During that same time–
If you head 100 sels (300 km) southeast of the Imperial Capital Gladius, there is Cleven, the 2nd capital.
East of there, you can find Zegen village.
Because it is near the 2nd capital, there are hardly any bandits or monsters, and there is public order. But at this moment, an air of bloodlust envelops the area.
The village is surrounded by pitched tents, and the villagers are locked up in their houses out of fear.
There were 10 heavy infantrymen standing security near the village chief’s house.
In front of the door, there stood a flag with a crest of purple land and a sword and shield, flapping in the wind.
When you enter, you’re welcomed by a scrupulously well maintained hallway. Continuing left leads you to the guest room.
There sat a beautiful young girl, and a masculine young man.
「Lady Aura, is it all right for us to be loitering about here?」
The young man’s name Lawrence Alfred von Spitz.
His gaze was aimed towards his superior, who he worshipped as a goddess.
Trea Luzandi Aura von Bunadara.
Chief of Staff of the 3rd Imperial Army, and also known as 「Mars, the God of War」.
She is currently spellbound in a chair, left elbow resting on a desk, holding an open book in her right hand.
「…」
In the silent room, only the sound of pages turning would ring out.
Unsure of whether she hadn’t heard him, or if she was ignoring him, Spitz didn’t give up and called out to her again.
「Lady Aura, rather than just reading that book, I wish you would lend an ear to me as well.」
Bunadara had the habit of reading a book whenever she had free time.
What’s more, it was always the same book she would read.
It was a book which chronicled the life of the 2nd Emperor, who shared her name of 「Mars」.
It’s likely that if you searched the entire empire, you would not find anyone who had as thorough a knowledge of the 2nd Emperor as she.
「Lady Aura… please listen to me.」
Maybe his voice finally reached her. Buranada closes her book and looks towards Spitz.
Ahh… says Spitz, as he gets on his knees and prostrates himself from being so moved.
「Viscount Spitz… I am not trying to insult the 1st Emperor.」
「… Yes, m’lady…」
Spitz thought in his mind that it had begun again.
She always speaks of this after reading the legend.
「You cannot describe the reign of 1st Emperor Altius as anything other than magnificent. However, the one who laid the foundation for that reign… Was Second Emperor Schwarz*, who attained victory for this country immediately before its downfall, and conquered the surrounding countries.」
(TL note: German for “black”.)
「That is true indeed.」
「His majesty Schwarz took the throne past the age of 70 when his elder brother passed away. I wonder how he must have felt taking the throne at such an advanced age… He didn’t have much time left, and in reality, he left this world after just one year of his reign. If he had been the first emperor, he would surely have been able to unite this world. I’m sure he regretted that.」
Spitz hung his head low as his superior spoke passionately.
What she spoke of, was a matter 1,000 years in the past.
As of now, those two were deified and worshipped as the two great gods of Grantz.
Because the Grantz Grand Empire exists, those two surely must have existed in real life, but there is no doubt that that certain aspects have been dramatized.
For example, it is said that the 2nd Emperor Schwarz had defeated an army of 10,000 troops by himself in his final battle.
They say he had multiple muscle tears, broken ribs, that he sewed his own wounds closed, all while continuing and ultimately winning his battle.
Even with one of the 5 Spirit Swords, that would be impossible.
At best, Spitz thought it was probably 1,000.
Although that would have also been impressive in it of itself… he wanted her try concentrate on what was before them now, rather than the past.