WeTried Translations

Translator: Hydrogen B

Editor: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 307: Be Wary of People Who Ask, "Do You Believe in God?"

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The Holy Sword Corps. The Holy Maiden's personal guard.

They were called guards, but in truth, they were a combat unit, intelligence unit, and assassination unit that pledged absolute loyalty to the Sanctum. If the Holy Maiden gave an order, they would do anything, from procuring a toy from some distant foreign country to wiping an entire nation off the map.

The director of the Military State Public Safety Bureau, said to be capable of stopping even a crying child's tears, was actually one of the Sanctum's holy swords, a member of the Holy Sword Corps. Historia could only open and close her mouth in silence at a revelation so far beyond anything she had expected.

Seeing her reaction, Hilde's eyes widened.

"Father? Historia is making an unbelievably stupid face right now. What could this mean?"

"Ah. Historia doesn't know the Holy Maiden exists."

"How strange. The Holy Maiden specifically told me it was fine to reveal that. Is Historia the only one being left out?"

"I don't think so, but I don't know what Ria thinks. What matters with things like this is how the person involved takes it. Ria, are you being left out?"

"...Yeah. Like always."

When had I ever left you out? These days, was the person being left out the one becoming a general at the heart of the military state, while the person leaving others out barely survived by pickpocketing in back alleys? If anything, society was the one leaving me out!

Still, we needed to explain this simply.

"Then I, Hilde, director of the Public Safety Bureau that handles every military state secret, will give you a brief explanation."

Hilde had somehow put on glasses and pushed them up by the bridge. What was that? Had she picked up some gears and improvised them in that short time? She really was talented.

"The military state is actually a country created by the Holy Maiden. That's all!"

That was extremely brief. So brief that it explained absolutely nothing. Historia's expression had somehow become even stupider.

"Wait, you cut out too much! Isn't there anything else to explain?"

"Anything else...? Ah! Our Holy Maiden abandoned her faith! So even though she's the Holy Maiden and I'm the commander of the Holy Sword Corps, we have no backing whatsoever! If anything, we're in a position where we should worry every day about when a prophet from the Sanctum will come and wreck the military state. It's thrilling!"

"That's entirely about your own circumstances."

"Really, what can I do? My own circumstances are what matter most to me!"

"I'll give you that."

"Hehe. I got your approval!"

Hilde burst into laughter mid-sentence. Perhaps the senseless conversation was making her dizzy, because Historia pressed a hand to her temple and spoke.

"Ugh. Wait, Zikhrund..."

"No, no! Call me Hilde, with respect and reverence! Zikhrund isn't me. If you keep calling me strange things, my sense of self will get twisted!"

She said it with a cute face, but it was far too frightening to dismiss as a joke. Historia tried to comply, then could not bring herself to and settled for a compromise.

"...Director of Public Safety. Whose side are you on?"

"Me? I'm on Father's side right now!"

As if to prove her words, she spread her arms and walked toward me. I was about to stop her because it was a little burdensome, but she suddenly dropped down as though sinking into the ground and hugged my waist.

...Right. This person was one of the Six Generals.

Historia looked displeasedly at Hilde, who had attached herself tightly to my side.

"I understood the Holy Sword Corps to be a fanatical unit that obeyed only the Sanctum's orders. Then why are you clinging to... no, trying to follow Hui?"

"Hmm. There's something you need to know first. Historia, do you know how the Holy Sword Corps is formed?"

"Are they not appointed by the Sanctum?"

Hilde covered her mouth and made a surprised expression.

"Wow. You only know what's visible on the surface! You know absolutely nothing about what is hidden! How is Historia going to survive this harsh world, Father?"

"That's right. I've been quite worried about that side of Ria too."

"Hui, shut up!"

Why was she only snapping at me? Historia shot back sharply, then stared at Hilde.

"...Director of Public Safety. Your attitude is very different. You were so stiff when I saw you acting as the director."

"How could a stiff person act? Only someone soft like jelly can squeeze themselves into another mold! Soft and squishy!"

