Chapter 98 - The Conviction of the Holy Light (1/2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
If it was the genuine Gawain Cecil from 700 years ago, he would be feeling rather disappointed and sorrowful. Because 700 years ago, the various human nations didn’t have such conflicts. Back then, everyone was a fellow countryman who had escaped from the Gondor Wastelands; they were merely separated by the disaster. Every nation worked together to build a defense line and shared resources. The honeymoon period between the Typhon Empire and the Anzu Kingdom had even lasted for as long as 500 years.
Back then, no one would imagine that there would be a day when they would face one another with weapons.
However, the person standing here wasn’t the genuine Gawain Cecil but a satellite spirit that had descended from above. Gawain knew that he had to ‘sob’ a little, but he knew he wasn’t able to do it convincingly. As such, he could only work hard to make his expression a little stiff and stern, putting on a show as though there was nothing more wretched than apathy. “Has war been declared?”
“It is merely a step away.” Count Cohen shook his head and said, “All diplomatic channels have been severed. Both factions have stationed their troops. There is no more reasoning at this moment, and it is up to whoever makes the move first. We are guessing that the first war between human nations would occur within a year.”
Rebecca who was by the side couldn’t help but comment, “But we need to face the Dark Wave. If the Great Barrier really collapses, is the Typhon Empire going to be unscathed? If the monsters really rush out from the Gondor Wasteland, will they ask which nation you’re from?”
“In fact, before the diplomatic channels were severed, in the last message, my father already sent a warning to the empire,” Veronica said in a soft voice. “He warned those arrogant imperial members that there are changes happening at the Gondor Wasteland and that we have discovered signs of aberration activities at the border of the Anzu Kingdom. He wished that the empire could put down all the foolish talk of vengeance in the face of such a crisis…”
Amber then asked anxiously, “Afterwards?”
Veronica’s eyelids dropped down as she replied, “Afterwards, the Typhon Empire unilaterally severed the magical relay station at the borders and increased their stationed soldiers by thirty thousand.”
“That’s unreasonable!” Rebecca then asked, “How much hatred must the Typhon Empire have towards the Anzu Kingdom for things to come to this? Moreover, even if they didn’t believe it, they should give a reply. What is the meaning of cutting off the relay station…”
“Because — humans are living beings that aren’t very smart. Especially when it involved politics or aristocrats. Their brains are always muddled by profits, reputation, familiar ties, or the habitual wars.” Gawain shook his head and said, “Even if the Anzu Kingdom said that the Dark Wave was coming, why should the Typhon Empire believe it? They would rather believe you are using an excuse to delay or prepare for battle. Even if they believed it… they would probably hope that the Dark Wave would erupt in the center of the Anzu Kingdom.”
Rebecca blinked her eyes as her brain that had been knocked out by wolves in the past was stuck at this juncture. “Why?!”
Gawain shrugged his shoulders and said, “If it was true, the Anzu Kingdom would be finished, and they would be able to obtain the spoils easily.”
Rebecca felt that she wasn’t able to keep up with Gawain. “Do they think it’s possible? In the face of the Dark Wave…”
“Before personally witnessing the aberrations, have you ever imagined the power of those monsters? Before the old Cecil territory was corroded into wastelands by the elements, did you ever imagine the true power of primal magic? Furthermore, up until now, everything you have witnessed is not even close to the true Dark Wave.”
Rebecca: “…”
Gawain sighed. He wasn’t saying these words just for Rebecca; he was also saying it so that Veronica and the others could hear it. “It is also because of this that even after seven hundred years, humans remain a short-lived race lacking foresight. Right now, apart from the elves, everyone treats the Dark Wave as an ancient legend. The Anzu Kingdom’s royal clan had simply forsaken the entire southern region. Tell me, apart from this developing land, is there any place in the entire Anzu Kingdom that could directly overview the Great Barrier?”
Count Cohen’s expression changed while Veronica crossed her hands, placing them in front of her chest, and lowered her head while praying, “Will the God of Holy Light please forgive us ignorant living beings… Humans have been holed up in the peaceful lands while civilization has been regressing continuously. The barrier that involves everyone’s life and death has already vanished from their vision…”
“Right now, the elves are probably the only ones that are still conscientiously looking after the Great Barrier, but the Anzu Kingdom and the Typhon Empire don’t seem to be interested at all.” Gawain sighed before changing the topic. “But then again, the Typhon Empire’s reaction is indeed a little strange. Humans might be foolish at times, but their reaction… is excessively aggressive.”
Count Cohen widened his eyes slightly and said, “You’re saying they know that monsters have appeared at the Anzu Kingdom’s border and also believe there is a threat from the Gondor Wasteland but still chose to conduct an internal war between humans?”
“I didn’t say anything because I don’t know what the current state of the Typhon Empire is. The old fellows that I knew back then have all perished.” Gawain spread out his hands and said, “Let alone the Typhon Empire, I have been in the Anzu Kingdom for a few months and realized all of you have been growing in an uncivilized manner for hundreds of years. Had I not personally seen the portraits of the pioneers from back then, I wouldn’t have dared to believe that this place was really the same place that we developed back then…”