Chapter 416: A Good Place to Live (1)
-The war... The war is over. Yes. The war is indeed over. There is no longer any reason to aim the tips of your swords at each other's throats. There have been many misunderstandings, and the period of hostility against each other proved to be long. It stretches longer than this day and farther than this place. However, the history of our war against each other is now over. Throw away your hatred, your desire for vengeance, and your anger. I know how hard it is. Everyone has lost a loved one.
-...
-The State and the Republic both have lost a fair share of friends and families. Some have lost their loved ones, some their precious comrades, and others their families, but everyone has to overcome that pain. This is all that I can ask for from everyone. I know how difficult it is for enemies to hold each other's hand, but we have to keep advancing. We need to go one step further for the grander cause. We have to become a little more mature. We must overcome our agony and proceed with peace in our hearts.
-...
-Republicans, raise your heads. This is not your fault. All of you from the State, please reach out to them. This is not their fault. We know better than anyone how little we are in front of a great current. Learn to forgive one another. Only then can we move on. There is no need to shed tears or to collapse. Let's move forward together. Let's all work side by side to put an end to this cycle of hatred. The values we pursue may differ, but we have a great task ahead. Those who threaten this continent are real. They are still hiding all over the lands as they plot to conquer this very home the gods gave us. That is the message that Goddess Benignore left to us today. If we become one, we will be able to push through the hardships and adversities that will come. Raise your head! It may be difficult to heal today's wounds, but you'll soon have new flesh. When the dark clouds are cleared, and sunlight pours down... A new era will open. Flowers can still bloom on this blood-stained land.
-... ...
-Let's unite our forces. Under God's will, we can become one.
As expected, everyone went strangely quiet.
It was natural to be a little solemn.
Usually, I would hear the sound of glasses clinking in a noisy but cheerful atmosphere, but after seeing the footage through the Goddess's Mirror, the atmosphere had become more serious.
It was just as expected.
Nick, who was right next to me, began to speak to me. It was a voice that I didn't want to hear, but just this once, I felt like I could put up with him.
A week had already passed since the war.
Since he was a guy who knew a from him.
"He's really... a great person."
"Yes. I don't get tired of watching that many times every day through the goddess mirror."
"Absolutely amazing. He's beyond normal. Maybe that won't be easy either. He was also the one who suffered the most damage in that war. In fact, during the Laios crisis, he almost died. Didn't they say that he was in the Eberian Kingdom to heal? In a way, it's like he's the one who had gone through tough times the most. In fact, in that situation, do you think it's easy to shake hands with the Republic soldiers without any conditions? It showed how generous he is."
"Yes. Absolutely. I was there too, and it was amazing. Tears poured out without my knowledge. In fact, the Republic soldiers cried too, but they probably did more than me in their case. I also saw the descent of the Goddess Benignore on the body of Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung."
"Really?"
"Absolutely! It's not even comparable with watching through the Goddess's Mirror. With his hand! He just gestured, and the undead guys just fell apart all at once! When he swung his left hand one more time, everything was completely surrounded by the light, and bang, bang, bang! Before the descent of the Goddess Benignore, he ran right into the battlefield with a spear. Can you believe that?"
"Whoa..."
"Few people have the guts to do that. That Demon Summoner bastard hid until the end, but was dragged out. Tsk. It's terrible to say what would have happened without him. We would be battling with the soldiers of the Republic even now and eventually..."
"I would be glad if it ended like that, but we wouldn't have come back alive from that battlefield. Anyway, does anyone know what the Honorary Cardinal is doing now?"
I focused my gaze on Nick.
As if he knew, he drank the water from the glass and began to talk slowly.
"This is a bit hard to say..."
"Why don't you just tell me? This meal is on me today."
"Perhaps you will soon be able to receive official information through the Goddess's Mirror. No, this is not something that can be delivered through the Goddess's Mirror..."
"I believe you didn't forget how long we've been friends, Nick."
"Ahem. This is really hard to say... If you say you're going to keep your mouth shut, I'll tell you. It's a promise that you really need to keep. It was a special instruction from manager Kim Miyoung from the Blue Guild, so I also struggled to obtain the information."
"Yes. Absolutely. I will keep my mouth shut. So, just..."
As I filled the empty glass with beer, the guy began to spill information while reading our faces.
"The fact is... He doesn't seem to be in good health."
"What?"
"Shh." 3333
"Quiet. Michael! Shit."
"Oh. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's so sudden..."
"If you think about it, it's not sudden at all. Do you think it's easy to receive God with a human body? Even if he is a vessel to hold the Goddess Benignore, it must've still been too much to handle. It wasn't even long since he got up from the sickbed, and his physical condition wasn't as usual. His condition is improving rapidly, but..."
"Is that true?"
"Absolutely true. Like the last time in Laios, he seemed to be worried that many people were guarding the castle... He's sacrificed so much, but he still continues to care about people like us."
"Whoa..."
"Of course, there are other external reasons."
"External reasons?"
