"nothing?"

"Yeah. Just reminiscing."

"...Is it about Mother?"

Silence confirmed. Shirley glanced at her father, who remained silent, waiting for him to speak. But after a moment's wait, her father still didn't seem to be about to speak. She sighed softly. Since her father remained silent, she had no choice but to speak first.

"The branches in each city of Entris have all sent messenger birds back. Since the trains will be strictly inspected, each branch will move by horse."

"What about the Kingdom?"

"There's been no response yet. However, given the current state of the messenger bird, it should be back within today."

When headquarters needs to communicate with areas west of Entris, it's usually relayed through the Esperade branch. Because the distance is so great, it's more appropriate to have headquarters' messengers fly here and then send new messengers from there.

Furthermore, when communication is needed for all units simultaneously, headquarters will typically only send messengers to branches based in major cities in each country. Each branch will then relay the message to smaller branches in various towns, secret settlements, and even individual supporters. Of course, direct notification will still be provided in emergencies.

This time the command was delivered in the usual way, the only difference was that the messenger birds sent out by the headquarters were super-enhanced.

First, he casts sublimation magic on both Tim and the messenger bird, then strengthens the effect of his inherent magic, "Bird and Beast Protection." Furthermore, he equips Tim with artifact cufflinks that grant sublimation and regeneration magic.

Therefore, the flying speed and range of the messenger bird are much better than usual.

To be on the safe side, the Esperade branch fed the messenger bird a high-nutrition feed and cast healing magic on it. This way, the fatigue of flying from the headquarters to the Esperade branch should be minimal. A round trip to the kingdom should only take two to three days.

"Where are Leonardo and the others?"

"We've contacted them, too. They've said they'll remain in hiding in the southern part of the principality until Mr. Rouse wakes up. Miss Jinx and Mr. Yasser seem quite upset that they won't be able to meet the branch chief on this day they've all been waiting for."

"...The assembly order was originally issued only to the executing troops."

"Of course I understand that. I wanted to go to headquarters, but I held back. However, you, Branch Chief, are one of the most senior members, and they still want to hear your personal encouragement."

This was a battle plan drawn up long before the Liberator's founding. Only at the crucial moment of a decisive battle, when the organization's survival was at stake, would this supreme plan be activated.

──Final Plan: The Bell of Change.

This is a rallying order to call all the execution forces scattered in various branches and secret settlements to return to the headquarters.

It is also the "moment" that all liberators have been waiting for for a long time.

Of course, the "supporters" who were incapable of fighting remained where they were and stood by.

It's a state of "everything is done, everything is left to fate." Supporters can only watch their comrades, who have shared hardships, go to the battlefield to gamble their lives, and then pray that their long-term aspirations will bear fruit.

Although I knew this moment would come, when I really had to send my friends to the battlefield, the fact that I couldn't go with them still made me feel regretful and unwilling.

Reagan glanced at his daughter, who was biting her lip, and murmured softly:

"Even if the world changes, life will continue."

"……Um."

Perhaps because Reagan spoke as a father, Shirley responded as a daughter.

"I'm sure some will lay down their weapons in pursuit of peace."

"makes sense."

"Our responsibilities as supporters continue. These people have dedicated their lives to change. Supporters must continue to nurture their future."

Having said this, Reagan paused for a moment, as if hesitating. Then, he spoke again.

"...You can choose the path you want."

“…What do you mean?”

Shirley narrowed her eyes and asked. Reagan looked into her eyes and said:

"From the moment you were born, you have been the daughter of a revolutionary."

Reagan was a revolutionary from the beginning. Long before he joined the Liberator, he had been a heretic rebelling against the world. In his youth, he had committed many foolhardy and absurd actions.

He was lucky enough to survive each time. Later, he met his wife Holly and gave birth to Shirley.

Therefore, from the moment she was born, Shirley was bound to embark on a turbulent life.

She had no chance of living the life of an ordinary girl.

"The thorny path I chose has robbed you of a normal life, even with your mother in front of you..."

Even so, Reagan still couldn't turn back and didn't break off relations with his daughter or stay away from her, because he was a natural revolutionary and was definitely an unqualified father.

"I'm sorry—"

"snort!"

Reagan immediately let out a painful cry, his body bent into a U shape, because his daughter's fist hit him hard in the stomach.

"I am the liberator."

I have come to this point today out of my own free will. This implication was even more powerful to Reagan than the punch he had just received.

"Really? Even though the day I've been waiting for has finally arrived, you're being way too sentimental! I noticed something wasn't right with you, so I came over to check on you. I never expected you'd be thinking about something so frivolous! What a waste of my time!"

"Sherry..."

Reagan's eyebrows drooped in a splayed shape as he looked up at his daughter. Shirley helped her father up, then smiled broadly. It was a very, very bright smile, enough to chase away all his worries.

"Mother and I have never regretted anything. We couldn't ask for a thorny road like this!"

"Is that so... That's true."

I'm really getting old... Reagan couldn't help but think so and smiled bitterly.

The father and daughter snuggled up to each other, looking up at the sky, as if they were looking at the future ahead.

──Beruka Kingdom, Capital Berunica

This area, home to the "Green Tunnel," is a haven for technicians. Of course, there are many businesses that commission workers, supporting the technicians' livelihoods.

Miners are one of them. Their job is to mine various raw stones in the big tunnels, remove impurities and then sell them.

──Marclayde Mining Shop.

This shop, tucked away in a corner of an alley, opened about five years ago. Despite its relative newness, it boasts a steady supply of high-quality ore, boasting a wide variety and a solid reputation. While larger businesses often have exclusive suppliers and don't rely on them, this shop is trusted by small and medium-sized businesses. Despite its relatively recent rise, it has recently become a respected mid-tier establishment.

