Chapter 598
The four left the club building where Dettomorian was and returned to the Royal Class dormitory.
The original purpose was to ask if the rituals of the pagans in the refugee camp could turn the remains of saints into undead.
But Ludwig heard a prophecy about death.
And when Ludwig did not back down, he hinted as if resigned.
But the allusion is also strange.
Find your friend who has already died, Ashir.
How does that have anything to do with this case? The link is so tenuous that I can’t even figure out what it means.
“That baby, I’m crazy.”
Heinrich frowned as if he hated Dettomorian.
“No, Heinrich. It’s just to dry Detto. You know.”
“If you know, shouldn’t you tell me what you know? You have to tell me what’s going on. just ignore it He’s the one who turned around. Do you know if I’ve seen one or two people who went mad because of the war? You know that?”
Everyone was at the forefront.
Everyone knows that it is common for people to get lost in the horrors of war.
How many have been driven mad by the death of comrades, the horrors of battle, the agony of wounds, and the terror radiated by monsters.
There are a lot of people who have become disabled and can no longer hold weapons, and even a normal life is impossible.
All four of us in this room have seen the madness of war and the people going mad in it right under their noses.
“I don’t care about the bullshit. What else is Ashur talking about? That baby, I thought it was a man who was dismissed. … .”
“I am the youngest.”
At Heinrich’s harsh words, Louise eventually stepped forward.
“… … yes.”
“Sorcery is an unknown power, and a shaman is something we do not know.”
“… … .”
“But even if you say it’s a power you don’t know, you haven’t seen people.”
Louise looks at Heinrich.
“I didn’t see him as a kid who misused his power, and I didn’t see him as a kid who misused his mind.”
“but… … . Isn’t that just confusing? too… … . Wouldn’t it be better to tell me what’s the point of saying that?”
Heinrich wasn’t particularly wrong when he said that Ludwig’s death couldn’t be anything more than a curse after all.
“Since I don’t know of any shaman who could serve as another example, he must have a good reason for doing so.”
“It makes no sense for us to discuss what Dettomorian meant when he said that.”
“… … .”
Heinrich had no choice but to remain silent at Louise’s dissuade and Ellen’s words.
Ellen looks at Ludwig.
Ludwig will die if he pursues this.
I don’t know how or in what way he will die.
But Ludwig made up his mind knowing that the death was not worthless.
Is it okay to break that resolution?
tell you to fall
Is it right to say so?
“I don’t believe in saying I’m dying.”
As if he knew what Ellen’s gaze meant, Ludwig spoke with a determined expression.
“I don’t doubt Detto, but I believe you can do something. If I die at the end, it will be my fault, not Detto’s.”
“… … .”
People pick and choose what they want to believe. I believe in even lies, but the truth is terrible.
I don’t believe in death, and I believe in the words that the process of going to death will not be meaningless.
“okay.”
Seeing Ludwig’s determination, Ellen nodded quietly.
Ludwig’s stubbornness could not be broken.
Ludwig, who has already been broken too many times, will wither alive if he is broken this time.
That expression, as if living something worse than death, must be living in misery worse than death.
“I said you were going to die, because I didn’t say when you were going to die.”
The sorcerer said that he would die, but he did not say when he would die.
People will die one day, so even if you are not a shaman, you can prophesy that you will die.
Ludwig would rather deceive the sorcerer’s prophecy.
Ellen also decides not to think about Ludwig’s death. That may not be true.
It has become a world where it is easy to predict death because death is so prevalent, but not everyone dies.
It is possible that the prophecy was wrong.
Excluding Ludwig now, Ludwig is the one who will seek another death.
Rather, it is better to keep it in sight.
“What the hell do you mean by finding Ashur?”
next problem.
To find Ashur.
What does it mean then that you will find out?
All you have to do is dismiss it as bullshit. In fact, if Dettomorian is just a crazy guy, it’s just a vicious bullshit.
