IYAMD: Episode 40

“Unit 1, charge! Units 3 and 5, take the two on the left! Units 4, 6, and 7, engage the two on the right!”

Marquis Pablo led the knights in their charge toward the central Minotaur, the one Jaha had wounded with his sword. Marsilia, delayed in starting as he had to add a defensive barrier for Jaha, followed after him.

Jaha was distracting the Minotaur from behind with his sword, while the knights below began their coordinated attack on the creature. Arrows flew from the separated units 2 and 8-9, while shield-bearing knights blocked or deflected the Minotaur’s axe. Of course, there were some knights who couldn’t withstand the force and were thrown back.

The increasing number of Minotaurs compared to yesterday was an ominous sign. Marsilia bit his lip as he swung his aura-wrapped sword, striking down a Minotaur that had fallen. The Minotaurs who had been knocked down or trapped quickly cut their ropes or freed themselves and started swinging their axes.

Even the mere stomping of their feet was a threat to humans, so whenever a Minotaur raised its foot, knights often had to retreat. As a result, the battle dragged on longer than yesterday.

Though other units provided supporting fire, arrows couldn’t deal fatal blows to the Minotaur’s tough hide. Drawing from yesterday’s experience, they tried setting fire to oil-soaked arrows, but the effect was minimal.

The most effective attacks came from Jaha’s sword energy and Marsilia’s aura. While the knights’ attacks only inflicted shallow wounds, the enraged Minotaurs’ retaliations became fiercer. Knights who were hit by axes or thrown back quickly rose again to charge, but their wounds had not yet healed. For knights without armor, their bodies were torn and broken, only to heal and break again.

Even if the wounds healed, the pain of the injuries didn’t fade. But the brave knights pressed on, ignoring their suffering, while Marsilia continued to expend his divine power for their sake.

After a long battle, they had only managed to bring down two Minotaurs. Four more remained.

Marsilia noticed his divine energy leaking out faster than usual, likely due to his inability to focus properly. Realizing this late, he steadied himself and refocused on the battle.

Just as the knights seemed to be reaching their limit, Marquis Pablo shouted,

“Your Majesty, the red flag has been raised! You must retreat!”

It seemed the extended battle had caused them to miss the scheduled patrols for other groups. It was only one more Minotaur that had appeared, but they had no choice but to retreat now.

Marsilia issued a retreat command to the entire army. As the knights withdrew, he extended his shield in front of them. While checking if Jaha had fallen back, Marsilia didn’t notice the Minotaur’s axe swing at him. The shield shattered instantly. The axe, deflected off the shield, flew toward Marsilia.

In that brief moment, Marsilia judged he couldn’t evade and raised his sword to block the incoming axe. Just as he was about to swing his aura-wrapped sword, someone grabbed his arm. His body was suddenly jerked into the air, and the axe flew past, missing him.

It was Jaha. With a powerful leap, Jaha landed in mid-air and swiftly pulled Marsilia toward him.

‘Are you okay?’

“I’m fine, Jaha.”

Marsilia replied quietly, ignoring the burning sensation in his throat. Jaha immediately jumped back up the hill and released Marsilia. Marsilia, landing roughly as if falling from the air, laughed bitterly.

“You really know how to surprise me.”

Jaha frowned, seemingly confused by Marsilia’s words. But Marsilia didn’t have the time to explain. He had to confirm the knights’ retreat down the hill.

Seeing the knights riding toward them, Marsilia finally retracted the divine energy that had filled the field.

Marsilia, feeling that the situation had become more difficult by the second day, bit his lip.

Can I really make it back alive?

For the first time, such a doubt crossed his mind.

But just then, he sensed a gaze. When he turned toward the man who was looking at him, a flicker of hope, which had nearly died out, stirred within him once more.

“Can I make it back alive?”

Marsilia muttered to himself, and the man, brushing his black hair aside, scowled as though questioning why Marsilia would ask him that. Marsilia smiled faintly at his reaction.

“You’re right,” Marsilia responded. “I will make it back alive. Just like I have for the past 10 years.”

With his heart strengthened, Marsilia spoke to Jaha.

“Let’s go back to the camp, Jaha. We need to plan again.”

Jaha nodded silently. As Marsilia extended his hand, Jaha looked at it for a moment before taking it.

At that moment, Marsilia felt like he could do anything. Even if there was nothing he could do right now, he felt like he could somehow make it happen.

