Chapter 99

"Sorry. I'll make my excuses later."

The moment he tried to stand up from his crouched position, a searing pain shot through his right arm. A violent nausea threatened to rise from the back of his throat.

Forcing his drowsy legs to awaken, he stood up, his bones creaking. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his breath was already short.

But it's not bad. If I can stand up, that's already a good start.

Karia headed to the front lines to subdue the enemy. Then I must do my part as well. I can't just stand idly by and watch her back. A commoner like me must work as hard as a carriage horse to earn recognition.

"Are you going to break your promise, Ruis?"

As he stood up and caught his breath, a voice whispered in his ear. It was a voice that seemed to entwine in the depths of his ear, like a song being played.

It was undoubtedly the voice of Eldis, the elven princess, lurking in the rear.

"Hey, you're timing it like you were watching from the wings."

"Of course. I am the one responsible for this battlefield. I have the duty to oversee everything and keep it all in my heart."

You said it was my duty to fulfill my responsibilities, didn't you? Eldis's gaze intensified.

The figure that appeared in his eyes was the phantom form of Eldis.

Still, the duty to oversee everything might mean that this princess is more principled than I thought. I did say it was my duty to fulfill my responsibilities, but it's rare for a commander to come and see the gruesome scene themselves.

However, tactically speaking, there is no better method. Especially for Eldis, the commander can oversee the front lines from a remote location. To be honest, this phantom form almost seems like a technique for commanding.

"Perfect timing, I was just about to send a messenger. Eldis, I have a question for you—"

"Your question isn't finished yet. Are you going to break your promise? Do you not trust that child?"

The words were spoken with an unusually strong tone, making him widen his eyes.

It was strangely firm, not allowing any evasion. Her blue eyes, even though they were a phantom, seemed to hold deep emotions.

The promise she was referring to was the conversation with Karia. But he couldn't understand why this princess was so fixated on it.

"That's not it. I made a promise, and I trust her with all my heart."

He placed his left hand on his chest, searching for his chewing tobacco. Narrowing his eyes, he continued.

Karia said she would return with victory in her sword. If that's the case, I need to be prepared to meet her. Otherwise, I won't have a face to show her. Rather, if I sit here idly, I might as well hang myself.

If Karia has spoken to me with words, I want to show her my actions. That's the only way I can show my sincerity to a hero like Karia.

"That's why I want to do everything I can—Eldis. Where is the escape route or the back door for the royal family of this country?"

Eldis seemed taken aback by his words.

It wasn't that she didn't understand the meaning, but rather that she didn't understand the context. The elf Eldis, whose emotional flow was so easy to read, was now even more so.

"I'm preparing to go and finish off Lagias here and now. No one would be foolish enough to leave a hole in the fence after cornering the wolf."

Eldis's blue eyes widened. She seemed to react to the word "Lagias," but still looked confused.

Of course, I smiled inwardly. My eyebrows twitched slightly.

The battlefield is still in chaos, and the outcome is uncertain. The god of fate hasn't chosen a side, and even history hasn't proven which hand it will take.

Moreover, our current situation is overwhelmingly bad. Eldis must be aware of this. Her eyes were restless, and her breathing was noticeably faster, even in her phantom form.

But for me, the outcome has been decided long ago. There's no need to rely on the god of fate.

We will win, we have to win. It's only natural. The genius Fialart has set the stage, and the hero Karia has gone to the front lines to secure victory.

Of course, we will win. Any other outcome is unimaginable. That's what heroes and geniuses are. Fate always falls into the hands of heroes, not commoners.

Eldis placed her hand on her mouth, slowly opening her lips as if in deep thought. She seemed to sigh.

"Alright. If you say so, I'll send troops to the escape route. Is that okay?"

So you should stay here, her tone seemed to suggest.

Indeed, that would be perfect. If we surround them without a gap, both elves and humans will inevitably die.

That's a certainty, or so it should be.

"No, I'm going too. I want to do everything I can. If I just sit here and Lagias escapes, I'll gouge out my own throat and it still won't be enough."

"...You know, to be honest, an ordinary soldier would be more useful than you right now. If Lagias is going to escape, he'll likely have elite troops with him."

Eldis's words seemed to carry a hint of anger.

That's true.

My right arm is useless, and the rest of my body is in bad shape. I'm not sure how useful I can be. I was originally just a common soldier, and now I'm even less than that.

But even so, not moving now is not an option. A cold liquid-like sensation ran down my spine, and a deep, indescribable unease filled my throat.

"Eldis, I'll speak bluntly. Your enemy, Lagias, is undoubtedly a hero and a remarkable figure."

I can say this with certainty.

Even in the past, as a usurper, he managed to unite the nation of Gazaria. Even now, his command of troops is far from ordinary.

Moreover, his will to form an alliance with the human kingdom and his drive to advance the times. From these rumors, I feel a near-fearful certainty within me.

Lagias is undoubtedly a hero and a remarkable figure.

And such heroes and remarkable figures do not die easily. No, they cannot die.

Even when faced with ten thousand soldiers or a fatal blow, they can remain calm and survive. Such beings definitely exist. I understand this well from my past travels.

That's why I don't want to loosen the grip on his neck here. I don't want to leave any regrets.

If Lagias is a hero and a remarkable figure, he must understand how crucial it is for him to survive.

This is not about honor or the duty of a commander. A hero who grasps fate in his hands will always survive and will undoubtedly return as a stronger enemy.

Therefore, I must end his life here. If I miss this chance, Lagias will continue to be a source of worry for us.

He gripped his precious sword with his left hand. The blade, with a purple line, glinted dully.

—Hero Killer

He shouted the inscription on his sword, the chosen destiny, as if proclaiming it loudly.