Chapter Seventy-Four: Despair

That day, after the enemy’s midday assault had subsided, Gedir led his troops—barely recovered and breathing faintly—slowly outwards. In truth, breaking through at night would have been preferable, but in this world, the night is filled with unnatural dangers and the risk of losing one’s way, making it far too perilous. Thus, they could only seize the opportunity to depart at this hour.

On the march, Gedir turned and looked behind him. He saw several hundred armored warriors following close, yet many of their armors were shattered, their bodies reeking of blood, breaths weak—clearly grievously wounded. Some had lost an arm and were now crippled.

These were veterans, wounded soldiers, gathered for what would be the final charge of their lives, silently preparing to follow their commander to the end. Witnessing this, Gedir’s eyes reddened at the corners, his lips twitched as if to speak, but in the end, he said nothing.

In fact, all of them—including himself—had resolved to die, ready to gamble their lives to win just a sliver of hope for their sovereign.

With a heavy clang, the long-closed city gates slowly opened once more. Gedir rode out in front, stepping through the gates under countless watchful eyes.

His appearance had changed drastically; he now wore a flawless suit of armor, gleaming faintly. Beside him rode a knight, strikingly similar in build to Kezel, clad in Kezel’s armor and maintaining a silent presence. This was a decoy, meant to draw the enemy’s attention and confuse them.

Gedir surveyed the encircling foes, took a deep breath, and spurred his horse forward, beginning the charge.

“Attack!” he roared, leading the battered troops as they crashed into the guarded ranks ahead.

The enemy had clearly not expected this; the leading knight was stunned, felled by Gedir’s sword, and the attackers rampaged through the ranks.

Indeed, this direction’s defenses were the weakest. With Gedir at their head, the knights crashed through, scattering what had been an orderly camp.

It was midday; the Crown Prince was dining when a knight burst in from outside.

“Your Highness! The Second Prince is leading a breakout from the western side!”

“What!” Startled, the Crown Prince quickly left his tent.

Outside, he watched Gedir and the disguised Kezel rampaging in the distance, his eyes narrowing. “So, at last, they’re at the end of their rope?”

“Too late, though,” he said coldly. “If you hadn’t clung to the palace at first—if you’d abandoned Brook City and fled—I might have been powerless to stop you. But now, you’re still thinking of breaking out? Isn’t it a bit late?”

He spoke thus, then looked around and ordered, “Where’s Coris?”

“The Knight Commander is resting in the rear; he’ll arrive shortly!”

The Crown Prince nodded. “Send Coris to block them—remember, don’t let Kezel escape!”

“Your Highness, what about us?” A nearby knight asked hesitantly.

“We?” The Crown Prince chuckled, looking playfully at Brook City in the distance.

As his orders went out, Gedir immediately felt the pressure intensify; enemies surged like a tide, threatening to overwhelm him like a lone boat in a storm.

He glanced ahead, where the enemy was thinning. Gritting his teeth, he pushed forward, striving to break through before reinforcements arrived.

Suddenly, a towering figure appeared—Coris had arrived with his men. Gedir’s heart chilled; he knew the best chance had slipped away.

“Gedir!” Atop Brook City’s walls, Kezel watched the scene with bitter resignation.

Even before, Gedir was no match for Coris, let alone now, wounded and exhausted—death was inevitable.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince...” came a sudden, alarmed cry.

Kezel steadied himself and looked below. After Gedir’s breakout attempt, the Crown Prince’s forces showed no sign of panic; under his command, they pressed the attack, tightening the siege without slackening.

Kezel’s face darkened; he understood there was no escaping fate today.

Below, the Crown Prince gazed at the inner city, a cold smile on his lips. “Kezel, I don’t know where you are, but since that’s the case, neither side will escape!”

A servant arrived. “Your Highness, Commander Coris has successfully blocked the enemy.”

“It’s over...” Witnessing this, even the steadfast Second Prince faltered, despair creeping into his heart.

Outside, Gedir and his men were trapped; with Brook’s foremost knight Coris barring the way, defeat was inevitable. The Crown Prince watched the walls intently, never relaxing the siege for a moment.

Such a scene would drive any commander to despair; if even he could not break through, what hope was left?

His face turned pale, lines of age and dust settling, making him look utterly weary. Yet he stood firm atop the wall, unmoving, a presence that steadied those around him.

“Luriel!”

“Here!” Behind him, a young knight bowed his head.

Kezel looked at him, a complicated emotion flickering in his eyes. “If I remember correctly, you were once under Coris’s command...”

“In that case, I ask one last favor.”

Below, Luriel felt a foreboding chill. “Your Highness, command me!”

“When the inner city falls... take my body, and those of my wife and children, and surrender.”

He spoke calmly, as if discussing someone else.

“Your Highness!” Luriel cried, wanting to protest.

But Kezel stopped him. “With my brother’s temperament, if the city is breached, he will slaughter my family, perhaps even torture us before death. Better to entrust this task to you.”

He turned away, unable to hide the strain from his once calm face. “I have only one request.”

“After my death, take my family’s bodies and plead with him—do everything to protect Gedir’s family.”

“That is my promise to Gedir.”

His words carried no panic or tension, only tranquility and a faint regret.

The scene fell silent; Luriel looked at Kezel, mouth open, unable to speak, his fists clenched in helpless frustration.

“Your Highness! Look below!” Suddenly, a shout shattered the silence.

Kezel started, turning to gaze behind him. Beneath the stern ranks, a shadow was advancing.

Above, a hint of violet mist spread, a star faintly flickered, and two tides of military force began to clash.