I Became a Foreign Worker Loved by Transcendents

-Vroom!

After exiting the Ark, the vehicles began to start one by one…

No, the term ‘automobile’ would be more fitting than ‘vehicles.’

In fact, they were designed based on the structure of vehicles from the original world, allowing them to move automatically without horses.

“It’s still a prototype, so we can’t mass-produce it yet, but it’s suitable for transporting people once we rescue them. Just don’t overuse it and break it.”

The Dwarves, who led the vehicle manufacturing, advised.

Thanking them, the members of the rescue team boarded the vehicles, while the Undergrounders and Zoin prepared to move along their chosen routes.

“We’re going to check the underground, just in case! If we find survivors, we’ll dig a tunnel right away to let you know!”

“Leave the sky to us. We’ll avoid fighting, but we can at least keep an eye out for you.”

They were able to extend their search range not only to the ground but also to the sky and underground.

Indeed, their abilities were proving to be a great help in the search.

Given that the area was filled with collapsed ruins and dangers, being able to move without being constrained by terrain was inherently efficient.

“Rescue successful!”

“Alright, the escort team will head to the Ark with the vehicles! The remaining troops will defend this area until the vehicles return!”

The rapid rescue through vehicles, and the defense to secure the path until their return was proceeding very smoothly under the cooperation of me, Ga-ram, Flang, and the expedition members.

If things continued this way, I had no doubt we could open a path and focus on rescues until our return.

“Wh-what is that size?!”

However, given the situation, I couldn’t feel completely at ease.

As we drew closer to the Imperial Palace, the expedition members simultaneously gasped as they noticed the cluster of monsters nearby.

Up to now, there had been creatures we could handle with just proper equipment and formation, but as we approached the Imperial Palace, beings that surpassed that level were gradually increasing in number.

The grotesqueness created by their distorted forms and their sheer size were both alarming.

-We… shall become… gods.

-More… we… must consume more blood…

But what terrified us even more was the pile of demon corpses stacked beneath them.

The demons that had invaded this vicinity were crushed by their hands, turning into offerings for their feasting.

“Each one is giant-sized. Such beings are densely surrounding the vicinity of the Palace.”

“Those angels, are they perhaps guarding the Palace?”

Perhaps the only relief was that, unlike other angels, they seemed unwilling to leave the spots they had settled in.

But that, too, was only a small relief in the face of misfortune.

What we were aiming for was not only the Imperial Palace, but we also had to keep in mind that there would be dangers approaching other locations we intended to reach.

“Fortunately, the enemies heading towards the prison are relatively few, but it still seems difficult to clear a path with just the gathered forces.”

“Of all times, it’s at the point where angels and demons are clashing. The moment we get even a little closer, we’ll become targets for both sides.”

It was an obvious fact upon objective reflection.

The soldiers present here alone could not withstand the assaults from both angels and demons while rescuing people.

For that reason, many strong beings like heroes were needed, but currently, the only heroes here were Ga-ram and me.

If both of us were to enter the prison with them, our entry into the Imperial Palace would inevitably be delayed.

“…Damn.”

It was a situation where my frustration could only boil over.

If I couldn’t enter the Imperial Palace, I wouldn’t be able to meet Airi, and given the variable of the Demon King, I had no idea how much longer we could stay here.

To prioritize tasks in other areas under such circumstances, what difference does it make from being forced to abandon Airi?

“What on earth should I do…?”

“Master.”

A quiet voice interrupted my conflict.

Turning my gaze towards the source, I saw Flang pointing to the side of the Imperial Palace.

“If we head towards the sewer located in that square, we can enter the Imperial Palace’s interior without directly confronting the angels.”

“There’s a secret passage?”

“Yes, and due to their large wings, angels have difficulty moving inside buildings. The larger the number guarding the outside, the fewer there will be inside the Imperial Palace.”

Indeed, the angels we had encountered thus far had smashed buildings but hadn’t shown any inclination to enter inside.

