"No, Ian."
Walter shook his head again with a bitter smile, yet his eyes were exceptionally resolute.
He turned his head, looking at Ian. "Can you abandon the citizens of over a dozen cities, letting them become slaves to the Ashen Empire?"
"I..."
After a long hesitation, Ian still shook his head silently.
Walter continued: "This is His Majesty Wilhelm's overt scheme. He's betting that we still retain a conscience, unlike him and his subordinates who have no bottom line, treating human lives as worthless."
Ian gritted his teeth and said angrily, "I never thought Lord Aragon would have such a son!"
"Ian, we have no other choice but to take over the mess they left behind to resist the southward advance of the Ashen Empire, for the sake of—the people of North Aisier."
Walter slowly drew out the nearly three-meter-long Great Sword, his tone firm and powerful, a bright glint shining through his golden pupils.
"My lord."