Chapter 264: Beyond the Mist (2)
3ctAinzer felt that something was not right.wJou2gR
POpCKmHe was an experienced knight.swei
F7TZxIn his youth, alongside Fiore Briol, he had massacred orcs as part of the allied army, and over the years he had continually taken part in territorial wars, mediating disputes between lords.gZr
LOtTherefore, he knew the nature of war well, and as a soldier he understood how extraordinary Yuri Briol was as a commander.alkKbX
O7XMbHowever, this time Yuri had made a decision far too risky.v1O
7LkZC7Certainly, if he managed to advance to the heart of the Empire as planned, he could take them by surprise and gain the advantage in the war.y4S
zIiu48But the information was insufficient.heGbtw
EC3zxAdvancing the army solely based on the fact that Imperial forces were concentrated on the eastern front was, at its core, an act dependent on luck.S8IfQ1
ROLl“Do you think this will go well?”FmrGz8r
1tfuYAsked Ainzer’s aide in a low voice, a knight who had shared countless battlefields with him.94EGTE
bpX“It seems too reckless to me…”IML2
l08“Who knows.”glHLN
0Q9dll“His Highness must have his reasons.”M4dn1q
cblvNZj“I hope so.”M1biP
uN37XPO“Maybe he knows something we don’t.”aFzq
zK9pPyD“You trust him a lot, huh?”4If
ziW“Are you worried?”B88P63x
euuDpgP“How could I not be worried?” the aide whispered. “The Empire is not a stupid country. On the contrary, it’s very cunning.”lfCdT
FUGz“It’s not an easy opponent.”hv4
VY5qs“I recognize that His Highness is formidable, but this decision seems questionable to me.”3aUis
bgPF“Yeah…”pGciwj
GOI“Attacking the enemy immediately before was the same. Right now we are inside Imperial territory. The annihilation was a success, luckily, but to think we can attack Imperial troops in their own territory and not be discovered is far too naïve.”QywuZ9T
X3zxX“There’s Inariel. I would trust his magic.”2MZgdkI
Z6QCvK“Even so, in enemy territory you always have to be cautious. They might already have discovered us without us knowing. If that’s the case, the Imperial army will already have formed a defensive line.”ahL
G4P5m3NIt was obvious, but in war, defense generally has the advantage over siege. The aide was pointing that out exactly.m8P3eo
2TBXKWH“And you’ve seen it with your own eyes. We don’t know how many more horrors the Empire might have.”b8e8GDr
t7wrmAinzer remained silent, guiding his horse, while his aide let out a sigh and added:HXCj2Y
5GhGco“Of course, it could also go surprisingly well. After all, His Highness is an extraordinary man. I’m just worried.”znE
JS070njAfter a moment of silence, Ainzer replied.y8o5
U1DBM“I understand how you feel.”Qaec9B
68KY“Yes.”YLW3N
mEk4h“But it’s already decided.”IBR7N
ex5Nm50“Understood.”k7bl
thU4R6The aide said nothing more.m9Bqu
InGWZAinzer was a steadfast knight.PHK
m9MDOrJust as you cannot take back a sword once swung, once he decided to follow someone, all that remained was to trust and obey.KBRM3ig
wmfThe march continued for quite some time, until in the distance a village began to come into view.ViO
bECAinzer frowned.UKq5Jjc
v3gKa“Was there a village here?”lWdn
35gqHe took out the map and checked it. But nothing was marked.bGa
Eqy“It must be an old map.”gPmN
GHwHOfr“Yes?”Q9Q1Dnh
t0KC“The terrain changes, and it’s not rare for new villages to spring up.”ab2
xIsAz2Briol’s army decided to take a long route to go around the place.S7epu
