Chapter 177

Kahaad and Mukwiam were the first to arrive in Valaris, stirring up a considerable commotion.

Yuwon arrived not long after and brought the disturbance they had caused to an end. Following that, the other companions who had been split up along different routes gradually regrouped and joined them in Valaris.

Late at night on the day Yuwon arrived—deep into the early dawn—Bernid and Hastings reached Valaris.

Kahaad, who had voluntarily taken up watch atop the city walls in Yuwon’s absence while Yuwon was away with Count Valaris on important business, welcomed them.

“You’ve arrived, Bern.”

Even from afar, Kahaad sensed the mana of his beloved disciple, Bernid. He soon raised his hand and released a small spark of mana, sending it flying toward Bernid.

Srrrk—

The mana, fluttering gently like a firefly, drifted over and touched Bernid.

“Shh, something’s coming.”

“Hm? That is… no. There’s no need for that.”

Just as Hastings was about to draw his sword in response to the suspicious mana flame, Bernid stopped him and grasped the light in his hand.

The light burst softly in Bernid’s palm with a pop, then transformed into small letters that embroidered themselves across his skin.

‘You’re late, Bern. To be later than this old master of yours… honestly….’

“Hah… our master. What would you have done if you’d arrived even later than me….”

Though he spoke that way, a smile spread across Bernid’s face.

Thus, Bernid and Hastings arrived, and at dawn the following morning, Terrien and Renania joined the group.

“It seems almost everyone has arrived. Those who haven’t yet… would that be the two old gentlemen?”

“And my father… no, where is the Count right now?”

Terrien appeared with a bright smile, offering greetings. Renania, on the other hand, having returned to her hometown, immediately sought out Count Valaris—the man who had sent her off to the Great Jungle without even asking her permission.

Time passed, and around noon that day, in the guest chamber within the Inner Fortress assigned to Yuwon.

After shaking off the fatigue of their journey overnight, Yuwon and his companions gathered together in one place for the first time in a while.

“Thank you all for coming such a long way.”

As Yuwon welcomed them with a bright smile, the others chimed in one by one, busily exchanging greetings.

“Hey, Yurion. My little brother. That thing you call your shadow keeps talking casually to me. What do you think about that?”

Perhaps he had accumulated quite a few grievances while traveling with Hastings, because Bernid earnestly tattled about Hastings’ behavior. Hastings, for his part, feigned ignorance and focused on greeting the others.

“Terrien. Nothing unusual on the way?”

“Unusual? What could possibly be unusual in the desert? Desert monstrous beasts aren’t exactly easy to run into. Managing drinking water was a bit of a hassle, that’s all. Otherwise, it was nothing special. Isn’t that right, Lord Valaris?”

“That’s right. We initially landed in a small forested area, so water wasn’t scarce, and we didn’t face any particular difficulties. The sand did get rather tiresome, though.”

At that moment, Kahaad, who had been listening in, suddenly chimed in familiarly.

“Desert monstrous beasts? I saw them. Heh heh. Those sand wolves were quite a nuisance. Ordinary fire-type magic didn’t faze them at all. Of course, once I raised the temperature a bit more, they burned away without leaving a trace.”

“Wow, sand wolves? You really encountered them?”

“Of course. Because of that Orc over there, the beasts went absolutely wild and rushed in. I erased the scent with magic because it looked like things would get troublesome, but if I hadn’t, you’d probably have seen every desert monstrous beast there is.”

The group continued exchanging light greetings without much purpose, and as the conversation gradually drifted into idle chatter, Kahaad added a remark while picking at his ear.

“But those two old gentlemen still haven’t shown up? Looks like the two geezers got separated and are having a hard time.”

As if that remark were a signal—

Click—!

The sound of a doorknob being turned came from beyond the guest chamber where they were gathered, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Hm?”

“…?”

“Heh heh, they say speak of the tiger and it appears… looks like they’re here. The old men.”

As if in response to Kahaad’s words, the door opened. Herran and Marquis Carson—the two everyone had been waiting for—appeared, and at last, the entire party that had departed from the Great Jungle was assembled.

“Ho ho ho. To be called old men as we grow old together—those are rather harsh words, Kahaad, my friend.”

“It seems we were the latest to arrive. We apologize for keeping you waiting. His Majesty. This humble one, Colonel Astasil Carson, presents himself.”

Yuwon, who had been watching his companions with contented eyes from a step back, welcomed them.

“Then we are truly all gathered now.”

Yuwon prepared for the coming war.

After joining the battlefield, Yuwon first set about organizing the internal situation. Through Count Valaris, he assessed the strength of both enemy and allied forces, inspected the military provisions, and personally encouraged the allied soldiers.

The long-awaited arrival of Yuwon made Valaris Castle buzz with excitement.

Many commanders and nobles who formed the core of the alliance wished to meet him, but Yuwon only met briefly with the soldiers before promptly excusing himself to proceed with his next task.

