Chapter 63: Closed Doors, Open Eyes
Border Checkpoint.
The northern part of the continent being relatively high in elevation, the wind was cold. A chill that seeped into the very bones grazed across his back. They had finally arrived at the entrance to the Elvra Holy Empire.
Just then, the presence of Hadiya came from behind. The Niboria pursuit squad that had been trailing them for the past two days had ultimately failed to catch the Mountain Rabbits' tails. This was entirely to her credit.
"Hey, good work. You wiped it clean?"
"Obviously. All those guys will find is a big rock. I laid the tracks leading that way."
Hadiya spoke as matter-of-factly as ever. Only, beneath her dust-covered appearance, a faint expression of relief quietly showed through.
Her specialty was scouting, tracking, and survival. Even possessing such innate ability, there had been dangerous moments. Had her skills not reached the realm of pure instinct, they would have had to fight another desperate battle.
Trudge, trudge.
Meanwhile, as the Mountain Rabbits came to a stop at a fixed distance, a single heavily armed soldier walked out toward them.
Hadiya's eyes lit up belatedly. A stone structure built in a double layer caught her gaze. Blue flags bearing the likeness of sacred flames fluttered from every spire, and at the very back, a symbol representing the Kriya Order rose high.
"……Feels like we've come on some kind of pilgrimage."
"No kidding. But somehow…… I don't think we're exactly being welcomed."
At the brief murmur, Volga made a displeased expression. He had seen the face of the soldier approaching them—eyes packed full of wariness.
"Who are you? State your identities."
"We are a mercenary group from the Astria Kingdom, the 'Mountain Rabbits'. We also have documents to prove this."
"You there—only the one who just spoke, step forward. Hand over the documents."
Royce answered firmly, but the hostile attitude didn't soften in the slightest. The Mountain Rabbits' reputation hadn't reached the Holy Empire. It was a completely new territory.
And soon, the soldier's head swayed left and right. Even after presenting the mercenary group registration certificate and identification documents issued by the Astria Kingdom, entry was refused.
Even after informing him that they had received a guarantee from the Holy Empire's envoy delegation through Adrian Deconti, nothing changed.
"Right here, the Order's seal is stamped."
"That's the seal of the Astria Kingdom branch—not a seal issued by the Central Imperial Order. The documents you carry hold no validity here. Those who have not passed Central Order certification may not enter the sacred territory. You are not permitted."
"Please check once more."
"Permission cannot be granted. The order is to keep the border closed for the time being. Return to where you came from immediately. This place is sacred ground. The Law is sharper than a sword, and we follow only the will of the divine—any who set foot here without leave shall not escape judgment."
Just then, Ella stepped forward.
The hem of her cloak had been soiled from going up and down the mountains. Mud stains here and there. Yet her footsteps did not waver. Quiet conviction was imbued within her gentle dignity.
"Allow me to interpose for a moment."
The soldier flinched without realizing it. Ella slowly approached him. Rather than saying a word, she quietly extended one hand and placed it over the back of his.
That was the moment.
Calix watched the flow of divine power. It wound softly and shot up toward the soldier's nape in an instant. The pure mana soon met the neural accelerator and resonated with it.
The tips of the man's fingers trembled faintly. His shoulders, stiff with tension, also loosened. A harmless being—and one possessing firm faith. There was no longer any need to question or demand proof. One action had been more effective than a hundred words.
"……I sincerely apologize for the rudeness. I did not realize you were someone sent by the Order. You may pass."
Ella responded with a small smile and bowed her head in return. The light had not compelled anything. It had simply, quietly—and yet firmly—embraced.
Calix glimpsed a part of the Holy Empire's nature through this sight. What had unfolded before his eyes went beyond mere proof of identity. Not a trace remained of the soldier's wariness. It felt as though an old bolt had come undone from the inside, on its own. Faith and belief governed this land.
"Cook Comrade, get a look at those fellows' eyes. They're still wearing that cornered expression—something seems to be wrong. There's almost never this level of strict surveillance at a border checkpoint!"
"……Yes."
He also lent an ear to Gregor's remark. Thanks to Ella, the first button had been fastened well—but there was room for problems to arise anywhere.