KRjWnThey were already quite close to the heart of the Empire, and being discovered at this point would ruin everything.X5y
Sc0UM0P“They chose to go around the village even if it takes more time.”R2M9T
vyqW“As much as possible, we must avoid it.”mLZ7mo
uoTztjThe Anti-Imperial coalition advanced slowly.M2X
hMiXIt was almost strange that, being so deep inside the Empire, they still had not encountered enemy troops.sRrA
uMhX9zAinzer began to feel an uneasy sensation creeping in.2GCxr6
dTsMnDkThe fact that the Imperial army had not appeared could mean something else—that they already knew their route and were waiting for them.2MHSko
HgdgZIf not, they could not have advanced so straight, as if the enemy had purposely cleared the path.Nnkmo
5jUWhile they continued their march with that concern in mind, suddenly there was commotion at the vanguard, where Yuri was.j7G2kP
3NXjJv“What’s going on?”aR7D
uR4YOs4“I don’t know.”VLgyDZi
jSARCgXThere was a brief pause, but the march continued.B9rhK
zgWGqTSoon they reached a hill.Vz6zwm
nTt1OD“Huh?”XHhDhT
ifQH2wThen, below, something began to come into view.zFAoP
zia3na“Ah…”evT
OA1qAinzer let out a low murmur, and his aide opened his mouth in surprise.gCihY
XgLUmWhat they saw was an Imperial defensive line, with barricades set up.Ij9a4
IvAOU6CIts mere existence could only mean one thing—the Empire already knew that Briol’s army was approaching.NOX
QYEl“It’s not too late to retreat,” said the aide.QAni
1So4Although it would mean having lost time, they could turn back. That way they would minimize casualties and could plan another attack.TEq3EUj
WlbsQ1They had to do it before the Imperial army cut off their retreat.vV3
8RWhBut the column at the front did not stop and kept advancing. They were going to fight.Y1sWPyy
hN2“Are you sure about this?”NkJ
aONu3“It’s already clear they’ve discovered us, and we’re still going in?”J1j5NMC
VDAQ1H“Wait.”BWFEgo
Tob1“But now…”wAI
GW9xHA9“Wait a moment.”NMvY
58PzDAinzer raised a hand, stopping his aide by the chest. The latter fell silent.Gu5
UH1lHAinzer’s eyes moved quickly.Fjcf7pQ
mE9kSyHe looked at the Imperial troops ahead, then at Yuri’s back at the front, and finally raised his gaze to the semi-transparent barrier surrounding the army.AEmdRr
SJmiE6“Count?”3eTAuNI
Xtrx1r0“Don’t tell me…”I4BR
xDqR0Ainzer’s eyes widened in surprise, and then narrowed with a smile.nJTR
XMlpIVm“Hahahahaha…”GKdywi9
RjK“What is it?”UmEfYV
NlVtz“If you have your eyes open, look at it.”GZR0jC
giLdEAinzer extended his hand, took the sword hanging at his waist, and pointed toward the Imperial army in the distance.AhOabpI
qgim“Look closely at where we are.”Jrqb
WdnOyZG“Huh?”D0fZm
IknbzuAt that very moment, the sound of a horn announcing the start of battle rang out.Zk4
uz2kk4AAinzer shouted:o6CLXI9
UtvMSi3“This is what I call a real surprise attack!”m16S
KW0dQnS***euh
T2KYThe eastern front had been broken.xXc
7Kh5ZHowever, Liberta did not surrender.QrtdO
1hRFpSince not all of the east had fallen, they stationed troops in the bastions and offered constant resistance.mNXvy37
oNmBut at a certain point, the movements of the Imperial army became strange.X2OD
WOvSYqThey stopped their offensive and pulled back to their positions.sxokH
bZzuIFTThe endless supply of troops was also cut off.Eqb
1mpWhile they already had a large number of soldiers gathered, no further reinforcements arrived.LZhF
