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Two people, leading the soldiers, finally arrived at the Bertus Family castle, which, contrary to expectations, was quite magnificent.

It felt nowhere near a suitable residence for the so-called masterminds behind the scenes.

Perhaps Albrecht had put in considerable effort to embellish his outward appearance as a noble.

Meanwhile, at the same moment across the way, a hurried voice echoed.

Due to the dispersal of their forces to the east, even the soldiers guarding the western entrance of the Bertus Family could not block Gale’s troops.

“Hold them back! If they breach here, it’s game over!”

“But Commander… Ugh!”

With a heavy thud, Gale and his soldiers smashed through the entrance like a tidal wave.

After easily breaking down the door leading into the castle, Gale cleared away the enemy soldiers blocking his path and entered.

As he reached the center of the garden, he caught sight of a familiar figure from behind.

“Your Majesty! Sir Edgar! Are you safe?”

“Yes, we’re fine. How about you?”

“We’ve dealt with most of the enemies. Now if we can just take down Albrecht… Hmm!?”

Just as Gale was about to continue with optimistic observations, believing no further reinforcements would come, additional soldiers bearing the Bertus Family crest appeared from inside the castle and both sides.

After all is said and done, this family is said to be among the most significant right behind the Robeheim Family. The sheer number of soldiers was no small matter.

“So, they still have this much strength left… Great, this is a hassle.”

Edgar clicked his tongue at the sight of the elegantly decorated garden being trampled by the enemy’s forces.

By the time they arrived, they had already endured quite a fierce battle, so the number of soldiers on their side was dwindling.

It seemed the same was true for Gale’s side; the few soldiers following him did not appear to be many.

On the other hand, their enemies were a full fighting force without any wounded.

Moreover, if there were even a few more reinforcements, since this was the Bertus Family stronghold, the reinforcements would arrive quickly.

Facing them head-on seemed downright hopeless.

“Your Majesty, I’ll buy some time with the soldiers I brought. In the meantime, I’ll…”

“Stop. That’s a fool’s errand. Can’t you see their numbers?”

Thus, while Gale intended to be the bait, Ariel dismissed the idea immediately.

Had their forces been equal or slightly mismatched, she might have considered sacrificing him and trusting him to hold the rear.

But launching an attack against such numbers with their current strength would be akin to sending him to his death. She didn’t believe they could hold for even 30 minutes.

“However, we don’t have the luxury of time. We can’t be sure that’s all their forces.”

“I know. But that’s not it.”

The difference in their strength was too significant.

To buy at least some time, they needed a bit more firepower than Gale and his remaining soldiers had.

‘Can we break through head-on?’

Ideally, they would defeat all the enemies and reach Albrecht.

But as Gale said, this was a race against time.

If Albrecht managed to escape in the meantime, everything would go to waste.

As she pondered and pondered, staring at the approaching enemy soldiers, Edgar took a step closer.

He drew the sword sheathed at his waist and called her name softly.

“Ariel.”

“Yeah?”

“Can you hold out if you and the soldiers here stay behind?”

Ariel, momentarily bewildered by his question, widened her eyes in surprise.

What did he mean by saying everyone here would stay behind?

If that were to happen, they would no longer have any strength to enter the castle.

“…You’re not suggesting…?”

Realizing what he meant, Ariel’s mouth fell open in shock.

In other words, instead of facing the enemies with all their strength, he intended to sneak into the castle by himself.

Into the stronghold of their enemies, where the leader and potentially even stronger foes awaited.

“Just tell me if it’s possible. We don’t have time.”

“I’ll… I’ll try.”

Her answer lacked the usual confidence, a side they wouldn’t expect from her.

But it wasn’t about underestimating the enemy’s strength.

She simply hesitated because if she gave her answer now, she knew he would head into the castle, leaving her behind.

Yet, the words she desperately forced out were because she was the head of a family.

This was a battlefield, and thus, she had to make every choice as best as she could.

Even if his decision to go alone might lead him into danger, it had to be the best choice.

That’s what it meant to be the head of a family.

“…Alright then, I’ll leave the rear to you.”

Edgar gently patted Ariel’s head and infused his sword with magic.

At that, Gale, startled, quickly tried to stop him.

It wasn’t just about the possibility; it was a matter laden with extreme danger.

“Sir Edgar! That’s too dangerous! We can’t know how many enemies remain…!”

