MAD - Chapter 92

Heglatan was gathering his forces at the Kerkla Plain on the border. Targayel was also forced to send his main force to the Kerkla Plain.

However, the situation was truly dire. First of all, Targayel's overall force size was far smaller than Heglatan's.

Unlike Heglatan, who had been steadily preparing for revenge since the Hundred Years' War, Targayel had only been preparing for about a year since the revolution.

They cannot abandon Mapel Territory, which is a strategic point on the border, so they must send troops, but they are very short on resources.

However, it was not a situation in which Mapel Territory could hold out on its own. Hayden, the Count of Mapel, was desperately resisting with his mansion at the center, but Mapel Territory had already been completely isolated by the rebels for over a week.

By this time, the food in the mansion would have run out. The militia knew this too, and they were just surrounding it without fighting a war of attrition. They were waiting for it to surrender naturally.

It was a situation that called for an adventure on the Targayel.

Elze planned a rather ambitious operation. She was to form a special company and launch a suppression operation against the Mapel Territory.

The plan of the operation was to secure mobility in the company, then quickly attack the Count's base from the outside and suppress the militia by combining forces inside. Suppressing the rebels with a small number of men was almost a gamble, but it had many advantages.

First of all, the loss of power could be greatly reduced. Elijah's loss meant the loss of a major force, so in this situation, it was necessary to send out the minimum number of troops possible. With one company, Targayel could send troops without much burden.

Also, if only one company were moving, fast movement was possible. Given the urgent situation in Mapel Territory, being able to move as quickly as possible was a huge advantage.

“You’re going to suppress the Mapel Commandery with just one company?”

And Shan was furious as soon as he heard of the operation. Despite its many advantages, Shan had no choice but to oppose it. It was a virtually impossible operation. It made no sense to fight a suppression war with just one company.

Shan was genuinely angry. He threw the plan Elze had drafted down on the desk, the paper flapping as if it was about to tear.

“Not only do they send you into battle, but they force you to go out on a limb?”

His purple eyes, filled with anger, swept wildly. Elze did not back down, being careful not to be swept away by his emotions.

"That's right."

“...”

“But Shan, this is war. You are the commander.”

Shan was seen biting his lower lip wearily.

“If it were not Erzenes Targayel, but Commander Elijah who had given you this plan of action.”

Elze tried to convince him with cold facts.

“What would you have done then?”

Shan couldn't refute Elze's words. He knew it too. It was an impossible operation, but Elijah could succeed.

As a commander, it was an operation worth taking on. But the person who would carry out the operation was Elze.

Shan slammed his hand on the desk. His fist shook violently with a bang. He squeezed his eyes shut and swore.

"...Shit."

Then he immediately sighed and apologized to Elze.

“I’m sorry for swearing in front of you.”

“That’s understandable. I would have cursed you if you had come up with such a plan.”

Shan was speechless at Elze's confident answer. He made a betrayed expression for a moment. It seemed to imply that she knew and still did it. Elze laughed for a while and then said to Shan.

“There’s just one thing I’m worried about.”

“Worried? What could someone who plans such an operation have to worry about?”

Elze asked Shan a question, gently comforting him as he complained that she was being annoying.

“Is it possible that the Kirkla side is a lie and the Mapel spirit is real?”

Heglatan was gathering his troops on the Kirkla Plains, but it might have been a lie. Shan slowly shook his head at Elze's words.

“That’s not it. We have solid intelligence that Blahar is moving towards the Kirkla Plains.”

"I see..."

It was hard to guess what Blahar was doing. It could have simply been to separate Elze and Shan. However, Blahar was so incredibly intelligent that he seemed to live in another world, making it completely unpredictable. Elze thought for a moment and then slowly spoke to Shan.

“For now... let’s do it like this.”

“...”

Shan looked at Elze with resentment. Elze let out a small breath and hugged Shan. Then she whispered in his ear.

“Defeat as many Heglatans as you can while I’m away. If you’re going to do that, it would be nice to win the war.”

Elze covered Shan's face with both hands and spoke while looking into his eyes.

“...I’ll be back soon.”

Shan took a deep breath. He had finally accepted Elze's plan.

As soon as the operation plan was passed, the company was quickly organized. Elze's company consisted of 100 men in total, divided into 4 platoons of 25 men each. Each platoon was led by a knight named Elijah, and Kalia, led by Epen, was secretly assigned to accompany them.

Elze's company departed that day as soon as its formation was completed. After Elze departed for Mapel Territory first, the Targayel Empire army, led by Shan, also headed to the Kirkla Plains.

There was no grand ceremony. In silence, everyone held their breath as the imperial army engaged in battle to determine the ultimate victor.

***

Darkness had fallen. The night was quiet, with stars twinkling in the black sky. The only sound was the crackling of torches burning in the distance.

