Since Naofumi lost his Wrath, I’ll need to make another header entry contest.
Chapter 307: Funeral
The next day.
(TL: No, not like that)
“These are the heroes that risked their lives to win this battle… Salute!”
In front of the castle on the land where Houou was sealed, a funeral service was being held.
We had to part with several people from my village as well.
I raised them to be my pawns for war… but I wanted all of them to return alive.
If I’ll have to feel like this every time, then I don’t want to send them into battle.
I quietly stood in front of Atlas’s casket.
I gently place a flower on top.
Fohl follows my lead, and places one as well.
For some reason, Trash also silently garnishes the casket with flowers.
He says nothing to either me or Fohl.
When I retreated with Atlas to the back lines, Trash stood outside the tent the entire time.
Even though he wasn’t able to help at all, what does he plan to do at this point in time!?
Getting angry is pointless. It won’t bring anything.
… I couldn’t do anything either.
And I learned that Trash wasn’t the culprit.
More importantly, Trash had little reason to do it.
Based on Atlas’s positioning, she would have been brought into the explosion regardless, unless I did something about it.
“… I’m going to fight it. The wave.” (Fohl)
Fohl declares this at me.
“Running away… will just lead to more of the villagers dying.” (Fohl)
“… I see.”
So that’s Fohl’s answer.
For everyone’s sake. For Atlas’s sake.
“Niichan…”
Kiel is quite worn out. She cries as she places a flower on the coffin.
“I’ll… fight too!” (Kiel)
“But-” (Naofumi)
On hearing my voice, Kiel directs eyes filled with determination at me.
“Niichan always said it! That it was a fight where we could die, that it wasn’t a game. Everyone was well aware of that when they chose to fight for you! I can’t just pull back because it’s dangerous!” (Kiel)
“Is what she says.” (Fohl)
Fohl continues after Kiel.
“Everyone in that village fought out of love for you… Aniki. They decided to fight for you. You can’t stop them anymore. Take… responsibility for what you’ve done.” (Fohl)
“… Got it.” (Naofumi)
But I don’t want to have them die.
What was I making these people do?
In order not to have any more regrets, I…
Raphtalia just silently stands in front of Atlas’s coffin.
I had pushed it out of my mind. It’s not that I never considered the possibility, but I deluded myself into thinking she was just a diligent child working for me.
Atlas’s will tightens around my heart.
She once said that she might die any day.
Then… so I don’t have to feel like this anymore, should I answer those that say they love me?
I took away her illness, but what else did I ever do for her?
I should have been able to give her more happiness.
I’ll leave if for after I do what I must. For after I know the world is safe.
The funeral concludes, and I address the Queen.
“Though this occasion may have given rise to many sacrifices, I am thankful for your efforts towards destroying Houou, Iwatani-sama.” (Queen)
“… No, we have heard nothing of the culprit.” (Queen)
“… I’m truly sorry, but we still have yet to get into contact with them.” (Queen)
“You sure are useless!” (Naofumi)
I’m getting pissed off.
I understand the Queen has done nothing wrong, but I can’t do anything about my emotions.
“Another important matter we have to attend to is the next of the four beasts. What do you think about it?” (Queen)
“Meaning?” (Naofumi)
On my question, the Queen lets out a small sound of surprise.
“Have you not heard from the other heroes about the timing of the next wave?” (Queen)
I confirm the blue hourglass in my field of vision.
… 2 Days and 18 Hours.
Short! We have no time left!
I’m at a loss for words.
Oy, oy. The next of the Four Good Omens is… Kirin, was it?
The place it’s sealed… I never asked anyone!
“According to the Hero of the Sword-sama, the beast is set to appear around Faubley.” (Queen)
Faubley… Are we going to drag our current forces all the way to Faubley to prepare for it?
If Firo wanted to run straight without and food or rest, I think it would take two days to get to Melromark from here.
How far away is Faubley?
“And wait, where was Houou’s blue Hourglass?” (Naofumi)
“It manifested in the center of the city. According to witness reports, it just glowed blue, and there was no sand, though.” (Queen)
Fumu… a sand less, blue Hourglass appeared.
Houou gave three months of long rest, but Kirin, only three days.
Both the turtle and the Bird moved to destroy as many life-forms as possible.
… The Four Good Omens.
Those beasts were supposed to bring happiness and fortune.
So looking at the world as a whole, is this extension the fortune they bring?
Sacrifices… thinking about Atlas, and the others, I want to deny the possibility.
It may just be that the seal was going to break now by coincidence.
But more importantly.
“What will we do about Kirin? No, I should call Ren.” (Naofumi)
I raise my voice, and call for the Sword.
After a while, Ren answers my call, and comes towards me.
“What?” (Ren)
“A monster on equal footing with Houou.” (Ren)
Kirin… I believe it was a set of two beasts, like Houou. Ki and Rin.
But Faubley’s under that Pig King, right?
Perhaps the first time it manifested, the king was coincidentally a capable one.
But with only three days to spare, what will we do with the armies?
They were equipped to travel from the beginning, but there’s no time for weapon maintenance, and war conferences.
And what’s with this time limit? There’s no time to prepare or anything!
Is the only option to travel by land?
Dammit all.
“At the very least, the heroes should set out. With three days, I’m not sure if even Firo will be able to make it, but we have to go.” (Naofumi)
As it is, it’s a powerful monster.
Faubley is this world’s largest country, so its population should be massive.
If a monster that hunted life appeared in such a place,what would happen?
The answer is clear.
Perhaps… we can beat it with just the Heroes.
It doesn’t matter if I’m getting full of myself. We can only try.
If that’s the case, the villagers won’t have to become sacrifices.
“For now, let’s warp back to the village, and set out.” (Naofumi)
But we took all of the Filo Rials here to assist in the Army’s transportation.
They do have some stamina, but they’re not as fast as Filo Rials.
“Who should we take?”
“… I understand. I will accompany you with my Trash. I’ll negotiate cooperation with Faubley’s army.” (Queen)
Fumu, she really is Melty’s mother.
The Queen went to talk to the other army commanders.
It ended up that the Silt Welt generals would take charge of the Armies, and have them steadily proceed towards Faubley.