Chapter 1

In the western part of the Warlima continent, a war had been raging for over four hundred years.

This war would later be referred to as the War of the Eight Nations' Unification.

The war's situation changed dramatically when the Regius Kingdom brought two countries under its control, and this fact intensified the conflict.

As a result, the war was rapidly heading towards its conclusion.

Eventually, the western part of the Warlima continent, which had been composed of eight small countries, was reduced to just two, including the Regius Kingdom.

On a day near the end of the war, General Lambert of the Regius Kingdom left the camp alone and looked up at the night sky.

"Lambert, what are you doing out here in the middle of the night?"

When Lambert turned around, he saw the figure of General Gryph, another general of the Regius Kingdom.

Lambert, now a great hero beloved by the entire Regius Kingdom, was once just a peasant.

Gryph, who had been a close friend since the days when Lambert, a peasant, rose to an unprecedented position and was shunned by the nobility, had always protected and encouraged him.

Gryph raised his hand in greeting, and eight subordinates followed behind him.

"I was just reminiscing a bit. About the days when I was just a wild kid before being taken in by Queen Aurelia."

The previous king of the Regius Kingdom, who was concerned about the constant conflicts in the western part of the Warlima continent, aimed to create a peaceful era by unifying the west and conquering neighboring countries. His successor, Aurelia, continued her father's will and expanded the territory, finally reaching the point of unifying the eight western nations.

Technically, Aurelia is not a son but a daughter, a secret known only to a few close aides.

Lambert and Gryph, who were close to Aurelia, knew her situation but were thorough in not letting it slip in conversation.

After the death of the previous king, the duke, the king's younger brother, attempted to usurp the throne and assassinated Aurelia's young brother.

To stop the duke's ambitions, Aurelia, who had just been born, had to be disguised as a boy.

Even after the duke was executed, this secret continued, and Aurelia still pretends to be a man.

"But why are you here, Gryph? Your post is a bit far, isn't it?"

"I wanted to confirm the terrain with my own eyes."

Saying this, Gryph took a few steps and stopped at the edge of the cliff.

"...Lambert, what do you think of this war?"

"I'm not letting my guard down, but to be honest, we have the upper hand. Even with half our forces, it would be enough. We've been put through a lot, but the end will be anticlimactic. If we push through here and show a serious offensive, the enemy's foolish king will have no choice but to surrender."

"I see, actually, I agree with you. It's a relief to hear it from you."

"Gryph...?"

Gryph, who had been looking at the cliff, turned around and drew his sword, attacking Lambert.

Lambert hastily readied his sword to defend.

A high-pitched sound of metal clashing echoed.

"Hey, what's the meaning of this..."

The eight subordinates of Gryph, who were behind Lambert, drew their swords and attacked him simultaneously.

"Damn it!"

Lambert crouched and rolled to the side, evading the eight swords.

He quickly got up, roared like a beast, and swung his sword horizontally.

"Roar!"

One man's leg was broken and flew into the air, another was thrown back, spraying blood from a sword wound to the waist.

Lambert's sword, without losing momentum, shattered the armor of a third man and cut him in half, sending his upper body flying.

With just one swing, he had cut down three men in full armor.

However, while Lambert was focused on his subordinates, Gryph had moved to his blind spot.

It was nine against one from the start.

The situation was not so sweet that he could keep track of all the enemies while fighting.

Especially with the restricted vision of the helmet and armor.

Clank.

The sound of metal joints clicking allowed Lambert to finally pinpoint Gryph's exact position.

"Don't take it personally, Lambert!"

Gryph, who had jumped from the blind spot, swung his sword at Lambert.

Despite wearing heavy magic metal armor, Gryph's jump was so light that it seemed to defy gravity.

This was Gryph's signature move, "Moon Feather."

Lambert knew this technique, but he never imagined it would be used to take his life.

The pressure was entirely different from when he practiced or watched it as a third party.

Lambert quickly crouched and deflected the attack at an angle, but he received a strong blow to his shoulder through the armor.

The armor of elite soldiers is mostly full plate, and the swords are designed to be blunt and heavy, specialized for striking.

Moreover, the sword carried the immense weight of the magic metal armor.

Gryph's sword, which struck Lambert's shoulder, was then slammed into the ground.

A loud noise echoed, a crack appeared in the ground, and dust flew up.

