“Wake up, Azwin.”
He said after dumping a bucket of cold water on Azwin’s face.
Azwin jerked up and screamed.
“What are you doing!”
“Talking back to your teacher again. How many times must you be hit before you fix that tongue of yours?”
“Why don’t you fix your manner of speaking?”
“What do you mean you brat? Want me to get another bucket?”
Azwin scrambled away and hid behind a tree.
“Why are you dumping water on a grown woman in the middle of winter, you pretentious teacher?”
“Where are you running off to? Come out here right now!”
Azwin grumbled but stood in front of him again. He handed her a towel and sat down.
Azwin wiped her face and sat next to him, stealing a sip of his drink.
He challenged her.
“Are you old enough to drink already?”
“How long will you see me as a child? By nineteen the women next door have three kids already.”
“I heard about it before I came to town. You were caught knocking a boy down and stripping him naked so you could explore the mysteries of life. You’re lucky to be alive in this day and age. A hundred years ago, you’d have been labeled a witch and burned at the stake. Well, they still do that in some parts of the country…”
“It doesn’t matter. If anyone labels me a witch, I’ll kill them first.”
“Again with the killing talk. You’re too casual about it.”
With his one hand, the teacher took Azwin’s towel and tousled her hair.
Azwin grinned and asked.
“Do you have someone you like?”
“Yes.”
“Even so, you won’t be with me?”
“Trying to seduce your teacher now? No.”
“Aren’t I pretty enough? My mother instilled in me to cherish my purity, so I feel like I should at least have my first time with a wonderful man. The village girls won’t talk to me about it because they think I’m too manly, so how would I know what it feels like?”
“So, you want to know?”
“Yes.”
“Then let me give you one piece of advice before I become the cursed man who takes your first.”
“Go ahead.”
Azwin looked at him expectantly. However, he grabbed her cheek and pulled.
“Just be good at what you’re already doing!”
He pulled harder than just teasingly, and Azwin screamed as she was dragged by his hand.
“Ow! Ow! It hurts! Stop! I’ll kill you, you bastard!”
Azwin kept screaming, but he didn’t let go, saying,
“What’s the big deal about purity? Have you ever seen such a brazen person? Have you ever even met a fine man? Cherish your body before you end up regretting it later. If you were a boy saying such things, I would’ve cut it off—that’s how serious it would have been!”
He held on a while longer before finally letting her go.
Azwin, whimpering, rubbed her cheek. She glared at the teacher, who was now nonchalantly smoking, and said,
“Why are all the men around me like this?”
“The men around you probably think the same about you.”
“Teacher.”
“Speak.”
“Is there really a man who could like someone like me?”
“Are you asking seriously?”
“Very, extremely, incredibly seriously. When I approach, men run away… I really have no confidence.”
Azwin continued with a quiver in her voice.
“Is it because I act like a man? Should I just start liking women instead?”
Initially, the teacher looked at her incredulously, but then his gaze softened. Azwin, who had been fussing in anger, now had red eyes and let a tear drop. Trying to hold back more tears, she rubbed her eyes with her fingers, causing even more to fall.
The teacher stepped forward and hugged Azwin. She forgot that this was the same man who had thrown winter river water in her face and clung tightly to him.
“Azwin, my dear student.”
The teacher patted her back.
“You are truly a remarkable woman. You’re so remarkable that there’s no man honest enough to sincerely like you for it. Consider that a blessing. If a man does come along who likes you, then he really likes you. Don’t be desperate over this. Understand?”
For the first time, Azwin felt a sense of security being held in a man’s arms. But he was, after all, her teacher, and as they moved on to training, he harshly pushed her away to focus.
“Is it really that hard to maintain balance and wield a sword on a rock? Why do you fall backward and faint? I thought your head was going to split open. And why is your hair so long?”
Azwin, who had grown her hair down to her shoulders, replied as she retied it.
“If I didn’t at least keep my hair long, I’d look even more like a boy.”
“Then braid it back. It’s a common technique among female mercenaries.”
The advice he gave her then was as useful as the swordsmanship he taught.
The deeper she delved into swordsmanship, the more she realized the strength of her teacher, and as a result, other men seemed trivial. At twenty, following her teacher’s advice, Azwin became a mercenary, and indeed, the men she met there were nothing special either. Seeing the mercenaries’ filthy living conditions and cowardly behaviors only increased her disdain for men. The mercenary group she first joined was just like that.
Then, Azwin finally met a remarkable man. His name was Daniel, and he was a year younger than her. However, he disliked her, thinking she was mocking him. Her teasing was meant as a show of affection, but it ended up hurting his pride. Unfortunately, Daniel died in combat before she could apologize. He was the man she had believed would be her first love, excluding her teacher, so the loss was deeply shocking.
