Chapter 209: The Final Battle (1)

 

Baran stood watching over the increasingly chaotic village.

 

Countless refugees and various non-human races filled the streets.

 

Even the estate’s residents, influenced by the atmosphere, wore uneasy expressions.

 

The tense mood stirred up by Krund left no one calm.

 

On top of that, since Berg had issued no clear orders, the worries only deepened.

 

At least the members of the Red Flames group, veterans all, managed to maintain their composure.

 

Even Shawn and Theodore, who had survived the plague, stood by Baran’s side with solemn expressions.

 

“...It finally feels like the old days again,” Shawn said with a grin, attempting a joke.

 

“Being a farmer was a bit dull, honestly. Life needs a bit of excitement to feel real.”

 

Theodore responded to Shawn’s quip with a sharp retort.

 

“Is that why you caught the plague too?”

 

“Let’s just say it was part of the experience,” Shawn replied with a shrug.

 

Baran allowed himself a small smile at Shawn’s jest.

 

He knew, however, that Shawn’s joking was a habit that emerged when he was tense.

 

Though the squad seemed calmer than the villagers, they were far from completely at ease.

 

“Baran.”

 

Hearing his name, Baran turned around.

 

Gale was standing there. The recent string of troubles had deepened the lines on his face.

 

“Gale-nim.”

 

“...Baran, are you prepared?”

 

Baran was secretly aiding Gale with a request.

 

It was a precaution Gale had taken, worried that Berg might hesitate too long in making a decision.

 

They were preparing for the possibility of escape.

 

Supplies and gear were loaded onto wagons, ready for a long journey to safety.

 

It was a choice made purely for survival.

 

It wasn’t meant to go against Berg’s will.

 

“...”

 

Baran nodded but couldn’t hide his concerns.

 

“...But I’m not sure if it’s the right choice. We haven’t received orders from the captain…”

 

“We’re only preparing,” Gale reassured him. “No matter what, I intend to respect Berg’s decision.”

 

“...”

 

“...But what other choice do we have? Staying to defend Stockpin would be reckless. Berg wouldn’t make such a foolish decision.”

 

“...”

 

Baran frowned slightly.

 

He didn’t see staying as reckless either.

 

Leaving this land felt even harder to accept.

 

Beneath this soil lay countless comrades who had found their eternal rest here.

 

This was land won with their lives.

 

It was also where Captain Adam rested.

 

How could he abandon it?

 

“...”

 

Baran glanced around at his companions, wondering if he was the only one feeling this way.

 

One by one, his eyes met theirs.

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

For some reason, Gale’s suggestion didn’t seem to sit well with anyone.

 

Baran wondered if it was perhaps a difference in race.

 

Who was to say whose decision was the right one?

 

Perhaps, as the non-human races claimed, humans were foolish beings.

 

But it was a sentiment he couldn’t express openly.

 

“...Ha.”

 

Yet, Baran thought, these concerns might come easily only because he wasn’t in a leader’s position.

 

For those who simply follow orders, such thoughts are natural.

 

Without the weight of thousands of lives on their shoulders, it’s easier to feel at ease.

 

But for someone standing at the top, the view would be different.

 

Even if Berg decided to flee, Baran would understand.

 

That was why he was secretly helping Gale prepare without Berg’s knowledge.

 

At that moment, Baran noticed a commotion erupting in the center of the village.

 

“We really need to flee now!”

 

Shawn muttered under his breath at the sight.

 

“...What’s going on?”

 

Realizing the conflict was about to escalate, Baran started moving toward it.

 

.

.

.

.

 

“Troops are gathering in the capital…! Of course, running there immediately is the safest choice!”

 

A lizardman was shouting at a human.

 

Baran recognized their faces.

 

It was Reton, who had arrived as a refugee, and Emer, a human who had settled in Stockpin.

 

Over the past few days, Emer had cared for Reton’s family, and a bond of friendship had formed between them.

 

Now, a fight had broken out between the two.

 

Many onlookers had gathered to watch their confrontation.

 

Emer spoke to the lizardman, Reton.

 

“Reton… I…”

 

Reton grabbed Emer by the collar and shouted,

 

“You’re staying here to die a meaningless death?”