So, if we could enter through the secret passage, we might be able to reach our destination without facing any additional dangers.

“And if we want to move stealthily, the fewer people, the better.”

Flang explained that, turning her back to me, her focus was on the expedition team.

That direction was the exact opposite of where the Imperial Palace was located.

“…Flang?”

“Leave the rescue of the people in the prison to me, and please head to the Imperial Palace, Master.”

“Wait, what do you mean by that?”

That was an unexpected statement from her.

For her, who had protected the empire for a thousand years, the opportunity to meet the Imperial family might be more urgent than for me.

“Flang, you… didn’t you want to save the Imperial family?”

Hadn’t she always kept in mind that she would clash with me over that?

If there were even the slightest chance I might make a choice that would harm humanity and the Empire, hadn’t she resolved to oppose me to protect them?

“Do you remember what I said before coming here?”

Yet, despite how desperate she had seemed, resignation was apparent in Flang’s voice.

“I think the Prince might be the main culprit behind this incident. Considering that possibility, I view you as important.”

“……”

“If it’s his intention, I can understand it to some extent. With the vampires who manipulated humanity from behind gone, humanity will inevitably fracture.”

I also understood that.

The fact that riots broke out across humanity’s territory immediately after the vampires vanished meant they had been suppressing the crowd’s anger.

And to the vampires, humans were nothing more than livestock and prey.

Relying on them would only lead to disaster, making humanity’s division an inevitable outcome regardless of the direction taken.

“The fall of the Empire was inevitable.”

And Flang had already accepted that fact.

That the nation she had served for a thousand years was about to collapse.

That the foundation of her reason for existence was crumbling, a future she, the protector of humanity, had to accept herself.

“That’s why he probably sought to send as many people out of the Empire as possible during the process of quelling the uprising. He must have believed it was a way to save the masses whose distrust of the Empire had reached its limit…”

That was the maximum understanding she had accepted.

As her gaze turned to the ruins of the collapsed city, a complex emotion began to surface within her.

“But even if I understand, there are victims. More people lost their lives to his plan than we can rescue.”

Yes, regardless of intent, too many people suffered in pain and fear and ultimately lost their lives to honor him.

If one must shed blood for what they believed to be the best choice, they couldn’t escape the responsibility for that bloodshed.

Knowing that, Flang could no longer maintain her loyalty to the one who had become her master.

“Though I say my heart still lies with the Empire and humanity… no matter how great a nation, it cannot last forever.”

At the end of that acknowledgment, a sorrowful smile appeared on her lips.

Faced with such a smile, I found myself unable to say anything.

I, too, had to accept reality like her, but I was heading towards the Imperial Palace, choosing ideals.

Even if I felt pity for the girl who sought to shoulder the responsibilities I should bear, I could not interfere with her choice.

“…I might waver when facing him, so I’ll leave it to you to decide what to do with him, Master.”

As we prepared to part in silence, Flang turned to face Ga-ram, who had been sleeping nearby and listening to our conversation.

“And Miss Ga-ram.”

Her voice was soft, carrying a sense of urgency unlike any other.

“Please take care of the Master in my stead.”

“…Me?”

“If you two are absent, I can take responsibility, and…”

“Our master is in a precarious position alone, isn’t he? We need at least one person to watch over him for peace of mind.”

A resignation to giving up one’s own wishes.

A voice filled with reliance and concern directed towards me, chosen as a substitute for him.

Seeing this, Ga-ram quietly nodded and began to hold my drooping hand.

“Don’t worry. We will definitely both return alive.”

As a way to respect her choice and express empathy for her feelings.

Once she had engraved that in her mind, Flang turned away without hesitation and began to run ahead toward the path leading to the prison.

“I’ll open the path. You all prioritize rescuing lives…!”

“Ah, yes! Thank you, Flang!”

The expedition members followed Flang, leaving the scene.