Later, the mercenary group Azwin was part of faced another group hired by their enemies, leading to their annihilation, with Azwin captured as the sole survivor. The condition for her survival was ‘one night’, and she accepted it. It seemed better than death.
Azwin spent the night tied up with the mercenary leader. Thanks to the darkness, she couldn’t remember his face, but he was quite handsome and said some pretty impressive things. Her first time happened this way and turned out to be not the worst memory, as it might have been.
Looking back, she realized that the mercenary leader wasn’t just quite handsome; he was very handsome, especially considering all the men she met afterward were nothing special. She wanted to find him again, but she didn’t know his name and long regretted it.
Next, Azwin met a count named Ryclison, who was rich, calm, and quite handsome. However, she left him after discovering he was seeing three other women while they were together. Still fond of him, she only cut off one of his fingers.
Then she met a stunningly fit painter, but his wanderlust meant their relationship didn’t last. After living like this for two years, she heard news related to the Wolf Knights and headed to Aranthia.
Her teacher had been right. Aranthia was full of remarkable men she had spent years searching for. Among them, Gerald was the best, and also the most challenging.
Just when she thought she had gotten through the worst, he died.
“Stupid man.”
Azwin muttered.
And then she woke up.
☆ ☆ ☆
The harsh afternoon sun stabbed at Azwin’s face. She was still tied up. And still in Tachisel.
Gerald and Nathan’s bodies were carefully carried by the Lemifs and laid in front of the temple. They truly believed Gerald was the specter of Ka-Drok. That’s why neither Azwin nor Rontlos was carelessly touched.
“The king is dead, and everyone who could have commanded them is gone too…”
Rontlos explained calmly.
“The chain of command is completely broken, not a time to be executing anyone. It wouldn’t be.”
“It doesn’t matter why as long as they don’t kill us.”
Azwin leaned against a pillar and slowly stood up, tied up as she was. Even breathing was painful now. But still, she dragged the chains and kept bending and straightening her back.
Eventually, she even managed to stretch while sitting with her legs straight. Unable to watch any longer, Rontlos asked,
“What are you doing?”
Azwin managed to speak, with difficulty.
“Ask them for water and something to eat.”
“They probably won’t. Don’t you see them clearing the bodies? They won’t be in the right mind.”
“Tell them the specter of Ka-Drok asks for it.”
“That kind of talk…”
“Just try it. Emphasize that Drok was a female dragon.”
Rontlos called a guard and said something. The guard responded angrily, and Rontlos shouted back angrily. Azwin, not caring for the incomprehensible dialogue, leaned back against the wooden pillar again.
Memories of Gerald surfaced one by one, tormenting her. Each time, she tried to move her body to forget.
‘Before he died, Gerry wanted to say something. What was it?’
She wanted to know, but another part of her refused. Whatever he might have said right before dying would have made her cry. And she did not want to cry now.
‘If I rest more, I’ll completely lose the use of my body.’
That was all she thought about now.
If possible, she would gladly trade her remaining life force for the strength to use right now.
Gerald had always liked jokes since the first time they met. It was clear because he had tried to force some cheerfulness in the harsh environment of a mercenary’s life since his youth. Yet, he often said that it was thanks to Azwin that he really started to care about making genuinely funny jokes.
‘Did I commit some great crime to deserve such nonsense? You were the one who made weird jokes when we first met. Remember? The first test with the Wolf Knights! Something about being a mercenary of fire. Don’t you remember?’
When Azwin scolded, Gerald generally let her win. He was never daunted, no matter how much she teased him. Occasionally, when she was on the receiving end of his joke counterattacks, Azwin felt annoyed but also refreshed.
Azwin liked all four men of the White Wolves, but Gerald was her favorite. That was her childlike, honest heart. Therefore, with Gerald alone, she cast aside the serious talk of adult love and clung to him like a child. She did not want to break the relationship where they could be friends without hurting each other.
‘I should have told him I liked him sooner…’
Regret piled up, and her heart ached.
It was when the teacher who taught her swordsmanship had left and returned as he did every year. Azwin, holding a sleeve with no arm, quietly asked,
‘Teacher, when was the most painful for you? When you lost your arm?’
‘The pain of not being able to wield a sword as I wish isn’t comparable to the pain of physical loss. But the pain of losing someone I loved is incomparable to anything.’
The teacher had said this, staring into the distance.
Young Azwin didn’t understand. Sad is sad, pain is pain—why call it pain? Now, she could finally understand his words.
‘I’m in so much pain, teacher. It feels like even if I lost one arm, or both arms, it wouldn’t hurt as much as this.’
A Lemif woman approached and placed a small bowl of water and a bowl of cold meat soup next to Azwin’s knees. Watching the woman’s trembling hands, Azwin spoke to Rontlos.
“Either untie me or feed me. How am I supposed to eat with both arms tied up?”