 

His cutting words stirred everyone present.

 

But Reton didn’t hold back.

 

“Emer, I’ve seen Krund’s monstrous army with my own eyes. It’s not something we can defeat easily. We have to run…!”

 

“...I will follow Lord Reiker’s decision.”

 

“Lord Reiker will flee soon too, Emer. Or worse, he might have already fled without telling anyone. We need to find our own way to survive…!”

 

“...If you’re so anxious, leave first, Reton. I’m staying here…”

 

“How can I abandon the benefactor who took care of my family like this…!”

 

“…”

 

“I’m deeply grateful to you all. To be honest, I never expected such warmth from humans. That’s why I’m doing this! Emer… you must think of your family too!”

 

Baran eventually intervened, gently pushing Reton back and making him release his grip on Emer’s collar.

 

“That’s enough.”

 

At Baran’s appearance, Reton hesitated for a moment, swallowing his fear. Then, he spoke up again with conviction.

 

“...I am truly grateful to the Red Flames, but this is madness. Why are we all still staying here?”

 

Baran couldn’t argue against him.

 

After all, they were all just waiting for Berg’s decision.

 

Reton continued,

 

“You’re all terrified, so why aren’t you acting…?”

 

“…”

 

Baran glanced at the people around him.

 

As Reton said, many of them looked scared.

 

It was an unavoidable reaction.

 

Reton pressed on.

 

“Don’t we need to flee to survive? We abandoned our own homeland to survive this long…!”

 

“…”

 

Reton blinked, scanning the crowd, then shouted at all the humans and non-human races around him.

 

“If you want to live, pull yourselves together and run away now!”

 

“...Do as he says.”

 

At that moment, a voice rang out from behind.

 

The village of Stockpin fell silent.

 

-…step…step…

 

Heavy footsteps echoed.

 

Nothing else could be heard except the sound of those deliberate steps.

 

“...Captain.”

 

Baran whispered as he looked at the man.

 

Berg slowly approached and spoke.

 

“...He’s not wrong. If you want to survive, fleeing is the right choice.”

 

Reton lowered his head at Berg’s arrival but still turned to urge Emer and his family.

 

“...Even Lord Ryker says the same thing…!”

 

However, as Baran observed Berg’s resigned words, he noticed something strange.

 

Berg wore a determined yet oddly relieved expression, as if the burdens on his shoulders had been lifted.

 

His steps were stronger and lighter than ever, reminiscent of the Berg who had once led the Red Flames mercenaries at their peak.

 

Berg spoke again.

 

“We’ve already tasted defeat at Krund’s hands once. Even though we succeeded in binding him, Krund survived, and my brother Adam died. With our current weakened forces, running might be the only sensible choice.”

 

Berg slowly walked to the center of the village, where all eyes were on him.

 

“If you want to flee, then flee. I won’t stop anyone. I have no intention of forcing my thoughts on anyone.”

 

Berg took a deep breath, raising his voice.

 

“That goes for the Red Flames group too! From this moment on, the mercenary group is disbanded! You no longer need to follow my orders! There are no obligations! If you wish to flee, then flee!”

 

Berg’s words spread through Stockpin like a splash of cold water.

 

A few people, who had remained silent, let out weary sighs and began walking away.

 

It felt as though Berg’s command to flee had extinguished whatever hope they had left.

 

However, the members of the Red Flames group stood still, their gazes fixed on Berg.

 

Even after hearing the declaration of disbandment, they did not move.

 

As if to fulfill their unspoken expectations, Berg continued.

 

“But... if you leave, remember this clearly.”

 

He slowly gazed around at his companions as he spoke.

 

“We once had it all. There was a moment when everything was in our grasp, just like now.”

 

—Swwish.

 

Arwin quietly appeared and stood beside Baran.

 

Her tearful eyes were fixed intently on Berg.

 

“We found our family here and laid them to rest in this land. Future generations could have survived here too.”

 

“...That’s right,” Shawn whispered from the side.

 

He was no longer grinning mischievously but wore an earnest smile instead.

