Chapter 214

Chapter 214

“Ramiro has yet to hear news from the border.”

Ivan spoke while sitting on the terrace of the Saint’s assigned guest room. Late afternoon, he had barely escaped from the banquet that lasted until the sun was slowly setting.

The Saint, leaning against the terrace railing, quietly said.

“I knew about the train derailment.”

“So, that means the train ambush was Ramiro’s doing. Once we leave Ebron, a pursuit party will be right behind us.”

“How did you know we wouldn’t hear news?”

“The horses we rode on.”

Ivan continued his thoughts, recalling what Count Philippe had said.

“I just learned the whereabouts of those horses.”

“Oh, that they were the warhorses ridden by those knights.”

“Right. Now they must realize that it’s not that we lost them, but that they were taken from us. From the King’s perspective, he must be assuming that our forces are larger than they actually are.”

The number of people who entered was only six at most, but the forces mobilized for the train ambush exceeded five hundred, even without counting the knights, which were more than six in strength alone.

They would think it impossible for them to break through all of that strength alone, so the King must be considering an invasion of Krasilov’s borders or a similar military mobilization.

Therefore, at least in Leonor, direct action wouldn’t be possible. Leonor was directly adjacent to Krasilov’s border. If Krasilov marched, it would be the first to be crushed, so they wouldn’t act rashly without information.

Considering this.

“By now, the King’s courier must have headed toward the northern border, and if the noble who carried out the ambush quickly sent out a courier, by tomorrow it should reach Ebron. If they realize we entered without any other forces, they’ll start pursuing us right away...”

“Calculating three days, at least two days ahead.”

Nodding at the Saint’s words, Ivan thought about how, unless they were elves of the upper nobility, information delivery in this world must occur through physical means.

Using the time difference in information to break through enemy lines wasn’t a difficult concept. Especially if it was even among the same ‘alliance’.

Before the opponent could fully recognize and respond to the information, all they had to do was escape beyond the enemy’s territory.

“If we set aside two days to pass through the western plains of Lorensia, we can avoid the major cities and still make it to the Papal Enclave on time.”

“Hmm...”

The Saint stretched happily as she looked at the evening sunset.

“If factions divide after participating in the council, that is, if everything resolves itself according to God’s will, relatively... after a peaceful conclusion to the situation.”

She lightly placed her hand on Ivan’s back. He felt her white fingers gently twitching over the coarse fabric of his coat.

“Are you thinking of becoming a knight of the newly established Church?”

“No.”

“Even later?”

“Hmm.”

“Even if the Lord desires that?”

“I will negotiate amicably with the concerned parties.”

“What kind of virtue did Elizaveta accumulate in her past life...?”

“Virtue of the past life.”

Ivan chuckled softly.

Given that he had landed in this miserable world for 30 years suffering for the sins committed in his past life, it was quite a funny story.

The evening sunset hung on the castle wall. Ivan turned his back and said.

“Now, we depart.”

“Indeed. Brother.”

The Saint laughed gently and embraced the nape of Ivan’s neck. Ivan lightly stepped on the terrace railing and jumped directly down beneath the spire.

There was no sound following Ivan’s movement until he landed, slowing his descent by striking the gaps in the castle wall with the axe he had drawn from his side.

*

“No, you said definitely tomorrow morning!”

“Our older brother mentioned that we would depart this evening first. It’s a basic disruption tactic.”

If it were so, then what in the world were the heroes and Veolgrin, Jill Ber, the Great King and his comrades, sacrificed for?

And...

‘I made a promise.’

To Jill Ber, and again to Veolgrin. He promised his lost friends.

That he would never lose a comrade before his eyes again. That is his ‘page,’ realized after long contemplation.

They say all possessed individuals turn their own pages. Yes, then, that is my story. To never lose someone again.

His entire life had been nothing but failures. If that’s why his story hasn’t ended yet, then not anymore. No more.

And to add one more thing.

While he had never succeeded in protecting anyone, at least he had never failed to survive.

Click.

Ivan chambered his pistol and stepped forward.

The group, looking at his back, quickly bowed their heads and began to run.

*

The knight leading the charge gradually slowed down, glancing back at the departing group before raising the visor of his helmet.

Ivan looked at that face and let his pistol droop.

“I didn’t expect you to come out directly, Count Almagro... or should I say, ‘the Butcher’ Philippe.”

“It’s been a while.”

Philippe, with an aged and haggard face, quietly looked down on Ivan.

“Were you heading to the Papal Enclave?”

“As you can see.”

“Are you planning to kill the Pope?”

“Not at the moment.”

Turning his gaze back to Ivan, Philippe scanned the knights standing beside him with a faint smile.

“I thought your name sounded familiar, but it’s such a common name in Krasilov that it could be that. Perhaps your appearance has changed too much.”

“A lot of time has passed.”

“I heard you died.”

“That was true.”

Ivan stared at Philippe while gripping his axe. Philippe took a moment to collect himself before stepping back.

“We’ll pull back.”

“Pardon? But, Madam!!”

“I cannot permit losses before the battle. This is a command I issue as a commander.”

“Madam, His Majesty’s orders—”

“If you want to follow those orders so much, go out alone. I won’t stop you.”

Philippe turned his horse as he spoke to Ivan.

“Little Ivan. I pay my respects to your achievements. You’ve returned alive from the worst battlefield a human can endure.”

Click, click. The horse gradually grew distant. Count Philippe spoke quietly as he left.

“Leonor won’t oppose you today. But Lorensia will pursue you. If you manage to survive again and meet once more... it won’t be the same as today.”

“I look forward to it.”

Ivan watched the departing count and returned his pistol to its place. The knights watching him gritted their teeth and charged toward their lord.

Turning his gaze again, he saw the legion of Lorensia lined up on the opposite horizon.

In any case, the task at hand had not changed. Ivan began to step toward the Lorensia army.

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