x9o1Some even began moving back toward the interior of the Empire.6oS1
hRIrqoBecause of this, a debate arose in Liberta.YozZnM
zk3qi1“It’s not certain, but what if another anti-Imperial alliance has decided to march?”thpqSc
s3spbgp“Would they make such a risky decision?”vvW
qYwbcju“With young blood, anything’s possible.”bMj
OfAsm9If Briol had really decided to advance on its own, they would have to do something.uuUZiOh
Ww24ex8Liberta had already suffered a blow to its pride for being the only alliance front that had allowed the enemy to pass.uhZNHMf
4pQJg“Let’s move as well.”gou
lFHVoices arose in favor of using all available resources to retake the eastern front.PEOsM8
76v2But there was no immediate acceptance.7ecd
KxHxThen, someone spoke firmly.R4akUFC
TGcaBBQ“Let’s attack.”n7RUql
ZDKWFIt was none other than Sven Gain.D6TYk0
yNwAfter serving in the allied forces, he was now recognized as a true knight.cJIj4VT
CwkVwVhHe had also matured as a person, and many hoped he would one day take up Liberta’s future.shcGZG
PNsVb7EWith strength in his voice, he said:mH3Oi
dWzIw1“If we can’t resolve this by ourselves, we won’t win this war.”iAs
9jvZ“We could lose all our troops. Besides, Lord Moyongchan was injured. Fighting with only what we have…”vdq
cZWeic“Can’t we fight without Lord Moyongchan?”fbj7Al
OfCLGEq“It’s not that, but we should be in full condition.”YF6Ocw
UinE“The enemy won’t wait for us to be ready. And from the start, this war was unfavorable to us. If we worry about that, we won’t be able to fight.”7iqK
XcoOiIn Sven Gain’s eyes burned a determined fire.aqwJ
nqw7w“Liberta can do it.”kkH5F
quubpB4But his opinion was not accepted.kjXV
rrm5MFHowever, a condition was adopted: they had to be ready to set out at any moment.ayF6Ma
L7itndFollowing Sven’s suggestion, Liberta’s army did not lower its guard and continued to watch the situation around them closely.q3wEwn
QMtG“Huu…”VLn
GTxb4SOSven rode out alone from the camp to observe the Imperial army.0noxTp
BBV5At that moment, someone approached him.BbyV5w
6O40“Looking again?”6s2
F2TgFzm“Father?”OTf24
a29ePIt was his father, Wolf Gain.LRu
2xKVk“It’s not a pleasant sight, what do you keep staring at so intently?”X84
VyH“Nothing in particular.”OaA
mU5Wolf observed the Imperial camp. Several types of monsters roamed about there. It no longer looked anything like a human army.hoVAoxL
euxzL1U“It’s a strange feeling.”I9gGlMk
WlZK“Feeling?”HnC4
ujD8S“Yes. I don’t know how to put it… as if something were about to happen and I didn’t want to miss that moment.”tgud6
QCj“It happens sometimes.”b166nNQ
clzz9Wolf nodded calmly.4DfFnLJ
RZiuJ“When you’re a knight, there are moments when you must trust your instinct more than reason.”YoMq4Pp
viJUK“That doesn’t sound like something you would say.”qRfCUP
eLHpzuY“Must be I’m getting old.”ZSOs
1Q0“You still have a long way to go.”FE7kKF
DxrdBoth laughed lightly. Sven continued.ytqhSG
fke1GxL“That’s exactly why I think Yuri Briol wouldn’t move so obviously. If he really planned something, he would fool everyone without anyone noticing, and then strike by surprise.”gMKcp
IwSSTcM“You talk as if you were an old friend of his.”v5I14
KvpEx“He’s a comrade I’ve rolled across the battlefield with.”e1ZDMUc
WyQCQ“True.”cHOGzo
BYl“That’s why I keep having this feeling… as if…”AZc
WuLOmSven pointed at a hill.b8v36GN
