Chapter 268

The next day.

The preparations for this funeral were quicker than any defense mission I'd seen before. It was because civilians had been casualties this time.

Even though soldiers and heroes had fought valiantly and laid down their lives, there were still losses.

'Thirty-seven civilians.'

I stood in front of the coffins of the lined-up citizens, clenching my lips tightly, bowing my head. From a distance, the families of the deceased watched me with uneasy expressions.

I expected them to grab me by the collar, to jeer and hurl insults from afar. 

To ask why I hadn't done more, to claim their family members died because of me, to vent their frustrations.

But no one did.

Was it because, in this fortress city, it wasn't uncommon for civilians to die during monster invasions? Because I was royalty and a high-ranking lord? Or maybe because life was inherently cheap in this world?

Before the funeral, I met each of the deceased civilians' families to apologize and offer compensation. They were both embarrassed and grateful.

Grateful.

Despite my failures leading to their family's deaths, they thanked me.

"..."

I want to change this.

I want to overturn this world entirely.

'No... I will do just that.'

I gritted my teeth.

I will change the world. To a place where death isn't taken for granted. To a place where people don't thank you for death.

In my own way. Absolutely.

After laying the flowers, I moved to the next group of coffins.

'One hundred eighty-nine soldiers.'

Excluding the tutorial stage, this was the most significant number of deaths in a defensive battle.

Most of them died protecting the civilians from the werewolves, both at the northern gate and scattered throughout the city.

Looking at the rows of coffins draped with the empire's flag, I slowly bowed my head.

It hurt.

Their noble deaths made it hurt even more. I bit down on my lip so hard it tasted of blood.

'The soldiers who died this time were all skilled.'

They faced the monsters without fleeing, willing to lay down their lives to save the civilians. They were mentally seasoned soldiers.

I lost almost two hundred of them. The loss was painfully immense.

I closed my burning eyes tightly, holding back.

I shouldn't cry.

I shouldn't comfort their deaths with tears. Instead, I had to take responsibility.

The priests sprinkled holy water over the coffins and blessed them. I silently watched as hundreds of coffins were laid to rest.

And finally,

'Two heroes.'

Two hero characters had fallen. Technically speaking, neither belonged to my front line.

The condemned Camus.

And Kureha, Kuilan's brother.

One was a criminal waiting for execution, and the other, despite his combat skills, was just an ordinary citizen.

But both had died in this battle.

Although Camus was a condemned criminal, considering his efforts to save the civilians, I decided to bury him in the imperial cemetery.

I don't know what it might mean for him to be buried in the very empire he despised, but as a commander, I made that decision.

Camus' grave was noticeably emptier than the others. No one mourned his death.

Occasionally, passing civilians would place bouquets on his grave in gratitude for his sacrifice, but no one cried for him.

"..."

Junior stared at his gravestone from afar, a complexity evident in her gaze.

Further away, Reina, leaning on her staff, watched Junior from a distance.

The scene at Kureha's tomb was quite the opposite; it bustled with visitors.

Besides the five members of the Penal Squad, dressed deeply in hoods and robes, bandits and refugees who had come with the Penal Squad wept and paid their respects with flowers.

Not just them, people from the city, who had connections with Kureha over time, also came by, laying white flowers.

He was a good person.

But he died.

'If I had realized the essence of this game a little earlier...'

The scenery today... would have been different.

The choir's funeral hymn concluded, and eventually, all the rituals ended.

It was finally my turn to speak.

I took a deep breath and stepped onto the podium, now familiar with thousands of eyes fixed upon me.

"..."

I cleared my throat and began.

"First, I'd like to apologize."

Seeing me bow my head, murmurs spread among the crowd. Regardless, I continued.

"As a commander, I was complacent. I failed to detect the enemy's flanking maneuver. Monsters ambushed us from all sides, and my response was tardy."

I had assumed, based on the game's rules, that they would only attack from the southern walls.

As a result, Crossroad suffered heavy casualties from the werewolf legion that bypassed the rules.

"People died. This is entirely my fault."

I was a commander who knew how to fight within the rules of the game. Inside those boundaries, I could match anyone.

But outside of those rules, on the real streets, in actual combat, I was easily overpowered.

'I've never properly studied strategy and tactics, and I'm far from being a superhuman.'

I am just an ordinary person who's played this game a bit too much.

Still treating this world's reality like a game, I remain a die-hard gamer at heart.

That being said,

"From now on, I won't take things lightly."

Breaking free from the rules and stepping out of the ring,

I intend to face this world head-on.

"I will think more agilely, analyze the enemy more sharply, and use every means at my disposal to crush their invasion."

I no longer care about the confines of the ring. I've already torn through its ropes and stepped onto the streets.

Stepping over the line of rules, I stand tall.

I'll do whatever it takes to defeat those monsters.

"Using every means available."

I reiterated, slowly looking around at the audience. They were engrossed in my speech, hanging on every word.

"I hope today is the last day you hear an apology from me. I will give it my all for that."

Aiming to clear the game, pioneering a new path outside of its rules, I will lead them.

For a world where even one less person dies.

Even if, in the process, I transform into something different than I am now.

"..."

I paused momentarily, observing the surroundings. Due to my speech, the graveyard was laden with palpable tension.

I've talked too much about myself. Maybe I should change the subject.

