The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations

If That Is My Fate. (1)

Arterion had been watching Julien’s battle for quite some time.

Throughout the Great War, he had often marveled at Julien’s growth. That was because Julien’s skills improved faster than anyone else’s.

Julien was the one who best fit the phrase “beloved by the world.”

The dragons had cast aside their pride and were launching a ferocious assault on Julien.

Yet, even with two dragons going all out, they still hadn’t managed to subdue him. They had thought the two of them would be enough.

‘Is it because of his feelings for the Saintess?’

The Hero had staked everything for the Saintess. That resolve was surpassing even the power of dragons.

Two dragons weren’t enough. To subdue Julien, they needed a stronger force.

Arterion turned his cold gaze toward Ilaniel, Grondal, and Porisco.

“How long do you plan to just stand there watching? Are you planning to leave all the dirty work to us?”

Ilaniel asked with a solemn expression.

“Why didn’t you tell us the whole truth?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said only the Saintess’s life would be sacrificed. You never mentioned she’d be trapped forever.”

“And what would have changed if you had known?”

“……”

“Haven’t you already resolved to sacrifice the Saintess for the sake of your people? Why? Now that you think about it, does it feel too cruel?”

“……”

“To save the world, there’s no other choice. One way or another, the Saintess must be sacrificed. Since it’s for the sake of the world, you’d best steel your heart.”

Ilaniel looked at Arterion with sorrowful eyes.

It was true that the decision had been made for the sake of the world. Painful as it was, she believed it was better than letting the world perish through endless war.

If only the Saintess had to be sacrificed, countless others could live in happiness. That was a temptation too powerful to resist.

But to be trapped for all eternity…

Even if it was for the world, it was unbearably cruel. It felt like an unforgivable act against someone who had fought for the world all this time.

Shaking her head, Ilaniel said,

“I… cannot agree with this method. I think it would be better to look for another way.”

With a firm expression, she stepped back onto the altar. She intended to retrieve the Sacred Stone and halt the sealing.

But Arterion had no intention of allowing that.

Crack!

In an instant, a burst of light from his hand pierced Ilaniel’s abdomen.

“Keugh…”

Ilaniel staggered backward. A small hole had opened in her stomach, and blood was gushing from it.

“Great Chieftain!”

The Elf Elders rushed to her side and infused her body with the energy of nature.

Arterion looked at Ilaniel without emotion and said,

“I won’t kill you because I understand your heart. But now that you’ve set foot on this path, there’s no turning back. If you insist on interfering, I’ll erase half of the elves in this world.”

“……”

Ilaniel bowed her head, her face pale and haggard.

Long ago, during her battle with Rahmod, the source of her life had been damaged. Because of that, she hadn’t grown stronger through the war like others had.

Of course, she was still stronger than most transcendent beings, but she couldn’t stand against a dragon.

Tears fell as she closed her eyes.

‘I’ve committed a sin I can never wash away. And the price will ultimately fall on our elves.’

It was too late for regret. She had agreed to sacrifice the Saintess and betrayed friends who had stood by her side for so long.

‘Ereneth… I’m truly sorry to you as well.’

She remembered the bright smile Ereneth had worn before setting off to chase the Apostles.

— Great Chieftain! The war is finally over! I’ll hunt down the remnants and return without fail!

— All right. Be careful. There’s no need to overextend yourself just to catch an Apostle.

She had deliberately agreed to the pursuit operation to send Ereneth away. Ereneth had no idea and only smiled radiantly.

— Don’t worry. I’ll come back safe. There’s a friend I really want to see later.

She didn’t know who that friend was, but when Ereneth spoke of them, she had looked truly happy.

If she ever found out the truth, she would be devastated. She might even come to hate her.

To Ereneth, the Julien Mercenary Corps was a bond even deeper than race or family.

When Ilaniel lowered her head in despair, Grondal asked Arterion,

“Are the dragons not already enough? It doesn’t seem necessary for us to intervene.”

“I’m telling you to take full responsibility. Don’t half-heartedly try to grow a conscience. That won’t erase your betrayal.”

“……”

“And look over there. They’re gradually retreating, aren’t they? Looks like they had some sort of plan in mind all along.”

Even as they fought, Lionel and the Julien Mercenary Corps were slowly backing away.

At a glance, it looked like they were being overwhelmed by the dragons’ superior power. But they had fallen back far too much for that to be the case.

Boom! Boom! Booooom!

Bright flashes and explosions erupted in the distance. They had already moved so far away that ordinary people wouldn’t even be able to see them.

From the beginning, Astion had devised a plan for how to escape if the seal was compromised and the dragons pressed forward.

He would flee immediately with Deneb, while the others stalled the dragons.

Of course, that plan had relied on Ilaniel and Grondal either persuading or helping against the dragons.

