Ch.303Chapter 303 – The Resistance Meeting (1)

At Archery’s report, we quickly approached the window.

Just as he said, the sky was indeed turning red.

It was a familiar sight that I had seen before.

“W-what is that?”

“Ominous…”

Princess Gabriella and Domestica began to panic at the sight of the ominous sky.

Then Sia spoke in a cold voice.

“It’s a Soul Absorption Formation.”

“Soul Absorption Formation?”

Princess Gabriella seemed to be hearing it for the first time and tried to speak to Sia.

But she soon flinched at the thunderous voice that followed.

“Serious, that damned woman…!”

Vanilla revealed her anger and began glaring at the sky.

Gigas was also staring at the sky with a dark expression.

Serious was the vampire woman we had met here.

I remembered what she had said as she retreated after making us kill her subordinate vampires with our own hands.

‘So this is what she meant by something interesting happening in Firenchena or the royal palace.’

It’s not interesting at all.

As we quietly stared at the sky, the princess looked at me and asked softly.

“…You seem calm, so I assume you know what that is.”

“Unfortunately, I do.”

It was only natural since I had experienced it in Ferarius.

Seeing that our entire group seemed to know about it, the princess’s expression grew serious.

“Could this pose a serious threat to the resistance, or even to this country?”

“Yes.”

Given the nature of the Soul Absorption Formation, it wouldn’t cause immediate disaster.

However, considering that it breaks down the souls of the dead to be used for strengthening specific targets, it was obvious that the longer it persisted, the more it would lead to the strengthening of demon forces.

Moreover, the fact that it occurred specifically in the Kingdom of Firenchena was problematic.

The Kingdom of Firenchena was essentially in a state of civil war.

The royal army and the Emiris Order were currently pointing swords at each other, with the resistance mixed in as well.

If a proper battle broke out and resulted in mass casualties, the aftermath was predictable.

Especially now that the royal family seemed to have joined hands with the demons, there was a high possibility that the royal army, under demonic influence, would initiate combat first.

There was certainly enough potential for a serious crisis for the resistance and the country as a whole.

The princess gazed at the sky for a moment before speaking.

Then she soon turned to Domestica and said.

“Please gather information on what others are doing right now.”

“Yes.”

“Also, I will propose calling an emergency meeting. Please implement it promptly.”

“As you wish.”

Domestica finished speaking and slid out of the room as if gliding.

Archery looked at the princess and spoke.

“Your Highness.”

“Lord Archery, please wait here for now. Accompany me to the meeting.”

“Understood.”

“And, I apologize, but…”

Gabriella looked at me.

“…Could you attend the meeting with us and share what you know about that red sky?”

“It wouldn’t be difficult, but…”

Sharing information about the Soul Absorption Formation itself wasn’t a problem.

But the current statement was a bit problematic.

“…If we just go, won’t it look like we’re members of the princess faction?”

If we simply went along, we would be perceived as members of the princess faction.

So there was absolutely no reason for us to enter the meeting hall together.

Just as I was about to refuse, Gabriella immediately grabbed my hand and said.

“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. In fact, it would be troublesome if you testified as part of the princess faction.”

“Why is that?”

“Because they might dismiss it as a political maneuver by the princess faction.”

If that happened, Gabriella said, the danger would be overlooked.

She quietly added.

“Even if you don’t like my actions or the resistance so far, please forget that for a moment and help us.”

After saying this, the princess quietly bowed her head.

Seeing this, Archery also bowed his head.

“I beg of you.”

I didn’t expect to create a situation where they would bow their heads.

While I was a bit taken aback by Gabriella’s actions, Beatrice opened her mouth towards me.

“…Help them, Helmet.”

“Beatrice.”

“We might not get much compensation, but since it’s an emergency, let’s provide the information.”

After saying this, Beatrice confirmed that Gabriella and Archery were still bowing their heads, then approached me and whispered quietly.

“Instead, let’s burden them with a debt.”

“…That’s right.”

It was a proposal to help them now by providing information, and then negotiate from a more comfortable position later, since there was no particular reason to be overly reluctant about sharing information.

The current negotiation was already fizzling out anyway, and the Soul Absorption Formation wasn’t an issue that could be simply overlooked.

“Alright.”

“Thank you!”

Finally, when the words of permission fell from my lips, Gabriella and Archery raised their heads and smiled.

Then Gabriella grabbed my hand and said.

“This favor, I will surely repay in the name of royalty.”

“…The problem hasn’t been solved yet, so let’s set that aside for now. You’re being too hasty.”

I quietly removed Gabriella’s hand as I spoke.

She seemed to have already forgotten the slightly unpleasant atmosphere from earlier.

