The Villain Who Robbed the Heroines
chapter-206

"......"

In the early hours before dawn, Ferzen begrudgingly roused his weary body, unable to find rest in the unforgiving surroundings.

He tidied his disheveled hair, threw on his overcoat, and left the tent.

Acknowledging the soldiers on guard duty with a nod, Ferzen made his way to an empty area near Lizzy's dwelling, retrieving a pack of cigarettes.

Though the heavy rain had ceased, the land still bore the marks of its aftermath.

The damp soil beneath his feet offered no solace.

–Brother...

Inhaling the acrid smoke deep into his lungs, Ferzen exhaled, faintly hearing Lizzy's voice, tormented by nightmares, emanating from her tent.

Listening intently, Ferzen silently smoked his cigarette.

'Life would be easier for you if you had chosen death over survival...'

What does she hope to achieve by persisting rather than ending her own life?

If someone were to delve into his innermost thoughts, they would surely condemn him, their faces contorted in horror.

Though Ferzen knew deep down that his approach was flawed, his rational mind deemed it the most logical and correct course.

Gradually, Lizzy had grown accustomed to the fear and terror he had inflicted upon her, even seeking out scenarios that brought on her own misfortune.

If she were to deliberately harm herself, rather than by accident as before...

There was no doubt that his hidden obsessive-compulsive disorder would be exposed to her.

Even though he wished to reject it, he couldn't.

Even if he desired patience, he couldn't find it.

Bound by the cursed shackles, he couldn't sever the wicked ties without a foolproof plan.

He had sworn to tread this path with unwavering determination.

In a way, it may seem natural, but if his own life was placed on a scale...

The scale would never tip unless it weighed against his family.

'Because of that...'

If he had to become a devil and a monster to one woman,

To one household,

To one family,

To attain his own happiness,

'I... am willing to do so.'

People may call it a sin or karma.

Yet, he had no intention of absolving it in this lifetime.

'This debt...'

When he dies and descends to the Underworld,

'I will settle it there.'

So, Lizzy, in that moment,

Raise a toast with your brothers as you witness me writhe in pain, consumed by the fires of the underworld.

Even though I know the greatest mercy for you is to end your life with my own hands...

I cannot grant it, for I refuse to bear the weight of guilt.

Step-!!

Ferzen flicked the burnt tobacco to the ground, turning his back and leisurely walking away from the scene.

* * * * *

December 27th.

As if nothing had transpired, the land, drenched by the downpour, transformed once again into a desolate wasteland.

The expansive Eliatta Gorge, bathed in the radiant sunlight, stretched out before them.

At the entrance, the Ernes Empire's army, having completed their camp, stood in solemn silence, awaiting the order to advance.

"......"

Prince Raymond, positioned at the forefront of the 35,000 soldiers, placed a hand over his heart, feeling it rapidly beat against his ribs as he gazed upon Eliatta Gorge.

The scenery before him, showcasing the grandeur of nature, now resembled the gaping jaws of a colossal serpent, instilling fear he had been trying to suppress.

With a single command from him, the troops lined up behind him would march into the battlefield.

In this era of warfare, tactics existed. However, the value of strategy was minimal.

For the plans devised by heavenly favours would still crumble beneath the spears and swords of heavenly warriors.

The imminent war would determine whether the Elmark Empire would break through their ranks and escape the canyon, or if they would break through the Elmark Empire and emerge victorious.

...The outcome would be one of the two.

"Go and fetch Count Louerg. It is time."

"Understood!"

The soldier, who received the Prince's command, responded with disciplined obedience and swiftly made his way towards Ferzen.

Meanwhile, Ferzen, quietly burning incense within the hut where his troops resided, straightened his hunched form upon hearing the approaching footsteps from outside.

When the soldier, carrying Prince Raymond's order, entered the tent...

"......"

He was rendered speechless by the sight that met his eyes. All he could do was swallow hard, his breath trembling faintly, unable to bring himself to call out to Ferzen.

12 coffins that were placed around the incense that was burning gently in the middle.

From it, 12 corpses, that were dressed in uniforms, that had scales symbols engraved on it, rose.

No, how could they dare to call those corpses?

Step-!!

Step-!!

Following Ferzen, who walked through the entrance and was currently alive, the past pillars of the Ernes Empire took a step forward.

“What are you doing?”

“Ye-yes...…?”

“Don’t stand in the way and go back to your position.”

“A…… Ah…… Yes! Understood!"

At the sound of Ferzen's voice, the soldier who had been standing there in a daze, suddenly jumped to his feet.

And so, accompanied by the past heads of the Brutein family, under his magical influence, Ferzen passed through the ranks of soldiers and reached the side of Prince Raymond, who stood at the forefront.

“……”

As soon as Prince Raymond laid eyes upon Ferzen, he felt the fear and terror that had been consuming him gradually dissipate.

"Your Highness.”

"Ah……”

“Let us go.”

The roof would block the bad news that had come.

“Let us support you as the pillars and beams……”

Woosh-!!

The harsh wind that blew from the gorge made the clothes of Ferzen and the previous family heads flutter.

Prince Raymond took a deep breath. Then, as the view of the Eliatta Gorge filled his eyes, he raised his hand and gave a signal.

Following the signal, the magnificent sound of trumpets made the 35,000-strong army begin its advance.

* * * * *

"Huu..."

Empress Gremory, having mobilized her army upon receiving news of the Ernes Empire's advance, let out a soft sigh as she observed the enemy forces slowly emerging in the center of the gorge.

