I received many reports from our scouts.
One of the scouts reported that the troops led by Marquis Fabius were in the middle of the desert and three days away from Kara. They were marching at a slower speed than normal troops because they were carrying a huge amount of artillery units and other supplies. But actually, I thought they would march much slower.
The troops led by Marquis Fabius must be well-trained. One of the few factors necessary for well-trained troops was their marching speed. Those who could march faster were more likely to be well-trained.
“Hey Shura, hurry up.”
Shura and I walked fast towards the portal tower. The cavalry units of the Yosrahim Empire just arrived in Kara today. I knew they might take quite some time to come here but actually, it took much more time than I thought. Seriously, they came to the front three days before the start of the battle.
The cavalry units of the Yosrahim Empire were very important. Kara really needed them because they could fight against the cavalry units led by Marquis Fabius.
“Sir, this way.”
Once we arrived at the portal tower, Uddin quickly waved his hand as a signal. I could see the knights of the Yosrahim Empire coming down from the tower.
“Hey.”
“Sir, you’re late.”
“Oh, I am late because I had to eat first.”
Shortly after, Count Hicks came out of the portal tower. Then he passed the gate while having a conversation with Viscount Gordan. Once he saw me, he walked slowly towards me.
In my past life, I met Count Hick a few times but we exchanged only a brief conversation. Unlike a typical swordsman, he was very polite and had good manners. Also, I was really amazed when I found out he’s well-versed in literature.
“So, you’re the White Mask?”
“Yes, I am.”
Count Hicks treated me like one of his subordinates.
“Listen to me, you greenhorn. From now on, I am in charge of Kara’s army.”
I was wrong. He was not a guy with good manners. He only pretended to be polite because I was the Grand Prince. But it didn’t matter to me. I stared at him with arrogant eyes.
“Do you think you can win this war?”
“I know Duke Wastein very well. We met once before in the battle in the Kingdom of Vitrian.”
I actually knew that. Sixteen years ago, the Kingdom of Robros crossed the Brenos Mountains and invaded the Kingdom of Vitrian. Count Hicks also fought in that war as a commander of supporting troops from the Yosrahim Empire. And he suffered a huge defeat against the young Wastein who was the commander of 10,000 soldiers at that time.
“Oh, I’ve heard about it too. You ran away, right?”
“You bastard!”
He gave me a fierce scowl yet he didn’t draw his sword because Zenbe was standing right behind me.
“Count Hicks, if you want to take in charge of Kara’s army, you should’ve come earlier. You arrive here just three days before the battle. How can you command all our troops? Do you think war is a joke?”
“What?”
“Only thing you guys should do is to fight against Marquis Fabius and his cavalry units. Otherwise, you should just go back home right now. To be honest, we don’t really need your help. Since you’re late, we didn’t even take your units into account when making our strategies.”
Hicks started trembling in anger.
“You arrogant bastard. Do you think we can’t just go back right now? You don’t deserve our help because you have no respect for our empire. How dare a small city-state treat us like this?”
Then he shouted to his knights.
“Knights of the Yosrahim Empire!”
“Yes, sir!”
“We are going back to our empire!”
As Hicks turned his body towards the portal tower, I added one more thing in a small voice.
“Oh, by the way, why don’t you ask forgiveness first before you leave? Since you guys were very late, our Great Saintess of Yin and Yang has got really pissed off.”
Then I turned my body and started walking away from him. Then he turned his head around and asked.
“What? Who?”
“Haven’t you heard of it? The Great Saintess of Yin and Yang was reborn last spring.”
Hicks was very surprised and walked very close to me.
“Is she really here in Kara?”
“Yeah, of course. Actually, she’s here right now.”
Hicks looked around and his eyes got fixed on Shura who was wearing her hood yet revealing her dark face. On her waist was hung Dalahan. As a believer of the religion of Yin and Yang, he already knew how Dalahan looked so it wasn’t difficult for him to find out she was the Great Saintess of Yin and Yan.
“Is she really…?”
As he was about to walk closer to her, I tapped his shoulder.
“I’ve just told you. She’s really pissed off right now. If you want to talk to her, you should repent your sin first. Put your head on the ground for an hour.”
Hicks made an embarrassed look because there were too many people watching. It would be such a great humiliation if he put his head on the ground right here. Yet he had no option but to follow the order of the Great Saintess of Yin and Yang because he was a believer of the religion of Yin and Yang.
Then he said in a very small voice.
“Can I do it somewhere nobody can see?”
* * *
At the central plaza in front of the palace where the Statue of the Saintess Euroa and some other statues of the Emir’s family ancestors were placed, a huge crowd gathered around. They all rumbled on over the battle which was about to happen.
