Amidst the heavy silence that hung over the room, I finally spoke.
“We, Bartenberg, have fulfilled our duty to this Union.”
It meant that we were done and ready to withdraw.
It was not an easy thing to say to these mourners gathered in this somber atmosphere, but it was something that had to be said sooner or later.
From the beginning, the mission entrusted to us was to eliminate the threat of Lich.
There was no longer any reason for us to remain here.
The King’s face was sullen and void of life.
They said that the nightmare that should never have come would come again, and that the reinforcements who should never have arrived would arrive. Imagining the King’s feelings under such circumstances was enough to make one shudder.
What soothed the King’s heart was the leadership present.
“Count Ord will continue to defend Riot Castle.”
“Viscount Jackal will do the same.”
“The Knights of Sion will join as well.”
“And Linne will fulfill her knightly duties.”
One after another, their words revealed their courage.
Within their unwavering eyes lay a firm sense of mission.
These were the finest knights who had already come to terms with the burden of holding Bartenberg’s legacy in their hands.
Meanwhile, I gazed at the knight who still remained silent.
Avart, the commander of the leaderless family.
What decision would he make?
“…Helga will also block the darkness looming over the Baren Kingdom.”
That was what he said.
Without hesitation, he turned away.
Avart’s gaze lingered for a moment, but I ignored it.
***
“Still, a king is a king.”
It was the last thing the King said before leaving—about expanding the castle and dispatching the Royal Knights and soldiers.
He looked like someone on the brink of death, yet his resolve was already made.
Meanwhile, I had said nothing throughout the meeting.
After throwing the topic onto the table, I took on the role of a complete observer.
Because it wasn’t a matter for us Bartenberg to interfere with.
At least, not yet.
“Saint, are you really going?”
While lost in contemplation in the room, Avart came to find me.
“Yes. I’m leaving.”
“I see.”
His expression showed a hint of regret at my flat answer.
“Are you worried about? There’s nothing to change just because you’re scared. Of course, I won’t rest either…”
“That’s not the issue. It’s just that thinking about being separated from you, Saint, makes me uneasy.”
The man showed a faint, grudging vulnerability.
I scratched my goosebumps and scolded him.
“Then try to keep up with me.”
The leaderless warriors, the knights of Count Helga.
To be honest, I couldn’t help but be envious.
Their bravery and loyalty were the cream of the crop, and their faith was exceptionally steadfast.
So, during the meeting, I asked directly.
Did they forget the traitor and have no intention of serving me?
Wouldn’t they come with me to Bartenberg?
“I’m sorry.”
Of course, the answer was a firm refusal just like now.
“All the knights of Helga harbor Saint in their hearts.”
“But why won’t you come with me?”
He straightened his back.
He struck his chest firmly with a fist.
“How could we turn a blind eye to the danger to our homeland? The sins of the lord are surely not the sins of the vassels. Even if we forget the traitor Poland Helga, we cannot forget the price paid for serving a traitor nor the Baren Kingdom.”
That was the will of all.
Avart refused resolutely.
‘So they really roasted me thoroughly.’
Since he said that much, continuing to pester would not suit the saint’s dignity.
But what could I do?
I liked these men even more for it.
“All right. I won’t force you.”
For now, a step back.
No matter how tempting it was, there was no need to be rash.
“Ah, you should have arrived at your room by now.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“A Gift.”
Or rather, it might be better to call it a keepsake.
I waved my hand toward Avart, who was standing there with a confused expression.
It wasn’t exactly a gift I liked, but it was something useful going forward.
A wise man like him wouldn’t just ignore it and stash it somewhere.
knock, thud
Not long after sending Avart off, someone’s heavy footsteps approached, and the door was roughly thrown open.
“Richard! Are you really going to withdraw?”
The culprit was Moritz.
My ugly older brother was shouting at me without any preamble, as if he had a grievance.
“Did you think you’d be here forever?”
“But—”
“But what?”
Moritz’s fist trembled violently.
Then, struggling to speak, he finally said,
“Yeah, you’re right. Our mission is over. But to just retreat quietly like this…”
“What do you want to say?”
“We’re not knights of the Baren Kingdom, nor Muga. But aren’t we all brothers serving Hor? We can’t just turn a blind eye to this danger!”
Wow.
I really saw him in a new light.
He wasn’t the kind of person to say such things.
“Moritz, don’t forget those words.”
“Don’t change your tune later. I heard it loud and clear.”
My words must have sounded ridiculous.
Moritz, like Avart, wore a bewildered expression.
***
The restless atmosphere in the castle quieted down.
It was not despair or fear, but the quietness of a firm resolution.
The men accepted the truth with deadpan faces.
That the terrible nightmare would come again, that Bartenberg would be leaving.
“Bartenberg has helped us up until now.”
