Chapter 406
“Selena is dead.”

At Ian’s muttered words, Jean flinched. Selena. Just hearing her name brought her face vividly to mind—so how could the word “dead” possibly be true?

Though he couldn’t believe it, Jean understood. After all, he himself had been on the brink of death not long ago in the Ruswena camp. Selena had simply been unlucky. The tragic end was nothing but a cruel consequence of war, a result of Damon’s decisions.

“That’s why we’re heading straight to the Burgos camp. We’ll rescue the remaining comrades and make Damon fully understand the price of harming Bariel’s mages.”

“Y-you mean right now? Immediately?”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Ian placed his hand over Jean’s and infused him with magic. A fresh, invigorating breath swept through him, as if shedding soaked clothes—his entire body felt lighter.

Ah, this is what it means to live. This is what being alive feels like. The thrill and relief only those who have stood at death’s door can truly know filled Jean completely.

Seeing Jean’s complexion visibly relax, Ian smiled faintly.

“Yes. Right now. Jean, you can’t use magic because of the Idgal weapon, right? As far as we know, three hostages are being held in Burgos. I’ll lead the rescue, and we’ll make Damon pay dearly for daring to harm Bariel’s mages.”

With those words, the magic flowing into Jean lessened slightly. Ian wanted to pour all his strength into him, but there were few mages available, and his own condition wasn’t ideal—he had to be careful. For now, the important thing was that Jean had crossed the critical point.

“Um, Ian…”

As Ian pulled back slightly, Jean quickly grabbed his sleeve.

“The Ruswena mages… they don’t seem as loyal to the royal family as we thought. I only caught bits and pieces since I was half-conscious, but if we play it right, we might be able to break their ranks—”

“Captain Jean, it’s too late.”

“Huh?”

“It’s too late. Ian will handle everything. You just rest inside the barrier. Ian, can we move now?”

“Eh? Uh, yeah?”

That was pretty valuable information! Jean looked around in confusion, but no one else, not even the mages, seemed interested. They didn’t know about Zyra’s involvement.

Four soldiers lifted Jean onto a stretcher and carried him off. Even as he was moved, Jean shouted toward Ian.

“Ian, you really need to hear this through to the end, okay? Hey?”

“Well, at least Ruswena assigned a military doctor. See? As soon as I put in magic, he came back to life. Looks like they never intended to kill him.”

“Thank goodness. The mages inside the barrier are going to be noisy, huh? Captain Jean loves to stir things up.”

Before or after Ian’s arrival, he was always the same—confident he’d be the next Minister of Magic. Someone joked, and everyone chuckled quietly, straightening their clothes.

The sun had fully risen, marking morning. The light signaled the start of a new battle, but the mood was solemn. In other words, the hostages were about to endure another hellish day.

“So, how many are there?”

“Twelve, excluding Ian.”

Twelve. Some might regain their magic over time, but that was uncertain. For now, they had to act as if these twelve were all they had.

As Ian slipped on his gloves, the mages pulled theirs from their pockets.

“Good. Klipford.”

“Yes, Ian.”

“Send word to Prince Noah that we’re moving out.”

Clack.

A soldier saluted and galloped toward the barrier.

The troops, including the magic swordsmen, waited inside the city gates. Once Ian’s order—disguised as Noah’s command—came down, they would surge forward like a waterfall, pushing Burgos back.

“How long until the barrier opens?”

“Not long. About thirty minutes.”

“With the magic swordsmen deployed, ground combat won’t be a problem. We just need Beric to hold his own. Beric.”

“I’m worried about him. Captain Akorella fed him something weird. If he suddenly loses control, it’ll be a disaster.”

“It’s fine. Akorella’s right beside him watching. And he seems no different than usual.”

“That’s the problem—no change is the problem.”

“What? So everything’s a problem?”

The vast land stretched out before them. Except for Ian, only twelve mages stood facing the wind. Hale handed out cigarettes to his comrades.

“Ian, want one? The breeze is refreshing, but sometimes this helps.”

It could be the last time. That was always the case in wartime. Even joking like this, or just feeling the wind on their faces.

As Ian reached for a cigarette, the mages let out small cries of protest. Before it could reach him, they snatched it away, hands on hips, scolding Hale.

“Captain Hale, you’re giving Ian something good, huh?”

“…I was just offering.”

“That’s the problem. Even that reckless Captain Akorella won’t let Ian have anything harmful. I’m telling Akorella about this.”

“Um, Ian, say something.”

Cornered, Hale looked to Ian for help, but Ian’s gaze was elsewhere. Faintly, from a distance, the sound of the barrier slowly opening could be heard.

Creeeak.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Ian soared into the sky, Hale stubbed out his cigarette and followed, looking pleased. The mages lined up and took off after them.

Ian confirmed that the first to emerge from the barrier was Prince Noah. Armed and flanked by soldiers bearing flags, Klipford led the way.

Soldiers poured out behind him like grains of sand. Among them were Bariel’s magic swordsmen and the Imperial Defense Corps.

Boom! Boom!

The Burgos camp sounded massive war drums. A signal to prepare and form ranks—the enemy was approaching.

As Klipford led the charge, Ian and the mages kept watch on the rear right flank, wary of any movement from Ruswena.

“No response from Ruswena yet!”

