Shaaak… shaaak…
I poured liquor over Adam Hyung’s grave.
Dressed in full armor with my sword strapped at my waist, I offered the drink to him.
Whatever the outco, this would be my final battle.
Win or lose, it didn’t matter.
But instead of dread, I felt anticipation welling up inside .
At long last, the chance to face Krund, the one who took Adam Hyung’s life, had co.
Maybe this sense of relief ca from finally being able to unleash that pent-up fury.
Though, when I thought about Sien, Ner, and Arwin, I knew I shouldn’t feel so unburdened. Yet, I couldn’t lie about how I truly felt.
Honestly, this suited better than sitting down and agonizing over everything.
Using my body felt right.
I recalled the ti Gale had compared to a sharpened blade, ready to cut.
Perhaps he wasn’t wrong.
A life as a tool, simple and straightforward, was easier.
A life of manual toil, unburdened by complex thoughts, was manageable.
I realized then why I hadn’t been able to inscribe Adam Hyung’s epitaph all this ti.
It wasn’t just because I couldn’t let him go yet.
Maybe… maybe it was because of Krund.
Only by exacting revenge on the Demon King’s right hand could I finally let Adam Hyung rest.
‘Adam, lies here.’
The short, incomplete epitaph stared back at .
“…I’ll co back and finish it.”
I said to him.
Then, after one final pour of liquor, I made a request.
“…Watch over .”
I turned away.
Leaving the graveyard where my comrades rested, I walked toward the battlefield.
“Captain! Hurry up!”
From afar, Shawn called out to .
Outside the graveyard, countless comrades were already waiting.
The path I walked was lined with villagers and refugees who had sought shelter in the territory.
The other races still seed unable to fully understand my decision.
But they didn’t gaze at us with contempt or confusion either.
Instead, there was a blend of reverence and admiration in their eyes.
Perhaps, in this mont, the perception of humans could change.
The fact that we didn’t run when others fled might rewrite the narrative.
Of course, that wasn’t sothing I could control.
Gale stood nearby, his equipnt ready for the first ti in a long while.
“Let’s move, Berg. It’s ti to head out.”
“… …”
His promise to stand by my side no matter what choice I made wasn’t an empty one.
Even without being asked, he naturally stood in his place.
Despite his endless suggestions for to flee, here he was.
I knew Gale didn’t want this fight.
So I spoke to him.
“Gale. Get off your horse.”
“…What?”
“Don’t follow . Stay here and protect Stockpin.”
“Berg, I—”
“—You promised .”
I reminded him.
“… …”
Gale blinked, as if recalling our promise.
I had asked him to protect my people if anything happened to .
I wasn’t heading into this battle expecting to survive.
I was fully aware of the possibility of my death.
“If we both perish… what happens to the ones left behind?”
“…”
Gale froze for a mont before letting out a deep sigh.
He shook his head and said,
“This is my fight too, Berg.”
“...But Stockpin—”
“—I want to avenge Adam as well. I haven’t been able to sleep since that nightmare.”
“…”
“You’ve promised your wives that you’ll survive and return, haven’t you?”
His words left speechless.
“So, I promise you this—I will survive no matter what. Let’s go together.”
“…”
Faced with Gale’s resolute expression, I finally offered a light-hearted remark.
“The stubbornness of the dragonian truly knows no bounds.”
Gale laughed heartily.
“Look who’s talking.”
I brushed my horse’s mane and took hold of the reins.
“…It’s been a while.”
I whispered softly to the horse.
With a firm grip, I mounted the saddle and took a mont to survey my territory.
Countless eyes gazed up at , eyes filled with hope and trust.
These were the people I had to protect.
Then, soone shouted.
“Co back alive!!”
It was a cry from one of my comrades.
That single shout sparked an outpouring of cheers and encouragent.
“Keep your promise when you return!”
“Don’t lose the charm I gave you, you hear?”
“Daddy!! You have to co back!!”
Thud-thud-thud!
Suddenly, soone darted out from the crowd and grabbed my leg.
It was Arwin.
Her eyes were red from crying too much, but at that mont, she forced herself not to shed tears, looking up at with a determined face.
“…Don’t make regret this,” she said.
“I was the one who urged you to go, so… please, co back.”
I nodded at her and replied,
“Don’t worry.”
“…”
“I’ll finish everything and co back.”
Arwin closed her eyes tightly for a mont before pulling sothing out from the small pouch tied to her waist.
