241. Throwing the Spark (7)
The sandstorm had stopped. At first, Borua thought he was hallucinating due to the excitement of battle. But he wasn’t. The sky was gradually clearing. And the path had opened.
“Uh…….”
“Captain, should we attack?”
“Wait, just hold on for a moment.”
The knights stared in bewilderment at the skeletons and golems that had suddenly stopped functioning. The creatures were just standing there, staring back at them. For the knights, who had been preparing for a fierce battle, this was both astonishing and incredibly fortunate.
Jumping into the fray and fighting heroically would have been great, but the outcome was uncertain. All they had left was their pride.
But then, suddenly, the creatures stopped, their eyes glowing fiercely. And the path opened. From the distant end of the road, where the royal castle was visible, all the way to where they stood.
The wraiths that had filled the distance all stopped moving and stepped aside, creating a path. It was as if…… they were soldiers guarding the passage of a king.
-Kugugugung…….
A brief earthquake swept across the land. Then, the road buried beneath the sand and dust was revealed. A road adorned with an incredibly beautiful inlay, one that even the finest stonemasons of the empire would hesitate to attempt, rose into view.
“Whoa……!”
At the same time, all the skeletons knelt down in unison. The knights, holding their swords clumsily, stood frozen in confusion.
-Chak, chak, chak.
A group of golems, each exuding an extraordinary aura, marched in perfect formation, a signature of the Legion of Wraiths. The sound of their heavy footsteps created small tremors that shook the knights’ hearts.
“This…… this doesn’t look good.”
One of the knights groaned. If even one of those creatures decided to attack, could the wounded here really hold them off? But with the golems clearly heading this way, the knights were all that stood in their path.
They couldn’t retreat. Not only was Duke Erbe’s safety unconfirmed, but beneath the rubble, there were still civilians struggling to survive.
The knights, feeling cold sweat drip down their backs, raised their swords. Their goal now wasn’t survival or protection. It was buying time. Even a single second longer to hold this position.
[Are you the kin of heroes?]
From afar, a beautiful voice, as if singing from the heavens, echoed. A voice filled with overwhelming pressure. Borua was the only one who wasn’t shaken by it.
The less experienced knights unconsciously loosened their grip on their swords. Borua gritted his teeth and took a step forward. If they could communicate, there was still hope. The wraiths had never sought conversation before, but if dialogue was possible, it would buy enough time.
“Who are you!”
[I asked the question first…… but, I suppose proof is necessary due to cultural differences. Very well, strangers.]
-Chak!
At the same time, the golems stopped. From the center of the golems, a massive, ornate palanquin gently descended to the ground. It resembled a grand altar carved from marble.
On top of it stood a figure who, to anyone who saw her, appeared to be the most noble being in the entire city. Her slender silhouette was adorned with glittering ornaments. Handmaidens fanned her as she spoke.
[My people. My most cherished treasures. Who am I?]
As the woman waved her hand, the countless soldiers kneeling before her shouted in unison, yet with different voices.
[The Empress of the Scales!]
[The Pharaoh of Ibaras!]
[The King of Kings!]
[The Sovereign who shapes the plains!]
[The Guardian of the Empire!]
[The Repeller!]
[The Loyal One of Iman Mamrus!]
Titles never heard before, and ones that no single person could rightfully claim. Even the most vain emperor in history wouldn’t have dared to have his people call him such things.
The knights, overwhelmed by the spectacle, and somewhat dumbfounded, stared at the wraiths. They continued to chant new titles with the reverence of priests serving a god.
[Enough.]
At the woman’s word, all the soldiers fell silent at once. In the sudden stillness, the empress spoke calmly.
[To put it simply, I am their master, and the sovereign of this city you have invaded. Now. Where is the one worthy of addressing me? I have come in person to discuss peace.]
“……!!”
Borua was stunned. Peace? The commander of a victorious army personally coming to request peace? According to the common sense of war, such actions were something only the king of a defeated nation would do.
It was the first time he had seen a wraith that could communicate, but the fact that its first words were about peace was even more astonishing. Borua stammered.
“Peace……? Did you say peace……?”
[I won’t criticize your tone. I am understanding. But for you to question me…… even if it’s due to cultural differences, it is an insult to me. I wish to speak with someone of equal standing. Bring him forth.]
“My, my apologies……. I…… uh…….”
Borua hesitated over whether to raise his tone. No matter how noble one’s bloodline, it was customary never to show deference to an enemy noble in war. But…… if that wraith were to get angry, wouldn’t the cost be the lives of everyone here?
