Shadow of the Evil God

"Not very good," Cesar said, smoothing back his water-soaked hair. "All the wear and tear, fatigue, and pain in the wilderness will be reflected in reality. At least I can ride a horse when I'm on the march, but when I dream, I can only rely on my own two feet."

She nodded. "Okay, one more thing. If you want to marry Annie in the future, I can be a witness for both of you."

"what?"

"We can discuss how to address each other later, but I hope that I can be the one to take care of your descendants..."

Cesar raised his hand to signal her to stop. He hadn't realized this person was already wanting to be godmother. "That's not happening," he declared. "You can call her whatever you want."

Altinya pondered. "You mean, that night was just a romantic accident, without any serious commitment? It seems she is not as conservative as I thought..."

"No, there's nothing unexpected about it. Where did you hear that?"

Chapter 175 The most correct decision in my life

Cesar recently discovered that Altinya has many overly mature decisions, but this

These decisions were not based on her own judgment, but on her observation of past history. This was not a bad thing, but her memory was too good, and she was too familiar with history, almost effortlessly, which affected many of her actions.

For many things, as long as she can find similar events in historical documents, she will immediately think of the records in the documents, and then she will draw conclusions and make decisions too early.

She considered herself a teacher, most likely because she observed the many ways in which the royal families of the past interacted with their subjects, found one she admired most, and decided to emulate that approach. Now, upon hearing the news that César had spent the night in the Duke's eldest daughter's bedroom, her thoughts quickly turned to marriages between nobles, and then to becoming a teacher for their descendants.

This line of thinking was so jumpy and abnormally fast that it looked like Artinya had found a similar story and tried to emulate it.

Acting in this way could make up for her youth and lack of experience, but sometimes, it seemed like she was just copying others too quickly.

"I rarely pursue the sources of rumors unless I have to," explained Altinya.

Cesar found her truly marvelous. The more he observed the details, the more he could see the strangeness beneath the demeanor she tried so hard to maintain, like an inconspicuous flaw on the edge of a perfect painting, which could only be noticed after looking very carefully.

He thought about it and finally told the truth: "Diana has a lot of thoughts in her mind that are tangled into a knot, but she doesn't say them, so I found an opportunity to untie them, that's all. I have been owing her things since I met her, and then the debt has increased. There is no one thing I can repay."

Altinya's eyes widened slightly, a look of bewilderment. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Cesar didn't find her response strange, but she was surprised to find that things had deviated from her preconceived notion and she had become speechless. This was something he hadn't expected.

She quickly calmed down. "I don't think people have the luxury of thinking about others at a time like this," she declared.

"Whether I have the luxury or not, I don't want to shut myself off and just look at myself. It's common to refuse to care about others when you're traumatized or in trouble, but you can't expect everyone to play saint and do their best to understand, accept and tolerate you."

“But you look like you’re taking on the role,” Altinya said hesitantly.

"More or less. If a person really wants to bear the weight of the title of teacher, he has to do this. That's what I think."

"But I'm your only student, Teacher Cesar." She seemed to have found her footing.

"This isn't a puppet show you perform when you need it, but something that lives within us. It can be a friend, a teacher, or any other relationship that requires mutual dependence. Have you ever thought about something similar in yourself?"

Her Royal Highness the Princess frowned, first supported her chin with her right hand, then covered her mouth, and it took her a long time to form words.

"What's the difference between a puppet show I perform when I think of it and this, sir?"

“Only you know the difference,” Cesar said, “because sometimes you have to live in the world instead of always standing on the stage with a mask on.”

César flipped through the account books, counting the military supplies Count Villars had promised him, and walked along the grounds littered with tents and wagons, observing the entire force. At first, Artinia followed him silently, but soon she began to ask questions, launching into a stream of inquiries about any detail around her, from history to politics, from philosophy to logic, from physics to mathematics. If his thinking ability hadn't improved significantly recently, he wouldn't have been able to keep up with her endless questions.

"Speaking of the general who spent his life fighting the Sasoulai," Altinia said, "I must tell you one thing. The maid who always stayed by your side was very likely his in-law. Back then, many nobles fled south. A small number sought to escape the empire, but most sought refuge with families they could rely on. She most likely disappeared on her way to join the old general, was captured by the slave-catching squad, and then ended up in your hands."

Cesar thought of the man who had denounced him at the meeting at Fort Gonzales, the blond, blue-eyed visitor from the Empire. The Kasar Empire was a complex, multiethnic nation. The Altinyas were known for their silver hair, while the noble families guarding the borders seemed to have blond hair. If the nobles of Olidan were seeking allies, a border general who was hostile to the Chancellor's forces would be a good choice.

"Just treat them as enemies, and don't overthink anything else," Cesar said. "If that old general attacks Fort Gural, it can't possibly be because of Gouzi."

