To whom is this atonement directed?

What is the meaning of this guilt?

Sorry.

I’m really sorry, but there’s no one to address.

The expression was subtle.

Empire Year AC 1259.

The recorded year was completely blurred. It has been more than 30 years since then.

Since then, the records have been severed.

“The ink is all dried up at the back.”

“Let the investigative team handle it for restoration.”

“Just leave it like this. Just, like this.”

Sharlov fumbled with the typefaces with his fingertips.

“If it’s 30 years ago, it’s before I was born. It’s delicate to read the inner feelings of my mom. It feels like I’m stealing it.”

The diary was closed.

It was put into a paper box and covered with a lid.

‘Ah.’

The ground vibrated.

An earthquake?

Drrook. Drung.

Drdrdrdt.

He grasped the table with his hands.

The tremor was transmitted into his hands.

Tat-tat.

Tat. Thud. Thud-thud-thud.

The table shook.

No? Is it deeper? Feels like it’s under my feet.

No, it’s deeper. It’s going down even further.

‘Squeaking.’

Those with sensitive senses realized it effortlessly.

Underneath my feet.

The vibration spread on the ground.

Benjamin turned his gaze outside.

“Are you outside?”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The guards made noise outside.

“It’s noisy outside.”

“The ground shook a little.”

“An earthquake?”

“We haven’t confirmed yet, but it seems so.”

“Keep your gaze a bit further. The epicenter is far and deep. It’s not this way.”

His gaze reached beyond the windowsill. Further. Deeper.

As the sight narrowed, the senses dulled accordingly.

“Where is the earthquake coming from?”

“East. Beyond the east.”

“That the aftermath reaches here…”

“It’ll depend on the magnitude of the earthquake.”

The mansion servants were lingering outside. Those with brooms swept the dirt.

Whether it was to fill the garden with new soil or not, next to the pile of soil, they left brooms, shovels, buckets, and such.

The pile of soil fell over as if pushed. The broom left next to it got buried in the dirt.

“It might be good to check outside.”

Tak-tak-tak rapid footsteps followed. The sound was heard from outside.

“Your Highness! Apologies for the early hour! The master urgently seeks you. There’s a commotion outside…!”

Sharlov covered himself with a shawl.

“It’s better to prepare to leave.”

I understand that this change is not favorable for the Empire.

Afterwards, the items were returned to their original places, and this time, the wardrobe closed properly.

The rural village of Portuta.

A log house was located below the sheer cliffs.

Each house had neatly arranged axes and firewood.

Firewood was piled in front of the door, and squirrels climbed up the stack of firewood like a tower.

From one chicken coop, a chicken clucked.

“Again! Again! Stepping on it! Why do these guys keep breaking the eggs, not knowing how precious they are!”

When the chicken stretched its legs stiffly, an egg squished beneath. The yolk burst, and thick egg mixed with soil.
The woman rolled up her sleeves and took out the broken egg. She discarded it outside and picked up another egg into the basket.

“Hmm?”

Coo-coo-coo-coo!

“Why are these like this?”

Coo-coo-coo!

The five chickens in the coop fluttered their wings and squawked. White and red feathers fluttered.

The woman, who had been slapped on the cheek, staggered and reached out her arm.

“Eek!”

The woman reached out her arm and grabbed a white wing. It was when all the feathers covering her vision fell.

Her eyes landed on the basket. The basket was filled with carrots and red cabbage from the farm.

Today’s breakfast will be vegetable stir-fry and scrambled eggs.

At that moment, a breath trembled nearby.

“H-Hey, did you see it?”

“Why do you keep telling me to look?”

“O-Over there! Just look over there!”

The woman lifted her head. A black crow covered the sky.

Caw, caw.

Those who were tearing and screaming left the sky.

Dry sky, no clouds. Such silence was eerie.

Again, it shakes.

Heeek! The woman wet her throat and experienced this change with her body.

“D-Did you hear it?”

The ground shook as if twisting under her feet.

“The… the cliff is collapsing!”

The mercenaries who were staying at the inn came out. The muscular mercenary group squeezed the guests into the side.

Thunk!

The mercenaries picked up the fallen guests on their shoulders and ran outside.

“Y-You wretched guys! Why collapse here even when you fall!?”

Sloppy curses echoed loudly.

“Come out! If you don’t want to die, come out! Hurry! Run, you wretches!”

“Don’t look back, or you’ll be late! Leave the fallen ones behind and run!”

The mercenaries who had fought against monsters were sensitive to all senses. The first to realize this change was also the mercenaries.

Soon, the animals realized it too. Cows from the barn poured out.

Drrook.

Drung.

The vibration spread widely. It rattled as if hit by a bombardment.

Boulders rolled down from the rocky mountain in torrents, and dirt poured down, covering the village.

“R-Run! Run! Don’t walk, run!”