Chapter 70 : Chapter 70

Chapter 70: Encirclement (2)

In a forest near Easton.

A man crouched by a stream, washing his face.

His hands, roughly scrubbing up and down, were coarse and rugged.

He was Callence, the eldest son of the Duke of Conwell and the Archduke.

“Phew, cold, cold.”

Rubbing his nape, he splashed water onto his bare torso.

His large, sturdy frame was densely marked with scars.

“My lord.”

A lightly armed soldier approached and knelt on one knee.

The soldiers standing rigidly with their backs to Callence shifted a step to either side.

Like a curtain parting, Callence’s back came into the soldier’s view.

“Bihen Benkou has shown no significant movements yet.”

Only then did Callence slowly rise.

Without shaking off the water, he gargled a mouthful, rinsing his mouth.

“Is that so?”

Spitting out the water, he responded indifferently.

As he spread his arms, waiting attendants cautiously draped a robe over him.

“No significant movements, huh.”

The long scar running below the corner of his mouth twitched.

It was a subtle distortion, somewhere between a sneer and contempt.

“What do you all think? Bihen Benkou hasn’t budged an inch so far.”

Before him, heavily armored soldiers stood in formation.

No warmth or breath escaped the gaps in their armor.

Only the dim moonlight flowed coldly over the chilled metal surfaces.

“There’s been no report of troop mobilization. It’s likely we haven’t fully grasped the situation.”

“Does that mean it’s true they showed up with just the two of them? That’s some guts. Even if Ness is a filthy worm, taking on Zephyros all at once? Even I’d find that tough.”

“Right! Kana wouldn’t find it easy! But Iroen would!”

Voices came sporadically from scattered positions, each with a distinct tone.

Callence stroked his chin.

“I had my doubts, but to think he’d actually crawl into the lion’s jaws just to save some guard captain. Utterly absurd.”

Callence muttered to himself.

“His strategy so far hasn’t been bad. He’s been waging small-scale skirmishes in our rear, where our focus was on the Litania Order. Bold and agile moves.”

Callence casually sat on a nearby boulder, resting an arm on one raised knee.

An attendant approached again, handing him a wooden mug filled with ale.

Draining the mug in one gulp, Callence let out a hearty belch.

“After stirring up chaos with his disruptions, now he brazenly reveals himself and sits comfortably holed up? What do you all think? It’s clear Bihen Benkou is scheming something.”

“My lord, aren’t you overestimating Bihen Benkou?”

The voice was as heavy as the speaker’s burly frame.

The man approached unceremoniously and sat facing Callence, like two massive stones staring at each other.

“Draven. Didn’t you advise me that even a slight breeze could tip the tides of war? And now you call it my overthinking?”

“Bihen Benkou’s antics in our rear were because he had no other options. If he truly meant to divert our attention, he’d have seized the administrative offices in the capital (Conwell City) or shown signs of raising an army.”

“Hm.”

“We’ve closely monitored Bihen Benkou’s movements, haven’t we? He only rescued his comrade while heading south to join the Young Lady. He’s not someone acting with calculated schemes.”

“So you’re saying I’ve overanalyzed the outcomes so far.”

“Yes and now, we’ve perfectly struck at his vulnerability.”

Near where the two sat, the canopy of a towering old tree swayed heavily.

Someone lightly leaped down and approached with graceful steps.

“His loyalty is admirable. Quite charming. You said the goal is to capture him alive, right? No matter how I look at it, I’m the only one here who could take on Bihen Benkou one-on-one. I’ll handle the front.”

Crimson hair swayed elegantly below a refined jawline.

Long, lean limbs carried a sleek, unadorned grace.

Another voice followed immediately, right behind the woman who had stepped between Callence and Draven.

“Kana can’t do it! Iroen will! A direct confrontation!”

The pointed tip of a conical hat barely reached the woman’s waist.

Her flamboyant attire matched her lively, bouncing tone.

