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Gilbert Lion Heart, upon receiving an urgent communication from Briana, expressed his intention to return to the Papal Palace immediately.

Usually, Warp Gates connecting to other countries undergo complex screenings.

This is done thoroughly for security and safety reasons, much like modern immigration checks.

This was no different for the Divine Empire.

In fact, due to devil worshippers or heretics, the management was even stricter, so even if he expressed his intention to return immediately, some time was still needed.

However, Gilbert’s request was accepted unbelievably quickly.

Although internal discussions on whether to recognize him as a hero were not yet concluded, it was thanks to being treated as a provisional hero based on the Saintess’s testimony.

Standing before the Warp Gate, Gilbert waited anxiously. He tried to contact Briana to inquire about the situation, but there was no response, indicating that the situation was rapidly changing.

“Lord Gilbert!”

“I will return first. Please contact me if there is any additional information.”

Veronica, having heard the news of Gilbert’s return, came to the Warp Gate. In his haste to prepare for his return, he had not been able to say goodbye, so he took this opportunity to bid farewell.

“What are you talking about? If the hero is going, the Saintess should go too.”

Veronica’s expression, as if she found his words strange, was devoid of any smile. She even showed a certain determination to follow him closely.

Gilbert shook his head at Veronica’s resolute demeanor.

“This time, I must go alone. With the current situation in the Empire unclear, it is highly dangerous for the Saintess to go to the Empire.”

“I will light the path for you. No matter how thorny the path, you will take a step forward because of me.”

“That is…”

“Truly, I tell you, those who walk boldly will find tomorrow. Those who do not walk boldly will look back at yesterday and retreat.”

Gilbert immediately realized that Veronica was quoting a passage from this world’s scripture. Although he was not well-versed in theology, the tone alone made it clear.

“The Lord has already shown me that my path lies beside Lord Gilbert. Seeing the revelation given to me in the prayer room yesterday confirms it.”

“This is merely a struggle between humans. Even if there is divine will, it is not assumed that the Saintess should intervene.”

“How can we know His will? We can only feel His arrangement when we have experienced everything.”

At Veronica’s firm words, Gilbert fell silent.

The fact that Briana, who always maintains calmness, urgently contacted him showed how dire the situation was.

There was no time to continue this exhausting conversation.

Reluctantly, he acquiesced to her accompaniment and waited for permission to use the Warp Gate.

“I’m sorry. All Warp Gates leading to Infractus are currently closed.”

A mage managing the Divine Empire’s Warp Gates, sweating profusely, approached. He conveyed that the connections, which were fine just yesterday, were now unilaterally severed.

Gilbert raised his hand to the babbling mage, indicating it was okay.

He knew it wasn’t the mage’s fault.

Seeing the Warp Gates closed, it seemed the rebels had begun their actions.

Gilbert sighed.

Warp Gates, as convenient as they are, become critical vulnerabilities during war. Even if the number of people that can move at once is limited, the ability to infiltrate such vast distances without any restrictions offers many strategic advantages.

Therefore, closing all Warp Gates at the outbreak of war is fundamental. So, even though he headed to the Warp Gate immediately upon receiving the news, seeing them closed indicated that the rebels had fully mobilized their forces and taken action.

What to do?

Gilbert began to consider alternative plans.

First, the capitals of the Divine Empire and the Infractus Empire were so far apart that traveling by carriage would take months. Even using the Warp Gate to the nearest city would still require at least a month to arrive.

Wait. There is one way.

Gilbert seized a thought that flashed through his mind.

The families holding the title of Margrave in the Infractus Empire each possessed a direct Warp Gate to the capital.

This Warp Gate could be used at any time with the permission of the Emperor or the direct heir, a measure to allow them to act as the Empire’s shield and the Imperial Family’s protector during rebellions.

Naturally, the Lion Heart Count Family, one of the current Margrave families, also had a direct Warp Gate. Having guarded the Empire’s borders for a long time, the Lion Heart Count Family meticulously managed their Warp Gate.

Of course, to use this Warp Gate, one had to go to Bismarck, the territory of the Lion Heart Count Family. Although all connections to Infractus were severed, there was still a way to reach Bismarck.

“Can we go to Orc of the Sigurd clan?”

“The connection there is still alive.”

“Then please prepare the Warp Gate to that location.”

“Please wait a moment!”

Orc, the direct territory of the Sigurd clan, facing Bismarck across a mountain range.

If they could use the Warp Gate to Orc, the time to reach Bismarck would be reduced to about a day. With the Sigurd clan, now an ally due to the peace treaty, helping would not be difficult.

