Chapter 140

[Translator - Jjescus ][Proofreader - Starfall ]

Chapter: 140

I watched the battle from behind the army on horseback.

There were concerns that the army might be overwhelmed by the larger-than-expected number of monsters, but those worries were quickly dispelled as the number of living monsters rapidly decreased.

Whether I wanted it or not, I had to stay in the rear, for several reasons.

One reason was, as my grandfather had advised, to give opportunities to other soldiers. Another was my poor physical condition.

And the other reason was...

"Are you bored?"

When I asked, Jincheon's shoulders shook violently. He seemed to be about to yawn, judging by the way he covered his mouth with his hand.

Hey, even if you're Jincheon, yawning during a battle is a bit much, isn't it?

I had to step down from the front line to keep this guy out of sight.

"No, Your Highness."

"It doesn't seem like you’re not.”

He couldn’t deny it.

Since the battle began, Jincheon had been mumbling to himself continuously. But it was such a small whisper that no one else but me could have heard it.

And since it was so noisy around, I must have been the only one who heard it.

He was mostly giving advice. ‘What a foolish route they’ve chosen,’ or ‘He has strength but doesn’t know how to use it properly.’

He was learning from his observations, mumbling like that.

“What about General So?”

When I suddenly asked, Jincheon looked at me in surprise.

“Yes?”

“I’m asking what you think of General So.”

Confusion appeared in Jincheon’s eyes. He probably didn't think I would hear his inner thoughts.

Jincheon was flustered. I felt a thrill when he was flustered.

He stammered, “He is a worthy warrior to learn from.”

Does he have nothing to criticize about my grandfather? Or is he just watching his words?

I was curious to hear what he would say, but honestly, he didn’t seem to want to answer.

Probably because my grandfather was a general.

I didn't ask any more questions.

"I see."

Still, I thought his words weren't just empty compliments. After a moment's thought, I decided to send Jincheon to be beside my grandfather in the next battle.

It would be more helpful for him to do that than to just waste time as the attendant of the prince.

A sword rusts if it’s not used.

* * *

The very next battle took place in a gorge.

A wind blew through the gorge, carrying with it a strange energy. The damp air held a discomfort that went beyond mere humidity.

It felt like the energy of the gorge rocks was pressing down on me. The energy was more concentrated than in the basin.

Also, because the space was narrow, it was necessary to reorganize the formation. And once again, my grandfather led the way.

The only difference from the last battle was that Jincheon followed him.

As I had thought in the last battle, I sent him to experience how seasoned veterans at the front dealt with things, while he did odd jobs.

But something unexpected happened. A group of monsters approached the rear of the formation, where we were supposed to be safe.

In other words, where I was. But I was the only one who noticed.

“Monsters are approaching from the rear!”

As soon as I shouted, chaos ensued. My formation was quickly disrupted, and the front line was extended to two places.

As a result, the attention of the generals and commanders at the front was also diverted.

Damn it. There was no room to escape.

Since the number of approaching monsters was not very large, it would not be difficult to restore the front line to one if we had just a little bit of leeway.

I led the elite guard unit and a small force of soldiers away from the main formation.

After joining forces with the units of other commanders, the elite guards changed their role to protecting my safety at all costs.

Regardless, I led them towards the approaching monsters.

After clearing the monsters from the rear, I returned to the main force.

I realized the atmosphere had changed. The reason was that my grandfather had nearly been seriously injured while I was away.

However, my grandfather was safe. It was thanks to Jincheon, who was near him.

When I returned to camp after the battle, I heard the full story from Yoo Gueng.

During the battle, my grandfather's warhorse had been frightened by a rather large monster and tried to run away, causing my grandfather to lose his balance.

He had barely managed to recover his posture from the near fall when the monster was right in front of him, and just when he thought he was doomed, Jincheon had killed the monster.

“So, General Gyeong praised him, saying that although he is a small soldier, his spirit is second to none among any general.”

I smiled bitterly.

“The general's reputation is at stake.”

“Even so, who would doubt General So’s abilities?” Yoo Gueng said calmly. “Time cannot defeat General So.”

He spoke as if it were a matter of course, as natural as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.