"All deaths this time were painful, but I want to say that every death was noble."

I spoke softly.

"The fallen died protecting people. They sacrificed their lives to shield you from the imminent threats."

With a faint smile, I nodded.

"And you all are worth such sacrifices. Because you too stood up to protect the ones beside you."

Holding torches and weapons.

The citizens of Crossroad had risen on their own and gathered at the square.

Together, guarding each other's backs, they spent the night warding off the hordes of monsters.

"Never forget. We are human. We must protect one another from monsters."

The word for human (인간) means 'among people'.

To be human, one needs others.

"Look at the faces beside you. Remember the faces of those you must protect, and those who will protect you."

The citizens awkwardly glanced at each other's faces. My gaze shifted toward the graves.

"Remember the faces of those buried here. Those who gave their lives for you."

Clasping my fist tight, I concluded.

"Become a person who protects others. The greatest wall against monsters is right there."

I bowed my head slowly.

"In honor of all those who formed the foundation of this fortress, let us have a moment of silence."

Thousands bowed their heads in unison. A hush fell over the vast graveyard.

After a brief moment of reflection, I stepped down from the podium without another word.

Since Lucas was absent, Evangeline was overseeing the funeral.

With her bandaged body, Evangeline waved her arm, signaling the artillerymen to ignite the cannons.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The salutes honoring the fallen echoed in the distance. The funeral came to an end.

***

In groups of threes and fives, the citizens and soldiers dispersed into the city or returned to the graves to pay respects to their fallen comrades.

As I watched from a distance, someone approached.

"You spoke well in your speech, Your Majesty."

I turned to see Reina. I nodded at the elder approaching with the aid of a cane.

"Commander Reina, how are you holding up?"

"It's not bad enough to complain. Besides, there weren't many who got severely injured in this battle."

It was true. Everyone had some form of bandaging. Injuries like Reina's were commonplace.

I slowly inquired after noticing the bandage wrapped around Reina's abdomen.

"I heard you took down Camus with your own hands this time."

"It was self-defense. Even if it wasn't, I have the authority to eliminate a criminal who points a blade at me."

"..."

"Do you intend to reprimand me for that act, Your Majesty?"

"No. I was just verifying the facts."

Camus tried to kill Reina, and she defended herself, ending Camus.

Regardless of prior animosities, that was what had transpired on this monster front. It wasn't my place to question it.

"So, it seems you have some business with me, Commander Reina."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I came to discuss something."

Suspecting the nature of her visit, I nodded.

"Is it time for you to return?"

"That's correct. Our magic battalion's support for the southern front has ended with this defense battle."

They had committed to supporting five defense battles. From Stage 6 to 10.

All those commitments were fulfilled with yesterday's defense. It was time to return to the Imperial Family.

"We were able to fend off the monsters with ease because of you."

It was genuine. The officers and soldiers of the magic battalion had been a great help throughout the five defense battles.

'Though they did scheme things like the "Shutdown Protocol" behind the scenes, Reina did confess and dispose of it with her own hands. I can let that slide.'

"We won't forget your efforts."

I extended my hand to Reina.

"It was just our duty. Your words are thanks enough."

Without hesitation, even at the handshake requested by a member of the Imperial Family, Reina took my hand and shook it. She's truly remarkable.

"When are you leaving?"

"We've sent for an airship from the Imperial Capital. It's due to arrive today, and we plan to depart immediately."

They sent me on foot, but the magic battalion, being the elite, travels by airship.

"When you return to the Imperial Capital, send my regards to Fernandez."

Mentioning my second eldest brother, who always takes care of his people, Reina faintly smiled.

"I do have some updates to report to Lord Fernandez."

"?"

"That you are truly focused only on defending this frontline."

Reina lifted her gaze, taking in the desolate scenery around Crossroad.

"In such a barren wasteland, not once longing for the glamorous life in the Imperial Capital, you're putting your heart and soul into defeating monsters."

"..."

"That you genuinely don't care about central power, wealth, or even the succession to the throne. I'll report this."

I couldn't tell if it was praise or sarcasm. No, I didn't understand her intent.

Seeing my furrowed brows, Reina lowered her voice.

"You declared it from the Imperial Capital, right? That the southern front will operate on its independent course."

"That's right."

She must've heard it through her intelligence network.

"I hope that's true, Your Highness."

"?"

"That the operations here are purely for the front and aren't influenced by the power struggles above. And I hope for a bright future. I'll be cheering you on from afar."

Whatever her hidden intentions might be, it's good to hear encouraging words.

"You've worked hard. Safe travels, Captain Reina. Next time, I hope we can meet in a peaceful place and share heart-to-heart stories."

"Haha. It sounds wonderful just hearing it. Somewhere peaceful, not on the frontline..."

Gazing at the countless tombstones laid out in the cemetery, Reina trailed off.

"I too wish to retire soon and live out my days in such a place."

The soldier, who spent her life amidst wars, said this and then gave me a firm salute.

"It's been an honor working alongside you, Your Highness. Until we meet again."

Reina then turned around and headed back towards Crossroad. Probably to pack up for her return.

I watched from a distance, her old black military uniform worn by the veterans, and above it, the fluttering white robe of the magic battalion.

"..."

I wish for Reina's remaining days to be peaceful. But.

I also know that it might not be possible.