Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Eve of War
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Scout reports were pouring in one after another.
The forces led by Marquis Fabius had reportedly reached a spot in the middle of the desert, three days' distance from Kara. Their marching speed was a bit slower than a typical army, but considering they were hauling all sorts of siege equipment and war supplies, it was impressively fast.
They were undoubtedly an elite unit. There were various ways to gauge an army's elite status, but the most common was checking their marching speed. Armies that moved quickly were almost always elite.
"Shura. Hurry up."
I was hurrying toward the portal tower with Shura in tow. The knight order dispatched from the Yosrahim Empire had finally arrived today. Even accounting for the empire's sluggish bureaucracy, showing up at the front lines just three days before battle was ridiculous.
But knight orders were invaluable. We'd need them to counter Marquis Fabius's knight charge.
"Master, over here."
As we reached the portal tower, Udin waved us over urgently. Yosrahim knights were descending the tower in droves, so we were a tad late.
"Huh."
"Why are you so late?"
"Stopped for a bite."
Soon, Count Hicks appeared. He was chatting amiably with Viscount Gordon as they exited the portal tower door, then approached me slowly upon spotting me.
In my previous life, I'd brushed past Count Hicks a few times. He was surprisingly courteous and refined for a warrior, with a deep knowledge of literature that had impressed me.
"You're White Mask?"
"Yeah."
Count Hicks eyed me appraisingly.
"Rookies, step aside. From now on, I command the Kara forces."
Scratch that, I thought. The politeness I'd seen before must've been bootlicking reserved for the Grand Duke's heir.
I smirked at the count.
"Got the guts for it?"
"I know Duke Bastain well. Faced him once during the Biltrion Kingdom siege sixteen years ago."
I knew that incident. Sixteen years prior, the Lobros Kingdom had invaded Biltrion over the Brnos Mountains. The count had joined as reinforcements and suffered a crushing defeat against the then-commander Duke Bastain.
"Yeah, I remember. You fled with your tail between your legs on a pants-wind, right?"
"You little...!"
The fuming count glared, grinding his teeth. But he didn't draw his sword recklessly—Uncle Zenbe was standing right behind me.
"Count, if you wanted to command Kara's forces, you should've come sooner. What good is overall command three days before battle? You think war's a game?"
"What?"
"Just block Marquis Fabius and his knights. If not, I'll cover your travel expenses—head back. We don't need you anyway. You're too late; you're benched."
The count trembled with rage.
"You insolent brat. Arrogance piercing the heavens. Fine, think we'll leave if you say so? No reason to protect a backwater city-state that disrespects a great power. Men!"
At Count Hicks's shout, the knights snapped to attention.
"Sir!"
"We're pulling out!"
As the count spun to leave, I said casually,
"Oh, and if you have time on the way, maybe headbutt a wall or something. The Grand Saintess of Yin-Yang is pretty pissed because you showed up so late. See ya."
As I turned away, the count loosened his stiff neck and glanced back slyly.
"Huh? Who?"
"You don't know? Grand Saintess of Yin-Yang? She reincarnated last spring."
The count rushed over in alarm.
"Is she really here in Kara?"
"Yep. Right nearby, actually. Why?"
Count Hicks scanned around, his gaze locking onto Shura. Her skin peeking from under the hood, the shape of Dalahan at her waist—he, a lifelong Yin-Yang devotee, recognized her instantly.
"N-No way...?"
As he moved toward Shura, I tapped his shoulder.
"I just said she's in a foul mood. If you want an audience, headbutt for an hour first."
The count looked around at the crowd, face falling. Doing it here would be an international embarrassment. But defying the Grand Saintess of Yin-Yang? Impossible for a believer like him.
He muttered, barely audible,
"Can't I do it somewhere no one's watching?"
In front of the Tohu Palace's central plaza, where the Eeuroa statue and ancestral effigies stood, crowds were gathering in droves. They huddled in groups, buzzing about the impending war.
Padila stared at me with a tense face, eyeing the throng visible from the balcony beyond the window. It was the usual pre-event speech, but today she seemed especially nervous.
"Grand Duke's Heir, can I really convince the people?"
As I helped her into the Freyker leather armor piece by piece, I said,
"Stick to the script. And no fear—be confident. That's it."
"But..."
"Shura will handle the rest."
Padila gazed reverently at Shura, who smiled brightly behind her. She couldn't hide her shock that her casual friend was the Grand Saintess of Yin-Yang.
Shura approached, taking Padila's hand encouragingly.
"Don't worry. You'll do great, Padila."
"Y-Yes..."
Padila started to bow formally but caught my eye, coughed awkwardly. I'd insisted they stay friends. Padila would soon be a Grand Saintess herself; messing up the hierarchy now would breed awkwardness later.
Padila corrected herself.
"Yeah. I'll do my best."
Soon, Padila was fully armored. The Tohu's garb glittered with gold ornaments and jewels. I handed her the faux Gauss spear, symbol of the Kara Tohu.
"Go on."
"Okay."
Padila opened the balcony doors, and the citizens erupted in cheers. At my signal, magic fireworks burst skyward. Padila spread her arms, welcoming the plaza crowd.
Once the mood peaked, I whispered from behind,
"Good. Start the speech."
Padila stood tall and began.
"People of Kara...! We stand now under the watchful gaze of the sacred Eeuroa and our ancestors. People, remember! The grains and livestock ripening here each year have nourished our bodies and souls; Kara's endless lake has quenched our thirst..."