Rontlos relayed the message, but the soldier, claiming a shortage of hands, sent the Lemif woman away. Only the bowl of water and the watery soup bowl remained in front of Azwin.
Azwin looked at them briefly, then lay down on the ground, dipped her face into the water with her tongue. The sensation in her dry tongue faintly revived. In the same position, she licked the soup and drank the water again.
‘If you want to do that, go ahead. The rest doesn’t matter.’
Azwin muttered to herself.
There was no taste. Instead, as the food passed her throat, she felt like vomiting. She clenched her mouth tight, muttering as if casting a spell to prevent it from coming back up.
‘Just swallow.’
Azwin almost reflexively recalled her teacher’s teaching from nearly a decade ago. After making her suffer in the mountains, he threw dry food at her and said,
‘Just chew and swallow. Especially when you’re so exhausted you don’t want to eat anything, chew with all your might. Don’t think of it as eating, just move your mouth.’
Azwin coughed, and the soup bowl tipped over. Seeing this, Rontlos panicked and said,
“There’s no need for that, right? Azwin! You are a great knight of the Ugeh world! I heard you’re a knight!”
Azwin ignored him.
‘If my heart isn’t firm, then no action for the future will help. If I decide to survive, then just forget everything and focus on it.’
She repeated the same words like a mantra.
‘Ignore it. Ignore everything except actions that lead to survival.’
Was it the teacher who said that? Master Quain? Or was it the captain who had been fond of her during her mercenary days? She couldn’t remember.
Azwin was synthesizing the swirling thoughts in her mind.
‘Soon, I’ll have to fight.’
Even if she couldn’t wield a sword and was helplessly hanged for execution, she intended to hold on to that hope until the very end.
‘When it gets tough, the desire to give up naturally raises its head. That’s human. So, don’t pessimistically think your will is weak because of that. Just continue doing what you were doing.’
That was definitely the teacher’s words. Quain didn’t impart such teachings. The master said that actions in the worst situations are decided by the subconscious, so teaching about it when grown is pointless.
‘The worse the situation, the more you should not despair and just keep doing what you were doing. Thinking too deeply only makes it harder…’
Azwin focused solely on making her body move. She didn’t worry about whether she could fight or if her current actions had any meaning. She moved her wrists and her knees. If there was a chance, even a last moment to grasp a sword, she didn’t want to miss that moment.
The elderly Rontlos couldn’t bear the fatigue from being tied up and had fainted again.
After finishing her stretching and leaning against a log, a tall man in black armor suddenly stood before her. For a moment, she thought Nathan had returned alive. However, his voice was different. Although she was not skilled at distinguishing people by their voice alone, this was definitely a powerful voice, distinctly different from others.
He spoke at length in the Lemif language with a soldier next to him and then left. Azwin thought she might have been mistaken, but the man had one arm missing.
Suddenly, her vision blurred. She shook her head vigorously.
‘I mustn’t lose consciousness now!’
Azwin lifted her eyes again to confirm his face. This man was indeed the captain of the 1st Knight Division that Nathan and Redward had talked about.
‘One arm? Could it be?’
Fortunately, it turned out not to be the terrifying scenario where her childhood sword teacher was the captain of Excelon. His black hair, thick eyebrows, and sharp eyes were completely different from her teacher’s.
“Azwin, Azwin! Are you awake?”
Rontlos called out urgently.
“I’m awake. What’s up?”
“A miracle just happened. Larunton survived.”
She looked up to see green leaves and the slightly darkened sky. Honestly, she wanted to retort, ‘So what?’ But she couldn’t be as blunt as the Lemifs.
“That’s good. Congratulations. But did he say that?”
“Yes. That man is Victor, the captain of Excelon’s 1st Knight Division, it seems. Just now, he couldn’t believe you and Gerald had killed three of his knights. He questioned the soldier several times if something was wrong with Nathan’s death.”
Nathan was indeed a knight worth such consideration, especially if he had been under his command for a long time.
“So, what about the story of Larunton?”
“Let me translate what he said… ‘There’s no time, the foolish Tanors ignored my orders and the troop deployment, attacking Larunton and failing…'”
“Tanors?”
“A Hopet of Putnai. He’s even said to be dead. Anyway, it’s certainly fortunate for us.”
‘Putnai’s king is dead, and so is Tachisel’s. So what?’
Azwin asked.
“So, did Captain Victor say anything about me?”
“The soldier next to him said half of the Lemifs think you’re the specter of Ka-Drok, so executing you now is useless. Then Victor said that since Ka-Guanil and Ruskin will be coming soon, executing you then will end the specter of Ka-Drok like that. It seems the execution will start soon. It will happen.”
Azwin merely nodded, as if it was nothing new. However, Rontlos continued worriedly and with difficulty.
“It’s good that Larunton is safe, but our death is proceeding as it must.”
