Chapter 62
Chapter 62
Chapter 62.
Raphelat glanced back over his shoulder.
Only after the white-haired chamberlain nodded did the Crown Prince finally speak to Aiden.
"Rise."
Aiden stood and looked down at him.
Though Raphelat appeared to be in his early-to-mid twenties like Aiden, his face still retained youthful plumpness that made him seem boyish.
Red hair, sharp jawline—he was unmistakably of imperial blood. Yet his eyes drooped weakly and his voice lacked confidence.
As the prince hesitated slightly, Aiden extended a guiding hand.
"Shall we proceed, Your Highness?"
"Indeed."
Aiden escorted the prince to the head seat as if acting as his guard.
Marshal Landaren of the Magical Corps swallowed a bitter laugh at the sight.
He then strode confidently toward Aiden and extended his hand.
"Pleasure. Landaren's the name. Just an old fool who dabbles in magic."
The elderly man carried himself with remarkable vigor. His short white hair gave off the aura of a battle-hardened veteran rather than a mage.
Aiden clasped his offered hand.
"Paladin Aiden. An honor to meet you, Marshal."
Landaren studied Aiden's face intently before bursting into hearty laughter.
"I imagined some brutish mountain bandit, so I owe you an apology! Though it's hardly compensation, I'll give you my granddaughter. Haha!"
The marshal shook their clasped hands vigorously while guffawing.
A man watching the exchange shook his head and approached. Crown—the highest-ranking member of the Holy Blade Execution Squad.
"Marshal, your granddaughter's already been married off more than ten times," came a thin, affected voice from the man dressed as a jester.
It was the sort of exaggerated tone an uncle might use when imitating a woman during a drunken jest.
Landaren looked at Crown with a sorrowful expression.
"Even so, I doubt she'd ever share vows with the likes of you."
When he laughed loudly again, Crown hung his head as if wounded.
Aiden found the jester's exaggerated mannerisms somewhat off-putting. Just as this thought crossed his mind, Crown turned to Aiden and bowed smoothly.
"Commander, I look forward to serving under you."
Regardless of personal impressions, they were comrades who would fight together. Moreover, as the highest-ranking member of the Execution Squad, Crown stood among humanity's mightiest warriors.
Aiden nodded.
"Right. Let's do our best."
As Crown retreated with a sly smile, Landaren spoke.
"Odd fellow, that one. But his skills are undeniable, so trust him. Though more importantly—if we win this war together, will the scriptures record my name too?"
"That depends on our victory."
Aiden turned his attention to the long map spread across the central table.
The marshal's laughter faded as he clicked his tongue.
"The Ains are practically at our doorstep, yet we're still like this."
According to Holy Blade intelligence reports, the Ains would reach the canyon within a fortnight.
Little time remained for debate.
Aiden immediately approached the tactical map.
"Chief of Staff! You intend to turn the entire empire into hunting grounds!"
"Think bigger, my friend. If the Black Wolf crosses our borders, we won't be talking about hunting grounds—humanity itself might face extinction."
"What, is the Black Wolf chieftain our only concern? The leaders of the Frost Leopard and Sabertooth could wipe out humanity's seed without breaking a sweat. This frustration burns me up inside. Damn it all."
"That's why we distribute forces evenly—placing the two Sword Saints, Marshal Landaren, Lord Aiden, and Sir Kairos with the Execution Squad at the Black Wolf's predicted attack point."
"Good gods, you call that even distribution? Go back and study language fundamentals!"
"Perhaps the general protests because his territory lies close to the northern border?"
"Wh-what?!"
The scene was truly dizzying. Even as arguments threatened to turn physical, the Crown Prince remained silent, merely observing.
Aiden sighed and ignited a faint halo.
The divinity he now wielded surpassed even that of the Grand Templar Commander in purity.
As a white haze spread through the chamber, the heated atmosphere cooled slightly.
All eyes turned to Aiden.
He stepped toward the table and swept his gaze across them.
"You've all labored tirelessly day and night."
Various responses came, mostly positive.
Aiden nodded and casually picked up a discarded command baton.
"The gods witness your devotion to the empire. However, time grows short. The moment for decisions has come."
All present acknowledged this truth, though acting proved harder than speaking.
Grand Templar Commander Ibishuller asked Aiden:
"I'd hear your opinion—what think you?"
Aiden pointed his baton at a specific location on the large map.
Gielran's cabin. He drew a circular radius several kilometers around it.
"We must concentrate our entire force here."
Reactions split evenly. Ibishuller frowned slightly.
"Entire force, you say?"
"Correct."
Aiden's proposal wasn't about deploying elite troops to intercept the Black Wolf.
He meant literally all forces—effectively abandoning other positions. This suggestion twisted Ibishuller's face in dismay.
"You'd turn the empire into a bloodbath!"
Aiden responded calmly:
"Distinguish ideals from reality. We cannot court annihilation to avoid sacrifice."
Following Fenrir's route from the original work, the current Black Wolf chieftain was a mutant.
