Future Knight [EN]: Chapter 87

퓨쳐나이트 87화

The next day, Kang Chan woke up with a bewildered look, as if asking, “Where am I?” as he glanced around.

“Where is this?”

It was a lavish room, unlike anything he had ever seen.

“Why am I here…”

Stepping outside, he found Zekiyon lounging on a huge living room sofa.

“You’re awake?”

Four maids were attending to Zekiyon, massaging him from both sides.

His demeanor was so natural, so accustomed to such treatment. He looked utterly comfortable, as if he were in his own home.

“Where is this place?”

“Edeline’s villa.”

“Villa? How do you know that?”

“I used to live here, so I know.”

“Huh? You lived here?”

“It’s a long story.”

“Okay…”

Edeline was in high spirits.

The Emperor was delighted to hear that she had brought a dragon and an unaffiliated Sword Master to her villa, and he praised her achievements.

The Emperor eagerly dispatched high-ranking officials to try and recruit the unidentified Sword Master.

However, Edeline strongly objected.

She feared such actions might displease Kang Chan.

Besides, the dragon beside him was the infamous plunderer G. Zekiyon, and even the Emperor of the Bisman Empire couldn’t help but feel apprehensive.

Edeline conveyed that they simply wished to be left alone to rest comfortably, and the Emperor readily respected her wishes.

“Then I’ll leave this to you. You must bring the Sword Master to our side. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Father. Don’t worry.”

For the first time in a while, everyone was at peace.

Ellie also enjoyed a forest bath and some much-needed rest, while Loki frolicked around the expansive garden with the guard dogs.

Zekiyon reveled in his noble-like pampering by the maids.

But Kang Chan was not at ease.

This peace only served to remind him of Jeina.

The more he thought about her, the more his heart ached and felt empty.

Kang Chan felt that he needed to return to the battlefield to escape these thoughts.

He was on vacation, but his mind was still consumed by the war.

‘I have to go back…’

Kang Chan cut his vacation short, returning to the garrison after only three days.

Ellie wasn’t particularly upset.

She felt a similar restlessness to Kang Chan.

As an elf, she shared a similar pain.

Besides, she didn’t appreciate Edeline’s constant flirting with Kang Chan.

Loki didn’t mind either way.

Simply being in the human world was a new and exciting adventure.

The most displeased was Zekiyon.

He had briefly returned to his accustomed life of luxury, and he resented Kang Chan’s hasty departure.

However, Zekiyon didn’t voice much opposition.

He knew that Kang Chan had come on vacation out of consideration for his companions.

Furthermore, he hadn’t forced anyone to join his quest for revenge.

Everyone followed Kang Chan willingly.

If anything, they were holding him back.

Thus, the first vacation came to an end.

* * *

Finally, the day arrived when the troops sent by the Eastern Kingdom were due to arrive.

Duke Lumiel von Sachsen, who led the welcoming party, could scarcely believe his eyes.

“Huh! How could this be?”

Contrary to the Eastern Kingdom’s promise of 300,000 troops and 150 state-of-the-art Gigantes [giant war machines], the arriving force appeared to number less than 150,000 at first glance.

Moreover, the soldiers looked like defeated men with low morale, dark circles under their eyes, resembling corpses.

‘I received reports that they were attacked by Dark Elves, but I didn’t expect them to suffer such massive damage… Are the Dark Elves really this powerful?’

Duke Sachsen had received reports of constant enemy attacks en route. But he never imagined that an army of 300,000 would arrive in such a state.

Terbia’s veteran general, Daist, greeted Duke Sachsen.

However, the complexion of the man said to be the East’s finest Sword Master was no better than that of his soldiers.

In fact, he looked even more haggard.

“Sir Daist, you’ve been through a lot.”

“Commander. I’m sorry…”

“What on earth happened on your way here?”

At Duke Sachsen’s question, Daist’s face twisted in pain as he recalled the nightmarish journey.

“We need to hurry…”

“What do you mean?”

“We must strike as quickly as possible.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If we delay, we have no chance of winning. We must attack immediately.”

“If we delay, we have no chance of winning?”

Daist continued in a somber tone.

“We lost 150,000 troops and 80 Gigantes to the Dark Elves in just one month on our way here…”

“H, how could that happen!”

An army of 300,000 was a formidable force.

It was such a large number that even if they fought an equally sized army, the battle would likely drag on for months or even years.

Furthermore, the 150 state-of-the-art Gigantes they possessed rivaled the Gigantes 보유량 [Gigantes holding/possession] of the Bisman Empire, the continent’s strongest Gigantes 보유국 [Gigantes-possessing nation].

To lose more than half of such a massive force in just one month… It defied all logic.

“Are the Dark Elves that strong?”

At the mention of Dark Elves, Daist shuddered and said.

“Our soldiers haven’t slept for almost a month because of those damn guys.”

Duke Sachsen was shocked to hear that they hadn’t slept for a month.

Even a day or two of sleep deprivation can cause lethargy and impair memory and judgment.

Indeed, the soldiers of the Eastern Kingdom were marching in a daze, like zombies. Some were even falling asleep while walking.

