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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Ruby
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The war had come to an end.
With the Astes Empire’s victory.
And the defeat of the barbarian nation Pineon.
The imperial army, which had reclaimed the southern wall, along with the Dawn Revolution and the Hollow mercenary group led by Imperial Second Seat Highgelt, were all returning to the main camp tent.
They left only the minimum necessary forces to guard the wall.
Step by step
“Cloney.”
Twenty-four-year-old Cassiela, the red-haired leader of the Dawn Revolution, approached Cloney, the mage who had just given an impressive performance.
“I envy you, Cloney. Being able to travel continuously with Yuma as part of his group.”
The two had become quite close in just half a day.
Yuma was undoubtedly the catalyst for their growing friendship.
Cloney showed a somewhat bitter smile for reasons unknown.
“Even if we travel together all day, every day, I don’t know much about Yuma. And… didn’t I tell you to speak casually? Sister.”
After learning Cassiela’s age, Cloney had immediately asked her to speak more comfortably.
But Cassiela didn’t feel inclined to drop the formalities so easily.
To Cassiela, Cloney and Hestia being part of Divine Warrior Yuma’s group made them feel like chosen ones.
That’s why Cassiela felt Cloney’s claim of not knowing much about Yuma despite traveling together sounded like a complaint from someone with a full stomach.
“Still, I’m so envious that you get to travel together. Isn’t there some kind of unique characteristic of Yuma?”
The answer to Cassiela’s question came not from Cloney’s mouth.
“Yuma is strong!”
At the crimson-haired cat-folk swordsman Hestia’s words, Cassiela burst into laughter.
“That’s not unexpected, it’s obvious.”
Hestia’s green eyes sparkled.
“That’s true! But the overwhelming confidence of a strong person who always gives the enemy a chance to attack first… That’s truly amazing!”
A gleam appeared in Cassiela’s eyes.
“First attack… Has Yuma never once failed to yield the first strike to an enemy?”
“Nope!”
“Not even once?”
“Nuh-uh, not even once!”
Cassiela’s question.
And Hestia’s unhesitating answer that followed.
This exchange caught the attention of all the Dawn Revolution members marching in formation behind Hestia.
The eyes of Imperial Second Seat Highgelt and the Hollow mercenary group walking alongside them also gleamed with interest.
Clank-! Clang!
Even for those who had trained their bodies with Aura techniques, armor was still heavy after a battle.
Despite carrying such heavy armor, the knights began to focus on Hestia’s voice.
Unconditionally yielding the first strike to the enemy?
This was bound to be astonishing to those who wielded swords, spears, and practiced martial arts with their bodies.
Revolution Leader Cassiela recalled the day she first met Supreme Commander Yuma.
The magic train to Halo, heading for the transit city of Arkan.
And then her subordinate Hecate, who as vanguard had purged the corrupt nobles.
A trusted ally had turned rogue, prioritizing a painful, personal agenda over the revolutionary ideals he once championed.
And that Hecate had died at Yuma’s hands.
Cassiela had never once resented Yuma for this.
It was clear that Hecate was the criminal, trying to kill not just corrupt nobles but all the aristocrats in the special compartment.
And because of the conversation she had with Yuma afterward, she was able to recall her mother, who could be called the first leader of the Dawn Revolution, even though she was her daughter.
Because she was able to correct the wrong path she had been walking until now.
‘Surely at that time too…’
Even when dealing with her subordinate Iron Mask Hecate, Yuma didn’t bother to strike first.
Surely with his power, he could have ended Hecate’s life before he could even raise his sword.
Hestia was in a very good mood.
This was because the cumbersome robe that covered her head up to her bangs no longer existed.
Since she had already been revealed to be a cat-folk while playing a significant role as a scout on the southern wall just now, she could comfortably feel the cool breeze on her cat ears.
The cat in a great mood began to excitedly recount heroic tales about Yuma.
“Dragon─!! A martial artist of conviction who gives even a Black Dragon bigger than a count’s castle the chance to attack first. That’s Yuma. Nothing else but that dragon’s breath! The Dragon Breath! Standing calmly with just one sword in front of it! Just like that!”
At Hestia’s words, the revolution members and mercenaries who had been quietly listening due to fatigue suddenly became noisy.
A young revolution member, seemingly getting goosebumps, rubbed the back of his hand as he spoke.
“…Huh, so a dragon as big as a count’s castle looked easy enough to give up the first attack.”
A middle-aged mercenary who exuded the air of an experienced warrior slowly shook his head.
“No, that’s not it. It’s the conviction of a martial artist to give even the slightest chance to any being… He maintained that even against a dragon. The perspective of a Divine Warrior at the peak of martial arts… conviction. The weight of such things is immeasurable.”
─Of course, Yuma had no such conviction…!
He had to ‘counter-attack’, so naturally, he had no choice but to wait for the enemy’s first strike!
