Chapter 61
Chapter 61
Chapter 61.
In the pure white snowfield, Yuron's aura spread outward as translucent waves.
The accumulated snowflakes scattered like blossoms.
Yuriel, who had stepped down from the carriage, followed the drifting snowflakes with her gaze.
"Here I come!"
Yuron shouted loudly as he charged across the snowfield.
He wanted Aiden to draw his sword.
If Aiden deflected his blade with a gauntlet like their first meeting... it would only make him train harder.
Yuron slid forward and closed the distance, thrusting toward Aiden's torso.
His sword slashed diagonally upward from Aiden's left flank.
Aiden leaned his upper body back to evade. The blade cut through empty air, yet Yuron's stance remained unbroken.
Immediately, he adjusted the angle and slashed downward, but Aiden dodged again and widened the gap.
The watching knights nodded in approval.
Yuron's aura was sharper than expected, and Aiden's movements were swift and fluid—unnaturally so for his massive frame.
Aiden smiled, satisfied.
"Is this really the same Yuron I knew?"
To Yuron, it was the highest praise, but it still wasn't enough. He dared to make an audacious request.
"L-Lord Aiden! Please draw your sword!"
He hadn't expected such a demand. Aiden was delighted by Yuron's transformation. He seemed far more like a man now.
Aiden drew the holy sword.
Yuron's expression turned deadly serious. With a battle cry, he lunged forward at full strength.
His blade, honed sharp with aura, swung with all his might.
The three practiced motions—this was the horizontal slash he was most confident in.
The sword tore through the air. The moment it met the holy sword, a metallic clang exploded, leaving a ringing in his ears.
Yuron's mind went blank. By the time he regained his senses, he was floating in the air.
After flying for what felt like an eternity, he crashed into the snowfield.
Thud. Buried in the snow, Yuron stared blankly at the sky.
Aiden hadn't even swung his sword. At the moment of contact, he had merely flicked his wrist.
Yuron realized anew how far he still had to go, yet for some reason, he felt refreshed and burst into laughter.
Several knights clicked their tongues in awe at Aiden's skill.
Yuriel rushed over to check on Yuron.
"Are you alright?"
Her sculpted face blocked his view of the sky. Flustered by her beauty, Yuron sat up abruptly.
"I-I'm fine!"
Yuriel turned to Aiden.
"That was too harsh."
Aiden chuckled contentedly as he sheathed his holy sword.
"With a beauty tending to him, I imagine Yuron is quite pleased."
The joke caught Yuriel off guard.
It was unfamiliar coming from him. In truth, she couldn't recall ever seeing Aiden smile properly before.
That was how much Aiden approved of Yuron's growth.
The word "beauty" pleased Yuriel, but it also left a bittersweet pang.
Watching this exchange, Gielran spoke to Aiden.
"Well? I trained him ruthlessly."
"Give him another year, and he'll surpass most knights. I'm satisfied, old man."
Gielran laughed heartily, hands clasped behind his back.
"Good to hear. But I've taught him all I can. The rest is up to him. Don't just stand there—come inside."
He gestured toward the cabin.
The small house, once standing alone in the snowfield, no longer looked lonely.
Military tents densely covered the snow, and numerous fortifications, including watchtowers, had been erected. Even a makeshift chapel stood within the encampment.
Soldiers were stationed everywhere, erasing any trace of the past tranquility.
This was the northern front's forwardmost position.
Aiden stepped into the cabin, followed by Yuron, Siron, and Yuriel.
The interior was as cozy and warm as before. The crackling firewood emitted a pleasant sound.
Gielran pointed to the small table at the center.
"Gather around."
Once everyone was seated, Aiden spoke.
"I don't see Deril or Sain."
"Spending their days building stone walls."
A defensive line was being constructed near a gorge not far from here.
It had already been a year and a half since Aiden reported the northern anomalies, so they must have made some progress.
Though they couldn't have raised it too high—the northern border was vast. Still, it was better than nothing.
Gielran smirked.
"That brother-sister duo stacks stones like no other. Especially Deril."
Deril's ability, Chain, allowed him to manipulate objects by linking them with his energy.
It seemed his rare gift was being exploited for labor. Sain, no doubt, was using magic.
Aiden could easily picture Deril grumbling as he worked.
"It's about time we wrapped up and distributed the troops."
"The work ends today. But we still haven't decided on troop deployment. Opinions are divided."
The gorge marking the border between the Empire's north and the Everwinter was impossibly long.
Even if they blocked one area, if another was breached, the Empire would become the Ain's hunting grounds.
The only saving grace was that the Empire could predict where the enemy's strongest force would strike.
Right here, near Gielran. The Black Wolf Chieftain would come to reclaim the name Fenrir.
The Empire had two choices.
Abandon other sectors and concentrate forces here, or divide troops to guard each point.
The first would leave the Empire ravaged, while the second might fail to eliminate the Black Wolf.