“My death is…”
Azwin slightly bit her lip and then continued speaking.
“…Gerald took it instead. So, I won’t die.”
Azwin’s resolve had not changed.
‘The moment to grasp a sword will definitely come!’
Suddenly, it grew dark. Azwin thought clouds had covered the sky.
The sky of Tachisel was enveloped by a black shadow. The flapping sound vibrated the air loudly. The moment the massive body landed in the square, dust enveloped the entire village. Seeing this, the Lemifs cleaning up the corpses in the square stopped their work and prostrated themselves.
It was a black dragon. In size, it was almost similar to the Kagua who had died by Gerald’s sword in front of the temple. It seemed slightly smaller, but perhaps due to its imposing presence, it felt several times larger. Horns that ran from the tip of its head down its back to the tail were sharp, and its black scales shimmered as if polished. Its widely spread wings slapped the ground harshly and then folded back.
‘That must be Ka-Guanil.’
On the shoulder of the black dragon sat a sorceror in a black robe. He maintained his balance merely by lightly placing his hand on the writhing dragon’s neck as if the dynamic movements of the dragon’s shoulder joints were nothing.
‘He’s standing without a leash? Must be a sorceror.’
After landing in front of the temple, the sorceror smoothly slid down from the dragon’s shoulder and stood next to Victor. Upon removing his black hood, an old man with a long white beard was revealed. Azwin did not recognize him.
Victor and the old sorceror conversed. Still, they were unaware that there were Lemifs here who understood the language of humans. Azwin could hear all their conversation through Rontlos.
“You’ve worked hard, Master Ruskin. Is everything proceeding as planned?”
Victor spoke, and the old man replied.
“As planned. The rest is up to Powel to handle. However, the incident in the Hapu turned out to be more significant than we thought. It seems that not only Sa-Knadil but also the goddess Nadiuren has awoken. Ka-Guanil just sensed that power. Moreover, he detected another dragon’s power approaching on our way here. We must hurry.”
“What’s the rush if not even Knadil is coming? Better to just smash it.”
Ruskin tilted his head.
“Is something bothering you? You sound harsh.”
“Yes.”
Victor replied brusquely. The black dragon, having its huge eyes fixed on Azwin all this time, finally spoke.
“Do not mess this up with your personal feelings, Victor. Not only am I worried about Knadil but about a higher being above him. With my current power, I can barely manage Knadil.”
Victor, seemingly distracted, crossed his arms and did not respond. Ruskin instead asked.
“What should we do, Ka-Guanil?”
“Make sure the events at the Sky Mountains do not interfere with the schedules in Acrand. The being waiting there will not have much patience for us. Remember that, Victor.”
‘Do all dragons sound like that?’
Azwin shivered just from hearing Ka-Guanil’s voice.
“Understood, Ka-Guanil.”
Victor finally seemed to give in, uncrossing his arms and continuing.
“Before we leave Tachisel, there’s one thing you need to do. That woman tied up over there killed a Kagua and killed my subordinates. However, this incident is being portrayed as the act of the specter of Ka-Drok. If we want to keep using Tachisel and Putnai in the Sky Mountains, this needs to be handled.”
Rontlos’s voice trembled as he relayed Victor’s words.
“It’s surprising that the mere curse of a creature like Drok could instill fear in the Lemifs. We’ll deal with it right away.”
Ka-Guanil closed his eyes briefly.
“But there’s something odd here. There’s an irritating magical power in this area. Ruskin, find out what it is.”
Ruskin lifted his staff and placed it against his forehead. The staff glowed slightly.
He then asked Victor.
“Did you retrieve the sword Nathan had?”
Victor tapped the sword he was wearing at his waist. It was the same sword Nathan had referred to as Ka-Guanil’s.
“Is there a problem with the sword?”
“Well, a sword of Ka-Guanil’s can’t possibly bother Ka-Guanil. It seems there’s another sword with the power of a dragon nearby.”
Ruskin commanded the Lemifs.
“Examine the corpse of the Kagua. What killed him?”
The Lemifs of Tachisel pointed at the sword embedded in Kagua’s skull, lying beside the temple. The sword, thrown by Gerald, was deeply lodged in the skull bone, too firmly for the Lemifs to remove.
Guanil recognized the owner of the sword at once.
“Knadil! It wasn’t the specter of Ka-Drok that lent its power to this village, but the power of Knadil. We can’t delay any longer. I will finish this before Knadil arrives.”
Guanil stood up and approached Azwin.
Rontlos, just from the sound of the footsteps, trembled in fear, having fully experienced how terrifying dragons could be to the Lemifs. Even Azwin, who had been trained in dragon hunting without prior knowledge of dragons, now felt her legs trembling. If she had been standing, she would have collapsed.
