Chapter 228 : Chapter 228
Chapter 228
It was all humans.
From one side of my vision to the other, everywhere my eyes could reach, Cordis soldiers were packed tightly.
Their numbers, spearheads and sword blades glittered, and flags were held high.
The lion, the dragon, and the eagle, and covering them all, the human crown.
It was the flag of the Thousand-Year Empire, Cordis.
The number of soldiers was around 38,000.
They weren't conscripted farmers scraped together in a hurry, but Imperial legionnaires who had undergone arduous training.
Added to that were a whopping 130 giant-form magi-soldiers.
I, Zeronimus, did not hide my satisfaction.
“A trivial speech won't be necessary.”
What's the point of a speech for well-trained soldiers, anyway.
The legionnaires of the Cordis Empire were not so weak that their morale would drop just because they didn't get a speech.
At least, that's what I thought.
I, the Eight-Impact General, scanned the staff officers without dismounting.
Four Legion Commanders, the Magi-Soldier Corps Commander, and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau.
Every last one of them was outstanding enough for Emperor Ferbias to remember their face and name.
“From now, we will pass through the central pass of the great mountain range. It's a three-day journey at an adult's walk, but if we run the horses, we'll arrive in a day. Ensure all troops are stationed on the west side of the great mountain range within one week.”
“Yes, General.”
“Two hundred cavalry will take the lead and clear the way. I, Eight-Impact General Zeronimus, will be with them.”
These two hundred cavalry all belonged to the 8th Legion, and were no different from my personal guard.
Just looking at them made me feel secure.
“Legion Commander Nana.”
“Yes, General Zeronimus.”
“Separate from the fact that I do not like you, you are the next in command after me.”
“I know.”
“It will be fine to entrust command of the troops to you, I assume.”
“Please entrust it to me.”
Nana bowed her head politely.
The top of Nana Nereyades's head further swelled my satisfaction.
That Nine Streams General Nana, who had been so haughty, broke her pride and acted so politely, so even I, Zeronimus, couldn't help but soften my heart.
“I've said it, all troops must be stationed on the other side of the great mountain range within a week.”
I, Nana, did not say more.
Sometimes, not answering is the way to add more trust.
Zeronimus snorted.
Indeed, his subordinate was Nana Nereyades.
Just because she was demoted to Legion Commander, her abilities wouldn't have disappeared.
“Let's go!”
I, Zeronimus, spurred my horse.
In an instant, I disappeared beyond the pass, kicking up dust.
The two hundred cavalry followed behind me, and the sound of hooves was thunderous.
I, Nana Nereyades, only lifted my bowed head after Zeronimus was out of sight.
“…You heard him, everyone?”
I, Nana, opened my mouth.
“We will begin the march according to the pre-decided order. Have the 15th Legion take the lead.”
“Yes, General Nana.”
“I am not a General. I am a Legion Commander, just like you, 15th Legion Commander.”
“No, you are, General.”
The 15th Legion Commander smiled sheepishly.
It was the same for the 16th Legion Commander and the 33rd Legion Commander.
Until now, they had only treated me harshly because they were wary of Zeronimus.
“How could His Majesty leave you demoted, General Nana. If you establish merit in this war, you will quickly be reinstated.”
“That's right, where else could they find a talent like you, General Nana?”
I, Nana, let out a small sigh.
I wondered if these fellows, despite being Legion Commanders, had any specialty other than flattery.
The sight of them sucking up to me as soon as Zeronimus disappeared was quite disgusting, but I didn't show it.
It's not like they enjoy this flattery, either.
“We are in a hurry. Personal chat later.”
I, Nana Nereyades, lifted my spear.
I no longer go around with just my bare fists.
Until now, I had been overconfident in my own strength and didn't carry a spear.
But that was arrogance.
There are many lives I've received from Niko.
I cannot be arrogant any longer.
I had to give my all in everything.
“Begin the march. Above all, we must be careful about securing the supply lines. And do not forget that every single one of those soldiers is His Majesty the Emperor's property.”
“Yes, General.”
“If you want to see me beheaded for the crime of insubordination, keep calling me General.”
“…No, Legion Commander Nana.”
I, Nana Nereyades, looked at the mountain.
The great mountain range is high and wide.
It was a wall blocking this side of the land from the other, as if it had drawn the boundary of the world.
