Chapter 190
“They’re actually planning to pull back a launcher from that mountain path and fire four people into Everblade?”
“That’s what they say.”
At Hylas' question, Apel responded in a quiet voice.
He had scouted the eastern mountain path of Everblade just in case, but the terrain was even more treacherous than he had expected.
Not only was the slope steep, but dense vegetation blocked the way, and the ground was littered with uneven rocks jutting out unpredictably.
Maintaining balance was difficult, and a single misstep could easily twist an ankle.
Apel had considered having members of the Blackflame Knights assist in launching the platform, but—
‘This is a job much better suited for the Caion unit.’
After assessing the terrain, he quickly changed his mind.
“But those guys don’t seem to have any trouble with it.”
“It just means they’ve undergone intense training. That’s why they’ve gained such an enormous reputation across the continent.”
“…Looks like we’ll need to push ourselves harder when we return.”
“We’ll all need to work harder.”
Apel spoke in a low voice, as if making a promise to himself.
The work progressed faster than expected.
On the second day, the Empire’s forces emerged with reinforcements, leading to a brief skirmish—
“Pull back! Fall back!”
The soldiers working to clear the path quickly retreated at the commanders’ orders.
One more day would have been ideal, but even in two days, they had established a solid foundation.
“The enemy is shifting to full defense now. We won’t have time for any more work.”
Watching the skirmish near Everblade’s front gate, Henry and Kiaran hurriedly finalized the operation.
Kiaran spoke.
“We proceed tonight, without delay.”
“Yes. Ideally… it would be best if the night were completely dark, without even moonlight.”
There was no way to control the weather, so all Henry could do was pray.
With the operation now set in motion, the Caion unit moved toward the eastern mountain path of Everblade, preparing for their ambush.
“Watch your step. Twist an ankle here, and it’s over.”
“Keep your eyes on the ground! No pushing, move carefully!”
Though they seemed adept at navigating the rugged mountain path, even the Caion unit wasn’t free from tension.
The incline was so steep that they practically had to use both hands and feet, moving like four-legged beasts just to climb.
The dense vegetation completely obscured the ground, and sharp branches pierced through the gaps in their armor.
“Hold position here.”
“Yes, sir!”
But no one complained.
The path the Caion unit had walked had always been this harsh.
And then—
“Ugh!”
Following behind the Caion unit were Celestine, Count Vasili, Apel, Henry, and a few other soldiers.
Henry, however, was clearly struggling with the climb, his face contorted with each step.
“Are you all right?”
“…I’m fine. I have to be here…”
He couldn’t justify staying behind when he was leading the operation.
But determination alone didn’t improve his situation.
After narrowly avoiding several missteps, Henry finally reached the Caion unit’s position.
Seeing this—
“…Kyle, assist him.”
“It might be a bit rough. Is that okay?”
“Just ask politely… and do it.”
“Understood.”
At Damian’s command, Kyle approached Henry.
Unlike Henry, Kyle moved through the steep incline as if it were level ground.
Reaching him, Kyle gave a polite nod and said,
“I am Kyle, assault captain of the Caion unit. May I assist you?”
“…I feel like I’m slowing everyone down. I’d appreciate the help.”
Henry smiled awkwardly.
Simply walking on this mountain path was proving to be a grueling task.
Kyle nodded.
“Then, excuse me for a moment.”
“Huh? W-Wait—Aaaahhh!”
Kyle suddenly hoisted Henry over his shoulder and strode forward.
Henry’s body jolted wildly with each of Kyle’s powerful steps.
By the time Kyle arrived at the designated site for the launcher—
“You can set him down now.”
“Yes, sir.”
Kyle carefully lowered Henry and gave a respectful bow.
“I apologize for any discourtesy.”
“N-No, thank you for your help.”
Henry steadied himself and surveyed the area.
This was the site chosen for the launcher.
Thanks to the smoke screening the front, the Empire hadn’t noticed them yet.
“But they’ll try to confirm our movements soon. We need to move quickly.”
At Henry’s words, everyone nodded.
The Caion unit began securing the tightly woven rubberwood strands between trees.
“We need to cut down all the trees in this area. Hurry.”
“I’ll handle this.”
As Celestine drew her sword, a vibrant blue magical aura surged along the blade.
But then—
Rumble!
A sweeping slash sent rubberwood trees crashing down.
Apel had moved first.
“There’s no need for Lady Celestine to waste her energy on this. I’ll take care of it swiftly.”
Without another word, Apel began cutting down the trees blocking the launch site.
He made it look effortless, as if slicing training dummies.
With each stroke, thick trees toppled instantly.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
“We’ll toss the fallen trees down the slope. Cut them into pieces and get them out of the way.”
“Yes, sir!”
Following orders, the Caion unit swiftly chopped up the fallen trees and hurled them downhill.
