Chapter: 373
It seems the battle on both sides was over, as the rescue squad arrived quickly. Considering it was a fight between 300,000 and 10,000, the outcome was only natural. The nomads’ leader, Doragon, had fled, and the warriors under him were fighting not for victory, but for death. They probably fell quickly, crashing head-on.
And my prediction was spot on.
“There was considerable damage from colliding with 10,000 nomads, but that’s about it. They fought without any real tactics or strategies.”
“Indeed.”
The commander of the Northern Military, who had rushed to lead the rescue squad, breathed a sigh of relief upon confirming I was alive and began explaining the events that unfolded in my absence.
As expected, the nomads didn’t fight using crafty tricks to secure victory. They fought bluntly, trying to prove they couldn’t coexist with the Empire, end up dying in their rugged battle.
Of course, as the commander noted, with over 10,000 nomads charging in, even a crude fight would have resulted in significant damage, but that was all.
‘Really, they’re just a bunch of the same ilk.’
He said there was no one who fled or was captured; they all fought to the death. Just as Doragon said, they were the last stubborn ones standing until the bitter end.
If there had been any clan leaders or chiefs willing to surrender, I would have thought about granting them titles. Yet, they all took it upon themselves to accompany Doragon to the afterlife. At least his journey won’t be lonely.
“The war is over now. Those who defied the Empire, along with their leader, are dead; all that’s left is the aftermath.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“That’s an awkward thing to say. The credit goes more to the Inspector than to me.”
Saying this, the commander lifted his head to gaze at the sky. The sight of the sky, still torn into a cross pattern, seemed to leave a strong impression on him.
“…It seems like the gods of the Empire are looking after us.”
In response to his words, I simply smiled quietly. Coincidentally, the cross-shaped tear in the sky held a religious significance in this world, just like the one in the world I was ‘embedded’ in. It was almost enough to evoke thoughts of the divine.
Yet, the real problem was that it was a human-created cross. But since this victory was won by humans as well, it shouldn’t matter too much.
“Enough rambling. Once you feel better, tell me. I’ll teleport us back.”
“Ah, yes.”
Watching the commander head towards the knights, I moved my arms a bit. Unlike the wounds from Kagan, this time I had healed safely.
‘Thank goodness.’
If I had an injury to my torso, at least I could hide it, but without an arm and not being able to move it, there was no way to hide that. I could imagine the kind of resentful looks I’d get if I turned up as a one-armed fighter saying, “I left behind the new era.”
…Sadly, there’s just one person’s resentment I’ll have to endure.
“Executive Manager.”
As the commander withdrew, Penelia, with tears welling in her eyes, knelt before me. Others were nearby, so she called me by my title, but the fact that she was clinging to her last shred of reason made it all the scarier.
“This is all my fault… everything…”
Isn’t that basically saying she’s blaming herself instead of others?
Honestly, from the moment I charged headfirst to confront Doragon, Penelia had voiced her concerns and worries. Yet I had barely convinced her and Mukgwangdae to stand with me in battle, only to end up missing in action. I imagine it must have felt like the sky was falling down for her.
Fortunately, we confirmed my survival after a while, but discovering I had lost my right arm and left arm was paralyzed was surely a shock beyond imagination for her.
“At that moment, I should’ve vanished instead of you—my arm should have been chopped off instead—”
“Stop.”
I interrupted Penelia, who was trembling and full of self-reproach. What happened to me wasn’t her fault.
I had been stubborn for taking the lead, and it was Doragon who brought me to this spot. If Penelia was to blame for anything, it would only be for falling for a stubborn superior like me.
“This is the same method that befell the fated one. It’s an inescapable fate, and it’s nobody’s fault.”
“But, but…”
I gently pulled Penelia, still shaking, into a hug.
At that, she buried her face in my shoulder, silently letting her tears flow.
“I’m sorry for worrying you. There won’t be such things in the future.”
I patted her back in comfort, but Penelia’s shaking didn’t stop.
‘My body is no longer my own.’
I knew this in my mind, but experiencing it firsthand made it all the more real. My body now wasn’t just something to move at my will; it belonged to someone who had many waiting for me.
Nevertheless, as I had just consoled her, there wouldn’t be any such events in the future.
I no longer needed to fight on the front lines.
I slowly returned to headquarters, feeling like my blood and mana were circulating well enough now.
“You’ve worked hard.”
The vice captain, who had received news of Doragon’s death through the communication network, greeted me warmly despite being busy with official duties.
It was only right for the general commanding the expeditionary force to honor me for winning against the enemy’s head in a duel, especially considering that the head had been an exceptional target the Empire had sought after for three years.
“Finally, order has been restored in the North, and peace has come to the Empire. The Emperor is pleased with your accomplishments, so rest easy now.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Grace.”
I bowed my head and stepped back, receiving patted on the shoulder while the vice captain continued to congratulate me. It was expected to take care of someone who had received such severe injuries like losing an arm, and I had no legitimate reason to participate in the aftermath cleaning.