All the more so, since this was land he was treading for the first time.
***
They had crossed the first gate of the Holy Empire, but the sense of displacement lingered. The road to the capital. The border's vigilance had been severe, but the interior, once past it, was peaceful.
"I was wondering if they were preparing for war with the Niboria Empire, but there's no troop movement."
"Then what, are they racking their brains over some kind of anomaly?"
"That's not so bad either. It means we might get a new commission. That's why we came all the way out here in the first place."
The veteran mercenaries exchanged easygoing conversation. Having escaped the Niboria Empire's sphere of influence, even the beasts pulling the supply wagon seemed to have a surplus of ease.
As though the desperate battles fought in the Storm Forest and the encounter with Mage Yelayen had been nothing but a dream, they moved forward with the thought that they simply needed to take on another commission.
In actuality, that was Royce's plan.
Given the Mountain Rabbits' capabilities, they could neither join a war late nor wedge themselves into a critical mission like an investigation unit. For him, it had been the best choice available.
But the moment they entered the city center, the sense of displacement Calix felt took on a definite form.
The capital of the Elvra Holy Empire, Erania.
Dome-style cathedrals and plazas finished in marble adorned the city. On the surface it appeared as though peaceful daily life was in full swing—but Calix recognized it instinctively. The residents of the city were excessively subdued.
Children ran in near-silence; even the merchants who had set up stalls along the road watched their surroundings carefully as they carried on their trade. Every time a soldier in military uniform walked past, young men hid themselves in doorways. It felt less like fear of any particular person, and more like a vague anxiety over not knowing what might come—as though it had simply settled over everything.
Furthermore, evangelization notices and flyers were plastered haphazardly all over the walls along the road, and here and there, figures dressed as clergy were grabbing people and raising their voices.
"Offer up your faith! Those who do not follow the will of the divine shall become prey to wicked things!"
"Mother—offer up your son. The time to fight has come!"
Some nodded, drawn by those words, but most simply pretended not to hear or quietly turned away. Calix soon recognized that this city was preparing for war. It didn't seem like a full-scale mobilization order had been issued yet, but the atmosphere was equivalent to one.
Naturally, the expressions of Royce and several of the veteran mercenaries hardened gravely as well.
"……How strange. It looks similar to the Astria Kingdom's capital on the surface, but the density of the air is different. It feels much heavier—are they really preparing for war?"
"First we'll need to get a read on the local situation. A city this size should have at least one mercenary guild."
To Zahira's quiet question, the dwarf Basim answered in a heavy voice. Just then, a snort came flying from a passing cart.
The driver had mocked them openly.
"A mercenary guild? Do you know where you are?"
"Is this not the Elvra Holy Empire?"
"And people who know that say something like that? Making money by killing people. We call those types 'those who barter with blood.' They deserve every bit of the contempt they get."
"……We do not draw our swords in order to kill."
"As if."
Thrown by the unexpected reaction, the Mountain Rabbits were confused—but Calix shed the negative emotion before anyone else could. There was no time to be consumed by needless things.
All manner of information was pouring in.
Fwip—
He first tore a piece of paper from the wall along the road and examined it closely. The flyer was written in thick, rough lettering.
[Official Announcement of the Elvra Sacred Heart Order]
"The call of Kriya draws near."
[Third Southern Faith Defense Corps—
Elite RecruitmentTarget Recruits: Men of the Empire with deep faith and strong physique
Service Conditions:
• Minimum service period of 2 years (including neural accelerator implantation and adjustment period)
• Upon elite selection: issuance of Kriya Order certified documents
• Household tax exemption benefit (5 years)
• Upon accumulation of merit during service: right to allocation of land and urban residence
Failure to comply with mandatory conscription: subject to summons by the Heresy Inquisition; be advised you may be excluded from 'the Order's protection'
Reception locations: Erania Cathedral, Military Administration Office, Southern Garrison, and all other sanctuary headquarters
The sacred is weightier than the sword, and the Law burns hotter than blood.Now—prove your faith.]
