330. Side Story: The Ones Left Behind
-Dong—.
The heavy toll of the church bell echoed from the bell tower. Under the reign of Empress Carvelier, Paltennoia had been recovering its clean air at an astonishing rate, but on this day, rain-soaked dark clouds hung heavily in the sky.
-Dong—.
That day, the bell tolled nine times every hour. Even at midnight. Traditionally, the tolling for an emperor’s passing is ten times, so Empress Carvelier was showing the highest level of respect, equivalent to a state funeral.
The imperial nobles and imperial soldiers strolled through the palace in formal attire. It was an etiquette that seemed inappropriate right after achieving complete victory and the firm submission of the dukes. However, the empress had enforced this dress code for at least a week, and there were few who opposed it.
And here, among those who were not nobles, there was one more man dressed in mourning.
“Brother Zephis.”
“Sister Kirhas. It’s been a long, long time.”
“Yes, Brother.”
The Carvelier mansion, where Rene Philippa had resided before ascending the throne, was now being used as the embassy of the Federation of Beastmen Nobles. Kirhas, who had come to Paltennoia at the emperor’s invitation, was receiving a guest who had arrived early that morning.
It was Zephis. He hesitated, reaching out his hand, but after a few false attempts, he quietly lowered it. He couldn’t bring himself to comfort the woman before him.
Kirhas looked up at Zephis with eyes still damp.
“It’s a bit early, Brother Zephis.”
“He, our brother, left something behind, didn’t he? I couldn’t delay any longer.”
“…Yes, Brother.”
Kirhas bit her lip and bowed her head for a moment. A sniffle was heard. She struggled to compose herself and then pulled out a small booklet from a lavishly decorated box.
The cover of the booklet bore a red wax seal. It was a very familiar emblem. It was the emblem of Fernandez, of the House of Sernerd.
Zephis carefully took the booklet and gently stroked it. [Unauthorized Operation Proposal: Tomb Raiding]. As soon as he saw those blunt words, Zephis couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
-Crunch.
And just as quickly as the laughter spread, his eyes reddened. Diemonica’s grip strength could crush stone with bare hands, so Zephis almost tore the report apart. He barely managed to loosen his grip and stepped back.
“I must have looked pitiful. Please understand. You must feel even more resentful.”
“I’m fine.”
With a face that looked anything but fine, Kirhas slowly shook her head. Zephis inwardly felt proud of her, who always seemed so young. When he first met her, she was just a brat hiding behind Fernandez’s sleeve, pouting and wandering around.
The fact that Fernandez, whom she had followed so devotedly, hadn’t left her a single word even in his final moments was surely a bitter pill to swallow. He had even left this report behind, as if anticipating his own death.
Zephis nodded briefly and stood up. If this was Fernandez’s final operation report, then this document held more value than just paper. In principle, the last item left by a saint would be canonized as a relic.
Even if one set aside the principles, the author of this report was Fernandez. Considering what he had done and what he had planned to do, the last words left by a saint who had foreseen his own death would be worth more than gold.
This document needed to reach the Papacy faster than any other report. He was no longer a priest, but this was a duty as a human being.
“Brother Zephis. I know this is out of line, but may I ask a favor?”
“Speak.”
“That item… I couldn’t bring myself to open it alone… Could you open it in front of me…?”
Kirhas stammered with a voice wet with tears. She couldn’t bring herself to open the booklet that might contain Fernandez’s last words alone. No, she didn’t want anyone else to open it either.
If this document were to be opened and it hinted at ‘Fernandez’s death,’ she wouldn’t be able to handle her own collapse. Kirhas still didn’t believe he was dead. She didn’t want to believe it.
But it was a report. A report her lord had left, hoping it would be sent to the Papacy. Therefore, that item had to be sent to the Papacy.
“Sister Kirhas.”
“I know I don’t have the Papacy’s secret authorization. But I have the right to hear his last words.”
“I don’t have the authority to open or share this document. As you know, I’m no longer a priest.”
“I’m no longer a torchbearer either. I decided to return to secular life after that day. Originally, I joined the church because of his will. Now, there’s no reason for me to stay in the church.”
If Zephis were still a priest, this would have been a blasphemous statement. But Zephis, seeing her determined eyes, sat back down.
“Given the devotion you’ve shown to the world so far, even the Lord might turn a blind eye for this moment.”
Zephis quickly made the sign of the cross and pulled up his hood. It was an old custom to hide in the shadows to avoid committing sacrilege before the Lord. He slowly peeled off the wax seal on the cover of the report and opened it.
* * *
[Unauthorized Operation Proposal: Tomb Raiding]
Operation Area: Eastern Empire, Dian Region, Revil Mountains, Zakshi Mine
Operation Overview: Exploration of a secret passage leading from the right inner wall of the 14th shaft entrance within the mine and excavation of ancient ruins.
Operation Details:
1) The existence of an ancient dwarf ruin, [Daraf Ajim], has been confirmed within the mine.
2) Multifaceted investigations have confirmed that the ruin seals a powerful ancient entity.
3) By combining ancient records from the Celestial War era and the records of the Elven King, it has been determined that the entity is a demon.
4) A dimension containing an entity equivalent to a Great Demon has been identified within the ruins, sealed in the form of a gateway.
5) With the locations and statuses of Mumto, Sadarkelisa, Urkasia, and Yekaset confirmed, the entity sealed within the ruins is inferred to be the ancient Great Demon, the [Duke of Crimson].