"Wait, Hilde. That's not fat, it's muscle. I'm not soft, your hands are just strong, so stop kneading me. I feel like I'm going to burst."

If she was going to use divine power, she could just touch me. Why did she have to knead me? I was recovering and suffering at the same time!

"When people hear Holy Sword Corps, they probably first imagine shining holy knights. But not everyone becomes a member that way. Most are chosen, like me."

After brushing it off with a casual laugh, Hilde continued explaining as she recalled the past with vacant eyes.

"When you can't believe in anything, don't know where to go, and don't even know who you are, an angel descends from the sky. You're clearly hiding under a false identity and a changed face, yet somehow, they point directly at you. They tell you this is your path and that you must follow it."

The Holy Maiden could see everything in the world. No matter how thoroughly someone hid their identity or changed their appearance, if the Holy Maiden watched them, she would find them.

And those abandoned by fate became bound by the knowledge that someone was watching them.

"Then, well, you fall for it completely. The heavens have been watching over you all this time and are throwing you a lifeline to give you a chance at a new life... Even someone without faith would gain it, wouldn't they? What if they were already a devout believer, like me?"

"Is that what the Holy Sword Corps truly is?"

"Yes. Fate saves exhausted, struggling people like me and affirms my life. Do you know what happens then? You fall into a drug-like fanaticism. The Holy Maiden called for me herself. That means it can't possibly go wrong. My broken life is being restored. In life and in death!"

For a brief moment, madness flashed in her eyes. Historia flinched at the blind stare, chilling enough to give anyone goosebumps. Hilde soon regained her senses and let out a deep sigh.

"But I'm... a little special. Um, I have my own particular traits. And the Farsighted Holy Maiden who chose me abandoned her faith so thoroughly that I've become relatively rational."

Then she grabbed and shook me again, smiling brightly.

"Then, bam! The King of Humanity appears! As expected of the King of Humanity, he restored my true self! I can't go back anymore! I feel sorry for the Holy Maiden, but I'll make a rational choice, just as she did!"

Then she abruptly stopped moving. Hilde suddenly stared into empty space. Her lips moved as she "listened" to something, then she let out a small groan.

"Um. The Holy Maiden says to stop fooling around and get ready. What should we do, Father?"

I had not heard anything, yet Hilde had reacted to something and asked me what to do with an awkward expression.

Was this the Holy Maiden's "call"? They said the Holy Maiden could deliver a call to any follower who served her, no matter how far away they were.

Yet even my mind-reading could not hear the call itself. Well, I could still learn what it said by reading Hilde's thoughts.

For now, I pretended not to know and asked.

"You have to tell me what we're preparing for before I can decide what to do."

Hilde's smile deepened.

"A peace treaty!"

* * *

At that same time, Progenitor Tyrkanzyaka entered the headquarters with a golem sitting on her shoulder.

Vampires did not tire. Perhaps because of that, their movement speed was not particularly fast. Even at the height of vampire power, they had not been able to cross the blessed Enver Great Plains. Sunlight that came once a day, running water, food that was difficult to preserve... Such weaknesses would not have stood out so much if vampires had been able to march quickly.

That was why Shei had wrapped herself in wind and rushed ahead. Skywarbler's wind could not carry someone with a presence as immense as Tyrkanzyaka, so Tyrkanzyaka had taken on another role instead.

A much simpler, cleaner task.

Though Tyrkanzyaka herself had not been especially willing.

"Why should I obey your words?"

Tyrkanzyaka asked the golem on her shoulder. Perhaps reflecting her displeasure, darkness rippled ominously around her, but the golem, which was not its operator's true body, did not notice.

[Cooperation benefits both this nation and yourself. At present, the Inner Circle Headquarters of the military state is in great confusion due to the intrusion of outside forces. The Inner Circle Headquarters has not yet been informed of the agreement between you and me. We must resolve this confusion quickly to reduce the danger facing your other companions.]

"Why not use that doll you people are so proud of?"

[All golems within the headquarters have suffered malfunctions due to Maximilien's abilities. This unit is currently the only one within headquarters capable of remote communication.]