But the misunderstanding of those who couldn’t know this continued to grow.
“There’s no way people with vague talents can understand the perspective of a great Divine Warrior.”
It grew uncontrollably, forever and ever.
The scar above Imperial Second Seat Highgelt’s eyebrow twitched.
It was evidence that a fighting spirit was burning in his heart.
Highgelt smiled so brightly that the corners of his mouth nearly reached his ears.
“I know I’ll lose, but someday I’ll definitely fight him once…!”
Highgelt felt he would never forget the three sword aura storms he had just witnessed.
The disaster was showcased by the one standing at the pinnacle of martial arts.
Cassiela inwardly sighed.
She had intended to request to accompany Supreme Commander Yuma, her mother’s old friend.
She was going to ask to be accepted as his subordinate.
But no matter how she thought about it, it didn’t seem like her sword would be of any help to a being with such power.
“There is one unexpected aspect though.”
Cassiela turned her head at the soft voice.
It was Cloney.
While others were building up misunderstandings about Yuma, Cloney had been contemplating a different aspect of Yuma’s characteristics and had organized her thoughts before speaking.
“Unlike someone with such power, he takes good care of those around him.”
Cloney recalled how Yuma had unhesitatingly rescued the children trapped in the prison used as a food storage for the Black Dragon in Count Rubelt’s domain.
She also remembered how Yuma had stood by Kaisen, the eldest son of the Rubelt family, who was in a weak position at the time.
“He doesn’t show it, but he always considers the position of the weak.”
Cassiela sensed sincerity in Cloney’s words.
“And he doesn’t judge people easily.”
Yuma was the only person who didn’t care at all that her deceased mother had been a ‘witch’.
“So you’re saying he’s warmer than one might expect?”
Cloney smiled broadly at Cassiela’s words.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Cassiela recalled.
Yesterday’s events. -“You’ve worked hard.”
The touch of that hand patting her shoulder.
Indeed, that touch had been quite warm.
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Yuma returned to the imperial army commander-in-chief’s tent.
Just as he was about to stretch out and rest…
Swish
Someone opened the tent flap and entered.
It was Dawn Revolution leader Cassiela.
Cassiela bowed deeply upon seeing Yuma.
“I’m here to see Supreme Commander Yuma.”
At the unexpected visitor’s appearance, Yuma straightened up from his relaxed position in the chair.
Yuma spoke indifferently.
“The war is over. There’s no need to call me Supreme Commander anymore.”
Cassiela suddenly knelt down.
Just like when they first met yesterday.
Yuma stared at the kneeling Cassiela with a bored expression.
‘What’s wrong with her now?’
Of course, he was quite taken aback inwardly.
After all, she had knelt for two days in a row.
Cassiela raised her right knee from her kneeling position, showing a gesture of loyalty.
“Please appoint me as your sword, Yuma.”
Yuma stood up.
Then he bent his knees, looking at Cassiela.
He used Inspection on Cassiela.
Indeed, she was a usable force.
It wouldn’t be a loss to take her along.
But Yuma didn’t feel inclined to do so.
‘Having more people doesn’t bring much benefit.’
If Cassiela were to follow, the Dawn Revolution members under her command would also try to join Yuma’s ranks.
That would be no different from confessing to First Prince Schwarze that he had business in the barbarian nation Pineon other than this war.
Of course, if Yuma told Cassiela that he was uncomfortable with the revolution members following, it was obvious she would immediately say she’d follow alone, but.
‘It would be right to send her to Princess Brigitte.’
Princess Brigitte would need another sword besides her direct guard knights.
Not just her, but the Dawn Revolution members themselves would be sufficiently helpful as a military force.
Yuma gestured with his chin to Cassiela.
“Stand up, Cassiela.”
“Yes.”
Cassiela rose from her kneeling position.
Only then did Yuma fully stand and gaze into Cassiela’s eyes.
“Go up to the capital. Become the sword of First Princess Brigitte. That’s the same as becoming my sword.”
Cassiela’s brown eyes trembled violently.
“…Am I someone who can’t be of help to you, Yuma?”
Yuma slowly shook his head.
“You don’t have to be by my side to be helpful. The First Princess needs someone she can trust by her side. Someone I can trust without any doubt.”
These words were sincere.
“I trust you.”
Yuma stared at Cassiela with blue eyes.
“You, the daughter of my friend, I trust you who have walked this difficult path alone.”
Cassiela had no choice but to comply.
Because she could feel the sincerity in Yuma’s words.
“…I understand, Yuma. I will definitely protect Her Highness the Princess, along with the Dawn Revolution members.”
“Thank you.”
Yuma patted Cassiela’s shoulder and then left the tent.
Cassiela stood still in that spot, looking up at the ceiling of the tent.
‘I’m so envious.’
Although she understood rationally that Yuma had made a logical choice,
She couldn’t help but envy Cloney and Hestia.
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