NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 64
“Commander!! The Flastarl Empire is finally getting their formation in order.”
Viscount Karkgol, one of the staff officers, reported to Commander Hector Zabeil with a warlike grin. He was a fierce warrior who had joined in the massacre of the central nobles at the royal castle of Gildoruk alongside Jilvol.
“They’re still slow. I’ve grown tired of waiting.”
Hector’s response was equally warlike. Having fought side by side on the battlefield since their youth, they understood each other well.
The invading Flastarl Empire and the Zabeiru Military, which had come to intercept them, clashed on the Frangisk Plain. This was the third time the Frangisk Plain had become a battlefield during the Flastarl Empire’s invasion.
“But with things going so smoothly, I can’t help but wonder if Kodelance is secretly colluding with us.”
“Haha, indeed.”
“Lord Yuan should be taking his position soon, just as King Jilvol planned.”
“This battle will be decided quickly, unfortunately.”
“Commander, it’s not that it will be decided—it already has been.”
Hector also smiled wryly at Viscount Karkgol’s words.
“True. Jilvol’s strategies are truly terrifying. He exploits people’s psychology and complacency masterfully. And… he uses every means possible. Something I could never do.”
“No one could imitate him, let alone a commander. That’s why I was able to avenge my son.”
“Hmph… True. I probably wouldn’t have been able to let you take revenge.”
Hector smiled bitterly.
“Don’t say that. We all know you acted according to the Zabeiru family’s precept, working for the Gildoruk royal family.”
“That precept ended up… causing suffering for the people of the region.”
“No, I don’t see it that way. That precept gave legitimacy to our actions. It’s the central nobles, who lacked the capacity to respond, who should be blamed.”
Hector sneered sarcastically at Viscount Karkgol’s words.
The Zabeiru family precept that Hector spoke of was, ‘The first three generations of the Zabeiru family must pledge loyalty to the Gildoruk royal family.’ Hector was the third generation and had decided to remain loyal to the royal family until then.
However, the royal family trampled on that loyalty. They killed Feria, Jilvol’s fiancée. Hector could no longer forgive the royal family, but he couldn’t ignore his ancestors’ will either. He planned to commit suicide to fulfill the first generation’s will and entrust the rest to Jilvol.
It was Jilvol who stopped him. Jilvol advised Hector to take five years to prepare, not just to destroy the royal family but also the central nobles.
He told the regional nobles, who were on the verge of rebellion, to rise up in five years and promised them revenge. From then on, the regional people completely saw the central nobles as enemies and took meticulous care. This had an effect, and the number of children dying from abuse drastically decreased. Hector intervened, sometimes bowing to the central nobles to protect the children. The regional people endured, watching his actions.
The accumulated hatred exploded when Jilvol succeeded as the Duke of Zabeiru.
Jilvol made the regional nobles agree to one condition. They initially tried to protest, but upon seeing Jilvol’s face, they couldn’t voice their objections.
Seeing the blood dripping from Jilvol’s clenched fist, they realized his bitterness. Jilvol was already looking beyond the destruction of the central nobles and had to set conditions for that future. The regional nobles, realizing they were pushing a much younger boy into a corner, felt ashamed of their actions.
“True. Let’s save the sentimentality for after we’re dead.”
“I exterminated the Kazinelt family and avenged Ian. If anything, I can proudly face Ian in the afterlife, so I have no regrets whenever death comes.”
Viscount Karkgol smiled with a hint of madness.
After killing the Marquess Kazinelt and his wife at the royal castle, Viscount Karkgol slaughtered the entire Kazinelt family and then led his army to invade the Kazinelt territory, killing every last member of the family. He also mercilessly took revenge on those who had served the Kazinelt family.
When the revenge was complete, Viscount Karkgol looked strangely refreshed and then regained his composure, acting calmly. However, that calmness was only during peacetime; during war, he sometimes showed signs of madness.
“Now then… shall we execute Lukult?”
At Hector’s words, Viscount Karkgol and the other staff officers stood up and began issuing orders.
As everyone watched the Flastarl Empire closely, several lights appeared from within the Flastarl army.
Seeing those lights, everyone grinned. It was like the grin of a predator locking onto its prey.
“Everyone!! At this moment, the Flastarl Empire’s justification has crumbled!!”
“Aye!!”
The soldiers responded in unison to Hector’s words.
“Let’s show those fools of Flastarl whose doorstep they’re trampling on!!”
“Aye!!”
“Come on, everyone… boast your valor!! Let’s remind those fools who dare to trample on our land once more!! Let’s carve the terror of Zabeiru not into their memories, but into their very souls!!”
“Aye!!”
“All forces!! Charge!!”
“Wooooohhhhh!!!!”
At Hector’s command, the Zabeiru Military charged like a bursting dam. They surged forward like a muddy torrent, crashing into the Flastarl army.
Normally, the Zabeiru Military would never launch such a reckless charge. But this time, Hector ordered a full-scale assault without hesitation.
The Flastarl army’s response was strangely slow. Some units reacted quickly, but others were oddly delayed, and some didn’t move at all, showing a complete lack of coordination within the Flastarl forces.
In such a situation, there was no chance of victory. The initial clash—no, the devastating blow delivered by the Zabeiru Military—was immediately felt, and the Flastarl army quickly collapsed.
Just three hours after the battle began, the Third Frangisk Battle was decisively won by the Zabeiru Military.
Click the heart to easily show your support. (Login required)
Support
Log in if you have an account
Learn more about the reading experience available on Kakuyomu