Chapter 118

Chapter 118

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What is the meaning of tears. Because they are joyful, or because they are sad. Or is it resentment.

However, can I bear the weight of those tears? Who am I. I'm not that great of a person.

But nevertheless, despite there being something I could do, I couldn't just pass by.

If I can cut down a person out of compassion, why couldn't I protect people out of compassion.

And I had already lived like that. Since my academy days. Not meaning sacrificing for the whole, but saving others by doing what I can. Namely, setting out to eliminate the Ernberg Quintet that cold winter.

Ripening from being unripe, perhaps that didn't just apply to my disciple Roy, but also to Rickart himself.

"Ricky."

Marie called. Looking back at her, Bori was staring at me, and Bremen, Roy and Becca, and the siblings' mother were looking at me. Their eyes all harbored the same heart.

We respect your decision. No, we believe in you. Whatever happens, the heart to follow me sparkled in their eyes.

Since when, and from where did this belief grow?

"Hmm......"

Rickart bowed his head and thought for a moment before speaking to the kneeling Herbert.

"Let's do what we can. But, I'm not that great of a person. I don't know what you expect from me, but hope and salvation must be obtained by yourselves. I'm merely helping a little."

Having said that, he turned around and descended from the mountain. As his friends and group followed, the people also stood up and tagged along in a swarm.

Spring flowers in full bloom rustled in the wind on the mountain path, yet Rickart's heart wasn't entirely light.

The Adelorn Kingdom was one giant basin. The south was a mountainous region, covered by not-so-high mountain ranges, and the north was a plain. So since ancient times, the north lived by farming, and the south by animal husbandry.

In terms of recorded history, Adelorn was much older than the Empire.

Although they were inevitably incorporated into the Empire due to invasions by Orcs and Nords, and wars with the Salamans in the past, they didn't particularly feel a strong sense of belonging to the Empire.

One of the reasons was that they had been sworn enemies with the Bering Tribe to the northwest for a long time, an area currently called Beringen. Namely, the place where the Beringen Academy was located.

Of course, the tribe had disappeared now so it meant little, but it was true they still harbored some animosity.

The people living in Adelorn were called Adelornians; they were exclusive toward outsiders, had formed their own culture, and took strong pride in it.

But on the other hand, there were aspects where they lagged behind the times. Perhaps that was the most fundamental reason bringing about the current situation.

When they thrived in the past, they made their might known as the world's first country to establish the knight system, but now it was all tales of the past.

All that remained were songs, chansons de geste of past heroes, and hollow ballads.

Who on earth could save this ruined country. Even if those heroes all returned alive, it seemed impossible.

However, because Rickart harbored no thoughts of 'saving the country' or 'saving the people', perhaps that was why he dared to challenge this impossible task.

He simply looked at what was right in front of him, and started his work from there. That was all.

Walking straight northeast along the border with Beringen on the northwestern flank of the kingdom, following the river, at a certain point the mountain ranges on both sides ended and a plain unfolded vastly.

Adelibari was located around there; as a city developed after a past Adelorn King discovered hot springs there, it was a gateway city and the King's resort town, as well as a trade city.

Whether it was originally like that, or created artificially, the city was situated midway up the mountain, atop a vertical cliff about 4 or 5 meters high.

The entrance looked as though a giant had chopped it with an axe, like a thin crevice between the cliffs. Stairs continued straight up from there, and it was the only path leading to the main gate.

The problem was the massive throng of people below the mountain. Because it was an era where many people gathering in one place was rare, everyone alongside Rickart was speechless.

"This is......"

Bori couldn't bring himself to say this wasn't it.

An incredibly massive number of people, more than the population of most large cities, were swarming. But this wasn't even the entire number.

10,000 people can cover one side of a small mountain, 20,000 can cover the entire mountain, and starting from 30,000, if spread out on a plain, you can't see the end from one end.

10,000 combat troops and 50,000 people following them. It's hard to grasp when hearing just the numbers, but seeing it with your own eyes, there was nothing to do but be overwhelmed.

But fighting these people? Fighting a typhoon or a thunderstorm seemed far more realistic.

But Rickart was different. While everyone else couldn't break free from the shock, he cool-headedly surveyed the scene alone.

Then before long, he suddenly called the people together.

"Everyone gather around."

As people gathered around Rickart, Bori and Marie looked bewildered, and the soldiers who used to guard the border already seemed prepared for death.

Presenting them with possibilities and helping them brace themselves was also what Rickart had to do. Since he decided to do it, he had to do it properly.

"Everyone, get a grip. We're not facing all those people. First, listen to my story. Do you see that over there?"

Rickart said, pointing to somewhere far away.

"No matter how many troops they have, they can't climb up from the front. The enemies know that too, so they merely set up camp and hover around the perimeter; there are no signs of battle. So the only thing the enemies can do is one thing. Bypass, climb the mountain, and strike the city from above."

Following Rickart's pointing finger, the people surveyed the battle situation. Initially having no thoughts, at Rickart's explanation, they felt as though they could grasp a thin thread.

"Look toward the mountain over there. Some personnel have already bypassed and climbed the mountain. Do you see some hastily built structures? But how many troops do you think are there? To me, it doesn't even look like a thousand. Climbing a mountain without paths to strike a city is not as easy as it sounds. You who guarded the border should know well."

