Ashes and Kingdoms

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Capital, chaos was finally beginning to show signs of panic.

Many of the councillors fled first, but barely riots have taken place thanks to the fact that some celebrities of the senators, including the emperor, remain to deal with it. However, as a result of the questionable man's exploration of the Quanos side by himself, or by putting out the user, the truth was known among the people sooner than the emperor had told them. For whoever turned northwest, either did not return as it was, or, in the event of his return, he was bloodthirsty and hasty in fear, without exception.

That's not all. Rats, wildcats, even birds and insects flee in large numbers, and their dogs bark frightened and torn apart their chains. Even the dull humans of instinct have to realize the coming of a terrible disaster.

No, there was not a single shop on the streets of the Imperial Capital that was open, and there was a line of people on the streets day and night.

The Royal Palace is not at all popular either, and say emperors, they have been doing their own thing around the past few days. Most servants were sent to Ordos the other day on ships loaded with necessities and valuables.

"Has it been time for many citizens to leave?"

In response to Varys' question, Callux answered with a colourful face of fatigue.

"I know if I can say yes. All that remains in the city are servants who have been ordered to finish and monitor their houses, or… vagrants."

Callux said floaters in bulk, but the breakdown was varied. Among the poor who lived on the streets from scratch, those who had no companions or insides and had no access to information, those who found out something was wrong but could not work the idea of dealing with it, or those who were dumped because they had a physical or mental illness and could not be taken. People who have been abused even more at the bottom of society.

"... I have to throw it away"

Varys moaned with a sinking look. Instead of feeling the pain in his conscience himself, it was the bitterness of the blaming face of his adopted son Senato that came to mind. Senato did not abandon Mion, who had succeeded in his poor appearance. In a cruel way, he said it would only be a cereal crush on his foot.

(I can't help them all. I just took the already abandoned out here by force now, only to be killed by hunger or violence)

Then wouldn't it be kinder to leave it here? The administration doesn't have enough power to take care of them anymore.

Varys pointed the dark plaque at Callux.

"Let's just say that it will take us one last clean up, too. Order those who remain in the house to hasten their eviction, and cut them up, even if they have left something behind. Seal the castle gates in turn, and be vigilant so that reckless citizens never return to take possession."

"Ha."

Callux saluted and then hesitated to ask.

"What should we do about the vagabonds? At the end of the day, would you like to make a recommendation for eviction?"

"If you have the manpower, right..."

It's just futile to, but Varis clouds his words. and there,

"Can I help you with something"

A frank voice broke in and paid off the pessimistic air. When they looked back, Finn was just coming in here by himself.

"Excuse me, it's something no one was there, so I let you in on your own. Almost everyone seems to have evacuated."

"Phineas... are you back safe? Have you seen Glaus?

To Varys' inquiry, Finn briefly explained what had happened in the east and apologized for the delay in returning.

"I felt that“ hunger ”set in motion, so I thought I'd head right back to the Imperial Capital... it was unexpectedly slow to expand, so I was down to the city a few places along the way to give a warning. If there is no change as it is, there will be respite around ten days until disaster approaches the Imperial Capital. If there are already so many people missing, I think we'll be able to evacuate without one left."

When I hear that there is no one left, Varis and Callux become complicated faces. Finn frowned at the reaction between the two, but when he was informed of the last conversation from Varys' mouth, he nodded convinced that it would be. And soon,

"Let's take him. Everyone except those who choose to die themselves."

I ran out of strays and hesitations. To that too much clarity, Varis becomes pungent during the bundle and then becomes suspicious that he knows what it means.

"But even if there's a respite for days, they're just gonna be a bunch of legs. Understandably, I don't want to abandon the weak, but as a real problem, I can't take care of them very well"

"I'm not saying it with pity,"

Finn shook his head, sorted out his thoughts, and then said softly.

"It may sound arrogant...... because I think that having the weak can also produce good results. As you said, it will be difficult to look after everyone with the power of His Majesty the Emperor and the Council. But at least if we let him evacuate to Ordos or somewhere else, the others will help each other. Once upon a time, even in Nanais, something similar happened."

In that city of breaking security, the weak were abused and robbed, but at the same time they also created strange mutual aid relationships. Because of the weak, a place was also created to help each other spontaneously, like the Kunad family, where the legions, albeit, served and Nellis and the others were taken care of.

"People can be strong when they try to protect someone, when they try to help. Because if you have someone weaker than yourself, you can't just pity yourself. If we cut them off here and now... maybe we'll just create a new weak one again. That way, people's hearts may become rougher than if there were a weak person from the beginning"

"Hmm... it makes sense. But Phineas, what happens if you carry them into Ordos and Shiros, throw them out on the street again, and nobody tries to help?

"It will then be the turn of the noble people, including His Majesty and the General. If you're a minority, you can even accept nanice. If you want to move to a remote area in the north, though. It doesn't start with not evacuating them anyway. I'm going to go around the city and gather people. Do you mind if I ask you to prepare a ship or carriage?"

"The ship is scheduled to return from under the river tomorrow. Bring me here first."

As Finn moves on to the conversation, Varis is also followed to make a decision. He smiled bitterly when he said he was going to abandon him until just now, but it was cash while I was at it. Callux said with a slightly brighter look whether it was contagious as well.

"Then we, too, will make a final announcement with Lord Phineas and turn our manpower here when it is done. I'll close the castle gate outside the South Main Gate before I come to the report."

"Uhm. Please"

Varys nodded and smiled spicy.

"This would be the first and last time in the history of the Imperial capital Diakte, such as the complete emptying of the city without a fight. As the emperor who chose the heart of the empire with his hand, I will be told and grassed to the next world."

To the masochistic words, Finn and Callux are soon silenced, irresponsible. Slightly, Callux coughed up and stretched his spine.

"Rather, I am convinced that Lord Varys' name will be glorified and told as the wise emperor who saved the lives of his citizens, regardless of their face and body. Your Majesty, the Empire is dying, but it is not yet breathless. If the city has been lost, we just need to build it anew. Because it is not the walls or the capital itself that our Imperial Guard protects, but the people who live there."

"... right"

In sincere praise Varys gave a slightly facetious look, but later turned into a lonely smile,

"Right. Thanks."

A rare and frank thank you prompted him to leave the room by hand. Callux thanked him, and Finn took it upon himself, and shortly after he rested, he left the royal palace.

Callux gives instructions to the defensive soldiers who were waiting outside and makes them head to the castle gates everywhere. Finn looked at it without looking, but remembered and asked.

"Lord Callux, did you not see a magician outside the walls?

"Mage? Oh, are you the old man who was staying at that royal palace? With that said, you haven't seen it in a while. Didn't you evacuate to Ordos already?

Callux answered without even looking concerned. So far, only a handful of faces of Finn and the East know that Orgin is trapping the Imperial Capital. Even the emperor. It's good if you're letting him go free, but if a workaholic soldier was forced to push him into an evacuee carriage, it'd be a hassle.

Finn used the dragon's vision to explore the area around the Imperial Capital. I can't find any sign of Orgin, but the magic net is no different than it was when I saw it before, quietly awaiting my prey.

- If you don't want to be eaten, stay away -

An ominous piece of advice crossed the back of my brain. I'm curious if the disaster will seal well, but what stays close enough to be seen is how Dragon Hou lives. Besides, if the light emitted by Finn and Lena attracts more "hunger” than the emptied imperial capital, the scheme itself will be wasted.

(If you go around the city and still don't find him... why don't you fly down the river)

Now I have to do my job.

Finn changed his mind and walked out of the city with Callux.