Chapter 369: Return

The Heraldic’s north advance.

It was recorded as the first large-scale military action against another power after the appearance of the Bastion Beast Zebrililith. The army was made of 7,000 Heraldic soldiers and 600 Elf soldiers from Ghazalia. A total of 8,000 soldiers, including mercenaries.

The two powers became allied forces and crossed the eastern border of the Gharast Kingdom after crossing Augus River.

It was the season of death snow. Saint Matia of the Heraldic Order, and Fin Eldith, Queen of the Hanging Gardens of Ghazalia. The march of the allied army led by two leaders created a spectacular scene.

The death snow on the ground melted and became mud, which made their footwear extra heavy. Even the cold that pierced the skin was a difficult hurdle for the soldiers. If they surrendered themselves to the cold, they would easily die.

In addition, the death snow turned the earth into a demonic realm. There wasn’t much that people could do in front of a menacing foe. Soldiers who had a rougher temper than usual stretched out their arms and legs freely.

Would they run away, or would they become corpses?

Most countries and aristocratic lords would not dispatch their troops in the death snow. The exhaustion of the soldiers was intense, and it was almost impossible to attack a base like that. Any form of defensiveness was too much to bear. So how could they focus on the offensiveness of the battle?

That’s why it was odd. This time, Saint Matia decided to advance north despite having a small number of soldiers. Both her and Queen Eldith’s intentions arouse many questions.

Multiple theories appeared and disappeared. It happened repeatedly. So far, there was no established theory.

What was the trigger that pushed them forward? It remained unclear to some extent.

The Heraldic’s north advance. Their destination was Arche, the royal capital of the Gharast Kingdom.

—

I looked up at the big flag that spread in the sky. The three spears engraved in the flag showed that it was related to the Gharast Kingdom. I wondered if the flag was not used that often since it had a faint brand-new smell.

It felt strange that its colors mixed well with the flags of the Heraldic Order and Ghazalia.

After moving her horse to my side, Caria spoke astonishingly. Her silver eyes stared at me with suspicion.

「I didn’t know that in my lifetime I’d see you raising the banner of the Bashar Family. It’s also unbelievable how the Heraldic Order accepts it usage.」

Caria continued her words saying it was the enemy’s flag, so to speak.

Looking at her indescribably bitter expression, I realized that a flag had a great meaning for a Gharast noble.

At the very least, it seemed like it was terribly uncomfortable to wield a sword under another family’s banner.

To be honest, I didn’t really understand those feelings. A flag was nothing more than a flag. I knew there was a meaning behind it, but I couldn’t relate to that meaning.

It was probably the difference between those who were educated as nobles and those who were born as poor people. It was a difference that didn’t make me feel jealous.

I twisted the words in my mouth and relaxed my cheeks as I replied.

「That old man Palome gave it to me. Since it’s a good deal, why don’t I use it? 」

I knew it was a bit misleading, but I didn’t mind. I asked him and he said it was okay. At that point, using the flag was no problem even if it was cruel for Caria.

After all, he did a terrible thing to us before. In that case, I should be allowed to use whatever he had in his possession.

I showed my teeth and filled my mouth with water. The water was so cold that I thought it was liquid ice.

「And Caria, it’s pointless to call him an enemy now. We’re about to reach the real enemy, am I right?」

Indeed. We were not trying to trample other countries’ lands anymore. Our goal was much bigger than that.

Hearing about the fall of the Gharast Kingdom’s royal capital, Palome was heartbroken and just wanted to rescue his land. Therefore, the flag was the existence of the Bashar Family meant to rescue the country.

At least as a mask, since that picture was drawn by both Matia and Eldith. What of it? Sometimes the truth had a different meaning.

When Caria heard my words, she smiled impishly and spoke. The dark scarlet sword was swinging at her waist.

「Is that so? In that case, should I call you, the mastermind, Lord Savior?」

I instinctively distorted my cheeks, raising my hands to disagree with her nonsense. After all, there was another person who deserved that name. It was too heavy for me.

Besides, the actual purpose was completely different from saving people.

…The purpose was to use the Gharast Kingdom as a steppingstone to roll the crown into the hands of the Heraldic Order. That’s all.

