Chapter 54. The Last Beast-kin (2) >
The Empire's Last Sword Saint.
That phrase came out so suddenly.
But Enoch wasn't that surprised.
Because he had already deduced it to some extent.
‘I thought the scenery of the rocky cliffs I saw on the way here looked familiar.’
When inheriting Form 2, Fire Wheel, from the Sword Saint in the World of Impermanence. The place his memory showed was precisely here.
‘As expected, the place where the Last Sword Saint fought mages in the past was here, in the southern Elsyde domain.’
The scenes viewed through the World of Impermanence were still vivid.
Powerful Rank 6 mages, the fierce flow of mana emanating from the Sword Saint, the Beast-kin bound atop the cliff.
‘I suspected it from the moment I first saw Vendetta’s experiment journal related to the Beast-kin anyway…’
Enoch smiled quietly.
‘This is huge, isn't it?’
For the swordsmanship inherited through <Sword Inheritance> to exert its proper power, I needed to know his past.
Even for the other forms of swordsmanship to be inherited from the Last Sword Saint in the future, I needed to know even one more thing about his past.
Although I inherited the Last Sword Saint's memories until now, there were still quite a few unresolved mysteries…….
Moreover, if it was the ruins where the Last Sword Saint lived during his lifetime, it was natural that something would come out.
Enoch inwardly smacked his lips with satisfaction.
‘Anyone can see, the sweet scent of leveling up specs is wafting.’
Along with stopping Tantalus's conspiracy in this mission to secure survival as Enoch Elsyde, even ‘visiting the Last Sword Saint's ruins’.
If solved well, this could catch two birds with one stone.
But unlike Enoch, who was diligently managing his expression, Teano looked slightly puzzled.
“…Empire's, Last…?”
She tilted her head slightly.
An expression of not knowing what it was. Well, reacting like that even after hearing about the Last Sword Saint would be the normal response.
Because…
‘The Empire's Last Sword Saint doesn't appear anywhere in the history of the Magic Empire confirmed so far.’
Various materials requested from Lien previously.
Among them, I had requested historical materials under the pretext that knowing the Empire's history was necessary to act as the direct descendant Enoch.
But no matter how diligently I searched, I couldn't find even a trace of the Last Sword Saint in the historical materials.
Precisely why the current situation could only be described as a jackpot.
Because I had coincidentally found traces of the Sword Saint in the southern Elsyde domain, a place I didn't even know well in the original work.
Enoch organized his thoughts thus and opened his mouth.
“…Anyway. We need to secure the Beast-kin called exiles and investigate the evidence.”
“Yes. If they are truly plotting rebellion, appropriate measures must be taken.”
Teano said resolutely.
“Moreover, if the exiles are associated with ‘dark mages’, even more so.”
Enoch glanced sideways at her.
Given that she openly suspected me of colluding with dark mages last time, Teano’s determination to ‘punish dark mages’ seemed firm.
“However, the question is who goes.”
She looked at the map and continued calmly.
“The terrain leading to the fortress is a narrow canyon area. Due to the terrain characteristics, moving a large number of personnel at once will easily get us detected. There is a risk of enemy counterattack and escape.”
Teano analyzed the battlefield and said.
“To attack effectively, we must move with a small number of personnel……”
“If it’s a small number of personnel.”
Just then, Enoch spoke as if waiting.
“I will go there.”
Teano’s slightly surprised gaze turned this way. She looked this way for a moment, then said.
“…I understand the intention, but it might be dangerous.”
She spoke as if advising Enoch.
“Because the direct descendant currently has no Follower Family.”
Meaning, since I lacked a party bound by the strong trust relationship of a Follower Family, even if I drafted mages participating in the Allied Mission, I couldn't rely on them with my life in urgent combat situations.
But Enoch didn't back down.
Not only was Lien there in case of emergency, but more importantly, I had absolutely no intention of backing down with such a high potential golden opportunity for leveling up specs right before my eyes.
“If only a small number of personnel must go, even with a Follower Family, we cannot take many anyway.”
Enoch looked straight at Teano and said.
“Besides, I have encountered Vendetta directly twice. It would be much easier to gather evidence if I go to the site myself.”
Saying this, Teano would have no reason to refuse from her standpoint.
While it was a sufficiently convincing reason, above all, if Enoch went directly to the combat site….
‘It would also be an opportunity for Nemesis to confirm the remaining questions about me.’
However, Teano’s reaction was slightly unexpected.
“…….”
She stared intently this way for a moment, seemingly finding Enoch, the direct descendant, being this proactive somewhat surprising.
