Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: I Can't Promise Anything
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War is scariest not because of brilliant enemies, but because of stupid allies.
Look through history's recorded wars, and you'll see plenty of battles that should have been easy wins but ended in defeat.
There are many factors, but a huge chunk of them comes down to fuckups by idiot allies playing troll.
You don't even need to look far—just in games, once one guy starts throwing the match, no matter how hard someone else tries, the momentum slips away uncontrollably.
If I had to pick a commonality between war and games, it's that they don't measure who's more skilled, but who's the bigger moron.
'In that sense, my presence in this war is a landmine.
A reserve troll!'
Any guy worth his salt should at least be able to join in on war history chats!
With that mindset, he'd read a ton of books on warfare, but that hardly turns you into a strategist.
The battlefield is a place where the tiniest shift flips everything in an instant and turns it to shit.
You could be winning handily, then a false report of the vanguard commander dying makes everything collapse.
Or in a hopeless fight, seeing the allied commander's flag on a hill lets them regroup, hold the line, and snatch victory.
.
'Public opinion on Sion Claussen in the territory is already in the toilet, and if we hit the actual battlefield, all I can do is play human errand boy?'
Sion sighed and double-checked his outfit one more time.
Closest to the skin was tough cloth, then chainmail like you'd see in comics, movies, or dramas.
Over that, a thick leather-padded tunic, finished with his uniform jacket.
"Aren't you dressed a bit too lightly?
Knights wear full plate instead of leather.
It's no joke in weight, but it looks insanely tough."
"I'm not up front in the vanguard, so this is enough to guard against stray arrows or sudden spear thrusts.
Dress me too heavy, and I'll burn out fast and just become dead weight."
Just piling on more layers or tougher gear isn't always better.
More and tougher means more weight on your body, which tires you out quick—not to mention the horse carrying you.
Boosting survivability in combat is key, but losing strength before the fight even starts is the worst scenario.
"More importantly, Lily-nim.
Are you feeling okay?"
"Huh?
Oh, don't worry.
It hurt, but not enough to keep me down."
"Good to hear."
"Damn—if it weren't for you, Sion, I'd have smashed that unlucky bastard's face in.
You saw it too, right?
That smug glare he was giving us?
I was so pissed I nearly clocked him without a second thought!"
The one who'd been soul-drained and fled like a coward from that guy was Lily-nim herself.
Sion muttered that inwardly, then glanced at her before speaking up.
"Was that really all?"
"Huh?
What do you mean?"
"After seeing that guy, Kim Yu-hyun.
No other feelings come up?"
"Of course there were.
The urge to rip his head clean off?"
Looks like the thing he'd been worried about hadn't happened.
In the novel, Lily had fallen hard for Kim Yu-hyun and trailed after him like a puppy.
Sure, she suffered unrequited, then snapped with "If I can't have him, no one will!" and hounded him viciously.
But right now, she didn't seem to like him at all.
If anything, she was growling with pure hostility, teeth bared.
That meant Lily had pretty much become his completely.
'Well, with the enslavement contract in place from the start, maybe it's only natural.'
According to Lily, once bound by the enslavement contract, a succubus couldn't drain mana or essence from anyone else—not even feel sexual pleasure.
Only the contractor could give her ecstasy, satisfaction, and the mana and essence she needed to survive.
He'd drawn a perfect card, but Sion wasn't letting his guard down.
Lily was strong, but the enemies ahead were the ones who'd even killed her.
'No matter how you slice it, this is too much.'
With a sigh, Sion opened the door.
There stood the Lion Knight Commander, waiting ramrod straight for Sion.
"All set?"
"Yes.
Let's go, Knight Commander. Knight North's coming too."
The Lion Knight Commander led, Knight North—that is, Lily—followed behind.
She'd disguise as Knight North for this war, but if things went well, no more need for that, Sion figured.
Even the fiercest demon becomes a benefactor if it helps you in tough times.
Even the kindest angel becomes an enemy if it doesn't.
That's exactly what Sion planned to exploit.
"Brought him."
At the Knight Commander's voice, Sion looked ahead to see Lichten Margrave, fully geared up just like him.
Beside him stood Countess Leona, face full of worry, and Aden, fighting off sleepiness but forcing himself alert given the stakes.
"Preparations complete?"
"Yes, Father."
"The battlefield is perilous, full of unknowns.
Never let your guard down."
Dragging a kid who'd just shed his teen status to such a place!
Father, this is too cruel!
"I'm an adult now too.
You've been to war since childhood, following Grandfather, haven't you?"
"I always hoped to spare my children that legacy."
War is never glamorous or splendid.
