episode_0094

lost.

I lost without any room for excuses.

Brynhild’s hands trembled in a sense of helplessness and deep defeat.

Her heart, which had never given up no matter what difficulties and hardships she faced, broke at this moment when she had to take responsibility for the future of her tribe.

To her, defeat did not mean much.

Defeat was a stepping stone to the next step, not an obstacle standing in the way.

The numerous defeats he suffered before becoming a Great Warrior only made Brynhild stronger and had no further meaning.

But this time was different.

For the first time in her life, she faced a wall she could not overcome.

It was a wall that could never be overcome, even if all possible means were used.

gilbert lion heart

It was a wall that the warriors of the empire had no choice but to overcome.

It was only after experiencing this painful defeat that she realized how much of a frog in the well she had been.

The talents they had were different, and the experience and inaction they had accumulated were different.

Even his much-vaunted sixth sense had no effect on him at all.

No, it wasn’t that the sixth sense didn’t work.

Rather, it was surprisingly accurate.

This was the result of ignoring my sixth sense, which was ringing a painful alarm as if telling me to run away at all costs.

Brynhild chewed his lips.

Blood flowed out along with a tingling pain, but it did not change the outcome.

She was defeated in the Bolsung Saga, which was forgotten even by her clan.

According to the oath, the loser had to follow the words of Gilbert, the winner.

Since this was a ritual that risked honor and soul, it had to be observed no matter what.

Brynhild opened the cockpit door and went out without even thinking about wiping the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.

Ironically, the sky was so blue and clear.

My ancestor Sigurd. Is this really the price of arrogance?

I squinted my eyes in the dazzling sunlight and lamented.

“Initiate of Bolsung Saga. Brynhild Vanir, the great warrior of Sigurd’s tribal union, is the shield of the empire. I admit that I was defeated by Gilbert Lionheart.”

Even though my teeth were grinding, the loser is silent.

She didn’t have the courage to look back at the warriors of the tribal alliance.

How do they really view themselves?

Just thinking about it gave me chills.

– Push!

The cockpit of the giant soldier who had pushed her to the end was opened.

Brynhild raised his head with difficulty and looked at the imperial warrior who had defeated him.

“According to the Volsung Saga’s oath, I, the loser, must carry out the request of Gilbert, the warrior of the empire. Whatever it is, tell me.”

Even if it was an oath with the people of the Empire, she could not refuse it.

Saga’s oath was something that had to be kept under any circumstances.

Her doctor didn’t matter there.

That was Saga’s pledge.

Brynhild gritted his teeth and waited for Gilbert to speak. Even though I knew there was no turning back, I couldn’t stop blaming myself for losing.

“I will request Sigurd’s great warrior, Brynhild.”

“Have you made up your mind? Say whatever it is.”

Do not say! Don’t give me that order to betray my tribe!

Brynhild widened his eyes.

Even if it was a useless wind, I couldn’t bear it if I didn’t do this.

“Do your best to help Sigurd make peace with the Tribal Union. This is something that I, Gilbert Lionheart, who is currently the highest commanding authority, risk my life to discuss.”

“What?”

Brynhild’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

At the same time, a faint light glimmered around her and Gilbert’s bodies and then disappeared.

This meant that a covenant had been made.

“What do you mean? Don’t deceive me!”

“Deception? Is there deception in a life-threatening pledge?”

Brynhild couldn’t give any answer to Gilbert’s emotionless question and kept his mouth shut.

That was correct.

Gilbert dared to tie his life to the oath.

The oath of the Volsung Saga had its roots in ancient word magic. The words spoken bound the soul, and no exceptions could be made.

That’s why Brynhild couldn’t understand the man in front of him.

Even though he risked his life to fight, he foolishly made a declaration that there was no benefit to him.

Brynhild’s mind became complicated.

Confusion aggravated as the intention could not be guessed.

“What is the reason? Even if you asked me to betray the tribal union, I would have known that I couldn’t refuse.”

“It is best not to start a war. Should we teach those basics?”

“Can you make such an oath even after knowing the bitterness between us and the empire? Or are you saying you’re an idealist? Even if you force it back together, it doesn’t mean that broken dishes will stick together. There is nothing left to do but war with us who have already attacked the empire. Only winners and losers. There are only two options!”

