26 – Condemnation for the Wicked
Foolishly, humans are designed to never give up as long as they have even a tiny bit of hope. Even in the most desperate moments, if there is a faint possibility that they can survive or succeed, they have the habit of persevering. On the other hand, this means that when hope is completely gone, it becomes a state where they can no longer move forward.
“Damn… How did this happen…?”
Gallad also had hope. In the past, when he was about to be killed by the people of the Phebron Empire, he had the bargaining chip of being a saint, so he didn’t give up and saved his life by insulting the saint. In every battlefield, he used the knight order and magicians who could be used like consumables to achieve results and save his life. He commanded from the back and fled when the situation became dangerous, repeating such a routine.
In the past, after almost being killed by Tekeloman, he always occupied advantageous positions and fought. That’s why death was distant, especially for men. But not anymore.
“I have a proposal. If you promise to abandon Gallad, I will spare the rest of you.”
When MacDerrus spoke, the expressions of those around him changed. In fact, Gallad’s reputation was not good among them either. In the battlefield where comrades died countless times, Gallad often returned without any serious injuries. He achieved clear results, so he was promoted without being punished by the royal family, but that was more of a problem. If those who had actually experienced Gallad realized that the man only cared about his own well-being, they had no choice but to realize it.
Just as he massacred civilians to attack Tekeloman advantageously, just as he sacrificed his comrades to protect his own safe life, his actions were so obvious that they couldn’t be ignored.
That’s why the knights were hesitant. Should they abandon the man in front of them and sacrifice their own lives?
“I will relieve your hesitation.”
As MacDarras reached out his hand, five bright red spears descended from the sky and struck them down. In an instant, five men were dead. And then, the energy was once again absorbed by the red sphere.
“There is no chance for you to win. I will change the conditions this time. If you kill Galad with your own hands, I will spare the rest of you.”
Unbearable despair. To the men, MacDarras was such a existence. But just now, hope had emerged. In a situation where they could only survive by defeating a man with a power like an external disaster, it had changed into a situation where they could win by defeating only one knight commander.
It didn’t matter whether MacDarras would really keep his promise or not. The knights of the Kaorelden Empire considered it most important that they had hope of survival.
“Uaaah!”
One of the knights rushed towards Galad. Galad beheaded him and shouted.
“Attack… Attack the enemy! Betrayal during an expedition is an immediate execution!”
Galad’s threat, which would have sounded terrifying before, had no effect at all. With a monster that had killed dozens, hundreds with a single blow right in front of them, Galad’s swordsmanship was not intimidating. The mages and knights of the Kaorelden Empire began to attack Galad together. At first, he managed to kill a few, but soon he was overwhelmed and accumulated wounds one by one.
“Damn it! We are allies! Why the hell are you bastards doing this!”
The knight who had abandoned his comrades lost his mind. The result was inevitable.
“Stop… please stop…”
Galad began to be pushed back, his body covered in wounds. Blades from all sides began to tear him apart, on his arms, abdomen, and legs. His strength gradually waned from his body.
The sight of those who had given orders, who were allies, rushing and swinging their swords to kill him was more pitiful than anything else.
Tears streamed down the knight’s eyes.
“f*ck!”
He screamed in a near-cry, and MacDarras approached the men, causing them to stop. The knights and mages of the Kaorelden Empire now began to follow MacDarras’s orders completely. It was the response of those who had learned that they couldn’t win and that if they didn’t comply, they would definitely die.
“How do you feel?”
With his body covered in blood, Galad, who had become a pitiful mess, muttered with bloodstained lips.
“You cruel bastard… how… how can a person… how many people do you think you’ve killed today?”
“They were people who deserved to die.”
“Do not rationalize… In the end, you are nothing but a monster, just like me.”
As Gallad resisted, Macderas chuckled and spoke.
“Do you think you’re going to die anyway? Your attitude has become quite arrogant. Begging for your life like a dog won’t save you.”
After a moment of silence, Gallad crawled on the ground, facing Macderas. He was clearly begging for his life.
“You disgusting bastard.”
In an instant, Macderas stabbed a sword into Gallad’s arm, leg, and one eye.
Gallad’s screams echoed on the battlefield, but not for long.
