The march continued through the village, forest, and gravel paths.
The soldiers periodically reorganized their ranks and stationed sentries in anticipation of a monster attack.
He scouted the way from the very front.
His principle was to never stay behind on the battlefield.
Two days later, upon arriving at the western border, the residents there were trembling with fear.
“..Quite the mess.”
Some villages had already been destroyed, leaving only thick black smoke rising, and the surviving residents had fled into the castle.
“Exactly how many monsters attacked?”
He asked a representative of the residents.
The representative answered with a shaking voice.
“I don’t know the exact number. From packs of wolf-like monsters to sightings of large creatures like ogres and trolls. They’re moving in groups, attacking villages along the roads.”
He surveyed the surrounding terrain with a serious expression.
This area was a ravine where mountains and valleys crossed, with only one passage.
He gathered the unit commanders to devise a strategy.
“Let’s use this gorge. The monsters come in herds but show no organized movement. First, we’ll position some troops at the gorge’s entrance to separate smaller groups, and the main force will encircle them from behind…”
He explained the detailed command plan thoroughly.
The commanders were impressed but also worried.
“What if this doesn’t work against the monster horde?”
He shook his head.
“There’s that possibility, but if we retreat here, more villages will be sacrificed. We’ll eliminate as many as possible here first and then form pursuit squads to chase down the rest.”
The soldiers trusted him.
Based on his prior combat experience, his judgment had always been accurate, and even dangerous operations ultimately led to victory.
He trusted his soldiers, and the soldiers trusted him.
The operation took place over two nights and days.
He hardly slept, summoning commanders to check the situation.
In the first clash at the gorge’s entrance, the Empire’s army annihilated part of the monsters but the threat remained.
After reorganizing the soldiers, he personally led the vanguard to advance deeper into the gorge.
Inside the gorge, it was filled with moist moss and the eerie cries of monsters carried by the night air.
Occasionally, red eyes flashing behind the trees kept the soldiers tense.
He gripped his sword and called out firmly to the soldiers.
“Under no circumstances falter. We have training and experience. The monsters will scatter soon.”
As he said, a considerable number of the monster groups, frightened by their organized advance, began to flee.
However, some large monsters continued to resist.
In the end, amidst cries and struggles, the Empire’s army gained the upper hand, and the monsters scattered in retreat.
As dawn broke, the gorge was covered in a scene of bl**d and darkness intertwined.
The soldiers, exhausted, supported each other while searching for fallen comrades.
He carefully inspected the battlefield, assessing the wounded without any signs of disorder and ordering treatment.
“We need healers here!”
When a soldier shouted, he quickly rushed over to assess the wounded soldier’s condition.
The soldier had a deep wound on his leg and was in pain.
“It’s all right. This can be healed.”
He reassured the soldier in as calm a voice as possible.
In the heat of battle, this man’s words of assurance carried more hope than a doctor’s.
He called over a doctor, who applied pressure to stop the bleeding and dressed the wound with medicine.
Eventually, the monster eradication operation achieved some success.
The western border temporarily regained peace, but the task of pursuing the remaining groups still remained.
He left a few commanders to form search parties and prepared to return to the capital himself.
In the capital, there was surely a new set of orders and missions awaiting him.
On the way back, he briefly stopped at a humble village tavern.
The soldiers were also worn out and needed a rest.
He warmed his stomach with a simple hot soup while asking the innkeeper about local news.
“Are there no big rumors lately?”
He quietly asked the innkeeper.
The innkeeper scratched his head as he replied.
“Lately, monsters have been appearing, but there are strange rumors coming from the southeast part of the continent. They say the red moon will rise again… People worry and dread this.”
He furrowed his brow slightly.
“A red moon… I’ve heard it symbolizes great misfortune.”
The innkeeper nodded.
“Yes. It’s said that the demon race will become active, or wars will break out… It’s called a harbinger of calamity. Whether these stories are true or not, people say peculiar events always happen around that moon.”
He thanked the innkeeper and stood up.
It was said that a red moon was in the sky on the day he was born.
And in this world, countless secrets remain hidden.
Leaving the tavern, he gave a simple order to his subordinate commander.