Guanil shouted in the Lemif language, loud enough to shake the village. Azwin couldn’t understand it. However, the Lemifs cheered upon hearing it. Rontlos, shivering with his head bowed, failed to translate the words for her.
‘Since the word ‘Ka-Drok’ appeared in the middle, maybe he said something about dispelling the specter of Ka-Drok?’
Guanil opened his mouth wide as he approached Azwin. To her, it seemed nothing more than being devoured, but for the Lemifs, this was part of a sacred ritual, hence Guanil was taking it slowly. Eventually, Azwin had to slowly watch the movement of the white teeth, the dark red and moist tongue, and even the start of the esophagus she was about to pass through.
‘Sermei’s prophecy was shattered by Gerald. So, I am not fated to die here.’
Azwin did not take her eyes off Guanil’s mouth.
‘Anything, just kick this fate away! Let me fight!’
Guanil’s hot breath rustled her hair. She shouted as if commanding Guanil.
“Hurry!”
At her command, a black wind stretched straight out from the forest, wrapping around Guanil’s side. His huge body lifted into the air, and the log to which Azwin’s ankles were chained was also pulled out. She was carried along by the strong current of air, falling down in the center of the square along with the log, while Guanil spun and crashed into the house built by the Lemifs.
The black flames consuming Guanil’s body quickly spread to the forest, and the house, made of dry wood, evaporated as if burned away.
From the direction the flames came, another black dragon resembling Guanil appeared. This strange dragon had thick horns on its nose and long, thin horns on either side of its head that wrapped around the nape like hair. It spread its wings and strode into the square, roaring.
“Tanthol!”
Rontlos cried out.
“Azwin! Tanthol, the Guardian Dragon of Larunton, has come! A miracle has happened!”
Tanthol recognized Rontlos and spoke in the Lemif language. Azwin did not understand what was said but sensed it was some kind of battle command. As Tanthol roared again, a tremendous number of Lemifs ran from the southern forest.
Rontlos, excited, jumped to his feet. However, he soon worried about Azwin, who had been swept away with Guanil, and looked towards the inside of the square.
Lying in the burning flames, Azwin slowly got up. As the log was pulled out, the fixed part broke free, and the chain hung only from her ankle. The rope that had bound her, along with her clothes, had burnt, allowing her to break free with a strong pull.
Azwin dusted off the lingering fire on her body like shaking off dust. Now, the only thing restraining her was the three-foot-long chain dragging on the ground from her ankle. Nothing else.
Azwin checked her physical condition. She had not broken any bones during the fall, nor did she suffer any serious injuries that could impair her movement, just some bruising.
‘The wind has fulfilled it. Guardian Dragon Tanthol of Larunton has granted it. Very well. Now I too, along with Rontlos and Sermei, will revere you as a divine miracle-worker.’
Azwin took a deep breath.
Dust rose in clouds from the collapsed stone building, billowing behind Azwin. She ripped off the burned remains of her sleeve and tore the fabric from her baggy pants to bind her badly bleeding shoulder. Tightening the knot with her teeth, she finished her makeshift treatment.
Shouts from the Lemifs echoed all around. The dust stirred by Azwin reached the spot where Rontlos stood, oblivious to the commotion as she seemed to be from another world.
“What did that dragon say in the Lemif language earlier?”
Still bound, Rontlos was briefly mesmerized by her presence before he responded.
“Tanthol said he was wrong in his thoughts. He regrets having abandoned us at one point out of fear of death. That’s what he said.”
“If I survive, tell Tanthol thanks. It was a close call with the fire, but it turned out alright in the end.”
Azwin gingerly touched her burned shoulder and chest.
‘Still hurts. Can I fight?’
Rontlos, visibly excited, exclaimed.
“Do you see, Azwin? That’s the army of Larunton. Tanthol has decided to join in the glory of Drok!”
Azwin slowly walked over and untied Rontlos while watching the army of Lemifs advancing from the southern forest. As they emerged from the woods and entered Tachisel, they formed ranks. Their posture with spears and swords was clumsy but determined.
Captain Victor swung an arm as he approached the square.
“That was quick.”
Despite the giant ally Guanil being swept away in flames, his expression seemed utterly indifferent. He shouted orders to Tachisel’s Lemifs loudly, his tone calm and firm. Even in haste, the Lemifs of Tachisel also formed ranks, but they looked terrified of the area Tanthol held.
“I’m just scared… Ruskin. Are you down too?”
Victor put a hand on his waist and looked back. Simultaneously, a splitting sound erupted from the temple, not humanly possible yet coming from a human throat. The Lemifs covered their ears, and Azwin too winced in pain as she couldn’t cover hers.
“Join the fate of Drok if you wish, Tanthol!”
It was not Guanil but Ruskin who spoke. His presence had seemed diminished next to the dragon, especially next to Guanil, but that was a misconception.