“Oh, Inspector.”
Just as I was about to ease out, the vice captain opened his mouth once again.
“The Emperor has granted your request.”
I flinched at the unexpectedly quick response. While the commander of the Northern Military had mentioned it casually, I hadn’t expected a positive answer that day.
“His Majesty’s mercy is truly like that of the heavens.”
Thus, I replied sincerely.
My request was to cremate Doragon in the North. Giving up the corpse of a great enemy that could serve many purposes was indeed the Emperor’s mercy.
Whether that mercy was akin to a reward given to those who achieved merit, or if it was simply a matter of already commanding enough authority to be merciful, I couldn’t quite say.
*
After confirming that Kal had returned to his tent, I made my way back to mine. I had left to give Kal a proper welcome, but there were pressing issues that needed addressing.
Fortunately, I could leave the tasks of tidying the battlefield and dealing with the participating clans to the generals and commanders. That alone already cut my workload by more than half. On the flip side, the matters that couldn’t be resolved on their end fell entirely on my shoulders.
And before welcoming Kal, I was in deep thought about the most troublesome issue.
‘The stationed troops.’
There were no more forces opposing the Empire left in this land, just nobles who would obey the Empire. They elevated His Majesty as their Khan, and the Northern region officially became a territory of the empire.
Therefore, a central army had to be stationed in the North as well. Not just the troops of the newly granted titles, but the Emperor’s army needed to be stationed.
‘This is a first-time experience.’
A sigh escaped me. It’s one thing to station troops for law enforcement and defense over occupy territories, but setting up a stationed army in newly incorporated territory was a whole new ball game. The last time the Empire’s border shifted was during the blood-spattered Eastern Wars.
Moreover, this newly acquired territory was on a scale that couldn’t be compared to past ones. If you only look at the area, it might be comparable to Armain or Yuben territories.
The only comforting aspect was the small population in the North. It wouldn’t be a problem maintaining order with relatively few stationed.
Yet, having a low population compared to the area also meant it hadn’t been developed much. It wasn’t the best environment for stationing troops, and even if they were stationed, there would be insufficient facilities prepared for the men.
‘…I’d better keep it at a minimum.’
I couldn’t retreat without a stationed army. I needed to keep the military in the North as minimal as possible, and quickly decide on a proper stationed army to replace the temporary troops.
For the interim stationed army, I would focus on my own soldiers and those from the Northern Military. Though they had grievances about remaining in the North after being dragged into war, I could calm them down by promising adequate rewards and swift returns. Now that they had made achievements, there should be plenty of reasons to give them rewards.
In addition, it would be essential to ensure that the formal stationed army included a higher ratio of Northerners. If it’s composed only of natives from the mainland, adapting would be a problem. So, integrating the wandering clans into the central army or collaborating with the titled chiefs would be necessary.
‘When the chieftains gather, I’ll have to mention this too.’
The procession of returning expeditionary forces would include the chieftains as well. During the victory ceremony, they would kneel before His Majesty and proclaim him as their Khan while also receiving their titles.
Yes, it would be best to discuss it while their feelings are at a peak.
‘…Not as easy as it seems.’
Leaning back in my chair, I let out a deep sigh. Indeed, post-war discussions were more troublesome than the war itself.
Nevertheless, it was better than constantly worrying about when the next battle might break out.
*
Just as Penelia, who had been closely guarding me, began her tight embrace, I couldn’t shake her off. Outside, Mukgwangdae stood in a dense formation, yet they remained silent. They must have suffered just as much mentally as Penelia.
However, around evening, I started noticing the hushed whispers among Mukgwangdae outside. Odd; they weren’t the type to chatter during a guard duty.
“Kal.”
Then I realized the reason behind their whispers as soon as I saw who entered.
“Lord Patriarch.”
“No need to rise. Just lie there.”
If my father was present, it made sense why Mukgwangdae stirred up a fuss. He’s essentially a superior to even the commanders.
“You’re here too.”
“Yes, Father.”
I nodded at Penelia, who was bowing politely, and my father scanned my body.
“Glad to see the treatment went well.”
“Ah, yes. I can move without any issue now.”
“Still, stay put for a while. Just because the wounds have healed doesn’t mean the shocks have disappeared.”
Saying that, my father fell silent, merely fixing his gaze on my face. I could feel Penelia squirming awkwardly in this strange standoff, but I didn’t care. Oddly enough, it didn’t feel burdensome at all.
“Did you finish it with your own hands?”
Breaking the silence, my father’s words drew a small smile from me.
“Yes, I finished it.”
“Have you fulfilled your duty?”
“I have no lingering regrets now.”
His response came without hesitation, earning a faint smile from my father.
“Then that’s enough.”
With his words, he turned away as if that was all that needed to be said.
“…Father.”
Carefully breaking the silence, my words made my father pause for a moment.
“Thank you for your concern.”
“…Yeah.”
Though my father’s steps quickened, I tried not to dwell on it.
I was a bit embarrassed.
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