A river flows through the central part of the continent.

This river, called the Iris, divides the southwest and northeast of the continent.

A great river that flows from the inland sea near the Imperial Capital New Terra to the outer sea in the east, it is the lifeline of civilization that has made the central part of the continent prosperous and fertile.

To the Everblack Empire, which greedily devoured the center of the continent, this river represents the practical jurisdiction of the Imperial Capital New Terra,

and an absolute defense line that must not allow foreign invasions.

Trot, trot, trot...

South of this river, the forces of Crossroad led by me were converging.

"Whoa."

I stopped my horse and looked across the river - to the north, at the enemy forces encamped there.

The Imperial Capital Defense Forces.

Fernandez's forces, fluttering banners with roses and shields.

The imperial standing army responsible for the outer defense and internal security of New Terra waited for us.

And between us and them, across the Iris River...

"There's no bridge."

There were no facilities to cross.

Only the ugly remains of a destroyed bridge.

Someone spoke as I surveyed the river.

"It collapsed during the battle. Precisely, the Imperial Capital Defense Forces destroyed it."

Turning around, it was Metallic, the knight leading the remnants of the 1st Legion.

With one eye whitened, Metallic explained with a fierce glint in his eye.

"Under the trickery of Lord Fernandez, the vanguard of our 1st Legion was completely annihilated along with the collapse of the bridge."

"Indeed."

"Therefore, afterward, we had to take a long detour to cross the river and head to the Imperial Capital, stretching the front lines. This was one of the reasons the war dragged on."

Metallic had participated in the Imperial Capital Confrontation as Lark's deputy.

He explained all the battles that unfolded in this region and the route the 1st Legion chose to reach the Imperial Capital. I listened carefully and nodded.

After finishing his explanation, Metallic cautiously asked me.

"So, what will you do now, Your Highness? Will you take a detour?"

"No. For now, we won’t move the troops."

I looked around. The plains were spacious enough.

"We'll wait here for our allies to gather."

At my words, Metallic twitched as if startled.

"Are you saying we'll set up camp here?"

"Why? Is there a problem?"

"But, right across the river is the Imperial Capital Defense Forces..."

"Without a bridge, they can't cross over either. Neither side can attack."

"Still..."

"Too close, you think?"

I grinned and looked at the Imperial Capital Defense Forces to the north.

Despite the river between us, the distance between the two armies was close.

It was only just out of range for long-distance attacks, but if someone had good eyesight, they could see each other's faces.

"We need to be this close to have a conversation face-to-face."

"Your Highness...?"

"Enough, set up the camp!"

I raised my voice.

"We will wait here for the arrival of our allies! Prepare the camp-!"

***

The night we set up camp.

The soldiers were anxious to camp with the enemy so close, but I didn't care.

I knew they wouldn't attack us now.

‘Because right now, on this side...’

Your people are hiding among us.

So, I might as well use that to my advantage.

Late into the night, I called Metallic to my tent.

"Did you summon me, Your Highness?"

"Yes. Come in, Metallic."

Hesitantly approaching, Metallic was greeted with my broad smile.

"I have something important to discuss with you. Come, sit here."

"Well, if I may."

Metallic entered the tent and quietly sat on the chair before me.

"What would you like to discuss... Uh?!"

And as soon as Metallic sat down, the heroes under my command who were waiting in the tent sprung out and subdued him.

In an instant, his arms and legs were bound, and he gritted his teeth towards me.

"What is the meaning of this, Your Highness...!"

The sight of him, covered in scars with one eye turned pale, was like facing a wild beast. Intimidating indeed.

But knowing his true nature, his fierce appearance wasn't scary at all.

"Though you look like a seasoned veteran of many battles, your actions are no better than a rat’s. Metallic."

I leaned in closer and smirked at him.

"I've known for a long time that you're a spy.""...?!"

"That you entered my ranks under false pretenses. That you were waiting for the right moment to stab me in the back. I knew all of it."

Confused, Metallic muttered in defeat.