He never expected that everyone would betray them and even seal off the city with a barrier, so there had been no way to avoid being caught off guard.

However, the Julien Mercenary Corps did not give up. Their fierce resistance had started to unsettle Arterion’s mood.

Porisco, slightly tense, spoke up.

“Is it really necessary for us to intervene? They’re resisting more than expected, but in the end, the Great Ones will subdue them, won’t they?”

Arterion looked around at everyone again and spoke.

“The Hero’s strength is greater than I anticipated. We’ll need the other dragons to join in if we want to subdue him quickly.”

“……”

“The rest of them are gradually slipping away too. We may have cast a barrier, but if even one of them manages to get out by chance, it’ll become a nuisance for all of us.”

“……”

“As I said earlier, take more decisive action and take responsibility.”

Arterion shot a bitter sneer at Grondal and Porisco, then summoned the dragons.

Only then were Lionel and the mercenaries able to catch their breath.

Their objective was to protect Deneb in case things went wrong. After buying enough time, they planned to escape.

But they couldn’t run.

Grondal and the dwarves had come for Lionel, while the Holy Army was bearing down on the mercenaries.

Thud!

Grondal slammed his halberd into the ground and spoke with a grim expression.

“Lionel, the Saintess’s first follower and indomitable shield. The paragon of knights, and the hero who stood firm against the Demonic Abyss.”

“Why are you suddenly being so sentimental?”

“Surrender. I don’t want to fight an old comrade. You know the tide has already turned.”

“Would you say that even if it meant the lives of the dwarves were at stake?”

“……”

“To me, the Saintess is more than that. No, even setting aside the fact that she’s the Saintess…”

Lionel straightened his back and said,

“I can’t let a kind and gentle friend be trapped here and suffer for all eternity.”

“……”

“I won’t speak of right or wrong. You all must have your own version of justice.”

“……”

“Now I’ll fight to uphold mine.”

Thud!

Lionel stepped forward with sword and shield in hand.

He was clearly exhausted after fighting dragons. In contrast, Grondal was still full of strength.

It was true that escaping had been their top priority. But Lionel had now abandoned that plan.

“I hoped you wouldn’t get involved…”

If Grondal had moved, it meant the others had too. And their primary target was Deneb.

He didn’t know what had happened to Astion. But even if he fled, they would immediately pursue Astion.

In that case, it seemed better to stay and try to hold back at least one of them.

Grondal raised his halberd and said,

“You look worn out. I don’t want to kill you.”

“You’ll have to give it your all. I’m not the rookie from ten years ago.”

"Of course I know. Everyone knows the Hero and his companions grew stronger at an abnormal pace.”

In the original past, the Hero’s party had overcome countless brushes with death and spent years reaching a level on par with the Apostles.

But Ghislain had learned their techniques in a dream and taught them back to the party.

Naturally, that drastically shortened the time needed. That was the secret behind the Hero's party’s rapid growth.

Rrrrrrumble…

As Grondal gathered his energy, the earth began to tremble.

Even ten years ago, he had power comparable to that of an Apostle. And through the war, he had only grown stronger.

Grondal’s halberd suddenly flashed as it swung down toward Lionel.

KWAANG!

Lionel blocked the attack with his shield, his body jolting violently.

Yet he smiled and said,

“Is that all you’ve got? From the strongest of the dwarves?”

“……”

“Do you know something? You made this choice to save the dwarves, but in the end, you won’t be able to save them.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Astion won’t sit idly by. He will definitely seek revenge. And…”

Lionel’s eyes gleamed. His sword shot toward Grondal.

KWAANG!

Grondal deflected the blade and stepped back. Lionel advanced again with his shield leading and spoke.

“Once the others find out the truth, they won’t leave the dwarves alone either. Oh, and I’ll be no exception.”

“…Yes, I suppose that’s true. There’s no turning back now.”

Grondal nodded several times before his expression turned fierce.

It was true that guilt had weakened his resolve for a moment. But he had made a choice for his people.

In other words, the Julien Mercenary Corps had become a threat to the dwarves.

So he had to do everything in his power to ensure this matter never reached anyone else. Just in case, he had to reduce their numbers while he could.

Steeling himself, Grondal raised his halberd high.

“Old comrade, it was an honor to have fought beside you.”

“The feeling’s mutual.”

Their final farewell ended. The two clashed with all their might.

KWA-A-A-AANG!

Lionel and Grondal began a battle to the death. Meanwhile, holy knights had descended upon the mercenaries as well.

Less than half of the mercenaries remained. And even those who had survived were all injured.

It was only because of their exceptional skill and extensive combat experience that they had survived against the dragon with that few casualties.

But the Holy Army had no fewer than four transcendent fighters. And the rest of the knights were all at least high-tier warriors.

Porisco spoke with a grave expression.

