1206
Simon and Lethe were able to hear detailed stories about this world.
This world is called ‘White Land’ and it seems like a place where humans cannot survive because of the extreme cold in winter all year round.
But here too there was only one place to survive…
The name is ‘The City’·
In this world it is actually the last bastion and the only city where humans can live…
Fortunately it is possible to collect a mineral called ‘Pertilium’ from underground in this world. It is said that if you adjust this mineral and heat it the heat will spread over a wide and vast area. The City burns several tons of Fertilium a day. It is said that the city is maintained by its warmth.
The person who rules The City is the savior ‘Hieromir’.
He established ‘The City’ a space where humans can survive and gathered people from each area to live there. Inside the building you can plant grain or get milk or eggs from animals.
but·
“The City is hell”
Henry the man I met for the first time in this world spoke with his stern face and clasped hands.
“The harsh work that goes on for dozens of hours without rest is natural and sleep is limited to how many hours of sleep you can get each day. Food rations are small pieces of vegetables or bread but it is difficult to receive even that and people get sick or are weak. “With all this dozens of people are falling to the ground every day.”
Lethe’s expression became distant…
“···It’s almost a life like slavery.”
“I don’t know what slavery is but I think it’s better than our life.”
Henry put his head in both hands·
“Actually it’s nothing about the labor or the hunger. The truly terrible thing about The City lies elsewhere.”
“?”
Once every four weeks all residents of The City must vote
The vote is to identify ‘renegades’ in the city. There is no abstention and the name of the person presumed to be a renegade must be written on a white piece of paper.
The person with the most names in this vote is…
“It is the death penalty…”
Simon and Lethe looked at each other and opened their mouths.
“The City has designated ‘blocks’ a kind of living area. Hieromir orders that once every four weeks renegades who are plotting rebellion against the system must be found and expelled from the block and the residents of each block must be designated as renegades. “If you don’t have one you have to make it up and vote for it.”
“then····”
“yes·”
A dark shadow was cast over Henry’s face.
“You can guess what happens…”
No longer can we trust each other…
When returning from hard work fierce attacks and struggles continue among people in the same situation and distrust is rampant.
You can’t trust your friends your spouse or even your family. Every time voting day comes people in The City feel a sense of dread and fear that will suffocate their entire body.
However the vote may not take place. Before the voting day if someone in the block finds evidence that he or she is a traitor and reports it to Hieromir Hieromir will determine that he or she has also been ‘excluded’ and the block will vote for that person. It will be removed·
As a result people hate and distrust each other and are desperate to blame each other.
“···It’s severe·”
Lethe was clenching her fists as if she was truly angry ·
Simon also sympathized with Henry’s words about hell and said…
“I guess what sustains Hieromir’s power is the anger between residents.”
“Yes.”
Of course it goes without saying but those who obey Hieromir or those who contribute to him are treated well.
Residents of The City who frequently find traitors will receive a reward. The best thing is to join the ‘White Block’ which proves that they are the city’s upper class and Hieromir’s henchmen. Anyone whose name is on the White Block’s list will face death. Be free from voting
Among them there were those who called themselves judges and accused innocent people of being traitors and sent them to death.
“The only place in this world where humans can live is ‘The City’… Who would think of defection! But traitors must be pointed out and people are struggling in pain.”
“but····”
Lethe looked around inside the tent.
“This doesn’t seem like The City…”
“That’s right we are just vagabonds.”
Vagrants were a new concept in The City only two months ago.
Vagrants are made up of people and their families whose names were on the City’s ballot or who were accused of being traitors and ran away before they could be put to death.
Originally it was common knowledge in this world that you wouldn’t be able to survive even a few days if you went outside the city but…
“As you can see…”
Henry rolled up the tent. Beyond the tent a gentle flame flickered in a furnace-like machine. Thanks to the heat coming from this furnace it was barely possible to maintain a temperature that was bearable for humans.
“There is a great man in the upper echelons of The City… We call him a ‘revolutionary’… He has been collecting the remaining pertilium shells from us and secretly sending them to us… Everyone is telling us that we cannot live outside of ‘The City’. “I believed in him and thanks to him we were able to come out and somehow survive.”
“···Revolutionary·”
As Lethe rested her chin and repeated the name Simon opened her mouth.
“I know a lot about this world… I have a few more questions…”
“Yes since you saved our lives I’ll answer anything.”
“As you can guess we come from another world…”
Henry didn’t seem that surprised · He accepted it as if it was natural ·
“But how do you people in Whiteland know the language of our world? What are all the ruins and buildings outside? “How can we continue to have enough human resources to sustain the city when so many people are dying due to intense labor and voting?”
Why did Simon ask questions one after another?
