Chapter 222: The Paths Are Indeed Different (1)
Chapter 222: The Paths Are Indeed Different (1)
A colossal sword of light pierced the heavens.
The moment it swung down, a golden flash erupted.
The path illuminated by that radiance was a road of glory, leading allies to victory.
Rumble!
The outer walls of Heidern, the capital of the Flame Kingdom, shattered into pieces.
Pointing toward the ruined fortifications, the King gave his command.
"All forces! Advance!"
"Woooooah!"
"Let’s go!"
The moment the King’s order fell, the soldiers of the Yuzef Kingdom charged forward without a hint of hesitation.
Ordinarily, common soldiers prioritize their own safety over victory in war. However, the soldiers of the Yuzef Kingdom ran forward as if they were valiant knights, throwing themselves into the fray without regard for their lives.
Glory over death…
They charged for the honor of victory.
At this moment, they were all intoxicated.
By what?
By this man.
Sierion Vyssus Yuzef.
Since the war began, he had stood at the very front, leading his allies to victory.
A legendary figure who had advanced all the way to the enemy capital in a mere three months.
Before anyone knew it, the world had begun to call him the Overlord.
His mere presence and the swordsmanship he displayed on the battlefield were enough to intoxicate the soldiers of the Yuzef Kingdom.
While the morale of the Yuzef Kingdom soared to the heavens, the soldiers of the Flame Kingdom crumbled, competing with one another to surrender.
For all intents and purposes, the war was…
"It’s over."
Sierion nodded as he watched his soldiers pour through the collapsed walls.
Just then, a black-haired young man approached his side.
Noah Gregory.
He was Sierion’s closest advisor and a man whose presence had gradually begun to reveal itself during this war.
He approached and spoke.
"The King of the Flame Kingdom has already fled."
"Is that so? His destination?"
"It seems he intends to seek asylum in the Caesar Kingdom. He is moving west with wagons filled with the royal treasury."
"Trash."
Sierion let out a short, mocking laugh.
"Shall we pursue?"
"Leave him. It was expected anyway. More important is her. What is the Salamander Princess doing?"
"It seems she intends to resist until the very end."
"I see."
"Centering around the Spirit Knight Order that follows her, she is putting up a fight against our forces within the royal castle."
"Do not let her escape. She must be captured."
"Understood. I have already informed Sir Carvan of the same."
Hearing Noah’s report, Sierion nodded as if that was all he needed to know.
The war was already over.
The important thing now was how to settle the aftermath.
And the person most necessary for that was currently fighting inside that royal castle.
* * *
Inside the royal castle.
"Haaaaah!"
A beautiful woman, striking for the contrast between her fiery red hair and pale skin, swung a longsword.
Following the trajectory of her blade, flames imbued in the steel spread out in a fan-shaped arc.
"Aaaagh!"
"No!"
The Yuzef Kingdom soldiers, who had been charging through the palace gates with high spirits, were incinerated by the aura of fire she unleashed.
She raised her flaming sword high and shouted.
"The war is not over yet! Knights of the Kingdom, repel the invaders!"
"Follow the Princess!"
"Glory to the Flame Kingdom!"
Catherina Vin Flame.
That was the name of the woman leading the knights in their final resistance.
A member of a collateral branch of the Flame Kingdom’s royal family, she was a cousin to the current King.
Despite being from a collateral line, she was recognized as having more legitimacy than anyone else in the Flame Kingdom.
This was because she inherited the protection of the royal house.
According to the founding myth of the Flame Kingdom, their first King was born after his mother conceived the child of a Spirit King.
Perhaps because of that, members of the royal family were occasionally born with an innate affinity for fire.
Just like Catherina was now.
"Haaah!"
Every time she swung her blade, waves of fire surged, incinerating her enemies.
Wielding a wide-reaching aura of flame, she fought back desperately, leaving the common soldiers helpless.
She was that strong.
Despite her young age, her pure skill as a knight was already at the mid-6-Star level.
In the future, she might even reach the 7-Star realm.
Furthermore, perhaps thanks to being born with the blessing of fire, there were already rumors that her skills rivaled those of the Sword Queen, Riona Mayvers of the Decatur Kingdom.
Such a woman was doing her utmost to lead the final stand of the royal house.
"Follow the Princess!"
"Drive out the invaders!"
Inspired by her struggle, the knights also valiantly pushed back the Yuzef Kingdom forces that had breached the castle.
Faced with their fierce counterattack, even the brave Yuzef soldiers were forced to hesitate.
To break this deadlock, a knight from the Yuzef Kingdom stepped forward boldly.
"Catherina Vin Flame!"
