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265. Engagement – Toridom

It took the Austin Kingdom Army two days to occupy the empty Toridom. I wondered if perhaps the fortress was under some magic, or if the enemy had a plan to trap us inside this fortress and surround us instead — I was worried, but the feared magic was absent, and there were no signs of the enemy to be found in the 30 miles around.

The Austin Kingdom Army cautiously entered Toridom. It was evident that the occupants had fled in a hurry. Only the necessary items had been taken, and broken wooden barrels were scattered around. The eerie emptiness of the fortress made the soldiers of the Austin Kingdom hold their tongues.

However, the next day, when the scouts returned after desperately searching for enemies, shouts of joy erupted.

“We’ve discovered the enemy’s main force! They’re fleeing in disarray without even properly forming ranks!”

“The enemy ran away?”

“What? Didn’t you hear?”

“They say they fled.”

The report to the prince and the Commander-in-Chief spread with excitement.

From the front to the back, and then further back.

Before the soldiers stationed on the tall battlements could even pass the word, the native warriors erupted in cheers. Woah! It was a cry that sensed the end of the nearly year-long war.

“We’ve won!! We’ve won!”

“Long live the Austin Kingdom! Long live the prince!”

Then the soldiers joined in. Forgetting their previous troubles, they cheered and embraced each other.

“Quiet! Quiet down!”

The commanders were not exempt as the lieutenants and captains broke away from control. Even the commanders of the higher ranks, including the Commander-in-Chief and the prince, shouted, but the flood of cheer showed no signs of stopping. Ultimately, the native warriors expressed their joy of victory in their own way through dance and song, and the quiet fortress of Toridom was swept into a frenzy.

The results were undeniable.

We occupied the fortress dedicated to Toddler Akiunen, the first king of humanity, and the impregnable castle situated along the cliffs of Astro Mountain. Even a soldier unaware of the battle situation could tell it was a significant achievement, and the cheer turned wild, and that wildness turned into celebration.

There wasn’t a drop of alcohol, however.

“…Make sure the soldiers don’t cause any trouble. Commander-in-Chief, please come in. Knight Commanders, please keep an eye on the knights to guard against any unexpected enemy attacks.”

Realizing he couldn’t control the soldiers’ cheers, the prince led the Commander-in-Chief inside.

The leaders of the Austin Kingdom Army couldn’t hide their astonishment at the enemy’s actions, holding meeting after meeting while the higher-ranking commanders ran around sweating bullets trying to control the soldiers.

But it wasn’t easy. Even Captain Lena was bouncing around excitedly.

“Hey! You guys are alive! It’s been a while!”

“Lena!”

They were warriors from the Ainar Tribe.

They gathered the discarded wooden barrels to start a campfire. The tribe members, who had been scattered, were now coming together to exchange greetings.

“Huh? What’s this? Lena, you’re a captain?”

“Of course! This body is a captain.”

“Wow – you received a reward from the prince during last year’s inspection for being on the invincible squad or whatever! Our Lena has risen high! Where’s Leo?”

“Leo is my squad member.” Lena looked around, but Leo was nowhere to be seen.

Did I rush in too hastily? Lena turned back the way she came.

She passed by the soldier weeping over the death of a friend who had enlisted with her and overheard the singing of native warriors adorned with crow tattoos. When she asked her squad members, they told her Leo had gone up on that wall over there.

Why did he go there?

Lena climbed the ridiculously high battlements. Is it not here? The structure, true to being a natural fortress, wasn’t simple, and Lena wandered from one staircase to another. She only managed to find Leo after checking five different platforms, leaping down from one because it was on a different height.

The platform, or wall yard as it was called, was quite spacious. Defensive weapons were sparsely set up, and at times there were stairways leading inside the walls.

Toridom was not merely a fortress built of walls; it had been constructed on the cliffs of Astro Mountain in a terraced manner, making its main structure solid as it stood on a rocky foundation that no magic could crumble.

Lena crossed the wall yard.

Leo was sitting on the parapet, gazing down at the vast expanse of the Asgard Plains below. His black hair fluttered in the wind.

“Leo, I’ve been searching for you for quite a while. What are you doing here?”

“…You’re here?”

Lena sat beside him on another parapet. A warm breeze lifted across the towering walls.

It’s beautiful.

The evening sun cast a glow over the snowy Asgard Plains. Aside from Astro Mountain standing tall on its own, there was nothing around, making the view quite spectacular. When she raised her hand, small villages could be seen clustered in the distance.

Had it not been wartime, it would have been even more beautiful. Shepherds would have been herding sheep, adding to the serene quiet of the plains, but sadly, there were burning villages sending up smoke as a reminder of the horrors of war.

