Northern Wall (2)

Scholars are those who contemplate the entire continent from a cramped table. They are called dreamers, doubters, or philosophers because of their unique temperaments. They calculate the outside in a seated position and anticipate the flow of history with their theory. However, speculation and formulas without direct experience are not often believed, easily dismissed as absurd or too far from reality.

Even if it is close to the correct answer by chance, it won't be important to the empire as a whole.

"There are not enough reasons to believe it completely. Professor Deculein is, of course, a well-known figure in the world of magic. However, this study is outside magic, and even the Floating Island is ignoring the proof of the argument."

Therefore, it was no coincidence that such controversy arose in the Imperial Palace. As a scholar rather than a wizard, Deculein invented his concept and devised a calculation formula to predict the size of the monster wave.

"Of course, we would have accepted any warnings. However, Professor Deculein's prediction is too pessimistic and provocative. Fifteen times the Wave from 19 years ago?"

The monster wave from 19 years ago was a major event recorded in textbooks. There were still many people who hadn't forgotten the scars of that day, and several villages in the North still hadn't recovered.

"Simply put, it's the delusions of an eschatologist. If it weren't for the name Deculein, no one would have listened. This sacred place would not have been swayed by such nonsense."

This was Romellock's, the Secretary of State's, remarks. The reaction of the other ministers all varied, but few of them rushed to help. Of course, Deculein's warning was difficult to understand, but it was because of the status of the Yukline family they moved.

Sophien glanced to Romellock.

"Are you saying you don't believe it, Secretary?"

"Yes."

"Is there no one who can refute Romellock's words?"

The faction standing behind Romellock shouted.

"I believe that Prince Romellock is right, Your Majesty."

All the rest of the ministers backed off. Sophien found it ridiculous.

"…You're too small-minded. Enough! I will listen to the experts."

The Imperial Palace hired university scholars to verify Deculein's theory.

"I'm Luton, professor of mathematics at the Imperial University. I'm so honored to see Your Majesty-"

"Explain it to these guys. I don't need to hear it."

Sophien had already firmly embraced the concept of a collision value. In her opinion, Deculein's theory itself was perfect. However, as she expected, the ministers were having a hard time believing it.

"Yes. Professor Deculein's collision value is quite complicated. There is a process of calculation I had written…"

Luton began to explain, pulling over a blackboard prepared in advance.

"As you can see, this collision value is a very subtle concept. It is presumed that Professor Deculein devised this concept to correct the uncertainty of the monster wave. First of all, it is noteworthy that the element of luck is excluded mathematically."

The ministers didn't understand what he said next. They just coughed and watched.

"Tell us only the conclusion, only the conclusion."

Romellock, impatient, hurried him. Luton nodded.

"Oh, yes. First of all, Professor Deculein's concept is being reviewed positively in our academic community. Of course, other variables will have to be taken into account-"

"Hmm. So, does that mean that a wave that is over a dozen times larger than that of 19 years ago will come?"

"Well… I'm not sure about that either. We would have to go to the North and compare the soil and the atmosphere to know-"

"If the sample being investigated is wrong, no matter how good the theory is, the result is bound to be wrong."

Romellock concluded in his way.

"Deculein must have taken the wrong sample. Also, isn't it only twice as much as last year's predicted by the existing Luhaman theory?"

"Yes. That's right. According to the Luhaman theory, the risk of this monster wave is estimated to be 1.87 times that of last year."

Luhaman, who passed away 33 years ago, was the first scholar to devise a model for predicting monster waves. Romellock bowed again to Sophien.

"Your Majesty. Let the right thing stay right. Luhaman's theory has been correct for 17 years. There is no need to waste national money on being swayed by the theory of the wizard Deculein, who is not a scholar."

"We beg your kindness, Your Majesty—!"

Sophien watched them silently, looking up and down their disgusting faces before she spoke.

"If Deculein is right, will you take responsibility?"

"…Your Majesty. This is not a personal matter-"

"Deculein said he would take responsibility. He bet himself on his choice."

"…"

If you're going to babble, at least you should take responsibility.

"I will strengthen the national defense. As part of that, from today onwards, the munitions of the continent will be monopolized by the Imperial Palace. I will distribute Deculein's report to the Frontier Territory and tell them to prepare."

