EP.101 Star of the Military Nation
They exuded an extraordinary presence.
One was a burly officer who seemed to have clearly benefited from the clothing packet. Without the clothing packet, he would have had to tailor clothes himself to fit that massive frame.
Walking half a step ahead of him was a tall officer with a rigid posture. Even as he descended the stairs, his upper body didn't sway in the slightest.
What was peculiar was that the officer's uniform he wore was different from ordinary ones—a luxurious deep blue. On his chest, instead of medals, two gleaming stars sat.
As if that alone was enough to explain himself.
And indeed it was.
"General..."
Those who had brought down the Monarch.
Walking warfare.
The Stars of the Military Nation.
In the history of the Military Nation built upon blood and iron, the meaning of the stars on one's chest. Just as Callis, intimidated before them, instinctively tried to raise a salute—
"Loy—"
"Wait. I go first."
Stopping Callis with one hand, he stood straight and solemnly declared.
"I am reporting. Concurrent with the investigation of this incident, I am Lieutenant General Ebon Crimsonwild, appointed as Tantalos's Educational Overseer and Instructor. From this point forward, Tantalos is under my jurisdiction."
A formal report.
But words carry weight. As much authority as he possesses.
He had only spoken, yet it felt as though this Tantalos had fallen into his grasp. His power, the authority of the Military Nation, settled down heavily.
While everyone focused their gaze on him, Nabi, who had somehow reached his side, pestered Lieutenant General Ebon.
"Nyaaah! You're late, meow!"
Lieutenant General Ebon admonished her far more maturely and quietly than Nabi.
"Nabi. Unlike you, we cannot land softly. From this high up, we especially must rely on the power of parachutes."
"Nya! Enough of that! Just hand over the tribute quickly, meow!"
"Sigh. The intervals between your pestering are getting shorter..."
"Nyaha!"
Sighing, Lieutenant General Ebon glanced at the officer who had followed and commanded.
"Colonel. The item."
"Yes, sir!"
The man called by the rank of colonel pulled out a paper-wrapped stick from a square paper box. I quickly recognized what it was. A mana herb cigar.
The moment it was half-revealed to the world, Nabi snatched the mana herb cigar like lightning.
As if possessed, Nabi sliced the paper with her claws, buried her nose into the stick, and began sniffling. Rapidly and urgently, as if hyperventilating.
After inhaling the scent for a while, Nabi smiled ecstatically.
"Nyaha! Nahaah-. Nya-."
Her pupils dilated. Nabi staggered, letting out melted moans through her teeth.
A leaf cigar made from processed catnip and World Tree leaves, created solely for the King of Cats.
A tribute enhanced with cat preferences, human technique, and even the essence of the World Tree—and simultaneously... a means to control the King of Cats.
"Nya, hah, hic, nyaha-."
Drool dribbled from Nabi's mouth. Her supple body twisted this way and that. Nabi shuddered all over, indulging in the scent like mad.
Lieutenant General Ebon asked.
"Are you satisfied, Nabi?"
Though his words were polite, there was not a shred of respect in Lieutenant General Ebon's eyes as he looked at Nabi. He merely looked down at the King of Cats coldly, as if observing a tool.
Nabi, who had been rolling around by herself, thrust out the mana herb cigar and cried out.
"Nyaha-! Fi-re! Light it, meow!"
"Nabi, didn't I tell you? This is a contract. If I offer the tribute, you must catch the mouse for me. That is the contract, is it not?"
"Nya! So! Just tell me quickly, meow! What must Nya do?"
"Please wait a moment. It will arrive soon."
It was when he murmured that.
A fierce wind blew, and simultaneously, the Returner who had run through the void landed at the end of the corridor. It was when she shouted with a grave expression.
"Just now, something fell onto the rooftop...!"
The Returner's words could not continue.
Because Nabi, thoroughly heated up, had pounced in an instant.
"It's you, meow!"
"Ugh?!"
Not as fast as Aji, but a stealthiness that seemed to swallow sound concealed Nabi's form. In the blink of an eye, Nabi closed in on the Returner and raised her front paw threateningly.
