487

Episode 487 Almost there. (2)

While Giselle met with the nobles and took care of various business, the northern army waited near the capital.

The Northern Army members who joined the Fenris Mobile Force, which had been separated, met Parniel late.

Everyone was overwhelmed by her massive figure and aura.

Alpoy, who had been staring blankly for a while, asked.

"This is… a saint? Not a giant?"

It was a very rude remark, but everyone else accepted it. He was a very shameless guy.

Parniel also just looked at Alpoy indifferently. She was used to this kind of reaction.

Claude, who had some sense, poked Alfoy in the ribs.

"Oh, why are you stabbing me! That doesn't make sense! What is a saint doing!"

It seemed like the saint in Alpoy's head wasn't like this.

Alphos grabbed Piote's wrist and dragged him forcibly.

"Why, why are you doing that!"

Even though Fiote was causing a ruckus, Alfoy was forced to stand next to Parniel.

"hmm...."

Everyone linked arms and looked at the two people.

A comparison was made between Piote, who blushed in embarrassment, and Parniel, who still had an indifferent expression.

Certainly, Piotere looked more feminine.

"Poohahahaha!"

"Poohahahaha!"

Alfoy looked at Fiote and laughed, holding his stomach. Claude eventually couldn't hold it in and laughed along with him.

The two people who usually enjoyed teasing Piote couldn't stand it at all.

Alfoy laughed heartily, then suddenly pointed at Fiote and shouted.

"She is a saint!"

"… … ."

Everyone was silent. Claude also immediately closed his mouth with a serious expression. Alfoy was gradually crossing the line. The atmosphere was not good.

But Alfoy was busy continuing to nag.

"You can tell at a glance that Piote is prettier and more feminine! She's more delicate! So from now on, Piote is a saint!"

It certainly seemed that way just from looking at their appearances. Piote was prettier and had a smaller build.

Moreover, she was blushing because she was so embarrassed. She was a natural born woman.

But how can you say something like that in front of a real saint?

Everyone shut their mouths in disbelief. I had a strong feeling that we shouldn't agree.

"Why are you all just sitting there? I'm right!"

Even though Alpoy kept nagging, Parniel just ignored him. Her level of training wasn't low enough to react to each and every one of those things.

Rather, it was cute because it had been a long time since he had seen someone acting like that in front of him.

I felt a strong divine power from the priest next to me, so I became more curious about him.

"I am Parniel, who serves Lady Moriana. I feel a great divine power."

"Jeez, this is Piote serving Lady Juana. It is an honor to meet you, Saint."

The two exchanged awkward greetings. Alfoy saw this and started to grumble again.

"From today, Piotedo is a saint! I, the 'man who defeated God,' have appointed her as a saint!"

Parniel, who had been ignoring everything, suddenly turned his head. He heard something he couldn't just ignore.

Kuung.

As she steps forward, a dizzying feeling is felt. Everyone steps back.

"What did you just say?"

Alpoy was slightly taken aback, but he shouted because he didn't want to lose the fight.

"She's a saint too!"

"Not that one."

"Poetry, the man who defeated God?"

"That insolent bastard."

Kuung!

Parniel approached and raised his fist. He was on the same side as me, so he intended to just hit me lightly, but the people watching didn't feel that way.

A giant fist was coming down from above. I thought I would die if I got hit by it.

"Poem, shield!"

Alpoy was the best in the territory in terms of magical power usage. In an instant, five shields overlapped and appeared above his head.

But the opponent was no ordinary person.

Doo doo doo doo doo doo!

The shield shattered mercilessly, and Parniel's fist sank straight into Alfoy's crown.

Kuung!

"Pheuk!"

With a loud noise, Alfoy's face distorted into an ugly mess, and blood burst out from his nose. Alfoy ended up fainting.

"wow...."

People gasped in admiration.

Because of his rascal personality, people sometimes forget this, but Alpoy was a 5th circle magician. In short, it means that he was a skilled person comparable to an elder of a magic tower.

Although he doesn't know much about magic, his practical experience is second to none.

To put such an Alfoy to sleep with just one chestnut.

As expected, she was a saint(?). I couldn't even guess how strong she was.

Belinda, who had been watching, shook her head and dragged the unconscious Alfoy away.

