Chapter 255: This Time, Our Way (1)
VGtVJYThe wide roads were completely filled with soldiers.brw
6CP7MiAt first glance, it seemed there were tens of thousands of them.rGQjKOo
8qBOn the left, they carried the imperial flag, and on the right, the flag with the emblem of a beautiful garden. They were the army that Duke Armand had sent with his last remaining forces.ekyq
WtzMl“Stop! Halt the army!”RCf13S
SYcjFollowing the signal from the Iron Duke, sent by a white dove, the Duke of the Court’s army was marching north along the eastern road.RAp
lccxjRuAlthough they were in a hurry to reach the north, chasing the army led by Duke Sarnus, the Blood Dragon Army, there was a reason they had to stop.Qp3DFw
nbYI3ud“…What the hell is that?”WYJz
XNGbCount Arnstein, who had been appointed commander of this expedition, swallowed hard, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing before his eyes.XYRjlo
Av01He always tried to assess situations based on reason, but what he was witnessing now was beyond explanation or common sense.yYAaw
3LwBL6“Could that be… the moon?”Z4q
PUwRHOver the sun, which was slowly fading, something was rising.HWzmUv
eO4eZWA small black moon, shining like a black pearl.siChUVO
k4NdNot only Count Arnstein, but everyone present remained silent, staring at the sky in awe at the appearance of this anomaly.34uc2i
nkqZmG“What the hell is happening?”zg9Ar
IMHTrAlthough the moon was born in a dark place, it rose with the potential it contained, shining intensely.Pnmiv
cOXgqmwThe moon, which seemed as if someone had drawn it, gleamed in the sky for all to see.RVN6XP
62V0X-······.U6D
l4yHowever, though no one could explain it, the light from this moon, appearing for the first time today, seemed tragic and sorrowful to everyone who saw it.vtX1khJ
rWn0Qdj***zl8iD
L3Az“…It’s a moon that will never return.”rIm
jPNQaA cruel battlefield, with tens of thousands of corpses piled up.DtT
eLu5QThere, a man stood smiling as he looked at the rising moon.68vBUSX
TlA“That moon, which has appeared along with the perfect piece, will never return. It was an excellent choice.”XCnFm
hQFU5W“…”Y3i
KULApaThe bodies were heaped high, and the tall tree had collapsed.tgA5
7l2rUnder the ruins of the distant church, priests were busy trying to locate the Pope, but aside from them, everyone else on the ground lay motionless, unable to lift even a finger.r1CcLGD
YzAwUn“If it was such an excellent choice, why didn’t you do it sooner?”Eg2XhG
u7mEveryone was utterly exhausted.mnwwk
Whq5VhLike the man currently lying at Vlad’s feet.9lf
uU7“I didn’t do it because I couldn’t believe in it. She was already mad.”EtPymZL
brvFrausen, a faded emperor, remained still with a massive hole in his heart.BF4stc
YTMvBHe now looked at Vlad, enduring the terrible wounds left by the dragon.p757C
KFkHO“Perhaps… I couldn’t trust anyone. Not her, not you, not even myself.”rrX1cOQ
cGypThe light from the black moon shining down paused momentarily on the body that was slowly disintegrating.YWKf
poKJzA small beam of moonlight that had never existed in this world before.8a0
eULDxNJFrausen’s gaze, which had been fixed on the moonlight, suddenly shifted to the man with black hair, being carried by Vlad.LeJm6J
bCHNT“Although the events of this era should have been left in the hands of the current knights.”iqnBo
GNacSxcOnly now, with everything over, could Frausen understand.Mu4GX
HP6SIn the end, the people who needed to remain where they belonged were the young ones who would lead this land into the future, not those already dead.13qd7
BLFc0D“The oldest dragon has gone, in search of the pieces in the north.”uWtzo2e
gqyQUnable to trust in the possibilities he had sown, how was he any different from the oldest dragon, who coveted those young possibilities?eMQg
