11
◈ Chapter 63 - 10-Before the Storm
I said to Amber with a puzzled look on my face.
"A knight's oath cannot be broken by resignation. Do you think this is some kind of merchant guild?"
Where can you freely throw away the oath of loyalty that you promised to sacrifice your body and soul?
However, Amber protested, saying that she was the one who was being ridiculous.
"Is there no option to siege Handar Castle?"
"We are in the position of subjugation. But what will the Northerners think if the Northern Alliance forces sit in the castle for fear of a count?"
"How else can we bring mercenaries to the North?"
"Now that the emperor has decided to intervene openly, the mercenaries will not follow the North's advice, even if it means paying a penalty."
"Have you considered conscription?"
"Recruiting regular soldiers? That's also impossible. The emperor's troops are already staring at Handar Castle, so if the soldiers are also left here, they'll think it's right and attack?"
"How can we take advantage of the terrain?"
"Around here? Arthur, there is only plains. The river is too weak for handcraft. Or we can take our troops back and crawl into the Rocatan Mountains. Of course, in that case, on the contrary, all the land will be lost and we will be surrounded."
"In the end, doesn't this mean that we have no choice but to compete in a giant slalom on the plains? Bjorn, what do you think is the most important thing in a giant slalom?"
"The balance of forces. It is difficult to change the game with tactics or strategies, especially in large-scale battles."
"That's right! And we don't have enough troops right now! But you're telling us to fight a grand battle with minimal losses and defeat the rebels! We can't even guarantee victory, but isn't Master Bjern giving us an impossible mission right now!"
Amber listened to the current situation in detail.
I know the situation is hopeless.
Dealing with Count Haenrel was too much, but with the imperial family here, even the Northern Alliance had no ingenuity to do anything.
Only now did I realize why Count Haenrel had his future in mind.
If he could control His Majesty in the palm of his hand, he could afford to be so relaxed.
At the point where we were pushed into this situation, it was safe to say it was a defeat.
But as I said before, I had a corner of belief.
This is because Ember Cutter, the daughter of Tie Garyeong's nameless stable keeper and the last knight of the great race, who spread her wisdom and saved humanity, is her subordinate.
Furthermore, perhaps it was a trick of fate, but it was Ember who killed Count Haenrel in the biography of Esteria.
Count Haenrel appears as the first villain in the original work.
He was the one who stabbed the Knights of the Holy Cross and the Magic Brigade and went after Mion.
It was Ember who realized Count Haenrel's betrayal in advance, and it was Ember who pushed him into a corner in a much more desperate situation than he is now.
She is not called the Goddess of the Field for nothing.
Because she was like that, I wasn't that worried.
Even though I knew it was an unreasonable order, I was able to trust it and leave it to him.
Of course, Amber, who does not know this fact, is protesting, saying it is unfair.
"Then, on the contrary, Bjorn, please speak up! What is Bjern thinking in this situation where there is no answer?!"
"Hmm, I was wondering why humans have reproductive and excretory organs connected to each other. Why is sexual intercourse, which should be sacred, always accompanied by filth? The reason why the excretory organs became one with the reproductive organs is perhaps to give humans a sense of immorality. "Maybe. It's to prevent you from having sex with just anyone. So isn't excretion in fact an inseparable relationship with sex? It's normal to feel pleasure while excreting."
"When on earth will Bjorn's puberty end?!"
I meant to say that I couldn't provide any real help, but I never thought they would react so harshly.
I cleared my throat and spoke to Amber.
"If it's really difficult, you can pretend to follow His Majesty's suggestion and choose a sit-in, even if it's a bit out of shape. It's not like we don't have additional troops, and if you see the Knights of the Holy Cross camped in front of Handar Castle, you can do it. "I'm not going to push it hard. From then on, I'll use my political capabilities to resolve the issue."
Of course, if I were Count Haenrel, the moment the Northern Alliance forces were trapped in Handar Castle, I would turn to Stemwind.
If I take Eileen and Aidan into my hands, I will become a real usurper from then on.
Even if you don't have the upper hand in the fight for a cause, you will be able to fight on equal footing.
"I... I don't know. I don't even know why I took on the position of Chief of Staff in the first place. I'm just a knight who knows how to swing a sword."
Amber let out an uncharacteristically weak sound.
Did a guy like that take over the entire Northern Knights in a matter of days?
However, she seemed to be under a lot of pressure, so she seemed intimidated.
"I don't know what kind of talent Bjorn saw in me, but I don't think I can turn the tide of the war. Wouldn't it be better to find someone who is well versed in tactics right now?"
Amber It was embarrassing for her.
Wouldn't he suddenly be placed in a key position and become the person in charge of deciding the direction of the entire Northern Alliance?
If she were an ordinary person, she would have failed long ago.
But she was talented.
Unbeknownst to her, she has a natural talent to save the world.
All I have to do is push her.
Let her unleash her talents.
"Don't feel pressured. If you're having a hard time, think about getting some air and go on a reconnaissance with Barton. You never know, right? If you face the enemy forces directly, you might see things you couldn't see."
If I ran fast, I could afford to give up my position as a staff member even after scouting.
She sighed and nodded her head.
"Okay. But if you don't see the answer even after that..."
"At that time, I will personally command the Northern Alliance forces. So there is nothing to worry about."
Those words made Amber feel a lot more at ease, so she joked with me.
"Hmm, that's a bit unsettling. I know that Bjorn is a genius, but he's strong at planning the overall plan, and doesn't he become a fool when he needs to improvise?"
"But you've never been a fool, right? Instead of treating me like a kid all the time, why don't you take this opportunity to show yourself like a proper older sister?"
"I've never treated you like a child. Even though I've thought of you as a horny pubescent kid my whole life."
Amber informed me as she left the temporary office she had set up in her residence.
"Ember Cutter, by order of my lord, I will leave for a moment to conduct reconnaissance."
Soon, Amber and Barton were seen out the window, riding on a horse and kicking down the door of the residence.
*
Smoke rose from the rebel camp, where the flag of Haenrel waved.
The long procession grew thicker, and eventually it formed a camp, with soldiers gathered in groups of twos and threes.
They are camping on a plain with a clear view of the surroundings for a meal.
Ember fueled her eyes with mana in the lush forest overlooking the rebels.
The moment an army is at its weakest is when it is eating.
Therefore, before a meal, the commander orders his soldiers to prepare their camp just in case.
In the camp so equipped, we were able to get a glimpse of the tactics the commander would use in the future.
"Approximately 50 people per cauldron. There were approximately 200 smoke rising, so the scouting party accurately determined the number of soldiers. Excluding the personnel needed for supply and administration, the actual number of combatants would be 7,500."
Counting the number of soldiers using rice cookers has been a long-standing tradition since ancient times.
Because you can't hide a hungry mouth no matter what.
Despite Barton's report, Ember kept his eyes fixed on the rebels.
"The sides that appear to be the left and right wings are all knights. The regular troops are concentrated in the center. It is a very standard formation that forces the knights on both wings and strengthens the center with the regular troops. If they face each other in a grand battle, they will look for any gaps. It won't be easy to find."
Ember said, nodding his head.
"The number of knights is 500 short, and if you include the number of general troops, we are outnumbered by 2,500. Plus, since we have to face each other in turns, it would be difficult to guarantee victory. Isn't it amazing? Until yesterday, we had an overwhelming advantage. ."
I, who was hiding in secret and eavesdropping on Amber's words, could not hold back my anger and spoke to Runea who was next to her.
"So? How did this happen? Vice-captain of the Knights of the Holy Cross?"
"...Your Majesty must have a deep intention."
"Deep meaning? Letting the Northerners die by the devil cultists who want to devour the North? Would you also shed some blood for the deep intention of the Commander of the Lighthouse of Humanity?"
