Chapter 27 : Guardian of the Empire (3)

Monsters.

While the origins of these enigmatic creatures remain unclear, most historians on the continent agree that they appeared alongside the Demon King thousands of years ago.

Monsters come in countless varieties, making it impossible to define their ecosystems with precision. 

However, one trait nearly all monsters share is their boundless hostility toward humans.

Most monsters live by preying on humans, attacking even without provocation. 

They often form groups and raid settlements, leaving destruction in their wake.

Entire nations have been annihilated by monsters, to the point where it’s impossible to count them all. 

As a result, every modern nation has adopted a policy of prioritizing the extermination of monsters whenever they appear.

Even the Empire and the Kingdom, despite their strained relations, held this in common. 

Unlike dealing with humans, who could be reasoned with, monsters were akin to natural disasters—manageable at first, but only if addressed promptly.

If left unchecked, monsters would grow into an unstoppable calamity, inevitably turning on the very nations that ignored them. 

History was littered with examples of nations that attempted to use monsters as tools, only to meet their demise.

“…Monsters being overwhelmed by force. Am I really seeing this?”

Monsters were strong enough to require national-level interventions. Yet here they were, utterly crushed by sheer power.

From the sky rained fiery meteors, each one devastating the monsters below. Arrows and even magical counterattacks from the monsters were completely ineffective, failing to reach their target.

Attempting to fight back only made things worse. Any pause to counterattack was met with an even fiercer barrage of fire, obliterating the spot from which they retaliated.

A disaster beyond calamity.

That was the only way to describe her.

For a fleeting moment, Jaiha almost felt pity for the monsters. But he quickly shook off the thought. Sympathy was a luxury monsters didn’t deserve.

“Everyone, fall back! Avoid getting caught in the flames and focus on exterminating the remaining monsters!”

What followed was less a battle and more a one-sided massacre.

The monsters, fleeing the relentless firestorm from above, were surrounded and annihilated by the combined forces of the Kingdom and Empire.

The monsters who had taken up residence on the border didn’t last an hour. Most were reduced to ash, their lives extinguished.

Though the battle was over, Jaiha’s expression remained grim.

Despite their cooperation in this battle, one successful collaboration wouldn’t erase the tension between their nations. To the Kingdom, the Empire remained its greatest threat.

And the Empire had Wolfgang.

Jaiha imagined a different scenario:

If this were war…

And Wolfgang unleashed her flames like this against the Kingdom…

Could they do anything to stop her?

The answer was simple: no.

At first, her attacks came from locations observable by magic or equipment. But later, she ascended to a height where even magic couldn’t detect her, raining fire from an unreachable distance.

“I once believed a single individual couldn’t influence the course of war. But to think such a person exists in the Empire… It’s no wonder she’s called the Guardian of the Empire.”

Jaiha was already familiar with Wolfgang Leonhardt’s title as the Guardian of the Empire.

He had even heard of her indirectly through Jeanne, his betrothed, during his visit to the Blood Pact.

***

[“Please let me face her alone this time.”]

[“That’s too dangerous, Jeanne. What if she tries to harm you—”]

[“Trust me, Jaiha. Just this once, please.”]

“Come to think of it, I never got a proper look at her face back then.”

Even this subjugation mission had been heavily opposed by Jeanne, but Jaiha had insisted, eventually securing his participation.

Letting out a sigh, he shifted his gaze.

Though he wasn’t entirely pleased, they had worked together to subdue the monsters. It seemed only proper to approach Wolfgang and exchange a formal greeting.

As he walked, he noticed Wolfgang descending slowly from the sky. Despite the overwhelming firepower she had unleashed, she showed no signs of fatigue.

However, as he approached her, Jaiha was struck with shock.

Her sharper features, the eyepatch—despite these changes, he recognized her instantly.

How could he forget someone he once promised a future with?

Even though he now regarded it as a shameful mistake, the memories hadn’t faded.

“…Lana Frost?”

Was it shock?

Or something else?

Jaiha found himself uttering that name without realizing it.

“Phew, that was scary.”

Wolfgang descended slowly after determining that the situation was under control. The reason she had attacked from the sky was simple:

She was scared.

Of course, monsters weren’t as terrifying as Wendigos. But they were still dangerous creatures that killed and devoured people.

And their grotesque appearances didn’t help. As someone who had lived a relatively safe life before the Winter War, she had no desire to engage such creatures up close.

This wasn’t a game. She had no reason to fight these monsters directly when she could annihilate them from a distance.

“Commander! You did amazing!”

“Galina?”

“Yes! Leave the rest to us!”

Galina, Wolfgang’s adjutant, had naturally participated in the operation. Technically, other members of the Vendetta Corps had wanted to join, but Wolfgang had refused.

“Showing the Kingdom how they fight would be a headache.”

Unlike Galina, the others fought in ways that couldn’t be considered human. To avoid unnecessary complications, Wolfgang had chosen only Galina to accompany her.

While the others might not care about appearances, Wolfgang’s position made it impossible to ignore such matters.

“Well, it looks like things are mostly wrapped up. Time to head back—”

“…Lana Frost?”

Wolfgang froze at the sound of a familiar name.

Her instincts reacted before her mind could process it. Turning, she saw a blond man staring at her with a stunned expression.

There was no mistaking it.

He had called her Lana Frost.

A name she had nearly forgotten, buried in the recesses of her mind. The name resurfaced after Jackal had shared rumors with her, lingering as if something lost had been found.

Yet after meeting Theodore von Frost, who denied any connection, she had let it go.

“If even my brother doesn’t recognize me, could I really be Lana Frost?”

She had decided to let it rest.

But now, unexpectedly, she heard the name once more.

Wolfgang had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away.

As she approached Jaiha, he inwardly cursed himself.

“What have I done? My heart belongs entirely to Jeanne…”

He once believed he had genuinely loved Lana Frost. But if he hadn’t been the crown prince, would she still have loved him?

[“I don’t care about your status. All I want is you, Jaiha.”]

[“…You’re saying my name?”]

[“Isn’t it natural to call the one you love by their name?”]

The fact that he had once loved Lana Frost was now a source of shame for Jaiha.

Resolving not to let her words sway him, he prepared himself mentally.

“Do you know me?”

“…Why would I tell you if I did?”

[“Do not engage Wolfgang Leonhardt in conversation if you can help it.”]

Of course, Jeanne had warned Jaiha repeatedly to avoid provoking Wolfgang. Her aim had been to keep things as quiet as possible.

She had even sent Theodore to accompany him, not just to oversee the situation but to act as a safeguard, knowing Theodore’s feelings for his sister.

Theodore, who had always wished for Lana Frost’s happiness, wouldn’t stand idly by if he sensed trouble.

“If you know anything, I’d like to hear it. My memory isn’t complete.”

“What…?”

“What are you saying…?”

What Jeanne hadn’t accounted for was Wolfgang’s blunt honesty.

Jaiha and Theodore both overheard her words.

Their faces froze in shock as realization began to set in.