“If you should find any legends or records about the red moon, please report them separately.”
The commander, bewildered but obedient, agreed to carry out the order diligently.
He looked out the window at the gray sky.
The rain had stopped, and pale sunlight filtered through the clouds.
As they continued their march, he reviewed his past battle experiences in his mind.
Not only the novel he read in his previous life about the ‘Savior of the Thousand Swords’, but also the numerous scenes of carnage he had witnessed on the battlefield, played through his mind.
This world was undoubtedly similar to the one in the novel but slightly deviated in its details.
“Once I return to the capital, there won’t be a quiet day.”
He murmured.
In ten days, they sighted the capital’s fortified walls again.
From afar, the capital’s view remained majestic.
The walls were adorned with tall towers and lavish flags, where many people bustled about inside.
“To all my men, you’ve done well.”
He briefly greeted his subordinates, and the weary soldiers let out a sigh of relief.
“Kaaah General Kareha!”
“He’s come back after eliminating more monsters! Truly, there is no one else who thinks of us commoners like General Kareha!”
Entering the city, citizens welcomed them.
Carriages moved aside, and children waved white cloths to greet the soldiers.
People cheered for the success in eliminating the monsters, and the marketplaces and squares were filled with a festive atmosphere.
He kept a smile and waved at the cheers.
But secretly, he felt a more complex sentiment.
“If the Demon King ever appears, how easily such peace might crumble.”
After dismissing the soldiers and submitting a simple report, he returned to the Imperial Palace once again.
Upon arriving at the palace, many officials and army personnel were already waiting for him.
People bowed their heads in unison, celebrating his safe return.
“This incident will greatly stabilize the people’s hearts in the western border.”
Someone said.
“His Majesty will be most pleased.”
Another added.
He gave his thanks but privately, he felt the need for a quick rest.
The battle and the all-nighters of the past few days had drained his strength.
But his workload had only piled up.
That evening, a small celebratory banquet hosted by the Emperor was held.
He had to attend, despite his exhaustion.
In a gathering of many nobles and foreign envoys, he had to appear as the young war hero and symbol of the Empire’s future.
The grand hall of the palace glittered with gold chandeliers illuminating the ceiling, and a music ensemble played elegant melodies with stringed instruments.
Noblewomen in dazzling dresses greeted each other, while young knights and officials gathered in small groups to enjoy wine.
He wore a black military uniform with the empire’s medal on his chest.
Numerous eyes were on him.
The young man who had already achieved several feats on the battlefield was a subject of curiosity and admiration to everyone.
“General Kareha, congratulations.”
Several nobles approached and greeted him.
He maintained the best possible courtesy, smiling and responding politely.
“Thank you, it was all due to everyone’s hard work.”
From time to time, wealthy merchants or lords from other regions suggested partnerships.
He avoided forming deep relationships beyond necessity.
Then, a woman stopped before him, like a ripe flower in bloom.
The lady in a white dress with purple tones drew attention even when people were already focused on Kareha.
“General.”
Iris Fontana.
The eldest daughter of Marquis Fontana stood in front of him, and upon seeing her, Kareha greeted her with a polite bow.
“Miss Iris Fontana.”
“Yes, you know my name? General Adolf Kareha.”
She emphasized knowing his full name with a hint of mockery, her eyes twinkling coyly.
Her presence made many men envy her attention but Kareha merely stared silently.
“Is there any business?”
“I just wanted to get to know the hero of the battlefield.”
“..I’m afraid I’m not interested in further conversation today.”
Given his immediate return from the battlefield and his tired state, it was clear his conversation with Miss Fontana was not going well.
At this obvious dismissal, Miss Fontana pursed her lips and said,
“Does even a short conversation with me bother you so much, General?”
“Today doesn’t seem to be the right day for me, what do you think?”
In response to Miss Fontana’s irritated tone, Kareha firmly replied while looking straight into her eyes.
The young lady felt, upon meeting his gaze, that his eyes were like those of a bird of prey, and she trembled in fear for a moment.
Unable to endure the sight of her unbecoming behavior and the stares of others, Miss Fontana gently lifted her dress hem and had no choice but to heed his dismissal.
