For the heart - Chapter 20

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 20

* * *

Nina headed toward where the knights stood in formation.

Standard bearers holding flags emblazoned with Arsed’s national flower, Selenia, were positioned at the front, with Nina’s direct knights arranged as the vanguard.

Behind them stretched the main knights and supply forces, squires, and carts loaded with food, weapons, and medical supplies, while the healers and rear guard were positioned at the very end.

‘I will definitely conquer it and return.’

Nina clenched her fist tightly.

Unless she broke free from the shackles of this war machine, there would be no way to reach the things she needed to uncover.

As she walked toward the vanguard, she could see Vice-Commander Bern and Casian mounted on horses with Nina’s horse positioned between them.

At the sight, Nina momentarily froze.

Casian wasn’t wearing light leather armor like the other healers, but was dressed in Arsed Imperial attendant robes.

And those of a low-ranking attendant at that.

A blue Selenia crest was embroidered on the back of his shirt.

There was only one person who would do such a thing.

Lillien, who was angry that Casian had chosen to follow her.

It meant that if one didn’t follow her will, they could face such humiliation at any time.

Nina looked at Casian’s attendant Emil, who stood at a distance with a dejected expression.

He seemed heartbroken at the fact that the prince he had served his entire life was heading to the battlefield wearing Arsed attendant robes.

But Casian himself, the person in question, looked completely at ease.

“Does it suit me well?”

He turned his neatly pressed shirt-clad body toward Nina as she mounted her horse.

He had always worn Montregger’s flowing traditional clothing within the Imperial Palace, but in the crisp uniform, his exceptional physique and solid build stood out even more clearly.

Though it was merely a low-ranking attendant’s uniform, he made it look distinguished.

At that moment, Bern, who was beside them, let out a derisive snort.

Then he looked at Casian with an incredulous expression, as if finding his attitude absurd.

But Casian acted as if Bern didn’t exist, staring intently at Nina as if waiting only for her response.

“Don’t stray from my side.”

“Of course. I’m Your Highness’s dedicated healer.”

“It’s not Your Highness, but Knight Commander who oversees Arsed’s forces. Use the proper title.”

Bern, who had been listening from the side, glared and snapped at him.

Casian simply shrugged his shoulders.

“It doesn’t roll off the tongue easily.”

“Enough. We depart.”

“Depart!”

“Depart for the infinite glory of Arsed!”

At Bern’s resounding departure proclamation, the knights shouted their declaration and began to move.

* * *

The Arsed Order led by Nina crossed Nortanica’s border without any physical confrontation.

There were no spear units forming shield walls as before, and not even the territory’s distinctive flags were hanging.

“I heard Nortanica has been experiencing severe internal conflicts since Montregger’s fall. I didn’t expect the Margrave to open the border for us.”

“At this rate, we might be able to conquer straight to the Royal Palace.”

The direct knights, who had expected fierce battles to open the border, spoke as if bewildered.

Having already fought Nortanica several times, they found this peaceful surrender even more surprising.

“We crossed the border easily, but the problem comes next. Yesterday we received reports that the Nortanica king brought a large number of mages into the palace.”

“Surely not military mage mercenaries?”

When Bern asked with wide eyes, Nina nodded.

It was urgent news that had come in yesterday.

Military mages were capable individuals who could use tactical weapon-grade special magic, but few belonged to any nation, and they all worked for countries that contracted them individually for enormous fees.

Arsed unfortunately had no such mages, but since they had already conquered nearly the entire continent without military mages, they weren’t particularly necessary.

“Right. It seems they don’t intend to retreat easily either. Don’t move rashly, everyone.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Nina glanced at Casian.

Though this should be his first time on a battlefield, he showed no signs of tension whatsoever.

Come to think of it, the first place they met was also a battlefield.

She found herself curious about what situation might actually make this man nervous.

“Nortanica’s capital, where the Royal Palace is located, has a population density far higher than other countries. Even if they’ve gathered military mages, it would be difficult to use magic that causes large-scale disasters like ground fissures or storm summoning.”

At Casian’s words, both Bern and Nina’s heads turned simultaneously.

