The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 475

“Why haven’t you revealed this fact until now?” Kista, the only woman among the three, pressed him.

“Why did you hide the fact that you are protecting humanity against the Fimbulwinter [a catastrophic, unending winter]?! If you had told us, we could have… earlier!”

“I didn’t hide it. I declared several times that I became the master of the sacred throne for the greater good. But did you listen to me? No, you didn’t.”

“Still, there must have been a way to make us believe you, right? For example, if you briefly withdrew your protection and showed people the miracles you perform…”

“To confess, this has only become possible very recently. If I had done that before, the protection would have disappeared instantly, and the bitter cold would have struck, freezing all the northern crops that I had planted in the south. Even a single frost can ruin crops.”

Azadin had planted northern crop varieties in the southern farmlands in preparation for food shortages due to the Fimbulwinter.

Even in the cold that froze the subtropical seas, those crops grew and could be harvested safely, which was the result of Azadin’s protection.

If Azadin had withdrawn his protection there and focused that power on combat, the crops would have frozen to death.

Even if they won the battle, it would be meaningless if the people starved to death.

“You said this has only become possible recently?”

“Yes. By understanding this Fimbulwinter better, I’ve become able to use my power more efficiently. For that, I even had to trade with the Fimbul Horde [a group of beings associated with the Fimbulwinter].”

“Ah.”

Azadin’s retainers finally realized.

In the past, Azadin had given the Wendigo’s dagger [a dagger associated with a mythical creature] to Sir Sok and gained knowledge about how to block the winter’s cold.

But at the time, it was not easy to understand what he had gained.

Sir Sok, who was saying that everyone should become undead to break through this extreme cold, the Fimbulwinter, was a mad magician, and his claim was the end of humanity. They didn’t know why Azadin traded with such a person, but it was necessary.

“When did it become possible?”

Jibek, who had been listening to their conversation, couldn’t contain his curiosity and joined the conversation.

“I didn’t have time to research, so I completed it while traveling on the elves’ ship.”

“So, you couldn’t do it even when you left the Chitai Changgok Hall [a location or organization]. Wasn’t that too dangerous?”

“I was just busy.”

‘No, that was dangerous. What if you hadn’t been able to do it?’

‘But that’s how it is. His Majesty always acts like it’s nothing, but in reality, he’s walking a tightrope.’

Azadin’s retainers shuddered, their hearts sinking.

It was fortunate that he succeeded, but what if, even after spending time, his understanding of the winter magic he had obtained from Sir Sok was insufficient?

If he had failed to achieve it, he would have fallen into the middle of enemy territory defenseless.

Yet, Azadin never showed it and always pretended that he could do it.

Without confiding his difficulties to anyone, he had been struggling alone, doing his best to keep the organization running, and had brought the kingdom this far like a tightrope walker.

But those who didn’t know his inner self would see Azadin as someone who had suddenly appeared and achieved the hegemony of the South.

‘No, didn’t he struggle alone? He must have told the Queen.’

Jibek thought of the strong-willed Queen.

Midiam Etar.

She had similarities with Azadin, so she would know Azadin’s worries and be able to act calmly even if their fate was like a candle in the wind.

He hoped so.

At least, he hoped there was someone who shared Azadin’s pain and supported him.

“The reason I’m showing this to you and revealing the truth is that I believe you have trained and cultivated yourselves as Aragasa [a type of warrior or soldier]. If you seek miracles, serve the Nether’s god. If you seek personal loyalty, do not betray the Northern Empire. But if you want to protect the greater good, I will be your chieftain. So, what is your choice?”

Azadin asked the Northern Aragasa.

‘Actually, isn’t he blocking their retreat? If they say they will serve the Nether’s messengers, he won’t leave them alive. Even if they keep their loyalty to the Northern Empire, it’s the same…’

Azadin’s retainers who were watching thought so, but the Northern Aragasa were excited by Azadin’s words.

“If the greater good is with you, Your Majesty, please lead us.”

They were people who would normally have ridiculed the word ‘greater good,’ but now the situation was different.

The elders of the Northern Aragasa knelt before Azadin in unison.

The three also bowed before Azadin, showing the utmost respect.

“We pledge our loyalty to Your Majesty.”

“Long live the true divine king, Azadin!”

The Northern Aragasa abandoned the Northern Empire and joined Azadin.

*********

As Azadin succeeded in persuading the Northern Aragasa, half of the elves who had arrived at Inali Fortress with Azadin fled.

Ismail led the Messenger Clan to search the fortress area to pursue them, but they did not achieve any significant results.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. The elves left no trace.”

“Did you ask the other elves, and they said they didn’t know?”

“Yes. So, I was wondering if it would be okay to torture them?”

“No, don’t do it. It’s a waste of time.”

Azadin stopped Ismail’s suggestion of torture.