Beneath the torches that scattered red sparks into the pitch-black darkness stood two soldiers holding long spears. They were the rebels who had taken over Mapel Territory.

“Haa... How long do I have to keep doing this?”

The man holding the window sighed loudly. The man next to him responded with a long yawn to his grumbling.

“Isn’t it going to end soon? Even Count Mapel won’t be able to hold out. It’s about time we ran out of food.”

“Yeah, you damn bastard...”

The man spat on the floor and muttered curses.

“Do you want to starve to death and be carried out as a corpse?”

“The dried corpse would be a sight to behold.”

The two men snickered without saying who would go first. And they chatted nonchalantly about what kind of reward they would receive from Heglatan after this job was over and what they would do with the money. There was no trace of tension in them.

The reason for not being nervous was simple. It would take a long time for Targayel to bring his army to Mapel Territory. Count Mapel would not be able to hold out until then and would collapse. Or Targayel would abandon Mapel Territory altogether. Either way, the rebels’ victory was certain.

One of the men yawned and stretched. He was about to say something else in a bored voice.

“...?”

He realized that his voice was not coming out. He looked around at the person next to him with a bewildered face, and blood sprayed down his face. That was the end of the man. Thump, thump, the sound of the body falling echoed twice on the ground.

The shining silver longsword returned to its scabbard with a rustling sound. The swordsmen walked out of the darkness. They were all wearing light armor and clothes that were good for hiding, making them indistinguishable in the darkness.

The knights, who had confirmed that those standing guard were completely dead, reported calmly to someone behind them.

“Removal completed.”

A slender figure appeared, accompanied by the sound of light footsteps.

He was also equipped with light equipment and a concealment suit, but his curvaceous body was noticeably different from the others. Beneath his cold blue eyes, a thin voice flowed out.

“Ready to enter.”

The knights dispersed in unison. Elze confirmed that everyone was in their positions, then clenched and opened her fists. Following the signal, the three remaining platoons, excluding Elze's platoon, began to move.

After confirming that the platoons were moving, Elze ran out last. Elze climbed up the outer wall of the building and onto the roof. Then, she started running without making a sound. Under the round moon shining on the dim night, black shadows secretly ran and jumped over the rooftops.

On the street below, militiamen could be seen patrolling, but they had no idea that there would be raiders on the rooftops.

At that moment, one of the knights running on the roof twisted his ankle for a moment. A small stone rolled down to the floor with a loud crunching sound.

"Huh?"

One of the soldiers on patrol was about to look up at the rooftop. With a quiet crack, an arrow pierced his neck. He died a silent death.

“...”

Rapine sent a signal to Elze, and Elze began to move again. Elze's platoon was the first to arrive at Count Mapel's mansion.

The Mapel mansion was a mess. The walls were all broken down, the garden was scorched by fire, and the grass and trees were dried out. The windows were broken here and there, allowing the night wind to blow in and out freely.

Elze's squad managed to enter the mansion safely. As soon as Elze entered the mansion, she took off the mask that was covering her face.

“..?”

But something was strange. The mansion was too quiet. The mansion was filled with an eerie silence. Elze narrowed her eyes. She was about to order a search of the mansion. A voice came from deep inside, from a place stained with darkness.

“Lord Erzenes.”

A man with gray hair and eyes walked out slowly.

“It’s been a while.”

It was Blahar's staff officer, Serev Kamish. He was not alone. The clouds moved, and moonlight poured into the mansion. In the bright sky, knights in heavy armor appeared.

Those lined up behind Serev were all knights of Heglatan. As soon as Elze saw them, who appeared as if they had been waiting, she was able to grasp the situation.

Count Mapel had been defeated by Heglatan's attacks since the first rebellion. However, to draw Elze in, he had set up the situation as if Count Mapel was resisting. He did it secretly, without even his own allies knowing.

I got hit...

Elze burst into laughter when she realized the truth. Elze blinked slowly and asked Serev a question.

“Where is Count Mapel?”

But Serev did not answer Elze's questions.

“His Majesty has something to tell Erzenes.”

He looked at Elze with his ashen eyes. And in a very rational voice, he made a suggestion to Elze.

“If you agree to the conversation, I will tell you what you want.”

Serev's tone was confident. It seemed as if he thought Elze had no choice but to accept his proposal. The current situation was certainly unfavorable for Elze. However, instead of accepting the proposal, Elze twisted the corners of her mouth into a smile.

"Conversation?"

Elze walked slowly towards Serev.

“Conversation is good. Let’s have that conversation as much as we want.”

“...”

The knights of Heglatan, standing behind Serev, placed their hands on the hilts of their swords. They sensed that Elze was acting unusually. At that sight, Elze smiled faintly and continued speaking.

