Chapter 72

As the soldiers who had been left behind in the attack were mostly defeated, most of the Zoan, except for those assigned to pursue, gradually slowed their pursuit, and before they knew it, they had stopped in their tracks.

Those who had stopped looked at each other for a while. There were no words, only the sound of their heavy breathing, which seemed unusually loud.

It was as if they were afraid that if they spoke, the situation, which seemed like a dream or an illusion, would shatter and disappear.

"Did we win?"

After a considerable time, someone tentatively spoke up.

With that, one after another, everyone began to speak.

"Did we really win?"

"Is it true? Did we really win?!"

"Is this not a dream? We really won, didn't we?!"

As the reality of their victory sank in, their voices grew more passionate.

"We won!"

"Yes, we won!"

"It's our victory!!"

Suddenly, a roar of cheers erupted.

Everyone, with joy on their faces, raised their fists, stomped their feet, and hugged those next to them in celebration.

Among them, Shemul, trembling with joy, shouted.

"We did it, Soma! As expected of my 'Lord of the Navel Below'! As expected of Soma!!"

While listening to Shemul's voice, Soma, who was tied to Jahangir's back, let out a sigh of relief.

Soma thought he should respond to Shemul, but the fatigue and weariness from the battle were greater than the joy of victory.

Soma, drained of all strength, slumped, but suddenly the ropes that had been binding him were cut, and he fell to the ground on his buttocks.

Soma, wincing from the pain in his buttocks, was lifted up by Jahangir, who inserted his hands under Soma's armpits. Then, to Soma's surprise, Jahangir hoisted him onto his shoulders.

Understanding Jahangir's intention, Shemul raised his arms and shouted loudly.

"Praise Soma's name! Praise the name of Soma, who brought us this victory!"

Everyone turned to look at Soma, who was on Jahangir's shoulders. After a moment's pause, the loudest cheer yet rose.

"Soma! Soma! Soma!!"

Everyone present called Soma's name with enthusiasm.

However, in stark contrast to this enthusiasm, Soma was flustered and did not respond.

Celebrating a victory is also an important duty of a commander. Jahangir, seeing that Soma was not responding, tilted his head.

"What are you doing? Respond to everyone quickly."

"Please, put me down quickly! I beg you, put me down!"

Despite Jahangir's urging, Soma was only flustered. Jahangir, beginning to find Soma's unusually flustered state suspicious, felt a dampness around his neck.

"…! Could it be, you…?"

At Jahangir's words, Soma's face, red with embarrassment, twisted.

"I'm sorry…!"

Soma had lost control of his bladder out of fear during his first real battle.

Several expressions, which even Soma could recognize, rapidly appeared and disappeared on Jahangir's face, which is usually hard to read for humans.

"I told you to put me down quickly…"

Soma, feeling so ashamed that he was almost in tears, made Jahangir clench his mouth into a frown.

"Is something wrong, Soma?"

Shemul, noticing the exchange between the two, looked up at Soma and asked.

"Soma, you look very dangerous. I guess I can't leave you alone!"

Soma, slightly surprised, widened his eyes and then smiled mischievously.

"It's nice to have someone to rely on, isn't it?"

Caught off guard by this unexpected response from Soma, Shemul's eyes widened. After a while, Shemul, overcome by a fit of laughter, burst out laughing.

"Indeed."

Following Shemul's laughter, Soma also laughed.

The cheers of victory, centered around the two of them, continued without end.

◆◇◆◇◆

"Who would have thought that he would actually defeat General Darius…"

Standing on the wall of the city of Borinis and looking at the battlefield, Marclonis muttered in a daze.

He had seen the potential for victory over General Darius in Soma, who had captivated different races with his speeches and possessed unconventional thinking that was not bound by common sense. However, that was just a possibility. In reality, the chances of winning were one in ten thousand.

However, when the results were revealed, he had not only overturned the greater disparity in forces than initially expected but had truly defeated General Darius.

What else could be called a miracle if not this?

"It must have been a fluke! For General Darius to lose…!"

Setius, standing next to Marclonis, said dismissively. As a soldier who had served under Holmea, he could not accept General Darius's defeat.

While his words were tinged with sour grapes, the content was correct.