“Marquis. I want you to take the role of Vice Commander of the alliance. I know full well that you are more than qualified to sit in the position of Supreme Commander, but I could not ignore the symbolic weight of the Count, who was the first to draw his sword for my sake and gather those who shared our cause. I trust you will understand.”

At Yuwon’s unilateral declaration, the Marquis hesitated briefly, then accepted the order.

“…Yes. I will do my utmost, His Majesty. Thank you for entrusting me with this.”

Sensing an unusual hesitation from the Marquis—something uncharacteristic of him—Count Valaris, who stood beside him, spoke up awkwardly.

“…I-I tried to persuade His Majesty, but his resolve was already firm, so there was nothing I could do. I will do my best so as not to shame you, Marquis.”

At the Count’s apologetic words, the Marquis replied with a forced smile.

“Please do not think that way, Count Valaris. You will perform far better than someone like me who is elevated on the strength of distant past glory. No matter what anyone says, you are the head of Valaris, the shield of the Empire.”

“Ah…! Thank you. This humble Valaris will truly give everything to support His Majesty and lead this war to victory. I look forward to working with you, Marquis.”

“Haha. The feeling is mutual, Supreme Commander.”

Even as he smiled, a shadow lingered on the Marquis’s face. Yuwon, who had been silently listening to their exchange, spoke again.

“Marquis. It seems you have something on your mind. You are hesitating, which is unlike you.”

“Ah, that is… I apologize, His Majesty. I will make certain it does not hinder the army in any way—”

Yuwon cut him off with a sharp tone.

“Is it because of the family you left behind in the Empire?”

“…!”

At Yuwon’s blunt words, the Count beside them widened his eyes. The Marquis himself, however, remained calm.

“Yes, that is correct. But please do not worry. This humble one is Astasil, but before that, I carry the blood of Carson. I had already anticipated this, and it will not bind my hands.”

From the moment Marquis Carson was nominated as Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army, this was something he had resolved himself to face. He had already accepted what fate might await his family as a consequence of his choice.

“I see. That was the answer I was hoping for.”

“…Yes.”

“However, since you have made such a great decision for the Empire, I, too, have prepared a small gift.”

“…?”

A gift, with war looming so close at hand. As the Marquis was about to ask what it could possibly be, Yuwon called out to Hastings.

“Hastings.”

Srrrk—

At Yuwon’s call, a shadow rippled behind his shoulder. Hastings appeared, as though he had been there all along.

“Yes. My lord. Please give your command.”

“What of the matter I asked you to handle separately last time?”

“I carried it out as instructed.”

The reply was as flawless as a blade’s cut. Yuwon nodded slightly and continued.

“There were no stragglers, I presume?”

“No. Though there was one more than anticipated.”

“Is that so? Hm. Well, I trust you handled it appropriately. Good work.”

“It was not my doing, but that of the Assassination Order. There was hardly any effort involved.”

The Assassination Order—seeds once sown by Marcellus in the past. Hastings, as his successor, had swiftly brought the order under his control and was now using them for Yuwon’s sake.

This matter had been the second official mission given to the Assassination Order.

“I see. Very well. Then deliver it to the Marquis yourself.”

At Yuwon’s command, Hastings answered briefly and reached into his inner sleeve, retrieving something. In his hand was a small key.

“Please accept this, Marquis.”

Faced with Hastings’ respectful demeanor, the Marquis accepted the key with both hands, not yet knowing what it was.

“Your Highness, this is…?”

Overwhelmed by the rapid turn of events, the Marquis addressed Yuwon as ‘Your Highness’ instead of ‘His Majesty’. Under normal circumstances, Yuwon would have lightly corrected him, but this time, he let it pass.

“It is the key to the residence where your family is currently staying. Go at once. Your family will be waiting for you.”

At those words, the Marquis lowered his gaze to the key in his hand. It was nothing more than a small piece of metal, yet to him, it was more precious than anything else in the world.

“My family… did you say?”

Was he doubting his own ears, or seeking confirmation once more? Yuwon answered decisively.

“I know well what thoughts led you to choose me and Aphahiel. So I paid a bit of attention to the matter. I could not manage relatives as distant as those related by marriage several times over… but most of the people you would recognize should be there.”

The Marquis raised his gaze back to Yuwon.

“His Majesty…! Why would you go this far….”

A trembling voice, reddened eyes. The veteran general, who had staked the lives of his family more precious than his own in order to stand beside Yuwon and the Empire, felt tears well at the corners of his eyes.

“Well now… I had planned to send you off immediately, but it seems you should leave a little later. I would rather others not see our Vice Commander in tears.”

Receiving the Marquis’s burning gaze, Yuwon responded with a smile.

If he could not become a sage king, then he would become a conqueror—one who protected his own people and the people of his people. That was the path Yuwon chose to walk as Emperor.

The great general who had upheld two Emperors in his lifetime—Astasil Carson.

On this day, Yuwon made the great general, whose name would be recorded twice in history, wholly his own.

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