 

“If you leave, remember this clearly: you are abandoning comrades who fell to the plague. You are giving up a chance to protect everything because you lacked courage.”

 

Berg turned to look at Reton.

 

“Yes, it’s true—we might die here.”

 

He then turned his gaze to the children in the crowd who were watching him.

 

“But the promise we made to our fallen comrades was to build a foundation for the next generation. It wasn’t just about our own safety—it was about dedication to our families.”

 

Theodore murmured softly,

 

“...You’re right, Captain.”

 

Berg’s tone softened again as he continued,

 

“...Those who wish to leave, leave. Logically, it’s the right thing to do. In the end, nothing is more important than survival. Promises to comrades… mean nothing if we’re dead.”

 

In the heavy silence that enveloped the village square, Berg whispered,

 

“...But I need people who are prepared to die.”

 

—Drip… drip…

 

Arwin began to cry silently beside him.

 

Yet, even as her tears fell, she kept her gaze steady on Berg. She quietly watched a man who had accepted death.

 

“I’ll stay with you, Captain!”

 

A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

 

Berg turned in the direction of the voice, smiling faintly.

 

Then, one by one, voices burst out from the gathering.

 

“This is who we are!”

 

“When have we ever backed down from a fight?”

 

“Let’s avenge Captain Adam!”

 

Shawn shouted too.

 

“Captain…! I’ve been waiting to hear you say that!”

 

Theodore responded as well.

 

“We’re not leaving Stockpin.”

 

Cheers erupted from all around.

 

The non-human races, including Reton, were utterly dumbfounded by the scene.

 

It was as though they couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

 

Every single human was following Berg’s words.

 

Amid the overwhelming cheers, Berg looked at Baran with a relieved expression.

 

“Baran.”

 

Baran met Berg’s gaze and smiled back.

 

At last, the familiar atmosphere of the mercenary group had returned.

 

“Yes, Captain.”

 

Berg asked,

 

“...What will you do?”

 

Baran looked at Berg, who had given him a choice, and replied,

 

“...I’ll run with you until the very end.”

 

Berg let out a faint chuckle.

 

Then, reaching to his belt, he tossed a familiar horn to Baran.

 

—Thud.

 

“...Let’s go.”

 

Baran nodded briefly, then, gripping the horn tightly, blew it with all his might for the first time in a long while.

 

—Bwoooooo! Bwooooooo!

 

****

 

I rode my horse beyond the borders of the estate.

 

Leading a modest group, we were greeted by the dwarves clan waiting for us.

 

Borz, who stood at the forefront, approached and spoke.

 

“You’ve made your decision, then. I’ll begin preparations for departure as well. Once the Red Flames group members are ready, we can leave toge—”

 

I interrupted him before he could finish.

 

“You’ll leave alone.”

 

Borz froze at my words.

 

“...What?”

 

Seeing his shock, I answered.

 

“We’re not leaving.”

 

“...”

 

Borz glanced at his retainers before turning back to me with a question.

 

“...Are you saying you intend to stand against Krund?”

 

Without hesitation, I replied,

 

“Yes.”

 

A sense of relief washed over me like never before.

 

I felt no fear of death.

 

Instead, a refreshing breeze seemed to fill my chest.

 

Choosing to protect Stockpin.

 

Choosing to defend the village residents.

 

If this was my destiny, then it was a choice to fulfill my duty.

 

It was a choice to avenge my brother, Adam.

 

Now that the decision was made, no other path seemed more correct.

 

“...Lord Reiker, I urge you to reconsider—”

 

“—Leave. The war will come soon.”

 

My unwavering answer silenced Borz.

 

After staring into my eyes for a long time, he murmured under his breath,

 

“...You’ll die here too.”

 

Then, he turned his horse and rode away.

 

I watched Borz as he departed, then turned back to Baran.

 

I spoke to him.

 

“Let’s get ready.”

 

Baran responded.

 

“Yes, Captain.”

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

[TL: Join Patreon to support the translation and to read up to 5 chapters ahead of the release: https://www.patreon.com/readingpia

 

Join Our Discord for regular updates and have fun with other community members: https://discord.com/invite/SqWtJpPtm9 ]