Ch#242
The battle that had begun at dawn seemed to have finally reached its conclusion.
Just as Lady Roshan had said, the person the Crown Prince had recruited in advance acted as part of a pincer movement with the Imperial Army from the rear, encircling the enemy and gradually driving them into a corner to be annihilated, like rats trapped in a jar.
Although the flank where the Grand Duke was located had faltered, allowing a significant number to escape, pursuit units had been dispatched. Thanks to this, it was said that there would be no more trouble harassing the border for decades to come.
Furthermore, since the Emperor's body had been recovered, if they proceeded to the Capital now, they would be able to hold the funeral once more.
It was truly strange. Even though I was standing hours away from the Border Region where the war had broken out, I felt as if I could strangely smell the scent of blood.
Thinking of the horrific corpses I had seen made me want to vomit right then and there. Although the Imperial Army had won the war, the fear I felt was greater than the relief of victory.
My face must have turned pale. While a war can be explained simply in words, the reality I had witnessed was no different from a struggle in hell. And now, I was walking into that very hell.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes."
I stood up with difficulty, rubbing my dry, rough lips with the back of my hand as I answered weakly. Was it because I had forced back the bile rising in my throat? My stomach felt sharp, stabbing pains.
"Has there been any other contact from His Highness?"
Even though Lady Roshan had provided a detailed explanation, I asked him again. Plans always have unexpected variables and things do not always go as intended.
It would be a relief if they went to the Border Count's Castle as the Crown Prince had predicted, but if they marched straight to the Capital, that would not be bad either. The Shadow nodded slowly and replied.
"His Highness will spend tonight at the Border Count's Castle and depart for the Capital tomorrow morning."
Following his guidance out of the tent, I was met with a force standing in perfect order. They were divided into several units and were in the middle of departing sequentially. Their movements were as quiet and agile as a cat's.
"We will depart with the final unit."
"Where is the merchant ship?"
"It is anchored at a nearby pier."
At the Shadow's words, I let out a sigh. How much did this man know about this matter? Seeing as the Crown Prince continued to send instructions to him, he didn't seem to be a mere disposable pawn, but if he only knew what he was given, that in itself was a problem.
Was the Grand Duke attacking of his own will, or was he in a position where he was forced into it?
I wished someone would clear up this doubt. If it was the former, I could only think that destiny was helping the Crown Prince; if it was the latter, it meant his ability had surpassed the Grand Duke's, so I would be able to feel relieved on the way there.
Of course, since the Grand Duke was also a formidable figure, the possibility of the latter was extremely low. After all, one never knows how things will turn out with people.
If the Crown Prince emerged as the winner, it was merely the difference between one who had wielded power in his hands since birth and one who had to gather strength from here and there while holding his breath.
In any case, time passed quickly, and now only the last two units remained. After watching quietly, the Shadow signaled toward one side, and a soldier brought the horse I had ridden in on.
I didn't know what had been done while I was resting in the tent, but the approaching horse made almost no sound from its hooves. The horse, which shook its head as if to snort, was fitted with a special bit.
"We are departing."
He encouraged me to mount the horse first. Then he mounted his own horse, its head facing the path we had come from earlier.
"We move quietly and swiftly."
The Shadow spoke to everyone, acting like a knight. The soldiers followed without a word, as if his attitude were familiar.
The night in the forest was exceptionally dark. We were moving with even our torches at a minimum to prepare for any potential situation. If only the moon were large and bright, it might be different, but unfortunately, even the sky was overcast today, and the moonlight was hidden by clouds.
However, the soldiers moved quickly through the forest without wavering even once, as if they were accustomed to such situations. Before I knew it, we had retraced half the path we had taken earlier.
When we reached a fork in the road, the Shadow finally pulled the reins. It was to give the soldiers time to drink some water. His horse's head, snorting, was pointed toward the left path. Mine was the same.
But suddenly, a wind blew. It came from the left path. When I met it head-on, my body trembled with a chill. It was strange how goosebumps erupted from just a light wind.
It was the same with the uneasy feeling rising in a corner of my chest. Was it a coincidence that Wagus's prophecy came to mind now? He had told me to avoid a strange wind.
"Go to the right."
"Pardon?"
The Shadow asked back as if he couldn't understand why I was suddenly changing direction. I said it again.
"Let's turn to the right."
"It will be more of a detour, though?"
"Do it anyway."
"But...!"
I quickly cut off the Shadow's protest. His entire face was covered except for his eyes, but just by looking at them, I could tell he was very dissatisfied.
Well, I would be too. Who wouldn't be, when someone insists on taking a detour when they need to arrive as soon as possible?
So I made up a plausible lie. Talking about Wagus would only plant distrust, so I thought it better to present a reasonable basis.
Fortunately, I had read the letter from Lady Roshan a few hours ago—and I had read it alone.
"Lady Roshan wrote that I should return by the right; I thought it was very sudden at the time, but this must be what she meant."
"Lady Roshan said that?"
"Yes."
At that, the Shadow's horse also turned to the right. He was suspicious, but having no proper way to refute it, he only tilted his head.
"...Understood."
This is the right thing to do, isn't it? Is the wheel of my destiny turning well because of this?
I watched the Shadow leading the way and let out another sigh. There was still a long way to go to the Border Count's Castle.
Perhaps that was why the forest, dyed in darkness, looked like the mouth of a massive monster. I desperately hoped that time would pass quickly and the rebellion would be fully suppressed by the time we arrived. Never had I wished for something so fervently as I did today.
