Chapter 397: Once again to the sky

The United Kingdom of Egret.

It is a kingdom consisting of three islands. The largest island in the middle is the center of this country.

A huge capital city was built at its center.

However, right now the Royal Capital is now divided into two.

The current king and the first prince were thinking of pushing all the responsibility of their defeat to the second prince William and make peace with the Empire by offering his head.

However, the sensible aristocrats and ministers are opposing that plan and there was a heated debate at the castle through day and night.

Of the three Holy Dragons that had protected the United Kingdom, two were subjugated by Silver. It is obvious that their military power is in decline. It would be a waste to execute William who is excellent in warfare.

That was the opposing opinion.

Meanwhile, the current king and the first prince argued that William had prioritized his personal friendship with Gordon and undermined their national interest.

In truth, it was the king who decided to help Prince Gordon. William was the one who was against it. He headed to the Imperial Capital because of a royal decree and he had fought for the United Kingdom with all his might.

If that prince was executed, the soldiers of the United Kingdom would rebel.

The king and the first prince wanted to have a ceasefire with the Empire but if that comes at the cost of a rebellion then the Empire might use that chance to crush them. Thats why they could not force the execution.

William was sentenced to a house arrest in a small village a little away from the capital.

They still couldnt make a decision huh..

Yes, sir.

It was the Dragon Knights who came to deliver news to William.

Dubbed the Dragon Prince, William has the trust of all Dragon Knights in the United Kingdom.

Thats why even while being absent from the meeting, he can still obtain information through them.

Even if William doesnt move, the Dragon Knights will do it for him.

The guards and soldiers who were supposed to prevent them from meeting him also think that it is wrong to execute William so rather than turning them away, they welcome the Dragon Knights in.

Since his early teens, William had fought for the United Kingdom at the frontline.

During the war with the Kingdom, William personally led the Dragon Knights and fought until the end.

It was thanks to him that the United Kingdom was able to withdraw its army back to the mainland. No soldier had forgotten that.

The military is completely on Williams side.

If William was to straddle his dragon and ride out right now, all Dragon Knights would support him.

However, William hasnt moved yet.

He calmly accepted his sentence.

Your Highness, everything is ready. The rest is up to you.

I see.

William only gave a short answer and nothing else.

He then left the Dragon Knight and the house.

In this small village, not only William, Gordons wife, Bianca, and Henrick the Imperial Prince are also here.

Both of them are important politically so their movements are restricted here as well.

However, Biancas daughter is not here.

Just before arriving in the United Kingdom, William had entrusted her to his men.

Fortunately, it was not widely known that Gordon has a daughter so there was no suspicion about his movement.

Is Henrick still inside?

Yes, sir. He still hasnt come out.

At the time of withdrawal, Henrick was by Williams side.

After that, it was a series of hardships.

Naturally. They were routed. There is no way that a rout is an easy thing to survive.

Henrick has experienced many things through it.

Thats why Henrick is holding himself in the house.

Henrick? Its me. Im coming in.

After a courtesy knock, William immediately entered the room.

However, he immediately abandoned being courteous.

Henrick has a piece of glass in his hand.

Furthermore, he is holding it at his throat.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?

William hit the glass away.

He cut his hand but William doesnt care about that.

please..let me die

Dont be a fool! What can dying help!?

If I die..Prince William might be saved..if they give my head to the Empire.

Fool! Do you really think that your head has that much value!? Even if you joined the rebellion, do you think that the emperor would be happy to see his own sons head!? It will only add oil to the flame!

Then..what do you want me to do!?

Live! Live and atone for your sins! I will not allow you to escape your guilt by dying!

Something like that

Henrick crouched down and started crying.

He couldnt bear it anymore. He wanted to just disappear from this world. That is the wish from the bottom of his heart.

Henrick experienced a lot during their withdrawal.

During the rout, the wounded soldiers were steadily dropping out one by one.

Henrick himself was about to die of hunger and thirst. He was originally a prince who was carefully raised in a castle.

Never experiencing any hardship, Henrick couldnt possibly endure such a thing.

Still, he was able to come this far because of the help from those around him.

He was a prince of the Empire so they did not have any obligation to help him. They did not do it because of Williams order either.

The soldiers around Henrick helped him only because they wanted to.

Before arriving at the ship, the soldiers took turns carrying Henrick who couldnt even stand on his own.

It was them that kept Henrick alive. However, it was because of that that he is experiencing hell right now.

Because of his ignorance, Henrick made light of the soldiers lives.

He thought and treated them like pieces on a board so it was easy for him to abandon them.

But now he realized.

The soldiers he treated like pieces in a game are also human beings. It is obvious that they also have a family.

Thousands of soldiers were killed. And thousands of families have to mourn them. All because of him.

And ironically, Henrick also lost his family.

Gordon holding the Imperial Army back to let them escape.

That was what Henrick saw as he withdrew with William.

At that time, what he felt was only pain.

That regret struck Henrick, and he was attacked by guilt.

Someone like me.is better off dead!

If you want to die then die. But I will not let you die without achieving anything.

What can someone like me do!? A pathetic prince who let countless soldiers die on the battlefield! I am someone that cant achieve anything even at the cost of my own life! What can someone like me do!?

You wont know what you can do until you try. The important question now is what did you do?

I..

What you did is only holding yourself up in this room and tell yourself that you cant do anything. Are you going to die without atoning for what youve done? Do you understand how much of a fool that would make you?

.atoning..what should I do to atone then.

He felt like he is not allowed to keep living.

He felt like he could hear such a grudgeful voice at any moment.

To live while hoping to die. That endless journey is cruel.

However, William does not allow him to commit suicide.

Somedayyou can become someone that the dead soldiers can be proud of, that is your atonement..no matter what you do, they are already dead. Even if it was your mistake that caused their death, they are already gone. There is no point in beating yourself up. Instead, you have to keep walking. Shoulder their death on your back and save as many lives as you have lost.

I am not as strong as you!

I tooam not strong. I am still hesitating even in this situation after all..

Eh.?

Before he died, Gordon told me to take care of his family. Ive been thinking about it for a long time. His wife, his daughter, you, did he want me to protect the three of you? Or did he meanthat I have to defeat my family for my friends. Will I be forgiven for that? What is the right thing to do..I have been thinking over such questions all this time.

But now I have the answer.

Saying so, William grabbed Henricks arm and stood him up.

Then.

Only the living can walk forward. Just as you have to make amends to those soldiers, I will also have to do what I can.the army I led was defeated. They all died because of me.

Y, You are wrong! You are the one that saved them!

Such is war. They obeyed my order and died. They have the right to blame me. But I will not die. For my friend, my subordinates, for this country. Lets do our best and walk on together.

When William went out of the room, Roger was there.

Fully clad in his armor.

Your Highness is being late so.I came to pick you up.

Sorry for the extra workIm thinking of heading out now.

Thats great. Everyone is waiting.

Saying so, Roger looked up to the sky.

There, countless Dragon Knights are flying above them.

Henrick was stunned by the sight.

He has never seen such a large army of Dragon Knights.

Henrick. Lets think about your atonement together. But first, I have something that I must do. Wait for me.

Prince William..

I will not betray my friends wish. I will protect his family according to his last word.

William straddled on his dragon and flew to the sky.

He then received a spear from Roger and swung it as he announced his command.

ALL MEN, ADVANCE! OUR DESTINATION IS THE ROYAL CAPITAL! TODAY, WE TAKE THE KINGS HEAD!

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