Chapter 108: On the Edge of a Cliff (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 108: On the Edge of a Cliff (2)
The first method.
One hour ago.
Roman had looked at the nobles and spoken.
"The Hector Kingdom needs time. Whether they plan to use the Warp Gate to call for reinforcements from their homeland or drag the Kronos Empire into this mess, they need to buy at least three days for the gate to become fully operational. Because of this, the enemy has no reason to overextend themselves. They will avoid any choices that introduce variables and fight only hard enough to repel our attacks."
Hector had holed up behind their walls.
If Cairo's forces couldn't tear down those high, sturdy defenses in a single strike, drawing the enemy out was the only other option.
"The first method is to create that variable myself. I will challenge the Hector Kingdom to a Great Warrior Battle."
"That is reckless."
"The Hector Kingdom currently has Butler."
The nobles' reactions were immediately negative.
Butler.
Who was he?
He was the Commander of the Hector Royal Knights, a man hailed as the textbook definition of a knight. He had cut down countless enemies with his highly systematic swordsmanship and explosive 5-Star Aura. Despite his commoner origins, Butler had earned the honor of joining the Royal Knights solely through his overwhelming skill. Though he was now aging and largely refrained from public activities, he was still renowned across the continent as one of the absolute strongest.
Therefore, the enemy's response to Roman's proposal would be obvious.
Count Fabius spoke up.
"I am not denying your strength, Lord Roman Dmitry. Ever since you routed the Hector Kingdom with a force of only two hundred, no one can disregard your achievements. But your opponent is Butler. A Great Warrior Battle is a double-edged sword. If we win, we can ride that momentum to crush the enemy in one fell swoop, but if we lose, there is no way to recover from the blow."
"Indeed. The opponent is none other than Butler. How on earth do you expect to defeat a 5-Star Swordsman? We understand your resolve, Lord Roman Dmitry, but we do not believe there is any need to take such a risk."
Their opinions were unified.
Desperate to avoid losing a talent like Roman Dmitry, the three nobles united for the very first time to persuade him otherwise.
Seeing their reaction,
Roman smiled.
"It is precisely because of your reaction that I know this first method will work. The Hector Kingdom is no different from you. They will be absolutely certain of Butler's victory. Because they will view it as a fight they cannot possibly lose, they are highly likely to forget their original objective and accept my proposal. That is where the variable begins."
This operation did not end with simply proposing a duel.
Roman Dmitry silenced the nobles' objections with a firm tone.
"Trust me. The moment I strike down Butler, a crack will form in Hector's solid walls."
* * *
And now, back in the present.
The Hector Kingdom stirred at Roman's proposal.
When no answer came immediately, Roman raised his voice.
"We bear no personal grudges against each other. Or, to be precise, we are the ones who have suffered one-sided damage due to Hector's ambitions. But that is not what is important right now. I do not wish to spill any more meaningless blood, and so I intend to bring this war to a complete end with a Great Warrior Battle."
He dangled a carrot.
One so sweet they would have no choice but to bite.
Roman offered them the exact reward they desired.
"If you win this duel, we will meekly accept the Hector Kingdom's proposal. In exchange for the Southern Front, we will pay whatever compensation you desire. Conversely, if I win, you must immediately withdraw from Cairo's territory. That is my sole condition. We have already reached this decision after a council. If you accept this proposal, we will abide by the outcome, no matter what it is."
Murmurs broke out.
Commotion erupted across both sides of the battlefield.
It was an extraordinary proposal that could instantly end the war, and its ripples were bound to spread in all directions.
Butler.
The second-ranked swordsman of Hector.
He was a formidable opponent.
Although Roman had grown rapidly, a 5-Star Swordsman was still an existence that Roman Dmitry's current body could not easily handle. Their brief clash in the mountains had shown him exactly how powerful Butler was. He could not be absolutely certain of victory, but that was precisely why his competitive spirit burned so fiercely.
This duel is well worth risking my life for.
This was the life of a warrior.
He did not seek comfort.
He had to fight constantly, and if he discovered an existence stronger than himself, he could not rest until he had brought them down.
Heavenly Demon Baek Joong-hyuk.
The pinnacle of the Demonic Cult had risen from sheer desire.
If Baek Joong-hyuk had been content with the present and sought a comfortable life, he would never have thought to smash his leader's head in with a stone when he first fell into the 12th Cave. By bowing one's head, one could avoid danger at the cost of their pride. But in situations where he could have chosen to live normally like everyone else, Baek Joong-hyuk had always taken a step forward.
It was the same now.
If Butler was strong, he would simply surpass him.
He would trample over him and prove his strength once again.
Roman shouted,
"I know what you are thinking! Now that negotiations with Cairo have broken down, you are trying to bring in an outside force to solve your country's problems. The Kronos Empire, which has always coveted Cairo's territory, would gladly take the Southern Front even if they have to pay a massive price. However, you need enough time to connect the Warp Gate. If you do not accept my proposal, I will tear down your rear base within three days, even if it means taking heavy casualties. I will slaughter every last one of you who dared to invade Cairo's territory, and the survivors will be tortured until they beg for death!"
