Chapter 130: 130
Chapter 130 – Those who Depart
The White Knight took me to the Palace . She walked quietly ahead of me .
I didn’t like this heavy air… Trying to diffuse the atmosphere, I tried to hold a conversation .
Usually I would get ignored, but for some reason it’s different this time .
[When will Eris return?]
[…it’s almost time . In about an hour or so . ]
[That’s amazing . How do even know that?]
[I think you should’ve known the answer already . ]
[Ee…]
Even if you say so I still don’t know . Seeing me shaking my head, the White Knight laughed at me .
[You really don’t know anything, do you? Hasn’t Greed told you anything at all?]
[That twisted soul, do you think it’s easy to make him divulge about anything?]
[Indeed… I’ve heard from Eris-sama once before, that Greed is actually even worse than Envy . ]
I don’t know what kind of face she’s making behind that helmet, but she sounded sympathetic just now .
Of course, being told that he’s even worse than that sly Envy didn’t really sit well with Greed… He ranted in denial over and over, and I got to hear all of it through 《Mind Reading》 .
The White Knight stopped, and spoke to me as she looked up at the Palace .
[It’s the same as you and that Aaron Barbatos . No, I suppose it’s something a bit more advanced . ]
[You mean a bond with Eris?]
[Yeah, it’s merely a story of old times . I still won’t forget the day when the two of us vowed to serve Eris-sama with our life . ]
The Kingdom was pioneered by Eris, Envy, and the two White Knights .
With Gallia collapsed, many people lost their place to live . It began with a small town where those people gathered .
The reason behind why those people were attracted to go here was apparently Eris’ Lust skill .
[As you know, Eris-sama is very kind . It was originally a promise she made to the previous holder of Gluttony skill . She led the Gallian survivors here, and built a Kingdom . ]
[About that… what kind of person the previous holder of Gluttony skill was? You see, Greed is always like this . Eris wouldn’t tell me as well… and Myne kept pretending that she had forgotten!]
Really, everyone…? Would you please make a better excuse if you don’t want to divulge the matter to me?
Perhaps I had a very troubled look on my face . The White Knight sighed and spoke .
[That person was everyone’s hope . But…in the end… I don’t really want to remember it . For some reason you have a similar appearance to him . When Eris-sama looked at you, I suppose she would be reminded of the past . ]
[What was Eris and that person’s relationship?]
[I was also saved by that person when I was still a child . Even then, Eris-sama had always been together with that person . Eris-sama tried to shape this Kingdom in his ideal . But without the person in question even present, then it’ll just be empty shells . ]
In the past, many powerful monsters lived around the old Capital . In order to deal with this threat, the Kingdom gathered together people with holy sword mastery skill to become their main forces . Thus the Holy Knights were born .
Even if it wasn’t the case at first, in the end people with proper skills gained supremacy over those who don’t .
In general, the Kingdom wasn’t that bad . Even though there was some discrimination, commoners’ livelihood were at least guaranteed .
For better or worse, the Kingdom that Eris had built, became a sanctuary to those who had lost their place .
[Of course, it’s impossible to satisfy everyone . ]
If there was no underlying framework that kept the people together, then the kingdom would be… honestly I couldn’t imagine what will happen .
Roxy told me this once, that we made mistakes because we are only human .
But if you were stuck with thinking about it all the time, then you wouldn’t get anywhere .
[Even if something went wrong, it’s not over yet . You can start over from now on . ]
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That caused the White Knight to stare at me . Perhaps asking me to cut it out already .
Was it no good…? While I was wondering on what she’s thinking,
[No way… I did not expect that you’ll say the same thing as that person . ]
That person said a similar thing to Eris in the past . Back then, the girls had already swore their fealty to accompany Eris till the end .
[I feel like I have some understanding of why Eris-sama roots for you now . ]
[That was something Roxy told me . I simply borrowed it]
[So it’s a borrowed words… but if you truly take it to heart, then it too, will be yours . ]
[Right . Eris-sama and us, we were able to change after meeting that person as well . ]
The White Knight stopped looking at the palace, and resumed walking .
[Perhaps, you are…that person’s…]
[Nn?]
[No, that shouldn’t be the case . Please ignore what I said just now . ]
I couldn’t hear her properly because it’s like she was muttering to herself .
And since she said so, I won’t get any answer even if I pursue the topic . So I simply followed her quietly .
I’m kinda happy that we were able to have a small talk though .
When we entered the palace, Aaron and Mimir greeted us . The other White Knight was also there .
[O Fate! I heard that there is another ruckus happening at the military district . I tried to go there as well but…]
Aaron glanced at the other White Knight . Apparently he was instructed to wait here .
