[Silver Ash] - Become The Strongest In Another World
CHAPTER 316: Men's Discussion (2)

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"Ah, yes, Rudra. Can I ask you something a little impolite? "

"As long as I can answer it, I don't think it's a problem."

Rudra calmly responded, then waited until Noelle asked what she wanted to ask.

In fact, there were many things that bothered Noelle's mind. He wanted to ask a lot of things, but he tried to suppress that desire and focus on one question that he thought was important.

"Why are you still in this place? It's been six hundred years, and I think it's really weird that you're still wandering around the capital, like a ghost. Have you ever had the intention to go to the outside world and see Queen Clament again? "

Rudra's head bowed. Although Noelle could not read her feelings, she knew that Rudra was currently suppressing a very strong inner turmoil.

The question may be too much for him.

Noelle only thought, that it had been a long time, so Rudra should have had enough of all those negative emotions. He could set foot outside the capital, and go after everyone who had started a new life. But it seems, the case is not that simple.

"Please forget—"

Just as Noelle was about to change the direction of the conversation, an answer finally came out of Rudra's mouth.

"Of course I have a desire for it. More than anything else, I want to return to serve His Majesty."

Her hands were tightly packed, and the crackling sound of the crushed metal Noelle could hear clearly. It came from Rudra's right hand.

"But .. I can't. I can't do it."

His voice sounded deep, and resigned as if he had endured millions of painful trials.

"Whatchu mean? " asked Noelle curiously.

Seeing Noelle still confused, Rudra explained, "When I was about to step out with my feet, I suddenly couldn't move. I think something's holding me back."

(Gh …. I'm starting to dislike this direction of explanation.)

Noelle realized it. The disgusting reason why Rudra was simply unable to step foot into the outside world.

There was a barrier, specially designed for Rudra so that he could not get out. Although it felt disgusting, it explained everything.

Noelle now knew the reason why Rudra's soul did not vanish, and still clinging to his armor was thanks to that barrier.

The barrier was most likely part of the result of a ritual performed by the same person who instilled Rudra's soul into his armor.

It was good because it was thanks to that Rudra was still alive today. However, to think of it as a good thing is a naive thought.

Decreased in inorganic bodies, it has no biological needs such as eating and sleeping. Can't step into the outside world even if he wants to.

Rudra had been stuck in this huge cage for a very long time, unable to do anything but lament the past, a time where he failed to save everyone.

Forced to stare and mourn the destruction of his homeland for hundreds of years, it was a very heavy thing for an outstanding knight like Rudra.

The reason Rudra was still sane at the moment was probably because there was a barrier installed on his soul. That barrier prevented mental corruption from taking over Rudra, and prevented him from falling into the condition「Berserk」.

That was why Rudra's voice and presence felt so neutral. Not because he was indeed calm, but because he was forced to lower his emotional meter.

Noelle began to imagine a situation where Rudra had no barrier. The situation where Rudra had already become a 'living armor' without any awareness, and only destroyed everything around him.

(Load for six hundred years, yes ..)

It was a thing Noelle probably wouldn't be able to bear.

Noelle could feel the blood and all her emotions cooling down, but not in a positive sense.

"Rudra .. Have you ever felt angry at what caused this to happen to you? "

(Ahh, no.)

The question worked, but his voice sounded so flat without intonation. Noelle turned her face, trying her best to keep Rudra from guessing what she was thinking.

Noelle tried to keep her face flat, but perhaps Rudra could see the action.

After a moment of silence, Rudra replied, "No."

"Eh? "

Noelle raised her head, showing a stupidly incompatible expression on Grei Noctis' face.

"Even though I don't know what's really going on, I've never considered this a curse. It's a task."

"Whatchu mean? "

Noelle was getting less and less understood. He frowned as he tried to digest that answer.

Ignoring Noelle, Rudrs again spoke, "No matter who or what keeps me alive until now, all of this must have its purpose. I was the only one left. And perhaps, this is my last task, to keep an eye on everything up close, and to prove that this Great Fortenia Kingdom once existed."

Rather than a curse, Rudra considered this to be the last task he had to fulfill.

Live and witness as well as evidence that the Kingdom of Fortenia ever existed. He also served as the 'cemetery keeper', who oversaw the place where everyone he knew met their end.

This was a noble task, a reason that might have helped Rudra in calming his negative emotional turmoil.

"Why ... do you think so? "

"Everybody who lives has a purpose, and that's what I've been aiming for all this time; watching and keeping everything in Fortenia. Even if my homeland is destroyed, I will continue to guard everything that remains. It may be in vain, but this is what will be proof that my homeland, the Kingdom of Fortenia ever existed."

(Ahh, shit.)

All of this made Noelle feel pain that was difficult to explain. Noelle felt Rudra's loyalty to her homeland was very similar to that of the Artof who sincerely sacrificed everything for the queen's resurrection.

