LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 217
The carriages carrying the representatives from various nations gathered at one place to decide the future of the continent.
This was already the umpteenth conference of the alliance.
“It’s becoming more frequent,” said the king of the kingdom. Tension was rising as powerful demons began to attack the borders.
It was clear evidence that the Demon King’s army was advancing closer.
A new countermeasure was necessary.
The leaders of the nations, whose faces had now become familiar, took their seats.
Amidst the solemn atmosphere filling the table, a distinguished guest, radiating an aura of intimidation, opened the door and entered. Everyone was taken aback by the sudden appearance of the imperial power.
“Is everyone gathered?”
The Empire’s third princess, Acella von Württemberg.
The one most surprised to see her was none other than Heike. The highest power in the Empire consisted of three heirs. She had the right to attend this meeting, but it had been an entire year since she had shown her face.
‘I thought she had given up the succession war for some reason.’
For the past year, the Moonlight Palace had been virtually nonfunctional. The tasks assigned had not been progressing smoothly and were piling up.
Heike, unable to sit idly by, had mobilized Lau to strip the Moonlight Palace of its authority while ruling the Empire.
Heike couldn’t help but wonder if there had been any accidents reminiscent of magical side effects involving Acella.
On the other hand, he also felt relieved. If the most formidable rival had dropped out, he could end the succession war early and ascend as the next emperor.
For Heike, stabilizing the Empire as quickly as possible was his goal, so Acella’s return was an alarming event.
As Acella entered the conference hall, she walked around, briefly scanning the leaders of the various nations.
None could hide their tension, overwhelmed by her cold atmosphere. Acella, having grown stronger, emitted a spirit that could make one mistake the Emperor had returned.
She stopped in front of one person.
Neria Gothberg.
“Minister Gothberg.”
“I see the moon of the Empire, Your Highness.”
“Is the hospital director not here?”
“No. He’s on an external trip.”
“I see.”
Tap-tap, she sat in the vacant seat. The original occupant, the king of the Gargoyle Nation, tried to say something but merely stood silent and quietly withdrew.
“I heard the Mage Nation’s advance unit is about to depart.”
Acella brought up the topic.
“The teleport gate will be set up, allowing the hero party to enter the Demon Realm. In the meantime, the alliance will defend against the Demon King’s army with full force to buy them time to fight. This is the essence of the current operation.”
“Indeed. Do you have any objections? The Empire’s Moonlight Palace is participating late and hasn’t kept up with the progress.”
At Heike’s pointed remark, Acella scoffed.
“There’s no way I wouldn’t know. This operation was originally proposed by the Moonlight Palace. Isn’t it you who doesn’t even understand the principle of teleport magic from the start?”
Acella’s words were sharp. The crucial teleport magic was something only the Mage Nation could control.
“I heard the Mage unit may be attacked, so didn’t we disperse our forces? Therefore, the gates being set up by the advance unit are small. To enhance mobility while responding to local conditions, a mage who has reached the high tier of spatial magic is required.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I will personally lead the hero party.”
“Personally?”
“I mean I will join the party.”
The conference buzzed with her bombshell announcement. The highest official of a nation declaring they would personally charge to the frontlines was something no sane person would say.
“Your Highness, is that your true intention?”
The king asked seriously. Acella narrowed her eyes slightly, signaling that it was no joke. The Mage Nation immediately protested.
“The mage is already designated to join the hero party. It can’t be changed now.”
“Is that person stronger than me?”
Acella shot a glare like ice. The Mage Nation couldn’t refute her. No one could forget her impressive demonstration of the sixth rank at the martial arts conference.
“Come in.”
At Acella’s command, the hall doors opened.
A warrior strode in, radiating confidence.
The hero, Lishe.
“Hmm, are you the hero now?”
“What’s going on…?”
Acella stood up and placed a hand on the hero’s shoulder as she spoke.
“I understand that the majority of the hero party has been assembled with citizens of the Empire. It’s not just because they are citizens; they were chosen because they could synergize best with you.”
Acella turned to look at Lishe.
“What do you think, Hero? Do you believe I am qualified as the mage who will accompany you?”
Lishe met Acella’s gaze and smiled broadly.
“Yes. Since you’ve already coordinated with me. It would be a great strength if you were to join us, Your Highness.”
“Is that so.”
With her arms draped across Lishe’s shoulders, Acella scanned the people in the conference hall.
“I have no interest other than slaying the Demon King. If you’re worried about political issues, it’s fine to keep this matter a secret. To the outside, you may announce as planned that the Mage Nation’s mage is participating in the party.”