However, that is too absurd.
If you are talking about visiting the popes of the five main churches or going to the site once again, you can feel it.
It’s bizarre because it’s so out of the blue and unexpected.
Where the hell is the story of finding Ashir, who is already dead?
There is only one conclusion that can be drawn from the story of finding a friend who has already died.
“Ashir’s tomb… … . Is it a story to visit?”
At Ludwig’s words, everyone couldn’t help but think that they didn’t know more.
The shaman’s words plunged them further into the labyrinth.
Ellen nodded slowly.
“… … It may be pointless to visit once, but it cannot be a bad thing.”
the person who left.
Finding his grave will put everyone in a miserable mood, but it’s impossible to make things worse.
* * *
All four came out of the temple.
The four steps were cautious, as the Templars or the forces that sensed the pursuit might be following or keeping an eye on them.
Ashir, who had a talent for divine power.
Ashir took on the role of a priest who healed soldiers in the rear.
And he was torn to death by the rear attack of the flying monsters.
It was difficult even to properly watch the gruesome appearance of the corpse, which had been barely recovered.
The bodies of those who have made sufficient achievements in the war are buried in the national cemetery in the northern part of the ecliptic.
Most of the Royal Class students are those who have made outstanding achievements in the war, and Ashir saved countless lives even though he did not fight directly.
Since Ashir was not a member of the Templars, his grave was in the National Cemetery.
“… … I should have gone and had a look.”
Ludwig let out a sigh of remorse, as if he was resentful of himself for not even thinking of remembering his friend’s grave in his own despair.
It was the same with Heinrich and Ellen.
Since the magic train was not running, it was a long way to go because they had to cross the Great River to the north and then to the imperial palace.
There were also guards clearing the snow and people familiar with the royal class, Ellen, Heinrich, and Ludwig.
– Kurleung!
The figure of blowing up the wind and clearing the snow piled up on the street at once, and the psychic who handles the wind.
I was able to watch my seniors from afar.
-wow!
-It’s a superpower!
I could see a sad yet heartbreaking picture of the senior chasing the children even though he was embarrassed as the children ran around and followed behind them, as if it were strange that the snow removal was done with supernatural powers.
He was a psychic who crushed monsters with a blade of wind.
The psychic power of wind, who showed an activity almost equivalent to Heinrich, was nothing more or less than a person who did not know who he was, who showed strange powers to children today.
– Ah! Guys, it’s dangerous. Don’t come any closer!
Ludwig and Heinrich laughed bitterly at the sight of a man who deserved to be called a war hero getting into trouble because the children were too crowded.
if all this is over
Everyone hopes that the day will come when the psychic powers that cause fire and wind are just a little bit of a miraculous power.
If it was a world where their power didn’t have to be used as important, it would be a peaceful world.
Wishing for peace, the four walk.
To find out the truth about the death that has already happened.
risking the death to come.
to the grave of a dead friend.
walking down a snowy street
* * *
It was the first visit to all four of the Hwangdo National Cemetery.
Ludwig and Heinrich only heard later that after a brief funeral at the allied camp, Ashur’s body was transported to the ecliptic and buried. It was also the first time that the bodies of meritorious persons were buried in national cemeteries.
In Ellen’s case, she was one of the busiest people in the Allied Forces in the first place, so she couldn’t even attend Ashir’s funeral.
Not to mention Louise’s case.
So it wasn’t long before I even knew where Ashur’s tomb was.
“There… … . National Cemetery?”
The guards lined up in front of the huge front gate were guarding the entrance to the National Cemetery without fail, even in the snow.
And in front of the main gate of the cemetery, those who came despite this weather were waiting for their entrance while being greeted by snow.
It wasn’t a long queue because of the weather.
Of course, if it was Ellen, she could ignore such a queue, but she naturally stood with the group behind it.
I didn’t say anything for fear of revealing my identity.
But everyone has to think differently.
