NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 8
Chapter 8: Reputation Work (1)
It was the beginning of the end.
Multiple gates opened with a cold, dull glow, and soldiers in chrome armor poured endlessly into the square.
Flames erupted continuously from the long hoses attached to their suits, setting the surrounding buildings ablaze.
Citizens of the capital screamed, fleeing in all directions as chaos erupted around them.
“Ugh…”
This scene was the first invasion of the Otherworld—the First Wave.
I had seen it with my own eyes eight times and had envisioned it countless more. I knew it well.
I was dreaming.
This was the first nightmare of my tenth regression. I wondered how many more nightmares I’d endure before the real invasion, ten years from now, finally began.
“Ugh…?”
I snapped back to reality, realizing I was swaying in my saddle.
I barely managed to steady myself before I could fall, my heart pounding.
“Falling off a horse while dozing during a march… What a disgrace that would be…”
“Your Highness?”
The voice came from beside me. It was the old man riding next to me, respectfully addressing me as he drew closer.
“If you’re feeling unwell, please let me know. There’s a carriage at the rear; you can rest there for a while.”
This old man was Durron, the captain of the Imperial Guardian Knights, renowned in name but lacking in substance. I glanced at the 500 or so knights trailing behind us before responding.
“I’m fine. But it seems we’re nearing the battlefield. How is the morale among the knights?”
Durron sighed deeply before answering, “To be honest, there’s much anxiety. It’s embarrassing to admit, but the Imperial Guardian Knights are… lacking in many ways.”
He wasn’t wrong. A quick glance at them revealed their poor skills and abysmal state of readiness.
Despite the grand name of the Imperial Guardian Knights, their reputation came solely from the fact that they were composed of the sons of prominent noble families in the empire.
In the Faywood Empire, every man, except for the lowest class of commoners, was required to serve at least three years of military duty.
The issue was that noble families couldn’t have their esteemed sons serving alongside commoners as mere soldiers.
Thus, the Imperial Guardian Knights were created as a way for these noble heirs to fulfill their military service “honorably.”
Of course, the minimum requirement for knighthood was the ability to wear and fight in magical armor, which demanded a certain level of physical ability—something that couldn’t be bought with status alone.
As a result, the Imperial Guardian Knights were made up of noble heirs who couldn’t meet the basic physical standards for knighthood, but still wanted the title.
“Many of them aren’t even adept at riding, which is why the march has been slow. However, Your Highness seems to ride with great ease. Didn’t you mention this was your first time on a horse?”
“Yes, it is,” I replied.
This regression, at least. In my first life, I had to ride for days until my backside was covered in blisters.
“Truly impressive… It just goes to show, one cannot judge a knight’s abilities by appearance alone. Oh… My apologies, Your Highness. I spoke out of turn.”
Durron bowed apologetically, clearly embarrassed for underestimating me because of my small stature.
Having repeated this cycle multiple times, I was used to such reactions by now, and I knew how to handle it to my advantage.
I furrowed my brow slightly and remained silent. Durron, clearly worried that he had offended me, bowed his head repeatedly.
“I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness. I spoke without thinking and caused offense. Please, pardon my rudeness.”
“My legs hurt from riding for so long… Hm? Rudeness? What do you mean? What did you say just now?”
“Ah, no… I mean…” Durron widened his eyes in surprise, but then let out a chuckle of relief, nodding his head.
“I see. You truly are magnanimous, Your Highness.”
Good. One minor victory.
Though insignificant, it set a positive tone. Unlike many of the other nobles, Durron didn’t harbor any particular malice toward me. In this empire, where I was seen as the most notorious villain, that made him special.
Durron was an honest, capable man—intelligent, open-minded, and free of prejudice.
Unfortunately, these traits didn’t translate well to the battlefield. His martial prowess was lacking, and his ability to command troops was subpar.
In the sixth regression, I had him oversee logistics and supplies, which he managed competently.
It was clear that Durron was better suited to administrative roles rather than military leadership.
“Your Highness, you’re quite different from the stories I’ve heard.”
“Am I?”
I smiled lightly as I answered.
“I’m notorious, after all. I doubt there’s a single noble who likes me.”
“I must admit, I’ve never heard any positive stories about you. But after spending these past few days in your company, I can see the rumors have been greatly exaggerated.”
“Well, the stories aren’t entirely wrong. I’ve caused my share of trouble in the palace. But thank you for your kind words.”
Durron bowed his head again, humbly acknowledging my thanks before falling back into formation.
I looked out at the desolate landscape, and memories of my first regression began to surface.
Back then, I had been just as clueless and terrified as the rest of these knights, marching toward a battle I wasn’t prepared for.
I was still reeling from being thrust into this new world, and the poison lingering in my body only worsened my condition.
I had ridden at the front of the column, completely unaware of what lay ahead. When the undead army appeared in the distance, I panicked and turned my horse to flee.