“…If that condition is met.”
The Mage Nation nodded in agreement. The Kingdom of Law, which had to keep the Empire in check, also agreed.
The Pope made a suggestion.
“If someone as great as you, Your Highness, fights in a dangerous place, I fear the Empire’s citizens and even the people of the continent might become anxious. How about we make a pact with Geass so that the talks here don’t go outside?”
Acella shot a sideways glance at the Pope. Though she said that, she didn’t want to broadcast that the hero party had lost its control to the Empire. Always a scheming nation.
However, it was also what Acella had hoped for.
She didn’t want to inform Lars about this.
“Security is important. Let it be so.”
Acella’s joining the hero party was thus decided.
After the meeting ended and she was on her way back, Heike caught up to Acella.
“Are you out of your mind, Acella? Are you planning to throw your life away? A ruler of the imperial family going to the frontlines where you can’t get immediate support!”
“What an interesting statement.”
Acella scoffed.
“Heike, you always pretended to be brave while staying one step back, giving orders from a distance.”
“Isn’t that the obvious decision? If the commander dies first, it’s natural for the subordinates to perish. It’s my duty to stay alive until the end of the battle and lead them to victory.”
“True, I think you’re right. But…”
Acella raised the corners of her mouth.
“I’m tired of just giving orders.”
Heike was taken aback by Acella’s sudden change in attitude. No matter how impulsive she might be, had she always been this extreme?
“Acella, have you given up on the succession war?”
“Oh, the Emperor?”
At Heike’s direct question, Acella rolled her eyes as if she was uninterested.
She fiddled with the white strands of hair that had fallen on her forehead and blew gently, as if to send them away.
“I don’t need a heavy crown like that. You can have it instead.”
“…What?”
Acella, with a broad grin, turned to leave.
Heike stared blankly at her retreating figure.
Acella’s steps as she departed were lighter than ever.
‘A sure way to change the future.’
The tyrant who destroyed the world, Empress Acella.
Now, she was no longer part of history.
All the future timelines where she had been etched as the Emperor were completely deleted.
And now.
Only the unrecorded mage of the hero party, Acella, remained.
“Lars.”
I’ll take you to a future you’ve never seen.
Just wait a little.
The only danger that could harm you, I’ll defeat them all along with the hero and return.
And then.
And then…
*
“Two days into your stay? The pain is better than yesterday? The food doesn’t taste good? That’s normal. I eat the same thing. I’ll add an egg later. If it gets worse, just press this button. Yes, see you tomorrow.”
I started my rounds and began my work. As I walked down the corridor, a group of residents followed behind me.
It had been three months since the general hospital expanded its operations. While also conducting training for new hires, care and surgeries were steadily ongoing.
We had expanded our medical staff to 300, but it was still far from enough. Thankfully, compared to modern society, there were fewer elderly patients, resulting in a smaller number of long-term hospitalized cases.
With the new year, the existing residents had gained experience and new interns had come in, allowing for some breathing room.
―――――――――――
○ Alchemy B
○ Medicine B+
―――――――――――
Alchemy had also risen to B, and medicine was just one step away from becoming A. Most skills were on the verge of ranking up to A.
With the hospital stabilizing somewhat, it was about time to start preparing for the trip before the debuff reached the highest tier.
“Gishta, about the adventure I mentioned earlier.”
“Oh, do you mean visiting my mother?”
“Exactly. We need to form an exploration team, 6 months long.”
“Preparation is complete!”
Five units from the Thunder Tribe quickly readied themselves for deployment. When they heard we were going to see the Heavenly Dragon, everyone offered to help and even held selection competitions.
“I won’t be able to attend the upcoming alliance conference.”
The members of the hero party were finally being determined, and it was time for the mage advance unit to set off. It seemed I could leave that matter to Neria without any changes needed.
“Let’s go easy. We’ll also conduct reconnaissance on the invading Demon King’s army.”
“Haha, I’m curious what demons taste like.”
“Don’t eat them, Gishta. You could have side effects like stomach pain and nausea from a curse.”
“Really? That’s unfortunate.”
With that, I began an extended journey across the plains with a great army from the Thunder Tribe.
Riding atop a mammoth, we crossed the boundaries of the former country, traversed several smaller nations, and advanced along the coast.
At the border of the seventh pier, where the coastline ended, a vast salt desert stretched out to the horizon, welcoming us.
A land uninhabited by humans, the starting point of the Middle Realm.
“My mother is beyond that point, Lars! Hold on tight!”
Gishta pulled on my arm and confidently urged the mammoth forward.