Chapter : 86
“A person without a hometown is like a tree without roots. A ship drifting aimlessly in the vast sea without an anchor.”
“…”
“When we can no longer retreat, our choices are twofold. Do we fight to protect our roots, or do we let the invaders pull them out? I choose the former. Those who wish to follow me, raise your swords!”
At this passionate cry, a brief silence passed. Countless gazes fixed on one man.
Eyes with no trace of fear. A back straight as a rod, and a face that gazed down with such arrogance that it bordered on contempt. His speech was brutally honest, yet it was this very honesty that fueled anger and courage. His stance was as regal as that of a ruler, leaving everyone speechless and in awe.
The silence was short-lived. After a moment, soldiers who had been trembling in fear began to raise their swords one by one.
“Waaaaaaaa!”
With a few words, the atmosphere, which had felt like a graveyard, was transformed. The officers and three knights looked at their commander with admiration. Perhaps, this battle might just be winnable.
Perhaps.
“We march out!”
Amidst the thunderous cheers of the soldiers, the long procession, led by Curtis, exited the inner castle. By the time they reached the outer castle gate, a soldier’s eyes widened at something falling from above.
“What is this?”
“Look over there!”
What descended from above the marching line were, unexpectedly, fresh flowers. Citizens of the capital, peeking through their windows, silently began tossing flowers and letters down. Overcome by this unexpected show of support, soldiers looked up with tears welling in their eyes and began to pick up the letters, clutching them to their chests.
Curtis, who had been looking around in confusion at the sudden uproar, turned to his adjutant.
“…What is going on? The departure ceremony and the citizens’ farewells should have been prohibited under the pretext of preventing unnecessary fear-mongering.”
“It seems word must have spread somewhere. They probably came up with their own way to support you.”
The answer was filled with emotion. Curtis quietly removed a flower petal from the reins of his horse.
In any case, if this helped boost the soldiers’ morale even a little, it was a good thing. Curtis loosened the reins slightly, deciding to slow down and leave the capital at a more leisurely pace.
“Sir.”
The adjutant approached and handed him something.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a letter. It seems to be for you, sir.”
Unlike other envelopes, this one was thick, about the size of a thumb. It had a short note written on it.
To the Commander.
With a feeling of familiarity, Curtis opened the envelope and began reading the letter.
I couldn’t find another way to cheer you on, so I send this as my heart. I’ve sent thirty pages, hoping you read one each day.
The reason the envelope was so thick was because it contained thirty folded letters, stuffed inside. As he read, Curtis’ grip on the letter tightened.
I will be waiting for you. Come back safely, as you promised me.
Roxana. His Roxana had planned this. Not only that, but she had also thought of the soldiers.
Realizing this, a warm feeling spread through his entire body, from his chest to his limbs. Joy, gratitude, surprise, and regret all intertwined and overwhelmed him.
“Sir?”
Noticing an unusual reaction, the adjutant spoke up. Instead of responding, Curtis pressed his lips to the letter and silently sent a fervent response toward Roxana, wherever she might be watching.
The army may be small, and the supplies may be lacking, but they could still win. He would win, to return to her. A deep certainty in his heart told him they could succeed.
“Roxana!”
Without knocking, Frey barged into Roxana’s room, waking her from her sleep. Rubbing her eyes, Roxana quickly got out of bed, only for Frey to shove a rolled-up parchment at her.
“Look! Brother is winning!”
It was a message brought by the messenger bird. At first, Roxana was speechless, surprised by the unexpected method, but she quickly became accustomed to it once she realized it was how Curtis had communicated with Tessa during his mercenary days.
“Really?”
“Of course!”
Snatching the parchment from Frey, Roxana read the words on it.
The schedule may be advanced.
It was a brief communication due to the messenger bird’s method of carrying notes, but even this was enough to make her grateful.
“My goodness. Oh, thank you, God.”
With a sigh of relief, Roxana hugged the parchment to her chest. She closed her eyes and silently offered a prayer of thanks when a knock sounded from the door.
“May I come in?”
“Of course!”