Or perhaps she was just pretending to do so.

Either way, Gabriella stepped back, saying she had made things difficult.

‘Come to think of it, it’s a bit regrettable.’

It was slightly amusing to verbally put the princess in a difficult position, which was unlike me.

But Archery’s sudden ominous report ruined all of that.

In that sense, I looked at Archery and said.

“You’ve ruined the mood, so take responsibility.”

“…What should I do?”

As Archery looked confused, I gently averted my gaze.

Meanwhile, I caught a glimpse of Beatrice quietly slipping a pear from the table into her pocket.

+

Shortly after, an emergency meeting was held within the resistance.

As we quickly moved to the meeting place, Domestica approached Gabriella and informed her about the movements of other people.

Listening to her words slowly, Gabriella nodded and said.

“As expected, everyone is in confusion.”

“Since red skies have been considered an ill omen since ancient times.”

Is it some kind of superstition?

As I was thinking this, Archery looked at us and explained.

“There’s an old saying passed down in the Kingdom of Firenchena. When a red energy suddenly covers the sky, demons gain power, so be cautious…”

“That sounds like an accurate description of the Soul Absorption Formation. Who left those words?”

“It was the first Queen of Firenchena.”

Archery answered Sia’s question.

By the way, the Queen of Firenchena that Archery mentioned was from the same era as the Hero.

According to Sia’s explanation, Soul Absorption Formations were commonly used back then, so the Queen of Firenchena would naturally know about it well.

“I wonder if such sayings are passed down in the Kingdom of Mikea as well?”

“Since the Kingdom of Mikea split off from the Kingdom of Firenchena, there’s a possibility it wasn’t passed down.”

“As Sera says, that’s right. But there are cases like the Metis Count family who preserve old records, so there’s a possibility they might know about it.”

Ive spoke as if her own house was someone else’s, but certainly, in cases like the Metis Count family, there might be records about the Soul Absorption Formation.

Apart from that, the Kingdom of Mikea isn’t in chaos like the Kingdom of Firenchena, so they would probably respond quickly if a Soul Absorption Formation appeared.

But still feeling uneasy, Chris quietly asked.

“…Will the Kingdom of Mikea be alright?”

“Are you worried?”

“There are people from our order there too…”

Chris was worried about the people of the Evgenia Order.

She began to pray, folding her hands as if wishing for their well-being.

And then.

“Kyaah!”

As if her feet got tangled while praying, Chris began to stagger slightly.

I quickly grabbed her shoulders to help her maintain balance.

“Th-thank you, Sir Kay.”

“You should watch where you’re going.”

“No, it’s just… I suddenly felt a bit weak… or maybe I was careless…”

Chris spoke as if something was slightly off.

I’m worried that she might have overexerted herself.

“Is there something wrong with you?”

“No, I’m fine. I was just surprised by an unfamiliar feeling, but I’m really okay.”

“Should I carry you if you’re tired?”

“Yes!… I mean, no, I’m really fine!”

Chris quickly declined my offer.

Then she tilted her head again.

“How should I put it? It feels like I’ve shared some holy power?… I don’t know why I suddenly feel this way.”

“Take a rest if you’re really struggling.”

Saying it’s not that bad, Chris smiled and spoke again.

While Chris was looking at me saying this, it’s hard for me to give advice since she would know more about holy power than I would.

The most I can do is make a mental note to ask Sera to prepare some medicine for her and check on her later.

Meanwhile, Sera was seriously looking at Chris, saying “So there’s such a method too…”

During such light conversation, we were able to reach the meeting room.

And before Domestica opened the door, she looked at us.

“I must inform you in advance, please be cautious with your statements.”

“We will be.”

“And since you are not yet members of the resistance, you cannot express opinions.”

“…I will demand an explanation of the current situation. That will be possible.”

After saying this, Gabriella glanced at me slightly and said.

“If you were to say now that you’d like to join the resistance with me, you could probably gain the right to speak?”

“I’ll pass.”

I didn’t expect her to use this opportunity to make such an invitation.

Still, I want to believe it’s not serious and just a light attempt to ease the atmosphere.

She seemed slightly disappointed but didn’t seem to take it to heart.

‘…She seems a bit impatient.’

Continuously inviting us who can talk right away, and so on.

Beatrice had mentioned before that Gabriella wouldn’t easily give up the throne, and I wonder if that’s the issue.

‘Her character itself doesn’t seem evil.’

If that were the case, people like Domestica wouldn’t rescue her at great personal cost, nor would people follow her even now when her power is truly weak.

If we had met in more peaceful times, or if she didn’t have her unfortunate past, we might have seen a better side of her.

