Episode 25: Prophecy
The Naia-Ortenos Total War.
Back then, tensions between Ortenos and Naia were gradually rising in a strangely noticeable way, reaching their peak six years ago.
Suddenly, a large army from Naia surged forth, engulfing not only House Ortenos, but also the vassal Nevilim Barony, Erschein Viscountcy, and Lanecki Earldom, developing into the largest war in history.
As the name suggests, it became a battle for the survival of both houses, and the Ortena Plains, where we are now, were literally dyed red with blood.
Ultimately, it escalated into a siege battle at Ortenatris, where dozens of Stella-Class individuals lost their lives. —Elmia’s mother was among them.
Ortenos managed to achieve a narrow victory, but the damage was too great, and they had to restart from the reconstruction of the ruined castle town.
However, it’s not all bad news.
The post-war reconstruction of the Ortenos region itself has progressed smoothly, and in just six years, the Ortenos economy has made a V-shaped recovery, and Ortenatris has regained even more vitality than before the war.
There are various factors for this, but that’s fine for now.
Now, Barbat says that I gained immense Magical Power during that war, but I’m curious as to what basis he has for saying that.
“No, that’s wrong.”
I immediately denied it.
What, am I supposed to clap and say “You got it!” if he’s right?
I don’t understand why he arrived at that conclusion just from our current conversation, but I do know that Barbat knows something.
Somehow, at this moment, I’m completely drawn into Barbat’s story.
The events that happened six years ago are still full of mysteries, even when I think about them now.
I probably won’t have another chance to hear about it from the mouth of an enemy Stella-Class.
If Barbat is going to talk about it, I can’t afford to miss this golden opportunity.
“That year, the Kingdom of Naia incited the nobles and started advancing on Ortenos because they obtained certain information.”
“Certain information?”
“You’ve probably heard of it too, haven’t you? In the 54th year of the Kingdom of Naia’s calendar, or the 146th year of the Imperial calendar, there was a prophecy that Ortenos would be destroyed.”
“Ah, that ridiculous doomsday theory.”
Just like there was Nostradamus’s grand prophecy in my previous life, there are countless foolish prophecies in this world as well.
In the years before the total war broke out, the ridiculous prophecy that Barbat mentioned spread unnaturally widely.
I dismissed it as a foolish religious view, but it seems the people around me didn’t, and I remember them being terrified of the coming day.
In the end, nothing like that happened, and we drove away the Kingdom of Naia, so everything was fine, but that triggered another problem.
Prophecies in this world are quite troublesome to deal with.
“Ah, by the way, it was the Kingdom of Naia that spread that doomsday theory.”
“Why did they spread such a false rumor?”
“Because it’s not a false rumor. A prophecy is a certain future, that’s why we cheerfully marched into Ortenos.”
That’s it.
For some reason, the people of this world stubbornly believe in prophecies.
However, if someone of Barbat’s status believes in it, I might have to reconsider my thinking.
If the ruling class of the country is like that, I can’t deny the possibility that it’s based on some kind of evidence.
“You believe in prophecies a lot, don’t you?”
“Fuhahaha, believe? I directly threatened them, so they wouldn’t lie.”
“Who are ‘them’?”
“The bloodline of the oldest Stella—the Astrological Cauldron.”
“The Astrological Cauldron, what are they?”
“Fuhahaha, who knows…”
Barbat said that and chuckled.
It seems he doesn’t intend to answer.
It’s almost a miracle that we’ve been able to talk this smoothly so far.
I thought about trying to persuade him, but I didn’t feel like it.
It would be nice if he could speak more eloquently…
“But the prophecy was a lie, wasn’t it? Ortenos wasn’t destroyed in reality.”
“Fuhahaha, that’s why it’s bothering me! Prophecies have never been wrong before. That’s why the Naia side thought something irregular had happened.”
“…Irregular?”
“Ah, that’s right. I’ve been investigating for six years since then, but I couldn’t figure anything out. But when I saw you, it clicked.”
“…”
“You, the star of six years ago…”
Barbat suddenly stopped talking.
At this time, I had been listening to Barbat’s story with great interest.
I finally thought I could objectively understand what had happened to me six years ago, and I felt a little exhilarated.
But, curiosity kills the cat, as they say.
—And so, the “Magical Power Detection” was delayed.
“…Fuhahaha! Brat, it seems luck is on my side.”
By the time I realized it, it was too late.
Barbat’s left hand and left leg regenerated in an instant.
“—Ah, seriously?”
Barbat, who had regained his Magical Power over time, stood up.
Then, as if flowing, he gathered Magical Power and fired Wind Magic at the ground.