209 – The Final Battle (1)
Baran watched the chaotic village.
Numerous refugees and various races.
And the territorial citizens who appeared uneasy under the influence.
No one could remain calm in the atmosphere brought by Kruund.
Furthermore, with Verg not giving any orders, these concerns only deepened.
The members of the Hongyeomdan, who were originally from the Firelight, were the only ones maintaining their composure.
Even Shaun and Theodore, who had overcome the plague, remained stoic by Baran’s side.
“Now it feels a bit like the old days.”
Shaun chuckled playfully.
“Living as a farmer was getting a bit boring. It’s nice to feel alive with some excitement like this.”
Theodore asked Shaun about it.
“So, did you catch the plague?”
“Well, you could say that, yeah.”
Baran also smiled at Shaun’s joke.
But he had some idea.
Throwing such jokes was a habit Shaun had when he was nervous.
He was maintaining composure better than the territorial citizens, but it seemed he wasn’t entirely at ease.
“Baran.”
Baran turned around at the sound calling his name.
There stood Gael. His wrinkles had deepened due to the recent intense issues.
“Gael, sir.”
“…Baran, are you prepared?”
Baran was secretly complying with Gael’s request.
It was a decision made out of concern that Verg’s indecision might delay them.
They were preparing to flee.
They loaded the wagons with provisions and supplies, ready to embark on a long journey.
It was solely a choice made for safety.
It wasn’t to go against Berg’s intentions.
“…”
Baran gave a slight nod.
Yet simultaneously, he revealed his worry for the action taken.
“…But I am not sure if it is the right choice. There were no orders from the Commander…”
“It’s just a precaution. No matter what, I also plan to respect Berg’s decision.”
“…”
“…However, what other choices do we have? Our pride would be all that remains if we decide to protect Stockfin. Berg wouldn’t choose that way.”
“…”
Upon hearing that, Baran seemed to have a slightly pained expression.
That choice… Baran didn’t perceive it as merely born out of pride.
On the contrary, the idea of leaving this place was more repulsive to him.
Countless comrades were resting under this land’s soil.
And it was their lives that had earned them the land.
Commander Adam was also sleeping there.
How could they just leave them?
“…”
Baran wondered if he was the only one who felt this and looked around.
And he locked eyes with his fellow comrades, one by one.
“…”
“…”
For some reason, everyone did not seem to be taking Gale’s words at ease.
Baran started to believe it might be due to race differences.
Who knows who’s making the right choice?
Perhaps humans are indeed foolish, just as other races would say.
It was a feeling he couldn’t express.
“…sigh.”
But, he wasn’t sure whether these thoughts came easy because he wasn’t standing in the leader’s position.
From the standpoint of someone who follows orders, it’s easier to harbor such thoughts.
As there were no thousands of lives hanging on his shoulders, it was easier to feel at ease.
But the person standing in that landscape would see it differently.
Even if Berg decided to flee, Baran could understand all of it.
Because that was why he secretly granted Gale’s request.
Then, Baran witnessed a fight that broke out in the middle of the village.
‘We must flee now!’
Shaun murmured at the sight.
“… What’s happening?”
Realizing that the fight was about to escalate, Baran began to move.
.
.
.
.
“The troops are assembling at the capital…! Of course it’s safer to run there right now!!”
A lizardman was yelling at a fellow tribesman.
The faces were familiar to Baran.
Retton, who had come to the village as a refugee, and Emer, a settled tribesman in Stockfin.
Over the past few days, a friendship seemed to have sprouted when Emer took care of Retton’s family.
A fight had broken out between those two.
Many people were watching their fight.
Emer said to Lizardman Retton.
“Retton… I…”
Retton grabbed Emer’s collar and shouted.
“Are you saying you’ll stay here and meet your demise?”
Everyone was shaken by his harsh words.
But Retton did not hesitate in speaking.
“Emer, I’ve seen a horde of Krund monsters firsthand. It is not an opponent that can be defeated easily… We have to flee!”
“I will… follow the decision of Duke Raiker.”
“Duke Raiker will also run away soon, Emer. Or maybe he already has without saying a word. We must find our own way to survive…!”
“If you’re worried, you can leave first, Retton. I’ll stay here…”
“How could I abandon a benefactor who has looked after our family in such a way…!”
“…”
“I am so grateful to all of you. Honestly… I never imagined that a humanoid like me would receive such warm treatment. So… so that’s why I… Emeer… You have to think of your family too…!”
Baran finally intervened between them.
Pushing the Lizardman Leyton lightly aside, he made him let go of the scruff he was holding.
“Stop this.”
At Baran’s intervention, Leyton hesitated for a moment… but then he once again began to express his convictions.
“…I truly feel gratitude towards the Fire Rose Order. But…this is madness. Why are you all still remaining here?”
On this, even Baran had nothing to say.
It was a situation where they were merely waiting for Berg’s decision.
Leyton continued.
“Why won’t anyone act, even though they’re trembling in fear…!”
“…”
Baran looked around.
Just as Leyton said, there were many people who seemed to be shaking with fright.
It was an inevitable reaction.
Leyton spoke.
“Won’t you survive if you flee? We nailed survival because we even abandoned our homeland…!”
“…”
Blinking his eyes, Leyton looked around, and shouted to all the humanoids and other species who were looking at him.
“If you want to survive, come to your senses and run away quickly!!”
“…do so.”
At that moment, a voice rang out from behind.
At that voice, a silence fell over Stokfin.
-….Thump….Thump….