For a while, wool prices across the continent would soar. Lena had an absurd thought about making money and turned her head back.

“What do you mean by just hanging out here.”

“…It just felt strange. It can’t really be over this easily…”

“What- huh?”

Lena said in disbelief.

“What was easy about this? We’ve been struggling against that place for months. Just look at how thin everyone is. Can you really say it was easy?”

Indeed. Leo opened his mouth to say something but then fell silent.

The enemy could have tormented us for several more months just by staying in this fortress. No, they might have even been able to push us back… When pondering over this, he averted his gaze.

“Leo.”

After watching the vast plains for a while, Lena spoke. She was no longer admiring the scenery. She was looking towards the future.

“When this war is over, let’s go to Barnau with Uncle Jensen.”

“You’re calling him uncle already?”

“What’s wrong with that? It seems the war will be over soon. I’ve talked to him a bit before you got out of jail. How about staying in the capital and participating in the knights’ entrance exam or the Maunin tournament? You didn’t forget the promise you made with me, did you?”

“…Of course not. I didn’t forget… I’m sorry for causing the delay.”

Leo took hold of her hand. Lena smiled brightly and jokingly replied.

“Just know this is the last time. Don’t keep delaying my wedding.”

“…Now that you mention it, I feel tempted to delay it a bit more. Ow ow. Just kidding, just kidding.”

Or was it really a joke? Lena pinched his cheek. Leo teared up at her sharp touch.

In the background, the joyful songs of soldiers and warriors could be heard.

*

But—

Lena’s expectations were beautifully off the mark. She barely escaped being judged guilty, but she thought it would be hard to become a knight this time. However, with the Austin Kingdom Army fleeing in panic, Leo’s performance was reassessed.

Count Hermann Forte’s death undoubtedly had a significant impact on the Belita Kingdom. Without that, they wouldn’t have fled like this.

The upper echelon of the Austin Kingdom was convinced that the enemy’s Commander-in-Chief had lost his position. Regardless of whether there was a party conflict or not, we succeeded in occupying Toridom, which had been our original goal.

The Asgard Plains would naturally be annexed into the Austin Kingdom’s territory, and we achieved the best results by killing the arrogant Swordmaster of the Belita Kingdom and reclaiming the homelands of King Maunin and Queen Letty.

Leo’s merit could not be overlooked. War has a way of creating heroes, and Prince Anolf de Klaus did not attempt to swallow or overshadow Leo’s achievements to become the hero himself.

He quietly called Leo over and offered a profound (depth of feeling) apology.

Prince Anolf de Klaus did not stop there.

He boldly publicized that Leo had stood against the Swordmaster, making it known to all the troops that he had even visited the prison.

When it was revealed that he and his fiancée, Lena Ainar, had lost their knight status and gone on to serve in white, Leo became a hero.

The voice of Prince Anolf de Klaus echoed through the Toridom, amplified by magic.

“I, Anolf de Klaus, deeply acknowledge my responsibility and declare that the surname of Noel Dexter’s son, Leo Dexter, shall be carried on for three generations. Though they have been treated unfairly, they have devoted themselves quietly to the kingdom. I want to immediately restore the knight status of Lena Ainar and Leo Dexter, but according to their wishes, I will carry out their wedding next week, simultaneously bestowing them with knighthood. Citizens of the Austin Kingdom! Well done. I promise that appropriate rewards will be given to all who have contributed, and the families of the fallen will receive the equivalent of 1,500 days of salary. Those who were injured fighting for the kingdom will receive 100 days of pay and land to ensure they do not suffer in life. Likewise, knights and sorcerers who have fought valiantly for the kingdom…”

Cheers erupted.

Unlike just two nights ago when chaos reigned and discipline had been lost, it was a roar of composure.

We won! And we survived.

The soldiers and warriors felt elated at the thought of returning to their hometowns and families after nearly a year away. Some warriors were joyfully anticipating the birth of their sons, while some soldiers were vowing to marry their promises of return.

As the soldiers’ recognition of contributions was busily going on, Leo and Lena Ainar received cheers and gratitude from every passing soldier. Many were even congratulating them in advance for their wedding.

The wedding of Lena and Leo was prepared by the surviving warriors of the Ainar Tribe. They wondered if they would hold the ceremony here as well as at Abrival Castle.

“Lena and Leo, we didn’t expect this from you! Such greed! Hahaha!”

The warriors burst into laughter.

Lena replied,

“Hey, shouldn’t I gather wedding gifts from the tribe? I haven’t even prepared any gifts.”

Responding shamelessly, she secretly winked at Leo.

“Actually, I do have a gift.”

“…I’m the only one at a loss here.”

