Chapter 572
I Have Not Forgotten You. (1)
A brief silence passed. It was news too shocking to believe.
Through spies, they already knew how the Allied Forces were moving. When contact with several legions was lost, it became clear that the pursuit force had begun its operation.
That was why the Second Legion was also advancing toward their final objective.
But now, the Fourth Legion had been annihilated? Who in the world had they fought?
“Why… the Fourth Legion?”
Aiden muttered in confusion.
No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't understand how the Fourth Legion had been attacked. From what he knew, the Allied Forces no longer had spare troops to deploy elsewhere.
If the Allied Forces had been operating separately from the start, they would have lost critical supply lines and key bases. And right now, even the First Legion was marching forward.
There was no way Duke of Fenris would have made such a reckless move.
“Did reinforcements arrive already? We have to get there immediately!”
First, they needed to confirm the situation with their own eyes. Aiden and the Second Legion increased their pace.
Dudududududu!
There was no time to conserve stamina. They began sprinting at full speed.
And when they arrived at the battlefield, each of them wore a look of utter shock.
“They were… truly wiped out…”
Aiden dismounted with a dazed expression and surveyed the area.
Not a single person had survived. It was unthinkable that an entire Fourth Legion, which had four superhumans among them, could be annihilated so easily.
The enemy had thoroughly ravaged them ruthlessly and completely. The evidence was plain to see.
With a grim expression, Aiden bent down and ran his fingers through the dirt. It was something he would never normally do, but the situation was dire enough to warrant it.
After rubbing the soil between his fingers a few times, he looked around again.
“Magic was cast… and not from the front, but the rear… Did they break through the magic barrier to block their escape?”
The Fourth Legion had fewer and slightly weaker mages compared to the Second Legion, but they were still more than capable of withstanding most magical assaults.
For their magic barrier to be breached meant that the enemy had mages far beyond their level.
“There was at least a 7th-Circle Mage. And several other high-level mages must have supported them.”
Even a 7th-Circle Mage couldn’t take down an entire Legion alone. There had to be supporting mages working alongside them.
With sharp eyes, Aiden examined the corpses one by one.
They were sprawled out with wounds covering their bodies. Even in death, terror was frozen on their faces.
Frowning deeply at the sight, Aiden narrowed his brows.
“They were completely overwhelmed. They couldn’t even put up proper resistance. And it wasn’t terrain where an ambush was likely…”
It was clear how powerful the enemy must have been.
As he slowly observed the battlefield, Aiden soon spotted the bodies of fallen priests up ahead.
He examined the messy footprints and hoofprints scattered across the ground.
"One person. Just one. They fought all the priests alone. And on horseback, no less."
An incredible warrior. Fighting against superhumans while mounted what kind of skill would that take?
Of course, he could do the same. But it would require expending much more mana to protect the horse.
Movement wouldn’t be easy either. He would have to ensure that the horse could keep up with the movements of superhumans, who existed in a different flow of time.
And yet, someone had done it.
"Their technique has reached its peak. And someone like this exists within the Allied Forces?"
It certainly wasn’t the Saintess. Those who fell to her were never even found as corpses.
The other superhumans were exceptional, but as far as Aiden knew, none of them were at this level.
That left only two possible candidates.
"The Duke of Fenris… or the Prince of Turian…."
He was on his way to hunt down one of the two. He wasn’t sure how, but one of them had arrived here first.
Aiden closed his eyes. In his mind, he began to reconstruct how the battle had played out.
‘A mage.’
A 7th-Circle Mage, one surpassing even his own allied mages. It had to be Vanessa. She was more than capable.
She was the one who had wrought miracles time and again, turning the tide in Fenris' favor at critical moments.
‘Unbelievable breakthrough power.’
The frontline had been completely torn apart. It was no exaggeration to say that the enemy cavalry had utterly overwhelmed his own.
Among the Allied Forces, the only unit capable of that level of impact was the Fenris Mobile Corps.
Then, there were the traces of battle with four priests.
A battle fought with a spear. The remnants of immense destructive force and exceptional skill were evident.
The Prince of Turian wielded only a sword. And he never fought this violently.
There was only one man in the Allied Forces who could freely wield any weapon and turn the battlefield into sheer terror through raw destructive power.
Aiden opened his eyes. A cruel smile curled on his lips.
"The Duke of Fenris… so you were here."
The initial shock he had felt quickly turned to rage. Then rage transformed into exhilaration.
He had longed to kill that bastard. Only by slaying him could he become whole.
He had wished to meet him again so badly, and now, as if by fate, the heavens had granted the perfect stage.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Aiden let out a roaring laugh as he mounted his white horse.
The 4th Legion had been nothing more than a disposable tool to wear down enemy forces. He didn’t need them anymore.
Instead, he would throw every soldier he had into this battle.
And when he personally took the Duke of Fenris’ head this war would end.
By killing him, he would gain unparalleled glory and emerge as the true hero who ended the war.
The fact that he was a hero standing alongside a heretical cult did not matter to him in the slightest.
