Fled Without Realizing I Had Prevented the Apocalypse

The barbarians in the North have started moving again.
I frowned at the Emperor’s words.
“If my memory serves me right, didn’t the Intelligence Department conclude that they wouldn’t move for the next 10 years as they’d be focused on recovery?”
“They did.”

The barbarians of the North.
It’s not just a term for people, but a comprehensive name for all the monsters and subspecies living in the North.
Unlike this continent where most are formed as countries protecting their respective territories, the North is organized in the form of tribes.
Tribes created so that different species could band together to survive the chilly cold of the North.

Just as countries have kings, tribes have chieftains, but unlike here, the chieftains in the North don’t engage in smooth exchanges.
The reason was simple.
The cold of the North didn’t allow for someone to move alone like this.
“It’s only been 5 years since the war ended. For them to start moving again just halfway through the projected timeline is nonsensical…”
“That’s why I kicked the Intelligence Director’s shin just now.”
The Imperial Intelligence Director is directly under the imperial family. The head of the Intelligence Department, which is said to be composed of only the elite of the elite, like the Special Forces.
Naturally, he’s one of the top ten power holders in the Empire.
And the Emperor just said she kicked the joint of someone with that much power.
In a tone as casual as if talking about eating breakfast.
“Ah, I also conducted an ideological verification while I was at it.”
As for ideological verification, there are only two ideologies worth verifying in this world.
Demons and Outer Gods.
And both are entities that can never be confirmed by ordinary means.
Therefore, saying she conducted an ideological verification meant she used extraordinary means to confirm.
“…Let’s get to the main point.”
“I could tell you more if you want, but alright. Let’s move on to the main point.”
At my words, the Emperor tilted her head for a moment before speaking again.
“According to information collected from the North, the scattered tribes are gathering one by one.”
“Hasn’t it been a common occurrence for a few tribes to gather? At most, five or six…”
“Fifteen.”
The Emperor cut off my words and stated the number of gathered tribes.
“Fifteen have been confirmed so far. Probably even more tribes are gathering by now.”
“If it’s not just a meeting of chieftains but entire tribes gathering, it’s certainly not a usual case.”

Chieftains may not call themselves kings, but each is an outstanding superhuman and a great leader at the same time.
In the North, where it’s said even a blade of grass can hardly grow, let alone people, one naturally needs to have that much ability to lead a group.
Superhumans and leaders at the same time. Their self-esteem and pride can’t help but be high.
So if such individuals are moving their heavy backsides…
“Is it the Khan?”
“Probably.”
The leaders of the continent are called kings, and the most powerful ruler of the continent is called the emperor.
An orc in the North, observing this, thought.
That they too needed a title beyond chieftain.
But they couldn’t just take it from the continent.
After all, that would prove that they were lower than the continent’s leaders.
So they came up with Khan.
It meant both leader and great chieftain.
“It’s been 5 years since the war ended. It concluded with the death of the Khan. But now a new Khan has appeared. Either it’s the previous Khan’s successor or…”
“Or the original has returned.”

The Emperor’s reasoning supports my speculation.
It’s certain that the Khan died.
The Emperor herself saw it, and above all, I was there when the Khan died.
However, this world is broken enough to have destruction as its ending in the first place.
The possibility that the dead could come back to life was worth considering.
“Either way, it’s a monster.”
“Indeed.”
“So that’s why you sought out Cheonroe?”
As I asked the question, I stared at the Emperor.
Having once held the position of the Empire’s First Star, I’m aware of most of the Empire’s military strength.