"Oh my, when on earth will this kid grow up?"

I've felt this way before, but he really is a guy who takes a lot of work. This is the first time I've taken this much work since Giselle was little... ... No, there are a lot of guys, including Claude and Kaor.

Erenes chuckled as he watched Alfoy being dragged away. He felt somewhat relieved.

Then she was startled.

'Huh, did you mean I just laughed?'

Oh my gosh! I, who always suppressed my emotions and lived with dignity, am laughing at that fool!

Erenes quickly controlled his expression. He couldn't admit it. It was a huge blow to his pride to have laughed at such an idiot.

But then Claude saw Erenes laughing and started to grumble.

"Oh! The chieftain laughed!"

"I didn't laugh."

"I just laughed! I told you I saw it! Do you find that funny? Is it because you live in the forest and don't find it funny? I guess you find that funny too! What's with the laughter resistance! Puhahahahaha!"

The mood became extremely unpleasant. Wendy immediately covered Claude's mouth.

"… … ."

Erenes glared at Claude with cold eyes. Claude, who was quick-witted, immediately tucked his tail between his legs.

"I guess I saw things wrong."

Claude looked away. He didn't want to keep nagging like Alfoy and get hit.

Claude was certainly better than Alfoy in terms of perceptiveness.

The Northern Army, having been introduced to a new figure, made a bit of a commotion and waited for a few days near the capital.

This is because Jiselle participated in the reorganization of the royal army and the allied forces.

Although their numbers were significantly reduced compared to before, they took nearly 50,000 prisoners during the battle.

There was a back and forth discussion about how to divide the corps and incorporate them into the existing force. After several days, the meeting finally ended.

"You've all been waiting for a long time. Now let's get moving."

Claude asked Giselle.

"What are you going to do?"

"As soon as the Royal Army is reorganized, we will press the southern region together with the Allied Forces. It will take some time, but we must do it for sure."

It would take time for the soldiers to move and reorganize, because they could not be reorganized haphazardly and in a haphazard manner.

The Northern Army planned to take up positions at key junctions to rest, resupply, and reorganize.

Jiselle continued speaking with a snicker.

"And once everything is ready, we'll advance south at the same time. Tell the Western Army to prepare in advance as well. We should rest until then."

No army has ever been as busy as the Northern Army. After fighting this hard, it is time to take a break and regroup.

'Almost there.'

It was different from her previous life. Jiselle, who had fought alone in her previous life, was now with numerous allies.

Of course, it wasn't over just by dealing with the Duke. The Salvationists had to be uprooted from the continent and the cracks eliminated.

But Giselle was confident.

'It will be over soon.'

Yes, there isn't much left. If a well-organized army were to surround the South at once, the Duke would have no escape route.

'This time for sure... ... .'

Jiselle's eyes took on a murderous glow.

I failed in my past life. There were too many variables and hidden things kept popping up.

But not now. He had become the variable of the Duke's family and was gradually building up everything according to plan.

So, definitely.

This time, we will definitely achieve victory.

* * *

A dark and quiet room with only a few candles lit.

The room was very large and splendid, but darkness obscured its forms.

A skinny old man was lying on a huge bed in the middle of the room.

"Fenris… … Count… … ."

The old man moved his mouth in a voice that sounded like he was dying.

The middle-aged man next to me nodded slightly and answered.

"Yes, Your Majesty. They say he stopped the Duke of Delphine's entire army."

The old man was none other than Berhem Ladran II, the King of the Kingdom of Rutania.

And the one who looked after him from the side was the royal chamberlain, Viscount Domont.

Viscount Domont was the most favored and trusted person of King Berhem. He served the King as his chief chamberlain for a long time, and was also the only person who spoke to the King.

Berhem, who could not even move properly, could only hear news from outside through him.

"Yes… … Whenever the royal family is in danger, someone comes to protect them… … . Just like that girl from long ago… … ."

"your majesty...."

The look in Berhem's eyes as he continued to speak was not normal. It was filled with madness, like that of a madman.

"After all, isn't the Earl of Fenris… … one of the Marquis of Branford's men… … . What good is a nobleman who is not loyal to me… … ."

"Your Majesty, they are all loyal to you."

