Ch.226Chapter 226. The Descent of the Archangel

-Vroom!

One by one, the carriages started up as they left the ark…

No, “automobiles” would be a more appropriate expression than carriages.

They were actually designed with reference to vehicle structures from the original world, made to move automatically without horses.

“They’re still prototypes so we can’t mass-produce them, but they’ll be adequate for transporting rescued people. Just don’t be too rough with them and break them.”

That was the advice from the dwarves who led the vehicle production.

As rescue team members boarded the vehicles with gratitude, the underground dwellers and bird tribe also prepared to move along their chosen routes.

“We’ll check underground just in case, rezzi! If we find survivors, we’ll dig tunnels and let you know right away, rezzi!”

“Leave the sky to us. We may avoid fighting, but we can at least serve as eyes for this group.”

We could now expand our search range not just on the ground but to the sky and underground as well.

Their abilities were indeed proving extremely helpful for the search.

Since everything around us was full of collapsed ruins and dangers, being able to move without being restricted by terrain was inherently efficient.

“Rescue successful!”

“Good! The escort team, head to the ark with the vehicle! The remaining forces will hold this position until the vehicle returns!”

Swift rescue using vehicles, and defensive operations to secure the path until their return.

The process was proceeding very smoothly under the cooperation of myself, Garam, Flan, and the expedition members.

It seemed certain that we could continue focusing on rescue operations while clearing the path without issues until our return.

“W-what is that size!?”

But in this situation, we couldn’t afford to be completely at ease.

As we gradually got closer to the imperial city, expedition members who spotted monster groups near the area all exclaimed in shock.

Until now, we had encountered creatures that humans could handle with proper equipment and formation, but as we got closer to the imperial city, beings that transcended such levels were gradually increasing in number.

Not only the grotesqueness created by their distorted forms, but also their sheer size…

-We… will… become… gods.

-Need… more… more blood… to eat…

But what terrified us even more were the Demon Tribe corpses piled beneath them.

The Demon Tribe members who had advanced to this area had all been crushed by their hands, ultimately transformed into living sacrifices for consumption.

“Each one is giant-class. And they’re densely surrounding the castle.”

“Those angels, are they perhaps guarding the castle?”

If there was any consolation, it was that unlike other angels, they didn’t seem interested in leaving their established territory.

But even that was merely a small comfort amid misfortune.

Our current targets weren’t limited to the imperial city, and we needed to keep in mind that danger could strike other destinations as well.

“Fortunately, there are fewer enemies on the path toward the prison, but it still doesn’t look easy to break through with just the people we have here.”

“It’s right at the point where angels and the Demon Tribe are clashing. The moment we get even slightly closer, we’ll become targets for both sides.”

This was objectively clear.

The soldiers here alone couldn’t withstand attacks from both angels and the Demon Tribe while rescuing people.

We needed several powerful individuals like Heroes to protect them, but currently, only Garam and I were Heroes present.

If both of us entered the prison with them, our entry into the imperial city would inevitably be delayed.

“…Damn it.”

I couldn’t help but feel frustrated by the situation.

If I didn’t enter the imperial city, I wouldn’t be able to meet Irie, and with the Demon Lord variable in play, I didn’t know how much longer I could stay here.

Having to prioritize matters elsewhere in such circumstances—how was this any different from forcing me to give up on Irie?

“What should I do…”

“Master.”

As I was conflicted, a soft voice reached me.

When I turned toward it, I saw Flan pointing at the side section of the imperial city.

“If you head toward the sewer in that plaza over there, you should be able to enter the imperial city without directly encountering the angels.”

“…You mean there’s a secret passage?”

“Yes, and angels have difficulty operating inside buildings due to their large wings. The fact that there are many guarding the outside means there are fewer inside the castle.”

Indeed, the angels we had encountered so far would destroy buildings rather than enter them directly.

So if we could get inside through a secret passage, we might be able to reach our destination without facing much danger.

“And if you want to move stealthily, fewer people would be better.”

After explaining this, Flan turned her back to me and looked toward where the expedition team was gathered.

That direction was exactly opposite to where the imperial city was located.

“…Flan?”

“Leave the rescue of people in the prison to me, and please head to the imperial city, Master.”

“Wait, what are you saying?”

It was something I hadn’t expected.

For someone who had protected the empire for a thousand years, the opportunity to meet the imperial family might be even more desperate than it was for me.

“Flan, didn’t you… want to save the imperial family?”

Hadn’t she always considered the possibility of clashing with me because of that?

Hadn’t she resolved to oppose me if I made choices harmful to humanity and the empire?

“…Do you remember what I said before coming here?”

But contrary to the desperation she had shown, Flan’s voice now revealed resignation.

“That the Crown Prince might be behind all this. That I consider you important because I keep that possibility in mind.”

“…”

“…I can understand His Highness’s intentions to some extent. With even the vampires who controlled humanity from behind gone, humanity was bound to fragment.”

I had suspected as much.

The fact that riots broke out across human territories as soon as the vampires disappeared essentially meant they had been suppressing the public’s anger.

And to vampires, humans were merely livestock and prey.

Depending on them would inevitably lead to catastrophe, so humanity’s fragmentation was a predetermined outcome regardless of which path was taken.

“…The fall of the empire was inevitable.”

And Flan had already accepted this fact.

That the nation she had served for a thousand years was about to collapse.

That the guardian of humanity herself had to accept the future where the cornerstone of her existence would crumble.

“That’s why His Highness probably tried to send as many people as possible outside the empire during the process of quelling the riots. He believed that was the way to save as many people as possible from the masses whose distrust of the empire had reached its limit…”

That was the extent of understanding she had accepted.

