Ch.380Chapter 380. Fate (2)

The result in my head – I cannot win.

I lost my words, and just… blankly, mulled over the result.

‘What… did it say?’

A resolute conclusion that I cannot win.

This wasn’t the first time I had seen this result.

Yes. This result… I had seen it once before.

Back then.

When the capital of Lunarian’s army was Castle Zeilant.

When it was just me, Cain, Tifa, and Lady Lunarian – with only two mercenary groups joining us, an incredibly small-scale operation.

When Lynn Brans, the ruler of the Brans army, attacked Castle Zeilant with tens of thousands of troops.

The answer that came when asked if we could win.

We cannot win.

With that answer in hand, I was able to conclude based on two other predictions that ‘Lynn’s target is not Ruler Lunarian but myself’ –

And from that moment, my journeyman life began in earnest.

From Lunarian’s army to Brans’ army, from Brans’ army to Aeshus’ army, and then to Serpina’s army…

How could I forget the moment that started this entire journey?

And.

The fact that the intelligence 100 answer was “cannot win” meant… that our side could not win no matter what we did.

Even if we were overwhelmingly winning in battle, a meteor would fall and kill us.

I knew better than anyone the power of this absolute prediction.

“Um… Lord Swen…?”

“…Ah.”

Only upon hearing Reika’s voice did I realize I had been momentarily lost in thought.

“Are you alright? Your expression suddenly darkened…”

“I’m fine…”

The word “fine” wouldn’t come out completely.

How could I be fine?

Only I knew the fact that we couldn’t win.

This letter was sent by Lady Irene. The fact that she sent a letter meant she sensed war was imminent. Being Lady Irene, it must be certain.

And.

At this rate, Lady Irene might get involved in a battle where defeat was already determined.

‘No way…!’

The opponent was Lunarian’s army, Lady Luna.

I couldn’t be sure how far rumors had spread, but there was a high possibility that she knew I was traveling with Lady Irene.

No, this wasn’t just about rumors. Ginor was on their side!

So, nothing dangerous should happen.

That’s what I should think, but…

Why is my chest so tight?

‘No!’

Deliberating at a time like this would be foolish.

If there was even the slightest unease, I had to take action myself.

Let’s go to Castle Raclaine.

Let’s meet Lady Luna before it’s too late.

Just as Lady Luna unconditionally trusted me, I unconditionally trust Lady Luna.

If I talk to her face to face… we can resolve this.

“Um, Miss Reika!”

“Eek…!!”

I held both her hands tightly and stared into her pink eyes.

…Taking her with me wouldn’t change the situation where we could lose the battle.

If that were possible, the prediction wouldn’t have been so resolute about “cannot win.” Such results only appear when nothing can be done to win.

To march as quickly as possible, it was better to act alone.

I could barely take care of myself right now… it would be too much to look after Miss Reika, who was likely less powerful than me.

“Y-yes…?”

“I think I need to go ahead.”

“Go? Where…?”

“To Castle Raclaine.”

“…!”

“I’ll go get Lady Irene.”

Reika silently stared at my face for a while.

She could have asked plenty of questions. What was I talking about suddenly, was there a hidden message in the letter telling me to come, could I explain my plan… I could think of at least three questions right away.

But instead of questioning me-

“…I understand! You need to go…!”

She squeezed my hands, giving me courage.

“Yes. I’ll go ahead, so please come slowly with our lord. Understood?”

“I understand! G-good luck…!”

* * *

After leaving the carriage, I mounted a horse.

My condition wasn’t perfect, but… I needed to ride alone now.

The entire route was through Serpina’s territory. There was no need for an escort.

“You’re saying you’ll go to Castle Raclaine ahead of us?”

“Yes. The situation is urgent. Please grant me permission.”

After about three seconds, Serpina nodded and extended her hand to me.

“Very well, Swen. This is an order. You are to head to Castle Raclaine immediately.”

Serpina, just like Miss Reika, didn’t ask me any questions.

From a ruler’s perspective, this might be an even more remarkable decision.

How many people would readily agree when a subordinate commander, especially a national strategist who should serve as chief of staff, declares they will act independently?

Having stayed with Serpina’s army, I felt a twinge in my heart knowing I had earned her trust.

“I accept your order, my lord!”

And so I departed from the formation, heading toward Castle Raclaine at maximum speed.

Please.

Please let nothing happen… that was my prayer.

* * *

And now-

The first battle between Lunarian’s army and Serpina’s army was taking place on the western side of Castle Raclaine.

“Don’t retreat!! Maintain formation!”

“No mages have arrived! Stay calm!”

