Follow Your Heart [EN]: Chapter 116

#116.

A military council commenced at dawn, filled with a vigorous exchange of opinions.

The meeting’s agenda centered on the departure date, the size of the forces, and the timing for a surprise attack.

Unsurprisingly, some expressed reservations about the King’s personal involvement.

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t it be prudent to have the Knights enter Belfasten first and assess the situation?”

“Hmm…”

“I remain concerned that the enemy might be deliberately leaking information.”

Lee Jae, who had been listening to Jade’s concerns, nodded in agreement.

She shared the suspicion, pondering, is Illyas’s power truly so formidable? If so, why has she failed to land a decisive blow even once? I also doubt there are significant forces concealed within Belfasten.

The study fell silent for a moment before the commander of the Central Army cautiously offered his opinion.

“Your Majesty, perhaps we should wait a few more days? The conflict between the royalist [subjugation] force and the rebel [reconstruction] force has only occurred once. We need to further weaken the opponent’s strength.”

The King nodded slowly.

“For now, let’s avoid approaching too closely. The 2nd Knights and a portion of the Central Army will lay siege to Riverton.”

Riverton was a territory situated on the outskirts of the capital, a considerable distance from Belfasten.

The King continued, his voice firm. “However, I don’t intend to delay for long. Contact the deputy commander of the Western Army. Our attack and the royalist force’s assault must be synchronized.”

“……”

“The rest of us, including myself, will join the fray when a full-scale war erupts.”

While the others agreed, Jade remained visibly uneasy.

He was a key figure within the pro-King faction, second only to the Queen in influence.

In a court where few could entirely escape the pull of political maneuvering, Jade was among the rare individuals whose sole concern was the King’s well-being.

He was not only the commander of the Knights but also a true friend to the King.

“Your Majesty, is there truly no alternative?”

“Then how much longer should we evade the inevitable?”

“……”

“This war will persist unless we take decisive action. No one can deny the truth in that,” the King stated with conviction.

The King believed that inaction would only prolong the current stalemate.

Just as unresolved issues from the past haunt the present, avoiding the present would only impede the future.

Lee Jae had no choice but to acknowledge the King’s words.

Everything had to be resolved before the year’s end.

She gazed intently at Roderick’s portrait for the first time in a long while, feeling a surge of inspiration wash over her once more.

The King’s face, etched with deep thought, appeared serene.

Perhaps too serene, casting a shadow of darkness.

But isn’t it said that the darkest hour comes just before dawn?

If we emerge victorious from this battle, only glorious achievements will define this man’s future.

“Let’s conclude here for today. We’ll resume discussions upon receiving a report from the royalist force.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Understood.”

Following the tactical meeting, the King subtly gestured to Lee Jae with his eyes.

It was an unspoken invitation to meet him in the afternoon.

His schedule was packed with political affairs and countless other obligations.

Lee Jae nodded in acknowledgment and paused in the hallway.

She stood there, gazing at the retreating figures of the King and the commander of the Knights as they walked away.

Although the departure date remained unconfirmed, she sensed that the day of reckoning was drawing near.

She started to head towards her room,

Intending to complete the unfinished talisman and finish carving the bracelet.

But she hesitated after only a few steps.

‘No, that’s not enough.’

After a moment of contemplation, Lee Jae changed direction and headed towards Arthur’s Forest.

How long did she spend within the sacred forest?

Lee Jae emerged with leaves tangled in her abundant hair, startling the guards waiting outside.

Despite her disheveled appearance, she pressed on without pause.

When Lee Jae arrived after her royal report, the King had already returned to his chambers after completing his scheduled duties.

Roderick, leaning against the window frame, turned to her and asked, “Where did you disappear to again? I was about to send someone to look for you.”

“I went to Arthur’s Forest, and briefly to the royal report.”

‘Why there?’ Before the King could voice the question, he already knew the answer.

She was clutching the sword of the founding king preciously in her arms.

She had scoured the entire forest, gathering fallen leaves and twigs, feeling like a grave robber.

She had already received permission, but Lee Jae couldn’t shake the feeling of desecration.

The King had remained silent for a long moment.

She raised the items in her arms and offered an explanation, “It may not seem like much, given the circumstances, but I thought it would be wise to gather everything we can, just in case.”

“Okay. I understand your reasoning,” he replied.

The King was equally clueless. He had no idea how to wield the sword, where to focus its power, or how to unleash its strength.

Nevertheless, he nodded silently.

His wife’s instincts had proven remarkably accurate over time.