***
Just as the Shadow had said, it was well past the expected time when we arrived at the Border Count's Castle.
Perhaps because the troops that departed earlier had already entered, the castle gate was slightly open. Through the gap, the sound of weapons clashing could be heard along with screams.
Has it already begun? After all, it was past midnight. Since everyone's tension would be at its lowest, there was no more appropriate time.
I dismounted and entered with the Shadow. Shouts continued to be heard from everywhere. The scent of blood was stinging my nose.
"Barbarians have attacked His Highness. Everyone, protect His Highness!"
"It's an Eriñus attack!"
"Remnants of the Eriñus have disguised themselves as our soldiers!"
Someone's sword also flew toward the Shadow. He blocked it lightly and looked at the person who had attacked him. Although the man was wearing Imperial Army clothing, he was clearly a barbarian at a glance.
Absurdly, the barbarians were shouting that the Eriñus had disguised themselves as soldiers, throwing everyone into confusion.
"Barbarians. How are you lot here?"
"Don't make me laugh. You're the barbarian, wearing that mask! Die!"
At those words, the Shadow ground his teeth and cut down the enemy. He immediately pulled off his mask; his face, revealed by the dim torchlight, was that of a middle-aged man. He had only removed a piece of cloth covering his face, but against the armor he was wearing, he looked like a knight with a title.
He said to me, "Forgive my rudeness," and pulled my arm. He then led the troops and ran in one direction, quickly passing through long, confusingly tangled corridors to enter a large hall. It was already in a state of chaotic battle. The Crown Prince was nowhere to be seen.
"Who is the enemy... Argh!"
"Kill them! Protect His Highness!"
"Hey, I'm on the same side! Don't swing your weapon! Don't stab me!"
I covered my mouth with the back of my hand, struggling not to look at the corpses. The torches that should have been lit in the vicinity had been artificially extinguished.
This made it even harder to distinguish friend from foe. Even I almost got hit by a blind blade just now, but I was safe because the Shadow protected me.
"How did this happen?"
The Shadow looked around the hall with eyes full of confusion. The same was true for the soldiers following him. This wasn't the picture they had drawn; they were very flustered by the unexpected situation.
"Clear a path! Find His Highness!"
The Crown Prince is not visible? What happened to Knight Aires? Why is he not seen? Is he safe?
"The original intention was for the Lady, who acted as His Highness's attendant, to call out His Highness while he was enjoying the banquet. And then, together with the troops gathered in advance, suppress the Grand Duke. But it seems the Grand Duke moved faster. We are late. I don't know why Lady Roshan told us to take a detour in her letter."
Since we were already in the middle of the fight, he didn't seem to think of leaving me alone. No, he didn't even seem to have the presence of mind for that.
Drunken people, sober people, and those attacking them—everyone shouting "barbarian" at each other while swinging swords was more horrific than the war I had seen during the day.
If I turned my gaze even slightly, blood would splatter right before my eyes; there was no way my mind could remain sound.
I gripped my trembling teeth with my hand and followed weakly as the Shadow led me.
"But why is this the only force?"
He constantly pondered the question while breaking through the path with me. At the same time, he cut down the enemies who lunged at him without hesitation.
Hot blood splattered on my cheek and trickled down. Unable to endure it any longer, I ran toward a nearby pillar, grabbed it, and threw up everything that came up. Only bile came out, but I felt nauseous as if my stomach were turning inside out. Tears were falling involuntarily.
Then, feeling a chill on my back, I turned my head and saw a blood-stained sword aiming for me. But the process felt very slow.
The surrounding noise vanished, and only the sword entered my sight. As if under a spell. The strange thing was that even though the opponent's sword seemed to move slowly enough to be seen, I couldn't move a muscle.
"Watch out!"
The Shadow let out a shout. I blinked blankly and looked at the Shadow. The thought that flashed through my mind was, *Am I dying?*
But with a 'clang' sound, someone's sword blocked the blade in front of me. The solid arm wrapping around my waist and the body odor wafting with sweat were surprisingly familiar.
I slowly turned my head to look at the owner of the sword. Past the firmly set jaw and the high-bridged nose, I met cold eyes burning with rage.
"Knight Aires?"
Michael Aires—it was him.
"You are safe..."
No, why was the man who should be by the Crown Prince's side here?
"What happened?"
The Shadow cut me off and asked Knight Aires. Instead of answering, Knight Aires pulled me into his arms. Judging by the single scream that followed, it seemed he had cut down the man who had aimed a sword at me.
"It seems they traced the merchant ship's route to deduce where our army would be. They placed ambushes of escaped Eriñus and soldiers in every alleyway we might pass. Some units broke through calmly, but the damage was significant. It seems the rest were hit hard."
"But to be so confused and tangled... I didn't expect this."
"It is only regrettable that it is darker than expected because the moon has hidden itself. Is it not to the point where we cannot distinguish each other? That is likely why their scheme worked so well. The problem is that a few barbarians forced an attack at first. Because of that, everyone thinks the opponent is an Eriñus."
"I heard someone shouting that they were wearing our army's clothes?"
"Only a very small portion, and they are all dead. But the fact that they keep shouting suggests their goal is to confuse us. And it has actually worked."
"What about His Highness?"
"He is in a standoff."
"How is the battle situation?"
Michael Aires let out a sigh and replied in a low voice.
"It's fifty-fifty."
