The war had come to an end.
With the victory of the Astes Empire.
And the defeat of the Barbarian Nation, Pineon.
The Imperial Army and the Dawn Revolutionary Army, led by Imperial Second Seat Haigelt, were reclaiming the southern walls and were all heading back toward the main camp.
Leaving just enough troops to defend the walls.
Step by step.
“Cloney.”
At twenty-four years old, crimson-haired leader of the Dawn Revolutionary Army, Cassiela, approached the impressive mage, Cloney.
“I envy you, Cloney. Being part of the same party as Duke Yuma and traveling together all the time.”
The two had grown quite close in just half a day.
The common topic connecting them was undoubtedly Yuma.
Cloney wore a somewhat bitter smile for some reason.
“I don’t really know much about Duke Yuma, even though we’re together all day, every day. And… you said to be more humble, right? Sister.”
Upon hearing Cassiela’s age, Cloney immediately asked her to speak casually. However, Cassiela didn’t have any intention of dropping the formal speech so easily.
Cloney and Hestia. The fact that they were part of the God of War Yuma’s party made Cassiela feel like they were chosen ones.
Thus, Cassiela found Cloney’s complaint about not knowing Yuma to be a bit rich.
“Still, I’m really envious of just being around you. Doesn’t Yuma have any unique traits or anything?”
Cassiela’s question was answered not by Cloney but by Hestia’s voice.
“Yuma is strong!”
Hestia, the crimson-haired cat-folk swordsman, made Cassiela chuckle.
“That’s not surprising; it’s only natural.”
Hestia’s green eyes sparkled.
“That’s true! But it’s the overwhelming confidence of a strong man who always gives the enemy a chance to attack first…! That’s really impressive!”
Cassiela’s eyes widened with intrigue.
“Attack first… hasn’t Yuma ever let the enemy attack first?”
“Never!”
“Not even once?”
“Yep, not even once!”
Cassiela’s question was followed by Hestia’s unwavering answer.
Even the members of the Dawn Revolutionary Army marching behind Hestia showed their intrigue at this exchange.
And the Imperial Second Seat, Haigelt, alongside the Hollow Mercenaries walking beside them, shared the same look of astonishment.
Clank—! Clang!
Even for those trained with the Aura Technique, wearing heavy armor right after a fight was unavoidable. Despite the weight of their gear, the knights began to focus intently on Hestia’s voice.
To unconditionally let the enemy attack first?
This was something that could only astonish those who wield swords, spears, and the martial art of war.
It’s something that can only leave those who handle martial prowess in shock.
Revolutionary Leader Cassiela recalled the day she first met Commander Yuma.
The magic train of Halo heading towards the city of Arkan.
And then there was Hecate, her subordinate, who had eliminated the corrupt nobles leading the charge.
Though she cherished him, he had turned into a painful thorn in her side by establishing his own misguided sense of justice, which was not in line with the ideals of the Dawn Revolutionary Army.
And that Hecate met his end at Yuma’s hands.
Cassiela never once blamed Yuma for that. After all, it was clear that Hecate, who aimed to kill not just the corrupt nobles but anyone belonging to the noble class in the special room, was the real sinner.
And because of the conversation she had with Yuma afterward, she could even recall her own mother, who could be considered the first leader of the Dawn Revolutionary Army.
Now, they could correct the mistaken path they had been on.
‘Surely, even back then…’
Even when Yuma faced his subordinate, the Iron Mask Hecate, he never made the first move.
With the power he possessed, he could have taken Hecate’s life before he even raised his sword.
Hestia was in a very good mood. The cumbersome robe that covered her head to her bangs was nowhere to be found.
Having just made a significant contribution as a scout at the southern wall and getting discovered as a Cat-Folk, she could now comfortably let the cool breeze touch her cat ears.
Feeling incredibly good, the cat began to excitedly recount tales of Yuma’s heroics.
“Dragon—!! The steadfast warrior who grants the opportunity to strike first even to a Black Dragon bigger than a Great Wyrm. That’s Yuma. Not to mention that dragon’s breath! Calmly wielding a sword before the dragon’s breath! Just like that!”
At Hestia’s words, the exhausted members of the Revolutionary Army and the mercenaries, who had been silently listening, exploded into a commotion.
One young revolutionary, perhaps trembling with excitement, rubbed the back of his hand and said, “…Huh, that a dragon as big as a Great Wyrm seemed like an easy target?”
A seasoned middle-aged mercenary, emanating the scent of an experienced warrior, slowly shook his head.
“No, that’s not it. A warrior’s belief is to grant any existence one chance… and he held onto that even against a dragon. The perspective of the God of War who has reached the pinnacle of martial prowess… the weight of such beliefs is unfathomable.”
—Of course, Yuma had no such beliefs…!
He had to respond to attacks with a ‘counter,’ so naturally, he had no choice but to wait for the enemy to strike first!
But the misunderstandings of those unaware continued to grow.
“There’s no way commoners with ambiguous talents can understand the perspective of the great God of War.”
