A sturdy barracks set up near the castle wall.
A few mercenaries were standing guard vigilantly.
Ghislain opened the door without hesitation and walked in. Inside, several people lay on the ground, their eyes hollow.
"Well done, Alpoi and friends."
It was Alpoi and a group of mages.
This was how Ghislain had been able to track the enemy's movements.
"Ugh... damn you…"
Alpoi tried to raise his hand as if to protest, but his strength gave out, and he slumped back down. He had overextended himself and was completely drained.
Ghislain looked at them with a bright smile.
"Thanks to you, we defended well. It was great. I'll be counting on you all again."
"Ugh… when will this war be over…"
The mages had initially planned to launch a few fireballs from the castle wall and then escape.
After all, if Perdium fell, any deal they had would be void.
As long as they kept the fact that they were mages from the Magic Tower stationed in Perdium hidden, the Tower wouldn't suffer any repercussions.
Ever since the war started, they'd been secretly watching for a chance to escape.
But the mercenaries had been sticking by them since the beginning of the battle, making escape impossible.
And today, they'd had to go through hell to fulfill Ghislain's request.
"I'm not doing this again… My head feels like it's going to split…"
Alpoi groaned in a voice full of pain. Ghislain nodded.
"Alright, we probably won't need that spell again. Next time, I'll ask for something else."
"Thank goodness…"
The spell they had used was a large-scale detection spell.
Six mages spread detection magic across all areas beyond the reach of the castle gate.
In theory, it was the optimal approach, but the problem was the human brain's limited capacity to process so much information at once.
The flood of sensory input caused some of the mages to collapse, bleeding from their noses.
Thanks to them, Ghislain had been able to pinpoint the exact direction and target of the enemy's advance.
"Vanessa, can we talk for a moment?"
"Yes? Yes!"
Vanessa, who had been tending to the exhausted mages, followed Ghislain promptly.
She had been tending to the mages who collapsed while keeping vigil, but she still feared Alpoi.
Though she couldn't use magic herself, he often scolded her for hovering around.
Ghislain climbed the watchtower next to the barracks and gazed out at the dark castle wall.
"Must be hard being around them, right? You had to move with them out of necessity, but bear with it a little longer."
"…I'm fine."
It was a clumsy attempt at comfort, but Vanessa was grateful he even tried to console her, however half-heartedly.
After Ghislain fell silent for a while, Vanessa hesitated before voicing her curiosity.
"How did you know the enemy was coming today?"
The plan to detect the enemy's position through a detection spell wasn't anything special.
The enemy wouldn't expect mages on this side, so they wouldn't be prepared.
If anyone had a mage, it wouldn't be an unusual tactic.
But Vanessa couldn't understand how Ghislain had been so sure the enemy would attack today.
Ghislain chuckled and replied.
"I've seen that firework before."
"Have you fought them before?"
"Yes."
Every territory has its own preferred signal.
In his past life, Harold had frequently used fireworks as signals.
Each time, chaos ensued within the castle. Of course, before they could even try anything, Ghislain's overwhelming power had crushed them.
"Even if I hadn't fought them before, I would've guessed what they were up to."
After enduring countless wars in his past life, Ghislain had encountered all sorts of tactics.
"Even so, without the mages, we couldn't have wrapped it up as cleanly as we did."
Even if he anticipated the enemy's plans, it wasn't easy to track their movements precisely.
Thanks to the mages, they'd managed to fend off the ambush with ease and had the chance to counterattack.
"So, how do you feel about experiencing war for the first time? Are you getting used to it?"
Ghislain had set up the watchtower beside the barracks to let the mages observe the battle.
Vanessa's expression darkened slightly.
The image of people dying on the battlefield was still fresh in her mind.
"It… it was terrifying."
Although Ghislain had told her to get used to it, she couldn't imagine ever doing so.
On the first day, she had been pale and constantly nauseous.
It was a scene she could hardly bear to watch.
The sight of soldiers collapsing in pain, dying helplessly, made her momentarily forget her own unfortunate fate.
What had those people done to deserve such a death?
Such thoughts filled her mind.
"How can you fight like that, young lord?"
Vanessa had watched from a distance as Ghislain rampaged through the enemy.
The sight of him killing without hesitation had been shocking.
This man, who had shown her such kindness, seemed so different from other nobles—always playful, sometimes eccentric, unlike anyone she had ever known.
But to think there was such a violent side hidden beneath…
Her question could have come across as criticism, but Ghislain answered calmly.
"I fight for this territory, the people of this land, my family, my vassals, the knights, the soldiers, the mercenaries who follow me… everyone I love. I'll protect them at any cost."
Vanessa had no reply.
She had only been here for two months.
During that time, she had focused on the training Ghislain had given her, barely having time to interact with the people of Perdium.
Though she deeply respected Ghislain, she still didn't feel a sense of belonging to Perdium.
So, whether it was friend or foe, to her, they were just unfortunate souls dying on the battlefield.
As if understanding her thoughts, Ghislain continued.
"But for you, it's different. That's why I have to push you."
"…"
"These are people you must kill."
His tone was firm. Vanessa's voice trembled as she asked.
"Isn't there another way to achieve victory?"
Ghislain was preparing a terrifying trap.
If his plan succeeded, not a single enemy would return alive.
Initially, she had helped Ghislain simply because she wanted to assist him without thinking deeply about it.
But after witnessing the slaughter firsthand, the reality of her role hit home.
Ghislain was silent for a moment before speaking.
"If the enemy divides their forces and surrounds three gates, I could still win without you. I'd take them down one by one. We'd take some losses, but we'd have the advantage in familiar terrain, even if they occupied the castle."
If the enemy split their forces, there was a chance to win in the current state.