When he asked the remaining elves, they said that the elves who had disappeared were hardline fundamentalists who were conservatives who looked down on other races, and those who remained were innovators or belonged to the Kazas faction.

The Kazas faction supported Azadin because they believed that if Azadin became the emperor by taking all the thrones of the kingdoms, he would not ignore the grace of his teacher, Kazas.

It would be one thing if torturing such people yielded results, but if it didn’t, they would lose their loyalty.

“These elves are very skilled. We can’t find their traces. Going any further is impossible because the cold is too severe to track them.”

“Okay. Don’t push yourself, Ismail.”

“But can I ask you one thing?”

“Of course, Ismail. Aren’t you my disciple?”

“It’s an honor. To be the disciple of a living divine king.”

“So, what’s your question?”

“Why are they pursuing the greater good now? Since when were they interested in the greater good?”

Ismail was curious about that point.

Azadin asked back.

“Why wouldn’t people be interested in the greater good?”

“That’s…”

“It’s because everyone experiences setbacks. Doing good is a path to setbacks, so those who speak highly of the greater good are either swindlers trying to incite others or novices who have not experienced hardship. That’s why speaking of the greater good is ridiculed. It’s so excessive that some people don’t even yearn for the greater good and lose their initial intentions because they have learned defeat and setbacks.”

“………”

“They needed certainty, and I gave them that certainty. Of course, it might not be pleasing to see them seek the greater good only when they are in a good position. Ismail, don’t despair because evil is great, and don’t be disappointed because good is small.”

“Then what are you going to do now?”

“I’m going to persuade the Northern Empire.”

“He’s also a monarch, so will he be persuaded? Besides, looking at what he’s done so far… he’s a man who has been expanding his influence for nearly a hundred years, burning with ambition. Would he be persuaded just because he’s at a slight disadvantage? It seems like he wouldn’t care about the greater good for the sake of his goals.”

“I can’t say for sure about that.”

“………”

Even Azadin, who had willingly set out with only a few escorts before leaving Changgok Hall, when he wasn’t sure whether he could overwhelm the Northern Aragasa, was unable to make a firm statement.

He, who always confidently bluffed, was so unsure about the Northern Empire that he couldn’t even bluff.

*********

Cohen Lionheart of the Northern Empire was not a person who liked humans.

He was renowned as a prodigy among the royals from a young age.

However, born to a mother of humble status, he was not evaluated for his abilities but was instead targeted for checks and balances.

As he was forced to leave home to join the Rescue Knights, his hatred for humans reached its peak.

He felt a sense of loneliness as if he had become the only human among a group of monkeys, as he was driven out by the incompetent and despicable humans.

He could not find joy in relationships with other humans. The only emotion he felt was disgust.

Therefore, the only happiness he could gain from his relationships with humans was confirming his superiority by observing their incompetence and foolishness.

‘Foolish and incompetent humans, how excellent am I compared to them. I was born well. No, fate has designated me as king to lead them!’

To confirm this fact, he was willing to endure the disgust of humans.

But then, a being named Azadin appeared before him.

A person of no great status, or so the rumors said, he was persecuted as a cursed being even among the lowly Messenger Clan.

Azadin of Muan, born under the curse of service.

Such a guy had gradually crushed Cohen’s henchmen one by one, taken away those whom Cohen had recruited, and even taken away the Northern Aragasa, his long-time vassals, and held a knife to his throat.

A person who started in a more inferior environment than him was now surpassing him.

‘Am I inferior to this guy?’

Cohen had despised all humans. He had believed in his superiority as the basis for his contempt, and he felt bewildered for the first time when he met a being who surpassed him.

‘Why did the spirits of Yaegas [a deity or spiritual entity] choose him?’

‘Is it because he speaks of that sweet-talking greater good and believes in it sincerely? Is that why they chose such a guy instead of me, their descendant?’

Cohen resented the spirits of Yaegas and hated Azadin.

So, when Azadin tried to persuade him, he lost himself in perfect rage.

‘Don’t try to persuade me. I have no intention of becoming a trophy to prove how well your tongue wags. If you keep provoking me, I will take my own life to ruin your plans.’

It was a very low-level idea for someone who led a country and competed for hegemony on the continent, but that was the mental world of the Northern Empire.

But Azadin tried to persuade him, implying that he needed him and how many more humans would be sacrificed if he didn’t.

He also reminded Cohen Lionheart of his childhood, when he was a being who dreamed of the flower of chivalry.

‘Nonsense! It’s nonsense! It’s not worth listening to. Just kill me here! I am a threat to your kingship! You want to save more people by using me? Don’t be ridiculous. Kill me and let the people suffer, starve, and freeze to death, and stain your hands with blood! If you so desperately want to save people, I want to kill them and give you an indelible wound!’

Cohen blocked any words Azadin spoke from reaching deep into his heart.

Rather than begging for his life and giving Azadin a complete victory, he would rather give up his life to hinder Azadin’s path.