Leo pretended to sulk and crossed his arms. Lena beamed, pulling out a blue necklace.

‘It’s a pretty necklace.’

It was a bound item Leo had gifted her, and it’s good for a bride and groom to prepare gifts for each other when getting married. This was to receive blessings from the officiating priest. Lena slipped her arm through Leo’s and said.

“You can give it to me when we get married at Abrival Castle.”

“Still, I’m the one losing out. I gave you that necklace, remember?”

“Hey—gift it, I said! And I also gave you a present.”

“…”

He did give her a leather strap.

Leo’s gaze subtly fell below. Before he could spot the worn-out leather strap from the war, Lena lifted his chin.

“Don’t act cheap, Leo Dexter.”

“I’m not being cheap, just noting it. I’d like to receive something too.”

“Receive what?”

Leo smiled brightly and leaned close to Lena’s face.

“If you kiss me, I’ll count it as received.”

“How sneaky. If I do that, then I’ll be completely at a loss.”

Lena kissed him on the lips. Yes. You’re completely at a loss. I’m getting that necklace for free.

The wedding of Lena and Leo came rushing in.

At the widest platform of Toridom.

In the place where the Asgard Plains stretched vast, the names of bride Lena Ainar and groom Leo Dexter were hung on the banner according to Ainar Tribe tradition.

All the soldiers of Toridom threw congratulations and cheers at Lena and Leo, who were steadily climbing the stairs, and Lena did not wear the delicate dress she had hoped for, but rather sturdy armor. Her long, light-yellow hair flowed over her silver armor.

The weather was excellent. Fluffy clouds drifting to the north occasionally covered the harsh sun.

At that moment, as they were climbing the stairs, a group suddenly cut in.

Warriors of the Ainar Tribe shouted,

“This man is a scoundrel taking away our tribe’s woman! How can a civilized person take a native girl with him?! Is this allowed?!”

The warriors below and above joined in with, “What a disgraceful scoundrel!”

It was something that happened every time they married Lena. No one had done it when she married Leo, who had lost his arm.

Leo shouted, “I apologize for being a civilized man!” and the warriors burst out laughing. The soldiers chuckled as well, enjoying the unique marriage ceremony of the natives. It was something that could only happen in the Austin Kingdom, where discrimination was both present and absent.

“You know it’s wrong! Okay! Pass!”

However, they were stopped several more times after that.

Some warriors asked how much he loved Lena and if he could make her happy, while others inquired about his family’s wealth.

When they demanded proof of their love with a kiss in front of everyone, Lena couldn’t hold back anymore and pushed the person asking off the stairs.

After that, no one dared to stop them. “What a fiery lady!” cheers erupted as they ascended the platform. There waited banners fluttering in the southern wind, the prince, Jensen Bailei, the Commander-in-Chief, generals, advisors, sorcerers, and knights, alongside the officiating priest awaiting the bride and groom.

Lena and Leo knelt humbly before the prince. Amidst the soldiers’ cheers and the reflected gleam of knights’ armor in the sunlight, Prince Anolf de Klaus declared.

“Do you swear to live as the loyal sword of the kingdom? Until the day the glory of the Klaus family ends, you will be a knight and a sword, so this oath shall not be broken.”

As he spoke, messages rolled down in front of Leo’s eyes.

[ Congratulations! ]

[ Lena’s dream has been fulfilled. ]

[ True Ending 1/2: Marry Lena! ]

“Congratulations.”

The prince said softly and stepped aside for the priest. Overwhelmed with emotion, Leo watched as Lena closed her eyes in happiness, her sturdy armor rising and falling. When they held hands, Lena lifted her gaze.

“Leo. What do I do? I… I really…”

“Ahem! Did I mention that while there are bad days in life, good days also come?”

You didn’t, you rascal.

Leo glared at the priest who interrupted this touching moment. But the crafty priest shot back with a grin, his bald head reflecting sunlight.

“The same goes for the opposite. Ha ha. Congratulations. You two, please stand before me. I will begin the marriage prayer. O giver, of all things…”

At that moment, the priest turned his head.

It wasn’t just him; all the people of Toridom turned to gaze southward where the wind was blowing from.

On the horizon of the Asgard Plains. Something was approaching from that end. People did not recognize the change due to the overwhelming presence.

The clouds vanished.

The sun was covered by a crimson moon, and a dark red hue sprinkled across the ground. The wind carried the scent of ‘animals’, and the black moss grew and covered the fortress, once dyed red.

It was ‘Doom’. Bestowing ‘fear’ upon death row inmates. Leo recognized what was coming at tremendous speed… No, who they were. Strolling and holding hands were

“Le, Lean? Reriana?”

The siblings Lean de Yeriel and Reriana de Yeriel.