Chapter 60

It was the third day since Hastings had come to visit Yuwon.

On that day, a major council was convened to decide the fate of the Subjugation Force.

Present were the Supreme Commander of the Subjugation Force, Marquis Carson, Count Valaris, the Princes, and several commanding officers.

The debate grew heated over whether to continue south toward the Great Jungle according to the original plan, or to return to the Capital now that they had already suffered significant losses and disband the Subjugation Force.

“We haven’t even properly begun, and already the number of dead has reached the hundreds. Everyone here knows this campaign was never meant to be such an intense battle. Continuing like this with our current forces is impossible. We should request a proper reinforcement from the regular army and return now.”

Of course, there were opposing opinions as well.

“How can we, after forming this Subjugation Force with such effort, tuck our tails and retreat after a single battle while the orc horde roams freely across the southern lands of the Empire! This recent raid of theirs is a sign of greater wars to come! To simply come and go like frightened children at such a time—absurd!”

The Second Prince, who had become an invalid after his arm was destroyed, was not present. Instead, the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince both voiced firm opinions.

“I believe returning is the right choice.”

“I agree with my brother—no, with His Highness the Crown Prince. This Subjugation was an unprecedented decision, but it was equally lacking in preparation. I believe we should return to the Capital, strengthen ourselves, and prepare for the future.”

‘If this campaign drags on, only that bastard Yurion will benefit. The more battles we fight, the greater his influence will grow.’

The Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince shared the same thought.

To them, it was the natural choice—to block Tang Yuwon’s rapid rise, which had already exceeded all expectations.

Following their responses, all gazes naturally turned to Yuwon.

He, of course, knew that those stares were directed at him—but he remained silent.

‘The most pressing task—rescuing Hastings—has already been resolved. But… can I justify staying here in the South just to deal with Marcellus? No, I shouldn’t. Still, even if it weren’t about Marcellus, if the campaign continues and more battles unfold, I’ll gain from it. The battlefield is my stage. The more war rages, the stronger my position becomes. But…’

Recalling the last fight against the orc horde, he knew too well how perilous it had been.

If they stepped foot into the Great Jungle now, the worst-case scenario would be total annihilation.

‘Yes… returning is the right choice.’

Everyone present waited for Yuwon to speak.

When the silence stretched too long, Marquis Carson, the commander-in-chief, finally spoke up cautiously.

“What does His Highness the Fifth Prince think?”

Having come to truly recognize Yuwon’s worth, the Marquis now treated him with even greater respect than the Crown Prince himself.

“…”

Yuwon drew every gaze toward him with a heavy, deliberate silence—turning the entire chamber into his own stage. Then, having resolved his mind, he finally spoke.

“My thoughts are the same as those of the two who spoke before me.”

“Hmm…”

When even Yuwon—who had shown such valor on the battlefield—spoke of returning, those who had pushed for continuing the campaign could not help but sigh in disappointment. Yuwon, however, continued calmly.

“Although we no longer have the same strength we possessed when we first assembled this Subjugation Force, brave and steadfast warriors still remain with us. Each one a veteran of countless battles. We still have the ability to continue the campaign if we so choose. The seasoned warriors of Valaris, hardened through years of combat against monsters, will fight alongside us. If we truly wish it, it can be done.”

Though Yuwon was advocating for retreat, his words brimmed with such conviction and energy that he seemed ready to march toward the Great Jungle that very instant. Marquis Carson then asked, cautiously,

“Then… why do you say we should return?”

“We can do it—but there is no need to.”

“Hmm… indeed…”

Those who understood the depth behind Yuwon’s words nodded slowly.

Some failed to grasp his meaning, but the veterans among them understood well.

“In the history of Aphahiel, there have been a few occasions when monsters crossed the river and set foot upon the southernmost lands of the Empire. This time was the same. But never once in history did they dare to breach Valaris Castle. If the enemies we faced on the open plains had instead clashed with the elite soldiers defending Valaris, do you truly believe the losses would have been as heavy?”

“Ah…”

Realizing what he meant, others nodded as well. Yuwon pressed on, sealing his point.

“This Subjugation has indeed served as a strong motivation for those who will lead the Empire in the future. But not everything unfolded as we hoped. Now, it is time to return to our own places and tend to our wounds. Too many have lost their families, friends, and perhaps even those as dear as family in the last battle.”

After Yuwon’s speech, a solemn silence fell across the chamber.

This was the conclusion Tang Yuwon had reached after deep thought.

In the past, he would have insisted on pressing forward—no matter the cost—so long as it served his goal. But back then, he had only his mission and his own life to protect. Now, he had people beside him he wished to keep safe.

‘It took losing Hastings to realize it. Taking isn’t everything. There will always be other ways, other chances. I’m no longer the man who only knows how to crush my enemy’s hand and seize what they hold.’