What makes them so adoring to someone? Is it because of the charm? The instinct of being a weaker creature? Noelle doesn't know the answer.

the sincerity of Rudra and the Artof tribe towards Queen Clament and their homeland successfully made Noelle feel confused. He no longer knew what this feeling was called.

His chest was hot, and an uneasy feeling was running through his body and soul.

(Absolute loyalty, yes ..)

Actually, where did this feeling come from? Noelle should never have experienced something that could make her feel pain when she saw some form of loyalty and devotion.

In that case, did this feeling come from himself living in the previous timeline? Whatever the answer, Noelle felt she didn't want to find out.

While Noelle was being swayed in her own feelings, Rudra continued his answer. He had no intention of stopping, nor did he intend to disturb Noelle who was in her current state.

Calmly, Rudra said, "Though so, if I am really allowed to set foot into the outside world and return to serve Your Majesty, then, then I will gladly return to serve by his side."

For this reason he exists, to serve someone whom he loves and respects so much, his own queen.

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The search for the second day ended disappointingly. Noelle, Tania and Rudra found no clues at all.

It was still midday, but the three already had no intention of searching around the city. Now, the three sat in positions facing each other for discussion.

In fact, this quest mission was disappointing, and Noelle even had the intention to stop.

However, he endured it because it was part of his penance.

If he stopped here, then he would only repeat the same mistake; that is to make those who hung their hopes on him disappointed.

The Artof and Rudra were willing to put everything in place for the queen's resurrection, and Noelle was going to give up because she couldn't find the catalyst she needed? It was the same as him insulting the absolute loyalty Rudra and the Artof tribe had.

If that were to happen, Noelle would not forgive herself.

(I will not repeat the same sin.)

It was enough that he betrayed Louen's hopes and pleas by leaving the Nautica bar and everyone who worked in it. Noelle doesn't want that to happen again. He did not want to disappoint those who had hoped for him.

(After hearing all that ... there's no way I can keep quiet.)

Noelle smiled wryly as she thought about this unusual behavior of hers.

After thinking hard all night, Noelle finally came to one conclusion.

He would carry out this mission to completion, without disillusioning anyone. And for that, he had to fight to gather the two remaining catalysts.

Noir also said nothing to oppose his decision. Instead, Noir did not appear at all. Noelle sees this as a green light to develop herself and make amends for her past mistakes.

The decision has been made. But now, the problem was, where could he find those two catalysts?

Noelle began the discussion by giving one answer.

"Actually, we can retrace the path that Queen Clament took to get to the village of the tribe of Artof."

There might be a clue there. But, it's too vague. The outside world is vast. Although Noelle narrowed the search range to 'just the way the queen walked', it would still be difficult to find her.

After all, Queen Clament would not likely leave such an important catalyst out of hand. He must have hidden it somewhere, a place that could only be accessed by the person he saw with a vision of his future.

"We can try that, but …."

Tania agreed, but she looked very doubtful. Noelle nodded and agreed to his thoughts.

"In six hundred years, the terrain and topography of the Cold Forest must have changed greatly."

If that was the case, searching for two items like a queen tiara and blood would be a great challenge.

Just then, an idea flashed through Noelle's mind.

"Rudra, you knew Queen Clament even when she was a baby. Can you tell me what the Queen likes? Goods or places, for example."

If Noelle knew something about it, then it was possible that she could get a clearer clue.

"If it helps, then I'll tell you. Ever since he was a child, His Majesty has loved Mentine flowers."

"Mentine Flowers? "

It was not Rudra who answered him, but Tania. "Mentine flower, it is a flower that has bluish white petals. You can also eat it, the taste of the flower is rather spicy with a cold sensation."

(So it's similar to mint.)

"You know a lot, Miss. True, Mentine has always been a distinctive flower in the Kingdom, as it is one of the flowers that can bloom all year round despite the extreme winter conditions. Ohh, for the record, His Majesty's name is also taken from the name of this flower."

"Clament ... Mentine .. Clamentine? Ahh, it all makes sense now."

Noelle nodded, looking rather pleased as she discovered this interesting information.

Glad that Noelle seemed to appreciate the information, Rudra continued his explanation.

"Then for the place ... there used to be a hanging garden built in the backyard of the royal castle. But that place is already ruined without a remnant now."

Revealing that made Rudra lower his voice. Although not clearly indicated, Noelle knew it was hard for Rudra to say that.

"There should still be something to check there" Noelle said in a positive manner.

Rudra once again nodded. "But, I think there's one more place you're worth checking out."

"Where is that? " Tania with a rising spirit suddenly asked.

"The location is outside the capital, and it is actually not too far from the route that His Majesty and everyone else used to escape. But it's a rather hidden place, so you might have a hard time finding it."

"No problem. Please tell me what place and where it is."

The slightest hint was extremely valuable at the moment. Noelle could not waste it just because it sounded difficult and troublesome.

"Mentine flowers are able to grow and bloom luxuriously without any problems even in extreme winter. And around the place you now call the Cold Forest, there should be a hidden garden filled with flowers."

"Maos."

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