The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 485

The Empress was attacked by assassins.

As soon as the news spread, Changgok Pass was thrown into utter chaos.

Soldiers hunted down refugees like rats to find the assassins hiding among them, and they did not hesitate to use violence against those who resisted.

The refugees were silenced by the soldiers’ fierce demeanor.

In the process, most of those who had been hiding to avoid conscription were discovered and dragged into the army.

*********

“Is it really okay to do this?”

Ismail turned to Mideiam.

Mideiam, who was perfectly fine, looked at Ismail with wide eyes.

“What are you talking about?”

“No, I’m saying, did we really have to spread false information that the Empress was attacked, even deceiving the founding contributors [key figures who helped establish the army]?”

“What’s the problem? There are actually spies secretly attached to them, aren’t there? Honestly, I don’t even trust Sion, so what.”

Mideiam was in the Changgok Pass military camp, perfectly fine. The attack by assassins was her own fabrication.

“Even so…”

“Thanks to this, we were able to conscript a lot of people, right?”

Because of the rumor that Mideiam had been attacked, the soldiers, who were in a frenzy, raided the refugees’ residences, and the refugees couldn’t complain.

No, those who expressed dissatisfaction were all arrested.

“Strong medicine is effective, but it’s harmful if used too often.”

“We don’t have much time left to use it often anyway.”

“Do you know when the end will be?”

Ismail was impressed by the mysterious insight he felt from Mideiam, then he snapped back to his senses with a ‘huh’.

“Was that just a bluff? You really resemble His Majesty a lot.”

“Ismail, you’re his disciple too. You should be used to this by now.”

“I hate that kind of bluff. That’s why I’m distant from His Majesty Azadin in the first place.”

“Yeah. I like that about you.”

“……..”

“Then, I’ll play the patient, and you keep carrying out my instructions.”

Mideiam gave instructions to Ismail. Ismail was half-doubtful after hearing the instructions.

“Are you really going to keep going?”

“Yes.”

“Will it really work?”

“It will.”

“I can’t believe it.”

“I’m telling you, it will work.”

“Ah…”

Ismail, feeling uneasy, began to move to carry out Mideiam’s instructions.

*********

Sleds arrived at Changgok Pass.

Sleds prepared by the Kingdom of Asander, sleds made by the Messenger Clan from trees in the Kerim Mountains, and sleds made from lumber from the Naisandokar region arrived all at once, to the point where the sleds stretched endlessly beyond the horizon.

The people who saw it were all astonished.

From now on, women and the elderly would ride these sleds to Asander, and the conscripted men would be dragged to the battlefield.

It was necessary to protect humanity, but once conscripted and sent to a distant land, the day they would meet again was far away.

How far away were Asander in the north and the Naga Empire located in the southern inland sea and the Butuma area?

Even if they survived the battlefield, it was impossible for families to meet again.

However, since they had stirred up the refugees to find various cultists to blame for the Empress’s assassination, the refugees could not dare to resist this conscription.

“So, I have to take charge of the send-off ceremony?”

Among the great generals of the Azadin army gathered at Changgok Pass, the one with the highest protocol rank was Legion, the head of the Logistics Corps.

Legion, the head of the Logistics Corps, and his deputy, Kalan, held a very special position among the founding contributors of the Azadin army.

In the Azadin army, which had been gathering refugees and residents from various regions to form refugee soldiers, they had been in charge of training new recruits with no martial arts experience into soldiers.

If they made a mistake, not only would they be annihilated, but the news of their defeat could also completely demoralize the allied forces. The fact that the refugee soldiers were able to carry out orders on time and leave dangerous battlefields was because Legion and Kalan’s training was extremely effective.

Therefore, Legion and Kalan had the highest protocol rank among the generals of Azadin.

Other contributors also knew well how important Legion and Kalan’s work was in the Azadin army, so no one was dissatisfied with them holding the top spot in the contributor rankings.

Moreover, Legion and Kalan never became arrogant and were faithful to their duties, and their loyalty to Azadin was exceptional.

They were well aware that they were thugs who had given up everything on the Chadra Plateau, and they believed that they owed Azadin an unpayable debt for giving them a chance and raising them to the rank of great general.

The best contributors did not become arrogant to others, their loyalty to their lord was high, and they were in charge of the most important practical work, so there was no room for discord.

“Is there even a need for a ceremony? At this very moment, our troops fighting the Naga Empire are suffering. To save our people, let’s skip useless ceremonies and morale boosts and leave quickly. Now, refugees to the north! Soldiers to the southeast!”

Legion tried to skip the unnecessary ceremony and depart.

Once they departed, the soldiers here would be separated from their families, likely forever.

But then, a group of women appeared before Legion.

They were nuns wearing black mourning clothes. The nuns of the Mercy Order and widows were blocking Legion’s path.