Padilla stared at me with her nervous eyes once she saw a huge crowd beyond the balcony. She had the experience of giving speeches a few times during important events in Kara yet she seemed to be much more nervous today.
“Your highness, do you think I can persuade people in Kara?”
I put Fraker-skin armors on her body and then I said.
“Just read what’s on the script. Don’t worry about anything. Have confidence. That’s all you need to do.”
“But…”
“And Shura will take care of the rest.”
In awe, Padilla looked at Shura who was smiling at her brightly from behind. Padilla and Shura had been hanging out like close friends but until now she didn’t know that Shura was the Great Saintess of Yin and Yang. So obviously, she was really surprised.
Shura came over to us and grabbed Padilla’s hand to give her confidence.
“Don’t worry. I know you can do it, Padilla.”
“Thank you, ma’am…”
She cleared her throat after she saw me giving her a signal that she was using respectful language to Shura. Not long ago, I told them to treat each other like friends just as they had done. Padilla would also become the Great Saintess soon so it was better for them to stay as friends.
Padilla spoke in a different tone.
“Sure. I will do my best.”
Now, she was fully armored with Fraker-skin armors. Her armors were shining because there were a lot of gold and jewelry accessories on them. To her, I handed the spear Gauss, which was the symbol of the Emir of Kara. But actually, it was a fake one.
“It’s all set now. You can go.”
“Yes.”
As she opened the glass door of the veranda and stepped outside, all the crowd yelled out a cheer at once. Shortly after, magic fireworks exploded upon my signal. Padilla opened her arms to welcome the crowd gathered in the plaza.
A few minutes later, I whispered to her from behind.
“Good. Now start your speech.”
Soon, Padilla started her speech in a vigorous voice.
“People in Kara! We live and stand in this land thanks to the blessing of the Great Saintess Euroa and our ancestors. We should never forget that our crops and livestock grown in this land every year have given us food for our body and soul. Also, the endless Lake of Kara has provided us abundant water…”
It was a very good start. I kept giving a hand signal to let her know that she was doing great.
“Our land is holy! We are born and raised here. This land is our lifeline. Also, it is the holy land where our ancestors were buried. But now, our land is shrouded in darkness. The evil Kingdom of Robros is the enemy who tries to take over our land, steal our wealth, and disgrace our ancestors’ tombs. Some people say we should sign a humiliating peace treaty and take disgrace on our ancestors to save their own lives. But you should remember this. Our ancestors fought to the death for this land and thanks to them, we are now living in this land. Thus, fighting to the death for this land is our mission. Let’s fight just as our ancestors had done for us. Let’s fight for our descendants. And let’s keep our freedom to live in this land! And also…”
As her speech came to the climax, I gave Padilla a signal. It’s time to introduce Shura. Shortly after, Shura drew up her Dalahan and stood next to Padilla.
“Oh, you righteous people! I, the Emir of Kara, will take the lead. You should all follow me! God will light up our way ahead. Look! The miracle of the great god of creation who will always take care of us!”
Shura lifted up Dalahan high. Soon, the bright light and darkness flew out in two ways from Dalahan. Then it transformed into a huge symbol of Yin and Yang in the air.
The whole crowd got astonished and rumbled. Some of them recognized Shura right away and quickly knelt down.
Padilla shouted to the people.
“The Great Saintess of Yin and Yang is with us! Go out and fight against your enemies in the name of God!”
Once most of the people recognized Shura, they all started paying their respect simultaneously. Some of them who believed the religion of Yin and Yang cried out loud in joy. Other people also yelled out a cheer as if they already won the war because a creator god was on their side.
Kara’s people and soldiers would turn into brave warriors for sure because they now believed if they survived, they could have blessings in their lives and if they died, they could go to heaven.
* * *
On a dusky evening, a large size of troops appeared at the west side of the Kara Castle. It was the Robros troops led by Marquis Fabius.
As soon as they arrived near the castle, they started building tents and waterways to prepare for battles.
The next morning, Padilla and I went up to a center turret on the west side of the castle. All the guards stood up at once and greeted us with respect. They looked very tired because they guarded the wall all night.
After I cheered up the guards, I checked the Robros army.
‘Quite a huge army for sure.’
On the horizon, I could see the endless rows of tents covering the vast land. The number of troops who were living in those tents was 55,000. The sky in the west was foggy because of smoke coming out from their cooking stoves. Clouds of dust rose every time when groups of soldiers moved from place to place.
Yet it was less than the army of demons during the Era of Destruction. While the Robros army only covered the west part of the land, the army of demons had covered the entire land.
