Chapter 261

* * *

“HAAAAA!”

CHING!

“So, it seems a truly remarkable powerhouse has decided to grace us with their presence!”

Clashing swords at the vanguard—

Sad Astron, the commander of the Karelia Army.

And Lunarien Iniyan, the commander of the interception force and monarch of the Lunarien Army.

Without exchanging words, they clash weapons several times while riding their steeds.

Through this exchange of blows, Sad quickly came to understand:

Lunarien Iniyan… is strong!

‘At first, I thought she was just some reckless woman for rushing into battle as the ruler… but now!’

It became clear. For someone like Lunarien to stay cooped up in a command tent instead of being on the frontlines would be an utter waste!

Of course, this was the judgment of Sad, a warrior through and through. Normally, even a powerful ruler wouldn’t recklessly charge into battle—but regardless, clashing weapons with such a formidable opponent thrilled him deeply.

CHING!

The ruby-red eyes glaring fiercely at him made Sad shiver momentarily as he sighed.

But his trembling wasn’t out of fear—it was exhilaration! The thrill of encountering an overwhelming powerhouse, something only a true battle maniac could feel!

“You’ve been hiding your strength all this time? You must’ve been itching for a fight, eh?”

“……!”

Instead of responding to his taunts, Luna swiftly pressed her attack against Sad in silence.

‘…Guh!’

Sad began retreating—an unprecedented situation for him.

From the days before losing his eye, when he earned renown within the Karelia Army, until now—no one had ever pushed him back so decisively!

Not even Chel Brance, the legendary warrior he never faced during his prime.

“But…”

‘Looks like this might get dangerous…’

Though purely excited by the prospect of fighting such a strong opponent, Sad wasn’t entirely muscle-brained. Slowly backing away from Luna, he turned his horse toward the gaps between soldiers.

“Are you running away, Sad Astron?”

“Do what you want! I’m not sticking around to become kebab material!”

There was no way he could win against her like this.

Realizing that his skills were insufficient to suppress Lunarien, Sad immediately ended their 1-on-1 duel without hesitation.

While most warriors might have fallen into despair over failing against someone so young, Sad wasn’t the type to dwell on such things. He was practical—a man who seized tangible advantages when they presented themselves.

After all, victory in combat or war isn’t solely determined by winning individual duels, right? That’s something he’d learned countless times while leading mercenaries.

As reinforcements appeared on both sides…

Though rumors suggested our army wasn’t in too bad of a position, unexpected enemy appearances had lowered morale. Capturing an opposing general’s head would surely help restore it.

When the enemy ruler herself boldly stepped onto the battlefield, it seemed like an easy opportunity—but alas, failure.

Capturing the ruler would’ve been an unparalleled triumph; practically equivalent to winning the entire battle outright. But relying solely on capturing “the ruler” isn’t always the best strategy.

Now… it was time to deal with another general leading the interception forces—Tifa.

Finding her wasn’t difficult. She was loudly shouting, almost desperate to let everyone know exactly where she was.

Sad naturally joined the fray against her.

“Having fun beating up those weaklings, you uncouth woman?”

“So it’s you—I recognize your one-eyed face. You must be Sad Astron!”

“Ho ho. So you know me, do you?”

“Of course! Aren’t you that trash who failed to control Karelia properly, got kicked out, and now runs some pitiful mercenary outfit while indulging in self-pity?”

“Hah!”

Hearing Tifa’s words, Sad burst into loud laughter, clearly amused.

“Listen here, girl. That’s not how you provoke someone. If anything, your insults are too transparent!”

CHING!

“How adorable!”

Alright. This feels doable. Unlike the insurmountable wall I felt earlier when exchanging blows with Lunarien Iniyan, there’s none of that here.

This woman… I can beat her.

Her head will serve as a fine offering to boost our army’s morale.

“Shut up, you lowlife who crawled back to your lord after abandoning them!”

Smirking faintly, Sad responded with a grating metallic sound.

“Even if I was discarded, I still fight for my master better than you, girl! What about your own lord, Lunarien? If you were even slightly stronger than her, would she really need to risk her life on the front lines?”

“…!!”

In an instant, Tifa’s eyes widened dramatically.

Then, wielding her axe, she charged furiously at Sad with a menacing roar!

Their weapons clashed again…

With their faces mere inches apart, Tifa trembled and spoke through clenched teeth.

