Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: 21. Orc Beyond Orcs vs Knight Beyond Knights (5)
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"At this rate, we'll be wiped out. We need to pull back the front lines and regroup from the rear."
Maximilian and Erhim Kiringer proposed a retreat.
"Impossible!"
"We can't abandon the fortress."
The commander, his son, and all the other officers chorused their firm refusal.
"Blindly holding out isn't always the answer. There's nothing to gain from this fight."
Erhim methodically explained the disadvantages of the current situation, emphasizing the need for regrouping.
"This isn't a battle we fight to win something. It's a battle we fight to avoid losing."
Vincent reached for the map.
"Do you know why Ballerhard built a fortress in this barren wasteland? Because this is the only path monsters take when they break through the Blade Mountains and head south."
Erhim Kiringer tried to counter, but Vincent was quicker.
"No one knows where the monsters will head once they pass through here. Southwest? East along the border? Or straight south? If we reform the front lines, where exactly would we even set them up?"
Vincent's finger swept across the area south of Winter Fortress.
At least six territories bordered Ballerhard. None of them had enough troops to hold off the orcs. If this place fell, at least one—or more—of those territories would turn into hell.
"Damn it! Why hasn't the promised reinforcements shown even a glimpse?!"
Maximilian burst out in frustration. It was the first time he'd shown such raw emotion.
"They've forgotten winter. Forgotten this harsh season."
In contrast, the Ballerhard folk—who had defended this fortress for generations—remained stoic even as it teetered on the brink of collapse.
"Has this happened before...?"
Maximilian asked, looking as if he'd been struck on the back of the head.
"And even now, haven't two legions come under Your Highness's command?"
My uncle smiled faintly. The reinforcement commanders fell silent, at a loss for words.
They were finally realizing just how lonely a fight these people had waged. For centuries, in this forsaken land unknown to the world, they had carried on an endless war.
This probably wasn't even their first crisis.
"Damn! Damn! Damn!"
Maximilian spat curses. Another first for him. The usually calm and gentle prince was struggling to control his emotions today.
It had to be because he'd witnessed so many deaths right before his eyes. For a kind, responsible prince to keep his sanity intact, the battlefield was simply too cruel a place, with far too much being lost.
"Calm yourself."
I pressed down on Maximilian's shoulder as he gasped for breath.
"Brother..."
His innocent eyes stared straight at me, filled with self-reproach and grief.
"That doesn't mean I'm planning to just hold out and hand over the fortress."
My uncle clapped sharply to refocus attention, then nodded at Vincent.
"Dragging this into a war of attrition will only increase our casualties. So tomorrow at dawn, our forces will open the gates and march out. The target is..."
Vincent's finger pointed to a spot on the map. Among the areas thick with red flags, one massive flag stood tallest.
"The Warlord."
His hand flicked the flag down with a snap.
"If we take down their king, the enemy will lose their momentum."
Erhim Kiringer frowned and retorted.
"There are still at least seven legions camped outside the walls. To reach the Warlord, we'd have to break through at least three more. Is that even possible?"
My uncle answered for him.
"I'll take the vanguard and clear the path."
At his words, the Winter Fortress leaders eagerly volunteered one after another.
"The Black Spear Cavalry will cover the rear."
"One hundred Ballerhard knights will join you."
"The entire Ballerhard heavy infantry regiment will participate."
My uncle accepted some and rejected others.
"Me too..."
Maximilian raised his hand.
"You're out. No need for two Leonbergers to join."
I grabbed his hand and forced it down.
"Two..."
"Uncle. Save a spot for me."
He didn't refuse my words. A wise choice. I wouldn't listen anyway.
"The rest of you, hold the fortress. We must prepare for the worst."
The room's atmosphere grew heavy at his words.
They were finally grasping the true meaning of marching out to hunt the Warlord.
Once we left the gates, retreat during the operation was impossible, whether things went well or poorly. Failure meant annihilation.
The eyes of the reinforcement leaders scanned the commander and volunteers, then turned to me.
Their gazes seemed to ask if I was really going.
I just shrugged.
The meeting ended. People filed out one by one.
"Ian."
As I moved to leave, my uncle called me.
"No matter what, prioritize your survival."
I never expected such words from him.
A complex mix of emotions stirred within me.
"You take care too, Uncle. You looked a bit off fighting that Knight Slayer..."
I grumbled curtly for no reason.
"Defending Winter Fortress is the fate of Ballerhard blood. Not yours."
He looked at me and said.
"Anyway, got it. Rest well. See you tomorrow."