I didn’t remember much after that—just the sound of my own screams as I galloped away in terror.
Later, I was told that my sudden retreat had thrown the entire army into disarray. The formation collapsed, and chaos ensued.
Durron had tried valiantly to rally the troops but was overwhelmed by the undead. He died on the battlefield, along with most of the knights.
Out of the 2,500 soldiers deployed that day, over 80% were killed or wounded. It was one of the most devastating defeats in the empire’s history.
I had barely escaped with my life, thanks to my stealth engraving, but the shame of that failure followed me for the rest of my days (a mere 10 years, but still). I was exiled to my estate and branded a coward.
“That was so long ago.”
I chuckled at the memory, though it hadn’t been funny at the time.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted behind me. I turned to see a tall knight in a deep helmet riding toward me at full speed.
“Your Highness, the head maid has sent me.”
“Meredith?”
The knight’s voice was unmistakably Meredith’s, one of the maids from my estate.
Wait, what? Why is she here?
In none of my previous regressions had Meredith appeared on the battlefield. Wasn’t she supposed to be an apothecary?
And how is she wearing magical armor without collapsing? Even the lowest-tier armor drains an untrained person’s stamina within minutes.
“Meredith? What are you doing here? And where did you get that armor?”
“The head maid sent me when she heard you were heading to the battlefield. I apologize for the delay; it took time to secure a suit of Guardian armor.”
“Your Highness, is everything alright?” Durron called out from nearby. I waved him off and lowered my voice as I spoke to Meredith.
“Rania sent you to protect me?”
“What protection could I offer, Your Highness? I’ve come to deliver the ‘Growth Elixir’ that the head maid prepared for you.”
“Oh, that…”
“You missed two days’ doses, so today you must take three times the usual amount.”
“Really? Three doses at once? Is that safe?”
Meredith hesitated, holding the flask as if reconsidering. Her ability to move freely in the armor still baffled me. How was she handling it so well without training?
“Meredith, have you ever received knight training?”
“I believe it’s safe to take three doses at once. What did you say, Your Highness?”
“I asked if you’ve had any knight training.”
“No, Your Highness. What does knight training entail?”
“Usually physical conditioning, weapon drills, practicing with armor… You know, the basics for aspiring knights. Are you sure you’ve never done anything like that?”
“I’ve never done any formal training, no. This is my first time wearing magical armor.”
“And you’re fine? No sudden fatigue or anything?”
“Not at all. In fact, I feel more energetic than usual. I think I could carry something heavy or run faster than normal.”
“That’s because of the armor’s enhancement properties, but…”
This was extraordinary.
For a first-time wearer of even the lowest-grade magical armor, Meredith was displaying incredible stamina and adaptability.
Ordinarily, it took three years of rigorous physical training just to be able to wear and move in magical armor.
Yet here she was, an accomplished apothecary, casually wearing it as if it were nothing.
“How old are you again?”
“I’m sixteen, Your Highness.”
“The same age as me, huh? And you’re wearing magical armor without training… That’s impressive.”
“I’ve always enjoyed collecting ingredients in the mountains, so perhaps that’s why I’m in good health,” Meredith said cautiously, her usual stoic tone softened by a hint of modesty.
But no, that wasn’t the reason. Magical armor wasn’t something you could
wear just because you were fit. It required immense physical strength and constitution.
In all my past lives, I had never realized Meredith had such a talent. I had always seen her as a skilled apothecary, but this?
“Wow. Even after nine regressions, there are still surprises.”
“What was that, Your Highness? The helmet makes it hard to hear you when you speak softly.”
“I said I’ll be keeping an eye on you from now on.”
“All of us at the Lunembreth estate are always at Your Highness’s service. But… look ahead.”
Meredith turned her head toward the horizon, her eyes narrowing.
“Smoke is rising up ahead.”
“Smoke?”
I followed her gaze and saw a thin column of smoke in the distance. If she hadn’t pointed it out, I might’ve missed it. Her eyesight was incredible.
“It’s beginning. Stay back for now.”
“Understood. I’ll give you the Growth Elixir after the battle.”
“Is everything alright, Your Highness? Do you know this knight?” Durron asked, riding up beside me.
I quickly signaled Meredith to withdraw and pointed toward the smoke.
“Nothing to worry about. I was just asking if anyone else noticed the smoke.”0
“Smoke…? Oh, I see it now. Far off in the distance.”
Durron’s face darkened as he surveyed the area. I motioned for Meredith to retreat as I spurred my horse forward, heading toward the source of the smoke.
“The enemy must be near. It looks like a town or village might be under attack.”
“Indeed, Your Highness! Everyone, prepare to change course southeast! Quickly!” Durron shouted back to the knights.
As Meredith quietly retreated, I smiled at her before urging my horse toward the rising smoke.
It was time for the real battle to begin.