Chapter 173

“…Tomorrow morning, you’re saying you’ll fight a one-on-one duel?”

“Yes, General Nana.”

Niko quietly bowed his head.

Nana had many questions she wanted to ask.

But they were caught in her throat and did not come out easily.

“Then……”

She barely managed to pick out one question.

“…what do we gain from that duel?”

The tide of battle was already extremely favorable to the Empire.

The 11th and 14th Legions had arrived.

No, with a horde of twenty thousand fishmen and three Cordis legions gathered, they held an overwhelming advantage that couldn’t be expressed simply by the word ‘favorable.’

The fact that Shion and Amethus had come alone to take the head of an Imperial Ten Great General proved the West’s disadvantage.

It was a situation that couldn’t be overturned unless they did something that drastic.

At this rate, it was ridiculous to even call it a war.

Whether it was an annihilation or a subjugation, the Empire would be the winning side and the West would be the losing side.

“If you were to be defeated, Legion Commander Niko, morale would drop significantly. An unforeseen variable might arise. Is there really a need to take such a risk?”

“There is certainly something to be gained.”

The Whale of Hobel Bay opened his mouth calmly.

“The start of the war will be delayed.”

“…What did you say?”

Nana doubted her own ears.

It was a statement that should never have come from the mouth of a soldier who had come to start a war.

But Niko continued speaking as if it were nothing.

“If we’re very lucky, we might even be able to prevent the war altogether.”

“Legion Commander Niko-!!!”

The Nine Streams General Nana let out a cry close to a scream and shot up from her seat.

She was so surprised, and she stomped her foot so hard that the entire ship tilted.

She pointed a finger at Niko as if she couldn’t believe it.

“That is an act that completely opposes His Majesty’s will! You have just declared that you will become a traitor!”

“I am well aware.”

Niko was perfectly composed.

Nana was once again struck by how immense the man before her felt.

To the old general of over seventy years, even Emperor Ferbias was just a youngster.

Loyalty and reverence for the Imperial Family had long since disappeared along with the passions of his youth.

“General Nana, though it is embarrassing, this Niko has gained some fame for having punched the Great Emperor Continua in the face.”

“…To say ‘some’ is an understatement; every citizen of the Empire knows about it.”

“But strangely, people do not seem to know the reason I had to use my fist.”

“…Wasn’t it because he forced the position of Imperial Ten Great General on you when you didn’t want it?”

“That is to say, do you know why I refused the position of Imperial Ten Great General?”

Niko’s eyes grew somber.

He recalled a very long time ago.

Many things had changed.

Both within him and without and yet, there was something that had not changed.

It was what made Niko, Niko.

“It was for the same reason as today.”

In order not to shed blood that did not need to be shed.

53 years ago, the Great Emperor Continua gave Niko the title of Nine Harbors General and demanded the annihilation of civilians on the Western side.

Niko responded with his fist, and the Great Emperor was pleased and rescinded the annihilation order.

“This Niko Nereyades… is still a coward, whether at twenty or over seventy, and I believe that blood that does not need to be shed should not be shed.”

“His Majesty Ferbias is……”

Nana carefully parted her lips.

“…You know what he is planning. Unlike 53 years ago, you will not be forgiven this time.”

“General Nana.”

Niko blurted out.

“I will die tomorrow.”

“……”

She raised her eyes.

The face of the old man speaking of his own death looked strangely relieved.

It was as he said.

If his life was only until tomorrow, then whatever Emperor Ferbias’s anger might be, it was a good thing.

“If this one old life can save a few more young lives, isn’t that a great bargain?”

“…But you are the Whale of Hobel Bay.”

“I am one person. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Nana took a deep breath.

“…Is he that much of an opponent?”

“Yes. He is that much.”

“…Should I shed a tear for you?”

“I would be pleased if you did.”

Niko smiled faintly. It was a benevolent smile.

Nana felt the urge to reveal the inner thoughts she never wanted to bring out.

She might regret it the next day, no, she would have no choice but to regret it, but then was then, and now was now.

“…Legion Commander Niko.”

“Yes, General Nana.”

The granddaughter spoke down to the grandfather.

Likewise, the grandfather treated the granddaughter with great respect.

They were accustomed to this contradictory relationship.

Nana found that point the most sorrowful.

“…Do you not hate me?”

“Would you not tell this old man the reason he should hate you, General Nana?”

“…I always work for you like a servant.”

“General.”

Niko smiled broadly.

He was usually such a blunt man, but strangely, a smile would always creep onto his face in front of Nana.

“Who would get annoyed at their grandchild’s cute antics?”

“……”

“And, it was I who first told you not to consider me your grandfather. It is all the fault of this worthless old man. Who can I blame?”

“…You remembered?”

“How could I forget? I think of it every day.”

The Whale of Hobel Bay looked at his granddaughter.

She resembled him to a terrible degree.

Her monstrous strength, her eye color, and even her sitting in the 9th seat of the Imperial Ten Great Generals and above all, the fact that she ended up hurting her own bloodline by shackling herself made Niko feel sad.

“How is the position of Imperial Ten Great General?”

“…What is there to say.”

“It is quite heavy, isn’t it? It was the same for me back then.”

The old man decided to tell an old story.

It was a time when he had struggled, not knowing what to do because there were so many embarrassing things, but for his granddaughter who was facing a similar time, he could gladly tell it.

“I thought I was handling it all, but I wasn’t handling it at all. I was that foolish.”

“So foolish that I even pretended not to know my own blood. The life of being a family to this Niko, who has much empty fame and many enemies, would not be smooth, so it would be right for me to remove myself from their lives……”

He scratched his white beard roughly.

He felt like he wanted to cry, but his tear ducts had long since dried up.