I was wondering why he, who usually appear on the scene the earliest, didn’t come . I suppose I understand why .
[Aaron Barbatos is to wait in the Palace for the time being . According to the record, he rampaged quite a bit at the hobgoblin forest . ]
[But…]
That Aaron was reprimanded like a kid by the white knight . This might be the first time someone treated him this way .
[You are one of the individuals that will assure the future of the kingdom . You should stop acting so ridiculous . ]
[That is…]
For the battle maniac like Aaron, that would be a very restricting order .
I saw him drooping his shoulders in defeat as I turned to Mimir .
[How did it go?]
[Yes, I got pardoned this time . I’m relieved that they unexpectedly received the reasoning well . ]
[That’s good to hear . Otherwise it’ll be tough on me…]
[AAaa… because it’s Fate-sama after all . Am I right, everyone!]
The two White Knights nodded in agreement . And surprisingly, Aaron nodded too!?
[Well, I guess I should just nod as well . Un un!]
[Oi!]
That’s horrible… I can’t win against the majority .
Recently, I felt like I kept hearing this ‘because it’s Fate’ around me more often .
Roxy, Greed, and even Shara… as if there was no end to it!
While I shook my head, yet another person casted a vote from behind me .
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Even though it’s been only a short while, it felt like a long time has passed since the last time I heard her voice . I turned around to see her blue hair swayed around as she approached me .
[I think so too . ]
[Eris!]
[Hi, I’m back . Somehow, a lot of things happened while I’m gone . You really are a troublemaker, aren’t you?]
Following Rafal’s trail, she went to the mountain city to investigate .
When I think about it, she did return much faster than expected, but that’s because she had rushed over and left her entourage behind in the process .
[I felt a bad premonition coming from the direction of the Capital . That’s why I hurried back… but it seems that I did not return in time . ]
The Queen herself had appeared before me . The two White Knights were glaring at me because of how casual my tone is when talking to Eris .
They would then use their spear to stop my insolence . This show of obvious jealousy always make Eris laugh .
[Oya oya, it seems you’ve become fast friends while I’m away . ]
[ [ We didn’t !! ] ]
I was a bit shocked when they denied so strongly .
What the hey… didn’t you already tell me that story of the past? I thought we’ve grown a bit closer with that .
The feeling when you thought you’ve come closer to your goal, but found out that you still have a long way to go .
Did you think you’ll be able to get away with only that level!? Don’t get carried away! Their actions screamed as such .
I heard that people got crankier the older they get . I suppose that applies here . I wish they could act more like Aaron . Each of them may have lived since ancient times, but would it hurt to act more friendly?
I guess the answer to that would be impossible .
In the first place, the White Knights were following Eris who is somewhat an eccentric herself . She hugged me, thinking that I felt troubled .
[Why the long face? Ah, I get it . It must be because you were lonely while I was away!]
[Please stop . ]
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(Those Eris’s Eris… What a lucky MC!)
[You are the type to say you dislike something when in reality you actually like it, aren’t you?]
[What the, that’s such a one-sided interpretation!]
Peeling away the clinging Eris from me, Aaron coughed and spoke up .
[Eris-sama, there is more important thing to do now . Please save it for later . ]
[I guess there is no helping it~]
Since she’s unwilling to stop, then just told her she’ll get another chance later instead . Apparently Aaron already knew the method to handle Eris’ misgivings .
But then, after the talking is over, she’ll cling to me again…
It was decided that we’ll have the talks in the palace’s first floor . Mimir tugged on my sleeve a little as we walked .
[I feel like I’ll only get in the way…]
[No, I want Mimir to stay around . ]
[Eh, will it be okay for me to do so?]
[Of course . Because we’ll be talking about what we will do from now on . ]
[…Yes]
We sat before a wide table in the palace hall . Aaron sat on my right while Mimir on my left .
Eris sat on the other side of the table . The white knights stood guard behind her .
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[Well then, let’s begin the talking . ]
[Alright . First of all, about the change in the goblins’ behaviour . Me and Roxy went to investigate it . ]
I recounted the event, while Eris listened intently .
The goblins’ abnormal behaviour were caused by an ancient monster, the goblin shaman .
The monster swapped my and Roxy’s bodies up, but we managed to resolve the situation with the help from Aaron, Mimir, and Miria .
[The battle happened in the hobgoblin forest . And there was a Gallian laboratory hidden underground?]
[Yeah, Eris seems to know that already . ]
[No, I only know the gist of it . Most likely, if the facility is underground, then it’s got to be more than a simple laboratory . I’d like to investigate it, but I guess it’s impossible for now . ]
[The place was sealed away by unmelting iceberg . And it was my father who did it . ]
Aaron reacted quickly to those piece of news .
