Forsaken Priest of the Hero's Party-Chapter 92: The Story Beyond

First, I had to gather information. My gut told me this was the right place, but it was just an instinct, not a message from my Lord or angels. Which meant I could be mistaken.

I didn’t wait for Roka, I instructed the attendants to notify me if a blue-haired wolf child arrived,, as I would be at the gate in the plaza.

Ms. Rowena decided to join me, wanting to see firsthand what was happening.

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“Let’s go for now. I need to see what’s happening for myself.”

With her by my side, no one barred our way. The area by the gate teemed with soldiers, yet they made no effort to stop Ms. Rowena, the ambassador of Elvenhome.

One soldier approached us, eager to explain what was happening.

“That over there is the gate. Can you believe it? It’s like hell.”

“Is that really the gate? I can barely make it out—is there a fire?” Ms. Rowena asked.

It was a valid question. The gate nearly invisible behind thick, black smoke and swirling gray ash. If not for the people coming out, one might think there had been a fire.

The air reeked of sulfur, and it seemed as if the gate opened to a fate far grimmer than that of the Cidatel Republic.

“The situation in Vales City is dire; the ash has covered everything, and it’s blowing this way. It’s so severe that we’re forced to wear winter clothes, even though summer is near.”

He gestured toward the soldiers, bundled in thick clothing and scarves despite the warm season.

“That ash is toxic. Just touching it can cause rashes. Soldiers in short sleeves have been sent to the treatment center. Fortunately, we avoid contact unless on duty, but what of those arriving from farther afield?”

He explained that many were already suffering from blisters and rashes.

“Are there many patients?”

“Quite a few. Those with skin issues are lucky. They just need to wash off the ash and apply ointment. However, inhaling the ash and smoke leads to internal damage that no treatment can fully remedy.”

If the ash caused issues just by contact, inhaling it must be even worse. Soldier Panton rhetorically noted that many people were coughing up blood.

“Also, the ground is unstable, with aftershocks happening every day. People are injured by falling glass, tripping, or being struck by debris. The number of patients is overwhelming.”

The priests of the Three Goddesses set up emergency centers to help the injured. But, as Soldier Panton said, divine power couldn’t help once the ash was inhaled.

I offered to create a well, which seemed to please him.

“Many who cross over lament their thirst. I was considering requesting water, but now, with a well, we won’t have to.”

“If those who’ve escaped are in such a state, the ones left behind must be in even worse condition.”

“Do you believe those remaining are concerned for their health? They must be desperate. While the authorities seek to punish those who left, that is not our primary concern. People need help first, or there won’t be any money to collect.”

They compiled a list of refugees and recorded payments; those unable to pay were not turned away but marked as indebted.

The real problem, however, was the gate. Despite the smoke, it was small, only wide enough for a single person on horseback to pass. Even if it were run continuously, it could evacuate only a tiny fraction of the citizens.

Soldier Panton estimated that merely one-tenth could escape, though I believed even one-hundredth would be an optimistic figure. How could a whole city escape through such a small opening?

It might be possible if we had a year or even six months, but with only six days, it’s a struggle. We could not predict when the next explosion would occur, yet we knew it was imminent.

“Most people coming through the gate are not of high status, with a few exceptions. The wealthy and powerful have already fled aboard warships or secured passage on merchant vessels.”

The Cidatel Republic was a commercial hub, so even though there were many ships, it was impossible to evacuate everyone by boat.

Even the largest ships could accommodate only a few hundred souls. If they carried cargo instead of people, they couldn’t even fill half of that.

By the time those ships reached safety, everything might be over. So, the remaining people had to escape through the gate or die there.

“The Aldehir Church is evacuating children by airship, but their numbers are meager. Beyond the gate, only those desperate or resigned remain.”

It was a hopeless situation, but it made my resolve stronger.

The Lord’s will is for humanity to overcome the calamity they can’t face alone. But it appeared this crisis was beyond the capacity of mere human strength to resolve.

It came down to saving a few lives or failing to save any.

I had no option but to trust in the Lord to guide me through this crisis.

“Are you thinking of crossing over?” Ms. Rowena asked with concern.

“At first, I thought it was sheer madness, but now I grasp its true nature. Anyone with sense would never enter such a place.”

Her face turned pale as she stared at the gate shrouded in smoke.

“On the contrary, I feel even more determined to go.”

If I, foolish as I am, want to follow my Lord, I must throw myself into danger. There, people are in desperate need, and I must help them.

If all I can do is pray, I will, but I know that’s not all I can do. I have a way to save everyone.

My resolve has not faltered; indeed, it has only grown stronger.

Once Soldier Panton finished his explanation, he departed, leaving only Ms. Rowena and me.

“You won’t listen even if I try to stop you, will you?”

“There are people over there who hope for salvation, and my Lord is present. If I do not go, it would be a sin against God, humanity, and myself.”

Even as I decided to put myself in danger, my heart remained calm.

I knew I had chosen rightly, leaving no room for worry or fear.

“Master.”

A familiar, slightly tired voice called from behind.

When I turned around, Roka was walking toward me, frowning. The pungent sulfur from the volcanic ash must have overwhelmed her, for her sense of smell far exceeded that of a human.

Still, she seemed happy to see me, her tail wagging.

“I’ve been looking for you. Why did you come here... and who’s this?”

Her tail wagged even more, but I felt worried. How could I convince Roka to stay behind? I didn’t want to take her through the gate, but would she listen?