Chapter 203: Beast with a human face (1)

Chapter 203: Beast with a human face (1)

The 32,000 troops marched to their destination, the Eliatta Gorge.

After all, once they pass through that point, they would be able to take the shortest route to the three Kingdoms and the Elmark Empire.

Perhaps the main force led by Empress Gremory was also stationed there and already waiting for them.

‘......Our pace is not bad.’

Even accounting for reinforcements en route, who would slow their march......

Ferzen estimated their arrival by December's end.

‘Probably around Christmas?’

Ferzen chuckled as he remembered that Christmas was a holiday that didn’t exist in this world but remained vivid in Lee Seojin’s memory.

'If......’

An existence called Santa exists in this world,

It would be perfect if he gave him victory in the war as a gift.

However, as he remembered that Santa did not give gifts to children who cried or were naughty, Ferzen just held tightly to the reins of his horse.

Ever since he was young, he had never received anything he wanted as a gift.

He always either achieved the thing that he needed and desperately wanted by himself or robbed it from someone else with his own hands.

And if it was possible for someone else to give success and victory to someone else, how could it be called success and victory?

It would be nothing more than a simple ‘profit’.

So, just like always,

Just like the last 24 years,

8760 days,

210,240 hours.

Using the same path of life that he had always walked,

He would snatch victory from the world that hoped for the villain's death.

* * * * *

December 22nd, two weeks after their departure.

The scenery of Eliatta Gorge was vaguely visible on the horizon beyond.

......From this point on, they would encounter the main force of the Elmark Empire in 5 days at the earliest, or a week at the latest.

The number of troops that would be going into Eliatta Gorge was 35,000.

The other 40,000 troops had already marched in separate directions after being divided into several groups five days ago.

The troops led by Corleone Wayne Baretta Alfred would join the main army of the Roverium Kingdom and head to the Obern Kingdom.

In the meantime, the group that was led by the First Prince and Princess Elizabeth would head to the Cielen Kingdom.

At first glance, it might seem like the downsizing was a bit too much. However, due to the terrain of the canyon, there were limits to the number of men that could be sent to the front lines, whether the army size was 100,000 or 1,000,000.

Especially since it was not a war that was fought simply with spears and swords.

What the soldiers, who were mere pawns, could do was minuscule. It would be more accurate to say that this was not a downsizing but rather a very efficient compression.

In fact, the number of Auror Knights, Elemental Wizards, and Warlocks that were assigned to the main unit was higher when compared to the other units.

"Halt!"

The Second Prince, Raymond, who stood at the front together with his escort, grabbed the reins and stopped his horse.

With winter just around the corner, the length of the day had become noticeably shorter.

Since night was coming soon, it seemed like they would only advance up to here today.

Halt-!!

Halt......!

As if conveying the Prince's command, the same words were repeated over and over again like an echo.

As the grand column ceased its march, elemental wizards adept in earth magic swiftly conjured temporary shelters.

Watching the barren earth rise into walls and roofs was a marvel soldiers never grew accustomed to, no matter the frequency.

“Count. The tent has been completed.”

"Good. Let’s go.”

Even if he had told them to relax, they would still feel like they were sitting on a cushion of thorn while out here.

Therefore, Ferzen led his troops into the tent that had been built for them.

In fact, looking at the exterior of the tent, it would be more correct to call it a hut rather than a tent.

‘......Did they interfere with the atmosphere and blow away the dust?’

Which means, on the surface, this current situation looked like nothing more than encouraging conflict between the Imperial Family and the Bruteins.

“What is your name?”

"T-that...... I......”

“I have no intention of blaming you.”

Ferzen glanced down at the trembling Lizzy, grabbed the food plate lying pitifully on the floor, and put it aside.

“M-my name is...... Rayman."

“Rayman.”

"Ye-yes!"

“Do you have any children?”

“I-I have a son.”

“Then, if your son commits a grave crime that warrants him to get a death penalty, would you be able to report it?”

“......”

“Can I take your silence as denial?”

Even though Ferzen was speaking in a quiet voice, Rayman and the soldiers could feel an enormous pressure weighing them down.

“It’s only natural to shield family members.”

“......”

“This woman has broken that norm and sought to tell others about her family’s rebellion. Do you think you can insult her loyalty to the Empire?”

“I-I apologize.”

“It’s not just this woman that you owe an apology to.”

Ferzen, who was staring at the soldier in front of him, Rayman, turned around.

He then moved his gaze towards numerous soldiers who were receiving their rations and slightly raised his voice to make them listen.

“Gentlemen.”

“......”

"Consider this a warning for your sake."

Blind fury and hate won't reunite you with your kin.

Instead, you'll lose direction in war, succumbing to the enemy's blades as a devil's lure.

"Please, don't court death lightly."

Post Ferzen's words, Astel, easing his constricted throat, stepped up.

"... I'll ensure the soldier faces discipline. Though not harsh, fasting is plausible."

“Forget it.”

“......”

“He’s a soldier that’s about to go to war. What are you hoping to achieve by starving him?”

"I-I apologize. I was too short-sighted......”

“Astel.”

"Yes."

“What I just said also applies to you.”

“......I will keep that in mind.”

“If you don’t hate me, don’t make me a leader who buries the bodies of my subordinates.”

"Yes......!”

Seeing Astel replying loudly, Ferzen ordered Rimbel to fetch Lizzy's share of the meal again before pushing her wheelchair himself.

Meanwhile, Lizzy let out a pitiful laugh as she watched Ferzen use her tragedy to cover his ugly sides.

Even if the Ernes Empire wins the war, will this country have any hope?

35,000 soldiers, all of them......

They were such stupid and clueless people.

Those people who praised the covered ugliness were nothing more than dogs and pigs.

The people who were revered by them were also nothing more than beasts who wore human clothing.

How can such an Ernes Empire be called a country where the sun never sets?

That place is just......

Without a single doubt, an Empire of /genesisforsaken