urich wasn’t going to recover, he would have to step down from his position.

Who would be the next Great Chief? No one could easily predict.

“Phew.”

Urich stood in the middle of the garden, breathing heavily. Walking with crutches alone took a tremendous amount of effort.

Woosh!

Urich balanced himself on one crutch and swung his weapon. The warriors who saw him felt both awe and pity.

‘The great warrior has become crippled.’

Urich was still young. He had accomplished immortal feats even before reaching thirty, making others wonder just how much more he could have achieved if he had remained healthy. Many warriors had high hopes.

‘Now that he’s crippled, it’s over.’

The warriors respected Urich, but they couldn’t follow a warrior who couldn’t even run.

Woosh!

Sweat poured down Urich’s face as he nonchalantly switched between his sword and axe, swinging them.

Creak.

In the corner of the garden was a basin filled with water. Urich approached it to drink.

‘A wooden barrel?’

Next to the basin was a wooden barrel he hadn’t seen before that was large enough for a small person to fit inside.

Urich stared at the barrel and sensed a faint presence inside.

“...What do you think you’re doing in there?” Urich said as he lifted the lid of the barrel.

Inside was Basha, clutching a dagger.