VWcBCHowever, there was a small consolation: the other part of him, residing within this knight, had followed the right path.8bujV
3zGQz“He has dragon wings. So, you won’t be able to catch up.”NA7pQ
pXaHIiThus, raising his crumbling body one last time, the resurrected emperor pointed toward the city of Bastopol, the Iron Duke’s stronghold.4ABt
Cf80y“It may not be perfect, but it will be stronger than anything else. You must stop him from now on.”5PMy
Pe1[······.]Zwo0pc
MZYibPbVlad turned his head to follow the direction Frausen was pointing.BKP
9r5zHis fingers, directing toward the land of the north where I was born, gradually dispersed and disappeared.kep7kL
s3Ytr2E“…No matter where he goes.”5CaC2h
F6AHowever, the place Vlad was looking toward wasn’t where Frausen had pointed.0Rm
cOWP“I already knew that the world of dragons wouldn’t be enough to face him.”dLx
mWbstT1Vlad, who had already encountered Sarnus in Namarka, had realized that the world of dragons alone could not stand against him.3Nfo
auSvbaThat’s why Vlad was looking toward the distant city of Soara, in the far north.Vkk
Znqm“So this time, I’ll settle it my way, not yours.”CW5kkW
HwxThere, in that northern land, was the city where he was born, the companions who believed in him, and the possibilities he had saved.y4xNo3
cSnmqThe many colors that awaited him there could be the only way to fight the dragon, who was closer to perfection.uXy
8azTgS“…Yes.”a37
rvl5YTFrausen laughed as he looked at the knight of this era, who gazed in a completely different direction than the one he had pointed to.1G5SLD
aYlYIt may be an attempt that could end in another failure, but even that failure was a right that belonged to the owners of this era.16MV
ceQLw“The moon shines.”lrQ5KbZ
Qlhx3Frausen’s fingers, illuminated by the moonlight, scattered.FANqMyw
08gLike fleeting dust.l2W
hnAzMGwWatching as the emperor’s body slowly disintegrated, as if he had been waiting for this all along, Vlad silently lifted a faded sword from within himself.1s13d
o4x***sPy5F
a29KThe distant western sea, where the moon that had risen in the east could not yet be seen.d9Clu
wBoOSAcIn that place, which should have been calm, the waves were being violently stirred by enormous ships.xsN4
XEcJvBoom! Boom-boom!Kld
08gjThe cries of sailors echoed alongside the booming cannons.cOXHaZ2
J3N6JuHowever, even among the golden flags, a red rose flag fluttered vigorously.l5R
shxbr“Otar, prepare the third shot!”iWBFt7
yxYG“Load the cannons! Focus!”kKaWQ
yYpunxrAmidst the golden fleet, which had regained its strength, the northern ships fought valiantly.WC2ONoN
XtfThough they were few in number compared to the relentless assault of the golden ships, the northern ships, with waterwheels on either side, maneuvered evasively to overcome their numerical disadvantage.iPPSh
Qyqc“Still scurrying like a rat, red rose!”XalZney
ylTCyfThere was a person laughing heartily beneath the golden flag at the sight of the northern ships.BT4Yg1L
j9s“Why don’t you charge at me like you did last time, you insolent brat?”3HEa9
yZ6anIIt was Kazan Barbosa, the Duke of Gold.7inpZHp
f98Another wave was heading toward the north, now aimed at the city of Nassau.Iw1kv
OhJsThese were strong waves, coming to invade the last sea route the North had left.jcRjrV
bUW“This time I’ll make you pay for that debt! The ships you sank here are worth exactly 34,564 gold coins, so don’t worry, I’ll make you pay for every coin!”sCUNI
J7xbIAfter suffering astronomical losses in the western sea, his eyes were as red as the red beard he was currently growing out.Weyd
Ran1rThere was only one place he was focused on: the flag of the red rose.JlDI