rTj6a“All of a sudden, a great army appeared there and crushed the Imperial troops we have in front of us.”U7iG1F
52mLTVw“That would greatly reduce their forces.”STkQ9
C5B“Exactly. The Empire also had to strain itself to break the eastern front.”LZ6c1
M1k“Let’s hope so.”ImR
O2kz“Let’s hope.”Z0beN
v3A1Both fell silent, looking toward the hill.Iy6
oPacjS4Suddenly, something fluttered.bSD
o7DThey said nothing. They thought they had imagined it and blinked to refocus their gaze. Calm returned.IyB4Tm
ib0QAgain, something fluttered.q5r
sWp5372There was no doubt now. It was not an illusion.CFxL
7ovmi“Son.”Sf8vyv
VBWWolf spoke first. After a brief pause, with his voice slightly tense, he said:pTy
Gx16“Do you have the horn?”3EaMW
7JZX“No.”UjUxqz
nm2C“Then, let’s go quickly.”lrMAyji
vlV1As if it were a lie, just as Sven had said, the army of Briol was beginning to appear on the crest of the hill.sN2ur
dVh***2RHg
Ze1JAt the vanguard of Briol’s army, Yuri was riding when he suddenly spoke.4kPJ
uhom2“Laurent.”zlQ3h
BRwhInstead of replying with words, he acted.z86
aADyFrom a little further back, he sent an aura slash toward Asana, who was riding along with the column.14jm
wIjKQv8Asana jumped from her horse just in time. The slash struck the mount, which fell dead.7Vxb
oxKn“Hey, hey. Calm down.”ezu
mnZmnpw“And you think I can treat her calmly?”IRr
6NmZ“Of course you can.”VY3ND
NKi“Then you do it.”3xE
EO7After a brief commotion, Laurent and Jared subdued Asana.dZHcF
YLaBound hand and foot, she was placed on a horse like a sack.cwzoNBq
mFMNJup“Your Highness, what does this mean?”oflp
JHgc“So you don’t run away.”DqAw
Wy98“You think I’m going to run?”Jb9
JiR68sr“Yes.”EqsNn
pnx8“What are you talking about?”XHX33io
rwI2VEven in the midst of the confusion, the army advanced.0UiSm6
x8g9wThey soon reached a low rise.pr47Y3
V9LyuK“You’ll find out soon enough.”82wk
8CD7Qew“What…?”14c
iY2ya7“Raise the banners!”BaClM2g
sjnRgZrYuri’s order made the standard-bearers lift the banner of Briol and the anti-Imperial alliance, followed by the insignias of each house and knightly order.21dHB3
s5PsbAt the crest of the hill, the Imperial camp spread out below was revealed.3dk6
tZf9“This is not Imperial territory.”bdQVB1
kBOVRMaAsana’s eyes wavered.p0p
SOn0f“We’ve come east, not north.”xZXX
Qm1mdIN“Huh?”RfN
XL5iQf“That barrier you see wasn’t deceiving the Empire, but our own allies. You know what they say— to fool the enemy, first fool your allies.”eYQ3w
dyemAsana was silent for a moment before speaking.VXLTdr2
8Xi1BXC“Since when did you know?”69RMfK
K9gqMYuri turned his gaze from her to the countless Imperial troops that explained why Liberta had been overrun.V4H
3QT“From the beginning.”35DC1QI
47k8N“How?”zXOG
rrmz“Who knows…”McCROsW
4hDDDI“Was there something in the letter from Briol?”tx3QV07
5aTuiYuri smiled wryly.W8Vf
oI2qe“No.”obC
0op7He made a hand signal. A soldier blew the war horn.6lefJ7
GhaeAsana called to him just as he was about to launch the attack. He gave her a smile filled with murderous intent in return.8lwl9eI
W3xnt“Asana. I’ll tell you the details after I kill all of them.”k9Ry4Yw
tOuWith that ominous smile, he disappeared down the hill.uoI7
Mo8Ch0The Order of Vengeance followed him, and then the whole army plunged toward the Imperial camp.Khihf
qkvW9dOn the eastern front, the roar of Briol’s army rang out.oQXdm
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