“…”
It was a familiar necklace.
The World Tree leaf pendants we had crafted for each other when we got married.
The one with Arwin’s World Tree leaf reappeared in her hands.
The necklace I had removed after our divorce was now being offered to .
“…Will you carry this with you?”
“…”
I smiled at Arwin.
Taking the necklace from her, I placed it around my neck.
Only then did she nod and release her grip on .
“…I’ll be back,” I said, my voice steady but quiet.
Arwin nodded in response.
I turned to Baran and gave him a nod. He lifted the horn to his lips and blew it once more.
“...Let’s go!”
With my sharp command, the troops spurred their horses forward.
We began our march toward the direction where Krund awaited.
.
.
.
As I rode, an unusual calm settled over , sinking deep into my chest.
The sound of the wind brushing past my ears and the rhythmic clatter of hooves on the ground faded, becoming almost imperceptible.
Galloping across the vast plains, mories from the past resurfaced.
Brilliant monts from battles where we had taken down powerful bosses returned to , vivid and vibrant.
It felt as though the comrades who had left us were still by my side, resting on my shoulders.
What began as a way to grow our rcenary band and ensure full stomachs had evolved into sothing far greater—a group with a purpose beyond re survival.
Now, it felt as though even this war was intertwined with our destiny.
I never imagined I’d have such thoughts.
Perhaps this battle was the final piece of our journey, the last button to fasten.
Maybe we wouldn’t find peace or a comfortable life unless we defeated Krund.
As I rode on, I noticed nurous mbers of other races heading in the opposite direction.
Scattered across the plains, refugees trudged away, their movents painting a stark contrast to our charge.
They stared at us in bewildernt, as though we were sothing incomprehensible.
So of them even waved their hands, perhaps in an attempt to dissuade us.
“They must think we’ve lost our minds!” Gale shouted as he rode alongside .
“They believe running away is the only rational choice! We can’t even expect their help!”
Smiling at his words, I yelled back,
“Then why don’t you turn back yourself?”
Gale chuckled at my response, his laughter deep and genuine.
“No… I can’t do that. This isn’t a choice I’d ever co to on my own… but sohow, I like it. Isn’t it worth experiencing sothing like this at least once?”
As I glanced around, I noticed many of our comrades smiling too.
It seed they shared the sa sentint—a mixture of defiance and a strange sense of exhilaration.
Gale’s words had lifted their spirits, and for that, I was grateful.
I turned my gaze forward again.
And so, we kept riding, the sound of hooves pounding against the earth as we charged ahead toward our fate.
.
.
.
.
After riding all day, we stopped to set up camp and prepare to rest.
Krund was sowhere within a ten-day distance.
Exactly how close they were, we couldn’t say for sure.
Given that we were moving toward each other and the ten-day estimate might not be precise, it was entirely possible we could et as soon as tomorrow.
For now, though, we needed rest—and as much as rest, we needed strategy.
After sending out so mbers on reconnaissance, Baran, Gale, and I began crafting a plan.
Our previous battle provided a foundation for our strategy this ti.
“We can only hope Krund has sustained so damage,” Gale began. “Given the chaos and shock they aim to cause, they’re likely advancing at an insane pace. They’re not trying to win a war—they’re out for revenge.”
“Do you think Krund is looking for a place to die?” Baran asked.
“It feels that way. If they weren’t charging in our direction, we wouldn’t have to take this risk. They’d have self-destructed on their own,” Gale replied with a sigh.
“...Either way, that would be the best-case scenario for us. Ah, and I’ve heard the monsters surrounding Krund aren’t particularly dangerous. Apparently, the only real threat is Krund himself.”
Baran nodded at Gale’s words.
“Wasn’t it the sa last ti? Krund was the threat, not the other monsters.”
I chid in, “Well, that makes it easier for us.”
“You shouldn’t think of it so lightly,” Gale countered. “Even with those circumstances, Krund has managed to annihilate countless noble families. We need to be more cautious than ever. Also…”
Gale continued, but I found myself oddly detached.
The situation felt unusually clear to .
Ever since hearing that Krund was the sole threat, my resolve had only grown stronger.
Was hunting Krund truly my destiny?
I couldn’t shake the feeling that so strange force was pulling us toward each other.
Thud.
Gale’s hand landed firmly on my shoulder.
“...Berg, are you listening?”
“Yes?”
