The Monster Lady and the Holy Knight - Chapter 98

“The direction of battle is westward. There are no signs of approach from any other direction.”

“Their eyes?”

“All of them have opened their eyes.”

Between the sounds of cannon fire, the knights’ solemn breaths scattered.

“We need to mobilize the general army. The church’s knight order alone won’t hold out for long.”

“And what happens if even one of them assimilates? Will it turn into a battle between humans then? If that happens, everything will spiral out of control.”

“Then we’ll have to eliminate the assimilated ones. But I still agree that we should deploy the citizen militia. As long as they don’t make eye contact with the Bahamut, it shouldn’t be an issue. If properly warned, they can avoid looking at them. They’re large enough to fight without making direct eye contact.”

“Their weak point is their eyes—does that even make sense?”

The knights attending the strategy meeting each voiced their opinions. Philip pressed his temple, narrowing his eyes. The younger knights, lacking experience, were growing increasingly nervous, and the vacant seat of the commander felt all the more imposing. If only Mecklenburg were here at a time like this.

“There is another option—one that doesn’t involve fighting.”

A completely different opinion suddenly emerged.

For a moment, silence fell. All eyes turned toward a corner of the room. Standing with a slight slouch, Leon spoke indifferently without even turning his head.

“We can escape from Kart.”

“……”

“Luckily, the south is still open.”

The battle was unfolding in the west. The southern gate, leading to the wilderness, was still accessible.

The knights exchanged glances, realizing the implication behind his words. If it had been anyone other than Leon, who had always stood at the frontlines, the suggestion would have been dismissed as cowardice.

“Drawing their attention with resistance while evacuating citizens through the southern gate is the strategy that will minimize casualties in the long run. It means taking the risk of stepping beyond the walls, but Kart’s farmland was already lost to the landslide. If we stay here, we will all die.”

From starvation. Leon added with a slight smile. However, his eyes, unlike his lips, did not smile. Slowly and persistently, he scanned the faces of the knights. The younger ones flinched under his gaze, coughing awkwardly as if they hadn’t heard him.

Even though he wasn’t seated at the table, no one here was unfamiliar with him. Most of the knights from higher ranks had perished with Mecklenburg, leaving Leon as the most experienced warrior among them.

In the heavy silence, Philip finally spoke.

“Sir Goeben, what are your thoughts?”

The only senior knight among the younger ones cleared his throat, visibly uncomfortable.

“Sir Berg. Are you suggesting this because of the absurd rumors circulating among the citizens?”

“What rumors?”

“That the wilderness is a holy city, or that Kart is doomed…”

“Ah, was that an absurd rumor?”

Leon straightened his posture and questioned in mock surprise.

His quiet tone carried weight. The senior knight, taken aback by the sharp response, promptly shut his mouth. Leon observed him for a moment before speaking slowly.

“I had assumed that most of those present here were already aware of the truth.”

A suffocating silence settled over the hall. Some knights understood his words, while others remained clueless. Regardless of whether their estates were outside Kart or whether they were direct descendants, all of them were high-ranking nobles of Kaisenmeer.

Since hearing Veronica’s theory, Leon had been convinced. If the wilderness truly was the holy city, then it had to be a secret that implicated the entire noble class.

“Was I mistaken?”

No one answered. Even Philip rubbed his weary eyes in silence. Leon let out a quiet laugh. It felt like he was seeing the true faces of these ever-dignified nobles.

Leon had said, “a way not to fight,” but of course, that applied only to the general army. The holy knights, imbued with holy power, could not stay in the wilderness for long. They would have to remain in Kart.

The entire Holy Knights Order would perish here.

“‘Nobles bear responsibilities.’ That was something the commander often said.”

Leon addressed his fellow knights. Somehow, even the fallen comrades from Tiran seemed to be standing among them, filling the barracks so densely that there was no space left to step.

“I have no intention of invoking such grand rhetoric. Because at this point, noble honor and noble duty have lost all meaning.”

Leon’s gaze swept over the young knights as he quietly continued, “It’s only a matter of time. Every single one of us will die here.”

“……”

“Even if we involve the citizen militia to buy time, the outcome will be the same.”

The nobles would die in the paradise they had built for themselves. Perhaps God had sent the Bahamut to cull them.

“When the time comes, will you be able to stand before your fallen comrades without shame? Can you stand before God and claim that you are without sin? That because the Bahamut killed the citizens, you bear no responsibility for their deaths? That you could not save them, that you did your best?”

