episode_0064

64. Before the Wine Cools

The allied forces, comprised mostly of nobility.

They had been riding high on a string of victories, as if unaware of defeat.

After all, they had achieved victories so one-sided that the word “slaughter” would be more fitting against generals whose names weren’t even worth remembering.

The allied forces, joined by over sixteen regional nobles.

And among them, the four most prominent armies with outstanding achievements.

Perhaps well aware of this fact, the four commanders and generals had gathered for a meeting inside the commander’s tent.

Vivian and Luna—a force of formidable martial prowess backed by the strategies of Lukarion and Penrose.

The Grace Army, led by Commander Erika, renowned as both a genius and a monster.

“So? What’s the plan now?”

Liriana Pendleton, Ellara Laverno, Taisy Wentz—unknown rear generals.

Yet, six hundred exceptional soldiers moving across the frigid winterlands on white steeds.

The White Steed General, Derilson-in-law Alvaren Aldrincs, leading his army.

“Our adorable junior must be strong in a place like this. Speak up.”

“How could a worthless fool like me dare speak while nobles are discussing…?”

“Though you’ve been pushed to the rear under my shadow… I know your abilities better than anyone, my dear junior.”

A beautiful golden-haired woman flanked by two valiant generals.

The famed master and warrior generals, Arghel Ryan and Baldrek Sron.

The army of Cecillia Raxhia.

“My suggestion would be to starve them out through siege tactics…”

“You low-born wench!”

Then, a booming voice shattered the tension.

A man whose abilities far surpassed those of the three armies present.

The master of the Leygar Army—heir to Arcadia, the stronghold of House Raxhia.

Cedric Raxhia, financial backer of the Blackdon Suppression Alliance and Cecillia’s elder brother, rebuked them all.

“Have any of you ever accomplished anything worthwhile?!

It’s pitiful to see you puffing yourselves up over defeating minor generals!”

All fell silent at Cedric’s words.

Though his words were grating, they were half-right.

It was true that the alliance had crushed Blackdon’s forces and advanced into Luminae unopposed.

But the foes they had triumphed over were nothing more than armies led by nameless, incompetent generals.

Reina the Unrivaled, Athena the Thousand-Slayer, Fork-and-Knife-like Targon, Grun the General-Killer, the Impenetrable Karta—

None of Blackdon’s true powerhouses had shown themselves yet.

And worse…

“Every last one of you reeks of defeat.”

Erika, Cecillia, Alvaren.

All three warlords had faced defeat at the fortress known as the Dragon’s Nest.

Though they hadn’t suffered heavy losses like generals falling in battle, they had been stalled by a general named Grun.

The Dragon’s Nest.

The sturdiest fortress and shield protecting the imperial family within Luminae.

Perhaps because they knew this well… Or perhaps due to the plans of a cunning woman called Gabriel, the situation had become extremely precarious.

The alliance, victorious in every battle until now.

Morale was high, but as time dragged on, supplies for the soldiers dwindled.

Moreover, the armies they had defeated were those of generals who had previously surrendered to Blackdon.

Since they weren’t formal forces, their losses did little to shake the enemy’s morale.

And that wasn’t all.

Relying on the impenetrable shield of the Dragon’s Nest, the enemy executed brilliant tactics.

Karta, a woman commanding well-trained soldiers, forced Vivian and Luna’s camp to collapse and retreat.

Grun the General-Killer coordinated the battlefield and secured a victory over the White Steed General, Alvaren.

Fork-and-Knife-like Targon held off Cecillia’s twin pillars—the famed generals Arghel and Baldrek.

Hit-and-run.

Strike hard, then flee back to their impregnable fortress.

Cowardly, but undeniably effective and brilliant tactics.

Erika furrowed her brows and spoke to Cedric with visible displeasure.

“So, Mr. High-and-Mighty, you have a flawless plan?”

“One far superior to that tiny brain of yours, at the very least.”

Cedric boldly mocked her short stature.

Vivian and Luna, guarding Erika, flashed with anger in their eyes…

But Erika herself, the target of the insult, merely chuckled as if amused and stared back at him.

As all eyes turned to him, Cedric—ever the center of attention—shrugged his shoulders.

The moment he opened his mouth to speak, an ear-splitting scream echoed from outside.

“Silva!!”

“…Another one bites the dust, it seems.”

After Erika, Cecillia, and Alvaren were soundly thwarted—no, halted—

Other nobles, unwilling to miss their chance for glory, recklessly launched their own assaults.

Their opponent? None other than Grun the General-Killer.

“Pathetic vermin… Is this all you’ve got?!”

Everyone stepped outside to see Grun dangling a general’s severed head.

Towering height and rugged muscles.

A scar-laden body exuding menace.

Grun, having already claimed four generals’ heads, roared as he searched for his next victim.

Though it looked utterly foolish for him to step out alone and challenge generals to duels…

It was a trap.

Erika pressed her fingers to her forehead and sighed.

“I’d hoped Blackdon’s forces would be so disorganized they’d panic into infighting…

But with him slaughtering generals in duels like this, we’re in deep trouble.”

“Quite right, my friend. If we refuse the challenge and mobilize our troops…

He’ll just retreat into the Dragon’s Nest and prepare for a siege.”