"How... how did you know...?"

The answer came not from me, but from Dusk Bringar who stepped forward.

"Within the 1st Legion of the Imperial Army, the 1st Heavy Cavalry Division was practically Lark’s personal guard, wasn't it?"

"Duchess Bringar...!"

"If Lark had been captured and killed, you men would have chosen death as well. But here you are, safe and sound, which wouldn't make sense otherwise."

Dusk Bringar smirked.

"Fernandez must have released you. Did you think we wouldn't know?"

The Bringar Duchy had waged war against Lark and his 1st Legion.

They knew better than anyone who the 1st Legion were and how they operated. After all, they were the ones who trampled over Bringar Duchy.

From the beginning, Dusk Bringar had doubts about Metallic's survival, and his investigation confirmed the truth.

"...Huh."

Metallic slowly lowered his head.

"So this is how it ends."

I had planned to subdue him with [Eye of Command] if he resisted strongly, but surprisingly, he gave up resistance immediately. A tired voice came from the defeated knight.

"Kill me."

"Typical of knights to always ask for death. Listen, Metallic, let's talk a bit more."

Crouching in front of him, I spoke in a subtle tone.

"You, a loyal servant of Lord Lark, why did you join Fernandez? That’s what I want to know first."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Metallic slowly began to speak.

"Lord Lark... is still alive."

Everyone in the room widened their eyes in shock.

I listened quietly, and Metallic continued.

"Right after Lord Lark was captured, Fernandez threatened us. If we didn’t surrender immediately, he would kill Lord Lark."

"..."

"We pretended to surrender and observed the situation. Then, Fernandez came to our 1st Legion and threatened us again. If we didn't go to the southern front to act as spies... he would kill Lord Lark immediately."

To keep Lord Lark alive.

The remnants of the 1st Legion were leashed by Fernandez, forced to act at his bidding.

"We moved out of loyalty, but it's true we submitted to Lord Fernandez and plotted against you, Your Highness."

Metallic closed his eyes.

"Kill me. End it cleanly."

"...I have a proposal for you, Sir Metallic."

To him, submissively awaiting my judgment, I whispered softly.

"A way to save both Lord Lark and screw over Fernandez."

"...?"

Metallic's head, which had been bowed, lifted.

A faint glimmer of life returned to his pale, dead eye. I smirked.

"How about it? Will you listen to my proposal?"

***

Several days passed.

Under the banner of the World Guardians Front, set up south of the Iris River, the forces of fallen kings from all over gathered.

The four major non-human races, along with kings and rulers from the frontiers.

Gathering everyone like this, the number was considerable. I finished checking off the names on the paper list I held, glancing over the long lines of encampments on either side.

"With the Southern City-State Alliance and the Mirage Tribe from the west joining... Now everyone is here."

All the cards I had prepared were now in my hands.

No need to wait any longer. I slowly rose from my chair.

"Now, let's set off for New Terra..."

That's when it happened.

Boom, boom, boom...!

Low drumbeats echoed from across the river.

Booooom...!

And they were accompanied by long, majestic trumpet blasts.

The Imperial Capital Defense Forces, which had remained motionless during the past few days as we gathered on this side, suddenly started playing music.

And it wasn't just music. The Imperial Capital Defense Forces began to orderly split to the left and right.

Watching this, I furrowed my brow.

"...My dear brother is coming out sooner than I thought."

At this sudden movement from the Imperial Capital Defense Forces, the kings and soldiers of our alliance looked over in confusion.

Then, from the neatly split ranks of the Imperial Capital Defense Forces, a soldier ran out and shouted towards us.

"The supreme, noble, and lofty sovereign of this land, who has built paradise on earth as the chosen of the Goddess!"

Wait.

I've heard this line before.

"The only emperor of the great Everblack Empire, long live the Emperor!"

Long live-!

The Imperial Capital Defense Forces shouted in unison.

The loud chants of long live echoed throughout the area. I couldn't help but smirk in disbelief.