6) Requesting inspection and reinforcement of the seal, or an attempt to directly eliminate the source.
Operational Support Request:
1) 30 Enmagika of at least 3rd rank capable of double casting.
2) 20 Diemonica of at least 3rd rank.
3) 40 Maledika bound by self-destructive prohibitions.
4) The Lavirata Dynasty relic [Crimson Orb] and 10 Wraith Priests capable of utilizing it.
5) Daryan Schryke, aged 30 or older.
6) 40 Heretics with military forces and command capabilities to prevent secondary damage from the seal’s release outside the ruins.
7) Five innocent commoners of different races and ages.
8) The Guimerin Dynasty relic [White Mane Spear] located in the relic hall and one half-elf capable of wielding it.
Expected Operational Losses:
1) Total loss of all Enmagika.
2) Total loss of all Diemonica.
3) Total loss of all Maledika.
4) Total loss of all Wraith Priests.
5) Permanent loss of a large area spanning from the eastern Dian region of the Empire to the Eastern Kingdom Alliance in case of operational failure.
Post-Failure Protocol:
1) Offer the Church’s 1st-class relic [Keyblade] as a sacrifice to open the Celestial Seal.
2) Secure the movements of the last Archangel.
3) If successful in securing the Archangel, request the Pope to preside over a ritual. Demand ‘Reverse Heaven’ in the corridors of the Celestial Temple of the Gods.
Operation Author: Diemonica Fernandez Sernerd.
We shall burn demons, heretics, and witches.
* * *
Zephis slowly closed the report. Attached were various documents, operational maps, and timeline summaries.
“Did Fernandez ever mention anything about Archangels or… Reverse Heaven during his lifetime?”
“I’m not sure either. What does this even mean…?”
“His Majesty might know something. At least, it doesn’t seem like this document was made for us.”
Unable to comprehend the instructions, Zephis closed the report and stared at its cover for a moment.
When do people leave their last words? Perhaps when they wish to convey unfinished thoughts to their successors or acquaintances. But this report… it’s different.
He spoke casually.
“No lingering regrets, brother.”
“…Huh?”
“No, never mind. I hope we can meet again someday. Thank you for making time.”
Zephis nodded, stood up, and left without looking back. He walked down the empty corridor, whispering.
“Taking the brightest among us, You have made him a star of the world.”
-Ding—!
* * *
Ten days were spent clearing, burying, and burning the corpses that filled the plains. The Emperor, the King, the Chieftain, the Serpent Queen, and the dragon demanded that every inch of the battlefield be searched for even a single corpse or clue.
As the soldiers, exhausted from the grueling march and battle fatigue, began to grumble, the search finally concluded. No clues were found on the plains—only the horrific, tragic traces of battle.
“Nothing again today?”
“Lindburm. It’s time to give up.”
“Give up…? Freya. I never gave up, not even five hundred years ago.”
Abel sharply glared at Freya and stood up again. The plains, once littered with corpses and bloodstains, were now overgrown with weeds, as if nothing had happened, thanks to the land’s tenacious vitality.
Abel and Freya had scoured the entire region since the war ended, desperate for any clue. Finding nothing was almost a tragedy, as it forced them to acknowledge death while refusing to accept farewell.
Officially, Fernandez’s status was ‘missing.’ Never ‘fallen in battle.’ At least, Abel believed so.
“If the wolves had swallowed him, wouldn’t his belongings have been found in their guts? Freya. Let’s search one more time. He might be out there somewhere, shivering in the cold, waiting for my help. I can’t give up on him.”
Abel bowed her head and trembled as she spoke. Freya secretly wished it weren’t so. The entire region had been scorched by the Elven capital ship’s bombardment, piled with countless corpses, and then burned again.
If he had survived all that and was still alive, how excruciating and difficult must that time have been? Even if life could still be detected, if he was clinging to that faint breath, he must be enduring pain worse than death.
But she couldn’t say that to Abel. Telling a woman who wished for his survival that he would be suffering more than hell itself was far from considerate.
“Alright. Let’s search one more time.”
Abel walked into the grassland without a word. Beyond the tents, the moon and stars adorned the dark blue night sky. Abel walked silently toward the center of the grassland, then suddenly collapsed as she gazed at the sky.
“Lindburm!!”
Had she found something? Freya rushed to Abel in surprise but stopped short. The direction Abel had last looked—a blue star among the countless stars in the night sky—caught her eye.
The constellation of Abelesas. Created during the era before the Celestial War, when she, consumed by the madness of an Ancient Dragon, razed Dwarf cities with a single breath.
And once, she had said that when Fernandez completed his journey and restored peace, she would prepare a place for him under her constellation. Watching her speak shyly, Freya thought it was a foolish confession.
So now, she could say nothing to Abel, who lay collapsed on the ground, clutching at the weeds and sobbing.
“Why didn’t you take me with you? Why… why didn’t you take me? I’m used to it. I’m used to being the one who leaves first… Fernandez. I’m unfamiliar with being left behind… it terrifies me…”
Abel wept, clutching a broken, charred, old rosary.
* * *
Abel confirmed Fernandez’s final belongings, but the relics he carried were not recovered. The Church officially recorded the saint’s ascension and beatified Fernandez.
The Canonization Council unanimously declared the day of Saint Fernandez’s ascension as a feast day. He was canonized as the patron saint of the Great Wilderness.
![[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TS-Obsessed-Gamer-The-Ultimate-Return2.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return")