Even in her panic, the Returner responded with the Heaven-Wheel Mirror. Matching her opponent, she raised her arm and deployed the Heavenly Snare. Compressed space expanded, pushing each other apart...
However, even after doing all that, Nabi's momentum did not die. The front paw shook blurrily, and the Returner reflexively turned her head. Sshk—a line of blood flowed from her cheek.
The Returner shouted.
"King of Cats!"
"Nyahaha! Become my tribute, meow-!"
Thump—the Returner kicked Nabi away and leapt backward. Nabi lightly stepped on the stair railing and flew toward the Returner.
The two disappeared beyond there in an instant. Soon after, a tremendous roar as if the world was breaking echoed out.
Lieutenant General Ebon clicked his tongue as he watched where Nabi had disappeared.
"Tch. She'll break before long... Is it because she wears a human body? The way she breaks is similar to humans."
And only then did Lieutenant General Ebon turn his gaze toward me and Callis, huddled together in one corner.
Callis, who had been thoroughly tense, saluted only after the gaze returned to her.
"Loyalty. Lieutenant General Ebon. It is an honor to meet you."
"And you are?"
"Lieutenant Callis Kritz, who came to Tantalos as the Supply Monitor and became isolated."
Furrowing his brow, Lieutenant General Ebon sighed as if he finally recognized her.
"Ah. I didn't recognize you for a moment because you're not wearing your officer's uniform. Lieutenant. You were alive."
"That's... right."
"All four jewels were shattered, so I thought you had died without a chance. It seems the Lieutenant was more capable than I expected."
Callis opened her eyes wide.
"Jewels? How do you know about that..."
Lieutenant General Ebon looked at Callis and smiled benevolently.
"Why ask what you already know, Lieutenant. Isn't it obvious? I am the 'Patron.'"
It was something Callis had already realized inwardly.
At this timing, those who would come to the Bottomless Rift, bringing along the King of Cats... could only be the Apex of All Creation.
However, having just committed the betrayal of selling information, she simply couldn't bring herself to accept it.
Fortunately, Lieutenant General Ebon, unaware of Callis's betrayal, showed a friendly gesture toward her.
"We may not have met in person before, but I knew about you, Lieutenant. I knew all about what medals you've received."
"It is an honor."
"I provided the opportunity, but without the Lieutenant's ability, achieving it would have been impossible. You may well be proud of yourself."
Callis, who had nearly been driven to suicide just moments ago, was bewildered by his attitude. Regardless, Lieutenant General Ebon offered Callis a smile full of goodwill.
"I came here under the pretext of investigating the events surrounding Tantalos. Now, depending on my report, the Lieutenant's evaluation will change. Of course, since I am the Lieutenant's 'Patron,' I intend to clear all suspicion hanging over the Lieutenant."
"Th-thank you."
"It's only natural among those on the same line. Of course, you must finish the mission first."
Words containing a mind as deep and dark as an ocean trench.
The truth slowly reveals itself.
The Golem had said.
A investigation team including a General was coming to thoroughly investigate the incident of Callis falling into the Bottomless Rift and the series of events surrounding it.
But if Callis successfully carried out the mission and lured out Aji... who on earth would bring Aji up to the surface? The investigation team including the Star of the Military Nation, a General, would arrive soon, wouldn't they?
Simple.
The investigation team including a General. They were the Apex of All Creation.
From the very beginning, the Apex of All Creation had pushed Callis into Tantalos first, and planned to come to Tantalos under the pretext of investigating her.
Because someone of General rank needed a reason to come all the way to this hinterland.
And in this case, disposing of Callis was also easy. They could pull her out of the Bottomless Rift and reuse her, or they could bury her entirely beneath the Bottomless Rift. The range of choices widened.
Truly, you were a discard piece from the start. Lieutenant Callis.
In this case, who betrayed first? It seems like it would make for a truly fascinating subject of contemplation.
Lieutenant General Ebon still considered Callis an ally and said.
"It seems you didn't use the escape packet even in the dangerous situation of being hostile to every existence in Tantalos. Is it the spirit of no retreat in battle? Admirable, Lieutenant."
"Thank you. I am honored that you acknowledge it..."
