Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 261

261.

The Vargen Forest was a canvas of white. Snow, having fallen overnight, blanketed the entire world.

A biting wind lashed at my cheeks, turning the fallen snow to ice, hardening it more than the ground itself.

Kahn, his breath misting white in the air, bowed his head towards me and said,

“Everyone except the soldiers on guard duty are resting in the barracks.”

“Did you put enough magic fire in?”

“Yes. We put in plenty, so they can rest warmly inside.”

I didn’t know the exact temperature, but it felt like at least 15 degrees below zero.

The cold would be a major obstacle not only for the soldiers but also for the refugees flocking from the west.

“Are the refugees alright?”

“Probably… many of them died on the way.”

At Kahn’s words, I looked at the white snow that was starting to swirl again and asked, my voice strained.

“Wouldn’t it have been better to go west? It’s good to annihilate the fairies in the Vargen Forest, but there was also a way to join the western defense line and fight them there.”

“Of course, there was such a way, but if we had chosen that method, more people would have died, and we wouldn’t have been able to set up a plan to attack the rear based on Karen’s advance speed.”

Kahn’s voice was more resolute than ever. His eyes, fixed on the snow, held regret, but his tone was full of conviction.

“Hesitating about sacrifice only leads to greater sacrifice. The commander of the front line needs to be cold-blooded.”

“Right. We can’t kill ten people to save one.”

I sighed as I watched the increasingly heavy snowfall, lamenting the weather that seemed to freeze even my breath.

“Suddenly, it’s so cold.”

“Could it be influenced by Belucci’s descent?”

“It’s hard to believe that Belucci, who is embedded in the United Kingdom, has influenced the weather here.”

“Winter came unusually early, and this severe cold is also rare.”

“It’s difficult in many ways.”

I hadn’t anticipated that even the weather would torment us.

“Let’s organize more special forces.”

“Special forces?”

“I’m talking about special forces to guide the refugees.”

I nodded.

Kahn also wanted to save as many refugees as possible, which wasn’t much different from me.

He is a cold-blooded soldier, but inside, he is a warm person. Kahn swore allegiance to me for his younger sibling and even risked his life.

Kahn, who knows the importance of family better than anyone else, had no reason to mistreat others.

He just spoke coldly according to his position, but he also had his own solutions.

“Organize them right away and send them to the refugees. Send some supplies along with them. It would be good to secure as much magic fire as possible. More refugees will freeze to death than starve to death.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Kahn suggested,

“Go back to the barracks and rest. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“No. Now that I’m out, I’m going to take a look at the patrol routes of the guards.”

The cold wasn’t a big problem for me.

“Ah, that would be good.”

I immediately summoned all the fire spirits.

The fire spirits manifested their presence in the pouring snow.

It felt like a cozy energy was spreading throughout the entire base.

I was satisfied. It didn’t consume much mana, but even with this, the soldiers in the base could withstand the cold to some extent.

“Let’s go.”

I moved forward with Kahn.

“Her Highness the Crown Princess has been meditating for several days. Will she be able to overcome the wall once again?”

Currently, Olivia is the center of everyone’s attention.

Because she has reached the highest level of swordsmanship.

“Well. I’m not a knight, so I don’t know exactly, but it won’t be easy.”

“Superhumans are appearing one after another in the Empire. It means there is still hope for humanity.”

“Right. It’s not just the Purifying Flames Order.”

The snow was now so heavy that I couldn’t see an inch ahead.

“It’s severe.”

“Indeed.”

Even Kahn’s voice was tinged with worry.

“If the snow continues to fall until the fairies come, shouldn’t we rewrite the plan?”

“Perhaps we should. We didn’t expect this much heavy snow at all. However, it will be difficult for them as well.”

We are in a waiting position, but the fairies have to advance to this place.

“This place is a key passage connecting the Imperial Capital and the West. Whether they occupy the entire West and establish a stable defense, or advance to the Imperial Capital, this area must be occupied.”

“Does that mean the fairies will come here no matter what weather blocks them?”

“Yes. We just need to focus on preparing for defense. In order to annihilate them in the Vargen Forest and go straight to the South, a quick decision is important.”

Kahn smiled.

“Of course, sufficient preparation is needed before launching a quick decision.”

Soon, we met the guards patrolling outside the base.

“Your Highness!”

I said to the soldiers who were saluting me.

“Is it uncomfortable in this harsh weather?”

“The visibility is not properly secured, but it’s still okay.”

“Good! Keep up the good work.”

I patted the soldiers on the shoulder and started walking again.

“The military discipline is well established.”

“Because they are elite soldiers.”

I asked slyly.

“How long do you think the war will last?”

“The fairies, Karen, are not the problem. Belucci in the United Kingdom is the problem.”

“Why is Belucci staying still?”

Feeling like I was just asking questions, I quickly continued.

“What is clear is that there will be no war for a while after this war is over.”

“The continent… will be unified into the Empire.”

Large and small countries have already been swept away by the Purifying Flames Order.

The United Kingdom, which was the largest country besides the Empire, has now become a region of death where no one lives.

The place where the spirits were working hard to restore balance was no different from the Demon World after Belucci’s descent.

“Once this war is over.”

I muttered as if making a pledge.

* * *

Marquis Mike was retreating with the western lords.

“I don’t know if it’s right to abandon the front line.”

Marquis Mike smiled at the young lord’s dissatisfaction.

The energetic young lord had made many achievements so far. He was at the forefront of defeating the enemies and fought without sparing his life. Many soldiers followed the young lord.