My lips were firmly closed, and a deep light settled in my eyes.
The Legion Commanders surrounding me saw the image of the Whale of Hobel Bay, Niko Nereyades, in me.
It meant they felt a steadfastness that seemed impossible to shake, no matter what waves crashed against it.
“For Cordis… may there be glory.”
***
I, Eight-Impact General Zeronimus, rode hard.
The speed was terrifying.
My favorite horse was no ordinary horse, but an artificially created Magical Beast.
As befitting the essence of the Imperial Academy of Magic's magi-technology, when it galloped with its six legs, the surrounding scenery receded rapidly.
‘An opportunity has come.’
A deep smile was on my, Zeronimus's, lips.
In truth, I was not someone who had any reason to stand at the vanguard.
No, to be precise, not standing at the vanguard would have been the wiser decision.
But I, Zeronimus, volunteered for the vanguard even knowing I was not being wise.
‘The chance to catch Emperor Ferbias's eye has finally come……!’
I, Eight-Impact General Zeronimus, was a man of great ambition.
I held the position of one of the Ten Great Generals of the Empire, but I always looked higher.
For example, the position of the three Grand Generals, the most outstanding among the Ten Great Generals, for example, a position as the Emperor's closest confidant, for example, the position of a Duke or Marquis that could pass down wealth and honor for generations…….
This war was a chance to build merit.
I had to show Ferbias that I, Zeronimus, deserved to sit in a higher position, not just the 8th seat of the Ten Great Generals.
To do that, I couldn't just sit in the barracks with the staff officers.
I had to achieve a feat that others could not, one that only I, Zeronimus, could.
‘It was always unfair. That the order of the seats of the Ten Great Generals, excluding the three Grand Generals, was not in order of strength…….’
There isn't a big difference in skill from the 4th seat to the 10th seat.
I, Eight-Impact General Zeronimus, was confident that I was at least next in line after the Grand Generals, especially in close combat, and I believed that in certain situations, I wouldn't fall so far behind them either.
I was exceptionally strong.
I also had an exceptionally tough body, and I was an exceptionally fast learner.
Living like that for about 20 years, there was nothing I feared.
In many cases, enemies for me were divided into two types. The vast majority I could kill in one blow, and the minority of strong fighters who required at least two swings of my weapon.
I lived a life where the possibility of defeat didn't even need to be considered.
It's the same now.
Even though I was the commander-in-chief, I wasn't the least bit afraid, charging into enemy territory with only two hundred cavalry.
If I were to die, morale would fall and command would be dispersed, but that wasn't a problem at all.
‘Who in the West could possibly kill this Zeronimus?’
I am Eight-Impact General Zeronimus.
I even had my grip on the Ancient Weapon ‘Bellows’s Afterheat’.
So there was no way I'd have any hesitation in galloping my horse.
‘Still, I'm conflicted.’
My face became serious.
‘Should I use the Ancient Weapon, or not? I really hate the thought of my achievement being attributed to the Ancient Weapon…….’
I want to look good to His Majesty the Emperor, no matter what!
I, Zeronimus, fell into thought while holding the reins.
“General!”
“Hmm! I've decided!”
I, the Eight-Impact General, opened my mouth.
“Still, it is an item His Majesty personally granted! To show the West truly overwhelming power, I must use the Ancient Weapon after all!”
“…Yes? What are you saying?”
“Ah. My apologies. I had something to think about for a moment.”
I twisted my lips and turned my head.
“Why did you call, Adjutant?”
“Enemies.”
A light shimmered in the adjutant's eyes.
It was the same behind his head.
The Magic of the Two Stars, ‘Clairvoyance’.
“There is someone blocking the path.”
“Of course. No matter how backward those western bastards are, they would have at least prepared this much.”
I, Zeronimus, hummed.
It was a time for fights and a time for war.
I didn't hide that I was rather excited.
“Do not slow down! No, rather, charge! Ride the momentum and wipe them out in one go!”
I laughed heartily and shouted.
“This is the first battle we offer to His Majesty the Emperor. Shouldn't we make it as spectacular as possible!”
The two hundred cavalry laughed along.
“That's right, General!”
“We'll make those western bastards cry just from hearing the General's name!”
“They will remember Zeronimus of Cordis even after a thousand years!”
I, Zeronimus, smiled, baring my teeth.
