Ch.214Buried Things (4)

# December 3, 1201

Only when the year was nearly at its end did the excavation work finally conclude.

Though there were dangerous sections throughout, at this point there was nothing more to dig up.

“Ah… what a shame… if only we could do something about those dead ones, we could milk this place as a tourist attraction for thousands of generations…”

The government official spoke with genuine regret, and watching him, I was struck anew by the limitlessness of human greed.

To think they’d want to squeeze out more profit after already collecting 1,300 years’ worth of revenue.

“That’s quite enough. What we’ve already uncovered has turned 30 million into 3 billion.”

“Haha. Is that so?”

After spending several months working together, the initially awkward and stiff relationships among the excavators had grown remarkably close.

Of course, while I had received honors as a knight, it was still significant that I could dine at the same table as a high government official.

“Still, revenue from 1,300 years. Truly an unfathomable figure.”

“Well. These are just estimates… could be more, could be less. But it’s definitely over 1,000 years’ worth of revenue. We’ve truly struck gold here.”

“Then I’d recommend investing in military power first. With 1,300 years’ worth of income, even a benevolent ruler might be tempted to draft invasion plans.”

“We’re already on it. We’re planning to import war machines from Centrum.”

“Oh?”

Centrum is the thirteenth continent and the most developed one.

It was also the capital continent of the ancient empire, so it received the most attacks, but it also had facilities capable of withstanding such assaults.

As a result, Centrum currently housed a population comparable to the other twelve continents combined, and it was said that several massive arcologies, symbols of the ancient empire, had been erected there.

Needless to say, they were at the cutting edge of technology.

“Then I worried for nothing. I suppose I’m just a knight after all, only thinking about fighting.”

“Hahaha. Well, after food, clothing, and shelter comes the military power to protect them. Don’t concern yourself too much.”

I nodded, and soon a modest feast began for the excavation team and our military unit that had been guarding them.

Generously, Becarium had prepared plenty of meat and alcohol, allowing even our soldiers to join the celebration without hesitation.

“Eat and drink to your heart’s content! You’ve all worked incredibly hard these past few months. Once you receive your payment, I’ll make sure all the prostitutes in the next city will be yours!”

“Kyaaaah!”

Men are extremely simple creatures; feed them pork cutlets, spicy pork, and hearty soup, and they’ll be loyal until death.

And if you add alcohol to that? They’re practically a suicide squad.

“How long has it been since we had a drink!”

“Today is the day to discipline our livers and kidneys!”

“The alcohol will flush everything out!”

My soldiers, in an almost frenzied state, inhaled meat and alcohol, fat and ethanol.

I wasn’t sure if they could actually discipline the organs inside their bodies, or what they intended to accomplish by disciplining these silent organs that were already working hard enough.

And I couldn’t understand why they needed to drink something to “flush everything out” when the digestive system would take care of things on its own, but I chalked it up to the slang of uneducated soldiers and politely cut my meat.

Though it was slang, it was quite direct, and I could understand what they meant.

The banquet that began in the morning continued past lunchtime.

“Whew. Time to clean up, I suppose.”

I clicked my tongue as I looked around the chaotic banquet hall.

My soldiers weren’t the neatest bunch, but I hadn’t expected such a mess. Perhaps it was the explosion of months of tension during which they couldn’t even sleep properly.

“Should we wake the soldiers?”

“No… let’s wait a bit longer. They’ve all been pushing themselves too hard.”

“Understood…”

BOOM!

“!”

While I was discussing the brigade commander and soldiers, a massive explosion suddenly echoed from the ruins.

As I hurriedly drew my sword and looked toward the ruins, the blast doors that had been sealing them were completely gone, and from within, rows of pure white eye-lights gleamed through gray smoke.

“Ah… fuck.”

We’re screwed.

Severely screwed.

*

“The Imperial troops have revived!”

“Everyone to positions!”

“Formation!!! Form a battle formation!!!”

In just three short minutes, my soldiers succeeded in forming their ranks.

The enemies were still inside the ruins, staring at us with their eerie white glowing eyes.

I could see my soldiers’ bodies twitching each time they glimpsed the emaciated bodies and glowing eyes through the smoke.

“Don’t panic! Your lord is a Knight of the Sun! How could those who once served the Sun harm us so rashly?”

When I shouted to calm my soldiers, their commotion fortunately began to subside.

They had all seen me struck by lightning from the sky twice, so they knew I served the Sun, and they also knew that the ancient empire had worshipped the Sun and Moon.

Of course, we couldn’t expect rationality from the undead, but at least it provided some reassurance.

While I was thinking this… finally, one of the enemies began to emerge from the darkness.

Thud… thud…

Emaciated. Like a malnourished patient walking just before death.

But despite having met his death, Fujimura Ayato was still wearing the ancient empire’s military uniform, and on his uniform were a purple emblem indicating over 80 years of military service, a badge of dedication proving participation in more than 1,000 battles, and a platinum medal awarded to commanders who had achieved numerous merits.

…

What?

How do I know this person’s name and career?

No, it’s not just him. The lives of those beyond him were vividly merging with my memories.

How much they had loved, how many achievements they had made, how many wars and battles they had fought…

*Shing*

“Party leader?”

“My lord?”

Only then did I realize what I had to do.

The Sun had said:

[Their wishes shall be fulfilled.]

I could understand.

There was no madness in those white eye-lights.

All I could see were pitiful souls who had suffered for 351,201 years, deviating from the natural order of passing from the realm of the living to the realm of the dead.

“Fujimura Ayato. Commander of the Koei Unit.”

I spoke his name and affiliation.

The dead man before me knelt down and began to plead with trembling lips.

“Has the Sun abandoned us?”

“No. He still shines upon humanity.”

I spoke in fluent ancient imperial language.

I don’t know the imperial language.

But now I do.

The reason needs no explanation.

“We have been banished from both life and death. Why can we no longer hear the Sun’s divine voice?”

“Four powers have hidden his grace… humanity has forgotten his sacrifice.”

When I said this, Ayato began to weep torrentially from his withered body.

Following him, the soldiers inside the ruins began to wail, and the cries of the dead showed no sign of stopping.

“Have our hated enemies finally won?! Have the imperial soldiers failed to avenge His Majesty the Emperor?”

“…Yes.”

I made these grieving souls face the bitter reality.

The war is over now.

In the midst of destruction and ruin, the remnants of the empire have been forgotten and erased, leaving only fragments behind.

Like them, for instance.

“Return to the Sun’s side now. I will guide your souls.”

“Can we finally enter into rest? Can we, who were defeated and dishonored, behold his noble countenance?”

I raised my hand and brought forth the radiance of the Sun.

As I caressed his cheek with the brilliantly shining light, he was freed from his hideous appearance and, for a brief moment, returned to his robust physical form from when he was alive.

“Ah… Sun of humanity… have mercy on us…”

With those words, he left his final tears on the ground and ascended to the heavens.

His spirit was lifted to the sky with a halo of light, finally finding peace.

And I helped those forgotten, cursed ones inside the ruins go to the Sun’s side by calling their true names.

They no longer need to suffer…

The war is over.

Although they were defeated… at least their honor will no longer be tarnished.

And as the dead finally received salvation, the Sun split the sky and bestowed his radiance upon the earth as if to celebrate.

“O Sun. Their wishes have finally been fulfilled.”

[Their souls have been saved. Continue onward, my knight.]

With those words, I lost consciousness.