141 – Ancient Forest (1)

“I will determine the location of the Scorched Ashes after the church situation is sorted out.”

“Eh?! Why…?!”

“Since I am the head, it is natural for me to follow my opinion, right? I do not accept objections. I know. It seems like there is no time to play, so stop fighting now.”

I postponed my choice for now. I have something to do right now, so I can’t help it.

The time to play and eat is over. Ashwal Haltz explained the rough situation. The summary was as follows.

“The position of Her Highness, the 3rd princess, is rapidly endangered. I heard that the prince and the second prince moved. The same goes for the 4th princess.”

“Is the emperor’s life in danger?”

“…Use honorific titles. Well, that’s correct.”

As the current emperor’s life reached its peak, each force began to move.

And among them, the one with the least power was Sophia, the third princess whom Ashbal served.

“There is no justification or foundation. She briefly made a name for herself as the savior of Para Mer, but it fell far short.”

“You mean we have to make a justification for gathering people as soon as possible?”

“His Majesty’s doctor said. He said he had less than a year left to live. All preparations must be completed within that one year. In order to establish personal connections and prove that Her Highness, the 3rd Princess, is fit for the Emperor’s vessel, I have set up a few things. Among them, the most important thing is to start trade with the elves again.”

The Upheaval of the Empire. And the internal quarrels that arose as a result.

The lineage of an emperor who did not become an emperor dies. That’s what all scenarios had in common.

It is possible to save the lineage that did not become emperor, but it is common for people to suffer a miserable life if they do. There is no particular meaning to the lineage of the emperor whose base forces have run out.

Ashwal took my hand.

“I know the church is confused. But I have to work right now. A delegation is now coming to this city from the capital, so please join us immediately. The princes and the rest of the princesses… As well as the assassins they hired will be targeting the envoys. We’ve already hired some of the famous powerhouses, but we need you. With you, the success of the delegation is guaranteed.”

“No, I owe something, so I should pay for it, but…”

If you want to cure Alpina’s illness, you have to go all the way to the fairy forest. No problem so far…

“Is it possible to open a trade route in the first place?”

“You can open it.”

Ashwal said firmly.

“We also have something prepared separately. This is definitely possible.”

“What is that?”

“It’s a secret. It’s not that I don’t trust you… But I hope you understand that it’s an important matter and you have to put your heart and soul into it.”

I squeezed my forehead. The story was as expected.

It’s been a while since I fought Dwayne, but I have to go. Apart from the debt, Arpina’s life was also in danger.

Well, I’ll live two more years with enough money… But if I can handle it, I’ll do it now.

It’s time to move busily. If you think about your life at the academy next year, it is right to sort out all the things you can handle right now.

If you put off work, it will only make things difficult later.

Even if it’s annoying, I have to do what I have to do.

I’ll clean up all of this, get a rough foundation for the scorched ashes, and then head straight to the academy next year!

And the location of the rest of the corrupters is to be explored through connections with the main NPCs!

“You can’t live with debt.”

“Oh!”

“Your Excellency helped me so hard…”

I imitated the saint’s laugh. If you’re going to do it, you should also pay respect.

“Is it a problem that it is very ‘difficult’, ‘difficult’ and ‘having to lead a tired body’…”

“Just get to the point. What do you want?”

“It’s good because it’s fast. I don’t need the proof of the new group I mentioned before. Now that all the rotten scars have been removed, there is only one thing I want.”

The imperial treasure house of the empire.

In a place that is said to be full of real exhaust, the holy relics are also dormant. Among them, the one I covet the most is one of Ra’s holy relics.

“Please let me use the imperial treasure house of the empire while getting rid of debt. You only need to give me one thing. As a sacred object of our church. How many have you stolen? I will take only one of them.”

“…That is the authority of His Majesty the Emperor…”

“3 If the princess becomes emperor, isn’t she the authority to take responsibility? Please think that I gave it to you in advance.”

“Ugh…”

The troubled Ashubal nodded heavily.

“If this is done…We can recruit one of the dukes, so our power will also grow. If the delegation returns safely, your credit will be great, so you won’t have to worry about justification…”

Ashwal, who was hesitant, asked sneakily.

“Is it not possible to rent?”

“Just give me.”

“I know that sacred objects are like antiques that are rolling around except for religious people… But they are worth their name…”

“Your Excellency. Should you help each other?”

I grabbed his hand again as he was about to slip away.

“It’s not something we can see for a day or two, right? Besides, I am now the head of the scorched ashes. They say that you have to follow the order of the church, but you also have the right to move independently, so I think there is something to be gained from each other continuously?”

“……”

Ashwal sighed. He nodded heavily.

“Instead, you must succeed.”

“Yes. What. That’s about it. Are you sure it’s a gift or something? If you skip it, the elves will die, right?”

“If it doesn’t break, there is no problem.”

“…I think it’s something that breaks easily… I guess it’s my job to keep it from breaking…?”

“Aren’t holy things cheap? I have to work for what it’s worth.”

Ashwal nodded heavily.

“This job is very important. I beg you Zahard.”

“……”

I shrugged at the heavy atmosphere.

“I understand, so straighten your face. I’m sure someone would have died.”

Where should I go?

I feel like I’m moving without a break, but… I can’t help it!

. . .

