Chapter 60

After the battle had been raging for a few hours, a distorted wind was blowing in front of the great gate of Galuamaria.

After several exchanges of arrows, when the breaths of the emblem believers and the soldiers of Galuamaria had mingled, the momentum of the guards stationed on the great wall gradually weakened. The number of arrows flying through the air visibly decreased.

The soldiers of the emblem believers raised their morale and their voices, but St. Mathia frowned. It was too natural. To put it oddly, the weakening of momentum was unnaturally natural.

For the soldiers of Galuamaria, the attack from the emblem believers should have been unexpected. If so, their resistance should have been either strong and stubborn or collapsed like a tide. Mathia had thought that a natural, gradual collapse like this was not expected.

Of course, the battlefield is ever-changing. Mathia did not think that everything could be predicted by a young girl like herself. Unexpected events naturally occur. Besides, today was just a preliminary strike. There was no need to force anything just because something seemed unnatural.

However, the next scene that unfolded far exceeded Mathia's imagination. She heard the voice of a magician laughing in the darkness.

――――Goooooo

It was an old sound. The sound of iron shaking and wooden parts creaking. The sound of something large moving.

Mathia was not the only one. The eyes of the emblem believers, as well as Largud-Ang and Fiarato, who accompanied them, widened in shock and confusion. They had anticipated many scenarios before heading to the battlefield, but not this one.

The great mouth should have opened through several processes. The formidable guardian should not have been a being that could be brought to its knees with a single spear thrust. Yet, there it was, right before Mathia's eyes.

The great gate of Galuamaria opened its mouth, inviting the emblem believers into the city.

A distorted wind was blowing around.

"St. Mathia, what will you do? There are several possibilities. Of course, it could be the work of our allies inside the city."

Largud-Ang's words finally dispelled the unpleasant atmosphere that had been lingering. Her words also carried a hint of skepticism about the current situation. Even she, no doubt, had not anticipated such a development.

Mathia let out a slight sigh, unnoticed by those around her, and narrowed her eyes.

Choosing her words carefully to avoid causing the soldiers to fall into a strange panic, Mathia continued.

"Everyone, take three deep breaths. I will need time until the wind makes a sound."

Even Largud-Ang, who usually maintained her composure, showed a hint of unease in her eyes. If she was affected, the soldiers, who had been caught up in the heat of battle, would be even more shaken and confused.

Mathia ran her tongue over her mouth and clenched her teeth, inaudibly to anyone. Uncontrollable anger scattered in the air.

――――It's definitely a trap. They intend to ensnare us like foolish birds.

Of course, the possibility of the work of the emblem believers inside the city could not be ruled out. But the movement seemed too thin. If it were so, there should have been some signal or action from their side, Mathia thought, narrowing her eyes.

All she could see was the sky covered in black and the great gate that opened silently without making a sound. There was no sign of any movement.

If so, it was indeed a trap. That line of thought was too significant. Rather, it was the main line.

The correct decision in the current situation would be to retreat. No one steps into the den of a fierce beast. The plan for today was just a preliminary strike. There was no problem with retreating.

But, Mathia clenched her teeth, making a sound.

The one who set this trap was too malicious. They understood the situation and the limited options available.

The most important thing in the rebellion of the emblem believers, who were a weaker force, was the wind that blew from behind. The wind that pushed them forward and supported their steps. The momentum, as it is commonly called, was essential.

Especially now, with herself here, revered as a saint. Mathia took a deep breath and quickly formed words in her head.

The wind roared loudly, as if announcing its destination.

"All units, prepare your shields for the assault. Our path is set. All, use the bodies of your fallen comrades as a stepping stone and be prepared to drink the blood of the pitiful enemy to quench your thirst."

These words meant a desperate charge. No one resisted these words. Everyone believed the saint's words absolutely and gripped their spears and shields.

St. Mathia understood her situation well. She did not have a solid foundation like the nobles or a long history of being an emblem believer. She had no backing at all.

The reason she could remain in the position of a saint was due to her own talent and charisma. In other words, Mathia had to make the believers not only believe in the emblem but also in her own power.

Therefore, Mathia could not retreat in the face of a good opportunity. She had to be a heroic figure who could crush even a trap. This was the great expectation placed on the shoulders of the young girl, Mathia, a weight that could crush her small shoulders.

If she could not do it, the position of the saint among the emblem believers would collapse. Not all the emblem believers were pleased with the existence of a saint. If she could not produce results, it would be the end.

But if the symbolic figure of the saint were to die, the emblem believers would not be able to maintain their momentum. Everything would be like a dream, and everything would disappear. That was something she could not accept.

Mathia gripped her spear strongly, as if to rouse herself. She then made a white flash run from the tip of the spear.

It was a signal. A proof of determination, declaring that they would begin the assault from now on.

*

For Fiarato, the march was something she could not understand at all.

Especially for her, who believed that everything could be measured by knowledge and wisdom.

The great gate opening was undoubtedly a trap. It was a strategy to lure the emblem believers in and then enclose and tear them apart.

Yet, they began to advance.

"... Are you in your right mind? That's a trap. I know there are people in the guard corps who can do such things, boldly. I don't understand why they can respond so quickly."

Indeed, there are. Opening the city gate by oneself is not a strategy that ordinary people can easily take. Even if they understood its usefulness, ordinary people would fear failure and hide deep within the safety of the city gate.

However, Fiarato knew that there were people in the guard corps who could choose and execute such a dangerous strategy.

Of course, if we were in the majority, it would be a mistake. It would be a poor strategy.

But in reality, we are a minority. The enemy understood this and made this choice. Could anyone else have seen through the night attack and determined that this was the correct decision?

Fiarato, visibly shaken, whispered these words.

The group of emblem believers could not be stopped by any words. They were a group of wild beasts that only looked forward. Even if they knew it was a march to death, they would continue to move forward.

So, she whispered the words only to the saint's ear. Mathia, as if understanding everything, answered.

"Yes, everything. But you do not understand. Unfortunately, this world is not yet something that can be fully understood by intelligence. Sometimes, we must advance with resolve in our hearts, bravery in our arms, and expectations on our backs."

Her black eyes flickered in the dark night. There was no sign of fear or anxiety on Mathia's profile. Only her sharp eyes shone brightly.

What did that mean? Mathia's words were too incomprehensible to Fiarato.

Of course, she herself had once tried to transform this world. But it was always based on knowledge and wisdom.

She would never choose to enter the depths of hell, understanding everything as a trap. It was too foolish a choice.

But Mathia, she chose to advance. She believed that there were things in this world that could not be understood by intelligence alone.

Suddenly, the image of Lugis appeared in Fiarato's mind.

Ah, yes, he was like that too. The scene in the underground temple, an action that was hard to call intelligent. But he chose that path.

Fiarato said nothing more to Mathia. She changed only one thing. She followed her back. She hoped that there might be something in it that could connect to her understanding.