Bulat bringing Lancer to Liver's house greatly startled the latter. Liver had thought he would never have the chance to see Lancer again in his life, but he hadn't expected to meet Lancer again four years later. The two also talked late into the night, but when Liver suggested taking Lancer to see the Emperor...
"Forget it, 'Lancer' is just a dead man."
Although Lancer expression was very calm and even had a smile, Liver sighed helplessly in his heart. He knew that the impact of that incident back then had not dissipated even now, but he didn't try to persuade him further. After all, although Lancer expression was very serene at this moment, the determination in his eyes was enough to convey a lot.
Their conversation lasted until late at night. Liver originally invited Lancer to stay in his guest room, but unfortunately, Lancer ultimately declined. His return here was not only to see with his own eyes whether his actions back then had any meaning, but also to visit some places full of memories.
Undoubtedly, the first goal has been basically achieved. He decided to take one last look at the Empire's border the next day and then leave. Thus, he naturally wanted to visit other places with the remaining time.
However, the only thing that made Lancer feel strange was that the 'Emperor' hadn't sent anyone?
Lancer at this time was different from back then; both his personal strength and sensory ability had greatly improved. From the moment he and Bulat left the City Guard post, he noticed they were being followed, and it was even more so when they went to Liver's house.
He could guess who was behind these followers without much thought, but this was also good news for Lancer.
Just as he said when he left back then.
His goal had been achieved. While utilizing the other party's power, he also did many things for the other party. Although most of these things were what he wanted to do anyway, he undoubtedly no longer owed the other party anything.
From the other party's perspective, the choices the other party made were not wrong, as the other party was the leader of this vast Empire. But understanding does not equate to support, especially since he was the person involved.
Therefore, the best choice for the two of them was not to meet.
When he arrived in front of his former house, the damaged house had long been restored. Everything inside the house was no different from back then, but unfortunately, the person who once lived there was long gone.
After glancing at it twice, Lancer chose to leave without any lingering attachment.
As the sun rose, Lancer came to the barracks to bid farewell to Bulat, Liver, and Najenda. When Liver learned that Lancer wanted to go to the border, he suggested lending him a military horse, but Lancer refused because he wanted to try out the newly acquired ability.
After making an appointment to meet again someday, Lancer disappeared into the crowd.
After leaving the Imperial Capital along with the flow of people, he unconsciously glanced at the Imperial Capital behind him.
The last time he left, he was also alone, just like this time, but his eyes were completely different.
In the past, his heart was dead, and he only wanted to leave as quickly as possible to forget everything. But at this time, although he was also alone, his heart was full of hope. He longed to witness with his own eyes the changes in this world over the past four years.
Lancer, sprinting at full speed across the wilderness, quickly attracted the attention of some Danger Beasts. However, Lancer was not very satisfied. After all, ordinary Danger Beasts were not even as fast as him. Other than saving a bit of trouble, they were meaningless, unless ——————
"Wah~!"
Looking at the bird-shaped Danger Beast flying over his head, he showed a 'gentle' smile and then decisively took out a javelin from his weapons box...
——————
With the mobility of the flying Danger Beast, the journey to the border, which would have taken 2 days even with a forced march, took him only half a day to reach. The price, of course, was the bird-shaped Danger Beast lying on the ground, constantly emitting strange sorrowful cries.
Generally, Lancer would not let go of his 'prey', but considering that the Danger Beast had been working hard without complaint for the better part of the day, Lancer finally chose to leave decisively.
Standing on the small hillside, looking at the fortress where he had stayed for nearly a year, his emotions were momentarily stirred, especially when he saw the fortress gates open and commoners occasionally entering and exiting. His eyes sparkled.
It looked like an extremely ordinary scene. Even the soldier yawning on the fortress wall was so ordinary, but for Lancer, it held great significance, because it meant that the vicinity of the fortress was basically safe, safe enough to allow commoners to enter and exit.
Those 'ordinary people' who were 'familiar' to him but didn't know him;
Ordinary residents talking with the City Guard in the Imperial Capital;
The almost non-existent hedonistic noble sons;
The peaceful border fortress...
All of this was so ordinary, yet for Lancer, who knew the 'future', it was so extraordinary.
"Ha..."
"Haha~"
"Hahaha!!"
He laughed loudly, leaning on a tree as if insane. The unrestrained laughter sounded extremely harsh, but he himself didn't care at all. In fact, he even felt a little breathless as he laughed.
"I really was an idiot."
At this moment, Lancer no longer had the inclination to go to the fortress to inquire for news, because everything he saw before him was enough.
"Whoosh~!"
The red scarf was blown high by the wind unique to the desert, and he himself walked against the wind with a smiling face.
A line of poetry unconsciously appeared in his mind at this time.
「Amidst the dust and wind, I sing, let others judge right and wrong.
How can sparrows understand the intention of the great roc? What if the world slanders me?」
What if he was the executioner of the Empire?
What if he was a ruthless butcher?
His wish has been fulfilled, so his actions were meaningful.
At this moment, the last trace of confusion in Lancer eyes seemed to vanish with the wind, leaving only a determination as firm as a rock.
What I did was right!
My sacrifice was not meaningless!
Then the next thing I need to do is to continue walking forward!
Perhaps Lancer didn't realize it, but as his 'knot in the heart' was undone, even though there were no changes on his attribute panel, the feeling he gave off had changed significantly...
——————
"Use 'Welfare Instance Entry Ticket'!"
「Use ———— Welfare Instance Entry Ticket」
Lancer had been afraid to return to 'Tokyo' before, because he was afraid that the 'butterfly effect' caused by everything he had done would lead to the disappearance of the people he knew. But at this moment, he was no longer confused. However, in order to better achieve his goal, he ultimately decided to use the 'Welfare Instance Entry Ticket' again. After all, every bit of improvement in strength would increase the success rate of his plan by one more point!