Whirl whoosh
It was snowing and storming in the sky.
Woooooooosh
A strong wind blew from afar.
The temperature was so cold it felt like it would rob the warmth from any living being, and there was hardly any food to be found.
It was truly a place that could be called the land of death.
The Snow Mountain.
Maren was currently in that land of death with the Knight Commander and the high-ranking officers of the Knights.
(TN: Maren Burstian, the Deputy Director’s real name, mentioned in Chapter 14)
The reason was the appearance of a very powerful Outsider generated near the Snow Mountain.
There were already so many Outsiders in the blizzard area outside Rondan that it was hard to count, but this Outsider was dangerous enough for the Princess to issue a direct order.
If left unchecked, it would likely grow beyond an Elite Outsider and pose a significant threat to the Human World, just like the Giant of the Snow Mountain.
Thus, the high-ranking officers took the risk of losing their lives to the cold to hunt it down.
And they succeeded in disposing of that Outsider.
With the power of the Knight Commander, she could fight on par with an Elite Outsider.
While the Knight Commander dealt with the Outsider, Maren defeated all the Outcast Gods under his command.
The fight wasn’t easy, but in the end, they secured victory.
Everyone cheered for victory, and looking at them while sitting on the ground, Maren smiled.
Someone came over and sat next to Maren.
It was the Knight Commander.
“Haha, Deputy Director! You worked hard. I wouldn’t know what to do with this Knights without you.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Commander. But that’s all due to your capable leadership and strength, isn’t it?”
“Ah, don’t say that. I’m not that impressive, and even if I were, no one would follow me without having some leadership.”
The Knight Commander praised Maren and looked at him with a warm smile.
“Thanks to you, I was able to eliminate the threat without worry this time as well. When we return, I’ll recommend a reward to the Princess.”
“It’s an honor.”
Maren only showed the minimum courtesy to the Knight Commander.
Considering the location, they had to return to Rondan as soon as possible.
Some officers were still energetic, laughing heartily, while there were troops who smiled despite their fatigue.
However, the Knight Commander continued to quietly stare at the Snow Mountain, seemingly lost in thought.
“Commander, it’s time to return. The exhausted troops are waiting,” Maren urged.
“Deputy Director,” the Commander called out.
Although Maren advised her, being addressed by the Commander made him feel uneasy for some reason.
The Knight Commander pointed toward where the Giant of the Snow Mountain stood and said, “Since we’ve come this far, would it be crazy to say I want to taste that as well?”
“Commander!”
Maren had no choice but to shout at the Knight Commander in a firm voice that lacked the usual respect.
Of course, it was understandable.
It was the Giant of the Snow Mountain.
At the very least, it was a more dangerous existence than most Elite Outsiders for humans, and even with protections made from Outsiders, the area around the Giant was difficult to endure.
“You don’t have to shout so loudly; I can hear you.”
“Still, it’s too reckless!”
“Yeah, it is naturally reckless.”
Despite Maren’s outcry, the Knight Commander showed no signs of backing down. She was thinking of a logical way to persuade him.
“Deputy Director, but what about this?”
Maren soon found himself unable to speak after hearing the Knight Commander’s words.
“I’m not trying to brag, but I’ve recently won a duel against an Elite Outsider. Not only that, but you and the God of War have also grown strong enough not to be defeated by me, and even the White Mask has become capable of teaming up with an Elite Outsider for a while.”
“Even so…”
“How long should we continue living looking down on beings we call ‘Outsiders’?”
The tone of the Knight Commander was firmer and more empowered than ever before.
Not only that.
The look in her eyes as she regarded Maren was similar.
The day Maren first saw the Knight Commander, it was the determinative moment that made him resolve to follow her without question.
It felt like he could accomplish anything, and he actually did.
“Of course, I say all this, but I would prefer if you stayed in Rondan.” (Knight Commander)
“…Why is that? Wherever you go, I should follow.” (Maren)
“Then who will take care of the Knights? The Princess will surely have her hands full dealing with those mischievous ones.”