"…Ah."

Romellock shut his mouth tightly. Sophien's decision had never been reversed once her mind was set, but it was what he was hoping for. If Deculein were wrong, no, it would be wrong, so this incident would be an excuse to trample on the Yukline family.

"Today's conference ends with this. So you too, prepare your defenses for winter."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you…"

With that, Sophien stood, and Romellock and the ministers left to discuss in secret.

"Gosh, that bastard, Deculein, has stopped acting like a fool and suddenly wants to do something strange."

"It is rather good. He seems to be trying to sabotage the fame he's earned."

"Fifteen times… hasn't he seen too many plays? They say he's sponsoring plays these days."

Romellock stroked his beard with a disgruntled look.

"Hmph. That bastard sponsoring art? In the first place, aren't they a hunting family? An inferior race with blood on their hands."

"Hahahaha! It is!"

Deculein could be said to be the number one contributor granting enormous power to Emperor Sophien these days.

"What's the difference between a demon hunter and a boar hunter?"

"That's what I mean. A family that has been hunting wild boars since the start should only be laughed at. But, well, the only family that is well-treated despite that is probably Yukline."

"Hahahaha! Seriously, you have a great sense of humor too, Romellock!"

Their anger against Yukline was sharp, so their gossip continued through the night.

* * *

"I don't think anyone will believe it!"

Returning to the tower, I also presented the theory to Adrienne. It was our definitive result from the business trip, but most of the responses had been skeptical because the contents were shocking.

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

The chairman's expression changed as she read the report.

"I am studying the collision values you submitted! However!"

The chairman pointed to a certain paragraph. As expected, the conclusion.

"Isn't this too much?! You were there 19 years ago too!"

I wasn't. The teenage Deculein must have been.

"I must have been."

"What do you mean? Anyway! It's hard for me to believe~!"

"Believe it. I will need your help this winter."

With Adrienne's destructive magic, she could block at least one of the territories by herself. It wasn't a metaphor or exaggeration, really, literally, alone.

"Hmm~, well! I always welcome the chance to use my magic! Relieve my stress! But, I don't think the frontier likes it much!"

Adrienne handed me a letter. It was a [request for review] directly sent by the three northern borders: Freyden, Dehaman, and Dellek.

"If you don't withdraw this theory, they're going to spend a lot of money on defense! If after that, what if the monster wave isn't like you warned? The territories won't be able to recover, right?!"

"I know. However, I will not withdraw."

"Wow! You're so stubborn!"

Adrienne's eyes widened. She grinned and hit her hands against the table.

"Then, we have no choice but to go to the North to provide support! Because Professor Deculein belongs to our tower!"

"Okay."

"Here! It's a list of places to be dispatched!"

Adrienne held out the document. The difficulty level was marked with stars in a large font.

"Did you make it yourself?"

"Yes! Anyway, I had to get an application for firepower support, so I made one! The more stars, the greater the difficulty!"

I instinctively glanced to the top.

[Reccordak ★★★★★★]

─You can die as soon as you arrive! It's a place where you should be very careful!

"…"

Reccordak.

"Reccordak is going to be unbearable."

The front-line, Reccordak, was probably littered with death variables. It would be difficult even for Julie to overcome alone.

"Then you go and help!"

"…"

"Oh, right! I heard that knight Julie is in Reccordak too!"

That made things slightly complicated. I was trying to move away from Julie, but she wouldn't handle the northern storm alone.

"But thinking of old time's sake!"

I shook my head.

"See! You don't want to go either!"

"It's not that I don't want to go."

"Hmph! What?!"

"You're forcing me."

"…What?!"

Adrienne startled. Her big eyes blinked like a rabbit's.

"I am willing to do whatever it takes to become the next chairman, as long as it does not damage my dignity."

Adrienne understood what I meant, wordlessly opening and closing her mouth for a moment.

"…And. You said you would take responsibility for the results of this research! It wouldn't be bad for you to be at the forefront, right?"

"I guess."

"Good! Then I'll have you assigned to Reccordak!"

"Is that so?"

"Sure! The final gateway to the chairman's test! Two months later, you and Ihelm go to Reccordak with Knight Julie!"

"I guess I can't help it."

I nodded. Adrienne raised her eyebrows with a sullen look.

"Then. I'll be going."