‘What on earth happened to them for a month?’

“Let’s go to a safe place and discuss the details.”

“Let’s do that.”

“Move out!”

“All troops prepare to move!”

Booooooo~

When Duke Sachsen raised his hand to signal the move, his aide instructed the soldier to relay the order.

“All troops prepare to move!”

The signalmen waved huge green flags, indicating movement.

Then the Gigantes pilot at the head shouted.

『All troops move out! Prepare to move in a dispersed formation!』

『Dispersed formation! Prepare to move!』

The Gigantes, who had been lined up, began to move again, and the earth trembled as if there was an earthquake.

Koo-oong! Koo-oong! Koo-oong! Koo-oong!

The allied Gigantes, who had been on standby in case of an emergency, began to move towards the allied garrison, escorting the reinforcements from the Eastern Kingdom.

* * *

Duke Lumiel von Sachsen and Urkanta were racking their brains in the conference room.

“Koo… Koo…”

Daist, having exhausted his energy conveying the hardships they had endured, fell asleep as if he had fainted.

The two who remained pondered how to proceed with the operation.

“How could this happen…”

“Krrr…”

Duke Sachsen, having learned the details from Daist, predicted that the green elves would now resort to nocturnal guerrilla warfare through the Dark Elves, rather than a large-scale all-out war with numbers.

This was because the Dark Elves’ nocturnal guerrilla tactics, as described by Daist, were incredibly effective.

This was possible because they were Dark Elves, a race of darkness.

They possessed Blind Hide, a power granted to them by the darkness.

None of the terror they inflicted could be reliably defended against.

It was virtually impossible to predict and prevent surprise attacks using giant centipedes that moved underground.

It was also impossible to completely prevent Dark Elf assassins from infiltrating the camp using Blind Hide, even with detection magic.

If they infiltrated the camp, they would undoubtedly assassinate soldiers, contaminate drinking water and food, and set up numerous traps.

Chaos seemed to be their plan.

“As he said, it seems like we have no choice but to strike at once, but what do you think, Urkanta…”

“Krrr! That’s good news. Our orcs are always ready. Krrr.”

“I’ve contacted the dwarves. It’s uncertain whether the elves, who have already suffered near destruction, will join the war, but the dwarves will probably have no choice but to send troops.”

“Kyarak! We don’t need those cowardly guys.”

“That’s true, but now is the time when even one hand is needed.”

“Krrr…”

“The time has come to fight the final war for the fate of the continent, Urkanta.”

“Krrk, I’m looking forward to it. Hehehe.”

The next day, a total war involving all troops was confirmed.

All the troops of the human and orc armies began to concentrate on the front line.

* * *

“The humans and orcs are about to launch a total war.”

Nemitz said to Green, looking at the intelligence report delivered in real time.

“That’s the right choice. That’s what I wanted.”

Green’s expression was full of confidence.

“Then we will now launch a total offensive.”

“Yes, the true continental conquest that will determine the future of our two races is finally beginning.”

“For the rosy future of the two races…”

“For…”

When Nemitz held out his glass, Green reciprocated and lightly clinked their glasses together.

Nemitz, after downing his wine, jumped up from his seat and called for his disciples.

“Merkles! Keremion!”

“Yes, Master.”

“Gather all the Arc Shadows right now!”

“Yes, Master!”

“Yara!”

“Yes, Nemitz.”

“Call the heads of the families right now! It’s a total offensive!”

“I’ve been waiting for those words.”

“Promé!”

“Yes, Nemitz.”

“How many of the Black Centipedes being raised can be dispatched?”

“If we include those currently undergoing metamorphosis into adults, there are a total of 80.”

“Prepare them all for departure.”

“Yes, Nemitz.”

As those who received Nemitz’s orders hurriedly left the conference room, he muttered quietly.

“There’s no turning back now. The arrow has left the bow.”

Keremion was busy carrying out Nemitz’s orders, a far cry from the person he once was.

After rescuing Yara and entering the world of Dark Elves, he became Nemitz’s disciple at Yara’s recommendation, and now he enjoyed Nemitz’s trust as one of his most talented students.

His skills were surprisingly advanced for a Sword Expert.

He had passed the intermediate Sword Expert test a year prior and was already on the verge of becoming a Sword Master.

The intense anger that transformed him into a Dark Elf fueled his current progress.

Keremion, who had reached adulthood this year, was developing much faster than Nemitz had in the past.

His only desire was to kill Kang Chan, and ultimately, to eradicate all humans.

‘I will never forgive you for taking the light from me. Wait…’

Someone grabbed Keremion’s hand, a hand consumed by anger.

It was Yara, the head of Blacklion.

“Yara.”

“Keremion…”

They shared a passionate kiss in the dimly lit hallway.

“You must be safe!”

“You too.”

“I love you, Keremion.”

Yara, like a stray cat, embraced Keremion.

The two had been deeply in love since they met in the Elf Forest.

Despite the 400-year age difference, age meant nothing to elves or dark elves.

This was because they were guaranteed 800 years of youth.