Today, the boss was mumbling in the store as usual.

"Hey~ He's so handsome~ I really want to marry him~"

Coarse blue bob hair, sunken eye sockets, and for some reason the corners of his mouth were always twitching stiffly.

Her catchphrase is "I want to marry a handsome, rich young man." Her name is Ivy Maclade, and she's the head of the Berunega branch.

"Stop daydreaming and get ready."

An elderly man said helplessly, but he continued to write quickly. He was severely hunched over, bald, and looked completely decrepit.

He is old Mr. Odio Straff.

Although he looks like he'd be crushed to pieces if he stumbled, he's actually the branch's strongest fighter. He's a magician, and his lightning magic is unmatched.

"It's not just a pipe dream! Maybe I still have a chance!"

"Ah, the assembly order has arrived, which means the final plan is finally about to be launched. Now we need to quickly notify the other branches and secret settlements in the kingdom, but you can only..."

"I'll be in my thirties next year! Thirty is the alarm! I can't miss any opportunity! As long as I can snatch him away, get him... huh, huh."

"Go look in the mirror and return to the real world."

"Old Senior, why are you being so harsh with me today? When did you become so cold—"

"...Fifteen years have passed since the founding of the Liberator. But for me, I've waited fifty years for this moment. The moment of fulfilling my great wish is at hand, so please cheer up."

Odio is also one of the veterans who joined the Liberator since its founding.

However, he had long ago rebelled against the church out of righteous indignation, just as Reagan had.

The same thing happened to Concubine Yi. Although she acted like a scoundrel, she was actually very excited.

The leader—that cute, annoying, yet impossible-to-look-away girl—had finally given her instructions, inviting her to join them in changing the world. She was thrilled by the invitation.

For her, it was like adding more fuel to the fire that had been burning inside her since the day she lost her family.

"I know~ Let's quickly get ready and head to headquarters."

"Yeah. That kid should be back by now. That righteous guy, as a thank you for escorting his father and the others, is even offering us a ride on his divine artifact. We can't keep him waiting for too long, especially since he's a magician of the Age of Gods."

"Is that so? From a certain perspective, this is also a long-awaited return home, so we should stay a few days longer, right? In that case, why don't we take the initiative to welcome him..."

"Are you trying to get closer? Wake up, they won't pay any attention to you."

"You don't have to be so mean to me, right!?"

The other branch members were busy preparing, and at the same time, they watched this conversation that was like that between grandparents and grandchildren, with helpless expressions on their faces.

However, from a certain perspective, this atmosphere might be just right.

It just happened to ease the extremely exciting, tense and sharp atmosphere at the scene.

While listening to the bickering between the two branch directors, the outstanding branch members worked even more efficiently than usual, making various preparations so that the implementation teams from the branches and secret settlements scattered throughout the kingdom could return to the headquarters as soon as possible without being discovered by the church.

In a certain workshop, the noise of craftsmen was everywhere.

The workshop that used to bear the sign "Orcus Workshop" has now been renamed "Filand Workshop," but the vibrant atmosphere remains unchanged.

Atelier Orcus, once hailed as one of the "Three Great Ateliers" in a technologically advanced country and enjoying such a high honor, no longer exists.

However, although the name of the workshop has changed, the craftsmen working here are almost the same.

Of course, the mainstay of the studio remains the same person.

"Yeah, it's been much calmer lately."

Kagu, a tall and strong man like a warrior, looked around the environment in the workshop and nodded with satisfaction.

After all, this was once the most popular workshop in the entire downtown area, so the sudden name change naturally caused quite a stir. Naturally, many locals came to visit with expressions of shock and concern, and former business partners were even more wary, repeatedly coming to inquire about the situation.

(After all, it was His Majesty the King himself who ordered the name change, so there's nothing we can do about it. We haven't done anything wrong, and even the most kindhearted people would probably get tired of it after so long.)

Kagu muttered to himself. Just as he'd thought, the workshop was forced to change its name because of a national order. There was only one reason.

——Orcus.

Because this name is no longer a glorious name.

At least that’s the case for the church.

Thinking of this, Kagu recalled the day when the young man he treated as his own son set up his own business.

And there are those Inquisitors who came to the workshop about half a year ago.

The interrogators were unwilling to tell him the details, but they only knew that a young alchemist who called himself "Orcus" was causing trouble in the West Sea.

"It seems you live life to your heart's content. Very good, very good."

Kagu chuckled twice and turned to go to the office upstairs.

It's time to cheer up and deal with the troublesome paperwork... He thought so as he opened the office door.

"Hi, long time no see, Dad."

「!?」

The young man he was thinking about was sitting on the sofa, relaxing. Now Kagu just wanted to praise himself for not screaming.

“O-Oscar! You—!!”

"Please be quiet. I've taken some soundproofing measures, but it would be troublesome if you cause a commotion."

Sneaking into someone else's office and saying such things with a bright smile on his face was truly shameless. Faced with Oscar like this, Kagu was speechless for a long time, his mouth opening and closing silently like a fish starved of oxygen.

Pause and take a deep breath.

"Hey, hey, hey, kid, it's been a while since I last saw you, and you've become such a big shot."

"Of course, now it's not just the crying little devil, even the church has to shut up when they hear my name. Because I am Oscar Orcus, the Liberator."

Both sides were silent, looked at each other for a while, and suddenly couldn't help laughing at the same time.

Then──

"Welcome back, silly son."

"Well, I'm back, father."

Both sides greeted each other in this way somewhat shyly.

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