A mus with a saddle.
The beast, mainly favored by warriors who take on the role of light cavalry and scouts.
However, atop its saddle lay not the body but the severed head of its master—an unusual sight.
The red-streaked footprints trailing behind the lumbering creature marked the path of death, scattered like torn flesh.
That trail of death, the blood-soaked mud, was soon erased by the dragging bodies of humans over it.
The massive force based around Balder’s influence fell into shock upon seeing these approaching mus.
It was a scene reminiscent of an incomprehensibly horrifying fall from a horse, yet it was clear this was no natural tragedy.
Everyone present instantly understood what it meant.
Because several mus were dragging their masters’ headless bodies toward them.
The owners of those bodies were the reconnaissance troops that had departed from this encampment.
Reconnaissance troops that included warriors who had undergone monstrosification.
Warriors instructed to perform only brief reconnaissance and retreat before being discovered.
They were all dead.
The cause of death was glaringly obvious—a large hole where their hearts should have been.
When Aslan took in the gruesome scene, one of the warriors spoke up.
“It’s Leranda’s Knight… That monster did this.”
A warrior referred to as a “monster” by another warrior who had achieved monstrosification. ‘Leranda’s Knight’ was also known for numerous other feats and renown.
Stories of defeating dozens of cavalry alone, racing through forests at unbelievable speeds.
Capable of scaling valleys with ease, wielding a massive horn-like lance, they belonged to one of the greatest forces.
Extracting such information from the warriors’ murmurs, Aslan heard the trembling voice of a frightened warrior cry out.
“They’re coming to exterminate us! We’ll end up like that!”
The cry of terror, filled with the fear of an ordinary warrior who hadn’t attained monstrosification.
Standing beside him, another warrior smirked and said,
“Hah, are you scared? Then why don’t you just run to Leranda Valley and beg them to skewer you?”
As evident from his words, the Northern Empire forces didn’t seem too concerned.
Most of them didn’t truly believe an attack was imminent.
But Aslan thought the fearful warrior’s words might be correct.
After all, the system window floating before Aslan’s eyes provided proof.
And as seen from that system window, the enemy wasn’t just one knight of Leranda.
Not long after, the camp received many casualties—warriors either dead or severely injured.
They were the warriors sent out due to issues with rear supply lines.
Brave warriors of the Northern Empire, some of whom had undergone monstrosification, warriors not easily defeated.
Their bravery was rendered meaningless as they were brutally torn apart, making identification difficult.
“Kra, Kra… Krabrig’s monster is coming! It’s here to kill us!”
This was the last statement made by one of the surviving warriors before slashing their own throat in suicide.
Inevitably, a meeting had to be held within the encampment.
A newly erected giant tent replacing the old command tent.
In this massive tent capable of accommodating more than a dozen people, Aslan and Lumel mingled among the warriors.
Gathering around a table with a map placed in the center, they shared their observations.
The first to speak was a warrior with a wolf’s head, tapping the map with his index finger.
The point he tapped was Habrissg.
The capital of the Northern Empire, the most developed city, and the location of the imperial throne symbolizing the emperor.
Currently under the control of royal wizards.
And he said,
“We’re already stretched thin trying to hit Habrissg, and now we’ve got three threats at once! Not to mention, they’re actively annihilating us!”
Despite the coarse language of a blessed warrior unconnected to nobility, most of the other ‘blessed ones’ nodded in agreement with his sentiment if not his choice of words.
“That’s right. Last time, my men went out hunting and returned completely torn apart. We’re the ones being hunted.”
The calm tone of the speaker was met with nods of agreement from the warriors.
Watching this, Aslan realized that regardless of public opinion, these events were indeed happening.
He could also guess what lay behind them.
‘The mother who bore me must have commanded her priests. That’s why we’re being attacked simultaneously.’
Even without knowing if they were actual allies, it was evident from the simultaneous attacks.
Whether or not they were allies, the warriors believed they were coordinating an assault, leading to an eruption of complaints and emotions.
“What do we do? Preemptive strike? Counterattack? Or set up fortifications here for defense…?”
“Defense is a poor strategy! I’ve fought Leranda’s Knight before! I lost my right arm then, and it took two months to regenerate! And now I have this premonition that I might lose it again.”
Interrupting the rising voices was a warrior with an alligator tail, stroking his missing right arm while speaking and adding,
“I believe we must attack Leranda’s Knight first. Such a presence makes any fortifications or defenses meaningless! Like His Majesty Baulder, this one can leap over fortresses!”
“Honor doesn’t come from group attacks. I’m not comfortable with that.”
Cutting off the alligator-tailed warrior was a former knight known as Bloodied Axe, his face hidden beneath a helmet.
The helmet-clad warrior’s words prompted a slight retort from the lion-headed warrior known as Red Mane.
“The gods of War and Knowledge weren’t above collective assaults either.”
“…Forget history! If we must eliminate them through a joint attack, our first target must be Kra brig’s monster.”
At this, the focus shifted to the helmeted female warrior, who continued,
“Kra brig’s monster is truly monstrous. It devoured every village along the coast in less than half a day.”