Most of the big words I threw in the puppet city of Philos were supported by Matia and Eldith. Then they were kneaded by the hands of Philos Trait. So it seemed.

The name of the Bashar Family. The acquisition of the nobles’ cooperation with Philos. Securing supply routes. An appeal to neighboring countries. Then, the preparations of the soldiers.

It reached a point where I thought they had forgotten the boundary between morning and night as they ran around to prepare all of them.

Of course, I knew how to prepare for battle, but in terms of education and wisdom, there was no way I could match both Matia and Eldith, or even the girls. I felt almost ashamed for the fact that I left everything to them. The difference in education was too evident.

「…But it’s true. I wonder if Matia and Eldith thought deeply about the consequences since they agreed quickly. We could lose everything if we stumble even once.」

Filaret swayed her black hair and spoke in a somewhat sharp voice. Her words contained a sense of tension and a slight darkness.

Her words were not pessimistic, but rather realistic, so there was nothing wrong with them.

No matter how much we cooperated with Philos, some nobles of the Gharast Kingdom were still not completely on our side. If this situation collapsed, they would easily use bows and arrows to attack our backs.

In addition, marching in the death snow was the worst aspect of all. There had been many examples in the past of a nation’s army being attacked by a large-scale horde of magical beasts and being partially destroyed.

The exact identity of the entity who caused the fall of the royal capital was still unknown. There was information that described a small horde, but other than that, it was unknown.

The elements of concern were like overgrown weeds. Everything around us could become our enemy. It was no longer just walking on thin ice.

If humans survived, and if there were scholars of history in future generations, they would say this.

He’s insane.

I remained insane since the first time Garoua Maria fell. Besides, there were things in this world that I had to do even if they seemed too dangerous.

If necessary, I’d throw away as much sanity as I could.

After all, the Heraldic Order was a foaming force. Taking advantage of the chaos to loot a city or two was meaningless. Eventually the catastrophe would reach our feet.

Even if I took a step back to prolong my life, the days would just continue as if I was being slowly strangled with cotton. I didn’t want that life.

In that case, I had no choice but to lose everything or let everything roll into my hands.

Wasn’t that good? Then, I shall start with the crown. I looked at Filaret’s black eyes and said.

「There’s always a good way to spend your time even on a raging stormy day. Well, I’ll do my best to make it work.」

As for me, I’d be happy if a future songster would write a poem for me. I shrugged my shoulders as I thought about it.

Besides, they were in same position as me. I was sure they’d help me in this endeavor.

The silver hair swayed beside me. A deep smile was seen on her cheeks.

「Imaginary terrors are far more terrifying than immediate terrors. Don’t worry. If you need it, I’ll seize all the glory you desire.」

As if reacting to Caria’s words, the black eyes jumped strongly. Filaret roared like a horse when she strengthened her voice.

「That’s right. I don’t mind if I throw everything away with this. Lugis will be Lugis no matter where he goes. Glory is something he already carries, isn’t that so, Caria?」

Suddenly, it felt suffocating, perhaps because I was between the two of them. It was like strange thorns grew between their words. Actually, it was rare of them to exchange fangs so blatantly.

Did something happen between the two? Something that revealed their emotions. For some reason, there was something going on in the depths of their brains. I didn’t know what it was.

After a moment of silence, I suddenly raised my gaze. A slightly elevated hill was visible ahead of my position. I relaxed my cheeks naturally. Then, I exhaled from the bottom of my lungs.

How nostalgic. It was a hill that I had crossed many times before. It didn’t change from back then.

When I got there, I finally started to feel a deep nostalgia within my heart. A feeling that warmed the core of my body, yet it flooded emotionally.

To be honest, I was surprised that I felt something like this. Surprisingly, it was not that bad.

…It was a pretty rough detour. I came home at last. To the Gharast Kingdom.

Originally, I was supposed to leave Caria in Garoua Maria after saving her from her father, and then return to the Gharast Kingdom. How did it get so twisted?

Ah, but. It wasn’t a bad detour. There were things I gained and things I lost. Still, it was not bad.

I let out a hot breath and closed my eyes at the same time. After that, I strengthened my gaze.

On the nostalgic hill, I could see what looked like several soldiers. I was tilting my treasure sword without realizing it.

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Let’s hope this expedition to retake the royal capital goes well.

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