“What did he say?”
Azwin asked.
“He said, ‘Join the fate of Drok if you wish, Tanthol.’”
Ruskin’s white beard fluttered as the surrounding winds were sucked into his glowing staff. Tanthol looked bewildered at the sight of the human sorcerer, a resignation of death briefly crossing his face.
Rontlos shouted in Lemif for him to dodge, but Tanthol did not move and instead shouted.
“Fight your fate!”
Having heard so much Lemif by now, even Azwin could understand that much.
Ruskin’s staff emitted light. No living being in Tachisel could look directly at it. Azwin turned her head away. Where the beam of light passed, the body of the black dragon burned white and fell backwards.
Tanthol met his death by a single spell cast by Ruskin.
The Lemifs of Larunton screamed. If Tanthol had said nothing at his last moment, the fight would have ended before it began. But they did not flee.
Rontlos gave the command, crying yet bellowing loudly.
“Fight! Fight! For Tanthol.”
The Lemifs charged at Tachisel’s army in unison.
“For Tanthol.”
Captain Victor also issued the same command to Tachisel’s Lemifs. The two groups of Lemifs ran towards each other in the middle of the square. Azwin was in the square’s center, thus first encountering Tachisel’s soldiers due to her position. However, Rontlos, though untied, still had his ankle chained and couldn’t move.
“Go, Azwin. Get out of the way first…”
“Just watch, Rontlos!”
Azwin retorted coldly as she flexed her wrist.
“Think Gerald did something I can’t?”
Azwin crouched, waiting before kicking the leading soldier from Tachisel that charged at her. The chain trailing from her ankle struck other soldiers, causing them to fall. She picked up a spear that one soldier had dropped and swung it around several times.
“Spear-fighting, it’s been a while.”
Muttering to herself, Azwin thrust the spear at the oncoming soldiers so fast they were barely visible. The front line of soldiers collapsed, breaking the momentum of the charge. Although slightly delayed, the soldiers from Larunton rushed in. The square became a melee of both armies clashing.
Meanwhile, soldiers had cut the chains binding Rontlos with an axe, freeing him. Rontlos observed the battle briefly before speaking to Azwin.
“We need to retreat. Even in the midst of this, Tachisel’s army has much more experience and numbers. Moreover…”
Rontlos’s eyes caught the sight of Tanthol’s body, unbelievably fallen as if it were a lie. He had come here knowing he would die as foretold by the prophecy that he would fall by the Ugeh’s power. He had told them to fight even in his dying moment. Yet, the order to retreat pained Rontlos.
‘Rontlos is right. This is a massacre waiting to happen. We’ll all be slaughtered.’
Azwin knew it too but had no intention of retreating.
She watched the fight briefly, then set down the spear and picked up another sword and shield from the ground. After swinging the sword a few times, she discarded it.
‘Too light. How about this one? No, this one’s too long.’
She picked up and put down another sword repeatedly. She switched the shield in the same way. Even amidst the intense battle, she was as casual as if she were picking up trash. Once armed with both sword and shield, she suddenly shouted.
The loud cry pierced the chaos of the square and directed towards the temple.
“Ka-Drok!”
At Azwin’s shout, Tachisel’s soldiers near her, startled, retreated like dominoes, and naturally, Larunton’s soldiers also pulled back as the enemy lost their fighting spirit.
“Ka-Drok!”
Azwin shouted again. The long echo ringing across the square momentarily halted the fighting from both sides. Thus, the battle stopped with just two shouts from her.
Azwin pointed alternately with her sword at Ruskin standing in the temple and Victor at the rear of Tachisel’s army.
“Here I stand, ready to become the specter of Ka-Drok. See? Superstitions are quite useful, aren’t they? Standing with your arms crossed, giving orders won’t kill the specter that is me.”
Azwin said coldly.
“Step forward, Captain Victor. A knight of the White Wolves killed Nathan, claimed to be the strongest in Excelon. Now, a second White Wolf will finish off Excelon’s captain!”
Initially indifferent, Victor’s composure crumbled at the mention of Nathan. He reached out towards Ruskin, who was aiming his staff at Azwin.
“Wait!”
However, Ruskin ignored Victor’s plea.
“Don’t fall for her words, Captain Victor. There’s no reason to give this child a chance to fight.”
The sorcerer’s staff emitted the same light that had killed Tanthol. Azwin pushed forward the shield at the moment the light reached, knowing one hand wouldn’t be enough, she thrust the sword in front and pushed with both hands. The air vibrated, the shield shattered, and the blade broke. She was thrown back five steps.
‘Damned sorcerer.’
She couldn’t get up for a while, expecting to disintegrate into ashes like Tanthol, but surprisingly, she was intact. Though every joint ached, it wasn’t enough to keep her down. She rolled backward and immediately stood up.