“What is it?”

“Her Majesty the Empress is arriving.”

“Huh?”

Legion was startled and stepped down from the command platform.

Among the nuns, Empress Mideiam was helped up.

She was covered in blood-stained bandages all over her body, and her complexion was pale, making it clear to anyone that she was seriously ill.

As she walked out, supported by crutches and protected by the nuns, the people around her were surprised and held their breath.

“Great General Legion. His Majesty is well aware of your hard work for the mission.”

“I, I am grateful for your words.”

“But Legion, if you conscript the people of Chitai and send them to a distant land without even giving them time to say goodbye, how will they ever meet again? Without the hope of returning home alive, how can they have hope and courage to fight against the wicked forces of evil?”

“Ha, however, the supply situation on the battlefield is difficult, so we cannot accommodate those who are not soldiers. Above all, there is this bitter cold. Protecting them and going to the battlefield… it’s unfortunate for the soldiers, but this level of sacrifice is something everyone is going through. We are living in the age of Jupiter, so we cannot achieve anything without sacrifice!”

“Yes, I know that well. I know that we have come this far thanks to the hard work of many generals. But if they have hope that they can meet again… wouldn’t they be able to put in even more effort to return?”

“If such a thing were possible, it would be a miracle.”

“Yes. And the miracle is right here with them. At least, His Majesty believes so.”

Mideiam said that and raised her hand.

A golden halo appeared above her head.

The same golden halo as when she was with Azadin spread out from her.

“Ah?!”

“Oh…”

The people who were watching the situation were all surprised.

As Mideiam unwrapped the blood-stained bandages, a beautiful woman with flawless skin, like a goddess, appeared.

‘Wow. This is too much.’

Ismail, who knew the situation, turned his head away because it was a scene he couldn’t bear to watch, but all the other refugees were captivated by the shock of a goddess suddenly appearing.

“People, listen. I am Mideiam, the Emperor’s consort, and I am acting on his behalf, entrusted with his will. In his name, I ask you, do you wish to leave your families and face the enemy?”

The people were bewildered by Mideiam’s voice. The power and divinity contained in her voice, which echoed from all directions, instilled fear.

What if they answered carelessly and got killed?

They were all frozen in fear.

Tens of thousands of people could not even answer the Empress’s words.

“Answer. I will not blame you if it is an honest answer.”

“Ah, no!”

“Who would want to be separated from their family?”

“Then, accept the promise of the New Testament [a reference to a new religious doctrine] that His Majesty has given. Practice virtue, be faithful, love others as you love your own family, and be humble. Can you keep that promise?”

“……”

“Answer!”

“Yes.”

The people’s answer shook the heavens and the earth.

“I understand. Then, by the authority given to me by His Majesty, I command you to kneel!”

All the people who had already gathered were kneeling.

Mideiam drew Azadin’s sword, Aurelia Dawn, and raised it high.

Then, the clouds in the sky parted, and as the name of the sword suggested, golden rays of light descended from the sky and began to illuminate the surroundings.

In the majestic and beautiful scene, Mideiam looked at the kneeling soldiers.

“Use wisdom as your guide, show mercy, and act with courage. Believe that this is a power of miracle that is stronger than any divine lineage or magic. Believe that even the gods and the angels of heaven believed in and yearned for salvation for humanity. If this belief is within you, then you will all become knights.”

“!?”

“Huh?!”

Legion was flustered.

“Now, when you sit, you are boys, but when you rise, you will be knights. Rise!”

With Mideiam Etar’s declaration, divine power began to spread among the people.

In fact, among the people, there were those who had the faith that Mideiam spoke of and awakened as holy knights.

“Ah…”

“Oh… A, a miracle!”

The people were surprised and also moved.

“Logistics Corps Commander Legion. I have ruined your reputation. Please rule me as a warlord [a military leader with absolute power].”

“Ah, no. How could I dare?”

“Even though I am the Empress, I have disrupted military discipline. Without that punishment, how can the military’s discipline be established? To atone for my sins, I will work with the people, weaving and cooking, and take on the work of supporting the soldiers. Please do not abandon these families and take them to the front lines with you. Then, the knights will also be able to unleash the true power of miracles.”

When Mideiam said that, the people were truly moved.

The Empress, who was no different from a living goddess, volunteered to serve as a common soldier, weaving, cooking, and supporting the battle alongside the women of the village.

Moreover, among those she had appointed, there were those who showed the qualities of holy knights.

“It’s the power of the New Testament!”

“Oh… my goodness.”

“Long live Her Majesty the Empress!”

“Long live!”

The people were excited by the miracle that had unfolded before their eyes and began to cheer.

And Ismail was watching that scene with a sullen expression.

“Ah, it actually worked.”