Retreat and the Heir's Decree
“Kyaaaaaaaak!”
“P-Please spare me!”
The delicate balance shattered in an instant.
With the battlefield instantly flipping, the cries of Kar tribe warriors echoed across the fields.
And with the Empire seizing the second chance, its soldiers pushed the Karans forward with renewed fervor.
“Charge! Drive them from this land!”
“The Empire’s new history is upon us! Annihilate every Karan!”
Officers atop their mounts urged their men on.
They knew.
If they missed this opportunity, such favorable conditions would never come again.
That was why General Velkain had risked everything in this battle.
And then…
**BOOM!**
“G-Ghimmadeuda!”
“The Empire’s cavalry! Take cover!”
“Kyaaaaaaaak!”
The Empire’s unrelenting counteroffensive began to shatter even the Karans’ resolve.
“Hold the line! We must block them no matter what!”
“Ba-Varok-nim! Their charge is too fierce! We cannot stop them!”
After Krelmuk fell, the Empire’s advance, fueled by momentum, swept across the battlefield with overwhelming force.
‘…Just how did things end up like this…’
Of the top four commanders, Heretican was dead and Kortzan severely wounded. Only he and Herkan remained.
On a battlefield where no advantage remained.
“Kill them! Drive the Karans from this land completely!”
“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaah!”
The Empire’s soldiers, joined by the cavalry, swept the Karans away like a tidal wave.
There was no longer any means to stop them.
Aware of the crushing disparity in momentum, Baolk unknowingly closed his eyes.
‘No more…’
He had already lost too many warriors.
One more loss of strength here, and even after Krelmuk recovered, there would be no opportunity to fight again.
Soon Baolk roared at the top of his lungs.
“Damn it…! Retreat! Retreat!”
**Pwooouuuuuwuuuuuuu!**
The retreat horn blared across the field, and the Karan warriors began to withdraw without delay.
“Don’t let them escape!”
“Kill every Karan!”
The soldiers, emboldened by victory, tried to press on.
“Form up! Form ranks!”
“The Karans are fleeing!”
“Our victory! We have won!”
The Empire’s soldiers halted their advance and raised cheers of triumph.
The Empire’s first northward advance.
The situation had been anything but favorable, and victory had been far from certain.
Yet in this hard-fought war, they had prevailed.
They had claimed Belikezel, the Karan territory that was the Empire’s first acquisition of northern lands.
Velkain, mounted on his horse, gazed slowly upon the scene.
‘It’s over…’
Even in the moment of victory, his expression remained shadowed.
Claw approached and shouted.
“Commander! The enemy is retreating! We have won!”
“…I see.”
He offered a faint smile, yet the corners of his mouth soon drooped.
The war had been won, but not everything had been gained. He slowly surveyed the surroundings.
The fleeing Karans. The endless, broken terrain of the plain. The Empire soldiers lying motionless, bodies still.
They had won in battle, yet the price was far too heavy.
But there were far too many tasks ahead…
“Quickly reorganize the formation. Send a messenger immediately to the Helikel Canyon stronghold. Begin construction of the base here alongside supplies.”
“Yes, understood!”
“Treat the wounded and reinforce the perimeter around them as well.”
“Don’t worry.”
Claw nodded.
But then, as if something had occurred to him, he turned to Velkain and spoke.
“Commander. The Silent Spear unit of Lieutenant Arteon…”
“…I know.”
His short voice held every emotion.
When the report first arrived, his heart had grown heavy.
Yet with so many pressing duties, he had no choice but to set it aside.
Velkain swallowed hard and said to Claw.
“Quickly clear the battlefield. That comes first.”
“Understood.”
Claw turned and passed the orders to the other officers present.
Soon the officers hastily rearranged the soldiers’ formation and reinforced the perimeter against any unforeseen variables.
And now the battlefield, once still echoing with battle, lay quiet.
Velkain, witnessing the rapid cleanup firsthand, turned away.
And the direction he headed was where Arteon and the others who had carried out the infiltration plan were stationed.
Heavy footsteps.
He did not know how many sighs escaped him during the walk.
But upon reaching the location…
“Commander.”
The first to spot Velkain was Isaac, who raised his right fist to his left chest and saluted.
Following him, every soldier rose from their positions and saluted.
Velkain lightly tapped his right fist against his left chest in return.
“…Are you all right?”
Velkain stood before the dazed Arteon and asked.
But…
“…”
His red-rimmed eyes were strangely unsettling.
Right now, the only thing he could say was that he was fine, and the regret was overwhelming.
“Yes… I am fine.”
His reply was calm, yet the emotions that could not be put into words were fully reflected in his eyes.
Velkain nodded silently and patted Arteon’s shoulder.
“If you need anything, speak up anytime.”
Velkain stepped back a pace and looked at Isaac standing beside him, along with Tairen and the other soldiers.