"That's ridiculous… … He wields power as he pleases, excluding Jim… … What kind of loyalist is the Marquis of Branford… … He's the successor that woman made… … ."

Berhem lay there, spewing out curses that no one could properly understand.

Viscount Domont said nothing. He understood the King's feelings.

Since he was young, he was weak and could not properly take care of state affairs. As he got older, his deficiency grew and his personality became twisted.

In the meantime, all power was in the hands of the Marquis of Branford, so his feelings could not help but become more distorted.

What could be done? It was impossible to entrust state affairs to a king who was just lying there waiting to die.

Berhem, who had been mumbling to himself, held Viscount Domont's hand tightly and spoke.

"I only trust the Commander of the Royal Knights and you… … . I trust no one else. You are the only loyal subjects… … ."

It was only natural that there were only two people guarding the king. Viscount Domont looked at Berhem with pity.

Although he was born a king, he never held proper power. He was weak and could not do anything.

Berhem continued muttering with empty eyes.

"The prince's faction, the duke's faction… … Aren't these lawless guys fighting for power while taking out their burdens… … . Who on earth… … are they fighting for… … ."

He fiddled with the necklace around his neck with trembling hands.

It was a very plain and plain necklace with a small crystal attached. It was completely unsuitable for a king of a country to wear.

Still, he handled the crystal carefully, as if it were very precious to him.

"I know what the Delphine Dukes who founded this kingdom together… … want… ."

Viscount Domont just listened quietly. He had heard this story hundreds of times.

Perhaps the person who knows the most about the royal family's secrets is himself.

It was natural for him to talk to the king every day. The king also found the only joy in life in talking to the person next to him.

Berhem continued to stare at the ceiling and talk to himself.

"So much time has passed… … . The stories told by the royal and ducal families… … Most of them have been forgotten… … The promise between the two families has been forgotten… … The roots have been forgotten… … ."

Berhem's incoherent muttering continued. There were many things he could not understand, but Viscount Domont did not ask again.

After all, you could say the king is half crazy.

At first, it was a pain to hear crazy things every day, but now it was nothing.

But today something a little different came out.

"The Salvation Church… … is what you said? Those who move with the Duke… … ."

"Yes, that's right."

"Even if your body is cut… … and injured… … you will recover quickly… … ."

"Yes, it is said that it has that kind of power. That is why it is said that it is very difficult to kill."

"But… … It was designated as a social gathering place… … ."

"Yes, the four major denominations and the Marquis of Branford… … ."

"These guys… … dare to do this without my permission… … ."

Berhem began to tremble as he spoke. Viscount Domont quickly took his hand and said:

"Your Majesty, please calm down. These are things that Your Majesty can change at any time by giving the word."

In fact, it was impossible. In the feudal kingdom of Rutania, even the king had limits to what he could do.

Moreover, with the four major religious orders of the continent involved, how could it be reversed with just the king's words?

Even though he knew the truth, Viscount Domont lied to appease Berhem.

Berhem, who had been grumbling for a while, spoke softly.

"I envy the priests of the Salvation Church… … It's said that they won't die unless their necks are cut off… … They have such power… … ."

"your majesty...."

It was certainly an enviable ability for Berhem. To him, the idea that the Salvation Church was a cult meant nothing.

What does socializing have to do with someone who doesn't know when they'll die?

Berhem suddenly closed his mouth. He was pondering something, and then suddenly grabbed Viscount Domont's hand and said.

"Please grant me a favor… … ."

"Please, I beg you. Please give the order."

"Promise me you'll listen… … ."

"I will do it with my life on the line."

Berhem held Viscount Domont's hand tightly and opened his mouth with difficulty. His eyes were filled with an unknown yearning.

"Bring the priest of the Salvation Church… … the one with that power… … before me… … . I want that power… … ."

Viscount Domont's face hardened. The King was now asking a very dangerous favor.

It was difficult enough to bring a priest from the Salvation Church, but even if he had been brought, there was no way the Marquis of Branford would allow him to meet the king.

If you get caught, you will definitely die.

But it's not like there's no way at all. You just have to convince one person.

Loyal, he was eager to fulfill the king's request.

For the king who lived in misery his entire life.

"I will definitely… … carry out your order."

Viscount Domont rose from his seat, his eyes filled with determination.