Even in this weather, people who visit the cemetery must have a reason.
What is the reason to come to the national cemetery in this weather and wait for the entrance while getting hit in the eyes?
It must have been a bereaved family.
Those who were related to the dead must have visited for the purpose of remembrance.
I couldn’t help but look at the spectacle of all kinds of visitors waiting to enter, all in a subdued mood.
how long did you wait
After entering after completing the identification of the person in front of Ellen, Ellen and her party also began to verify their identity one by one.
“yo. this… … . Warrior?”
Ellen’s face was known, so when the hero appeared out of nowhere as a worshiper, there was no choice but to cause a commotion among the guards guarding the gate.
“I want to go quietly.”
“Yes, yes! All right.”
The guards were surprised when they said they didn’t want to attract attention, but warned the other guards not to make a fuss.
Since Ellen’s face was tantamount to identity, identification of the other three was only informal.
After Ellen and the party heard the location of Ashur’s tomb at the desk beyond the guards, they immediately moved on.
Everyone thinks the same.
It is only natural that you feel solemn at the thought that you are going to a friend’s grave.
At the same time, I feel that way too.
What kind of clues are there in this snow-covered graveyard?
There will be no such thing.
I wonder if Dettomorian actually said that to remind me of something I had forgotten.
But what did he mean when he said that he would find out if he found Ashur?
The inside of the National Cemetery was not snow-removed like other streets, so it was a snowy sight.
“It’s wide… … .”
Ludwig muttered blankly as he looked at the National Cemetery.
The National Cemetery was located at the northern end of the realm of the ecliptic.
Now, if you go beyond that end, a refugee camp is formed, but in the past, you would have completely escaped the ecliptic.
“Originally, it wouldn’t have been this big.”
“ah… … .”
At Ellen’s words, Heinrich let out a small exclamation.
Prediction is possible without knowing the details.
National cemeteries in the northern part of the ecliptic inevitably had to go through two rounds of expansion.
The first during the Demon World War.
Second after the gate incident.
War takes many lives, and the tombs for the meritorious people inevitably increase.
That’s why, just by looking at the map of the National Cemetery, Ellen could tell which place was where the tombs of those who had merited the Pandemonium War were gathered, and which place was the expanded space after the Gate Crisis.
Now the four head to Ashur’s tomb.
To the graveyard expanded after the Gate Crisis.
“This grave is all… … . It’s the grave after the Gate incident… … ?”
To Ludwig’s murmur, Heinrich nodded.
Now, not everyone intends to get any clues from Ashur’s tomb, but they are overwhelmed by the ubiquitous death.
So many died and were buried.
Even these tombs are very few tombs compared to the dead.
Even so, it was overwhelmingly large.
countless deaths.
But it pales in comparison to all the deaths that have occurred since the Gate incident.
Even that dusty tomb was enough to overwhelm the viewer.
Ludwig muttered blankly.
“How many people died? … .”
“About 95 percent of all cities have been destroyed.”
Louise says
“I guess you could say people died that much.”
Most of the city was destroyed. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that the population decreased by the size of the destruction. Rather, it may be added.
Even if 5% of all mankind died, it would be a death on a colossal scale.
but vice versa.
About 95 percent died.
It’s impossible to count, so much so that it has to be said in terms of proportions.
* * *
A graveyard is a place where you cannot but think about death.
Looking at the dead and inferring what their lives would have been like.
Thinking about what my death would be like.
life in conclusion.
I can’t help but think about how to live.
Because it is a space where death is displayed, it rather makes us think about life.
what is life
What is the reason to live
It is a space where we face the simple truth that all human beings die, so we have no choice but to think about living.
Ellen, Heinrich, and Louise too.
And Ludwig, who was told death would wait.
They walk quietly in their own thoughts.
After walking through the wide snowy graveyard, Ellen and the party soon arrived in front of Ashur’s tomb.
Ashir, who had a gift for divine power, healed many injured soldiers.
