╰•★★ The Battle With The Barbarians ★★•╯
After exchanging simple wedding vows with Carlyle, Asha headed to Pervaz with a long procession of carriages.
The people of Pervaz, who had hoped that Carlyle would bring them plenty to eat, were surprised by the sudden arrival of the princess’s party. However, even in the midst of their confusion, they were gradually won over by Asha’s gentle, if somewhat blunt, demeanor and the increasingly prosperous state of the territory.
“We have a shiny new hospital in our territory!”
“They’re going to be distributing seeds next week! They said to let them know our planting plans in advance!”
“They’re repairing the hearth in the lord’s castle? Does that mean they’ll be baking bread soon?”
The people lined up for food distribution were busy sharing news of the changing Pervaz. Hope for the future swelled like bread in the oven.
And Asha, looking down at the people from the second floor of the castle, sighed deeply.
“The people of Pervaz have suffered a lot. They’re all so thin.”
As she said, the people in the food line were emaciated and their clothes were not very good.
Carlyle, who was looking at them with her, turned his gaze back to Asha.
‘What a fascinating person.’
In fact, even though she had traveled the battlefield, Asha was an absolute royal. What is an absolute royal? They are the people with the greatest privileges in the entire empire.
So he thought she must have lived above the clouds and never looked down properly. The story that she wanted to leave and rest after the empress framed her and took away her crown princess position was also a proof of her weakness.
However, Asha, who experienced it all firsthand, was a very different person than he thought.
“Will the last round of aid be enough to cover the food distribution and seed distribution?”
“Is that all? We are also working on border security and road improvement projects.”
“Of course the territorial reorganization project is important, but we need to feed them first. If you need anything, let me know. I promised to provide all the money needed for the reconstruction of Pervaz, so don’t hesitate.”
Then Giles, who was standing next to her, snorted.
“I don’t think the Count of Pervaz would do such a thing.”
“You know well. But I’m not a swindler who keeps the money for myself. I’m not wasting a single penny of the money Her Highness gave me.”
“I know. And I trust you.”
Asha smiled softly.
‘She’s really pretty when she smiles…….’
Whenever this blunt woman smiled, Carlyle’s gaze was drawn to it.
In fact, even without a smile, Asha’s appearance was quite beautiful. Sometimes he felt that her cool demeanor suited Pervaz perfectly.
But the moment she smiled briefly, it felt like seeing the spring of Pervaz, which existed only for a very short time in his memory.
It was cool yet warm, and somehow ticklish.
‘Even though she wields a sword, a princess is still a princess. If she wore a pretty dress and went to a banquet, men would line up.’
Carlyle thought of her as a pretty princess, wanting to see Asha smile for a little longer.
However, not long after, that thought was shattered.
* * *
“It’s an attack! The barbarians are coming!”
In early September, when the whole of Pervaz was waiting for the first harvest, the dormant barbarians rose up.
Having already heard of the strange signs from the north through the castle tower guards, Carlyle quickly put on his armor and drew his sword.
“Prepare for battle!”
At his cry, the servants and warriors of Pervaz Castle moved in unison, getting ready to fight the enemy. To them, war was life itself, so there was not a hint of hesitation or fear in their movements.
Decker, Carlyle’s right-hand man and as good as family, came running in, also dressed in armor, and said.
“Fortunately, their numbers are not large. It seems they think we are still in a weakened state from the war with the Lure tribe.”
“Not a wrong assumption. We haven’t fully recovered yet.”
Then Decker hesitated and asked.
“By any chance… can we ask for help from Her Highness Asha?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. After extorting so much money and supplies from her, you want her to help us fight too? No territory would be shameless enough to do that.”
However, when Carlyle entered Asha’s room to report the battle, she was there waiting for him, fully prepared for battle.
“Your Highness…?”
“Ah, Count Pervaz. You’re a bit late. Are you leaving for battle soon?”
“Yes, Your Highness. The Igram tribe, one of the minor tribes of the Abandoned Lands, has invaded our borders. We are about to go out and defeat the enemy.”
Asha nodded as if she had heard something obvious.
“The Haven Knights and the Pervaz Knights have never fought together before, but we will have to do our best given the situation. I will also do my best.”
“Yes? Surely you don’t… intend to go out to battle?”
“Of course I do. You and the Pervaz Knights know the situation better than I do, so lead me and our knights.”
Carlyle was at a loss for words for a moment, despite the urgency of the situation.
However, Asha spoke firmly to Lionel, her closest aide, and the commander of the Haven Knights, who were also present.
