203─The Heart of a Human Face
The 32,000 troops marched toward their first target, the El Alta Canyon.
The moment you cross that point, you can take the shortest route to the three kingdoms and the Elmark Empire.
Perhaps the main force led by the Empress──Gremory is also stationed there and waiting for them.
‘…… The speed of advance is not bad.’
If troops that were unable to join the capital join in the process of moving forward, the speed will be slower than now……
Still, the conclusion was that it would be possible to arrive at the end of December.
‘Is it Christmas?’
Fersen chuckled as he remembered that Christmas was a holiday that was not in this world, but remained vivid in Lee Seo-jin’s memory.
‘If…… ‘
If there is such a thing as Santa in this world.
It would be perfect if you gave me victory in the war as a gift.
But, remembering the fact that Santa does not give gifts to crying or naughty children, Fersen held on tightly to the reins of his horse.
Anyway, ever since I was young, I had never received anything I wanted as a gift.
Desperate.
I have always achieved and robbed what I earnestly desired with my own hands.
And if it were possible for someone else to give you success and victory, how could you call it success and victory?
It will be nothing more than a simple ‘benefit’.
So, as always.
24 Years.
8760 Days.
210,240 Hours.
This is the path of life that I have always walked, and that is the way.
He will snatch victory from this world that wants the death of the villain.
* * * * *
December 22nd, two weeks after departure.
The scenery of El Alta Canyon is vaguely visible on the horizon beyond.
…… From now on, we will encounter the main force of the Elmark Empire in 5 days at the earliest, or a week at the latest.
The number of troops going into that place is 35,000.
The remaining 40,000 troops had already been divided five days ago and were marching in separate directions.
The troops led by Corleone Wayne Baretta Alfred will join the main army of the Kingdom of Lobelium and head to the Kingdom of Oberne.
The side that the First Prince and Princess Elizabeth belong to will head to the Cielen Kingdom.
At first glance, it may seem that the main unit’s weight class was reduced too much, but due to the topography of the canyon, there was a limit to the number that could be deployed on the front line, whether 100,000 or 1,000,000.
Especially as it is not a war fought simply with spears and swords.
Since all that the soldiers, who were mere pawns, could do was so small, it would be more correct to say that this was a most efficient compression rather than a reduction in weight class.
In fact, in the case of Auror Knights, Elemental Wizards, and Warlocks, the proportion assigned to the main unit was the highest.
“Stop!”
The 2nd Prince, Raymond, who was advancing with escort at the head, grabbed the reins and stopped his horse.
With winter just around the corner, the length of the day has become noticeably shorter.
As night is coming soon, the intention is to only advance here today.
Stop!
Stop…… !
As if conveying the prince’s command, the same words are repeated and echo like an echo.
At the end, the majestic and long procession of soldiers stopped, and the elemental wizards with the talent to interfere with the earth skillfully built temporary barracks.
The sight of the land, which is no different from a wasteland, rising up to form walls and roofs would be a feat that ordinary soldiers would not be able to get used to.
“Count. “The barracks have been completed.”
“Okay. Egg plant.”
Even if you look at them and tell them to relax, if you don’t do that, you’ll feel like you’re sitting on a thorn cushion.
For this reason, Fersen led his troops into the built barracks.
In fact, looking at the exterior, it would be more correct to call it a hut rather than a barracks.
‘…… Did it interfere with the atmosphere and blow away the dust?’
The sight of a pile of dirt falling from the ceiling was not created, so Ferzen went inside after seeing a tent sagging inside a fairly large space, separating his space.
Only then can I hear the sound of the unit members exhaling, as if they were sitting comfortably and resting.
Ferzen then went to the open space behind the tent, which was clumsily covered by the tent, and took out a pack of tobacco.
…… The full-scale war hasn’t even started yet.
The fatigue accumulated during the march to this point was greater than expected, so Fersen slowly relieved his sore body.
At the end, I threw the smoked tobacco on the floor and trampled it with my foot to extinguish it, and a loud trumpet sound announced that it was time for distribution.
* * * * *
Lizzy took control of the body and guided the wheelchair, following the name of Astell, the leader of her group.
As the land was extremely barren and not properly maintained, the wheelchair that was moving along with a squeak shook frequently, and every time this happened, Lizzy’s body, which was sitting on it, also shook violently.
If it weren’t for the leather belt of the wheelchair holding her waist, she would have probably fallen forward.
And at the distribution center where she arrived after enduring the discomfort, Lizzy could feel countless eyes looking at her.
She stands out, and the fact that she is a woman in a wheelchair among the troops heading to the battlefield is an element that cannot help but draw attention to her.
However, the emotion contained in that gaze was not ‘amazing’ or ‘funny’.
She hasn’t even faced the main force of the El Mark Empire yet, and the sight of her passing over her body without hesitation is blatant hostility.
The fact that she had tried to announce her rebellion in advance was of little importance to them.
Because, as a result, they were on the verge of war at this very moment due to the traitor──Roer.