"Yes! Go then!"

* * *

It was the result of completely trusting Deculein's warning.… Yeriel greatly strengthened the defense of the Hadekain frontier, that is, the Rohalak area facing the frontier. She repaired the walls, built watchtowers, fortresses, and gates, recruited troops, and trained wizards.

"Gosh, that's annoying. Why did he have to say strange, nonsensical things?"

She didn't believe it. It was so hard to believe that crazy prediction. She wanted to ask what would be different from the destruction of the continent…

"Ah, if even the family doesn't believe it, your prestige will be ruined, so there's nothing I can do about it—! I'm annoyed!"

Yeriel certainly couldn't help but doubt as the balance consumed right now was 300 million Elnes. As winter passed, these costs would increase exponentially. All the money earned through the Underground Passage was blown away.

"Miss. I'm here."

"…"

Yeriel looked out the window to the Rohalak concentration camp and the wall in the midst of renovation. The butler waited a moment before continuing.

"Do you want to proceed with the deployment of troops as scheduled?"

In the Rohalak concentration camp, tens of thousands of territorial troops and prisoners would be deployed. The plan was for them to stop the wave of monsters together. She didn't know if the two would harmonize, but it was the method that Deculein recommended.

"Yes. Do it like this."

Yeriel didn't know if it was right or wrong. But now, Hadekain was overflowing with money. Even if all they earned were lost, it would be worth it anyway. It would be nearly half of their taxes, so it might be better to spend it on defense.

"If this prediction is wrong. We'll be damned, right?"

"…Yes."

"Especially, the estates that believed our words and spent their money on defense might ask for compensation."

"There is no legal obligation to compensate."

"I know."

Yeriel answered briefly. Then, she suddenly staggered under a wave of vertigo.

"Gosh. What, am I supposed to hope this winter is the worst or something…?"

Still, he must have made such a prediction because he was confident. He was sure it was right.

"If you withdraw now, it will not be too late, miss."

Yeriel glanced into the rearview mirror to her butler and shook her head.

"No. Still I believe. I have to believe it."

She sighed. What a fate. She was not a Yukline but became one. Nevertheless, he recognized her as her younger sister.

"IMBITH."

"Yes?"

"It's an acronym. It's trendy among young people these days."

"…"

"It's my brother. I trust him."

"…Ahem."

The butler coughed without a further word. However, Yeriel clearly saw the smile wriggling at the corner of his lips.

…

"Sigh… I knew it."

Julie requested support for Freyden's resistance. To be precise, it was a request for Zeit. But the notice that came down was hard.

[Finances are not enough. Hold on as long as you can and then abandon.]

It was a cruel message. Or, he didn't believe Deculein's report. Whichever it was, Julie had no intention of abandoning this front.

"Chief…?"

Reylie called to her, concerned. Julie looked back at her stiffly.

"…There is a small village just over the creek of about 30 households. It has four or five children and six elders."

In the northern extreme, many residents lived around Reccordak due to its status as a symbol. To provide a way of atonement for those who deserve to die, to spend one's life in a better way.

"After passing through the forest, there is another village. Fifty households live there. The village hunters went hunting for a wild boar and met a tiger not long ago, so most of them left are children, women, and the elderly."

Julie thought about the aspects of the residents she had seen, feeling her mission as a knight anew.

"They can't run away when Reccordak falls. There is nowhere to go."

This was their home. Even if they tried to run away, they would be too worn out.

"…Yes. I know."

Reylie sighed.

"There's not much I can do. Whether we hope that Deculein's report is wrong, or we fight until we die."

After that, Julie looked at Reylie, sharing with her a small smile. Like this, at the moment when the two shared their bonds and banter-

Knock, knock-

"Come in."

-Yes. Knight.

It was an officer of Reccordak who opened the door. He was holding a sealed envelope.

"This is an official letter for you, but it is probably a replenishment notice."

Nodding, Julie opened the envelope.

[Wizard Firepower Support: Reccordak]

Her eyes widened. In the North, wizards were a very rare and special resource. But.

—A division under Deculein.

—A division under Ihelm.

─The above two figures have volunteered for Reccordak as part of the examination process for the position of chairman.

The name Deculein was placed on that list. The typeface was engraved so clearly.

It coldly touched her heart.