Ch.168Chapter 168

The information provided by the saint was quite important, so I immediately went to report it to the Knight Commander.

Though it wasn’t completely certain yet, it was still information worth being aware of.

When I explained the plan we had devised with the gods, the Knight Commander nodded in understanding.

“So the Knights of Rondan will support your approach, and while we draw their attention, you’ll approach the Giant of the Snow Mountain. That’s the gist of it.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Simple and clear. Well, that’s really all you need to do anyway.”

The Knight Commander stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“To think that all the falling snow is actually fragments of the Snow Mountain Giant’s Exiled God. I never considered it because they naturally fall from the sky.”

The Knight Commander spoke with self-deprecation, but throughout human history, it’s often the simplest things that cause problems.

Even with inventions, sometimes they don’t work despite following the design perfectly, then suddenly function after simply tightening a screw one more turn.

It’s about not realizing something, not incompetence.

“What matters is that we know the solution now. I believe it’s important to honor those who sacrificed themselves in the past and carry on their will.”

Did my consolation reach him?

The Knight Commander nodded a few times, then looked up with a smile.

“Thank you for those kind words. Yes, dwelling on the past isn’t particularly helpful.”

After our brief conversation, I left the Knights’ headquarters.

#

“To think those snowballs were actually fragments, no wonder no one realized it.”

“The fragments expelled by that half-wit would have such minimal energy that humans would just perceive them as ordinary snowballs.”

When Faura spoke with surprise, Fiore responded with understanding.

If it weren’t for that cosmic flow nonsense, we could have resolved everything long ago.

Since the Greater Gods ultimately control all of that anyway, couldn’t they just manipulate things as they please?

If they’re worried about humanity’s extinction, couldn’t they just protect all of humanity?

“Life forms that lose their autonomy are destined for extinction.”

Afta explained.

“They need to follow their instincts to develop and survive. That’s how humans have managed to survive even in these extreme conditions.”

That was true.

If they hadn’t become stronger beforehand, humanity would have perished without resistance to such shocks.

And if humanity had perished, the rest of the ecosystem would have collapsed too.

…But then again, since we’re surviving thanks to the Princess, couldn’t this also be considered the power of an Outer God?

“She’s a half-wit, so we’ll let that slide.”

Fiore said as if it were completely obvious.

At this point, couldn’t they just change this “cosmic flow” however they wanted?

Like iron that sometimes becomes a vessel, sometimes a weapon, sometimes a farming tool.

These complexities were part of why I never wanted to study them.

By my standards at the time, we were coexisting anyway, so my ignorance wasn’t causing any problems.

“By the way, now that we’ve made our plans, where are you going?”

At Zumiya’s question, I gave a somewhat sad smile.

There are many good people around me, but who could support me as reliably as family?

That’s why I wanted to receive some encouragement before undertaking this major task.

#

I went to where my grandfather was.

I thought there would be no one there, but perhaps rumors about our upcoming mission to stop the Second Princess had spread even here.

There were quite a few people present.

Grandfather stood before them with his hands raised above his head.

The somewhat disheveled figure I remembered now looked every bit the bishop of a religion.

“The Watcher is watching over us today as well. It is because of the Watcher’s attention that we can survive another day. So let us pray.”

There were no specific prayer incantations.

They simply pressed their hands together, bowed their heads, and remained silent.

Hmm.

Even if he is family, interrupting such a moment would be inappropriate.

Since I was already here, I quietly sat down with them and offered a silent prayer.

Hmm.

What should I pray for?

Ah, Oko.

Please, I beg you, give me peace when all this is over!

…Though I doubt Oko could do anything special about that.

Actually, considering Oko’s personality so far, he might even join in the chaos.

Sigh.

How headache-inducing.

I don’t know how long I sat there.

Eventually, I heard the sound of people shifting around me.

It meant people were starting to raise their heads.

I followed suit and lifted my head.

Grandfather kept his head bowed until the very end, then slowly raised it to look at his followers with a smile.

“I sincerely hope that all your prayers to the Watcher will be answered. Oh, Watcher, may our prayers reach you.”

“May they reach you.”

Hmm.

No matter that he’s my grandfather, this scene does look rather cult-like.

Well, now that I know Oko actually exists, it’s not really a cult anymore.

With grandfather’s final words, the service ended, and people rose from their seats with somewhat unburdened expressions and left the building.