It felt like the Knight Commander had just made a joke, but Maren found it frustrating.
How could someone stay so positive even when discussing matters that risked their lives?
“Hey, Commander! What are you talking about? Are we not going back?”
At that moment, the God of War approached the Knight Commander and Maren.
From Maren’s perspective, this was the one person who should not hear this conversation.
“God of War, go while there’s still time.”
“Come on, Deputy Director. Why are you still so grumpy? We’ve already won the fight, right?”
“God of War.”
But Maren could not stop him any longer.
The moment the Knight Commander called his name, there was nothing she could do.
“Why? Commander.”
“It’s good to inform you too.”
The Knight Commander pointed her finger at the Giant of the Snow Mountain.
The God of War tilted his head, not understanding the implication, and the Knight Commander smiled with satisfaction.
“I am going to fight the Giant of the Snow Mountain from now on.”
“What? What do you mean, Commander!”
As expected.
The God of War responded cheerfully to the Knight Commander’s words.
“Are you tired of bowing your head to the Outsiders? Why not simply eliminate the root cause?”
“Wow, that sounds hot! But isn’t it too reckless? You could die.”
Even as he said that, the desire to do something rash was evident on the God of War’s face.
It was nearly impossible to dissuade him, given that expression.
“What nonsense. I won’t die.”
The Knight Commander isn’t going to die.
But she knows well that being ‘immortal’ holds no meaning in a fight with the Giant of the Snow Mountain.
“Uh-oh! You realize that sounds selfish, right? Just because you’re not going to die doesn’t mean we aren’t going to die!”
“So, are you not going?”
The Knight Commander knew how to handle the God of War perfectly.
The provocative words made the God of War raise both arms holding his axes high and shout.
“Are you telling this God of War to step back from a fight?!”
Then, soldiers gathered around in unison at the God of War’s words.
Despite that, the God of War’s words did not end.
“I will fight even if death is upon me. No, even if I die, I will fight! As long as I can protect Rondan and my daughter! My life is not too much to offer, I’m telling you, Commander!”
Mentioning one’s child.
Is there anything that can resonate more with those who possess the heart of a true knight?
Ultimately, another knight raised his arm high and spoke.
“Hey, Commander! You’re not really considering going after that giant, are you?”
“That’s right.”
“But aren’t you leaving us out of the conversation? This is too disappointing!”
And those who possessed the heart of true knights.
They are those who want, by any means, to allow their land, their leader, and their families to live comfortable lives even for a moment.
They will never hesitate to solve problems at the cost of their own lives.
“Haha, I was planning to discuss it with you once the meeting was over.”
“Commander!”
Despite his fierce outcry, the Commander merely looked at Maren with a wistful smile.
“Please take good care of Rondan, Deputy Director Maren. Until I come back…”
The Knight Commander’s words trailed off, and only Maren, who understood, quietly shed a single tear.
After that murmured statement, the Knight Commander blushed slightly and smiled.
“If you’re with the White Mask, I don’t need to worry about anything. Just until I return… good luck.”
And with that, the Knight Commander gave Maren his final mission.
Given what had been said, there was no way for Maren to stop the Knight Commander.
“Hey, Commander! We’ve packed enough food! If we chop this Outsider up, we can eat it as meat!”
The God of War had already chopped up the Outsider with his double axes and was wrapping the pieces up as food.
Yeah.
They were already prepared to go.
“I… told you it’s not happening.”
“Yes, it’s my decision.”
“I distinctly said I wouldn’t allow it.”
“I know.”
“So then…”
Maren, now overflowing with tears, spoke.
“Please, come back safely, Commander! I will always be waiting for your return!”
As someone who had never shed a tear during the harsh training personally ordered by the Knight Commander, Maren shed his first tears, causing the Knight Commander to open her mouth in surprise.
Then, with a smile filled with certainty, he said.
“Yes, I will definitely return. To your side.”
Thus, the Knight Commander set off to hunt the Giant of the Snow Mountain, side by side with the smiling God of War.
And.
That became the last sight of the Knight Commander and the God of War.
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