Chapter 726: Chapter 726: Limited Time (5)

“The wheels creaked, creaked...”

The carriage rumbled forward as it entered the road of Hwangdo Karnon.

Usually as clean and well-maintained as modern times, Karnon’s roads were different now.

The road was deeply damaged and sunken.

Rocks rolled about and broken wood littered the way.

Of course, no matter how chaotic it was here, it was nothing compared to other zones that had become actual battlefields.

The Karnon roads simply deteriorated because heavy military supplies and construction materials passed through daily, but no personnel remained to maintain the roads.

The moment the war ended, it would be clean again as if nothing had happened.

Other zones... or more precisely...

“Unlike District 7.”

I hadn’t seen it myself yet—only heard of the situation—but I already realized.

What kind of state District 7, my base, must be in now.

“...I’ll think about that later.”

Recalling the money and effort I had put into District 7 made my stomach ache, but issues of ‘loss’ could be sorted after everything ended.

“Where to?”

“To District 5.”

Soon after arriving at Karnon’s military platform, I moved on to District 5—the frontline.

And then...

“Nia Lapdonia!”

The moment I passed the soldiers who stiffened at the sight of Astarotta’s royal emblem and stepped outside.

Boom—!

A loud explosion echoed from quite far away.

Surprisingly, the soldiers patrolling near the platform looked relaxed.

Well, “relaxed” might be a stretch.

“...”

Their hollow eyes looked like they could collapse any moment, but they busied themselves with their duties.

That alone made the situation clearer than any explanation.

Bwoooooong—!

This was their everyday normal.

“Where to?”

“I’ll look around first.”

No matter how many times you hear about something, if you never see it once, you don’t really know.

So I walked around to take in District 5, which had become a battlefield, and asked Astarotta whenever curiosity struck.

“This place seems fairly safe. Sounds of explosions only come from far away.”

“That’s because it’s strategically important. Compared to other areas, much more effort has been put into building formations here.”

“Oh, because of the military platform?”

“Yes.”

I suppose if I were commander, I’d have done my best to defend the military platform too.

If we had that, all the zones not occupied by Noark could still receive supplies and support.

“In the worst case, retreat would be possible.”

Anyway, wandering like a noble on a stroll, people started noticing me and whispering.

“Hey, that’s Baron Yandel...”

“I heard he went missing after that building collapsed...”

“But the fact the baron’s here could mean the tide is about to turn.”

“How would we know what the higher-ups think? We just have to do our jobs.”

Tch... Maybe I should have covered my face.

“...Though those who needed to know probably already recognized me.”

Continuing to look around, I reached the outermost perimeter of the fortifications centered on the military platform.

“The Marta Brothers Armory.”

The place Erwen had introduced me to when disposing of equipment after the first reconnaissance.

Of course, the once bustling shop was now dark, closed.

The same {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} went for the roads.

The wide roads that once handled the large floating population of District 5 were barricaded high, with soldiers standing guard atop them.

“So beyond here is Noark’s territory?”

I heard Noark’s forces had been pressing so strongly that the barricades were steadily pushed back.

“Going outside?”

“I’m still thinking about it.”

After some inspection, I checked the sewers last.

I’d heard Noark had completely destroyed the sewers, making them unusable as a passage, but I decided I needed to see for myself.

However...

“This won’t do.”

Not far down from the sewer entrance, stairs were blocked by debris, preventing further entry.

Clearing the rubble might be an option, but...

“Too time-consuming.”

So, to reach my comrades, we’d have no choice but to break through the enemy’s center.

“Astarotta, how’s District 4?”

“I’ve heard it’s the fiercest zone. Noark’s main force is stationed there. The Orculus commander has also been appearing there constantly.”

Oh... that bastard’s there?

“He’s a bit tricky.”

When I met him twenty years ago in the past, I managed to handle him by trickery, but if he’s not an idiot, he won’t fall for the same trick twice.

“Plus the main force is there...”

Okay, no way I’m setting foot in District 4.

“What about District 8?”

“Quiet since the rebels took over. The royal army tried to retake it for days, but failed repeatedly because key members of Orculus defended it.”

“Key members?”

When I pressed for details, familiar names spilled from Astarotta’s mouth.

Blood Knights, Black Claw, Witch of Screams.

And the Corpse Collector...

“What? So those are the key members?”

Having fought with the ‘Lighthouse Keeper’ there before, District 8 looked the easiest.

Though I heard some rookies just debuted who hadn’t even earned their titles yet, so it might not be that simple.

“What about the path from District 5 to District 7?”

“District 5’s frontline is commanded by Maan, and District 7 is supported by the Third Army.”

“The Third Army...? You mean the one led by Eltora Terserion?”

“Due to information control, civilians believe the Third Army was wiped out, but in fact, it joined the rebel forces with the prime minister a few days ago.”

Listening further, most of the Third Army was forced into rebellion by Eltora Terserion, so internal conflicts could arise at any moment.

“Also, according to information, Eltora Terserion didn’t know about this plan and reportedly refused when the incident happened.”

“Eh? Then why is he there?”

“The prime minister must have used some coercion.”

Makes sense... The prime minister’s son is a ‘devil.’

He wouldn’t willingly follow his father into burning straw.