“History always remembers only the victors.”
The resentment of the people would be fleeting. In the new world built by the Salvation Church, he would be exalted and revered.
After all, strength was the sole value that maintained order in this world.
“Let’s go. The Duke of Fenris awaits us ahead.”
Aiden was confident. He was certain that the Duke of Fenris was waiting for him.
Because it was fate.
Clop, clop.
A pure white horse elegantly took the lead. Behind him followed the forces of the Second Legion.
They no longer rushed forward. Instead, they moved at a steady pace, conserving their strength.
As night fell along the way, they even took time to rest. They needed to recover their stamina before the battle.
Aiden was in no hurry. Since they were bound to meet anyway, what was the rush?
As he had predicted, after traveling for a long while in the morning, they finally came across an army encamped across the vast plains.
“So, they were here after all.”
Aiden smiled. He was a man chosen by the heavens.
And now, the heavens had prepared a stage just for him. Even creating an atmosphere where his allies seemed to be annihilated and on the brink of despair.
How could he not be pleased?
Aiden swept his hair back once and stepped forward. In response, someone from the opposing side also moved forward.
Riding slowly toward the center, the two soon came face to face.
“Duke of Fenris.”
It was a face he had seen countless times in portraits. As expected, it was indeed the Duke of Fenris.
Ghislain also smiled as he spoke.
“Aiden, it’s been a long time.”
“Oh? You know who I am? You must have gotten your hands on my portrait or something.”
Though Aiden had gained some fame through his recent exploits in the war, it was still nowhere near Ghislain's reputation.
But for the Duke of Fenris to recognize him at a glance Aiden couldn’t help but feel pleased.
Then, he suddenly realized something odd.
“But… you said ‘it’s been a long time’... Have we met before? I don’t remember ever meeting you.”
“Oh, we have. Many times.”
Ghislain's smile turned chilling.
In their previous lives, they had both been among the Seven Strongest on the Continent. They had fought together as part of the Human Alliance.
At times, they had clashed, wary of each other, engaged in an unspoken battle of nerves.
That was the extent of their relationship. Allies, yet fundamentally different in nature, never seeing eye to eye just short of being enemies.
But their bond had been completely severed in the final battle.
Aiden had been one of the masterminds behind the chaos that engulfed the continent an enemy who had stood in the way of Ghislain’s vengeance.
With his eyes closed, Ghislain spoke in a calm, steady voice.
“I never forgot you.”
‘The chilling sensation of my neck being severed still lingers in my memory.’
‘The day my vision was engulfed in crimson blood.’
‘How many times had I regretted it, mourned it, and felt devastated by it?’
‘How resentful I had been, forced to die before I could complete my revenge.’
That was why Ghislain could never forget that day. He could never forget Aiden on that day.
At the moment his throat was cut, he had recalled what Jerome had said to him before they parted.
— They say people can be reborn.
Yes, that was it. Because of those words, even as he lay dying, he swore vengeance.
If he were to be reborn.
If such a miracle were to truly occur.
Flash!
Ghislain’s eyes shot open. A deep crimson light gleamed in his gaze.
“I swore I’d tear you apart, limb by limb.”
A massive and oppressive aura erupted from Ghislain’s entire body. It surged with boundless bloodlust and hatred.
Aiden narrowed his eyes and glared at Ghislain. There was a grudge in his voice and gaze one Aiden could not understand.
“Looks like there’s some backstory I don’t know about… Well, not that it matters.”
This was war. And Ghislain was an enemy.
Among the countless people he had killed, there might have been someone connected to the Duke of Fenris.
But if he went around worrying about every single one of them, he wouldn’t survive long.
Besides, he was planning to commit a greater sin against the Duke of Fenris himself soon enough.
He intended to kill him and completely trample Ritania into the ground.
“Carrying a grudge in advance isn’t a bad idea.”
Clop.
Aiden slowly urged his horse forward. Ghislain moved in kind.
The contrast between them was stark the noble and elegant white stallion against the fierce and ferocious black warhorse.
The two circled each other, glaring, their surroundings fading into the background.
Ghislain slowly parted his lips.
“How about it? Should the two of us settle this here and now?”
At those words, Aiden fell into brief contemplation.
He did not think he would lose. But the might that the Duke of Fenris had displayed so far was no small thing.
If he won this duel, his name would rise to even greater fame. It was certainly a tempting offer.
No, that’s not right. He looks rough, but he’s surprisingly clever. Who knows what trick he has up his sleeve?
The very fact that the Duke of Fenris had appeared here was proof enough.
Something about the current battle was off. Count Biphenbelt's strategy had gone awry.
If the Duke of Fenris was here, then what had happened elsewhere was uncertain.
There’s no need for me to take this risk. He must be relying on something, which is why he’s acting this way.
Aiden was naturally suspicious because he himself had always been that way. He didn’t like stepping forward to fight first.
"I refuse. This isn’t a personal duel; this is war, isn’t it? A duel… I’ll grant you one if you survive."