Later, when Soma heard the pre-battle calculations from the prisoners, he left these words:

"This strategy was a desperate measure due to the overwhelming odds. No, it was more than a desperate measure; it was a huge gamble. It just happened to work. If the number of the extermination army had been even slightly less, or if my forces had been even slightly more, I would have acted according to General Darius's predictions."

From these words, it is clear that Soma, more than anyone, understood that the victory in what would later be called the "Battle of Borinis" was brought about by many fortunate circumstances.

However, Marclonis still insisted.

"Whether it was a fluke or not, a win is a win."

The result was already decided and could not be denied.

But Setius still argued.

"But such a fluke won't happen again! A new extermination army will be sent out, and this time they will definitely lose!"

"Where will you gather this new army from?"

"Holmea still has over ten thousand national troops! If we call on the lords in various regions, the number will increase even more. They are nothing compared to us."

Marclonis shook his head slightly.

"Most of the national troops are stationed on the eastern side of the country to guard against Romania. They can't be moved unless relations with Romania improve."

The outcome of this battle would soon reach Romania. The news of the defeat of Darius, who was almost a guardian deity of Holmea, might invite an invasion from Romania, which had been deterred by his prestige.

Given this, it would be impossible to weaken the eastern border.

"Then, we can recruit new soldiers, can't we?!"

"That will certainly increase the numbers."

Seeing Setius's relaxed expression, Marclonis asked in return.

"Who will command these tens of thousands of new soldiers? I would refuse. Especially if it's against an enemy who defeated General Darius, who led the elite 7,000 national troops."

Setius was speechless.

Indeed, any soldier in Holmea would hesitate to be asked to defeat an enemy who had defeated the best general in Holmea, General Darius, with a force of new soldiers.

"It will take a considerable amount of time to replenish the soldiers lost in this defeat and reorganize the army. This valuable time will undoubtedly be gained by that boy Soma. Whether it's half a year or a year, I don't know."

The respite gained by the boy from this victory would be brief. However, in that short time, Soma would grow immensely.

Marclonis had this premonition.

"If others can't do it, surely General Darius will. If it's the general, he will surely… this time."

At Setius's still unconvinced words, Marclonis's face darkened.

After using all possible strategies in this battle and revealing his tactics, it would be impossible for Soma to defeat Darius again. However, Marclonis did not think Darius would lead the next extermination army.

King Valius of Holmea was known for his quick temper. Moreover, it was a well-known fact that the literary-minded Valius disdained the military prestige of Darius.

Marclonis, with a worried look, gazed in the direction Darius and his troops had retreated.

"I hope he doesn't fall out of favor with His Majesty…"

However, Marclonis's concerns were well-founded.

◆◇◆◇◆

"This fool!"

The golden cup thrown by King Valius Sadma Holmeanius hit the floor and rolled, making a loud noise in the silent audience chamber.

"To lose to a mere slave and still have the nerve to show your face before me!"

Darius, who had returned to the capital with the remnants of his army, immediately went to the king to report the defeat and petition for the reorganization of the army to swiftly suppress the rebels.

However, King Valius, whose mood had been soured by the report of the defeat, would not listen to Darius's words. Despite Darius's earnest appeals about the danger of the rebels and their leader, King Valius's temper finally flared.

King Valius, whose body trembled with anger, glared at Darius.

"I thought you had the makings of a great general, but it seems my judgment was flawed. Not only could you not suppress a mere slave rebellion, but you fear the slaves? You even suggest making peace with our sworn enemy, Romania, to defeat the slaves first! Are you trying to cover up your own defeat?"

Blood dripped from Darius's forehead where the golden cup had hit him, and his face was wet from the spilled wine as he pleaded.

"Your Majesty! I will accept any punishment for this defeat. But this is not for my own sake—"

"Silence, Darius!"

King Valius, interrupting Darius with a roar, stood up from his throne.

"You say you will accept any punishment? Very well! —Someone, take Darius to the square and behead him!"

Even the courtiers, who had been watching the proceedings coldly, were shocked.

Darius had served the previous king and had brought many victories to Holmea. To behead him for a single defeat, no matter how great, was a brutal act.

However, trying to dissuade King Valius once he had made up his mind could turn his anger towards them. The courtiers exchanged glances, trying to pass the responsibility to each other.

At that moment, a small figure darted from a corner of the audience chamber and knelt beside Darius.

It was a young girl with caramel-colored hair in a bob cut, still with an innocent face.

