Chapter 71 : Dawn of War (4)
Dawn of War (4)
Asir. The king of Arme, draped in golden armor over black hair, was a man who restored order to the once-chaotic kingdom and reigned supreme.
However, he was already plagued by an unknown illness. The main symptoms were delusions and regressive, childlike behaviors. Parsei was tormented by this, wracking his brain for a solution.
At first, the king's lucidity would come and go, and he occasionally seemed normal, but the symptoms were gradually worsening.
Parsei gazed out the window and let out a deep sigh.
'Phew... At least it's a relief that I've gained the authority to move the regular soldiers. Misfortunes do seem to come in droves.'
All the kingdom's physicians had been mobilized, but the king's condition didn't improve—only getting worse over time. Because every physician was tied up with the king, multiple support requests came from the Radiant Order, asking for a physician, but it wasn't easy to spare one.
Parsei was tormented by guilt for being unable to assist Walter, but he accepted the reality that, with the king having no heir, there was simply no successor to the throne.
And so, a month had already passed. The workings of the state were growing increasingly paralyzed, problems only the king could resolve kept piling up, and it was clear the whole system would eventually collapse.
Looking back, it was an immense stroke of luck that, when the kingdom's retainers had gathered, Parsei obtained the authority to command the entire army. If war had broken out while they couldn't even move the troops, the casualties would have been countless.
Yet, even in such circumstances, Parsei's steadfast character made him believe that a disaster would befall them unless a way to cure the king was found.
He returned to the reception room of the Radiant Order and checked the messages he'd received from prestigious families and physicians.
'Still... something definitely seems off.'
Parsei felt a clear sense of discrepancy. Ever since the king started acting strangely, Blandi Kingdom's regular soldiers had begun moving—this fact was becoming more and more evident.
Moreover, all the physicians were either ignoring or rejecting his messages. Parsei decided something he didn't know was definitely involved.
As he flipped through the messages one by one, he stopped at a particular letter.
"So that's how it is... Looks like I'll have to pay a rapid visit myself."
***
Under Walter's orders, Gregory and his comrades continued their operation. The result: in just five days, they harvested crops from a vast stretch of land and supplied them to the kingdom.
Some time later, Gregory and his comrades returned to the Radiant Order's hideout. Walter took pride in their hard work and tried to instill discipline in the other regular soldiers as well.
"Well done, everyone. But the enemy's movements are suspicious. It's time to be fully prepared."
Of course, that included Gregory and his comrades as well. Everyone listened intently to Walter, who continued:
"Currently, other knight orders are said to be joining us. You all know the specialties of the various knight orders, don't you?"
"Yes, sir!"
Gregory, too, couldn't shake the uneasy feeling. It was only natural for the other knight orders to move as soon as they detected enemy activity, so why were they only joining now? It didn't make sense.
No matter how different the knight orders might be, there should still be some exchange and coordination between them.
With merit to be earned in battle, rumors should have spread by now, but none had been heard.
Given the knight orders' nature, they were bound to do things related to the citizens. Any story that made it to the citizens' lips would instantly spread, and so the tales of monster subjugations had already circulated among the people several times over.
For that reason, Gregory felt something was even stranger.
'Don't tell me... the other knight orders really haven't moved at all from the rear until now.'
Just as he was questioning this, news arrived that another knight order was joining. Gregory felt a slight sense of relief—it was clear that the Radiant Order alone couldn't hope to win if war broke out.
Besides, without support, not only would victory be impossible, the entire knight order ran a high risk of annihilation.
Alessandro, wearing a deeply troubled expression, nudged the brooding Gregory.
"Gregory, what are you thinking about this time?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing."
"Nothing, huh? Commander told us to move out. We should get going too."
"Yeah. I was just thinking the same. Let's go."
***
Gregory and his comrades headed toward the fortress wall at the front line bordering Lumiere. Geographically, this was an absolutely vital strategic point, so it was only natural that major battles had broken out here several times.
It could never be lost. Everyone focused intensely, monitoring enemy movements.
The trees obscured their view, but they could still make out the enemy's movements well enough.
There were so many enemy regular soldiers coming from afar that they were impossible to count with the naked eye.
'Am I really going to have to witness that horrific scene again?'
Gregory reflected, remembering the past. His true target wasn't those regular soldiers—it was Meren, who had betrayed him, and the king of Blandi Kingdom.
Yet, a psychological pressure weighed on him: why did these innocent regular soldiers have to face such a wretched fate?
If only I'd known for sure how to delay this war... no, if only I could have prevented the war before it even began... Would things have been different?
Just then, a thunderous voice rang out in all directions.
"Everyone, draw your bows!!"
At last, the regular soldiers of Blandi Kingdom had entered their firing range. This was clear proof that their territory had been violated—meaning war was about to begin.
Crossing the line without permission could only mean they were determined to provoke a war.
Gregory resolved to cast aside his doubts. It was human nature to feel guilt about slaughter, but lingering in such thoughts left one open to betrayal at any time—something his past life had taught him.
"All right, let's go. It's just starting—no point in hesitating."
Gregory began preparing for deployment. This, too, was on Walter's order. In a typical siege, defense was advantageous, but this time was an exception.
An uncountable number of enemy regular soldiers were closing in. No matter how skillfully they held out, with those numbers the front line was bound to be breached.
If the front was broken through like that, the only option would be to retreat to the Radiant Order's hideout. They couldn't simply abandon their newly constructed base and flee, and losing that stronghold meant the territory would be lost soon after.
That didn't mean that plan was a good solution either. If they retreated to the Radiant Order's base and got surrounded, it would only be a matter of time before it fell. They'd lose their retreat path and have their supply line cut off.
Walter judged that he needed to prepare defensive strategies in advance for that scenario. For Gregory and his comrades, the regular soldiers were not difficult opponents.
That was thanks to an overwhelming difference in strength. So even if they had to withdraw, their strategy was to kill as many enemies as possible.
"Everyone, prepare for the next mission."
Walter quietly closed his eyes. This was his first experience with war as well, so he couldn't help but feel his heart stirred by the cries echoing on the battlefield.
How many could face such a dire situation—never knowing when or where their comrade might die—without fear?
Gregory understood these feelings as he mounted his horse.
"This is the real thing now. No one gets hurt."
He looked at each of his comrades' faces. Their once-bright expressions were now frozen stiff.
Alessandro stammered as he tried to steel his resolve.
"I-I'm really nervous. Let's all come back safe and unwind together afterward!"
Brea, too, tried to hide her fear.
"Hmph. What's so scary that you're all trembling like that?"
Adrian smirked at the sight.
"What's this? Are you scared? You talk tough, but your face is twitching."
"That's not true at all."
Ernest clasped his sword tightly and—acting as mediator—spoke firmly.
"This is no time for idle chatter. Let's all keep our heads and talk afterward, when we're back."
Alessandro grumbled softly in response.
"But what if we can't make it back...?"
Gregory replied to Alessandro.
"We can't go into this feeling beaten already. Don't say such ominous things."
Gregory continued.
"All right. Like Ernest said, there's no time to waste. One last word of advice: don't act recklessly, no matter what. The enemy is coming at us with murderous intent."
Ernest nodded, then turned to the front and shouted in a booming voice.
"All right! Everyone ready? Let's move out!"
Seeing this, the comrades agreed with Gregory's words. Following Ernest's lead, they spurred their horses forward and set off.
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