Chapter 113

– …

The other party fell silent for the first time in response to her question. After around 10 seconds, they spoke.

– We do not know the details either.

“…….”

– Please understand that the agents and soldiers present at the scene were caught in the explosion and lost their lives.

The man spoke with a tone that implied he hoped she would understand his inability to provide an answer.

Even if the dead could not speak, she knew they had not acted independently. It was clear they had come to find her father under orders from higher-ups. And now they claimed ignorance?

“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing left in Toramde.” 

She whispered softly as she continued.

“The hotel where I stayed as a child was old and demolished. The research lab disappeared in a single day. My father and the researchers, who were like family, perished in the explosion. Another precious person passed away due to poor health. As for the others, they are now by my side.”

– ……You will regret this.

“You must be hoping for that.” 

– Benny Galinne.

As she was about to end the transmission after those words, the man, sensing this, urgently called out.

– Think wisely. There must be more left in Toramde than just that. Even if there isn’t, your lover, Costance Orsi, still has family alive, and his comrades are in Toramde!

The man, who had maintained a calm tone, threw it aside and spoke with agitation.

“Is that so?” 

Costance, who had been listening beside her, responded leisurely, as if he hadn’t known.

– Costance Orsi.

“I’m sorry. But I have no intention of going to Toramde.”

– Captain Elvin, Lieutenant Finn, and Manager Lance are waiting for you.

“Please send them my regards.” 

Costance said, bowing slightly and answering each point into the radio in her hand. He remained unaffected. If anyone would have been influenced, it wouldn’t have been Costance but rather the man trying to persuade him.

– NOK One is gone. There is nothing left for you to worry about. I assure you. Toramde is larger than the Papal States, and it’s a comfortable place for civilians to live. Overseas travel is also unrestricted. Educational institutions are well-established, and it has limitless potential for shaping the future.

“…….”

– Do you still want to go to the Papal States? Benny Galinne. The people of Toramde will curse you until the day you die. Costance Orsi. You will fall from a hero to a traitor.

She gazed quietly at the faintly visible figure of the man, ignoring his words. His expression, as desperate as his tone, seemed faintly discernible but not clearly drawn.

“…….”

Toramde was indeed her homeland.

The birthplace of both her father and herself.

The homeland of those she loved.

She lowered the arm holding the radio. While the signal was still active, she tapped the radio against the desk.

Tap. Tap-tap. Tap-tap…….

Just like sending codes through a telegraph, this time, she input Toramde’s code.

Tap. And then, she turned off the radio.

* * *

[Liar]

This was the meaning of the code left behind by Benny Galinne. The man holding the radio scowled with a grim expression at this clear rejection.

Even those aboard the fishing vessel displayed sighs of frustration and futility at the missed opportunity before them. Such despair was unbearable.

“It’s not over yet.” 

The man muttered. Slamming the radio to the ground as if to destroy it, he moved to another communication device nearby.

“Connect me to the field team in the Papal States immediately.”

Although Benny Galinne had been lost here, contingency plans had placed Toramde agents in the Papal States.

The elite agents, who had spent months familiarizing themselves with the geography and circumstances of the Papal States, still offered a glimmer of hope.

“Th-that’s… strange. The communication isn’t working.” 

A subordinate reported.

“What?” 

That glimmer of hope was crushed in an instant. Frustrated, he shoved aside the soldier and grabbed the communication device himself. He adjusted the frequency and desperately requested a response, but…….

No reply came.

This silence meant one of two things.

Either the agents were dead.

Or the situation was so urgent that communication was impossible.

In either case, it was inevitable that Toramde’s last hope was fading.

* * *

Near the Papal States, in the Pilgrims’ Village.

Knights who raided the agents’ room upon receiving reports from children found communication devices, radios, various guns, and grenades there.

“Thanks to you, we caught some suspicious people. They were bad individuals. It could’ve been a disaster.” 

One knight said, expressing gratitude to the children who had reported the situation.

“Really? Did you really catch them all?” 

Eugene, who had been listening, asked with a brightened face.

Though the full details were not disclosed, leaving the children uncertain about the nature of the threat, Eugene’s instincts suggested that the individuals were indeed spies.

“Yes, thanks to you, the Papal States are safer now.” 

