Chapter 74

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“Everyone, keep your cool and maintain order! The enemy forces can’t be that numerous!”

Chel Brance was shouting desperately to preserve the command structure amidst the ambush—but even he was flustered beyond belief.

‘Our surprise attack has been uncovered? How could this happen?’

Up until this point, he’d sent multiple messengers to gather intel on the current state of the fortress. He’d heard reports of preparations resembling a sacrificial ceremony, soldiers standing guard vigilantly, and even Commander Epinal personally directing operations all over the place.

There was no reason to suspect the messengers had lied… so in the end…

‘Could they have seen through our plan from the start…?’

The moment the thought crossed his mind, Parphale’s words came back to him.

“‘Swoen is an extraordinary commander. He not only foresaw the Alepel Army and Charan Army conspiring with the Aishias Army to deceive us but also predicted the rebellion in the north. Undoubtedly, he must have prepared thoroughly for the fortress defense.'”

‘Could it be… all of this was part of Swoen’s calculations…?’

At the time, Parphale had warned, “As long as Swoen is there, we shouldn’t touch the fortress.” But now… could it be that Parphale herself was part of Swoen’s grand scheme—another layer of foresight?

‘This is insane…!’

Then Chel remembered meeting Swoen for the first time when his younger sister Lin, their liege, spoke of some hidden talent while they were on campaign against the now-defunct Lunarien Army.

The more he thought about it, the more his head hurt. But he shook it off. Just because Swoen seemed to pull off miracles didn’t mean he should be overly impressed. There was no guarantee Swoen had truly seen through this plan. Jumping to conclusions wouldn’t help anything.

‘So, should I retreat immediately since we’ve been exposed?’

Parphale had advised caution. While their strategy had a low chance of failure, if things went south—if the Aishias Army discovered their movements before the siege began—they should withdraw immediately, leaving only enough troops behind to fend off pursuit. That way, losses would be minimized.

Though retreating felt embarrassing, Parphale was a trusted strategist. In most situations, listening to her advice was wise.

‘I guess I’ll issue the order then…’

Just as he resolved himself…

“At last, I found you.”

A familiar female voice reached Chel’s ears. Turning around, he saw…

The knight sworn to protect the Brance Clan: Iren Julieat. Her cold gaze pierced straight into him.

“…Who are you calling out like that? Aren’t you the dirty traitor who abandoned her country?”

“…”

Iren simply glared at him silently.

“You look quite chipper, don’t you? After pulling off such treachery. If I were in your shoes, guilt would’ve driven me to suicide by now. Yet here you stand, shamelessly alive. Guess that’s what your father taught you?”

Despite Chel’s taunts, Iren refused to take the bait.

“Poor thing, Chel Brance. You’re cursed by your lineage, unable to abandon a sinking ship. So, how does it feel to be the helmsman of a doomed nation?”

“What?! You insolent wretch…”

With rage burning in his heart, Chel raised his sword and shouted.

“Are you mocking Chel Brance right now?!”

“Hmm? Planning to fight? This might be your last chance to run.”

“Ha! What a joke!”

Clang!

Chel charged toward her on horseback, swinging his sword. After exchanging blows several times, Iren steadied herself and glared at him.

“There’s no way you can stop our army with this paltry force! Accept your cursed fate already. I’ll personally decapitate you, you filthy traitor!”

“You’re just as vulgar as your sister. If you’re so eager to die, I won’t hold back anymore. Come at me!”

“Alright, you miserable woman! This will be your grave today!”

Iren stood firm against Chel Brance without flinching. Though their skirmish confirmed Chel’s undeniable strength—he wasn’t called the “First Sword of Brance” for nothing—she felt capable of holding her own after relentless daily training. Compared to Lunarien, she even felt stronger.

‘Good. That should do.’

Swoen had said that if their plan was uncovered, it would inevitably turn in their favor. He’d emphasized the importance of eliminating as much of the Brance Army as possible.

Swoen wanted to weaken the Brance Army. Iren intended to fulfill that goal. And keeping Chel occupied here was her idea.

Having worked closely with Chel in the past, Iren knew his character well. He was undoubtedly a powerful general, practically a one-man army—a final weapon for the Brance Army. His weakness? Temperamental tendencies. Obsessed with the honor of the Brance name, he was fierce yet hotheaded.