With her heightened senses surpassing those of ordinary humans, she could discern that those at the forefront of the enemy army bore the emblem of scales.

"Is that..."

The renowned Brutein family, of which the Ernes Empire boasted?

Though it was evident that they were nothing more than manipulated corpses, devoid of life,

The aura she could sense on her skin, carried by the strong gorge wind, still held an extraordinary quality.

"It seems that capturing the King won't lead to a checkmate."

A smirk formed at the corner of Empress Gremory's mouth.

Finally, she could feel the thrill she had been missing for so many years.

Yet, instead of shrinking away from it, she took a step forward in this standoff.

"Are you ready?"

"We are, Your Majesty."

After surveying the wizards who had completed their preparations, Empress Gremory spoke, recalling the contents of the document written by Marquis Phrygia in her mind.

──Even though I, as the Empress, stand before you as your enemy, I can't help but ask you some questions with a sense of pity.

──Your Imperial Family has argued that it is better to fight in a just war than to live in an unjust peace. They have even deemed this war as one that must be fought.

──But do you really think that such a thing as 「 Bad peace 」 and 「 Good war 」 exist in this world?

* * * * *

An eye-catching, uniquely blue hair.

As someone who had reached the pinnacle of the Aurora Knights, her entire attire was comfortable and yet, it exuded an air of arrogance, wielding only a single sword.

But that sword was undoubtedly her greatest and most formidable weapon.

With this in mind, Ferzen couldn't help but chuckle as Empress Gremory's voice echoed through the Eliatta Gorge.

There was no way she had prepared such a mundane speech solely for the purpose of going to war.

Perhaps it was Marquis Phrygia, the man he had encountered in the Roverium Kingdom, who had prompted her to do so.

By adding paradoxical modifiers to the words "peace" and "war," the contradiction was sure to shake the hearts of the soldiers.

Rather than embellishing it with complex and lengthy words, a simple statement like that was bound to have a greater impact.

However, it was not a statement that was difficult to dismantle.

─In response to your question, allow me to pose a few questions of our own.

Isabel, standing by Ferzen's side, followed his lead and disrupted the atmosphere to amplify his voice.

─Do you believe that those who have resigned themselves to the violence they cannot resist have achieved true peace?

─A mother who forces a smile through her bruised face, enduring her husband's violence for the sake of her children, and a child who trembles in fear at every outburst.

─A father who is mistreated, yet still stoops down to earn every penny to feed his family.

─Individuals with talent who are trapped in a cycle of misery, with no opportunity to rise above their circumstances.

─Can we truly call the peace they have attained "good"?

─In their case, can it truly be said that resisting is inherently wrong?

─To anyone who believes that they have the right to condemn a mother for killing her abusive husband and leaving her child fatherless, step forward.

─To anyone who believes that they can criticize a father for standing up against an employer who mistreats him, resulting in his job loss, step forward.

─To anyone who believes that they can denounce those who criticize the corrupt and stagnant vested interests, step forward.

Ferzen fell silent for a moment, scanning the front lines with his piercing gaze, but no one dared to step forward.

─Wrongful peace permeates every corner. The majority of people simply lack the means to effectively resist and change it.

─When that resistance evolves into a conflict between nations, it is called war.

──You, the Elmark Empire, orchestrated the Obern Kingdom's attack on the Ernes Empire's Academy, causing countless casualties. Furthermore, you even committed the heinous crime of assassinating a member of the Imperial family. Yet, here you stand shamelessly, with your right foot forward.

─Now, I shall pose a question to you.

Following in the footsteps of Empress Gremory, Ferzen took a step forward and continued speaking, facing the fierce winds of the Eliatta Gorge.

─We stand here, armed with spears and swords, to bring justice for these sins and wage a just war that will rectify the wrongful peace.

─Oh, people of the Elmark Empire, who stand on the battlefield in response to your nation's call, what drives you to raise your spears and swords?

─Do you possess an unwavering will to wield your weapons on a battlefield where you must kill and risk your own lives?

* * * * *

After listening to Ferzen's lengthy speech, Empress Gremory turned her head in frustration and roughly brushed her bangs aside.

"I told him there was no need for such petty pretense."

She unsheathed the sword hanging from her belt, recalling the cunning face of Marquis Phrygia who had annoyingly insisted it was necessary.

‘It seems there are things he can't accomplish despite being born for it.’

Nevertheless, just to be sure, Empress Gremory spoke up.

"Look at me. Is there anyone who can argue with such a sly way of speaking?"

"..."

However, as the Empress had stated, there were no vassals who could confidently step forward.

Unable to meet her penetrating gaze, all they could do was lower their heads.

"Well, forget it. After all, war is not fought with words. It's better this way, as you all fear this Empress more than the enemy before your eyes."

Smiling lightly, Empress Gremory took a step forward, approaching the towering cliffs of the Eliatta Gorge.

"All we need to do about the fearful murmurs of our troops..."

Squeeze-!!

"...is to drown them out with the song of spears and swords."

As she clenched her fists, powerful mana seeped through her skin, enveloping her arms like armor.

Boom-!!

Thud-!!

When she swung her hand and struck the cliff, a crack spread through the area where her hand made contact...

Boom-!!

Afterward, the massive, sturdy cliff crumbled and fell toward the Ernes Empire like a landslide.

Yes, the war had finally begun.

And...

Since they had chosen to wage a just war rather than live in wrongful peace,

The woman who had gained nothing and was stained with misery

Had to face the oncoming enemy soldiers on this meaningless battlefield.