“I know. That’s why I’m going.”

When viewing purely based on strength, Ariel might indeed have the upper hand.

But that didn’t mean she could just send him in alone, as the commander of this battlefield and head of a family.

And he couldn’t simply abandon the soldiers here like discarded scraps.

Thus, by leaving her in charge here, he planned to endure the battle while seizing the moment to take down the enemy leader and end the war.

Besides, while this situation seemed inherently dangerous, if he could quickly finish the battle outside, Edgar would have a chance for reinforcements.

“I’ll join you right after I take down Albrecht.”

“Alright. We’ll head that way once we finish up here. Don’t overdo it; just hold the man’s ankle.”

It was a tall order. Perhaps it was more demanding than merely winning.

Yet Edgar nodded in agreement.

After becoming the head of a family, he couldn’t help but smile wryly at his naïve lover, always throwing out ridiculous requests.

“I’ll finish things up before you arrive.”

“Hmph, I’ll get there before you settle it.”

Her competitive spirit was as strong as ever, just like it had always been.

What that meant was that even if things changed after defeating the enemy leader, this woman before him would remain unchanged.

And Edgar was content with that fact alone.

“I’ll be back.”

“Take care.”

Receiving a horse from one of Gale’s soldiers, Edgar, with that goodbye, charged toward the enemy stronghold without looking back.

He didn’t feel the need to tell anyone to look after Ariel.

That would be a remark fitting for someone facing their end.

Such words did not suit his intention of certainly returning by her side.

“Shoot! We can’t let him get through to the castle!”

As Edgar raced down the path stretching through the center, the Bertus Family soldiers aimed their bows and fired arrows without hesitation.

As dozens, hundreds of arrows were released simultaneously, the sounds filled the ears of those standing in the garden.

Ping! Ping!

Just before the torrential downpour of arrows hit Edgar, they grazed something and bounced off, rolling along the ground.

A scream erupted amidst the Bertus Family soldiers at the bizarre sight, but Ariel, raising one hand and keeping a calm gaze, observed.

Once she confirmed that his new model had safely entered the castle, she lowered her hand and dispelled the defensive magic she had set in the air.

She had confidently promised to end things quickly, but indeed, their numbers seemed rather overwhelming.

Even so, she refused to let go of her thread of hope.

“Your Majesty, are you really alright? Sending him off alone without even a single soldier…”

“He’ll be fine. I trust Edgar.”

Despite Gale’s persistent concern, Ariel merely repeated the same thing.

However, it wasn’t a baseless belief like those before in Whitewood.

This time, she was certain. He would return safely.

“Gale, did you see him just now?”

“What do you mean?”

“That guy, before he said he would come back, he looked me in the eye.”

Gale furrowed his brow, wondering why that was special.

At least as far as he knew, Edgar always answered by looking Ariel in the eye.

To be precise, Edgar was the type to try to meet the eyes of those around him as much as possible when talking. That was also why he was so well-liked.

Seeing his confusion, Ariel reminisced with a sorrowful gaze and added her explanation.

“He said the same thing back when he went to rescue my father. That he would definitely come back. But back then, he couldn’t look me in the eye.”

“Ah…”

“That idiot thinks I’m unaware of his lies. I just played along because I had no choice.”

Edgar always looked people in the eye when talking.

But it seemed that when he was lying, he would unconsciously avoid eye contact, though he didn’t seem to realize it.

Even back on the day they headed to Whitewood.

When he smiled and nodded while she insisted that not only her father but he too needed to return safely, he looked at her but not in the eye.

Realizing it then, Ariel had wanted to stop him.

She had realized that this man held no intention of coming back alive.

But she couldn’t. She allowed herself to be deceived, believing she had misunderstood.

And as the days dragged on without him waking up, she bit back her anger, replaying the promise they had shared.

He said he would return alive. Without it, she felt she couldn’t bear her own crumbling body.

But this time was different. He had confidently looked her in the eye as he made his promise.

“I trust him. That guy always keeps his heartfelt promises, even if he does lie.”

“…You two have a good bond.”

As Gale unsheathed his sword from his waist, preparing for battle, Ariel waved her hand through the air.

The rushing enemy soldiers fell like dominos at the forefront, a smile gracing her lips.

This time, she felt no anxiety. ‘I’ll just fulfill my role here.’ That was the only thought propelling her actions now.

 

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