Chapter 542: A Thousand Years From Now

The New Gharast Kingdom’s northern campaign.

This massive military expedition wasn’t without its nonconformists, especially within the realm.

Some feared coming into conflict with the old Gharast Kingdom’s army, while some nobles showed their displeasure with the Queen’s judgment.

Crop harvests were meager in the death snow. A long march at this time of year would mean fighting while bleeding. To put it bluntly, it would be hard for 50,000 troops to manage this campaign up north with only the bare minimum of food. So there had to be careful preparations.

Still, many supported the expedition because of the imminent threat. It was precisely because of this threat that humanity had finally united.

There was no way to change course now, regardless of individual intentions.

Preparations for the northern campaign were steadily progressing. Soldiers, supplies, routes. The enormous organism known as nation was becoming increasingly radicalized, with the sole purpose of dominating others.

There was no need to question who was at the very top.

「Lugis…Lugis! 」

Caria’s call brought me back to my senses. Perhaps, it was the fact that I’d barely been able to get any rest lately, and I’d fallen asleep for a few seconds.

I’d gotten used to a lack of sleep, but I hadn’t realized that managing an army would be so demanding.

Well, I supposed that Philos was just giving me work for no reason.

「You’ve got guts to act dumbfounded in a place like this. Wasn’t this the stage you dreamed of, huh? 」

「…I only aspired to be a knight, at best. I never thought I’d be dragged all the way to a place like this. 」

I answered with slumped shoulders to Caria’s sarcastic expression.

The soldiers were on the plains near the royal capital of Arche.

The military parade before the march was taking place. Enveloped in silence, the soldiers cast regretful glances in the direction of the royal capital.

I had a total of 28,000 soldiers after gathering the private armies of cooperative nobles and reinforcements from other countries, including Ghazalia’s. I was about to send them to the brink of certain death.

But I had no choice if someone asked me.

Queen Philos, Saint Matia, Eldith, and other dignitaries from each country had gathered and were facing the soldiers. Just seeing them together showed how much power had been poured into this situation.

I eventually joined them in that parade. I wasn’t sure whether to feel honored or out of place.

The Queen called out to them.

「This is a holy war. You must fight for yourselves, and for tomorrow! 」

Her words made the soldiers tremble. Tension grew among them every time she raised her voice.

Caria instructed them to continue.

「What are you saying? This is your dream, you know, this stage is the one you’ve built. “We shall unite humanity and face evil”. You were the one who said it. 」

「I did. But thinking about it and seeing it happen are two completely different things. It’s so good it’s almost scary. 」

「You’re an idiot. I thought you’d be satisfied with this, but I guess it’s too much for you to handle. 」

「Come on, you’re being too harsh. 」

I shook my head after looking at Caria, who distorted her lips in dissatisfaction.

I had gone from a lowly adventurer to this. That was what she wanted to say, right?

So, this was probably her way of encouraging me. How typical of her. Caria was frank, yet somehow insincere.

Philos suddenly called my name.

She asked me to encourage my soldiers in front of them. It was customary for a general to say such things to his soldiers. I never thought he’d rise to the rank of General.

「Lugis, you know this, but the Gharast people are proud people. Some of the nobles and their private soldiers may see you as a newcomer. Be careful not to get out of place. 」

「Don’t worry. In my own way, I’m a Gharast citizen as well, just like you. I understand. 」

Caria nodded vigorously, with a satisfied look on her face. Was she really agreeing with me?

But the Gharast people are just as she described them to be. They had a deep-rooted sense of being descendants of the Unified Altia Empire.

Even the poor and ordinary citizens likely shared this belief and knowledge. This was especially true for nobles and those associated with them.

It couldn’t be helped. The Gharast Kingdom still wielded influence on the continent, but it was a fallen nation.

Many believed they were unable to inherit the unified empire.

That was why, sometimes, to soothe their pride, they said the following words.

…One day, we will reunify.

Even if I thought that was just a pipe dream, but even I couldn’t help but remember about it.

I stood on high ground and looked down at the soldiers.

Tens of thousands of eyes were fixed on me. It felt strange. Just moments ago, I was by their side, listening to the words of Queen Philos and the nobles.

Now, for some reason, I was on this side.

And then, I opened my mouth.

—

「We’ve only been able to survive since this catastrophe began. We’ve been attacked, then we’ve retaken, attacked again, and retaken again. As if it was a repeated cycle. The demons still roam the land, mocking humanity. They’ve taken so much land, and it hasn’t been recovered. 」

The General…Lugis’ words began with that phrase.

The Queen and the Saint too, spoke about the recent war. Therefore, it was expected the General would say the same thing.

The commanders and soldiers, who had been prepared for this, still felt a moment of disappointment.

The Queen often praised Lugis, and no one else, for retaking the royal capital of Arche and the capital of the Bolvat Dynasty.

It might have been understandable if it had been a smooth-talking speech delivered by the Queen, but it was strange to hear Lugis himself belittling such an honor.

The General continued speaking without seeming to care about the soldiers’ reactions. Perhaps, because of his passion for this matter, he alone seemed to stand out from the landscape. He even gave the impression of being inhuman.

「Until now, yes, until now! 」

Lugis raised his voice and glared at the soldiers. The soldiers felt their eyes widen in response.

「From now on, we will enter into the territory occupied by those demons! We must make them pay for what they have stolen and drive them from this land without a trace! I shall ask you, what have they done to you? 」

There was no need to ask.

The demons had given birth to all kinds of tragedies, killing parents, friends, and neighbors. Homes were burned down, and women were raped. Humanity was sometimes nothing more than livestock to be eaten, or toys to be played with.

Until now, humans have only managed to retake the cities. They had never rescued villages or even the territories where demons were running wildly.

Humanity remained suppressed. The soldiers unconsciously clenched their teeth.

「If you and I still desire dignity, then we must fight! Only then will humans achieve dignity and honor! 」

What did he refer to? What did it mean?

The Gharast people, or even the people across the continent, didn’t understand.

「…Listen. Are we still clinging to that empire? Are we merely living off the remains of past glory? 」

The soldiers’ throats cleared.

Voices echoed. The words varied. At worst, some spoke in completely inconsistent tones.

But the meaning was the same.

People still spoke of their previous greatness, up to this day. But it was meaningless against this great disaster.

Lugis continued his speech.

「That’s right. From now on, we are the vanguard of history. Our history will be told even if it’s a thousand years from now. In countries yet unborn, in languages ​​yet unknown! Glory lies not in the past, but only in what lies ahead! 」

In response, the soldiers raised their arms and called out to the General. Everyone had their eyes on Lugis. He, too, had his eyes on these soldiers. Only enthusiasm dwelled in their eyes.

Some historical records wrote about this speech, saying that although Lugis was a General, he spoke as if he was a front-line commander.

That was probably true. From start to finish, Lugis was a front-line commander. He was always with his soldiers.

That was why he used the words “we” and “us” when he spoke.

He said such words because he knew he was leading his soldiers to hell.

Twenty-eight thousand soldiers set out north. To the northern Medraut Fort. And so, they headed towards the Olyn Plains to face off against the Great Demon Zebrililith.

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