The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 112

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 112

< Baron's Family Second Son – Episode 112 – >

The wilderness north of the Imperial Capital was usually a sparsely populated area with only a few travelers and merchants heading to the Imperial Capital. However, at this moment, nowhere else in the world could boast a higher concentration of military force.

Soldiers numbered over six digits, knights in the four digits, and even Titans [giant, magically powered war machines] in the three digits. It was no exaggeration to say that it was half, if not more, of the Empire’s military might. Even if the numbers were lacking, every Titan ever produced was gathered here.

Whoosh-

Despite the vast number of people gathered, the plains were eerily silent. The sound of the wind, their breathing, the rustling of armor, and the Titans’ movements were all vividly audible.

As if in a painting, no one moved. All eyes were fixed on a single man slowly walking towards a prepared platform.

Thud-

He was just one man. Compared to the countless soldiers or over a thousand knights filling the area in front of the platform, he was just another human. However, the presence emanating from that one man was immense enough to captivate the audience.

“Magnificent. It’s a shame that I’m the only one witnessing this spectacle.”

His voice wasn’t loud, but amplified by magic, it carried far enough to be heard even by those at the edge of the crowd. It had the power to captivate everyone’s attention despite the distance.

“Do you know why you have gathered here, where you are heading, and what enemy you must face?”

“Yes!”

The earth shook as if an earthquake had occurred. The short but powerful roar was as sharp as a well-honed sword and as relentless as a towering wave. The Emperor seemed satisfied with the spirit as he continued his speech.

“As you know, you are heading far north, beyond the Terra Barrier [a magical defense line], to the land of monsters. A place colder, more barren, and with more cruel enemies than anywhere else in this world.”

No sound other than the Emperor’s calm words reached their ears. As if under a spell, they all listened intently to the Emperor’s words.

“Some criticize my decision, asking why I’m doing such a pointless thing. They say that as long as we defend the Terra Barrier, we don’t have to worry about monsters, so why take such losses? What good is gaining such useless land?”

Thump-

“I want to ask those who say such things: Is protecting the people a pointless task? If we don’t endure losses to protect the Empire’s children, then what should we endure them for? Their endless greed? The tragedy of humans killing humans? Gold and silver that only glitter?”

His words had power. As if imbued with a magic that captivated the audience, no one looked away or lost focus while he spoke. The charisma emanating from him, which only those in a position of power could exude, dominated the area.

“Nonsense! No parent would send their children to their deaths for mere desires! I am the same. As an adult of the Empire, how could I send my sons to their deaths? Nevertheless, the reason you are gathered here is that this war is different from any war we have fought before!”

The Emperor paused and slowly shifted his gaze. Every place his gaze reached was filled with people, but they were all united as one, as if he were facing a single person.

“A holy war! The war we are about to face is a holy war! A holy war to protect humanity from the threat of monsters, the enemies of mankind! Therefore, I can confidently tell you to shed blood. This war is not for my, or those in power’s, vain desires, but a holy war to protect your parents, siblings, and children!”

As the Emperor’s speech continued, determination and resolve surged in the soldiers’ eyes. They had reaffirmed through the Emperor’s words what this war was for and what they had to fight for. Those who have something to protect become stronger.

“Go forth! May God guide you! Shed blood! May the blood you shed replace the tears of your families, kill! As much as you stain your hands with blood, your families will enjoy peace!”

“Waaaaaaaah!”

The roar of over a hundred thousand people was so great that it made the surrounding area tremble. The soldiers stamped their feet as if possessed by collective madness, waved the weapons in their hands, and shouted until their throats were hoarse, as if that would make them warriors truly chosen by God.

“Fight! Even if you die, your souls will find eternal rest in heaven, and your names will be forever remembered as warriors who protected all of humanity!”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Was the speech alright?”

“It was an excellent speech. If I were an ignorant commoner, I would have been just as excited as they were.”

“If you say so, it must have been a really good speech.”

Having finished the speech that had plunged everyone into enthusiasm, the Emperor came down from the platform. The Emperor’s voice still had strength, as the launching ceremony for over a hundred thousand troops wasn’t a particularly long speech, but a slight sense of self-deprecation was also felt.

‘A holy war, it sounds good.’

On the surface, there was nothing wrong with the Emperor’s speech.

A holy war.