Given the bonds they had formed during their joint extermination efforts, there was no need to worry.

Now, what we needed to focus on was heading to the place that was the root cause of all this turmoil.

“Let’s go, oppa.”

“…Okay.”

The city was still collapsing under the rampage of the angels.

Angels lay scattered everywhere, but we didn’t have the luxury to confront them all.

Since our stamina was not infinite, we moved stealthily, minimizing confrontations and advancing little by little…

“…Are you really okay?”

At the end of that statement, as we approached the entrance of the sewer that Flang mentioned, Ga-ram tilted her head in confusion toward me.

“Are you saying I’m not okay? You don’t plan to turn back now that we’ve come this far, do you?”

“No, not that… but…”

Weren’t we supposed to rely on each other and not abandon one another from the moment we made our pact?

Now, it wouldn’t do to show her favoritism just because she was young.

“You noticed, didn’t you? What that girl truly is.”

The maid Flang and Cheska Plandor were the same person.

Recognizing that meant she could see a different gaze when I faced her.

It wasn’t that our relationship was bad; there was likely joy at seeing her again, gratitude for the help she had given during her time as a fallen hero, and resentment towards her for leaving behind excessive responsibility.

“If we return safely, there will be plenty of chances to talk.”

Yet all those conflicts could be resolved easily if we survived.

With that, Ga-ram expressed her feelings and turned back to look at me, her feet pointing towards the open sewer entrance.

“Are you ready?”

“Of course.”

With the signal, Ga-ram and I jumped down, making a whoosh sound.

Where we would end up would surely be a place darker and deeper than the darkness before us.

Since the root of all this turmoil was there, I could vaguely foresee that future.

And…

“Hero Ja-seong! We will join you, too!”

“Enough! Everyone, step back!!! It’ll take more than a few people to face that!”

The Ark at the time when the two entered the Imperial Palace…

Despite the cries of those guarding the Ark with him, Ja-seong stood alone to defend the fallen barricade.

There was nothing around him to protect him.

The barricade had collapsed from a grotesque monster that suddenly appeared, and the refugees and troops he had barely saved had long since retreated to the Ark.

“…Damn, I can’t face Hyo-sung and the kid after boasting about protecting this place and ending up like this.”

Yes, until repairs could be made to defend the Ark again, he was the only one who had to protect this place.

As he grasped the shovel tightly, someone approached through the corpses of angels, smiling triumphantly.

“Impressive! To think a mere short-lived creature like you could withstand this much against me.”

The wings sprouting from her back indicated that she, too, was an angel.

However, unlike the angels they had encountered until now, there was no grotesque distortion in her form.

More akin to a human than a monster…

No, she was better described as an Elf.

With pointed ears and greenish eyes, she resembled the Elf children who were currently relying on this place.

“That strange power of yours—does it come from another world like mine? Heh, the power to reverse the land is truly fascinating.”

“Kieeee!!”

The arrogant angel took a step closer, smiling.

Furious, Ja-seong plunged the shovel into the ground, reversing the surrounding earth, but the angel continued to approach, undeterred by the falling debris.

“But ultimately, it’s just a fragment.”

Whoosh!

With a single flap of her wings, the debris was blown away in all directions.

Ja-seong caught his breath when he saw his attack collapse uselessly, but she merely continued to smile softly.

“Everything about this noble body is filled with concepts that transcend this world… Do you truly believe you can defeat me with just one ability?”

Indeed, the one standing here was a being who had succeeded in embodying the most ideal and perfect form among the foreign species that embraced concepts from other worlds.

She was someone who could rightly be called an ‘Archangel,’ speaking arrogantly to Ja-seong.

“A mere short-lived being who can’t even live a century thinks they can compare to me, Auria, who has lived for two thousand years and possesses power rivaling that of a god?”

That power would surely surpass even the Demon King’s ability.

With such unwavering confidence, she revealed it without reservation.