Then Teano slowly opened her mouth.
“Certainly, your words are not wrong.”
Saying so, she added briefly.
“Then, I shall accompany you.”
Enoch glanced sideways at her for a moment. Teano straightened her posture and met Enoch’s gaze.
“Since the direct descendant currently has no Follower Family, it would be safer if I accompany you.”
Enoch slowly nodded first.
“Understood.”
Actually, there was no reason to refuse.
‘Naturally, the reason Teano is doing this is likely to find out if I am related to dark mages…’
Whatever her true intentions, what mattered was that a skilled individual of the Nemesis Deputy Commander rank, called elite, would accompany me.
“I will include some of my subordinate knights in the operation. The remaining members will stay in the village to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.”
Enoch nodded and briefly glanced down at the cloth bag placed beside him.
One thing to keep in mind.
‘Since this is also a mission accompanied by family personnel, openly using the sword is not good.’
Therefore, drawing my sword should only be done, if possible, when there are no onlookers, like last time.
However, the scale of this Allied Mission was quite large, and the battles were expected to be on a much larger scale than before.
‘If so, Lien alone might not be able to handle all unexpected situations.’
No matter how powerful a mage Lien was, there was no guarantee she could handle all the enemies inside the fortress, whose exact numbers weren't even known, by herself.
‘Therefore, Teano’s irreplaceable combat strength is absolutely necessary to guarantee the success of this mission.’
The fact that Teano happened to be the Deputy Commander of the Nemesis Knight Order, who almost openly suspected me, was a definite risk factor.
Her current rational suspicion towards Enoch certainly made for a tricky relationship to act together with me, who was trying to hide any information that might stand out.
‘But, what if I turn Teano’s suspicion to my advantage?’
A faint smile touched Enoch’s lips.
Above all, Teano, holding the title of Nemesis's youngest Deputy Commander, was a sufficiently guaranteed powerhouse.
As long as I didn't confirm her suspicions, her suspicion towards Enoch could actually be used in a useful way.
“Thank you for promising your help.”
As the conclusion of the discussion was roughly decided, the Chieftain bowed his head, showing respect to the two before him.
“To think we would receive grace from those of Elsyde. If there is anything our village can support with, we will do our utmost…”
“Of course, we must receive support.”
Enoch replied immediately, before his words even finished.
The Chieftain looked at Enoch, who answered instantly as if waiting, somewhat wryly for a moment, then asked again.
“What kind of support…?”
“It will depend on the situation going forward, but first, let’s list the urgent things one by one.”
Basically saying there wasn't just one or two things I needed support from the Beast-kin for.
Even seeing Teano beside him looking this way somewhat strangely, Enoch paid no mind at all.
From the family's perspective, resolving matters in the Elsyde domain, their governing territory, might be natural…
But at least for me, it wasn't.
‘I’m struggling to survive after being possessed by Enoch without knowing why, so even if I undertake missions as a direct descendant, free service is absolutely out of the question!’
One way or another, the price for rolling around like this must be handsomely received.
But demanding something too big from the start would make it harder to extort… no, receive support later.
Then, I should start with trivial things first.
“First.”
Enoch first held up one finger.
“While our family mages complete this mission, please provide temporary lodging and sufficient meals so that all personnel can live comfortably within the village.”
The Chieftain slowly nodded.
“Second. If friction arises with our members due to the fault of the Beast-kin, strict punishment will be imposed according to the Elsyde family’s methods.”
The Chieftain’s expression hardened slightly.
In other words, asking for recognition of a form of extraterritoriality. But Enoch didn't stop there.
“Please announce this to all Beast-kin under the Chieftain’s authority. So that no one is unaware.”
I clearly remembered the first encounter with the Beast-kin earlier, when they showed hostility towards the family mages, leading to a touch-and-go situation.
‘The village Beast-kin not only were wary of Elsyde but also held definite animosity.’
The exact reason for the Beast-kin's hostility needed further investigation, but authority to respond in case of emergency was necessary.
Veteran combat personnel selected from Elsyde wouldn't just stand there and take hits anyway, but…
To avoid complaints later, this would be certain.
The Chieftain nodded heavily.
“…Understood.”
“And the most important thing.”
The Chieftain looked at the third finger Enoch held up.
“Lastly, third, we are unfamiliar with the geography here.”
Enoch looked at the map near the fortress and said.
“Even if we attack the fortress where the exiles and Vendetta are, we need Beast-kin who know the vicinity well.”
“Hmm.”
To the seemingly agreeable Chieftain, Enoch added.