Monsters had always been the greatest enemy of humanity, except for other humans. Therefore, a war to conquer the land of monsters, which was like their main base, was no exaggeration to call a holy war.

However, anyone could see that the reality was that the holy war was just a fancy facade if they looked into the details. This war was a personal revenge for me and a means for the Emperor to take back the power that was concentrated in the nobles, so it was far from the lofty ideal of saving humanity from the threat of monsters, as he had consistently stated in his speech.

“Your role is crucial. I’ll be waiting for good news from you soon.”

The Emperor patted my shoulder a couple of times and turned away from me.

The Imperial Capital and the Terra Barrier.

We were heading in different directions and had different tasks to do. However, it was certain that both of us could get what we wanted when we were faithful to our roles.

“I’ll be going.”

“Be careful. Don’t get hurt like you used to, not knowing what’s ahead. You must remember that your body is not just your own anymore.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Please take care of yourself.”

“Of course. Take care of Louise until I return.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“Abooboo!”

“Princess. Will you listen to your mother and be good? Daddy will be back soon.”

“I entrust my father to you.”

“Honestly, if Father-in-law gets hurt, anyone who steps up will be in trouble.”

“Still. You’ve suffered for a long time in the north, and you should spend your final years comfortably watching your grandchildren.”

“Don’t worry. It will definitely be so.”

After saying goodbye to my family for the last time, I joined the long procession heading north.

‘When will I be able to return?’

The distant past came to mind. When I was not even twenty years old, I was heading to the Terra Barrier and had the same thought that I was having now after a long time.

The ten years I had to accept at the Terra Barrier at that time were like a promise without a deadline. Even the two years I spent in the military in my previous life were like hell every day, but I was terrified when I heard that I had to spend five times longer in the Terra Barrier, which was a harsher environment.

Several fortunes and misfortunes, choices and coincidences overlapped, and I was able to return in a few years, but this choice was like turning back the time I had not filled once again. Maybe I’ll spend more time than that.

‘I might be able to be a respectable father, but I won’t be a good dad, a close dad.’

It’s a matter of how many years it will take. Maybe it will be more than ten years. During that time, Daddy would be an existence that Louise could only hear about from his wife and those around him, and could only see in pictures.

Even if I successfully finish this war and return, it would be difficult to expect a normal father-daughter relationship. It would be a relief if she didn’t ask who I was when we reunited. I couldn’t complain anywhere because it was the result of my choice.

‘I have to come back quickly.’

“You’re late.”

“It’s been a while, Father-in-law. I’m glad to see you in good health.”

“There are some welcome faces, but there’s also one I don’t want to see.”

“Ehehehe. I heard you got a private plane too, let’s have a match sometime!”

The road to the Terra Barrier was peaceful. Despite being the territory of humanity called the Empire, the land was so vast that it could not be said to be completely safe from the threat of monsters unless it was around a large city, but the monsters within the Terra Barrier were not strong enough to block the path of an army of over a hundred thousand.

The Terra Barrier, which I arrived at without any incidents, and the appearance of my father-in-law, whom I met after a long time, were not much different from my memory. It was still tall and solid, and my father-in-law’s white hair had noticeably increased, but he was still in good shape considering his age.

Of course, it only took a slight shift of gaze and the sound that came to my ears to make that face frown.

“What match? If you have the strength to do that, go outside and kill one more monster!”

“Kehehehe!”

Actually, I’m curious. I’ve never even seen a match between Masters, so what would be the result of a duel between Masters riding the most powerful Titans in existence?

Of course, I had experience sparring with my father-in-law and dueling with a half-baked Master, but it was true that there was a lot lacking in saying that I had exerted my full strength, or that it was the power of a true Master.

“Did you receive the Titan well?”

“Yes. The guy next to you brought it well. He was a useful guy in many ways.”

“That’s a relief. It seems like I did my job properly this time.”

“It’s been a while.”

“Yeah. It’s been a while.”

The guy’s face, which I hadn’t seen in months, looked much better than when I was caught sneaking out or when I came up to the Imperial Capital at my call. If there is at least one advantage to this barren and brutal place, it is that there is no time to have idle thoughts. This place might have been better for JoJo.

“You’re going to have a lot of trouble in the future.”

“As much as you need me.”

< Baron's Family Second Son – Episode 112 – > End