CHAPTER 78: I've been waiting for this day (1)

The mercenaries who had gathered around Ghislain parted to the sides.

Revealed were several magic circles that had been concealed by the mercenaries. At the center was a primary magic circle, surrounded by six smaller ones.

Vanessa nodded silently and stepped onto the central circle.

It wasn't just Vanessa; Alpoi and the other mages had also been brought here, each wearing a bracelet adorned with runestones etched with spells.

"What is this magic circle? When was it even drawn?" Alpoi asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

Ghislain responded with a nonchalant expression, "Alpoi, you and the others should step onto it as well."

"Aren't you going to tell us what this is about before we decide whether or not to stand on it?"

Though Alpoi had started addressing Ghislain informally some time ago, Ghislain didn't mind in the slightest. The way they spoke was hardly what mattered now.

Instead of persuading the hesitant mages with words, Ghislain decided to show them through action.

"Get them on."

At his signal, the mercenaries pointed weapons at Alpoi and the mages, forcing them onto the magic circle.

"What the hell are you planning?" Alpoi muttered openly, but Ghislain ignored him and turned to Vanessa.

"Vanessa, can you do this?"

She met Ghislain's gaze with trembling eyes, swallowing dryly. Despite having resolved to go through with it, she was losing confidence as the moment drew closer.

"Can… Can I really do it?"

"You can. You must succeed."

Vanessa nodded at his firm reply, steeling herself with a determination to succeed, even at the cost of her life. Closing her eyes, she summoned her mana.

Vroom!

Vanessa's body began to rise into the air as mana surged toward her.

A novice who couldn't even manage a basic spell couldn't possibly summon mana like this.

"M-mana transfer!" Alpoi shouted in shock as mana began pouring uncontrollably from his body.

Looking around, he saw the other mages flailing their arms in panic.

Alpoi cried out in horror, "Are you insane?! Why did you give that girl control?"

Mana transfer is a dangerous spell that channels mana from several mages into one person, amplifying their power. If the focal person loses control, all the participants would not only drain their mana but could also lose their life force.

Without fine control, immense mental resilience, and mastery over the spell itself, it's a fatal risk.

"That girl can't even cast a basic spell! She'll never succeed!"

"Don't worry. Trust Vanessa."

"Trust her?! Are you out of your mind?!"

The mages screamed in an attempt to flee, but it was too late. They were already ensnared by the storm of mana, unable to move as the circle drained their energy.

"N-no… I can't die like this…" Alpoi and the mages writhed in agony as Vanessa gritted her teeth, struggling to endure her own pain.

Blood began trickling from her nose and ears, and her veins turned an ominous black, evidence of her body failing to withstand the mana pouring into her.

Her trembling body made it clear how close she was to her limit.

"Ugh…"

Finally, a pained groan escaped her lips. Unable to bear the pressure of the mana, blood-tears seeped from her closed eyes.

As time passed, those around her started to feel the weight of the mana building in the air.

It wasn't wild, but it was dense—something that pressed down, suffocating the space around them.

"Aaaah…"

Vanessa could no longer endure it. Her mind began to fade.

'This was too much. I can't do it. I'm not…'

Her life had always been one failure after another.

She had only tasted a brief glimpse of success, foolishly believing herself capable.

Wooooooo!

She was at her limit. She couldn't hold on any longer. The pain was overwhelming.

If all the suffering she had endured were compressed into one moment, would it feel like this?

Even her determination began to melt away, dissolving like frost under heat.

She wanted to forget everything and let go.

'…Yes, I…'

Vanessa's head drooped as she hovered in the air.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The sound of the advancing enemy reached them. The ground trembled inside the castle walls as the massive army moved in unison.

Perdium's soldiers prepared for what they sensed was their final moment.

Some cried; others prayed to the gods they believed in. Some fueled their fighting spirit, while others thought of their families.

Meanwhile, the mercenaries at the base of the wall stood silently, awaiting Ghislain's command.

His quiet voice broke the silence.

"Vanessa."

"…I, I…"

She mumbled to herself, as if lost in thought, not seeming to hear Ghislain's call.

― Will I be able to help you, Young Lord?

― Yes, you will be a tremendous help.

"Vanessa."

― I want to be of help to you, Young Lord.

Vanessa lifted her head slowly, painfully.

