Chapter 28: That Fool Has to Stay Alive

A short while ago, when the Black Iron Brigade charged into the heart of the enemy camp under the lead of their captain, Kayron—

“Those Black Iron lunatics have completely lost their minds!”

“They’re actually diving into that horde of terrifying demons? Are they insane?”

Thanks to their reckless charge, the surviving members of the Crusader Corps were able to escape safely.

However, paralyzed by fear, they could only watch from a distance as the Black Iron Brigade fought bravely. The thought of stepping in to help never even crossed their minds.

Deep down, they all wanted to turn their backs and run as fast as possible. Yet, the last remnants of their conscience held them in place.

And among them, frozen in place—

“Kayron...”

Was Avelin as well.

She had originally intended to follow Kayron when he rushed forward. But before she could, a firm hand had held her back.

“Don’t even look.”

“But Kayron is fighting alone. Even if he is the strongest in the Crusader Corps after the captain, if we leave him like that—”

“I was clear. I said don’t even look.”

The one who stopped her was Naias, the second-in-command of the Silver Guard and the knight who had been by Avelin’s side since the day she joined the Crusader Corps.

“I understand that he is a righteous and good man. But, Avelin-nim, you must think about the future.”

“My future...?”

There was never a moment when Avelin had forgotten.

Why she had come to the Crusader Corps.

And what she had to do next.

-“Avelin-nim, you must leave immediately!”

-“Leave? Why? This is my homeland—I was born and raised here. Why are you saying this all of a sudden...?”

-“There’s no time to explain. You have to go. Right now!”

-“W-Wait! What about Llewellyn? Is Llewellyn safe?”

-“…I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect him.”

The moment she was forced to leave.

Avelin had never once forgotten that moment.

To her, the Crusader Corps was nothing more than a temporary refuge—a shelter they had no choice but to take while evading their pursuers.

Of course, helping them fight against the demons was a noble and meaningful cause. But she had never intended to stay with them forever.

Yet now, in this very moment, a tragedy was unfolding before her eyes.

“But this isn’t right. I’m going to help them!”

“Avelin-nim!”

Naias shouted, stopping her just as she was about to charge forward.

“You must leave them be. We still don’t know the full extent of that monster’s strength. If you recklessly step in and get injured—what then?”

“So you want me to just stand here and watch while Kayron and his men fall?”

“And if you get seriously hurt, what happens to your younger brother, Llewellyn, who’s still being held captive in the capital?”

“Ah…!”

At the mention of Llewellyn, the fire in Avelin’s eyes extinguished in an instant.

“Think rationally. Sir Kayron won’t fall so easily. He might even manage to cut through the enemy and escape from that hellish battlefield.”

Naias’ words seemed to lift Kayron up in praise—

But the next thing he said—

“And even if he doesn’t, at the very least, he’ll drain that monster’s stamina for us.”

“Naias!”

“This is the most realistic course of action. It’s unfortunate, but we must abandon Sir Kayron and his men. Then, once that monster is weakened, you, Avelin-nim, will personally finish it off. That way, not only will the enemy be eliminated, but your name will shine even brighter.”

“My name... Ugh!”

Avelin Gritted Her Teeth

Even as the cowards hesitated, torn between fleeing or staying, her gaze never wavered from the Black Iron Brigade and their captain, Kayron, who fought valiantly.

The situation was undeniably dire.

And yet, their battle was all the more beautiful because of it.

The unshakable bond between comrades who placed absolute trust in one another.

The razor-sharp reflexes and sound judgment that could only emerge when they focused solely on the enemy before them.

“Wow, they’re fighting incredibly well!”

“I knew Sir Kayron was strong, but I never imagined he was this strong! At this rate, the Black Iron Brigade might wipe out all the remaining demons by themselves!”

The Crusader Corps members burst into cheers at the sheer prowess of Kayron and his warriors.

Perhaps, deep down, they were merely hoping the battle would resolve itself without them having to lift a finger.

But the real problem lay elsewhere.

“No… they won’t last much longer like this.”

It was something ordinary soldiers wouldn’t have noticed. But Avelin did.

Yes, the Black Iron Brigade was holding their ground.

However, all of them—including the rest of the Crusader Corps—had been fighting for over two hours now.

Their temporary burst of energy was just that—temporary.

The situation was turning desperate.

“L-Look over there! That monster’s about to charge again!”

The Cerberus crouched low to the ground.

A clear sign it was about to lunge.

“Don’t watch, Lady Avelin.”

“For the love of—shut your mouth, Naias… Ah!”