The scene looked less like men clearing a path and more like monsters ravaging a forest.
The way they moved in perfect sync despite the treacherous incline left the others in awe.
‘…Their reputation wasn’t exaggerated.’
‘It’s as if their entire unit moves as one.’
Within moments, the space for the launcher was cleared.
There had been a considerable amount of noise—enough that the Empire might have caught on.
But—
“We move before they can react.”
Henry turned to his adjutant.
The man retrieved a horn from his belt and blew into it.
Bwooooooo!
A signal to the main forces attacking Everblade’s front.
The sudden blast of the horn made the Empire’s soldiers grimace.
“What was that? What’s happening?!”
With the thick smoke obscuring their vision, they had no way of knowing.
Now, an unfamiliar horn blast only amplified their unease.
Behind the front gate, Alexandro, fully prepared for battle, slightly turned his head at the sound.
“They’re making their move.”
“…It might just be a signal.”
“No… They’re coming.”
Alexandro spoke.
He could sense the immense movement of enemy forces in the distance.
And then—
“Uwaaaaaaaaaah!”
“Uaaaaaah!”
Thunderous war cries echoed from beyond the smoke.
“Archers, readyyyyyyyy!”
A commander atop Everblade’s walls drew his sword and shouted.
It could be a mere distraction—or it could be a real attack.
But with those war cries, they could roughly gauge how close the enemy had gotten.
“Fireeeeeee!”
Thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip-thwip!
Fwoooosh!
They couldn’t afford to just sit back.
At the commander’s orders, a volley of arrows shot up into the sky and rained down toward the enemy.
They had anticipated the enemy clearing the path to this point.
But it didn’t matter.
Throughout history, there had been forces that tried to flatten Everblade’s uphill approach before.
Yet, the result had never changed.
“No matter what you try… it won’t make a difference.”
And now, the smoke was starting to dissipate.
The enemy couldn’t just keep burning branches forever.
Shortly after the battle commenced, the smoke began to clear little by little.
“They must be making their move now.”
“But Everblade’s reputation is well-earned. Even with a cleared path, it doesn’t feel like it’ll be easy to break through.”
“It won’t be.”
At Matirn’s words, Kiaran nodded.
This was the unbreachable fortress that had never once fallen.
‘…I hope that plan works.’
Swish.
Kiaran turned to gaze toward the eastern forest of Everblade.
The horn signal had sounded—meaning their side was starting as well.
‘Hurry, Sir Henry.’
All they could do now was put everything into that plan.
***
Fastening the launcher’s cords to the trees wasn’t the hard part.
The real challenge was pulling it back with enough force to propel four fully armored warriors.
“…Whew, this is more nerve-wracking than I thought.”
“Just pull with every ounce of strength you’ve got. If we mess up, the commander’s face is gonna get splattered all over that Imperial wall.”
“…Oh? That doesn’t sound so bad.”
At Terka’s comment, Kyle’s eyes gleamed with mischief.
But then—
Schiiing.
“H-hiiiiik!”
Dianal drew his sword and held it against Kyle’s throat.
Kyle immediately raised his hands in surrender.
“I-I was kidding! Just a joke!”
“If you fail, I’ll personally request the instructor to double your strength training. I swear it on my honor.”
As expected, Dianal never took anything related to Damian lightly.
The chilling gleam in his eyes made everyone gulp nervously.
“Considering the height and distance to the wall, we need to pull it back at least this much. Give it everything you have.”
Henry, having finished all calculations, looked at the massive bowstring-like cord.
The Caion unit tightly gripped the ropes fastened to the launcher.
At the center—
The four chosen warriors held onto each other as they stepped onto the platform.
Celestine spoke.
“Let’s make this a success.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
They all nodded.
At the center of them all—Damian.
‘…Finally.’
They were about to enter Everblade, the fortress that no one had ever breached.
‘I’ll utterly destroy it.’
The humiliation he had suffered.
The deaths of his comrades, and even his own death.
He would repay all of it—with interest.
Celestine turned to look at Henry.
Nod.
They were ready.
Henry raised his hand.
“Haaaaaaaah!”
“Hnnnnngh!”
Screeeech!
With gritted teeth, the Caion unit pulled back the launcher.
Three hundred warriors, all possessing monstrous strength, yanked the cords simultaneously.
The launcher stretched backward, growing taut.
A literal human catapult.
It was the first time in history such a tactic was being attempted, yet everyone’s eyes remained firm.
As the launcher reached the designated point—
“Just a little more.”
“Yes, sir!”
To be extra cautious, Dianal ordered them to pull it even further.
Henry nodded.
Then he shouted.
“Fireeeeeee!”
With that command, Dianal slashed the release rope.
Slice.
And then—
BOOM!
With an earth-shattering sound, the four strongest warriors of the allied forces soared toward Everblade.