Chapter 548
Bertus tends to go back and forth between the imperial capital and the allied camp.
But this time, because the case was special, Bertus watched the battle from beginning to end.
Despite the vassals’ dissuades that he had to return to the ecliptic because it was dangerous, Bertus watched everything.
I saw monsters sweeping the battlefield, countless spells, monsters and humans falling.
“Six minutes and forty-seven seconds… … .”
And even the first maneuver of the Titans.
The head of research, the Grand Duke of Saint-Ouan, and Adelia, who actually played a decisive role in the design of Titan, stood in front of Bertus.
Neither of them has yet heard of the sad news that happened to their classmates.
“If you look at this whole war, it would only be a very short time, but the fact that the war situation could be turned upside down in just that little time… … . Interesting. No, I wonder if war is like that in the first place.”
“… … .”
“I will try to increase the activation time a little more, Your Majesty… … .”
Adelia was restless and said that in a voice crawling in front of Bertus.
“I am not blaming you. It was so good. no, it was great It’s more of a problem if you let the Titan run for too long and cause fatal permanent damage. Rather, I think it would be better to operate it for such a short time.”
“Is that so… … .”
“I can’t afford to build another Titan. If a titan is destroyed, there will be no next titan.”
It was no different from a project that depended on the fate of the empire.
Even at the time when the Empire’s resources were intact, a huge amount of resources were invested to the extent that it would never allow the creation of war weapons of that level.
Because it was a war on which the fate of mankind depended, no matter how successful it was, it was an irrational decision to delegate full authority to a wizard who was only 20 years old.
When it comes to magical supplies, the reality is that the Empire can’t afford to build a golem half the size of half of that, let alone the titan that currently exists.
Therefore, if the Titan is permanently destroyed by long-term operation, it cannot be recreated.
Adelia, who thought that more people could have been saved if the activation time was a little longer, couldn’t help but become depressed at Bertus’ words.
Materials are more important than people.
Titans are not humans.
However, the reality is that if you have to exchange Titans with one Allied division, you have to exchange them.
The reality is that war weapons are more important than humans.
That’s why Bertus’ words that it’s more important to keep the Titan alive until the end of this war than to save people by operating the Titan for a long time were a gruesome reality and contained an undeniably cruel logic.
Bertus stares at the Archduke of Saint-Ouan, not at the depressed Adelia.
“What about the damage rate?”
“There was about 14 percent damage to the outer frame.”
At those words, Bertus narrowed his brows.
“Are there that many?”
It maneuvered only slightly less than 7 minutes.
No matter how intense the short battle was, Bertus couldn’t help but feel bitter that the Titan had been damaged that much.
“Titan was designed to be divided into inner armor and outer armor. The Titan is wearing a kind of buffer frame that overlays the outer armor on the core frame. As long as there is no damage to the inner frame, automatic repair is possible even if the outer frame is damaged. For example, you can think of it as wearing plate armor that automatically repairs itself.”
“… … It’s nice to hear that it’s been restored.”
It’s a golem designed for long-term operation, not one-shot, and there is a risk of collapsing on its own due to its terrifyingly huge size.
Therefore, Bertus sighed in relief when he heard that the Titan’s exoskeleton was practically a buffer zone and would automatically repair itself.
It was an all-out weapon project, but it doesn’t pay off if you have to use it only a few times.
“Anyway, I hope both of you will continue to work on the maintenance and improvement of Titan.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Neet!”
Listening to their answers, Bertus sat down in a chair.
“The Grand Duke, please talk to me for a moment.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Adelia returned, and only the Archduke of Saint-Ouane remained in Bertus’ barracks.
The cries of monsters can be heard from far away.
The occupation of Serandia is not over. Four more days were needed for the troops to rest properly.
Organize the surroundings, secure safety, and set up a garrison.
The end of the long march and battle does not come easily.
“… … .”
“… … .”
After talking, Bertus listened to the sounds outside for a while and said nothing.
The Archduke of Saint-Ouan was also silent.
“Duke, could Titan have been made better if Harriot had been there?”
“… … .”
“What do you think?”
At the sudden mention of the youngest daughter, the grand duke stares at the emperor in silence.
He wasn’t smiling, and he wasn’t even that serious.
Harriet de Saintoine.
It’s a subject as sensitive as that of the Demon King, and of course it’s an even more sensitive subject to the Grand Duke.