"Shh, quiet! You'll get caught! You were the one who asked me to follow you secretly in the first place!"
Currently, I, along with Runea, was taking time off from the commander's work to Helga and secretly walking behind Ember and Barton under the pretext of reconnaissance.
They followed as a safety measure in case the two were discovered.
Can't we just go together?
It may seem nominal, but first of all, I am Amber's superior.
In that case, Amber will not be able to shake off the burden and will end up relying on me.
Even if Ember is unable to find a way out during this reconnaissance, it must not end in her relying on me.
"You care so much about your subordinates. Isn't that too much power for an escort on a reconnaissance mission?"
"I don't want to make the same mistake."
Amber and Barton are also important talents.
I didn't want to lose them because of my ridiculous mistake in judgment like before.
Runea, who had entrusted the saint to Kanniel, grumbled bitterly, but he eventually followed my advice, perhaps feeling sorry that things had been messed up because of the Knights of the Holy Cross.
"It's even more daunting in reality. I'm not going to say it, but your father has given you a very difficult test. The enemy commander is a man skilled in tactics. He perfectly implemented a textbook formation even while the soldiers were eating. Sir Wigner As you said, there is no gap. I don't know if the saint can properly use the holy sword before the grand battle, but..."
"Even if that happens, Mion will not be sent into battle."
Runea narrowed his eyes and spoke to me.
"Isn't this the time for you to decide between hot and cold food? If you try to hide the saint until the end, you could all die."
"When did they say you shouldn't use a saint as you wish?"
"The situation has changed, right? Rather, in times like this, we should be considerate so that the saint can fulfill his role."
I looked at Runea with pitiful eyes.
"I said I wouldn't send the saint into battle, but I didn't say I'd throw him in the back without even using him."
"Isn't that what you mean?"
"Ha, didn't you notice anything in the Sword Saint's words? Or are you deliberately pretending not to notice?"
Lunea seemed to be bothered by something about what I said, so she closed her mouth.
This convinced me.
Runea's approach to protect the saint was not an arbitrary decision.
From then on, Runea was following the orders of the Sword Master.
"The Sword Saint said that even if the mercenaries come to the north as planned, the Allied Forces will eventually be annihilated. That means the Sword Saint must have guessed that there is a monster among the rebels who can reverse the difference in power. At least the highest-ranking devil. "I mean, Mion will be active in the fight against that monster."
◈ Chapter 64 - 10-Before the Storm
Several of the highest-ranking devils, or one of the six great devils, are in the north.
The power of the devil is halved below enemy lines, so to annihilate 32,000 troops with a sword master, you have to be of that level.
For a moment, he remembered the Great Demon of Plague that he had encountered in Homeland, and a chill ran through his body.
"...At least that's what the Sword Saint believes. I just didn't tell you because it's not clear information yet, and I didn't mean to deceive you."
"It doesn't matter. You will pay with your blood for fucking me."
If Mion fights the highest-ranking demon, his bodyguard, Runea, won't be able to sit back and watch.
The Sword Master, especially the strongest one, was in the front row and I felt much more at ease if she lent her strength.
So, leave the war against Haenrel to Ember, and me, Mion, and Runea can compete against the devil for the fate of humanity.
Even if we are defeated, we will protect her as long as she is lukewarm and take her to a safe place.
"I can only get involved if Count Haenrel uses the power of the devil, or if the devil himself appears. However, as things stand now, I think the Northern Alliance may be destroyed before the enemy can use his secret trick. This is expensive."
"You have no idea who commands the Union flag now."
"What can a child like that believe and say?"
After hearing Lunea's words, I focused on Amber again.
Her body was shaking as she looked at the rebels.
"I don't see an answer. There may have been no way to turn the situation around in the first place. In the end, I will send 6,000 knights to their deaths. The Northern Alliance will become fertilizer on this plain without knowing anything due to my misjudgment. I just can't do it. "I don't deserve that..."
Eventually, the burden ate away at Amber.
It wasn't her fault, but she couldn't help but sigh.
Perhaps it was too much of a task for her who was still young.
There is no choice.
It may be a bit complicated and take a long time, but I have no choice but to take command and lead it into a long-term war.
At that moment, Barton spoke to Amber.
"You're funny. What right do you have to lead the Northern Alliance to death? Do you think the Northern Alliance drew their swords to keep your pale-faced orders?"
"..."
"They chose to become knights. Just like you and I did. They risked death to achieve something. Wouldn't they be happy? Fighting fiercely against the devil! Isn't becoming a knight something everyone dreams of at least once? "No one dies under your command. What makes you so pretty?"
As Barton continued, Amber's trembling gradually stopped.
Noticeably so.
I thought there would be synergy if I spent it with Barton, who I was relatively close with, but it was bingo.
"So, don't think of it as driving the Northern Allied Forces to their deaths, but think of it as you saving the foolish knights who only want to fight and die. They will die anyway, so you are showing generosity and helping them to die less. What did Lord Bjern see in you that entrusted him with this task? "I don't know, but I don't think that's wrong either."
Barton put his hand on Amber's shoulder.
It was a helping hand that comforted a fellow student in agony.
Amber placed her cheek in his hand and smiled.
Naturally, as if we were joking around as usual.
But the smile on her face was not as mischievous as usual.
"You can't do it once. And I assure you, I am pretty. I will get prettier in the future. You won't even dare to look at me. Look forward to it."
Although we haven't been together for a long time, it's the first time I've seen Amber smile like that.
You know how to make that kind of expression when you and Barton are together.
It was a beautiful smile that even he himself was not aware of, so he could not hide it and was exposed as it was.
To the point where it felt like she was spying on someone else's date, Amber gave Barton a warm look as if she were looking at her lover.
Of course, Barton was horrified, as he hurriedly pulled her hand away, probably because he thought Amber was playing around again.
Seeing that, Runea and I sighed in relief.
I can't believe you could see that smile from close range and not even notice it.
Barton, isn't that bastard a eunuch?
[What, why are you sighing?]
'... 'You're really amazing too.'
That Rune Aja recognized it as soon as she saw it, but she doesn't know that this guy called Shin can see that?
Haven't you ever been in a relationship with her at that age?
I sighed again at Jin's reaction, which must have been mugwort.
"I just noticed something strange about the rebels."
Anyway, Ember, who had calmed down with Barton's comfort, looked at the rebels and said.
Barton tilted his head as if puzzled by her words.
"Isn't this just a standard Jin? I don't think there's anything particularly strange about it?"
"It's a standard Jinn. But aren't the Rebels and the Northern Alliance in a normal situation right now? Since all the wizards are gone."
Despite Amber's point, Barton looked like he wasn't sure.
Regardless, Amber continued her speech as if she was organizing her thoughts.
"The reason for deploying the regular troops thickly in the center is to concentrate the knight's firepower on both wings and at the same time protect the wizards in the rear. However, now that there are no wizards, that kind of deployment may create a gap between the wings and the center..."
Amber trembled briefly as if she realized something.
"Maybe there is a way."
Amber hurriedly turned her horse around and headed towards Handa Le Castle.
Holding the key to leading the Northern Alliance to victory.
*
When the meeting that would decide the fate of the Northern Allied Forces ended, a messenger came and announced that the rebels had entered the Plains of Leuctra.
Tomorrow, the Northern Alliance will advance from Handar Castle and engage in a great battle with the rebels on the plains.
Before battle, small amounts of alcohol and meat were provided to the soldiers to boost their morale.
With the sounds of knights eating and drinking, Handar Castle was bustling as if a festival was taking place.
As if I was going to somehow impress on each other that I existed even though we wouldn't see each other again tomorrow.
As I was busy coordinating my final schedule, I started drinking too.
"What is this?"
As I grabbed the bottle, I asked a familiar face who came to my office.
"I picked up something that was stuck in the basement storage."
