"Everyone, it has been confirmed that the document tablets are now in your hands."
I looked at the six Guardian Knights before me, the document tablets already placed in front of them.
The six Guardian Knights were as follows:
From the Snow Country: Andre and Boris.
From the Kingdom of Flame: Amir and Kiran.
From the Kingdom of the Sea: Norman and Maren.
Additionally, there was Lina, the Saintess of the Kingdom of the Highlands.
These seven people would be the main force in this war. My two thousand dragon cavalry were a secret weapon and could not be easily shown to the public.
"Everyone, for many years, the demon race has encroached upon the continent, hoping to return and drench everything in blood. Now, they have acquired the capability for long-distance seafaring."
The six Guardian Knights looked at each other in disbelief. One of them, Andre, couldn't help but ask.
"Your Highness, Saintess of the Moon, this humble official is confused. How did the demon race obtain the ability for long-distance seafaring? Nothing like this has happened in a thousand years. What exactly transpired?"
I nodded. His question was direct, and there was no longer any need for secrecy, so I laid it all out.
I explained the entire sequence of events.
Amir and Kiran from the Kingdom of Flame were clearly the more aggressive types. Both immediately shouted slogans about setting out at once to exterminate the demon race, but I stopped them.
"Everyone, the Kingdom of the Sun is currently in grave danger. Even if our army sets out now, it will be too late to save them. If we start heading south now, it will take our army of over eighty thousand at least a month to reach the Kingdom of the Sun. By then, it will have already fallen."
The six Guardian Knights exchanged looks again before Andre stepped forward once more.
"Since Your Highness says so, you must already have a plan. May I ask what you intend to do?"
I nodded. It seemed Her Highness Elizabeth hadn't just sent anyone; Andre was certainly a capable Guardian Knight.
"Since you asked, I will not hide it any longer. This time... I have decided to go to the Great Wall with Lina, the Saintess of War. We will cross the strait and strike the demon base directly. Our goal is to completely uproot their home, leaving the demon army abroad as an isolated force with no way home."
The six Guardian Knights were instantly stunned.
Expressions of disbelief filled their faces as they looked at one another.
"This... this is too risky, isn't it?"
"If anything goes wrong, won't we be unable to return?"
"The situation in the Kingdom of the Sun is so urgent, why go to the demon base?"
"Your Highness, Saintess of the Moon, isn't this... a bit too aggressive?"
The knights chattered among themselves, the six of them making as much noise as a busy marketplace.
I took a deep breath, prepared to say something, but then I saw Lina beside me suddenly slam her greatsword into the ground.
Boom—!
At the same time, her clear and loud voice echoed through the hall in a sharp rebuke.
"As Temple knights, are you afraid!?"
Instantly, the hall fell into absolute silence. The six Guardian Knights didn't make a sound.
Facing a Saintess—and the Saintess of War, no less, whose rumors were endless and whose strength was recognized as the greatest among the Saintesses—her words were more effective than mine.
None of the six Guardian Knights dared to speak.
Lina stood before them, glaring at them with fury.
"Look at this continent! You have lived in the safety zones for so long that you've forgotten what it means to go to war, haven't you? You should know that for all these years, the Kingdom of the Moon has continuously sacrificed lives to block the demon race east of the Great Wall and away from the continent. Now, the demon army is invading the Kingdom of the Sun, and three hundred million people are facing slaughter. Are you not angry?"
Lina raised her hand and pointed at the two Guardian Knights from the Kingdom of Flame, Amir and Kiran.
"You two, as Guardian Knights of the Kingdom of Flame, you surely understand how close the Kingdom of the Sun is to your home. They are separated by only a few dozen small nations. If an army moves with divine speed, it can arrive in just a few days. Once the Kingdom of the Sun falls, won't your Kingdom of Flame be the first to suffer?"
Amir and Kiran were left speechless, only able to lower their heads in silence.
She then turned to Norman and Maren from the Kingdom of the Sea.
"You two are Guardian Knights of the Kingdom of the Sea. Perhaps your land is still stable for now, but if the Kingdom of the Sun falls and the demon race fully masters seafaring, how long do you think your country will remain safe? Do you think your families can survive under the claws of the demon race!?"
