NOVEL WEB Chapter 286
* * *
After the plague had receded once…
To Chel, who had barely managed to sort out the border region of the Aishias Army, came news that was far from pleasant.
“Serpina’s forces… are advancing here?”
“Yes…!”
“Damn it…!”
Chel let out a long sigh. Already, his own miscalculation had allowed Yuri and Anima, along with Epinal, to escape beyond the borders. Though he had succeeded in acquiring a territory, it was one ravaged by the plague — not much more than additional wasteland.
“What shall we do?”
“Just wait a moment. Am I not thinking?”
As the soldier spoke, Chel ran his hand down his face, visibly leaking anxiety.
“There’s no way I can defeat Serpina like this.”
No matter how he thought about it, he lacked the confidence to handle her massive army while maintaining his current territory. His troops had already been exhausted in meaningless skirmishes against the Aishias Army and Kalintz Army. The few soldiers remaining were also spent after dealing with the Aishias Army’s border incursion. If he’d had enough soldiers, he wouldn’t have lost Yuri in the first place. It was clear now: there was no way for him to stop Serpina.
“Damn it!”
Bang!
Chel violently threw the sword hanging at his waist. Where did everything go wrong? He had seen hope at the start. The best talents of Brance’s army had followed him, becoming the limbs of the Chel Army. Lin, pushed aside as a ruler of the frontier, was no longer capable of fulfilling her duties as a monarch. Once he dealt with Kalintz, it was certain that he would become the new leader of the Brance clan.
It was right in front of me. That path was right in front of my eyes.
When did things start unraveling? Was it when we fought the Aishias Army? When I cut off Erhandorf’s head? Or maybe when the plague started spreading?
Or could it be… raising the banner of rebellion itself…?
Thinking this far, Chel shook his head vigorously.
“Futile thoughts.”
Delving too deeply into the past wasn’t in Chel’s nature. If there was time to reflect on the past, it was better spent thinking about the future. No matter what choice he made, Chel had never regretted anything. Not even cutting off Erhandorf’s head. He knew better than anyone else what happens when you don’t immediately deal with a powerful general who refuses to submit, especially someone who has weathered countless battles.
“…Gather the armed forces.”
“Uh…?”
“I said, gather the armed forces! Are my words falling on deaf ears?!”
“A-Alright!”
The soldier quickly relayed Chel’s command to the other officers. Soon, all the key figures supporting the Chel Army gathered in the audience chamber.
“I believe everyone is aware of the situation. I’ve called you here to discuss what we should do next.”
The officers remained silent, quietly observing the situation. Normally, this would be the time for the nation’s strategist to step forward and offer advice, but alas, he had succumbed to the plague. None dared to voice their opinions first—not because they couldn’t think of any, but because they feared voicing the most plausible option.
At that moment.
An elderly vassal who had served the Brance family for quite some time cautiously raised his hand.
“My lord.”
“Speak.”
“To put it bluntly, there’s no chance of victory. This might be the time for a decisive decision for the future.”
“For the future?”
“Surrender.”
“!!”
“Surrender now and plan for the future. While it’s true that those who have ruled as lords of a country are often not spared, you, my lord, were never the sovereign of Brance. You were once known as the greatest swordsman of Brance. Even the ruthless Serpina would likely accept your submission if you bow before her. I humbly request that you survive and seek an opportunity to strike back against Serpina later.”
“So, you’re telling me to grovel beneath that woman, Serpina?”
“Make the wise decision, my lord. Acting recklessly in the face of death is not bravery.”
The old man’s bold words caused the atmosphere in the audience chamber to grow heavy. Everyone glared at him as though he had spoken something unspeakable.
But everyone knew—it was the truth. There was no other way besides surrender. Facing an overwhelming force several times larger than their plague-weary army, trained and well-fed, was impossible. The ace card that could turn the tide—a mage—wasn’t on their side but with Serpina’s forces. Objectively speaking, there was no way to beat her. Fighting would only lead to a futile death. Surrender was self-evidently the only answer.
Still, for someone to bring up such a difficult topic… it was as if the old man had taken on the burden for everyone.
“…”
Chel said nothing for a moment, then spoke coldly.
“Normally, I’d cut off your head for spouting such foolish advice. But I’m not that stupid.”
“…”
“Besides, even though Lin exists, I myself have spent time as a noble. Accepting Serpina’s mercy would be akin to gambling anyway.”
“I understand your words, but I firmly believe Serpina won’t kill you.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because you, my lord, don’t harbor any ambition to rule the continent.”
“What did you say?”
“Isn’t rebuilding the crumbling Brance Army due to Lin’s misdeeds your priority?”
