༺ Beginning (2) ༻
Preparations began to unfold.
The elementalists, sorcerers, and wizards immersed themselves in crafting the spell day and night while armies and soldiers bore tense faces, anticipating the imminent war.
While the atmosphere at the barracks became more tense, Vera and Renee took a short break at Elia’s barracks.
Before them lay a lake with stars etched into its surface.
It looked too serene and beautiful for something which was soon to be a bloody battlefield.
Thinking about that inexplicable gap, Vera’s thoughts sank coldly. Meanwhile, Renee sensed Vera’s mood and remained silent.
Then, Vera broke the silence.
“Won’t that be too much for you?”
“The spell?”
“…Yes.”
Vera’s tone was cautious.
Renee was noble and willing to step forward for others.
However, she would be using her power.
As this was exceptionally risky in ways they had never experienced before, it could directly affect her soul.
That worried Vera.
Though he couldn’t stop her because he respected and loved her, he was rotting on the inside.
What if she gets hurt?
Vera’s mind was incessantly poked by worries that she could disappear.
Renee, sensing Vera’s concern, smiled.
“I can’t be the only one to sit this out.”
Her hand reached out.
She traced the tips of his fingers and up his arm, past his shoulder to his cheek.
“This is precisely the moment when miracles are needed. Stepping up at times like these is my duty.”
Her hand, which was gently caressing his cheek, suddenly stopped.
For a moment, she swallowed her words, focusing on the sensation she felt.
Vera had been running around and trying harder than anyone else here.
Renee knew that Vera’s nature was driven by his desire to save more lives through thorough preparation.
It was his own promise to protect the land and everything he loved.
He was fulfilling his duty.
Not just him, but all the Apostles present were fulfilling their duties.
“I am the Apostle of the Lord.”
For this reason, Renee did not feel a shred of fear.
“I am a maker of miracles. My mission is to step forward and assist the people of this land.”
Renee had a smile on her face and felt confident in herself.
“We’re all here to fulfill the duties bestowed upon us, and heaven is watching over us. Everything will be alright.”
Though she spoke like a devout monk, Vera couldn’t help but laugh.
“Your faith has deepened.”
“Does it show? Do I look like a Saint?”
“Yes, you’re undoubtedly a ‘real’ Saint today.’”
Vera knew something, too.
She didn’t worship the Gods.
What she believed in were the bonds between herself and those she loved.
Given her character, the words she spoke now carried an unquestionable sense of comfort.
This was her own unique way of offering encouragement, laced with a bit of humor.
Vera placed his hand over Renee’s hand, which was touching his cheek.
“…Yes. With you here, we will surely win.”
He felt like the softest touch was caressing his cheeks.
That warmth filled his heart.
The very existence of Renee was etched inside Vera.
Overwhelmed by this, Vera smiled deeply.
“When this war is over…”
“Ah, stop right there.”
“…What?”
“That sounds ominous. You know, in performances, the one who talks about things like that is usually the first to die.”
Renee’s expression hardened.
“Let’s talk about it after everything is done and when we’re back in Elia. While we’re in the flower beds getting some sunshine.”
Vera blinked.
He remained dazed for a moment, but soon broke into a smile with a slight chuckle.
“You don’t believe in the Gods, but you believe in superstitions?”
“What are you talking about? I am a Saint, the Saint! Who could be more faithful than me?”
Somehow, the tension broke along with their giggles.
Vera chuckled along with her.
In front of the softly glowing Lake Granice, Vera and Renee embraced the short respite.
***
The sun had risen.
The morning, still unable to forget the dawn, shone dewdrops everywhere.
The dampness of the lake, the smell of grass, and the noise of the bustling barracks converged in the central conference hall.
Vera looked around at the people present and spoke.
“Everything is set.”
The atmosphere in the conference hall was tense.
A strange atmosphere arose due to the indescribable tension and fighting spirit in the air.
For some of them, it was a familiar sensation that they had felt throughout their lives. For others, it was an eerie sensation they couldn’t quite get used to.
However, not a single one of them considered retreating.
It was a matter of course.
All eyes in the conference hall were fixed on Vera, and on Renee beside him.
The servants of the Gods were there.
These people were here to prove the righteousness of this war.
It might as well be considered a holy war because of the people present.
Each of them were all important military figures from various factions, and their attitude toward the war was exceptional.
To participate in a war for justice, rather than for personal gain, was the most honorable medal they could receive.
Vera continued speaking.
“We’ll carry it out at dawn, three days from now. We will lift up the castle submerged under the lake and head inside. Do you have any questions?”
An elderly man raised his hand.
It was Nedric, the King of Horden.
It was him.
“Will all the soldiers be going inside?”
“No. The soldiers will stay here and guard the area around the lake. Since we do not know the effects of the corruption inside, only high-ranking knights and above will enter.”
“Wouldn’t that make it more dangerous? Especially if they get corrupted and turn into enemies…”
“That won’t happen.”
Renee interrupted Nedric’s words and stepped up.
Her white smile, filled with strong conviction, dispelled Nedric’s worries.
