Episode 188 〈 Role of bait 〉
He was a fool a long time ago, but not now.
To Ellis, he was a person who was respected and revered more than anyone else.
After being exiled to the North, he changed.
He personally hunted down the witch who spread the plague in the village and
defended Ronia against the vampire count.
He protected the capital of the Holy Empire, prevented and unified the Aslan War, and also influenced numerous countries.
Now, he was appointed as a savior by the Franz family and wanted to protect the world.
But he overworked himself.
No one supported him or tried to listen to his concerns.
Even he did not complain or easily share his thoughts with others.
He only wanted to stand on the front line and protect more people.
‘Same again this time.’
It’s 10,000.
They are not giving up on the unimaginable procession of refugees.
If we could safely return to the capital with all of these people, it would truly be like a miracle from Gaia.
Although he had performed many miracles until now, the current Emperor was taking a reckless risk.
Surely, if the Flame Giant catches up with him this time, Seonghwang Allen will choose to remain alone.
That’s why Ellis told him to rely on him.
I thought I could share some of the burden he was carrying.
“…Of course, I always rely on you.”
It’s a lie.
Haven’t he gone on countless adventures alone so far?
Even though Ellis said so.
Allen said with a surprised expression.
“Do you really think that? “I was relying on you for help.”
As Ellis frowned, Allen pressed her forehead.
“You just don’t realize it.”
“but.”
“Thanks to you, Brother Luan was able to live.”
“Thanks to your help, I was able to effectively use my magical abilities in Hilda’s territory.”
Allen said as he put on his shirt.
“Aslan would have died without your help in growing. “Like during Kasim, I have good memories at Airans.”
Allen smiled and looked at her.
“Thank you. Honestly, I don’t know how to repay the favor.”
“that…!”
Ellis shook his head left and right.
This is ridiculous.
The help he gave couldn’t have been that grand.
He just happened to appear in front of me and happily answered my questions.
Even when there was a crisis, he was just nearby.
I never voluntarily tried to help him.
As a member of the Astoria family, there has never been any help.
“That helped.”
Ellis was speechless at Allen’s words.
My heart was pounding and my emotions were agitated.
“If it really bothers you that much, please tell me.”
“What…”
“Just like I usually do at the library. “If I have any questions, please answer them.”
Allen says.
“That alone gives me strength. Ellis Astoria.”
Ellis was mesmerized for a while.
She said, gently lowering her head.
“Of course. If you have any questions, I will answer everything to the best of my knowledge. “Allen Allpols, your Majesty.”
“Of course. About purgatory…”
Ellis smiled.
She swore under her breath as she answered his question.
As a member of the Astoria family and as a saint, I will assist him until the end.
I will be with him no matter what trials come in my way.
For the first time in a really long time, I was able to talk to him all night without stopping.
**
Ellis had a very serious expression.
Although we were able to lighten the mood through conversation to some extent.
Was it that serious?
I just felt some muscle pain.
There was a feeling that something was a little off, but it wasn’t enough to be a serious concern.
Still, since it was the doctor’s words, there was no harm in taking them to heart.
As Ellis advised, I rested in the carriage.
Still, I talked to her.
The march lasted for about 5 days.
As we talked until the early hours of the morning each time, Ellis naturally fell asleep. It became my daily routine to put a blanket on her.
After getting out of the carriage, I looked up at the sky.
The night was deep.
As many as 10,000 refugees are sleeping without a proper campsite.
“Are you not planning on resting?”
Charlotte, who was escorting the carriage, said to me.
Honestly, that’s what I want to say.
“You don’t rest? “I’ve never seen you sleep.”
“It’s okay if I don’t sleep for a week or so.”
“I need to maintain my condition.”
“I was given the title of Sword King by Lord Oscar. “If your skills have dulled to this level, you should give up your title.”
That’s amazing. The title of Sword King.
Even though I had a superhuman body, I didn’t have the confidence to go for several days without sleep.
“The saint…”
Charlotte looked at the carriage for a while.
“I fell asleep.”
“okay.”