“Especially since it’s an operation requiring only a small number of personnel, they must also be a definite help in terms of combat strength.”
“Understood. Then among the skilled warriors…”
“No.”
Leaving the slightly surprised Chieftain, Enoch casually shifted his gaze sideways.
-Twitch
From the corner of the cave entrance I glanced at, something familiar-looking had been moving since earlier.
In fact, noticing that beforehand was also why I deliberately brought this up.
“Seems they’ve already arrived.”
Sway.
From the corner of the cave, someone’s bushy red wolf tail sticking out.
Perhaps it had been eavesdropping on the conversation all along; it seemed to react to Enoch’s words, swaying gently.
Watching it, Enoch said.
“You’ve been caught, come out.”
At those words, the tail stood on end once as if startled, then after a moment, Sirocco peeked her head out from the corner and asked cautiously.
“……When did you know I was here?”
“You weren’t even trying to hide.”
“Right.”
She nodded once, then looked at the Chieftain beside her and said abruptly.
“Anyway, I’ll go. Grandpa… No, Chieftain!”
“Sirocco. Haven’t I told you before? It’s too dangerous for you, still young, to step forward…”
The Chieftain looked at her, slightly flustered, but she pointed straight at Enoch and said.
“We’re not that different in age anyway, right? And I’m the Chieftain’s heir. What good is it if I can’t protect our tribe members when they’re in danger!”
Then Sirocco muttered lowly.
“Besides, if we fail again this time, our village will…”
She stopped talking there and lowered her head briefly. Then Sirocco turned sharply back to Enoch.
“I’ll go.”
Then she pointed firmly at the map and said.
“I know that fortress well!”
“I heard the fortress was sealed off?”
“Right. But long ago, when I was really little, I secretly went there to play…… place iiiisss.”
Sirocco spoke confidently, then suddenly trailed off as if guilty, glancing slightly at the Chieftain.
The Chieftain, seemingly resigned already, placed a hand on his forehead and sighed shortly.
Just then, Teano beside Enoch opened her mouth.
“Did you say Lady Sirocco?”
“Yup, that’s right.”
“This operation is dangerous. Speaking coolly, we might not be able to protect you.”
“Hmph! I’m not an idiot either. I know that much. And you don’t need to worry about me.”
Sirocco looked sideways at Teano matter-of-factly and said.
“In this village, there’s no warrior stronger than me.”
At first glance, the speech of a naive child. But her expression as she said it looked chillingly mature for her age.
Teano asked back quietly.
“Is that true?”
“Yup! I’ve sparred with all the warriors in this village once, and I beat every single one.”
She wagged her tail proudly, turned her head towards Enoch with a satisfied smile, and said.
“How about that. Is this enough?”
Though appearing to be a young girl around fifteen, her words were certainly not lies at all.
「Sirocco Lycaon is an unparalleled genius (天才) even among the Beast-kin, known for their excellent mana sensitivity.」
Since the description in the original work stated so, it likely wouldn't be different now.
Enoch replied curtly.
“Seems so. Still, for the tribe’s heir to personally go on a dangerous mission, don't others object?”
“Nope! The heir who leads the tribe must be strong!”
Sirocco puffed out her chest proudly and said.
Teano spoke to the Chieftain, looking somewhat surprised.
“…I heard that to become the chieftain of the Beast-kin tribe, one needs to defeat the strongest in the pack and prove oneself. So it was true.”
At Teano’s words, the Chieftain opened his mouth as if to correct the misunderstanding.
“No, proving strength to become the Beast-kin chieftain is a story from long, long ago.”
He sighed and added.
“Long ago in the past, the Beast-kin had a tradition of holding official spars to determine the chieftain.”
“Long ago?”
“Correct. That was already a custom from long ago, and now it’s a custom that has mostly disappeared, with only the lore remaining.”
Teano immediately turned towards Sirocco with a puzzled expression. Enoch casually asked Sirocco.
“She says so. Was there really a need to spar?”
“Huh? Isn’t that obvious?”
She nodded and answered seriously.
“Dad told me long ago. The heir of the tribe chieftain must be much stronger than other Beast-kin.”
Sirocco’s gaze deepened slightly.
“He said if the person who becomes the leader is strong, our tribe can surely overcome any crisis that befalls us.”
Sirocco looked sideways at the villagers outside the window and said with a composed expression.
“…So, I wanted to prove directly whether I could lead our tribe well in the future.”
Meaning, for the sake of proof, she sparred with every warrior within the tribe one by one and beat them all down.
Enoch chuckled inwardly.
In many ways, it was a method typical of the her I knew.