"I…"

All the mercenaries watched her, holding their breath.

"Vanessa."

― Can you do it?

Ghislain's gaze was filled with sympathy and encouragement as he looked at her.

Her trembling stopped abruptly. The flow of mana that had been building so intensely also came to a halt, as did the blood that had been seeping from her wounds.

Then, clenching his teeth, Ghislain turned and gave a decisive command.

"Open the gate, Skovan."

"Young Lord? What are you…?"

"Open it."

Skovan swallowed hard.

He understood what Ghislain was planning.

If things continued as they were, they would inevitably lose. Their only hope lay in Ghislain and the mercenaries' charge.

'If we're going to die, it might be better to go out like last time.'

It seemed a better option than dying passively on the walls.

Though the enemy was unlikely to fall for the same tactic again…

But if Ghislain could disrupt the enemy's formation, the soldiers inside the castle might find a way out.

Resolute, Skovan and the soldiers began opening the gate.

Screeeech.

As the gate creaked open, those on the walls gasped in horror.

Zwalter and Randolph instantly understood Ghislain's intent.

Having experienced it once before, they knew exactly what he was planning.

"No! Ghislain! What are you doing?!"

"Are you mad, Young Lord?! Stop right now!"

They had seen how well Ghislain's mercenaries could fight, but that was only effective against reasonable numbers.

Zwalter shouted again, "That's not going to work twice! I told you to be cautious!"

The enemy would not be unprepared this time.

Their formation was already fortified, with shield-bearers densely positioned at the front, ready to mitigate any charge from the mercenaries.

"Close the gate! Close it, I say!"

"Run away if you can! Save yourself, you fool!"

Despite Zwalter and Randolph's desperate shouts, Ghislain didn't react. Even Skovan ignored the orders of his lord, bowing his head and refusing to obey.

"Are you really going to throw your life away like this?"

Zwalter shook with rage, moving to descend toward the gate, but Randolph grabbed his arm, shaking his head.

"It's too late, big brother."

Leaving the wall now would be their end.

Zwalter, staring fiercely at the distant Ghislain, took a deep breath and spoke.

"Very well. The gate is open, so we'll fight as one."

They were out of arrows and supplies. Staying on the walls would serve no purpose if they had no means to hold back the advancing enemy.

If they had to fight, it might be better to face the enemy together.

Ghislain and the mercenaries, even if expected, would still be formidable in a direct assault.

"All soldiers! Abandon the walls and gather by the gate!"

Following their lord's command, Perdium's soldiers gathered by the gate, though there wasn't enough space, so many stood behind the mercenaries.

While Zwalter, Randolph, and the knights organized the remaining troops on the walls, Ghislain spoke to his mercenaries.

"Get ready. We finish this before reinforcements arrive."

The mercenaries gripped their weapons, ready to charge.

Though they were tense, they weren't afraid.

They believed that, as always, following their leader's orders would bring them victory.

Kaor relaxed, his mind at ease.

'If I die fighting, so be it. If I survive, that's fine too. There's nothing I'll miss… Maybe dying in a war isn't such a bad way to go.'

This time, even Belinda, who usually protested whenever Ghislain went to battle, remained silent. Whether they fought outside or inside the gates, the danger was the same.

'Forgive me, my lady. I'll do everything I can to save the Young Lord. And the Young Lady, if possible.'

Her plan was to carry Ghislain off the battlefield once he wore himself out, one way or another.

Gillian suspected her intentions but remained silent, checking his weapon.

He'd heard they'd set up traps with the mages, but judging by Ghislain's expression, something had gone wrong.

Though he hadn't known Ghislain long, Gillian knew his young lord would never run away.

He had already sworn to follow him to the end. He was ready to die alongside Ghislain.

'Rachel, if things go south, escape with Young Lady Elena.'

Meanwhile, seeing the open gate, Viktor grinned widely.

"So, it's finally time to end this."

As he had anticipated, the enemy was preparing for a final charge.

It seemed they intended to bring all their forces to the gate.

"Idiots. Charging all at once will only make it easier."

Viktor raised his hand, signaling the cavalry to move alongside the central forces.

They would target the flanks of the Perdium forces.

"When they flee, chase them down and eliminate them."

A cruel smile spread across Viktor's face.

Finally, it was time to settle the score.