These two hundred were my personal guard, the elite of the elite that I had raised with my own hands.
I was confident I could wipe out even two thousand of those western rabble.
“Adjutant, what is the scale of the enemy?”
“…Uh……”
The adjutant couldn't answer easily.
He cupped his hand to look far away, then rubbed his eyes, and then looked far away again, letting out a groan.
“…Th, General……”
“Is there a problem? I asked the scale of the enemy? What, are there like 20,000 of them? Then we'd have to turn our horses around.”
The cavalrymen laughed raucously.
20,000 in a mountain valley like this! You're an excellent joker, General! But if it's 20,000 western rabble, would we really need to turn our horses around?
I, Zeronimus, basked very pleasantly in the pouring flattery.
“Hurry up and tell me. How many enemies are there?”
“……One……”
“……Uh-huh?”
The adjutant carefully continued.
“……It is just one person, General.”
***
“Heh!”
I, Zeronimus, was dumbfounded.
“Alone? He's blocking us alone?”
I, the Eight-Impact General, who was about to burst into anger, flinched and turned my head.
“No, perhaps he's trying to surrender? Or maybe he's just an ordinary person who doesn't know what's going on in the world.”
“…No, General. He is dressed as a Maesh officer, and he's holding a club in his hand.”
“A club? A club-lub-lub?”
In the end, I, Zeronimus, couldn't help but let out a roar.
I am the Eight-Impact General, and I am riding with two hundred cavalry I raised myself. And some bastard is blocking the way alone, holding a club?
I was so exasperated, it bordered on feeling insulted.
“I knew western swordsmen were crazy about chivalry, but isn't this just a crazy bastard! Adjutant, keep watching! What kind of crazy bastard does he look like?”
“…Hmm, he looks ordinary. Maybe around forty? His beard shadow is dark, looks like he just shaved off a beard he'd grown for a very long time. I was like that once.”
“…You explain in great detail.”
“And, huh? Uh oh?”
The adjutant tilted his head.
“Isn't that a completely crazy bastard?”
“What is it now?”
“…No, that bastard, I thought he was taking something out from his clothes, and……!”
He yelled.
“It's a liquor bottle! He's drinking now… oh man, oh man! He's chugging that strong stuff straight from the bottle……. No, look at the empty bottles next to him. Just how much has he chugged……”
“…Hehe……”
I, Zeronimus, let out a hollow laugh.
In the end, I stopped my horse.
The two hundred cavalry all stopped following me.
My shoulders, having stopped, heaved.
My anger surged to the heavens, and laughter came out.
“…Heh, hehe-he……!!!”
I cackled.
Each time I laughed, an unconcealable anger radiated.
The two hundred cavalry felt as if their breath was being choked off.
The rage of one of the Ten Great Generals of the Empire had the power to crush everything around it.
After laughing for a long time, I, Zeronimus, looked back at the two hundred cavalry.
“Is there no one?”
There was no trace of a joke.
My voice was majestically heavy.
“That drunkard! That bastard who, drunk, dares to block us alone with a single club! Is there no one who will bring me the head of the man who has insulted His Majesty the Emperor's army!”
“Ludora is here!”
A man rode forward, spurring a red horse.
In one hand he held a round shield, in the other a long spear.
It was a familiar face, so I, Zeronimus, smiled with satisfaction.
Ludora strained the veins in his neck as he shouted.
“Please give this Ludora the chance to build merit for His Majesty the Emperor, General!”
“Good!”
I, Zeronimus, gestured.
“Bring me that drunkard's head, Ludora!”
***
Ludora spurred his red horse and approached the man.
I, Zeronimus, simply watched him with a satisfied heart.
Ludora was skilled enough to be counted among the top three in the 8th Legion.
He was young, so I expected him to one day sit in the seat of the Ten Great Generals of the Empire after me; there was no reason at all to worry.
“I am Ludora!”
Ludora said, gripping his long spear.
Only then did the man take the liquor bottle from his mouth.
“Commander of a Thousand of the 8th Legion of the great Emperor Ferbias, Ludora Repius! State your name, drunkard of the West.”
“Obro.”
The man tossed the empty bottle aside carelessly, his eyes flashing.
Unlike a drunk person, a demonic energy shimmered in his eyes.
“Obro of the Denoebang family.”