"I know what kind of drink this is. What I mean is, why should I drink with you, Sir Canniel de Jeeves?"
Khan Niel shrugged his shoulders at those words and said.
"I feel like if I don't do it now, I'll never be able to do it. That's all. If you don't like it, don't quit."
Kanniel must face Count Haenrel in the most dangerous place.
If Count Haenrel is cornered, he will definitely use demonic powers, so tomorrow could be Kanniel's last day.
When that thought occurred to me, I had no choice but to uncork the drink he handed me and blow on the bottle.
"I heard that the situation has suddenly changed. Even though the war situation was not good, you managed to persuade those cowardly nobles."
From the moment the imperial family intervened, although they did not say anything, the Northern Alliance began to unravel.
I have no desire to blame them.
If things had continued as they were, everyone would have died.
No noble would want to sacrifice their knights in a foreign land like this, no matter how great the cause was to purge the Devil Church.
They preached escape under the pretext of a strategic retreat to somehow shed less blood.
"I didn't do it. My subordinate was just too competent."
It was the Ember Cutter that completely sealed those creaks.
The strategy she came up with was truly an art that ensured her victory.
Throughout her meeting, no one dared criticize her.
I also trusted her, but I had no idea that she would achieve such great results with just one reconnaissance.
The difference in talent is truly scary.
"I have nothing but gratitude to you. In the end, you saved the North and lifted my shackles. I owe you a debt that cannot be repaid. I hope I can relieve even a little of that debt on the battlefield tomorrow."
"I didn't do it to please you. I did it to save my life. And I don't want to leave any money behind for you. Tomorrow, it's over for you and me."
The punishment I gave him was Baekuijonggun.
If the battle ends tomorrow, he will pay for all his sins.
You can live the rest of your life the way you want.
I asked, throwing my drink at him.
"I'm not really curious, but if you survived tomorrow, how would you live from now on?"
"Well, I'm thinking about becoming a wandering knight and living in Keldarin Fortress hunting monsters. There's no way the Yakhog will be so unkind to me. I need to practice swordsmanship, which I haven't been able to do for a while."
This is truly an enviable fortune.
Maybe I should have rewarded him rather than punished him.
After pouring himself a refreshing drink to get his throat moving, Canniel threw the bottle back at me and said,
"So what are you going to do next if you win tomorrow?"
"I plan to go down to Okstantium as soon as I take control of Haenrell. I have some work to do there."
I owe a debt to the emperor, and I also have to find Jin's body.
Both tasks can be completed in Octantium.
If things go well, I'll be able to roll around in a fresh vineyard before I become an adult.
Of course, there is no way this decision will leave my plan as is.
"You live a busier life than a marquis. Wouldn't you have been better off becoming a marquis?"
"Then isn't it difficult to get out of the North? But why are you suddenly bringing up a story that has already ended? Are you sad to have to put it down? Shall I make you sit down again?"
"You're good at saying stupid things."
There were no further words, but the bottles were passed back and forth a few more times.
As if trying to leave memories of each other even though we might not see each other again tomorrow.
The night at Handar Castle that day was particularly short, but ash fell heavily as if it was trying to block the rising sun.
◈ Chapter 65 - 11-Leuktra Plain Grand Slalom
*
Ash fell softly like heavy snow in the middle of winter. Rape flowers blooming along the field bowed their heads, weighed down by ash. During the breeding season, when rabbit hunting was in full swing across the sky, a hawk sat quietly on a tree stump and preened its feathers. It was noon, when the sun was not shining, and the ash that had settled on the ground rose with the stroke of a horse's hoof.
In a situation where it was difficult to see even an inch ahead, Ember Cutter closed the clock and stared at the enemy. The enemy camp was the same as I had seen before, and it was as strong as ever. The soldiers who were working on security and defense were lined up in thick rows. The knights spread out wide on both wings, each glaring at the Northern Allied Forces with eyes filled with the spirit of victory. Inside is the Hugu (虎口) and the Four Mirrors. The moment you step on it, the Northern Alliance will be destroyed.
Ichae looked young in Amber's eyes as she looked at her enemy. She calmly read the battlefield. Like a musician picking out a melody. Or like a chess player counting his opponent's moves. In her eyes, the young battlefield was quite different from others.
"The enemy pushed ahead and moved for a long time. This will be a stepping stone for a reversal."
Amber said as she stopped marching right in front of the street, where a battle would take place as soon as the order to advance was given. She no longer trembled or felt afraid. She has only her enemies left at this moment, her own self, her battlefield and her soldiers.
The flag, hidden by the ridge behind her, raised its head. The griffin pattern is by De Jeevitz. The dancing basilisk is from the Yakhok, and the shield with a spear is from the Sorang family. However, fluttering just above Ember was a flag with a blue rose pattern. The flag symbolized the cause of extermination of Satanists according to the orders of Eileen de Jeevitz.
Opposite, Count Haenrel frowned at the blue rose flag slowly appearing over the hill. The family flag, which was originally his, and therefore could not be misused by anyone, dared to be hung on the enemy's vanguard. His mouth felt uncomfortable, as if he were chewing on bitter leaves.
Eileen, you are no help. If you become a hostage, you will kill yourself. To put such pressure on the family.
Because of that flag, the nobles who followed the Haenrel family turned their heads and looked away. That's all. The truth revealed in Eileen's name strangled Count Haenrel. All of this happened right before he took control of the North. It was one step, just one step. If Aidan became the successor and purged the Yakhog as rebels, the North was his. The more it was distorted right in front of him, the more bitter he felt inside.
Count Haenrel glared at Bjern de Jeevitz, who was standing under the flag. It's that guy. That abominable kid liberated Jin, took advantage of the saint, and not only won the battle for the successor, but he also pushed him like this. Björn's performance greatly affected his status. He closed his eyes and accepted that fact.
I admit it, Bjorn. Your guy is extraordinary. If he grows up like this, he will definitely become a threat to the First God. So your life will end here.
If it weren't for the help of other cultists, it would have been Count Haenrel who would have lost his head on this battlefield. He started with no forces and created the conditions to purge the second-highest figure in the North, which was an amazing feat even if he used a saint. But a threat is just a threat. The power of the religious order is greater than you think and is deeply rooted. We took control of the empire. Look. Even if we were to use our wisdom and combine the strength of the northerners, in the end, even that army would be no better than just one count. This is a fight that has already been decided for us to win. Today, I will kill you right here and take over the North. Count Haen Rel spoke to the person standing next to him.
"Antenor. There is no need to bury the dirty blood of an unbeliever yourself. I will personally offer up Bjorn and the saint's head."
The person who hid his identity with a cloak and covered his face with a hood and mask did not seem to care about what Count Haenrel was saying. Just as the beast does not listen to the cries of insects. His eyes were fixed solely on Björn de Jeevitz across from him. With those burning eyes in his eyes, Count Haenrel could not bear to say any more. Even at that moment, he was aware of his shabby position. However, once this battle is over, there will be no denying his merit of being the first among the religious leaders to occupy a region.
When the Haenrel family commander raised his hand, the knights dismounted. When mana is used, the instantaneous acceleration is faster than that of a horse, so a knight would get on a horse, distribute his stamina, and then get off the horse when it was time to charge on the battlefield. One by one, the knights wrapped auras around the swords they drew from their scabbards. The ashes fluttered passionately in the mana of the knights ahead of battle.
"Prepare your camp."
When movement was seen in the enemy camp, Ember ordered the military officer. As planned in advance, the Northern Allied forces moved to their respective positions. Count Haen Lel, who was watching the movements of the Northern Allied Forces, frowned as if he could not understand the strange camp. This is because the formation that Ember created on the Leuktra Plain had a thick right wing and a shabby center and left wing.
"Abandoning the center and left wing to strengthen the right wing. Isn't that the same as sacrificing the cow for the cow?"