But everyone ages and eventually becomes weak and dies.

Knowing General So's fate, I couldn't bring myself to say those words, so I just smiled.

“So, is my grandfather safe?”

“Yes, General So is safe.”

Yoo Gueng's expression darkened slightly as he replied.

“But...”

Yoo Gueng added a few more words. I nodded after hearing him and went to see my grandfather.

I found General So's tent, but he was outside.

“General.”

My grandfather turned when I approached.

He was kneeling beside his warhorse. He seemed to be able to move without difficulty, so he was indeed safe as Yoo Gueng had said.

I glanced at the white horse.

Although it seemed to have been cleaned by a stable boy, it had almost lost its original white color due to the blood and mud still stuck to it.

There was a deep wound on its side, and it seemed to be bleeding continuously.

“Your Highness.”

My grandfather bowed his head and tried to get up, but I waved my hand to stop him.

“I heard you were safe, but that wasn't the whole story.”

My grandfather nodded without answering. His white warhorse was sitting on the ground, panting heavily. Its legs were trembling as if they were cramping.

It was pitiful to see it scraping the ground with its front legs, as if it wanted to get up. While its master was safe, his horse was injured.

Its rapid breathing caused its chest to heave greatly under its white coat. It sounded like the wind escaping.

It was a precarious sight. It wouldn't take long for the flesh to rot in the damp air. It would soon die.

Even though it must be painful, the speechless beast could only look at its master with clouded eyes, unable to ask for help.

If we were in the capital, or even in Wolhan Fortress, my grandfather's warhorse could have been treated.

But this was the demon realm, and in a situation where there was no medicine even for people, we couldn't afford to spend energy treating an animal's injury.

But should we just leave it like this?

Who wouldn't want to help a creature that looked at its master with such painful eyes?

Neither my grandfather nor I were that cold-hearted.

So.

"We should put it out of its misery."

Even though it sounded harsh, my grandfather didn't seem angry. He replied, "Yes."

Because it was the only kindness a master could show in this situation.

It was better to be relieved quickly than to struggle in pain for a long time.

But can human decisions always be so rational?

That was why my grandfather was simply watching his horse suffer.

“...It’s five years old. I’ve had it for four years.”

My grandfather spoke slowly.

“A horse with white fur is not suitable for war. However... since I didn't think I would be going into battle anymore, I took it in without much thought.”

A white-furred warhorse would stand out quite a bit among the dark armor.

Since monsters, too, must have the ability to see light and color, my grandfather's horse would certainly have been an easy target.

“I must have forgotten. That unexpected things can happen... The future isn't so easily determined. Even knowing that...”

I listened quietly as my grandfather blamed himself and drew the sword from my waist. Searᴄh the Nôvel(F)ire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I didn't want to hear him blame himself anymore. It was a sentiment that applied to me as well.

The blade scraped against the sheath with a swoosh. The sound startled my grandfather.

“Your Highness...”

“Take it.”

I handed my sword to my grandfather. I could see his eyes trembling. His expression was also contorted.

“There are soldiers who have died, so you can use the horses they rode.”

“You’re only doing this out of necessity-”

“I know.”

Yoo Gueng had said that time couldn’t defeat General So.

If time meant only the passage of time, then indeed, it couldn’t defeat General So.

But time carries memories.

Doesn’t the passage of time include the rising and setting of the sun, the changing of days and months, and the passing of years?

Time encompasses the process of a child becoming an adult, an adult becoming an old man, and a sapling blossoming into a full-grown tree.

“But you know.”

It can make people stronger or weaker.

There is time that makes people strong, and there is time that makes people weak.

And this man had had to endure the time that weakened people.

So, the General So that Yoo Gueng remembered and the frail old man before me, mourning the death of his horse, could not be the same.

“This isn’t the first time you’ve had to end the life of an injured horse.”

My grandfather was silent. He looked at me as if blaming me for a moment. But then he took the sword from me and raised it.

The faint sunlight that filtered through the dense leaves was reflected off the blade, shattering into pieces of light.

And then the horse's mournful cry echoed briefly.

[Translator - Jjescus ]

[Proofreader - Starfall ]