Ch.1214Does that make any sense?

I concluded that we would attempt another advance into the central region.

Of course, this was the obvious decision.

I, the strongest in the alliance, wanted war. Hyalbaer, the second-in-command, agreed with me, and all the other powerful figures also wished to continue fighting.

Perhaps the conclusion was already determined before the military council even began?

If the anti-war faction had presented perfect logic that we could all accept and acknowledge, it might have been different. But from the start, their arguments were shortsighted and weak.

To summarize their position in one sentence: let’s abandon our excessive ambitions that put the entire race at risk and return to our former way of life.

They seemed to believe without doubt that this was the best choice for the Naga race, but…

‘As if that’s possible. After causing all this chaos.’

In my view, it was a futile hope that came far too late.

Can a bird that has hatched return to its egg? Even if it covers itself with the broken shell, it’s not an egg but merely a bird wrapped in fragments.

This was the argument of the Naga priestesses.

Even if the Nagas wanted to stay hidden in Nastaria and live quietly among themselves as before, the enemies created by the alliance would not leave them alone.

I wasn’t the only one who thought this way. The pro-war Nagas also silenced the priestesses’ retreat suggestions using the same logic.

When questioned whether the concealment spells carved into the walls could truly obscure them from the demigods’ attention, the priestesses couldn’t offer a rebuttal, seemingly lacking confidence themselves.

And so, as I mentioned earlier, we decided to march toward the central region again.

‘Well, this was the expected outcome. Just as I predicted.’

[If you knew it would end up like this anyway, wasn’t the discussion unnecessary from the start? Why waste time on such pointless…]

‘A waste of time? How could it be?’

Hersella wondered why we bothered with discussions when the conclusion was predetermined, but that shows she only understands half the picture.

‘In matters like this, the very act of holding a meeting is what’s important. They’re ultimately our subordinates… or rather, allies? Either way, they’re on our side.’

Even if the conclusion is foregone, at least maintaining the appearance of listening to the opposition makes them feel somewhat respected.

[So you placated them…? Ha, that’s unbecoming of a warrior with such power. A strong leader should not concern themselves with subordinates’ feelings but make them obey and follow.]

Though she’s mellowed considerably, Hersella’s fundamental nature as a barbarian warrior remains unchanged, and she disparaged my approach as unworthy of a warrior… but I’m not so sure.

‘That’s how you end up with a knife in your back while sleeping.’

Isn’t that why your subordinates kept sneaking into your bedroom with swords in the middle of the night?

Warrior or not, Ka’har are still people. When superiors completely ignore opinions and only demand obedience, resentment gradually builds.

When it reaches a breaking point, all that accumulated animosity erupts at once, leading to insubordination.

[Nonsense. Do you think I, of all people, would ever fall victim to cowards who lack the courage for an honorable challenge and resort to ambush?]

Of course, our Lady Hersella, true to her reputation as the original slaughterer, laughed and suggested that when subordinates express discontent, one should respond by blowing their heads off.

[Such vermin weren’t even threats. They barely qualified as enemies.]

‘Oh, is that so?’

It wasn’t you who almost died, you fool.

Though my memories from early possession days are hazy now, I was incredibly tense because of that.

I could barely sleep at night, worried I might die in my sleep or show weakness against such opponents and raise suspicion among other warriors.

That was all because of your karma, woman. Though it doesn’t matter much anymore.

—-

Anyway, the alliance’s future direction was decided, and after discussion, we also reached a somewhat acceptable solution to the second agenda item: the rock monkeys’ resistance.

“…So, you’re saying that I should persuade and lead them… is that what you’re saying right now?”

“That’s right. Everyone thinks you’re the most suitable. I think so too.”

I nodded with a grin at Jahan, who was looking at me with a bewildered expression—to be blunt, a face that said “Is this person insane?”

Yes, after our discussion, we concluded that Jahan should be entrusted with persuading the rock monkeys.

If we wanted to convince these rock monkeys—who barely speak our language and think so differently—to remain with the alliance, shouldn’t we put forward the person among us most likely to communicate with them?

That was the logic behind choosing Jahan.

It wasn’t a decision made with confidence that he could succeed, but rather reached through process of elimination because there were no better options.

“With all due respect, I myself can hardly claim to have such persuasive skills…”

As I expected, Jahan openly showed his reluctance.

He looked like he was barely restraining himself from demanding what kind of insane idea it was to order a Ka’har warrior to persuade another race.

Well, even I think it’s a slightly crazy idea.

Jahan is straightforward in character, absolutely loyal to Hersella and half as loyal to me, so he’s just politely saying it would be difficult. If I had made such a request to another Ka’har, they would have openly called it crazy nonsense.

[I tried to dissuade them. Regrettably, no one listened to me.]

You be quiet.

If you were truly regretful, you might try removing that laughter from your tone when speaking. You’re clearly enjoying this completely, yet you talk about regret.