“But dealing with Kra brig’s monster will cost us dearly. We don’t fully understand what it’s capable of!”
The ongoing debate. Amidst this chaos, one warrior growled, revealing his teeth, and said,
“Let’s stop this childish squabble about who’s stronger or weaker. Our real threat is the wizards of Habrissg. Don’t you know how troublesome they can be?”
An elder whose youth had been restored by the blessing, though appearing as a young man.
He brushed back his snow-white hair and pounded the map on the table with his knuckles.
“The dormant power of the royal family has awakened. If the royal wizards take action, even with our multitude of blessed warriors, we will fail. We’ll be overwhelmed in no time. Our priority must be Habrissg!”
“I don’t agree! No matter what the elder thinks…”
What followed was the opinions of the warriors.
Each had different priorities based on their own thoughts, causing the discussion to continue irresponsibly without resolution.
Amidst this chaotic clash of words, Aslan sat quietly, glancing around.
His emerald-green gaze landed on Lumel.
Lumel, who was gazing steadily at Aslan.
Their eyes met, and Lumel conveyed her intent through a subtle glance, which Aslan acknowledged with a nod.
Thud, thud!
“Silence!”
Lumel swiftly acted, striking her spear against the ground and shouting.
The warriors immediately silenced as if the commotion had never occurred.
As the quiet crowd turned to look at Lumel, she read their gazes.
Expectation, a hint of affection, and admiration.
Given that strength was the most valued attribute in the Northern Empire, intensified further by the influx of blessed individuals, such looks were natural.
Lumel was a formidable figure despite her delicate human form.
With her striking beauty and voluptuous figure, General Lumel was akin to an idol among the warriors.
‘There are no idols in Geladridion, though.’
While silence enveloped the tent, Aslan indulged in a fleeting thought, until Lumel gestured toward him with her chin and spoke.
“Advisor.”
The warriors’ attention shifted to Aslan.
This time, their gazes carried both fear and disdain.
Unlike Lumel, Aslan’s image wasn’t favorable.
Perhaps due to his reputation as a general killer, or maybe because of his close association with Lumel—it was hard to tell.
Nevertheless, Aslan faced the warriors’ stares and eventually spoke.
“The wizards of Habrissg pose a significant threat.”
After all, these warriors couldn’t ignore Aslan’s words.
“Their magic is potent. A legacy of the aggressive war magic from the ancient empire, naturally powerful. During large-scale engagements like this, their magic will prove devastating.”
As the elderly man, rejuvenated into youth, smiled faintly, Aslan avoided his smile and continued,
“…However, we cannot simply leave Leranda’s Knight and Kra brig’s monster unchecked.”
The elderly man frowned as Aslan resumed,
“Their powers, granted by priesthood, are extraordinary.”
Though their immense power stemmed from being priests.
Not ordinary priests, but named priests.
Though Aslan didn’t recognize these named priests, he didn’t doubt the accuracy of the system window’s titles.
If they weren’t named priests, the quest wouldn’t have appeared as “Exterminate the priests of the mother who bore me.”
The key point was this.
That they were priests of the mother who bore him.
Priests of the mother who bore him were typically quite strong.
While entities like the Devourer or the Supreme Divinity bestowed abilities based on individual qualities, the mother who bore him was more like a tree giving freely.
Though her divine power itself might equal or slightly surpass the Devourer, at the priest level, the mother who bore him held an advantage over the Devourer.
Thus, both Kra brig’s monster and Leranda’s Knight were likely formidable adversaries.
They couldn’t be ignored.
“Perhaps the threat posed by these two equals the might displayed by the wizards.”
“…So what exactly are you suggesting, advisor?”
A disgruntled warrior interjected. Aslan turned his gaze, causing the warrior to visibly tremble and barely manage to speak.
“If the wizards are dangerous and these others are dangerous too, what exactly are you proposing? Are you suggesting dividing our forces to confront them all? If so, we’ll all…”
“Die. I know. I haven’t finished speaking yet, so remain silent.”
Seemingly sensing the irritation of the general killer, the warrior shut his mouth, allowing Aslan to sigh and continue.
“Therefore, our forces will focus on Habrissg.”
“…Didn’t you just say that Kra brig’s monster and Leranda’s Knight are also dangerous?”
This time, the question came from the rejuvenated elder, arms crossed in dissatisfaction. Aslan nodded in agreement.
“Yes, I did. And I understand what you’re implying. You’re wondering why we’re ignoring them after labeling them as threats, right?”
The elder looked skeptically at Aslan, prompting him to meet the gaze and explain.
“They are formidable foes, led by powerful blessed individuals, commanding vast forces. Moreover, they’ve openly declared hostility. Sending troops there would be a mistake.”
“What exactly are you planning?”
The armored woman, known as Bloodied Axe, asked, her arms still crossed.
Aslan glanced at Lumel, who regarded him curiously, before responding.
“Habrissg is governed by the royal wizards, unrelated to Leranda’s Knight or Kra brig’s monster. Though they appear to surround and besiege us, they aren’t allies. They merely share a common view towards the great nation.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
Bloodied Axe posed another question. Aslan uncrossed his arms, leaned forward onto the table, and replied.