“They’re more likely to use disruption fog that only obscures the enemy’s vision, or lightning formations that drop dozens of bolts simultaneously.”

“Look who’s become a Nortanica expert.”

Bern spoke mockingly at Casian’s words, which showed he seemed to know far too much about Nortanica.

Nina, who didn’t dismiss his information lightly, fell into thought for a moment. Then she examined two maps from her breast pocket: one of Nortanica and a detailed map of the area around the Royal Palace.

“We’ll split the Order in two before entering the capital. The front guard will head to the main gate with me to draw attention, while the Vice-Commander leading the rear guard will identify areas beyond the magic’s reach from behind the castle and launch a coordinated attack.”

“Yes, Commander.”

Casian was inwardly amazed by Nina’s quick strategic adjustment.

Splitting forces in two was only possible if one had confidence in the strength that would hold the front.

Nina showed no fear about what she would have to block.

Vice-Commander Bern couldn’t be unaware of this fact, yet he followed obediently, which clearly meant Nina had never failed to do her part in such situations before.

There wasn’t a trace of doubt in his face as he looked at Nina.

Far from doubt, only intense eyes filled with respect and reverence burned hotly.

“Prince Casian.”

“Yes.”

At that moment, Bern turned his eyes to look at Casian.

Casian, who had been watching him, met his gaze directly but didn’t seem flustered.

“Please take good care of the Commander.”

“…You’re making an unnecessary request. There’s only one reason I came here, so don’t worry.”

At his somewhat defiant response, Bern frowned, but Nina reached out and lightly tapped Bern’s shoulder before pulling away.

With that single touch, Bern seemed to understand what Nina wanted and immediately turned his head, steering his horse around.

He was going to select the knights to take to the rear guard.

“You seem to have a close relationship with the Vice Commander, Your Highness.”

“He’s a comrade I’ve shared life and death with for the past 6 years. And didn’t Bern also mention it earlier? Correct your form of address. There are no princesses on the battlefield.”

Casian didn’t respond to Nina’s command.

Nina didn’t particularly reprimand him for his behavior either.

Since he was a prince of Montregger, he wouldn’t be accustomed to taking orders from others, and he was currently wearing the uniform of a low-ranking Arsed attendant and marching for Arsed’s sake.

* * *

That night, the Arsed Order reached the capital.

In the distance, they could see the magical dome covering the Royal Palace.

They had expected all efforts to be poured into defending the Royal Palace, but they hadn’t anticipated a magical dome being erected.

To generate a magical dome of that size would require at least ten military mages.

That’s when it happened.

“Commander, fog is rising in front of the Royal Palace!”

It was the disruption fog that Casian had mentioned.

The fog swelled instantly, completely hiding the Royal Palace’s appearance within hazy shadows.

Nina stopped at a distance where the fog couldn’t reach, at the range of magic.

“Only my direct knights will follow me, the rest wait here until there’s a signal. You too.”

Nina looked directly at Casian as she gave the command.

He didn’t answer this time either.

Nina immediately spurred her horse and plunged into the fog, with her direct knights following behind.

Rumble rumble, rumble rumble.

Crackle—!

The entire dark night sky flashed and roared frighteningly. It was as if they were watching the Arsed army advancing toward the Royal Palace.

Thousands of lightning bolts crackled in the black sky, building their power.

“I’ll freeze the boundary of the magical dome! I’ll create cracks to make an opening, so follow me in!”

Nina drew her sword and crouched low as she charged forward rapidly.

As soon as Nina’s energy touched it, the large blade instantly froze and emitted a brilliant blue light, and the following knights rushed forward following that blue glow.

Nina narrowed her eyes, trying to find the boundary of the magical dome within the fog.

‘Damn, the fog is too thick.’

But then, there was a horse that quickly cut in front of her.

“Right now I’m not a healer, but I’ll serve as Your Highness’s eyes.”

“Casian!”

Casian rode forward as if he could see exactly where the boundary of the magical dome was.

Crackle!

Crash!

Crackle!

As if the Arsed Order had entered the range where lightning magic would activate, hundreds of lightning bolts began falling from the sky.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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