The Seiros Allied Forces
With Gruon's victory in the commander's duel, the Turam Count's household had lost its leader. The remaining soldiers surrendered quietly and became prisoners. The Turam brothers were among them. The elder, Julian, had lost consciousness after both his hands were burned away. The younger, Darian, hovered between life and death, his abdomen pierced by Gruon's magic. Healing the pair was not Gruon's responsibility, so he instructed the prisoners that if any among them knew healing arts, they should tend to the brothers themselves.
After that, Gruon had only one task left. Just as when he had occupied Urburte in the past, all he could do was wait for the order to retreat. Fortunately, neither side had suffered devastating losses this time, so there would be fewer grieving families than before. Still, the bitter taste of war inevitably cast a shadow over the faces of the territory's people. Gruon in particular, the man who had killed Count Turam, frequently felt sharp stares directed his way. It seemed the count had been well-regarded by his people, aside from his allegiance to the noble faction.
"Get lost!"
"Monster!"
A few even threw eggs or potatoes, but none reached him. The soldiers quickly rounded them up. They issued only warnings rather than resorting to force. Everyone knew that harming civilians would constitute a crime.
One could hardly feel sympathy for enemies, yet Gruon, responsible for governing a territory himself, found his thoughts growing heavier. Ignoring the grim atmosphere as best he could, he led his troops to secure the count's castle. Their objectives had never been limited to simple invasion.
"Free every slave imprisoned within the castle and check on their conditions."
"Yes, Lord Gruon."
Gruon issued the order to Daphne. The Turam household had sided with the noble faction, so slaves were almost certainly held inside. Freeing them all would lay bare Seiros's true purpose for the invasion, making it the correct course of action. Beyond that, both Gruon and Daphne, like Bagan, were vocal advocates of slave liberation. It was simply something that had to be done.
Following his command, Daphne left the room to begin her search. Once she was gone, Gruon leaned wearily against the wall. He soon spotted a suitable place to sit and sank into a nearby sofa.
"That was too close."
Gruon imagined Daphne nearly dying in the commander's duel. Had his casting been even a fraction slower, she would have fallen to Darian's blade. For a woman who had only just regained her voice and was trying to live properly in the world, it would have been unbearably cruel. The thought made him steel his resolve even further.
I need to become stronger. Strong enough to protect her, even if it means using that power.
With his thoughts settled, Gruon stepped outside to clear his aching head.
The combined forces from De Seiran and De Meca, along with various adventurers and mercenaries, had gathered at the border between Seiros Kingdom and Sog Kingdom. The border lay close to both De Seiran and Davens, the capital of Sog. Yet Davens had sent no troops. It was the king's residence and the territory of the orthodox duke, Philadel Davens. Messages had naturally been delivered to every orthodox noble, but the duke remained in the capital to protect the First Prince and therefore raised no army.
So who were the nobles joining the Seiros forces at the border? The answer came in the form of a booming voice that announced its owner's presence: Marquis Gorgon Pierce.
"Vidion, one of the Seven Great Heroes! We were enemies in the last war, but today we stand as comrades. I am Gorgon Pierce. My title is marquis, though I doubt you care. Kahahaha!"
His voice remained as thunderous as ever, as if he had swallowed a dwarf-forged cannon whole.
"Hmm. I remember you. The noble who tore through our front lines like a storm."
Vidion could hardly have forgotten Gorgon. The fiery hair and lion-like mane were striking enough, but the man's massive frame made him impossible to miss.
"I'd have been disappointed if you didn't remember. This is the scar I earned that day!"
Gorgon lifted his shirt, revealing a vicious crimson scar nestled between his powerfully defined abs. It was nearly the size of a fist.
"Ah, that battle."
Now it was clear the two had once fought with their lives on the line. Surviving against one of the Seven Great Heroes was proof enough of Gorgon's skill.
Behind the boisterous marquis, another man bowed his head with an embarrassed expression.
"Lord Vidion, I am Valeon Mercury, the one placed in charge of this operation. Since titles like count probably mean little to you, please just call me Valeon."
Valeon took a notably humble tone. No matter his past role as vanguard for an enemy nation, a member of the Seven Great Heroes deserved respect, and the man possessed the power to turn anyone into a corpse on a whim. For someone bold enough to lead this campaign, his caution seemed almost excessive. As a noble he held the higher rank, yet his comrade Gorgon was nearly devoid of tact. Still, Vidion was not the sort to concern himself with such trifles.
"You too were at the forefront during the previous war. I took special note of you because you wielded both sword and magic."
Vidion remembered him clearly.
"I'm honored that you recall me."
Having spoken, Valeon continued with the briefing.
"The noble faction has yet to make any significant moves. They appear to be preparing, but they aren't concentrating their forces. If we conquer the two targeted territories, victory is ours."
As Count Mercury laid out the situation, Vidion spoke as though ready to march at once.
"Where is the first target?"
Valeon pressed a finger to the map.
"Here. It's close to our own lands and we've maintained friendly relations, but as it's only a viscountcy the scale is modest. The Silverty Viscount family."
After hearing the explanation, Gorgon sighed from the side.
"Hah, so we end up opposing House Silverty after all. They weren't bad people, but they chose the wrong side."
His grumbling voice was so loud it seemed almost comical, yet his genuine regret was understandable given their past good relations.
"The next is House Garios immediately behind them. As a county they won't match our army's scale, but the lord, Berdeng Garios, is a cunning snake. We should remain cautious."
"He's the bastard who's always harassed my good friend Valeon! I've wanted to cross blades with him for ages. This is perfect! Kahahaha!"
As expected, Gorgon had a connection here as well and added his two cents.