oGdHowever, the one-legged captain standing beneath the flag was also watching Barbosa.yB1uP64
ODjc“I’m not a brat, I’m Captain Harven!”qSB
Ap9L0gAnd with his ship turning to the side, something no wind-powered ship could achieve, Barbosa was left completely baffled.0DJ
A450oH“And sorry, but it seems I owe you even more!”j1U
hgRNumerous cannons were lined up along the ship’s sides.YiAGA
qQ1But to Barbosa, the one-legged captain holding his old captain’s hat seemed more menacing than the cannons aimed at him.oVmNajt
fd3G9c“Firing from that distance?”N10mL
qbLJC8Boom! Boom-boom!i6g
UxGR8The northern cannons aimed directly at Barbosa, who muttered in disbelief.gxpirX
KzytBzxThe cannons, glinting faintly, had been crafted by dwarves.UuL
AIeM“Fire!”i1z3
zbbPgWith pent-up fury, the cannonballs flew in the direction of the wind Harven had caught.upLwj
EZsjhDW“Fire! Fire!”VJRx
o1AEu“Those damned southern bastards! Let’s kill them all!”mmuh5TV
T5pCannonballs capable of reaching the longest distance in the world.zG616
IAsBang! Boom!ASThdkJ
Vg6ixjThe cannonballs, fired by the dwarves of Nidavellir, flew toward Barbosa.qb74
mqiYKF5However, the wind that pushed behind those cannonballs was likely not due to the dwarves’ skills, but to the sea spirits that had arisen, following the persistent scent of Vlad.2fNOoX
HBQ***twLH2sP
0gTm“Father, the western troops that departed from the city of Nassau have reached the nearby villages.”P8u
vfyOLz0A heavy silence filled Alicia’s office in the city of Deirmar.cCA28JY
eKUiThis was because the walls of Deirmar alone could not withstand the forces of Gaidar and the Duke of Gold, who were now advancing here.z1okmF
HgY“They managed to regroup, despite Barbosa’s siege.”0n9
j2tThe western lords who had once declared they would not follow Gaidar were now arriving at the port near Deirmar via Nassau.s4hfms
6fYdsVOThey had joined the Northern Front under Charlottd Ravnoma’s banner and were valuable allies for the looming war.qpRI
JwJV“The northern captains gave it their all.”hFa0
7LlLK1“…”JrDjFp
r0P1mYPeter nodded silently at Rutiger’s earlier report.DtwS
HjFB2Though he said they had done their best, what had occurred was nothing short of a miracle.nUMv
1RNThere had likely been a desperate battle that could not be summed up in just a few words.ycWEHRg
Vte7A“Good. Even unexpected troops have joined.”lC1GxZ
lNU64s9Peter nodded, stood up, and walked to the window, looking outside.HeZewo
LfWElfSThough it was a small territory, there were dozens of flags standing tall.BTGD
WmhEBut among them, certain flags caught Peter’s attention.FosE
v1v8SV“…Even in truly unexpected places.”O8Tq
xgQ6gpThey weren’t imperial flags but those expressing themselves with colorful threads.41y
jIIoThough everyone had wanted to drive them away, Joseph had insisted on welcoming the northern barbarians, who now stood on this battlefield.qU3Zw1r
U1yM6“What’s the situation with the dragon fragment?”xwVYBW
E5l8Ys“Following the mage Ragmus’s guidance, they have arrived near Soara.”bTX
3kFR“We must regroup soon.”cFRDm
23WQv0sHowever, even if all these people gathered together, it was clear that they would still be outmatched against the Allied Forces of the West and South.CUpV4uJ
IXJMrMAccording to an urgent telegram sent by the Iron Duke, even the blood dragon duke, Sarnus, was after the dragon fragment. To overcome this disadvantage, Peter needed a castle wall higher than Deirmar’s.SaT
zTSjcz“How are the evacuation preparations, Baroness Alicia?”StQg
HNo“…”vLo4o95
jymAt that moment, everyone’s eyes in the office focused on one woman following Peter’s words.lFBvL
EUtBaroness Alicia Hainal was the rightful owner of this land, but in the end, she had no choice but to relinquish it due to her lack of power.ZV0