Altinya pursed her lips. "Often, personal grudges do influence a commander's decision-making. Sir, imperial history is filled with instances of individuals leading tens of thousands of men to their deaths due to selfish ambition. A general's biased actions, a prince's foolish decisions, can all lead to dire consequences."

"That's true... the leader

My influence on the army is too great. Although I am trying my best to organize a new system to reduce the impact on my army, other armies are still following the old customs... So many people died just for some

Personal grudge or personal gain?"

"Noyen?" she asked.

"The siege of Neuen was initially due to personal grudges, but the Sasule people launched the attack for their tribe. It was because of this that I was able to convince their leader Musali and make him realize what was truly beneficial to their tribe. If Musali was the one with the personal grudge, I really can't say what the outcome would have been," said Cesar.

Artinia nodded, a thoughtful gesture, though closer inspection revealed a more profound nod of agreement. Whether or not the princess understood something, she would always give a profound gesture of agreement, and often, Cesar couldn't tell whether she had understood.

Despite this, her appearance and demeanor are still very deceptive, making many people who don't know her well think that she has really planned everything out.

Perhaps this is the etiquette requirement for descendants of the royal family.

"I will quickly and effectively seize the towns, forests, mines, and quarries near Gural Fortress," Altinya added. "However, it's best to wait until the effects of the war spread. Forced expropriation and leasing would cause too much controversy in peacetime. Only in wartime can we find the right excuse to make everyone turn a blind eye."

"First, rebuild the stronghold in Gonzales' territory and extend the logistical supply route northward. Once the war's impact spreads, quickly acquire land that can connect the supply route to Fort Gular."

"There are also rumors of beastmen groups moving south."

Cesar smiled. "Well, don't be too cautious about that for now, but one thing is for sure: if any town is destroyed along their route south, whether it's north or south of the fortress, we can quickly bring it under our jurisdiction under the pretext of restoration and construction. Many towns may seem insignificant individually, but when taken together and properly renovated, the income and supplies they can provide will surely be enormous."

"I'm eager to see the results of all your arrangements, Professor Cesar, because I've seen it happen more than once," Altinya said in a calm and gentle voice. "If everything goes well, if we can bring them further north, then my decision outside Gonzales will be the most correct one of my life."

Despite her calm tone, Cesar could still detect the intense longing within the princess. At this fork in her fate, she had already considered him her most crucial move. Whether this move toward him was a mistake or a win, at this point, she could no longer regret it.

Undoubtedly, this guy harbored reasons and aspirations for participating in the War of Succession, not through forced marriage or a relegated position as a minister, but rather as the mastermind, establishing a pure monarchy and completely overthrowing the current situation of feudal separatism, fiefdoms, and selfish struggles. From her perspective, her grandfather, the chancellor, and her mother, who came through marriage, were both enemies.

Unquestionable enemies.

A purely secular, centralized monarchy, or a constitutional monarchy constrained by a parliament of aristocrats, were two different paths, but compared to today's feudal kingdoms and divided empires, both were indeed historical progress. But then again, no matter how far-sighted Cesar's vision, the outcome wasn't determined by him.

So what is it? A winner? It sounds vulgar and cruel, but it is true.

Cesar knew that the various temples, kingdoms, and separatist empires that claimed to be legitimate royal families, as well as the Origin Society, would all participate in this war and many more to come for their own aspirations. Peace would be impossible to maintain until the dust settled.

Perhaps because he spent his early days in the slums and witnessed the changes in the lives of civilians in the downtown area and the tragic casualties, his understanding of the war has always been focused on the specific victims and the dead. However, in any case, the nature of this matter will gradually escalate, becoming more and more grand and, at the same time, more and more abstract.

At that point, casualties would become mere numbers, lives turned into stakes. People thought they were playing chess, but in reality, they were throwing their stakes into an endless darkness, engaging in a series of frantic gambles. Thousands, then tens of thousands, the stakes piled up, the casualties grew increasingly insignificant, and emotions grew increasingly frantic. Either they lost everything, or they secured the ultimate victory worthy of the stakes.

Chapter 176 You Lack My Focus

"One more thing," Cesar said, "I'm not sure who else the temple will attack. If you have any ornaments from the Orvera School, you'd better wear them when you sleep. Unless you feel too energetic and want to stay awake at night and follow us on a long journey into the wilderness."

"I won't make matters worse," Altinia replied. "Different areas should be handled by people with different expertise. But then again, you seem to have gotten involved too much."

"That's true, but I have to intervene. I have to do both sides and I can't get out of it either way."

"That is to say, the gradual accumulation of fatigue is inevitable..." she said thoughtfully.

