Chapter 425: Brave and Reckless

“Am I brave or reckless?”

This was the heartfelt question of the person who had decided to proceed down a path with an uncertain future.

Was that person’s decision the right one or was it a mistake? No matter how strong and functional the spirit was, worrying about idle questions still harmed the heart.

After all, making a decision required courage, and courage was a fragile thing that could cost one’s life.

On the outskirts of the city of Philos, Largud Ann was asking herself that question. Was she brave or extremely reckless?

Ann didn’t seem to have an answer to that question.

She had never used her intellect to consider a thing such as courage. There were always advantages and disadvantages to everything. If the swing was in your favor, then move forward, and if it was unfavorable, then stop moving. For Ann, that was reality.

Bravery and boldness were like stimulants that helped you move forward.

Ann believed that those who were brave would cling to something called courage if they were left on the edge of a cliff.

But, unlike them, Ann was someone who would’ve done something about it before she found herself in a predicament. Yet, she did the oppose this time around. Ann shrugged her shoulders a little, imitating someone she knew very well, and took a deep breath as she pulled on the reins with a smile.

A large tent was already beginning to appear in front of her field of vision. At this time, there was only one force that camped near the city of Philos.

Saleino and his supporters should be waiting there with their fangs raised. Although there was a risk that the rebel soldiers who led the way could be scheming to kill her. However, Ann thought that was probably not the case.

After all, according to the scouting soldiers, Saleino’s route to this place was a frighteningly orderly march. It was reported that no supplies were collected from surrounding villages. It had been established that each village had ties with the Heraldic Order, so he avoided creating chaos and misunderstandings on purpose.

He prepared himself. Ann gritted her teeth as she mounted her horse, thinking that if the enemy had been a little more careless, she wouldn’t have had to push herself into danger.

However, from those actions alone, Ann could clearly see Saleino’s policy. Above all else, he put his cause first. He didn’t march based on his emotions, but on hope that the organization would continue beyond his actions.

Therefore, the reason for raising troops was to conquer Largud Ann’s tyranny. He did it not for his own gain, but for the sake of the Heraldic Order.

He shouldn’t be able to act without a good cause. Especially if his current enemy was Ann.

「Largud Ann…is that it? But that sand-colored tent belongs to the Gharast Kingdom. 」

Ann’s travel companion spoke aloud. Telsarat Rwana, a high-ranking fighter from the southern nation of Elizard, said this with perplexity, not knowing what was going on in Ann’s tense chest.

Ann responded with a wry smile at that familiar yet somehow intrigued voice. She could feel her strength slipping away from her shoulders.

「Yes, Lady Telsarat. We don’t use sand color very often, but the common tents around here are from that color.」

Telsarat nodded with interest as light gathered in the depths of her eyes. Ann realized from the journey they took to get here that Telsarat was a person with a lot of curiosity to begin with.

Ann thought that Telsarat was sometimes rude, but she also felt that she was a little childish. The contrast with her mature appearance made it even more appealing. Telsarat was very different from the person she had imagined her to be.

Speaking of Elizard’s high-ranking fighters, they were proud beings who constantly explored and trained in the Land of Sandstone. They were like spears and shields that protected the nation. Their way of life, where they went to the battlefield without considering their own lives, was sometimes described as barbaric by the Gharast people.

It was surprising to Ann that such person, who had probably devoted so much of her life to martial arts, had the frankness of a child. Of course, in a good way.

This time, the reason why Ann asked Telsarat to be present at the meeting with Saleino was because she was an emissary from Elizard. The fact that she had the status of a high-ranking fighter was also a big factor.

If Saleino were to harm Ann by any chance, Elizard would definitely bare its ferocious fangs as Ann was accompanied by Telsarat. Ann heard that they were suffering from the magical beasts’ disaster, but they would definitely take revenge if they saw mistrust and betrayal.

Elizard and the people of that country were just like that. A country where everyone had wild instincts due to poor resources. It was better to call it an iron-blooded country rather than a sandstone country.

Ann only told Telsarat that she was going to have a meeting with the Elder of the Heraldic Order. She asked her to be a witness of that meeting.

She also communicated this to Saleino through her messenger. Saleino did probably understand her intentions.

If they turned their fangs on Ann and thus on Telsarat, they would definitely make Elizard an enemy. And if Ann was captured on the spot and beheaded, it would be clear to Elizard that the Heraldic Order was a weak organization with internal divisions and conflicts.

That’s definitely not what Saleino wanted.

Rather than that, Ann thought that Saleino would restrain himself. But either way, it was still a gamble. After all, Ann only had a small number of soldiers as escorts. It would be over if they got ambushed with spears.

People like Saleino had something unfathomable in their hearts. The same went for Saint Matia and the Hero Lugis. Perhaps those at the top had to be like that.

When they arrived at Saleino’s camp, the soldiers’ gaze pierced Ann so hard that she could feel it on her skin. Ann resolutely brushed them away while straightening her formal clothes.

This was now a battlefield. People judged by looking at the behavior and appearance of others. It would affect the outcome of the meeting if Ann were to show even a little glimpse of her timid attitude.

Ann would never forgive herself for wavering. Ann was prouder than anyone else in the area of interpersonal negotiation.

Before the soldiers who guided them let them go inside Saleino’s tent, Ann took a look at Telsarat’s appearance. Then, she asked with a loud tone.

「…By the way, Lady Telsarat. Why, no…you’re dressed for the battlefield, aren’t you? 」

Telsarat’s attire was the famous Elizard’s distinctive black armor. Even her arms and waist were also equipped with that armor. She looked great in that attire because she was tall, but it didn’t hide her feminine charm.

No matter how Ann thought about it, it didn’t look like Telsarat was going to a meeting. She looked like she was going to the battlefield. Ann couldn’t see her very well because she was wearing a cloak earlier, but that armor certainly stood out when she looked at her again.

Telsarat responded with enthusiasm, puffing out her chest.

「Ah, this…don’t worry. I heard that using this type of attire was common in the civilization of the Gharast Kingdom. A meeting is a place where you stab each other in the throat, right? So, I, Telsarat Rwana, as decided to come in a formal attire as well. 」

Seeing Telsarat say that with such confidence, Ann’s cheeks twitched slightly. She did as she thought so, with a hint of concern in her chest.

Apparently, this fighter called Telsarat was not aware of other nation’s costumes.

Come to think of it, Ann heard that Telsarat had some involvement with Lugis. If that was the case, then it was already clear who planted this false image of Gharast in Telsarat.

Ann sighed slowly so that no one would notice and suppressed her anxiety. She never knew that she would have to act beyond her thoughts, even in the midst of her final moments.

At some point, a soldier came forward and offered to guide them to Saleino’s tent. Following his lead, they headed toward the large tent. It was adorned with a coat of arms and looked slightly more luxurious than the other tents. It was definitely the one owned by the commander.

Ann took a deep breath, then let it out. She stepped into the large tent and said the following words.

「It’s been a long time, Lord Saleino. Seeing each other like this makes me nostalgic of the days when I used to receive your instructions.」

Saleino responded to Ann’s words with a smile. His soft yet deep eyes captured Ann and Telsarat’s silhouettes.

「It sure feels nostalgic. But people can’t move forward if they reflect on the past, can they? Largud Ann.」

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I wouldn’t want to be in Ann’s shoes.

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