The soldiers currently joining Rickart were those who used to guard the border, originally people living in mountain strongholds. Moreover, because it was the land they lived in, they knew the mountains around here better than anyone else.

"It's simple. We bypass even further, and sweep those bastards away. Marie, Bori, and I will take the lead. Since they have no defenses whatsoever, even if they outnumber us, we just need to push them hard. Mr. Bremen, Ms. Elia, please lead the rest of the people and follow slowly behind."

Rickart's orders were simple. Bypass further to climb the mountain, follow the ridge to strike the enemy's rear, and drive them away. That was it.

When heard, it really wasn't a big deal.

"As a trade city, the key is strictly defending the pass behind the city. If we lose that, it's all over. As long as the supply route is open, it can hold out indefinitely. First, let's enter the city, join forces with the personnel there, and discuss the next plan."

Rickart spoke mixing informal and formal speech. Because one must be firm when giving instructions, there was a sense he used informal speech on purpose.

"Let's go. Once Marie, Bori, and I throw the enemies into disarray, you all maintain formation and just push recklessly."

Rickart repeated the simple instructions, and moved his position first.

Trying to bypass far away to climb the mountain, people living in pitched tents could be seen here and there.

Among them, mercenaries were also mixed, but because the throng was of such a massive scale, seeing Rickart and the soldiers, they merely thought, 'Must be some unit or people I don't know'.

They couldn't even dream of the thought that they were enemies, or that they would be attacked.

It couldn't be helped. At this juncture, who would dare strike them. They merely thought vaguely like that. Someone striking us when there are this many people? Which crazy bastard?

Of course, Rickart wasn't crazy. Neither were his friends, nor the soldiers following him now.

However, because there was no proper mountain path, climbing the mountain wasn't easy; the slope was steep so they had to climb while holding onto trees.

The soldiers were a sort of mountain troops, so they climbed the mountain well like wild beasts, but the civilians tagging along in the middle struggled. So it only took a while because they were helping them.

Upon reaching the mountain ridge, a side path historically used by soldiers or merchants continued along the ridge.

It was hard to spread the formation sideways, in fact, rather than a formation, it was closer to just spreading out as widely as possible.

Some personnel had to walk along the ridge, and some had to walk on the slope. It was somewhat dangerous, but because they were people familiar with the geography, it was fine.

Seeing the soldiers preparing, Rickart, along with Marie and Bori, slowly walked forward.

Before long, enemies conducting operations up the mountain came into view. They were cutting trees and hastily making something, whether building a mountain stronghold or a makeshift catapult. And they were scraping the ground with pickaxes and shovels.

The enemies weren't fools either, so they seemed to know this was the only method, but the problem was progress was sluggish.

Because the subordinates led by 'Invincible' Grantz were a sort of mercenary coalition, they were dissatisfied with why they had to be committed to the operation.

Anyway, they weren't keeping watch, and were paying absolutely no attention to external intrusions.

So as Rickart wearing a red cape approached, they just stared blankly.

"Hello there."

When no one stopped him, Rickart instead took the initiative to offer a greeting.

"......Who're you? Haven't seen you before."

"I'm Ricky, newly assigned to the operation this time."

It was naturally a name the other party heard for the first time, but they just thought 'I guess so'.

"No but, he said we had enough personnel, damn it. When are they bringing up the booze? I'm gonna die of thirst. Didn't the message get through?"

"Well, if you're that thirsty, go down and drink yourself."

"What did you say?"

As the mercenary asked bewildered, Rickart forcefully kicked his chest. Then, he ended up rolling down the mountain slope. The dull sound of bones breaking as he bumped into trees here and there could be heard.

When one person died from falling, the mercenaries nearby were startled and all watched. The moment they thought 'What's going on?', Marie and Bori drew their swords.

As a purple glow and a cluster of black stars sparkled, the mercenaries nearby instantly died spraying blood and rolled down.

Rickart leisurely drew his sword and forcefully halved the support pillar of the hastily built wooden structure.

Then the structure slowly tilted, collapsing with a crash down the mountain and breaking. Dust rose thickly, providing a somewhat spectacular sight.

From then on, the tens of thousands of people below the mountain all looked toward where Rickart was. Those who didn't see it were poked by others pointing and saying look over there.

But they still didn't know someone was attacking, merely thinking an accident had occurred. Oh my. They should have been careful. What a pity.

But as some time passed, another structure collapsed. The sound of screaming seemed to be heard, and looking closely it also seemed somewhat chaotic.

Looking closely and intently, red flag-like things were seen from time to time. Then suddenly, a resounding roar echoed from the mountain.

It was the shout of the stronghold soldiers following Rickart.

"The Prince has returned! Clear the path!"

"The Prince has returned! Clear the path!"

From then on, mercenaries rolling down the mountain could be seen even from afar. Uh......?

It was clearly someone attacking. 'Invincible' Grantz was being attacked. It was plain to see. However, it took quite some time for Grantz or the people to accept reality. Because there was no way that could be true.

Then, Rickart, having entirely occupied the mountain pass, stood there looking down below. Though so far away he looked small as an ant, and held a flaming sword, in people's eyes it looked like he was holding a torch in broad daylight.

Rickart burned the unit flag of an unknown mercenary company under Grantz's command. Then, tossing it aside haphazardly, he entered Adelibari through the back path.

The tens of thousands of people silently watched the events on the mountain, and became noisy and clamorous when Rickart disappeared.

Everyone said like this.

Who returned?