Chapter 38

* * *

It had been a few days since the Kalintz Army set off to besiege the castle.

Of course, as expected, it was nothing but bad news that came our way.

“Is it true that our army is on the verge of defeat?”

“Yes. Currently, we have over 18,000 casualties, and we’re preparing for retreat through the 5,000 troops we’ve secured as a fallback force. Although Lord Kalintz hasn’t made a decision yet… I believe it’s likely we will retreat.”

“Hmm… I see. So it has come to this, huh.”

Park, who was in charge of the fortress, let out a short sigh. Even a common commander like Park thought it was obvious we were going to lose, and the price paid for such reckless action was devastating.

‘There are only about ten thousand troops left.’

At least Lady Iren managed to persuade them well and place five thousand soldiers at the rear to secure a safe retreat. That was fortunate amidst the misfortune.

We should abandon this fight as soon as possible and retreat, but hesitation to make a decisive move means…

‘Although our situation looks bleak, it seems they’re barely keeping up.’

Kalintz is an S-rank commander after all, and Lady Iren has the “Siege Warfare” specialty. They seem to be holding their ground somehow.

If they push just a little more, they might break through the gates. Once the gates are breached, there’s a chance for a reversal… Is that what they’re thinking?

It would be better to retreat now, but considering he sent a messenger instead of retreating immediately, it doesn’t seem likely.

“…I understand. We’ll prepare to receive wounded soldiers here too. I’d like to send reinforcements, but we only have about three thousand troops left… Sorry. Let me at least inform Kelshtain Castle.”

“Understood.”

After dismissing the messenger, Park sighed deeply and then looked at us gathered in the meeting room.

“I don’t know what to do next.”

“…”

Park sighed again.

Including Jack, Silin, myself, and three other commanders here, none of us said anything. All the decent commanders defending this fortress had already gone with Kalintz, leaving only C-rank commanders of mediocre ability.

There’s not much strategy we can come up with anyway.

At that moment,

Jack, who was standing next to me, cautiously raised his hand.

“Commander.”

“Speak.”

“Though I’ve felt uneasy from the start… There are too few troops in the fortress. If we get attacked, it could fall quickly. Shouldn’t we request reinforcements from Kelshtain Castle right away?”

That was something I had also considered.

The Serpina Army wouldn’t just sit idly by after we betrayed them. If they succeeded in capturing the castle, they might ignore fortresses like this one and focus on recapturing the lost Cherryen Castle. But that’s not the case now.

“Hmm… I don’t know if Lord Rasion will send reinforcements, but let’s ask him anyway.”

After that, unsurprisingly, no further opinions were offered, and we disbanded. We were hastily organizing the generals who would go for support. It was decided to send around three generals, including Jack, to welcome our retreating soldiers.

My sole concern was whether Iren survived.

Iren is an extremely strong general, and I had warned her beforehand that this battle was bound to be a loss, so she shouldn’t overexert herself. However, if she gets captured during these meaningless wars, it would be quite troublesome.

‘If she returns safely, I should suggest to Kalintz that we just retreat to Kelshtain.’

Continuing these precarious battles here is very dangerous. Now that Kalintz has suffered such a crushing defeat, he won’t insist on stubbornness anymore. Though arrogant, he’s fundamentally reasonable, so I hope he makes a calm and rational judgment this time. The lives lost due to his decisions and the potential achievements those soldiers could have accomplished far outweigh his pride.

While pondering these thoughts, several days passed as we waited for our army to retreat.

A soldier on guard atop the wall shouted loudly.

“There’s a flag in sight!”

Carrying the blue flag symbolizing the Brance Army, soldiers were rushing towards the fortress. Seeing quite a number of them still alive was certainly fortunate.

We rushed out with Park to greet them.

“We’ve heard the news, General Miguel. Did you retreat?”

In response to Park’s question, the man at the front—Miguel—replied.

“Yes… Fortunately, the enemy didn’t form a pursuit unit, so we managed to arrive safely. But… the fact remains that we were defeated.”

“It’s fine. You’ve returned alive, which is fortunate.”

At Park’s words, Miguel couldn’t say anything and simply bowed his head.

At that moment,

Including Park, we noticed a subtle change.

It was the absence of Kalintz, who should have been leading the vanguard.

“Where is General Kalintz…?”

“…”

Miguel remained silent for a while before speaking in a disheartened tone.

“General Kalintz… has become a prisoner of the Ian Army.”

“What?!”

He must have fought deep into the battlefield while commanding from the front lines, thus getting captured.

And then,

‘?’

Upon closer inspection, not only was Kalintz missing, but Iren’s figure wasn’t visible either.

‘Impossible…!’