I’m guessing but it was because all three were connected for one reason…
“Oh I see… I was sorry… I didn’t explain the most important thing…”
Henry cleared his throat and said…
“Whiteland is the final destination. Many worlds and civilizations come here after being shipwrecked.”
“!”
“I don’t know the detailed principles either. The problem is that all people who come from another world to this world have no choice but to head to the warm ‘The City’ to survive. In fact before they can go the searchers from The City go and They are arresting the strangers… They seem to know where the strangers have been transferred…”
Henry brushed his bangs with a grumpy expression.
“And I ask the strangers… Will you freeze to death here or become a citizen of The City? Those who choose the latter will be dragged before Hieromir of The City and their ‘memories’ of the previous world will be erased…”
Simon and Lethe’s eyes widened…
“Erasing memories?”
“Yes I don’t know the exact name of the disease but half of the people who come to this world temporarily lose their memories but regardless of that Hieromir orders everyone to have their memories permanently removed…”
“And Mr. Henry?”
“It’s the same for me and everyone who lives in this world lives in The City with their memories erased.”
Half of the people who cross the dimension due to Banish lose their ‘memory’ and it is said to be a temporary condition called space sickness.
And even if the remaining half remember the previous world they must all erase their memories of the previous world to enter The City.
“The upper levels give reasons such as ‘adaptation’ and ‘laws of space’ but I don’t know the details.”
Henry spoke with his stern face.
“The city is a place where all kinds of otherworldly people whose memories have been erased gather… I think the reason I am so fluent in this language is probably because you and I come from the same world…”
Simon and Lethe’s expressions became blank…
At that time Henry’s eyes turned to the cross necklace that Lethe was wearing.
“That necklace…”
“?”
“It’s a pattern that feels somewhat nostalgic…”
Upon hearing those words Lethe’s eyes filled with numerous emotions.
Perhaps Henry is a resident of the Holy Federation who was swept away by the ‘Banish’…
Simon also closed his eyes tightly suppressed his anger towards the Savior once and then said:
“It is fortunate that the memories of the previous world remain… We will destroy this world ruled by Hieromir…”
“!”
Henry’s eyes widened when he heard those words.
“Hey you mean Hieromir?”
“Not only us but countless people in the world we were in are preparing for war to return the people Hieromir took away… Please endure just a little longer…”
Henry waved his hands with a shocked expression.
“I can’t even imagine how something like that is possible…! Impossible! Hieromir is more powerful than anyone else in this world!”
At that time Lethe laughed and tapped Simon on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry Henry. Even though he looks like this guy he’s incredibly strong.”
“···haha·”
Even if it looks like this what does it mean?
“We will defeat Hieromir and take Henry to the warm place where he originally lived.”
A small light of hope appeared on Henry’s face for a moment but it quickly subsided.
“…Thank you just for your words… However many rebellions occurred in The City and what I felt each time was extreme despair…”
Simon got up from his seat.
What more can I say?
He had no choice but to show it with force and action.
“I want to go to The City. Please tell me how I can get there.”
* * *
The City top floor·
“····”
Someone was sitting on a bright chair…
A man with dark skin strong shoulders and a body so large that the chair looked small. His face was not properly revealed as it was hidden in the shadow on the other side but his presence made this huge room look full.
Then a searcher wearing a black wetsuit and a mask entered the room.
“Hieromir I have captured a stranger and brought him to you.”
Crack·
As Hieromir made a gesture a woman was dragged by two searchers with her arms held.
A blindfold was placed over her eyes her mouth was gagged and both her wrists were restrained by special devices.
Wow! town!
The woman was shaking her head drooling and writhing violently. The searchers holding her arms were also looking at her as if they were in trouble.
Sze…
Hieromir beckoned…
Then her blindfold gag and restraints were released all at once and she fell to the floor with a clanking sound. · Then she said as if she felt sorry for the woman ·
“Why such a shame…! Ah no that’s not it thank you.”
The girl who mumbles strange nonsense is none other than a member of the Rune League Holy Federation team.
It was Warton Spranger the 7th Inquisitor of Pain.
“····”
Hieromir’s eyes shining through the shadows were seen frowning…
[It looks like you still remember it. Why are only these little brats caught and not Simon Pollentiana or Lete Chardena?]
At his angry shout the searchers immediately bowed their heads.
“S-sorry! “I searched the location of the transfer but found nothing…”
[Where did you find this woman?]
“I found it in the northern snowy mountains…”
Hieromir stroked his chin ·
Since I was transferred to the Lake Forest on the 5th day of the Rune League I expected that there would be some remnants mixed in… However they were found in a place other than the Lake Forest…
[Explain]
Hieromir spoke in a cruel voice…
Wotton was shocked and quickly answered…
“Well I was just fighting a necromancer in the Rune League but then… I suddenly lost consciousness and when I opened my eyes I fell into the snowy mountain range… I don’t know anything! It’s true!”
