Surviving As The 5Th Prince Of Hellman Kingdom [EN]: Chapter 150

150

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Commander of the Azure Lion Knights, Galad Lyon.

He once held another title.

The kingdom’s best swordsman.

Galad loathed that title.

Because he hadn’t earned it himself.

It had simply been passed to him when Richard Bayern, Evan’s maternal grandfather and the kingdom’s only 8-star knight, fell during the northern collapse.

After Evan shattered Charles’s mental domain at the crown prince’s inauguration, the talk of Galad being the kingdom’s best swordsman faded away.

It happened naturally.

Galad, who had been unwillingly called the kingdom’s best swordsman, couldn’t have been more relieved.

People didn’t call Evan the kingdom’s best swordsman, likely because it was debatable whether his magic swordsmanship should even be considered swordsmanship.

Perhaps, once this war was over, the Hamel Empire would be outraged, claiming that Evan, who wasn’t even a knight in the traditional sense, had somehow entered the ranks of knighthood.

“You old fool, you’re senile!”

Ernan’s roar.

Holding a guandao [a type of Chinese polearm] in his hand, he charged towards Galad on horseback.

Galad hurriedly banished the distracting thoughts from his mind.

Now was the time to focus on facing Ernan. As if understanding his master’s intent, Galad’s horse surged forward.

Doo-doo-doo-doo, the distance between the two closed in an instant.

Galad’s sword, wreathed in aura, and Ernan’s guandao collided.

Kwaang-!!

A roar that echoed across the battlefield.

Some of the soldiers from both sides, wielding swords and spears with bloodshot eyes, covered their ears in pain.

Hee-hee-hee-ing!

Ernan’s horse, unable to withstand the impact, let out a painful scream as its front legs twisted grotesquely.

“Tsk.”

Ernan clicked his tongue and jumped off.

“You monkey-like bastard! Hurry up and hand over your head!”

Galad, who had leaped from his horse, pounced on him.

Ernan’s hand, gripping the guandao, twitched with tense muscles. His abnormally long arm swung like a whip.

Whoosh—

Incredible reach. Almost like a spear.

Galad, who had been about to cleave Ernan in two, hurriedly raised his shield to block the guandao.

Kkaang-!

“Monkey? I’ve personally plucked the tongues of those who said such things to me.”

Ernan’s murderous guandao began to dance.

Whir- Kkang!

Whiriririk- Kka-gang!

Even amidst the fierce battle, the soldiers of both countries glanced at their fight. A shadow began to fall on the faces of the royal army.

Because it looked like Ernan was pushing Galad hard.

“Keep talking. You senile old man! Why are you so quiet? Keuhahaha!”

Galad’s brow furrowed.

‘He’s more difficult than I imagined.’

The Thousand Transformations Blade (千變刀) [a sword technique with countless variations], created by Ernan, who went from a mercenary on the battlefield to the son-in-law of the Eunhwa Merchant Guild.

It was proving more challenging than Galad had anticipated.

‘It’s a little different from what His Majesty showed me.’

That’s right.

Evan had analyzed and shared the Hamel Empire knights’ swordsmanship with the kingdom’s 7-star knights in advance.

Galad’s assignment to Ernan was not a simple coincidence. It was Evan’s arrangement, carefully considering the compatibility between knights.

“Keuhaha! Go on, wag that clever tongue of yours again!”

Ernan shouted leisurely.

However, inside, he was growing increasingly anxious as time passed.

Whir- Whir- Whiririk—

From some point on, Galad wasn’t even being grazed by the guandao.

A method of swordsmanship named Thousand Transformations Blade because it contained a thousand changes. It felt like fighting an opponent who had experienced it dozens of times.

Ernan also knew.

That couldn’t be.

The number of those who survived against the Thousand Transformations Blade could be counted on ten fingers. Furthermore, he was meeting Galad for the first time today.

‘If this drags on, I’ll be defeated.’

That was the biggest reason Ernan was getting anxious.

The enforcement (强制) [imposition of martial law] of a 7-star knight who forces his laws on his opponent. It is the height of absurdity that makes it impossible for a lower-ranked opponent to dare to oppose.