"Good job! But now your dominant arm won't be able to move!"

Gryph jumped again and swung his sword.

This was the second "Moon Feather."

"Don't underestimate me! Roar!"

Lambert, despite his injured shoulder, raised his arm forcefully and swung his sword with both hands.

Gryph hastily readied his sword to block but was knocked to the ground by the heavy pressure from above.

He managed to land in a crouching position, but Lambert's powerful blow was not to be underestimated.

Gryph, a hero who had survived many fierce battles, did not let go of his sword from the shock.

However, his hands and feet were numb.

It was not just numbness; it was a searing pain in the joints.

Gryph, who had been aiming to kill Lambert, found himself awkwardly bent and unable to move.

"Damn... This can't be..."

Worry began to show on Gryph's face.

Two of Gryph's subordinates rushed to his aid from either side.

"General Gryph!"

Lambert swung his sword like a club, crushing the heads of the two men, armor and all.

Three of Gryph's subordinates were left, but they dropped their swords and trembled.

"Such... General Lambert, to this extent..."

Gryph's subordinates had already lost their will to fight.

They believed they could at least distract Lambert and support Gryph.

For that, they were prepared to lose their lives.

But they were not prepared to die so easily and meaninglessly.

It was not that Gryph's subordinates were cowards.

They just wanted their sacrifice to have meaning.

Lambert was a far more formidable opponent than they had anticipated.

"L-Lambert..."

Gryph glared at Lambert, his face pale.

Before Gryph could even try to stand, Lambert's sword was placed at the side of his neck.

"...I can't die until Queen Aurelia unifies the west."

"Haha... Even if it's by Queen Aurelia's order."

"W-What!?"

Lambert was shaken by these words.

Seeing his confusion, Gryph's face twitched, and he slightly twisted his lips.

"You have overwhelming power and charisma. This war... without you, it might have continued for generations. Despite being a peasant, you are now respected even by the nobility. You are the greatest hero of the Regius Kingdom, and you are still popular among the commoners."

"W-What are you saying!"

"If you expose Queen Aurelia's secret at the end of the war... the throne will undoubtedly be yours. There are many stubborn people in the castle, and thanks to the foolish duke's massacres, there are no close relatives left. To avoid unnecessary conflict, this is the only way."

For a moment, Lambert didn't understand what was being said.

But he quickly realized.

In short, Aurelia, seeing Lambert's popularity, feared that her position would be taken once the war with foreign countries settled.

However, understanding and accepting it were two different things.

"Such nonsense! Does Queen Aurelia suspect me of rebellion!?"

He had heard rumors, but only faintly.

They were spread by jealous nobles due to Lambert's rapid rise.

Aurelia had never seemed to take them seriously.

Moreover, Lambert and Aurelia were close friends.

They had encouraged each other and shared their dreams.

Lambert even harbored romantic feelings for Aurelia, though he had never let it show.

To Lambert, Aurelia was a benefactor, a lord, a friend, and a love interest.

"Such... It can't be..."

But the only reason Gryph would try to kill him was if it was on the orders of his lord, Aurelia.

As a royal, it was Aurelia's duty to quickly eliminate any potential threats.

Even if he thought 90% of it was a lie, if there was a 10% chance it was true, he couldn't afford to take the risk.

After all, the balance was the throne and the future of the country.

However, Lambert couldn't accept it.

"Your Majesty... Why... I have always been so..."

Lambert fell to his knees.

His grip on his sword loosened, and it fell to the ground.

The moment the sword hit the ground with a clatter, Gryph quickly stood up and thrust his sword into Lambert's chest armor.

Lambert, unable to resist, stumbled backward.

Gryph then tackled Lambert and, as they separated, delivered a zero-distance sword technique, sending Lambert flying.

Lambert's body was airborne.

"...Ah..."

Lambert's foot slipped off the edge of the cliff.

He frantically tried to grab something, and his hand touched Gryph's sword.

"I'll give you this. Hero Lambert."

Gryph let go of the sword.

Lambert's body fell into the depths of the cliff.

Two months later, the Regius Kingdom achieved the unification of the western part of the Warlima continent, finally putting an end to the war that had lasted over four hundred years.

The name of the hero Gryph would be remembered for a long time as a loyal vassal of the unifying king Aurelia of the western part of the continent.