[····]
Hieromir lifted his head and rested his chin on his opposite arm.
[I will erase your memories so you can live as a member of the lowest class]
“yes·”
The searchers came and grabbed her arms…
At the moment of desperation Wotton’s head flashed… She shook off the searchers ran and fell flat at Hieromir’s feet.
“Please take me away! I pledge my eternal obedience to you!”
[···?]
Hieromir frowned at her · She raised her head ·
“Simon Pollentia and Lete Chardena are also here right? And others besides him? I’ll catch them all! I have all their information! “If you don’t erase their memories I will capture them somehow and sacrifice them to you!”
[You are a priest of the Continent Holy Federation]
Hieromir frowned at her ·
[There is no need to leave behind the memories of those who are at risk of betrayal…]
“If I return to the Holy Federation I will be killed!”
Wotton cried and spoke in a voice full of appeal…
“I made the worst mistake in Rune League and didn’t do anything! If things continue like this not only will you be fired from your position as an interrogator but you will also be stoned on the streets and killed by people blinded by anger! So please! Please let me live here! I will prove my loyalty!”
hmm·
Ho…
Her searchers who brought her also rubbed her chin with an expression of pity about her · But her Hiero Mir expression did not relax ·
[Your skills are obvious even without looking. You are of no help to me.]
“Ha but I have a secret trick! Especially if the opponent is Simon Pollentia!”
The moment the word Simon Pollentia was mentioned Hieromir’s eyebrows twitched.
“I will definitely help you!”
Wotton started talking about his special skill ‘Vala Mortifer’. He said that if you bring him into the magic circle and stab him even Simon Pollentia can inflict a fatal wound in one blow.
A person who appeared to be a staff member slowly approached and whispered to Hieromir.
“If you are from a priest on the continent you are a talented person. After testing that ability if it is true use it to capture Simon Pollentia and other necromancers.”
[····]
Hieromir who had been quietly looking at Wotton finally opened his mouth.
[As expected I can’t trust people who flutter with their tongues. Bring in that stranger you captured earlier.]
After a while…
A new person was brought here by the soldiers. Warton’s eyes widened when he saw him.
‘Brother Sigmund!’
It was the holy sword user Sigmund. He also had his arms bound and his eyes and mouth blocked. He must have been captured long ago and was wearing the shabby clothes worn by the lowest-level workers in The City.
The soldier kicked him and knocked him to the floor.
[If you really swear loyalty to me…]
thud!
The electric whip used by The City’s prison guards fell at Wotton’s feet.
[Hit your colleagues]
The searchers who were watching shuddered and cheered…
“Oh you are as cruel as ever Hieromir!”
“I can’t believe you ordered such a thing! “You truly have no mercy!”
As Wotton was shaking his arms Hiero Mir smiled bitterly.
[Why can’t I do it?]
At that moment…
Wotton took hold of the whip at his feet ·
iced coffee-
Suddenly the air changed…
As she started stroking her whip she looked as if she was drenched in pleasure. There was electricity flowing at the end and she did strange things such as touching it to her body or touching it with her tongue.
“A nostalgic feeling…”
As she muttered like that her eyes became bright… ‘Kihahahahaha!’ and started swinging her whip frantically.
-Oof! Wooooow!
Sigmund struggled under the whip.
Slap clang!
The air shakes and blood bursts out. The searchers and staff who were watching the cruel torture looked disgusted.
Hahahahahaha!
Where did the figure that had just fallen down and begged for his life gone? It was like a fish out of water.
The searchers swallowed their saliva…
“Wow you’re so harsh… treating your colleagues like that…”
“I guess my loyalty is clear at that level.”
Hiero Mir who had been watching quietly for 10 minutes raised his palm to stop him. Wotton gasped and looked back at him.
The smile on her lips was that of a madwoman. The look in her eyes that wanted more was intense.
[Put the author in the white block]
The searchers who heard that opened their mouths…
Leaving a memory is a huge privilege and it was the highest level of treatment as it freed you from the ‘right to vote’.
[Reorganize the search party centered around the author· Bring Simon Pollentia and Lete Chardena before me·]
After saying that Hiero Mir raised the corners of her mouth and said ·
[What did you say your name was?]
Wotton knelt down on one knee and said in a soft voice:
“Warton Spranger I pledge allegiance to you master.”
Wiggle wiggle·
Meanwhile Sigmund whose mouth was stuffed with a gag raised his head with difficulty.
One of his eyes was exposed because the eyepatch had just been removed from torture. Sigmund’s puzzled eyes were staring at Warton.