“The targets are the siege weapons! Carry out objective-focused occupation as quickly as possible!”

Irene’s special unit maintained their formation even in the face of overwhelming enemy forces, focusing solely on targeting siege weapons.

However, there were simply too many enemies. Though they were doing their best… the enemy was advancing faster than expected.

At the vanguard stood-

“The Red-Eyed Dragon is here!”

“Don’t run away! We must stand and fight!”

The ruler of Lunarian’s army leading the vanguard – Lunarian Iniang.

Her Adina Sword was once again drenched in blood.

Even so.

Irene could maintain some optimism.

‘While individual strength is important, with this difference in forces… if we can properly handle the siege weapons and lock the gates, we can hold out. No matter how powerful Lord Lunarian is, she’s still just one human. Without mages, the most important thing we need to maintain is…!’

Irene shouted to her special unit following her.

“Everyone, there’s no need to be afraid! We may not win the battle, but we have the advantage in war. You know what I mean!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Then, continue to maintain formation as much as possible!”

Those following her were elites among elites, each capable of facing three or four opponents alone.

If they could just eliminate the siege weapons, the enemy would have to sustain enormous losses to breach these solid walls, no matter how many troops they had.

The morale of the defending forces wasn’t bad either. So, even without hearing Swen’s answer… we can win with just this.

Yes. As long as nothing unusual happens-

That’s what Irene thought, but.

“…What’s happening?!”

“T-the ground is shaking!”

‘What?!’

The ground suddenly began to shake-

“W-whoa!”

“E-earthquake!”

“Everyone stay calm! We must not break formation!”

“The enemy forces will also be thrown into confusion! There’s no need to fear!”

-violently, as if uprooting trees.

Irene and her special unit quickly dismounted and crouched down to assess the situation.

‘An earthquake…!!!’

In that moment.

Irene’s eyes widened in shock.

She quickly looked toward Castle Raclaine.

It was shaking.

Continuously shaking.

The earth, the world, as if in rage.

Soldiers became entangled in chaos.

Fallen soldiers, dead soldiers… enemy and friendly forces mixed together, creating a scene reminiscent of hell before her eyes.

And.

What was most “hellish” for her was-

‘N-no…!!’

The watchtowers and gates of Castle Raclaine collapsing with a thunderous crash.

Simultaneously, as if being torn apart, cracks and fissures appeared throughout the walls.

How much time passed like that?

As the shaking ground gradually returned to normal…

“The gate is breached!!”

“Charge! Charge now! This is our chance!”

The main force of Lunarian’s army, which had been observing from the rear, began charging relentlessly toward Castle Raclaine.

“W-wait… we must stop them! Everyone, take up your weapons and follow me!”

Irene hurriedly readjusted her sword and ran toward the Lunarian forces, but-

“Ugh, argh!”

“Lady Irene! Run away…!”

Under the overwhelming assault of Lunarian forces, who no longer needed siege weapons, her special unit began to collapse rapidly.

“Damn it…!”

Not fleeing now would render the dying soldier’s last request meaningless.

Spotting a riderless horse, Irene mounted it and quickly fled the scene.

* * *

Though she thought she had returned quickly to the vicinity of Castle Raclaine-

‘This can’t be…!’

Seeing the royal castle in flames, Irene could no longer even enter the castle.

…It had been captured.

After her special forces were defeated one by one.

The forces at the rear of Lunarian’s army had all entered Castle Raclaine.

Without protective walls, there was virtually no way to overcome the difference in military strength.

From the moment the earthquake struck – this battle was already unwinnable.

Surely.

It should have been a winnable battle.

Even though the opponent wasn’t to be underestimated, she truly believed they could win.

As if heaven itself was illuminating Lunarian army’s path – her forces were collapsing in a way she never anticipated.

Who could have predicted that an earthquake would strike, and specifically target Castle Raclaine’s walls!

‘…!!’

Suddenly she felt a sense of déjà vu.

This feeling wasn’t new to her.

Back then, when she was with Brans’ army, when they could have captured Castle Zeilant with just a little more pressure – they had to turn back without capturing it due to a sudden ceasefire order.

That feeling that some will beyond her control was protecting Lunarian’s army.

Simultaneously, Swen’s words – who only ever spoke the truth – flashed through her mind.

‘Lunarian Iniang is the woman who will become the unifying ruler…!’

And then-

“Here you are.”

“!!!”

When she turned her head, there stood-

The opponent she had crossed swords with once before.

The ruler of a small nation who had risen because she couldn’t entrust the world to either Lynn or Serpina, the woman with burning eyes-

“…It’s been a while, Irene Juliette.”

Holding a blood-soaked sword, staring right at her.