"Your courage is what brought us here. We were only waiting for the Lieutenant to escape with the King of Dogs. But when the Lieutenant didn't come out, we risked danger and came ourselves to rescue the Lieutenant and complete the mission!"
Obviously a lie.
The escape packet was for escaping this world. They assumed Callis was alive and hadn't used the escape packet, then casually spouted lies. To inject motivation into Callis, who had nearly died.
"Now that we're here, there's no need to worry, Lieutenant. All you need to do now is carry out your mission. Guide us to the King of Dogs at once. Then, all the merit will be yours."
Callis trembled violently.
The escape packet that was meant to drive her to suicide. She had nearly lost her life to it just moments ago.
Yet Lieutenant General Ebon, who called himself her Patron, was calmly and shamelessly lying, claiming that the Apex of All Creation had come for her sake.
A tone of lying so familiar it was chilling. An instinctive revulsion surged up.
However.
'There is... no way to refuse.'
Looking at Lieutenant General Ebon wearing his benevolent smile, Callis desperately suppressed her trembling body.
'The opponent is a Star of the Military Nation, a General. Simultaneously a member of the secret society Apex of All Creation. He even commands the King of Cats.'
To survive at this very moment, she had to cling to them again, however miserable it might be. She had to erase from memory the fact that she had nearly died, blind herself to the merit she would gain, and pledge loyalty to them.
That was the normal bet...
'Is that... right?'
Just as Callis's dilemma deepened and a crack was about to form in Lieutenant General Ebon's smile.
The Immortal grabbed Callis's shoulder firmly and pushed her back.
"Why are you so dazed from nearly dying? Pull yourself together! Lieutenant, you are not dead yet!"
At the Immortal's words, Callis hastily snapped to her senses and answered.
"I'm fine. On my own, I wouldn't have accomplished anything. I nearly died instead... My merit is essentially nonexistent."
"I didn't ask for such humility, but that too is a virtue among those like us."
Nodding, Lieutenant General Ebon looked at the Immortal standing behind Callis with a smile.
"Immortal, Trainee Rash. Correct?"
"That's right!"
"Seeing that you're up and about, it seems the Lieutenant owes you a debt."
"I'm the one who owes the debt! She gave me a World Tree leaf when I had collapsed!"
Because the person who had handed over that World Tree leaf was Lieutenant General Ebon, he didn't find the mention of a World Tree leaf strange.
Lieutenant General Ebon nodded and said.
"Hmm. It's fortunate that you're an Immortal who knows manners. As an addendum, I still find it puzzling that you were trapped in Tantalos."
"There's a saying that when in the Empire, follow the Empire's laws! If one committed a crime, shouldn't one rightfully receive punishment!"
"No, not necessarily. There are those who mistake the Military Nation's laws for their own weapon and commit all sorts of rudeness relying on it. Those who treat the law like their friend—tearing them to death wouldn't be satisfying enough, just as you did. I sometimes feel like doing the same."
Rarely, the Immortal scrunched up his face fully. Without hiding the deep displeasure on his face, he said.
"Whew, you have the bad habit of exposing people's shame! Don't do that. If I could go back to that time, I would rather choose to cover my ears and run away!"
At the unexpected reaction, Lieutenant General Ebon blinked his golden eyes and promptly apologized.
"I'm sorry, Trainee. But I merely wanted to state my position. Regardless, aren't you a good person who tried to protect even a laborer you had no connection with? I believed you would help the Lieutenant..."
"You speak as if you expected everything."
The Immortal shrugged.
"Well, whatever. Anyway, I'll be going now. Take good care of the Lieutenant."
"Going? Where are you going?"
"To where those two are fighting!"
"For what purpose?"
At Lieutenant General Ebon's question, the Immortal answered as if it were obvious.
"Shouldn't we stop the fight! The boy is strong, but he's still in a young body. If he gets hurt, things will be tough later. The cat miss is also in a strange state! I need to try my hardest to stop their fight. I don't die, so I'm perfectly suited for that role!"
Then Lieutenant General Ebon's expression turned peculiar. Gazing at the Immortal with a look that was either interest or displeasure, Lieutenant General Ebon murmured.
"You are... an even kinder person than I expected."