The Parted Sky, Fredrinn's Awe

"Hmm..."

Fredrinn looked up at the towering mountain range. He turned his head to see any viable option rather than crossing this massive body, but he only saw a continuous row of mountains, majestically blocking off any intruders.

"It seems like Lutto forgot to tell me this."

It wasn't a big issue, just slightly troublesome. He may have top-notch speed if he utilized his legs right, but the problem came when he wanted to stop himself. Unless he somehow latched onto something strong enough to withstand his strength and speed, who knows, he may unintentionally body Viscountess Nemhil's territory.

Wouldn't that be too embarrassing, especially since he came here as a dignified Lord? He ceased the plan to create another persona. After further consideration, he found that it was somewhat unnecessary...

"Should I draw their attention?"

The option to create his own route seems doable, like how he created his own secret route back when he ransacked the Kennel Branch Family. Besides, after successfully establishing the coalition with the viscountess, he was confident in handling any troubles that came his way.

He was no longer a mere Grand Knight equivalence, but a Master equivalence!

Although mysterious variables would surely deliver unexpected surprises, by the time the force under Viscountess Nemhil was under his control, who knows how strong he'd become...

His force would also upgrade to a small town!

And, of course, the intelligence that he could gather through the viscountess would bring a series of ideas for him and his men to trudge the path ahead.

Fredrinn's calm heart was set ablaze as he realized that this step would be where he officially joined the stage that is the Mystyr Kingdom! He couldn't help but look at the majestic walls of Mother Nature before him.

His eyes turned brighter, and the fire in his heart became bigger!

"If my people occupied this place... Wouldn't I be able to create an impregnable fortress?"

Although futile in front of powerful existences, this served as an absolute safeguard towards the Mystyr Kingdom. He doubted a Grand Knight would be capable of bypassing these celestial mountains, especially if the already impregnable defense was enforced once more!

Coincidentally, Litel Trading Site was just a few dozen kilometers away, perfect for a place to garner all businesses and also support the flows of the economy of soon-to-be-his territory!

With all of these ideas in mind and several other inspirations, Fredrinn smiled widely as he put his hand on the foot of the mountain.

"It seems like I could only create a secret tunnel."

It took a while, but it wasn't difficult. Fredrinn simply repeats a series of claws, slowly but surely creating a tunnel inside the mountains. Since he already considered this place as his future turf, he prepared a very wide tunnel so his future agendas would proceed smoothly.

Since he represented his people, he wore the fur cape threaded by the dainty fingers of his wife, along with his warm, brown coat cladded in shining armor. His sharp features stood out as he finally managed to connect the outside with the territory inside, letting the warm sunlight glaze his face.

Surprisingly, contrary to the warm tone outside, what lies beyond the mountain range is a cold forest. The temperature dropped drastically, and that was when the sun was present.

Fredrinn furrowed his eyebrows as he explored the forest. It seems like the area ahead of the territory, which was separated by the official border, was a northern snowy biome.

Still, this does not dampen his intention to move his people here. The terrain was here was just too good to be passed up!

Soon, after a walk, he finally found a civilization. Ahead was a reinforced wall filled with hidden mechanisms, capable of trapping and even killing unsuspecting intruders.

The guards above were filled with the aura of desolation and sadness, yet there was something heroic about them.

'It seems like they were finally at the end of the rope.'

Fredrinn's steps were steady as he emerged from the cold forest, alerting the guards above.

"State your name and affiliation! Otherwise, we'll kill you!"

The guards, aware of the limited route that leads to their turf, did not hesitate. Anyone who came here was either another scheme planted by their Lady's enemies or a clueless person who climbed the mountain for no apparent reasons

As for the possibility of reinforcements? The guards and others have long abandoned such thoughts. It's better to fight to the death than to rekindle their fire of hope only for it to be ruthlessly put out again, like how it was for the past month

They've already accepted their fate, and they refused to be played again!

Considering all this, the first suspicion was obviously the most thick!

"My name is Fredrinn, and I wish to offer your Lady a hand."

Seeing their contorted faces of disbelief and suspicion, Fredrinn did not hesitate. He had no time to spare. The earlier the viscountess took over, the better.

He understood, and he even empathized with them. A lone man wanting to lend a hand, what can he do?

Therefore, it's better to see it with their own eyes!

"What could you possibly do to help our Lady, lest you don't even bring any soldier with you—?"

The guard and his companions asked impatiently from above when Fredrinn's right fist struck towards the sky. The shockwave alone pushed them back, forcing them to land on their butt. The trees shimmered as the leaves spontaneously flew around him, creating a mythical view.

The force of over 4 million kilograms delivered at such a speed by a mere fist was... Unrealistic and surreal yet there was something magical and beautiful about it.