If their foes were human, there'd be no debate—they'd pour everything here. But their enemies were beasts.
Unlike humans, they wouldn't lose morale or scatter even if their king fell.
Beasts had no grand cause, no loyalty to the Beast King.
Their reason for moving south was simple: hunting. They only truly followed their own pack leaders.
The Snow Leopards might even rejoice if Fenrir died. Their unity was built on force alone.
A disadvantageous war for humanity—they had far more to protect than the beasts.
The high command was likely locked in fierce debate over this.
No one could provide a perfect answer.
Aiden looked at Yuriel.
"Has the Paladin's seal been lifted?"
Yuriel shook her head, her expression bitter.
"No. The Goddess has not permitted it."
Gielran snorted.
"Didn't expect it anyway."
Aiden had anticipated this, so he wasn't too disappointed.
After a brief pause, he turned back to Gielran.
"Old man, the problem stems from each species attacking different points."
"Exactly. An army without cohesion is like a lantern in the wind—ours is the opposite now."
"There is a way to solve it."
Gielran's eyes sharpened.
"You can prove Fenrir's identity, can't you?"
"Well, it's not impossible."
Aiden nodded.
Aiden immediately rode toward the Islan territory.
The same territory where he had once clashed with Paladin Tyrun after slaying mutants while trying to feed Yupe.
It now served as the northern front's command headquarters.
As Aiden and Siron entered the village outskirts, the residents recognized them instantly and prostrated themselves.
Even before the scriptures were written, Aiden had already been their hero and savior.
"We live remembering your grace!"
"O hero!"
"We pray for you always!"
Wherever Petra's hooves trod, tearful cheers from the villagers never ceased.
With no time to respond, Aiden rode swiftly to the lord's castle.
At the bridge leading to the castle, the iron gate creaked open. A familiar figure soon came into view.
"Lord Aiden!"
Paladin Tyrun—no, now the captain of Islan's guard.
Clad in chainmail instead of holy armor, his expression was far brighter than before.
Tyrun bowed at a perfect right angle.
"To meet the sacred lineage."
He must have heard Aiden had become a Saint.
Aiden smiled faintly and lifted him upright.
"Enough formalities. How about a handshake?"
Tyrun flushed, recalling the past when he had tried to crush Aiden's grip and failed.
"Ahem, I was truly discourteous back then."
Aiden clapped his shoulder.
"Why so serious? It's good to see you well."
"All thanks to you. No amount of gratitude would suffice."
"Enough flattery. Just show me to the conference room."
Tyrun gestured for them to follow.
"I'll guide you. And this is..."
His face stiffened when he saw Siron.
Siron beamed.
"Long time no see. It's good to meet you."
Not exactly the most welcome sight for Tyrun, given that Siron had nearly split his skull.
He forced an awkward smile.
"P-Please, both of you, follow me."
The conference room was the grand hall in the castle's inner courtyard.
The same place where Aiden had once trapped and slaughtered vampires. Yupe peeked out, sniffing the air—perhaps remembering the feast.
The little beast had grown to the size of a forearm but still insisted on burrowing into Aiden's arms, much to his discomfort.
When Tyrun announced Aiden's arrival, the main doors swung open.
A wave of heated air rushed out. Shouts and curses flew incessantly, documents scattered everywhere.
At the center stood a massive strategy table. The military leaders surrounding it were already on edge.
Most were notable figures.
Grand Marshal Landaren of the Imperial Magic Corps, Captain Kairos of the Royal Knights, Commander Ibishuller of the Grand Crusaders, the highest-ranking Holy Guard under the Pope's direct command, the Imperial Infantry Chief of Staff, the Sacrier Legion Commander... and more.
Finally, at the head sat the northern front's supreme commander—Crown Prince Raphelat. His red hair proved his lineage as a descendant of the Sun.
As Aiden entered, the heated atmosphere cooled slightly. All eyes turned to him.
The hero recorded in scripture. Regardless of rank, his presence was the most striking here.
Aiden knelt on one knee and offered a sword salute.
"I greet His Highness the Crown Prince."
Raphelat la Vaceksar. He glanced around nervously, cleared his throat, and looked at Aiden.
"W-Welcome."
No further words came. The retainers eyed the prince, but he merely fidgeted, visibly uncomfortable.
The chamberlain whispered in Raphelat's ear. Finally, the prince rose and approached Aiden.
From his robes, he fumbled out a scroll and began reading.
"A-Aiden la Valenstahl. Hero of scripture, beloved servant, guardian of the sacred realm—you are hereby appointed Chief Paladin. Additionally, you shall serve as Lieutenant General of the Imperial Heavy Cavalry and Executioner Captain of Vaceksar. As our ancestors and your Goddess will it, go forth and slaughter the beasts."
Aiden bowed his head.
"Under the gaze of the Sun, I shall dye the snowfields with the blood of beasts."