Chapter 31

Makoto's shallow breathing was irregular, and the world reflected in his eyes seemed distorted as if curved. His stumbling feet refused to walk even the slightest unevenness, as if it were a treacherous terrain. The phrase "battered and bruised" would be an understatement; Makoto's appearance was in a terrible state. His left arm had burst due to the explosion of the *Heavy Bomb*, and the part from the elbow down had been blown away, leaving the area up to his shoulder severely damaged. The incomplete magic barrier could not withstand the shockwave, and burns and lacerations covered his entire body.

"Look, it's me."

Makoto, walking like a wraith, called out lazily into the darkness. A shadow that had blended into the dimness emerged.

"I am surprised. To think you survived that explosion."

It was one of the Reharsen Knights who had participated in the attack. They were not in a position to rejoice at the reunion, but the knight's attitude was remarkably formal. Despite the presence of a girl with a severed arm and a body riddled with wounds, there was not a single word of encouragement. Truly, the Reharsen Knights were typical.

"The mud acted as a buffer. The dead bodies mixed in the mud also served as good decoys, didn't they?"

"There are healing mages among the auxiliary personnel waiting at the rendezvous point. Please wait a moment."

The knight disappeared back into the darkness. Makoto, who had collapsed, could not bear the dull pain and extended his remaining arm. When he felt his side, a sharp white fragment was embedded there.

"That arsonist, he, he made me, a, a broken thing."

The exact location was unclear, but a part of his bone had burst. His vision narrowed due to excessive blood loss and swayed from side to side. Just as Makoto was about to lose consciousness, he was slapped awake.

"It hurts, a, a lot."

With heavy eyelids, he glared at the culprit with half-open eyes, but the Reharsen Knight showed no remorse.

"Please do not lose consciousness. If the magic barrier breaks, you will die from the bleeding and pain. Let's talk until the wounds are sealed."

"Talk, in this, situation?"

The imperial knight who enjoyed playing with fire and the kingdom's knight who lacked emotion were all equally deranged. Makoto began to escape into his thoughts, thinking that a wrench or a screwdriver was needed more than civilization or culture.

"What happened to your shoulder?"

"From the elbow down, it was torn and useless. The part up to the shoulder couldn't withstand the magic and exploded."

It was a makeshift solution, and the price was a misfire. It also served as a stepping stone to escape from the *Will-o'-the-wisp* user, who was blinded by the flash, but Makoto self-mockingly compared himself to creatures that sever their tails or limbs to escape.

"Completely shattered, huh? In that case, reattachment is impossible."

The Reharsen Knight, who had given instructions to the accompanying healing mage, changed the topic.

"You must not get too involved, as per the strict orders from Captain Gran."

"I know. I was greedy. But, what do you think?"

"That's a painful point to hear."

Despite his words, the Reharsen Knight remained infuriatingly calm. As a result of the teachings of successive knight commanders, the value of life was thin in this knight order. If a comrade died, it was seen as a loss of the knight order's and the nation's strength. This knight was relatively better, but except for Johanna and a few others, people were seen as numbers, not individuals. In fact, the number of surviving soldiers who participated in the attack, excluding the auxiliary personnel, could be counted on one hand. They might lament the losses, but they did not mourn the individuals.

"Gran is a pain."

"Sir Gran. Sir Makoto. However, the blockade of the Refun mine and the mountain fortress, one of the objectives of this operation, has been achieved."

"We should have just attacked and fled. What's with that guy? He's worse than before."

"Yes, we were also greedy."

The Reharsen Knight, who had a notably low empathy, seemed to have been particularly affected by the near annihilation caused by the *Will-o'-the-wisp* shockwave. It was a rare moment of emotional alignment.

"Ha, ha, the real battle is yet to come. If we die in the skirmish, it would be a waste, wouldn't it?"

◆

Due to its value, the Refun mine area was always a site of conflict, and to solidify its governance, a mountain fortress was constructed. In times of crisis, the fortress served as a base of operations, and the residents of the mining town and the downstream areas affected by landslides were brought in one after another.

Two days had passed since the battle, and the healing mages were busy saving lives. Justtan, who was overseeing the guards, was also engaged in discussions with the local defense forces and the Celta territory. Worm, who had experienced many battlefields, was suffering more mental and physical exhaustion than usual. Was it because he had burned Makoto, his childhood friend and fellow townsman? During the break given by Justtan, he puffed on a purple flame, stacking cigarette butts, but could not reach a conclusion.

"I've killed countless people. What's the difference if it's one more?"

In a secluded corner of the unoccupied city wall, he inhaled the bitter white smoke, questioning himself, but found no resolution.

"Self-defense, justified killing... It's a sophistry. No matter what, it's still killing."

The biggest problem was that he had not told Ayane the truth, citing his busy schedule.

"I have to tell her eventually."