The opening was solid. I gave a thumbs-up, urging her on.
"What is this land? It is the sacred lifeline where we were born and raised, the hallowed earth where our ancestors lie buried. Yet dark clouds gather now. The vile Lobros Kingdom brings them. They swarm our land to ravage its masters—us—to desecrate and mock our forebears' graves."
"We could endure, tolerate the shame, ignore our ancestors' disturbed tombs and survive. But remember this: Kara's forebears gave their lives to protect this land and bequeathed it to you here today. That is our mission too. Like them, we must defend it and pass it to our children. Only then do we earn the right to live freely here. Remember...!"
The lengthy speech was building to its climax. I signaled Shura—it was her cue.
Shura drew Dalahan and stood beside Padila mid-speech.
"Oh~ Righteous ones! Your Tohu will lead the charge—follow me! God shall light our path. Behold~ the miracle of the great Creator God who watches over us!"
Shura raised Dalahan high. Intense light and darkness poured from it, spreading to etch a massive Yin-Yang sigil in the sky.
The crowd gasped in shock, some recognizing Shura instantly and dropping to their knees.
Padila shouted at them.
"The Grand Saintess of Yin-Yang stands with us! Advance in God's name and fight the foe!"
All who knew Shura cried praises, prostrating en masse. Yin-Yang faithful wept openly; others cheered triumphantly, as if victory were assured with the Creator God among them.
Now Kara's soldiers and citizens would fight like berserkers. Survive for blessed lives; die for paradise.
One dusky evening, massive forces appeared west of Kara Castle. Marquis Fabius's Lobros expeditionary army.
They immediately began residential construction and canal works in preparation for battle.
And the next day dawned.
Late morning, I ascended the central turret of the west wall with Padila. Soldiers stood at attention to greet us, eyes hollow from night watch.
After encouraging them, I peered through the parapet at the Lobros camp.
A formidable host.
Over 55,000 troops stretched tents to the horizon. Smoke from cooking fires hazed the western sky; marching soldiers kicked up thick dust clouds.
Still better than the monster hordes of the Age of Ruin. Lobros held only the western plain now; back then, everywhere was blackened.
Padila approached.
"Grand Duke's Heir, will we be okay?"
I nodded firmly.
"We've prepared plenty. We're no pushovers."
Then, three Lobros riders with a white flag emerged, approaching. No surrender this early—they wanted parley.
I spotted the lead armored man and grinned slyly. Helmet off, he stood out: Marquis Fabius.
"I'll chat with them."
As I leaped down, Padila grabbed my arm.
"Grand Duke's Heir, it's dangerous!"
"Nah. Marquis Fabius under white flag won't attack. Whatever."
"But..."
"See you soon."
I strolled toward Marquis Fabius.
He chuckled as I neared.
"Hey, White Mask~. Nice to see you."
As the marquis spread his arms for a hug, I shoved his chest.
"Gross. Spit it out and go."
"Harsh. We're sword brothers, no?"
"That's then, this is now. Out with it."
"What else? Surrender."
I snorted.
"You know we won't. We're in a better spot—why surrender?"
"You don't know our composition."
"I do. Knights, all mercenaries, elite troops."
"Good. Know a merc equals three regulars?"
"Sure. But arrows still kill 'em. Ours are stacked."
The marquis smirked.
"Peasant levies, no matter the numbers."
"This old guy's dissing peasants? Lifelong threshers and hoers. Your soldiers pop their heads up, splat. Helmets useless—one whack, kaboom."
Peasants farmed lifelong—mocked for it, but deadly accurate with flails. Millimeter precision from repetition.
Never underestimate lifelong specialists.
"Great with scythes too. One swing, poof—soldiers gone. Stay off the walls. Hell awaits."
The marquis narrowed his eyes.
"One shout, they'll flee."
"Sorry, no fleeing."
"You don't know commoners. That's why they're commoners, warriors warriors—reasons."
"Fair, but not this time. They're hyped."
"Hyped?"
I grinned, spilling top secret.
"Holy hype. Led by the Grand Saintess of Yin-Yang. Heard of her?"
The marquis's eyes bulged.
"She's in Kara?"
"Yep. Your enemy, gramps. Think before attacking. Hurt her by mistake? You know."
The marquis shuddered. He knew her import.
"You... you..."
"So don't court hell. Surrender. I'll open a glorious future."
The marquis turned away sharply.
"We worship Terra, Goddess of Earth. No Yin-Yang ties."
"C'mon. Yin-Yang's Creator God. Different leagues."
"Terra's mother is Creator too. Meteria—heard?"
"Yeah, but her Grand Saintess ain't here."
"Ours just ascended. Courting our crown prince. Shall we see whose saintly power reigns?"
It was escalating to holy war. That Princess Sierra—never helpful. Widow how long, already husband-hunting.
But not her will. The Sierra I knew would stay chaste lifelong.
Why? Hated marriage. She'd cite her dead fiancé forever.
"Do what you want. Just avoid the left flank. Our saintess is there."
"Got it. We'll hit there mainly. Heh heh."
"Great. I'll put elites there."
"You do that."
I chuckled.
"Talk over?"
"Neither surrenders, so yeah."
"Cool. Bye. See you on the field."
"Right."
Marquis Fabius rode back to Lobros lines. He'd hit left for sure. Half-joke, but he took jokes seriously. Feint or not, main thrust: left.
