Athena's General Reincarnated in Another World

Nathan Evenhart:

"That was the message the Illuminated Ones gave my people: 'If you kill every last human from that continent, the portals will disappear. They're the cause of their existence.' That's why everyone in the Theocracy wants you dead."

I looked around at the faces in the room. Many were staring directly at the dukes of their respective territories. Not all were present, but I did see a few elven military officers—though none appeared to be high elves. Among the demi-humans, there were many with tribal features—those resembling cats, rabbits, even dogs.

A part of me finally understood. Like a missing piece falling into place in a puzzle. The reason behind it all—the wars, the hatred. We'd always been told it was because the True Humans believed our presence triggered natural disasters. But all along, it was something deeper. This. Maybe this is why they call us demons. Maybe they truly believe we're the reason those monsters keep invading their land.

Sifu never mentioned any of this.
Could it be that anomalies didn't exist where he lived?

I thought back on the years spent with the monk. He never really spoke much about the rest of his continent. He'd grown up isolated in a monastery, and even when he was rescued by my grandfather, he'd remained largely disconnected from the world. The only time he'd returned to that land was during the last war, when he'd used his appearance to blend in and spy on the enemy.

"Why did you hide this from us?" someone finally asked.

"Because it was necessary…" someone answered. But it wasn't Sinclair or one of the monarchs.
It was Duke Valemont—Edmund's father.

"You knew about this?" another person asked sharply.

"Not all dukes were informed," replied Grand Duke John. "Only those with direct military ties. But there's a much bigger reason behind the decisions we've made—decisions many of you judge as 'controlling.'"

Before anyone could ask what that reason was, Professor Sinclair's voice interrupted.

"The anomaly is spreading…"

The images on the magical board shifted again.

"What do you mean?" someone asked.

"Until recently, anomalies only appeared in the Theocracy. But now… we've found one near the border."

The image showed a massive rift partially hidden in a snowy ravine. At first glance, it blended in with the terrain—but there it was, undeniable.

"This one hasn't released anything. It's just... there. And the worst part is that it's growing." She pointed at the image. "This was taken six months ago. Now... here's an image from twenty days ago."

When the newer image appeared, silence fell over the room like a weighted blanket.

"That's… massive," someone whispered. It was the only thing anyone dared to say.

"This is the problem we're facing," said Sinclair. "And it's not just this one. Several smaller anomalies have been detected all along the border, on this side of the continent. Just like this one… they're not releasing monsters. They're just there."

The murmuring began again, louder this time—fear laced through every word.

"Well then, why not use the simple method?" said one noble. "I'm no zealot like the True Humans, but why not use prisoners? Throw them into the anomalies?"

"We already did," replied King Charles grimly. "We used criminals who were already sentenced to death, but… it didn't work. The anomaly is still growing."

Hearing a king admit something like that cast a heavy silence over the entire room.

King Haiten was the first to speak.

"The one good thing is... nothing's come out yet," he said carefully. "But perhaps... it's simply not big enough yet for whatever's on the other side to get through."

"Or maybe what's on the other side just hasn't reached the numbers needed to push through," Professor Sinclair added.

Grand Duke John stepped closer to the projection board.

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"If we follow the pattern of these anomalies, we'll notice they're appearing closer and closer to our side of the border," he said. "And I believe it's only a matter of time before they start showing up inside our own lands."

That stirred a wave of murmurs from the audience.

"But… for now, none of the new ones have released anything. At least… not yet."

I stared at the growing map of portal locations, deep in thought. Everyone else was focused on the visuals, the theories, the fear—but they were forgetting something.

"The incident at the tower," I said aloud, cutting through the murmur of voices. "What if those monsters we fought came from one of these anomalies? If that's true, it means there's already a portal inside this city—and worse, it brought things through."

The murmurs immediately intensified, more chaotic now.

"That incident was not caused by an anomaly," Director Victoria declared firmly, demanding silence with her voice alone. "We cannot explain the full details, but rest assured… it won't happen again."

Her answer offered no comfort. On the contrary, it seemed to fuel the rising unease that filled the room.

That doesn't make any sense. If it wasn't a portal, then what was it?

We all turned our attention back to the director and the monarchs—but their expressions made it very clear that they would not be sharing anything more.

