Chapter 169

Chapter 169

At the same time.

South end of the continent. Monster Frontline. The Fortress City of Crossroad.

Western part of the city. A graveyard.

...

In front of one grave among many neatly arranged tombstones, an officer dressed in imperial military uniform stood solemnly.

He was the Commander of the Imperial Magic Brigade, also the leader of the support troops dispatched by the Imperial Family.

It was Windstorm Reina.

With a soft breeze blowing, causing her imperial coat to flutter, Reina looked down at the tombstone before her.

The inscription on the tombstone read:

<Thunderbolt Jupiter, rests here>

...

Crinkle.

The pack of cigarettes in Reinas hand crumpled.

The last time she saw Jupiter was 15 years ago.

Her comrade, once close enough to lay down their lives for each other, was now beneath the cold ground.

I didnt think youd die in a place like this.

Reina raised her head to look around.

Its in the southern region, as you wished, but...

Only a single, barren fortress city stood desolate on the vast plain.

Theres no swimming pool filled with water, no splendid resorts.

Reina clicked her tongue.

You died so tragically, was it because of what happened back then?

There was no answer to her question.

Reina looked down at Jupiters tombstone with a cold gaze.

I still cant understand you.

She tore open a new pack of cigarettes, took out one, put it in her mouth, and placed the rest of the pack on the tombstone.

I started smoking this disgusting thing to get close to you... but you died and quit, and now Im stuck smoking alone.

Memories of the 20 years with Jupiter flashed across Reinas mind like a panorama.

Those young and brilliant days...

...

She didnt light the cigarette, just gazing blankly at the tombstone.

Ah.

A voice came from beside her. Reina turned to look.

A young woman, wearing a voluminous robe with a tall hat, was approaching. Her left face, marred by a faint scar, was covered by her hair, and she held a few flowers in her arms.

Reina noticed the vase of flowers placed in front of Jupiters tombstone.

Apparently replaced every day, it must be the young womans doing.

Are you Jupiters granddaughter?

No.

The young woman, Junior, replied coldly.

Her daughter.

...

Narrowing her eyes, Reina soon chuckled.

Ah, right. The survivor from Camilla Kingdom that Jupiter took in that day.

...

Remember me?

Reina made a gun gesture with her fingers and made a bang noise.

Juniors face showed displeasure, but her voice remained emotionless as she retorted,

Whether I remember or forget you, what does it matter?

Hm?

Ive already forgiven my mother. I have no particular feelings left for you, her former comrade.

Junior came to Jupiters tombstone, replaced the old flowers with new ones, and watered them.

Reina, who had been silently watching, slowly spoke.

Youre a mage.

...

You have quite the talent too.

Junior tried to ignore her, but the next words made her flinch.

But youre dying.

...!

If you dont stop using magic right away, your remaining life will burn away.

Junior finished tending to the vase and looked at Reina, holding the old flowers.

Thats none of your concern.

Thats true. Its not my concern at all.

Reina shrugged.

"You two seemed to be getting along well when I made that prosthetic for him. What happened now?"

"Things happened..."

"Hmm."

The guild master shrugged and returned to his work.

"Well, its natural for various things to happen when two young people get together."

"Its not like that."

"Live without regret and enjoy yourselves."

"Its not like that, I said..."

Now, Godhands figure was no longer visible.

Closing the workshop door, Lilly continued to grumble.

"Humph, as if I would trust an elf again..."

***

Lords mansion. Reception room.

"Eeeer~"

Evangeline lay sprawled on the sofa, shaking her legs up and down with her calves rolled up to her knees, emitting a strange moan.

Her bare feet fidgeted restlessly.

Sitting on the opposite sofa, going through documents for the lords duties, Lucas frowned at Evangeline.

"Whats with you, girl? Just because the Lord isnt around, youre letting loose like this?"

"Leave me alone, sir~ Im just not motivated."

Having tired of her fidgeting, Evangeline simply collapsed and pouted.

"The senior is away, so the party members are stuck doing their tasks, the regular soldiers are still gloomy, and on top of that, the Twilight Brigade has been officially disbanded."

"..."

"And the support troops from the Imperial Capital, why are they so insufferable? Have you seen? Strutting around the town, stiff as boards, complaining about the lack of theaters and fancy restaurants here in this rural village... Ugh."

Sticking out her tongue, Evangeline bared her fangs and growled.

"It really irks me how the city folks disregard the Margrave. They dont even realize that its because were digging in the Margrave that the inland cities are able to develop safely."

Lucas chuckled at the remark.

"Werent you the one who disliked this backwater place and wanted to move to the capital?"

"Well, sure, I felt that way then! But its my right to complain about my hometown. The right to belittle the countryside should only belong to its residents, dont you think?"

Lucas listened to Evangelines words with a smile, but his thoughts were deeply troubled by the current situation.

Friction had already unknowingly arisen between the reinforcements dispatched from the Imperial Capital and the existing Crossroad troops.

But the commander who could have reined in both sides had gone up to the Imperial Capital.

Reina was rampaging all over the city, and the original party members were irritated by these new reinforcements...

The nerve-wracking situation between the two sides was likely to continue for some time.

"Ugh."

Evangeline heaved a deep sigh.

"With our senior gone, it feels like the whole of Crossroad has come to a standstill."

"..."

"Our senior will come back, right?"

Lucass eyes widened at Evangelines unexpected words.

"Of course hell come back, what are you talking about?"

"But you know, our senior is a prince and has extraordinary abilities."

Evangelines voice grew soft and whimsical.

"He has no reason to struggle against monsters in such a Margrave. I dont even know why His Majesty sent him down here in the first place."

"..."

"What if, on this trip to the Imperial Capital, he never comes back down?"

Lucas couldnt easily respond. Evangelines words were without flaw.

If Ash doesnt return to Crossroad.

If that were to happen...

What will become of this city? What about the monster frontline?

Lucas and Evangelines eyes met.

Both of them were slightly pale. They had unwittingly imagined the scenario if Ash didnt return.

Just then...

Bang-...

A faint gunshot echoed from afar. The sound of a magic gun being fired.

Lucas and Evangeline both sprang to their feet.

"Whats that?"

"It came from the city center?"

Evangeline quickly opened the window and listened, quickly determining the direction of the gunshot.

"Its coming from the temple."

If the magic gun was fired at the temple...

"Damien?"

Lucas muttered urgently.

"Whats happened to Damien?!"