I looked at the refugees.
He is asleep without the world knowing that the flame giant is coming.
“There were some stragglers, right?”
Charlotte, who was looking at the carriage, looked at me and nodded.
It was probably an unreasonable march.
There were stragglers and they gave up and left.
It was a miracle that the number was less than 200 at most.
“It would be nice if those who escaped were safe.”
“I’m sure you will be safe.”
Charlotte told me not to worry.
I don’t really care too much.
Because we have already fought countless battles and seen countless deaths each time.
If you worry about every single thing, your mind won’t be able to handle it.
“What about the flame giant?”
“According to the scouts, we have reached a short distance away. “Maybe tomorrow morning.”
“okay.”
I nodded.
In another hour, the refugee group will depart again.
And in a few hours we will be caught up by the Jotuns.
“Your Majesty, now make a decision…”
Charlotte said to me.
“If it’s hard, I’ll do it myself.”
“I can’t even see their shadows yet, so why are you saying that?”
Yes, there is still a long way to go.
There is no need to leave anyone behind unless you can see their shadow.
Charlotte, too, will find it difficult to turn into an evil spirit if she distances herself from me too much.
It would be difficult for her to withstand the flame giant.
“The weather is hot.”
I fanned myself with my hands.
“I’ll summon Seongsu nearby and take a bath. Ellis also says that it can reduce the burden on the body as much as possible.”
Charlotte must have heard about her physical condition to some extent through Ellis.
Is it because of that?
“I will escort you.”
She didn’t hesitate.
“…you’re taking a bath?”
Charlotte tilted her head.
“It’s okay. It’s just an escort.”
I touched my forehead as Charlotte spoke expressionlessly.
“I’m not okay.”
“It will be for about an hour. That’s all I know.”
“You mean an hour?”
“Yeah, Ellis said it would take that long.”
It was just in time for the refugees to get up and march.
“Then, within sight…”
I clenched my fist and pounded her forehead.
“This is Charlotte Geraise’s order. “Please wait.”
“…All right.”
Her shoulders slightly slumped. She
looked downcast.
It was a reaction you wouldn’t have noticed if you hadn’t been together for a long time.
“Thank you.”
I said that and went into the forest.
I used the skeleton to dig a hole and summoned holy water there.
Then, the skeletons used nearby tree branches to create a doll-like model and put it into the holy water.
I put on a robe and wrote a letter and sent it near the holy water pool. I put it down.
So, is this the end?
About 10 hours from now.
After that, the flame giants will approach.
So.
“…Let’s play the role of bait properly.”
Let’s take some time.
I summoned the Bone Wyvern.
-You should never overdo it.
Ellis’ words came to mind.
The doctor might get angry, so it would be better to take the time lightly.
I smiled faintly and got on the Bone Wyvern.
* *
“Now get ready to leave! Everyone get up!”
Charlotte’s powerful voice rang out.
At that, Ellis dozed off and gently opened her eyes. In her
blurred vision, she saw that the seat across from her was empty.
“Mr. Allen?”
It was a title she used at the risk of being rude because she said it was convenient to mention her name in a private space.
She rubbed her hazy eyes with the back of her hand. She
lightly brushed away her tangled hair.
She smiled softly when she saw that it was covered with a blanket. .
It’s like this every time.
It’s a time when I’m anxious for some reason, but it’s fun to talk to him every night and I look forward to it.
She wrapped her blanket deeper.
When she opened the door, she saw refugees moving around busily.
Ellis He slowly got off the carriage and looked around.
Allen was nowhere to be seen.
“Is the saint awake?”
Charlotte bowed her head and said to Ellis.
Ellis also bowed her head and said good morning.
“Al… Where is your Majesty?”
“Your Majesty is currently bathing in holy water.”
Ellis was delighted by Charlotte’s words.
There is nothing better than a patient who accepts and puts into practice the doctor’s opinions.
“Is that so?”
“I sent four soldiers. Since you soaked in holy water for about an hour, your body is somewhat tired…”
“An hour?”
