Kays Translations

Chapter 109

The queen’s heart was conflicted.

On one hand, there was joy — the long-standing problems that had tormented her country were finally resolved, her people saved.

On the other, there was unease — an invasion from the neighboring nation now threatened to shatter that peace, and she was on the verge of declaring war in retaliation. Joy and anxiety swirled together in her chest as she waited for her guest in the council chamber.

“We will dispatch reinforcements.”

That was what the man she had begun to trust — Same — had told her.

Yet at the same time, the queen knew well that even the most powerful individual had limits. After all, she herself commanded a group of such individuals — the Thirteen Knights.

“Pardon my intrusion.”

The queen’s thoughts wavered.

The man who entered carried such an overwhelming presence, so suffocating a battlefield-like aura, that she couldn’t help but think:

If it’s this man… he truly might be able to sway the course of a war.

“Pardon me.”

The council chamber was just as it had been that morning.

But this time, only the queen and Kokuri were present.

He had assumed Cres and Shuris would also attend, but it seemed this was to be a confidential discussion — only the bare minimum permitted to be present.

“It is an honor to meet you. I am Silent, of the Adventurers’ Guild. Also… perhaps it’s simplest to say that I am one of the earliest members of the Brigade.”

An organization without substance, and yet, its illusion was taking form — because of Same, Sheele, and others.

Now, people had begun to regard it as ‘a group of unfathomable individuals of great power.’

“So you are Silent… the adventurer who, in less than two days, was granted the rank of Sapphire, and who has now resolved the matter of those modified magic beasts tied to this invasion.”

“Indeed. I suspect that was all connected to the greater whole.”

“…Hmm. You as well, then. There is something unusual about you. And more than that… a presence far removed from peace.”

The moment Kokuri looked at me, she said this. She must have sensed it — some strange aura surrounding me.

Perhaps some pseudo–【Insight】 allowed her to recognize that I was no mere man.

“Indeed. But Same has judged that what I am is what is needed now. That is why I was sent. Above all—he knows that I alone possess the means to end this war in the shortest possible time.”

Yes. Silent alone was waiting for this moment. The ace to end the war.

“You say end it in the shortest time. Do you truly mean such a thing is possible?”

“…Answer me, Your Majesty. How many days do you want?”

Arrogant. Audacious. Bold.

…And my instincts as a mercenary sensed another presence in the room.

“I told you once before, didn’t I? That if I wished, I could even topple a nation. Come out, Remiya.”

I turned toward that unseen aura and spoke.

And then, suddenly, Remiya was there — seated at the long table where no one had been moments before.

A spell of invisibility, perhaps?

“Impressive. With Silent-sama attending, I could not possibly refrain from joining as well.”

“I see. But I had heard you were departing soon.”

“Yes, as soon as this meeting concludes.”

She no doubt had duties as one working in the shadows — be it intelligence warfare, or perhaps simply as a messenger.

“Now then, I will ask once more. How many days do you want?”

“…Silent, I do not understand the meaning of your question.”

“Then I’ll make it clear. How many days do you want this war ended in?”

At my words, every soul in the room — Kokuri included — drew a sharp breath.

This was no bluff.

“This is no bluff. If you wish it, I can topple that country before the declaration of war even leaves your lips. So once more I ask—how many days do you want?”

Yes, it was possible. If it was Silent, and no one else.

For—

“One day. In the shortest case, I could destroy the very core of that country in a single day, rendering it nonfunctional.”

“That is impossible. Merely traveling there would take over a week. Of course, there are exceptions…”

“Yes. At best, I could reach the city beneath Golda Castle in four days. But I could not topple the nation. Silent-sama, how exactly do you plan to accomplish this?”

Normally, that would be true. To bring down a nation in one day was unthinkable.

But—I possess a trump card.

“Doesn’t it strike you as odd? Within our Brigade, Same is by no means the strongest. In fact, the gap between him and me is like heaven and earth. So then, why is it that—”

From my pocket, I produced it.

“Do you think he could conquer a dungeon, but I could not?”

I revealed it for them to see—

The Dungeon Core of the great natural labyrinth at Golda’s northern edge.