Because of what the youngest daughter did, the Grand Duke has to endure many things.
Just as the emperor shows no sign of anger or reprimand, the archduke does not show any emotion at the mention.
The Grand Duke was originally not a person who expressed a lot of emotions, but after his daughter disappeared along with the demon king, he became less talkative.
Emperor’s question.
Titan.
and the existence of the youngest daughter.
“I do not know.”
That was all the Grand Duke had to say.
“Because I don’t know what you mean when you say, ‘It’s made better.’ If you’re talking about longer start-up times, more weapons, or stronger exoskeleton, I think you can. But, as you said, if the Titan runs for a long time and breaks down, I don’t know if it’s well-made.”
Bertus laughed at the Grand Duke’s words.
“okay. Titans may not need improvement.”
“I can’t help it if you think it’s an excuse for an engineer who didn’t make it properly.”
“Not at all. There is no reason for me to do that.”
Bertus leans back with his arms crossed.
“Actually, that’s the reason why I bother to talk about things that bother me when it’s not enough to print and attach medals to the Archduke.”
The emperor clicked his tongue briefly.
“I can give it to Adelia, but I can’t put a medal on the Grand Duke. All the magicians of the principality.”
“I know, Your Majesty.”
sins committed.
I wonder if it should be called a sin, but people consider it a sin.
Titan isn’t made by Adelia alone, but it will be made by Adelia alone.
Everyone knew that the Grand Duke and the Duchy of Saint-Ouan’s technology had entered, but it would be regarded as providing technology to pay for their sins.
The Grand Duke was neither particularly sad nor angry. Because I had no interest in that in the first place.
“After the war is over, we can discuss merit and awards, so what’s the point of talking about it now? But I dare say it because I wanted to tell you that many people would be terrified if they knew that one of the keys to this weapon was in the hands of the Archduke, when they couldn’t even wear a medal for such a feat.”
“I guess so.”
At the grand duke’s calm reaction, Bertus blankly stared at the ceiling of the tent.
“People who are frightened do strange things. If you use and gather them well, an empire could be created, but… … . If people find out that there is a killer living next door, they will rush to that house and set it on fire.”
“Whether or not the Dark Lands attack humanity, just as we invaded the Dark Lands.”
“Wouldn’t it be possible for a neighbor to start a fire, murderer or not?”
“Likewise.”
“Whether the Grand Duke is a collaborator of the Demon King or not, people can set fire to the Grand Duke’s tent, the Duchy of Saint-Ouan.”
“The Allies saw the Titans trample the monster today, and they know that one of the keys is in the Archduke’s hands.”
“grandee.”
“Beware of frightened people.”
“I’m sorry I can only say this.”
frightened ones.
Those who looked down on the Grand Duke became afraid of the Grand Duke.
In the attack of the Demonic Church, the frightened humans accused the innocent people of the Demonic Church and slaughtered them.
I don’t know where the demon king is, and I hate the grand duke because I don’t know where the youngest daughter who followed the demon king is.
The grand duke had no reason or thought to explain the numerous behind-the-scenes remarks.
So far, the Archduke has been of great help in the war. And today, the Archduke has been a decisive help.
However, the weight of that help is so great that people rather fear the Archduke.
Titan.
You will fear what will happen if it tries to step on the allies.
The Archduke might have other thoughts.
Those who are frightened of themselves may say strange things and act strangely in fear.
The emperor was warning about it.
There are no prizes.
In the end, they are just servants of sinners.
“You may return to the principality if you wish.”
“I’ll have to leave the Titan’s key behind.”
“… … Yes, that can’t be helped.”
The Emperor cannot reward the Grand Duke, but gives him a chance.
A chance to step back from this war.
Anyway, no one acknowledges the honor of the Grand Duke.
Even now it will be dangerous. Therefore, the more you serve, the more you give people a chance to resign, who should only receive fear, contempt, or hateful glances.
Rather, the Allies will welcome it.
Because the Grand Duke who created the dangerous weapon is stepping down on his own.
Although that amount of power loss will occur, and the achievements of the Titans will be stolen by other wizards who open their eyes to the vision of the Principality of Saint-Ouan.
What is the use of everything in front of death. Material and intellectual gains are secondary.
You can risk your life to fight, but you can’t even take honor, and you can go back to your hometown now that you’ve left a legacy that will go down in history.
It was a very big concession from the emperor’s point of view, who had to preserve even a little more power.
