124 – At the crossroads of choice
A large number of enemy soldiers had already gathered near the secret passage where Edgar was supposed to meet Lars.
It may be unavoidable. Unless you’re an idiot, if you’ve heard that they’ve headed northeast, where there’s no proper entrance, you’ve probably taken into account the existence of a secret passage.
At least he would have found out that there was an easy way to escape through some other means, even if it wasn’t through a secret passage.
To some extent, this was expected, so Edgar did not panic and hid among the nearby structures to talk to Lars.
“How many enemies are there?”
“Even if I can’t, there will be more than 30 of us. Besides, more are still coming, so there is no time to delay.”
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Lars, who hid as much as possible on top of a tall building and looked around, knew the current situation better than anyone else.
The location of the secret passage is not yet closed because they do not know, but if even the entrance is blocked, hope is lost.
Rather than moving stealthily, now is the time to be bold and divert their attention.
“Sir Lars takes care of His Highness and Sir Elfelt. I will only draw my attention and follow you.”
“It’s a shameless bar, but… Please.”
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Lars wanted to contribute to the battle with Edgar, but as a result of calmly assessing the situation, he realized that it was safer this way and nodded.
How many enemy soldiers did Edgar cut down on his way here?
On the other hand, Lars was not very helpful in terms of power. He could handle a sword, but running into an opponent like that was an act of suicide.
When Edgar, who went first, climbed between the structures and appeared on the roof, the eyes of the enemies rushed in unison.
“It’s a bastard!”
“The head commanded! Kill!”
All they had to do was bring Yulken back anyway, and from their point of view, Edgar’s life was of no concern.
That is why the enemy soldiers who climbed the building rushed towards Edgar with a sense of lethality, and those who watched from afar held their bows in their hands and aimed at the demonstration.
“Your Highness, Sir Elfelt. Come on!”
“… … .”
As the voices of the enemies rose, Lars, who was hiding behind the structure, immediately led Yulken and Elfelt and ran toward the aisle.
It was said that they were only trying to pass the time, but the faces of the two people who had to leave behind Edgar, who was in danger alone, were saddened.
Caang!
Meanwhile, Edgar, who was watching the back of the three people leaving, blocked the enemy’s sword that came up on the building before he knew it, and managed to avoid the arrows that started pouring down behind him.
‘I’ll just deal with the guys in front of me and go.’
If possible, I want to keep my stamina, but considering that all the enemy soldiers here are coming to chase, it was better to reduce the number in the end.
visor!
“Cheuk!”
Once again, easily blocking the sword-swinging enemy’s attack, Edgar lowered himself and hooked the opponent’s leg, causing him to fall under the building.
It’s not that high, so you won’t die, but it’s going to be hard to move right away.
Besides, the attention would be focused there to protect the wounded soldier, so this might be better than killing them.
Edgar, who had subdued three more advancing soldiers after that, glanced sideways at the path leading to the aisle.
‘Looks like he went safely.’
Even though his senses were quite sensitive, I didn’t feel the proper presence or magic.
In the meantime, it seems that he has definitely escaped.
Then there would be no reason to waste more time here.
“Ignis.”
Edgar took out several small oil bottles from the leather pouch he had brought, threw them all over the place, broke them, and put his hand on them, muttering quietly.
Then, a small flame burst out.
If Ariel had been there, he would have easily burned down a decent building without the power of such a tool, but unfortunately he didn’t have that level of magical talent.
Hwareuk!
Thanks to piles of straw along the way and oil everywhere, the fire quickly ignited and quickly enveloped the building and spread to the surroundings.
“Boo, fire!”
“Suppress the fire first!”
Edgar, who had jumped off the building before he knew it, hid himself among the rising smoke and moved briskly.
It may not be of much use because it is a fire that can be extinguished by pouring snow on it, but this alone is significant.
Just as some of the enemies who noticed his escape tried to chase after him, only to be considerably slowed down by the fire blocking the path.
In this way, Edgar arrived in front of the aisle safely than expected and was able to join the three.
* * * * * * *
The secret passage was quite long and dark.
If it wasn’t for the light leaking through the exit, it would have been difficult to gauge what was ahead.
“I just knew what was going to happen.”
Almost reaching the end of the exit, Yulken, feeling relieved, spoke to Edgar with a smile.
When he took on the role of bait, I thought it was really heartbreaking, but seeing him come back safely, I was relieved.
“Didn’t I tell you that I would just draw attention and follow you? Majesty.”
“There is no one who believes that right away.”
“hahahaha, that’s right too.”
Still, if it had come this far, it had to be seen as a level of stability.
I wondered what would happen if one of the exits or entrances were blocked, but fortunately, I was able to escape safely thanks to this one being a step faster.
As soon as they left the exit, the four of them saw a panoramic view of the outside of the castle wall, followed by a wagon or a wagon set up in the corner.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t serve you properly, Your Highness. Please bear with me for a moment.”
“At a time like this, there is no reason to complain that riding is not comfortable. Don’t mind it.”
You just have to arrive on time anyway.
Besides, wouldn’t it be rather strange that there was a fancy carriage outside such a secret exit?
Waving his hand at Lars handing him the apple, Yulken immediately rode there with Elfelt, and two horses were tied in front to lead him.
That’s how Lars decided to drive the carriage, and Edgar got on the horse that was set aside next to him.
“Fortunately, the chase seems to be slowing down. It seems that the lady is doing her job well.”
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Lars stepped out of the walls and left with a sigh of relief when he saw no pursuers immediately following him.
