Hate me, Miss Witch!

After all, they were both part of the Order Faction and at a disadvantage within Escarnia, so they naturally assisted each other.

Unfortunately, it seemed that Cain was male. Thinking this, the knight who had delivered the message couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. If that were not the case... then Cain would have been the perfect candidate for Princess Consort.

...

"Cain."

"What do you think about this intelligence we've just received?"

Isadella finally spoke softly after the knight who had delivered the message departed.

She had to admit that, in this particular time and place, her reliance on the Daybreak Organization, and especially on Cain, had become quite significant. Many of her decisions could not be made without his input.

"It's very abnormal," Shiayar said, squinting at the desolate fields. "Those Abyss creatures are bloodthirsty beasts. They would never retreat on their own before a real confrontation."

"Daybreak has also received information indicating that Despicable King Vortigern's troops in the Royal Capital are being mobilized."

Shiayar paused for a moment. "I think... it must be that our Alliance Forces have finally drawn the serious attention of that Despicable King. A major encirclement and suppression operation directed at us is probably coming."

"Just as I suspected." Isadella closed her eyes and nodded, agreeing with Shiayar's judgment.

For the past six months, the Alliance Forces of knights and nobles had developed so smoothly largely due to a blockade of intelligence. In such a chaotic situation, intelligence flowed extremely slowly. Before the Despicable King in the Royal Capital could react, their forces had spread like wildfire.

But now, with the Knight King and the name of Daybreak becoming increasingly prominent, even commoners had heard of the Daybreak Organization, and some had even become its followers. Consequently, the idea of lying low and developing unobtrusively was no longer realistic.

Unlike the stationary Dawn Church, the Alliance Forces—an emerging power supported by numerous civilians and noble knights—were a force that could truly shake the reign of Despicable King Vortigern.

One only needed to put herself in his shoes: if such a rapidly growing rebel force appeared within one's territory, launching a ruthless siege against it would be an almost inevitable action.

Indeed, Isadella understood this very clearly in her heart.

Although her Alliance Forces appeared strong, they harbored significant hidden dangers.

The biggest flaw was that their journey thus far had been too smooth. This was a double-edged sword. Continuous victories had pushed morale and cohesion to their peak, allowing every knight and soldier to perform beyond their normal capabilities. But this group was, after all, just an army of nobles and knights that had spontaneously banded together. In essence, they were little more than scattered volunteers. In just one year, they had hardly been integrated and trained into a disciplined, elite troop.

They could fight well when things were going their way, but once the tide turned, their morale might shatter, and they could collapse into disarray.

Another hidden danger was the lack of top-tier powerhouses.

After all, this was a world where extraordinary power was vested in individuals—soldier against soldier, general against general, king against king.

But her body was still too young, and the power sealed by the Sacred Sword had only just been unlocked to the peak of the 6-Ring level.

Now that she had regained the Sacred Sword, she should be able to contend with an average Legendary...

However, at the Titled Rank and above, her side was at a huge disadvantage.

Abyss creatures were indeed bloodthirsty, fierce, and prone to losing control. But their combat power was not to be underestimated. Each Abyss Lord from the Abyss was equivalent to a Titled Rank existence on the Western Continent. The few Titled Rank Great Knights in the Alliance Forces were nowhere near enough to compete in numbers. And if an Abyss Lord managed to break through their lines and reach the ordinary soldiers, or even civilians, it would be a colossal disaster.

"We should abandon our current territories and have our soldiers and civilians disperse and break out in multiple directions."

Isadella gently closed her crimson eyes. When she opened them again, she had made her decision.

Isadella was very aware of what her command meant. Breaking out in multiple groups meant the attrition rate would be frighteningly high. In the end, perhaps less than sixty percent might actually break through the encirclement and escape.

But this was indeed the only choice she had at the moment. Their military strength was currently at a huge disadvantage. If they did not disperse, it would be equivalent to sitting ducks waiting for their demise; the only outcome awaiting the Alliance Forces was utter annihilation. What they needed most then was time.

If they can successfully break out, and I am given three more years, she thought, both my personal strength and the military power of the Alliance Forces will undergo an overwhelming transformation.

However, the next moment, a vague voice emanated from Cain's vortex-like mask:

"Such a costly breakout will surely result in heavy losses... Even if it ultimately succeeds, then you, who made such a decision, will bear the stigma of being cruel and unfeeling, willing to sacrifice the lives of your subordinates and civilians merely to preserve your own..."

Isadella couldn't help but be startled. In their nearly year-long association, Cain and the Daybreak Organization behind him had seldom questioned her judgment, merely offering silent support. This was the first time he had opposed her orders so directly.

However, Isadella's resolve, naturally, would not waver so easily.

"As a King, one must naturally be prepared to bear any condemnation."

"No one in this world is perfect. Whether I face condemnation or praise, having chosen this path of a King, I will continue walking it, regardless of my reputation."

Her cool voice echoed over the city walls.

"Is that so?" Cain's indistinct voice replied. "But for the knights who have chosen to follow you, for your people, what they hope for is such a perfect ruler—a sun that always shines, without a single flaw.

"If the sun were to cast a shadow, everyone would be heartbroken, wouldn't they?

"Artorigus, do you still remember what I said to you just now? You are the leaf bathed in sunlight. I am the root hidden in the depths. And the duty of the root is to pave the way for the prosperity of the leaves...

"Therefore," his long robe, black with crimson clouds, billowed in the howling wind atop the city wall, "leave the task of the rearguard to me."

...

"Cain."

The moment he spoke, Isadella sensed the determination in Cain's words. These were not mere words; he truly intended to do it.

"What you will face... is hell itself."

"You will die."

She gazed at the black-haired, masked man before her with her beautiful crimson eyes, unable to stop herself from speaking.

As a King, Isadella was supposed to detach her personal emotions when making decisions, allowing only rationality to dictate her choices. She also knew Cain's capabilities full well. Perhaps he could indeed draw the enemy's attention, allowing the rest of the forces to withdraw unscathed. Sacrificing a knight not yet at Titled Rank to preserve the remaining viable forces... Rationally speaking, this was clearly the best choice.

Yet, looking at the slender, black-robed figure before her, Isadella distinctly felt an inexplicable sorrow in her heart.

Although Black Knight Cain indeed possessed a reputation for being unbeatable, this situation was entirely different from all previous battles.

Vortigern held control in the Royal Capital and might not act lightly, but his army of Abyss Demons undoubtedly included Titled Rank individuals.

Even... according to the somewhat vague information gathered by the Daybreak Organization, it seemed an Abyss Lord had recently descended to Escarnia from the Abyss. An Abyss Lord was equivalent to a Legendary. Confronting a Legendary with strength below Titled Rank... That was a desperate situation with virtually no chance of survival.

Yet, Isadella's only response was the sight of his gradually receding figure and the sound of faint laughter drifting from atop the city wall.

"So, Your Majesty, if you're reluctant to part with me..." Cain's voice drifted back, "then you might as well send ahead the promised reward of gold, silver, and jewels."