A battle horn sounded as soldiers shivered and cried at the start of the war. Some were excited to see another war before them.
“Houger, look. The land is green!”
“Look at all those animals! It’s still green with all those animals! How can it be?”
“Hah, so the rumors are true.”
A man smirked as he watched, and the other men around him smiled, “I heard there are beautiful women all around.”
“Yeah, it will be a good time.”
“Did you hear the rumor?”
“What.”
“The reason for this war.”
“Huh?”
The man who spoke of the rumor lowered his voice and others began to listen intently.
“I heard from this girl I know who works for Duke Berric. She overheard it while she was walking by.”
“Yeah?”
“The duke?”
“Oh.”
Everyone seemed intrigued.
“She said this war isn’t because of food or a disaster.”
“What?”
“No?”
“I heard we’re here to kill the evil witch.”
“Wasn’t that the purpose? And to get the food?”
Everyone seemed to have different ideas for the purpose of this invasion. The man shook his head.
“Come on! Don’t make us wait!”
“Okay, I’ll treat you later.”
The man nodded and drank some water from his leather pouch before he continued, “I heard, ‘First you will turn blind, second you will fall in love, and third you will become her slave’.”
They were slow and questionable words. It was like a riddle. But someone realized it soon enough.
“WHAT! THEN-”
“OH? So…”
“That’s why all those nobles are here!”
“The goddess of beauty and mercy!”
“The rumors were true then!”
It was the rumor spread by bards. It had spread throughout the entire continent and to all the rulers of the countries.
“So they were lying when they said it was for us.”
“Of course, I knew it.”
“Damn those nobles.”
The men who were just planning to pillage were now ranting at the kings and nobles.
“That’s why they’re framing her as a witch!”
“I would want to be her prison guard.”
“What?”
“I guess I can taste some of her then.”
“You crazy bastard.”
“You will get hanged for it.”
“Who cares? It’s a witch. Nobody will believe her.”
They began talking among themselves. These people were nobodies, gathered to be thrown out into the war. Some voluntarily joined to pillage and steal treasures while others were professional mercenaries. However, most were common farmers. Nobles and soldiers who knew this did not care to put them in control. The war was imminent as they had already passed the perimeter of the Torian Kingdom, but no one seemed to be afraid.
‘Are they scared?’
It was already a week after they had marched past the perimeter. They were now right in front of Khalodian land.
Joonbum asked, “Is this how it should be?”
“No, sir.”
Knight Gary Bizman replied as he shook his head. He was watching the enemy camp using binoculars. He turned to the other knight that he knew. “I think they’re underestimating us.”
James, the Knight of Marquis Beneth, answered as Joonbum looked at him.
‘I wonder how Jasmine is doing.’
Joonbum remembered her as he glanced at James. Then, the other knights began to talk.
“The enemy is the third and fifth son of Duke Barisman of the Horun Empire. They are both known to be strong knights.”
“They are also famous for being perverts. I heard no one in the empire wants to marry the fifth.”
“This war…”
“Hmph, be careful of what you say.”
“Apologies.”
Joonbum smiled bitterly. He knew what they were trying to say, that they were here for his mother.
“Anyways, they are underestimating us because we live on a small piece of land.”
Joonbum turned to an old knight.
‘Baron Veriman.’
He was a fallen noble who had already long passed his age to retire. Yet he was still powerful and knowledgeable. His age of seventy-two years did not stop him from being a useful knight.
“We should hit them at once,” Hectos blurted out, which shocked everyone.
“Hit them?”
“W-what…”
There were only nine of them, and they were just here to scout. They had no armor, and they were not even on Galims. Hectos scratched his rough beard and asked, “Are you all scared?”
All the knights frowned. He was obviously taunting them.
“Look, Hectos. You should be careful of what you say…”
“Step back, old man. You’re too old to even be in a war. Go back home and play with your grandson. You think you’re a great knight because the lord is treating you with respect?”
Veriman was dumbstruck. He was lost for words as was the other knights. Hectos then continued, “Hah, so you are all scared! Just follow me and I will take the lead. Don’t worry!”
Even Joonbum wasn’t sure what he was getting at.
“What! I’m not scared at all, you young brat! Thousands have died at my hands. I will show you what a real knight can do tonight!”
“Oh! So the old man is up to the task then. Yeah, show me and I will kneel and lick your foot later.” Hectos answered.
“Hah! I will take the lead. I will not let you younglings take the glory first!”
Hectos laughed as Veriman declared proudly.
“Sure. Make sure you let me take the lead if you get tired.”
“I will not let you take my place while I’m alive!”
No one seemed to be afraid even though they were facing thousands of soldiers.
‘It’s Jackson.’
Joonbum thought of Jackson who was smiling weirdly when they left.
‘Just three hundred feet away…’
It would take less than twenty seconds for these people to close that distance.
“Here, take this. Jackson prepared it. It’s called a Molotov cocktail. Run into the camp and throw it.”
“Huh?”
“Molo- what?”
“It’s supposed to be lighted up?”
“You see this?”
Hectos took out a Zippo lighter from his pocket.
“This doesn’t get put out by wind easily, so use this to light this thing on fire and throw it. It will break and start a huge fire in seconds. Easy, right?”
Hectos explained and continued, “So we ride through the camp, throw the Molotovs into the area where they store food, and then escape. We don’t have to kill anyone. Just throw the bottle and ride the hell out. Don’t forget. Anyone who does not obey will be killed as penalty for treason.”
“You talk too much. Let’s move out!” Veriman shouted at Hectos. He was already on his horse. Everyone hopped on their horses and began charging.