"Cunning collapses before true strength. It will be fine."
Vidion fully intended to crush Count Garios's schemes beneath overwhelming power.
"I-I see. Having Lord Vidion as an ally is more reassuring than I can express. In any case, once these two territories fall, we will have taken the first step. The remaining lands lie behind the capital, so the distance is considerable. His Highness the First Prince will handle them personally."
As he finished explaining, Valeon gazed at the army assembled behind them. No fewer than two thousand soldiers stood ready. Mercury and Pierce crests flew alongside adventurer guild banners, mercenary standards, and the flags of Seiros. Facing such a massive force, one could not help but feel reassured.
"With an army of this size, even the noble faction's strongest units will struggle. The orthodox faction has always borne the heaviest burden of border defense, after all."
In the previous war, the orthodox faction had indeed contributed far more than their rivals. Though the noble faction held greater numbers within Sog Kingdom, it was essentially the orthodox side that had carried the fight. With the already formidable Seiros army now reinforced by the orthodox nobles, victory seemed all but assured.
"If the explanation is clear, we march at once."
"It's been too long since I properly stretched my limbs. Kahahaha!"
"Understood. I will relay the orders to the troops."
Seeing Vidion's solemn expression, Valeon made his decision and commanded the march toward the first target: the Silverty Viscountcy.
The soldiers raised their weapons high, cheered, and crossed the border. At the very front of the column walked three men.
The march to the first target, the Silverty Viscountcy, did not take long. The territory lay near the border, and they had already confirmed their route. As though heeding the warning to prepare for nearby threats, the viscountcy's forces maintained razor-sharp discipline. Soldiers stood guard day and night while others constantly maintained their weapons. They were ready for battle at a moment's notice.
"Their preparations are thorough. Yet in the face of overwhelming power, they will still kneel."
So saying, Vidion strode alone toward the gates of Silverty Castle.
"W-where are you going?!"
Alarmed by the sudden move, Valeon called out to stop him, but Vidion ignored the cry. He drew Epentes from his back. The adventurers and mercenaries of Seiros Kingdom stared with shining eyes at the sight of the legendary weapon.
"I will open the gate. Follow as you please."
Vidion gathered his strength. He gripped the spear in reverse and raised it above his shoulder. An indescribable power surged into Epentes, accompanied by a humming sound that bordered on hallucination. Once the energy fully saturated the weapon, it began radiating raw ferocity.
Dragon Strike
The spear left his hand. The same supreme throwing technique he had used against Bagan in their mock battle reached the gates of Silverty.
A deafening rumble shook the air. For a single moment, every soldier froze. They stared blankly at the ruined gate, minds seemingly unable to process what they had witnessed. The Dragon Strike had utterly obliterated the entrance. Not only the comparatively fragile wooden gate but even the nearby castle walls had been caught in the blast. Smoke rose from the impact point of a mere thrown spear. The sight was astonishing.
Chaos erupted inside Silverty territory.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Bells rang out, calling soldiers to arms and announcing the beginning of war. The Seiros allied forces were stirred by the sound as well.
"Uwooooo!!!"
Boasting their numbers with a thunderous roar, the allied army charged toward the shattered gate, now so thoroughly destroyed that its original shape was unrecognizable. Vidion retrieved Epentes and raced through the breach first.
"My friend! We should hurry after him!"
"Huh? Yes, of course!"
"Hey! Save the honorifics for official occasions!"
"War is the most official occasion there is!"
Valeon, who had grown so unused to such formal settings that speaking casually now felt strange, drew his one-handed sword. Gorgon hefted his massive halberd, an axe larger than his own body, and the pair advanced toward the gate. Both were formidable warriors; overtaking the soldiers who had charged ahead was no challenge.
Meanwhile, the Silverty garrison troops who had rushed out to stop the invasion turned deathly pale at the sight of Vidion already inside, carving through their men like a reaper.
"I-it's Vidion!"
Even beggars on the street could recognize a member of the Seven Great Heroes. Among them, only Vidion wielded a spear. Failing to identify him would have been foolish.
Slash!
Witnessing him slaughter soldiers with Epentes, none dared charge. They could only think of escape.
"Run!"
"Rally and regroup!"
"Fight like true warriors! Will you simply watch as our territory falls?!"
Vidion swung Epentes while hurling terrifying shouts at the fleeing enemies. The disorganized soldiers were stabbed, sliced, and dismembered by the legendary spear.
"Cowards, every last one of you! Was all that weapon maintenance simply preparation for running away?!"
Vidion scolded their lack of spirit and clicked his tongue at those who had escaped his reach.
It was then that a voice rang out.
"Stop right there!!"
A man stepped forward to block Vidion's path.
"Even if you are one of the Seven Great Heroes, I cannot allow you to lay a hand on our territory!"
"Oh? Your courage is commendable, yet I see your legs trembling."
"Nonsense! I, Golett Silverty, fear nothing from the likes of you!!"
The man was Golett Silverty, eldest son of the Silverty Viscount family.
"Filthy Seiros has seduced the orthodox nobles! In the name of House Silverty's honor, I will cut you down!"
"If you believe you can, then try."
Though his legs still shook, his words were brave. Vidion watched quietly.
"Die!!"
Golett Silverty, a practitioner of traditional two-handed swordsmanship, charged with a wide stance. He held his blade near his right cheek and closed the distance in a rush. Vidion observed the approach and thought:
How utterly boring. You should have become a swindler rather than a warrior.
Epentes spun once through the air from right hand to left. A clean slice followed.
Golett Silverty's body collapsed without strength.
"Now all that remains is to capture the lord. Begin the slaughter."
As though nothing of note had occurred, Vidion strode toward the towering castle in the distance.