Chapter 118: If I Embrace You Now (2)

Chapter 118: If I Embrace You Now (2)

I looked at my wives falling behind and made a decision.

Burns!

Yes, vice-captain!

Stay with my wives and follow slowly! If you think youll get caught up in the battle, act as you see fit! Anyway, bring just the two of them safely to the Jackson familys territory.

Ner and Arwin couldnt oppose my command.

They were already at their physical limits.

Even though we were riding horses, maintaining such speed for a long time was exhausting for the riders.

Burns nodded his head.

I then looked at Arwin and Ner.

...

...

After exchanging glances, I nodded.

With that, they seemed to lose momentum, slowing down and gradually falling far behind.

After all, it was impossible for my wives to follow all the way to the battlefield.

From here, it would be okay to approach slowly.

The Jackson familys castle was visible for a while now.

At the same time, the heavy atmosphere of the battlefield was approaching.

I could faintly hear the sounds of monsters rampaging.

The more I heard, the faster I urged my horse.

Baran, who was also speeding up beside me, said,

Vice-captain! Theres no sign of the boss monster!

I nodded at this welcome news.

It was somewhat of a relief.

I focused on the external facts.

I tried not to pay any attention to my wavering heart.

I still couldnt believe it.

Was I really going to meet her?

It had been 7 years.

Such a long time had passed.

Was I finally going to face her?

...

I shook my head.

And then looked forward.

Whatever happens... the battle comes first.

We continued on, cutting through the rain.

.

.

.

.

-Heeheehee!

On the battlefield that unfolded before us, we brought our horses to a halt.

...What is this?

Shawn murmured as he gazed upon the horrific disaster unfolding before his eyes.

What was immediately visible wasnt a battle between monsters and soldiers.

It was a battle among soldiers themselves.

A literal war was raging.

The people were killing and brutalizing each other, unleashing unspeakable cruelty.

I caught my breath at the sight.

Could the hero party have gotten entangled in such a war?

Berg! Follow me!

But Gales call snapped me back to reality.

Regaining my senses, I saw a red hawk leading us.

Gale, following the hawks trail, spurred his horse forward.

A war has broken out...! I never imagined the Jackson familys succession struggle would escalate to this...!

Succession struggle...?

Lets talk about it later...!

I agreed with Gales words.

Now was not the time for such discussions.

Especially not in a place like this.

And as we felt ourselves drawing closer... the turmoil in my heart only grew.

Being my first experience of this kind, I didnt know how to control myself.

Telling myself to stop thinking about it didnt work as easily as saying it.

She decided to forget me. She left me.

She said she would not come back.

She was the one who broke all our promises.

And yet... here I was, still disturbed.

...Huh.

I exhaled shortly.

Regaining my composure was a challenge.

Remembering the pain she caused me seemed to make me a bit colder.

Thinking of Ner and Arwin, my resolve strengthened more than before.

I was prepared for whatever I might see.

-Beeeeep!

The red hawk cried out and dove into a group of soldiers.

...Ah... shit...

I quietly cursed at the scene unfolding before my eyes.

I closed my eyes tightly and gripped the reins hard.

I saw a bright sanctuary surrounded by soldiers.

Numerous monsters trying to invade that sanctuary were also visible.

Who was at the center was all too obvious.

-Thump. Thump. Thump.

Facing the wounds of the past made me even more unsettled.

It felt like all those memories were coming back to life.

I shook my head with difficulty once more.

Now was not the time for this.

I gathered my courage for the second time and shouted.

Baran!

Yes, vice-captain!

I issued a tactical command.

Circle to the left! Lead the monsters! Well draw their attention and slip into the encirclement if theres an opening! Rescuing the hero party in the center is our priority!

Yes! Follow me, Jackson!

When Baran called for Jackson, Jackson also shouted.

Jackson squad! Follow Baran-nim!

Several mercenaries responded energetically.

I then issued another command.

Shawn! Support the vulnerable western side of the encirclement! As always, respond to sudden situations on your own!

Yes, vice-captain!

-Swish!

I drew my sword.

The team members simultaneously became one, drawing their swords.

Gale also took out his weapon.

Just before starting the battle, I gave Baran one last order.

Baran! Blow the horn! Let them know reinforcements have arrived!

In war, morale was everything. It was essential to inform the soldiers inside about the arrival of reinforcements to give them strength.

Baran didnt hesitate to follow my command.

He pulled a horn from his waistband and blew into it until his cheeks were about to burst.