However, the story is different against a strong opponent of the same level.

Cancellation is possible.

Eventually, it returns to the starting point and becomes a pure skill fight. But a fight where it’s hard to tell who’s superior continues? Victory goes to the one who can use even a little more magic power.

Ernan was a mercenary.

He couldn’t consume elixirs like Rebenz, the son of Jeokheung Merchant Guild.

Galad was a person who had become a 7-star knight 20 years earlier than Ernan. The mana training he had done every day without fail was an insurmountable wall for Ernan.

And that was the biggest reason Evan designated Galad as Ernan’s opponent.

Meanwhile.

Unlike the anxious Ernan, Galad had regained his composure.

Evan had told him about dismantling the Thousand Transformations Blade. Galad had adapted to Ernan’s reach, which Evan, who didn’t have an abnormally long arm length, could only explain verbally.

“Kuhat! Are you just going to keep dodging!”

As time passed, there was one thing Galad realized.

‘He’s not as good as His Majesty.’

Whiriririk-

It was the same even now.

Ernan’s guandao, which was rushing in as if to cut his waist, suddenly changed its path to aim for his neck. It was obvious.

The Thousand Transformations Blade that Evan had unfolded showed much more unpredictable changes.

“Not a chance!”

Galad roared and slammed the guandao with his shield.

Kkaang!

Ernan’s eyes widened.

His upper body was exposed. Without a doubt, Galad’s sword aimed for his heart.

Swaeaaaaek-

“Uaaaaaa!”

His abnormally long arm moved in a trajectory it shouldn’t have. Ttuduk, ttududuk. Muscles and ligaments screamed as they snapped.

Thanks to that.

Kkaang!

Ernan was able to prevent Galad’s sword from piercing his heart.

But.

Swaeak- Puk!!!

Galad’s sword, which had changed direction, pierced his left shoulder.

“Ssiibaal!” [a Korean curse word, similar to “fuck”]

Ernan spat out curses instead of screams.

He had saved his life, but both arms were broken.

He saw Galad raising his left-hand shield high.

He sensed death.

Swaeaaaaek—

Galad’s shield rushed in front of his eyes.

-Ernan-nim! You must retreat!

Suddenly, the old knight’s cry seemed to ring in his ears. Just once, just once he hadn’t listened to his advice, and the result was terrible.

Kwajik!

Ernan’s helmet, hit by the edge of the shield, was dented. A thick liquid mixed with blood splattered from the hole in the helmet that covered his face.

Ernan’s body collapsed.

Galad didn’t leave him alone and swung his sword, beheading Ernan.

Seogeok—

Ernan’s helmet flying through the air. Galad snatched the hair that flowed out from between them and raised it high.

“Kuaaaaaaaa! I, Galad, have beheaded the enemy general Ernan!”

Galad’s roar.

“Uwaaaaaaaa!!”

“Galad-nim has beheaded the enemy general!”

“For the Royal Army!”

“For His Majesty the King!”

***

“Galad-nim has beheaded Ernan!”

It started with Galad.

I had entrusted Ernan to him, expecting it to be the longest battle, but I was a little surprised that he brought the first victory.

Anyway, the faces of the staff, who had been anxious, brightened at the good news.

And after a while.

“Bert-nim has also beheaded the enemy general!”

“Derek-nim has also won!”

All of the kingdom’s 7-star knights succeeded in defeating their opponents.

“Is there no separate report on the damage situation?”

“Commander Galad has reported that he will continue to lead the troops. The other two are said to need some treatment due to the fierce battle. Their lives are not in danger.”

Only then could I smile.

Julian approached me.

“Your Majesty, now go in and rest.”

His concern knowing my physical condition.

I shook my head.

Once the Ironforge defense was over, the Northwestern recapture operation was practically over 90% complete.

But to go back and rest here?

No way. It would feel like going to the bathroom and stopping halfway.

More than anything.

“Even now, soldiers are throwing away their lives for the kingdom, so how can I go in and stretch my legs and sleep.”

Julian nodded at my words and went back to the staff.

