2023-06-06 10:31:34I could feel how they looked at me with great cynicism, but there were also those who looked at me with hope, or rather something deeper than that. My gaze tried to survey the surroundings.
In the left corner stood a woman with an innocent face, her eyes fixed deeply on me. I quickly averted my gaze, as if everything was just a hallucination.
"Garlan!" Alfred exclaimed firmly.
My head suddenly lifted involuntarily, and the old man's eyes filled with hopeful anticipation were directed towards me.
"Yes?"
"As a token of gratitude for what you have done, I will grant your request," he replied with sincerity, devoid of any deceit.
My face lowered again, but I had to make a decision. The growing aura was making it difficult for me to control my breathing.
Finally, I found my words, "Alright, I will ask for the agreed-upon reward. Here, I request 1000 gold coins!"
Some people showed different expressions, their eyes glanced at each other as they whispered softly. I tried to ignore it all; the decision still rested in the hands of the one who held everything.
Alfred nodded once before saying, "Very well, if that's what you desire, I will grant it directly!"
A soldier stepped forward from behind, the clinking sound of armor adding to the atmosphere. He extended a pouch towards me. I took it slowly.
"Thank you!" I said as I opened the pouch. Indeed, the brilliant golden glow inside was gold.
"Well then, before you leave, I want you to celebrate first, in remembrance of this day of salvation!" Alfred declared, standing tall with his hands raised in exultation.
Reluctantly, the designated night turned into a grand celebration. The sounds of joy were evident on the faces present, but there was a nagging feeling inside. Amidst the darkness of this silent night, only the lights in the palace were too bright, even the moon seemed embarrassed to appear.
The melodious wind rustling through my ears was far more beautiful than the music in the palace. Suddenly, I heard someone's voice approaching. I held my breath, waiting for that person's actions.
"Why are you just standing here? Is there something about this evening celebration that displeases you?" Her gentle voice forced me to turn my head. As I suspected, it was Serina, the beautiful daughter of Alfred. Her thin lips and radiant eyes added to her elegance.
"I was just enjoying the pleasant night air," I replied, though it was merely an excuse. The truth was, I never liked crowded gatherings that only made my head spin.
Serina walked past me, her delightful fragrance stimulating my senses and creating peculiar hallucinations.
"Perhaps without you, I wouldn't be able to feel any of this," she said with a melancholic face, lowering her gaze toward the distant ground in the darkness.
I couldn't deny it; I had often found myself in such situations. These memories stung my eyes. I took a sip of the wine in my hand, and suddenly my head felt free from the burden.
"I'm curious, what will you do after this?" she asked.
I didn't quickly respond, my gaze focused on her face with seriousness for several seconds until the wind interrupted my mind.
"Well, I will likely continue wandering. People like me don't have a place to settle down," I said with a small laugh, gazing at the pitch-black sky without a single gap.
Serina clenched her hands tightly, creating wrinkles in her long dress. She took determined steps, then reached out and held my hand.
I was stunned, and time seemed to stop. My eyes widened without blinking.
I placed the wine cup down, and my hands touched as Serina's hand was now between mine.
"I apologize, but I can't do that at the moment. There are still things I must do, and it wouldn't be right for a princess like you to marry someone who thirsts for blood like me."
Serina fell silent, her eyes locked onto Garlan's face. The faint smile etched on Garlan's face made her heart race, and her cheeks turned red.Slowly her face lowered in sadness. "I-Is that so? I apologize for desiring something that's not so good."
Of course, I would feel guilty for turning her hopes into despair, but it had to be done. After this, it didn't matter if she hated me. I had to determine my own path in life, and not be swayed by the desires of others.
The atmosphere shifted into a bright morning, marking our departure from the kingdom.
Along the way, we saw faces filled with sorrow, expressing their gratitude for what had transpired. Even though it was just a war, lives were indeed the most feared thing.
Gobil muttered, "I slept well last night. I can't wait to meet people who need our help again!"
Reval shook his head. "Shouldn't you be more serious? We still don't know what lies ahead. You should be prepared in case enemies attack!"
Gobil's gaze shifted to Garlan, who was far ahead, staring straight ahead without uttering a word.
"Our Leader always looks forward. Perhaps he's pondering something, unable to turn away!" Gobil whispered.
"Don't make Leader angry! You know very well that he has a thousand thoughts unlike us who hesitate," Reval replied.
"Ugh... You always say things that aren't pleasant. But, what can I do? It's a trait you've inherited in your very being!"
Reval grew annoyed, his tone filled with disdain towards him. He raised his voice and said, "What did you just say? Are you suggesting that I'm useless?"
Gobil was provoked, and both of them locked eyes, their fingers itching to reach each other's faces.
"Stop, you two!" Gean intervened.
