Ch.279279. Goden Mikhail Rihabart (11)

After completing the Peltiburg seal, Tembris’s footsteps arrive at Sirah.

The purpose was to find the ruins that Michelle had seen and Professor Denis had marked on the map.

However, as soon as they set foot there, what they witnessed were traces of battle within the village and residents clearing away building debris that hadn’t yet been removed.

Many of the residents were also injured. Pressure bandages and regular bandages were a common sight, and there were quite a few people with wounds that still showed traces of blood.

Since those supplies couldn’t have come from Sirah, if Goden hadn’t arrived here… they might all have become corpses.

Senia watched the Sirah residents who had become refugees with mixed feelings. A child recognized her and called out with an excited voice.

“It’s Tembris!!”

At the child’s announcement that Tembris was here, the residents immediately turned their heads. They all rushed over, saying things would be alright now.

It was already unsettling to see injured people everywhere, and now they were even getting up to approach, making her feel even more uncomfortable.

“Medical team. Set up a temporary medical station in an appropriate location.”

The Imperial soldiers moved efficiently, responding that they would follow her orders. Seeing the residents who looked almost like refugees, perhaps their hearts were also troubled, causing them to move instinctively.

Tembris was able to hear various news while helping the residents.

For instance, how Goden had raised his voice at soldiers who didn’t want to release supplies after visiting this place, or how they were able to resolve the monster attacks according to Junon’s instructions who had visited recently.

Either way, it was good news. She found out that Goden and Junon had stopped by here, and that they were the ones who had taken appropriate measures. There were also small amusing stories, like the one from the clothing shop where Renias bought clothes for Junon.

“I’m sorry. We don’t really know where they went…”

“No, it’s okay. You might not know, there’s no need to apologize.”

When she approached the residents to ask where Goden, who had been stationed here, had gone, they had no information.

Just then, a child who had filled his hungry stomach approached Senia.

“I know where that big brother went! You’re talking about that really big guy, right?”

The child pointed toward the mountains.

“He went up that way.”

“Ahaha. Is that so?”

She thought he had only given a general direction, not an exact location.

“He said he was going to a place called the Lilkran Mountains. He said he’d catch the bad monsters and come back.”

It was unexpected information that Goden had led his troops toward the Lilkran Mountains.

But Senia suddenly had a question.

The village that Goden had led troops to support was being threatened by monsters. She had heard that there was a colony near the village, and if that issue had been resolved, there shouldn’t have been any need to lead troops elsewhere, right?

It was also strange that she had sent a letter to Goden saying they would likely meet in Sirah, but there had been no reply.

And then.

“Huff, huff…! Lady Senia!”

An Imperial soldier hurriedly came to deliver urgent news.

“In the Lilkran Mountains…! A named monster has appeared!”

.

.

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Upon hearing the news about Goden’s troops, Senia immediately mounted a horse and rode off.

The Lilkran Mountains, the destination the child had mentioned, matched what the soldier had said. However, she hadn’t expected to hear that the Talon unit sent from Levrant had been completely wiped out.

Goden must have moved to rescue the remaining soldiers. There was a reason he had led his troops there.

The problem was the appearance of a named monster.

The “named” classification wasn’t created for nothing. It signifies a national disaster level, a being that represents a crisis for humanity, so it was natural to feel anxious.

No matter that she was the head of Tembris and the central figure of this party, the fact that there was still no news kept gnawing at Senia’s impatience.

As they drew closer to the Lilkran Mountains, they began to see Imperial soldiers from Goden’s unit, whom they had seen during the Mirpark siege. After tracking Goden’s location by listening to their voices…

Before their eyes was a split mountain and traces of complete devastation, similar to what happened at Shanberesh.

And at the center…

“Goden, Junon!”

Shockingly, only the two of them were lying there.

Senia’s hand trembled as it moved toward Junon’s carotid artery.

What if there’s no pulse?

If this time too, Junon had been made to bear everything?

All kinds of anxieties surged, making her feel increasingly detached from reality.

But fortunately…

“…He’s alive!”

A faint pulse was felt under her trembling fingertips.

All they needed to do was take him away, just ride the horse.

She thought that since Junon was alive, Goden would also be fine, but…

In front of his limp black hair, something that should have been worn by the head of Tembris was soaked in blood.

“Why do you have… Tembris’s armband?”

Senia immediately turned her gaze to Goden. He was partially hidden by the undergrowth, but…

The blood belonged to Goden, flowing from the corner of his mouth as he lay face down.

Goden’s skin was cold.

***

A pillar of the Empire. The heart of Tembris.

Today, a red line was drawn through the name Goden Mihail Rihabart.

No one had even suspected that he would die so suddenly. It was a tremendous shock to the soldiers who had followed behind that man’s broad back just yesterday.

“Lord Goden… sent us away.”

“He said we’d die meaninglessly if we stayed, and ordered us to return alive no matter what…”

They all hung their heads with reddened eyes, saying they had no idea that their superior’s orders had such implications.

The Tembris members who received this news also couldn’t believe that their leader was gone, that the comrade who had overcome hardships with them was lost, and they asked and asked again.

But what could they do about the truth? Blood that had flowed up his esophagus had stained the corners of his mouth, still forming reddish scabs.