“I will be going inside as well.”
Flinch—
There was a rustling sound in the conference hall.
After that, sounds of held breaths and gasps were heard from different places.
Nedric spoke with a surprised face.
“The Saint will go herself?”
Though it was a courageous statement, it did not convince Nedric, and understandably so.
Everyone in the room knew her flaw.
The problem was her eyes.
“But Saint, you are…”
“It’s fine. I’ve traveled all over the continent with this body. I can take care of myself, so don’t worry.”
Nedric closed his mouth.
His eyes turned toward Vera.
His gaze was asking why he didn’t stop her.
Vera addressed it and spoke.
“There’s no need to worry. I will personally be responsible for the Saint.”
His words meant that no further argument would be accepted.
Nedric quietly indicated his agreement.
As the atmosphere in the conference hall became strange at Renee’s shocking statement, Vera moved on to the next agenda.
“Let’s move on. First, Friede.”
“Go on.”
“Have you heard anything else from Aedrin?”
“No. Mother merely left a message asking for a favor. As you know, she can’t be of much help as she is still a seedling.”
“Alright, that will do.”
The conversation went back and forth.
After confirming Aedrin’s absence, Vera looked around the conference hall and spoke.
“This war doesn’t just involve us. I assume some of you have expected that.”
Murmurs flowed around the room.
Vera leaned forward.
“The AncientSpecies will appear. The atrocities of Alaysia will be difficult for them to ignore.”
“…I never expected to see all of the Ancient Species in my lifetime.”
Nedric’s murmured in a hollow voice.
It was a kind of emotion that was fully understandable.
The word ‘Ancient Species’ carried its own weight.
This was a war where the transcendent beings, who have been with the history of this land since the beginning, were directly involved.
They were unable to feel any other emotion than a feeling of distance.
“Does bringing up this topic mean that we need to prepare?”
Nedric’s question, posed in this manner, contained an undeniable desperation.
Those present there knew.
That the Sword of Oath had crossed paths with the Ancient Species he had mentioned and that he had met all the existing Ancient Species on the continent and had returned alive.
Under their focused gazes, Vera nodded.
“Yes, I have something in mind.”
“Oh, that’s a great relief! Could you please tell us? I think the biggest problem is the Cradle’s Maleus. The land he walks upon will die, so we need to come up with countermeasures…”
“You don’t have to worry about him. He’s a moderate person.”
A question floated over Nedric’s face.
Gorgan, who was sitting on Renee’s lap, chuckled quietly to himself, and Hyria licked Gorgan’s finger while whining.
Vera also momentarily felt awkward.
‘…I didn’t think of this.’
He belatedly realized a fact he had overlooked.
They did not know about the tendencies of the Ancient Species.
They had yet to determine which of the Ancient Species was friendly and which one was dangerous.
This was a serious problem.
In other words, they might be distracted by these unnecessary things in their future battles.
Vera furrowed his brows for a moment, then immediately exhaled and spoke.
“…I apologize. I didn’t give you enough explanation. I will quickly go over the characteristics of each Ancient Species, so please make sure your soldiers are familiarized with them.”
Nedric nodded, followed by the others.
While he organized the thoughts in his head, Vera felt the need to change the plan.
‘Should we delay the schedule?’
If you look at the facts, it was true.
This was now a wartime situation, and this place was the enemy’s territory.
Given the likelihood that the enemy would make a different move, it made sense to move quickly.
However, Vera did not do so.
Given that much was still unclear about the enemy, he chose to fortify the defenses and prepare thoroughly instead of acting rash.
This was the situation he had prepared for.
Faced with an unexpected problem, Vera contemplated whether it was wise to delay further, but he soon shook his head.
‘…No, if we delay any further, there’s a chance they’ll strike first.’
The army had already been stationed here for over two weeks.
Further delay would be risky, as it was uncertain what the enemy might do.
‘We will stick to the original plan and end this within three days. The Ancient Species should arrive here within a week at the latest.’
It was necessary to lift up the fortress and send out reconnaissance in advance. By gathering information, they would be able to respond effectively to the movements of the Ancient Species.
Vera believed that three days was the most appropriate timeframe.
“…Then I’ll start the briefing quickly.”
Just a little more training.
Vera decided to sacrifice his sleep to address the gaps in their preparation.
***
Late at night, Vera, who was contemplating military strategies in the barracks, suddenly sensed a commotion outside.
‘…What’s happening?’
He heard something like a scream.
He heard someone’s outcry, the sounds of someone running, and the clattering of weapons.
Vera stood up and grabbed the Holy Sword that was leaning beside him.
The moment he sensed that something was amiss and opened the entrance to his tent…
“Sir Vera!”
Norn appeared in front of him, panting as if he had been running all over the place.
Vera furrowed his brow at the sight.
“What’s going on?”
Panting, Norn lifted his head.
He delivered the news with a grave expression.
“The corruption…!”
“What?”
“A soldier has been corrupted!”
The worst-case scenario Vera had anticipated was unfolding right before his very eyes.
