Chapter 386: The Winner Doesn't Pay The Price (3)
"It's definitely tricky."
"Yes, Jin Qing. It is even more so because the walls themselves are extremely specialized in magic defense. The barrier of the shaman of the State is also..."
"It won't be that easy to attack."
"Yes. There is no other answer except for an all-out siege. The story would be different if we could deal a strong physical shock to it, but it'll be difficult to destroy the wall itself unless something like a dragon arrives. If the supply situation inside Castle Rock wasn't acceptable, then it might take more time."
"It would have taken far too long. How's the state of our troops?"
"The damage is less for a few knocks on the gate. They, too, are saving arrows as much as possible..."
"Castle Rock is important."
"..."
"But not important enough for us to use everything on it. The Eastern Front isn't the only road to Lindel or the capital. The Celia front had also been completely pushed back yesterday. The same goes for Dawan."
Castle Rock was vital, but it wasn't valuable enough for them to pour out everything they had on it. In other words, the Castle Rock Front was a pie that everyone could drool over.
I was deeply impressed when I thought of the time I had accumulated to turn this significant and essential front into the perfect bait. It had been designed so that not only enemies but also even allies wouldn't notice the grand scheme at play. The large painting made me refreshed my memory about how brilliant Jin Qing was.
Anyone who observed the troops' movements or the current front on a large map would've assumed that the Republic was aiming for Castle Rock.
Even during the numerous wars in the past, Castle Rock had always been a formidable wall against the Republic and an impenetrable fortress for the State.
Even when all other eastern fronts were attacked, it was never possible to obtain Castle Rock, and historically, Castle Rock became a symbol of sorts.
'If we pierce...'
On the contrary...
'If they don't go through...'
That was the kind of situation that always revolved around Castle Rock. Of course, I couldn't dismiss it as a simple symbol.
Still, Castle Rock was one of the crucial strongholds between the State and the Republic, and the benefits of obtaining the place were beyond words. That was why the named ones settled to protect Castle Rock when troops had been pushed into the Eastern Front.
Three out of the Eight Seats of the State always stood to protect the small castle.
That wasn't all. The main troops the State was proud of also laid coiled within Castle Rock. Naturally, the quality and quantity of the forces invested in other regions gave relatively more investment than focusing all of them on one side.
Castle Rock had become harder, but less critical areas had indeed become softer as a result.
The way he saw them wasn't big but relatively invisible. We had cut off supplies to Castle Rock and reinforcements coming from other regions.
Other than the eastern front, we scored points and even gave out some of the areas.
One could be seen as a small amount, but collectively, it was by no means a negligible number. It was clear that the opposite side would think the same thing, but I felt I had no choice but to follow the Republic's intentions.
They knew that when Castle Rock became open to them, Lindel would be next, and then the capital. I knew that this condition would persist unless there were other
'Right. Unless there were other
However, when I had recently recalled the state of Eberia, I had no choice but to bite my lips tightly. It was because no letter came after the full-scale battle had begun.
There was no news, so our main unit also sent a separate reconnaissance team.
Of course, I knew that this was an overreaction.
It was hard to communicate with each situation in a place where the communication system hasn't been properly developed yet. There were only reports on each area's overall condition, but I thought it couldn't be helped because of the distance.
'The correspondents may have been caught. Or maybe it's because I really couldn't afford it. Regardless, there won't be anything special.'
I hoped there was nothing special about it. My anxiety still rose, though.
As I shook my head once more and looked next to me, I could see a man with the same expression as myself.
Upon seeing the man, I immediately noticed the unknown emotions that were smeared all over his face. I knew I had to comfort him.
"Y-You don't need to worry, sir. Even if he is on the Eberian front, nothing will change."
I had been telling myself the same thing.
"I'm not worried, Katya."
"You have such a dark expression, Jin Qing. The Operations Department believes that the Eberian front will not be easily pierced. I think the same. Honorary Cardinal Lee Kiyoung is just a scammer. He's someone who can't do anything but deceive and agitate, wasn't that what you said? Of course, I expect that it could be a little more but my sister will never fall out of the way."
"Yes. I know. I try to think so."
"I'm also... worried. If I say I'm not, it would be a lie. In fact, that's why I tried to stop her. Still, maybe! Maybe! She must have known your will as well. She also understood because she decided on her own. Trust her and wait for the results. She will surely give you good news."
"Of course she would. Katya, are you okay?"
"I am okay. I believe she'll be able to get through this."
