20-1
The Day the Rebellious Underground
Empire Revives
Translator : PolterGlast
Summary of the
Previous Chapter
The days of turmoil
that occurred after the Emperor's death. A fierce power struggle. The frequent
outbreaks of Abyss monsters in various places. To protect the people,
Prince Georg led his elites and deployed troops to Ratatosk City,
east of the Imperial Capital. Meanwhile, Ashley revived the ancient
underground tunnels to gather forces from all over the world. In the ruined
city, he met the immortal Azato and his wife, and obtained the key to
reviving the lost underground empire of A-Zir. Amidst such turbulence, a
great battle that would split the Empire in two was about to begin on the
plains south of the Imperial Capital.
The Song Sung by
Fallen Gods
As soon as I
returned to the country, I was suddenly hugged by older sister Atomina
and clung to in tears by Puis. I was told that my older brother, to
protect the people, ignored the impending battle right in front of him and
dispatched troops to Ratatosk City. If one were thinking of
self-preservation, they should side with either the Northern Army of Uncle Morac
and Aunt Du, or the Southern Army led by Princes Julius and Yord,
but it seems my beloved brother has no such notions. Puis, having had
his energy completely drained by Aunt Du barging in day after day, was
half-crying despite being a man.
「Sorry,
but I'm in a hurry. Please tell Aunt that I will follow brother Georg's
decision.」
「Please
wait, Ashley-sama... Am I the one who has to convey that to that old
hag...? I can't stand it anymore, a person like that!」
「But
time is precious right now. Now that it has turned into such a great war, we
must overturn this board before the damage spreads.」
When I answered like
that, the Administrator of Erin, Puis, looked at my face
suspiciously. The me from a little while ago would probably have given up on
the Empire and tried to run away.
「That
is true... however, what do you intend to do? No matter how capable Ashley-sama
is, this situation is...」
「I will
revive the forgotten Imperial Capital, A-Zir. Then, gathering
reinforcements from all over the world in the underground of the Fimbul
territory, I'll prepare a force capable of crushing them, and then strike both
the Southern and Northern armies after they've exhausted themselves in battle.」
Even if I joined the
great southern battle as a third force right now, it would only turn the fight
into a three-way deadlock. With my brother absent, the First Imperial Army
cannot exert its full power either.
「You
intend to crush them without belonging to either side...? That is... that is
quite not bad. However, what does the revival of A-Zir mean?」
「It's
said that there used to be a shining sun in the sky of that great underground
cavity. However, by some trick of fate, I was given that sun during my travels.」
「Umm...
Ashley-sama.」
「What
is it?」
「My
imagination can't keep up, so please let me organize my thoughts for a bit...」
「I see.
...Well anyway, I'm going to revive the underground empire now. I'll hide the
soldiers I've gathered from all over the world in the old capital A-Zir,
and using the underground tunnels built by the First Emperor, I'll end the
civil war they started with a blitzkrieg. I might as well help brother Georg
out while I'm heading over there.」
This is not my
strategy. The strategy itself, devised by the First Emperor Ausar, is
those underground tunnels connecting all over the world. I merely decided to
reuse that strategy. In
that case, the remaining problem is military strength. As long as I can secure
forces, I can forcibly end this civil war through a surprise attack.
「Didn't
I ask you to wait a bit...」
「Sorry
about that. I just wanted to tell you quickly.」
「Well,
it's not bad. There's no benefit to joining a quagmire of a battle, and barring
the anxiety of relying entirely on Ashley-sama, I suppose it's a very
powerful strategy. And if that's the case, that means—I will have to continue
to refuse High Priestess Du's persistent solicitations tomorrow, and for
a long time to come, won't I... Haaaa...」
「Tell
Aunt that we have no intention of joining her, and not to come.」
「It
doesn't work like that... For this land to maintain its neutrality, a gray,
non-committal response is necessary...」
「Ah...
now that you mention it, I suppose so. I always cause you trouble. Choosing you
as Administrator was the right answer.」
「If you
think so, please do something about your wandering habit...」
However, the
conversation was interrupted there. The door to what was practically Puis's
study was pushed open, and older sister Atomina burst in.