He also sensed that the vengeful spirit no longer held the same power over him. The specters of the past could no longer sway him, and he believed that severing Illyas’s head with any sword would bring this conflict to an end.

While the King was lost in thought, Lee Jae resumed her flurry of activity.

As she left the room once more, Roderick looked puzzled.

This time, she returned quickly.

She was carrying two or three large sacks.

They were practical knapsacks, prioritizing function over aesthetics, typically used by knights.

Roderick raised an eyebrow, and Lee Jae, approaching the table, began packing her belongings into the sacks.

The contents were remarkably diverse.

Talisman, statues, bracelets, arrows, the holy sword, and sacred branches.

The intricately carved bracelets numbered more than ten, and the talismans, even after distributing many to the knights, still numbered around a hundred.

She even packed carving knives and hollow bowls, just in case.

The King, pushing himself off the window, moved to the opposite side of Lee Jae and paused, observing.

‘Is she feeling particularly anxious? Why does she have that look on her face again?’

Yet, despite the frantic pace of her hands, her expression remained indifferent and resolute.

He wondered what to say, scratched the end of his eyebrow, and finally spoke.

“Lee Jae.”

“Yes?”

“I’m not trying to criticize you, so please don’t misunderstand.”

Lee Jae looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

“……Can you even carry all of that?”

The bundle that the Queen was packing was larger than those carried by people fleeing as refugees.

At the King’s words, Lee Jae stood up and attempted to lift the bundle.

She felt herself swaying slightly, but she considered this the bare minimum.

She had been planning to pack at least one more bundle.

As Lee Jae looked at the bundle with troubled eyes, Roderick rubbed his forehead and shook his head.

“No, well, you don’t have to carry it all yourself, so don’t worry about that.”

“……”

“I’m just saying.”

“……”

“Anyway, put it away.”

As she inadvertently released her grip on the knapsack, Roderick pulled it towards him.

“Should I put everything here?”

Lee Jae nodded quickly.

He immediately began helping her prepare for battle, and Lee Jae smiled brightly, spreading out another knapsack.

The departure date was set much sooner than anticipated.

This was due to the deputy commander of the Western Army and the chief of the royalist force relentlessly pushing their offensive.

They were achieving victories almost daily, as if they had been eagerly awaiting reinforcements.

Before sending a message to the commander of the royalist force, the King and the 1st Knight Commander secretly discussed the timing of the surprise attack.

‘Your Majesty, are you considering a surprise attack?’

‘Well, nighttime doesn’t seem ideal.’

‘Your Majesty, it’s true that surprise attacks are generally more advantageous at night.’

‘Do I not know that? But the Queen has always maintained that this situation is different. That strategy only applies when the enemy is fully visible. And to be honest, I don’t believe we can completely conceal our movements, regardless of when we attack.’

‘Jade, Illyas’s descendants possess different eyes than ours and perceive the world differently. ……The Queen too.’

‘Anyway, instruct them to maintain security until the appointed day.’

Ultimately, they decided to strike both camps at dawn.

It would be the first and last offensive for the royal family, which had been primarily on the defensive.

Finally, on the day of departure, Lee Jae was conversing with the spirit of Ham.

-Lee Jae, have a safe journey.

“Yeah, I know.”

-If they attack you over there, hit them hard too! Tell them to stop bothering you!

Lee Jae burst into laughter at the spirit’s enthusiastic, albeit violent, support.

She extended her legs so that the spirit could easily cling to her.

As the spirit crawled up her body, she spoke with a slightly hesitant tone.

“You know what? I wish there was someone else who could recognize you besides me.”

“I wish someone else would talk to you too.”

-………

“Don’t you ever think that?”

-Why?

“It must have been incredibly lonely to go unrecognized for hundreds of years. Am I being too human-centric again?”

I can’t help it. I’m human.

-I’m okay. Lee Jae is here.

“……Yeah. That’s right.”

But what should I do? I can’t promise to return soon this time.

It’s okay to call me a liar, but you can’t wait for me endlessly like last time.

She gazed at the spirit for a moment before rising from her seat.

Then, she unpacked the knapsack and retrieved a bundle of talismans.

Lee Jae placed them in a wooden box and rested her hand on it, pouring in her wishes.

‘Homogeneity. May the same sounds echo and resonate. In the moment of calling and answering each other, may we not be eternally isolated in the darkness.’

Her fingertips glowed faintly, and Lee Jae smiled as she watched the energy she poured into the box seep in.

Then, the spirit, Lee Jae’s friend, rushed over and hugged her legs tightly once again, rubbing its cheeks against her.