It was a matter of time, but separating his emotions from the facts was something he could never get used to, no matter how old he got. The sound of the sentry patrolling the city wall corridor echoed, as if to hinder his thoughts.

Looking up, a small piece of sky cut off by the corner of the city wall was visible. A cloudless blue sky. He exhaled a sigh mixed with white smoke, polluting the innocent sky. His evasion was reaching its limit. Just as Worm was resigning himself, he noticed a change in the flow of people accompanied by a sudden commotion.

"What's happening now?"

Soldiers were running around inside the city, and information was being relayed rapidly. It was clearly not a trivial matter, but there were no sounds of battle or the smell of blood. Given that the demon's face, sensitive to blood, remained silent, it was clear that it was not a surprise attack. Worm stubbed out his cigarette with his shoe and jogged. He rushed to the treatment area, where he was stationed, and searched for a familiar face in the guest room attached to it. Among those engaged in heated debates, there was a guard from Haiselk.

"Douglas, what happened?"

The look on his face, as if he had crushed a bitter pill, immediately told him it was not good news.

"...In Yalquk, a force claiming to be the old Ferius Kingdom army has risen in armed rebellion."

Worm searched his memory. It was a small town located between Refun and Celta. Although it was classified as part of the old Ferius Kingdom, it was now part of Myard. A rebellion would leave it isolated and unsupported, and a quick suppression would be the best outcome. The problem was that it was clearly a rebellion in response to the Refun mine attack. The puppeteer behind the scenes was undoubtedly the Creist Kingdom.

"Urgent report, urgent report!"

The one shouting the urgent report upon entering the room was Justtan, who had been stationed at the communication center equipped with communication magic devices.

"If it's the rebellion in Yalquk, I already know—"

Unfortunately, the information was not being relayed effectively. Worm was about to say that the rebellion in Yalquk was already known, but Justtan interrupted him.

"No, that's not it. Rebellions have also broken out in Balboarde and Lanaisphia."

"Are you serious, near the provisional border with Creist!?"

This was even more troublesome news than Yalquk. A rebellion during a border conflict with a neighboring country would invite foreign intervention. Therefore, it had to be suppressed quickly and thoroughly.

"The main road to Refun is blocked. Can the Celta forces handle it alone?"

The mountain fortress, which overlooked the area, had become a land-locked island along with the mine. Although various attribute magics could perform tasks comparable to heavy machinery in the short term, the two battalions of the Refun area's defense forces were corrupt.

"It might be possible with the standing forces, but the defense will be too thin."

Justtan's concern was valid. While Celta had many soldiers, not all of them were standing forces. The immediately available troops were limited.

"The Haiselk Empire forces stationed in Celta will also be dispatched. Combined, they should form a battalion-sized force."

Douglas, who had close ties with the imperial troops, mentioned one of the forces. They were a symbol of the alliance between the two countries and were considered one of the best units in the imperial army, which was struggling with troop management. As for the role of the hated Haiselk Empire soldiers, they would also serve as the carrot and the stick, Worm thought with a grimace. The group engaged in discussions was interrupted by a voice that seemed about to tear.

"Where is Sir Justtan!?"

"Here."

Without hesitation, Justtan responded. The messenger, who had found his target, began to report, panting for breath.

"Is it a follow-up report? Take a few deep breaths before you speak."

The messenger's chest swelled as he took in air. Once he had enough oxygen, he began to speak in a torrent.

"From the Celta command, Lady Ayane and the guard unit have been ordered to return immediately."

"Understood. We will begin the withdrawal immediately. Is there—anything else?"

It was standard practice to position healing mages near the front lines before the suppression began. Being called back was reasonable. Worm waited for the next words.

"Yes, the Creist Kingdom and the Liberato Commercial Federation... have declared war on the Myard Principality. The war, the war has begun."

Confusion, shock, and anger flickered across Justtan's face as he grilled the messenger for details. Questions were hurled at the messenger from other soldiers in rapid succession. It was a scene of madness. Worm, who had stepped away from the chaos, repeated to himself.

"...After all the killing and being killed."

The smoldering embers, the unstable situation, the conflicts beneath the surface. A large-scale conflict would inevitably break out somewhere. His experience as a soldier was sounding the alarm. Still, he wished that the countries would continue to spend their military resources on reclaiming and rebuilding the magic territories, maintaining a tense but stable state. But the declaration of war was announced as if to reject his wishes.

"Ultimately, they learned nothing. Is the hegemony of the northern countries so attractive... All that will remain is rubble and corpses."

A throne of hegemony built on countless corpses. The peace and prosperity of the people would be lost, and after a two-year preparation period, the war that divided the northern countries would begin again.

'Turbid Eyes, What Do You Wish For? Haiselk War Chronicle II'

Volume 2 of the novel will be released on October 3rd, and the manga adaptation Volume 1 will be released on October 17th.

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