Chapter 90

“This is nonsense. The soldiers are very tired because the war has been going on for over a year. Moreover, most of the weapons are worn out, and the number of war horses is not enough. So are we going to invade Velicia in this state?”

A strong-built young knight raised his voice and protested. In his hand was a message from the central government of Kustan. He was so angered that he unknowingly crumpled the message he was holding.

“As they sat leisurely in the conference room and only read reports that came up from time to time, it seems that they did not properly grasp the situation here. I’d rather go back to Kustan myself.”

“Sir Theodore.”

Edwin, who was sitting with his elbows on the desk and his hands clasped, opened his mouth. It was a low, quiet voice, but it was enough to stop Theodore from being very agitated. The angry Theodore quickly stopped his words and answered his superior’s call.

“Yes. Lord.”

“Invasion of Velicia is not a decision made by the superiors.”

“What do you mean, Lord? Wasn’t it decided by the higher ups?”

“I told them first. After invading Brimdel, we will immediately attack the neighboring country, Velicia.”

“!”

Theodore’s eyes widened at Edwin’s words. He seemed to have been hit hard in the back of the head with a sledgehammer. What did he just hear now?

“So Sir, tell your soldiers that they will soon be on their way to Velicia.”

“Lord!”

Hearing Edwin’s strong command, Theodore was startled and jumped up. Creaak. His chair was pushed back and scraped the floor roughly.

“What are you talking about? This is nonsense! If we head to Velicia like this, our odds of winning are slim! Lord knows that too!”

Theodore’s words became faster and faster. A vein popped up in his thick neck.

“Lord. Why don’t we go back to Kustan first and make up for the shortcomings? It won’t be too late to invade Velicia after reorganization.”

“Yes. But by now they’re probably thinking the same thing. They wouldn’t expect us to attack like this.”

Edwin said, resting his chin on his clasped hands. His gaze, looking somewhere in front of him, was heavy and serious.

“Let’s assemble a reconnaissance team to look at the internal circumstances of Velicia. If no problems are found there.”

Edwin paused for a second. Then, he declared to the knights who were waiting for his next words.

“We are advancing to Velicia as it is.”

“Lord! Please! No matter how great the opportunity, this is too risky!”

Theodore was appalled.

“Velicia is a far more powerful country than Brimdel! Even if we were fully prepared, there is no guarantee that we would be able to win against them. They are a country with a very strong force!”

“Sir Theodore. When did I ask for your opinion?”

Edwin rolled his eyes and glared at Theodore. Even though it wasn’t a big deal, the look was very threatening.

“Sir, remember your position. The commander here is me, not you.”

“But!”

“I won’t say it twice.”

Edwin quietly cut off Theodore and warned him. At the same time, he openly gave off a terrifying murderous energy to anyone who dared to challenge his authority.

In an instant, the energy of the air surrounding them changed. Theodore got startled, and his body trembled. Like sharp blades had been thrust into his throat, he got goosebumps.

Theodore shut his mouth tightly. This situation was very disappointing and hurt his pride, but he knew it well. The man sitting in front of him was a monster. A ruthless monster covered in a beautiful shell.

No matter how wild he was, he would never be able to match Edwin.

Theodore, who was breathing heavily with a pale look, was unable to say anything in the end. Perhaps he couldn’t stand it any longer, he showed Edwin a salute and strode out.

As Edwin tapped his feet and looked at Theodore’s back as he disappeared, he then turned his head to Lionelli sitting next to him. Unlike Theodore, she remained silent throughout the meeting, not saying a word.

Like Edwin, she wasn’t the type to show her emotions too much on her face.

“Will you not object to me?”

“I’m just following Lord’s decision.”

Lionelli answered Edwin’s question without hesitation.

“Give me an order. I will abide by the Lord’s will.”

“Will you obey my orders?”

“Yes. Lord.”

“Why?”

“Because the Lord is my superior, and like you said, you are the commander of this place.”

Lionelli’s attitude was firm. The perfect faith and unwavering conviction in her superiors were all over her face. A belief that, if told to walk into a fire, she would really go.

Edwin stared blankly at Lionelli. Unlike Theodore, she was always the same. From the moment he first met her to this moment, she has been unwaveringly loyal. His eyes narrowed as he judged her intentions for a moment.

“Even if the Kustan army is annihilated because of me?”

The question was terrifying. Lionelli’s expression, which had been maintaining her poker face so far, collapsed and a small surprise spread across her face. It was a brief moment, but their eyes met in the air. There was a tense, dangerous aura between them.

Before long, the surprise was erased from Lionelli’s face. She regained her composure much sooner than expected. Looking at him with straight eyes, she slowly nodded her head.

“…… Then I will be with you until the end.”

Lionelli answered with strength in her voice. She did not escape Edwin’s gaze. She had the solemnity of a priest serving God with all her heart.

‘That’s foolish.’

Edwin smiled self-deprecatingly at Lionelli.

Seeing the figure of her blindly following him, he saw his old shadow who blindly followed the old royal family of Brimdel. Just as he deeply hated the Brimdel family for ruining his life, Lionelli will one day hate him deeply for leading Kustan to ruin and sharpen her blade for revenge.

He was inheriting the bad relationship. Like a wheel, it seems that it would just be an endless cycle of mistakes getting made and regrets appearing over and over again.

But even so, what does all of this mean at this moment?

Edwin leaned against the back of his chair. He would not be able to stop even if he was going to turn the whole world against him.

“It’s convenient.”

His world, which lost the only light of life, was still gray.

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