"...As far as I know, this intro was reserved for just one person in the whole world."Regardless of my grumbling, the soldier across the river continued.

"Fernandez ‘Ember Keeper’ Everblack, His Imperial Majesty, presents himself-!"

And then.

He appeared.

Clip-clop, clip-clop...

Riding a white horse, dressed in black and gold uniform, with a blood-red cape trailing behind, and a radiant golden crown on his head.

Adorned in the splendid regalia of an emperor, my second brother, Fernandez, slowly made his way to the center of the Imperial Capital Defense Forces.

As Fernandez approached close to the riverbank, he smiled brightly. I too faced my brother with a wide grin.

"Finally lost it, have you, dear brother? Declaring yourself emperor."

Fernandez calmly adjusted his crown.

"The imperial throne is a seat to govern the world, representing humanity. In these unprecedented times of crisis, it cannot remain vacant forever, can it?"

"If Father has gone missing, shouldn't your first thought be to search for him? Isn't that what a real son would do?"

"A commoner's son might. But we are royalty, guardians. We must consider the fate of the nation and the future of the world before our father's life."

"Always so slick with your words..."

I rolled my eyes.

Fernandez softened his voice, exuding a gentle demeanor.

"It's been a while, Ash. Have you been well?"

"Thanks for the concern, brother. It's overwhelming, an emperor still caring for his little brother."

"I won't beat around the bush. Surrender now. I will ‘save’ you and all your people."

Fernandez extended his hand towards me.

"You've always been on my list of people to save. I know about the countless years of battles you've fought."

I frowned.

Fernandez... he knows that this world has repeated itself.

Indeed, there's much I need to dig out from this brother.

"After such a long and harsh time, fighting until your soul was about to break, it would be too cruel to have no salvation in the end... So, come to me, Ash."

"..."

"Let's leave together. To a new world. To a new paradise."

Fernandez spoke tenderly, but,

I silently raised my fist and then slowly extended my middle finger.

"This is my answer."

"...?"

Fernandez seemed puzzled. In this world, this gesture might not be particularly offensive, but what does it matter.

Eat shit.

"My salvation lies neither in surrender nor in escape. My salvation is something I fight for and win with my own hands."

I growled.

"There's no way I'll crawl under your feet."

"...You'll end up shattered in the end, Ash."

"I don't care if I do."

I tightly gripped the flag in my other hand - the symbol of the World Guardians Front, a blank black banner.

"I'm already in pieces."

I’ve resolved to live in pieces.

"There’s no reasoning with you."

Fernandez shook his head, then scanned my camp.

"Then I have no choice but to capture you by force."

"What?"

"By the name of the emperor-"

Fernandez shouted in a sonorous voice.

"Seize the traitor!"

Then,

Click! Click! Click!

As if on cue, various forces within my camp suddenly drew their weapons and pointed them at me.

Led by the remnants of the 1st Legion, a significant number of the fallen kings who had joined from various places betrayed me and took an aggressive stance.

"What?!"

"What's happening..."

Confused, the fallen kings and forces around me quickly surrounded me in defense, weapons drawn.

On my side were the four major non-human races and the forces that had come to support us during the Goblin Wave.

Except for a few fallen kings... more than half of the others, following Fernandez's orders, were pointing their weapons at me.

From the beginning, or perhaps later on, they had been swayed by Fernandez.

Politically, they must have judged that the second prince, who had taken control of the central region, would have a stronger grip on world power than the third prince from the south.

The invasion of monsters and the end of the world seemed like distant tales, but power was a more immediate concern.

In an instant, the World Guardians Front was split in two. I clicked my tongue at the sight.

"Everyone."

I muttered softly.

"Are you sure you’re on the right side?"

There have been so many times throughout history where choosing the wrong side led to downfall.magic

And all of you have chosen the wrong side.

That side is a rotten lifeline.

I slowly put my hand into the pocket of my coat.

In my hand - I grasped a branch of Everblack.

--TL Notes--

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