Chapter 429: Luck is in the Hands of Those who Wish

It had height of a child with thin limbs, people called it a Gilleno because of its hideous demonic appearance and beastly limbs. That name meant crude beast.

They always moved in groups and their job was to attack and devour foreign species. Their condensed desire for violence and appetite were their only reason for existence.

Apparently, they were animals whose souls had turned fiendish.

Some scholars believed that a Gilleno was the reanimated corpse of a child who died at a young age, but this was not widely accepted.

A Gilleno was a threat to peddlers, and adventurers who encountered that demonic species could face death. Gilleno could attack villages and cities if their horde was large enough.

However, considering the heavily equipped troops, the Gilleno was not a big threat. The way it repeatedly charged in a chaotic manner was similar to a small animal jumping into a river. It could be described as a deadly and animalistic charge.

Now, their skulls, no longer recognizable as human or beast, shattered in front of the spears with a strange scream. This situation made the soldiers largely uncomfortable. The Gilleno kept charging again and again, which made the soldiers feel tired even though they were not on a common battlefield. It almost seemed as if the Gilleno themselves wanted to die.

Even though Bernard was next to Saleino as his servant, he no longer paid attention to the way those beasts died. He was thinking about something else.

He was curious about Saleino’s thoughts.

Largud Ann, the Heraldic right-hand person of the Saint, and Telsarat Rwana, the messenger of Elizard. Bernard could understand their thoughts and stories. He could even say they made sense. And that’s why it was even more difficult to read Saleino’s, no, his master’s thoughts.

It would be nice if Saleino could accept their proposal. Yes, the story itself could be a trap, but in that case, all they had to do was fight back head-on as originally planned.

However, if that proposal was to be trustworthy, Saleino would be able to put the area east of the Great River Augus under his direct control.

If Saleino were to capture the city of Philos without any casualties, Saint Matia and the Hero Lugis would have no choice but to listen to his story. In fact, negotiations should proceed more smoothly.

Once that happened, the Heraldic Order would be safely divided into two factions, becoming a two-headed system comprised of the Saint’s faction and the Elders’ faction.

Bernard thought that was the best thing to do. He knew that Saleino believed that two opposing forces should not be in the same organization. In that case, dividing the organization was the greatest solution to that problem.

They could cooperate at times and join hands. Or threaten each other when there was no choice. It would be a realistic scenario, which was fine.

Bernard looked at Saleino’s profile on his horse. His wrinkled face was slightly distorted as he looked beyond the battle against the Gilleno.

Encouraged, Bernard followed his line of sight. The herd of demonic beasts was slowly collapsing, and victory would soon fall in Saleino’s hands.

However, that was not exactly what Saleino was looking at. He was looking ahead at the forest that moved slightly.

Bernard rolled his eyes. Tremors ran through his blood. Soldier-like beings were crawling through the forest. For a moment, he thought it was reinforcements from the demonic beasts, but that wasn’t the case. Demonic beasts didn’t move in such an orderly manner.

…Therefore, what was making noise and moving in the forest was a crowd of humans.

As a result of this fight against the demonic beasts, the flank of the Heraldic army collapsed from its original formation. That crowd of humans were clearly aiming at the weak spot. The unique barbaric voices of humans filled the area.

They were probably bandits. There were no horses. However, the orderly march was strangely fast. They would probably hit the Heraldic flank before their formation was ready.

Saleino was already moving before Bernard could hear his voice. He swung his commander’s staff and yelled.

The wind shook as if in response to his voice.

「Don’t focus on pursuing the demon beasts! …All soldiers, be ready and hold your spears! 」

The whole place shook at those words.

Originally, they should have retreated and rebuilt their formation. However, Saleino quickly abandoned that idea.

Several soldiers who were far away from the main formation line were crushed by the enemy’s battle axes. Retreating now wouldn’t save them from this dire situation.

Once humans turned their backs to run away, they wouldn’t be able to look forward because of intense fear.

In that case, it was better to face the threat directly, even if they had to put their lives on the line. The instructions were based on that judgment. Immediately, Saleino distorted his tongue. Bernard also looked at him.