With those words, Aiden turned his horse around. His plan was to send the entire army charging forward and exhaust his opponent’s strength.
After all, the Second Legion had no less than four priests among them.
Ghislain chuckled.
"Fine, I’ll do as you wish."
In his past life, their battle had never reached a proper conclusion. There had been too many interruptions.
That was why, this time, Ghislain intended to settle the score with Aiden in a one-on-one fight.
Of course, he knew that wouldn’t happen right away. That bastard was far more cunning than he looked.
Just as in the past, Aiden would use his allies to wear down Ghislain’s strength before facing him directly.
Turning his horse, Ghislain muttered to himself.
"I can’t wait to see how your expression changes."
Aiden had no idea what kind of preparations had been made just to face him.
The two returned to their respective armies. Now, it was time to clash with full force.
As soon as Aiden returned, he issued his orders swiftly.
"Our numbers are slightly greater, but we can’t ignore their combat strength. Every single one of you must charge in, prepared to die."
Since both forces were composed entirely of cavalry, their tactical options were limited.
They had thirty thousand troops, while the Fenris Mobile Corps had twenty thousand. Though they had a numerical advantage, their equipment was inferior.
"Spread out as wide as possible. That way, we can encircle them as we charge."
The Duke of Fenris had chosen his position well. The open plains provided the perfect battleground for cavalry formations to spread out and engage.
Their enemy had likely chosen this battlefield precisely because they needed to maximize mobility.
Aiden continued giving orders without pause.
"The enemy has a 7th-Circle Mage. Ignore everything else and focus solely on dispelling their magic. If necessary, draw upon your very life force. If their spells go off, we’re finished."
They had a 6th-Circle Mage and several highly skilled spellcasters on their side. It would be difficult, but if they pushed themselves to their absolute limits, they could hold out until victory was within reach.
"Inquisitors, do not act hastily. Stay in the rear. If the Duke of Fenris enters the battlefield, he is yours to handle."
Beyond that, Aiden issued detailed tactical instructions.
However, neither he nor the Order of the White Hawk assigned themselves any specific tasks. They simply waited.
The armies on both sides began to move, slowly advancing toward each other.
With the knights positioned at the rear, the Atrodean Army’s front lines consisted entirely of cavalry.
Aiden smiled and raised his hand.
"Charge! Do not spare your lives crush the enemy!"
Dudududududu!
The sound of thousands of hooves thundered across the battlefield.
The Atrodean Army picked up speed as they charged forward. Soon, the Fenris Mobile Corps began rushing toward them as well.
Both forces had exceptionally long formations. The Atrodean Army had to attempt an encirclement to make up for their inferior combat strength.
In response, the Fenris Mobile Corps was also advancing in an elongated formation.
Aiden’s eyes gleamed as he observed this.
"Hoohoo, trying to avoid being encircled? But that won’t be easy. We have far greater numbers on our side."
If both forces clashed head-on with similar numbers, the rest could easily maneuver to the sides. But if they tried to widen their formation to prevent this, their frontal defense would inevitably weaken.
As long as that happened, they could fully overcome their disadvantage in equipment… and annihilate the enemy.
Of course, their own forces would be wiped out as well, but that was a price Aiden was more than willing to pay to eliminate the Mobile Corps.
"Kill them all. Leave no enemy alive."
All he needed to do was reduce the enemy’s numbers. Then, he, the Order of the White Hawk, and the remaining priests could finish them off.
No, even the Order of the White Hawk and the priests would perish while exhausting the Duke of Fenris and the 7th-Circle Mage.
And in the end, Aiden would deliver the grand finale.
That was his plan.
Dudududududu!
As tens of thousands of cavalry charged simultaneously, the ground trembled as if struck by an earthquake.
The closer they got to each other, the more the battlefield surged with fierce momentum. Neither side intended to retreat even an inch.
Dududududu!
The Atrodean soldiers gripped their spears tightly.
The Fenris Mobile Corps was infamous for their devastating charges. Their destructive power would undoubtedly be immense. The Atrodean Army had to endure it and break through in return.
As their formation spread wide, the gaps between the enemy ranks widened as well. There was enough space to pierce through. After all, they themselves were the elite of the elite, hardened by countless battles.
Dudududududu!
The earthshaking sound of galloping hooves grew ever closer. Soon, Aiden could hear nothing but the harsh breaths escaping his own lips.
His heart pounded wildly, as if it were about to burst. The sunlight glinted off the spear tips, aimed at the rapidly approaching enemy.
Dududududu!
Then, for a brief moment, an eerie silence filled the air, almost deafening. Time itself seemed to slow down.
Just a little more… just a little closer… and they would collide.
Right before the two storm-like armies clashed—
Ziiing—!
A crimson streak of light surged rapidly up the Fenris Mobile Corps’ spear shafts, running all the way to their tips.
Thud!
With a dull sound, something suddenly erupted from the glowing red spear blades.
Aiden, who had been watching, unconsciously let his mouth fall open.
Fwaaaah!
More than ten thousand firebolts rained down upon the charging Atrodean Army.