The footsteps reverberated heavily.
No other sound could be heard but his.
“…Leader.”
Baran whispered as he looked at the man.
Berg, who slowly walked over, spoke.
“…There’s nothing wrong with what he has said. If you want to survive, it’s right to flee.”
Layton bowed his head at Berg’s arrival.
At the same time, he urged Emer and his family.
‘…Raiker Duke said the same thing…!’
However, Baran felt strange while looking at Berg who was spitting out such resigned words.
Determined yet seemingly refreshing expression.
A face that seemed to have unloaded the burden he had been carrying on his shoulders.
His stride was more vigorous and lighter than ever.
It was as if he had returned to the Berg that was active in the leadership of the Red Flame Clan.
Berg spoke up.
“We have already experienced a defeat to Krund. Even though we accomplished the mission to bind him… Krund has survived and my brother Adam is dead. Now that our power is weaker than it was then, it may only be natural for us to run away.”
Berg slowly moved his feet and stood still in the middle of the village where everyone was watching.
“Those who want to run away, run away. I will not stop you. I have no intention of imposing my thoughts on anyone.”
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Berg took a deep sigh and heightened his voice.
“This applies to the Red Flame Clan as well! From now on… the mercenary band is disbanded! There’s no need to follow my orders! I will not impose any duties! Those who will run, run!”
Berg’s words caused an illusion as if cold water was poured over Stockholm.
Several people who had been maintaining silence let out a weary sigh and moved their steps.
Even the last hope they had seemed to be given up due to Berg’s words to run away.
But the members of the Red Flame Clan were just watching Berg.
They stood still even after hearing that the mercenary band was disbanded.
To meet their expectation, Berg continued.
“However… if you’re going to leave, remember clearly.”
He slowly looked around his colleagues and spoke.
“That we had been given everything. That there was a moment, like now, when we had everything.”
-Swoosh.
Alovin had appeared at some point and stood next to Baran.
Her moist eyes were gazing silently at Berg.
“We have found a family on this land, and buried it on this land. That our future families could have survived here.”
“…That’s right.”
Sean whispered beside him.
He was no longer smiling with a playful expression. All he showed was a genuine smile.
“If you’re going to leave, remember this clearly. It means abandoning your comrades who have fallen ill with the plague. Due to lack of courage, it means giving up the opportunity to protect everything.”
Berg looked at Letten.
“Yes, we could even die like this.”
Berg turned his eyes, spoke while looking at the children among the crowd who were watching him.
“But what we promised our departed comrades was a foundation for the next generation. It wasn’t just for our safety… it was a dedication for our families.”
Theodore whispered as well.
“…You’re right, Captain.”
Berg allowed his voice to soften once again, speaking gently.
“…Those who want to leave, leave. Even rationally thinking, that is right. After all, nothing is more important than life. The promise with comrades… everything ends with death.”
In the silence of the village center, he whispered.
“I…need people who are prepared to die.”
-Thump…Thump…
Arwin wept beside him.
However, while holding her breath, she only stared at Berg with firm eyes.
She quietly watched Berg, who was prepared for death.
“I will go with you, Captain!”
Someone shouted loudly from the crowd.
Berg looked in that direction and smiled.
Then, isolated shouts sprouted from all around.
“This must be our fate!”
“When did we ever back down from a fight!”
“Let’s avenge for Captain Adam!”
Shawn also yelled.
“Captain…! We were waiting to hear this!”
Theodore replied.
“Stockpin cannot leave.”
Cheers sprouted from everywhere.
The diverse clan members, including Letten, were dumbfounded by the uproaring madness.
As if they couldn’t understand what was happening.
All the people were following Berg’s words.
Within the gigantic roar of cheers, Berg looked upon Baran with a relieved expression.
“Baran.”
Baran smiled back at Berg.
Finally, the familiar atmosphere of the mercenary troop encirculated them.
“Yes, Captain.”
Berg asked,
“…What will you do?”
As Berg offered him a choice, Baran replied.
“…I will stand by you until I die.”
Berg quietly chuckled.
And then he threw a familiar horn hanging on his hip to Baran, stating,
– Thump.
“…Let’s go.”
Baran nodded shortly, and after an absence, blew the horn with all his might.
– Whoaooooooo! Whoaooooooo!
****
I led my horse out of the territory.
As I set out with a small group, the dwarf family that had been waiting for us came to meet us.
Borz, who was leading, spoke up.
“You have made your decision. Now, I will prepare to move as well. When the members of the Flame Squad are ready, we will also depar-“
I interrupted him.
“Please, leave on your own.”
Borz stiffened at my words.
“…Excuse me?”
Looking surprised, my response was,
“We’re not going.”
“…”
Borz glanced around at his family, then asked me.
“…Are you suggesting we stand against Kruund?”
I did not hesitate with my answer.
“Yes.”
A sense of relief like never before washed over him.
There was no fear of death.
Instead, a cool breeze swept through his chest.
Choosing to protect Stockpin. Choosing to protect the villagers. If it was fate, then choosing to fulfill the duty now given to me. Choosing to avenge Adam’s death.
Once I made the choice, it seemed there was no better option.
“…Lyker Gohn, think about it one more time-“
“-Leave. The war is coming soon.”
Borz closed his mouth in response to my resolute answer.
He had been staring at me for a long time.
‘……….You’ll die here too.’
And then, he turned and walked away.
As Borz left, I turned back to Baran.
I said to him,
“Let’s get ready.”
Baran replied,
“Yes, Captain.”
It’s time to come to an end.