Chapter 594

That day was the last time I could rest properly.

—

After spending the night in the lord’s castle bedroom, we set off for the Berengeiria Wall as soon as morning broke. The knights must have already informed them of my arrival in Landenburg. It was clear that Marquis Ludwig would be eagerly waiting.

And so, we finally arrived at Berengeiria…

“Oh… this is on a whole different level from last time. The defenses are incredibly tight.”

Leonor muttered in admiration. As she said, Berengeiria had changed significantly from before.

The tall wall was densely packed with catapults and ballistae, and temporary structures had been built at regular intervals to attack below the wall. The number of troops guarding the wall had also increased three to four times compared to before.

It seemed the quality of the troops had somewhat declined, likely due to conscripting soldiers to fill the numbers, but since they were only meant to rain down one-sided attacks from above, it wasn’t a major drawback.

“That’s inevitable. This war won’t end with just a few thousand clashes. If Or-han himself takes the field… we have to prepare for something worse than nine years ago. Even with these defenses, we’re still far from ready.”

Nigel replied, looking up at the wall with a complicated expression. His face was a mix of pride as a Landenburg knight and concern about the war.

Well… my thoughts weren’t much different from hers. Even if the wall was fully equipped with standard defensive gear, it would only hold against ordinary enemies.

Even if it could somehow stop a Paladin, those above that level would see it as nothing more than a bothersome drizzle.

“Hmm…”

“Um… Lord Ha-shal-leur. Do you have a moment?”

While I was pondering how Ka`har would try to breach the wall, Ja-han approached me and spoke up.

“What is it? Do you have something to say?”

“Yes. It might be a redundant question, but… do you think now is the right time to face Ser Khan Or-han?”

He emphasized the name “Ha-shal-leur” oddly. He wasn’t asking me. He wanted an answer from Hersela, who resides within me.

It seemed Ja-han was deeply uneasy about attacking Or-han with our current forces.

Right. Knowing Or-han’s power well, Ja-han must feel like an egg yolk flying toward a rock. He probably wouldn’t feel at ease unless we had several times our current strength, both in quality and quantity.

Of course, given the Empire’s current situation, that’s nothing more than wishful thinking.

‘What do you think?’

[Well… I’m not sure if this is the best opportunity. But waiting doesn’t guarantee a better chance. No, it might even get worse.]

Hersela’s answer was simple yet reasonable. I relayed her words directly to Ja-han, adding that whether now is the right time or not, we have no choice but to fight.

“…I see.”

Perhaps having steeled his resolve, Ja-han’s eyes burned with determination as he replied. Though, with his thug-like face, it looked more menacing than reassuring.

—

“Welcome! I can’t remember how many months it’s been.”

In the barracks behind the wall, Marquis Ludwig, whom we reunited with in the central command room, looked a bit more haggard than before. Whether it was due to age, fatigue, or the burden of the upcoming battle, I couldn’t tell.

Maybe all three.

“I heard you’ve been through a lot, but seeing you in such good health makes me happy as your guardian.”

“You look pretty tired. Shouldn’t you rest a bit?”

I sat down on the sofa in the command room and pulled out a cigarette. Sitting on the sofa and pulling out a cigarette had become almost a habit by now.

“At my age, it’s inevitable. Once you pass fifty, your body isn’t what it used to be. I’m considering retiring from the frontlines after we get through this crisis.”

“If you retire, who’s going to guard the wall?”

“Officially, it would be you. You’re my successor, after all.”

Ludwig picked up a magical cigarette from the ashtray and pointed it at me. A wisp of smoke curled up like a flickering flame.

“Me? Sorry, but I’m a bit busy. I can’t stay cooped up here like you. At least not for the next few years.”

“Don’t worry about that. I have no intention of keeping the Empire’s Greatest Sword tied down in the east either.”

Ludwig chuckled and shrugged slightly, as if to say he was worrying over nothing.

“Originally, your talents lie in combat. Entrusting you with managing a territory or commanding troops would be like displaying a masterpiece sword in a showcase. I’ve already prepared people to handle those aspects for you.”

“Oh? That’s a relief.”

So, he meant that I should leave the lord’s duties to a proxy and go around swinging my sword like I do now.

‘He sounds just like Leopold. Do smart people have some kind of connection?’

[Anyone who’s met you in person would say the same. Just five minutes of conversation is enough to realize you’re the type to ruin a territory if left in charge.]

A scathing evaluation. While I do prefer hunting down enemies over managing a territory, it’s not because I can’t do it—it’s just not my interest.

‘I might surprise you if given the chance.’

[Ha, I’d bet all of Leopold’s remaining hair that the finances would collapse within three years.]

Hersela burst into laughter, mocking me. It was clear she had zero trust in my management skills.

‘…Why bet Leopold’s hair? He doesn’t have much left.’

[You always bet other people’s things when making bets, didn’t you?]

Did I?

Well, maybe. It’s better than losing my own stuff.

—

“So… you called me here as quickly as possible, but what’s the exact situation now?”

After exchanging light greetings, I got straight to the point.

Ludwig’s letter had included a brief outline of the operation, but it was better to ask for details directly. Things might have changed in the meantime.

“According to reports from the scouts who successfully returned, Ka`har warriors are currently scattered across the plains, recuperating. With the major war over, they must be returning to their homelands or military bases to prepare for the next conflict.”

[They’ve disbanded the main force, it seems. They can’t keep tens of thousands of troops stationed inside Ordos indefinitely.]

Hersela added her explanation. Unless they were preparing for an immediate war, keeping that many soldiers in Ordos would be a massive drain.

Ordos isn’t large enough to accommodate all those soldiers, and the resources they consume would empty the storerooms.

So, unless they’re planning a large-scale expedition, they scatter the warriors across the land to maintain order, herd livestock, hunt, and so on.

“That’s good for us. If they’re scattered, it should be easier than we thought.”

I smiled, recalling the operation plan Ludwig had sent me.

It was more of a rough draft with just the general flow and my role, but it was enough to understand the main objective.

“That depends on you and the other knights. While the enemy being dispersed is good news, it also increases the risk of being surrounded. There are pros and cons.”

“True… If we get stuck, we could be attacked from both sides and wiped out.”

The strategy Ludwig devised wasn’t about defeating Or-han. Quite the opposite.

Before Or-han could attack the Empire with his full force, the goal was to whittle down Ka`har’s strength by defeating them piece by piece.

“So, what do I do? Just follow what’s written in the letter?”

“That depends on what you can do. The last I knew of your abilities was from months ago. If you’ve improved since then, we need to account for that.”

Improved… I’ve improved quite a bit. It’s hard to summarize in just a few words.

“So…”

I briefly explained my new powers to Ludwig. The increase in strength, the Blessing of Invulnerability, the Power of Ruin, and the power of Up-hwa.

I didn’t go into the details or origins, just that “I can do these things now.”

“Hmm… So, you’re saying you’re immune to most weapons, can unleash invisible slashes with your sword, melt steel with flames, and crush anything you touch into dust with magic. Did I get that right?”

“Pretty much.”

“Well, I’ll be damned…”

Ludwig looked up at the ceiling in disbelief and puffed on his magical cigarette.

“…A greater monster than Or-han stands before me. You’re a living disaster. If I met you on the battlefield as an enemy, I’d draft a surrender document first.”

That was Ludwig’s way of high praise.

Probably.