CH 207

The Shortest Civil War

Translated by SoundDestiny

Edited by SoundDestiny

One week after raising the banner of rebellion. At last, Rewir has reached the throat of the royal capital.

Tomorrow they will be able to attack the capital. The rebels, suppressing their elation at the prospect of battle, had to take a final rest in their tents on the plains by the side of the road.

‘Finally. At last, the time has come for me to take the Kingdom of Zain……!’

While lying down in a large tent, Rewir spent a sleepless night in the excitement that was simmering in the air.

If he successfully occupied the royal capital, it would be as if he had the country in his hands. He would be able to reign as the new ruler if he called on the nobles who were dissatisfied with the current regime to join forces and defeat Raidorl, who were on an expedition to the west.

There was no way he could sleep soundly and peacefully, coming to a place where such a glorious future was at hand.

‘Looking back, it was a long time. More than 30 years have passed since I was born as the eldest son of the Count of Rewir. I became increasingly dissatisfied with my father, who was reluctant to hand over the reins of the family, and he finally retired, my aristocratic privileges restricted by the king’s royal brother, who has taken the position of regent. What a shame, I have put up with this for so many years!’

Rewir lost in his thought,

He has talent. He has knowledge. He has the popularity. 

If he becomes the head of an aristocratic family, or even higher up the ladder, he will surely be able to do great things.

He will achieve great things that will go down in history and his name will be talked about for a thousand years to come.

‘That’s right, I am not a person who ends up with a tiny status like『Count』. I am someone who can aim higher. The earthquakes and the undead attacking Zain must have been heaven-sent for me to make a breakthrough!　The birth of a hero is always accompanied by turbulent times. Heaven’s will is behind me!’

Having never experienced setbacks in his life before, Rewir never doubted that he was good at what he did. He has never known a major failure and therefore could never consider that he might be making mistakes.

A first mistake can be irretrievably fatal……When all of this turns to another perspective, the man named Irudo Rewir may be a pitiful human being.

“Hm…?”

Rewir, who had been lying down and burning with ambition……suddenly became aware of the sound of bustle in the distance. It seemed as if the sound was gradually getting closer, if not heartbreakingly so.

“It’s so noisy……even though it’s too early…”

Rewir only raised an eyebrow, but did not pay much attention. He did not even get up from where his body lay.

There have been several times during the march when the militia have had disputes. He wouldn’t care what happened since people with no proper education are like beasts in a cattle shed.

He assumed that this time would be no different and covered his head with a blanket to block out the noise.

“Count, Count! It’s important!”

“What’s going on?”

Startled, Rewir jumped out from his blankets and turned his eyes at the soldier who jumped into the tent.

“Enemy attack!　Please get out of here as soon as possible!”

“Ha……? Enemy attack ……?”

Rewir was bewildered, unable to understand the soldier’s words.

But when he grasped the situation he was in, his face turned red quickly and he shouted.

“Nonsense! That can’t happen!”

Rewir rushed to get up and questioned the soldier who reported the incident with a stranglehold.

“The Royal City has only a tenth of the troops we have! There’s no way they could attack from here!　And I’m sure we even had sentries on the roads!　How could we miss an ambush on a plain that is so poorly shielded?”

“The enemy attacked with a very small number. It seems that they probably attacked with less than a hundred soldiers and ….since their numbers were so small, the sentries might have missed…..!”

“A-a hundred less?!”

Rewir repeated the words like a baby just learning to speak. He felt dizzy from the report, as if he had been hit on the head with a hammer.

“Such nonsense. How can you attack an enemy of ten thousand with a hundred soldiers?　There is no way they would take such a foolhardy strategy…….Yes, the Art of War book says that in a situation like this, it’s standard practice to siege and wait for outside help…….Even the history books didn’t say this would happ….!?”

“Uwaaaaaaaaa?!”

“….?!”

Rewir mumbled in dismay, but his shoulders jumped with a start at the screams that came roaring in.

“It’s the enemy! An Enemy attack!!!!”

“They’re going to kill you! Get out of here, quick!”

“Fire, someone put out the fire!”

“Hi..…!!”

Rewire was finally aware of his predicament by a scream that came from a distance. He grabs the soldier’s shoulder as if to cling to him.

“W-what am I going to do!　Where should I run to save myself?”

“Calm down!　The enemy is attacking from the south. If you flee towards the north or ……”

However, the soldier could not finish.

A spear that came through the tent pierced the soldier’s head, instantly killing him.

“Hyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?”

“So this is the commander’s tent. I recognised it at a distance because it was a magnificent tent.”

The tent was torn down, exposing the scene outside.

In the camp outside, flames were rising everywhere, and screams and shouts were echoing.

And standing against the burning flames was a strange woman dressed in….. black.

Her bright red hair was lit by the flames. Her left eye was hidden by an eye patch and her left leg was that of shiny metal.

“If I kill you now, this war is over. You will rue in hell for trying to bully my sweet little brother”

Angelica Ilkas, the one-eyed woman standing with a ghastly smile on her face, said to Rewir fell on his buttocks with a blade in her hand.