How to Live as a Swordmaster of the Enemy Nation

Premonition

As the biggest problem was solved, the meeting proceeded at lightning speed. Originally, there would have been a need for a serious discussion about how to block the Blandi Kingdom, but—

Gregory had already instilled terror in the enemies through the battle at the earthwork. Ernest's brilliant strategy also gained strong support, so no one was particularly worried.

'I'll make sure those guys can't even approach the walls.'

Above all, Gregory came up with a clever idea during the meeting. It was never that Arme was lacking in resources. He proposed using their abundant resources to smelt iron and produce armor, then put it on wooden dummies.

If spotted from afar, it would give the impression of a massive army, frightening the enemy. With so many combined factors, it would make it difficult for the Blandi Kingdom to invade easily.

With that, the meeting was wrapped up for now, and the knights did their best in their assigned posts in order to support the knight order of twilight.

Gregory headed with Walter to the audience chamber and engaged in conversation.

"It's truly a relief to have a way to break through this frustrating situation."

"No... It's me who's surprised—even Ernest's sudden plan turned out to be extremely practical."

"Then I would appreciate it if you deliver the letter properly."

Walter then immediately sent a letter to Parsei. He drafted a report on the opinions that emerged in the meeting and the plans for the future.

Moreover, since a perfect execution of this mission required sending an envoy to the Kingdom of Britain, he included that matter as well.

"Don't worry. With things as they are, hyung will understand. In any case, nothing big is left as a problem. Let's just think that it'll work out, since we lack things more than we have."

And as the blocked matters seemed to unravel easily, hope arose in a corner of their hearts that they might seize the upper hand in the war.

Sometimes that hope raised the morale of soldiers and people, strengthening their resolve. Gregory thought this was a good sign.

"I understand. By the way, when do you plan to depart?"

Walter lifted his teacup and stood by the window. To him, the brilliant sunlight pouring down from the sky seemed like hope itself.

Sipping the bitter tea, he muttered, "We probably can't leave until a letter returns from the Radiant Order. After all, we can't just empty this place out before the reinforcements arrive."

Gregory nodded, continuing, "I sincerely hope the reinforcements arrive... Even if it's just a vain hope."

Sensing Gregory's unease, Walter offered him comfort. He knew that despite Gregory's mature demeanor up to now, he was still an unmistakable child.

He believed that if Gregory maintained that usual composure, victory in the upcoming war would be all but assured.

"Don't worry so much. Haven't we managed so far with just our own strength? Of course, being forced to retreat on the front lines is a huge mistake, but in the end, it's true that we inflicted tremendous losses on them."

Thanks to Walter's comfort, Gregory was able to gather his thoughts. He told himself not to grow weak after all his life-risking efforts so far.

He resolved to face things with even more focus. However, there are always exceptions. Gregory wanted to prepare for any unforeseen situation.

'They always said my predictions were almost never wrong. Then... why this chill? What am I missing?'

So Gregory carefully approached Walter.

"I understand... It might sound like a cold request, but may I ask you for a favor?"

Walter looked at Gregory and readily agreed to the request. Given Gregory's extraordinary achievements thus far, refusing such a request would be even more suspicious.

"All right. Speak freely. I'd like to guess what you are aiming for this time."

After a moment's thought, Gregory spoke.

"It's probably unlikely, but if by chance I die in battle, could you protect the members of the knight order of dawn no matter what?"

Walter angrily retorted to Gregory's unexpected words.

"How can you speak such ominous things when the war hasn't even started yet!"

"You know as well as I do, commander, that war is full of variables, and nobody knows how those variables will play out. If I could, I'd sacrifice myself for my comrades."

Walter shook his head and suppressed his outburst, then spoke.

"No, Gregory. I don't understand why you're saying something so dreadful. You're young to be experiencing the horrors of war... but you've never shown this kind of sentiment before."

Despite Walter's objections, Gregory did not back down. Gregory had two goals, and if he failed to complete both, he believed he had to at least achieve one.

If he died, he would never be able to kill the enemy by his own hand.

"So, what is your answer? I don't want you to stop me, I want to know if you can firmly protect my comrades."

Walter didn't answer the question. No, the question itself was wrong. He intended to save Gregory at all costs, so he felt the question wasn't even valid.

"At least tell me the reason. Why have you started thinking like this?"

Walter wanted to know the motivation behind Gregory's behavior and what he was feeling.

Only then could he understand Gregory's actions.

"Will you tell me? Why are you so desperate to protect your comrades' lives?" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel•fire.net

But Gregory couldn't tell the truth. That he was actually a swordmaster of an enemy country. That he had come back from the past and been reincarnated into this body.

No, even so, how absurd! The idea that someone's soul could be trapped in someone else's body.

Gregory gazed at Walter with a wistful look.

"Is a reason needed to protect the precious lives of one's comrades? I now understand what true comrades are, and I wish for them never to lose their bright smiles."

Walter let out a helpless laugh at Gregory's words.

"Heh heh heh... You're only thinking of the surface. Would your comrades really go on to live happy lives if you died in their place? They'll only live with lifelong guilt, regretting every moment because you died for them."

Gregory had already experienced a similar situation with Bram before and had found his answer ahead of time.

"That's right. That's why I won't run away. Choosing the lesser evil over the worst, the better over the lesser evil, and the best over all else—that's what's right."

Gregory spoke boldly, as if it were nothing.

"Now I see the real you emerging. Did you really think I'd grant your request, knowing you think like this?"

But Walter's next words left Gregory flustered. Sensing something was wrong, Gregory looked at Walter with despair in his eyes.

"Does that mean... you won't grant my request? You said you'd grant anything, whatever it may be."

"Enough. If I granted such a request, I'd only end up with complicated feelings myself. I'll pretend I didn't hear any of this today."

"But isn't everything going a little too smoothly?"

Turning his back, Walter paused at Gregory's words and looked over his shoulder.

"What do you mean? Are you saying it's not good that everything's being resolved smoothly?"

"My premonitions have never been wrong so far. Yet, I can't shake this unease... which must mean there's something we're missing."

Walter hesitated for a moment, then responded resolutely.

"Hmm... Do you know why a premonition is just that? No one can always be right. The fact that all your premonitions have come true till now is what's truly odd."

"Still, preparing for the worst is never a bad choice. I'll admit my assumption about dying might be a mistake, but can you check if we're missing anything?"

"Missing something..."