“We can’t hold them back. They have already received immense grace.”
“The kingdom is ultimately ours to protect.”
Watching the knights of Bartenberg busily preparing to leave, I steeled my heart.
It was bittersweet to see them go without properly bidding farewell, but I assumed there were reasons for it.
“Train the newcomers well. At least get them comfortable with magic and have them patrol the front daily. If they’re shaking with fear, kick them out of the castle—no tears, no pity, drive them nearly mad.”
“Yes, sir! We’ll obey!”
Meanwhile, Richard delivered stern orders to the allied knights.
It was a harsh command, as if he harbored resentment against the new Royal Knights and soldiers coming in.
But the knights only responded with resolute nods.
It was a kind of initiation ritual.
The Royal Family would only become truly useful after going through strict training.
“Master.”
As Richard wandered around the castle, exchanging words, Aaron approached.
“Do we really have to withdraw so quickly? The order to return from the Main Family hasn’t even come yet…”
The narrowed eyes revealed Aaron’s regret and worry.
He was like this and that—
Richard only shook his head at him.
Those who would stay and fight accepted their fate cleanly; it was those who were leaving who were upset.
“There’s no time for dithering.”
In the end, the Bartenberg troops had no choice but to mount their horses, unable to withstand the tension.
Just before they were about to leave the castle,
“Sir! We will never forget the grace of Bartenberg! Thank you!”
“May Hor be with you all!”
The allied men hurriedly escorted them away, like roasting beans on a fire.
The banner of the Allied Army and the Sacred Emblem of Hor fluttered wildly in the wind.
“…Children.”
Richard chuckled softly and gave the marching signal.
***
The Royal Knights and soldiers formed ranks.
They were heading to Riot Castle under the royal order, but their faces hardly concealed their broken spirits.
Morale was at rock bottom.
Meanwhile, the magic grew thicker with every step.
They thought the nightmare was over, but it was still a dream.
The lord of Riot Castle had died long ago, and only days ago had Count Ord succeeded him.
All the troops that had originally defended the castle were dead, so the Martial Union had taken over the defense.
The castle was not unaware.
It knew well how great a danger it had fended off.
And it also knew that the danger was far from over, and now it was up to them to stop it.
This burning sense of mission set their hearts aflame, but their minds trembled in fear of the dreadful magic.
Of course, not all news from Riot Castle was bad.
There were hopeful stories that the god Hor was protecting the castle, that Richard Bartenberg was leading the light.
These stories brought a certain hope.
Yet, no one here was positive enough to believe such baseless rumors wholeheartedly.
“Damn it… why are they sending us?”
“I don’t know about the Royal Knights, but we won’t be of much use.”
The most terrified were the soldiers.
The elite guards of Riot Castle had been massacred in the early days of the nightmare—that much was a well-known fact.
Although things had settled somewhat now, what could mere soldiers or footmen do in a place flooded with knights?
No one understood why they had been sent as reinforcements.
The heavens were merciless.
And so was the King.
Just as a soldier raised his head to grumble, a murmur rose from the head of the procession.
“Lo… Barten… sir!”
The soldiers, placed so far back, could barely hear the voices.
The atmosphere was already tense, so they wondered what trouble there was now.
He muttered grumpily, probably after meeting some noble.
Soon, the procession resumed its march.
It was only a little later that the cause of the murmur became clear.
“…Hark! Bartenberg!”
Countless knights passed by the procession.
The crest on their armor was that of Bartenberg.
The soldiers, who looked as if they were being dragged to their doom, looked at Bartenberg’s knights.
Those who had complained now fell silent.
“Wow… impressive…”
Their bold posture and ironclad frames.
Their deep, sincere eyes and tightly closed lips expressed nothing but loyalty to their lord.
Any swordsman would have to be awestruck by this strongest group.
Where on earth were they headed?
Shouldn’t they be preparing for the approaching enemy again?
To the soldiers at least, news of Bartenberg’s withdrawal was deliberately hidden.
The King had ordered silence to avoid morale collapse.
Thus, the soldiers thought Bartenberg was carrying out an important mission.
Perhaps to end the nightmare early.
Though Polin Castle was in the opposite direction, they chose to believe what they wanted.
At that moment,
Pha-aaat!
A blazing light shot up.
It was bright and radiant.
The marching Royal forces halted and turned back.
Bartenberg’s knights were already retreating far ahead.
Between them, a flame-like light burned brightly.
“What… is that…?”
The light shone upon all the soldiers.
And deep within their hearts, they felt something rising—something they could not explain.
Though the light seemed endlessly warm, their eyes flickered with emotion.
For some reason, tears fell.
The god Hor was protecting Riot Castle.
Richard von Bartenberg was leading the light.
What they had called baseless rumors might actually be true.
“God…”
A timid soldier murmured in a trembling voice.