Ch.255The Scars of History. Moros Gorge (1)

[This is the Border Control Office of Moros Canyon. Identify the name and affiliation of the vessel currently entering.]

As we approached Moros Canyon, a radio communication came in from the Border Control Office as usual.

“We are the Solar Forces. We serve under Lord Victor Walker, the Apostle of the Sun, and this vessel is named the Sky Warden.”

I listened to the communications officer with my arms crossed. The soldiers were on combat standby, ready to rain down nuclear warheads at once if anyone dared to show any wrong or blasphemous behavior denying the Sun.

[…Confirmed. Is this truly one who has ascended to the Apostle’s seat?]

The cold voice crackled through the radio, as the border control officer double-checked the claim about the Sun’s Apostle.

“That’s correct. Have you not heard the news from Lorelai?”

[We are aware, but asked for confirmation. Land at docking bay 32. Inspectors will arrive shortly. Wait aboard your vessel until then.]

Hmm. Having a reputation certainly makes for much more courteous treatment. The nations of Meridia weren’t nearly this accommodating.

“Understood. Sky Warden will land at docking bay 32.”

After the communications officer transmitted the final message, the Sky Warden landed at docking bay 32.

Whooooosh…

As the engines gradually lost thrust, we could see a city stretching along the top of the elongated canyon.

Finally, we had arrived at Moros Canyon.

The place where humans first achieved victory in the war against monsters. A place where death had been carved into the strata, becoming both a scar and a wound.

“Ah… the first landmark of the Yenisei continent… The air feels different. Is it because of the high altitude?”

“We need to stay aboard until the inspectors arrive. Let’s take it easy.”

Even if one is an Apostle of the gods, one must follow the orders of legitimate authorities. For example, border control offices that have the authority to search all who cross national borders.

Of course, there’s no ‘need’ to do so, but it’s a gesture of respect for national sovereignty, taking on an unnecessary burden.

If an Apostle were to ignore instructions and act independently, the affected nation would have to wage all-out war against the Apostle to restore their damaged sovereignty.

Naturally, the result would be the nation’s destruction, and the Apostles know their own power better than anyone, so they avoid creating unnecessary trouble.

Should we call it one-sided cooperation from the strong? An Apostle, no matter how weak, is a being beyond human limits and can unilaterally crush any human-established nation.

An Apostle of Karil would simply overwhelm them in direct conflict; an Apostle of Medina would spread joyous cheers throughout the nation until they starved to death; an Apostle of Logos would cram so much knowledge into their minds that their brains would burst; and an Apostle of Moneta would wither all the nation’s resources, causing collapse through civil war.

From the perspective of sovereign nations who believe in the Four Great Gods, it’s a terrifying prospect, but it’s obviously a hundred times better to appease those who sit on the Apostle’s seat than to wage all-out war against them.

Though I didn’t do it personally, a nation that dared to deny the Sun before the Sun’s Apostle was completely annihilated. With even stronger Apostles, it was a foregone conclusion that even if a nation won, at least half its population would be erased.

-Inspectors boarding. Everyone stand at your positions for inspection.-

Soon I watched as the inspectors entered through the airlock.

As befitting inspectors, they were laden with all sorts of testing equipment hanging from them, stored in pouches around their waists. If uninformed children saw them, they might mistake these for bulletproof vests, ammunition magazines, or even bombs.

“…”

“…”

“We are honored to meet the Apostle of the Sun.”

Upon seeing me, they exchanged glances before simply bowing their heads.

I wondered why they hesitated, but it seemed they didn’t know how to properly show respect to me.

‘No wonder. The Apostle of the Sun has only just emerged…’

Thinking this, I gestured for them to rise and granted them permission to inspect the interior of the vessel.

“Praise be to the Sun. You may freely move about my ship.”

“We are grateful for your heaven-like grace.”

The inspector bowed his head again, then gave a chin gesture to order his subordinate inspectors.

Judging by how well they understood such subtle commands, they must have accumulated years of experience in inspection work.

“When will the inspection be finished?”

“Even at the latest, it should be done within three hours.”

“It takes that long?”

“It can’t be helped. The ship is quite large, and with so many people aboard, it takes time to find any smuggled goods or illegal drugs.”

“Hmm…”

If I were leading a legion-sized unit on a million-ton vessel, the inspection might take over ten hours.

Thinking of it that way, three hours might be quite short.

*

“The inspection is complete.”

“Was there anything suspicious?”

“No… nothing at all. You may disembark now.”

After 2 hours and 32 minutes, the inspection ended, and the inspectors respectfully bowed and withdrew.

I returned to the captain’s quarters to relay instructions and summoned the division commander and high-ranking officers.

Soon the officers lined up in formation inside the captain’s quarters, and I sat down in my chair and spoke.

“When is our payday?”

“The 25th, sir.”

“Hmm… today is September 13th, so there’s more than a week until payday. Give everyone three silver coins each and let them go out. They need to relieve some stress. Many of them have been cooped up in the infirmary with nothing to do.”

“Understood.”

“And of course, make sure they don’t go too far, so they can return within three hours.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. End of announcements. Now my companions and I will go on a pilgrimage, so contact me if anything happens. Understood?”

“Understood, sir.”

After the division commander responded, I nodded and flicked my hand, signaling them to leave.

The division commander and chief of staff herded the officers out, and I knelt briefly before the flag of the Nariakiran Empire displayed in the captain’s quarters and prayed.

“O Sun who shines upon us eternally. Today I stand in a place where, before your time, humanity drove back the powers of darkness through their strength alone. Can you feel it? Their will fossilized and their resolve turned to stone?”

[I cannot feel it. It happened before my ascension, even before I was conceived in my mother’s womb as a human. Where did their will and resolve go? Have their souls scattered? Or have they returned to this world again? I have no way of knowing. It is lamentable. Though I am the first to ascend, I cannot even know the whereabouts of fallen heroes.]

“Do not grieve too much. They are truly your ancestors. Even without the guidance of light, they burned themselves to stand against monsters and achieve victory. Isn’t this the ideal image of humanity you dreamed of?”

[…It is not what I dreamed of…]

“…Sun?”

[I am still dreaming now. That humanity will develop and cultivate its potential to dye this continent with brilliant starlight. Then there would be no more hunger, no more wounds to lead them astray. But that is merely…]

The Sun could not continue His words.

How could He not know? That He Himself is the pinnacle of humanity means that others can never shine like the Sun.

I, who once knew nothing but war, understand. Humans are too weak, and therefore too easily corrupted.

It is easier to kill others than to kill oneself, and weak minds rationalize this all too easily.

No one wants to be a reformer of society; they merely wish to become the privileged.

Even to me, who has lived barely 20 years, the sins and distortions of the world and humanity are visible. How must the Sun feel, burning for ages?

That glorious civilization and technology built over 300,000 years returned to nothing after 50,000 years of destruction, and modern humanity merely gnaws on those corpses and ashes—this would be unbearable torture for any god.

Yet the Sun, despite witnessing all these failures, has not abandoned humanity, and that alone is reason enough to worship Him.

How could one forsake the one who brought light to the world?

“Even if it is an unreachable dream, you have justice. Please do not forget that.”

[Your answer pleases me. Now go. Engrave the scars of history upon your eyes.]

The Sun gestured to me with a faint smile.

“I humbly obey your command.”

Now the preparations were complete.

Finally, I was about to take my first true step on the Yenisei continent.