CHAPTER 165……………………………
The Fall of the Northern Kingdom (1):
Akidalia was a human kingdom located at the northernmost tip of the continent.
And for a long time, it had been declining day by day due to the royal family’s tyranny.
“Eventually, it will fall.”
Both I and the demons thought so.
But what if it suddenly collapses after more than a decade of stagnation?
Naturally, it was shocking.
The autumn feast that had been planned was, of course, completely canceled.
Among them was the coming-of-age ceremony.
“Ares’ coming-of-age ceremony…”
I remembered the gift I had kept in my storage bracelet.
The coming-of-age gift I couldn’t give because the “Kore Knights’ Captain Swordsmanship Tournament” had completely fallen apart.
…And yet, I still hadn’t given it to Ares.
“But I can’t reach him!”
He must have gone either to the capital or back to his homeland in the meantime.
“That naughty kid.”
But right now, the messenger’s report was more urgent than my personal concerns.
“All borders adjacent to Akidalia are reportedly a sea of fire.”
The Northern Kingdom’s nobles had all rebelled, and it was completely uncontrollable.
The problem was, in the process…
“The rebels are running rampant, slaughtering not only the people of Akidalia but also us demons.”
Hearing that, my face stiffened.
Even though it was a long time ago, my senses vividly recalled it.
The moment the knights fell one by one.
The smell of human flesh burning.
Back then, my father had declared first:
“Dispatch reinforcements immediately. Draft knights from the families closest to the north.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“The north will be completely sealed off. Absolutely prevent them from crossing.”
How far could this escalate?
The meeting ended late in the evening, and everyone left with worried expressions.
Apparently, my expression wasn’t any better either.
Eos, usually quiet, pressed her cheek against mine firmly.
“Kkyuu…”
“Don’t worry, Eos.”
It was just that old memories made my stomach churn.
But this was different from the full-scale war with Halkion and the demons.
“If we send reinforcements, the border will be stabilized quickly.”
It was just… heartbreaking that this year, which I had thought would be full of radiant days, had turned out like this.
“And so has the relationship among the three of us.”
Kallion’s condition remained the same.
Once exposed, his soul seemed to fracture even faster.
“Every time I see him, he’s more and more off.”
When Talos’ traces appeared in those blue eyes, I shivered.
“…Huh. I need to clear my head.”
I would go to the treehouse after a long time.
If I could sit there quietly for a moment, maybe I’d get a sense of where to start.
But the moment I stepped onto the stairs, I felt it.
Someone was inside.
Only two people could enter without my permission.
I calmed my racing heart and whispered softly:
“…Ares?”
My hunch was correct.
Inside the treehouse, Ares sat there casually.
If it weren’t for his expressionless face, he would have looked like his normal old self.
I hurried to him, shouting first.
“You! Where have you been all this time?”
“….”
“Do you know how worried I was?!”
“I was briefly at the duchy, Your Highness.”
“Really! Who wouldn’t know that?”
If I couldn’t find him in the capital, of course he’d have gone to his hometown!
‘Shouldn’t you first apologize for storming out of the waiting room like that?’
Even if I tried contacting him via video, he ignored me.
‘Even though he said he loved me.’
This liar. That flashy-mouthed, damn youngest child.
Next time I see him, I swear I’ll strangle him with the power of darkness.
But looking at his face now…
My anger melted on its own.
“Ah, whatever. He’s back, so I don’t want to stay mad.”
He probably wanted to collect himself too.
With that stubborn personality, almost losing to Kallion must have been a huge shock.
I held Ares’ hand tightly.
His hand, much larger and rougher than mine, felt cold enough to make me flinch.
The autumn night wasn’t even that cold.
“Your hand’s cold. Let’s go into the palace together.”
“….”
“Hmm? I… I have something to give you—”
“Actually…”
Ares spoke in a low voice.
“I came back because I have something to say.”
“Uh…? What is it?”
A bad premonition rose in my chest.
‘Of all days, I’m still shaken from the meeting today.’
But I hated the heavy mood.
I forced a smile and teased him:
“What’s with the scary act after running away?”
“…Didn’t the Akidalia topic come up in today’s council meeting?”
“….”
I closed my mouth at that question.
Yes, it did. That’s why father ordered knights from northern families to be drafted.
But surely, he wasn’t about to say what I was thinking…
“I’m going as part of the northern reinforcements too.”
“Uh… what?”
“Since Ismenios is the closest, I’ll be included and go with them.”
“Ah, no, wait.”
I almost laughed from disbelief.
What… is he saying?
“You’re eighteen now, right?”
“Yes, I’m going because of the coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Right. But a coming-of-age ceremony is just an event.”
Last year, Ares was only seventeen.
One year older doesn’t suddenly make him an adult.
‘That’s not it!’
I tried my hardest to stay calm.
Don’t get angry, don’t get angry.
We just met again.
Ares must also have been shocked by the tournament incident, which probably scrambled his thoughts.
Yes, he must have gone crazy.
“…Why are you going? People just turning eighteen aren’t supposed to go.”
“I’m the only one in Ismenios. My brother is in that state.”
“….”
Damn.
I cursed silently and bit my lip.
If father had healed Duke Phobos as planned, Ares wouldn’t have made such a foolish decision?
‘But what about Kallion?’
What am I supposed to do about a soul fractured like that?
No matter how much I yelled or threatened, he never even flinched at the invitation!
Ares just watched silently as I trembled with anger.
I looked up at him, letting out a ridiculous laugh.
“How can you do this to me?”
After making that grand confession, asking me to stay by his side, and all that… he makes a dangerous decision without consulting me?
Ares closed his eyes.
“I… really shouldn’t have kept this from you—”
“If you know it’s wrong, then don’t do it!”
“But I can’t help it!”
Ares shouted at me.
‘What right does this kid have to yell at me?’
It was ridiculous, but even Ares raising his voice at me was shocking.
“That day… yes, I honestly lost to Kallion. Just as I was about to embarrassingly lose, Erebus saved me!”
“Because that was cheating! Of course father stopped it!”
“You know others wouldn’t see it that way!”
Ares sharply cut off my words after a dry swallow.
“My brother wasn’t well, I embarrassed the family. Of course I have to go and make amends—”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Ismenios.”
I too was boiling with anger.
My fists trembled uncontrollably.
“You’re only doing this because of your pride.”
Ares had never lost to anyone.
And to lose so horribly in front of others…
So he accepted such a dangerous decision as if it were natural, to hide his own wounds.
To dare use that as an excuse…!
“Ugh…”
The memories of that time, when I thought I had escaped, resurfaced.
Charon, reeking with stench and smoke.
Knights who went back to die as soon as I healed them.
I too died in that place.
And even if this is “just border support,” I didn’t want Ares to go there.
I didn’t want him to see such a scene.
Even experiencing it twice, it would remain a horrifying memory stuck to your eyelids.
Thinking of you there suffocates me.
So…
“Don’t go, Ares.”
For the first time, I begged him while crying.
