I Became the Hero Who Banished the Protagonist - I Became the Hero Who Banished the Protagonist chapter 131

131. Belief, Expectation, and… (One)

The royal capital is an easy structure for defending. At least when dealing with people.

The royal road is a branch. The only way to get in and out of the royal road surrounded by rugged mountains was to follow the stream of the river flowing through the continent. There were not many ways to advance beyond the mountain, and even if they did, it would not be difficult to defeat the exhausted army from the elite soldiers of the capital.

“It will come over the mountain.”

“I will go over the mountain. The sea will come too. I will fill in the rivers and lakes and level the forests.”

If the opponent is a monster, the words will change. The mountain turns into a camp where the enemy can hide, and it becomes a watchtower and tower to savor while overlooking the castle. Georg looked at the map of the royal capital and struggled. Enemies will be crushed from all sides, just as they would be on the plains. It means that tens of thousands of monsters, each originating from different parts of the continent, will trample on castles and villages along the way.

“This is the troop deployment map.”

Before Georg had time to tie a knot in his thoughts, the adjutant handed out a new piece of paper. A huge fortress wall envelops the entire city in a circle following the basin. Georg looked at him and sighed. It was difficult even during the siege war in the north, how about a structure like this?

“I think it will be an uphill battle. You probably know better how they attack the walls. No ladders or battering rams, just banging your head against the wall. When the bodies start piling up like that, we have no way to deal with it. What if even one of them crossed the castle wall and entered the royal road where ordinary people were? I don’t even want to imagine after that.”

It was hard to believe that the calmly explained words and the despairing expression were from the same person. Georg listened to the adjutant’s explanation to the end without saying anything.

“The situation is that monsters are coming from all sides, so we can’t evacuate people anywhere. If we let them out, they’ll all die in less than a week. Including escorts.”

“The Tower Master will help with the defense battle. Other mages should conserve magic, but she is different. There is also a 6th circle mage, Daphne. I think the defensive battle itself is worth trying.”

The Queen’s decision was bold. All small towns near the capital were ordered to be completely vacated. After packing up the residents and calling them to the capital, they built a temporary camp. And the small city’s troops were naturally absorbed into the royal capital’s troops.

“It was selection and focus. An order to all small towns in the province to move residents, soldiers, and supplies to nearby big cities.”

Doing so will make it much easier to defend. Buildings in small towns will collapse and the land will be devastated, but people will be able to be protected.

“… Even so, if the castle walls were breached, wouldn’t it mean nothing? they would all die Isn’t that right, Captain?”

“If you put it that way, even if you block all the monsters, if you fail to block the comet, it’s the same as dying. We only have to think about what is at hand. Don’t think about what we can’t do.”

It was meant to be a scolding, but the adjutant’s expression became more gloomy. It seemed that Hye-seong had completely forgotten about the monsters that were approaching him. Georg scratched his head, wondering if he had told me for nothing.

“Open your face. I’d rather make a face that’s full of life. If you go out to the battlefield like that now, you’ll die before you even meet the face of the monster.”

“but… . What do you do with anxiety? Honestly, I don’t want to die yet.”

It was sincere, not brazen. The adjutant had a pretty pale face. Georg looked at him quietly, then sighed. I guess it’s better to say it honestly.

“You don’t have to engage in battle if you want. But I won’t force you to do that. Because even one person is sad. If you don’t want to come, you tell me.”

There was no consideration for those who tremble in fear. What choice would you have made if you were working at a time like this? Georg frowned. The adjutant was unable to open his mouth and was confused. Although he was a smart person, he was so indecisive at the crucial moment.

“If you can’t make a decision, go ahead and fight. If you block it, you will die, and if you don’t block it, you will die.”

“… yes. At least, if I die with dignity, I won’t have any regrets.”

The adjutant said bitterly and left the room. Georg pursed his lips and looked at the troop deployment map. The letters and numbers were randomly tangled in the eyes and could not be unraveled. Georg forced his eyes wide open and shoved the information into his head. It felt so different from the time of the Northern War. Disaster does not get used to. Each time brought a new sense of hopelessness.

“I am weak.”

Georg looked down at his palms and murmured. I thought it was strong. At least I was confident that I would do better than Illroy or anyone else in the kingdom when it came to holding on. But with fewer people to bear the burden, Georg realized how heavy the burden they were carrying.

“What kind of responsibility is responsibility, and what kind of chivalry is chivalry?”

Georg shook his head and looked out the window. The day is clear today. I’d say it’s fortunate that the field of vision was wide open. Is it bad luck because the monsters can be seen better? Command was bustling. Today, the Queen will probably come and inspect it in person. And the queen will continue to stay at headquarters from today, thinking about the war to come.

The knights running around with swords at their waists were pale. The thoughts of those who tried not to think swirled into a wild noise. Avoiding the harsh rustle, Georg stepped out of the headquarters. A warm breeze blew across his face. The wind did not contain any odors.

Summer is coming. Bodies will rot faster and city sanitation will be harder to manage. A rotting corpse invites plague. When the plague begins to circulate, it will cause damage comparable to that of monsters crossing the castle wall. The dead will be thrown out of the walls without a funeral, and will be burned away with the plague. Georg imagined his body to be thrown out of the castle wall after he died.

“Georg!”

Then, Georg suddenly came to his senses at the faint voice calling him. It was not a voice that should have been here. The voice kept calling his name, getting closer. A short woman with blond hair and freckles on her short face. Georg opened his eyes wide at the sight of his shabby-dressed fiancée.

“Camilla.”