「I
heard everything! Take me with you too, Ashley, I'm already sick and
tired of dealing with Aunt Du...!」
「W-Wait,
you can't do that, Atomina-sama... Then, won't I be the only one left to
deal with that person...?」
「Do
your best.」
「I
cannot do my best! That person goes against my aesthetics!!」
Puis seemed
to have complaints, but that's how it was decided. Using the underground tunnel
leading directly to the Imperial Capital that I had built for emergencies, I
aimed for the forgotten Imperial Capital, A-Zir.
The companions
turned out to be older sister Atomina and her page Durin.
Engineers of the Horned race. The Dragonoid Azato and his wife, as well
as all their children, the Lizardmen. Along the way, I was told mountains of
stories about the lost paradise A-Zir by Zirant.
「There
was a golden wheat field. Flowers of various colors bloomed in profusion, towns
crowded the highlands, and vast farmlands continued to the very ends of the
underground cavity! There, all kinds of races coexisted, laughed together, and
under the protection of Father and Mother, enjoyed eternal prosperity! Wagahai
knows of no world more perfect than that!」
Truly, I was told
the exact same story over and over like a child... Being told this many times
makes me want to doubt whether such a perfect world truly existed. I suspect it
might be what they call 'rose-tinted glasses' in the words of the other
world...
「Do not
say such rude things!」
「I
didn't say it, you're just reading my thoughts as you please...」
「Fufu,
I want to see it soon too. The paradise built by His Majesty the First Emperor
must surely be a dream-like world.」
「While
saying that, why are you patting my head, Sister...?」
「Because
Ashley is always, always disappearing. Geez, you and Georg are
both so reckless all the time... you should consider your big sister's
feelings.」
The journey was just
plain noisy. Azato and his wife watched our exchanges with warm gazes,
eagerly awaiting our arrival at the old capital.
And so, we arrived
at the paradise of darkness. In the dark world that had lost its sun, the deep
darkness swallowed everything, even the light of the sun fragments picked up
here, and even the flames of torches heavily coated in oil. I saw that sun
fragment leave my hand as if drawn away, getting swallowed by the sun's hidden
treasure that once reigned over this land. It felt as if it had finished its
role of guiding Ashley and returned to where it belonged.
The sun's hidden
treasure was glowing faintly in purple. Because it's huge, after all, carrying
it all the way here was quite a pain. Instead of a horse, I pulled it on a cart
along with sister Atomina.
「Father...
this is a ritual that Father must perform. Now, raise the sun to the heavens.」
「Who is
your father...」
Lately, Zirant
has stopped hesitating to superimpose the First Emperor onto me. Given that I,
who possesses an appearance similar to her father's, am reviving the world of
memories where she lived with her father and mother, I suppose it's
understandable that she's immersed in deep emotion, but... Being called 'Father'
by someone far older than me brings a sense of resistance... No, on the other
hand, because Zirant, who used to be so un-docile, is showing such a
childish side, I've ended up feeling a desire to protect her as well.
「Somehow,
I feel a dangerous world between you two, deshu...」
「I
wonder what happened on your journey, ufufu♪ Has Ashley finally awakened
to romance?」
「I
myself am the most bewildered one here, so please don't say whatever you
please...」
Even though we're
about to revive a lost world, there is no tension or solemnity whatsoever. The
light emitted by the sun's hidden treasure was still weak, and the great cavity
was enveloped in darkness. When I placed my palm on that hidden treasure, the
purple light slowly changed into a white brilliance.
「It's
dazzling...」
「Ugu,
my eyes... my eyes, are spinning...」
「But
it's a nostalgic brilliance. Ah, this place is finally being resurrected...」
「Yes,
dear... to think such a day would come once more, I'm so happy...」
The light seemed to
be too intense for the Lizardmen and the Dragonoid. Gradually, the sun's hidden
treasure lost its weight, and from my scooped-up palms, it returned to the sky
of the great cavity. A faint light lit up the world of darkness, and the sun's
hidden treasure gradually transformed into a white morning sun that illuminated
the world.
The light exposed
the hidden appearance of the underground empire A-Zir, revealing the
sheer cliffs floating in all directions. The sky covered in bedrock was both
mystical and miraculous. We had assumed it was a desolate land full of rocks
and nothing else, but in the old capital A-Zir, countless ancient towns
were left behind. But the flow of time is cruel. The wheat fields, the flowers,
and even the cold streams that Zirant had spoken of, had all disappeared
from the world. For some reason, as I gazed at such a world, even I began to
feel sad.