He had ruminated on it so much that only a hollow laugh came out instead of tears.

“It was the biggest mistake of my life.”

“…I’m glad you know.”

Nana only found out that her grandfather was Niko Nereyades when she turned nineteen.

Since then, she had lived resenting Niko.

Because Niko had sent a lot of money to the family, but nothing else.

She resented him, pushed him away, and spoke down to him.

She didn’t treat her grandfather as a grandfather but as an inferior, always pressing down on him.

Hoping that he would be hurt as much as the people he had abandoned.

But, the first glimpse she got of Niko’s heart was already full of scars.

It had hardened after nursing far, far, far more wounds than she had wished for.

That steadfastness might have protected Hobel Bay and embraced its people, but wasn’t Niko also just one person?

How could a life lived with a hardened heart not be painful?

“……”

Resentment quickly turned to pity.

Not all of it had changed.

He was still heartless and hateful, but that made her feel even more sorry for her grandfather.

Nana Nereyades’s eyes reddened.

Seeing his granddaughter’s tear ducts, which had not yet dried up, Niko thought that she was truly young.

“It is shameless of me, but would you permit me to say just one thing as a grandfather? Consider it my last words.”

“…Go ahead.”

Niko smiled.

“Nana, Nana Nereyades, my granddaughter.”

The wrinkles around his eyes crinkled benevolently.

“Find out what happened on Arete Island 53 years ago.”

“…Arete Island? Where Amethus sunbae’s family was……?”

“Yes. You are acquainted with both Amethus and His Majesty Ferbias. Why do you think they came to be at odds? Look into it yourself and confirm it yourself.”

“……”

“Do not trust the Cordis Imperial Family. They are not as righteous as you think, nor are they as absolute as you think.”

“…That’s a statement that wouldn’t be strange even if you were executed for it right now.”

“I told you. I am a man who will die tomorrow.”

Niko said.

“You must be wary of the Imperial Family.”

“You’re telling me to be wary of His Majesty Ferbias……”

“No.”

The old man shook his head.

“It is the Great Emperor Continua.”

“……!!!”

Nana’s eyes widened.

Why was that name coming up here?

He was a man who had retired seven years ago.

Since then, there had been no news of him, to the point where some said he might already be dead.

“I know him. I do not think he would have retired quietly.”

“…Weren’t you close?”

“Of course. We drank a great deal of wine together. We saw each other like that for half a century.”

The Whale of Hobel Bay’s eyes were steadfast.

He had lived many years and met many people.

But he had never seen anyone as strange, brilliant, and beautiful as the Great Emperor Continua.

He was a man who seemed to have been forged to be an emperor from birth.

“And yet, I do not know him, which is why you must be careful.”

“…I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. I’ll keep it to myself.”

“Please do.”

Niko placed a hand on Nana’s shoulder.

Nana did not stop him.

Niko carefully, very carefully, pulled his granddaughter into an embrace.

It was the first time in their lives.

For Niko, and for Nana.

Even the Whale of Hobel Bay had no choice but to close his eyes gently and take a deep breath.

His giant hand even trembled faintly.

His heart shook as much as the time he had abandoned his family, as much as he had regretted and agonized over that time.

But it was so warm that such a tremor felt like nothing.

The grandfather and granddaughter embraced each other.

It was an awkward posture, as if neither of them had ever embraced anyone in their lives.

But the warmth was certain.

“…Without having given you anything, I only give you a heavy responsibility.”

“I am used to that side of you.”

“You may hate me, but do not hate Hobel Bay. They need someone to lead them, someone to protect them.”

“…Legion Commander Niko.”

Nana said.

“You are a terrible father, and a terrible grandfather.”

“…I know.”

“But as a general… I cannot bring myself to disparage you. I respected you.”

“Is that so?”

Niko laughed heartily.

“Thank you, Nana.”

He was certain that this very moment was a gift from God.

It was an empire where believing in God was a sin, but what did it matter since he was going to die tomorrow anyway.

When he died, God would be closer than the emperor.

“I can die without regrets.”

***

“I told you that you would become a hero.”

Grand Duke Pret stroked his beard.

“You are already becoming one, Shion. A rumor is circulating that it is all thanks to you two that Niko and his forces, despite arriving at an unbelievable speed, were unable to attack us.”

That would be because it was the truth, not a single lie in it.

“Then isn’t that enough now? Let’s wait for reinforcements and focus on defense.”

Grand Duke Pret continued.

“There is no reason to fight a duel with Niko Nereyades.”

“I have already made a promise.”

I answered.

“I have decided to meet him tomorrow morning.”

“What is the point of keeping a promise with an imperial dog!”

“If I do not keep my promise, Nana and Niko will launch a joint offensive. That’s effectively two Imperial Ten Great Generals. Would we even have time to wait for reinforcements?”

“…I know. Damn it, I know.”

Grand Duke Pret clutched his face.

He was not a man in a position accustomed to powerlessness.

What reason would the leader of West-Erta have to feel so powerless?

“But the West needs a hero……!”

He took my hand.

“It has been eight years since the White Lord went into seclusion… I have been waiting for a hero to unite the West. Now that the Empire’s scheme has begun to be revealed, I have become even more desperate. And my conclusion is that you are that very person.”

“You flatter me.”

“Don’t lie while thinking it’s obvious.”

I chuckled.

The word ‘hero’ felt a bit cheesy. But it was the truth.

I had been a hero before the regression, and I would soon become a hero again.

Grand Duke Pret looked at my chest. He saw the golden brooch symbolizing the Upper House of the Dawn Brotherhood.

It meant I had become one of the seventeen at the pinnacle of power in the West.

“Shion.”

Grand Duke Pret said.

“Please, please come back alive……”

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