I slipped out of the meeting room like I was fleeing.
Clap.
I slapped both cheeks. My mind sharpened.
Now wasn't the time for sentiment. Among those at the meeting, I sought out the leader of the silver foxes.
"Your Highness."
Antoine had already entrusted his future to me. Probably impressed by the feats I'd shown in the mountains.
"Listen carefully from now on."
Antoine straightened up at my words.
I told him what I'd been planning for a while. After hearing me out, Antoine stared at me blankly, eyes wide, for a long time.
"No answer?"
"No, before that... does that mean Your Highness will...?"
When he finally spoke, his eyes darted around wildly.
"Don't worry about payment. Find my knight, Arwen Kirguyen. I've left the compensation for your group with her, just in case."
"If that's the case."
Antoine didn't argue. I liked his straightforward attitude.
"Remember that."
"Your Highness."
As I finished and headed out of the tent, Antoine grabbed me.
"What?"
"I wish you good fortune."
I waved dismissively at his uncharacteristically serious face.
I still had much to do.
"What business does Your Highness have with me...?"
Next, I met Erhim Kiringer and talked. After hearing me out, he stared intently. A similar yet different expression from Antoine's.
"Don't use my name; it won't work. Use Maximilian's or Uncle's as you see fit."
"If necessary, I will."
Satisfied with his solid reply, I turned to leave, but he called me.
"Your Highness."
I gave him a look, and Erhim said,
"If you return safely from this, the Iron Lions will stand behind Your Highness."
"Do as you will."
I waved casually and left his tent.
After that, I met quite a few more people. Including Nicollo and Vincent. And Maximilian.
"I will record everything to ensure Your Highness's will endures."
"I'm not dead yet."
"Exactly. A knight never truly dies, so his spirit and will are immortal."
Nicollo scribbled down my words. I ignored his occasional nonsense. Still, his records would surely prove invaluable later.
"Ballerhard never abandons the fortress, no matter what."
"Remember that. The rear idiots can't stop goblins, let alone orcs, without someone experienced. It'll minimize casualties."
Vincent resisted, but I persuaded relentlessly. In the end, he agreed to keep my words in mind if the worst happened.
Not fully satisfying, but the best for now.
"Why not say it in the meeting?"
"Didn't want to interrupt while everyone was pledging their lives."
"Your Highness is one of them too."
I chuckled at Vincent's words. Fair point.
"Your Highness. I'll cut down two hundred of the Warlord's banners."
I wondered what that meant, but it was his way of saying he'd bring back flags as proof of survival. Very Vincent.
I laughed heartily, said sure, and left his room.
Walking the fortress corridors, I spotted a familiar woman watching me from afar.
"Arwen."
"Your Highness."
Her face showed grim resolve. As she opened her mouth, I cut in first.
"No. You stay; you have work here."
She mumbled, but I didn't give her a chance to speak.
"Because you're here, I can leave the fortress with peace of mind. Do you want me jumping into that orc horde with mountains of worry? Is that really what you want?"
"No, Your Highness."
Despair clouded her face.
Seeing it, I wondered if my decision was cruel to her. But there was no choice.
I only had two knights. One was a timid madwoman. Arwen was the only one I could trust with the aftermath.
"I'm counting on you."
She squeezed her eyes shut at my words. But her lips gave the answer I wanted.
"As... you wish."
I left the stunned Arwen and walked the corridor, pausing briefly.
"That promise to follow me even in death? I won't allow it this time. Don't even think it."
The man lurking in the shadows said nothing.
I hadn't expected a reply anyway, so I passed him by.
"Whew."
Finally done. Thinking of some rest at last, I opened my door—and found a guest.
Maximilian.
"Brother."
He shot up at the sight of me. I scowled.
"I'm going to rest."
His only business was to cling and whine, so I coldly showed him out.
"Please return safely after completing the mission."
Who knows how many times I'd heard that today.
"If you return safely..."
"I will. Save it for then."
"That might be better. You will return safely anyway."
Muttering to himself, he stood, bowed deeply to me.
"Then have a peaceful night."
Maximilian said that and left through the door.
"Sheesh. Anyone'd think I was off to die."
I sighed, shaking my head—then felt a strange sensation. Realizing when I'd last felt it, I frowned.
"If you're here, show yourself. Stop peeking."
At my words, the elder high elf's voyeuristic messenger poked her head from the window.
An owl this time?
"Sure you were."
I wasn't startled by her sudden appearance.
"I called you ages ago, and you show up late."
Truth was, I'd been waiting for her messenger.