Ashes and Kingdoms

Chapter Six

In the midsummer sun, the walls of the Imperial Capital shine white. To Finn's eyes, who hasn't slept since yesterday, it's dazzling. Blink with a rare face and rub your face.

I'm used to only getting short, shallow sleep, but it's hard all night on boulders. Whatever the emperor's errands are, we need to at least get some sleep.

In all seriousness, he jumped straight over the walls of the castle to the royal palace, only to report his return, and even borrowed a corner of the barn to sleep, but Finn indulged and descended off the street. The other day I had an outrage about the emergency and riding the royal palace with dragons, etc., but on second thought, I'm extremely rude. Before I knew who I was, I didn't know I'd suddenly jump into someone else's home - and at least that was Finn's idea. Regardless of how the public takes it.

As I walked to the castle gate coming to discipline, a crowd of busy people came down the street. He seems to have a wealthy family, including servants. A servant on foot surrounds a carriage full of luggage and bags and a small carriage for ladies and children. I'm even with the dog. Looks like it's the sons who take the lead. Right behind you, a master-like man rocks on the back of his horse.

Finn glanced often at the brightness of the air surrounding them, wondering if they would start evacuating early.

"Hello, are you heading south?"

When Finn spoke, the young man in the lead sneered and replied.

"Yeah, even Ordos! You have to go now to secure a good seat!

"Really? I hope you're on a pleasant road."

"Thanks!"

I wave cheerfully and the family passes by. Apparently he didn't know anything yet and decided to travel in total to ensure the best view at the end of the boat competition. Lucky family.

(In addition, I hope someone who likes festivals and cares fast is leaving)

If there are any fewer people, that will make it easier later. But what would you think of a family who went out on a pleasant trip knowing that things would change sharply later? Would you be happy to be lucky, or would you regret leaving that and this behind?

(Well, because I'm about to take you with me to the dog)

There won't be enough to regret that you didn't leave it. Finn had one bitter grin and shook his head.

Shortly after he walked out again, he found something between the cemeteries and stopped again.

……

Leaning his neck and peering into the shadow of the tombstone, between the walls and the cemetery, a figure in black long clothes nods. Finn unexpectedly approached his side on a small run.

"Are you okay, even in condition..."

On the arrow tip of the inquiry, the noisy figure rises up in sleigh. Controlled by a dead branch of hand, Finn stopped in a hurry. At the same time, you notice the small force present at the foot of the opponent and flaunt his face. Unique discomfort, like being scratched in a thin tube through your abdomen.

"What kind of magic?"

Whisper with the voice you pushed to death. Looking over, little dots with similar signs continued all the way along the pompous and castle walls. Is it surrounding the royal capital?

The moment that appearance was painted in the back of his brain, Finn stared at his opponent tightly. No way.

"Are you going to seal off the Imperial Capital?"

Are you going to lock up the citizens and dedicate them to that “disaster” - to the man who was once the Lord? Finn was unconsciously doing his hand on the sword pattern.

And Orgin replied briefly, "Come on," in a dry voice. There's no way to escape, no way to hide, no way to make excuses against Finn's vigilance. Finn became a strange face and when he took his hands off the sword, he took another closer look at what the sorcerer had planted. Now, with the dragon's vision.

The point with the signs of witchcraft completely surrounds the Imperial Capital. But not yet, they're all quiet. A slight gravitational pull I know because I'm a dragon marquis connects like a net's eye and waits to take something in.

Something? It's settled, take that one.

Finn accidentally opened his mouth pompously and circled his eyes. Orgin doesn't move at all.

"Maybe this is to trap that“ hunger ”in the Imperial Capital?

"In theory. But I didn't actually try it."

Answering pale, Orgin glanced slightly over his shoulder. Finn stared blatantly at the magician.

If you can do so much, why didn't you say so? If you tell me, a little countermeasure...

(No, I was right not to mention it)

Evacuation must not be delayed on the assumption of unsecured sorcery, and it is like feeding the royal capital and trapping it in a cage in the first place. Some would say, "If you can do that, do it," etc. Not in the royal capital, but in the middle of a deserted wilderness.

That would be difficult to convince you that's impossible, and we don't have time to argue.

That “hunger” will also still come towards the most vibrant, as the beast of darkness hates man's greed and activities. Aim for a lake full of water because a drop of water is not enough to heal your bottomless hunger and thirst. So it has to be the Imperial Capital.

Finn coughed up small and managed to restore calm. Most importantly, the magician in front of him won't even care if Finn falls back from the sky or hips, unless he makes a scene.

"This… net or junction, how can we not capture everything"

Anticipating the answer, check it out just in case. Orgin responded, "I don't think so."

"The subject will come for the Imperial Capital, but the rest will spread in all directions. Eating what's in front of you, in the dark clouds. Anyway, you can't say anything until it actually happens."

Finn got confused by other HR-like rhetoric.

"Aren't you dangerous, too?

"Probably. But it's none of your business."

Finn had no choice but to go back to the streets as he was driven away from doing his job. I cautioned Orgin, as he remembered, on his back, which I had so tried to disperse.