“……”

“As I said, I have no intention of forcing sacrifices. I am not telling you to die. I am simply asking you to decide how you wish to live until the very end.”

He meant not to hold back the commoners who could still survive.

The barracks were deathly silent. Not even the sound of a swallow or a breath could be heard.

Leon observed them expressionlessly before nodding slightly when his gaze met Philip’s. Then, without hesitation, he turned and strode out of the barracks.

The booming sound of explosions grew louder for a moment as he lifted the tent flap before fading into the distance. The sound of death was both near and far.

***

Hypocrisy.

“Not death, but deciding how you want to live—an impressive line. Enough to stir the conscience of some young knights.”

In truth, it was a question he should have asked himself.

“I have sent a few knights who share our views to the imperial palace and the Holy See. Heringen, Sekt, Mücke—all influential and stubborn families. A full-scale evacuation of citizens will not be permitted, but at the very least, the southern gate may be opened. I have no idea how many will be willing to abandon the safety of Kart based on mere rumors.”

Due to the Bahamut remaining within cannon range, Leon had been staying inside the barracks.

Philip, arms crossed, glanced at Leon tapping an iron helmet—its origins unknown—with his finger. Leon responded with a gaze filled with distant thoughts.

“No, more people will leave than you think.”

“Because of that woman’s influence?”

Leon did not answer, but Philip took his silence as confirmation.

“Of course, if she were to go to the wilderness with them, it would be helpful.”

The tapping sound against the helmet abruptly ceased. In the sharp silence that followed, Philip let out a knowing sigh.

“So you don’t intend to send her.”

No matter how profound, those words had been nothing but hypocrisy. After all, they were questions he should have asked himself.

When the moment of death arrived, would Leon be able to face Veronica with a clear conscience? Could he claim that since she had chosen to stay by his side, he bore no responsibility? That he could not save her, that he had done his best?

“If that is how you choose to live until the very end, I understand. You want to keep her by your side.”

Philip exhaled as he uncrossed his arms. Leon slowly turned to meet his gaze, facing the man who had long condemned him. For the first time, Philip’s noble purple eyes held no hatred or scorn—only pity.

“But you do not look happy. If you have the time, take a look at your reflection in your blade. See what kind of face you are making.”

Frank and logical people like him were exhausting. Without waiting for a response, Philip turned and left the barracks. The echo of his steady footsteps faded into the distance, leaving only the metallic clang of the helmet as it rolled across the floor.

Leon bent down to pick up the helmet but stopped, staring at his trembling hand. His slow, heavy breath spilled onto the ground.

“I like you.”

It was more painful than he had imagined. What could he do? How could he possibly—

“…Is this my punishment?”

Every choice led to misery. The weight of guilt was suffocating. The swelling emotions crushed his body as if to shatter it. He wanted her. He wanted a future. A dream that, no matter how much he struggled, he could never obtain.

I, with you—

“Damn it…”

Leon pressed his hand against his eyes and let out a breath. His flame would consume her whole.

In the end.

“Sir Berg?”

How much time had passed?

A long while later, an unfamiliar voice called from above him. Leon, lost in deep thought, lifted his blurred gaze. A soldier stood at the entrance of the tent, backlit by the sunlight, reporting cautiously.

“We called for you multiple times outside, but there was no response… You need to come up to the fortress walls.”

It seemed the Bahamut had moved into combat range. Leon stared blankly for a moment before slowly straightening his back.

“Bring it.”

“…Pardon?”

“The stimulant. Bring it first. I haven’t slept enough to think clearly.”

Muttering quietly, he watched the soldier nod and step away.

On the battlefield, knights sometimes took stimulants when pushed to their limits. Though they caused headaches and insomnia, they heightened focus, making them extremely effective. Right now, he desperately needed concentration.

If he didn’t do this, he wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about Veronica throughout the entire battle. Not today. At least not on the first day.

Leon stood and strapped his sword back onto his waist, checking his armor. Whoever had gone to fetch it must have been quick—he already sensed someone approaching.

“Bring it.”

He spoke while drawing his sword, but the presence outside the tent did not move. Frowning, Leon turned his head.

And then he froze, unable to look away.

Not because Veronica had run all the way to the fortress walls when she was supposed to be at the prayer meeting—

“Leon, I… I…”

—but because her white robes were stained with blood, as red as a camellia flower.