Chapter 18
Munar and Sakri had returned to the Holy Capital—and to the Church's headquarters.
Sakri promptly said, "I'll go talk to my elder brother," and headed upstairs alone.
Sakri had said the plan he asked Munar to carry out was like insurance in case the negotiations failed.
But it hardly seemed like insurance.
―― Should I burn this headquarters, then? ――
Munar thought that would probably be for the best. No matter what choice he made, he couldn't imagine Rudek's side allowing this headquarters to remain. In that case, burning it in spectacular fashion might make a good bargaining chip.
Besides...
Not everyone would be saved. In fact, most of them would not. They had done whatever they pleased for so long; Rudek's side was sure to demand a commensurate result.
At the very least, there was no saving the True Guidance Church. It was already checkmate. Munar doubted Sakri intended to save everyone, either. After watching him all this time, Munar could say with certainty that Sakri had no interest in the True Guidance Church itself. He had merely deferred to them because they were Nero's entourage.
So this pointlessly enormous building was a gravestone for the True Guidance Church's people?
No, it might not be a gravestone for the True Guidance Church alone. It could become a gravestone for the other factions as well—or, if things went badly, even for the pope.
Well, it didn't matter.
Munar headed alone into the Church's underground levels. As he descended, dampness and the smell of mold assaulted his nose. The stench naturally brought memories of his childhood to mind, and he grimaced.
In a section where underground sewage flowed, there was Sakri's former room. If anything, the room was in worse condition than the place where Munar had lived as a child.
Even with the door closed, a faint stench lingered in the room. Its only advantage was that it was pointlessly spacious. Inside, heaps of junk Sakri had accumulated lay scattered everywhere. They were all the remnants of things Sakri had studied to see whether they could be put to use.
Well, calling them remnants was going too far, since some of them could still be used.
For example, this.
The numerous small barrels stacked along the wall were filled with flammable liquid. They were a final reserve, to be used in an emergency.
Though they had been divided into smaller portions than what Sakri had brought to Femas, carrying these barrels back and forth repeatedly would be grueling.
But, well, this was Sakri's final wish. Munar would humor him. Rolling his shoulders, Munar slowly lifted a barrel.
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The negotiations between Roa and Sakri.
It was an unexpected turn of events even for Munar.
The first emotion that welled up was anger.
Why should I have to be shown such pity by this guy?
Even without Sakri telling me to, I could escape on my own if I set my mind to it. Munar even considered saying that to him.
In reality, at this stage, breaking through Rudek's encirclement was nearly impossible. Even so, Munar had continued listlessly watching over this man.
At some point, I would abandon him. That was what I thought.
And then—
Munar, it's all right now. The people who have oppressed you will be crushed today. They've forced so much dirty work on you... You've suffered enough. From here on, live as you please.
When Sakri said that to him, an indescribable frustration welled up inside Munar, and he found himself unable to speak.
Had this guy really given up?
Why would you give up? I thought you would find some way to survive! Why?!
You should be able to find some way through even this situation! You've made it through countless absurdities and adversities! That was supposed to be Sakri Bradia!!
An emotion so intense that even Munar could hardly believe it surged through his heart.
Then Munar understood for the first time.
―― What kind of person was Sakri to me? ――
To Munar, Sakri was a hero.
A man with eyes the same color as his own, who was scorned by others, yet possessed such brilliant strategic insight that those very people had to steal credit for Sakri's achievements.
His goal may have been twisted, but he had always stood at the center of Lifrea's story.
So Sakri had been my hero.
It all fell neatly into place.
The man named Sakri whom I had admired would die here. What was left for me to do?
While Munar was thinking, Sakri promptly left the command tent.
Munar wondered whether he could, at the very least, preserve this genius's name in history.
Then Munar made a proposal to Roa.
"You're going to keep up the siege like this until that man settles things, aren't you? Then you must have time. I'll pay a price, too. I want you to hear my story."
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The negotiations with Roa were over, and a small figure walked away alone, head hanging.
Munar caught up with him before he reached headquarters and called out, "Hey!"
Sakri turned around, and his surprise was plain when he saw Munar.
"Why have you come back...? Or did you come to say goodbye? We are hardly on such terms."
Though Sakri looked annoyed, Munar thought he seemed somehow pleased.
"You were the one who told Roa to let me live as I pleased, weren't you? ...I know no way of life except watching over you, carrying out assassinations, and scavenging leftovers."
Munar replied sullenly.
"...Then do as you please."
Ah, I will. I'll see my hero's story through to the end.
A little while later, the two of them smiled at each other, if only faintly.
It was the fullest expression of emotion those awkward men could manage.
The two shadows, one large and one small, matched their pace and quietly disappeared into the Church's headquarters.