STGAAB Novel MTL - Chapter 771
Chapter 771: Clarifying Positions (6)
In Greek mythology, there’s a figure named Atlas. When Zeus waged war against the Titans he joined and fought on the opposing side, and after losing the war, he was punished with the eternal burden of holding up the sky.
‘He was quite a naive fellow in many ways.’
……Anyway, that’s not what’s important right now. The reason I suddenly thought of someone from Greek mythology, rather than someone from Rafdonia or Korea, is simply because I’m currently in the same kind of position.
“……”
Lowering my knees, bending my waist. With my arms stretched out to the sides, I’m supporting the weight of the building’s rubble with my back. As painful as it is, I didn’t start off in this position.
‘Shit.’
Time quickly flew by after I finished testing Thunder’s performance, which the Marquess had handed over to me.
Several grown adults, crammed into a small pit, were about to go mad from the confined space. But thanks to the exploration supplies Amelia usually carried with her, we at least had breathable air. Though, they were all consumables, so they were limited.
The real problem was the rubble.
A large building—five stories above ground, with two basement floors—collapsed completely. Looking on the bright side, that’s probably why the damage was minimal despite being hit by thunder, but……
‘What the hell is this weight……’
Even with [Giantization] and every strength-boosting skill I had stacked, it wasn’t easy. When I really gave it all I had, I could lift it slightly, but that’s about it. If there had been space to move the rubble bit by bit, it might’ve been a different story, but there was no such space in this deep pit. But I couldn’t just sit still, could I? I tried lifting the debris a little, pulling out smaller pieces one by one through the gaps, attempting all kinds of methods.
‘……I Should’ve just stayed still.’
The rubble suddenly shifted and collapsed, bringing us to this current predicament. If I move even a little or relax my strength, everything will collapse completely, leaving no chance of escape.
“…Bjorn! Are you okay? Ah, you don’t look so good… I’ll help you!”
“……No need. Just stop yelling. It’s giving me a headache.”
I acted tough in front of my comrades, but honestly, it was killing me. The weight was so immense, I started worrying that my spine might give out again. I just wanted a moment to rest……
“Ainar, come scratch here for me. It’s itchy.”
Since I couldn’t move my arms, I had to rely on my comrades to scratch for me whenever I got an itch.
“No, higher than that……”
“Ugh… Your armpit? No way! It might smell!”
This little……!
“Um……? If you can’t do it then should I do it instead?”
“…Okay, I’ll do it. Move aside, Ainar Fenelin.”
Hah. I wish she wouldn’t make that face. This is embarrassing enough for me as it is. Besides, I had asked Ainar, so I have no idea why Amelia ended up scratching that spot for me…… Well, at least it felt good.
‘How did it come to this……’
Looking back now, complacency was the biggest problem.
After Thunder was fired, I thought we could just hide underground, wait for things to calm down, then clear the rubble and head to the palace.
At the time, I assumed that was entirely feasible. Never once did I think it would be impossible for me to escape, even if an entire building collapsed on top of me.
“This isn’t something to take lightly, this is a problem. After all, even Yandel doesn’t have infinite stamina.”
“If we don’t want to get crushed to death, we need to find a way to escape before it’s too late.”
“Harin Savy, do you have any ideas?”
“No, nothing in particular……”
While I was holding up the rubble, my comrades were constantly trying to come up with a solution, but in the end, it didn’t matter much. Not because we couldn’t find a solution, but because one appeared from the outside before we could find one.
“Hold on, everyone. Be quiet for a second.”
I interrupted the ongoing discussion and focused my ears… No, to be exact, all of my body’s senses. And then, I felt it. At first, I thought it was just the usual delirium that comes in extreme situations, but……
“……It’s certain. It’s gradually getting lighter.”
With each slight tremor from above, the weight of the rubble I was holding up grew lighter.
“Wow! Is it a rescue team……?”
“We can’t rule out the opposite. District 4 is under Noark’s control, after all.”