The very Heart Core of Grimgram, the Dungeon that governed the vast Dreamhill Great Forest.

“Do you know what this is? The Dungeon Core of the Dreamhill Great Forest, in Golda’s territory. By using this, I can instantly transport myself to that Dungeon. From there it is simple. Crush their leadership, cripple their functions. If necessary, I could slaughter their entire army. Well? This is my plan to end the war in a single day.”

Yes. If I wished, I could prevent the war altogether.

I could destroy the enemy before they even had the chance to declare war.

Of course, such a method would be unacceptable politically in the eyes of other nations.

That is why — I would act only after war was formally declared.

“W-wait. I cannot believe that core is genuine.”

“Silence. We are discussing war. To doubt the core’s authenticity is to accuse me of deceit — of trying to trick your kingdom. Shall I take it, then, that you regard me as a spy of the enemy nation? Will your country make itself my enemy?”

With killing intent, I crushed Kokuri’s doubts.

I would not allow time to be wasted. Not when the weight of this decision was pressing upon us.

Choose.

Be driven to madness — to the madness of possibility.

Command me, Queen.

Order me to destroy a nation. To end this war in the shortest time possible.

“Ah—! …My apologies, I spoke out of turn.”

“I don’t mind. I’m exhilarated myself—it’s been a long time since I’ve had a war. Decide, Queen. If you so wish… then the very moment you declare war, I’ll leap straight into their nation and crush it where it stands.”

“…That would be far too overwhelming a result. What must I offer you, in return? To end a war in the shortest time possible… if such a thing were truly possible, how much needless bloodshed could be avoided. Both my people and the people of Golda—if fewer lives were lost, how great a blessing that would be.”

…Yes. War is best when it never begins in the first place.

But the path of retreat is already gone. There is no avoiding it anymore.

Choosing not to declare war is no longer an option. It isn’t just the nobles of this country—people across the continents must already be aware of the situation.

If I do not show the will to fight here, then a second and third Golda could easily arise.

Put simply: once you are underestimated, it’s over. For war, and for ruling a nation.

“My demand is this: the Great Forest of Dreamhill becomes my territory in its entirety, and you grant me absolute power over the lives of Golda’s upper leadership.”

“What…! But that is no demand at all—that places everything at your discretion!”

“True enough. Since the core already belongs to me, and since it is I who will bring their nation down, whether they live or die is already mine to decide. But I intend to capture Golda’s leadership alive, deliver them to this kingdom, and then—out of sight, I will do what must be done and slaughter them all. I have my own objectives for joining this war. Your assistance in that will be the condition for me to end this conflict as swiftly as possible.”

I must ask. Why did you choose the Silver Fox Village as the sacrifice?

Surely not just because it was convenient…

Could it be that someone granted Golda knowledge of dungeons and otherworld summoning? That very someone may have seen Melt and the Silver Fox clan as an obstacle.

I want to confirm that truth through this war.

Above all—it’s necessary to ask Melt whether she wishes to settle this with her own hands.

“If you accept my demands, I promise to bring about the best outcome. However, the moment you issue the declaration of war, factions already infiltrating this kingdom may make their move. It’s possible they’ve already prepared for open conflict. Thus, the timing of the declaration is of utmost importance.”

“…You’re right. A perfectly bloodless conclusion is impossible. Our kingdom traditionally holds the Founding Festival alongside the New Year’s Festival. But before that, I want this war concluded. Silent, today is the 3rd of the Twelfth Month. I… will declare war on the 10th. Can you act at that timing?”

“It can be done. What is the meaning behind that specific date?”

The 10th—it’s neither too soon nor too late. Likely, time needed for some form of preparation.

“We will reach out to the adventurer guilds within Golda, discreetly gathering their members near the border. We’ll direct them toward the old highway, the mountain range where monsters were once subdued. We do not wish the people of Golda to bleed needlessly. However, their adventurers are conscripted during wartime. We must prevent that in advance.”

“I see. And at the same time, from our side, we’ll deploy numerous adventurers along the border, and the moment it’s clear that I’ve toppled their nation, we’ll seize complete control of the royal capital.”