Tyrkanzyaka recalled the name Maximilien and spoke.

"Do you mean that fellow we saw on the road before, the one reeking of rusted iron? Was he not on your side? Why, then?"

[Maximilien has left the military state. He is no longer working for the military state.]

"Hmph. You cannot even properly manage your own subordinate. This country looked fairly well put together, but I see it will not last long either."

[Partially affirmed. However, Maximilien had followed an independent course from the beginning. This situation was anticipated to some extent... We simply lacked an appropriate response. We never expected there to be self-destruct gears inside the communication golems he designed...]

Tyrkanzyaka was curious about the strange term "self-destruct gears," but a thought that suddenly surfaced pushed that curiosity aside. Covering her mouth with one hand, Tyrkanzyaka muttered.

"Yes. I heard it before. He said that he was searching for the King of Humanity.... Hmm. The King of Humanity...."

Tyrkanzyaka fell silent in thought. The King of Humanity, the noble Beast King who had represented all humanity when humans had still been beasts.

They said that the First Holy Maiden, the greatest prophet, had driven her away and brought civilization and order to this land.

And the one the hateful Sanctum worshipped like a god was that very First Holy Maiden. Tyrkanzyaka's fury toward the Sanctum applied retroactively, so the First Holy Maiden could only be Tyrkanzyaka's sworn enemy. It was a shame she could not take revenge.

"...The enemy of my enemy. That is surely what Maximilien called her. Hmm."

As her thoughts were about to grow longer, the golem interrupted Tyrkanzyaka's leisurely contemplation.

[Tyrkanzyaka. You agreed to comply with my request. Are you not ready yet?]

"Do not rush me. This is why those with short lifespans..."

Tyrkanzyaka lightly reproached the golem, then grasped the darkness with one hand.

The Sanctum wielded light. Tyrkanzyaka, who had fought them throughout her life, had learned how to hide herself from it. When she covered herself in darkness, not even the Holy Maiden could "see" her. It was an authority gained by the Progenitor who had historically opposed the Sanctum.

Through her long struggle against the Sanctum, Tyrkanzyaka had also learned another use for darkness.

"...Wait. The sun is rising, so it seems it will take a little longer...."

Darkness raced across the straight, square roads. The Inner Circle Headquarters was too vast and its interior too bright, so there was not enough darkness.

Still, there was more than enough to carry a voice. Tyrkanzyaka spoke in a low, sinking voice.

"That will do. Speak. The darkness will carry your voice and spread it everywhere."

The golem immediately spoke. Its voice came through the speaker and flowed along the darkness.

[To all personnel present in the Inner Circle Headquarters, Communications Officer Captain AB broadcasts on behalf of all communications officers.]

Commotion broke out in several places, but it was not especially loud. Announcements through communications officers had occurred frequently until now, so the soldiers seemed accustomed to listening to the voice ringing out from all directions.

A few soldiers realized that the source of the sound was darkness itself and were horrified, but it did not affect the larger situation.

[At present, the military state's General Headquarters has decided to hold talks with the group that attacked the military state. The director of the Military State Public Safety Bureau, General Zikhrund, will attend these talks. All troops stationed at headquarters are to cease combat and focus on postwar recovery. This has been a broadcast from Communications Officer AB.]

The golem's orders were short and concise. After it finished speaking, Tyrkanzyaka released the darkness and glared at the golem.

"Your manner of speaking has grown more arrogant than before."

[...? Unknown. The meaning is difficult to understand.]

"You no longer go on about regulations and principles. When you were in the Abyss, you seemed to need something to lean on. Now, that no longer shows."

The golem also fell into thought for a moment. Unlike the golem, Tyrkanzyaka did not hurry. She walked at ease as she waited for its response.

[Partially... affirmed.]

The difficult reply carried a surprising amount of emotion for a golem. Tyrkanzyaka gave a small smile.

"Good. Now tell me the way. Where must I go?"

[The Joint Command Headquarters. I will guide you. Please follow.]

Following the golem's guidance, the vampire's shadow stretched long behind her like footprints.

Footnotes:

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