This was the stick.
He had cornered them entirely.
By laying bare Cairo's options beforehand, he showed them the steep price of their choices.
"I will give you exactly ten minutes. I hope you make a wise decision within that time."
He took a step back.
There was no need to rush.
From now on, it was the Hector Kingdom's turn to choose.
* * *
Atop the walls.
The soldiers of Hector murmured among themselves.
Though they had resolved to resist to the bitter end, the sudden prospect of survival made everyone look toward a single person.
It was Butler.
Feeling their gazes, Butler approached Edwin Hector and said,
"I will fight."
"I forbid it."
"Commander! Roman Dmitry already knows our intentions. Now that our plan to deal with the Kronos Empire has been exposed, we don't know what variables might arise. Trust me just this once. I will take Roman Dmitry's head and return with a way for the Hector Kingdom to survive."
His voice was filled with firm resolve.
Butler was not being pushed into this by the soldiers' stares.
He was truly prepared to risk his life for the Hector Kingdom, and Roman's proposal was an irresistible temptation.
However, Edwin Hector shook his head.
"It is not that I do not trust you, Commander Butler of the Hector Royal Knights. I believe that with your skills, you can certainly defeat Roman Dmitry. The problem is that you, I, and everyone else here already know that. The Roman Dmitry we have experienced is no greenhorn whose next move can be easily predicted. His inner thoughts are like an abyss that one cannot dare peer into, and we lost seven hundred Hector soldiers after being dragged around by him all night. He challenged us to a duel because he is absolutely certain of his victory. While I do not believe he can defeat you in a fair fight, Roman Dmitry definitely has a plan."
He did not know Roman's plan.
He was merely recalling the bitter experience of defeat.
Because they had suffered a disastrous loss even when they were certain of victory, Edwin Hector could not bring himself to walk into an obvious trap.
Butler said,
"Commander. No, Prince. Ever since I entered the Royal Knights, I have spent my entire life serving you. What kind of person do you remember me as? Was I a coward who shrank back for fear of defeat, or who refused to even try because I worried about the enemy's traps? I fully expect Roman Dmitry to have some special plan. But I am the Commander of the Hector Royal Knights. The Roman Dmitry I faced was a step below me, and no matter what he has prepared, I am confident I can crush it all."
He dropped to one knee.
Appealing with a voice burning with passion, he sought Edwin Hector's consent.
Faced with such fervor, Edwin Hector was left speechless.
Butler was right.
Though he was older now, in his prime, Butler had been more combative and resilient than anyone else.
Countless challenges.
He had survived narrow brushes with death too numerous to count.
By overcoming those trials, Butler had become a 5-Star Swordsman and made a name for himself as a powerhouse recognized across the entire continent.
With Roman Dmitry's current skills, he can never defeat Butler. If so, the only method they can choose is to set a trap to bring Butler down. If that happens, the Hector Kingdom will gain the ultimate justification. We can call out the enemy's cowardice and set the stage to get exactly what we want.
His head throbbed.
The acrid smell of smoke seemed to linger at the tip of his nose.
Recalling the moment they cremated their fallen soldiers, the words did not come easily.
Yet, just as Butler was precious to him, a decision had to be made to save the Hector Kingdom.
Edwin Hector finally spoke.
"Promise me just one thing."
"Speak, Your Highness."
"If you sense anything strange, retreat immediately. I do not want to lose you. Can you promise me that?"
"I understand."
Butler stood up.
The sunlight shifted across his armor.
The giant of Hector spoke, his gaze unwavering despite the countless eyes resting upon him.
"Then, I shall go."
* * *
Creak.
The heavy gates opened.
At the sight of Butler walking forward, the battlefield fell into a dead silence, as if doused in cold water.
Step by step, he drew closer to Roman.
Finally, reaching a distance where an attack could be launched at any moment, Butler spoke.
"I have seen many crazy bastards in my life, but someone like you is a first. Let me tell you right now: I will give this my all. I do not know what kind of trap you have prepared, but if you came out here with a half-hearted attitude, turn back now. If you do, I will spare your life."
Schwing.
He drew his sword.
Even though he had not yet taken a stance, he exuded a chilling aura.
Roman smiled.
"I, too, shall make a promise. Elaborate justifications are not actually that important to me. The moment our swords clashed in the mountains, I wished to fight you to the very end. Back then, circumstances forced me to retreat, but now, I have created a stage where no one can interfere."
The Hector Kingdom.
He had seen them agonizing over his proposal.
He understood why.
Since they had already been burned once, it must have been difficult for them to step forward.
However, there was no trap to begin with.
"My sword is all I have. No plan to trap you exists; I solely wish to settle things with you. So, give it your all. If you kill me here, you will get exactly what you want."
For a moment, Butler's lips twitched into a smirk.
He had expected something underhanded, but his opponent always defied expectations.
"Crazy bastard."
No more words were needed.
Without waiting for the other to make the first move...
Thud!
Dash!
They lunged at each other.