“Don’t you see? Both Kra brig’s monster and Leranda’s Knight act independently.”
Perplexed expressions spread across the warriors’ faces. Aslan elaborated.
“It would be far more efficient for them to join forces when attacking Habrissg or when the Habrissg wizards take action. But they don’t.”
Standing up, Aslan confidently nodded.
“Still don’t get it? It’s because they don’t want to be isolated after eliminating us. Thus, the likelihood of them being allies is slim.”
Realization dawned on the warriors’ faces as Aslan turned back to Lumel.
“So, here’s my plan. While General Lumel engages these two blessed beings through dialogue or duel…”
Aslan’s finger tapped the map, specifically the territories of the two major figures, drawing the warriors’ attention.
“…we crush Habrissg.”
Moving his finger to the location of Habrissg, the warriors’ gazes shifted back to Lumel.
One of the warriors voiced a hesitant query.
“General…?”
Lumel met the warriors’ questioning gazes.
Looking into their eyes, she locked eyes with Aslan.
His emerald gaze brimming with certainty.
Lumel nodded after meeting his gaze.
“Sitting idly and wasting away is worse, isn’t it?”
With a dignified air, she stood up and shouted.
“Warriors of the Empire, prepare for battle!”
The warriors responded passionately to their idol’s call.
*
After the meeting ended, Lumel was preparing her mus, loading it with supplies common for travel in the Northern Empire.
As she secured the last bag to the saddle, the mus remained calm, snorting gently. On its back sat Phey, swinging her legs leisurely.
Phey had been assigned by Aslan to accompany Lumel, reasoning that she couldn’t go alone.
“Are you done packing?”
“Not yet…”
“Hurry up, Phey’s bored!”
Though she sounded like a regular child, Lumel knew Phey possessed one of the strongest combat abilities within their group.
Sending someone as capable as Phey highlighted the importance of this mission.
The weight on Lumel’s shoulders felt heavier as she adjusted them.
She noticed someone approaching only after Phey, perched on the mus, exclaimed,
“Aslan!”
Bounding into Aslan’s arms, Phey clung tightly, pressing her cheeks and hair against his chest.
Despite her playful antics, Lumel approached with a troubled expression.
“Aslan. What brings you here?”
“I have something to pass on.”
Placing Phey down, Aslan briefly answered before retrieving something he’d kept hidden behind his back and handed it to her.
A familiar-looking longsword.
Its familiarity startled even Phey, who had been pretending to pout.
“Uh, could this be…?”
Taking the sword, Phey lightly gripped the hilt, recognizing the familiar weight and texture. It felt like a fusion of her previous twin swords.
Drawing the blade slightly from its scabbard revealed a reddish glow.
Just like her old twin swords, Dusk and Dawn.
Aslan observed her reaction and explained,
“Yeah, that’s right. It took some time, but I had the blacksmiths repair it.”
Though combined into a single longsword, Phey seemed unconcerned, breaking into a wide grin.
“…Thank you! I love you, Aslan!”
Embracing Aslan genuinely, Phey expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
Embarrassed, Aslan gave her a gentle pat on the back, while Lumel watched the interaction with a warm smile.
“You came to return the sword?”
“…No, I also have something to say to Lumel.”
Precisely, final instructions before departure.
Confused, Lumel tilted her head as Aslan rubbed his chin and continued,
“Both Kra brig’s monster and Leranda’s Knight are priests. Not ordinary ones, but priests excelling both as warriors and spiritualists.”
Blinking at the sudden statement, Lumel listened as Aslan adopted a serious tone.
“Before, I said people don’t collapse from fear or sorrow, but… if it gets too dangerous, run. That’s why I’m sending Phey with you.”
Phey perked up at hearing her name.
Though puzzled by the inclusion of someone as strong as Phey, Lumel nodded understandingly.
Aslan looked earnestly at Lumel.
“Crushing the threat of the priests and bringing the Northern Empire into the alliance is important, but… to me, Lumel and the other companions are more precious. Always prioritize your life.”
Maybe it was a trustworthy remark.
Lumel initially listened silently, blinking, before extending her hand to interrupt Aslan.
“I’m not a child. Having worked as a mercenary, I’ve learned well how to avoid perilous situations, so please don’t worry too much.”
Though spoken softly, her tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
Aslan sensed this unease while Lumel forced a smile to erase it.
“Still, I appreciate your concern. It feels good to have the man I like worrying about me. Your care gives me energy.”
There won’t be any need to worry.
As Lumel added this, Aslan looked at her with lingering unease before nodding and leaving.
Glancing back at Lumel several times on his way, Aslan finally watched her mount her mus and depart.
Watching her go, Aslan couldn’t shake off his anxiety.
Strangely, despite knowing he should be more worried about the situation here, watching Lumel leave filled him with dread, as if something was about to happen.
Of course, this unease didn’t last long.
By the time a day had passed since Lumel’s departure and the first snow fell over the encampment of the Northern Empire…
Half the regular soldiers had perished from exposure.
In other words, it signaled the arrival of Astrid of Lamentations.
