Chapter 88

The sun opened its eyes and began to shine in the sky.

The gathered Elven soldiers took their first steps, their feet trembling with both fear and courage. They moved through the city of Gazarias as if holding their breath, while at the same time, a murderous intent swelled in the depths of their hearts.

There must have been hundreds of them. Each Elf was armed, holding bows and spears in their hands.

They were about to head to the battlefield. They would turn Gazarias into a stage of war, creating a tragic drama with their own hands.

No one could stop them now. Some carried rebellion against the new ruler, Fin, and Largias in their hearts, while others held their loyalty to Princess Eldis deep within, gripping their spears tightly.

The Elven nobles led their troops, converging and forming a great river flowing toward their lord. The current was intense and had a clear direction, surging forward.

There had been a long, maddeningly long period of peace. An ideal land, untouched by war, where nothing changed and happiness was enjoyed as it was. But that long-lasting happiness would come to an end today.

As the collapse approached, the aerial gardens of Gazarias, along with their lord, maintained an eerie silence.

*

"They are gathering troops around the royal palace and in front of the city gates. Quite impressive. It seems the enemy has completed their preparations."

After hearing the report from Eldis, I nodded dramatically. The enemy's troop deployment was as expected. I bit my lip.

Given this, Largias' aim is undoubtedly to encircle us. By concentrating troops in front of the city gates, they prevent us from easily retreating, and if we advance directly to the royal palace, they will attack our rear with the troops at the city gates.

The royal palace is at the northern end of Gazarias, and the city gates are at the southern end. It's like they are opening a large mouth, ready to crush us with their upper and lower teeth.

If their plan proceeds as intended, we have no chance of winning.

Our troops, already questionable in terms of training, would be thrown into chaos by an encirclement, sealing our fate.

Therefore, it is crucial for us to harass the enemy. We must leverage our advantages and strangle the enemy's strengths. I can't remember who taught me this.

The enemy's strengths are the advantage of the terrain, numbers, and time. If they can buy enough time, the reinforcements from Galarist will become a decisive factor. Therefore, we must cut off Largias' head before Galarist's troops arrive.

The enemy has so many advantages.

What about our advantages? Because the enemy is so advantageous, we can predict their moves to some extent. And there is Variann, who has infiltrated Largias' inner circle as a palace guard. If she is discovered, it will be very difficult. I hope she can create chaos within.

But why am I in a position like a captain? I am suited to be a foot soldier in the front lines. My mind twists and my stomach trembles with the unfamiliar role. Fear wells up from my solar plexus, threatening to rise to my throat.

"The Elven nobles say that even if we clash head-on, we won't lose," Eldis said, blinking her blue eyes, perhaps unable to bear my contemplation. I shrugged in response.

"Everyone tries to extend their shadow in front of their lord. At best, it's a fifty-fifty chance, and at worst, we'll be pushed back."

Peace is the greatest poison that corrupts soldiers. If it lingers for hundreds of years, training will undoubtedly decline, even if it is maintained. This is true for the enemy as well, but especially for the troops of the nobles, who are less likely to be well-trained.

The battlefield is not a place that is part of this world. It is a realm of demons.

When one first stands on the battlefield, they inevitably lose their role. They don't know what to do, why they are there, or what is happening. Many die without understanding.

A place where a mouse can become a dragon and a dragon can become a mouse. A place where skills honed in peacetime are useless. It is a unique place.

Eldis stared at me intently, her blue eyes meeting mine from below.

"You speak as if you know it well. Have you stood on the battlefield many times?"

Her tone was more curious than skeptical. I raised an eyebrow and moistened my lips, rolling the words around.

"Yes, the battlefield comes to you, whether you want it or not."

Especially for someone like me, a commoner. Eldis's cheeks lifted in what seemed to be amusement.

"Whether you want it or not, indeed. Then, should I congratulate you this time?"

Before I could ask what she meant, her blue eyes were already locked on mine. The distance between us had somehow closed. Eldis's expression didn't change much, but the light in her eyes clearly showed joy.

"Congratulations. This time, you are the one who has brought the battlefield. The owner of the battlefield is neither me nor Largias. It is you, Ruis."

What a joyless congratulation.

Ah, but that's right. Those words finally made sense.

Why was I racking my brain and feeling torn, pretending to be a captain?

Because this is the battlefield I have brought, the one that has overflowed from me. I have torn apart the peace of Gazarias and stirred up the battlefield for my own sake.

A cold sensation ran down my spine. I took a deep, very deep breath from the depths of my lungs.

"Thank you, Princess. But really, where did you learn such sarcasm?"

"Well, if I were to say someone taught me something strange here, I can only think of one person."

Her mouth is quite nimble, I can't help but admire. Is it a habit of the nobility?

From the tower's window, the landscape of Gazarias looked different from usual. It seemed very quiet, but the air was tense and abnormally cold.

The battlefield is coming here, to rescue the princess and disrupt the peace of Gazarias.

"Princess, is everything, including the details, fine with the tasks I asked you to do?"

"Yes, I said that. But I have a question—what are you going to use that wine for?"

I couldn't help but smile at Eldis's curious tilt of the head.

"Well, I have a friend who loves wine. He's someone I know well, from my travels long ago."