She wore a dress made of two pieces of light pink fabric sewn together at the shoulders, hanging down in front and back, and a wide leather belt like a corset around her chest. Over this, she wore a long piece of light blue fabric draped over her right shoulder.

This was a dress that, in this era, was only allowed to the children of the upper class in Holmea.

"Father, please, please forgive Uncle Darius."

The small girl, trembling and her face pale, pleaded with a sorrowful expression. King Valius sighed deeply and sat back on his throne.

"Princess, a woman should not interfere in politics."

While he had known that Darius was quite close to the princess, he had not expected the frail and often secluded princess to make such a plea.

"Please, Father…"

Even the hot-headed King Valius could not turn away the young princess, who was on the verge of tears.

"…Darius, be grateful to the princess. —The beheading is canceled. However, I will strip you of your rank as general and your right to attend the council! Go into house arrest!"

This was the maximum concession King Valius could make.

However, it was not what Darius wanted.

"Your Majesty! I don't mind being beheaded. Please, just let me speak—"

"Enough! I never want to see your face again."

Ignoring Darius's cries, King Valius stormed out of the audience chamber.

Darius, left behind, fell to his knees in the audience chamber and hung his head in dejection. However, no one offered him words of comfort. Instead, he heard mocking voices.

"So, this is the best general. Old age is truly terrifying."

"Indeed. I never want to be like that."

The ones at the center of these mocking voices were those who had sent their children to the army for their first battle. Not only had their children's first battle been marred by defeat, but many had not returned. Their anger was naturally directed at Darius, who had led the army.

Amidst this mockery, a soft cloth was placed on Darius's cheek, which was trembling with frustration and regret.

Turning his eyes, he saw the princess who had pleaded for his life, using her handkerchief to wipe the wine from his face.

"It's okay, Uncle Darius. Just bear with it until Father calms down. Soon, the house arrest will be lifted, and you will be reinstated as a general. After all, you are a great hero of Holmea."

Darius smiled faintly at the young princess who was trying to comfort him.

"Thank you, Princess."

The young princess heaved a sigh of relief.

However, armed guards interrupted the two.

"Princess, please step back."

Before the wide-eyed princess, Darius was forcibly stood up by the guards. As the princess tried to cling to Darius, his sword was taken from his waist.

"Sir Darius, you have been ordered to house arrest by His Majesty. Please return to your residence and remain there."

The words were polite, but the treatment was like that of a criminal, which made Darius flustered.

"What is the meaning of this outrage?!"

The guards, unmoved by Darius's protests, calmly stated:

"This is not an outrage. It is by His Majesty's grace. Your fear of mere slaves suggests you are delusional from the defeat. Repeating such nonsense would tarnish your reputation. His Majesty, concerned about this, has ordered us to accompany you to your residence."

"By His Majesty's order…!"

Darius's bloodshot eyes widened.

"Have I been so despised by His Majesty? After dedicating my life to Holmea! Has His Majesty despised me so much…!"

"Sir Darius, if you continue, even you—"

The guards conspicuously placed their hands on the swords at their waists.

Darius's head hung limply.

"Then, I will go to my residence."

Led by the guards, Darius's face, which had lost all vitality, was dragged out of the audience chamber.

It seemed as if the hand of old age, which Darius had kept at bay with his strong will, had finally caught up with him. In a short time, Darius's face had aged dramatically.

The young princess, with tears in her eyes, tried to run to Darius but was blocked by a guard's arm.

As the young princess tried to push away the guard's arm, she heard a whisper from Darius's cracked lips.

"If this continues, Holmea will be destroyed. It will be destroyed by him. By him—"

A moment later, a word that seemed to be stained with fresh blood escaped.

"By that 'Child of Destruction'…!"

The young princess, who had watched Darius being led away by the many courtiers' mockery and contempt, muttered in a daze.

"The 'Child of Destruction'…?"

Not knowing what it referred to, the young princess felt an inexplicable restlessness in her heart.

◆◇◆◇◆

Thus, Darius's resolve to warn of the threat of the "Child of Destruction" at the cost of his own successor was rendered futile.

Historians of later generations would say:

"The fatal blow to Holmea was undoubtedly the 'Child of Destruction.' However, the final blow was dealt by King Valius, who rejected Darius's advice. If Valius had accepted Darius's advice at this time, history might have been different."