Just as she turned to glare at Naias, something caught her eye.

Commander Balthazar and his Royal Guard, who had been waiting in reserve for an emergency.

Avelin instinctively opened her mouth to call for their aid—but in that moment, she saw it.

Standing amidst the guards on the high ground, watching the battlefield with calm, detached eyes—Commander Balthazar himself.

And in his indifferent gaze, she understood.

For reasons unknown to her, Commander Balthazar had no intention of aiding Kayron.

“Wait, now that I think about it—why isn’t the Royal Guard moving? Why are they just watching?”

“Weren’t they supposed to step in during an emergency? If this isn’t an emergency, then what is?”

The other soldiers, realizing the same thing, began murmuring in unease.

And at that moment—Cerberus kicked off the ground, charging straight at the Black Iron Brigade.

“T-The monster’s moving!”

“S-Shouldn’t we run while we still can?”

Kayron rushed forward, leaving his subordinates behind to intercept the charging beast.

But his men, exhausted and deprived of fire support, began to falter under the relentless assault of the demons.

Avelin bit her lip so hard that she tasted blood.

She tried to turn away. To ignore it.

But—

[ Even if something goes wrong, it should only be me. You must never let anything happen to yourself. Do you understand? ]

[ Come, let’s get you back to the camp, Princess. ]

[ I’m glad you still have the strength to talk. Even if you’re not feeling well, make sure you eat your meals properly. ]

[ Haha, what are you even…? Thanks. ]

“…Naias.”

“Yes, Avelin-nim?”

Her voice was calm.

And Naias, sensing something in her tone, responded obediently.

“That Fool Has to Stay Alive.”

Naias felt a brief moment of relief, thinking that Avelin had finally given up.

But then—

“The demons will invade next month, and the month after that, and the month after that. Isn’t that right?”

“That is correct. However, the Crusader Corps will continue to throw themselves into battle and hold them off for as long as they can. And once you reclaim your rightful place, Lady Avelin, you can support us even more—”

“That will be too late.”

“What…?”

“…….”

Avelin didn’t bother answering.

Instead, she silently drew the sword she had just sheathed.

Naias felt his heart sink into his stomach.

“Avelin-nim, I beg you. You have endured this long, haven’t you? Please, for the sake of our homeland, steel yourself for just a little longer.”

“No. That’s not the issue here.”

Avelin turned to him, her gaze sharp and unwavering.

“If I want there to be a place for me to return to, we cannot allow the demons to run rampant. Isn’t that right?”

“That… that is true, but the Crusader Corps has held out until now. Even if unexpected variables have arisen, they’ll find a way to endure!”

“Yes, they will. I’m sure of it.”

“But for them to endure even longer, one more condition must be met.”

She fixed her gaze forward, her eyes burning with determination.

Kayron—standing alone, facing down an enormous demon beyond imagination.

“He has to stay alive. That fool who calls himself the backbone of the Crusader Corps.”

Avelin took a deep breath.

Then, she shouted.

“Everyone, listen to me!”

A short but commanding cry.

The terrified Crusader Corps members, as if drawn by some unseen force, turned their attention toward her.

“We are the Crusader Corps. We are warriors who have sworn to fight to the death. Yet here we are, hiding behind our comrades, watching from afar. It’s shameful beyond words!”

“There is no hope for us as things stand. If the Black Iron Brigade falls, those demons will come for us next.”

Her fearless voice sent ripples through the hesitant soldiers.

“S-She’s right. If we fail to stop the demons here, they’ll spread across the world, won’t they?”

“We have nowhere to run. Just as Avelin-nim said, fighting to the death might be our only choice!”

Avelin raised her sword high into the air, her gaze locked onto the battlefield.

“If we flee, we die. But if we fight, we live. Now, forward! We will slay these demons and survive—together! Charge!”

“C-Charge!”

“Slay the demons!”

As Avelin launched herself into the fray, the Silver Guard, leading the charge, followed without hesitation.

Then, one by one, the Crusader Corps members broke into a sprint, rallying behind her.

“T-This…”

Naias stood alone for a moment, staring in disbelief as his comrades, now filled with renewed determination, surged forward.

But as he watched their changed expressions—watched them charge toward the battlefield without fear—

He realized.

‘Perhaps I worried for nothing. Avelin-nim truly is destined to be a shining sun. And if that’s the case…’

With his mind made up, Naias took a deep breath and roared—

“Everyone, charge! The Silver Guard will lead the vanguard! Follow Avelin-nim!”

-- The End OF The Chapter --

 

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