Chapter 805

Chapter 49: Journey Northward

After returning all the documents intact, I silently flew out of the camp and arrived at the highest bell tower in the center of Aretine City. Standing on the tip of the tower under the moonlight, my mind replayed the last words Rector said to me before he left.

[By the way, there’s something else. Her Majesty the Queen isn’t actually in the royal city right now.]

[Huh?]

[Since the Church Herald has been discontinued, some information hasn’t reached Silgayan South. You might not be aware of this. Uh, your father, Duke Scargill. It was probably around the end of last year when he sent an envoy from Winter City to meet with the Queen once. They brought news about the new developments in the imperial war.]

From mid-last year, Shantel’s army, combined with the heavy cavalry of New Carlie and the Firebird Army of Elinburg, raised their banners from the Eagle City and marched south. They defeated the tenfold Cheylis City Guard in front of White Moon City, captured the city, and were preparing for a large-scale advance toward the palace. However, the church suddenly intervened and halted everything.

[Their attitude was very firm. The reason they gave was that due to the invasion by heretics, Silgayan would face a prolonged period of developmental stagnation. If they couldn’t get out of this situation quickly, it would affect the production of grain and vegetables in West Continent for at least the next ten years. Food shortages and transportation difficulties will become the top problems faced by each country. As a result, the conflict within the imperial family also deviated from the church’s purpose.]

[They demanded that Shantel’s army immediately stop all military actions to give the royal family time to breathe and restore order in the empire. According to doctrine, the empire must work together with Ethanbel to help resolve the republic’s difficulties. Additionally, they need to provide necessary assistance to the bank.]

[In short, they mean that you can’t continue like this. Everyone should reconcile and stop fighting. Look at the state of Silgayan. If no one helps, everyone may run out of food. After all, this place is the granary of West Continent. Understanding aside, war is not something that can be stopped so easily once it starts.]

[One more step and your father would have deposed his foolish and suspicious elder brother from the throne. At such a critical moment, how could he easily withdraw? Even if he agreed, he would still need to ask those supporters if they would agree. I don’t know about Elinburg, but New Carlie definitely wouldn’t. They have already paid a huge price for this war. After the assassination of the governor, everyone became desperate and irreconcilably hostile with the royal family.]

[During the second half of last year, your father was negotiating with the church. While trying to stabilize the situation, he was also preparing to re-mobilize and besiege the city. Without the church’s support and with various dioceses obstructing, the offensive slowed down. The fourth knightly legion of the church appeared, intercepting most of Shantel’s army at White Moon City, and no one dared to make a move. This finally gave the royal family a chance to catch their breath.]

[Before leaving the royal city, I heard that the emperor of the empire had already met with the church. They were likely discussing matters related to Silgayan. The church wants to conduct a fundraising campaign across the empire and adjust taxes in major cities. If the royal family agrees and these measures are implemented quickly, then your father might have some trouble.]

[And the envoy he sent to meet Queen’s Majesty probably talked about these things. The two might have a formal meeting soon. I think Her Majesty might have already arrived in the empire?]

[Hmm. If you plan to go, you’d better do it soon.]

Soon, two rhinoceros carriages slowly started moving. One went south through the city gate, while the other headed north, disappearing at the edge of the plain.

Barry followed Reckert and the Swords of Kanri, soon to leave the country and its borders, away from his beloved, to a place completely unfamiliar to him, starting a new chapter in his life journey.

I hope that when we meet again, he can become the man he aspires to be, a true hero standing tall. And I…

“Haa—”

After a long while, I gazed at the moon and sighed. Vicki and my father were finally going to meet.

Just not at this time, because of such matters. It seems I have spent too much time in the Eastern Continent. Shouldn’t I return as soon as possible?

The empire’s war,

my father,

my mother.

I lowered my head and looked at my hands; they were as white as jade, with a hint of rosy flush, far from looking like they had been stained with countless people’s blood.

Can I still go back?

And if I do return, what should I say when I see them?

…

No matter how hard it is to stir up emotions, the faces deeply etched in my memory, and the current feelings I might still harbor, remain the only things I hold onto.

As the sunlight rose slowly from the mountains beyond the eastern city wall, I, who had slept atop the bell tower, gradually arose under the morning light, stretched, and watched the crimson sun gradually cover the city below. The early risers were already walking on the streets, while the beasts that had fought for food during the night might just be falling asleep.

I moved my shoulders, leaped down from the high tower, first went to the market, and used the coins I had taken from the ruffians to buy some dry, hard bread.

Actually, there wasn’t much to buy, but it was enough to serve as a change of taste for the journey ahead.

Afterward, I did not stay any longer in the city, nor was there any reason to. After Barry left, there was nothing and no one in Aletheon City that could bring me comfort or ease. The fires of war that once burned here, and the resilience of the people afterward, had been dispelled by seeing the dirty side of this city, which may only be the tip of the iceberg. This had thoroughly extinguished any desire I had to see what exactly had been saved from the hands of Eluna and others.

Thus, before noon, I draped my cloak, slung my bag over my shoulder, and flew into the sky, leaving this place as if I had never come.

After leaving Aletheon City, I did not seek out the villages along the way, but merely oriented myself briefly, then headed north, flying and stopping intermittently. When I felt tired, I would find a hidden spot, whether in the grass or on a mountain, sleep until I was well-rested, drink some water, look for prey nearby, and cook wild game.

All the salt on me had run out, and other seasonings were hard to find throughout the southern region. The standard of food suddenly dropped compared to when I set out from the port of Noga Salt Sea. Regardless of what kind of animal it was, I could only roast it and eat it. Sometimes, I would catch something similar to the red-crested mink I had eaten before, a peculiar creature whose meat was extremely difficult to swallow.

But no matter what, it was better than wandering alone in the deserts of the Western Continent.

Along the northern journey, I did not encounter anyone. Relying solely on my memories from previous military campaigns, I flew over the beautiful forests and rivers, rapidly heading towards the direction of the Silent Fortress—not really planning to confirm anything, but just wanting to stay for two days. If possible, I would go to the Alarist family cemetery, take a look at Lady Alarist’s tombstone, see her daughter, and look at the women who had been deeply hurt by the war.

I just wanted to see their current state and condition.

If things turned out unsatisfactorily, or if the worst eventually came to pass, I was not prepared to change anything. I had lost interest and did not want to get entangled in these worldly tragedies anymore.

Just as a spectator, to take a look and then quietly leave.