“But from my perspective, any conversation with the enemy starts with them kneeling.”

“...”

Serev's face hardened. Elze lifted her chin. She looked him up and down as if looking down at him, and whispered.

“Why can’t I do it?”

Elze spoke clearly to Serev, who was unable to answer.

“Then kill me.”

Elze folded her arms and continued talking to him leisurely.

“There must be a lot of knights... If you just force us in with numbers, it’ll be possible, right? Or should I just commit suicide?”

“Lord Erzenes...”

Serev wiped his face with his hand. It was a gesture that was full of embarrassment. He couldn’t kill her. Elze practiced on Serev exactly what she had learned from Blahar.

“Kneel to me or die.”

Elze smiled brightly at him and said.

“You have to choose one of the two, Serev Kamysh.”

***

"Go talk to Elze."

Blahar sent Serev to Mapel territory with that one word.

Of course, the rebellion in Mapel was not simply caused by talking to Erzenes. There were other important reasons as well. However, the fact that talking to her was the first and foremost goal remained unchanged.

Serev couldn't figure out why his master was so obsessed with her. Objectively speaking, Erzenes Targayel was an attractive woman. Her blue eyes sparkled, and she smiled so refreshingly that even Serev was sometimes charmed.

However, he thought that things like being a master of swordsmanship with a rapier and a mangosh, or having a strong personality that suppresses men's spirit, were negative factors.

Serev was a typical Heglatan man, and he wanted a wife who could quietly support him at home. That's why he couldn't understand why Blahar was so obsessed with Erzenes. She was a world apart from Serev's ideal woman.

But today, Serev seemed to understand Blahar's mind, even if only a little.

“Either you kneel before me or you die. It’s your choice, Serev Kamysh.”

There was something about the sight of Erzenes smiling arrogantly that set the fire burning. It was a mixture of competitive spirit, possessiveness, and something else unknown.

It was dangerous. It was definitely dangerous. Serev had to try to suppress his pounding heart. It was fortunate that he was a cool and rational person. If he were a belligerent man who liked risky bets, he would have fallen for her at this moment.

Serev looked at Erzenes again. He felt that he should not act toward her as he had toward so many other women. Serev's posture became a little more formal. He began to speak in the most polite manner he could muster.

“Lord Erzenes, if you act like this, it will not be good for either of us.”

But Erzenes clicked his tongue as if it were absurd.

“Wasn’t it you who first came forward ‘this way’?”

“...”

Serev felt frustrated. He tried to blur the issue with some appropriate puns, but he couldn't. He had no choice but to confront the issue frankly.

“Lord Erzenes.”

Her blue eyes stared at Serev, who relayed Blahar's words as plainly as possible.

“His Majesty deliberately dispatched troops to cause a rebellion in Mapel Territory. It is because He wants to keep Erzenes out of this war.”

Blahar was sincere. He cared for and valued Erzenes so much that he sent his staff officer, Serev, to her during the war.

“I’m not telling you to surrender. I have no intention of forcibly taking you to Heglatan. Just...”

Serev asked her softly.

“Can’t you just stay here?”

“...”

And Elze was really surprised by Serev's words. Elze had to try not to show her emotions on her face. At best, she expected him to tell her not to fight and to surrender. She didn't expect Blahar to come out so desperately.

Even sending his own right-hand man and staff member, Serev...

Serev spoke slowly, calling Elze's name.

“Please, Erzenes.”

But even as he said that he was asking for a favor, he nodded to the knights behind him. The knights of Heglatan were ready to draw their swords at any moment.

Following Heglatan’s movements, the Targayel knights lined up behind Elze also slowly placed their hands on their sword hilts. Serev slowly scanned Heglatan and Targayel’s numbers with his eyes, as if estimating their numbers.

If you add the knights inside the mansion and the militia outside, Heglatan inside Mapel territory far surpassed Targayel. Serev could not have been unaware of this fact. Nevertheless, the reason he showed it through his gestures again was simple.

It was also for Elze to realize how disadvantageous her situation was, and that she was in no position to be stretched out like this. In short, it was a threat that if she didn't listen, she would be forced to do so. Elze said with a slight frown.

“So, Sir Serev’s role is to keep me here.”

“That’s right. And His Majesty, I...”

Serev's eyes sank. He spoke in a cold voice.

“He said that if we can capture Erzenes, we should do whatever it takes.”

“...”

The moment she heard those words, a chill ran down her spine. It felt like Blahar was whispering in her ear, and goosebumps appeared on her skin.

But Elze didn’t show it on the outside. Instead, she lifted her lips and smiled. This time, Serev was shaken by the smile that seemed easygoing. He swallowed dryly.

Elze shook her head and then asked him in a tone of disbelief.

“You don’t really think I’d only bring something of this scale, do you?”

“Lying is not good.”