“Are you dissatisfied with retreating?”

“Yes. We could have fought enough.”

“Then let me ask you just one thing. Our numbers are decreasing, and many lords have died. How much has the enemy’s numbers decreased in the meantime?”

The young lord closed his mouth.

“There are wars that can be won with will alone, and there are wars that cannot. We fought really well. It is no exaggeration to say that we were able to endure thanks to young lords like you.”

Marquis Mike’s eyebrows curved. The young lord listened silently to the soft voice and encouraging touch.

“But if we continue like this, all that will be left is annihilation. Above all, even the Lich, who is thought to be Duke Austin, was seen. Did we fight so hard to be annihilated?”

“No.”

“Yes. We are just retreating. Our territory will be trampled by them, but if we lose people, we lose everything. The residents have taken refuge, and now we can retreat with the soldiers. We will destroy them with His Highness the Crown Prince and return to this land.”

The young lord clenched his fist and trembled as he asked.

“Can we really… come back?”

“Of course. It’s our land, so we must come back.”

“Is His Highness the Crown Prince… really that strong as you say, Marquis?”

Marquis Mike’s eyes sank deeply.

“The rumors won’t be false. He said he would summon the Fire Spirit King and the Wind Spirit King… The fairies will be terrified.”

“Is it real?”

“Of course.”

Marquis Mike patted the young lord’s shoulder once again.

“Aren’t you looking forward to it? The fallen fairies, as if they were the race of light, are using the spirits to purify us? I wonder what kind of reaction they will show when they see the Spirit King.”

Marquis Mike laughed heartily, shrugging his shoulders as if he was really enjoying it.

“Didn’t Ren do it? I really want to see the face of that fairy king contorted.”

The young lord nodded.

“I will definitely cut off that guy’s head.”

“Yes. I’ll tell His Highness about you too.”

Doo-doo-doo-!

The scout who had gone ahead returned.

Marquis Mike asked the scouts who were paying their respects.

“Is there any sign of ambush?”

“No. It doesn’t seem like the enemies have blocked the route in advance. It seems they are resting in the occupied castle because the weather is like this.”

The snowfall has weakened a bit, but it is still difficult to move.

Marquis Mike nodded.

“Continue to retreat while watching the enemies. What about the refugees?”

“I think the refugees would have met His Highness the Crown Prince by now. They left as soon as His Highness’s messenger arrived, so they should have arrived by now.”

“His Highness is organizing special forces to protect the refugees.”

“Really?”

“Yes. He judged that there was a possibility that the refugees would be scattered in all directions and sacrificed to the enemies because the weather is not good.”

Marquis Mike nodded.

“Okay. Keep watching the enemies.”

“Yes, Marquis!”

As the scout retreated, Marquis Mike let out a sigh of relief.

‘There would have been sacrifices if the fairies had chased… Did the weather help that much?’

If the weather hadn’t been so bad, the fairies would have definitely organized a pursuit force.

Retreat in war is one of the most dangerous operations.

It wasn’t easy to retreat through the heavy snowstorm where you couldn’t even see the front, but I felt at ease because the enemies weren’t chasing me.

‘We will be able to counterattack when we meet His Highness.’

Marquis Mike didn’t show it to persuade and appease the young lord, but he was more angry than anyone else.

Of course, he fully understood Arun’s heart and plan, so he faithfully followed the orders, but it wasn’t that he didn’t feel angry.

Marquis Mike also came to the front to face the fairies, and it was the first time in his long life that his territory was invaded by someone.

‘I will annihilate them. Without leaving a single one.’

Marquis Mike was grinding his teeth without the young lords knowing.

* * *

Olivia took a deep breath and opened her eyes.

‘It’s not getting clear easily.’

It felt like I was about to reach it soon, but as soon as I opened my eyes, it was far away.

The path of the Grand Sword Master felt like a mirage, not a rough one.

Does such a realm really exist?

An Aura Sword that further strengthens the Aura Blade.

Isn’t the end of swordsmanship to create an Aura Sword?

Olivia shook her head.

‘No. My father said so, and His Majesty also clearly spoke about the Grand Sword Master. It’s not a non-existent realm. It’s just that I’m not on the right path.’

Olivia was upset.

I thought there wasn’t much time.

I don’t know when Belucci will move.

Lilian pointed to herself as the force to face Belucci.

‘Let’s focus. The fairies will come soon. When that time comes, I can’t have this personal time like this.’

“Olivia!”

Olivia got up at the voice calling her.

“Father.”

Olivia smiled brightly at Duke James’ appearance.

“Were you meditating?”

“Yes. I’m focusing on meditation these days.”

Duke James asked.

“There wasn’t much to teach you since you were young. You had more talent than me, and sometimes you interpreted swordsmanship in directions I couldn’t think of.”

“No. I was able to come this far thanks to my father.”

“Actually, I hesitated a lot.”

Duke James’ expression darkened.

“There is a swordsmanship that I haven’t taught you yet.”

“Father!”

As Olivia was surprised, Duke James’ expression was filled with pain.

“It was a technique that involved danger, and I thought it was enough to be a Sword Master. I didn’t bother to learn it either. But… the situation has changed. Nevertheless, I didn’t bother to teach you.”

Duke James gently held Olivia’s hand.

“Because there is no father who would teach his daughter dangerous studies.”

Olivia put strength into the hand she held with Duke James.

“Father, it’s different now.”