"And you!!"
Lina turned to face the two Guardian Knights of the Snow Country, Andre and Boris.
"I thought that even if the people of the Snow Country didn't agree, they would at least not fear battle. But look at your performance just now. What? Have the knights of the Snow Country forgotten war? The Holy War with the Beastmen Empire ended less than twenty years ago. You who never feared the beastmen, are you now afraid of the demon race?"
Lina's fierce rebuke caused the six Guardian Knights to lower their heads. Their faces were flushed, though it was unclear whether it was from anger or shame.
At the very least, they were finally quiet.
However, Andre still raised a question.
"Her Highness Lina, since the Kingdom of the Sun is already in such danger, why not go directly to support them instead of attacking the demon island?"
This was likely the doubt held by all the knights.
"Regarding this, I cannot say for now, but..."
"It is fine, Her Highness Lina. As they say, do not use those you doubt, and do not doubt those you use. Besides, they are too far from the Kingdom of the Moon and will likely never have contact with the demon race. There is no harm in telling them."
Seeing that Lina did not intend to explain, I took over the conversation. Facing the six knights, I revealed the entire plan I had made with the Pope.
The six knights lowered their heads and pondered for a long time.
Andre was the first to step forward.
"Since both Your Highnesses are fearless in the face of danger, how can I, a mere knight, refuse? I am willing to go!"
Seeing this, Boris beside him also stepped forward.
"Both Your Highnesses have the courage of tigers and bears. Since it has come to this, I, Boris, am also willing to advance and retreat with you!"
Amir and Kiran looked at each other and also stepped forward.
"Your Highnesses, we are willing to go!"
Finally, Norman and Maren from the Kingdom of the Sea seemed a bit more hesitant, but they eventually nodded in agreement.
"We are willing to go!"
"Very well. Since all six knights have agreed, I will say no more. Take today to rest and recuperate. Tonight... I place no restrictions on what you do. As long as it is not illegal, you may do anything. If there is anything you wish to buy, just leave a note, and you may go. All expenses will be covered by my Moon Temple."
I stood up and looked at the six men below.
"Everyone, this is the continent's first counterattack against the demon race in a thousand years. The path ahead is uncertain. I leave everything... to you."
"We follow the Divine Oracle!"
The six responded in unison and then withdrew.
They would first report this matter to their respective masters before going to war with me on the demon island.
Tonight would also serve as a pre-war reward for the army. After all, starting tomorrow, no one knew how many knights would return alive.
Lina, on the other hand, had a look of disdain as she turned to glance at me.
"You... you knew they would go to those kinds of places, didn't you?"
Although Lina wasn't married, as an adult woman, she had some understanding of such matters, so she naturally knew why I had done it.
"Hmph, fine, don't say it. The quality of these knights is truly poor. My knights would never be like that!"
"Oh? Then how about we make a bet?"
Lina was slightly startled and instinctively looked back at me.
"Sure! What do you want to bet?"
"Let's bet... ten gold coins."
"Such a small bet? How do we play?"
"We bet on whether your knights will go to those places after receiving this order."
"A bet it is! My knights are definitely different from them!!"
Lina was full of pride, while I... couldn't help but chuckle inwardly.
She might be a strong leader with high personal charisma, but she was still too naive and lacked an understanding of human nature.
According to our plan, at least seventy percent of those participating in this expedition might not return. Even if those knights didn't think much, they should understand this reality.
Tonight was their last chance for madness. At a time like this, it was easy to guess what those men would do.
They would simply go to satisfy their desires.
I didn't approve of such things, but... this was a limitation of the era.
...
Just as I expected, the next morning, Lina obediently handed over ten gold coins.
According to Nara, Lina had exploded with rage early in the morning, but she still understood the art of leading troops. Despite her fury, she didn't punish those Black Armored Knights.
After all, it had been her own command.
However, seeing her dark face as she handed the ten gold coins to me first thing in the morning, I almost couldn't stop laughing.
The six Guardian Knights had already led their armies to the East Gate early in the morning, waiting to set out.