Her hand that held the shield couldn’t move, but Azwin, feigning ease, massaged her wrist with the other hand and shouted at Ruskin.
“What, did you exhaust all your power killing Tanthol? Try again!”
Rontlos handed her a sword and shield he had received from a subordinate.
‘This one’s pretty good.’
Pointing at Tachisel’s Lemifs, Azwin yelled.
“See, lads! The light that killed Tanthol didn’t kill me. What do you think that looks like?”
Ruskin shrugged his shoulders and raised his staff again.
“How does it look? I’ll just do it again.”
“Enough, Ruskin. You’re going to let a child’s provocation draw you in?”
Victor said. Ruskin did not lower his staff.
“Perhaps I do want to get drawn in this time?”
“I’m asking you, please. Leave it to me.”
Victor glared at Ruskin for a while. Ruskin, facing Victor, did not avert his gaze. Eventually, Ruskin lowered his staff and pointed politely at Azwin with one hand.
“Then, as the captain wishes.”
“Thank you.”
Victor strode toward Azwin. The Tachisel soldiers standing in his intended path split to either side. Azwin massaged her ankle and jumped up and down on the spot to loosen up until the moment Victor approached.
“Did you have the strength to withstand the magic?”
Victor asked as he approached.
“Enough for about twice the same.”
Azwin massaged her neck as she replied.
“I’ll ask one thing. If the answer is suitable, I’ll give you a chance to fight.”
Victor came up almost right in front of Azwin and said.
“Isn’t it ridiculous to give opportunities this way?”
Azwin looked straight at Victor and asked.
“It reminds me of the guy who took my arm ten years ago. He provoked me in the same way.”
Victor asked with a cold smile.
“How was Nathan?”
Azwin chuckled.
“Easy question.”
As she recalled that moment, anger boiled up from within, and sorrow rose to her throat. Azwin answered seriously.
“They both were tired and injured, not in the best condition, yet the fight was the most intense and incredible I’ve ever seen. Even if two White Wolves fought, it wouldn’t have been as fierce. You might not understand this expression.”
Victor suddenly asked.
“I understand enough. Are those weapons sufficient?”
“I’ve received enough concessions from your side; I’m not asking for more weapons.”
“Really?”
Victor picked up a sword from the ground and swung it a couple of times.
“Then see what Nathan was like when I was in my prime.”
Victor paused briefly then swung the sword. The balance of swinging a sword rapidly with one arm surprised Azwin. The shield she held to her chest couldn’t withstand the speed and sliced her side, snapping her back to reality.
‘This is real. I can’t hope for luck like when blocking Ruskin’s magic.’
Victor’s attacks didn’t stop. Azwin combined sword and shield to block again and again. Typically, after five or six blocks, the attacker would be the one panicking, but Victor steadily continued his assault.
‘It’s still okay. Not too bad. My legs are moving. Focus on the movement. My arms are moving. The shield feels heavier than I thought. The arm that blocked the magic is numb… it’s not broken, is it? Anyway, it’s not too bad. Gerald fought with injuries like this; I can do it too.’
The ‘wall’ Victor casually displayed was higher than Nathan, whom she had observed from the side. Plus, being left-handed and using only one hand, his dazzling attacks were well-balanced, causing Azwin to quickly lose focus.
Victor’s attack was faster than Loyal or Dunmel. It was utterly defenseless.
I’m going to die!
‘No.’
Azwin cursed internally.
‘I would have died from the first attack if I were going to. I’m blocking it. I’m used to these attacks. It’s becoming more familiar.’
She had focused on recovering her strength for half a day, but she could only move her limbs at a basic level. Thus, she couldn’t give her full effort. Yet, her hands and feet were keeping up with the opponent’s attacks.
Unexpectedly, her body felt lighter. It seemed smoother than when she was in good condition.
‘I see.’
In the last moments, the figure standing before her wasn’t Captain Victor of Excelon’s 1st Knight Division, but the one-armed teacher. He, too, had only one arm and his skills were similar to Victor’s.
Even after Azwin became part of the Wolf Knights, she never stopped or got anxious as her colleagues advanced ahead of her. It was all because of her teacher above her. Thinking of her teacher and practicing, she never lost to anyone. The first time she defeated Loyal was also because she fought thinking of her opponent not as Loyal but as her teacher.
In Azwin’s mind, her teacher was the strongest. She could handle a fight like this even if she had just woken up. It was nothing new.
‘I’m ready to surpass my teacher. Is it okay if I win?’
Azwin prepared for her final attack. Even if she lacked the strength now and failed, she had a clear picture in her mind of an attack method worthy of ending like Gerald’s. Victor seemed to notice this as he shifted his balance backward, adopting a defensive stance momentarily.
It was a very rapid change of posture.
‘Try blocking this. This is my bite!’