Padilla came closer to me.
“Your highness, do you think we’ll be okay?”
I nodded my head.
“We’ve prepared enough and our troops are strong as well.”
At that time, three Robros men on their horses came towards us while showing the white flag although they didn’t seem to surrender. They were probably trying to have a talk.
I saw the guy at the front and then made a subtle smile. He didn’t wear his helmet so I could see who he was right away. It was Marquis Faibus.
“Let me go down and have some conversation with him.”
As I was about to jump down the castle, Padilla grabbed my arm.
“Your highness, it’s dangerous.”
“It’ll be fine. Fabius is showing the white flag right now. Also, he’s not a guy who attacks me. And even if he does, I will be okay.”
“But…”
“I’ll be back soon.”
I jumped down the castle and walked slowly to Fabius.
As we got closer, Fabius made a smile and got off his horse.
“Hey, White Mask. Long time no see.”
Fabius was trying to hug me but I pushed him away.
“It’s gross. Let’s only have a conversation.”
“I feel a little bit sad. I thought we’re very close. We even discussed the way of swordsmanship together.”
“You should separate your personal relationship and your career. Just tell me why you came here in this hour?”
“Nothing much. I just came here to suggest you to surrender.”
I snorted instantly.
“You know I won’t. And actually, we have a better chance to win this war. So why would we surrender?”
“Actually, you’re wrong. You don’t know how strong our troops are.”
“I actually know how strong your troops are. You’ve got some cavalry units, some mercenary soldiers, and maybe a few well-trained units.”
“You know some about our troops but do you also know one mercenary soldier can fight three times better than an average soldier?”
“Of course, I know that too. And I also know we can just shoot our arrows against them. You should know we’re well-prepared.”
Fabius raised one side of his mouth.
“It’s still just a peasant army.”
“Are you underestimating a peasant army? They have been using farming tools for their entire life. With weapons on their hands, your soldiers will be in serious trouble. Wearing helmets? Helmets will be crushed instantly with one smash.”
Peasants were those who farmed for their living. People often looked down on them but actually, they were quite skillful. They were masters of farming because they did only farming for their entire life.
One should never underestimate a person who had only one career in his or her entire life.
“Also, they are very good with spears. In one stroke, several soldiers will go down. Here’s my piece of advice. Don’t try to climb over the wall. Otherwise, it will be your worst nightmare.”
Fabius narrowed his eyes.
“They will just run away if they hear my loud shout.”
“I’m sorry. They won’t.”
“No, you don’t know peasants. There’s a clear difference between a peasant and a warrior.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right. But this time, it will be different because they are very motivated right now.”
“Motivated?”
I made a subtle smile and told him our top secret.
“Yeah, they’re very motivated because the Great Saintess of Yin and Yang is on our side. Have you ever heard of her?”
Fabius opened his eyes wide.
“Is she really in Kara right now?”
“Yeah, and also she’s your enemy. You should think carefully before you attack. You know what will happen if she gets hurt, right?”
Fabius started trembling with anger. He knew how divine the Great Saintess was.
“Seriously, you…”
“So, why don’t you just surrender instead of ruining yourself? I will promise you a bright future.”
Fabius turned his head around quickly.
“We believe in Terra, the Saintess of Earth. We have nothing to do with the religion of Yin and Yang.”
“Hey, the God of Yin and Yang is a god of creation. He’s on another level.”
“The mother of the Saintess of Earth is also a god of creation. You don’t know Meteria?”
“Yeah, I know her. But you guys have no Great Satiness on your side.”
“We also have a Great Saintess on our side. The eldest son of our Crown Prince and she will get married soon. Do you wanna figure out which Great Saintess is superior?”
It became like a religious war. Damn Princess Sierra. She never did anything helpful to me. She just lost her fiance and already started finding her husband again.
But I knew it was not what she actually wanted. As far as I knew, Princess Sierra was a woman who would live her life like a widow. Why? Because she really hated getting married. So, she would probably choose to live the life of a window whose fiance had died.
“Just do as you wish. But you’d better not go to the left side. Our Great Saintess will be there.”
“Alright. I will go that way. Hehehe.”
“Sure. I will put our best men over there.”
“You must do that.”
I chuckled.
“So, should we end our conversation now?”
“Well, I guess so because neither of us wants to surrender.”
“Then goodbye. I will see you later in battlefields.”
“Sure. See you later.”
Faibus got back on his horse and returned to his tent. He would definitely come to the west side. It sounded like a joke but that was actually his way of speaking. He might try to throw our defense into confusion but eventually, he would attack the west side