The superiority of power was on the rebel side. However, if the right wing is strengthened extremely while there is already a shortage of troops, the center and left wing will become excessively weak. Haenrel's Sedalia Knights will instantly crush the deformed left wing of the Northern Alliance and strike at the center.
Count Haenrel looked like a cornered rabbit baring its teeth from the Northern Alliance forces. It was clearly an action aimed at creating a variable. And the variable is what the side that is desperate for the situation wants. All he has to do is block his opponent's shaking based on the established paving stones. It's simple and easy. He glared at the Northern Allied forces and shouted with mana.
"All armies! Advance!"
The ash covering the rape blossoms sprang up at the shouts of the Sedalia knights. The hawk that was preening its feathers took off in surprise. The plains shook like waves as the knights raced. At the same time, the Northern Alliance also drew its swords against the rebels. A woman's voice echoed throughout the battlefield.
"Death to the traitor to humanity!"
"Waaaaah!"
Shouting, hard-to-understand swear words, and the hissing sound of a shimmering auror. The sound of spurs hitting the ground and the sound of a startled horse. Through the ash that rose like fog, a grand battle with the fate of the North at stake began on the Leuktra Plain.
Count Haenrel closely watched the movements of the Northern Alliance forces. The right wing attacked quickly, but the left wing was lumpy and advanced more slowly than the center. Thus, the Northern Union army's camp became diagonal.
"The strong right wing reaches first and crushes the opponent, and the weak left wing slows down the advance to gain time to encounter the enemy..."
Even though it was a tactic that Count Haen Rel had never seen in his life, he read the intention of his opponent's commander as soon as he saw the firing line formation. Indeed, in theory, the over-grown right wing could eat up one side and help the center. However, Count Haen Rel was able to immediately spot two mistakes made by his opponent. One is that the scale of deception tactics using the camp is so large that it is very easy for the other party to understand the intention. Two of them are that this deception tactic is a gamble in which two of the three axes of the camp will collapse as soon as the other party understands it. The count's lips twitched as he grasped both of them.
"Kkkk, I see. Has it already been decided?"
Count Haenrel thought that Bjern might turn the battlefield around with unusual moves. He had unknowingly been looking forward to the outstanding feats that Björn had shown so far. Is this your last struggle, Bjorn? Gambling to create variables. However, there is a reason why a standard is a standard. He shouted, glaring at the Northern Alliance forces. His voice exuded the composure of a victor.
"We will defeat the opponent's left wing first. I will go there myself and kill the enemy."
Due to the extreme strengthening of the right wing, the opponent's left wing was thin and thin. Even if you gain time by slowing down the advance, it is over the moment your intentions are discovered. Count Haenrel ordered the Sedalia Knights, who were advancing toward the opponent's left wing, to speed up. He then drew his sword and ran towards the left wing of the Northern Union army. One of the two sword masters that the North was proud of, Count Vamond Haenrel, leader of the Knights of Sedalia and warrior of the Aryan race, to prove his inaction.
"... Count Haenrel will judge. Not knowing that it is a trap."
The day before, Ember pointed to the situation board and spoke to the leaders of the Northern Alliance. Yakhok asked back as if he couldn't understand Amber's words.
"Lord Cutter, where is the trap? If we follow this tactic, is it correct to judge it that way? If so, the Northern Alliance forces will be in danger, right?"
"The key to this tactic is not the firing line. That's just a trick. It's the anvil, not the hammer, that matters."
Ember continued by pointing out the piece on the situation board that represented the center of the rebel army.
"The opponent's center will probably consist of 1,000 knights and 2,500 regular soldiers. The regular soldiers will block the charge of the Northern Alliance knights and consume mana. After that, the knights in the rear will consume the mana of the Northern Alliance forces. "To fight against the center of. This is the rebels' weakness."
◈ Chapter 66 - 11-Leuktra Plain Grand Slalom
Yakhok tilted his head as if wondering what the problem was. Aren't the weaknesses pointed out by Amber more like listing the rebels' strengths? Disbelief rose deep within Yakhok's heart. Because the ability to command the Northern Allied forces does not prove the ability to lead on the battlefield. Amber answered Yakhok's question without taking her eyes off the situation board.
"Count Haenrel's camp may seem like a standard for the advantageous side, but it is an illusion. This is because Count Haenrel overlooked something. Placing regular troops in the center is usually a buffer that prevents the opposing knights from easily breaking through when the wizard is in the rear. "It is to fulfill its role. However, due to His Majesty's summons, there are currently no wizards on this battlefield. Therefore, the center of the rebel army is bound to face a problem during the engagement."
As Count Haenrel charged towards the left wing, Ember looked at him with an indifferent gaze, as if looking at a fly caught in a spider's web. He doesn't know, but his victory or defeat has just been decided. He has fallen into a trap and will soon realize his mistake. It would have been too late by then. Soon, as Ember expected, the rebel camp began to collapse.
The Union army's right wing was in contact with the rebels. Each and every knight is a superhuman. The physical conflict that accompanied their charge shook the battlefield. The human body was blown away as if it had been hit by a bull. Pieces of someone's arms, legs, and severed scalp were scattered in an instant after being touched by the aura. The lump of flesh that had lost its owner was trampled and lost its shape as it vomited out the remaining blood. Blood-soaked ash soared and enveloped the battlefield like a blood fog.
"Hold on! If we hold on just a little longer, we will win!"
Those who are tangled up are all knights. Although he didn't know much about farming, he was an expert on tactics. The knights of House Haenrel advanced and saw what the enemy camp was like. So I knew. Here, if you block the opponent's strong offensive, you will win.
Clearly, the numbers on the right were greater than those of the Northern Allies who had taken a gamble. But even so, the difference is only a few hundred. It was not difficult for the Knights of Sedalia to hold out until the moment they broke the opposite wing of the insignificant and shabby Northern Alliance and destroyed the center. The Sedalia knights must have thought so. Until they realized that there was a significant gap between themselves and the central forces.
Ember predicted the future that the rebels would face. She moved the pieces corresponding to the rebels on the situation board. Both wings are fast, the center is slow. Naturally, a gap opened up between the center piece and both wings.
"Normal troops cannot keep up with the knight's speed. Originally, the wizard would have supported the ordinary troops and slowed down the opponent's advance, so that would not have happened. There will definitely be a gap between the two wings and the center of the rebel army. This is what preceded it. "This is the enemy's weakness. We take advantage of it."
The Northern Allied forces' pieces, which were in a diagonal line, slowly moved in line with the rebels' advance. Even as the Union right wing encountered the enemy, the rebel center remained far from the battlefield.
"If the enemy's weakness is that gap, our strength is our overwhelming mobility. Aren't the Northern Alliance forces all made up of knights? Even the center. We plan to take advantage of that advantage."
Ember moved the Northern Alliance's central piece into the gap between the rebels. On the right wing side created by the separation of the center and the two wings. Then, the rebels faced the two axes of the Northern Alliance as one.
"The general troops were exhausted from the long march. Unlike the knights, they did not manage their stamina with words, nor did they eat properly due to time constraints."
Ember looked down at the center of the rebels and she said. She already lacked mobility and her body was heavy. The gap widened further than Amber expected. Count Haen Rell's urging, who was impatient to make up for her mistake, ultimately became the foundation for the Northern Alliance's victory.
"Count! The center cannot match the speed of both wings! Slowing down the advance is..."
"The enemy's right wing has already encountered us! We just need to crush the enemy's left wing faster! We have overwhelming power!"
Rushing across the plains, Count Haenrel gave the same orders as before. However, his orders were of no help in the face of the changed situation.
"Ship, Count! The center of the Allied forces is advancing to our right!"
"What?! What on earth are our central knights doing?! If we're in a hurry, shouldn't we just abandon the regular troops and rush in first to help!"
"Well, that!"