"All forces, advance in close formation, slowly!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The enemy formation grew tighter and more formidable.

Skovan and the soldiers standing by the gate flinched at the overwhelming sight.

Ricardo, standing next to Skovan, suddenly noticed something strange.

'Why isn't the Young Lord on horseback? And the mercenaries too?'

There was no sign of horses near Ghislain and the mercenaries.

'Charging without horses?'

It would be reckless to charge on foot in these conditions, especially compared to their previous encounter.

The horses the mercenaries used were close enough to the gate to be accessible.

Ricardo hesitated, about to ask if Ghislain had forgotten to prepare the horses, but stopped.

Even a fool wouldn't forget something as crucial as horseback in a charge.

If he, Ricardo, realized this, Ghislain surely had as well.

Taking a closer look at Ghislain, he noticed that his gaze wasn't one of desperation, but of someone who had been waiting for this moment.

A chill ran down Ricardo's spine.

Ghislain always managed to achieve the unthinkable with his unconventional methods.

'Yes, I'll trust him. He's not one to give up.'

For the first time, someone in Perdium had placed their trust in the Young Lord.

And Ricardo wasn't entirely wrong.

Ghislain narrowed his eyes, watching the approaching enemy from the open gate with a look of certainty.

'You've been patient too, haven't you?'

A typical commander would have exhausted his forces the moment his supply line was cut.

But Viktor had waited, targeting their vulnerabilities with methodical precision. An opponent not to be underestimated.

'You weren't the only one waiting for this.'

Ghislain's chest pounded as he held himself back, day after day, resisting the urge to charge and crush the enemy himself.

He had been waiting for this moment, to leave no enemy alive.

Ghislain ground his teeth.

'I've never forgotten.'

On these very walls, his father and loyal vassals' heads had once been displayed, rotting pitifully.

The image haunted him for life, tormenting him daily.

Thump.

The memory fueled his blood, and the mana within him surged, struggling to escape.

'Don't even think about leaving here alive.'

Ghislain had prepared as thoroughly as possible.

Not that it was perfect. A single mistake could lead to the destruction of the territory and everyone in it.

Who could confidently claim victory against such an overwhelming force?

However…

'I won't give up.'

Ghislain took a deep breath.

He had halted the war upon his return, only for it to erupt on an even greater scale.

The harder he tried to prevent it, the more perilous it became, as if fate itself demanded Perdium's destruction.

'Perhaps this is the inescapable fate binding this land.'

Banishing the grim thoughts from his mind, Ghislain let out a fierce grin.

'Don't make me laugh. There won't be a second time.'

Clink!

Ghislain lowered the visor of his helmet, and the mercenaries followed suit, adjusting their helmets in unison.

Huff… huff… huff…

Their tense breaths echoed in the air.

Skovan and the soldiers by the gate took a step back, sensing the ominous aura radiating from Ghislain and the mercenaries, who stood ready in front of the gate.

Ghislain extended his arm to the side, addressing the mercenaries.

"Wait."

Their anticipation reached its peak.

Their hearts pounded, muscles strained, and dizziness clouded their minds. They were barely aware of their own bodies.

"Not yet."

The mercenaries were so focused that even the flow of time seemed to pause.

Then, Ghislain turned his head and shouted.

"Vanessa!"

Vanessa's closed eyes snapped open.

In her pupils was the image of a golden magic circle.

Her lips began to move slightly, as if chanting something.

Her intention and understanding pierced through the world and reached a profound truth.

It summoned power beyond limits, defying the circles.

Vrooooom!

The tremendous mana exploded in all directions. Mana materialized into symbols and began orbiting around Vanessa.

The blazing symbols turned into red dots, dispersing everywhere, then dissolved and vanished into the world.

Vrooooom!

In that moment, every person present, both ally and enemy, froze in place.

In their eyes, they all saw the same vision.

Between the walls and the enemy army rose a red barrier, rippling like a sunset.

Zwalter dropped his sword in shock. Randolph forgot his pride and stared with his mouth agape.

Vrooooom!

The enemy could no longer approach Perdium's walls. Viktor hastily halted his horse.

While others stood paralyzed in fear, only one person moved.

His eyes glowed red, like the crimson flames that surged around him.

Rumble!

The ground began to tremble violently.

"I have waited for this day."

His voice rumbled, like magma about to erupt.

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