“Our lord is currently beneath the sand. We too wished to find him, but…… we haven’t had the time…….”
Speaking as humbly as possible was his best option. Borua was flustered, unaccustomed to conversing with high royalty.
[Ah, so the commander personally took to the frontlines? How remarkable. How admirable. I shall pay my respects.]
The woman waved her hand as she spoke. At the same time, the sand began to recede on its own.
Layer by layer, the sand returned to its original form. It was as if time itself was being reversed……. Before Borua could even take two breaths, the massive dunes that had covered the area had transformed into yellow earthen walls.
Beneath them, the soldiers who had been buried were sprawled out. Some were bleeding, while others were still twitching and moving. Borua, seeing this, jumped up as if electrocuted and ran forward.
“Your Highness! Your Highness!!”
Among them was their lord. The knights, almost simultaneously, rushed forward without a thought for decorum. They moved the dead bodies aside, helped the wounded to their feet, and reached their lord who lay beneath……
“Move aside!!”
Borua shoved the knight who was helping their lord. With trembling hands, he hastily removed his gauntlet and threw it aside. He pressed his blood-stained fingers under their lord’s nose.
“He’s…… he’s breathing…… Your Highness is alive……!!”
“Your Highness!! Are you unharmed!!”
“Everyone, lower your voices! His Highness was buried beneath that! How could he be unharmed!”
Borua shouted, then carefully helped Duke Erbe to his feet. The Duke gasped for breath and muttered something.
Borua urgently brought his ear to the Duke’s mouth and said.
“Your Highness, give us your orders!”
“Move your hand.”
“……Huh?”
“It stinks. Move your hand, you fool.”
-Thud!
Erbe pushed Borua’s hand away and stood up on his own. After staggering for a moment, he shook his head, scattering sand, and chuckled.
“Damn it. I’m alive.”
“Your Highness…… are you hurt anywhere?”
“Nah. I almost met our ancestors, though. Don’t make a fuss. This wasn’t my worst situation.”
“Now might not be the time to say this, but…… if this wasn’t the worst, then when was……?”
“When I was eight years old, I shouted, ‘Give me a horse!’ as I drew a longsword and vowed to take the head of an enemy general. That was the worst moment of my life.”
Erbe walked out, chuckling. The knights, forgetting the current situation, giggled and stood by the Duke. The wounded soldiers remained behind them, and the enemy’s momentum and numbers were still overwhelming, but the knights now seemed at ease.
The core of their Ribue Knight Order had always been the Duke. With his survival secured, the knights no longer felt tension or fear.
The Duke glanced at them. “Many have survived. Well done.” After a moment, Erbe turned his gaze to the woman looking down at them.
The woman… her attire was that of the dead, and her golden mask showed no expression, only authority. Yet, the light in her eyes beneath it seemed oddly… pleased.
“More human than those Imperial nobles, huh?” Erbe chuckled and stepped forward.
“You saved me.”
[Indeed. You tried to kill me.]
“Thank you for your mercy.”
[Can you converse? If your condition is not stable, I can grant you a few more days.]
“To ask for more mercy would be greedy. I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine.”
As Erbe spoke with a smile, the woman nodded. She slowly extended her hand.
[I offer peace. If you leave my territory, I will ensure your safe passage.]
“Even without a guarantee that we won’t plot against you again?”
[That guarantee has been made by another. This is merely my goodwill.]
“Why are you letting us go?”
[A ruler’s quality is reflected in their vassals. Even in the face of adversity, they remain dignified, and in critical moments, they prioritize their lord’s safety. You are a hero of troubled times and a king of peace. I am pleased with you and your vassals.]
Erbe remained silent for a moment, and Lavirata continued.
[Some say we are the dead, and our city is the land of death. So, proudly declare it. Your virtue has saved your soldiers. You are their leader.]
“Thank you for your kind words, but…”
Erbe looked at Lavirata and her army with disbelief. The atmosphere was tense, and their numbers were twice what they had faced on the city walls. Fighting would mean certain defeat. Even if they had clashed on the plains, victory would have been uncertain.
I underestimated them. Erbe gave a bitter smile. How many had died in this battle? Most of those who had entered first were likely corpses.
And unlike his forces, the Imperial Army was attempting to breach the city walls on a broader front, more urgently. Naturally, their casualties would have been double that of the Duke’s.
