"I should have taught you that it's a sin. Why are you asking such a thing?"

Although Sharon was trembling, he still looked directly at Ross and said:

"There's no need for war. Wouldn't it be enough to just tell the other side that we can live in peace? Wouldn't it be good enough if we didn't take the Son of God away? Wouldn't it be good enough if the two countries could help each other? Is war... really necessary? Can't Father really just not fight?"

The son is kind-hearted and thinks about the lives lost in the war, other races, and worries about his father's safety.

Who could say that was naive, ignorant, childish idealism? Rolls felt like crying for no apparent reason.

Seeing his son's intelligence and gentleness, Royce couldn't help but touch his soft gray hair. Although his originally neat 3:7 haircut was messed up, Sharon didn't care. Instead, he placed his hand on Royce's big hand as if asking for help.

“Because God wants it so.”

This is a fact and an absolute answer.

"And since it's what God wants, that means doing it that way...will bring happiness to more people."

This is speculation, and also his hope.

"The happiness of more people..."

Sharon lowered his head again, a troubled expression on his face. Even Ross felt his words lacked warmth, and it was only natural that Sharon couldn't accept it.

Even so, perhaps realizing that no better answer could be obtained, Sharon finally asked pleadingly:

"So, if Father and the Church are fighting for the 'happiness of the greater number'... then isn't there anyone fighting for the minority outside of 'the greater number'?"

"..."

Rouse was speechless for a moment. It wasn't because he didn't know the answer, but the opposite.

He knew the answer because he knew that there was a group of people who rose up in rebellion to save the will sacrificed by the church.

Sharon didn't know what to make of Ross's silence, but he saw his expression brighten a little.

"If there are people like that..."

"If so?"

"If father fights alongside them, everyone will be happy."

Sharon said so. Royce still couldn't answer.

If it were my 'previous self', I would have definitely answered "There is no such future." But my 'current self' couldn't answer that.

Therefore, Ross himself was confused about his feelings, so he just answered "maybe".

"Lord Baien, what's wrong with you?"

Suddenly a deep voice called him and Ross came back to his senses.

Looking back, he saw a huge body as big as a wall. Looking up, he saw a rough face with only one eye.

"Lord Detelf."

"What's wrong? Why are you standing here on the street? If you're lost, can I show you the way?"

Hearing this, Ross looked around. No wonder the Odion Federation's leader had called out to him, because everyone around him was looking at him.

The sight of a man wearing the war vestments of a clearly high-ranking official standing there expressionlessly was truly bizarre. No wonder the residents were bewildered. The federal soldiers gathered in the distance, bewildered and unsure what to do. After all, they couldn't easily approach Rouse.

"I seem to have been lost in thought. Sorry."

"...Thinking about something?"

Detelf stroked his beard with one hand, as if lost in thought. Rouse asked Detelf a question that had suddenly crossed his mind.

"Why is Lord Detlff in a place like this? As the head of the Federation, he's all alone, without even an entourage..."

"As for being alone, I think we're both on the same page... I'm looking for you."

"Looking for me?"

"Yes, I wanted to thank you."

Detelf nodded, while Rouse tilted his head in confusion.

"I can't think of anything you should thank me for..."

"You mourn the sacrifice of our soldiers and find meaning in their deaths, don't you?"

It seems that Detelf came here specifically to express his gratitude for what happened during the military meeting.

"...I'm just stating the truth."

"Perhaps so, but it is a comfort, and you have shown me respect in your words. I may be the king of a country, but to you, the leader of the White Light Knights and the Son of God, my position is insignificant."

Detelf's gentle look made Rouse feel uncomfortable.

Although he looked older, Rolls was only thirty-two years old, while Detelf was old enough to be his father. It felt like being praised by his father, which made him feel quite embarrassed.

Perhaps sensing Ross's mood, Detelf changed the subject.

"If you have time, why not go and see how the soldiers are doing? A visit from the Captain of the White Light Knights would be a great encouragement to them."

“…I couldn’t ask for more.”

Perhaps Detelf had something else to say. After a little consideration, Ross nodded and accepted Detelf's invitation.

Seeing the leader of the White Light Knights walking with their country's chieftain without guards, the streets were shrouded in an indescribable tension. The two walked for a while without saying a word.

Then the two of them came to the fifty-meter-high outer wall surrounding [Agris].

Confederate troops were stationed inside and outside the majestic stone walls, and counting from the north, three flags could be confirmed.

"Originally, we should have deployed our forces on the inner side and attacked as needed. However, this time, the armies of three of the eight branches, excluding Angulif, have gathered here, so we have also deployed our forces on the outer side."

The implication seemed to be that because the Knights enjoyed the facilities within, the Chinese army had to be stationed outside. Ross frowned.

"I'm not blaming you."

Detelf explained with a wry smile, but Ross couldn't help but frown. As if trying to cover up, Ross recounted what he had seen.

"The troops are exhausted."

"The federal soldiers are well-trained, so this isn't a big deal... I'd like to say that, but many people have been traumatized mentally."