Watching the two, Callence drew a faint smile.

“He’s not to be taken lightly. The forces loyal to Adel praise him as a swordsman carrying on Eugene’s swordsmanship. We can’t tolerate his insolence any longer. I’m preparing for an all-out assault.”

“All the more reason I should take the lead. Even if we just match him blow for blow, those hollow delusions will crumble quickly.”

“He cuts through magic, they say! Outrageous. It’s an insult to Iroen, the Great Mage of Conwell!”

The two women bickered, facing off nose-to-nose.

Their standoff showed no signs of ending.

Callence intervened with a single word.

“Yeats.”

His tone was relaxed, directed over Draven’s shoulder.

A sharp reply came from among the lined-up soldiers.

“Yes, my lord!”

Yeats knelt beside Draven, her index and middle fingers, clad in leather gloves, resting stiffly on the upright scabbard.

Callence briefly eyed her unnaturally rigid hand before speaking.

“I want to hear your thoughts. You’re the only one among us who’s met him face-to-face, aren’t you?”

“Ah…”

“Speak before everyone. What kind of man is Bihen Benkou?”

Yeats quickly bowed, showing the crown of her head.

“Despite my humble efforts to convey my lord’s will, he rejected it outright, showing extreme arrogance and judging by his reckless execution of a plan that would’ve failed without Eugene’s intervention, I found him impulsive and foolish.”

Her eyes, hidden by her bangs, briefly darted toward Draven.

“I share Sir Draven’s view. His recklessness, stubbornness, and a stroke of luck have left him intoxicated by his meager talents, careless and unprepared. Now is the perfect time to seize him by the throat.”

Callence gave a satisfied smile and stood.

His closest four aides, along with all his subordinates, straightened their backs in unison.

“I’ll give you a chance for retribution, Yeats.”

“Th-thank you, my lord…!”

“Advance ahead of the main force. Draven, Kana, and Iroen will support Yeats.”

Draven immediately nodded.

Kana and Iroen, who had been squabbling moments before, were no different.

It was a solemn command.

“When I arrive in Easton… Bihen Benkou must be groveling at my feet.”

* * *

“How… how is the Archduke here…? Just a short while ago, he was stationed in Litania…”

Ramba muttered in disbelief.

Marian responded promptly.

“According to our intelligence, the Archduke has long considered the Sword Fiend Bihen Benkou the sole variable in this civil war. While concentrating forces in Litania, he was, in truth, closely monitoring rear movements. While tracking Bihen Benkou’s actions, he likely identified a connection with the Easton Guard Captain and redeployed part of his army to coincide with the execution’s timing.”

Her words flowed like a clear stream.

Before anyone could question further, a thunderous roar erupted from behind.

It was Bolero, his face and scalp flushed red.

“You cunning wench, running your mouth! Are you saying the Litania Order’s magic formation was breached? There’s no way the Archduke would move otherwise!”

“The Litania Order’s spell formation is nigh impregnable, but once trapped within, it’s only a matter of time. The Young Lady’s forces can barely sustain a war of attrition, and the Archduke had ample justification to eliminate the threat beforehand.”

I narrowed my eyes.

Why, in a situation like this, was I fixating on something trivial?

Bolero said ‘magic formation,’ but Marian said ‘spell formation.’

Spell formation.

A term derived from shamanism.

Not a word that would naturally roll off the tongue of someone outside the Empire.

“Marian, who are you?”

“I told you, I’m a tactical adjutant of Zephyros.”

“I know that. But why is a Zephyros adjutant reporting strategic details to me, someone aligned with the Young Lady? You could’ve just ignored me.”

Suddenly, the group’s breathing seemed to stop, the air growing still.

I felt eyes belatedly turning toward Marian.

“You asked who Zephyros’s leader is, didn’t you? I hope this answers your question.”

“Don’t dodge the question. Where’s that silver tongue of yours now?”

