Side Story Chapter 220
Two people watched from afar as Selim rained down attacks using his spear.
I should
I would like you to trust Selim with this one, Duke Tremblin. Iruca stopped Tremblin from leaping off from the rampart with a shake of her head.
But the only thing between Selim and an army of tens of thousands was a line, so there was no way Tremblin could just stand down.
Unless he shows his ability here, right now, many obstacles will continue to obstruct Selims way, Iruca explained. Besides, his role model is the emperor.
Youre too tough on Prince Selim.
If his goal was merely to become an emperor, not the second Martial God, then I wouldnt do this, Iruca stated.
In some way, this war was as important to Iruca as it was to her brothers; it was her first war against a foreign nation acting as Avalons main strategist on behalf of Icarus. Iruca couldnt leave the Second Queen Consort to be the main strategist forever since keeping the Queen Consort away from the dusty, grimy frontlines was a matter of national pride.
Above all, Iruca didnt want her old parents to work themselves to the bone forever. No country was eternally strong, and generational change was only natural. A country that failed to accept that change would stop developing and lag behind other countries. In other words, losing this war meant that the end of Avalon was near.
There are many nobles and armies who are here just because of His Highness, Tremblin insisted. Instead of letting him take the risk of fighting alone, it's better to take advantage of our fortifications
That is exactly why Im doing this.
Pardon?
Even if we choose to commit to a siege later, His Majesty would have overpowered the enemys vanguard at the opening of the battle to increase our forces morale.
Tremblin grimaced. Your Highness, our forces cant live under the Martial Gods wings forever. The pressure it will place on Prince Selim would be indescribable as well.
If he cant endure that much, then he shouldnt pursue the throne in the first place.
Tremblin realized that Iruca meant every word of what she said. She had already sent Kireua, her other brother, on a suicidal mission. At this point, people would think that Irucas ultimate goal was to kill off all of her brothers and become the first female ruler of Avalon.
I can see the battlefield again now.
Mmmm Tremblin groaned.
Just like Iruca said, the clouds of dust blotting out the battlefield were slowly subsiding.
Oh, no!
Wait, this isnt how it was supposed to be.
I thought His Highness Selim was going to destroy the enemys front ranks and then we were going to start fighting.
Selims spear was like a storm, but the Martial Knight, Urector, was standing in the same place he had been the whole time, unscathed. However, the area around Urector was distorted like ripples on a lake. Hed used his ability to read and manipulate energy flows.
Huh? What happened? Wait, what did you say earlier? Was it Whoever crosses that line shall face my spear!? Urector recited, adopting a mocking imitation of Selims voice.
Hubalts army burst out into laughter.
Hahahahaha! Urector, youre good at this!
Hes a prince, so I wonder what hes going to do now. If I were him, I would be so embarrassed that Id drown myself in the latrine.
Come on, he might become the next emperor. Thats too harsh.
A prince poops too, doesnt he?
I mean, even the Martial God is so crazy for women that he has three wives, so lets say that he takes after his fatherhe should shove his head between boobs and suffocate himself to death. How does that sound?
Hehehe, you crazy fuck. The Martial God might hear you. You know, I think a hundred women would be happy to be the Martial Gods wives together.
Its said that even a king gets bad mouthed when hes not around[1]. Fine, Im just jealous.
Well, Avalons Queen Consorts are known for their beauty in other countries too.
The Martial Knights foul words were easily heard by Avalons forces thanks to a deliberate application of mana.
Th-Those sons of bitches!
Your Highness! Your Grace! Please open the gates! I, Aleter, shall cut off the heads of those impudent scum!
Ill go too! Please, let me go!
However, Iruca continued to examine the battlefield, though there was no way she hadnt heard the Martial Knights mana-infused voices.
Your Highness
Look over there. Iruca pointed.
Tremblin turned to look, his head tilted in confusion, and found Selim leisurely resting his spear against his shoulder.
What? Giving up already? Urector grinned from ear to ear. He clenched his fists to center the energy flows at a single point.
Selim looked right into Urectors eyes, unfazed. That's what I wanted to ask you.
What?
Did you run away because you got scared?