All of them were battered, yet a flame of unyielding spirit burned in their eyes.
Velkain took a deep breath.
“Tonight, I will honor the souls of the warriors. See that their bodies are preserved without further harm.”
“Yes, understood.”
Isaac bowed his head in reply.
Velkain then looked at the soldiers and said.
“And…”
He paused briefly, then added in a firm tone.
“You have all endured much. You are the true victors of this war.”
With that, he placed his right fist against the left side of his chest.
It was the most sincere salute a commander could offer.
The soldiers, startled, quickly straightened their postures.
It was an action none had expected, yet it carried profound meaning.
“Thank you for fighting beside us.”
Velkain’s words echoed like thunder.
Isaac shouted loudly.
“Platoon, attention!”
**Stomp!**
Every soldier in formation planted their feet and stood at attention.
“Salute to the commander!”
**Boom!**
Velkain struck his left chest hard with his right fist and roared.
“Steel hearts!”
The roar that burst from them all echoed even beneath the blood-soaked ground.
It was a victory cry, intertwined with the soldiers’ grief.
Soon Arteon let out a tiny breath.
His bloodshot eyes slowly returned to their normal color.
Only now could he understand.
We… had won this war.
And so another day came to a close.
***
The underground chamber lay in deep darkness.
A thick, musty scent of mold mixed with the stench of blood, reeking of foul decay.
“P-Please spare me! Spare me!”
A few candles on the wall barely lit the space.
In that dim light, a man was chained, stripped bare.
Deep and shallow wounds crisscrossed his entire body, and dried blood had cracked and split the skin with it.
His face was swollen, and blood had ruined any recognition of his original features.
And his gaze was fixed on the man before him.
“P-Please spare me!”
The man stared back with icy eyes.
Count Edrian Valenruuk.
Even within the imperial court, he wielded immense power, yet his face was grotesquely twisted.
Edrian asked.
“Was… this the best you could manage?”
“P-Please don’t do this again! I’ll do anything! Just give me a chance…”
“A chance?”
Edrian let out a cold chuckle.
“The moment the Empire army defeated the Karans at Belikezel, your usefulness ended.”
The plan had cost him dearly.
He had bent every effort to ensure Belikezel never fell to the Empire.
No, it was supposed to have been destroyed completely…
**Grind.**
Edrian bit his lip, and the man cried out desperately.
“Please! Count! Just spare me, and I’ll do whatever you wish!”
But Edrian turned his head without a glance and issued the order coldly.
“Eliminate all involved parties.”
The subordinate in the black mask behind him bowed his head quietly.
“Understood.”
“P-Please… spare me…”
**Slash!**
Instantly, a streak of blood sliced through the air.
**Kkuk!**
The scream was short, and silence followed.
Count Edrian Valenruuk left the scene with emotionless footsteps.
“Damn it…”
If he gained more power from the First Prince, he could not even guarantee his own safety.
No more… retreat was possible.
In the footsteps of his departure lay urgency.
***
The heat of battle had subsided, and the soldiers’ hurried footsteps continued.
“Come on, this way! This way!”
“Get a little further in! Yeah, there! Place it over there!”
Thanks to the supplies brought from the Helikel Canyon stronghold, the soldiers wore bright smiles.
They had not received a full ration since the supply depot had burned.
“Commander, the supplies from the Helikel Canyon stronghold have arrived.”
“First, ensure the soldiers receive sufficient food starting tonight.”
“Yes, understood. And… a letter from the Helikel Canyon stronghold. It says it’s from the center.”
“The center?”
Velkain’s expression hardened.
The center was where the Empire’s power was most concentrated.
Although Velkain was the most influential commander in the north, contact from the center was always burdensome.
‘…What new interference is this?’
Moreover, with spies already confirmed inside, he could not welcome a letter sent from the center lightly.
But…
**Tap.**
Velkain peeled the seal from the envelope and carefully read the letter.
And as his gaze moved steadily downward,
“…Why are you here?”
Though his expression appeared calm, Claw noticed.
A moment of surprise in Velkain’s face.
In response, Velkain let out a soft sigh and set the letter down.
“Hmm… It seems the First Prince Sedrian is coming here.”
“…Huh? The First Prince…?”
Sedrian Aurelian.
The current First Prince of the Empire, the closest figure to the heir to the throne.
Claw’s face showed shock.
“The First Prince is coming here? Why…?”
He had grand objectives in subduing the north, but coming all the way to Belikezel for just that seemed excessive.
Yet Velkain, still staring at the letter, sighed and murmured.
“He wishes to personally bestow the merits of this war’s victory. And…”
Velkain looked at Claw and said.
“He wishes to meet Lieutenant Arteon… directly.”
“…Huh?”
The letter caused Claw’s eyes to widen sharply.