__To Be Continued__
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Plans That Have Been Carefully Prepared
"She said that I must believe in the abilities within this body, which means I have to go back to the past..."The moment when one must sacrifice everyone fighting under his command, treating their lives as nothing more than tools to achieve victory.After becoming a minister, he gained a new understanding. The price of a single life was significant. Until now, he had considered lives as mere tools to attain victory.After a long time of forgetting this, he felt as though he was pushed back into his former wild spirit.No one can change this, and all time will converge at one point.Both sides appeared to have gathered with serious expressions, facing each other.Schlegel's troops wouldn't wait behind their fortress; they would directly destroy Switean's troops."What will you do this time?" Norsius asked with enthusiasm.It seemed the enemy was already starting to make their move, heading towards Liam's troops."Hehehe... so they're targeting me as their opponent? No problem, it's bo
This time the opponent has abilities that cannot be underestimated
On this extremely cold night, Garlan's face showed no sign of happiness.However, the lives of every soldier were precious; without them, this war would become even more challenging.It seemed the enemy troops were ready for attack.Rosa intentionally entered the tent to meet Garlan and found him sitting in front of a spread-out map.In reality, she feared that her presence might disturb his concentration, but she still wanted to meet with him.She began to tap softly, and when she was close enough, she said, "General..."Garlan slowly raised his head, the face of a girl he was familiar with, as he gazed at her nearly every day."What?""I apologize if I am interrupting your time, but I would like to discuss something...""Very well, please have a seat."An empty chair was occupied by the girl's body. It still felt awkward to be alone with Garlan in such a confined space. Even though there was no bed for intimacy, Rosa couldn't help but think about such things."So, what did you want
Prove Yourself With All Your Existing Abilities
"General Garlan, I understand! Even in this filthy world, there are still those who yearn for peace. It's true that peace must be achieved with bloodied hands! Only those who truly desire it will be ready to do it..."The soldiers observed Rosa's significantly different demeanor; she was more aggressive than before. Leading them, she charged at the enemy troops.With relentless strikes, she showed no signs of fatigue until they had reached the designated stopping point.The white-clothed man glared at them with resentment. "I didn't expect to encounter a disturbance here, but she's a woman, and she's already wounded facing that slave! She can't possibly be stronger than me!"Confidently, he drew his gleaming sword, and the sunlight made it look even more magnificent.However, it didn't mean much, as Rosa had experienced before. The wielder of a weapon mattered more, no matter how splendid the weapon appeared. If she regarded her opponent as much stronger, the sword was appropriate fo
At least you have fought this war
Rosa quickly backs away, sensing unresolved danger.Lattham's face shows shock as he watches blood continue to trickle from his body. He uses his left hand to wipe his chest, and his palm becomes stained with fresh blood.His eyes start to be filled with memories of the past, with fires raging and blood everywhere. His hands bear fresh bloodstains from the woman in front of him."Astrid..."His passionate cry erupts in the midst of the battle, leaving those around him confused as to who he is mourning."Astrid? Who is that?" Rosa squints her eyes after witnessing a significant change in Lattham. "What happened to him?"slowly, Lattham lifts his head, and his eyes seem sharper than before, radiating an aura of hostility.The apparition transforms Rosa, turning the fully armored knight in front of him into a grinning adversary."I will kill you..."Quickly, he takes a step forward, and their swords swing simultaneously.Cracks...Until it touches the ground where Rosa stands, the dust s
Facing an opponent who may be much fiercer than himself.
"What is this..."The long chain binding the man's hands and feet spun and then charged toward Rosa.Spontaneously, Rosa leaped from atop her horse. Unfortunately, the chain bound her horse's legs and forcibly pulled it down.A chain reaction occurred when the soldiers following Rosa collided, and dust filled the air as a result of this incident.Fortunately, some of the soldiers at the rear had managed to stop due to the sudden incidents."What's happening?" a soldier asked. As he looked ahead, the dust revealed his comrades rolling on the ground, some with their bodies badly injured.Rosa, who had managed to evade the incident, could only gape at the crazed actions of the man."What is he doing? How can he do this, and why have the enemy troops suddenly kept their distance? What's happening here?""You won't know who you're dealing with; he's a long-imprisoned slave, and his wild disposition was his characteristic, Lattham..."Lattham's head lifted, uniquely, after his earlier actio
Rosa's decision to prove herself as the greatest female knight
Rosa needs to understand that using a fortress in warfare means defending within it; they can't just attack the enemy's troops directly.She already knows this from the lessons given, but she can't stand waiting for the enemy to attack."How long do I have to stay here? They've already started this war, their leaders should be responsible for what they've done..."She clenched her fists with all her might, but it was all in vain. She had to restrain the emotions inside her and wait for the right time.The soldiers there seemed much more useful than her, just watching like this was so boring, but most of the officers there were grateful not to plunge directly into the battlefield.Even in a situation like this, discussions about the plan were still ongoing, and it felt tiresome to discuss it."Now, the enemy is attacking with 700 people, which is much larger than the troops inside the fortress! The chance of winning is very small..." the leader troops warned."Of course, but if we just
