I Became a Foreign Worker Loved by Transcendents

The town square located at the center of Briton.

As the crowd gathered there murmured, I stood before the podium and took a moment to steel my resolve.

It was only natural to feel nervous.

What I was about to tell them could easily earn me the resentment of those who trusted me and came aboard the Ark.

“You’ve made your decision, haven’t you?”

While preparing to step up to the podium, a familiar voice sounded behind me.

I turned to find Boudoin approaching, accompanied by Annabel.

“Did your conversation go well?”

“Yes, thanks to your unnecessary meddling, we talked about all sorts of trivial things.”

As expected, he’s not honest. I thought to myself, receiving Annabel into my body and calmly facing Boudoin.

“…Thank you. You gave me a valuable opportunity.”

Though his body was nothing but bones, the wraith before me looked much more at peace than when we first met.

“I’m glad your conversation with Annabel helped.”

“Yes, thanks to it, I’ve figured out how I should live this second life.”

Boudoin offered me his sincere thanks.

This surely meant that, unlike when he served the Corpse Lord, he would now save the living of his own volition.

I shook his hand in respect and briefly explained what I was about to do.

“I will be leaving this place soon.”

I trusted him, as he had resolved to stand for humanity.

I was going to burden him with the responsibility I could no longer carry.

“I’ll try to return, but… it’s unrealistic to hope that everything will go as planned.”

Yes, if things went wrong, something brief could last forever.

That was the kind of task I was facing.

It was a selfish task, one that might drag all those who relied on me into a pit of despair.

“Can I count on you to handle things in my absence?”

“…If that too is part of my mission.”

Even though I would have to accept any criticism that came my way, he firmly clasped my hand, as if to show his respect for my decision.

In that moment, I secured someone to take my place once I left.

Grateful for his support, I turned away from him, ready to face my lieutenant, who had come to meet me.

“Hero, everyone has gathered.”

It was Lieutenant Sanson.

A loyal subordinate who had assisted me wholeheartedly while managing the Ark.

“Alright.”

I passed by him, intending to climb the podium, but my heart sank, and I hesitated for a moment.

“…Sanson.”

Without turning to face him, I called his name and took a moment to reveal what weighed on my mind.

“The speech I’m about to give might disappoint you and the expedition members who followed me.”

It was cowardly, no doubt.

What I was doing was no different from informing someone of a betrayal without even looking them in the eye.

“Whatever it is, Hero, I’m sure you have a good reason.”

“Even if it means betraying the Empire?”

Yes, what I was about to do was no different from betraying the Empire.

As a member of the Imperial Army, he had every right to feel betrayed, but I detected no reproach in his voice.

“…You must have sensed it too, Hero. The Empire has already reached its limits.”

Whether to drown with the failing Empire or betray it to uphold one’s own beliefs.

His words revealed the internal struggle he had faced and the decision he had ultimately reached.

“Unable to return to the Empire, we have chosen to follow you, so don’t feel burdened. Just be honest with us about what you have decided.”

“…Alright.”

I was grateful to him for understanding.

I silently expressed my gratitude and turned toward the podium, preparing to face the crowd.

Step, step.

I infused my steps with mana, letting the sound echo and draw the crowd’s attention.

“Everyone, please listen.”

As my voice rang out, the murmurs gradually quieted down.

With all eyes on me, I began with the question I had prepared.

“If anyone here does not know who I am, please raise your hand.”

“…….”

The town square fell into silence.

Not a single person raised their hand.

Normally, even within certain groups, many would not know someone’s name unless they had direct contact with them. It was unusual for everyone to recognize me.

But my ability created an absolute exception.

Once someone became aware of my existence, they would never forget me. I had become the focal point around which the group’s survival depended.

“…Yes, I am Woo Hyo-sung.”

Indeed, as Airi, Virgil, and that Crown Prince had all said.

With the Empire, our anchor, on the brink of collapse, I was the one best suited to gather and lead the remaining survivors.

“I am a Hero who came from another world to this one, just like you. I have formed bonds with comrades here and built a family.”

At that moment, fully aware of the weight of my words, I accepted their attention and began delivering the speech I had carefully prepared.

“We have fought desperately to survive until now.”

“We left behind the lands we cultivated and chose to wander through deadly dangers because we believed the chaos that swept through our homeland would eventually come to an end.”

I touched on the threadbare hope they clung to when they left their homes, preparing to delve into their hearts.

“But what I am about to tell you may sound utterly hopeless to those of you wishing for peace.”

Yes, this was what I had to do.

I was about to shatter their hopes of returning home after this tragedy ended.

“As the riots in the Empire intensify, the Demon King’s army is preparing a massive invasion.”

At the end of that statement, silence turned into ripples of shock, and soon the town square was filled with murmurs.

It was natural.

Hearing that the greatest threat to humanity was approaching in the midst of riots practically meant the Empire was on the brink of collapse.

“Do any of you believe that this Empire, which cannot even suppress internal riots, will be able to fend off the Demon King’s invasion?”

No matter how hopeless the situation was, turning away from it would only prolong the suffering under the false hope of survival.

In a world destined to sink further into despair, we couldn’t afford to ignore the inevitable.

“Yes, that’s right. The Empire will soon fall.”

And so, I forced them to face reality.

“The lands we have tried so hard to protect have reached their limit and will soon be lost forever.”

I withheld the fact that the God of Destruction would descend upon the Empire, but I revealed enough of the outcome for them to understand what was at stake.

“But does the fall of the Empire mean the end of everything?”

“I do not believe that to be the case.”

As long as we possessed the will to live, we must be prepared for what came next.

“Those of you who fled the Empire in search of a new home have struggled through deadly dangers and yet found your way to the Ark I lead. Despite facing monsters beyond our control, we survived and reached this point.”