“You… what did you just say?”

“Did I say something wrong? If you were just a little stronger, your precious ruler wouldn’t have to throw her life away in battle, right? In fact, if Lunarien dies in this battle…”

CHING!

“It’ll all be YOUR fault, Tifa! YOU killed your own ruler! You murderous wretch!”

Throughout their intense battle, Tifa—who had been loudly dominating the battlefield—fell silent.

Stepping back slightly, she glared daggers at Sad as though trying to burn him alive before muttering darkly.

“You bastard… today, either you die or I do… and it’s going to be you, Sad!”

‘Hook, line, and sinker.’

Smirking slightly, Sad shouted back.

“Fine! Kill me if you can, Tifa!!!”

Once more, their weapons clashed.

* * *

How much time had passed?

Amidst the chaotic melee, soldiers couldn’t even approach the two engaged in an incredibly fierce 1-on-1 duel.

As time went on, the scales of this intense fight gradually tipped in favor of one side.

That person was…

“Surrender and accept your fate, foolish woman!”

Slowly but surely, Tifa was losing ground.

‘No… this can’t be happening!’

She was being pushed back.

She couldn’t win.

She’d known deep down for quite some time that she lacked the strength to overcome him.

Still, she had no choice but to keep fighting. If she fled, everything Sad said would come true.

What if, despite helping Lunarien as a general, she performed far worse than Lunarien herself on the battlefield?

Within the Lunarien Army, next to the ruler Lunarien, Tifa was considered the closest thing to a true warrior.

Although Francis and Charlotte existed, they were still inexperienced rookies unsuitable for commanding significant operations. At times like these, it was crucial for her to anchor the battlefield properly.

Could Lunarien’s decision to personally join the fight stem from her inability to do so?

“HAAAAA!”

‘Guh!’

Caught off guard by Sad’s strike, she nearly dropped her axe.

Managing to regain her footing and avoid losing her weapon, the brief pause gave Sad an opening.

“Gotcha!”

Such a gap wouldn’t escape the notice of Sad, a seasoned fighter accustomed to scanning battlefields.

Just as his sword pierced towards her chest…

‘No… this can’t be happening!’

Tifa instinctively realized her impending death.

For a fleeting moment, time seemed to slow down, signaling the end.

Am I dying here?

She’d long accepted the possibility of dying in battle. But now… just as the Lunarien banner had been raised atop the castle once more…

Before she could make any meaningful contributions…

She’d trained rigorously every day, waiting for her chance. Now that the rebellion had begun with this first battle…

Was she really going to die here without accomplishing anything?

‘I don’t want this…!’

Death didn’t scare her.

She simply wanted to leave behind some kind of legacy.

Anything would suffice. Whatever it took to lay the foundation for the Lunarien Army.

Tifa understood her current abilities marked her limits, and she accepted that as a woman of her age.

Francis and Charlotte possessed great talent. They would grow into exceptional generals, becoming shining swords for Lunarien.

Until then, she vowed to live and fight hard, earning glory for the cause…

And now…

‘I can’t die here…!’

In her final moments, countless faces flashed through her mind.

Her childhood friend and ruler, Lunarien.

Old Cain, who had been a remarkable person, and the children he brought along.

People she met and connected with while serving in the Karelia Army.

Swen, the strategist who performed miracles from afar, now distant.

And in her last breath…

Ironically, the face that surfaced was…

“Hey. Let me give you some friendly advice: if you don’t want to die, it’s best to quit while you’re ahead.”

“…Shut up… you dog-faced woman…”

“Excessive bravery isn’t courage, my friend. It’s unfortunate. Had you been on my side, I could’ve taught you so much more.”

The knight with fiery red hair who had extended mercy from atop her saddle—Irène.

She hadn’t yet repaid her debt to that woman…!

She couldn’t die without delivering a proper counterblow to Irène…

――Impossible!!!!!!!!!!

―――SNAP.

“Wha…?!”

Sad, who thought he’d secured victory, froze in confusion, his expression twisting.

What just happened?

The sword he swung at Tifa’s vital spot—was severed.

Not metaphorically. Literally. His blade shattered upon contact with her axe.

Stunned, Sad stared at Tifa.

‘Wh… what is…?!!’

A faint blue light emanated from Tifa’s axe.

It wasn’t just the axe.

She herself… was glowing.

Like a roaring azure flame.