Chapter 35

On the other hand, at Brain Fortress, Raido and Gurst stood side by side on the city wall. Below them, the soldiers of the kingdom's army were forming ranks, preparing for a field battle against the imperial army.

"Still, I'm surprised. I didn't think they'd be willing to fight out here."

Raido said this with a tone of surprise. In war, the side with more numbers has the advantage. This was common knowledge, something even a child would understand. Why, then, had the kingdom's army, which had been defending the fortress until now, suddenly decided to engage in a field battle?

"We have been besieged until now because we had no other means, Your Highness."

Gurst answered, his face as stern as ever.

"Even if we fight in a field battle, there is no hope of victory. The enemy has more numbers, and they even have a Holy Sword wielder. However, we now have you, Your Highness."

"You put a lot of trust in me. This is my first time fighting humans, you know? It's also my first time using a Holy Sword, and I feel a lot of pressure being relied on so much."

Raido shrugged and made a playful gesture, which Gurst glanced at sideways.

Then, lowering his voice slightly, Gurst continued his explanation.

"Still, we have no choice but to rely on you, Your Highness. If we continue to besiege, the kingdom will eventually rot from the inside."

"From the inside...? Are there traitors?"

"More than you can count. And they will only increase in the future."

Gurst said this without changing his expression.

"It is certain that there are those within the court who are in league with the empire. The empire has also sent spies to the powerful families throughout the kingdom to try to turn them. We don't know how many traitors there are at this point, but the longer the war drags on, the more people will defect to the empire."

"I see. That's why the empire didn't seriously attack. They were trying to prolong the war and take down the Kingdom of Zain without causing any damage."

"Indeed. The reason they are camped in front of the fortress is to keep us occupied and weaken the royal palace."

"Hmm, well, it can't be helped. The nobles have to survive, after all."

Betrayal is a despicable act, but Raido had no intention of blaming them.

After all, the monarchy is allowed to rule with special privileges because the king is supposed to protect the land and the people. Once the king can no longer protect the country, he loses his value as a king to be respected. The same goes for the nobles. What they care about is their own families and territories, and they have no obligation to risk their lives for a royal family that cannot guarantee their safety.

"If the subversion continues, even if we hold the fortress, the Kingdom of Zain will fall. To avoid this, we must settle the battle in a short, decisive fight."

"Got it. What do I need to do?"

Raido is one of the best swordsmen in the kingdom, even as an adventurer. This is guaranteed by his sword master, Zaphis. However, in battle, he is no different from a new recruit. He had no confidence in commanding an army.

"I will assign your son, Daren, to you. If the enemy's Holy Sword wielder appears, I will leave it to you."

"Holy Sword wielder... I think you said she uses the Holy Sword of Lightning?"

"Yes... the Holy Sword of Lightning, 'Claustrum.' Its wielder is the third princess of the empire, Seria von Arslane."

"Princess... a woman!?"

Raido's eyes widened at this new information. He had imagined a strong warrior like Gurst wielding the Holy Sword, but it seemed he was far off the mark.

"Don't let your guard down just because she's a woman. Because of that girl, the Balmes Fortress fell, and the kingdom's army has been pushed back this far."

Gurst's stern face moved slightly, his lips twisting in regret and frustration.

"No matter how many strategies we devise, no matter how careful we are, she breaks through them as easily as brushing aside a spider's web... It's truly hateful, but she is a hero."

"Hmm... a Holy Sword wielder, huh? She's quite something."

Raido's lips curled up in amusement. In the frontier development city, he had encountered powerful monsters many times and even faced life-threatening situations. However, the empire's hero he was about to face would undoubtedly be the strongest enemy he had ever encountered.

"But I'm here. I'll show the empire that a hero isn't alone."

Despite the formidable opponent, Raido felt no fear or tension. No matter how strong the enemy, he was confident he would not lose. Gurst, standing beside him, felt both reassurance and a sense of danger at Raido's arrogant and confident attitude.

(There's no way we'll lose. I have him now.)

Raido stroked the Holy Sword at his waist. After five years, the black sword pulsed slightly in response to its master's call.

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