Count Haenrel himself knew how far-fetched those words were. I was embarrassed and just spit it out. As the battle unfolded, he felt as if he was playing in the palm of someone's hand.
Amber said.
"The center of the rebel army cannot be supported. Knights stationed behind the regular troops will be stranded by the regular troops once the advance begins. The only way for them to help the isolated rebels is to slaughter the regular troops to make way for them. Probably not. So they'll just have to sit back and watch as their wings are broken."
No one expected that the reinforced troops would become a hindrance. While the Northern Alliance's center pieces assisted the right wing's attack on the flank of the rebels' right wing, the rebels' center could not reach it no matter how much it advanced. Before the rebels' center could reach the battlefield, their right wing pieces fell. After that, the center of the rebel army that joined late will also meet the same fate.
"The diagonal formation is a deception tactic. Count Haenrel will override our tactics and speed up the rebels advancing towards our left wing. He will also go to the left wing himself and try to crush them. He will keep one eye on the left wing of the Northern Alliance. "At this point, the center and right wing of the Northern Alliance joined forces to defeat the rebels one after another."
Yakhok was only then able to understand Amber's thoughts. She didn't abandon her two axes to create her own variables. She accurately read the battle situation and camp, and after recognizing the enemy's weaknesses that no one else could, she thoroughly calculated what would happen and attacked the enemy. With just one reconnaissance, the opponent's camp, which was considered standard, collapsed like an earthen wall.
"There are no rules on the battlefield. Every battle is different. Your defeat is because you only believed in doctrine without looking at the situation."
Ember and Count Haenrel's eyes met. Count Haenrel looked at the nameless enemy commander. She was a young woman with grey-gold hair who looked more suited to a country stream than a battlefield. The Count thought. Even I only noticed it after the battle had begun, so it makes no sense to know in advance and react accordingly.
This can't happen! Is this what happened to me from a child like that?
Ember was neither the last survivor of the Human Lighthouse nor the strategist who saved the North from the harsh conditions. But, as was her fate, she once again stood in the way of Count Haenrel. She protected humanity from demonic cults and slowed their advance. Thus she received the same nickname as her original counterpart. She is said to be a 'knight of resourcefulness' who led the Leuk Tra Plain giant slalom to victory.
The rebels, who were blocking the brunt of the Northern Allied forces, were taken aback by the enemy's central army pushing in from the flanks.
"Lord, the central army is coming!"
"This is the Red Basilisk Knights! Everyone, block the sword energy!"
The center of the Allied forces penetrated into the flank of the isolated Knights of Sedalia. Red Basilisk Knights. When it comes to strength, it has always been a knightly order that ranks high. The sword skills trained while hunting monsters were effective in dealing with multiple enemies. The side began to quickly collapse due to the swords they flew.
"Aaaaah!! It's Count Yakhok!"
At the center's vanguard was Count Yakhok. A warrior just a stone's throw away from the Sword Master, and the ruler of the yak spirit. The sword he flew cut one of the sword users of the Sedalia Knights in half with a single cry. Then the Sedalia knights looked at him with fearful faces. That's exactly what an animal caught in a trap looks like. Yakhok thought while fluttering his sword energy.
Are you afraid?
But what you really have to fear isn't ugly old men like me.
In the short years he has lived, he has met countless people who are called geniuses. So he knew. Amber's talent was real. From now on, the army led by Ember will always be victorious and will never be defeated. She will achieve feats that no human can accomplish.
"Huh, right. They say heroes appear in times of crisis. How can so many outstanding people appear one after another?"
Björn alone had an indescribable talent for swordsmanship, and was a strategist who would dominate the era. Although he has some shortcomings as he is very affectionate and hates to shed blood, his ability to plan the overall plan was an incomparable genius. However, Ember Cutter perfectly complemented his weaknesses. Understanding the talents of others perfectly and deploying them in the right place at a young age. Yakhok thought that this might be Bjorn's real weapon. It's like you've acquired a famous sword, Bjorn. Only then was Yakhok able to sort out his regret.
I wanted you to lead the North. Because I believed that perhaps you could become my master and save the North. So I was very disappointed when you handed the ball to Eileen. But looking back, it was just greed. You were too big a child for the North to embrace.
Yakhok shook off his thoughts and ordered the Red Basilisk Knights.
"They are traitors to humanity! Kill every single one of them!"
◈ Chapter 67 - 11-Leuktra Plain Grand Slalom
Yakhok's sword cut through the air without stopping. The sword energy from his aura tore through the ash-mixed air with a cracking sound. The Sedalia Knight was trampled by that sword. Despair bloomed on the faces of the Sedalia knights facing the enemy.
"Cut off the heads of the fishy fishermen! Don't back down! Even if you do, they are just usurpers and bastards who follow! Knight of Sedalia! Hold on! The Count will save us!"
A knight who appeared to be a commander shouted to raise the rebels' morale. His cries flowed like the noise of a battlefield, but upon hearing the noise, the Knight of Sedalia came to his senses again. If he doesn't want to die, he must hold on with all his might. That fact hasn't changed.
"The glory of Haenrel! The revival of the Aryan race! That scum... Wow...!"
The commander of the Three Dahlia Knights' head exploded before he could finish speaking due to the sudden rush of sword energy. Diluted brain fluid and skull fragments splashed onto the faces of the Sedalia knights. As if blowing his head wasn't enough, the sword broke the flagpole of the Haen Rel family behind him.
"Who's next? Who will be the first to open their mouths and demand orders?!"
The morale of the Northern Allied forces soared at the shouts of the blood-soaked yakhog. Aurors from the Lighthouse of Humanity and the Red Basilisk Knights danced. Each time the dance traced a trace in the ashes, a Sedalia knight fell. One axis of the rebels could not withstand the pincer attack from the center and right and began to collapse.
"It is a virtue to listen to a speech until the end. You are so barbaric that I cannot like you."
Count Sorang grunted at Yakhok, swinging the blood from his sword onto the ashes. He leisurely sneered at Count Sorang as he cut off the head of a yak or enemy who was more familiar with the battlefield and blood than anyone else.
"I thought you were going to flirt with Bjorn in the center, but you managed to advance together. Still, the Sorang family would be offended by the battlefield, so wouldn't it be better to go back to Bjorn at this point?"
"Do I look like a crazy person in the earl's eyes? That place is really hell, so why me? I have no intention of dying in a place like this."
The reason why the Sorang family has survived until now without being absorbed into the De Jeevitz family is because of their extraordinary ingenuity. His instincts shouted. He said that if he stays with Bjorn, he will die without even finding his body. He felt sorry for entrusting a heavy burden to a 15-year-old child, but he had no intention of helping the child to death. Count Soran looked at Björn with cold eyes.
"Isn't it amazing? On the surface, this great battle was a battle between the Northern Alliance and the House of Haenrel, but in reality, it was a war between that kid from Bjorn, the demon cultists, and the imperial family looking for an opportunity. In an overwhelmingly unfavorable 2-on-1 situation, here "It's amazing that we've even come this far."
Sorang revealed his honest feelings. He said that no matter how many times he was reborn, he would not have been able to overcome this situation. If it hadn't been for Bjorn in the first place, the North would have fallen into the hands of Count Haenrel and been ravaged by the Demon Cult. But isn't the North saved by a kid who didn't have a clue, and not by Kanniel or the Northern nobles?
Yakhok leaned behind him and said with his sword flying.
"I know full well that Bjorn is amazing. What do you want to say?"
"If this continues, the giant slalom will end with our victory. But I'm afraid. I feel like something is approaching that even that kid's talent can't overcome. The game hasn't even started yet."
Yakhok shifted his gaze to Björn, who was watching the battlefield from the position where the Northern Allied forces began their advance. Ever since the giant slalom started, he had been staring at one thing. The place his eyes landed on was the opposite ridge where Count Haenrel was originally located. There was a person wearing a clock standing there. An ominous energy shimmered around the person. He took his eyes off the ominous energy that made him feel like he was about to be sucked into a yak.