The clouds above parted as if a celestial would descend, and Fredrinn stood amid this all like a conqueror ready to challenge the sky. He slowly retracted his fist as he turned to the awed men. He offered a gracious smile as his fur cape fluttered in the wind.

"Do not be afraid. I shalt lend you a hand, Nemhil's people. I'm here not to seek chaos, but peace and cooperation."

The guards trembled. It wasn't until Fredrinn stood before the gate that they snapped out of their confusion and took an immediate stride toward the nearest stairs.

They have no idea how their Lady got the favor of such a powerful man, nor do they know about the unprecedented feeling of giddiness and excitement that gradually overwhelmed their chest.

But do they matter now? That man was powerful, striking, and especially graceful! More importantly, he could bring them out of their current peril!

"Royd, quick! Tell the Lady about this man! I have a feeling... I-I have a feeling that—"

"Shut it! If you can't talk properly, then don't talk!"

The knight, Royd, delivered a quick slap to his fellow stuttering soldier before he sprinted towards the main hall for dear life. His eyes wide like a leacher who finally got the chance to push down their favourite!

The citizens in thick coats, unaware of their supposedly incoming doom, cast their curious gaze toward this particular knight. They looked at each other doubtfully.

"That's Sir Royd? Why does he look so... Perverted?"

"As I expected. There's no way someone was not perverted with that kind of face."

"Hey! I heard that! Let me tell you, the face is unchangeable! It was not his choice to have such a face! Though I guess you're right. I mean, such a crooked mouth!"

"That's blatant shaming! Anyway, his nose is indeed a little bit too big to not be a pervert..."

Meanwhile, in the main hall, Nemhil's glittering violet eyes gradually turned dim as she continuously listened to her people below. She slowly leaned on her seat and took a deep breath.

What is worse is not an instant death but an inevitable doom. The feeling of knowing that any resistance was futile is... Heart-breaking.

If only she was more evil. If only she was more sinister. If only she was more ruthless in facing her siblings... Perhaps she would be still in that place, served by dozens of maidservants while living leisurely.

Still, in the end, she chooses to stick to her path. She wondered if it was the right path...

Despite crumbling inside, Nemhil still put a cold front.

"Cease your voice!"

The chaotic, desperate people below who madly searched for a way out paused. Their crazed eyes became sorrowful as they looked at their Lady. The white streaks of her rose hair only amplified the desolation of her figure.

The heroine slowly lifted her hand to hide her own tremor, and she announced, "I'll say it again. In a few days, those bastards would launched their final attack. If we fail, thousands, millions of people behind us will perish. Mothers will lose their children, fathers will lose their families, lovers will lose their halves, leaders will lose their subordinates, and markets will lose their people. I don't care about others, about their interests, about their schemes..."

Her voice trembled, but she held on! She gritted her teeth as she smashed her own chest, "But I care about those people! I was entrusted to this border to defend this line! And I refused to abandon the people behind me! I want to protect them! And I know I sound selfish, pompous, and ridiculous... But will you fight with me?"

At the end of her speech, Nemhil's voice softened. Her bangs wafted, revealing her heroic eyebrows and her eyes. Her people below went silent, but it didn't take long for some to laugh.

"My Lady, I've already vowed to be loyal till death when you saved me and my mother! So whenever you fight, I'll be there!"

"My Lady was the one who cured my daughter when she was diagnosed with an incurable disease. It would require a lifetime for me to repay you."

"Hahaha! No need to talk so much, my Lady. Command us as you see fit!"

Her people laughed boisterously despite their inevitable death.

Even if they defect, so what? They'd be resented by the millions behind the border and would be hailed as sinners who abandoned the battlefield.

Although it was because their Lady was susceptible to schemes, as her people, they were very proud that they could serve such a valiant Lady! They did not go against their conscience, and truly live by the heart!

Perhaps, for knights like them, dying on a battlefield would be more than enough.

They, knights, don't live by what ifs, but by so what!

"My people, please select a few of you to evacuate the citizens beyond the mountains. I know some of you would refuse, but this is mandatory!"

Escorting the citizens beyond the mountain range meant they'd have to leave their Lady on the battlefield, which is exactly her intention. At least, some of her people would be able to survive with grace...

As expected, none of them volunteered. They stood in silence. For the first time in their lives, they were plagued with this sense of indecisiveness.

Meanwhile, in an insusceptible corner where the light can't reach, Fredrinn, leisurely leaning on the pillar, looked at the Valkyrie above.

No title befits her more than this.

His calm eyes were filled with a tint of amazement and awe.

"Not even that Yeldon was this heroic..."

It was at this time that the perverted-looking Royd barged into the main hall and screamed excitedly.

"My Lady, my Lady! We've got reinforcement from a God!"

...Fredrinn's muscle involuntarily bulged. How dare you embarrass me like that! God? What God? Why the fuck can't I see it?!

Damn, pervert!