"Everyone, get into combat positions! Defend Schleiman!"
Roen quickly drew her sword, and the soldiers around her unsheathed their blades at the Commander-in-Chief's command.
In that moment, the masked men crossed the river with lightning speed, almost as if they were flying, and launched their ruthless attack.
***
Huff—huff—
Roen struggled to catch her breath as she tightened her grip on her sword, glaring at the man before her. The clash of blades rang out all around.
She glanced around briefly. The sight of blood spraying through the air made her feel dizzy.
Shaking off her fading consciousness, Roen focused her gaze straight ahead again. The man in front of her was also breathing heavily.
He was one of the two masked fighters she had seen earlier, and his skill was exceptional.
And for good reason—his swordsmanship was unpredictable. It didn't come from formal training; instead, it had a raw edge mixed with unspoken strength.
But—
Clang!
...Hah,
As Roen gasped for air, a smile crept onto her lips. She was sure of it. Sure that she, too, was a force to be reckoned with. The man lunged at her without fear, sword in hand. His movements were quick and precise, each step carefully measured.
Clang! Clang!
As the swords clashed, a sharp metallic ring echoed around them.
The masked man, Sahan, looked at the woman he was fighting with clear interest. Her skills were indeed as strong as he had heard.
Knowing that he would be at a disadvantage in a direct fight, she wielded her sword strategically, using precise maneuvers to break through his defenses.
'Her reputation as one of Schleiman's elite female warriors isn't unfounded,' he thought.
The moment Sahan paused to gather his thoughts, Roen took her chance. His aggressive attack had left him vulnerable, and she lunged, skillfully swinging her sword sideways.
He barely evaded her strike by jerking his body back, but her sharp blade still grazed his shoulder. Pain shot through him.
"Ugh..."
A soft groan escaped his lips. Sahan redirected his sword, aiming for Roen's leg, but she skillfully twisted her body and stepped back, avoiding the hit.
'Not bad.'
Sahan tightened his grip on his sword as he retreated, watching her struggle to catch her breath. He snickered internally. The wound seemed deeper than he expected; a thin stream of blood trickled down from the black cloth covering his shoulder.
***
Blaine stood with regal composure, enjoying the blood-soaked scene in the distance as if it were a fine painting. His loyal subordinate, Hwai, stood beside him.
As Blaine's experienced eyes scanned the battlefield, his gaze sharpened. Though hidden behind his mask, it was clear he was smiling.
"This land is as good as they said. It must be valuable."
At his words, Hwai simply nodded, keeping his eyes focused ahead.
Dusk fell unnoticed. The sun disappeared beyond the horizon, painting the sky with long streaks of sunset.
As Hwai watched the chaotic fight with unrecognizable combatants, his eyes suddenly turned steely.
"Sahan has been injured. I'll go check on him, sir."
Hearing Hwai's calm voice, Blaine raised his head to look at Sahan and the young woman facing him in the distance.
"That girl Sahan is fighting. Her name was Roen, wasn't it?"
"..."
"She's quite skilled, I must say. To hold her own against Sahan like that. And she's a woman, too."
Even as his subordinate lay wounded, Blaine remained composed while observing the scene.
"Her skills are too valuable to waste through death."
"..."
"Spare her life."
Despite how unusual Blaine's order was, Hwai didn't ask any questions.
"Yes, sir."
He raised his head again, focusing intently on the unfolding scene. Sahan's injury looked serious. The woman was aggressively pressing her attack, while Sahan was deflecting her strikes with his wounded arm and seemed to be faltering.
Hwai, watching this, bit his lip unconsciously. His grip on his sword tightened. Although he wanted to rush in immediately, he anxiously waited for Blaine's next command.
Blaine raised his head, his eyes fixed on the horizon. As the sun dipped below the skyline, he sneered while enjoying the last intense warmth of the day.
"The rat bastards are flailing around... It's causing a slight delay."
"..."
"I'll go in person. If I behead their leader, the rest will scatter on their own. Come with me."
"Yes, Blaine."
At Blaine's command, Hwai unsheathed his sword without the slightest hesitation.
***
"Huff... Huff..."
Roen breathed heavily, her sword pointed at him as she quickly scanned her surroundings. Although their forces had once been superior in number, the enemy's skill was truly remarkable. Their troops had suddenly been cut down by half.