“...Maybe this will become a key later.”

After that, I took some time alone to organize my thoughts.

What’s the optimal route to get to the barbarian sanctuary where my comrades are, bypassing District 7?

The answer came quickly.

“District 9, then.”

Distance-wise, leaving from District 5 was shortest, but also most dangerous.

Even if Maan is commanding District 5, it borders District 4 where Noark’s main force is.

“That commander might jump out at any time.”

At this decision, Astarotta shrugged.

“Going to District 9 means passing through District 8.”

“Is there a problem?”

She just smirked at my question.

“Beware the Corpse Collector. He’s been active in this war for a very long time.”

Uh...

Sounds like she’s genuinely worried about me.

Smirk.

Not very helpful advice.

“He’s just another of the same.”

I’ve reached the point where I wouldn’t lose even to a poison-necked bastard.

Before taking the military platform to District 9,

I asked Astarotta to prepare some things needed for the plan, and she readily agreed to all, even if excessive.

So, everything was ready.

“Just waiting for the signal now...”

As I waited by the tightly closed fortress gate, I noticed Raven looking tense.

“Raven, why so nervous?”

“How could I not be? I didn’t expect you to be so reckless.”

Looks like Raven thought I would mobilize troops and just break through.

“How long do you think that would take?”

“Don’t worry too much. Sometimes it’s better to move with fewer people than a half-hearted crowd.”

“Hah... that’s supposed to comfort me...?”

“If you’re really uneasy, you can stay behind—”

“No. I’d be more nervous if I didn’t go. Besides, we’re not strangers...”

Despite everything, he’s a loyal guy.

Smiling at that, Astarotta approached with a strangely pleased expression.

“You got news?”

“Yes. The command in District 5 contacted me. Your requests will be fulfilled by tomorrow morning.”

“...That late?”

“Don’t whine. They need time to prepare.”

True enough.

“So... you said news. More to tell?”

“Oh, I almost forgot. Two of your missing comrades were found.”

My heart jolted.

“Who?”

There were four I hadn’t heard from, away from the clan at the sanctuary.

Sven Parav, Lilis Marone.

And Auyen Rokrov and Amelia.

“...Tell me quickly.”

“Be serious. The two found are Auyen Rokrov and Emily Raines.”

“Where are they now?”

“In District 4.”

“In District 4?”

“According to the report from spies, there was a violent incident in District 4, and they were the culprits.”

“What happened to them?”

“We don’t know. But fortunately, they escaped safely.”

Whew...

How did those separated from the group in District 7 end up in District 4?

I was curious, but deeply worried.

“Don’t worry too much. They’ll definitely take care of themselves.”

“...I hope so.”

Since I couldn’t rush to District 4, I tried not to think about it.

Thinking only brings worst-case scenarios.

As always, uneasy premonitions grow like seeds.

“Raven, since it starts tomorrow morning, get some rest anywhere.”

This would be our last rest.

Tomorrow, grueling days would begin at dawn.

Just as I thought to rest, an unexpected sound arrived.

Creak, creak, creak.

The sound of the fortress gate opening.

“Wh-what? Why is the gate opening all of a sudden? Are they invading? If so, this would ruin the plan from the start...”

No way.

It can’t be.

Maybe a soldier made a mistake.

There hasn’t been a single battle here yet, and Noark wouldn’t spread sideways instead of attacking the capital.

I quickly discarded those hopeful thoughts.

That’s not how my luck works.

“Prepare.”

No sooner had I said that—

Thunk—

Something fell from the sky.

Not once, but many times.

Thunk, tutuk, thunk!

Too heavy to be raindrops.

Crash—!

“Ugh!”

Only when it landed right in front of me did I realize.

“Human corpses...?”

Bodies so mangled it was hard to recognize their shape, like torn off from a corpse golem. They had fallen over the high fortress walls.

And then—

“Raven, fall back!”

Krazzzzzt—!

The corpses exploded simultaneously, spraying poisonous liquid.

“It’s an ambush!!”

Shouts from soldiers on the walls and alarms ringing out everywhere.

Deng—! Deng—! Deng—! Deng—!

Amid the chaos, I quietly checked my gear and glanced toward the half-open gate.

[Grrooooorrrk!!]

The gate wide enough for a carriage was filled with a familiar-looking army of corpses entering.

“Block them!!”

“Nia Lapdonia...!”

The garrison responded immediately but was overwhelmed.

It wasn’t just the corpses we needed to worry about.

Boom—!

A meteor fell into the soldiers’ midst, shattering the front lines instantly.

At the same time—

[Grrooooorrrk—!]

The barricade broke, and the corpse horde surged in like a tidal wave.

“Hey, Yandel?”

“You stay here. Astarotta, protect him.”

“Got it.”

Leaving Raven safe, I smashed the skulls of corpses with my hammer and headed for the gate.

Beyond the fully open gate, I saw a figure riding a chimera proudly entering the city.

“Oh, this is it! Opening one damn gate and they act like it’s the end of the world! They must have been really careless! Pshhssht!”

That bastard strolls around alone like that.

“From today on, District 9 officially declares itself under our Orculus control...!”

Huh?

“...Huh?”

Why did he suddenly stop speaking?

“Bjorn... Yandel...?”

Ah, our eyes met.