After everyone had gone, I remained until the end, and grandfather finally turned his attention to me.

Recognizing me, he approached with a warm smile.

“…You’ve come, Tanthyn.”

#

I entered grandfather’s private room and chewed on the bread he offered.

Grandfather soon joined me with drinks and sat across from me.

He gazed at me with a fond smile, which soon turned sad.

“I heard you’re joining the Snow Mountain expedition.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“…I believe you’ll be fine since you have the Watcher’s blessing, but… I still worry.”

“Grandfather.”

For grandfather, who lives and dies by his faith, to show such weakness.

I decided to tell him something that might give him strength.

“Oko is alive.”

“I know.”

“And I’ve found a way to manifest Oko in this world again.”

“…!”

Grandfather’s eyes widened.

“But it can’t happen right away. I need to participate in the Snow Mountain expedition to bring Oko back.”

“…Does this mean your sacrifice might be required?”

“I don’t think so. If everything goes according to plan, no one will have to die.”

I meant it to be reassuring, but grandfather still looked at me with a worried expression.

He gazed at me silently for a while, then gently stroked my hand.

“The Watcher’s existence is important to me. But if I were to lose you in the process, nothing would be more futile.”

Despite his trembling hand, grandfather’s eyes showed determination as he looked at me.

“Survive. Make sure you survive and, together with the Watcher, save this world.”

Saving the world.

I’m not great enough for such a task.

But perhaps, with everyone’s help, I might be able to restore the world to what it once was.

So I didn’t answer directly, just returned his serious gaze with one of my own.

#

D – 30

The knights began training to respond to the Second Princess.

They focused primarily on cold-resistance training, seemingly to develop the mental fortitude to keep advancing even if frozen by the Second Princess.

D – 15

I got beaten like a dog by White Mask.

I thought I might be stronger than White Mask if I used all my power, but I still couldn’t match his pure swordsmanship.

Even though I was considered an ace during my time as a Lintfia knight, how could I not even compare?

While lost in such thoughts, I got hit by White Mask again.

That day, I ended up relying on Faura once more.

D – 7

The Princess strained herself to retrieve weapons from the armory.

Most were protective gear.

And most of that gear had strong resistance to cold.

They seemed to be highly defensive protective gear imbued with the Princess’s energy.

When the knights wore them, complaints erupted that they were so warm it felt like heat injury prevention training rather than extreme cold training.

That day, for the first time, I saw the Vice Commander become extremely angry.

From my distant observer position, it was an incredibly amusing sight.

D – 1

“Are you ready?”

“I’m ready.”

“Me too.”

The Huntsman and Asti answered with tense voices.

It seemed they were hopeful about finally escaping this tedious daily routine.

Once this is over, the Huntsman can live as an ordinary woman instead of a vengeful spirit obsessed with revenge.

Asti too will be able to choose her own path in life.

I handed the protective gear I received from the armory to the Huntsman.

Those without knight qualifications cannot receive armory protection.

But if I pass it on, that’s a different story.

When the Huntsman put on the outfit, the contrast between her cold expressionless face and the cute doll-like appearance of the armor brought uncontrollable laughter.

“What?”

“Nothing, just… you look cute.”

I meant to tease the Huntsman, but for some reason, she turned her gaze away and scratched her cheek with her finger.

Wait.

What’s with that reaction?

Unable to understand the Huntsman’s behavior, I felt a strange chill but decided to ignore it.

“L-let’s go. The knights will be waiting.”

As we headed out, we could see numerous knights gathered to depart for the Snow Mountain expedition.

Their numbers were overwhelming, but I also felt hope that we could finally end this.

“Well, it seems everyone is properly assembled.”

As the Knight Commander was confirming the numbers, something approached the entrance of Rondan.

When I looked to see what it was, I saw familiar knights approaching.

It was the Duke’s knights.

The person who appeared to be the Duke’s Knight Commander approached our Knight Commander, bowed, and then raised his head.

“When the hope of the Empire moves forward, it would be ridiculous for us to remain still. May we join you?”

And they weren’t the only ones arriving.

The Knights of Lintfia.

And knights from numerous domains I hadn’t visited.

A massive number of knights stood in front of Rondan, holding their spears high.

“For the Empire’s brilliant future!”

“Clear the path for Muji Absoluta!”

Humanity, which had been cowering until now, was finally beginning to rebel.

And at the center of it all…

A thief, a huntsman, and a madman stood together.