The knight who charged while calling out her name had an aura gathered on his longsword that looked to be at least 5-Star level. And…
"My name is Locke Asilliu of the Yuzef Kingdom—"
"Shut up!"
Boom!
Unfortunately, that knight couldn't even finish his introduction.
Catherina’s fist, thrown mid-charge, slammed into his face and exploded brilliantly.
Kicking the fallen opponent away, she shouted.
"Who’s next? Anyone who wants my head, come at me!"
Her sharp, ringing voice sounded like the roar of a predator whose territory had been invaded.
Just as the knights of the Yuzef Kingdom, whose morale had been sky-high, flinched…
"As expected of the Salamander Princess. Truly impressive."
A man who looked like an ordinary middle-aged knight appeared.
However, Catherina could feel it.
This man, who remained calm and composed even while facing her, was a master of considerable skill.
"A big fish has appeared."
"……."
"Your name?"
"I am Matthias Carvan."
"…I see. So it’s you."
Flames flickered in Catherina’s eyes as she realized her opponent’s identity.
It was the fire of vengeance.
"Did you kill my master?"
"If you mean Sir Taerion, he fought me with a bravery that did not shame his great name."
"……."
"If you respect his honor, do not bring personal grudges into a duel between knights."
Catherina bit her lip hard.
Matthias Carvan.
Before this war, he was an unknown knight, his name familiar to few.
However, the military achievements he left in the Flame Kingdom during this war did not allow him to remain obscure.
Marquis Clavin Taerion, mid-7-Star.
Marquis Vector Bridges, early-7-Star.
Marquis Marius Shuleiman, mid-7-Star.
They were the 7-Star knights the Flame Kingdom took pride in.
And every single one of them had fallen to this man.
Matthias Carvan.
This man, who had been the hidden blade of the Overlord Sierion, made his strength known through this war.
And Marquis Clavin Taerion, who had been defeated by him, was also Princess Catherina’s mentor.
"Master…"
Catherina closed her eyes for a moment and muttered.
Having composed her emotions, she opened her eyes, leveled her sword, and spoke.
"Very well, Sir Carvan. As a knight, I shall hold no grudge against you."
"A fine attitude."
"However…"
An aura of fire erupted from Catherina’s entire body.
Heating the air inside the palace to a sweltering degree, she shouted with dignity.
"I have no mercy to show an enemy who has invaded my homeland!"
"……."
"Prepare yourself, invader!"
The flames she unleashed, born of a resolve to throw away her life, were hot and beautiful.
"Come."
Matthias raised his sword and took a stance to face her.
And Catherina…
"Haaaaah!"
She lunged forward, pouring everything she had into the flames on her blade.
I’m abandoning defense!
A desperate, life-or-death strike.
Her blow, which completely disregarded her own survival as she surged forward, was something even a 7-Star swordsman could not ignore. However…
"Hup!"
A dark-red aura blade formed on Matthias Carvan’s sword.
Flash!
It looked as if the abyss itself had been condensed.
Forming an aura blade of a nature entirely different from ordinary aura, he swung his sword down powerfully toward the wave of fire.
Slash!
A single black line drawn vertically.
In the face of the vast wave of fire that seemed ready to burn the world, it was but a tiny line. However…
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The massive wave of fire could not cross the line Matthias had created and split to the left and right.
Matthias Carvan advanced, cutting through the flames without hesitation.
He cleaved through the fire and collided with Princess Catherina, who was charging with desperate resolve beyond it.
Boom!
"Guh…"
A single strike.
It was a simple clash of power against power, but the outcome was starkly clear.
"Ugh…"
"Give up."
The fallen Catherina tried to force herself up, but she gave up the moment she saw Matthias’s sword pointed at her throat.
I lost.
Catherina bit her lip, her expression one of humiliation.
It was a perfect defeat with no room for excuses.
* * *
The battle was over.
The sight of Sierion sitting on the throne of the Flame Kingdom was the ultimate proof of who the victor was.
And appearing before him was the Salamander Princess, brought in after being disarmed.
Though she stood before Sierion, she did not kneel; instead, she glared at him with a sharp gaze.
Sierion met her eyes without flinching.
The two stared at each other for a long time.
Sierion was the first to speak.
"What are you looking at so intently?"
"I simply wanted to see."
"……."
"What the face of the villain who destroyed my country and killed my people looks like."
At Catherina’s words, the knights of the Yuzef Kingdom bristled. Some even reached for their swords, but Sierion raised a hand to restrain them.
Then he spoke to Catherina.
"And? What are your impressions?"
"You’re more handsome than I thought."
"I’m honored."
"Now, kill me."
Sierion laughed at Catherina’s words.
"Do you desire death?"