The bodies of Schleiman soldiers lay sprawled across the ground. She could see her father fighting fiercely not far away.
Roen's face twisted in anguish as she took in the entire scene.
Just hours ago, these same people had been laughing and enjoying their day. It had been a time of peace and happiness.
Her right hand, gripping the sword, began to tremble.
She had been wrong to think it would be easier just because he was injured in his right shoulder.
But Sahan was also struggling. Blood from his shoulder was streaming down, soaking the black cloth covering his right arm.
The pain in his shoulder was gradually reaching the bone. Sahan grimaced, showing his increasing agony.
Roen knew this was her chance.
Now's the time.
Breathing heavily, she lunged at him with all her strength, aiming for another weak spot.
Clang!
In that moment, a blade shot out, powerfully deflecting Roen's downward swing.
The force sent her sword and both hands flying back, making her stagger. She struggled to keep her balance and avoid falling.
Lifting her gaze, she glared at the masked man who now blocked her way. Seeing the tall figure in front of her, with the injured one behind, made her bite her lip in frustration and feel powerless.
Damn it.
It was that man she had seen earlier.
The energy radiating from him felt more powerful up close, creating a gap far greater than the one with the man she had just fought.
Roen's mind raced with confusion as yet another enemy appeared.
I'm at a disadvantage here. Especially against him...
The man before her didn't attack; instead, he turned his head to check on the injured man behind him.
Despite this seemingly careless moment, she didn't dare to strike. She adjusted her grip on the sword, watching closely.
After checking on Sahan, the masked man returned his focus to her.
His keen eyes, hidden behind the black mask, silently observed her.
A sudden chill ran through her, and she fought to keep her body from trembling. The sounds of clashing swords around them began to fade.
In that moment, she realized:
...They were overwhelmingly powerful.
She forced her eyes wide open to keep the tears from falling. She refused to accept the tragic end of her peaceful days just yet.
Just as she took a deep breath and raised her sword to charge again, it happened.
"Heh, Roen!"
A chilling voice called her name. Her head snapped toward the sound.
Not far away, an old man in richly patterned clothing stood, an arrow aimed directly at her. He drew the bowstring back smoothly.
A sneer curled his lip as he shot a nasty glare at Daphman, the military commander watching the scene unfold. His eyes sparkled with malice.
"I bid you a fond farewell."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Daphman began to run toward her.
The bowstring, aimed at Roen, was pulled taut. Everything felt like it was in slow motion, yet it all happened in an instant.
Then, she saw her father, shielding her with his body, an arrow piercing his back as he fell toward her.
"Ah... No, no... NOOOO!!!"
All eyes turned toward the source of the anguished cry.
One by one, swords slipped from the hands of the blood-drenched Schleiman soldiers, clattering lifelessly to the ground as they mourned the tragic reality unfolding before them.
They watched their guiding light fade away.
"Oh, Father... Uwaaagh!!"
Roen collapsed to the ground, clutching her father to her chest and wailing uncontrollably. Her blood-smeared hands gently caressed his face.
"Ugh, cough. Roen..."
"Father..."
"I beg you, I beg you... stay alive..."
As Daphman struggled to speak between labored breaths, Roen cried out in sorrow.
"Please... Please... Father..."
"My beloved daughter..."
His eyes locked onto hers one last time before his breath finally stilled.
Lifting her father's cold hand to her cheek, Roen breathed raggedly, unable to process the unthinkable.
"No... No... NO!! AAAARGH!!!!!"
She cried out, frantically shaking her father, who lay motionless. Her body shook helplessly, wracked with grief.
Her unfocused eyes caught sight of her sword lying nearby. Grasping it, she stood up, her frame trembling uncontrollably.
"Kill... I'm going to kill..."
Her hazy eyes were consumed by bloodlust as she lurched toward Blaine, each step unsteady but determined.
"I'll kill you... Aaaagh!!!"
Without hesitation, she rushed straight at Blaine. Hwai, who had been watching her intently, prepared to intercept her by turning his sword around.
Thud—
Roen swayed unsteadily before collapsing to the ground, her body falling limply as darkness enveloped her. She passed out on the spot, the weight of grief and exhaustion finally taking its toll.