[Did he not die already… could it be . ]
[Yes, probably the same thing that happened with Roxy’s father . ]
[I see… if it’s iceberg, then the accident at the military district was also his doing . ]
[That was indeed my dad’s doing . He took away the philosopher’s stone and Raine… I’m sorry . ]
Eris remained silent . She then looked up to the ceiling and sighed loudly .
[The dead came back to life . Extinct monsters returned . It’s going faster than I thought . But we still have time . It hasn’t opened completely yet . ]
[Does the Door to That Land have the power of resurrection?]
[That’s just one of many . Nobody knows its real limit . ]
[The goblin shaman, Roxy’s father, and my dad… do they have something in common?]
[Simple . All of them had their soul lingered in this world because they still have something they regret . ]
The goblin shaman hated something in this world . Mason-sama was worried about the family he left behind .
Then, father… He might be…
I visited my hometown on my journey of following Roxy to Gallia . There, I took some time to visit my parents’ grave .
However, apparently that did nothing, seeing dad actually returned to this world .
As for my dad’s real intention, he died when I was nothing but a little kid . He must’ve wanted to meet me once more .
Next to me, Aaron seemed relieved upon hearing the conditions of the resurrection .
[Earlier, you said that resurrection is just one of its power . What about its other power?]
[Unfortunately, I have no idea . Because last time, the previous holder of Gluttony skill closed it back before the Door could open for too long . ]
[My predecessor…?]
[Yes . He did so at the cost of his life . ]
In the past, Greed told me . His previous wielder died after releasing the full power of Gluttony skill…
I wonder why such a person could end up dead, but now I know .
He died in the attempt to close the Door to that Land .
What should I do with the power I’ve gained so far? I’ve always been worried about it .
Greed spoke to me right then .
『It appears that you’ve decided . 』
[Yeah…]
With all the reporting done, the day after tomorrow I’ll head to where Shinn is . To where Myne is .
And my father as well… . Who had taken Raine along with him .
Turns out, Eris had done her own investigation in advance before sending the stone to the capital . That’s why she said that she knows the approximate location .
[Is it really a reliable info?]
[You can count on me with that . Envy is especially adept in manipulating an individual’s psyche . I used this ability to interfere with the link Shinn had with the stone and track his whereabouts . ]
Eris patted the black bayonet hanging on her waist . By now, apparently they’ve made up to each other and have become a partners once more .
[I actually wanted to study it more thoroughly in the capital . But I guess it’s impossible now . ]
[Then, where is it?]
[Please don’t be surprised . Aaron and Mimir as well . ]
That forewarning made me even more curious, and worried .
Eris was sorry for making us anxious .
[Shinn, is in the vicinity of… Barbatos territory Hauzen . ]
I was speechless . Hauzen has finally shown a promising prospect on its reconstruction . But now a monster called Shinn was lurking nearby .
The person we were looking for unexpectedly very close . Truly the case of hiding underneath the shadow of a lighthouse .
Eris following words only further upset Aaron .
[I understand that your territory is in danger, but I want you to stay here to protect the capital . ]
[But then . ]
[I know . But many more things will happen in the future . What if more monsters like the ogre were to reappear around the capitol? The white knights may not be enough to handle them all . That’s why I want you to stay and protect the capitol as it would be the evacuation area for refugees . ]
Aaron said nothing . In the past, he couldn’t protect his family and his territory because of his duty to the kingdom .
As a result, [The Crown-tier] Lich Lord took over Hauzen . He lost his family in the process .
He couldn’t afford to repeat this . It’s only natural to think so . Aaron stared at the table bitterly .
Eris kindly comforted him .
[I’m the one who will be going there . I’ve recovered most of my power back . ]
[Eris-sama herself!?]
[Un! Therefore I want Aaron to protect the capital in my place . ]
If a Ruler exists, then he only can follow . He had returned to the capital as a holy knight after all .
Aaron obediently followed Eris’ decision . But still made one suggestion .
[Eris-sama, I have but one request . Before this Aaron Barbatos agree to undertake the order, I would like to have a duel with my son Fate . And I wish that Your Majesty can bear witness to our battle . Would that be fine?]
Hearing that he requested for a duel, I gave Aaron a look .
His face was serious . It was not a half hearted request .
Despite troubled by it, Eris nodded in agreement to Aaron’s request .
[Very well . Regarding the location, we’ll need a wide place . Right, the Goblin Forest should do . The time would be tomorrow morning . ]
[Thank you for the considerations . Does Fate have any objection?]
[Aaron…]
[I’ve told you countless times, we are warriors . We do not speak our heart with our mouth . ]
He already had a new Holy Sword with him . Perhaps, Aaron had a feeling that this will happen .
That I won’t be able to come back…