"Don't be mistaken for the weak who should help me. The power of the dragon - even so, the power of the heavenly dragon draws that one intensely. If you don't want to be eaten, stay away."

"Okay. Thank you for your advice."

When Finn lowered his head with a pepper, he decided not to disturb him any more and headed to the castle gate.

The guards at the gate are soldiers of the Imperial Guard. I guess I was watching Lena come down, stretching her spine and saluting her as Finn approached. Though he passes Finn silently, his expression eloquently asks him how it was. Finn stopped his leg and asked the opposite question in a whisper.

"Has anyone headed west or north"

"Not one since yesterday, my lord"

Soldiers also answer by diving their voices. If anyone is headed for the Quanos side, they will have to make excuses to stop them or make them change their destination, but for some time now, they have already experienced a dramatic decline in their dealings with you.

In fact, from the state Finn has seen, it was natural, even without people coming and going.

There was no sign of anyone encouraging farming, and towns and villages were filled with people who had lost their livelihoods and lived only with habits stained with their bodies. Few of them have been granted any protection, and they have evacuated somewhere at last.

Everyone is so completely dull that they don't even react to the appearance of a descended dragon. Same situation Nellis and Mac faced.

But Finn had Lena. He decided it was no longer a time to shy away and appealed to rough means. That is, he sent it into people's consciousness so that it would strike an intense light, and it woke them up.

Still, some of them were ineffective, but the majority regained their will to act on something and went on to leave late. I was worried if I would make it, but Finn couldn't stay and take care of me either. Put a sign on the ground and head west again soon. With that repetition, by the time I approached the Quanos to the limit, the sun had set abundantly.

Even on his way back exhausted, Finn ascertained the condition of the person when he found the light far from the sky. That's how I got home after the rising sun.

Finn told the gatekeeper that the situation was not even so desperate and reassured him, though, before creeping through the gate.

Walking to the royal palace, I knew exactly how to convey the information. Apparently, Congress first issued eviction orders to lay people with many servants, such as nobles and large merchants. The routine continued, albeit unsettling, in Lower Town, but around the lines of large stores, most of them have stopped operating and are in the process of cleaning up.

Retailers of daily necessities, on the contrary, were bought back by customers. The servants of the mansion and the common people who heard the rumors are packing them up to buy what they need for everyday life, such as preserved food and soap.

There have been no riots, etc., as defensive soldiers patrol frequently to prevent shopkeepers from hoisting prices and customers from running for loot, but customers are already running their eyes and snatching items from each other. Push others with your elbows, thrust them, ignore them even if someone falls down. It was a shallow sight, not to say impossible.

Among other things, a calm appearance was rarely seen. A woman who helps up a pushed old man and helps him shop while sheltering. A shopkeeper who resolutely arranges customers in order and does not try to sell more than a certain amount per person. People who can see in Finn's eyes a small shard of light.

Is there anything I can do?

Finn was blurring as he hurried down the street, but as far as I could tell, there seemed to be no curtain for him to leave. Thanks to Callux's good distribution of soldiers.

Varis agreed that there is no Finn's job in the Imperial Capital.

When he arrived at the royal palace to report the situation, he brought up important roles and doings, as if they were out of sight, such as Finn's sleepy face.

"Now, Dragon Horse Phineas, I would like you to perform the duties of a messenger. Go to the Nornicom capital, Combs, and let Dragon Marquis Elecia know it depends."

――

Just as Finn's drowsiness blew away. I close my eyes and stop, and I stand suspicious that I am not listening. Varys continued, as always, with a cool look on his face.

"Where a decent messenger has gone, he won't even be able to listen. I didn't mean it when I asked. It's the same dragon marquis. But if you go, you'll be trusted. If the eastern battle is temporarily calmed down, it will be easier for Glaus to move his soldiers too. Join us, or head south east to the coast, or whatever."

"But... shouldn't we help evacuate our citizens in the Imperial Capital?

Finn asked because he was unsure. Nornicom is far east. The subject of the disaster will be stopped in the Imperial Capital on the trap of Orgin if it goes well, so even if it expands to the end of the east, its progress will be slow, and if we send a fast horse, it will be in full time.

But Varys shook his head.

"The mess in the Imperial Capital is a matter for us to take on. When you wander around, the citizens are unnecessarily restless. In an attempt to help himself alone, those who ask for special treatment will also show up, and those who mistakenly believe that Dragon Marquis can get rid of all calamities and stop to do something about it. It is absurd that such noise would have harmed or delayed evacuation. Instead, it's a few times better to ask Nornicom to sell you a favor."

Varys smiled sarcastically. Even Elecia, if she doesn't want to, can't attack someone who dropped in on purpose to send a warning during Seto, who might perish herself, trying to make the last blow. Even if that is an enemy with a grudge of years.

"If you want to add, even if Glaus and Elesia are engaged, if they do, they can fly over heavenly heights and cross the battlefield and even descend into the gardens of the Lords' Palace. Dangerous, but far safer than normal humans. Didn't I?"