「Lord Saleino…This is. 」

Bernard naturally said those words. Up until now, Bernard had never voiced his opinion on this battle.

However, when he saw the scene before him, he couldn’t help but say those words.

Those bandits who came running from the forest with frightening voices…No, Bernard realized that his judgment was wrong.

They skillfully attacked the army flanks and broke through their ranks. It seemed as if they were used to fighting.

There was no way that those people were bandits.

First, how many bandits would attack well-equipped soldiers, even if they were in the middle of a battle with demonic beasts? Even if they were just looking for supplies, it would be much better to attack at night.

But they weren’t bandits, then what were they?

To be honest, Bernard didn’t have the luxury to think about it. Cold sweat engulfed his back, and he swallowed his saliva repeatedly.

His chaotic brain was telling him loudly that this was a crisis. They definitely had the best military strength. They could win if they focused as a group. All the soldiers had to do was regain their composure and face the surprise attack head-on.

However, there was an equal chance that all the soldiers would collapse. Amid that possibility, they had to do everything they could to avoid that risk. Everything would be over in the unlikely event that they were defeated and Saleino killed.

A messenger soldier came running towards Saleino and Bernard. He spoke out loud.

「It seems the enemy is hiding reinforcements! Your fast horse is ready, so please leave immediately! 」

After hearing the messenger soldier’s words, Saleino hesitated for a moment before speaking. His long-used teeth were creaking.

「…Retreat! Soldiers at the front should hold their spears and maintain their line of battle. Start retreating from the rear! 」

Saleino ordered some soldiers to hold the frontline while he let the other soldiers escape in the meantime. It was one of the decisions made by the defeated side on the battlefield. What happened? The soldiers didn’t fully understand it, so they had no choice but to follow the orders given to them by the higher ups without thinking.

In a sense, the military way was the farthest thing from the doctrine of the Heraldic Order. The military soldiers were taught to avoid thinking for themselves and act as if everything above was correct. It was completely incompatible with the Heraldic Order, which had the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to think and understand for oneself as one of its canons.

However, it was also true that the military couldn’t function unless it behaved like puppets. The soldiers of the Heraldic Order all followed his orders precisely because they knew this.

「Lord Saleino, please bring your guards with you. No one can replace you, my Lord. 」

Bernard also drew a long sword from his waist and called out to the personal guards to come forward. The blade itself waved in the air, making it easier to leave wounds on the enemy. It was a sword for killing people.

How did they get into this situation? They could investigate the cause later. But for now, Bernard had to do what he had to do.

A sparkle of silver fell on the battlefield. Saleino sighed when he saw Bernard’s resolve. Only then did Saleino truly realize that he was old.

「…Don’t die, Bernard. Nothing has started yet. The curtain hasn’t even opened. 」

「Yes, I won’t die. I will definitely come out of this alive, Lord Saleino. 」

Bernard bounced his tall body and headed towards the frontline. His brown skin stood out against the death snow.

He was first admired by his tall physique, then by his sword skills. He was given his current position because of his character and obedience to the Heraldic doctrine.

Bernard considered himself lucky. In the village where he was born, he was ridiculed because of his foreign blood, which gave him a dark skin. In another words, he wasn’t treated like a human. No matter how hard he worked, he was treated as nothing more than livestock. He lived every single day as a foreign object.

He had no choice but to become a mercenary in order to survive as a human. But the only person who showed him the way was Saleino.

Without the doctrine of the Heraldic Order, Bernard would never have known letters. He didn’t even know the word knowledge. Without Saleino’s guidance, Bernard would’ve died on some battlefield without knowing the meaning of life.

Therefore, he didn’t care if he were to die now. A death in this place would be a meaningful death. He would die protecting the master he served.

Much better than being persecuted or stoned. Much better than dying for no reason. How lucky he was now.

Bernard ran forward. Then, he saw his enemies wielding battle axes and spears, and finally realized who they were.

The way they swung their weapons, and the look on their faces. They were not bandits after all; they were mercenaries. They were probably Belfein’s mercenaries judging from the high quality of their equipment.