“Maybe just

I'm just not used to it yet." Cesar shrugged, "As I get deeper into the curse, maybe everything will be resolved smoothly? By then, let alone the interweaving of dreams and reality, even if I don't sleep and stay awake for months or years, I will

"I can live my life as usual. After a few years, we will have lived the same number of years, but I have lived seven or eight hours longer than you. Isn't that a kind of fun?"

Altinya studied him. "You're a pretty good excuse for finding joy in hardship," she said. "But you're already in this state, waking up looking like you have a hangover. Why bother with trivial chores?"

“I’m just used to doing it myself.”

"It seems she's just your maid in name only..." She looked at Gou Zi, who was maintaining his rifle in the distance. "She doesn't actually need to act like a servant. She can do whatever she wants." She met his gaze and said, "You seem to deny personal dependence. Am I right, sir?"

Cesar smiled noncommittally. "It's better to say it's a question, but I don't ask for other people's opinions. I just want to live my life my own way."

"Hmm... is that so?"

He suddenly realized that lately, Artinya had never been accompanied by anyone, not when she was at the Dominican camp. "You're not going to tell me," he asked, "that you didn't bring a servant because you wanted to imitate me?"

Altinya blinked. "We happened to be on the march, and I wanted to try out the life you're living, that's all. Of course, it would be even better if I could figure out the reason why you have such insights."

"You are copying too much..."

"Besides," Artinya added, "after living like this for a while, I do have some different thoughts and experiences."

Cesar, unsure how to assess her, strolled to the riverbank and rested on a rock. The walls of Anglan, still towering in the distance, held the precarious throne of King Evered IV the Elder. Honestly, he didn't care who ultimately held the throne; he simply happened to be on Urbino's side. If the Council of Nobles were willing to nominate Urbino for power, and Urbino were willing to accept, he would undoubtedly defect and fight the Knights of the Kingdom, perhaps even against Domini's reinforcements.

"Do you have any different ideas?" Cesar asked.

"It's hard to say. Maybe it depends on more other experiences."

"for example?"

“I’d like to start by following you around as you visit the towns and mines. I want to know what exactly you’re trying to record,” she said.

Cesar had spoken briefly and lightly at the time, but now that Artinia had mentioned the specifics, his head suddenly hurt. Why had he suggested such a thing? He bent down, resting his elbows on his thighs, clutching his aching head. Yes, he had to survey and record the conditions of each town... This was something he couldn't rely on anyone else for.

"I don't want to be rude to you, sir," she said suddenly, "but I want you to lean forward a little."

César turned his head and saw her take off her gloves and reach out to take hold of his hair, which he had just wetted. Her hand was long and white, and it was tied up with his black hair, which was not only dirty but also tangled in a mass. For a moment, he even thought that it was stained by her hand.

Is it because they look like clumps of seaweed pulled out of a gutter?

"Uh, what are you doing, Your Highness?"

"Do what a student can do," Altinya said. She sat down on a lower rock nearby, scooped up a handful of river water with her right hand, and carefully stroked it through his hair. "You don't have to be so serious. You're my teacher. If there's something you really can't take care of, you can ask me to do it. Of course, because of my status, the things you doubt won't exist. You're not going to tell me that by doing this, I'm just being your servant, are you?"

As she spoke, her deep eyes gleamed with a smug glow. Cesar found it difficult to describe what she was so smug about, perhaps because she was so smug that her words could defeat his logic.

After noticing Cesar's silence, Artinia's expression gradually turned confident. The passing of the armed soldiers and the cacophony of orders further satisfied her, as if this was the wartime atmosphere she had hoped for. Seeing him clutching his forehead with his hand, completely unwilling to speak, a smile spread across her face, and she tilted her cheek slightly to the side.

"I think," she said, "you can think of me as trying out some different life experiences, Teacher Cesar. And, while I'm at it, I'm actually prepared to make some pretty outrageous demands of you." She smoothed down his black hair, which had been growing longer recently, dipped the ends of his hair in the water, and let the river flow slowly through it, carrying his tangled hair.

"I wish you had brought it up sooner, so I wouldn't be at a loss for words," Cesar said.

"I think," Artinya said thoughtfully, "since you always say that the knowledge is divine revelation and only want to make some manuscripts instead of compiling formal works, then I hope you can take the lead in compiling an encyclopedia of the Kasar Empire, recording the knowledge of various disciplines without signing your name. Not only will future generations, but also the Academy of Sciences that will be rebuilt from the ruins, our highest academic institution will regard this book as an indispensable document. With it as a starting point, scholars can climb higher, and the entire

The Academy of Sciences' future explorations will also be more targeted. The science of the Kasar Empire, which has long been in decline, will surpass that of the southern nations and even lead them forward."

"Your request is too far-fetched..."

"That's true.