"You won, and we lost. It is simply the responsibility I must bear as royalty of a fallen nation."
"……."
"I hope the victor’s rights end with my head. Please, bestow a fair and benevolent rule upon the people of the kingdom."
Even the knights of the Yuzef Kingdom were secretly impressed by the dignified way Princess Catherina spoke her mind.
Sierion rose from the throne and approached Catherina.
"Splendid. In that case, I shall exercise the victor’s rights without hesitation."
"……."
Catherina closed her eyes.
Now, the Overlord’s sword would strike her neck.
It would be a lie to say she didn't regret dying, but if death was the way to fulfill her final duty as a princess of the Flame Kingdom, she would accept it gladly.
However, the reality that met her was entirely different.
"Princess Catherina Vin Flame."
"……."
"As the victor, I shall take away your death. From this day forward, become my consort and stay by my side."
At that, Princess Catherina’s eyes snapped open, and she shouted fiercely.
"Do you intend to insult me?!"
She could accept death as a princess of a fallen nation.
But being treated as war booty and taken into the arms of her enemy was an unbearable disgrace.
An aura of fire faintly shimmered from her body as she shouted with murderous intent.
The knights of the Yuzef Kingdom moved to draw their swords, but Sierion looked around with a stern gaze and spoke.
"No one interfere. That is my command."
the moment the word "command" left Sierion’s mouth, the knights’ fighting spirit vanished as if doused with cold water.
Sierion then spoke to Catherina.
"I have no intention of insulting you."
"How is this not an insult?"
"I will give you the position of my Primary Queen."
"Overlord… have you gone mad?"
Catherina looked at Sierion with a serious expression. It was as if she were looking at a madman.
Taking the princess of a conquered nation as a Primary Queen was a more serious matter than one might think.
If she were taken as a concubine or a consort, she could be treated as the victor’s prize, but becoming the Primary Queen meant accepting all of the opponent’s legitimacy.
If handled poorly, it could be like planting a bomb inside the Yuzef Kingdom. However…
"Think carefully. There are three reasons why you should accept my proposal."
"……."
"If you still refuse after hearing them all, you may do so."
"Go ahead and bark, then."
Sierion spoke to Catherina, who was grinding her teeth and showing blatant hostility.
"First, for the two nations to merge into one in the future, there needs to be a catalyst to discard hostility and unite. It would be most perfect if a child were born between us to become the heir."
"……."
"Second, if you die now, the lineage of the ancient Spirit Royal Family will be severed. The loss of the Fire Spirit King’s protection would be a loss for all of humanity."
"……."
"Third, if you wish to fulfill your duty as the last royalty of the Flame Kingdom, you must take responsibility for those who remain."
At Sierion’s gesture, knights appeared, bringing several individuals with them.
The moment she identified them, Catherina’s eyes widened, and she cried out.
"Master!"
There was Marquis Taerion, who had taught her the sword. Marquis Bridges and Marquis Shuleiman were there as well.
Every single 7-Star knight the Flame Kingdom possessed was alive.
They weren't dead?
They were bound in multiple layers of special restraints that prevented them from using aura, and they were gagged.
However, they were all alive and physically intact.
There were no signs of torture.
All of the 7-Star knights, the greatest strength and pride of the Flame Kingdom, were there.
Sierion spoke.
"They are enemies, but they are knights of exceptional skill. They are talents too precious to kill."
"Are you threatening me now—"
"I am stating reality."
"……."
"If you die and the Flame Kingdom is destroyed, there is no way they would surrender to me. In the end, as regrettable as it is, I would have no choice but to kill them."
Catherina bit her lip hard.
Sierion said to her.
"The choice is yours, Salamander Princess."
Catherina gnawed at her lip.
Just then, her mentor, Marquis Taerion, spat out his loosened gag and shouted.
"Princess! Act according to your own will!"
"Master."
"None of us wish to be your shackles— Urgh!"
"How dare you speak in the King's presence?"
A knight hurriedly intervened and gagged Taerion tightly again.
But Marquis Taerion didn't know.
He had spoken for Princess Catherina’s sake, but it had the opposite effect.
"If I surrender… will you let them live?"
"Of course. I will also spare all the knights who followed you and fought until the end."
"……."
"I swear to rule both nations without discrimination. If I ever break this promise, you may plunge a knife into my heart in our bedchamber."
Thud.
The sound of Catherina’s knees hitting the floor rang out.
Her head slowly lowered, and she spoke in a voice thick with emotion.
"Please… keep your promise."
The proud descendant of the Spirit Royal Family.
Catherina Vin Flame’s forehead touched the Overlord’s feet.
It was the moment the Yuzef Kingdom perfectly annexed the Flame Kingdom.