Especially for Gilbert, who led the peace efforts. It was none other than Gilbert who, alongside Brynhild, the Grand Warrior of the Sigurd clan, was accepted as a friend of the clan.

“It’s ready. Will you go now?”

“I will go.”

Before heading to the Warp Gate, Gilbert looked back at Veronica. She had come without her escort knight, Johan.

It seemed she had come secretly without informing him, raising doubts about whether it was okay to proceed like this.

“Knight Johan will be fine.”

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

“Our hearts must have connected.”

“Are you sneaking away?”

“This is all the Lord’s guidance. It will be fine. Probably.”

Gilbert was bothered by the word “probably,” but as mentioned earlier, there was no more time to waste.

With a deep sigh, he finally crossed the Warp Gate with the Saintess. The aftermath would be complicated, but for now, they had decided to go.

Enveloped in a bright light, they arrived at Orc of the Sigurd clan in the blink of an eye.

“There will be a brief inspection.”

A dispatched mage from Orc appeared before Gilbert and Veronica.

Tanned under the hot sun, he looked different from other mages.

“I am Gilbert Lion Heart.”

“Gilbert Lion Heart…?”

The mage, who was conducting the mandatory inspection, widened his eyes in surprise.

Among the contents listed at the top of the duty manual that mages managing Warp Gates must familiarize themselves with, there was information related to Gilbert.

“P-please wait a moment.”

The mage hurriedly ran to the Warp Gate management office.

About one to two minutes later?

The mage who had run to the management office came rushing back with a man twice his size.

“You must be Lord Gilbert.”

“Do you know me?”

“I am one of the warriors who saw the Volsung Saga.”

Gilbert understood why the man before him had shining eyes. To the warriors of the Sigurd clan, the Volsung Saga was considered a legendary ancient culture and a sacred battlefield.

Having witnessed it firsthand was the most honorable thing, so it was natural for them to look at Gilbert, who had participated in the Volsung Saga, with respect.

“You were there.”

“Bravery and honor. Being able to witness that epic firsthand is the glory of my life. The Chieftain has also said that Lord Gilbert’s visit is always welcome.”

Gilbert hadn’t expected the ripple effects of the Volsung Saga to reach here, but it was a fortunate turn of events for him, who was in a hurry. Being able to shorten the complicated immigration process was a welcome relief.

“That’s good. Then, can we head straight to the Achel Mountains? It might be an unreasonable request right after arriving, but time is of the essence.”

“The Chieftain has also ordered that Lord Gilbert’s request be given top priority. Thanks to Lord Gilbert, we were able to resolve the food shortage without any sacrifices.”

“Please convey my gratitude to the Chieftain.”

“I need to report first, so please wait a moment.”

Gilbert nodded in response instead of answering.

The warrior administrator who had gone to report using the communication channel returned after a few minutes.

“Permission has been granted. You may proceed.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

“Not at all. Oh, the Chieftain asked me to relay a message.”

“To me?”

Chieftain Tarhal had met Gilbert during the main scenario of the Sigurd clan’s raid, but they didn’t have much interaction.

Their only connection was a few meetings during the peace treaty, so it was puzzling that he had a message to convey.

“He said he wants to see his nephew as soon as possible.”

“What?”

What is this about?

Gilbert raised an eyebrow.

The sudden, out-of-the-blue statement left him unsure how to react.

Whether aware of this or not, the warrior administrator grinned.

“Lady Brynhild has repeatedly said she would marry the person who defeated her. And didn’t something happen before she followed you?”

Gilbert recalled the moment he had faced Brynhild at the Lion Heart Count Family.

Under the moonlight on a dark night, Brynhild, with her long hair tied back, cut it off and handed it to him.

It was an act signifying offering her life to her savior and declaring him her lifelong companion.

Gilbert understood why he was receiving special treatment. He also realized why the Sigurd clan warrior before him was being so friendly.

“I wonder how strong the child between you two will be. I would love to see it if I get the chance.”

It seemed that within the Sigurd clan, Gilbert and Brynhild were already considered a married couple.

Gilbert, in a situation that made him break out in a cold sweat, couldn’t respond and simply headed towards the Achel Mountains.

With the help of the warrior administrator, Gilbert reached the entrance of the Achel Mountains and didn’t say a word until the moment he left, as the administrator waved goodbye.

“Lord Gilbert? Shouldn’t the hero be paired with the Saintess?”

What is this guy talking about now?

Gilbert, looking at Veronica’s pouting face, let out a long-suppressed sigh.

In this urgent situation, he couldn’t make sense of this chaos.

 

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