“Jaha, I don’t believe in goddesses.”

Marsilia spoke words he had never uttered before.

“But I waited for you, the one sent by the goddess. For ten years.”

Jaha cast a fleeting glance at him. Marsilia turned to look at the approaching camp and then back at Jaha.

“I’m that foolish, Jaha.”

Jaha seemed to be wondering what Marsilia meant, but Marsilia didn’t wait for him to respond.

“I will make it back alive. I will save everyone and return,” Marsilia said quietly.

He wished, though unspoken, that Jaha too would survive. Just as he had waited for ten years to meet him, Marsilia hoped Jaha would find a reason to live.

So, Marsilia quietly whispered to Jaha with his eyes, asking him to stay alive. However, it seemed that the message didn’t quite reach him.

‘I don’t know.’

Marsilia saw Jaha whispering back with a furrowed brow, and Marsilia simply smiled in response.

…

“The patrol time of the monsters has been shortened compared to yesterday. The increase in numbers is one problem, but the shortened patrol time is another. Moreover, the fact that we couldn’t finish the battle is concerning, Your Majesty. The one remaining beast today was heavily injured and retreated, but that doesn’t mean the same thing will happen again in the future.”

General Des’s words echoed through the quiet tent. He lowered his voice, worried about the morale of the other knights in the camp.

However, everyone remained silent with grim expressions, making his words sound louder than usual.

Since things hadn’t gone as planned in the two days, they would have to reconsider their strategy. Marsilia swallowed and stared intently at the map spread out in front of him, as though waiting for the answer to jump out at him.

At that moment, Marsilia could feel the gazes of the others. He sensed the commanders exchanging silent glances with one another.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

Marsilia spoke openly, prompting Odette Hill to speak up.

“Who is that person?”

“That person?”

“I know he’s Your Majesty’s aide… but his martial skills are unusual, and he’s using techniques I’ve never seen before… Could he be from the Eastern Continent?”

As Odette spoke, General Des added cautiously,

“I believe that person could be a significant asset to our forces, Your Majesty. It’s rare to find someone of that level even in the Eastern Continent. I’m curious as to why he has kept his abilities hidden until now…”

Marsilia snorted dismissively at their words.

“So, you’re telling me that because one master from the Eastern Continent has intimidated you, you now want to keep asking for help from Sable? Is that what I’m hearing?”

The faces of the men, deflated by Marsilia’s words, showed their dismay. General Des and Marquis Pablo were both facing the aura of a sword master up close.

Marsilia could understand their feelings, especially as he, who became a sword master at a young age, and Jaha, despite his youthful appearance, were both quite formidable.

But they, too, were warriors representing the nation. General Des was a man of great effort, and most importantly, he had made significant contributions to monster subjugation, which led him to rise to the position of general.

From the late Emperor’s reign to the current one, he had received numerous honors. His experience, wisdom, and everything else he had achieved were all highly regarded.

Still, seeing them like this, feeling downhearted, left Marsilia speechless.

“I don’t expect much from you. The reason you’re here is because I believe you have the necessary capabilities. I want you to overcome the difficulties and fight by my side. Haven’t we fought like this until now, General?”

Honestly, Marsilia didn’t want to send Jaha into the front lines. His condition was uncertain, and even if it wasn’t, Marsilia didn’t want to see him hurt.

Moreover, Jaha wasn’t from the Western Continent, nor had he accepted the fact that he was his soulmate. There was no reason to ask someone who wasn’t truly a part of the fight to keep fighting.

Marsilia wasn’t sure why Jaha had stepped forward today, but it wasn’t a situation where he could keep asking him to continue.

“He is not in a state to keep using his martial arts continuously. So, don’t discuss this any further. Whether he will be an asset or not will be decided as we observe the situation. First, confirm what we have and make your judgment. When did we ever fight hoping for luck?”

At Marsilia’s words, the atmosphere in the tent grew heavy. Marquis Pablo sighed and nodded in agreement.

“Your Majesty’s words are correct. It’s more urgent that we refine the strategies we initially planned. The number of Minotaurs seems to be higher than we expected, and they’re stronger than anticipated. I didn’t foresee this when we were facing them one by one, but when they gather, their destructive power multiplies.”

Having confirmed that their current strategy wasn’t working, it was time to rework the entire plan from the beginning.