Serev answered bluntly. But Elze was just as firm. Elze immediately countered his words.

“That's a lie.”

“...”

“Haven’t you seen for yourself what kind of personality Lord Cirxus has?”

Elze looked at Serev with pity and said:

“He’s the kind of person who would even attack the Emperor of Heglatan. I guess he would have put me in a lot of danger.”

Serev opened his mouth to refute, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything. He had no choice. Serev was always there when Shan rushed at Blahar.

He had seen everything Shan and Blahar had done to Elze. That was why he knew better. When it came to Elze, there was no limit to the crazy things these two men could do.

Serev eventually couldn't hide the fact that he was wavering. Elze took advantage of the gap that had opened up in Serev's mind.

“Targayel has a great staff, too. I hope you don’t think Heglatan is the only one who knows how to use his brain.”

“...”

Serev's face, illuminated by the moonlight, looked slightly pale. Elze waited quietly for Serev to speak.

He was expressionless. But his eyes were faintly trembling. He must have been replaying Elze's words in his head.

It was also difficult for Serev to think too long. He might make a good decision after careful consideration. So Elze decided to help Serev with his choice a little.

Elze walked slowly. With a tapping sound, Elze walked toward Serev. No one moved, and while everyone was holding their breath, Elze was the only one who moved. Elze stopped a couple of steps away from Serev. Looking into his eyes, Elze whispered.

“Either get on your knees and talk, or back off now.”

“..."

“Or how...”

Elze lightly placed her right hand on the handle of her rapier. It was a simple gesture, but the knights of Heglatan flinched as soon as they saw it, as if a time bomb had been set alight. Elze tilted her head slightly and smiled as she asked Serev.

“Shall we go for a head-on confrontation?”

Serjev bit his lip. He glared at Elze, then warned her in a desperate voice.

“You will definitely regret it.”

But his warning was not very threatening to Elze. Elze answered with a smile.

“I think I’ll regret listening to you more, Serev.”

“...”

Serev clenched his teeth. He thought hard, but was eventually pushed aside by Elze. Serev spoke with a stiff face.

“...I am back off.”

“Sir Serev!”

The knights of Heglatan shouted in surprise. But Serev raised his hand to stop them. He looked at Elze and spoke calmly.

“Count Mapel is being held in custody within the mansion. However, even if we back off, the village militia will remain. If you wish to pursue them, it would be best to deal with the militia first.”

As Serev spoke, he looked closely at Elze to see if there was anything he had missed. But Elze answered without wavering at all.

“You’d better leave quickly. I can’t guarantee you that I won’t send a pursuit team.”

Serev stared at Elze for a moment, then turned around and quietly retreated into the darkness. The knights of Heglatan also disappeared behind Serev.

“...”

After confirming that they had all retreated, Elze closed her eyes silently. Then she slowly exhaled.

What is the chase? Targayel should have begged them not to fight. However, Elze bet big with a rotten card, and fortunately, Serev was fooled by Elze. As Elze was wiping out her chest, Tarkun and Rapine appeared.

"Captain!"

The two had arrived at the mansion following Elze. However, they did not show themselves when Serev appeared and waited silently. They were preparing for a possible battle, and as soon as Serev retreated, they approached Elze. Elze asked briefly.

“Ivanna?”

“In location.”

Elze nodded. Ivanna was in charge of the retreat route in case the operation failed.

“Tell them that the operation planned for escape will be changed to a suppression operation.”

Serev was driven out, but now the militia remained. Without the knights of Heglatan, it was much easier to deal with them, but they were greatly outnumbered. They could not let their guard down.

“The remaining platoons, except for the 4th Platoon, search the mansion. After finding Count Mapel, prepare to suppress the situation immediately.”

Elze's orders were quickly given. As everyone prepared to search the mansion, Elze muttered to herself.

“Would Blahar have sent Serev just because he wanted to talk to me...”

Rapine took Elze's mutterings without missing a beat and spoke.

“I also have some doubts about that. I guess there must be another reason.”

“I see. I think we should join the main force quickly.”

While Rapine and Elze were seriously discussing, a knight approached Elze timidly. He cautiously began to speak.

“That... Captain.”

“What's going on?”

“There’s one thing I’m curious about.”

Elze nodded, indicating that he should speak. The knight hesitated for a moment before asking Elze a question.

“Are reinforcements really coming?”

“No way.”

"Yes?"

The knight was taken aback by Elze's words, asking what was so obvious. Elze kindly explained it to him.

“There is no reinforcement. Our company is all we have.”

The knight who asked Elze blinked in confusion. He asked again with a puzzled expression.

“Then, what did you say to him..."

Elze smiled brightly and answered in a cheerful voice.

“That was a lie?”

“...”

The knights were left speechless at Elze's dignified words.

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