He was outraged to say that he had boarded the royal palace, and Finn turned into an obscure face. In the meantime, Varys continues to talk about himself.

"If I'm right about that, I have about four more days of respite, even if I estimate less. I do not know the rate of progress after the disaster has overflowed from Quanos, but I believe that the news will be timely, even if it is unexpectedly fast. What do you say?"

Upon being prompted to reply, Finn consults with Lena without speaking up. After a few thoughts, he answered carefully.

"Right, hurry up and you'll be back in half a day, from Combs to the Imperial Capital. Or, if it's just Lena, you can go back between one blink. But in order to do so, we need to make a temporary connection with His Majesty."

"Is it like a bond between a dragon and a dragon marquis?

"It's something much weaker and shallow. It's just a little... because it has a unique feeling that you can touch your heart. If you don't feel comfortable, I'll stop you. Because even if you make a strong connection, it will soon run out."

Finn told Varys only to shy away, but the truth is, he didn't want it to be an unpleasant experience for Lena either if he couldn't. Isn't it thick in itself to use dragon abilities as good for human convenience?

Varys didn't guess that far, but he got a slightly reluctant look.

"Is that not going to disturb your bond with Tenryu?

"Don't worry. If even Your Majesty is to be tolerated, it has only a very slight influence. Because it's not a burden for Lena either."

"Right. Then let's ask for it. I don't think it would be easy to replace the noble Tenryu with a decree... but if you do, it could take half a month for the news to arrive in half a day. In that regard, dragons have no anxiety."

Lena's consciousness is upset in the fin, assuming that she is not even marginal. In a hurry, Finn began to deceive it. It was pretty hard to do something without putting it on my face.

Around the same time, Rufus was driving his horse back to the Lords' Palace in Nakte.

The hall became fussy because the commander of the regiment, who had just left Nakte the other day, had returned with a change of blood phase after only a few rides of offering.

"Rufus! How the hell did you get here so fast"

Rufus replied with a busy hug to Fernena, who welcomed him with surprise.

"The disaster awakened. The legions are almost wiped out. Gather all the men of the Mansion immediately and let them begin preparing for evacuation."

"Evacuation!? To where?"

"South or west? Tianlong Hou said it would be safe to escape to the sea or into the Great Forest. Probably close south."

Answer almost like a soliloquy, and order the city council to convene the secretary who rushed, whether the word ends or not. Fernena didn't follow the abrupt situation, and I was completely confused.

"Calm down, Rufus. I don't know what you're talking about. Anyway, sit down once, drink your water and breathe before explaining it in turn. What's a disaster in the first place?

"Neither do I."

The one who answered with a harrowing face was not the 'me' lufus who showed up when he was talking to his wife. I still don't break my attitude as Legion Leader, as if the threat is imminent perfectly behind me. The servant brought the water in the words of Fernena, but he moved only his hands without even doing his eyes and took the cup, sipping it dry in a breath.

"His Majesty the Emperor instructed me to take a southerly path away from Quanos. Right after that. The whole legion moved out on its own, ignoring orders. It's like being possessed by something… Tenryu Hou came there and told me."

Repeating what Rufus had heard from Finn, Fernena looked difficult.

"I mean, you don't know who that disaster is, but it's something that erodes people's minds and lives, so you have to run. I wonder what's going on with Quanos. Your father's here."

"I don't even know for sure. I just want to make sure you're okay."

Despair is seeping into my voice as I say it. Rufus shuddered remembering the terror that the earth was about to collapse and swallow, which he had previously felt in Quanos. If the hunch then became a reality, I don't think there are people who can get away with it.

From her husband's attitude, Fernena pulled her jaw and nodded all the way when she understood it was a serious matter.

"Okay. Anyway, let's start evacuating. You're going to be persuaded by the City Council, aren't you? Then I'll write you a few letters while I get you packed up here."

So she gently stepped aside and added to her tea party companion. Since Rufus looked odd, Fernena continues back to her true face.

"Unlike your grandfather, you don't underestimate our gathering of women, do you? I'm sure they'll take refuge in each city, but they don't know how far the disaster will spread. Nakte's evacuees may be temporarily on their way, and there will be no ex-girlfriends or children if they run out of food after the disaster has ended. I need you to secure your stockpile. We need your help."

"Oh, I see"

Rufus nodded as he was good at it. I see signs of teasing in my grey golden eyes, and only look serious and impressive.

"Soon, my clever wife seemed to be a woman lord in the West."

"It's not about up and down," Fernena grinned bitterly. "The lords seem to want to make a sequence soon, but we reach out to each other to make a circle. If anybody's about to fall, just so we can all support them. Anyway, I'll do my job. You go and do your duty. But please, come back safely."

Maintaining a firm attitude, but as soon as I finished saying it, an old shadow peeked. Like when Rufus had just met, self-esteem lacked strong but decisiveness and action, and she grew up in a world where it was natural for someone to shelter and prepare her feet, the weakness of a lady. Therefore he poured out his admiration and reverence, his innocence.

Rufus replied, smiling gently, bowing deeply.

"As long as you need me, I'll be sure to come back from anywhere. My darling."