Camilla ran over and hugged Georg. The armor creaked and creaked. Georg barely felt the weight of her, even though Camilla was almost clinging to him. Camilla’s eyes welled up as she felt Georg’s hand on her shoulder.

“I heard you. They said the fight would start soon.”

A sound close to sobbing. Georg looked at Camilla with a pitying eye. Georg would be on the battlefield and Camilla would be in the castle, but it was Camilla who was not safe. Although she knew him, her fiancee was only concerned about Georg.

“I will be fine. You have already returned from battle several times safely.”

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I didn’t bother to say that war doesn’t discriminate between the experienced and the inexperienced. A battle would take place tomorrow, and he could have died and fallen outside the walls.

“You really are back. I’m more worried about you than me.”

The private was recovered. Nobles were also subject to conscription. The only person who stayed by Camilla’s side was an elderly, retired knight-turned-butler.

“How nice it would be if I could follow you.”

“I will come back. I will win again and come back safely. I swear.”

I didn’t think it was just a lie to reassure Camilla. Even if it was a false oath, if it returned safely, the oath was fulfilled, and if it was a true oath, if it did not return safely, it was like lying and breaking the oath. Georg whispered as he hugged his fiancée even tighter.

“Believe me.”

But in the end, it was faith that mattered. Georg would be able to fight properly only if Camilla answered that he knew, and Camilla was not unaware of that fact. Camilla couldn’t answer Georg’s words easily and shuddered.

“It feels different this time.”

It was grumbling, but Georg couldn’t deny that he felt differently. That this time we will be defeated and the pit called Basin will become a cemetery, that the hero may not return. Even if he came back, even if he did, it would be really hard to solve this time.

Then, a hesitant voice broke the silence between the two.

“Captain, the commander is looking for you.”

Camilla slipped away from Georg. It was Camilla who came to Georg out of frustration, but it seemed that one more weight had been lifted on top of that frustration. Georg looked at Camilla, unable to shake off his lingering feelings. The answer he wanted to hear has not yet been heard.

“… I will believe you.”

With difficulty, the fiancee opened her mouth.

“So please come back safely.”

Georg nodded and turned. The knight looked at Georg apologetically, then moved on. As if pulling out the roots of a giant tree, Georg took his foot off with great difficulty.

—

“We can’t consume wizards in this battle.”

Nella said firmly. Laura, Nella, and Daphne were entrusted with the arrangement and management of the magicians in this battle. It was three people. Laura went to the castle wall to have a brawl with the superiors of the army, and the remaining two were actually managing the mages.

“If we send as many mages into this battle as the headquarters requires, the comet will be absolutely unstoppable. Magical power is restored, but the dead cannot be revived.”

Wizards must not die. That’s what Nella was saying. It was cold, but it was right. It was not a matter of being forced to make a choice, but a matter for which a conclusion had already been drawn.

“yes. You won’t be able to put wizards in as is. Even if they are annihilated, we should send out enough people to stop the comet.”

Daphne hated herself for saying that. I felt sorry for myself for not being able to carry the weight of that number. The situation in which hundreds of deaths had already been assumed continued to gnaw at his heart.

“Any wise man would have made that decision.”

A clumsy comforting voice was heard.

“No one can die. No one has the authority to decide who should die.”

“There are people who have to live.”

Nella said so.

“Anyone can wish for a miracle, but assuming a miracle is a privilege given only to those who can do it. You don’t have to tell me which side we are on. You know very well who can do that.”

“… yes.”

It was a sad word. Daphne lowered her head gloomily.

“You were the one who decided not to wake him and said he would definitely come back.”

Nella, who had been silently looking at Daphne for a while, said so.

“If you believe so, at least don’t be gloomy. A warrior… The reason I left the word that Illroy would come back was probably not because I wanted you to be there.”

Speaking of Illroy first, I felt my tongue stick out. Nella frowned and sat down next to Daphne.

“Did he look nervous when he talked to you? Do you feel unsure of what you are about to do? Did you say you were going to be pushed on your back and sit down somewhere?”

Daphne shook her head. It was as if the dark clouds that had hung over my face had lifted a little.

“Was it helpful in resolving your concerns?”

“… yes.”

Nella was saying that, but she was trying hard to hide her anxiety. The damned hero was still holed up somewhere. Come back quickly, Nella couldn’t even think of it because of her pride.

—

“your majesty.”

Agnes felt the weight of the armor on her body. The armor was light but heavy. Agnes clenched her fists and opened them. It’s been a while. No, is this the first time in practice? Body movements were awkward. A creaking sound came from every joint. To the lady-in-waiting who called her anxiously, Agnes gave the order without looking back.

“Bring the sword.”

The sword Agnes uses was not a treasured sword passed down from generation to generation in the royal family. A sword that is lighter and can be wielded with one hand. Agnes gripped her sword and gently closed her eyes.

“Good work. Go back.”

There was no way to disturb the queen who had gone into meditation. The maid bowed her head and turned her back, not disobeying the queen’s order. Agnes took a deep breath under the sun.

did you feel like this

In Agnes’ memory, the hero before the campaign was frozen. Agnes now must have a similar expression. Being crushed by the increased weight, unable to do this or that, it was fixed.

I won’t say I understand you. Maybe you were much heavier.

Agnes stepped out. The knight commanders of the kingdom followed her behind one by one. Battlefields were everywhere. Agnes climbed the castle wall, feeling the turbulent air.

“It is coming.”

“Are you ready for battle?”

“yes. All troops are deployed.”

okay.

Agnes nodded and looked away from the castle walls.

“Is this a portent of disaster?”

A tidal wave of monsters was rolling over the ridge.