"But the enemy isn't foolish. If they move cautiously and stay united, we'd suffer near-total losses, even if we won."
"…"
"In the end, if one side must be annihilated, it's better that we're the ones left standing, right?"
"…"
Vanessa nodded silently.
Ghislain was right.
Though she hadn't had the chance to bond with many people here, the brief time she'd spent in Perdium had been one of the few happy periods in her life.
If they lost the war, Ghislain would die, whether they surrendered or fought to the end.
To save her benefactor, she had no choice but to fight and win.
Ghislain looked her in the eyes and smiled.
Under the moonlight, his smile was neither pure nor warm.
It was filled with an intense killing intent and fury.
In his eyes was a determination to kill anyone who got in his way.
"Can you do it?"
It wasn't a question. It was an order—a command that couldn't be refused.
At that moment, Vanessa began to glimpse his true nature.
"Young lord…"
To say she hadn't known his true nature would be a lie.
Vanessa hadn't forgotten the threat she'd received when they first met at the Magic Tower.
But she also wanted to be his strength.
Whether he'd helped her out of sympathy, necessity, or whim, he had resolved her despair. She wanted to be of use to him.
But it wasn't blind loyalty to her savior.
'I…'
Despair that had crushed her, mocking that she could do nothing, and the frustration of accomplishing nothing despite her efforts.
'I'm done with all that.'
She couldn't keep hiding behind others.
To overcome despair, she had to take a step forward herself.
Helping Ghislain was the first decision Vanessa had ever made for herself.
For the place she'd call home, for the person who recognized her, and for herself.
She no longer wanted to live a life of avoidance.
"…I'll try."
***
Viktor sat in his tent, scowling.
'This is unbearable.'
He didn't think he would lose the war.
After all, they could seize Perdium any time they launched an all-out attack.
But he couldn't stand being repeatedly thwarted by such a weak enemy.
'Should I just go and kill them all myself?'
If he led the charge, he could unleash enormous destruction.
He was that strong.
'No, then I'd lose the recognition I seek.'
While brute force was an option, knights were most effective in open-field battles, not sieges.
Viktor didn't want to be known only for his strength as a knight.
At best, such knights might rise to the rank of a knight commander.
He aspired to become a high-ranking commander in the kingdom.
To gain recognition for his leadership, he had to capture the castle with minimal losses.
Feeling a headache coming on, Viktor sighed deeply.
'How did they know about the infiltrators? Could they have betrayed us?'
Unlikely. The meticulous Count Desmond wouldn't fail in managing informants.
'Is there a skilled strategist in Perdium?'
Grinding his teeth, he felt as if someone was toying with him.
His strategy had failed and even backfired.
The humiliation was hard to endure.
"I have no choice."
Angry as he was, he decided not to continue with tactical maneuvers.
Their supplies were limited, so time was running out.
If he didn't take Perdium soon, he would be seen as incompetent.
Just as he resolved to launch an all-out attack, two middle-aged men entered the tent.
They looked at Viktor with arrogant expressions.
"The count expected the castle to be taken in two days, yet it's already been two days."
"We don't understand your tactics."
Viktor responded with an unhidden displeasure.
"I have my reasons. The war will be over soon."
These two were mages sent by Harold as a backup measure, both 4th-circle mages.
They didn't get along well with Viktor, a knight.
"To capture a mere territory at such high cost would only disappoint the count. Surely you know him well?"
"Why not divide our forces and attack multiple gates simultaneously? We have more soldiers. Their defenses would weaken."
Despite their advice, Viktor shook his head in irritation.
"Dividing the forces won't be as effective. Not unless we split into at least three groups to weaken their forces noticeably."
"Then do that."
"The enemy has a unit in black armor that's highly skilled. If any one group gets defeated, we lose the advantage of our numbers. Even if we take another gate, we'd end up in street battles."
Viktor highly regarded the unit in black armor.
They had thwarted him today as well.
There are opponents you can engage, and opponents you cannot. The black-armored unit was the latter.
If they divided their forces, Perdium would exploit the opportunity to strike.
It was the only way for Perdium to win.
"If we had more troops, we would have surrounded all three gates. But for now, staying united is better."
Since Viktor couldn't be everywhere, he knew it was best to concentrate his forces.
Though Viktor's reasoning was sound, the mages didn't listen.
They thought he was merely making excuses out of fear.
The mages inwardly mocked him, thinking he was timid.
"So, are we to sit idly by? They don't have mages."
"Without opposition, the two of us could easily kill hundreds."
As the mages continued their criticism, Viktor replied irritably.
"We'll move out soon. I'll save your magic for the final battle."
"The final battle?"
When Viktor explained his plan, the mages finally showed interest.
"Indeed, I'd heard you were a skilled strategist as well as a swordsman."
"With such a plan, I'm on board. You truly are a favorite of the count. Hahaha."
Their flattery only made Viktor more displeased.
He knew they looked down on him, thinking him an inexperienced rookie.
'Just wait. Once I win this war, I'll climb even higher.'
Although it was his first time commanding such a large force, he had no doubts about victory.
Harold's trust was his confidence.
Viktor had never met anyone as thorough and cautious as Count Desmond.
He was practically Harold's protégé, molded by the count himself.
Harold had equipped him with thousands of elite troops, mages, and siege weapons—a force strong enough to seem excessive.
Just before departing, Harold had said that with Viktor's skills, victory was assured even if unexpected challenges arose.
"We'll begin tomorrow. With supplies running low, the battle will be decided soon."
The mages nodded and left the tent.
Alone, Viktor looked at the map, his eyes cold.
"I'll achieve victory with minimal losses."
If the enemy was giving their all, he would do the same. With that, there was no way he'd lose.
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]