We lost. Erbe chuckled and nodded. Defeat was not unfamiliar. The 50-year war with the Sultan had been a series of victories and defeats. Survival was always more important than defeat.
“Thank you sincerely. At least, I swear my army will never oppose you. On my name.”
[I believe you.]
“But I have one more request. Shamelessly…”
[Speak.]
“Other forces participated in this battle besides my soldiers. If there are any survivors, I wish to return with them. But…”
[They might turn their spears against me in the future. Is that what you’re saying?]
“Yes.”
Lavirata waved her hand, and soon, an earthquake began. Buildings rose one by one. The structures that had been swept away by the sandstorm and the outer walls that had collapsed on their own.
Every part of the city was neatly restored to its pre-battle state. In the distance, the majestic spires and watchtowers. Even the massive outer walls were intact…
[If there are any among them still breathing, at least today, they will not die.]
“Thank… you.”
[My goodwill was a transaction. You need not thank me or have any reason to. Now, leave. I no longer wish to interact with outsiders.]
Lavirata turned and walked away. As she ascended the altar and sat on the ornately decorated throne, golems rose, carrying the altar on their backs.
Lavirata slowly disappeared from their sight. As she vanished, the skeletons began to retreat.
“Your Grace, we… we survived.”
“Yes. Whew…”
The Duke sighed deeply, stumbling as he stepped. Borua hurried to support him, but the Duke lightly pushed his arm away.
“Let go. We’re still in enemy territory.”
“Are you injured anywhere?!”
“My whole body feels like it’s about to shatter. Don’t show it. A commander can’t appear weak in enemy territory.”
The Duke chuckled, shaking off the knights’ support and walking on his own. Blood seeped thickly from his back. The knights silently followed behind him.
* * *
“We, we survived!”
“Shut up.”
Everard coldly snapped at the excited noble. He clutched his head, shaking off the sand. They too had been listening to the conversation between Duke Erbe and the Pharaoh.
No, everyone alive in the city had heard it. It would have been better if only a few close to them had heard. They could have been silenced.
But meticulously, the Pharaoh had ensured the conversation could be heard throughout the city. From end to end. Their dialogue echoed.
A peace agreement? Showing mercy? A hero… a hero…
Everard’s mind was tangled. It would have been better if all the soldiers had been lost. If rumors spread that the Imperial Legion had been annihilated on the battlefield, the Emperor would have requested reinforcements from the Elector Counts, and the situation would have been resolved more moderately.
If the Empire’s forces were concentrated, dealing with the Legion of Wraiths ruling a single city wouldn’t be difficult. But this situation was problematic.
“But what did that skeleton leader just say?”
“She intends to politically bury us.”
Stupid pigs. Everard didn’t hide his contempt as he answered the noble, who was moved by the joy of survival.
“What… what does that mean?”
“Every soldier will talk about this. Not just one or two, but ‘every soldier’! How can it be hidden? How can their mouths be shut? Bards will spread tales of the Empire’s great hero and the lord of the dead who was moved by him. The Elector Count’s virtue will soar. Isn’t that right?”
At Everard’s words, the surviving nobles paled. These fools, called high nobles… Everard spat out his words.
“A monster has been born in our time. A monster whose political life rivals that of His Majesty the Emperor.”
Everard frowned, thinking. Whose idea was this? How could this have happened?
‘The Wraith Lord couldn’t have grasped the Empire’s political situation and acted like this. But truly, sincerely, was that the attitude of a king ‘moved by an enemy lord’? No… no.’
Central nobles, even the knights of the knight orders, are highly political creatures. They are masters at understanding others’ intentions in relation to politics.
So, Everard saw this as political showmanship. Otherwise, there was no reason to broadcast that conversation throughout the city. It couldn’t have been Duke Erbe’s doing. He had fought alongside them and suffered the same losses.
Therefore… someone is behind this. Someone well-versed in Imperial politics, connected to the Wraith Lord, possibly inciting the Beastman Nobility, and supporting Duke Erbe…
Thinking that far, Everard burst out laughing.
‘Such a monster couldn’t exist.’
Perhaps. Having died and come back to life, I must be overly sensitive. Everard shook his head and prepared to retreat with the nobles.
‘Yes. Such a monster couldn’t exist.’
To think that everything was the plan of one person or group is speculation. It’s more rational to think it’s all a coincidence, a terribly malicious coincidence for the Empire.
![[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return](https://i3.wp.com/novelhitam.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TS-Obsessed-Gamer-The-Ultimate-Return2.png?resize=85,105 "[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return")