So, how can one not feel anger and hatred towards that traitorous bloodline?
Kirik.
Different from the ration line for regular soldiers, the line for food rations for Auror Knights and wizards gradually decreases.
Lizzie moved her own wheelchair to inch forward, and when her turn came she grabbed her food tray and held it out in front of her with difficulty.
But since she was sitting, she had to look up – Lizzy, facing the eyes of the soldiers in charge of serving food, shrugged her slender shoulders without realizing it.
Eyes filled with human hatred.
Why does she have to become a trash can that has to accept these people’s emotions?
Even though she had resigned, Lizzy bit her lip hard at the resentment that opened the lid of that resignation.
But when the soldier serving the soup deliberately poured some of the soup onto her finger, pretending it was a mistake……
“Keu, keuh…” … !”
Lizzy let out a loud moan and dropped her tray on the floor.
Remember, even if you want to be patient.
Lizzie couldn’t help but cry as she felt the pain from her burned thumb.
But there was not a single person here who sympathized with her.
‘Ha…… ‘
And Astel, the tenth officer standing behind her, swore a lot of curses and wiped her face.
Her annoyance is rising toward the soldier who had just taken out his anger on Lizzie by pretending to be her mistake.
It wasn’t simply that he felt sorry for Lizzie and took out her anger on her behalf.
Anger that she was the one who had to fix this situation.
And the shame of being insulted by an ordinary soldier and the unit he belonged to.
No matter how much you are an Apollyon-level warlock and of Brutein bloodline, a pillar of the empire, what can you do if you have Fersen as your captain?
I can’t even control the lump of filth, so I’m pooping on it.
“This…” … !”
After forcing herself to control her emotions, she was about to call the soldier who had just served her food……
Teook.
Astel flinched at her large hand on her shoulder and turned her head.
“Lu, Ruerg…… Ship, Your Excellency the Count…… “
Then, the person who stood there and welcomed her was Fersen, who had received rations in advance and walked her way.
At that, Astel lowered her head in tears, leaving behind Fersen who was advancing in front of her.
‘Crazy bastard…’ … ‘
Does that soldier feel the satisfaction of letting go of his anger and hatred, and a sense of heroism that he has inflicted harm on a traitorous bloodline on behalf of 35,000 soldiers?
However, it is the second prince, Raymond, who holds the overall command of the soldiers.
On the surface, this current situation was in fact nothing more than encouraging conflict between the imperial family and the Brutes.
“What is your name?”
“Well, that…” … I…… “
“I have no intention of blaming you.”
Glancing down at the trembling Lizzie, Fersen grabbed the food plate lying pitifully on the floor and put it aside.
“Les, Rayman…… No see.”
“Rayman.”
“Yes…… Yes!”
“Do you have any children?”
“Oh, I have a son.”
“Then, when your son commits a crime that deserves the death penalty, would you be able to report it?”
“…… “
“Your silence right now could be seen as denial.”
He spoke in a very calm tone, but the soldiers next to him, including Rayman, felt an enormous amount of pressure.
“If you are a family member, it is natural for your arms to bend inward.”
“…… “
“And this woman tried to break her naturalness and inform her of her family’s rebellion. “Do you think it is okay for you to insult their loyalty to that country?”
“I’m sorry…… “
“It’s not just this woman you have to apologize to.”
Ferzen, who was staring at Rayman, the soldier in front of him, turns his back.
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Then he looked at the numerous soldiers receiving food and raised his voice slightly as if to make them listen.
“Gentlemen.”
“…… “
“This is for your benefit.”
Her petty anger and her hatred will not return you to her family.
Rather, it will make you lose your way on the battlefield, and in the end, it will become the devil’s whisper that tempts you to lose your life to the enemy’s spear and sword.
“Please, don’t be too lenient on death.”
When Fersen finished her sentence, Astel gently stroked her suffocating neck and then took her steps forward.
“…… I will report this and take disciplinary action against that soldier. Even if you can’t be strong, fasting is possible.”
“It is done.”
“…… “
“I am a soldier about to go to war. “What are you going to do if you’re starving?”
“I’m sorry. I was short thinking…… “
“Astel.”
“Yes.”
“What I just said was the same message to you all.”
“…… “I will keep that in mind.”
“If you don’t hate me, don’t make me a bad boss who makes you bury the bodies of your subordinates.”
“Yes…… !”
Seeing Astel answering loudly, Fersen ordered Rimbel to bring Lizzy’s share of the meal again and then led Lizzy in her wheelchair.
And Lizzy let out her pitiful laugh as she watched Fersen, using her own tragedy as nourishment to paint over her own ugliness.
Even if we win the war, will this country have any hope?
35,000 Soldiers, all of them……
They are such foolish and clueless people.
Those who gulped and praised the decorated ugliness were nothing more than dogs and pigs.
The tribes that were revered by them were also nothing more than beasts wearing human clothing.
How can such an empire be called a country where the sun never sets?
This place is just…… It was an empire of beasts, without a single doubt.