It wasn’t just blood. Everyone who directly touched Goden to confirm with their own eyes realized that human skin couldn’t possibly be that cold.

Truly, Goden was no longer a person of this world.

Given the magnitude of the event, no one could calm down. Far from maintaining composure, it was impossible to engage in battle while being overwhelmed by emotions.

To the point where they couldn’t even cover the deceased man’s face with a shroud.

-Rustle.

Amidst this, someone who had been swallowing their grief picked up a shroud and covered the face of the corpse.

“I understand it’s a tragic event. However, we still need to pull ourselves together.”

Although he should have been even more dejected since he had once taught Goden in the Artena Empire.

Veterans were indeed different.

“If you remain like this, if more casualties occur, that would truly be the worst scenario that Goden anticipated. Isn’t that why he ordered you to retreat, why he sacrificed his own life to save yours?”

Muniher speaks.

He tells them to overcome and endure this pain as well. To endure and bear this suffering, and to carry out the actions that their precious benefactor, who protected their lives, would have wanted.

“I will take command of the Imperial forces. Everyone, let’s start with the briefing.”

It was still too early to mourn his death.

***

After the briefing, the lizard that fought against Goden became known as the worst monster in history to shake the Empire.

It can use human language, use magic, and while it doesn’t spawn offspring like Shanberesh, it can summon and control monsters on its own, and its main body is also strong. Above all, the fact that it possessed intelligence was the biggest threat.

So what is its power?

Muniher found one subtle commonality among those who had been stabbed by its spear.

Some kind of technique is manifested.

Starting with Ronelion, the first to manifest the technique, followed by Talon and his entire unit.

That power completely erases one’s presence from all living beings in the world except humans.

Just like a common stone rolling on the street, one passes by without any awareness.

Therefore, since time stops for the target after the technique manifests, Muniher named the monster accordingly.

‘Ashpern of Oblivion.’

But this was the end of the information.

“Huh… So, among those who properly fought against it, only Junon returned alive?”

“…That’s what we presume.”

“Oh dear. This is troublesome.”

It was a serious problem in many ways.

If they couldn’t gather any information about the powerful enemy called Ashpern, the Imperial army would inevitably be defeated.

Simply knowing that it uses magic or possesses a lot of magical energy is of no help.

In the end, they need someone who has directly fought it to wake up and speak.

‘Of all people, it has to be Junon…!’

He is an Alkaid.

The boy of the oracle, chosen by the gods.

In the worst case, he might awaken as an apostle of the gods.

But the reality is that there’s no other way. Muniher’s insides burn black with worry.

“…Count Zelbarten. Since we’re talking about Junon, there are a few more things I’d like to mention.”

Changing the commander’s title from Professor to his middle name suggests she’s regained her senses, but Muniher wants to check Senia’s condition once more.

“Are you capable of rational judgment?”

“Yes. I’ve somewhat regained my senses since earlier… Moreover, it’s related to the briefing.”

“Hmm. Good. Speak.”

“First, I’d like to ask something. Did you already know what Goden’s power was?”

She claimed to have somewhat regained her senses, which made him half-doubtful, but it seemed to be true. As she said, Muniher had once taught Goden directly.

This means that Senia’s mind, with its strengths in insight and concentration, has properly returned.

Muniher turned his gaze toward the window, clasping his hands behind his back as he answered.

“The people of the Empire called it the Great Mountain, or Mighty Mountain. His power is literally like soil accumulated on a mountain, built not with talent but with effort. Have you heard of the Mizar type among magical power types?”

“Yes. I also know that Goden is a Mizar. I’ve heard about it in lectures, but… that alone doesn’t provide the answer.”

“Mizar is a special case excluding the other five. Originally, it was one of the five types, but the way of handling mana changed through accumulated effort. When that happens, it becomes possible to pour all the mana in one’s body into a single strike or spell. Of course, the body bears the price for this.”

“…How powerful is it?”

“It depends on the degree, but for Goden, splitting a rocky mountain would be easy. Assuming he was willing to stake his life on it.”

Perhaps that’s why the mountain was split.

However, there was one more trace at that location. A bizarre trace that Senia had seen once before.

“Ashpern won’t come looking for us for a while.”

“What do you mean?”

“At the location I checked, there were traces of two major attacks. If Goden split the rocky mountain, then what changed the terrain of the entire mountain range and scorched it was Junon’s power.”

“…Don’t tell me, like at Shanberesh…!”

“Yes. Traces of something huge and conical that had pierced through. That was there.”

Damn it.

‘Should I consider this fortunate or not?’

Muniher gritted his teeth, inwardly cursing.

“I understand for now. If your report is accurate, then it won’t show itself for a while, so I’ll order everyone to rest well.”

“Yes. By the way, is Junon…”

“He’s fine. Renias will be sticking close to him now.”

“Thank you.”

It’s reassuring that Renias, of all people, is watching over Junon.

Professor Denis had said that there was an oracle she had interpreted at that place.

So wouldn’t they be able to find out something about Junon’s anomalous power at the ruins? That’s what everyone, including Michelle, had been discussing.

However, what they would see was completely different from the oracle.