“I thought so—they were spitting everywhere! And they gave such harsh glares to the children playing in the square. Just a few days ago, Anna came looking for the man, and he treated her so poorly! Adults shouldn’t bully kids!” 

Eugene declared, ignoring Anna’s gaze directed at him.

“That’s right.”

The knight agreed. Finding the children admirable, he handed each of them a large candy. Anna smiled brightly, and Seth, who had always carried an air of unease and suspicion, also appeared relieved.

“Holy Knight Tedrick. Once this is done, head straight to Hebran Coast.”

“Ah, yes.” 

The knight, who had been patting the children on the head, straightened his posture at the commanding voice of his superior from behind.

“Sorry, kids. The knight order is very busy right now. Oh, right. The deacon of Crot Cathedral in the Papal States might come looking for you. I mentioned you briefly.”

Eugene nodded. However, his interest was fixated on the Hebran Coast.

‘That coast…….’ 

He thought.

The small Hebran Coast, located in the northern part of the Papal States, was a secretive area reserved for the Pope or high-ranking priests.

A Holy Knight heading there meant they were going to greet an important figure arriving in the Papal States.

However, as far as Eugene knew, the Pope was currently attending to duties at the Papal Palace, and the Cardinals were refraining from leaving the Papal States due to their busy schedules.

The only ones absent at the moment were a few Cardinals and Rahie.

“Perhaps they’ll reward you.” 

The knight suggested.

“We don’t need a reward.” 

Eugene immediately responded.

“Anna and Seth don’t need rewards either!” 

Eugene added.

“That’s not true! Anna wants a reward! Seth probably does too!” 

Anna retorted, upset.

But Eugene ignored her and grabbed the knight’s sleeve. 

“Please take us to Hebran Coast!”

“What?” 

The knight was taken aback.

“I’ve heard rumors. They say it’s incredibly beautiful! And that you can’t enter it casually. I want to go. Please take us there. Even just nearby……!” 

Eugene pleaded persistently.

When Anna, unable to hold back, was about to shout, Seth intervened. He whispered something into her ear, quickly calming her down. As if she had never been angry, Anna sat next to Seth with sparkling eyes, watching Eugene’s actions.

“The credit you deserve is significant. But Hebran Coast is not a place one can visit freely.” 

The knight explained.

“I want to go! Even just nearby! I won’t enter the coast!” 

Eugene insisted.

“Haa…….”

“Tedrick! What are you doing? Hurry up and get ready!” 

Another voice called out.

The knight found himself caught in a dilemma, pressured from both sides.

A black car entered the square. From one of the nearby cathedrals, knights who had completed their preparations emerged and aligned themselves with the procession.

Their solemn faces and the long, gleaming spears in their hands reflected the grandeur of the occasion. All of them were part of the escort heading to Hebran Coast.

Seth and Anna watched the majestic scene created by the knights’ disciplined march.

“Sorry, let’s talk again later.” 

The knight said, quickly moving to the back of the procession.

“Wait, wait! I-I want to go too!” 

Eugene shouted. As he tried to force his way after the knight order, Seth had no choice but to intervene.

“Eugene, stop it now!” 

Seth said.

“But……!” 

Eugene protested.

The commotion continued until something unexpected happened. The door of the car at the front of the procession suddenly swung open.

The person who emerged was none other than Lidams, the administrator who had long overseen the Paladins and chaired the clergy committee. Tidying his wind-blown priestly robes, Lidams fixed his gaze squarely on Eugene.

“So it’s you.” 

Lidams remarked, slightly curving his eyes.

“Commander.”

Lidams called.

“Yes, Your Holiness.” 

The commander replied.

“The distance to Hebran Coast wouldn’t be too difficult for those children to walk, would it?” 

Lidams asked.

“It’s not far.” 

The commander confirmed.

Upon hearing this, Lidams approached Eugene.

“Eugene. We’ll let you ride in the car now, but on the way back, you’ll have to give up your seat for someone who came all the way to the Papal States. Is that okay?” 

Lidams asked.

Eugene nodded vigorously. 

“Of course!”

“Then get in. Let’s go greet your brother with your friends.” 

Lidams said.

Eugene’s smile stretched from ear to ear. It was the longest smile he had worn since arriving in the Papal States.