Chapter 99 : Chapter 99

Chapter 099 : White Night Tactics (4)

* * *

Litania Order, Killian’s bedroom.

A subordinate whispered to Killian.

“Oh, oh, yes, yes… Hmm.”

Killian nodded repeatedly.

His expression grew brighter by the moment.

“That’s all.”

The subordinate stepped back a couple of paces.

His lips curled upward, as if he’d accomplished a great feat.

“So, the underground passage is there.”

“Yes, Young Master!”

“Haha, lower your voice, lad.”

“Sorry, Young Master. I got carried away.”

Killian grinned.

He sat at an angle, crossing his legs.

“So, eight monks, a monstrous brute, and Eugene’s squire…”

“That priest, Bolero, is quite famous in the capital. Known for his fists.”

“That’s fine. No need to worry. We have a fixer.”

Killian slapped his knee with a satisfied look.

He stood, picked up a glass from the table, and handed it to the subordinate.

“Here, take it. First time I’ve ever poured for a man.”

“Y-Young Master…!”

The subordinate, flustered, took the glass.

His waist bent instinctively, hands trembling.

Pour.

The clear glass slowly filled with red.

Killian set the bottle down and said.

“You have a wife and kid, right?”

“Y-Yes, sir! My child is ten this year…”

“And the wife? A beauty?”

“…Pardon?”

Killian gestured, running his palm over his face.

“Is she easy on the eyes?”

Caught off guard, the subordinate froze, his upturned lips stuck as his eyes darted slowly.

After a moment, he realized he’d been too tense to catch his lord’s jest and laughed exaggeratedly, feeling honored.

“Hahaha! O-Of course! She’s stunning. I had my eye on her since I was young, and as soon as I came of age…”

“Alright, alright. I get it. I’ll visit her sometime. Bestow my favor personally. Listen up.”

The subordinate bowed once, then downed the glass.

Killian raised one corner of his mouth, counting silently.

‘One, two…’

Clang—

The subordinate’s eyelids rolled back, and he collapsed, white foam spilling from his mouth.

“Hmm.”

Killian glanced down at the fallen man with distaste, then hopped out of the bedroom.

Soldiers waiting outside saluted sharply and entered the room.

“Good, good.”

Killian hummed a tune as he walked down the corridor.

He stopped before the communal prayer room, now used as a meeting hall.

Cautiously pressing his ear to the door, he frowned as voices came from inside.

‘Leaving me out again…’

Bang!

Killian flung the doors wide open.

The gazes of those seated around the large round table turned to him.

Glaring at Adeline in the center, he looked up at the ceiling as if his eyes burned.

“I’m hurt, Adel. You still don’t trust your brother? Isn’t it time you opened your heart to me? Must I grovel before these underlings to satisfy you?”

Adeline’s face didn’t twitch.

Staring at Killian, she shifted her gaze to Joel beside her.

“Didn’t I tell you to inform the Second Son about the meeting?”

“…No, you didn’t give me such orders.”

“Oh, I forgot.”

Adeline said nonchalantly.

“Sorry, brother. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Killian gritted his teeth.

‘That wretched girl… Fine, let’s see how this plays out.’

As Roland, seated beside Adeline, subtly signaled with his eyes, a soldier in the corner brought a small chair, placed it behind Killian, and retreated.

The seats around the round table were evenly spaced, leaving no place for Killian.

He sat awkwardly, swallowing his resentment.

A complete outsider.

“…Now, back to the matter at hand.”

Adeline withdrew her gaze from Killian and scanned the table.

Her eyes held a stern glint.

“I repeat, my resolve remains unchanged.”

Swallows of breath echoed.

Some straightened their backs.

“We’ll strike the enemy’s rear.”

Adeline had already grasped the situation.

With Archduke Callence diverting over half his main force to counter Bihen Benkou, now was the opportunity.

“We’ve never taken the offensive before. They’ll be off guard.”

Moras, the Order’s head priest, quietly raised his hand.

With Adeline’s permission, he spoke.

“The Magic-Sealing Formation is weakening. Even Roland has checked, but we can’t pinpoint the cause. We must take action.”

Bolero, seated beside him, tapped the table gently.

“I’ve trained capable monks for this moment. I’ll lead the charge.”

Adeline nodded.

“We’ll mobilize all available forces. While Bolero draws attention and retreats, Jayden will hit their logistics camp. This isn’t an all-out war. Prioritize preserving our forces.”

Jayden and Bolero replied in unison.

“Yes. Understood.”

Killian raised his hand abruptly.

“Adel, I’ll commit all my private soldiers. You won’t doubt this, will you?”

Adeline exchanged a glance with Roland and answered briefly.