-Boooom...! Boooom...!

I could see the soldiers accompanying the hero party looking in our direction.

The loud sound drew the attention of several monsters towards us.

Lets go!

It was Gale who had approached me.

He lifted me up.

He handed me back the sword I had dropped.

At his words, I clenched my teeth and looked around.

It seemed that not many had heard what I just said.

Everyone was too exhausted from the battle to pay attention to others.

The only ones who heard my voice... were, at most, the three people who had gathered around Sien.

A Dragonian warrior.

A Centaur.

An Elf.

...Do you know the saintess-nim?

The Dragonian warrior asked.

It was easy to guess who they were.

The exhausted Centaur whispered,

...A human mercenary?

At this, the Elf inhaled sharply, as if realizing something.

...That cant be...!

But I had no time to pay attention to their detailed reactions.

The anger that had started to burst forth was uncontrollable.

Isnt she your companion?

...What?

Why isnt there a single bastard helping Sien...!

The Dragonian warrior whispered in confusion,

...Sien?

...Ha.

I felt deflated at that almost playful response.

Even trying to get angry felt like punching the air.

Then I remembered again.

The words Arwin had said to me.

No one knows saintess name.

She had said it might even be rude to call the saintess by her name.

That was indeed the case.

Even the paladins who took Sien from me told me not to call her by her name.

Gale spoke again.

Well talk later...! We need to leave!

The Dragonian warrior responded.

Master... but how can we touch the saintess-nims body...!

Gale hesitated at that response.

I just couldnt believe this absurd farce.

Could it be true that no one was allowed to touch Siens body or even call her by name?

Did that mean for the past seven years... she had no physical contact with anyone, nor was her name ever called?

The cruelty of that reality tightened around my throat.

But, suppressing my emotions, I approached Sien.

I reached out to her.

-Thud!

-Thump!

Two hands blocked me.

The Dragonian warrior and the Centaur.

Move.

I said.

...You mustnt touch the saintess. We need to find another way.

He spoke with a pained expression.

To me, his concern seemed ridiculous.

...So she should just die here?

...

It was clear that delaying would only dampen the morale of the soldiers we had briefly rallied.

I hadnt brought the Red Flames here to stay.

Leading only the Head Hunter unit for a brief visit, I couldnt afford the burden of a prolonged battle.

-Thump!

I pushed the exhausted Dragonian warrior and Centaur aside and approached Sien.

...

My steps halted again in front of her.

I slowly knelt down.

Her head lay in front of my knees.

This was the closest I had been to her in the last seven years.

It seemed like she could wake up any moment now, smiling at me.

She appeared slightly more mature.

That change made the passage of time more tangible.

Yet, at the same time, being by her side felt so natural.

As if we had met just yesterday.

...Sien.

Being here like this... the emotions I had hidden surged forward.

Precious feelings hidden behind fierce anger.

The harsh words born of resentment that I had only imagined, couldnt escape my lips.

Especially in front of her, who couldnt hear my voice, I could be utterly honest.

...You said you wanted to eat delicious food.

I murmured.

She didnt respond.

...You wanted to wear pretty clothes.

Unknowingly, my hand brushed her hair.

I resented her... but just as much, I wished for her happiness.

I never wanted this for her.

Why are you like this... why... why...

I held her cheeks in both hands.

-Thud...

I bowed my head, touching my forehead to hers.

....

Then, I stood up and lifted her in my arms.

It was an action so easy and natural for me.

The Elf spoke, probably the woman Arwin mentioned, Sylphrien.

If you disrespect the Saintess of purity like this...

Her tone was cautionary, even though she herself seemed to know it wasnt right.

It felt as though she was speaking while knowing I was doing the right thing.

It might have been just a remnant of a habit built over the past seven years.

...Does she look like a Saintess of purity to you?

I asked, showing her Sien, who lay in my arms, covered in blood and mud.

.......

She had no words to say.

In my frustration, I burst out.

...Those so-called warriors of God, so scared of them!

Had Sien received no helping hand from anyone all this time?

The thought was enough to make my teeth grind in pity.

...The Gods might punish you...

Sylphrien whispered to me in a worried tone.

Her voice genuinely sounded concerned for me.

Looking at her... I let out a half-laugh and said,

Let them.

With those words, I walked away.

The End of The Chapter

[TL: Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 5 chapters ahead of the release: /readingpia

Join Our Discord for regular updates and have fun with other community members: /invite/SqWtJpPtm9 ]