As Hyeonbyeol and Amelia pointed out, there were two possibilities. I had a feeling it was more likely the scenario Amelia mentioned, but either way, it was a positive development. Fighting those Noark bastards would be a hundred, no, a thousand times better than just staying like this.
‘Hah……’
Still, it wasn’t enough to make me completely relax. In fact, I was rather tense. And why wouldn’t I be? I don’t know what happened to my other scattered comrades, but Rotmiller is the only one whose death I’ve clearly confirmed so far.
‘Two more…’
There are still two more people left until the record written on the records stone is fulfilled. It was hard not to worry that someone might die while we fought our way out of this situation……
“I think I can lift it now.”
After carefully preparing and waiting for the right moment, the time finally came when I could escape on my own.
I pushed up with all my strength, lifting the debris I had been holding.
And……
Baaang-!
As I gradually pushed upwards, suddenly, as if a water vein had been pierced, my arms felt lighter and the rubble surged upward.
Swaaaaaah-!
The sunlight, which I hadn’t seen in what felt like ages, was almost too bright, making me squint. But the warmth of the sun was incredibly soothing, though there wasn’t much time to bask in it.
“Now’s our chance……!”
I quickly climbed up to the surface, and my waiting comrades quickly followed, standing beside me in battle formation.
But it didn’t take long to realize that all the tension was unnecessary. The soldiers clearing the debris cheered as they saw me.
“Baron Yandel! It’s Baron Yandel……!”
……The royal army?
***
I was now riding in a large military wagon, easily big enough to hold at least 12 people if space were used efficiently. Given its enormous size and the fact that it’s a military wagon, the ride is far from smooth, but I’m in no position to complain. I’m just grateful to be heading back without a fight.
“Let me say again, it’s truly an honor to serve you, Baron. I’ve admired you for so long.”
Seated next to me was a lanky-looking knight I had never seen before. His name was Danez Akel Zaire. He’d repeated it so many times, drilling it into my brain, that I couldn’t help but remember it. He was a royal knight from the Zaire Baronial family……
“Truly, you are admirable. The soldiers said that the rubble you lifted during your escape weighed several tons!”
Seeing him stick so close to me and flatter me like this, it felt like he would make a better politician than a knight. Not that I viewed it negatively. Every organization turns political eventually. There are things you have to do, whether you want to or not, in order to rise higher. Besides, this lanky guy wasn’t a bad conversation partner, apart from being a bit overwhelming. As a military officer, he was well-informed about the latest intel.
“So, you’re saying the royal army has reclaimed over half of District 4?”
“Yes, the front line is currently drawn at the square, where we’re in a standoff. I, Danez Akel Zaire, personally confirmed the intel on your last known location, Baron. I never doubted for a second that you’d survive in that dreadful ruined—.”
“So, you’re saying you proposed a rescue plan to the commander, got his approval, and led a unit to clear the rubble, is that it?”
“Yes, exactly, Baron.”
Does he have a parrot among his ancestors? How does he manage to repeat the same story every chance he gets? Well, it’s the age of self-promotion, so I get it.
“Oh, looks like we’re approaching the Royal Capital. There will be a checkpoint, but don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”
Soon, the military wagon I was riding reached the Royal Capital, and once we arrived, we switched to a different carriage.
“Regrettably, I, Danez Akel Zaire, was tasked only with escorting you to the Royal Capital, Baron, so please forgive me for not being able to accompany you all the way to your destination.”
With those final subtle attempts at self-promotion, the lanky knight turned back several times with regretful eyes before heading back to District 4.
After that, we continued our journey in a different carriage, this time heading toward the palace. Watching the streets of the Royal Capital passing by outside the window gave me a very strange feeling. Or more accurately, should I say I felt dazed?
‘Is it really… over? Just like this?’
It didn’t feel real. I had been trapped under rubble and prepared for a final showdown with Noark’s forces while escaping. But now it’s all over, just like that?
‘…Let’s not let our guard down. It’s not over until it’s completely over.’