“There are no winners or losers in war. Honorable battle? Glorious war? It’s all just bullshit.”

“Are you going to insult me?”

“Sigurd’s great warrior. Don’t be mistaken”

Gilbert’s blood-red eyes glared fiercely at Brynhild.

Those eyes were those of a warrior who had crossed countless lines of fire.

“War is nothing more than a scene of slaughter and the center of hell. Do not glorify war.”

Brynhild lost all the words he was trying to refute.

The saying goes that in war there are no winners or losers.

The eyes were glaring at her as if reproaching her.

The unknown pain that seeps into it.

Everything was stuck in Brynhild’s chest.

Gilbert’s words penetrated the essence of war that could never be refuted.

That was correct.

War is still war no matter what rhetoric you use.

Brynhild suddenly had the illusion that his shoulders had become heavy.

Even though there was no way there was anything, I glanced at my shoulder.

As expected, there was nothing visible on his shoulder.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling that my shoulders were too heavy.

Then I suddenly realized.

The weight of Gilbert’s words was weighing down on her shoulders.

***

Was I too excited?

Gilbert sighed.

The Saga route he sought was one that took advantage of the Saga’s pledge of trust.

Bolsung Saga, who is imbued with a part of ancient spirit magic, makes an oath conditional on the words spoken.

Gilbert took advantage in tactical combat.

With a very simple strategy of showing sincerity by risking one’s life and ending the war by making peace, I achieved the achievement of losing 0 units.

Of course, it was unclear whether it would work in this realistic world, but it was a better choice than recklessly going to war.

However, my words came out harshly because I was too empathetic, but I did not regret it.

Because it is true that war should not be glorified.

“Why didn’t your empire hate us?”

Brynhild asked, looking distressed at first glance.

Fortunately, the intention itself seemed to have worked.

“I just hate war.”

“I see…”

Brynhild lowered his head as if he was deep in thought.

I couldn’t tell what she was thinking because I couldn’t see her face.

But Gilbert wasn’t too worried.

If he was the Brynhild he knew, he wouldn’t have reacted this much to something that didn’t even need to be said to him.

“I understand. Gilbert, warrior of the empire. Following my pledge, I accept your request.”

That’s it.

It was only then that Gilbert breathed a sigh of relief.

If she refused, there was nothing he could do.

The war of just killing and dying would have been repeated again.

Gilbert smiled secretly.

[It’s dangerous! Gilbert!]

It was that moment. Fermo’s urgent voice was heard through the communication magic connected inside the cockpit.

[die! You are a dog of a dirty empire!]

As soon as Fermo’s urgent voice was heard, a warrior from Sigurd’s tribal alliance side shouted with full communication magic.

Light flashed with a crackling sound.

Among the lightning-type magic weapons used by Gilbert, it was Lightning Spear, which had the fastest activation speed.

The magic that tore through the air hit Gilbert in an instant.

– Quaaaang!

***

Acrid dust rose up and covered the giant soldier. Although it only fired one shot, it was magically armed.

The power of just one shot was enough to easily kill at least one person.

Fermo gritted his teeth and screamed loudly.

[All troops! Ready for battle!]

[Ready for battle!]

The giant soldiers who had been quietly lined up behind Gilbert until now took out their weapons and prepared to jump out at any moment.

Sigurd’s tribal alliance also took out their main weapons to counterattack.

“What kind of bastard!”

She couldn’t believe that there was a warrior who attacked hastily even after hearing the full result of the honorable Volsung Saga.

Gilbert attempted to suggest a way for tribal unions and empires to coexist.

Perhaps it could have been possible to resolve the long-standing grievances between the union and the empire to some extent, but that opportunity was kicked away.

Gilbert even opened the cockpit and came out to make the suggestion.

Brynhild couldn’t help but grit his teeth as the only treat given to someone who showed that much trust was a magic weapon.

She hurriedly opened the cockpit and got on Fafnir.

Brynhild, who bit his lip again, felt a tingling pain, raised the giant soldier, and blocked the space between the two camps.

A war should never have occurred like this.

That much had to be prevented.

Brynhild clutched the control stick so tightly.