But then again, if that hadn’t happened, there’s a possibility that Beatrice and I might never have met.

“Kay?”

“Ah, sorry.”

I quickly snapped back to reality at Ive’s call.

I was too caught up in idle thoughts.

And Domestica, who had been looking at me, smiled and said.

“Then I’ll open the door.”

With those words, Domestica loudly announced, “We’re entering,” and opened the door.

Simultaneously, noise could be heard.

“What on earth are you…”

“Shut up, you who couldn’t even properly recognize this…!”

Some people were glaring at each other, tearing into one another.

As the door opened and Gabriella entered, everyone’s attention focused on us.

“……”

“……”

Clearly unfriendly gazes.

Or gazes that seemed to be measuring something.

Various gazes were directed at Gabriella.

Fortunately, we didn’t receive much attention because of this, but the gazes themselves felt rather cold.

As Gabriella and we headed to the prepared seats, several people entered behind us, either making those around them cautious or greeting them warmly.

Eventually, the place used as a meeting hall became fully packed.

Not just the chairs were filled, but the space itself was crowded.

“There are too many people.”

“Is there a problem?”

“Yes, there is.”

In response to Chris’s question, Sia narrowed her eyes slightly and said.

“They say that the more people there are, the more diverse opinions emerge, but when it becomes excessive, absurd answers often result.”

“Too many cooks spoil the broth, that’s what it is.”

“That’s a good expression. I’ll use it myself later.”

It’s not a phrase I created.

Of course, Sia, who had no way of knowing that, seemed to think it was quite a good saying and responded while looking around.

“Anyway, to continue, they didn’t need to gather everyone like this. They could have first organized their opinions among themselves and then had only the final decision-makers meet for the conference. The fact that they’ve summoned people indiscriminately…”

“It seems they’ve gathered people to display their power.”

With Ive’s words, I could predict how the resistance’s meetings operated.

“So it’s not a serious meeting but just a place to show off their forces.”

“…We can’t make such judgments without seeing, but still.”

Still, Sia didn’t seem confident and sighed lightly while looking around.

After the commotion continued for a while, just as we were beginning to wonder when the meeting would start, finally the person who appeared to be the highest-ranking individual in the place stood up.

He was an elderly man with white hair, wearing a sword adorned with luxurious carvings and jewels at his waist.

Behind him, well-equipped knights were guarding him.

And the man’s gaze briefly turned in our direction.

‘Why?’

Why is that old man looking in this direction?

While I was slightly curious, Archery quietly revealed the identity of the figure.

“That’s General Regis.”

“General?”

“He’s the commander-in-chief of our resistance.”

Archery quietly told me.

“Originally, he served as a general in the kingdom’s army. I heard he was quite popular within the military.”

“Seems like a decent person?”

“…I’m not sure about that part. I haven’t particularly heard or seen anything beyond the fact that he was popular.”

Archery looked at Regis with some difficulty.

“So, why is this popular general staring at us like that?”

“It’s a bit difficult to explain, but…”

Archery looked at General Regis and said.

“Count Rizolkobu belonged to General Regis’s faction.”

Now I understood why he was glaring at us like that.

Count Rizolkobu was this man’s subordinate, so he was looking resentfully at us who had survived from the place where the Count had died.

I could also understand what meaning was behind that gaze.

Why did you survive while he died, that’s probably it.

‘…But why is it so quiet?’

Despite people focusing, the general wasn’t saying anything.

Surely he’s not enjoying the attention, so I observed General Regis, wondering what he might be thinking.

And I looked closely at the sword at his waist.

‘It has a lot of decorations.’

The holy knights of the Emiris Order also had swords adorned with jewels, but those jewels contained holy magic that strengthened the knights.

However, these jewels didn’t seem to have such effects.

For some reason, I had the feeling it wasn’t meant for wielding.

While I was slightly wondering why he would wear such a thing at his waist, General Regis turned his gaze and spoke in a loud voice for all to hear.

“Ordinarily, our esteemed comrade Count Rizolkobu should have been here with us, but…”

…Esteemed?

Although Beatrice had intended it, honestly, Count Rizolkobu gave the impression of someone who would cause trouble even if left alone.

His attitude towards Archery, who was an ally despite being from a different faction, proved this.

Whether aware of these thoughts or not, General Regis continued speaking.

“Regarding that, Lord Archery. You will need to provide a proper explanation later.”

“…Understood.”

It was clear that he had the most authority here, as everyone focused their attention on him when his voice spread.

However, he soon turned his gaze and spoke again.

“Let’s begin the meeting. We’ll start with the subject of this emergency meeting, the red sky.”

The general’s voice spread through the now quiet crowd.