episode_0023

“Flemea, please explain the battlefield in detail.”

As I moved towards the battlefield and spoke, Holly Trust briefly explained,

“Our Kareldean Empire has been expanding by attacking and absorbing surrounding countries, inflating our resources, capital, and manpower. Our growth has been rapid. Each time a neighboring country fell, the Kareldean Empire gained immense wealth and military power. The Emperor, driven by ambition, eventually launched an attack on the Phibron Empire as well.”

“So, are we currently only at war with the Phibron Empire?”

“Yes, that’s right. However, once we absorb the Phibron Empire, we will seek out and attack another nation or empire. Although waging war demands substantial funds, the outcome yields tremendous benefits in terms of vast lands, manpower, and all resources produced there. Therefore, the Emperor will not cease.”

“Give me a brief description of the Phibron Empire. What kind of people are they?”

I had to make a decision—whether to kill alongside the Kareldean Empire or preserve their lives.

“After establishing a certain level of power, the Phibron Empire refrained from engaging in wars. Most skirmishes, large or small, were initiated by the opposing side, and they mostly assumed a defensive stance. Even after the surprise attack by the Kareldean Empire, the Phibron Empire repeatedly sought ceasefire negotiations, not wanting meaningless sacrifices, but Emperor Lecan refused to listen. As a result, this prolonged conflict ensued.”

“I see.”

Finally, it made sense. In other words, the peaceful Phibron Empire was invaded by the Kareldean Empire. Despite being subjected to a surprise attack, the fact that they proposed a ceasefire indicated that the Phibron Empire was open to dialogue to some extent.

Initially, I had thought both empires engaged in war should be annihilated, but as I learned more about the internal situation, I resolved to adjust my plans so that the Phibron Empire could be preserved.

“What’s the name of that knight who cut off his arms and legs in battle and escaped?” Fleamia trembled as she spoke, clasping her hands together.

“Gallad… it’s Gallad. He used to be a knight, but now I heard he’s become the commander of the knights.”

“Do you remember the name of the Phibron Empire’s knight commander who helped you back then?”

“It’s Knight Commander Tekelloman.”

The people to kill and the people to spare had been decided. If Fleamia were to encounter the man who betrayed her, Gallad, she would kill him, while she would strive to spare Knight Commander Tekelloman, even though he was an enemy, if possible.

When one seeks to kill someone on the battlefield, they must clearly distinguish between their boundaries and beliefs. Otherwise, their mind will deteriorate. Even while killing countless people, the reason I can still possess the dignity of a non-monstrous person is thanks to these clear standards.

If they must be killed, I will gladly kill them. However, for those I can spare, I will show mercy. Of course, only when circumstances allow.

However, mercy would be minimal on this battlefield.

Fleamia learned how cruel the knights of the Kaorelden Empire could be through her experiences.

—

A battlefield littered with countless corpses. At its center stood Knight Commander Tekelloman. On the opposing side stood Gallad, the knight commander of the Kaorelden Empire, adorned with a dazzling emblem on his chest. Although Gallad’s official position was that of a knight, due to his previous feat of saving hundreds of knights from an ambush and his outstanding performance in various battles, he was promoted to knight commander.

The reason Gallad was able to rise in rank was because he casually abandoned his comrades for efficiency, strategically planned operations, and further, attacked the enemy in a narrow-minded manner by targeting only their vulnerable areas.

Tekelloman shouted, “Cowardly scoundrels! This area is inhabited by civilians. Why are you attempting to attack here?”

“Well, this area had the weakest defense.”

“Aren’t you ashamed? These people have nothing to do with the war! They don’t even know how to wield a sword properly!”

Gallad sneered in response.

“That’s the point, isn’t it? Yeah, it’s your fault for not properly deploying troops in the border area.”

“Coward. I shouldn’t have just let you go back then. I should have caught you and killed you for abandoning the saint!”

“That’s all in the past. I’m not a fool like I was back then.”

As Galad gestured, the knights swiftly moved forward. They formed a defensive formation around the wizards, as if preparing for a siege. From a safe distance, Galad shouted, “Come in and pay for your past misdeeds.”