Provoking someone like Chel was child’s play. Simply insulting his pride tied to the Brance name made him snap easily…

“Haaaaa!”

Clang!

‘…He took the bait…!’

When Iren blocked Chel’s sword, she noticed her arm trembling slightly.

Of course, from the Aishias Army’s perspective, provoking Chel to delay his retreat while thinning out the disorganized Brance Army was brilliant. But focusing solely on Iren herself, it wasn’t perfect. She needed to exchange blows with him to buy time until reinforcements arrived. Even though her skill had improved, objectively defeating him was nearly impossible—and she wasn’t naive enough to think otherwise.

But…

‘I have to endure this for Swoen’s sake…!’

The man who freed her from the curse of her destiny, the chains binding her to the Brance family—the man who genuinely cared for her protection above all else. For Swoen, there was nothing Iren couldn’t do.

With that resolve, she continued fighting.

Time passed.

Iren’s expression faltered as she sensed her stamina waning. Seizing the moment, Chel sneered.

“Hah! Your puny hands are shaking already. Not so confident now, are you? There’s no way you could actually defeat me, Iren!”

Upon hearing this, Iren responded with a provocative smirk.

“…What a pity life you lead, Chel Brance. I feel sorry for you.”

“What?”

“That illustrious bloodline of yours traps you under a foolish monarch forever bound to the decay of Brance…”

“What… did you say…?”

Chel’s body trembled with fury—an anger Iren rarely witnessed. It was the true wrath of Chel Brance.

“I swear upon my sword, Iren Julieat. You will die here today.”

Clang!

‘…Damn!’

Chel’s attacks grew fiercer. How many generals could wield such power atop a horse? Despite landing a few hits, Iren struggled to defend against the relentless assault.

‘I need to endure… I can’t give up…!’

“Now I have someone waiting for me to return… Someone who sought me out, acknowledged my existence, and awaits my return…”

‘I can’t die here…!’

Clang! Clang!

‘Damn it…!’

Her sword slipped from her hand during a block. Chel grinned maliciously, his laughter echoing across the battlefield filled with cheers from soldiers.

“This ends now, Iren!”

“Damn it, Swoen…!! I…!”

At that moment…

“AAAAAAAAAAH!!!”

“Wha—?!”

A groan of pain escaped Chel’s lips. Iren quickly assessed the situation.

An arrow had struck Chel’s left palm.

Looking back, she saw Emma with her bow and Erhandorf wielding a massive club charging toward them on horseback. Apparently, the soldiers sent to invade the Alepel Army had returned after receiving the messenger’s report.

“Damn it…!”

Cursing under his breath, Chel grabbed the arrow embedded in his hand and…

“AAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!”

Pulled it out forcefully. Blood gushed from the wound, but despite the injury, Chel maintained focus.

Turning his head, he recognized the renowned commanders of the Aishias Army, Emma and Erhandorf, approaching.

‘Damn… reinforcements have arrived?’

His rational thoughts returned after losing some blood. This wasn’t the time. He needed to retreat his troops immediately. Continuing like this meant certain defeat—not just for Iren, but potentially for himself against Emma and Erhandorf combined.

‘I need to withdraw… now…!’

“Everyone! Retreat! Operation cancelled! Prioritize withdrawal!”

His delayed orders echoed uselessly into the chaotic air, unheard by the scattered soldiers. Only then did Chel realize how late he was.

‘If I die here, it’s all over…’

Turning his horse, Chel shouted for retreat and fled the scene.

Watching him go, Emma approached Iren.

“Good thing we arrived in time. Using the bow again was nerve-wracking, but everything went smoothly.”

“Commander Emma… thank you.”

“Not at all. We owe you thanks. Without your early interception of the ambush, we might’ve lost Falaharte Castle.”

Indeed, without Iren’s initial countermeasure, the situation could’ve turned disastrous.

“You’ve worked hard. Let’s tidy up the remaining forces.”

“Yes, understood. I’ll assist.”

“Don’t overexert yourself.”

With that, Iren joined Emma in organizing the disorganized remnants of the Brance Army.

The failed ambush on Falaharte Castle resulted in the Brance Army losing over 45,000 key troops—a devastating blow since their dominance over the Central Continent began.