Even among the already formidable Ains, this creature stood as an overwhelming monstrosity. Humanity must commit its full strength or face certain defeat.
Should the Black Wolf breach our borders, the ending credits would roll without ceremony.
We must stop them in the north at all costs.
As Aiden pressed his case, Ibishuller's face flushed with anger before suddenly slamming the table.
"Heroes exist to realize ideals! If you compromise and turn away, how do you differ from the rest of us here?"
Even officials who agreed with Aiden nodded at Ibishuller's cry.
Heroes were heroes precisely because they differed from ordinary folk.
Aiden agreed with this principle.
Moreover, his past achievements never strayed far from this essence.
This time proved no exception. Though Aiden had a plan, as always, he couldn't explain it to them.
Thus he had to plead practicality.
Aiden spoke in measured tones:
"Regardless of your views, I always act based on reality and practical considerations."
Neither Atlantis nor the Duchy were created without sacrifice. Countless Seirun tribesmen drowned, and the Floating Isles crushed even the Duchy's children.
From the empire's perspective, this constituted an ideal outcome.
Aiden scanned them and continued:
"This situation mirrors that. To prevent annihilation, the empire too must bleed. Dreams alone achieve nothing."
In truth, the original work also concentrated over half its elite forces against the Black Wolf. Events would likely unfold similarly without Aiden's intervention.
But that wouldn't suffice. This explained why Aiden risked his Virtue points to voice his opinion—they needed total mobilization, not mere majority.
Ibishuller and several officials' eyes filled with disappointment. Their imagined hero bore little resemblance to this pragmatist.
Unyielding, Aiden turned his gaze to the commander-in-chief seated at the head.
Then he bowed deeply.
"Your Highness, may your wise judgment secure our victory."
The Crown Prince, who had been fidgeting with his nails, shrank slightly into his seat under Aiden's gaze, as if feeling pressured.
Nobles of the royal faction murmured quietly at this display.
After several false starts, the prince spoke:
"Fear not. So long as the sun watches over us, victory shall ever be ours."
"Who could doubt it, Your Highness."
Having said this, Aiden performed a sword salute and stepped back several paces.
"I shall take my leave now."
"So soon?"
"Compared to the generals here, I remain young and inexperienced. I'll fulfill my duties at my assigned post."
The prince glanced at his ministers' reactions before nodding.
"Very well."
Aiden exited the council chamber immediately. *Aiden's words couldn't help but carry weight—after all, he remained the scripture-recognized hero. Even without full mobilization, most forces would gather where he directed.
After dispatching Siron to the Execution Squad, Aiden rode straight to the heavy cavalry's encampment.
Past the outpost, disciplined heavy cavalry came into view.
Even their mounts wore full plate armor as they stood arrayed in perfect formation, lances held vertically at both flanks.
Some 2,000 cavalry. Their five-meter lances seemed ready to pierce the heavens.
Not a single waver in their ranks—truly the empire's proudest elite riders.
Aiden rode through their formation.
At the end stood the command tent where three officers awaited him.
Spotting Aiden, they planted their lances into the ground with a crash.
When the remaining 2,000 followed suit, the earth shook as if the world's axis trembled.
The eldest-looking officer among the three rode forward slowly.
Then he bowed with perfect discipline.
"1st Heavy Cavalry Battalion Commander, Gafeld von Sassly. At your service, Regent Commander."
"Well met. Your reputation precedes you. I look forward to working together."
"The honor of sharing this holy war is ours."
Aiden nodded and turned his mount. Addressing the cavalry, he declared:
"Makers of history—you are the true heroes and defenders of empire. Together, let us burn the gods' enemies with our youth as kindling."
Having military experience himself, Aiden knew such ceremonies benefited from brevity.
"Rest until further orders. Dismissed."
As Aiden turned away, the cavalry slammed their lances down with a thunderous war cry.
The battalion commander who'd prepared days for this inspection felt slight disappointment—he'd hoped for acknowledgment of their impeccable sanitation and supplies.
Unaware, Aiden addressed him:
"Assemble all company commanders in the tent."
Dismounting Petra, Aiden entered the command tent. He waited briefly, organizing his thoughts as officers gathered.
Within minutes, commanders streamed in. After brief introductions, Aiden cut to the chase.
"I have separate business. Battalion Commander, you'll temporarily assume command."
The man looked perplexed at Aiden seated at the head position.
"But—what exactly—"
"No time for lengthy explanations. It should take about a week. I'll brief you on necessary duties."
Aiden began explaining assignments to the cavalry commanders. Their expressions grew increasingly bewildered, but Aiden maintained his calm demeanor throughout.
"I trust you understand."
Just then, Siron entered the command post—accompanied by Sword Saint Gielran.
Aiden rose immediately and looked down at the officers.
"Spread word that the soldier who skewers the most Ains will receive a reward. First charge determines eligibility."
With these final words, Aiden left the tent.
Because heroes had to differ from ordinary men.