A lesson learned through his new life—he had now discovered how to protect what was his while naturally claiming what belonged to his foes.

Those who once looked down on him—like Marquis Carson, who now respected him deeply, and the Subjugation soldiers who shyly sought his guidance—proved this change.

Even Terrien and the members of the Fifth Prince’s Palace, who once held grudges due to Baekgu, now shared that sentiment.

With Yuwon’s final say, all the princes who held major roles in the Subjugation Campaign voted unanimously for retreat. It was, in essence, a settled decision.

The voices calling for continued advance weakened naturally, and in the end, Marquis Carson declared the final order.

“I have heard all your opinions. We shall return.”

Afterward, those concerned about the monsters’ strange behavior in the South voiced their worries.

The Marquis promised that he himself would return to the Capital and formally request reinforcement for the southern forces, thus concluding the meeting.

It was a rare outcome that satisfied everyone present.

With their return confirmed, the Subjugation Force was granted three days to prepare for the long journey home.

On the first evening of that reprieve, Yuwon received an official invitation to a dinner hosted by Count Valaris.

“Hm, this feels awkward after I beat him half to death last time…”

Still, refusing outright didn’t seem appropriate either.

‘Well, once I leave, I won’t see Lady Valaris again anyway. Let’s just think of it as sharing a meal with her, not the Count. Besides, it’s a good excuse to escape that endless cycle of sparring.’

The problem had begun when Yuwon helped Terrien with his training and ended up teaching the Subjugation soldiers at the training grounds.

Within a single day, the story spread everywhere, and soon the great training field was packed full every evening. He’d heard that not only Subjugation soldiers but also Valaris’ regular troops and knights now waited there outside of working hours, hoping to see him appear.

It was difficult to disappoint such anticipation—but an invitation from Count Valaris himself made for the perfect excuse.

‘Still, something about this feels… uneasy.’

It wasn’t guilt over the Count after their fierce duel that bothered him.

Rather, it was the opposite.

‘No need to worry. If anything happens, I’m the one owed an apology.’

Because of the Count’s ridiculous misunderstanding, Yuwon had missed his chance to capture the suspicious men tailing him. If anything, the Count should have been grateful that Yuwon let it go at that. Some things never changed.

And so, Yuwon prepared for the dinner.

The Valaris attendants offered to help him get ready, but he politely declined, borrowing only the proper attire.

He had not packed such formal clothes when crossing the desert to the South, so he did at least need something suitable to wear.

‘The subspace bag’s roomy enough. I should start keeping some clothes on hand for future situations like this.’

Soon, dressed neatly for the first time in a while, Yuwon checked his pocket watch and waited for the Valaris attendants to arrive.

‘It’s not even that far—I could just go myself. All this formality is troublesome…’

The appointed time was drawing near when a knock sounded at the door to his guest chamber.

Knock, knock, knock—

“Your Highness, I’ve come to escort you.”

He had expected the Count himself to come, but the voice belonged to a young woman—and one that sounded oddly familiar.

“Hm…?”

Unable to simply reply, ‘It’s open, come in,’ Yuwon went to the door and opened it himself to see who had come.

As he had half-suspected from the voice—it was Renania Valaris.

“Why would the Lady herself come in person…?”

“Just because.”

Renania, dressed immaculately as she had been at the Houkijisu Tournament’s opening ceremony, smiled brightly as she greeted him.

Seeing that smile, Yuwon found himself facing not the strong-willed young woman he knew, but an ordinary noble lady.

“If I appear at dinner escorted by the Lady herself, won’t that make me look like a terrible man?”

“Hmm… will it?”

“‘Will it?’ Of course it will. I went through all that trouble to keep up appearances and escape Baekgu’s teasing, and now I’m being escorted by a Lady? I’ll be hearing about this for sure.”

Of course, it was only a joke—Yuwon wasn’t the type to care about such things. When he smiled faintly, Renania matched it with a soft laugh and opened the door wider.

“Shall we go then?”

“Let’s go.”

The two walked side by side toward the private dining room where a modest dinner awaited them.

“So, what brings you here personally? We were going to see each other soon anyway. You must have a reason.”

“I was going to pretend it was ‘just because,’ but I guess that won’t work with you, will it?”

“I’m not the sort of person who lets things slide with a ‘just because,’ you see.”

“Fair enough. I’ll admit that. But you know that ‘not easily fooled’ thing?”

Renania suddenly stopped walking.

Naturally, Yuwon stopped as well.

“…?”

“I’m not that easily fooled either.”

So that was it—she had come because she had something to say.

Renania suddenly took a step closer.

“That day, on the forest path leading to the library—you were the one who ambushed me, weren’t you? Not your secret guard, but you yourself. Am I right?”

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