Chapter 53: Army of the Dead (1)

“Where do you think you’re going in this situation!”

“Young master, I’d rather go with you instead.”

Leon and Aaron both objected at the same time.

I didn’t expect them to let me go so easily anyway.

“I’m going to the Nar Plain. I’ll be back soon, so just stay and guard the castle.”

At my words, Leon frowned.

“The Nar Plain… Are you going because of the Magical Beast, by any chance?”

“That’s right.”

The Nar Plain lies to the southeast of Riot Castle.

There, something existed that could be called a Magical Beast—or perhaps even an Artifact.

It would be a shame to miss this rare opportunity by wasting time here.

“No matter how great a Magical Beast it is, there’s no way it’s still alive. It’s probably become Undead, or it’s just dead by now.”

“It’s alive.”

From the start, it wasn’t the sort of creature that could just die.

The real issue was whether it might have been corrupted by Demonic Energy, so I had to hurry before that happened.

“Magical Beasts can’t be tamed. Why are you going to the plain, then?”

“I’m going to tame it.”

I said, looking at Leon, who was holding my horse’s reins.

“If I sense anything strange along the way, I’ll come right back. Don’t worry too much.”

“Take a few people with you. No, I’ll send some from the First Knight Order.”

Ridiculous.

I shook my head at his words.

“I’ll just go alone and come back.”

There was no one in Riot Castle who could break my stubbornness.

And so, just like roasting beans on a burning belly, I left Riot Castle behind.

After running for quite a while across land reeking of death,

The sky, unable to distinguish between night and day, remained pitch black all day long, with an unpleasant aura lingering everywhere.

Prrr—

“Whoa, whoa—”

I calmed my restless horse.

Perhaps because I was getting closer to Polin Castle, the chilling Demonic Energy pressed in from all directions.

‘This is serious.’

Even after the war ended, this region would be called cursed land and abandoned.

For the Baren Kingdom, half its territory would become no man’s land.

“Kiieeeek!”

Krrul!

As I arrived at the ruined territory, two Undead that had been standing idly rushed at me.

One looked like a ten-year-old girl, the other the corpse of an adult woman.

Swish—

With a flash, I drew my sword and decapitated them both in a single stroke.

I also spotted corpses staggering and wandering here and there.

“Urgh!”

Cutting down the Undead that charged at me, I hurried across the territory.

It had been three days since I left Riot Castle.

So far, I hadn’t sensed any particular movement from the enemy.

Only the constant turbulence of Demonic Energy.

I thought I should finish my business quickly and return.

Just then—

“Hihihang—!?”

All of a sudden, my horse went mad.

Even as I tried to calm it with faith, it seemed so terrified it couldn’t control its own body.

At the same time, I sensed a murderous intent behind me.

Swish—!

In an instant, a slash flew at me.

Before I could even react, the horse’s long neck was severed.

“Who’s there!”

“Grrrr…”

Someone revealed themselves from beyond a building.

It was a corpse in silver armor—perhaps a Knight who had guarded the territory.

The thing opened its mouth.

“Undead….. Kill…..”

Its maggot-filled, hollow eyes fixed on me.

Did that corpse see me as Undead?

It seemed to act only on its last memories from life.

I had no time to waste on a thing like that.

I kicked off the ground and charged.

Clang—!

Our swords clashed in midair.

Once, twice.

After exchanging over a dozen blows—

“Protect… my family… my lord…”

That was its dying will.

I looked down at the corpse whose head I had cleanly severed.

I was glad I had come alone.

If the Knights of the Alliance Army had witnessed such a sight, their morale would have suffered greatly.

Such gruesome scenes were spread everywhere.

Feeling the chill of the ice crown, I moved on.

***

“Hey.”

“Comrade! Still moping here? Sheesh!”

Huger looked at Moritz with pity in his eyes.

Ever since Richard had left, Moritz had spent his time on the castle walls.

Staring blankly at the Banner of the Allied Army, he looked like a dog waiting for its master.

“Damn it, when is Richard coming back?”

“It’s only been a few days. Do you like that great human warrior that much?”

Moritz scowled at Huger’s words.

Like him? As if.

He just thought he could use Richard’s debt for his own benefit.

‘Being next to him is more reassuring than watching this banner.’

He didn’t know why.

The gentle light Richard gave off made Moritz feel even more at ease.

“Huger. What was Richard like when he fought the Dragon?”

“It was amazing! Chwik!”

Huger grinned as if recalling a fond memory.

Then, he recounted every detail to the young Orc who resembled himself.

From his duel with Richard, to the battle with the Dragon—everything.

“At that moment, I thought—ah! It would be so much fun to fight alongside that great human warrior. Chwik!”