“Precisely… Silent-sama, Golda may lack knights like our Thirteen, but they do possess ample stockpiles, weaponry, and an overwhelming number of soldiers. Can you truly suppress all of that alone?”

“What man fears an army of ants? Whether thousands or tens of thousands, I’ll crush them beneath my heel. Even if among them… lies a Hero from another world.”

I have no intention of letting those two live any longer.

I will kill them—properly, in a way that leaves nothing unresolved.

“Then it is settled—the 10th. Do not forget your promise, Queen. And ensure your forces are fully deployed for war. Eyes may be watching from anywhere.”

“Yes. I will send formal letters to Golda by then, and issue notices to other nations. Of course, I’ll see to the deployment of troops along the border as well.”

“I see. So then, Remiya is to infiltrate Golda for that purpose?”

“That is the plan.”

“I thought so. Be careful.”

“! My deepest thanks for your concern, Silent-sama.”

To infiltrate Golda within four days… meaning by the 7th she’ll already be there.

She’ll rally the adventurers, and by the 10th, deliver the declaration to the castle… But after that, how does she intend to escape?

“Remiya, how do you plan to get out of Golda? With war preparations underway, slipping out at the border will not be simple, even for you.”

“It’s no problem. An ‘old colleague’ of mine works at their adventurer guild. The two of us will escape safely together and return to this kingdom.”

“I see.”

So there are still hidden experts in that guild. Truly, the depth of their talent runs wide.

“Then I’ll be off. I’m staying at Same’s place—come find me if anything arises.”

“Understood. Then… I entrust to you, Silent, a part of this kingdom’s fate.”

“Funny, isn’t it. Trusting me so much, when this is our first meeting.”

“…I cannot doubt you. Not after hearing what you’ve accomplished, nor after placing faith in Same’s words.”

“I see.”

That, too, must be the trust Same has built and passed along.

…This war—I will bring it to an end. For the sake of the kingdom, yes. But more than that—for myself, and for Melt.

By the time the stars had completely filled the sky, I left the royal palace and, without much thought, slowly made my way home on foot.

The Silent Forest. Even in the darkness of night, I did not feel fear here.

That must surely be because Silent’s memories, his experiences, are ingrained in this body and consciousness.

…The game’s story comes back to me. But only as recollections of Silent’s past.

“…Well, no wonder I feel so stirred.”

Defeated in the battle to defend his homeland, he survived.

He swore vengeance, joined a mercenary band that struck at the enemy nation, and fulfilled his purpose.

But then, that mercenary band was annihilated on their next battlefield.

By none other than the surviving knights of the nation they themselves had destroyed.

It was merciless, but also karmic retribution. Facing death, that’s what he thought.

Even so, he could not die. Silent—the player—was the protagonist of the story.

No happy ending was ever prepared for him, yet still he chose the path of battle.

The story given to the Mercenary/Warrior ends there.

The tale concludes, for the time being, at the point where he begins walking the path of a warrior who seeks only battle, wandering without end.

“…Then maybe it’s fine if I just tack on a little happiness beyond that, on my own terms.”

Once again, the joy of fighting for a nation. The ecstasy of blood-soaked frenzy on the battlefield.

Let him encounter battlefields and bonds that could fill the emptiness, the loneliness.

“…Or so I say.”

Beneath the cold gleam of the stars, shining in the clear air, I continued walking alone down the forest path at night.

Right… this world’s New Year really is almost here, isn’t it.

I’d like to end this with a piece of good news.

“…Remiya, if you’ve got business, come out.”
“…As I thought, you noticed. From here, I shall leave the forest and head north.”
“So that’s it.”
“…Please, stay safe.”
“You too.”

Only those brief words were exchanged before Remiya’s presence disappeared for good this time.

…Why is it that Silent can notice? My conscious mind hadn’t realized it, yet the intuition of “she’s here” had raced through my head.

That must be a power born from Silent’s feelings and experience.

“Well then… I need to tell Melt a lot of things.”

Surely, she too can make her choice.

The path of parting ways with the past, of settling it once and for all—

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter