65. Your War, My War (1)

Compared to the fortress-like city of no-man’s-land, Murat’s defenses were not very good. Is it already too late to complain about that fact? People with dark faces wandered around the city without walls.

As you move out of the no-man’s land and into the mainland of the Empire, the weather changes dramatically. The summer sunshine and heat, which could not be felt at all in the no-man’s land, turned into a very powerful enemy in Murat and harassed the soldiers.

Soldiers were busy building barricades on the front line, where recordings and bugs could be heard. Wizards were wringing tactical magic, and knights were meditating, competing, and trying to bring their skills to the peak. The appearance of such people was watched by the lord of Murat, Count Ray Argon, the Margrave, and Theodora.

“Thank you for accepting our people.”

Even though those people became refugees along with the people of Murat and scattered to other territories. Count Agon humbly nodded.

“Of course, it was something I had to do as a noble of the kingdom. You don’t have to be thankful.”

“Did you have any trouble?”

“Young people are really sincere and upright. I wondered if I had been too negligent.”

The count looked back and forth between the weary Marquis and Theodora. Rather than being tired, it must be a state where fatigue is really deeply imprinted in the bones. The unique strength of the knights is what allows them to endure like this, but if it were Count Agon himself, he might have collapsed from exhaustion and died long ago.

“You must have suffered a lot.”

Count Agon said while stroking his shaggy beard. Even though he was well aware of how his land would be crushed by the impending disaster, he did not lose his composure. It was neither a knight nor a wizard, but it was a lineage, but there was pride in protecting this region for a long time.

The Marquis shook his head at Count Agon.

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Not a single one of his goddamn subordinates offered to step back from the front line. They say that they will risk their lives to protect this land, that such treatment is too much for those who have not been able to protect the no-man’s land, and that they will die fighting on the frontlines.

“You will have to work harder in the future.”

The Marquis said in a low voice. Count Agon fell silent as he watched the margrave’s face covered in dark clouds.

“…I could hear an explosion even from here.”

Count Agon asked so implicitly.

“Did something happen in that no-man’s-land city?”

The Marquis looked out the window. From the mansion of Count Agon in the center of Murat, one could see a single road leading to no man’s land.

“It blew up the whole city.”

Count Agon shook his shoulders as if he was surprised.

“then…”

The Margrave’s decision, Count Agon knew how difficult it was. An unbearable enemy breaks down the fence of the territory and is forced to choose to abandon the territory. Knowing how meaningless it was to die with Yeongji, the lord wanted to destroy Yeongji and turn it into a tomb for his enemies.

“How?”

“I installed explosion magic all over the city. After that war 15 years ago, there was a lot of support from the royal side in preparation for an invasion.”

The Marquis furrowed his eyebrows.

“Seeing that the Marquis retreated all the way here, even if he blew up the city like that, he failed.”

“I haven’t confirmed the results, but I’m sure the Behemoth will be advancing alive.”

To Count Agon’s question, the Marquis answered confidently. Since he was never certain of a good direction, Count Agon’s mouth hardened.

“Even if you were caught in an explosion like that?”

“Because it’s not an existence that can be killed by expedient methods.”

Such was the monster in mythology. The Marquis flatly admitted that fact.

“In the end, one Behemoth collapsed. With so much preparation, the soldiers and knights seemed to be able to win no matter who they faced. I thought I could stop any opponent…”

Count Agon sighed in unison.

“Are you that kind of person?”

“Whatever you are imagining right now, it will be more than that.”

Count Agon closed his eyes. I tried imagining the appearance of the monster in my head, but nothing like it came to mind. Count Agon then looks out the window. Soldiers were running around busily.

“When will the fight begin…”

“It’s not long. Sooner or later, he will advance with the remaining monsters.”

The Marquis glanced at Count Agon.

“I think it would be better for the lord to escape before it is too late.”

At the words of the Marquis, Count Agon nodded with difficulty.

“…Perhaps, Marquis, you are right. I just wanted to be a hindrance, not a helper in the fight.”

Count Agon immediately corrected his expression.

“But how can I leave my soldiers to fight monsters and go somewhere? My family has already been sent to the capital, so I will stay and fight.”

Theodora, who had been quietly listening to the story, narrowed her eyes and looked at Count Agon. The Marquis received Theodora’s gaze and admired her sharpness.

“Lord.”

“Why, however, proud lady of Benning.”

Theodora didn’t like the title Count Agon called her, but she didn’t show it right away. She was simply telling the count what she had to say.

“What the Marquis said is right. I dare to say that it is the right decision to withdraw to the front lines and to the royal capital.”

The Marquis nodded silently, and Count Agon frowned slightly.

“The heir has been sent to a safe place, and our soldiers are there. How can I back off?”

“…lord, it’s a shame, but it’s a pity that I don’t even have one escort for the count.”

Count Agon tried to argue, but then closed his mouth. He knew better than anyone that it wouldn’t happen. It was a waste. I couldn’t get the soldiers who should have given up for this land to do it for themselves.

And soon, I realized why the margrave had no choice but to abandon the estate shamefully. Count Argon knew that his situation was no different from that of the Marquis or Theodora. I had to break the stubbornness, the stubbornness of the old nobleman.

Count Agon gave a heavy nod after a long thought. Many emotions were crossing over.

“Right. It’s not just about the survival of my territory.”

It was the work of this country. It was the work of this country and all the people of the kingdom.

Count Agon laughed bitterly. How many subordinates must the Marquis and Theodore have lost? How many deaths have you experienced? Count Agon changed his mind.

“I will do as you say, Marquis. I was too selfish. If I get out of Murat before the battle begins, you guys will be able to fight much more comfortably.”

The Margrave straightened his dark expression a little and smiled at Count Agon. Count Agon licked his lips bitterly, realizing again that he had made the right decision.

“Thank you for your decision, lord.”

“no. I feel like I’m just leaving everything to you, so I’m not feeling refreshed.”

Count Agon looked at the Marquis and Theodora alternately with an apologetic look. The Marquis shook his head, saying that it was not so.

“Please, fight with all your might for this land.”

To Count Agon’s words, the Marquis replied.

“It’s okay not to worry.”

“I can’t ask you to risk your life. So, just fight with all your might. If it gets dangerous, you can just drop the wires again.”

Count Agon asked if he needed anything else. The Marquis shook his head.

“If you see reinforcements on your way, I would like you to ask them to come quickly.”

Count Agon burst into laughter at the words of the Marquis jokingly.

“yes. If we meet, I will urge you to go as quickly as possible.”

Count Agon smiled and turned his back. His footsteps and back looked quite lonely and bitter. Count Agon turned his head to look at the Marquis and Theodora, as if to give one last piece of advice.

“You guys, hurry up and prepare for battle. There will be no time to waste time with me right now.”

“Look carefully, lord.”

Count Agon nodded.

“Rather than worrying about me retreating to the rear, worry about the soldiers fighting on the front lines. I’m not going to risk my life.”

Count Agon had been unable to open the door in front of the door, but gave up and opened the door.

“I wish you luck.”

After leaving a short greeting, Count Agon left the room.

“I’m glad you weren’t more stubborn.”

The Marquis muttered as he looked at the closed door.

“Thank you for convincing me, Theodora. I should have spoken more strongly.”

Theodora didn’t say anything and just stared out the window. The Marquis watched Theodora like that. Theodora suddenly opened her mouth.

“…Do you think Marquis is ready?”

The Marquis immediately shook his head.

“Can it be? Even if reinforcements from all over the kingdom gather, it will be difficult to say that we are ready.”

The Marquis looked at Theodora.

“So, to fight without regret, it would be better to empty out the things you like. Isn’t that right, Theodora?”

Theodora sighed and nodded. The Marquis looked into Theodora’s eyes. He looked at those clouded eyes with a sorrowful expression. Theodora bit her lip. She knew what she had to do to properly engage herself in battle.

“Yeah.”

“yes. It is good enough to know.”

The Marquis stepped away. Theodora squeezed something in her pocket as she watched the Marquess head for the closed door.

Yes, no regrets now.

Theodora repeated that and closed her eyes.

“I’ll go down first.”

The Marquis said while looking at Theodora. Theodora nodded. The decision wasn’t made only by Count Agon, who went out first.

—

As soon as Maxim returned to the quarters prepared for the knights, he exhaled heavily. This pain seemed to last quite a while.

Maybe it will continue like this.

Maxim took off his thin coat and checked the scar. A finger passed over the scar, but the skin it touched was still numb. but below that. On the inside of the body, just a little away from the skin, there was a burning sensation. It was tolerable, but still quite painful.

“How long will it be covered?”

It was a question about this pain and also a question about his own life. Maxim picked up the clothes he had taken off.

“Can we fight?”

If I activate the aura once more, it will definitely end for me. I don’t know if the end will be death or what it will be.

Maxim got dressed. While the soldiers were building camps outside, the knights were busy with their own training. Paola, who was also with him, probably went into training separately now to raise his senses.