“They respect you quite a bit, don’t they? Calling you an exemplary loyal and brave warrior. Wouldn’t words from someone like you be quite effective?”

“That seems like an entirely different matter… but I’ll try as you’ve commanded.”

Anyway, Jahan eventually nodded, unable to hide his disgruntled expression, saying he would do his best since it was my order.

“Good, I’m counting on you. Do your best.”

I patted his shoulder lightly and smiled like a senior soldier encouraging a new recruit who had just completed their transfer paperwork.

And so the rock monkey issue was more or less settled for now. Of course, we’ll have to wait and see the results.

—-

After completing the general military council and its follow-up, I delegated the paperwork like detailed march planning to the experts, as there was no particular reason for me to handle it.

“Um… Lord Haschal, would it be alright if I made one request?”

While I was in the middle of rehabilitation exercises, carrying a boulder on my shoulders for pure strength training, Nigel came looking for me, bowing his head and saying he had a favor to ask.

“A request? From you, Nigel? That’s unusual.”

Nigel is the type who treats me relatively comfortably while strictly maintaining proper boundaries, so it was rare for him to ask for anything like this.

“Go ahead and tell me. As long as it’s not completely unreasonable, I’ll grant it.”

I carefully set down the boulder I was using instead of a dumbbell, wiped away my sweat with the towel Nigel had brought, and asked what kind of request made him hesitate so much.

“Do you remember the Oath Sword that was presented to you by the Nagas as a reward for slaying the great dragon?”

The Oath Sword from the Nagas?

“Oh, that? Honestly, it’s clearly a spear but they lump it together as an ‘Oath Sword,’ which is kind of funny. If that’s the case, they should have called it an ‘Oath Spear-Sword’ from the beginning.”

I had just propped that up against the wall in my private room.

It’s a sacred artifact among sacred artifacts, but since it won’t demonstrate its full capabilities unless wielded by its rightful owner, it’s useless to me. Yet I couldn’t bring myself to melt it down and just extract the divine essence because it seemed too wasteful.

So I was planning to give it to Lacy as a gift later. If I gave it to her, she’d probably cheer like a wife whose husband brought home a winning lottery ticket and put it to good use.

She still seems unwilling to give up on finding the descendants of the Great’s Twelve Knights, despite how nearly impossible it looks. If she had one more Oath Sword, it might help her make some progress. Maybe.

“But why?”

“Well… I was wondering if I could… um, use that spear?”

Nigel answered hesitantly, his face slightly flushed as if embarrassed to ask. If it wouldn’t be disrespectful, could I lend him that spear?

From my perspective, it was a completely unexpected request.

“You want me to lend you one of the Great’s Twelve Knights’ spears?”

What’s this about? You already have that Sacred Spear of Eberond or whatever it’s called. That’s already an excellent weapon, so why are you asking for the Oath Sword—no, Spear?

Really, what’s going on? Did he actually have a thing for collecting weapons?

“Hmm…”

Certainly, among us, Nigel is the only one whose main weapon is a spear, so it makes sense he might be interested in a spear that ranks just below Caliburn.

But even if I give it to him, he won’t be able to use it properly.

Being made entirely of true silver, it would certainly perform well even as just a cold weapon… but is that really necessary?

“Um, was that too presumptuous a request…?”

Perhaps he interpreted my contemplative murmur and brief silence as rejection or displeasure. Nigel stammered awkwardly like a teenage girl who had just been rejected after confessing.

“I, that is, I mean—I’m sorry. Please forget what I just said—”

“Huh? No, no. Would I refuse such a small favor between us? If you want to use it, go ahead. I’ll bring it to you in a bit.”

I had no intention of refusing. I was just curious about his reasons, not displeased or thinking it presumptuous.

After all the times Nigel has helped me, how could I not lend him a single spear?

Even if he had asked me to give it to him outright rather than just borrowing it, I would have probably handed it over after some deliberation. Though I would have told him to keep it secret from Lacy.

“I just want to know why. Why do you suddenly need it? Is there something wrong with the Sacred Spear of Eberond?”

“Well… it’s not that. It’s just, well…”

I’ve never seen him stammer like this before. It was truly a first, and quite refreshing in many ways.

“If it’s difficult to explain, we can just move on. I don’t intend to pry.”

“It’s not that. It’s just, how should I explain this…”

Nigel shook his head and hesitated a bit before speaking again.

“You see, ever since you received that spear, whenever I pass by your room, I get this strange feeling…”

…A strange feeling? What’s that supposed to mean?

“It’s like something is calling to me… like a hungry person drawn to the aroma of a feast, that kind of peculiar sensation keeps…”

Wait a minute. Could this be…

…No, seriously, could it be? No way, right? Could we really find it this easily—no, this randomly—no, this ridiculously?

Is that even possible?

“……”

I fell silent, my face clearly showing my bewilderment.

It was truly an absurd speculation, but I couldn’t help but be convinced that nothing else could explain what was happening.