The fall of the Empire did not mean the end of everything.

Even if an age of despair unfolded, the world would go on. And if the world continued, people would always search for hope to survive.

“This cycle will repeat. And I believe that all of you, hearing my words, understand that we must be prepared for it.”

“But I am afraid.”

“Not just because I foresee the fall of the Empire, but because of what might happen after we abandon everything there and leave it behind.”

“Even though I pursue a greater cause, I am, in the end, just a human. A being swayed by selfish desires.”

“The invasion of the Demon King’s army hasn’t fully begun yet… Is it truly right to abandon the friends, neighbors, and family we’ve left behind in the capital?”

“I cannot force you, but I must appeal to your humanity, your sense of morality.”

“And perhaps, appeal to what some may call selfishness.”

“After we abandon them, can we be sure that we won’t one day abandon the people standing by our side now?”

“We must prove to ourselves, by saving as many comrades as we can, that we will not abandon those closest to us.”

“There are still many of these people left in the Empire, and for us to flee alone cannot be the only right answer.”

“I, too, have someone precious to me. Someone I would give my life to protect… and they remain in the capital.”

Even as I confessed my selfishness, the murmurs began to quiet, and all eyes focused on me.

How would they receive my words?

How would they respond to me, who intended to head to a soon-to-be burning city for the sake of one person?

“And once the Ark is fully prepared, I intend to lead it directly toward the capital.”

With the fall of the Empire looming.

How would those searching for salvation react, knowing I intended to take their last refuge and lead it into peril?

“Those willing to follow me into danger, please board the Ark before we depart. If you choose to stay behind, please work together to ensure your survival until we return.”

But the die had already been cast.

Whatever judgment followed, it was a burden I had to bear.

With that resolve firmly set in my heart, I turned my back to them, prepared to cement the decision I had made.

“…Please, make the choice you won’t regret.”

And then, half a day later.

As I approached the Dwarves who had completed the final preparations on the Ark, I couldn’t help but voice my surprise at their decision.

“Are you really coming with us?”

“Of course. There isn’t a single part of this Ark we haven’t worked on. Who else would keep it running if not us?”

“We’ve already accepted the risks. If danger is everywhere, we might as well face it from the safety of this fortress we helped build.”

Even though we were heading straight into the path of the Demon King’s army’s invasion.

Did they truly have no doubts about this decision?

“We will also join you.”

But it wasn’t just the Dwarves who had made this decision.

Soon, Coco, the representative of the Zoin Tribe, and the small subterranean creatures perched on her shoulders began to voice their intentions.

“Since arriving here, our kin have found peace in this nest. And we do not forget our debts. You helped us, so we will help you.”

“Woo Hyo saved us! So we will save Woo Hyo!”

For honor, for gratitude, and to protect their home, they had all resolved to follow me into the abyss.

Suddenly, I realized just how important the Ark was to them, and how monstrous my decision to take it into danger really was.

If things went wrong, it wouldn’t just be my life that was at stake.

“Hero, I’ve gathered all the volunteers.”

As I pondered this, I saw the armed soldiers approaching the front of the Ark.

Seeing that not a single one of them had backed out, led by Sanson at the front, I couldn’t help but voice my concern.

“You all intend to come with me?”

“As soldiers, it’s only natural that we participate in rescue operations.”

“Even if the Empire falls, we agree with your aim to save as many people as we can, Hero.”

Yes, they had fought for humanity from the very beginning.

It made sense that none of them would hesitate to join this mission to save others.

But it was different for the people behind them.

The refugees gathering behind them made up more than half of the group.

The sheer number of them surprised me, but I could see determination in every one of their eyes.

“There are many people to rescue, so surely you’ll need more hands to help.”

“Our comrades who were taken to the prisons are still in the capital…”

“Our families and students are still there in the capital.”

“If it weren’t for you, Hero, we wouldn’t have survived. We may not be able to fight, but we can help in other ways…”

One by one, the refugees gave their reasons.

Not one of them condemned me.

More than respecting my decision, it was as if they had been persuaded by my speech and believed this was the right path.

“You didn’t think you’d leave us behind, did you?”

And then, another familiar group arrived behind them.

As I recognized them, a surge of warmth filled my heart.

“Ja-seong, Ga-ram.”

“You didn’t abandon me, so you didn’t expect me to abandon you, did you?”

Ja-seong, always eager to take action, and Ga-ram, who had long since shed her initial hesitation, stood before me.

Though I still worried about them, we had agreed to rely on each other, and in this situation, I would have to accept their help.

As I was preparing to accept this, I suddenly heard a voice calling me from inside the Ark.

“Hyo-sung, are you ready?”

Merilyn Sutherland.

My lover, who vowed to live only for me and share in my fate.

“I will also go with you. I can’t stand by and watch the Empire fall without doing anything for my mission.”

Francheska.

A protector who found joy in loving humanity and devoted everything she had to them.

“…Now that I think about it, the armor you’re wearing looks quite worn.”

And then there was Tashian.

My family, the one I had come to accept as my mother in this world.

“You’ll need plenty of equipment for this many people. It might be a good idea to bring a craftsman or two, don’t you think?”

Though she had lost the full strength of her prime, she was still determined to accompany me.

I had caused her too much pain to reject her resolve.

I had prolonged her life when she should have passed on from this world, so respecting her will was now my duty.

“…Everyone is here. It’s time to depart.”

Realizing that everyone’s determination had gathered here, I stepped to the front of the group and decisively entered the Ark.

Now we would be heading to our destination.

“Let’s go to the Empire.”

And everyone gathered here for their own reasons…

They would all be setting foot into the jaws of death by their own will.