There was no way for Maxim to train. All it takes is a few knife swings. Now he was in a separate room to check his condition, which was not good.

The advance has not yet been observed. However, the angry cries of the monster, the Behemoth, could be clearly heard even during the retreat. It was the moment when the instinct of living things to survive was stimulated more than ever.

How far have you come now? Can we survive against the Behemoth?

Maxim’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was a very timid and cautious knocking sound. Paola and Roberto are eliminated. Maxim thought as he approached the door.

“who are you?”

And Maxim faces a situation where he seems to have to say oops.

When I opened the door, standing beyond it was Theodora. I thought I would avoid myself more for a while, but why did I come here?

What did you think of Maxim’s facial expression? Theodora looked at Maxim’s face and hesitated to speak.

“That… Maxim, I…”

“Theodora…”

When Maxim called out to Theodora as if asking what was going on, her expression finally relaxed as if relieved and her complexion regained. What were you worried about?

“Do you want to come inside?”

Theodora nodded and entered Maxim’s room.

“what’s the matter?”

Maxim asked the business in a flat voice. If it was Theodora’s words, it wasn’t that she didn’t know what to say.

“Maxim, I came to talk with Count Agon earlier.”

Theodora cut off her haste. Maxim nods, saying he is listening.

“…They were talking about going back to the capital.”

Maxim nodded his head once more as if he knew that.

“In the end, Count Agon must have accepted your offer.”

“It wasn’t my proposal, it was the Marquis’ proposal. Count Agon accepted the offer.”

Theodora corrected Maxim. Maxim furrowed his eyebrows.

“Me and Count Agon are different. At least I don’t bother.”

At Maxim’s words, Theodora shook her head.

“I don’t mean that, Maxim.”

Theodora’s straight eyes were closer to the color of the dark clouds than those gray eyes. Maxim waited for Theodora to say what he meant.

“I’m just worried about you.”

Maxim’s golden eyes shook for the first time. Oh, Theodora. It is against the law to say such a thing now.

“It’s because I, the fact that you’re standing on this battlefield is unbearably worried.”

Maxim spoke to Theodora in a voice that pretended to be calm.

“I’m okay. I know I can afford it, and…”

“I won’t, I know.”

It doesn’t work. Theodora had the stubborn gaze she sometimes showed to her former lover.

“Theodora, I…”

“Maxim, do you know that you are losing your memory?”

Theodora’s words made Maxim’s eyes twitch once again. Maxim was speechless and did not know what to say for a moment.

“that’s…”

“Even if you survive, you know that you never lived.”

Theodora’s voice was desperately asking. Maxim recalled the old memory and barely pushed her away.

“no.”

“Maxim. i’m scared The fact that you lose everything is scary, and the fact that I have no choice but to watch you is even more frightening.”

Theodora took Maxim’s hand. Maxim could not shake off his hand and felt its warmth.

“Maxim…”

“Theodora.”

Maxim tightened his hand.

“There are many things I don’t want to lose either. but…”

Are Theodora’s eyes also shaking like Maxim’s? Maxim raised his head and met Theodora’s eyes.

“I don’t want to lose you either. That’s where my eyes can’t reach.”

Deep within Theodora, something stirred. Theodora said in a trembling voice.

“…That’s something you shouldn’t be saying right now.”

The dark clouds in Theodora’s eyes began to hold more moisture.

“Theodora.”

As Maxim asked, he told Theodora. Theodora seemed to be bitten, but she did not avoid Maxim’s eyes. And, one day. When Maxim, whose body condition is not normal, is completely relaxed.

“?!”

Theodora’s lips were touching Maxim’s.

Maxim received the kiss with the feeling that his head was completely white. Theodora’s lips were still very soft and moist. Maxim didn’t even think to push Theodora away, and his tongues mingled as he kissed her lips. Theodora’s hand slid down Maxim’s cheek and rubbed his neck.

The kiss was very short, but to Maxim it felt like a whole year.

Leaving Maxim, who was sitting blankly, Theodora stood up. Suddenly, Maxim felt a sharp pain in his neck.

“Theodora…?”

body, strength was released. Maxim tried to stand up, but his eyelids were getting heavy. The soma (睡魔) grabbed Maxim’s ankle and began to sink his consciousness into the deepest place.

My eyes were blurry. Maxim resisted drowsiness until the end and called Theodora with a tangled tongue. The person standing in the open doorway behind Theodora was a familiar-looking woman with long blonde hair.

“Christine…?”

And, Maxim’s vision turned black.