In fact, the kingdom’s victory was already certain at the point when they cut down the enemy’s 7-star knights. There is nothing more devastating on the battlefield than the loss of a knight with a significant difference in rank.

“The Imperial Army surrounded by the 3rd Division has expressed its intention to surrender.”

“The cavalry unit that collided with the 1st Division has also raised a white flag!”

“The 7th Division has annihilated the opposing infantry!”

.

.

.

The staff’s reports kept coming in.

At some point, the report stopped abruptly. The movement of troops below the hill, visible to the naked eye, also stopped.

Everyone was watching me.

No one could easily say that word.

I slowly got up from my seat.

“Inform the entire army! It is our victory!”

A declaration of victory.

“Uwaaaaaaaa!”

“The Royal Army has won!”

“Long live His Majesty the King!”

The shouts that started from the staff spread to the entire army. Perhaps the entire Ironforge was shaking so much that the news reached the kingdom.

Seeing the rejoicing soldiers, my heart swelled. The path I had walked to reach this moment of victory flashed through my mind.

‘It’s just the first victory.’

The moment it slips even once, the kingdom becomes precarious again.

Until I become the emperor of the Empire, the Lionel Empire, I must never rest assured. I steeled my mind to not rest assured.

***

『[Breaking News] Ironforge Defense War. The Royal Army’s overwhelming victory!』

『[Breaking News] The defeated Imperial Army. What is the fate of Jeokheung Merchant Guild and Eunhwa Merchant Guild, who lost all the 7-star knights deployed on the battlefield?』

『[Breaking News] The scene of the fierce battle. Interviews with soldiers who witnessed the duel between the 7-star knights』

『[Breaking News] His Majesty the King cuts down Rebenz, the 7-star knight of Jeokheung Merchant Guild, with a single blow』

The embargo was lifted, and the news that the Lionel Kingdom had won a complete victory in the Ironforge Defense War spread throughout the kingdom.

The last to hear the news were the navies patrolling the eastern sea and protecting the kingdom’s merchant fleet.

“You have won after all.”

Loir, who had finished reading the newspapers he had brought from the land, took off his hat with a bright expression. There was a lieutenant commander’s rank insignia, not a captain’s.

Lieutenant commander at 20 years old.

In the navy, he is the captain of a frigate [a type of warship].

It was an amazing success for a commoner, not a nobleman.

The power of King Evan and Navy Admiral Derek was not entirely absent, but his performance had a greater impact on his promotion.

Today, Loir had sunk two pirate ships that were attacking the Lionel Kingdom’s merchant ships.

Luck was also good.

This Northwestern recapture was not a small operation that the navy would only watch from afar, saying it was the army’s job.

The navy can also fight on land.

In particular, officers were basically mana awakeners. Naturally, only the minimum number of troops were left behind and mobilized for the Northwestern recapture.

As a result.

Quite a few captains were seconded, and there was a shortage of captains to take over the empty ships.

The minimum rank to become a captain is lieutenant commander. So many of the captains left in the rear were promoted to lieutenant commander.

Weeing- Weeing-

Suddenly, an emergency alarm rang.

Loir, who was taking off his military uniform, put his hat back on and ran to the situation room.

“It is said that a strange ship, presumed to be from Arya, has been sighted in the Victory Sea.”

Is it a pirate? Or an Arya spy?

“Maximum engine output! Chase them before they escape!”

The new officer who had his underwear stolen by a new recruit was no longer there. Under Loir’s instructions, the crew moved in unison.

The kingdom’s navies, who were monitoring Arya, were still roaming the sea day and night.

Meanwhile.

Besides Loir, there was one more person working hard for the kingdom in a place other than the battlefield.

Barona, the royal capital, the Minister of Finance and Economy’s office.

Count Clian, who had the theory that overtime was only for the incompetent. The war made him throw his theory into the trash.

「Airship Fleet Repair Statement」

Clian couldn’t bring himself to open the terrible document in front of him.

That was······ more difficult than changing his daughter, Chloe’s, poop diaper. After hesitating for a long time, he finally closed his eyes tightly and opened the document.

“T, this money in just one month!!”

Loir, Clian.

In addition, countless others were working day and night for the victory of the Lionel Kingdom.