VOLUME 3: CHAPTER 201 â RETREATING BATTLE 3 (1/3)
The Red King brought their entire army in pursuit of the goblins west. The commander of the vanguard, Saldin, wanted to hit the doctor when he heard how grave Carlionâs sickness was, but Cell the Sword Dancer stopped him with a severe blow. Because of that he was currently sulking and
Normally Saldin would be talking a lot to try and increase the morale of his platoon, but now, he wasnât even making an eek. Because of that the wild soldiers under him were sneakily whispering to each other.
âWhatâs wrong with the general?â
ââŠIt doesnât seem like heâs eaten anything bad.â
âHeâs not you, stupid. Maybe itâs because of a woman?â
âOh, now that you mention it, his cheeks are swollen.â
Meanwhile, the person in question was sighing. He looked up to the sky and thought the light of twin sisters, Ervi and Navi, to be dazzling, but even their dazzling red light failed to ward off the sadness within his heart
He would be leading a battle this time too, but for some reason, he just wasnât in the mood.
The death of a comrade.
He has experienced that countless times now, but this sort of death was something he still wasnât used to.
âThatâs not like you,â the old enchanter, Grave, called out to him.
Normally, theyâd be at each otherâs neck whenever they crossed each otherâs path, but when Saldin turned around and Grave saw his face, Grave just couldnât find the mood to poke fun at him.
Instead, he just sat down beside him and poured him some liquor.
âI donât need your pity,â Saldin said.
âUnloveable as ever, I see. All I want is to ease some of your grief,â Grave said to Saldin, who already reeked of alcohol.
âYou know, gramps. It was the clan leader who picked me up, but I actually owe more to Carlion than to the clan leader.â
ââŠI remember that, actually. That guy was always the helpful sort. Made a fuss when he found himself a younger brother.â
Saldin took a mouthful from the cup before him. âI havenât repaid Carlion enough just yet.â
Maybe it was because he drank too much or because the liquor was too strong, but regardless, Saldin suddenly became very drunk. The more he spoke the more the emotions he kept in his chest came together.
ââŠYou sure think some strange things. The title of âGenius Tacticianâ isnât just for show. As long as you follow his orders, weâll win this time too.â
Grave suddenly took the cup that was violently placed on the table by Saldin and slowly drank.
âEveryone dies someday. The god of time, Juranaâs, blessing doesnât pour forever for anyone.â
ââŠNo, I will pay him back. Iâm going to pay him back in my own way. If heâs going to die, then Iâm going to cut down all sources of his worries and let him have a peaceful death.â
As Grave put down the cup, Saldin grabbed it and took another mouthful, then Saldin looked up at the night sky.
âI will take Carlionâs placeâ No. I donât have to go that far. Just half is enough, and I will help the clan leader become king. Yes! Thatâs how it should be!â
Seat Brandika in the highest throne!
As Saldin remembered Carlionâs favorite saying, he swore.
âWhile that guy is alive, huhâŠâ
As Grave looked at the bottom of the emptied cup, he became thoughtful.
ââŠYou might have to overcome the goblins or Pena,â Grave said.
âIâm not saying this just because I lost,â Saldin said. âBut the goblins are strong. Theyâre much stronger than the Kushain Believers.â
âI have 1,000 elite cavalry in my platoon,â Grave said. âTake them with you. Theyâre not as good as Shushunuâs sorcerer cavalry, but theyâre well trained.â
Grave was one of the most successful adventurers among the commanding officers under Brandikaâs direct supervision. It was such that his success could rival even his.
Saldin wasnât expecting Grave to suggest that. Because of that he couldnât help but open his eyes as he stared at the old enchanter in amazement.
âGrampsâŠâ
âWin. And let Carlion have his peace. I too am in his debt, so⊠Go. Exterminate the monster threat by the roots and bring peace to the south. That will also bring our clan leader, Brandika, closer to the throne.â
As Saldin wordlessly nodded, the fire of resolve could be seen burning within his gaze.
As he stood up, he ordered his platoon to depart
.
âWeâre going, you bastards! How long are you planning to sleep!?â
When Grave heard that, he wryly smiled.
âThe young shine so brightly. Itâs just for today, but⊠Iâm actually quite envious of Juranaâs blessing.â
As someone whose time was short, he couldnât say that he would take Carlionâs place.
Saldin yet had time to grow, which is why he could afford to set Carlion as his goal and chase after him.
The sons of men did not posses the tenacious body of demihumans, or the long life of elves, or the strength of monsters, or the ferocity of beasts, but they still conquered the continent.
The reason for that was because of their endless potential.
Yes. It was because of that that the humans became the strongest force in the continent. They received the divine protection of the gods, they were granted favor, they were awarded blessing, they learned to defend themselves, and they fought with the invaders.
Right now, before Graveâs very eyes, was a man who resembled those sons of men that the gods watched over.
The old enchanter looked up at the yet dark sky.
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