Cecillia, standing behind them, similarly sighed in exasperation.

What if the alliance ignored the duels and ganged up on him?

Then Grun would simply return to the fortress and wait out the siege.

Worse, he could spin it as a victory to boost morale.

From the alliance’s perspective, the tempting bait of Grun’s head lay right before them.

It was so tempting they had no choice but to bite, even knowing it was a trap.

And worse yet…

“Next… Next, I’ll send General Henry! He’ll decapitate that grotesque Grun in one strike!”

“No, General Hanush must go…!”

“Calm yourselves! This isn’t about personal glory…!”

In-fighting had already begun.

Nobles, provoked by the enemy’s taunts, were desperate to send their generals for a shot at recognition.

The outcome, of course, was painfully predictable.

“…General Henry.”

“Who’s next to send a general for this farce?!”

“The real problem is entertaining this foolish duel in the first place!”

“If we refuse, the Butcher Grun will simply focus on the siege!

That’d make things even harder! Cutting him down now is our best option!”

They couldn’t even agree among themselves.

Amidst this chaos, the nobles turned their eyes to Cedric.

Hadn’t he acted confidently, as if he had a brilliant plan?

“…Damned mutt. Why hasn’t there been any word?”

*Sigh…*

The “mutt” Cedric referred to was Leygar Steelwint.

In truth, he was the man who had amassed the most achievements in this war with his exceptional command and martial prowess.

Yet Cedric seemed endlessly dissatisfied with him…

“That mutt’s getting too full of himself. Cut off his supplies.”

“But, sire…!”

“Silence. A disobedient dog ignoring orders needs to be taught a lesson.”

After that clash of wills, Leygar had gone silent—whether intentionally ignoring contact or defeated was unclear.

As Erica sighed at the alliance’s disastrous state, Cecillia quietly inquired from behind.

“Have we contacted Cain?”

“…Why the sudden interest in our fox?”

“Isn’t it obvious, my friend? Even if we kill Grun, the Dragon’s Nest is an impregnable fortress.”

Then, with golden yet cunning eyes, Cecillia fixed Erika with a gaze.

It was as if she were pressuring her: *Given how badly we’re pinned, isn’t it time to play our hidden card?*

Moreover, the existence of hot air balloons capable of bypassing fortress walls was already known.

Erika exhaled and answered Cecillia.

“I sent a letter a week ago.”

“Meaning, even if he rushes here immediately, it’ll take about a month.”

“Assuming he prepares everything he needs, yes.”

Erika scratched her bobbed hair inelegantly and muttered.

Almost as if to broadcast her irritation.

“So? Who’s playing the General-Killer-Killer?”

“I see… Which general would be most suitable….”

Cecillia parried Erika’s question with one of her own.

Their gazes locked in a silent battle of wits over whose general to send.

Grun’s combat prowess was roughly on par with an entry-level S-rank adventurer.

Vivian could put up a good fight, while Luna could likely win outright.

But both were the backbone and commanding officers of the Grace Army—Erika wasn’t keen on risking their injury.

Cecillia felt the same, so the two merely stared each other down in a battle of nerves.

It was an ugly sight.

Nobles, meant to serve as models for commoners, hesitating and eyeing each other cautiously.

Then—a woman rolled a massive glaive forward and spoke.

“I’ll go.”

Her words froze the nobles in place.

A long glaive engraved with the image of a dragon.

A beauty with refreshing, meadow-green eyes and hair.

A scarf worn carelessly regardless of season.

An unbuttoned dress shirt, as if stifled before battle.

An extraordinary aura of determination…

Ellara Laverno.

When she volunteered, the nobles erupted.

“Where does this nobody think she’s stepping forward?!”

“When the likes of Grace and the Raxhia siblings are still present…!”

“Stand down!”

Of course, a torrent of scorn followed.

After all, though the nobles were intimidated, Grun the General-Killer was one of Blackdon’s elite.

An achievement against him would be invaluable—something the stubborn nobles refused to hand to an unknown general.

As the old-fashioned nobles kicked up a fuss—

Liriana Pendleton knelt before them, smiling brightly.

“Esteemed elders. If my sister fails, you may do with me as you please.”

“What…?”

She answered with an innocent, cheerful smile.

As if utterly convinced of her sister’s victory.

“Behead me, violate me—I won’t resist.

If my sister loses, use my body to restore morale as you see fit.”

This was a world where magic ensured equality between men and women.

Female soldiers were as common as male ones, but the prospect of a beautiful woman becoming a sex slave was… enticing.

Regardless of gender, sexual servitude was a fate worse than death—a mark of ultimate shame.

Liriana had staked her life and honor.

The murmur among the nobles grew at her declaration.

Ellara looked down at her kneeling sister with half-lidded eyes.

“Sister….”

“Don’t worry, Ellara. I believe in your victory.”

“I will return triumphant.”

Ellara bowed courteously to the kneeling Liriana.

Erika handed Ellara a cup of warmed wine in silence.

“Drink. It may be your last.”

“……”

But Ellara respectfully declined the noble’s offer.

Gently pushing it away with her palm, she met their gazes—her emerald eyes shining with unwavering confidence.

“I’ll return before the wine cools.”

At her words, Liriana grinned.