With that in mind, I resumed gathering intel, though the knight accompanying me now was a completely different type from the lanky knight before. Should I say he’s too quiet?
“Which unit are you with?”
“…I serve His Majesty.”
Ah, a member of the Guardian Knights. No wonder he was so silent. He had no reason to try and win my favor.
“We’re on our way to see Commander Berun. If you have any questions, it would be best to wait and ask the Commander.”
I tried asking various questions along the way, hoping to pick up some useful information, but all I got were answers like that. The carriage continued to advance, eventually arriving at the royal palace.
And……
“Please disembark.”
At last, after a long ride we reached the New World Palace. However, upon entering the palace, we were separated by the Guardian Knights.
“Commander Berun has requested an audience with only Baron Yandel. The rest of you will be escorted to the reception room.”
It was roughly what I had expected, so I just gave Amelia a reassuring glance and parted ways with them. And after walking for who knows how long.
“…It’s been a while, Bjorn Yandel.”
As I entered the room, I was greeted by Astarota, who looked like he hadn’t seen me in ages. The moment the knight who had escorted me closed the door, I opened my subspace and pulled out the Marquess’ corpse.
“That makes three left.”
At my words, Astarota tilted his head.
“Three? Ah, you mean the deal you made with His Majesty?”
“What else would it be?”
“But that math doesn’t add up. The first condition was to spend seven days together, but you bolted early to kill the Prime Minister.”
Tch, so that’s how their counting. I was probing just in case.
“So, you have four more to go, Yandel. Understood?”
“…Yeah, I get it, now drop that annoying tone of yours.”
As I grumbled, Astarota smirked and changed the subject.
“So… what exactly happened?”
“Oh? There are things even you don’t know?”
“Most of what I know comes from the intelligence department. And the intelligence department doesn’t know everything. Especially in times like these.”
Right, if you want to take down the royal family, you’d have to blind the intelligence department first, huh? Makes sense, even the Marquess said the first thing they did in this war was block off their eyes.
“Tell me, what exactly happened there.”
I summarized the key points for Astarota. How I went to rescue Ainar, formed an alliance with the Marquess’ son who had betrayed the Marquess, fought against Demon Eyes, found the Marquess’ secret villa, and finally met with the bespectacled man…… And how, in the end, I tricked him and confronted the Marquess. I told her everything I could, honestly. After all, the best way to hide a lie is within the truth.
“During the conversation, the Marquess, having lost everything, fired Thunder, and we had no choice but to take cover underground.”
Of course, the one thing I had kept hidden was the deal I made with the Marquess. Though, since it was revealed during the escape process, it couldn’t be hidden from Ragna.
“Oh, I see. And then?”
“That’s it. The rest, you already know.”
“Hmm, is that so……”
Astarota, resting his chin on his hand as if deep in thought, paused before speaking again.
“Then, at least Thunder didn’t fall into Noark’s hands. If what you say is true.”
The latter part of her words seemed to be probing, as if testing me. However, I just nodded without showing any particular reaction and moved on to the next topic.
“More importantly, there’s something I want to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
As soon as he gave permission, my heart tightened. Before I killed the Marquess, I had been hit Thunder, and all my comrades were scattered across the city. Some ended up in the safety of the royal family’s territory, but others, like Ainar who was dropped in the heart of District 4, were not so fortunate.
“……Has the survival of all those who were caught up in the teleportation with me been confirmed?”
I asked cautiously, and Astarota casually nodded.
“Ah, if it’s that, We confirmed it a while ago.”
Upon hearing those words, I felt a indescribable mix of emotions.
‘I see, they’ve already accounted for everyone……’
Up to this point, the only person I knew for sure had died was Rotmiller. I didn’t want to hear the words that were about to come out of her mouth. But ignoring reality wouldn’t change it.
“Hah……”
After taking a deep breath, I asked him.
“Are you ready to hear it?”
“Yes, tell me now.”
Who lived, and who died.
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