“I’ll help you escape. Let that suffice for now.”

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the building.

Bolero, quickly peering out the window, let out a rough voice.

“Damn it, they’re already here…!”

The sound of hooves and clashing weapons began to ring out in succession.

Amid it all, Marian spoke calmly, as if in another world.

“We don’t have time for a longer talk, Bihen Benkou. Against the Archduke’s elite guard, you might escape alone, but without my help, it’s unlikely all three of your companions will make it out safely.”

It irritated me, but she wasn’t wrong.

Even with Bolero, fighting properly while protecting the injured Jayden and Ramba was uncertain.

And that wasn’t all.

My body wasn’t fully recovered.

Moreover, with an unfamiliar bastard sword, I couldn’t unleash my full strength.

It’s a bit uneasy, but I don’t need to know Zephyros’s leader’s identity right now.

As I turned, resolved, a deafening explosion roared.

Kwaaaaang!

It came from nearby.

Not just me—everyone staggered.

A strong tremor reverberated through the floor.

“Bolero, take care of them. Follow that woman, now.”

“Imperial youth!”

“Join the Young Lady first. Every hand is needed. You need to get to the Order, too.”

“But what about you…!”

“I’ll hold the rear. Their target is me anyway, so I can buy enough time.”

I glanced at Ramba.

He subtly avoided my gaze.

I understood.

He was the one who had played a major role in making the Archduke aware of my existence, so he likely felt unspoken guilt.

It was fine.

This was what I wanted.

“Ramba.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

“Viscount Mosfield of Belmont has pledged to support the Young Lady. Ask Bolero for details.”

“Such a thing…! Understood!”

“I’ll operate like a detached unit for now. With your freedom, I need you to act as a liaison between me and the Young Lady. Can you do it?”

“O-of course! Leave it to me!”

“Good.”

Lastly, Jayden.

…

I couldn’t bring myself to speak.

The guilt Ramba felt toward me, I now felt toward Jayden.

Perhaps Jayden…

In a smooth, destined path, he might have earned a knighthood, lived comfortably, fulfilled his purpose, and closed his eyes in a mundane yet honorable knight’s life.

In my past life, or this one.

If I hadn’t appeared in his life.

Tap.

I unfastened the Six-Pointed Star Hairpin from my cloak, my grandmother’s keepsake.

The hairpin gleamed as if it knew the moment.

Taking Jayden’s hand, I placed it in his palm.

“Please take it.”

“Bihen? This is…”

“There’s still much I haven’t said. Until then, will you hold onto this?”

Rumble—

A white flash lit up outside the window.

The sky, overcast all morning, finally seemed ready to pour.

I firmly closed Jayden’s hand around the hairpin.

“I…”

In this life, no matter what.

“Will protect you and your people.”

Shaaaa—

The noise outside began to mingle with the sound of rain.

“Everyone, hurry!”

Urging the group, I shot Marian a silent, pressuring look.

It was a warning: if anything happened to the three, I wouldn’t let it slide.

“May Elzerus guide you to reunite with us. Hold on until then.”

“Sir, please take care!”

“Don’t worry about the Young Lady or the Imperials. I’ll look after them.”

Led by Marian, the three filed out, each offering words of encouragement.

I nodded in response.

After they left, the office, now with only me, filled with the increasingly fierce sound of rain.

Staring at the large glass window on the wall, I pushed the pommel of the bastard sword, shattering the glass.

Clang!

Glass shards scattered downward, mingling with the rain.

This office, once Jewel’s, was on the building’s top floor.

Leaning out, I saw the Archduke’s forces already surrounding the building.

…!

A chilling sensation hit me.

Directly ahead, in midair, a kid in a conical hat floated on a broom.

The moment our eyes met, the kid shouted.

“Hey! Found him! Bihen Benkou!”

Tip: Tap/click the left or right side of the screen to go to previous/next chapter.