"Based on the reports from captured humans from the other continent," Professor Sinclair spoke up again, "the situation there has worsened. Even the Song Dynasty is starting to see more portals. They're in crisis, which might explain why they've gone so quiet on the border lately. They have their hands full."

"Wait—if these things are getting out of control," one noble asked, "then what happens when they start showing up on our continent? Is there anything we can do? You must have a plan."

"If that happens," Grand Duke John said plainly, "then we'll rely on the same solution. We throw someone from their side into the portal. We'll use prisoners."

"But… you just said some of the portals don't close even when that happens. What if the ones that release monsters can't be sealed at all?"

Silence fell again—heavy, tense, unavoidable.

"For now," John continued after a pause, "we deal with today. Tomorrow is another matter. But yes… we're preparing a military force to confront this threat."

His words didn't offer comfort. They only stirred more whispers and fearful murmurs among the nobles and officers.

"Order!" King Bartholomew slammed his fist on the armrest of his seat. The room fell silent.

"Now we're finally getting to the heart of the issue," he said, clearly irritated. "I won't insult the other monarchs sitting beside me. I respect you. But you three—rulers of the other realms—know exactly what lies on the other side of these portals."

Footsteps echoed across the hall.

Queen Agnes stepped forward, walking to the center of the room.

"Of course we know," she said without hesitation. "These portals are connected to Svartalfheim… or as it's also called, the Dark Realm. That's where these monsters are coming from."

She stood tall and calm, like the weight of the room's fear meant nothing to her.

"The rulers of the Three Realms have always known of this place. The truth has been kept in our royal bloodlines for generations."

Gasps and anxious murmurs filled the air.

"And now, it's time you all knew too. On the other side of those portals... lies another world. What I'm about to share is an ancient secret, guarded for centuries."

The queen exhaled deeply and walked slowly, deliberately, letting her words sink in.

"The truth... is far worse than any of you imagined."

"A long time ago..." Queen Agnes began, "the Founding Emperor was visited by higher beings. Beings with powers no mage could ever hope to possess. They helped him reunite the fractured kingdoms. They gave him deep knowledge of mana... and an egg. From that egg hatched the first Asalon Horse."

Murmurs rippled through the rows of soldiers, but quickly died down as King Charles cast a stern glance across the room.

"The Founding Emperor became what he was because of that magical beast. No one could stand against him. A mage who could fly while mounted on a familiar was unbeatable. No wall could stop an enemy who attacks from the skies. The only thing these higher beings demanded of the emperor was this: 'Protect the border. Do not invade the other continent, and do not allow it to invade you.' That was the agreement. Maintain the balance. One of the beings explained that the continent had been fused with another. And if the border was protected—if no side advanced—then something called the Great Conflict, or 'Ragnarok', could be avoided."

Queen Agnes fell silent for a moment, letting her gaze pass briefly over every face in the room. But me... I was stuck in a whirlwind of emotion.

Ragnarok? That's... what ended the ancient civilization. That's what I saw in my vision, when Mimir spoke with Freya. Does that mean it's going to happen again?

My heart began to race, and I turned my head, sensing eyes on me. Queen Garnora was watching, clearly having noticed the shift in my heartbeat. A moment later, she looked away and returned to her usual posture.

Is this woman suspicious of everything?

"The Emperor honored the agreement, and when he died, he passed that duty to his descendants. That's how the three kingdoms have functioned ever since, each maintaining the pact. They made our ancestor an Emperor, and that title would remain ours as long as we fulfilled this mission," the queen continued.

She turned to the screen, and an image appeared—an artistic rendition of the Founding Emperor kneeling before a towering figure.

"Those higher beings... they were powerful beyond comprehension. One day, before his death, the Founding Emperor was visited again by one of them. To ensure that the pact would be upheld by the Empire, which by then had split into three kingdoms. And before the being left, the Emperor asked his name."

Suddenly, King Charles was staring directly at me.

"The higher being identified himself as Siegfried Hraesvelgr VII," he said. "Nathan Evenhart. Tell me exactly how you knew the name Siegfried. This is a secret held only by my family. My son is a witness—you spoke that name to the strange man who came to see you in the tower. Answer me, Nathan Evenhart. Under the penalty of treason against the three kingdoms, tell me how you knew the name Siegfried Hraesvelgr!"