As her gaze then turned to the collapsed cityscape, complexity began to rise within it.

“But even with understanding, there are victims. More people lost their lives to His Highness’s plan than we can save.”

Yes, regardless of intentions, too many people had suffered fear and terror, ultimately losing their lives.

If blood must be shed for the sake of the best choice, one cannot be free from responsibility for that bloodshed.

Flan knew this too, which is why she could no longer maintain her loyalty to the one who had become her master.

“My heart still says I should serve the empire and humanity… but no matter how great a nation is, it can’t last forever, can it?”

A sad smile formed on her lips at the end of this acknowledgment.

Faced with such a smile, I couldn’t say anything.

I too was in a position where I had to accept reality like her, yet I was heading to the imperial city in pursuit of an ideal.

While I might pity the child who was trying to shoulder the responsibility I should bear, I shouldn’t interfere with her choice.

“…Such conflict might make me waver when facing His Highness. I’ll leave what to do with him to you, Master.”

As she prepared to leave in silence, Flan turned to face Garam, who had been quietly listening to our conversation beside me.

“And Miss Garam.”

The gentle voice that followed contained more earnest feelings than ever before.

“Please take care of my master in my place.”

“…Me?”

“I can take responsibility for both your absences. And…”

“Our master is too precarious on his own, isn’t he? I’d feel reassured if there’s at least one person by his side.”

Resignation to give up her own desires.

A voice filled with dependence and concern for me, chosen to replace that.

Facing this, Garam quietly nodded and began to grasp my hanging hand.

“…Don’t worry. We’ll both definitely return alive.”

As if expressing respect for her choice and empathy for her feelings.

Only after engraving this in her eyes did Flan turn away without hesitation and begin running toward the prison.

“I’ll clear the path! Everyone else, prioritize saving lives…!”

“Ah, yes! We’re counting on you, Flan!”

The expedition members left the scene following Flan.

Their bonds had been strengthened during their time fighting together, so there was no need to worry.

Now we needed to focus on heading to the place that had become the source of all this chaos.

“Let’s go, oppa.”

“…Yeah.”

The city continued to collapse amid the angels’ rampage.

Angels were everywhere, but we didn’t have the luxury to confront them all.

Our stamina wasn’t infinite, so we needed to minimize engagement and advance stealthily, little by little…

“…Are you really okay with this?”

Before entering the sewer entrance Flan had mentioned, I asked, causing Garam to tilt her head toward me in confusion.

“Okay with what? Don’t tell me you’re thinking of turning back after coming this far?”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

We had been a pair who resolved to depend on each other and not abandon one another from the moment we made our promise.

I couldn’t show consideration now just because she was young.

“You noticed, didn’t you? Who that child really is.”

The maid Flan and Cheska Flandor were the same person.

I could tell she had noticed this from the distinctive way she looked at her.

She had said they weren’t on bad terms, so there must have been happiness at meeting her, gratitude for the help she provided during her time as a discarded Hero, and perhaps resentment toward her for leaving and passing excessive responsibility to her.

“…There will be plenty of opportunities to talk if we return safely.”

But all those conflicts could be resolved if they returned alive.

Having expressed her feelings, Garam pointed her toes toward the open sewer entrance and looked back at me.

“Are you ready?”

“Of course.”

With that signal, our bodies fell with a whoosh!

The place we would arrive at would surely be deeper and darker than the darkness spread before us.

Since the source of all this trouble was there, I could vaguely foresee such a future.

And…

*****

“Jaseong Hero! We’ll join you!”

“Stay back, all of you!!! A few people charging in won’t be enough to face that thing!”

At the ark, around the time the two people entered the imperial city.

Despite the cries of those defending the ark together, Jaseong was determined to guard the collapsed rampart alone.

There was nothing around to protect him.

The rampart had collapsed under the sudden attack of an absurdly powerful monster, and the refugees and forces he had managed to protect had long been withdrawn to the ark.

“…Damn, I won’t be able to face Hyoseong and the kid. What a mess, right after I boasted I’d protect this place.”

Yes, until the ark could be properly fortified again, he alone had to defend this place.

Realizing this, Jaseong gripped his spade firmly as someone approached, striding across the corpses of angels, smiling triumphantly.

“Impressive. To think a mere short-lived species could withstand me to this extent.”

The wings sprouting from her back indicated she was also an angel.

However, unlike the angels encountered so far, her body showed no signs of grotesque distortion.

Rather than a monster, she resembled a human…

No, she would be more appropriately called an elf.

Her pointed ears and green-tinged eyes evoked a feeling similar to the elf children currently taking shelter here.

“Do you also wield power from another world, like mine? Hehe, the power to invert the earth—how fascinating.”

“Hiyah!!”

As the angel approached one step with an arrogant smile, Jaseong angrily thrust his spade into the ground, inverting the surrounding earth, but the angel continued walking forward, undisturbed by the soil pouring down.

“But in the end, it’s merely a fragment.”

And with a whoosh!

The soil was pushed away in all directions with a single flap of her wings.

Jaseong’s breath stopped as he saw his attack crumble uselessly, but she merely drew a gentle smile on her lips, unconcerned.

“Every part of this noble body is filled with concepts that transcend this world… Did you think you could defeat me with just one ability?”

Yes, present here was a being who had succeeded in constructing the most ideal and perfect form among heterogeneous races that had accepted concepts from other worlds.

This woman, worthy of being called an “archangel,” spoke with an arrogant voice toward Jaseong who confronted her.

“To think a mere short-lived species that can’t even live 100 years would face me, Auria, who has attained power rivaling the gods after living for 2,000 years?”

Power that would surely surpass even the Demon Lord.

She displayed such firm confidence without reservation.