In battle, defense often holds a significant advantage over offense. Especially in a place where magic exists, rushing towards the enemy could be foolish, considering the potential traps. Naturally, Tekeloman did not respond to Galad’s provocation. However, Galad smiled and gestured, “I knew you wouldn’t come in first. Mages, attack the civilians immediately!”

The mages at the rear immediately began casting spells. Their magic was directed straight at the civilian area behind them. The mages mercilessly began slaughtering the fleeing civilians. Ordinary people with no abilities had to face a futile and miserable end every time a spell fell from the sky.

The sound of people screaming could be heard. People who couldn’t even wield a sword, lacking any will to fight, were mercilessly slaughtered.

“Damn it…”

He knew. If the opponent was luring them in like this, they must have prepared a thorough trap. He knew better than anyone that entering there would result in everyone meeting a meaningless death.

However, Tekeloman issued the command, “Charge!”

“T-Tekeloman, commander of the knights. There must be a trap!”

“It’s true, but… at the same time, the enemy wizards’ mana is not infinite. Eventually, they won’t be able to keep up the attacks. It’s better to wait a little longer…”

“Are you afraid?”

Teceloman faced the trembling eyes of a knight and spoke. “Let me ask you again. Are you afraid of the enemy?” The knight, tears welling up, replied, “I am afraid. How could I not be? I don’t possess exceptional skills like the commander, nor have I achieved great deeds. I’m just a replaceable knight here.”

“It’s not that I’m not afraid,” Teceloman said, placing his hand on the man’s shoulder. “I am too. I fear when the enemy’s blade might pierce my heart, or when their magic might penetrate my mind. It’s terrifying to think I might not see my wife and child again, and it’s frightening.”

“Why not… just pretend not to know once? When the mages run out of mana, we can charge then!” The knight suggested.

“I can’t do that. Living so cowardly, I wouldn’t be able to face my child. Even if I end up in a grave, it doesn’t matter. When my child grows up, sees me, and learns of my deeds, at that time, I want to be a proud father to them. Moreover, I want to be a proud knight for the country.”

Teceloman shouted, leaving the man behind. “If there are those who are afraid, they can flee unpunished. But if there are those who want to protect people, those who want to drive a dagger into the vile enemy’s throat, follow me. However, make one promise.”

“In this battle, I will be the first to die,” Teceloman yelled as he charged forward without waiting for orders.

Teceloman endured the concentrated assault of the mages, blood flowing from his body from the start. Yet, he did not stop.

Boom! An explosion erupted from the ground. Teceloman was thrown into the air but landed, rose immediately, and staggered forward. Subsequently, enemy knights began charging. Teceloman roared and cut them down.

One. Two. Three.

He began to slaughter the enemies with a dying body. As a result, the enchantment of the mages of the Kaelorend Empire ceased. They could no longer attack civilians and focused their attention solely on Tekelloman.

“Damn it…”

A fallen knight gripped the sand tightly in his hand and groaned.

Fearful. He didn’t want to die. He didn’t want to meet his end in a place like this. Right now, he wanted to turn his body around and leave the battlefield. But…

“I… I…”

But the man knew. There was no paradise in fleeing. Even if they managed to escape the battlefield this time, they were aware that they would eventually die in the endless war. The reason he had survived until now was because of an outstanding commander.

Tekelloman always took risks and minimized the deaths of his allies with clever strategies. It was a habit for Tekelloman. Whether alive or dead, a knight must remain a knight.

It seemed like a cliché. However, the man was sacrificing his life to uphold those words.

Even though he wanted to flee, his feet wouldn’t move. His eyes continued to watch Tekelloman’s back being ridiculed by the enemy. His heart began to beat wildly.

The fallen man let out a cry and grasped the fallen sword.

It was then that he realized his true feelings.

It was admiration.

The knight he had admired since childhood possessed such a back.

And the man always wanted to stand by that kind of knight.

“Aaargh!”

As the fallen man rushed forward with the sword, the knights who had been watching from the side all began to rush into the battlefield. No longer trembling, no longer afraid of the enemy. The man muttered as if determined,

“I am… a knight.”

A fierce battle to guard the border area had begun.