"That kid has his own fight. Shouldn't we focus on our fight?"
"I just hope that what we're doing isn't in vain. I don't want to die."
It would be difficult for even a yakhog to dismiss Count Sorang's words as unlucky. But that was beyond what Yakhok could do. Now, as he killed the few remaining Sedalia knights, he had no choice but to pray. I hope that the child who is more suited to being a hero than a king will bring about another miracle.
"Advance! Advance, damn it!"
The knight shouted at the rebel army's central rearguard and the galloping regular troops. However, no matter how much they shouted, those ahead were ordinary people who did not know how to manipulate mana. One axis of the rebel army collapsed faster than their sprint. If one axis had to deal with two axes, the superiority of power was with the Northern Allies. The rebels were being defeated individually.
"Oh, it's coming! The enemy is advancing towards us!"
Like a spinning pendulum, the center and right wing of the Northern Alliance attacked the Sedalia Knights and surrounded the center of the rebel army. The ordinary soldier of the rebel army, unable to stop any longer as he was consumed by the advancing feet, closed his eyes tightly to the rapidly approaching death. For some reason, tears flowed from my eyes, which had turned red with emotion.
"Die! You demon followers!"
"Glory to the De Jeevitz family!"
The body of an ordinary soldier who was attacked by a knight was torn apart. It was shattered into unrecognizable pieces, as if it had been hit directly by a cannon ball. As soon as the griffin-shaped flag touched, the center of the rebel army became covered with blood mist. Count Haen Lel, who was advancing toward the left wing, turned his head and caught the sight with his eyes.
"Count! If this continues, the center will collapse!"
Just before facing the left wing, the military officer spoke to Count Haenrel. He knew that too. The words to retreat that the military officer later omitted. He pursed his lips. It was difficult for him to hold back his anger at the fact that he had been defeated by the strategy of a young woman, not even Björn. But now was not the time for him to get angry. Count Haenrel had no choice but to choose the lesser evil.
"Damn it! I'll go to the center and buy time! Destroy the left wing and support the center right away!"
Count Haenrel was a sword master. He is the ruler of the battlefield, comparable to an army of 10,000 men. A monster that can turn the tide of battle with its own power. If he went to the center, he could buy time until the left wing of the Northern Union Army was destroyed. He is at a disadvantage, but not defeated yet. Count Haenrel believed so.
Count Haen Lel, who was rushing towards the left wing faster than anyone else, eventually turned around and tried to head towards the center. At that moment, someone rushed towards him. Blocking the flying sword, he looked at his opponent. He was the northern Marquess of Sentai and the northern country's proud sword master, Canniel de Jeevitz.
"Where are you going in such a hurry? I have something to talk about between you and me."
He, who was hiding on the left wing, tied Count Haenrel's feet.
*
The giant slalom went as Amber predicted.
Every single one.
I knew of her abilities from reading the original, but when I actually saw it with my own eyes, I was amazed.
It was a godsend for her to recruit her.
If she had refused back then in that prison, my head would have been rolling around on the plains somewhere by now.
When I thought about that, I was horrified and hung myself without knowing.
"As expected, Lord de Jeritz and Count Haenrel have met. The rebel center will soon collapse. The great battle is a victory for the Northern Alliance."
Amber spoke to me as if she had already seen the results.
As I looked at her eyes, which were different from usual, I felt like I was actually seeing them.
His eyes were extremely serious and heavy, with no trace of his usual playfulness.
"...Wook!"
Mion, who was not used to this sight, was next to her and felt nauseated.
This is because the scent of her blood wafted all the way to this place far from the battlefield.
To protect himself, he wore a cloak, a hood, and even a mask, but since he was still young, he seemed to have a hard time withstanding the fishy smell.
I asked Runea, who was patting Mion on the back.
"What do you think? Usually when you look at me like that, it means you're interested in me, right?"
"...It looks to me like he's definitely going to kill you."
"Ha, this guy's popularity."
On the other side, a person with his entire body covered, like Mion, was staring at me so that even Lunea immediately knew who I was talking about.
There was no need to guess what it was.
That guy was the devil that Count Haenrel followed, a shadowy figure who wanted to take over the North.
In the original, the monster who split De Jeevitz into a sea of blood and sold me to Moloch.
My hands and feet felt numb as I faced the passionate gaze of such a being.
"Bjorn. That person is dangerous. An ominous energy surrounds his entire body. He is on a different level from my previous enemies."
Mion must have calmed down as he looked at the being and warned me.
To the extent that Mion warns, he must be considered the descendant of the highest-ranking devil, or one of the six great devils.
I asked Jin if he knew about that existence.
'Jin, can you recognize who that guy is?'
[It's hard to tell because of the clock. I have a guess, but I can't give you a definite answer right now.]
Jin's voice was colder than ever.
Just as the being across from me was glaring at me, Jin seemed to be glaring at that being as well.
It's like meeting an old bad friend.
[I hope it's rain, but if my guess is correct... I might have to use an artificial body.]
Until now, Jin has never asked me to do anything that would be dangerous to my body.
That guy was quite dangerous, to the extent that she said she would take risks and use her body.
"Really, the giant slalom was nothing more than an exploration race?"
◈ Chapter 68 - 11-Leuktra Plain Grand Slalom
Even though more than 10,000 armies were shaking and clashing across the plains, he did not even look away.
Even if ants fight, humans don't really care.
Does it matter who wins?
You can run and slaughter at any time.
I felt such arrogance from him.
The being that was just glaring at me for a while slowly moved when Count Haenrel began engaging Kanniel.
However, the direction he was heading was not a battlefield.
Rather, he walked slowly over the ridge next to the battlefield as if he wanted to escape from it.
With your head fixed towards me.
"Anyone can see that it's a date request."
"...Do you see everything in the world that way?"
"Then what is that? What else is staring at you so passionately other than a date?"
Runea also kept her mouth shut, as if she had nothing to say in response to my protest.
Are you saying it wasn't something that was put together?
That's how hot the gaze of the being across from me was.
Even the leader of Cheolcheon would not be able to look at it like that.
What I have business with is you, Bjorn.
So let's get rid of all the useless stuff and look at it separately.
You could read the message in his gait.
"Sseu-eup, can't I just run away like this?"
I want to avoid dating a yandere who looks like anyone would stab me in the stomach.
Whoopee House is fun to read as a novel, but in reality it is horror itself.
Especially when men do that shit.
However, I had no intention of playing cops and thieves on the plains, so I was sad that I had no choice but to follow along.
"Mion, I have to ask you one last question. Are you really going to come with me?"
I know that Runea can only help if Mion moves with me.
But there was no need to put Mion in danger to get Runea's help.
Of course, the saint who obtained the holy sword was strong enough to use it all, but since Mion couldn't even handle it properly yet, it was obvious that it wouldn't be of any help.
If he were to die, the victory gained here would be useless.
"Don't worry. If it's dangerous, Runea here will help you."
Mion spoke slyly, but his hands were anything but.
He smelled the scent of blood flowing mixed with acrid ash, and also witnessed the death of those who had been alive just a moment ago.
Perhaps, among those crushed corpses, there are people who may have been encountered in the de Jeviets castle.
The one who spoke to Mion during the march and shared food with him.
Those who are about to have children, those who have parents to support, the troubled child who destroyed the store while drunk, and the rude guy who flirted with Mion.
I don't know their names, but those who would have passed by, and who would have lived ordinary lives tomorrow if not for this battle, fell asleep along with the ashes.
Mion, who was watching from the side, looked at them while feeling nauseated.
That must have been the thoughts of a priest watching his deathbed.
Is it.