“It’ll be a great help.”

“Hmph.”

Ignoring Killian’s scoff, Adeline quietly clasped her hands under the table.

A habit to hide her trembling.

‘…’

She wasn’t made of iron.

As Adeline Conwell, not a lord, she was just a nineteen-year-old girl true to her emotions.

The mere smell of steel made her heart race instinctively.

Pretending not to be afraid, as always.

“Hoo.”

Lord Adeline Conwell steadied her breath.

Her eyes sparked with resolve.

‘Bihen Benkou.’

For his sake, it was time to move.

* * *

Whoosh.

In the middle of the vast plain, Declan and Linda rode side by side.

The dry wind swept through their fine blonde hair.

“I don’t get it. Why follow me? Just stay put.”

“Shut it, pig.”

“I told you not to call me that! Where do I look like a pig?”

Linda’s eyes blazed, glaring at Declan’s profile as if to burn it.

Declan showed no reaction, staring at the horizon like a statue.

“Just lure them out. You’re just getting in my way. I’m enough.”

“Whether you’re enough or not, I’m not.”

“…?”

Declan turned slightly, looking at Linda.

A warm smile spread across his face.

“As the eldest of our house and Theodore’s next lord, I have a duty to protect you.”

Linda blinked, her brow narrowing.

‘What’s with him? Did he eat something bad?’

Declan spoke in a refreshed tone.

“Linda, do you have feelings for Bihen Benkou?”

Caught off guard, Linda flushed red.

There was no hiding it.

“W-What, me…?”

“Of course.”

Linda threw her head back.

The world felt like it was collapsing.

Tears welled in her eyes.

“Oh… I’m done for.”

“Heh heh. No need to worry. Your brother’s here.”

“…What can you do?”

“Is there a man in the Kingdom who knows women’s hearts better? Knowing hearts means understanding people. I get it all. For our house’s prosperity, I’ll help you.”

Linda’s eyes widened.

A halo seemed to shine from her brother.

A first in her life.

“But first, we need to survive.”

“…What’s he babbling about?”

“Look. They’re coming.”

Declan pointed with his chin, and Linda followed his gaze.

Their playful expressions faded.

Thud thud— Thud thud— Thud thud—

Shapes emerged from the horizon.

As the black mass approached, the sound of hooves and ground tremors grew louder.

Her breath caught. The pressure was immense, far beyond imagination.

“Brother, get behind me.”

Linda lowered the visor of her helmet. With a clank, steel covered her face.

‘I’ll do it right this time.’

Her eyes gleamed with determination.

The chilled breath in her helmet seemed to clear her mind.

“W-Wait! Linda! What are you planning?”

Declan, who had slipped behind as told, shouted in alarm.

Linda’s mission was to lure the enemy.

She just needed to escape when the vanguard got close.

Declan had followed out of worry for his sister, the bait.

But now, Linda wasn’t planning to flee—she was ready to fight.

“Don’t make a fuss. People might think I’m charging to my death. I have no intention of dying before marriage.”

Linda closed her eyes, focusing.

She slowly raised her left hand’s index and middle fingers to her face.

She felt mana circulating within her, gathering at her fingertips.

‘…I think it’ll work.’

Normally, a Mana Field only activates in a fixed position.

Linda decided to adapt it.

She’d enchant the Mana Field onto her sword, releasing it like an Aura.

‘It’s like blasting a huge obstacle. They’ll struggle to withstand it at that speed.’

Linda had never learned magic and had no plans to.

Her Mana Field was innate.

She’d only recently realized mana naturally enveloped her like invisible armor.

During the forest path battle, in a desperate moment, she’d recklessly tried projecting it outward, and it worked.

She’d grasped the principle of extracting mana instinctively.

Her body, not her mind, remembered.

Now, the challenge was enchanting it onto her sword.

‘…Whatever. It’ll work out.’

Swipe.

Linda ran her mana-charged fingers along the blade.

Wooong!

Her eyes widened.

A streak of light followed her fingers, and a dazzling burst poured out.

The light enveloped the Theodore siblings in an instant.

They stared at each other in shock.

Linda was the most surprised.

‘Am I really good at everything except love…?’

The light faded quickly.

With a slight vibration, a rainbow-like glow softly wrapped the blade.

Thud thud—! Thud thud thud—!

The enemy was closing in. As expected, the vanguard was all cavalry.

“I’ve made up my mind, brother.”

“M-Made up your mind? About what…?”

“This war, I’ll win, and I’ll proudly declare to Adel.”

Linda loosely gripped her sword.

Her eyes shone with resolve in the helmet.

“That Bihen Benkou will be Theodore’s son-in-law.”

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