I told Ariel to use a small number of troops to attack the opposite southern entrance when the flames soared inside the castle.
And even if the pursuit team arrives, if they can slow down the time, the operation will end successfully the moment they reach the convergence point.
Yes. If only I could somehow get there safely.
“Let’s go too.”
Edgar, who had been peeking through the aisle, gently stroked the horse’s back and gave an order.
In response, the boy began to move his legs with a loud cry as if he had understood the words.
By the time Edgar caught up with the wagon ahead and started running in a parallel line, a loud voice and the shaking of the ground came from behind.
“Don’t miss-!”
As Kellag, who was in the lead, rushed at full speed with his own men, the four felt quite intimidated despite the distance.
‘It’s so damn fast.’
Edgar clicked his tongue in regret.
Since this side had to lead the wagon, we had to keep the distance as much as possible in advance, but the big variable was that they responded faster than expected.
Fortunately, the arrow didn’t come flying, but at this rate, I would be caught behind due to the speed difference before reaching the merging point.
With the anxiety that crept in, he maneuvered his horse, still measuring the distance of the enemy pursuing him.
One step. One step.
It didn’t feel like they were approaching suddenly, but as they grew in size little by little, his heart beat more violently.
‘It’s probably still until the point of confluence.’
The area where the mountain range begins after exiting the canyon.
A tall tree built right there is the meeting point with Bignes.
At least as far as the canyon can be seen, there is at least hope.
“Sir Lars! At this rate, you will catch up!”
“However, it is difficult to accelerate more than this!”
If you were just riding a horse, it would be faster than now, but as I said before, how much faster would it be if the horse pulling the wagon ran fast?
Moreover, since ancient times, they have been a tribe famous for being as good as the elite troops of the empire when it comes to horsemanship.
Even if Amman increases the speed, it means that the distance will inevitably be narrowed.
“How much more do I have to go!?”
“Not too long left! But as it is… … !”
‘Damn it.’
Edgar gritted his teeth and turned his head to the voices of the enemies coming closer.
Ultimately, time matters.
In the first place, it started as a fight over whether to catch up or not, but the biggest factor was that they couldn’t move that distance because their response was faster than expected.
In order to shake off one or two in this state, even if he puts a dagger between the foreheads of the enemies and reduces the number a little, it will not be a fundamental solution.
‘If I had known this would happen, I would have come without making an appointment.’
Edgar laughed bitterly when he recalled the promise he made with Ariel childishly.
Although he may be playful, he wanted to remain as a man who kept his promises like a knife, but the reality seems to be savage.
“Sir Lars! Just run! I’ll buy you some time!”
“Yes!? What are you talking about! I cannot agree!”
As Edgar grabbed the horse’s reins and tried to turn it, Lars exclaimed, stunned.
Remaining in the current situation has a completely different meaning than it did a little while ago.
I don’t know if I’ll be able to buy time like I did back then, but that’s all and Edgar’s life is virtually non-existent.
What am I supposed to say to Ariel if he doesn’t come back?
More than anything else, Yulken, who was saved by giving his life, probably doesn’t want this fact the most.
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Lars wanted to stay on his own.
At least, wouldn’t it be possible if he switched horses right now and Edgar drove the carriage and he stayed behind?
Of course, I am well aware that this is an unrealistic statement. At this distance now, while the wagon is stopped, the enemies will catch up and get caught up amicably.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but I have to say hello at this point.”
“You! What do you mean! You must not give up hope!”
“you’re right! Besides, if you can’t come back, how will we look at you!”
When Edgar greeted him from the top of the galloping horse, Yulken followed by Elfelt tried to dissuade him.
Clearly, Lars said the confluence was not too far away.
Even if you have to catch up, if you hold on for a little bit, you might be able to ask for help from the savior.
Of course, it was an uncertain future.
But that doesn’t mean that the two of them didn’t have a heartless personality enough to allow him to throw away his life alone.
“There aren’t that many of them, so you should be able to catch an ankle. Sir Lars, please follow me!”
However, despite the three people’s pressure, Edgar indifferently turned his horse’s head and stood.
There were no words like ‘I will safely join’ or ‘I will return alive’.
Just ask for a good back. It contained only that kind of wind.
Through the gap, the three people ahead recognized the inner meaning of Edgar’s words.
And the fact that even if I try to stop it, he won’t listen.
“Edgar!”
“… … .”
His body, which was about to put up and dismount, stopped abruptly at the sound of a voice coming from behind.
Yulken, who had called him ‘you’ only by name, spoke his name.
“Let’s meet in Hespania!”
At his last words, Edgar raised one corner of his mouth without turning his head.
Even if he died and went as a soul, it would be like arriving in Hespania, so should he keep his promise?
Such trivial thoughts came to my mind, but they quickly disappeared from my mind when I saw the enemy in front of me.
‘At least it’s fortunate that I didn’t have a wedding ceremony.’
It’s because you can’t make a young lover who has just had a coming-of-age ceremony into a widow.
From that point of view, I thought it was fortunate that I wasn’t in a hurry.
‘Looks like he has no intention of passing by.’
His biggest concern was that the enemies might ignore him when he stopped and pursue Yulken, but fortunately there didn’t seem to be any sign of that.
As the speed at which the number of enemy soldiers, which numbered well over two hundred, gradually decreased, and the white snowflakes disappeared, a faint smile formed on Edgar’s lips.
I think it’s possible to turn off the time.
Just that fact alone made me feel so relieved.