"Isn't he like a symbol of peace now? He actually played the most decisive role in bringing the war to an end, and how would he feel hearing the news that he's not well? He must be worried that the whole thing being discussed will be overturned."
"You mean about the tutorial dungeons being completely integrated and operated as one educational center?"
"Not only that. The issue of alliance with the Republic, the Declaration of End-of-Continental War, the Continental Peace Agreement, and the initiation of a new anti-discrimination law. There are a lot of things that are politically, economically, and even militarily entangled. Of course, I don't know all of them, but they're all sensitive issues... Rumors has it that this is the reason why he dragged out his ill body and continued to be active. Well, it's heartbreaking. The aides are helping him as much as possible, but he has to solve everything by himself to feel better. Manager Kim Miyoung is also worried. It seems like they're discouraging him from working too much, but can anyone break his passion? They said that it was because of Kim Hyunsung's request that they got him to take a short break recently..."
"He's a war hero."
"Come to think of it. He was amazing too. It's a blessing that there is not just one such person but rather two in the State. Goddess Benignore has indeed blessed us."
"Changing the topic... is there any new information about Jin Qing?"
"Well, that motherfucker. It's the same every time. Cutting that motherfucker's throat wouldn't be enough. I don't understand why they're putting a guy like that on trial. He's still crying out that he's not the Demon Summoner. Oh, it's coming out now. Look at the Goddess's Mirror."
-As the trial of the Demon Summoner Jin Qing approaches after he caused great confusion in the Republic, everyone is starting to become more attentive. Reporter Kim Seong-gyeong of Lindel Broadcasting System will be bringing you this news. Reporter Kim Seong-gyeong?
-This is Kim Seong-gyeong of Lindel Broadcasting. Helena, the Director of Inquisition from the State, who received Jin Qing, the Demon Summoner, from the Republic on the 2nd, finally arrived in the capital along with Senator Marlin. There's more tension here than ever, as he caused an event that got much attention from the whole continent. The Holy Knights, which is the pride of the State, Pope's Holiness, and Oscar herself are here.
-I am not a demon summoner. I am not a demon summoner. Gasp. Lee Kiyoung, you motherfucker. Lee Kiyoung!! Lee Kiyoooouuung! I am not a demon summoner! Cough! You guys are being fooled! The real demon is that bastard! That bastard is the real demon!
-Cover his mouth!
-I am not a demon summoner! I have never summoned an undead or a demon... I am not!! Cough! Cough!!
-Some argue that immediate execution isn't ideal for the continent's safety. The Director of Inquisition may be possible to grasp the exact truth of the incident and obtain information on the dark forces rooted in the continent. Given the seriousness of the situation, the investigation will be conducted by agencies. With the Republic's pledge to fully support Demon Summoner Jin Qing's investigation, all attention from the continent will be drawn. Once again, I am reporter Kim Seong-gyeong.
-Yes. Next news. This is news for those who might have been feeling down with this serious information. The best-seller, Genius swordsman and Alchemist...
"That... Demon Summoner!"
"He deserves to be beaten up! Ptooey!"
Before the next news came out, swear words began to be heard from all over the place.
Of course, we weren't much different either.
Everyone was probably feeling the same way. They found it ridiculous to see him lying with a straight face.
"That trashy bastard. What the hell is there to investigate? They have to put him on the guillotine right away."
"Tsk. Have you seen the face reflected in the Goddess's Mirror? His eyes were so red. It was like he wanted to beat someone to death! He was like that when he was first caught. When he came with the soldiers of the Republic grabbing him, he screamed so much that, I'm telling you, it gave me goosebumps."
"It's more problematic that it's not just him. Didn't they say that dark forces are hiding across the continent? If I could, I'd help with the execution right away, but considering the possibility that he knows kinds of information, they can't do that. It is also in the best interest of the State to follow due process. It was the same during the sacred democracy revolution. Even with that bastard being trash, Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung wants to give him a fair trial. He knows that, yet he's going crazy like that..."
"There's a reason why he's a demon summoner. Anyway, tomorrow, everyone..."
"Ah, I'm thinking of going hunting after a long time. Monster hunting should not be neglected. Due to the prolonged war, the monster population has increased a little."
"Aren't you too unhealthy right now to go hunting? Saul? The wounds..."
At this, he slowly nodded.
"Well, that's true. Actually, if a guy like me tried hard, I don't think I'll be much help... Still, wouldn't I be useful someday? I want to rest a little more, but I have to step forward like the Goddess Benignore, and Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung said. Honorary Cardinal never rests, so why should I? Then I'll be going first. Thanks for the good story, Nick."
"Don't overdo it, Saul."
"Yes. I won't."
As he slowly opened the pub's door, I saw a scene that felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
Less than a month had passed since the war, but things had already changed so much.
I still wasn't used to the sight of elves and dwarves walking in the streets. The same could be said for atmosphere.
'New world.'
"It's a good world to live in."
I smiled quietly.
* * *
"It's a good world to live in."
"I-it is, right?"
"This meat softly melts in my mouth."
"S-s-s-softly melts. Yes, it does. Hehehehehe."