What he said is that 30 minutes is enough.
Even if you stay for an hour, nothing will get better.
Ellis tilted her head and her face turned pale.
‘no way?’
Ellis quickly mounted a nearby horse.
“Elise?”
Ellis looked around.
As expected, Allen was nowhere to be seen.
‘also…!’
This is why Seonghwangga people…!
Ellis grabbed the reins.
A sense of disappointment and betrayal came flooding back.
I asked you to rely on me so much.
Why would you betray your trust like this?
Ellis looked at the refugees.
Most people are exhausted.
There are many patients.
Their march must not be stopped.
You must return to your home country as soon as possible and receive medical treatment from clergy.
But Allen.
“Marquis Charlotte.”
Charlotte paused.
Ellis said to Charlotte.
“Please take care of the refugees.”
Charlotte also noticed something strange.
“No way, His Majesty Seonghwang….”
“I will take the bait I mentioned before.”
Ellis gritted his teeth as he tightened the reins.
She is definitely a saint.
She has been practicing for a long time and has also grown under Allen’s influence.
I prepared for this day by taking elixirs as well.
so.
“I can do it.”
This time it will help him.
Ellis rode away.
**
A huge body as long as 30 meters moves.
The ground shook and the birds in the forest took off.
The flame giant Shurt looked at the birds that had taken flight.
At that moment, the bird’s wings burn and it falls.
The ground he steps on melts and becomes a lava field.
The forest was on fire.
A long whip of flame that seems to be 70 meters long touches the ground and is dragged.
The surrounding giants advance, wearing armor made of hot rocks and holding weapons covered in flames.
“Hello, how are you? Mr. Flame Stone!”
A word filled with divine power rang out.
Schurt reacted and looked to the right.
On a hill in the forest about 200m away.
There is someone sitting there with something big on a cloth.
Strangely enough, there is frost there.
Shurt narrowed his eyes.
what? What about that little creature?
Shurt tilted his head.
There is no need to worry.
Bugs like that will burn to death if they even pass by.
What he is aiming for is the one who killed Hrimr.
And it was clear that that existence was somewhere far away where the energy of countless lives could be felt.
The goal is to make him regret it.
It will cause burning pain and even destroy the soul.
Shurt ignored him and walked away.
“It’s too much, are you ignoring me? “I’m doing well?”
Allen shouted.
It was at that time that even Shurt’s eyes were about to leave Allen’s.
“Shurt!”
Schurt stopped walking.
Do you know the name?
I looked at Allen with interest.
“I finally see you.”
Allen stood tall with something wrapped in cloth next to him.
-What business do bugs have to me?
“Speaking of bugs, I even prepared a gift for you. Are you going to hurt my feelings?”
-gift?
I get curious.
A bug or something is proud of itself.
Allen pointed at something covered in cloth with his finger.
“Do you know what this is? “I kept it fresh in the item window to give it to you…”
Allen removed the tent.
“It’s the head of the ice giant Hrimr.”
A huge chunk of ice.
It was the head of a screaming Hrymr with frozen tear stains.
Schurt’s heated eyes shook when he saw that.
Lava flows down my cheeks from the corner of my eyes.
-dare.
Just for a moment.
It radiated suffocating heat and distorted its expression.
-I killed my brother!
Flames spread around him.
Stones burning from the body fall in all directions and explode.
Black smoke spewed out, turning the area into a complete lava field.
Allen was nervous and swallowed dry saliva.
‘Were they brothers?’
Still, I got some good information.
Who knew that there would be brotherly love among Jotuns?
Thanks to this, things became easier.
The conditions were ready to provoke him.
“Were you brothers? “I’m sorry about this!”
Allen made an artificially apologetic expression. And he clapped his hands as if he had a good idea.
“Ah, then let’s do it like this, Shurt.”
Allen said in a playful tone.
“I will send you to hell. Then won’t there be a reunion between brothers in hell? Oh my goodness! Are there any such touching reunions? So, Shurt.”
Allen raised his head and grinned.
“Don’t resist, just let me kill you.”