It was not about killing something, but it was death while fighting for the sake of saving it.
“Ashur… … .”
Ludwig stares at the tombstone.
Not all cried.
I didn’t try to forget it, but I couldn’t think about the death of my friend because I was pushed by the war.
When winter passes and spring arrives and the army starts marching again, the three of them, except for Ludwig, will return to the battlefield. Worries are for those who have no work.
Only Ludwig would remain here, contemplating death and life.
People on the battlefield, who live close to death, are too busy day by day, so they don’t even have time to worry.
Ludwig stares at the tombstone.
I hope that Dettomorian’s prophecy is true.
Like this, I want to do anything, anything, rather than feeling ashamed for surviving in front of my friend’s tombstone.
Even if there is death at the end.
I hope I have a role too.
It doesn’t have to be a role like Ellen’s.
He didn’t have to have as much psychic power as Heinrich.
You don’t have to be a commander like Louise.
Even a horse stone on the battlefield is fine.
Even for those who were sacrificed, even for those who will be sacrificed.
want to fight
“… … .”
Ludwig sat for a while in front of the tombstone and got up.
Everyone was covered in frost, but no one was shivering.
“so… … .”
Louise quietly opens her mouth.
It’s not something to say in front of someone’s grave, but in the end, there is something to be said even at the risk of discomfort.
“What is the meaning of this place… … . I don’t know.”
Louise, of course, doesn’t know the Temple students very well.
So, if there is any clue, Louise thinks it’s something she doesn’t know, and looks at everyone’s face.
Heinrich wanted to dismiss Dettomorian’s words as nonsense.
But even if it’s bullshit, isn’t this level of bullshit overly unpleasant and unpleasant?
If you go to the grave of your dead classmate, you’ll find out everything.
“No matter how you think about it, it’s strange. Even if you’re out of your mind, you wouldn’t be able to play a prank like this… … .”
That’s why Heinrich, if Dettomorian’s words were false, was such an unpleasant lie that he was rather suspicious when he stood in front of Ashur’s tomb.
What is the reason for such nonsense? The person himself wouldn’t be happy, and even those who had wandered all the way to the northern part of the ecliptic didn’t get anything at all.
“I know something… … ?”
Ludwig looks at Ellen as if asking for help.
Leaving aside everything else, Ludwig kept watching Ellen make decisions and move smarter than he did.
Ludwig doesn’t know anything right now, but he’s staring at Ellen endlessly, wondering if Ellen would know anything.
However, in this case, it is not that Ludwig is stupid and does not realize anything.
“Not a clue.”
Ellen couldn’t even get a feel for it.
“What does Ashir have to do with the looting of the remains of the Templars and the death of the Inquisitors?”
As Heinrich said, he did something even stranger than looking for water in a well. It’s just that he did it because he believed that Dettomorian had bizarre foresight.
“I’ll have to go back and check it out. If you grab him by the collar and ask him why he said such a thing, he will say something.”
Heinrich couldn’t help but grow more and more angry. Did he even speak properly in the first place?
Seeing Heinrich start to get excited, Ellen says.
“calm down. Dettomorian is… … . He probably didn’t say that to us with bad intentions. If I didn’t say it right, there must be a reason for that too. Even if we can’t find a clue here anyway, it doesn’t mean we’re in trouble.”
Even if Dettomorian’s clues don’t mean anything anyway, you’re not in trouble, you’re not in a trap.
Heinrich sighed at Ellen’s words.
“Ellen… … . I know what that means. Maybe I’m just getting angry, but this was completely groundless. It has nothing to do with coming here and what we’re after in the first place. The only thing we have in common is that the basement of the Knights Templar is a graveyard, and that this place we came from is a graveyard… … .”
“… … ?”
“We have one thing in common… … . do you?”
I don’t know what the heck they have to do with each other, but it’s not like they don’t have anything in common.
Whatever it was, they had one thing in common: a graveyard.