Lost in my thoughts, I’d missed most of what Gale had been saying.
He frowned slightly but pressed on.
“...Focus. We’re discussing strategy. As I was saying, a war of attrition seems to be our best bet. It’s the sa strategy we used two years ago when we took down the other intelligent demons. First, Baran will—”
“—Gale,” I interrupted with a sigh.
Both Gale and Baran turned their attention to .
“...”
After a mont of silence, I voiced the thought that had been circling in my mind.
“...Just clear a path for .”
“...What?”
“Clear a path. I’ll handle Krund.”
“...”
Gale stared at , dumbfounded, as though my single statent had unraveled all the complexity of his thoughts.
He slowly shook his head, trying to comprehend.
“...Berg, the more detailed the strategy, the better—”
“—Didn’t you just say that Krund is the strongest among them?”
“...”
“If I can’t defeat Krund, then we have no chance of victory anyway.”
“...This is about reducing the burden—”
“Burden has always been mine to bear,” I said, thinking of my comrades.
In the end, this was the plan I felt most at ease with.
After all, our strategies had always been like this.
I had no intention of changing that approach now.
“If Adam Hyung were still here, maybe it would be different. But he’s gone now, and I’m the captain… so I think we should go with my decision.”
“… …”
“Sotis the simplest strategy is the most effective. It’s been a while since we’ve faced a battle like this. The more detailed our plans, the more likely we’ll falter. Real combat is always unpredictable.”
I flicked my fingers against the hilt of my sword, then looked at Baran and Gale.
“…Let’s finish this fight our way.”
Baran gave a quiet nod.
“…Gale-nim, I also prefer this approach.”
“… …”
“Captain, I will always stand by you. Let’s face Krund like we used to handle our toughest foes—with the Head Hunter unit taking the fight head-on.”
Gale, seemingly conflicted, looked up at . Gradually, the doubt in his eyes gave way to trust.
Baran, too, shared that sa steadfast gaze.
Finally, Gale let out a sigh.
After blinking a few tis as if picturing the scenario in his head, he relented.
“…Alright. If both of you feel that way… then let’s do it.”
****
anwhile, King Rex Draigo stood in his capital, gazing down at the gathering noble houses.
So were fleeing Krund, while others reluctantly sent troops at his command.
The one common thread was clear—none of them welcod the fight.
Perhaps this was because everyone expected Krund’s assault to ultimately fail.
Their unwillingness to dirty their hands with bloodshed was palpable, reaching even the king’s chamber.
Watching the crowd, King Draigo turned to his advisor, Gendry.
“What about Acran?”
The king was still searching for Acran, the warrior and forr companion of the Hero.
Having vanished without a trace, Acran remained unaccounted for.
Gendry, standing silently behind the king, answered,
“…We have not found him yet.”
The king’s worry deepened.
Of the five chosen warriors, three were unable to join the fight.
And one of the remaining two wasn’t even certain to be a warrior at all.
Felix, chosen by the God of Courage, had lost his right arm and couldn’t fight.
Acran, chosen by the God of War, had disappeared.
The Saintess, blessed by the God of Purity, had lost her powers.
Berg, thought to be chosen by the God of Solitude, wasn’t even confird to be a warrior.
That left only Sylphrien, chosen by the God of Harmony—but Sylphrien had always been a supporter, not a fighter.
“…”
For the first ti, a war was being fought without a single confird warrior.
Naturally, this filled the king with fear.
The extre possibility of losing everything in this war crossed his mind.
It was unlikely, but such fears couldn’t be dismissed outright.
“…Hah.”
The king sighed deeply, only to be interrupted by a loud knock at the door.
“Your Majesty!!”
Exchanging glances with Gendry, the king nodded for the door to be opened.
The captain of the Draigo Knights rushed in, his appearance suggesting urgent news.
It was undoubtedly about Krund.
The king silently hoped it wasn’t bad news.
“Calm yourself and speak,” he ordered.
The knight, still catching his breath, delivered his report slowly.
“...Lord Berg Reiker… has led his troops to hunt down Krund.”
****
Two days later, we saw the scouts waving flags as they approached.
I raised my hand, signaling the rcenaries to halt.
The scouts galloped toward us across the vast plains, their horses kicking up dust in their wake.
“Hah… hah…”
Like , every mber had their eyes fixed on the flag.
A crimson banner.
That flag could only an one thing.
They had found Krund.
– – – The End of The Chapter – – –
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