Chapter : 85
The story continued concisely. Throughout Enoch’s explanation, Roxana listened to him without any change in expression.
“…And so, the situation changed.”
“So Curtis’ condition was that Frey and I be allowed to stay at the duke’s residence?”
“That’s correct.”
Her reaction was more composed than he had expected. Internally surprised, Enoch cautiously spoke up.
“Are you all right?”
Roxana, seemingly lost in thought, gazed into the air for a moment before looking at him.
“I have to be all right.”
It was an extremely practical and rational answer. According to the guard who had watched outside her room, they had a touching reunion—but compared to that, her reaction was remarkably calm. Roxana gently added to reassure the surprised Enoch.
“If Curtis accepted… it doesn’t mean the war is hopeless. I trust him. I don’t know much about battle, but for his age, he’s a veteran of countless fights.”
“That’s true. Although our immediate manpower is lacking, the battle will take place in the western part of our country. If we make good use of the terrain, it’s not entirely impossible to win.”
Of course, that didn’t make the situation favorable. Croatia had well-trained soldiers, equipped with weapons and shields made of steel. While the outcome was uncertain, Enoch refrained from mentioning that aloud.
“When is the deployment?”
“Probably in two days.”
“Isn’t that too soon?”
Roxana asked sharply after a brief inhale. Enoch gave a wry smile and explained.
“The situation is urgent.”
Roxana reached out and grabbed his sleeve.
“I hate to ask for more help… but, Your Highness, could it be…”
In her desperate eyes, Enoch felt a fleeting glimpse of the vulnerability hidden behind the mask of his calm demeanor.
“Could it be?”
“Even if only for a moment, could I see his face before he leaves?”
“That’s impossible.”
Enoch cut her desperate plea short and explained.
“Since the deployment is imminent, the border duke is extremely busy, and he’s under strict surveillance. Contact is impossible.”
“Even if it’s Your Highness?”
“No matter who it is. There won’t even be a deployment ceremony.”
“…I see.”
Roxana’s face darkened instantly, and she let go of his sleeve. Enoch felt a sudden tightness in his chest and unconsciously parted his lips. After a brief silence, Roxana’s eyes lit up as if she’d thought of something and she asked suddenly.
“What if it’s not in person?”
Her purple eyes sparkled with hope, as if she had never been disappointed. Momentarily taken aback by her rapidly changing expression, Enoch replied belatedly.
“Do you have some method in mind?”
To prepare for war and deploy within two days, even sleeping was a luxury. Curtis had no time to rest, arranging the knights and soldiers drafted for battle into their positions, distributing weapons and supplies.
He devoted himself until the hollows under his eyes deepened, but all he had were fewer troops and supplies compared to the enemy.
Even if they could make up for the troops using the terrain, the supplies could not be supplemented.
“We don’t have enough provisions. This won’t last three months.”
“It’s not a war to drag on. Do you think I’m sending you to waste time and die slowly?”
“But—”
“More importantly—”
The king cut off Curtis’ objection sharply.
“There will be casualties. If it’s not enough, hunt and procure locally.”
“Ha.”
It was impossible not to let out a hollow laugh. Their own citizens would fight and their own land would suffer. No matter how Curtis disliked the vanguard, this was extreme. As Curtis’ expression darkened, the king rose and clarified.
“Time is critical. The time I gave has ended. Deploy immediately.”
Curtis finally calmed and merely nodded, spinning on his heel.
The king clicked his tongue and looked down the window. The infantry and mounted knights stood tensely in formation. Normally, the city would have been full of tearful cheers, soldiers blowing horns and trumpets, and a deployment ceremony—but there was none. Curtis Russell would depart in a scene as solemn and silent as a funeral hall.
“Fool. The goal isn’t to win minor battles. As long as we hold them back even a little, that’s enough.”
While Curtis’ army faced annihilation, the king planned to prepare for war in the city with the duchy’s cooperation. Curtis’ role was merely bait to buy time. The king’s sly smile faded when a knock sounded behind him.
“Who’s there?”
“Your Highness. I’ve brought the person you requested.”
“Bring them in.”
The door opened immediately. A man entered, bowing politely with hands folded. The king drew the curtains and glanced at him, giving a final warning.
“You know what you must do, yes?”
“Yes. I am to assassinate Curtis Russell at the end of the battle.”
“Good. There can be no failure. Understood?”
“Of course. I will remember.”
The man bowed respectfully. The king laughed heartily and exchanged glances with the chamberlain, who nodded and issued the dismissal order.
“Go now. If you’re late, you’ll arouse suspicion.”
“Yes.”
The man bowed again and left. In the suddenly quiet room, the king whispered to confirm.
“Even if he fails, it’s of no concern to me.”
“Of course, Your Highness. We’ve also prepared a contingency plan.”
“The border duke must not return alive.”
If he returned… and even worse, triumphantly, he would gain honor and authority surpassing even the king, and the people’s hearts would turn completely toward him. Just imagining it sent chills down the king’s spine, and he clenched his fist.
Even if he miraculously won, Curtis Russell would never return alive.
Never.
The troops numbered three hundred. Under his adjutant Sir Grey were three knights commanding a hundred infantry each. Including the commander Curtis, that was five additional leaders. According to scouts, the enemy had about five hundred troops.
Just before deployment, Curtis scanned the lined-up soldiers. As he approached, one knight bowed.
“You’re here.”
“Two are missing.”
“Sir Grey went to check the provisions, and one knight’s horse was unfit, so he went to fetch another.”
“I see.”
Curtis mounted a prepared horse, smoothing its tense mane. After a few repetitions, the horse relaxed, neighing comfortably, while Curtis’ cold gray eyes read the solemn morale of his soldiers.
“Are you afraid?”
The soldiers swallowed hard. They could neither answer yes nor no. Under Curtis’ piercing gaze, lying could provoke a scolding, and honesty might lower morale.
Reading their minds, Curtis continued quietly.
“Fear is natural. We are heading into a war we are unlikely to win.”
“Sir!”
The soldiers murmured in alarm. Even when the chief shouted at them, Curtis didn’t flinch.
“Yet we cannot retreat. Every person faces a time when retreat is impossible.”
“…”
“If we surrender to fear, this country will soon burn. Win or lose, countless citizens will die, and invaders will devastate our lands.”
Even without the letters Curtis had sent to the duchy, Croatia’s invasion was foreseeable. The current crisis was the price of ignoring the obvious dangers in long peace.
For the soldiers, this was like a lightning strike from a clear sky. They had been drafted suddenly into war, and their commander was the border duke, whose death was nearly certain.
Curtis raised his voice to quiet them.
“Silence!”
The knights’ shouts calmed the murmurs. Once the room fell quiet, Curtis singled out a soldier.
“You there, where are you from?”
“Ah… yes. I’m from the island of Rhodos.”
Curtis continued smoothly.
“What’s it like?”
“A place of breathtaking natural beauty. The jade-green sea is dazzling.”
“And you?”
“I’m from the Credin territory.”
“And it’s like?”
“Fertile farmland. Every year sees a good harvest.”
“Who’s next?”
“I am…”
One by one, about a dozen randomly called soldiers described their hometowns. At first hesitant, their voices grew clearer and more proud with time.
Curtis surveyed the three hundred soldiers and knights.
“Do you hear me? This country is beautiful. Worth protecting. Worth giving your life for. Not just because it’s our country, but because it is where we were born and raised.”
Even after being betrayed by the country and nearly wiped out, this was a man who had risen countless times. Naturally, they listened, and their hearts resonated. Curtis captured the gaze of hundreds of soldiers and continued, meeting each one’s eyes as he spoke.
