Chapter 960

"Commander... The message says the size of the remaining monster has exceeded all expectations. Yuder asked... if you could prepare the 'second method.'"

“......”

Before responding, Kishiar slowly looked around.

All around them, the ground was saturated—buried under the mound of monster remains so thick that it swallowed their feet. The air reeked of rot. They hadn’t even had time to dispose of the corpses properly—hastily scraping them into carts and burning them nearby. But the acrid smoke had lingered for hours, knocking out more than a few people from sheer suffocation.

Those who had managed to endure and remain standing were hardly unscathed. After fighting all day and night without sleep, the surviving members were nearly delirious—slurred by fatigue, blurred minds, and the rebound of depleted abilities.

It was only thanks to Kanna Wand, who had been identifying and isolating the worst-off individuals since the ninth wave, that the situation hadn’t deteriorated further. Had she not done so, casualties would’ve been far worse.

But even Kanna had reached her limit. During the thirteenth wave, her nosebleed had refused to stop, and she was carried off by Lusan for treatment.

Other regions fared only slightly better—if only because they hadn’t had to fight the massive tentacles. But they, too, had fought through the night. Even Ever Beck from Makla, who had held on longer than most thanks to excellent energy management, Kurga, who had kept the lines steady for Tuban and Sluban with his knowledge of the South, and Suns, who had been using his Clairvoyance continuously in Alshara, a terrain Yuder had warned was vulnerable—all of them had collapsed multiple times.

The medics, soldiers, and mages were no better off. Alik and the magic team had run out of spare artifacts and had started crafting new ones on-site. Lusan had long since passed his limits and was now exhibiting symptoms of divine power exhaustion. Mayra, who had tirelessly coordinated the entire Southern defense, and even General Gino, who had provided troops and aid while rooting out traitors within the Southern Army, were equally drained.

But no one dared to complain.

Because at the deepest front of this crisis, beneath the sea, there was someone who hadn’t surfaced even once in an entire day.

And now, that person had called for Kishiar’s help, believing the end was near.

"Commander... What exactly is this ‘second method’?"

Emon, who had returned to the battlefield after proper treatment thanks to Kanna, asked carefully. His body was a mess, soaked in monster fluids, but to be back on his feet at all was remarkable.

Kishiar replied with a faint smile.

"...You can think of it as him asking, «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» 'Can you come down to me?'"

“Pardon? You, Commander... into the sea?”

"Yes."

In order to prevent the South from reliving the disaster of the previous timeline, Kishiar and Yuder had prepared a three-tiered contingency plan. This was the second step:

“If a point is reached where Kishiar’s power is more needed than his leadership, he will descend to the sea and directly assist Yuder.”

Some people looked confused, unsure what Kishiar could possibly do in the sea. Others showed signs of unease at the idea of losing their commander.

Even Nathan Zuckerman, Kishiar’s loyal aide and the one who had supported the entire operation like a pillar, appeared troubled. Wiping the filth off his soot-blackened chin, he spoke lowly.

"Your Grace. Are you sure you can do this?"

Nathan, more than anyone, could tell that Kishiar wasn’t as perfectly composed as he appeared. True, compared to the past, he had endured an immense outpouring of power without crumbling. But that didn’t mean his body had suddenly become invincible.

Kishiar had spent the entire day wielding both aura and Awakener power at full capacity. He had carefully balanced his energy through other means, but it was unclear how much good that had done.

Nathan remembered all too clearly the agonizing periods after Kishiar had first become an Awakener, struggling to contain his overflowing energy. He spoke with caution:

"You’ve only recently recovered from the Day of Hail. If there’s any alternative, must you push yourself again—?"

"I suppose I have overexerted myself a bit," Kishiar admitted easily.

"But Nathan. This time, there is no alternative. I didn’t die then, and I’m still here now—so don’t worry. I’ll return safely. Just hold the front here for me."

He gave a few light pats to Nathan’s head—now grown nearly as tall as his own—like an older brother would.

The calmness in his demeanor compelled Nathan to blurt out the question he’d been holding back.

“...How can you be so certain? Even with your power—and Lord Aile’s—there’s always a possibility...”

There was no guarantee. Just because he’d survived before didn’t mean he would this time. Nathan, who had witnessed firsthand how Kishiar had pulled through like a miracle, couldn't help but feel afraid that this time might demand an even higher price.

Kishiar paused in wiping his sword and looked up. A soft smile reappeared on his face, one that had vanished with the weight of the moment.

"That’s such a childhood kind of question. I suppose my long recovery last time really left an impression on you?"

“...I know it’s not a question a knight should ask.”

A knight follows his lord’s decision to the end. But in this moment, Nathan’s tone was more that of a lifelong attendant than a knight. For someone often praised as the very embodiment of knighthood, this moment was strikingly uncharacteristic.

But Kishiar didn’t scold him. Instead, he lowered his voice, adopting a boyish playfulness.

“Then let me tell you why I’m certain I’ll come back.”

“......”

“There’s someone in that sea who’s risked everything to save me.”

The words were light, almost teasing—but the weight they carried left Nathan speechless. He didn’t fully understand the meaning, and yet... it struck him with overwhelming gravity.

“In truth, he’s not just trying to save me. But as long as that person—who would never hesitate to sacrifice himself for what he wants to protect—is down there, I won’t die.”

Nathan stared into his lord’s eyes and saw the sea reflected in them.

All those times Kishiar had been fighting, killing monsters, commanding troops—his eyes had never left that ocean.

“But even if I don’t make it back... what does it matter? He called for me. That’s reason enough to go.”

“......”

“...My lord!”

Just then, someone called out urgently behind them. It was Helrem, accompanied by someone else—Mik Shuden of the Shuden Company, and the Elder twins.

"Apologies for the delay. We’ve just arrived!"

Mik bowed without his usual flair, looking grim and weary. The dark circles under his eyes and unkempt beard made it clear he’d come straight here without rest. Even Helrem, usually full of jabs, just shrugged and added,

"This guy says the Southern routes were so blocked he had to detour. But luckily, he ran into someone who helped him speed up."

Mik had been delayed due to regional lockdowns across the South. Trying to find a quicker path, he’d encountered the Elder twins—who were helping other units move across zones. After confirming Mik’s insignia from the Peleta Knights, the exhausted twins had pushed their abilities to the brink to bring him straight to Sharloin.

It may have only saved a little time—but right now, every second was critical.

Kishiar glanced at the half-collapsed Elder siblings, then turned back.

“Mik. I’m truly glad we could meet before I leave.”

“You said you needed my ability. What would you like me to look at? That monster? Or...”

“The sea.”

“...Pardon?”

“I’d like you to come with me—into the sea. And show me what’s there. Everything you see, just as it is.”