Urector realized something and his eyes snapped downward.
Wh-When?
Urector had boldly crossed the line drawn by Selim, but he was right back whereno, he was three steps further back from where he had been at the start of their confrontation. It stung Urectors pride that he hadnt even realized that he had been pushed backward.
Oh-hoooooooooo!
Idiot! Hes awfully full of himself for someone who didnt even realize that he was pushed back behind the line by His Highnesss attacks!
Leave him be. Its probably just because the people of Hubalt only know how to talk.
What? Hahahahaha! That makes sense!
It was only natural for Avalons morale to surge. In contrast, those in Hubalts army, especially the Marital Knights, looked like theyd just stepped in a pile of shit.
You fuck! Urector, increasingly red in the face, threw himself at Selim.
Selim fended off the knights charge. He considered Urector and the numbness in his palms with mixed emotion.
My plan was to cut off at least one of his limbs and then throw him into the middle of his forces
But Urector hadnt even dodged a single one of Selims many attackshed simply parried away every single one with his fists.
Indeed, the Martial Knights are the strongest in Hubaltno, the continent.
Selim could understand why they were confident. Those one hundred free-spirited knights were Hubalts secret weapon.
Stand down, Urector.
Urector stiffly turned around and saw another Martial Knight coming forward.
C-Commander, Urector stammered.
It was a man in his forties with an eye-catching scar on the bridge of his nose.
This is a war. I wont tolerate you acting on your own any further.
B-But my pride
Is your pride more important than Sir Bels orders?
Urector bit his lip and stepped back.
All Martial Knights, listen! That wasnt just for Urector! Sir Bels orders were to burn Arcadia to the ground. I prohibit any of you from acting on your own! the Martial Knights commander shouted.
Selims face darkened. A collection of strong people tended to develop factions or fight each other for power, but not the Martial Knights. All of the Martial Knights were united under one strong leader.
Im sorry, but were out of time. All of us are going to attack you from now on. I wont hear anything about how its unfair for a group to attack one person since you brought upon this yourself. The commander looked straight at Selim, his voice getting louder. Besides I know hes our enemy, but I have to respect Joshua Sanders, the Martial God, the Great Emperor of Avalon, for standing up against an army of a million soldiers! Since were merely one hundred knights, Im sure he would be able to crush us without even losing his breath!
Selim tightened his grip on his spear. The Martial Knights commander was no ordinary man. Even though it was only their first encounter, the commander was immediately able to make an accurate evaluation of Avalons forces. Were Selim to run away from this fight after what the commander said, the morale Selim had painstakingly raised would immediately hit rock bottom. Even disregarding all that, the act of running away from a fight was a disgrace as the Martial Gods son.
Tremblin could feel his palms sweating.
Thisll only repeat in the future, Iruca muttered.
What do you mean, Your Highness?
Selim will continue to be tested and compared to his father. He's the Martial God, after all.
Still, theres no reason to play along with them. Tremblin stepped onto the crenellations, ready to leap off the ramparts. Its not too late. Ill
Even if he could run away from this fight, it would change nothing. What do you think our forces would think? Weve felt it in our bones for years already. His Majesty is unchallengeable, but as soon as it became known that he went missing, Avalon ended up in pieces. The rebels ran wild, and the entire Imperial Family was endangered.
Mmm
In the end, Selim has to prove himself on his own, and now is his chance.
Tremblins lips trembled faintly. Even if Iruca was right, it was too reckless to let Selim battle them on his own. The Martial Knights were far stronger than anyone had expected. Even from afar, Tremblin could tell that every single one of the Martial Knights was comparable to a Superhuman.
Besides, Selims authority as a prince would plummet if you were to step in. The Five Dukes are the leaders of Avalons aristocratic faction, Iruca reminded Tremblin.
Although I fully understand what youre saying, Your Highness, I really cant leave His Highness alone here. Hell be in danger at this rate
Before Tremblin could finish speaking, the fortresss tightly shut gates were opened wide.
Who is it! Who dares Tremblins roar died in his throat when he saw an unexpected group of people streaming through the gates. Theyre here?
1. The raw is . Its a Korean idiom about how everyone can be badmouthed.
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