Bernard narrowed his gaze. The thoughts that had been solidifying in his skull were finally starting to melt and mix with his blood.

A mercenary was someone who was hired for some purpose. Also, the fact that Belfein’s mercenaries attacked the soldiers of the Heraldic Order had its own meaning.

Belfein’s mercenaries were definitely supporters of the Hero Lugis.

Bernard saw a familiar armor in front of him. The person who led those mercenaries. A heroic figure who easily swung a long-handled battle axe to crush the heads of Bernard’s soldiers.

He wasn’t mistaken. The Steel Princess of Belfein. Even before he became a member of the Heraldic Order, Bernard knew of her existence while negotiating with fellow mercenaries.

She turned her attention to Bernard, whose steel helmet was clearly visible. Then, for a moment, she spoke as if Bernard were an old acquaintance.

「Oh, you were here too? Well, goodbye. You already know how it works in a battlefield. 」

Her battle axe was swung in the air with a spectacular sound. Without any hesitation, that fearsome weapon came towards Bernard’s head like a guillotine engulfed in a mass of murderous intent.

On that moment, the sound of iron clashing against iron resounded.

「It’s better to face the battlefield directly than to resort in shamed actions, you coward. Have you forgotten the pride of standing in front of each other in battle? 」

A battle axe and a waving blade. Two pieces of iron collided with each other, making a roaring sound. It looked like a beautiful warlike performance.

If there were any brave people on this battlefield, it would be definitely these two.

One strike, two strikes, three strikes. And so, countless exchanges of violent murderous intent were repeated. When one blade drew a beautiful line, the opposing side changed the trajectory and suppressed it.

At this time, the mercenaries’ advance had stopped. The battle between the Steel Princess and Bernard was now the main stage of this battlefield.

It could be said that Bernard fulfilled his role perfectly. In order for his master to escape, he used himself against the enemy with his own body. His goal was certainly accomplished.

On the other hand, the Steel Princess Vestaline Geluah also faithfully carried out the orders she received to fulfill her role.

Suddenly, the sound of iron meshing with iron stopped. Vestaline’s battle axe brushed aside Bernard’s blade and took a step back.

「I haven’t forgotten, but I don’t want to be told by someone like you who feels entitled in the absence of your Commander. 」

For a moment, Vestaline’s eyes looked fixedly at the shape of the Heraldic soldiers who were beginning to retreat from the battlefield.

—

Saleino was galloping towards the main camp on his own horse and with a small group of personal guards. His hand grabbed the reins with extreme force, and his eyebrows distorted vividly.

In his heart, there was more of a feeling of reluctance than excitement. He felt angry at his own worthlessness.

Largud Ann. That witch. There was no way a saintly fanatic would abandon her faith so easily. Of course, she would naturally come up with a plan to kill Saleino.

All she showed so far was a smile. Ah, a person could be a murderer with a smile.

Even though he had come this far, Saleino was angry at himself for not being sure of his actions. He misjudged the situation.

Wasn’t this what Ann liked to do? She made other people’s thoughts stagnate, and in doing so, she drove them to a point of no return.

But Saleino survived this ordeal.

Saleino made up his mind while hearing the sound of his horse’s hooves. He had no hesitation. It was a deadly poison that could no longer be treated. Therefore, Saleino had no choice but to discard that poison.

He was far away from the frontline now, and the main camp would soon be in sight. By using the soldiers who were on standby, it would be possible to save some of the soldiers on the frontline.

However, something happened right when Saleino got his determination back. One of the soldiers who was accompanying him as his escort yelled something and stopped his horse. He was the messenger soldier who brought the fast horse to Saleino.

As if in harmony, the other escorts also pulled the reins and stopped their horses. Saleino also turned his horse to face his soldiers.

Could it be that other members of that enemy party were hidden? The moment he realized that…

…A thin line of silver pierced Saleino’s cheeks and his escorts’ skulls.

Brown hair was showing from the messenger soldier’s helmet.

「What a disgusting role I’m playing, really. Oh well, let’s finish this quickly. Hey, you, consider yourself unlucky and give up. That’s how life is, isn’t it? 」

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