“The Third Knight Division calls him the Light of Bartenberg. Chwik, doesn’t that fit?”

Moritz looked up at the Banner without replying.

The Light.

It really did suit him.

He had seen it for himself.

Changing the tide of battle in an instant, executing even the Betrayer Poland Helga who had shattered the Union.

“In the end, I couldn’t do anything myself.”

When the Traitor Poland Helga ignored Bartenberg’s Leon and displayed his irreverent attitude without restraint in the conference room,

Moritz could do nothing but tremble under the pressure in the room.

It still infuriated him.

“Comrade, you seem to admire that great human warrior. Even if your relationship isn’t good—”

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, get lost. Me, admire that guy? Don’t be ridiculous!”

At Moritz’s sharp retort, Huger burst out laughing.

“Still, you have your own talents. Chwik! No need to force yourself to imitate that great human warrior.”

“Imitate him? Me?”

“From your sighs to your gait, you’re copying him.”

It was true.

Though he hadn’t meant to, Moritz sometimes found himself imitating his younger brother.

But he was too young to admit it.

“I’m not the one copying, it’s him!”

“Is that so?”

“Shut up.”

As the two continued their conversation—

“Excuse me, Young Master Moritz! Sir Huger!”

A delicate voice called from behind.

It was Mary, holding rice balls in both hands.

“Oh, Sister Mary!”

Huger’s already red face turned even redder at the sight of her.

“Hehe, the twenty rice balls you asked for, Sir Huger!”

“I was going to fetch them myself, but you brought them to me. Sorry for the trouble. Hic.”

“How could I not do that much for the Heroes?”

“Your heart is as beautiful as your face. Like a single flower blooming on the battlefield.”

Moritz’s face, which had been staring at her, twisted in disgust.

An Orc hitting on a human woman, of all things.

“Comrade, have some too. These rice balls are made with rice cooked in water blessed by the great human warrior.”

Moritz accepted the rice ball without complaint.

Then looked at Mary.

“Weren’t you Richard’s personal maid? I never understood—why did you follow us all the way here and do this?”

She looked familiar.

Thinking back, wasn’t she the maid Richard used to pester?

“Ah, that’s right! I came to help the Heroes!”

“Richard must be crazy. Bringing civilians along.”

I really don’t get that guy—

As he muttered to himself, Mary smiled brightly and spoke.

“Saint—no, I didn’t come by order of Young Master Richard.”

“What? Then why?”

“I received a revelation to spread love and peace.”

Moritz was even more confused.

He was sick of that slogan the civilians tacked onto every sentence.

“Chwik, can’t you give some love to me?”

“Ahaha… I’ll give you peace, Sir Hero!”

Why was that woman always so cheerful?

Compared to her, trembling at the Demonic Energy, he felt like a fool.

“Young Master Moritz, you look troubled.”

“Mind your own business.”

“Chwik! Comrade! How could you speak to Sister Mary like that!”

Mary just smiled quietly.

She wanted to tell them to trust in the Holy One and find the Light, right now.

But as Richard had asked, she was only waiting for the right time.

***

Meanwhile.

In the territory near Polin Castle, countless corpses were gathering.

“Count… sir… preparations… for deployment… complete…”

“Eliminate… the Undead…”

Boom! Boom!

Drums echoed through the air.

Hundreds of dead Knights and thousands of low-class Undead had assembled.

“Our… kingdom! Baren… must… be occupied… all Undead… eliminate…”

“Guh… uh…”

In a corner of the martial household defending Polin Castle,

The Knights of the Poiro Count’s family drew their swords.

They prepared for battle just like living Knights.

They gathered provisions they would never eat,

And packed camping supplies though they would never sleep.

Their stopped hearts still held the conviction to reclaim the Baren Kingdom.

“Barentis… His Majesty… even in death… still suffers…! May he… find peace…”

To them, the living appeared as Undead.

The Riot Castle guarded by the martial Union was the Castle of the Dead, and the Baren Kingdom was the Cradle of Evil.

“All forces… advance…!”

The Army of the Dead began to move.

Led by the Count Poiro and his Knights, followed by thousands of Undead.

The dead marching toward the land of the living,

A true war was approaching Riot Castle.

And it sent chills down Richard’s spine.

“I might be too late.”

Feeling the turbulent Demonic Energy, he frowned.

He had promised to return at the first sign of trouble, but he was already at the Nar Plain.

It would be wise to find the Lion King quickly and return.

“Hey! Where are you!”

He shouted, filled with frustration.

For two days he had searched, but not even a trace of the Lion King.

Just when he wondered if the beast had moved its territory—

KROOOOAR—!

A roar full of overwhelming presence shook the plain.

At the same time, an immense pressure swept in from afar.