Just countless lives clashing, leaving blood and flesh behind, vanishing pointlessly all at once.
That was the "war" Sion now faced.
"Go carefully."
"Come back safe."
Countess Leona spoke with deep concern, while Lichten Margrave forced a casual smile to say not to worry.
He hugged Aden, ruffled his hair, and promised to return.
The boy nodded, then suddenly looked at his half-brother.
He had something to say but held back—embarrassed, and wary of Sion's past savage, cold reactions.
"Guard the house well, Aden."
So once again, Sion took the first step to close the gap with his little brother.
"If Mother worries, just tell her it's nothing.
Got it?"
"...Yes.
Brother."
"Don't worry about Father—I'll protect him.
When I get back, we'll find new games... not ball games."
If any other character said lines like that, it'd be a 1000% death flag.
But this was different.
Sion was the incarnation of survival instinct itself.
"Enough dawdling, Sion."
"Yes, Father."
Farewells are best quick—like it was no big deal, since he'd return soon anyway—Lichten Margrave turned and strode off casually.
Behind him came the Lion Knight Commander and a few escort knights, then Sion and Lily.
Moments later, Kim Yu-hyun trailed with Lucia in tow; she'd insisted on coming to support the soldiers with healing magic.
"Preparations in order?"
Lichten Margrave glanced back mid-stride and asked.
Sion, walking behind, replied awkwardly.
"Anything but the departure speech—Father, you'd be better for that.
Handing such a key role to someone who's never done it?"
"You'll have to someday.
Seize the chance to learn.
The knights and soldiers are curious about you too."
Curious, sure.
Problem was, their curiosity skewed negative.
Outside the castle gates, Margrave Territory soldiers awaited in perfect formation.
Their iron discipline and stern faces marked them as elites even among the famed strong troops of Count Claussen's house.
Forty knights and seven hundred soldiers—a sizable assault force.
'The Margrave Territory's total force is around two thousand, so this is nearly half committed.'
In the original novel, over half perished, gutting the territory's defenses.
They never spotted Nudia's knight order in time—that was the fatal flaw.
'But not this time.'
Kim Yu-hyun was right there, marching with them.
Not showing up late like in the novel—he could deploy from the battle's outset.
Sending Kim Yu-hyun to the capital as planned, while securing the Margrave Territory—this perfect scenario was falling into place.
"Sion."
Lichten Margrave nodded toward the makeshift podium.
The spot normally for the supreme commander—the Margrave himself—was being yielded to his son.
A great honor, but it came with crushing pressure.
A speech before troops heading to war was paramount.
It shaped morale, combat prowess, loyalty—ideally delivered by a veteran to inspire them.
'Why dump this on me of all people!'
He'd done public speaking once.
Barely counted, though—just yelling in elementary school to vote him class president.
Sweet-talk the crowd, flashy promises, toss in free chicken, burgers, pizza at sports day—cheers erupted.
But this was worlds apart.
No campaign stump speech, no debate club.
This was before staking their one life on the line—perhaps the last encouragement they'd hear.
'I'm screwed, screwed, screwed.'
To knights and soldiers, Sion Claussen was practically air.
Yet here was the Margrave's eldest, an untested youth with zero public record, taking the podium in place of battle-hardened Lichten Margrave.
One slip of the tongue, and it'd be epic humiliation—plus kneecapping combat effectiveness from the start as history's ultimate troll.
Thud—thud—thud—.
Hundreds of eyes locked on Sion ascending the podium.
Men heading to a field where life and death would split sent fierce gazes; Sion's breath caught sharp.
'F-Fuck... this is intense.'
Like being stripped naked and tossed into a cage of savage beasts?
If it were just spectacle, he wouldn't tense up this bad.
This was primal dread from heavy responsibility and burden.
"..."
Silence stretched after Sion took the podium.
Had he forgotten his words at this crucial moment?
Frozen in fear?
Or was the spoiled brat rumor true—winging it sloppily?
"...Men."
When Sion finally spoke, knights and soldiers alike focused.
Lichten Margrave, Lion Knight Commander, Lily disguised as North.
Lucia with wide, eager eyes on Sion.
Even Kim Yu-hyun tuned in.
What would this Sion Claussen say in such a pivotal spot?
"I can't promise you anything."
"...?"
Everyone there doubted their ears.
No honorable calls to fight, march for king and land, charge fearlessly to vent our wrath.
Nothing clichéd like that.
"No promises of leading you to victory, or that the gods will protect us.
Not even that I'll bring you safely home."
Murmurs rippled through the soldiers at once.
Why stand there telling men marching to war—no victory, no divine grace, not even safe return?!