2gW9She opened her mouth, unable to lift her head, seething with anger over her own shortcomings.oiV
xTvG“I’ve sent the elderly and children in the first wave of the evacuation.”ATTJ
uBKs“Then, Baroness, you should head to Soara as well…”XQpI
8jv5MvSince it was such a sensitive issue, Rutiger stepped forward instead of Peter, but he fell silent when he saw Alicia’s bloodshot eyes.QMjx
wjR“I will stay here until the very end.”hkSNY
7MDjrB5Though she lacked the power to defend it, she was determined to fulfill her final duty by seeing her territory off.3nAHZkM
8W1XEven Rutiger had no choice but to nod at her resolute spirit.pKx3g
Qhkyjw“I will stay until my territory has fully departed.”V9M
Ydne9Deirmar had finally found hope, but there was nothing she could do against the devastating waves of war.dYyI
D6sYThe waves were too much even for Bayezid, the pillar of the North, so her decision to abandon the territory she was supposed to protect felt like the pain of having her arm ripped off.rEf
xoyH98-······.MuKk2
KdNThe landscape behind her.kQsK2YJ
q1yKPylIn the lemon-scented hills of Deirmar, a white serpent peeked its head.vJNDAV3
jTehzytIts eyes, which seemed somehow worried, were fixed on the golden dragon still flying in the far north.kXR
vFbQJseKyu-!Clr4
uxW-······?H10
cmEDohxAt that moment, a cute sound was heard, one that didn’t match the tense atmosphere.xhWge
IoRlpIt was such a carefree sound that it drew not only the attention of the white serpent but also the small spirits atop it.9t6
VOsWsOyKyu?G4Q7179
6yGk7GY-······??qNI67L5
awMEsQxFrom a small hole, the head of a mole peeked out.g6a
nrvUnlike common moles, this one shimmered as it gazed at the white serpent, tilting its head curiously.gM9QIw
t74hm“It would have been better to head directly to Sturma.”LqBs
bCjPOMP“There was no choice. The mark I made only reached here. The poor thing needed to know the way, didn’t he?”egKounb
8I5leFrom the hole the mole had dug, familiar voices could be heard.tvmyCHP
oTEZ4They were the voices of the young blonde who had first recognized it and Baradis, who had followed him from the world tree to this place.3RNsde
glBKr7L“But we made it here safely.”pUjY67
XMeNumerous men emerged one by one from the dark cave, as if they had been waiting.XVX
9elU4Elves, beastmen, and even humans.IDC313
zgREThe men, regardless of race, were all mixed together, their faces covered in black dust, as if they had hurriedly marched through.TER
DqUXx“…There’s Peter.”vsmN
EB1UB0HThe white serpent, the guardian deity of Deirmar, blinked its small eyes as if it couldn’t comprehend the sudden sight before it.O10y
ddeECHowever, what caught the white serpent’s attention even more than the people emerging was a small root waving at it.r2UD
nsDU-······!8jxLj
jzC8IfA familiar root.dh2y2
ABLAnother world tree that had been born from the same mother as her.nEc
6hCTBARecognizing that tree, bright tears began to well up in the white serpent’s eyes.vcHP2yK
SgVdx“I’ll take you to our father.”TqLkSwD
MlEOFinally, the worlds had reunited.STx0
24THowever, Joseph, who was being carried on someone’s back, kept his head down without saying a word.IB7i3
UbtHnFV“…We can finally go home.”JGW
hA3The oldest dragon, wandering in search of fragments, and the countless armies sinking their teeth into the North.rbOi
zRHU1gAs the oldest dragon sought the fragment and the numerous armies sharpened their blades against the North, black twilight descended upon Deirmar, filled with every color imaginable.X10ezfa
dBDLike a field of flowers in full bloom, each color shone brightly, standing tall against the impending threat.tOhWK
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