2 Ch. 1 All But One Are Dead

'Why should I live if the woman I love dies in my hands?'

A massive war has occurred at the border of West Chester and the East Borne kingdom. Many corpses lay scattered on the ground, and the pungent stench of blood filled the air.―there were no survivors or living leaders from either side, except for one. The only person still standing was the general, kneeling at the edge of the ravine with the light in his eyes almost dimmed.

He had been there three days and three nights without eating or sleeping. In his heart was a tremendous sense of guilt because he was negligent in his duties.

His king had entrusted tens of thousands of people to fight and exterminate the enemy, but no one was alive except for him. He had indeed managed to eradicate the opponent and kill the opponent's general, but what would all of this mean if tens of thousands from both sides died? He shouldn't have let this war happen.

"My lord? My lord!! Thank god you are safe! I thought you were also going with the others," shouted one of the men who worked at the general's residence in a voice full of enthusiasm and pride. This man didn't care about the lives of anyone other than his master.

"My lord, His royal highness is worried about not hearing from you for many days. Let's go back. Everyone is waiting for your return." The man knelt in salute with his head down on the ground.

"Return?" The general's voice was hoarse and dry from not having had a drink in days. "Can I still go back?"

"My lord, what are you talking about? Of course, you can. We will glorify this victory―"

"Victory?!" Lord Drake hissed harshly as he gave his servant a sharp glance, making the man shudder in fear. "What kind of victory is this?! Of the fifty thousand people who joined the war, I'm the only one who survived! Are you still saying this is victory??"

The servant smacked his forehead on the ground—not daring to receive his master's murderous stare as he spoke in a trembling voice. "Bu… but… you have successfully killed the enemy's general… this… is still… a victory."

The general's jaw tightened at this.

Yes. The general of the West Chester empire—Lord Hawk, had died on the battlefield, but he didn't kill that general—but… that general's beloved sister did it.

Recalling the tragic scene that befell the woman he loved, the general covered his eyes with one hand to hide the tears starting to fall. He felt that destiny was so unfair… why were he and that woman born in two different kingdoms?

Maybe… it was his fault that he never listened to his master to choose the path to immortality. He should have abandoned his ambition to become a general—with his talent and innate mana reaching perfection, he could have become immortal and a god. Unfortunately, he instead chose to become a general and became the obedient dog of the East Borne empire.

"I have nothing in this world... Nothing..." he fought and became a general because he wanted to continue seeing his love. But now that the woman is gone, what is he living for? "Neither have I the face to face the king." How could he report to the king that he was the only survivor of the fifty thousand men sent to fight?

"Tell Your Highness, West Chester won't dare to attack for the next few years." The general was sure because the stupid king of East Borne had sent all of his troops to the battlefield.

The Kingdom of East Borne only sent 50,000 of the 200,000 people to the battlefield, not knowing that the kingdom of West Chester sent 100,000 of the 100,000 soldiers they had. Palace strategists believed West Chester would only send half of its troops, so they only sent out five war divisions with 50,000 men.

Who would have thought West Chester surrounded them without giving them a chance to escape or asking for help to send more troops? That explained all 50,000 people from the East Borne kingdom all dead, and were it not for the East general's intelligence and quick reactions, Lord Drake would not have been able to wipe out all 100,000 troops from his opposing kingdom.

It was all thanks to the five rings bestowed by his master. If he didn't wear the rings, he himself would lose his head, and the kingdom of West Chester would use this opportunity to attack East Borne.

"I don't deserve to live anymore. Consider this as my punishment."

"My lord?" the servant encouraged himself to raise his head and widen his eyes as he saw his master jump into the abyss. "LORD DRAKE!!!"

But it was too late. The servant could not reach even a pinch of his master's golden robes. The general, who the king and the people were most proud of, died just like that by throwing himself in.

'This is the best choice.' Lord Drake thought in his remaining consciousness.

If he returned to the palace and faced the king, the king would undoubtedly send him and other troops to rule over the kingdom of West Chester. He was exhausted and did not want to fight. Most of all, he didn't want to destroy the birthplace of the woman he loved.

Drake agreed to join this war to protect his kingdom from enemy attacks—not to dominate… let alone oppress the weak.

If only time could turn back, he would choose a different path. He will find a way to reconcile the two kings and be able to unite to face a stronger enemy.

But… will he be given a chance? Just as he closed his eyes, a soft, sweet voice sounded in his ear.

"Paskha, wake up. Come on, get up. The teacher is calling you." A voice like a gust of wind in spring, as well as the distinctive smell of the sea, can give peace to his heart.

He thought he had arrived in heaven to hear a heavenly voice like this calling him.

"PASKHA!!"

Bam!

In an instant, Paskha opened his eyes while rubbing his aching head. Something hit his head hard awakened him, and he wondered who would dare to hit the most respected general on the head!

But what he saw right now was so astonishing that he was at a loss for words.