That is why Mion cannot escape the fate given to him as a saint.
If he escapes, he will dishonor the honor of the dead.
I did not dare to tarnish his resolve by asking him back.
Instead, he ordered Amber Cutter and Barton Wigner.
"Sir Ember Cutter. As of this time, I entrust you with full authority over the Northern Alliance. Slaughter the demon cultists and save the North. This order will remain in effect until I return. If I die, you, Ember, will be the commander of the Human Lighthouse. Barton Wigner, survive by Ember's side and prove my command in the event of an accident."
I have no intention of dying, but from now on, I need to be prepared as this is unknown territory.
The two people who heard my command nodded.
Ember said that if I don't come back, he will order the Northern Alliance to retreat immediately.
We'll go to Handar Castle to join Helga and regroup.
It was much better to plan for the future than to be exterminated here.
I leave the human war to you.
I will take charge of the fierce battle with the mythical being.
Me, Mion, and Runea walked in the direction the being was going.
After walking for a while, staring at each other from opposite sides, he stopped beyond the ridge of the Leuctra Plain, far enough to hear the shouts of the battlefield as noise.
A bitterly cold chill enveloped my entire body.
I had a similar feeling when I went to Homeland.
Even when I encountered Qwarha, the great evil of plague, I felt this chill to the bone.
"I think you already know who I am, and I don't know who you are. Could you please introduce yourself?"
The act of asking a question started out as bravado, but the curiosity itself was genuine.
Although his entire body was covered, the emotion felt in his eyes and fluttering mana was clearly anger.
The anger itself is understandable.
I messed up the plan to devour the North, so a thousand dollars will come out of it.
However, the anger I actually encountered was a foreign feeling that could not be explained by that alone.
It was a more primal emotion than that, as if it was boiling deep in my heart.
In his eyes, I seem like an insignificant insect, so how could he hate me so much?
"You don't know who I am. Even if I explain it, you don't have the power to understand. You don't even know what mistakes you made due to your ignorance. You accumulated sins without even knowing what they were, and I came to you to punish you."
The man took off the cloak hood that covered his face.
Slowly his face was revealed.
He had skin as pale as a corpse, blonde hair that had lost its life, and a blue glow bloomed like a haze in his eyes.
Breath came out from between his mouth as if it were winter.
"I don't care about the rest. You have work to do, so I won't take your lives. But Bjorn, today you die. I will make sure of it."
Like the reaper he sentenced me to death.
Jin shouted after seeing his face.
[Antenor! How dare you show your abominable appearance in front of me again?!]
Only after hearing Jin's tearful cry did I know who was standing in front of me.
The reason why he was able to be so arrogant within the enemy line that halved the power of the devil.
Even the reason why Jin kept glaring at him like he was staring at an old bad friend.
The first saint to protect humanity, and the one who abandoned the expectations of the main god and stuck the holy sword in Jin's chest in the war of the gods and stood on Moloch's side.
He is the heretic leader of the Devil Cult, and after the end of the War of the Gods, people from our ancestors to the present have unanimously called him the Great Devil of Betrayal.
A fallen saint who became one of the six great devils in human form has appeared in the North.
*
Every time sword met sword, the plain split apart. The air exploded and the hearts of nearby knights rang. Two sword masters are fighting for their lives. The knights were captivated by their martial arts even though their lives were in danger.
"Why, Count Haenrel?"
Sword and sword come and go. Hundreds of numbers were locked in one match. The gap that appeared to be a trap was a trap, and although it seemed like everything was being risked for momentary strength, that strength was not much different from the next move. Kanniel exchanged swords and talked with Haenrel. His personality, habits, and even his favorite things were all contained in the sword. Haenrel must have felt the same. But even then, there were questions that could not be resolved. That was the one question he promised himself he would ask when he met Haen Rel.
"I was planning to do as you wished. Aidan would have been the heir, and the North would have been in your hands. But why did you end up joining hands with the devil?"
Kanniel intended to honor Della's last will by handing over the North to the ambitious Count Haenrel. To hand over the old kingdom that was worthless to him and to free Bjorn from the shackles of his status. Haenrel could have everything he wanted. If he hadn't been a devil, everything would have gone smoothly.
"Shut up! Do you think you can avenge the Aryan race with just the North?"
The emotions contained in the sword intensified. Kanniel looked at Count Haenrel's distorted face.
"Look at what the Rodal people have done! We embraced you who were driven out of Homeland. But didn't you hit us in the back and take away the continent of Esteria? How can we ignore the countless blood of our people sprinkled on this land? "Is that what you mean!"
The bottom of the plain where Count Haenrel walked became deeper. Canniel knew the anger of the people contained in his words. There is no one on this continent who can deny the history of hardship and suffering that the Aryan people have experienced. The sight of Haenrel in Kanniel's eyes was familiar.
"Do you know how the descendants of the Lia people are living now? They are dying without being able to eat properly in the southwest where ash falls all year round! Because you are leading us to extinction! Moloch is the only one who has extended a hand to us. It's you!"
The Haenrel family was the royal family of the Aryan people. It was for that reason that they were able to maintain their noble status even during a history of suffering. Kanniel knows better than anyone else the weight that the Haenrel family must have borne. So Kanniel saw his past self in him. He spoke of a miserable person who carried an unbearable weight and eventually collapsed. In his despair, Kanniel was finally able to understand the choice only by borrowing the power of the devil.
"I will not deny your cause. You made an inevitable choice. Your family's ancestors must have suffered as they made that choice. So do not blame me for stopping you. I cannot hand over the North to the Demon Cult. "
The rebels' center slowly collapsed. Even the second flagpole of the Haenrel family was broken. With Ember's base, the victory in the Great Battle of the Leuctra Plains was tilted towards the Northern Allies. In a situation where even the body was lost, the rebel army's ending was almost certain. However, Count Haenrel laughed heartily as if that was okay.
Haha! Do you think you won?! You're welcome! We may have lost the battle, but in the end, we're the ones who win!"
At that moment, Canniel's body was weighed down by unpleasant mana. My whole body felt numb. His eyes moved to the epicenter of cold mana. Canniel instinctively realized this. There is something beyond that plain that even he cannot handle.
'Björn...'
Khan Niel could only hope that his son, who was carrying such a heavy fate, would be safe.
◈ Chapter 69 - 11-Leuktra Plain Grand Slalom
*
Antenor, the first saint.
When the War of the Gods broke out, he was chosen by the Holy Sword that fell like a star from the sky. Originally a follower of Jin, he protected humanity under Jin throughout the war.
According to the story, he cornered the five great devils with the power of the holy sword, and his strength at the time was such that even the devil lord avoided a head-to-head fight.
Even in the final bloody battle between Jin and Moloch, Antenor followed his goddess and participated in the battlefield.
... Why, Antenor? You... Why... ?
Jin, who was driving Moloch by covering the world with fire, saw the holy sword embedded in his chest and asked him.
Antenor did not answer her question.
Jin's body and soul, separated by the holy sword, were sealed separately by Moloch.
Jin must have been trapped in the mines near Lothric Village for over a thousand years and pondering that day.
The holy sword stuck in her chest, the figure of a believer looking at her, and the unknown reason why he betrayed her.
Jin said to Antenor.
[You hurt more than my body has been torn apart over the past thousand years. Even more so than because the holy sword was stuck in it, because the person who put it in was you. I relived that day every day in the dark cave. Why did you betray me after following me so much? No matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't figure it out. What has twisted your heart? Why did you betray me, Antenor!]
Unable to withstand the intense emotions, Jin's true appearance was revealed to the world.
Runea looked at the small flame fluttering in the sky with even more surprise than when she faced Antenor.
"...You're still the same, Jin. I still missed that part of you, too."
In the legend, Antenor is described as falling for Moloch's appeasement.
Eternal life, wealth, or beauty.