Forever and ever, it spiral out of control.
The scar above the brow of the Empire’s Second Seat, Haigelt, twitched. It was evidence that his pride was igniting within him.
The scar above Count Haigelt’s eyebrow twitched. It was a sign that his pride was igniting within him.
Haigelt cracked a smile that could stretch from ear to ear.
“I’m bound to lose, but there will definitely be a time when I will fight!”
Haigelt felt that he would never forget the calamity displayed by the one who stood at the peak of those three sword energies he had just witnessed.
Cassiela sighed inwardly.
She was planning to ask Grand General Yuma, her mother’s old friend, to accompany her. She intended to request that he take her under his command.
However, no matter how she thought about it, she didn’t believe her sword would be of any help against such a powerful being.
“There’s one unexpected aspect, though.”
Cassiela turned her head, her soft voice barely above a whisper.
It was Cloney.
While others built misunderstandings about Yuma, Cloney, reflecting on Yuma’s characteristics from a different angle,整理整頓 and spoke up.
“Despite having such power, you take good care of those around you.”
Cloney recalled the image of Yuma, who had unhesitatingly rescued the children trapped in the prison meant for the Black Dragon’s food storage in Count Rubelt’s territory.
She also remembered Yuma standing next to Kaisen, the eldest son of the Rubelt family, who had been in a position of weakness at the time.
“You don’t show it, but you always consider the position of the weak.”
Cassiela felt sincerity in Cloney’s words.
“And you don’t judge people easily.”
Yuma was the only person who didn’t care at all that his deceased mother was a ‘witch.’
“So, you mean he’s warmer than I expected?”
At Cassiela’s words, Cloney smiled sheepishly.
“Yes, it seems so.”
Cassiela recalled yesterday’s events.
“You worked hard.”
The touch that had patted her shoulder.
Indeed, that touch was quite warm.
*
Yuma returned to the Imperial Army Commander’s tent.
Just as he was about to relax and stretch out his body.
Swoosh—
Someone opened the tent door and entered.
It was Cassiela, the leader of the Dawn Revolutionary Army. She deeply bowed to Yuma.
“I am honored to meet you, Grand General Yuma.”
At the unexpected visitor’s arrival, Yuma straightened up from his slouch in the chair.
Yuma replied indifferently.
“The war is over. There’s no need to call me Grand General anymore.”
Cassiela suddenly knelt down.
Just like the very first time they had met yesterday.
Yuma gazed at kneeling Cassiela with a face that showed signs of boredom.
‘What’s she doing now?’
“What’s wrong with you again?”
Of course, I was quite flustered internally.
I had knelt for two consecutive days.
Cassiela raised her right knee from her kneeling position and attempted a display of loyalty.
“Please appoint me as Duke Yuma’s sword.”
Yuma straightened up.
Then he bent his knee, looking at Cassiela.
He used [Search Eye] on Cassiela.
[Lv.84] Cassiela
Race: Human
Alignment: Good
Class: Swordsman
Level: Sword Expert Advanced
Certainly, she had considerable combat power.
There wouldn’t be any loss in bringing her along. However, Yuma had no intention of taking Cassiela with him.
‘Having more people doesn’t bring much benefit.’
If Cassiela followed, even her faction, the Dawn Revolutionary Army, would want to come under Yuma. That would be akin to confessing to First Prince Schwarze that he had other business with the Barbarian Nation of Pineon, aside from this war.
Of course, if Yuma told Cassiela that he was uncomfortable with the revolutionary group members following her, it was obvious she would immediately say she would only follow him.
‘It would be better to send her to Princess Brigitte.’
Princess Brigitte would need another sword, not just her direct guards. Not to mention, the Dawn Revolutionary Army itself would be a considerable help as troops.
Yuma gestured with his chin at Cassiela.
“Stand up, Cassiela.”
“Yes.”
Cassiela raised her previously knelt knee again. Only then did Yuma gaze fully into Cassiela’s eyes.
“Go to the capital. Become the sword of First Princess Brigitte. That’s the same as becoming my sword.”
Cassiela’s brown eyes trembled violently.
“…Am I someone who cannot be of help to you, Duke Yuma?”
Yuma shook his head slowly.
“You don’t have to stand by my side to be of help. The First Princess needs someone she can trust by her side. A being I can trust without any doubt.”
This was the truth.
“I trust you.”
Yuma looked at Cassiela with his blue eyes.
“I trust you, the daughter of my dear friend. I trust you who have walked this treacherous path alone.”
Cassiela could only comply.
She felt the sincerity in Yuma’s words.
“…Understood. Duke Yuma. I will surely protect Her Highness the Princess. Together with the Dawn Revolutionary Army.”
“Thank you.”
After patting Cassiela’s shoulder, Yuma stepped outside the tent.
Cassiela stood there, staring at the ceiling of the tent.
‘Jealous, so jealous.’
Though she understood rationally that Yuma made a sensible choice, she couldn’t help but feel envious of Cloney and Hestia.