Macderas gave orders to the knights of the Kaorelden Empire, who were Gallad’s comrades.
“Kill him.”
In no time, about a hundred knights surrounded Gallad. With the sound of swords piercing flesh, Gallad died.
…”
After Gallad’s death, no one spoke or moved. The only person with a choice on this battlefield was Macderas.
“I said earlier that I would spare you. But I changed my mind.”
As Macderas finished speaking, the knights and mages of the Kaorelden Empire prepared for battle. However, he uttered unexpected words.
“In this war, tell me, who has never attacked civilians even once. As in, who hasn’t killed them. Only those will be spared.”
“We haven’t killed anyone!”
The shouts of many people could be heard. While waiting for Macderas’s judgment, everyone, not just a few, claimed their innocence. A soldier asked Choi Ye-bin.
“Is anyone lying?”
After hesitating for a moment, Choi Ye-bin answered.
“They’re all… all lying.”
MacDerris was puzzled, but he didn’t doubt Choi Ye-bin’s answer.
“If you say so, then it must be true.”
Suddenly, hundreds of blades shot out from the red sphere in the sky.
In just 30 seconds, all the knights and mages on the battlefield were dead. The only ones left were the knights of the Phaibron Empire and MacDerris and his group.
MacDerris asked Fleamia.
“How do you feel? Relieved?”
“Yes…”
Fleamia seemed somewhat uncomfortable. MacDerris gently stroked her head and whispered quietly.
“It’s not just about feeling relieved. You can’t help but feel guilty. If you can witness countless people dying and not feel any emotions, then you’re a monster. But Fleamia, remember this. Those people were willing to fight and face death. They have killed others without hesitation, but this time it was their turn.”
MacDerris added.
“Because they died, the knights of the Phaibron Empire lived. Innocent civilians were spared. In the end, the battlefield is a series of choices. You have to decide who to kill and who to save. The former is necessary, and the latter is a choice.”
Only then did Fleamia’s expression relax.
“I understand what you mean. It’s true that I felt some guilt, but I don’t regret what happened. Those people deserved to die, and I know it was the right thing to do.”
The fragile saint’s heart grew stronger. Feeling proud of her, MacDerris walked towards Tekeloman. When MacDerris stood in front of him, Tekeloman bowed his head and spoke. He even used a respectful tone to express his gratitude.
“Thank you. If it weren’t for MacDerris, who happened to be with us, we would have all died for sure. After we died, they might have followed the refugee procession and committed massacres. Thank you in many ways.”
MacDerris stared blankly at Tekeloman, also using a respectful tone as he spoke.
“The reason I helped you is not just because you showed kindness to Fleamia, but because I respected your determination to risk your life for your comrades. I helped you not because I was lucky, but because I was impressed by your actions. So please continue as you are now. Even if you live foolishly, there will be someone who recognizes you.”
Tekeloman bowed his head, choked with emotion.
“I will keep that in mind. Also, please speak more casually to me. It’s more comfortable.”
MacDerris nodded and looked towards the territory of the Phaibron Empire.
“I will actively intervene in this battle. To do so, I must contact the leadership of the Phibron Empire. Since I could be misunderstood if I go alone, I want to meet them through you, Knight Commander Teckeloman. Is that possible?”
In just under ten minutes, hundreds of people were humiliated by the greatest sorcerer of their time. They were absolutely essential manpower on the battlefield. Teckeloman spoke hastily.
“Of course, it’s possible. I will also suggest a reward to give to Lord Macduras. I will guide you right away.”
He turned his body, and the knights behind him all bowed their heads to Macduras. Then they followed Teckeloman’s procession again.
As I walked beside Teckeloman, he asked me curiously.
“I’m sorry, but may I ask you one question?”
“Of course.”
“It’s a fundamental curiosity. What is Lord Macduras’ purpose for participating in this battle?”
Because of Flemia’s request to liberate the people and holy maidens suffering under the Kareldean Empire. In fact, he had just spared the holy maidens in the recent battle.
So what is the essential purpose?
Macduras answered briefly.
“The end of the war.”
Looking at the red sphere, he added.
“I will end this war even if I have to kill one side completely.”