Lina's ten-thousand-strong Black Armored Knights had also long since encamped at the East Gate, likely ready to depart by now.
My close associates had all arrived.
"There is no need for concern, everyone. I am simply going on a long journey and will return soon."
Looking at the worry in everyone's eyes, I couldn't help but smile.
In any case, at least my subordinates truly cared for me now.
I looked back toward the East Gate. Although I felt some anxiety and worry, it was useless.
Rather than worrying here, it was better to step forward.
Let me see... just how terrifying this demon island is, a place no other race has reached in a thousand years.
I rode in the Saint's Carriage. Lina didn't join me inside; instead, she rode her white horse, following the carriage all the way to the East Gate.
...
Stepping out of the carriage, although I had prepared myself mentally, I was still stunned for a moment by the sight of seventy thousand knights standing in unison before me.
I usually only saw such large numbers of people on television or in certain programs.
It was almost impossible to experience this feeling in person.
But seeing this scene, I could truly understand the meaning of the phrase: when men number ten thousand, they stretch as far as the eye can see.
Outside the East Gate, as far as the eye could see, there was nothing but knights!
Aside from the most disciplined Black Armored Knights, the most impressive sight was likely the knight order from the Snow Country.
They were the cleanest and most orderly, and their military bearing felt more comfortable than the other two knight orders.
"Silence, everyone!!!"
Lina rode forward. Facing an army of tens of thousands, she showed no stage fright at all. Unlike me, who was stunned by the sight, her reaction was more mature and inspiring.
"Commanders, step forward for the roll call!!"
Lina likely knew I had never commanded such a large-scale campaign, so she essentially took over as the master of ceremonies for the entire process.
Soon, the six Guardian Knights stepped forward, and Lina was the first to speak.
"Lina, Saintess of War of the Kingdom of the Highlands, arrives with ten thousand Black Armored Knights!!"
"Oh—!"
The ten thousand Black Armored Knights let out a thunderous roar the moment they heard their Saintess's voice. For a moment, the sound of the ten thousand surpassed the noise of the other fifty thousand!
The neatness of their formation left everyone present in awe.
"Your Highness Luo Li, please review the army!"
I glanced at Lina and nodded. Taking a deep breath to steel myself, I stepped forward and stood atop the carriage, looking out at the sea of knights.
"Snow Country commanders, step forward!!"
"Guardian Knight Andre!" "Guardian Knight Boris!"
"Arriving with thirty thousand knights of the Snow Country!!"
"The thirty thousand knights of the Snow Country shall serve as the central army, coordinating the front and rear! Withdraw."
"Yes!" "Yes!"
I turned to look at the other side.
"Kingdom of Flame commanders, step forward!"
"Guardian Knight Amir!" "Guardian Knight Kiran!"
"Arriving with ten thousand knights of the Kingdom of Flame!!"
"The ten thousand knights of the Kingdom of Flame shall serve as the vanguard, marching at the front to clear the path for my central army!"
"Yes!" "By your command!"
Finally, I looked toward Norman and Maren of the Kingdom of the Sea.
"Kingdom of the Sea commanders, step forward!"
"Guardian Knight Norman!"
"Guardian Knight Maren."
"Arriving with ten thousand knights of the Kingdom of the Sea!!"
"I order you to serve as the rear guard, protecting the main path of the central army."
"We follow the Divine Oracle!" "We follow the Divine Oracle!"
"Lina, I order your ten thousand Black Armored Knights to serve as the flanks for both armies. You shall command from the center and march with me!"
"Yes!"
At this moment, Lina looked like a general about to go to war, her face full of solemnity.
Her response was crisp and clear.
"Depart!"
"Yes—!"
With the command given, the boundless sea of an army began to move.
At this moment, I truly had the illusion that I was playing a tactical war game.
As the ten thousand knights of the Kingdom of Flame quickly turned toward the Four-Ring Mountains and began their steady march, the rest of the army followed suit.
My Saint's Carriage began to move forward along with the central army.
After ordering the Black Armored Knights to guard the flanks of the central army, Lina rode her horse to the side of my carriage.
"How was my performance just now... not bad, right?"
Rate on N.U.