Although much changed about Sirocco 5 years later in the original work, that kind of reckless aspect remained the same.
Enoch looked down at Sirocco and said.
“Impressive, in many ways.”
“Right?”
Perhaps pleased by the compliment, she beamed and wagged her tail vigorously.
Her emotions were all honestly revealed through her tail or ears like that, and her bright smile seemed capable of making even the onlookers feel good.
“…….”
But that's why Enoch couldn't smile further.
Swish.
Enoch’s black eyes, looking at the bright Sirocco, sank infinitely deep.
Because before he knew it, the content about the future predetermined in the original work was flashing through Enoch's mind.
She had no idea at all.
What future awaited her ahead.
「─The Beast-kin village was destroyed.」
A village flickering with leaden clouds, blood, and flames.
That scene momentarily flashed before Enoch’s eyes.
The past history of a character from the original work's time point. In other words, the official history no different from the ‘confirmed’ future that character would experience from now on.
And Sirocco’s character sheet contained cruel descriptions of the tragedy Sirocco would soon experience.
「Over the severed limbs and ruptured organs of the Beast-kin. Magical Beasts drawn by the scent of blood gather, greedily tearing at the corpses.」
「That was the end met by the last Beast-kin remaining in the Empire.」
Crows gathered in the village peck at corpses.
Red flames flicker over the collapsed village.
Sirocco, standing alone amidst that scenery, stares blankly with lifeless eyes.
The original work's flashback ended there.
For some reason, during this Allied Mission, Sirocco’s tribe members meet a miserable end and are utterly destroyed.
That was the ‘future’ predetermined for the Beast-kin in the original work.
And because this happened, only one Beast-kin appeared in the original work.
「…Sirocco Lycaon was the last survivor of the destroyed Beast-kin tribe.」
“So, how about it?”
Just then, cutting off his thoughts, Sirocco’s perked ear suddenly appeared in the corner of Enoch’s vision.
Having approached right before him before he knew it, she looked straight at Enoch boldly and proposed.
“About the fortress. You’re taking me too, right?”
Enoch looked back at her and slowly nodded.
“Alright.”
“Woah!”
At the acceptance to accompany the mission, Sirocco’s eyes widened greatly, then she vigorously wagged her tail behind her back.
“Well, I was going to follow even if you didn't take me!”
Saying such willful things, Sirocco laughed heartily. A smile unseen in the original work.
Watching her, Enoch slowly thought to himself.
‘And this incident involving Sirocco is precisely the decisive reason I wanted to undertake the Allied Mission.’
Because before coming here, one hypothesis had formed in his mind.
Elsyde’s Allied Mission.
Vendetta’s large-scale experiment.
The tragedy met by the Beast-kin.
-And Enoch’s death by the experimental Magical Beast.
Being 5 years before the original work, this was the only information available.
And according to the big picture pieced together from these puzzle pieces gathered so far, Enoch absolutely had to participate in this Allied Mission.
‘…Everything must move in a direction thoroughly beneficial to my survival and growth.’
Enoch slowly repeated his goal.
‘My goal is to survive as Enoch Elsyde and clear the incident occurring at the original work’s time point.’
From the start, Enoch Elsyde was an ill-fated character destined to die in the original work.
To survive as him, ‘scenario modifications’ that wouldn't significantly affect the original work's starting point or content were inevitably necessary.
And the destruction of the Beast-kin, predetermined in the original work, would be the target of precisely that scenario modification.
‘This is something only a seasoned player who knows the future of <Magic Empire Atlas> can do.’
“Hey, so when are we leaving?”
Looking at Sirocco, still excitedly wagging her tail back and forth, Enoch stood up from his seat.
The solid feel of the sword inside the cloth bag brushed against him.
“Soon.”
Therefore, how to change this fate from now on, and in what form to reshape the predetermined future…
‘Depends solely on my choices.’
Just then, suddenly, the outside became noisy.
“Stop! What’s going on there!”
The sound of someone urgently running down the corridor, pushing past the guards, is heard. Then someone suddenly appeared at the cave entrance.
“E-Excuse me! Is the Chieftain inside?”
It was a young girl from the Beast-kin village.
The kid, panting as if having sprinted with all her might, shouted urgently without even pausing to catch her breath.
“Chieftain! B-Big trouble, over there, there…!”
“Calm down and speak. What is it?”
The Chieftain calmly soothed her.
The kid, panting and fidgeting, closed her eyes tight, pointed towards the plaza, and shouted.
“The visitors from the Elsyde Main House and the village warriors look like they’re about to fight!”