「Muu...
Wagahai knew it, but it is in ruins...」
「No, we
should be satisfied just with the light returning to this land again. We just
have to regain its former appearance from here on out.」
Azato's calm
voice suppressing his excitement, and the sight of the disheartened Zirant,
added to the feelings swirling in my chest. So, I surveyed the four directions
of the underground empire, and pondered deeply on what must be done to bring
back its former brilliance to this land. However, after a short while――
『Reconnection
of the hidden treasure, confirmed. Welcome back, Samael-sama. Did you enjoy
your travels?』
A strange voice that
didn't seem human echoed through the paradise and laughed. I had heard this
voice when I visited this land for the first time. At that time too, the voice
called me Samael.
「As
expected, you are Father...」
「In
that case, I wonder if Zirant-chan becomes my niece♪」
「Atomina-sama,
if you stir things up, it'll be pitiful for her, deshu yo...?」
However, the
anomalies didn't stop there. The sound of water could even be heard from
somewhere. Looking closely at the ground in the distance, countless things that
appeared to be dried-up waterways ran across the earth encased in bedrock. The
sound of water drew even closer. When I unleashed the Dragon's Eye and focused
on the distance, I could see the water reflecting the sun's brilliance, soaking
into the parched earth. The earth that I had assumed was bedrock was actually
completely dried-out farmland. With water, light, and soil, vegetation will
sprout in the near future, and it will gradually regain its proper appearance.
The dark great cavity was now the fertile plains of a beginning enveloped in light,
an ancient city that could be lived in immediately. This land will be
resurrected. As we gazed at the ruined old capital, we were convinced of it.
「How is
it! This is the underground empire A-Zir! Compared to the time when Wagahai
and the others lived here, it looks quite unreliable... but it possesses this
much brilliance! How about it, Ashley, you're moved, right!?」
「Yeah,
I'll honestly agree with that. I'm looking forward to the day this place
regains its proper form.」
「Let's
maintain it, little by little...」
「That's
right... Prince Ashley, please leave the role of reviving this land to
us.」
The bright sunlight,
like that of a southern country, gradually warmed the chilled underground
world. I nodded to Azato and his wife, and my eyes were once again
captivated by this earth filled with possibilities. If we restore this place,
just how beautiful a paradise will it become? Even I want to help with that
work. If we manage it patiently and thoroughly from here on out, golden fertile
plains will surely be born here once again. Without a doubt.
「Now
then, let's call out to the folks up above, and gather our military forces here
as planned. Ah, you guys can stay behind. My sister, Durin, and I will
go have a talk with the Fimbul Duke family.」
Leaving them
immersed in deep emotion, we moved our plan to the next stage. I had already
expected it, but in the world above, the army of the beastman country Kaha
was stationed. We gathered soldiers and supplies in the underground empire that
had regained its light, dispatched messengers to various factions requesting
reinforcements, and until the necessary military strength was gathered, I
helped with the pioneering to kill time. Even though no seeds had been sown,
day by day vegetation sprouted, water filled the streams and waterways, and
moistened the dry soil. Soldiers moved into the old towns, and under the names
of Ashley and Zirant, they awaited the day of the decisive battle
there.
「Father...
Father... It's back to normal now... Finally, finally Wagahai was able
to come back, right, Father...」
Like I said, stop
with that unfamiliar way of calling me Father... I started to say that, but
ultimately stopped.
「Please
answer me, Father...」
「...Yeah.
Welcome back, Zirant. You've done well up until today.」
Zirant was finally able to return to her lost hometown. It couldn't be helped if she regressed to a childish state a little bit. While comforting Zirant, I enjoyed a brief pioneering life in the underground empire. The sweet scent of flowers wafted from somewhere. The paradise created by my distant ancestors was rapidly trying to revive.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
Nepheos
[Silver]
Corey Hicks
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Jake Seagraves
Matthew Fraser
Tbaum56
Xavier O'Donoghue
Anton Lim
Baelee
Christopher Feliciano
Ctdela
Curious Panda
nick nasca
SD Fox
Sébastien Dionne
Z
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
