Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: I Won't Abandon a Single Citizen (5)
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The procession of citizens filled the road like an endless gray river.
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The snake-like line stretched out slower than a tortoise, but the people did not halt their steps, deeply carved with despair and exhaustion.
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Countless footsteps had kicked up dust that hazed the sky.
With the elderly, the frail, and children in tow, it was impossible to increase the marching speed any further.
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Even the children's wails and the adults' pained groans formed a horrific harmony.
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In this dire situation, the soldiers' morale had hit rock bottom. The miracle was that no one had deserted yet.
'At least we brought enough rations... that's something.'
Late autumn clung stubbornly to the season, so nights brought biting cold.
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Campfires were inevitable, which meant scavenging for firewood ourselves.
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Various other issues kept slowing the march relentlessly.
"How much farther to the capital?"
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"About a fortnight, I'd say."
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"It's already been over two months... and still a fortnight to go?"
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"The pace is much slower than expected. With the old folk, the children, and the wounded's injuries worsening..."
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"Enough."
Viscount Harban, riding just behind me, fell silent.
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Ever since capturing the imperial princess, he'd seemed to have some epiphany. Now he insisted on playing my advisor and strategist.
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I'd initially suspected ulterior motives, but since he was proving quietly useful, I kept him around and made the most of it.
"What about the rear scouts? Any sign of imperial pursuit?"
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"No reports yet. And now that we've come this far, the Empire's threat should be off the table for a while."
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"How can you be so sure?"
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"If they planned pursuit or an ambush, they'd have done it by now. Didn't the imperial troops guarding the pass just let us through?"
I nodded quietly. Who could've guessed ten thousand imperial troops held that pass between the capital and the earldom?
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If they'd ambushed us, the worst case might've been total annihilation.
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Yet they'd let us pass without a fight—even giving us a bit of supplies.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ "Though we can't give much, take it as a token of goodwill. We're about to join the main force ourselves." ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ "We're desperate too, but... you sure it's fine to hand over supplies like this?" ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ "Helping those who aid the people won't tarnish His Majesty's reputation. Consider it respect for the noble knight who chose the thorny path." Damn it. If not for this shitty Defeat Regression, I'd surrender to the Empire on the spot...
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It was truly regrettable, but unavoidable. No turning back now.
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And sorry to those imperial troops who helped us, but I'd gleaned some intel from their words.
"Those pass guards said they were joining the main force... Could the Empire be planning to station everything in the east?"
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"The east has always been the kingdom's breadbasket—famed for fertile soil and bountiful harvests. They're likely digging in for a prolonged war."
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"It's getting steeper by the day. We're outnumbered. Does this mean we'll have to go on the offensive eventually...?"
Over these grueling months, one thing I'd learned was that a commander had to see farther than anyone else.
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Focus only on patching the crisis at hand, and you couldn't plan the next move.
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You'd end up dancing to the enemy's tune and lose. I'd learned that the hard way.
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That was why Viscount Harban and I were now discussing the Empire's next play.
"Still, we've gained something. Once we link up at the capital, we'll deliberate thoroughly and decide our next step."
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"A wise choice."
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"I'll follow you to the bitter end."
The old me would've dumped everything on the prince and twiddled my thumbs.
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But I'd realized that kind of irresponsibility threatened not just my life, but everyone who trusted and relied on me.
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I couldn't choose our overall path, but I'd damn well decide the one I walked.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Thanks to the Empire lifting the siege and withdrawing, the capital enjoyed a brief peace. But even that didn't last...
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Scouts posted at the passes reported in, preparing for the Empire's advance.
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Urgent intel: a procession numbering tens of thousands marching on the capital.
Chaos engulfed the royal castle. The first to voice an opinion was Crown Prince Andre.
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His sword-honed body resembled chiseled rock, his arms brimming with courage.
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His white hair gleamed healthily, his blue eyes full of confidence.
"Your Majesty. Lord Blackguard must have betrayed your grace and struck some deal with the Empire. How else could he lead such a horde here?"
Thankfully, the kingdom's scouts could at least distinguish armed troops from refugees.
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The issue was how he'd managed to bring so many civilians to the capital.
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And Crown Prince Andre was sharp enough to suspect a deal between Blackguard and the Empire.
Only... he wielded that brain to solidify his power, which was the problem.
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Crown Prince Andre knelt respectfully before the throne where the king sat.
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Superficially, he looked every bit the loyal minister devoted to the realm.
"Until Blackguard proves his loyalty, bar the gates tight. That will reveal his true intentions."
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"How can we trust one who defied royal command and dealt with the Empire on his own?"
"It's not impossible he struck a different bargain, Your Majesty."
The king sat silently on the throne, embroidered with gold thread and adorned in vibrant red fabric. Soon, a smile played on his lips.
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His ministers' honeyed words were music to his ears.
"Your counsel rings true. First, seal the gates tight, and then..."
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"That won't do."
Someone dashed cold water on the foregone conclusion.
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Opposite the crown prince stood a woman with waist-length hair white as ice and blue eyes sparkling like gems.
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She embodied the fragile beauty of ice, on the verge of shattering.
"Your Majesty. The Empire boasts not just mages, but even Masters who rend the skies and shatter mountains. How could he drag the imperial princess through them all the way to the capital?"
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"Blackguard captured that princess against their might. Are you saying he can't even bring her to the capital?"
She openly grimaced at the question not worth answering. Is that even worth calling a retort?
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Her once-bright blue eyes brimmed with fatigue now, shadows pooling beneath them.
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It was all because of you. If you hadn't beaten the Empire's envoy to death over some petty grudge...
"Your Highness... just admit it plainly. You're simply afraid of Lord Blackguard setting foot in the capital, aren't you?"
Was it exhaustion? Or disgust at this farce with its scripted end?
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She blurted out words she'd normally keep locked in her mind.
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Prince Andre's face hardened like stone, struck at the core.
"I know Your Highness isn't foolish enough to fall for such shallow division. The reason you side with them anyway..."
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"Enough!"
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"...Your Majesty."
The king on the throne cut off Anna, who was unleashing a torrent of truth like a bursting dam.
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Sane enough not to openly defy a royal command, no matter what.
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The girl had no choice but to clamp her mouth shut. The king nodded and replied.
"Princess Anna, return to your chambers. I know your heart is for the kingdom... but defying royal command is graver than any crime."
Unilateral banishment. Anna bit her lip. Looking back, it had always been this way. Whenever she wanted to use her talents for the realm,
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they were dismissed solely because she was a princess—even denied a faction of her own.
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All the capital wanted from her was one thing: to be sold off advantageously.
Of course, dressed up as a "strategic marriage," but the essence was the same...
'Are we truly doomed...?'
If they cast out a loyal vassal who'd risked his life for kingdom and people, who would ever sacrifice for this country?
After pondering briefly, Anna bowed to the king on the throne, then turned and headed out—not to her quarters, but toward the stables.
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Better to fulfill her duty as a common soldier than watch the fall idly.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚠️ FATAL ERROR ⚠️ Fatal Error Occurred Forced Relocation Triggered by Greed Exceeding Limits Scenario Change Request Request Accepted... Searching for Scenario Allowing Greater Bloodshed... Search Complete: Previously Unmet Conditions Now Satisfied Changed from Fallen Kingdom's Princess Scenario to Continental War Scenario