The Emperor herself, and the now First Star, the Imperial Knight Commander, Scarlet. Along with the superhumans who would gladly head North at her call.
Even if the Khan from the past were to return, the Empire is a powerful nation strong enough to give its all.
It meant there was no need for the Emperor herself to directly issue a wanted order to find a criminal.
“You’re painting me too harshly. Even as the Emperor, it’s difficult to push all the Empire’s superhumans to the North.”
“It’s difficult. Not impossible.”
“Of course, it might be possible. If it were my usual self. But right now, it’s not feasible.”
You know that too, don’t you?
The Emperor’s gaze, looking at me with closed lips, seemed to ask me that.
Indeed, even without the Northern issue, the Empire is already in a sufficiently chaotic situation.
Following the wars that have broken out so far, now there’s the incident with Princess Arlea.
Moreover, with the recent increase in the frequency of Contaminant appearances, the superhuman forces belonging to the Empire were certainly moving in complex ways.
Of course, what the Emperor was asking wasn’t simply just that…
“So you chose Cheonroe.”
“That’s right. Someone who’s not affiliated with the Empire but will follow my words. And at the same time, an unknown transcendent who can go to the North and safely deliver information.”
“……”
“You, who were called the nightmare of the North, should be able to accomplish this sufficiently.”
“Sigh…”
I let out a deep sigh at the Emperor’s words.
Certainly, as she said, in a situation where the Empire’s political situation is chaotic, using the identity of Cheonroe is the best choice.
The name Cheonroe has a moderate reputation even within the North, no one knows any information except the alias, and I can willingly provide what the Emperor wants.
Also, there’s no reason for me to refuse this proposal.
The Emperor is someone who makes offers and provides appropriate compensation for them.
Probably, besides giving me amnesty for not punishing me, she would give many things that ordinary people couldn’t even imagine.

It’s not for nothing that I stayed by the Emperor’s side to prevent destruction.
However.
“Give me some time.”
“Why? It’s happened occasionally that you refuse my proposals, but when you do, there’s always been a rational reason. However, I can’t grasp that rational reason now.”
The Emperor, who had been muttering to herself while looking at me not answering, suddenly clapped her hands as if she understood and said,
“Ah, is it because of the owner of this guild?”
“……”
“I heard you’re personally tutoring her. It seems you’ve made such a contract.”
“You’ve investigated quite thoroughly.”
“Things naturally come to my ears in this position. Anyway, a 5th rank superhuman. And tutoring for a manipulation magician at that…”
The Emperor, who had been pondering something for a moment, soon smiled and said,
“Break it off.”
“……?”
“I’ve heard that the spider that collects gold makes deals within reasonable bounds, so if given appropriate compensation, she would probably break the contract.”
Even setting aside not knowing what that appropriate compensation would be.

I opened my mouth towards the Emperor with an incredulous expression.
Or rather, I was about to.
“Isn’t that right?”
“……?”
For the first time since entering this room, the Emperor’s gaze was not directed at me.
Following her gaze, I turned my head.
“This humble merchant greets Your Majesty the Emperor.”
Through a hole that had appeared in the barrier, I saw Beatrice bowing her head in respect.
I wondered how long she had been there. No, before that, how did she make that hole?
As I was about to ask these questions, the Emperor’s words once again sealed my lips.
“A humble merchant, you say. You don’t seem to think that way at all.”
“……”
“Well, how many people truly lower themselves sincerely? It’s not the way of a gentleman to complain in front of someone who has shown such sincerity. Yes, it’s good to see you.”
As the Emperor acknowledged her greeting, Beatrice raised her head.
Her gaze, as it met mine, was colder than I had ever seen before.
Beatrice’s eyes, clearly visible through the barrier the Emperor had created.
She looked at me and the Emperor for a moment before speaking.
“If one who is not even allowed in the same space as Your Majesty is not humble, then who is?”
At Beatrice’s words, the Emperor spoke with an expression of interest.
“Oh, indeed. Those who try to peek through holes in walls deliberately set up are usually those with a strong desire to take others’ things at will.”

To the Emperor’s response, Beatrice slightly raised an eyebrow and answered again.
“I merely removed an eyesore that was arbitrarily erected, as is the duty of the owner.”
“An eyesore, you say. Do you call yourself a merchant while failing to properly assess the value of things?”
“Then how highly does Your Majesty value that eyesore?”
“At least more than you think.”
“…I’d like to exchange views on that value. Would you dare give me the opportunity for a private audience with Your Majesty?”
The atmosphere suddenly turned chilly.
Even the Ice Age that was said to have come to Earth once, or the cold of the North that could freeze even people, probably wasn’t colder than this.
From the moment the conversation started, I couldn’t say anything and just listened to their exchange.
I vaguely understood their conversation at first, but from the second exchange on, it changed to a level I couldn’t grasp at all.

Only the thought that I absolutely shouldn’t interfere with these two dominated my mind.
“My First Star.”
“You.”
Therefore.
“It seems I need to have a brief chat with this merchant.”
“Could you vacate the place?”
The moment I heard their orders to leave, I fled the place faster than light.