Before Roxana could react, Frey answered eagerly, walking into the room. Roxana quickly threw on her robe and sat down on the couch by the fireplace.
“Come in!”
“Oh. I apologize for coming so early.”
Enoch entered the room after being welcomed by Roxana, his eyes cast downward in quiet contemplation.
“It’s no problem. I just threw on something to cover myself. You came because of the message, right?”
“Yes. I heard the news and was curious.”
“Here.”
Enoch took the parchment as he approached.
“It’s good news that the schedule may be advanced.”
“Yes.”
“I knew that Count Baek was skilled in battle, but this is unbelievable.”
At first, Curtis had been at a clear disadvantage. The enemy’s forces were nearly double, and their supplies were insufficient.
However, according to a soldier who had recently returned to report to the king, Curtis had begun to gain an upper hand by utilizing the narrow gorges and mountainous terrain. With small victories mounting up, the soldiers had begun to gain courage, which in turn led to greater victories.
“If this continues, driving Croatia out of the western border will not be far off.”
“I’m so relieved. I don’t know how to thank you…”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“But you helped send flowers and letters on the day Curtis marched out. You helped raise the soldiers’ spirits.”
“I helped, but the idea was entirely yours.”
Before the warm conversation could continue, Frey interrupted, pushing into the space between them.
“Sir, does this mean brother will return safely?”
“Most likely.”
“Most likely…?”
Enoch awkwardly corrected his words when he saw Frey’s troubled expression.
“He will. He will.”
At the awkward shift in mood, Enoch tried to ease the tension.
“By the way, Frey, aren’t you hungry?”
“Ah…”
Frey, who had been holding her stomach, looked at Enoch in embarrassment.
“I’m actually hungry, too. Let’s go downstairs and eat something delicious.”
“Okay!”
“I want to change and wash up first. Do you want to go ahead?”
“Sure.”
With a nod, Frey shyly gave a glance at Enoch before leaving the room.
Once they were alone, Roxana spoke up quietly.
“Is something bothering you?”
“That…”
Enoch hesitated, avoiding her gaze.
“Please be honest. You know I’m not fragile.”
That was true. Roxana had calmly accepted situations that Enoch had thought would be too difficult for her. For a while, she had been disheartened, but then she came up with a quiet yet effective way to see off Curtis, instead of the usual grand farewell.
“Actually, it concerns Croatia’s war machines.”
“War machines?”
“I heard they have powerful catapults made of steel. They played a huge role in the war in the Principality. Thankfully, when Croatia withdrew from the Principality, most of their machines were left behind, so I felt relieved… but…”
“Then?”
Roxana listened seriously, her expression darkening.
“Do you think Croatia invaded this country without those war machines? They must have aimed to quickly conquer the country before they could even ally with the Anatol Principality.”
“Then you mean…”
“Yes. I fear those war machines might be repaired soon, and they might be used in battle. Supplies are also running low. They’ll run out soon.”
Curtis might have sent the optimistic news to reassure her and Frey. But the sudden, shocking realization left Roxana’s heart heavy with worry.
“What about the Anatol Principality? Didn’t they promise to ally if Curtis was acquitted?”
“They’re bringing war machines across the Demon Mountain, but the distance to the west is considerable. The size and weight of those machines mean it will take time for them to be transported along with soldiers.”
“If Curtis’s army is wiped out by then, it will be too late!”
Roxana jumped up from her seat, her worry overwhelming her. Enoch tried to calm her.
“There’s nothing we can do. It’s just a possibility. We can only wait for things to improve.”
“We can’t just do nothing.”
This war wasn’t just Curtis’s. It was a war for her, Frey, and this country. After pacing the room for a while, Roxana suddenly stopped.
“I’ll send a letter right away.”
“To where?”
“To Baroness Philomena. She controls the social circles, so I’ll ask her to use her connections to help us secure supplies.”
While asking Enoch would be faster, as a duke’s close associate, he couldn’t act too rashly.
“…That’s a good idea. But, what about the war machines?”
Nodding in agreement, Enoch brought up the next concern. With a determined look, Roxana clenched her fist and asked suddenly.
“Could we make something like small gunpowder?”
