Chapter 254

The Battle of Jeren Plains.

A clash between Leopold’s army of about 15,000 and a rebel force of 36,000 turned into what might have been an unprecedented bloodbath, ending in a conclusion no one could have predicted.

Leopold’s army suffered only 800 losses. These were mainly from cavalry clashes, where some fell from their horses or had the misfortune of facing knights.

On the other hand, the rebel forces, despite minimizing casualties, still suffered significant losses. 1,500 heavy cavalry and 300 knights ignored calls to surrender. Additionally, 1,700 infantrymen were turned into pincushions by their own side’s arrows.

The regular forces alone lost close to 3,500 men. The conscripted soldiers also suffered heavily, with about 3,000 trampled to death after stopping abruptly due to sudden flames. Another 1,000 died from heart failure caused by the so-called “Heavenly Horse’s Descent,” a technique meant to save rather than kill, but many couldn’t withstand it.

…It was unfortunate, but there was no other way.

[If their hearts stopped from such a weak display of energy, they would have died from illness or seizures within a few years anyway. So, think of this as just a slightly accelerated natural death.]

‘Is that supposed to be comforting…?’

Since consulting with Lacey, this woman has been oddly toxic… but her way of thinking is still somewhat abnormal, so there’s nothing to say.

—

Leopold’s army stayed at the Jeren Plains for two more days. Their schedule wasn’t that leisurely, but it was necessary to prepare for the next battle.

Managing the soldiers, cleaning up the battlefield, and controlling the prisoners—there was a mountain of work. Over 8,000 people died between both sides, and more than 20,000 were captured.

The priests participating in this “holy war” were running around busily without a moment to spare. They burned the bodies collected by the soldiers and purified the land tainted by thousands of deaths.

On top of that, they had to heal the wounded and manage the mental state of the captured conscripts. Even with ten bodies, it wouldn’t have been enough.

However, no one complained or showed signs of exhaustion. Instead, the priests were more eager and devoted than anyone else.

It was only natural. To them, this was undoubtedly a holy war—a sacred battle to exterminate the vile witch Isabella, who had displayed unspeakably horrific acts. With the Archbishop, backed by Elpinel’s divine light, and a transcendent warrior who seemed like the reincarnation of the Twelve Knights, morale couldn’t possibly be low.

The “Bug Witch.” Thanks to the gruesome images she provocatively displayed, that name became Isabella’s official title. My suggestion of “Rag Witch” was unfortunately rejected.

Apparently, it was deemed too vulgar for historical records.

Regardless, this made the war’s justification undeniable… Now, even those who opposed or remained neutral were considered sinners.

—

While others were busy with cleanup, I had no choice but to rest in my tent. There were no serious injuries, but once the tension eased, my body refused to move properly.

My body, overworked to the extreme, and the power of my abilities, consumed beyond limits, left my soul weakened. It was similar to what happened during the Capital’s Great Fire.

…At least there were no major injuries, so it was better than back then.

In the end, I was reduced to a frail, sickly girl, lying quietly on the bed—a sight I wanted to forget. Nigel and René stayed in my tent, guarding me.

…Though it seemed more like they were busy talking to each other than guarding me.

“So… how should I put it? A tingling sensation? No, more like a prickling? Something like licking, from my shoulders to my fingertips…”

René, who had grasped some clue about the power of abilities, was asking Nigel for advice.

“Perhaps you’ve already reached it without realizing. Try recalling that sensation in the tiniest detail and spread it throughout your body—”

Nigel was earnestly answering René’s questions, though he was holding a heavy dumbbell in one hand.

Even while I wasn’t paying attention, they were steadily growing stronger.

…Milia and Damien must be the same. I wonder how much they’ve progressed by now? To obtain the Holy Sword, they’d need to reach at least the level of a master.

—

Anyway, fortunately, my energy was recovering quickly, thanks to Lana and Lacey taking turns pouring healing spells on me.

“Are you okay, sis?”

“Yeah, no problem. If I rest well, I’ll get better soon.”

“Don’t push yourself and stay lying down. Even my miracles can’t fully restore the weakening of the soul, so what you need to do now is get plenty of rest.”

Lacey drew a cross while blessing my head.

‘Your Grace,’ huh. Ever since the battle ended, Lacey has been treating me with utmost respect.

It wasn’t a calculated move. Quite the opposite, actually.

Seeing my performance, she became convinced of the vague sense of destiny she had felt.

She believed that I was no less than the savior sent by Elpinel to this land, and that my meeting and collaborating with her was Elpinel’s way of affirming her beliefs.

She even went as far as appointing me, who couldn’t even emit a single strand of holy light, as an honorary knight.

I tried to refuse, but she insisted it was just an honorary title, so I accepted…

Turns out, the title she bestowed upon me wasn’t just any ordinary knight title, but the highest honor a knight could receive in the Empire’s archdiocese.

The Sword of Radiance.

A title that even surpassed that of Richard, the leader of Elpinel’s knight order. It was originally a term referring to the twelve knights.

…Well, it’s true that I’m stronger than Richard, but isn’t this title a bit too grandiose?

I do emit light during battles, but it’s more of a dark, reddish martial energy, far from the sacred radiance one might expect.

No matter how I think about it, it’s not a title that should be given to an honorary knight with no actual duties, especially one not affiliated with the church.

Yet, all the clergy who participated in the battle unanimously agreed with Lacey’s proposal to bestow this title upon me.

Anyway, thanks to that, I’m now referred to as the ‘Knight of Radiance’ by the clergy.

As for the non-clergy, the ordinary knights and soldiers, they call me something else.

—

“You’ve really been through a lot, Count Median! If it weren’t for you, who knows how much blood would have been shed. You’re truly the hero who saved the Empire!”

Not long after Lana and Lacey left to tend to others, Leopold himself came to my tent.

He immediately started praising me to the skies.

Well, I can’t blame him. Thanks to me, what was expected to be a fierce battle turned into a walk in the park.

The knights and soldiers who surrendered were persuaded to join our side, increasing Leopold’s total forces even beyond what they were before the battle.

Of course, we weren’t planning to use conscripts, so the increase was only about 4,000.

“Your praise is too much. It’s not just me; the other knights fought bravely too. I couldn’t have done it alone.”

I’m not just being modest; it’s the truth.

If the clash between the knights and the heavy cavalry hadn’t been resolved so quickly, I wouldn’t have had the chance to stop the conscripts and knock them out.

Instead, a chaotic battle would have ensued, with the conscripts joining the fray, leading to a massacre that wouldn’t stop until everyone was dead.

Heavenly Demon’s Descent… or should I really call it that?

Anyway, that power works on conscripts, but it’s not enough to knock out knights or elite soldiers.

Now that my rage has subsided, even if I tried to use it again, I wouldn’t be able to spread it as widely as before.

At best, I could knock out a few dozen.

“Modesty can turn into a joke if overdone. Who could belittle Count Median’s achievements? Single-handedly knocking out twenty thousand troops, even I, watching from afar, couldn’t help but recall legends from 800 years ago.”

Count.

Yes, my title had somehow become Count!

Though, for now, I’m a Count without any land.

While I was asleep, Leopold and the other nobles quickly decided on this.

Considering my achievements and strength, even a Marquis or Duke title wouldn’t be enough… but since I’m already designated as the heir to the Margrave of Landenburg, giving me a higher title would complicate the succession.

So, for now, they’ve made me a Count, with plans to elevate me to Duke once I inherit the Margrave’s position.

Wow, I’ve really moved up in the world, haven’t I?