Calix examined it in silence for a time. His expression briefly hardened at the phrase 'summons by the Heresy Inquisition'—but after taking only what was necessary, he raised his head.
Trudge—clack, trudge—clack.
What caught his eye next were the soldiers responsible for the capital's public order. Men with impaired legs were making their rounds, and the majority were either far too young or far too old.
'The capital's forces have pulled out. Where to?'
The flyer had clearly listed 'Southern Faith Defense Corps.' But the southern region was the route the Mountain Rabbits had come from.
'Not the southwest, then. Which means the southeast……'
Then what lay there?
"Gregor, let me ask you one thing."
"Make it quick. I'm busy looking for round things."
"If you head southeast from the Elvra Holy Empire, what do you find?"
"……"
The veteran mercenary rebuked with silence. His manner suggested: you can't even read directions? But that was answer enough. Calix hadn't asked because he didn't know. He needed confirmation.
'The Land of Shadows.'
The place where wicked energy was stirring to life—and where Mage Yelayen and the investigation unit had headed. The Elvra Holy Empire was dispatching troops precisely there.
'This isn't preparation for war. The war is already underway. It's simply that no one on the outside knows it.'
Only then did the strict vigilance at the border make sense. Anyone who entered the inner city would inevitably come to realize this situation.
In quick succession, Calix skimmed two more flyers. This time, instead of tearing them from the wall, he read only the prominent parts in brief.
['The sacred territory must be defended by its own! The moment you rely on foreign powers, the authority of the divine will draw away!']
['Darkness does not distinguish borders. Light gathers in one place, illuminates one another, and grows. Brothers and sisters—now is the moment to clasp hands and stand together!']
Within them were contents that contradicted each other. Internal conflict, it seemed, had also reached its peak. The Mountain Rabbits, too, saw through the inner workings before long.
Royce's face hardened first, and some of the veterans caught on and muttered curses under their breath.
"……Damn it, feels like there's actually some kind of fate at work. We ran all the way here to escape Duke Saitz, and now it's like something's pressing us not to run anymore."
"Forget it. Either way, our objective is separate. We just need to cash in the promissory note."
And that very objective lost its luster.
Elvra Holy Empire, Central Government Office.
With Ella's help once more, they succeeded in meeting the finance officer—but the answer that came back betrayed the mercenaries' expectations.
"Redemption of the promissory note requires Order certification."
"……Which is why we received certification from the Imperial envoy delegation. It was an official commission."
"Yes. However, all financial transactions within the Empire are subject to the Order's oversight, and unapproved documents are void. The said promissory note was not issued by the Central Order. Payment…… Will be difficult, I'm afraid."
"……"
A bizarrely immaculate appearance, and an answer delivered with an entirely businesslike manner. By any measure, there appeared to be no possibility of receiving the commission fee.
"They won't pay? They genuinely can't pay?"
"So it seems."
"Then why did we come all the way out here?"
Naturally enough, this dreadful news broke the Mountain Rabbits' spirit.
Even if they could accept risking their lives to fight as mercenaries, they wouldn't spare even a glance for a fight that paid nothing. This was something close to a creed for them.
At this, Royce opened his mouth with a composed expression.
"Everyone—heads up."
His voice was low, but there was something solid in it. He was holding the center, as he always did.
"It's true the situation is complicated. But what matters is that our work isn't over yet."
"What work, sir?"
"The mission we received from the Prince of Latia. We haven't been paid. The promissory note exchange was refused, and there is nothing to substitute for it. In other words, it means the commission has not yet been completed."
The veteran mercenaries swallowed hard. Gulp— The commander's eyes were glinting more sharply than usual.
"In this city there are no rules for mercenaries, no one who will welcome us with open arms. All the more reason we move the way we always do. I'll find the solution, so don't get swept up in the chaos—focus on the objective in front of you."
"Then what is our next objective?"
"We dig beneath the ground. Whatever's worth money is always down below."
"……Yes sir."
The sound of footsteps rang out again through the stillness. Royce was the first to take the lead, with Calix behind him, and the Mountain Rabbits following in silent step.
No resentment, no complaint. As it had always been, the head rabbit would find a way through no matter what. That much faith, at least, would never waver.