Realizing my heart sinking, I quietly slipped away to check the rear, walking among the defeated soldiers entering the fortress to look for her.

No.

Kalintz’s capture meant nothing to me. He got himself caught due to his own foolishness; who could blame anyone else?

But Iren must not be captured. I need to increase her favorability so she can defect to the Lunarien Army. If she gets captured here…

No.

That’s not the reason.

Only then did I realize.

If it were merely about increasing her favorability, there wouldn’t be such an overwhelming anxiety causing my heart to race wildly.

There are plenty of excellent commanders besides her.

Even Tifa, who’s already deeply loyal to Lunarien, could awaken to magic and surpass Iren as an SS-rank commander.

I—

Was worried about her, period.

Not as an S-rank commander who would contribute to the Lunarien Army, but simply as Iren Julieat, the woman.

“Lady Iren…!”

Breathing heavily, I ran frantically everywhere.

How long did I wander through the crowd of soldiers?

Amidst the painful groans of injured soldiers, a familiar woman’s voice finally reached my ears.

“Just endure a little longer. We’ve arrived at the fortress.”

“!!!”

I turned toward the source of the voice.

Lady Iren, clad in her armor etched with her pride, was tending to the wounded soldiers.

“…”

Finally realizing how recklessly I had been running around, I let out a deep sigh.

Already low on stamina, I felt slightly dizzy from running around aimlessly.

She noticed my gaze while tending to the wounded and turned her head toward me.

“Swoen?”

“Lady Iren.”

I slowly approached her.

When I reached her, my legs gave out, but she caught me just in time.

“S-Swoen?! Are you alright?”

“Lady Iren… Thank goodness you’re safe. Truly, thank goodness.”

Damn it.

I felt tears welling up.

It reminded me of when I parted ways with Lunarien.

Am I really this sentimental?

Lady Iren, looking surprised, gently held me as I panted.

Then, with an incredibly compassionate smile, she

gently patted my back.

“Weren’t we supposed to make a promise? To return alive.”

“…”

It’s warm.

I could feel her body heat.

Without any of the titles—S-rank commander, siege warfare specialist, or a general under pressure from the monarch—I could sense the presence of Iren Julieat, a woman breathing and existing right here.

And,

that reality was a great comfort to me.

“…”

“G-Geez.”

“?”

“Um… Not that I mind, but how long do you plan to stay like this? It’s… a bit embarrassing.”

“Oh.”

Only then did I realize my face was resting against her chestplate.

Though protected by armor, it didn’t feel soft, but she seemed embarrassed nonetheless.

Once I moved away from her, she cleared her throat a few times before speaking.

“Hmph. Anyway… We managed to retreat safely because there was no pursuit force, but ultimately—”

“Lord Kalintz was captured, correct?”

“You’ve heard the news.”

“How did it happen?”

With a somber expression, Iren explained.

“As it stands. The soldiers from Cherryen Castle were far stronger than expected. There was no sign of declining morale or broken ranks. Of course, we inflicted significant damage, but naturally, our side suffered greater losses. Luckily, I managed to convince them to deploy five thousand troops to the rear, otherwise, the frontline soldiers would have been almost entirely wiped out.”

“So the casualties are…?”

“About twenty-eight thousand in total.”

That means the surviving forces, excluding the wounded, are roughly two thousand, aside from the five thousand stationed at the rear for retreat.

“A narrow defeat. If we had slightly more troops, we might have captured the castle.”

Iren smiled wryly as she said this.

She realized it too.

This battle ended up benefiting the Serpina Army in the end.

Hearing that, I looked around.

All I saw were soldiers groaning in agony.

This scene alone was truly hellish.

‘Devastating defeat.’

I was glad I had suggested not putting Iren at the forefront.

If I hadn’t, she might have been the one captured.

“In any case, it’s fortunate you returned safely. While tending to the wounded is important, you should report to Lord Park first.”

“Hm. Let’s do that.”

Just as we were about to turn and leave,

“…”

I stumbled and nearly fell due to exhaustion, but Iren caught me.

“Are you alright, Swoen?”

“Thanks to you, I’m alive. Thank you.”

This frail body is truly inconvenient.

Around that time, she blushed slightly and said,

“Um… If you don’t mind, I could… hold your hand… and help you walk.”

“My hand?”

“Not exactly… but, um… assisting you, I mean. Swoen, you look like it’s difficult for you to even walk right now. I… it’s fine if you hold my hand.”

Her attempt to hide her embarrassment with a cough seemed rather cute.

Let’s accept her kindness openly here.

“Then, I kindly ask for your assistance.”

“Hm.”

I took her extended hand.

It was warm.

I could feel the warmth I wanted to protect.