The meaning of that sweet appeasement was different from person to person, but there was one thing they all mentioned in common.
The point is that Antenor was disappointed by Jin's arrogance.
In the legend, Jin tried to rule the world with fire, without considering humans, just for the sake of his marriage with Moloch.
The description that Antenor, tired of this, gave in to Moloch's appeasement and drove the holy sword into Jin's chest gave him justification.
The fact that he led the first saint to become corrupted, and the stigma of being a crazy flame god that follows Jin, is due to this.
But she was not arrogant, nor did she devour humanity with fire to prove herself.
She fought Moloch at the forefront, more fiercely than any other god.
Despite the other gods' opinions of sacrificing humans to kill the Demon King, she went out of her way to save the humans of the continent.
But why did Ante Nor, who was her protector of humanity, betray her?
"I didn't do this in hopes of understanding. When everything is over, you will naturally understand."
Antenor did not answer Jin's question.
It seemed like his purpose was more about me than Jin.
[Antenor, tell me honestly! What on earth did Moloch say to you!]
"...I'll end the small talk here. Unlike you, I don't have any free time."
The cold spread from Antenor's feet to the plains.
The floor froze, and the cold grass crumbled as it could not withstand his mana.
Then, when Antenor stretched out his hand, ice like an icicle bloomed.
The ice soon took the form of a sword and was aimed at my neck.
His breath was unusually white.
"Lungs! Protect your lungs with mana!"
Having had my lungs attacked in Qwarha's previous battle, I shouted to those around me.
If Antenor had approached him like that, his lungs would have been frozen by the cold air.
"It's insignificant. I even have the faintest thought that something like that would be meaningful to me."
Enemy ships weaken the power of Moloch and its equivalents.
Raising the temperature is only a secondary effect.
However, Antenor was born human.
The enemy's magic circle does not work on him.
In other words, he can fully demonstrate his original power!
Like a warrior throwing a javelin, Antenor threw his sword at me.
Even though the distance was considerable, the sword he threw flew right in front of his nose in an instant.
At that moment, Runea pushed my body.
-Kagagak!
The sound of compressed air exploding was followed by the sound of Aurors clashing against each other.
What I saw as I was flying was Antenor, who snatched the sword he had thrown and swung it at where I was, and Runea, who barely managed to block it.
After rolling over a few times, I was finally able to regain my balance.
"Keuheuk!"
I swallowed a groan, covering my eyes from the overwhelming wind pressure.
Is this the true power of the Great Devil?
It was a difference in skill that I could not dare to follow even with my eyes open.
It was only during Qwarha that her carelessness saved her life, but there was nothing I could do in the face of the archdemon at his full power.
A helpless feeling of helplessness enveloped my body.
"Lunea Van Hoss of the Knights of the Holy Cross. They say she is the sword saint's favorite student. She really has that level of skill. Is the child behind you the saint of rumors?"
Antenor said as he crossed swords with Runea.
Every time he opened his mouth, a chill that seemed to freeze the world came out.
I was so afraid that I wondered if the reaper of death would look like this if he appeared.
"I don't need your approval, and your questions aren't worth answering. What matters to me is that you, the corrupted bastard, dared to step on the Lord's land again. I will pay for your sins in full!"
Runea tried to act calm and sarcastically, but she probably knew.
No matter how much she is a sword master, and even one who is looking to the next level, her opponent is someone who has a fragment of a god.
Even though he was corrupted, he was still a monster who had become famous as the first saint a thousand years ago.
It was not enough for her to deal with him alone.
"Sword Master Senior. Indeed, you are a rare knight these days. However, during the War of the Gods, there were dozens of people with similar skills as you. They sacrificed their lives and worked together to stop only one great evil. You can make me pay for it. Do you think so?"
As Antenor said, her sword slowly began to be pushed back.
I hastily adjusted the mana of the dantian.
As Jin said, he intended to change the situation by creating an artificial body.
It wasn't yet ripe for the reward, but it was better to do something than to die like this.
However, the speed at which Runea collapsed was faster than I could manage my mana.
Lunea's voice dedicated to evil split the sky.
"Shut up! You dirty traitor! Because of you, humanity is still suffering to the devil! What did you sell your soul for?! Eternal life?! You sold humanity for nothing more than that!"
"You are mistaken. The main god did not give the holy sword to slay Moloch. He did not give the saint the mission to protect humanity from Moloch."
At that moment, Runea's aura that was blocking Antenor's sword disappeared for a moment.
I've seen scenes similar to that a few times.
When Mion touched an object imbued with demonic power, it disappeared in that way.
The aura that surrounded Runea's sword was erased from the world, as if purifying the power of the devil.
"A saint is a being who removes foreign substances from this world."
Ice bloomed on Runea's sword, whose aura had disappeared.
A crack appeared in the sword centered on the ice, and eventually it broke miserably, scattering fragments.
A thin line was drawn on her cheek.
The line was immediately painted red.
"It's disturbing. Get out of here now."
Antenor kicked Runea in the abdomen.
It was so fast that even Runea, the successor to the Sword Saint, could not react.
Without realizing it, she flew away, spitting out her gastric juices from her open mouth.
It was only after she smashed several of her old trees growing at a considerable distance that her body finally came to a halt.
If it had been an ordinary knight, her body would have been cut open and her internal organs would have been scattered the moment she hit him with a kick.
Because of Runea's trained body, she was able to withstand her kicks.
But that's it.
She was thrown into a dead tree, her armor shattered and blood pouring on her head, her head falling towards the floor as if she had fainted.
With just one sum, Antenor rendered the Sword Master, the ruler of the battlefield, incapable of fighting.
"Bjorn de Jevietz, do you have anything to say before you die?"
Antenor slowly approached me.
His face was determined, as if he would definitely keep his words.
Some more time was still needed to create the fleshy body.
It was Mion who bought us that time.
Pure white light enveloped the once gray plain.
The holy sword that Antenor threw away of his own will slowly revealed itself in Mion's chest.
White as a pearl, it was bead-shaped and slowly took shape.
What was placed in Mion's hand was an ax called the Holy Sword.
"...Ax?"
In the original work, Mion clearly carried a sword.
Because Galgudubal, which lost its previous owner, fell into Mion's hands in the form of a sword.
But it was different now.
The Holy Sword was transferred normally, and Mion also knew that the Holy Sword could change its appearance at will.
Mion's previous occupation was a woodcutter. It was probably the most familiar shape to him, sticking out in the shape of an axe.
Mion held the ax with both hands and swung it with all his might at Antenor as if he was chopping wood.
The holy sword rushed towards Antenor with a crashing sound that made it difficult to believe that it had been thrown by a child.
However, Mion was still not strong enough to deal with the Great Devil.
Antenor struck down the ax without any hesitation.
However, the icicle-shaped sword he made was broken by the power of the holy sword.
In that way, my neck was able to remain attached for a very minute longer.
That moment was enough time to summon Jin's flesh.
I used all the mana in my Danjeon to protect my body.
To prepare for the shock of a flood of fire.
And then he shouted.
"Jin! Sweep it out!"
The Hwajeong that was sleeping inside my body exploded.
The fire consumed my entire body.
All the liquid in my body was boiling.
Suddenly, the Danjeon, unable to withstand the power of Hwajeong, cried out as if it would break.
In the midst of unbearable pain, I could clearly see beyond the flames that consumed my vision.
One of the three gods who created this world, he is stronger than any other god, and his flame is said to be able to destroy even the same god.
The appearance of a fiery jinn descending on this world.
Like a star just being born, the ball of flame gathered at one point exploded and she bloomed brightly like a flower.
"Antenor. You have a duty to answer my questions. If you won't tell me, I will burn you until you do!"
A fire that no one could put out engulfed the plains.
◈ Chapter 70 - 11-Leuktra Plain Grand Slalom