“Surrender. You're mercenaries, aren’t you? I swear on the name of the Holy Empire—you’ll be allowed to live out your days in peace. You’ll enjoy wealth and glory as war heroes.”

At those words, Osval spat blood-tinged saliva and shouted,

“Shit, bastard! I’ll just start a revolution and take all that crap for myself! You think Osval the man is a joke? You damn traitorous bastard!”

Tyran, bleeding beside him, laughed.

“We don’t trust you anymore… Who knows when you’ll stab us in the back again…”

This was something that could never be allowed to leak to the world. Even the slightest rumor could give rise to those who’d exploit it to shake the Holy Empire.

Besides, the Julien Mercenary Corps already held a grudge against the Holy Empire that could never be erased.

And they expected those men to be left alive?

Impossible. The Holy Empire would surely try to eliminate any future threat.

Every mercenary’s gaze burned with the resolve to fight to the death. No matter the reason, none of them intended to surrender quietly.

Seeing their firm stance, Porisco sighed and gave the order.

“…Kill them.”

Slaaash!

The Holy Empire’s transcendent warriors and knights charged at the mercenaries.

Their expressions weren’t happy, either. The Julien Mercenary Corps had been comrades through the long war.

But if the Saintess had to be sacrificed for the world to find peace, then letting these men escape would only trigger another war.

So, for the sake of the world, they steeled themselves and resolved to stain their hands with the blood of their comrades.

KWA-A-A-AANG!

The two sides clashed immediately.

Already bloodied, Osval and Tyran were once again at the forefront.

Blocking a transcendent warrior of the Holy Empire, Tyran shouted at the top of his lungs,

“We’ve bought enough time! Anyone who can run, get out and spread the word!”

Even while holding the enemy back, someone had to escape. But escaping wasn’t easy.

The Holy Empire’s knights had surrounded the mercenaries to prevent just that.

Trapped and outmatched, the mercenaries fought with their lives to carve a way out.

BANG! BANG! BAANG!

The Julien Mercenary Corps had no choice but to fight in despair. Their fate had already been sealed, caught in a trap laid by dragons with perfect preparation.

And with each of their lives snuffed out, the darkness engulfing the city seemed to ripple with joy.

Meanwhile, Astion, who had fled all the way to the edge of the city but ultimately failed to protect Deneb—

KWA-A-AANG!

“Guh!”

—was dying, covered in blood from a dragon’s attack.

As Astion collapsed and coughed up blood, the Blue Dragon Darvasca stood before him with a smile.

“Have you already lost your will to fight? For one of your reputation and skill, this is truly a pitiful death. I thought you might at least struggle a little—it would’ve been more entertaining.”

Astion looked at Darvasca with eyes clouded by exhaustion and despair.

In truth, his fighting spirit was gone, and the light had left his face.

Those he trusted had betrayed him. The city was sealed by a barrier. And even Deneb had been taken.

He could no longer cast magic properly. In this state, what could he possibly do?

If he fought with his life on the line, he might, for a brief moment, hold his own against the dragon before him.

‘But what would be the point of that?’

At that thought, Astion’s will to fight vanished completely.

Even if by some miracle he won—if the heavens themselves lent him luck—there were still countless dragons remaining.

And with the traitors among them, escaping alive was simply impossible.

Since the attempt to flee had failed, everything was over.

“Ghh…”

Astion bowed his head with a pained expression.

No matter how hard he thought, he saw no way out.

Drip… drip…

Blood ran down from between his lips, falling to the ground. His unbearable despair mingled with tears, soaking into the dirt.

Half-conscious from agony and hopelessness, Astion muttered weakly,

“Ghislain… what am I supposed to do…?”

Ghislain, who had always offered him clear answers, was gone.

But Astion kept asking the empty air. There was nothing else he could do—no one else left to turn to.

“Ghislain… please… I don’t know what to do…”

No answer came.

Only the hollow whisper of his voice drifted away into the wind.

Darvasca raised his hand.

“You will be remembered as the great hero who sacrificed himself for the seal. Let that be your consolation.”

Fwoooosh!

Before him, a massive white flame appeared.

The 9th-Circle spell, Hellfire.

This absolute fire would melt someone like Astion—who had already lost the will to fight—in an instant.

Even as death closed in, Astion simply bowed his head and murmured,

“Ghislain… save Deneb…”

“Ghislain… help us… please…”

“Ghislain… all of us…”

“…Ghislain.”

Astion’s voice grew weaker and weaker. It sounded like the final prayer of a man drowning in despair.

Darvasca let out a mocking laugh at the sight.

“What nonsense are you muttering? There’s no one left who can save you here. Die now. I’ll remember your pathetic death.”

Slaaash!

With a sharp crack of the air, Hellfire was unleashed.

At that moment—

Astion’s head snapped up.

And from his eyes—

Fwoooosh!

—a brilliant red light exploded outward.

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