“We have never faced barbarians before. So prioritize the orders of the Pervaz side and support them without interfering with the attacks of the Pervaz Knights. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand!”
The arrogant commander of the Haven Knights bowed his head without a word of complaint.
There, Carlyle was able to confirm Asha’s ability to command her knights.
And a strange sense of anticipation and excitement began to creep in.
‘The beautiful reaper who brings the curtain of despair to her enemies… I guess I’ll get to see her skills this time.’
He hid his face, which had a faint smile on it, as he bowed to Asha.
“I, Carlyle Amir del Pervaz, will destroy the enemies that threaten Your Highness’s safety in the forefront.”
Then Asha grabbed his arm and pulled him up, and leaving a short and dry kiss on his forehead, which he had awkwardly presented, she said.
“May the blessings of Aguiles be with you. I wish you victory, my lord.”
She turned around immediately and led Lionel and the Knights of Heaven out, but Carlyle remained rooted to the spot until the warmth left his forehead. And when even the feeling of their lips touching disappeared, he finally came to his senses and turned around.
“Yes, I… I must lead the way.”
Strangely enough, his head felt empty. Even though he was on the eve of war, he felt more excitement than tension or anxiety.
And Carlyle, who was heading towards the gate out of habit, suddenly exhaled as if he had been holding his breath the moment he saw Decker in the distance.
“No, but that woman is really good at wielding people.”
* * *
Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong.
The sound of drums that boosted the morale of the allied forces resounded, and the sound of horns blown by the Igram tribe also drew closer.
Carlyle, who was at the forefront of the army, looked down at the Igram tribe pushing towards Pervaz Castle, drew his sword from his waist and raised it high and shouted.
“Fire!”
The Igram tribe, who were running towards the rain of arrows that were quickly fired, were visibly flustered.
However, Carlyle did not give them a chance.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The sound of warriors stomping their feet and everyone’s heartbeats accelerated.
“Charge!”
A voice that shook the air.
Carlyle waved his blood-soaked hair and pointed the tip of his sword forward.
“Attack!”
“Uwaaaa!”
As soon as his order was given, the Pervaz warriors started to run out shouting, and Asha, who was watching them, also drew her sword.
“First Legion of the Haven Knights, protect the Pervaz Warriors! Second Legion, search the area and deal with any ambushes! Third Legion, defend the Castle!”
Asha quickly gave the order and stood in front of the first legion, waving her sword forward.
“Advance!”
“Waaaah!”
The Igram tribe, who were fighting the Pervaz Knights, were speechless at the sight of the Haven Knights pouring out one after another.
“What, what is that!”
“I don’t know! It looks like they came from somewhere else to help?”
“Damn it! It’s too late to do anything about it now! Push through!”
The Igram warriors knew that the situation was disadvantageous, but they could not retreat. It was already too late.
“Did you want to end up like the Lure tribe? I’ll grant your wish!”
Carlyle’s sword deeply pierced the chest of the Igram warrior who was running towards him.
The morale of both Carlyle and all the Pervaz warriors was skyrocketing due to the fact that there were people behind them to take over.
At that moment, when the sound of weapons clashing, screams, shouts and neighing of horses were noisy, someone who seemed to be the leader of the Igram attack force shouted:
“Call the rear guard! Hurry!”
At that moment, Carlyle’s gaze turned to the direction the Igram leader was pointing with his fingertips.
At the same time, Hector shouted:
“It’s Mount Cruze, lord!”
The thought of crossing the rugged Mount Cruze was a crazy one, but if they succeeded, the rewards would be endless.
“Damn it, Decker! Take Hector, Danilo, and a hundred warriors! Go!”
Carlyle shouted urgently.
But Decker, who had been looking back, smiled and replied.
“I don’t think you have to worry about the rear! Her Highness Asha is already on his way there!”
Just then, Carlyle saw a group of knights riding across the Kiker Plain towards Mount Cruze.
To be exact, to the incarnation of Aguiles, who was leading the charge with a red cloak and black hair flying in the wind.
“Her Highness Asha, what a great person she is! Let’s leave Mount Cruze to Her Highness and wipe out these bastards!”
Decker laughed and brandished his sword.
Carlyle didn’t like the expression “great person,” but he felt his strength surge at the thought of simply wiping out the enemy before him.
“You rat bastards! You dare to attack from behind?”
His wild eyes scanned the barbarians, and the sword of death that won victory from Pervaz began to wave on the battlefield again.
That day, they won a great victory after an unusually short battle.
* * * *
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