Needless to say, this was because the orc warriors were unexpectedly tenacious, and they lost many of their companions because of it.

Ross looked at the tired-looking federal soldiers below for a long time.

Then, people began to notice the figures of Rouse and Detelf. They looked up at Rouse with fear instead of awe.

Laws could clearly see their fear.

They did not expect that Rouse and others would help them defeat the Republic, but they were just trembling with fear, wondering what orders they would be given this time.

I see. Many people do suffer from mental setbacks.

A feeling of powerlessness welled up in Ross's heart, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth. How many of them could survive the long war that was about to begin?

Using the entire federation to attack the Republic, a crazy war of life and death is about to begin.

The only way to get what you want is through the Kingdom of God.

Everything is done in the name of God.

Because that is what God wants.

God wanted them to sacrifice their lives and take many orcs with them to perish.

"Sir Royce Byrne, I'm grateful to have you on this battlefield."

After hearing what Detelf said, Rouse couldn't help but want to yell "Stop it!"

Rouse knew what Detelf wanted to say and understood what he wanted to express.

Please make the lives of the Confederate soldiers who will be lost count. Do not let them die in fear, but let them die with the honor of having fought alongside Rouse and his men. Then, through the power of the Knights of White Light, the power of the world's strongest knight order, end this war as soon as possible.

That’s what Detelf expects of him.

It was too heavy. For Rolls, who had abandoned hope and expectations, stifled his original intention, and simply obeyed orders to survive until now, this expectation was too heavy.

Since I really can't answer, so...

“—Soul Calming.”

The magic of the dark night spreads out like ripples, like an ocean that embraces all life, with gentle and calm waves.

"This is……"

Detlff's voice was filled with astonishment. Beneath the outer wall, the federal soldiers shared a similar expression. Meanwhile, their faces, previously shrouded in fear and exhaustion, slowly began to regain their composure. Those who looked up at Rouse also widened their eyes in surprise.

"This magic works directly on the soul, restoring mental stability. It's always better than doing nothing."

"Is this part of your...divine skill..."

As if the crowd below had regained its vitality, the sound of voices gradually spread. Detelf turned to face Ross and bowed to him.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for exercising your precious power."

"It's not a big deal."

It didn't seem like a polite remark, as Detelf stared at Rouse, whose expression was slightly bitter.

"You really don't seem like someone from the church."

Normally, this statement would be not only disrespectful, but could even lead to accusations, making it extremely dangerous. What was Detelf feeling when he uttered this?

"I'll pretend I didn't hear it, but there won't be a next time."

The privilege of receiving the power of the White Light Knights' leader and feeling its mighty strength caused everyone to cheer. Amidst the cheers, Ross turned as if to flee, and hurriedly tried to leave, but was stopped.

"Lord Rouse, this is for you."

Ross turned around and saw Detelf handing out a robe with a hood. It seemed that Detelf had sent someone to get it at some point.

"If you're going for a walk, I think this is a must."

"Thank you for your trouble."

He seemed to see through himself. Despite this thought, Ross still accepted Detelf's kindness, put on his robe, and this time really left. He could vaguely feel a warm gaze from behind him.

Laws wandered the streets aimlessly again.

Although he had completely covered his clothes with his robe, he still thought that walking on the main road might attract attention. In any case, Ross wanted to be alone, so he just kept walking in the side alleys.

Then, the noise gradually faded away, and the quiet atmosphere of the alley gradually calmed Ross's heart. But as if replaced by...

(The sound of the world... collapsing.)

The seemingly impossible breaking sound turned into an auditory hallucination, hitting Ross's eardrums.

Changes in the Orcs.

A soulless oracle priestess.

Soldiers who were treated as expendable.

He was a king who was supposed to be a devout believer, but he said something that could be considered apostasy.

And, as if by miracle, the Age of Gods magicians began to gather.

Ever since the declaration of war, the sound of disintegration in Ross's ears... no, in his soul, had become even clearer.

Royce shook his head, trying to get rid of the foolish thought, then looked up. Suddenly, at the edge of his vision, he saw a narrow dead end.

"So, it was somewhere like this back then."

Ross thought back to when he had resurrected the critically injured "Oracle Maiden" and let her escape to the Divine Capital. It was just such a small alleyway then, the closest to the Divine Capital's outer walls, the most desolate, the dead end no one would notice.

"...But you moved forward, overcoming the dead end, and carrying on your will...."

Now that will is about to become a huge turning point.

"If...if I had run away with you then..."

What will happen now?

Ross muttered to himself, feeling the folly of his own thoughts. The Church would most likely send its strongest forces to pursue them, capturing them. Berta would be killed once again, and Ross would be held accountable. At that point, it must be because Ross, a magician from the Age of Gods, stayed behind that they were spared.

So that's just a meaningless fantasy.

I live under the rule of free will. That hypothetical scenario is truly foolish and an impossible future.

If I were to waver like this, my excellent son would be disillusioned with me. Royce gave a wry smile and sighed. He looked up at the sky, squinting his eyes as he gazed at something that should be in the distance.

"What on earth is in your script?"

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