The Imperial delegation has arrived. They came faster than the inspector, and there were quite a lot of them.

A huge move suitable for the size of the delegation. Looking at the soldiers alone, the number reached almost 300. In the meantime, until the famous mercenaries were mixed.

The commander leading a large force was the count. An arrogant high-ranking imperial knight who personally serves the duke.

Blaken Mirad.

Ashwal Haltz’s expression turned rotten when he saw him.

“…Oops. All in all, Count Blaken.”

“Who are you?”

“Wait for now.”

Ashwal Haltz rode out on his horse. I came with him and watched the two of them from behind.

Ashbal’s actually had the most troops. However, Count Blaken’s nose did not go away.

As the masters she attends are different, her affiliation is also different.

The duke that Blaken enshrined was the duke whom he made a deal with that he would attach to the 3rd princess only after the delegation succeeded. That he was in the same boat, but not a full mate.

The horse neighed wildly. Ashwal lowered his voice.

“It’s been a while. Sir Blaken.”

“It’s been a while. Dismissal.”

“Why are you here? Where is Rebecca?”

“She followed. But I hold the command. Her Highness, Duke Valentina, has sent me. He told me to directly lead the lacking part of the delegation.”

“…..”

“The 3rd Princess also agreed.”

Agree.

It must have been close to pressure. 3 Even if the princess becomes emperor, it is no different than her ambition to stand behind and rule her empire.

Ashwal frowned. The already low voice became more menacing.

“As for field command, Rebecca is also competent. He thinks that Kyung doesn’t need help.”

“Your Excellency may think so, but His Highness, Duke Valentina, thinks otherwise. I am also of the same opinion. Wouldn’t it be possible for a new chick who has just been promoted to a high-ranking knight to properly pass through the ‘Ancient Forest’?”

“I already hired a guide. Rebecca is enough.”

“I respect your opinion, but His Highness said that having passed through the Ancient Forest once, I would have a better chance of success if I took command. Please know that I am just following orders.”

Blaken turned around. He glanced at me.

“The invisible people are mixed in the army. A priest of the sun god…Why did you bring that person out?”

“He is someone who will help the delegation. So-called four…”

“No need. Dismissal.”

“I haven’t finished my words yet.”

“No matter what happened. The delegation is scheduled to depart as it is. I stopped by His Excellency for the interim report, but I have no intention of inviting a priest from the Sun God Church to my party. We are enough on our own.”

“Hey. Don’t you know how important this is?”

“I know. But it doesn’t matter if there are no incompetent priests.”

“Those who want to help us now are apostles! The pinnacle of the Sun God!”

“Do you mean an apostle?”

Blaken snorted.

“Anyway, it’s just a frog in the well. If it’s strong, there must be a level. Aren’t you a priest Naburang anyway? No help needed. Dismissal. Tell the priest to go back. As we have to leave in a hurry, let’s go now.”

“I haven’t finished my words yet…!”

“There are only five hundred mouths to feed. Dismissal. It’s a large delegation that even pulls a wagon. The wages of the mercenaries must be paid day after day. The longer it is consumed, the greater the burden it will become to Her Highness.”

Blaken gripped the reins. He moved his words.

“Your Excellency would do well to go upstairs to attend the 3rd Princess. Do you know that an ambush happened a while ago?”

“What, what?”

“Let’s go. Dismissal. The next time we meet, I hope it’s completely ‘on the same side’.”

Blaken has left. The envoys who had stopped for a moment also began to move.

I scratched my cheek. They said they would help, but they said no…

“If this is the case, what… is this a deal that never happened?”

“That can’t be!”

Ashwal gnashed his teeth.

“That stupid bastard! Even if you don’t have eyes to see, you’re ignorant!”

“Well, it’s a natural look. A world full of knights and wizards everywhere. Considering the power of the empire, it’s strange that they don’t laugh at it.”

“Damn it… I can’t help it now that things have turned out this way.”

Ashwal glanced at me.

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“Since I heard the news of Her Highness’s ambush, I must go up immediately. I can’t leave Her Highness alone.”

“I understand. If so, I’m fine.”

“Where are you going?”

“Yes?”

No. You said you wouldn’t accept it as a group over there.

“I think I was clearly told not to follow you?”

“That’s Count Blaken’s opinion, not mine.”

“…What?”

“Follow me. Just keep your distance and keep it undetected.”

“Yes?”

I blinked. Didn’t you hear that wrong?

No way…

“Secretly… Escorting the delegation in the shadows… What, are you asking me to do something like a black knight?”

“Exactly.”

“What if I get caught?”

“If you get caught…”

Ashwal sighed.

“Run away with all your might. You can’t reveal your identity. Blaken is a tough guy. If he knows he’s not getting his way, he’ll try to kill you. He will try to hold on to the guilt of embarrassing himself.”

“Isn’t that a really irresponsible statement?”

“Instead of that, I’ll increase the amount of relics you can take from the treasure chest to three.”

Oh my god. Wait for a sec.

Isn’t that appealing?

“…Is there anything wrong?”

“Of course.”

“Shall we write the contract first?”

“…Do I really need to write that?”

“Because when His Excellency wipes my mouth, I become a bright apricot.”

I grinned.

“Are you going to do it?”

“…I can’t help it. If it’s to protect Her Highness, the 3rd princess…”