Let me say something closer—is that enough? Managing the regular publication of books similar to "Anglan's Matter," translating important documents from the southern countries of recent years to the north, further experimenting with the chemical secrets of gunpowder proportions, and creating our own dictionary? As I travel south, I record my observations and thoughts, and there are many thoughts I haven't expressed yet.

Cesar was shocked when he heard this. "You should start by observing the local craftsmen and trade guilds. They are still too far away."

"It's still a bit far off, but I'll keep them in mind so I don't forget everything someday," Altinya said as she combed his hair. "Until then, I thought I should focus solely on the war itself. That's why I studied so hard. But since you mentioned so many things more important than the front lines, I think I must consider whether they are truly more important."

"Your confrontational mentality is truly everywhere, and it comes in waves."

Artinia ran her fingers across Cesar's forehead, pulling the wet strands of hair that had fallen onto his face up to his ears, then pulling them all up. This guy was clearly obsessed with lifting his own hair, and she wanted to create a similar hairstyle for him. "At least I'm better at washing your hair than you are," she announced. "If you ever have to wash your hair again, you'll have to learn from your mistakes today."

This person was able to announce this matter in a gentle and generous tone and manner. If someone didn't understand, they might think she was announcing the rules of chivalry.

"Uh, lessons?"

"You lack my focused technique," she emphasized.

Cesar noticed the single ponytail that fell on one side of her shoulder. "Did you do this hair yourself?" he asked.

"Of course it's not a problem for me to learn this little thing. As long as I pay more attention to observing the servants' methods, I will be able to do it easily when I do it myself."

"I hope you can tell me the same when you inspect local craftsmen."

"Indeed, but when I have become more proficient in the art of carpentry, I hope you will not be ashamed of your crude workmanship, sir."

"You two really can talk about anything..."

"Not entirely. Anne remained silent about what happened that night, and I didn't ask any further questions." Altinia sighed and continued to comb his overly tangled hair. "Because the situation was too similar to a certain historical event, I made some speculations. It seems that we can't be too trusting of the past."

"I've been meaning to say this for a long time. The current situation is no longer consistent with the historical changes you remember," Cesar said. "When comparing, it's best to only look at the outlines. Observe the details yourself before making any judgments. Of course, there's no point in saying this now. After all, we're not concerned about who's right or wrong between the nobles and the king. What's important is that the former won't give us anything, while the latter can provide us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"There are risks," Altinia said. "Avoiding the main battlefield the nobles have been preparing for decades is a good thing. Relying on the city walls and natural defenses is the safest way to train troops. But without the support of the Kingdom's Knights, we will have to face both possible attackers on our own. I'm unsure about the beastman community. Since you said you have a plan to deal with it, I hope it's true. I can offer some persuasion and defense to the Imperial General. Even if I don't succeed, at least I can buy time and find out their strength."

"Do you know anything about that old fellow?"

"Kalfres and I are not of the same race... But one thing is clear to me: the old general firmly believes that the emperor he holds is the legitimate one. He feels he has an obligation to uphold the authority of the empire and believes that everyone else is scheming. In this respect alone, he is indeed different from my grandfather."

Chapter 177: Hit him in the face with a fist

......

During the march, the weather gradually became hot and humid, and the nights didn't seem to improve. Although it was quiet and the sky was full of stars, Diana felt uncomfortable all over. They had recently hunted in the wilderness, and Phils was a little more awake, so Diana gave Cesar and her little ancestor some private time and left the tent alone.

She was going to see what Altinya had learned recently.

The road not far from the camp ran north, following the same path Diana had taken to reach Gonzales, hugging the mountains. The mountains were winding and undulating, with the foothills sometimes adjacent to the foothills of other mountains, leaving only a few narrow spaces for the road to pass.

It was already very late at night, and the air was extremely quiet. The soldiers on guard were dozing off. Diana met their princess on the way.

"It seems you've gained something in the wilderness," Altinia said to her. "So, what have you learned from observing your little ancestor?"

"I have a completely different view of my ancestor, Ferriers."

They didn't rush to talk, but first walked through several narrow and dark paths in the forest, climbed up the wooded hillside, and came to the foggy halfway point. Here the trees were a little sparse, and the moonlight that had been blocked by the forest finally fell with the raindrops hanging on the branches.

.

Diana found a rock and sat down. "Speaking of which," Altinia said behind her, "I recently figured out the reason for the matter and found that the reason why Mr. accepted the Grand Duke's conditions to go to Gonzales was actually very subtle. He asked your father to pardon a certain Xiel.

The monks and the Black Sword mercenary group, let them leave from Neuen, - this is an exchange."

"I've heard about it too," Diana said, "but it wasn't Phils, it was Cesar gossiping about his past experiences."