The Grand Duke’s troubles did not last long.
“Your Majesty, I know that many people hate me.”
“I know that many fear me.”
“Until now, there must have been a lot of anger, hatred, and contempt from those people. I did not refute, respond to, or provide any explanation for their comments.”
“But it wasn’t because he admitted he was guilty.”
The Archduke of Saint-Ouan looks at Emperor Bertus.
“I’m not fighting for my sins, and I’ve never thought of it that way.”
“… … .”
Many speak of the Archduke’s mistakes, sins, and faults.
However, just because he did not refute him did not mean that the archduke had admitted his guilt.
There is not the slightest sense of guilt in my heart, the Archduke proudly says.
“Unjust hatred and rebuke for sin cannot have any influence on my decision. Honor exists within me, and I am the only one who judges its damage.”
“Your Majesty, so even if they hate and fear me through some delusion, I’m only acting out of honor and conviction. Just like people didn’t enter the war because they wanted to pay for their youngest daughter’s sins, and they didn’t create Titans.”
“I go to war only because I believe this is right.”
“So, as long as the purpose of the war is not wrong, I and my soldiers will keep their positions.”
“It has been a family teaching that has been passed down through generations, and I just follow it, though not always.”
walk the right path
The emperor looked at the Archduke of Saint-Ouan, who said that he had no intention of being swayed by the words and principles of the world because he had established that level deep in his heart.
It was an attitude that could not be called arrogant.
No matter what the world says, it is neither wrong nor sinful unless you admit it yourself.
Whatever the demands of the world, go the way you believe is right, don’t go the way someone tells you to go.
That is the old teaching of the family.
this war is right
That’s why he only goes to war, and since he has no faults or guilt in his heart, he keeps his post.
Because it is right.
Shiloh.
No matter how the world views you or judges your actions. Isn’t that exactly the same attitude as Harriet de Saintoine, who believed in Reinhardt and followed him?
“If you decide to do so, I’m happy, but I cannot promise you that I will be able to protect you and your soldiers.”
“It’s okay, Your Majesty.”
As if that was something he had to do on his own, the Archduke showed no sign of regret at the Emperor’s words.
Bertus gave the Archduke a chance. But he gave up on himself.
It was a decision he made based on his convictions, so even if evil befell him due to this, the grand duke met the end according to his choice. So, Bertus felt that the Archduke would not blame him no matter what.
“Then it seems the story is over. I wish you all the best in the future.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The work of the Grand Duke is the work of the Grand Duke.
If you can’t do your own thing, you’re the one who will die blaming yourself for your lack of ability.
Should I say it’s the opposite? Or should I say that he is a person with strong convictions and pride?
For those who deserve to be called single, the emperor no longer urged them to choose another option. Because I wouldn’t even listen to it in the first place.
A truly aristocratic attitude.
It had been a while since he had seen it, so Bertus felt unfamiliar with it.
“finally.”
“… … .”
Seeing the grand duke about to leave, Bertus called him one last time.
“Can I have one more example?”
“yes.”
Bertus wanted to ask.
“Do you think you raised your daughter in the wrong way, Grand Duke?”
He is a person who does not mix public opinion with his own judgment.
Bertus wondered what the Grand Duke thought of his missing daughter.
The Grand Duke said he did not feel any guilt.
Do you think that your daughter’s sins are only her sins and not your own?
Do you really think your daughter didn’t sin?
Bertus was curious about that.
“… … .”
The Grand Duke was silent for a while with his back turned.
The Grand Duke, who was speechless, spoke quietly and calmly.
“I may have raised it the wrong way.”
At those words, Bertus couldn’t help but be slightly surprised. Because I didn’t expect the Archduke to say that.
“By the way, it wasn’t wrong.”
However, the words of the Grand Duke that followed made me even more surprised.
“ha ha ha… … . Ha ha ha ha ha… … .”
It is not something to say in front of the emperor. It is a sensitive remark that can cause a lot of political problems in many ways. It’s no different from saying that the daughter who followed the devil is right.
What the Grand Duke heard from his daughter is not true.
Even if I was born again, even if I go back to that moment, I will make the same choice as the day the sky opened and I will regret it.
I just believe in that word.
I am sure that my daughter, who grew up to be able to say such things, could not have been raised wrong.
“in fact… … . I think so too.”
Hearing that bomb-like sound, Bertus laughed innocently and agreed with the Archduke’s words.