“They just exchanged prisoners, so they’re probably distracted. We’ll keep an eye on the rear and head to Burgos.”

“Yes, Ian!”

Ian and the mages carved the sky, each staying within their assigned scouting zones.

If Zyra reported the rift to Eriphoni, Ruswena would have much to consider. Even if battle broke out immediately, they wouldn’t rush in. That was Ian’s calculation.

Later, they might have to send reinforcements to secure victory, but for now, Eriphoni would need time to verify Zyra’s report.

Thud thud thud!

Boom! Boom!

Klipford’s soldiers thundered across the land. Their massive footsteps shook the earth and echoed into the sky.

Ian followed them slowly toward the Burgos camp. In the distance, Burgos soldiers quickly formed ranks.

Whoosh—

They had entered long-range attack range.

As the Burgos general stepped forward, his flag waved fiercely. In response, Klipford’s banner snapped boldly in the wind.

“Are you holding Bariel’s three mages!?”

Prince Noah shouted. The general only raised his head, offering no reply.

“King Damon of Burgos, hear this! Release Bariel’s mages at once and leave Klipford’s lands! We will hold you accountable for the destruction of our fertile fields and the trampling of our daily lives!”

“How dare a mere prince speak in the name of His Majesty! We came to retrieve our envoy, and it is Klipford who refused to comply. Our envoy carries the will of His Majesty—if you harmed them, you have harmed the king himself and provoked Burgos! Klipford will bear the consequences!”

Creeeak.

Both camps drew their bows, aiming at each other. If anyone fired first, the sky would once again be filled with arrows.

The Burgos general took a deep breath and spoke loudly, as if for the whole world to hear—so loud that even the Burgos soldiers nearby flinched.

“Klipford must immediately explain the whereabouts of our envoy and open the way to receive us as honored guests! If not, King Damon will personally tear down the barrier and cut you down as we march to the capital! When that day comes, only wails will echo through Klipford!”

Thud thud! Thud thud!

Burgos and Klipford soldiers struck their spear shafts into the ground simultaneously—a sound that meant both support and absolute refusal.

Swish.

Noah gripped the sword at his waist. There was no reasoning with them. Their only desire was Klipford’s downfall and Burgos’s rise. If there had been any other motive, they wouldn’t have sent the mage’s head with the envoy in the first place.

Noah had known from the very start—before a single word was spoken, before a single letter arrived—that Burgos was not a party to negotiate with. Burgos was not someone to bargain with, but an enemy to be crushed, pushed back, and utterly destroyed.

“Wait.”

At that moment, Damon appeared behind the Burgos general, mounted on a white horse. Amid the sea of black-clad soldiers, his arrival stood out starkly.

Noah thought the last time Damon hadn’t been on a white horse. As he considered this, Damon raised a hand—a signal to focus attention on him. This wasn’t just for Noah; it was also a greeting to Ian, who was watching from somewhere high above.

“Prince Noah. It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Thanks to you, very well.”

“As I said, we have the three Bariel mages in our custody. This is a war between Burgos and Clifford. Foreign interference isn’t necessary. So here’s my proposal: if you withdraw the Bariel forces immediately, we’ll spare the mages and send them back alive. Are you listening, Ian?”

Damon swept his hand through the air, searching left and right, but Ian’s figure was nowhere to be seen.

“Withdraw the Bariel forces now and return to your country. If not, I’ll have to prepare more boxes the size of the one I sent at dawn.”

If they didn’t listen, Damon threatened to start killing the mages. Still, no answer came.

Finally, Damon snapped his fingers, and from inside, a bloodied Tommy was dragged out. Noah clenched his fist tightly, signaling not to attack, but Damon spread his hand wide and brought it down—signaling that an attack was permitted.

“The Bariel mage is here! If you don’t pull out of this war, his head will fly off too. You okay with that? Huh?”

Swish!

“Aaah!”

Damon laughed as he sliced through Tommy’s thigh, the blood splattering over the gleaming blade.

It was a sword forged in Idgalo. The blood-dripping blade was raised high, as if to declare that the Burgos army could easily cut down ‘that’ mage.

Shhhk!

Swish!

But then, in the blink of an eye, a beam of light struck down, cleaving Damon’s sword in two. A blonde man with green eyes stepped close to the king’s side.

It happened so fast—no sound, no sign, not even a glimpse of his approach. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and surprise flickered in Damon’s violet pupils.

“Y-You—!”

Bang! Crash!

Crackle!

As Damon swung the broken sword, soldiers surged forward, wielding Idgalo swords and spears.

Ian unleashed his magic, reaching toward Damon’s neck.

…He’s going to kill him. Kill him mercilessly.

“Now!”

“Advance! Wipe out the Burgos forces!”

“Uaaah! Kill them! Kill!”

Noah ordered his soldiers forward, and in an instant, the battlefield descended into chaos. Damon saw the glow of magic in Ian’s grasp and, panicked, tried to retreat.

Boom!

Bang!

A tremendous roar filled the air as dust and dirt swirled around them. The force pushed Ian back but shielded Damon at the same time. The power felt familiar, yet extraordinary.

Ian looked toward its source. On a distant hill to the north, Burgos reinforcements had gathered in droves. Standing at their forefront were men—human figures.

“…Atan.”

Damon muttered with a faint smile, while Ian furrowed his brow and charged at Damon once more.