“…”
Chel was left speechless by these words. To some extent, the old man was correct. From a certain point onward, he had chosen the worst options alongside Lin, seizing Anel Castle during Lin’s absence and betraying his younger brother Kalintz because he judged that Brance would fall apart under their leadership.
He had never envisioned “uniting the continent” or “what kind of world I will create as a ruler.”
All he wanted was for Brance to regain its former glory. And he judged that it couldn’t happen under Lin or Kalintz’s rule, which was why he took over the position of ruler.
“Serpina is ruthless, but she’s also frighteningly perceptive. Moreover, you, my lord, are not someone who irresponsibly spouts opinions they don’t truly hold. She’ll easily realize you lack grand ambitions.”
“…You really know how to talk today, don’t you?”
“Since my head is going to roll anyway, whether I die now or fall into Serpina’s hands later makes little difference. With not much time left to live, it’s my duty as a vassal to speak my mind.”
Hearing this, Chel burst into loud laughter, shaking the audience chamber. Then, with eyes burning with azure flames, he revealed his plan to everyone.
“Send word to the lords of each territory. Upon receiving this letter, they are to gather every supply and soldier they can carry and move to Alcanwood Castle.”
“!!”
At the mention of moving to Alcanwood Castle, all the vassals stared at Chel in shock.
“It’s useless to fight Serpina’s army when our forces are scattered and already insufficient. What we can do is unite. We will establish our final defensive line at Alcanwood Castle.”
“This battle will likely cost many lives. But from my perspective, generals who refuse to fully participate in the battle just because they fear for their lives are unnecessary.”
“You understand what I mean now, don’t you?”
“That… does that mean…”
Chel nodded at the relatively young vassal standing beside the elderly one who had asked the question.
“If you value your life so much, resign from our army immediately. I won’t stop you.”
For a brief moment, silence reigned.
“…It seems there’s no one like that among us.”
“I will fight until the end with my lord.”
“The pride of Brance remains unbroken.”
The vassals nodded in agreement, adding their voices. Despite being labeled as the elite of Brance, they couldn’t accept surrendering to the infamous Serpina, even if their minds acknowledged it as reasonable.
“And what about you?”
In response to Chel’s question, the elderly vassal bowed his head and replied.
“If my lord has decided to fight, so shall I.”
“Isn’t that an irrational choice according to your own logic?”
“The relationship between ruler and vassal isn’t explained by reason alone.”
Satisfied with this reply, Chel smiled faintly. Although the odds were stacked against them, they wouldn’t just give in.
If they could somehow hinder Serpina…
Clutching his fists tightly, Chel reaffirmed his resolve.
“…I’ll make Serpina regret ever messing with me, Chel Brance.”
* * *
When the occupying forces dispatched from Einhardt Castle passed by Kelshtain Castle.
“Are you only sending 10,000 soldiers?”
“That’s right.”
Iren, riding alongside Serpina, questioned her curiously.
“But surely that number isn’t enough to capture Jog Castle, is it?”
“No. If Chel is worth fighting, this number will suffice to take Jog Castle.”
“Uh…? Sorry, but I don’t quite understand what you mean…”
Serpina smiled faintly at Iren’s confusion and turned to address someone on the opposite side.
“Swoen, could you explain instead?”
“In short, if they’ve concentrated their forces in one place, it’s not at the frontlines of Jog Castle.”
“Gathered forces…?”
“Our invasion leaves them with very limited choices. Their best option is to gather all their forces far away and make a last stand through siege tactics. Though their chances are slim, it’s the only method they have. If I were in their shoes…”
“Alcanwood.”
“…I would gather at Alcanwood Castle.”
Startled by Serpina’s sudden voice interrupting his explanation, Swoen paused and looked at her.
“Why are you so surprised, Swoen?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
Though unexpected, Serpina was undoubtedly an extraordinary person. So much so that it was hard to believe she wouldn’t become the unified ruler.
“Anyway, if they’ve withdrawn their forces as we suspect, even sending a thousand men wouldn’t be a problem. The castle will likely be empty anyway.”
“So that’s why you added ‘if he’s worth fighting’ earlier?”
“Exactly. If there are still troops stationed there and our army struggles, it’s not necessarily bad for us. In fact, it could be beneficial. We can just defeat them individually.”
Indeed, sending 10,000 soldiers was also a test to see what kind of person Chel Brance truly was.
And soon, the results of that test arrived—slightly deviating from expectations.
“…Is that true?”
“Yes! As you predicted, Jog Castle was empty…”
The messenger reported to the astonished Serpina in a tone of disbelief.
“It looks like… a fire had broken out. All the buildings within the territory were burned to ashes, leaving behind only ruins…”