Chapter 31: Invasion of the Land Kingdom 10

Departing from York Castle, we arrived in Londium after a 3-day journey.

Along the way, there was almost no interference, and it was evident that the royalist forces had significantly weakened.

"With so little resistance, it feels somewhat unsatisfying." "Don't say that. The fact that we, essentially an invading army, are almost being welcomed suggests the original governance was terrible. We should sympathize." "Didn't their king lack the caliber?" "Hey, don't compare him to King Friedrich. Our brother was saved by the king's special tax relief. It's incomparable."

"I hear such stories often. He sounds like a good king." "Yeah, our family can live comfortably thanks to that king. This war is supposedly to help Victoria and eliminate the eastern threat. We'll do our best." "Indeed, we must do our best."

On the evening of the third day, they reached the plains outside Londium. The interior of Londium Castle was eerily quiet, as if no one was present.

That day, they made camp on the plains.

Adel was deep in thought. Over the past six months, he had trained Victoria, particularly in spear fighting and horsemanship. He believed she had reached a certain level. However, he felt she still lacked something to defeat King John and avenge her father.

One aspect was battlefield experience, but since there had been almost no battles in this campaign, he accepted this couldn't be helped. It would be a baptism by fire.

The other critical point was that she had never killed anyone before. This was crucial. If she hesitated when it came time to kill, it would be dangerous.

"Can't be helped. With limited time, we'll have to do this here."

"Victoria, do you truly want to avenge your father?" "Yes. That's why I'm here. I will absolutely take my revenge," Victoria replied with an intense expression.

"Are you certain?" "Yes." "You lack two things for taking revenge. One is battlefield experience, which is unavoidable since there's been almost no fighting. We'll go in blind." "However, the other can be addressed right here. It's incredibly difficult and cruel, but can you do it?" "If it's necessary, absolutely." "Good, bring him," Adel ordered a nearby soldier.

The soldier brought a man dressed in ragged clothes, gagged, with his hands bound behind his back.

"This man was the leader of a bandit group captured by the city's vigilante group a week ago." "This bandit group has committed every possible atrocity in the area. Theft, murder, rape - no evil was beyond them." "The vigilante group has thoroughly investigated, and it's confirmed he's the gang's leader. The other bandits were executed yesterday. Only he remains."

"Victoria, you have no experience killing. So, I want you to kill him." "Is this what's necessary?" Victoria answered, slightly intimidated. "Yes, it's absolutely necessary. You're going to take revenge, which means killing. You must experience this first."

Victoria swallowed hard. "I'll do it. No, please let me do it."

The man was brought out and made to kneel. An axe was handed to Victoria. "Sever his head with this."

Victoria looked at the axe, hesitated briefly, but then took it with determination. She thought: This is necessary, so I will absolutely keep my eyes open and witness and remember everything.

The criminal moaned and tried to escape, struggling, but strong knights held him down, preventing movement. Tears could be seen flowing from his eyes.

Victoria, seeing those tears, felt her resolve strengthen. "You made many others shed tears, didn't you? I will ensure no more tears are shed."

She raised the axe high and struck the criminal's neck. Blood sprayed, the head was severed, rolling forward. One criminal had paid for his crimes.

After beheading him, Victoria dropped the axe, crouched, and vomited. "Never forget this sensation and feeling. This is what killing a person means."

Adel remembered the first time he killed someone in battle. I threw up then too. But one step is cleared now. We're going to take revenge, which means killing. One must have experience killing. Can't be helped, but why must one go through such an experience? Damn it.

I organized my thoughts about provisions. Currently, we have seven days of supplies. The fourth supply transport unit is expected to arrive tomorrow.

This means 17 days of supplies. The fifth unit should be departing the knights' castle. We currently have ample food supplies.

Moreover, this is the capital, so there should be additional food. I'm having vegetables, bread, and fresh meat collected. Supplies should increase by several more days.

For now, we should manage our food situation.