Azwin tilted her shield slightly back and charged forward.
At that moment, a white flash appeared before her eyes. She was so focused on her opponent’s chest and sword that she couldn’t avoid the light, even though she knew it had been targeting her from the start.
She barely managed to raise her shield, but the attack was not something that could be blocked with a shield. The flash shattered the shield and broke her wrist.
Azwin couldn’t even scream as she was flung through the air and crashed shoulder-first onto the stone ground. Her dropped sword clattered noisily toward Victor. She could only groan in pain.
“Ruskin!”
Victor shouted angrily. Ruskin, who had been extending his staff forward, casually gripped it with both hands and said,
“I did what I was told.”
“I told you…”
Victor stopped mid-sentence.
Guanil’s hand, previously lying behind the temple, propped next to Ruskin. Then, a black figure suddenly emerged behind Ruskin’s back. Still burning with black flames but with skin unharmed and cleanly reflecting the sunlight, Guanil commanded,
“Do not underestimate the White Wolves, Victor. I’ve warned you several times. Finish it.”
“But Guanil!”
“End it, Victor.”
Ruskin interjected from the side.
“If chivalry bothers you, I’ll handle it, Captain Victor.”
Victor growled softly, then abruptly turned and approached Azwin.
“I’ll do it.”
Victor advanced and picked up a sword. Azwin could only raise her upper body; she couldn’t hold a sword or shield. Victor approached her with a stony face, without saying much.
‘A miracle happened. I just couldn’t seize the opportunity.’
There were no regrets. It was merely disappointing that everything ended without achieving anything. She comforted herself in that way.
‘Still, it wasn’t a life achieved nothing. This foolish girl met all the best people she could—wonderful teacher, friends, queen, and the greatest man.’
As Azwin resigned herself to her fate, Gerald’s face came to mind. She snapped back to alertness. Victor, resigned, swung his sword at her as she tilted her body back just in time to dodge. The sharp metal grazed her nape closely.
‘No, I can’t die yet! Gerald said something to me before he died.’
Azwin shuffled back, preparing for Victor’s next attack.
‘That wasn’t a call to give up.’
No matter how disgraceful, Azwin ran to survive.
Victor raised his sword again.
Azwin gritted her teeth so hard they bled. The image of Tanthol accepting death as Ruskin’s magic glowed came to mind. She couldn’t let that happen.
There was still something left for her to do.
‘I won’t give up!’
Azwin, shuffling back, grabbed a broken sword she found. It didn’t matter that it was broken. She brandished it like a reaper, thrusting it toward Victor as he advanced, and shouted,
“I am a White Wolf. I will not die like this.”
Victor stopped his advancing steps. He didn’t swing his sword. Azwin realized Victor wasn’t looking at her but behind her.
‘What has he seen that’s shocked him? Has the dead Tanthol come back to life? Is Rontlos pulling his bowstring to threaten him?’
Azwin, bracing for Victor’s next attack, did not turn around. Just the voice acknowledging her words made her mind feel scrambled.
“A White Wolf can only be defeated by a White Wolf. Isn’t that right, Azwin?”
Ruskin at the temple raised his staff, aiming to cast a spell on the person standing behind Azwin. Just then, a Lemif, soaring through the air like a bird, landed between Victor and Ruskin, kicking up dust upon impact.
This Lemif, unlike those from Tachisel or Larunton, had a white face and wings as white as snow. Between strands of ash-gray hair, the Lemif glared at both Azwin and Ruskin with eyes wide open. Then, it picked up a spear that had fallen to the ground and hurled it straight at Ruskin, just as he was about to cast a spell on Azwin.
The thrown spear caused a loud noise as it flew towards Ruskin, loud enough for Azwin to hear from a distance. The force with which it was thrown rivaled that of Sheyden from the Wolf Knights, known for throwing spears the farthest and most accurately.
The spearhead flew straight towards Ruskin’s face, and Ruskin, startled, twisted his staff to the side. An invisible barrier blocked the spear. However, the spear tore through like ripping fabric, only slightly slowed, and continued towards Ruskin’s face, grazing the cheek of the sorcerer as it passed by.
Ruskin, with a shocked look, turned his staff again towards the Lemif, who had already picked up another spear from the ground. It seemed he was regretting not having killed Ruskin with his first attack, so Ruskin, with shining eyes, just glared at him, not daring to attack rashly.
The man behind Azwin slowly approached and placed his hand on her head as she sat crouched. Victor narrowed his eyes and glared at him, and Azwin looked up at him with trembling eyes.
He gently patted Azwin’s head. The man, like Victor, missing an arm, smiled and said to Azwin,
“I’m late.”
Azwin rubbed her hair against his palm and responded in an annoyed tone,
“You’re incredibly late, teacher.”
It was the greatest expression of joy that Azwin could show.
–TL Notes–
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