Honestly, uneasiness had started to arise from within me.
However...
'She will be able to persevere.'
I knew her better than anyone else.
It was difficult to say that the walls would be penetrated in a short period of time due to the structure of the military. The ratio of priests was high, and it was the wall where the Senior Bishop was located.
She was soft-hearted and couldn't work hard, but considering that sister was also a better person than anyone else, and it was absurd to think that she would get defeated that easily.
At that point, I felt agitated.
Even at that time, battles continued to be waged on several fronts.
The Eberian front shouldn't be treated as if it was special. Everyone was struggling just as much. I thought I had to watch the situation as calmly and objectively as possible.
'The role of the Eberian front is only to save time. Right now, it's better to focus a little more on the Eastern Front.'
The western front had requested more wizards, and the northern front also needed more priests.
Although the supply unit had been running smoothly, it was still difficult to control all fronts. Every day, countless numbers of troops were dying.
The Eberian front, which had been quiet so far, had only just joined the battle.
Just as I was coming into an agreement with myself, the door suddenly opened, and a member of the Operations Department entered.
"General."
"You can talk."
"E-Eberia..."
"Yes."
"The Eberian front collapsed. T-The exact amount of damage has not been compiled at this time, but the news is that most of the troops appear to have been held captive, and the enemy is currently preparing to advance towards Castle Rock."
"..."
"..."
"W-What?"
"I-It's exactly as I said, Katya."
"H-how? But not much time has passed?"
"I don't know the details. All of the retreating troops also seem to be tied up... R-really..."
"Nonsense. No way! Something must have gone wrong!"
Instantly, negative thoughts filled my head.
From the enemy's point of view, this was a siege. Although the wall had been built with magic in a short period, it still wouldn't collapse easily.
If I considered our troops' size and quality, there was no way they could've proceeded like roasting beans in a lightning fire.
"The battle concluded that quick? No way. There has to be some form of error. Where are the people who brought the news? Where are the reconnaissance units that have returned?"
"Now..."
"Tell them to come– no, I'll go to them directly. I'll check for myself what exactly they've seen to make them come up with that nonsense."
"Katya!"
I pushed past in a hurry. I could see the faces of the startled soldiers, but I couldn't find it in me to care.
As I moved to the place where the reconnaissance team was waiting, I noticed a large crowd had formed around it.
"Where are the rangers? I have to listen to it myself."
"You can't come closer, Katya."
"What are you talking about?!"
"We are currently investigating an item sent from the Eberian front. You have to wait. It could be dangerous."
"Step aside! Right Now!"
"It could be an artifact with a curse. For now..."
"No, I'll check it myself."
Everything felt hectic. Negative thoughts kept entering my head. My hands were shaking, and I couldn't seem to make rational judgments.
It was then that someone quietly came next to me. As I turned my head, I saw Jin Qing, who had been in the room a while ago. I began to hear a familiar voice, effectively calming me down a little.
"If it's an artifact, I'll check it. That's an order. Please step back."
"But..."
"I said it was an order."
"Yes. Okay."
Rangers and wizards who could dismantle the trap retreated in an instant. What came into sight was a letter in an envelope and an unknown device in a long stick shape.
"General, this is..."
"It's not the kind of artifact that can cause harm. It's probably the Goddess's Mirror, a magic hologram device, and it has a structure that seems to discard itself automatically once its use has been executed. I see no other traps or magical effects to it. You can rest assured."
"I see. If that's a magic hologram, wouldn't it be possible for us to use it?"
"No. It's impossible because there is no control tower to transmit video. All we can do is accept one-sided information. Are you sure this is from the Eberian front?"
"Yes. To be precise, it was attached to the leg of our carrying pigeon. Judging by the circumstances, it's probably a letter from Eberia..."
"Probably a message. If you put in a little magic power and immediately..."
That was when the general slowly put magic power into the device.
A translucent membrane began to rise above the bar. The image of Yev Karina, my sister, sitting on a bed could be seen.
Soon, an unfamiliar voice began to echo from it.
-Ahhh. Can you see it? I'm going to start now."
It was a spectacle to see him sit down while slowly moving to the side. With her head down, the guy tapped on her shoulder jokingly.
-I hope it arrives safely. Ah... First of all, I think it's only right for you to introduce yourself. Right? Could you briefly introduce yourself?
-33 years old... Yev... This is Karina.
Her head had begun to turn pale.
[TL NOTE: Casting couch lmfao]