ALL NOVEL Chapter 32 - Destiny (1)
16. Destiny (1)
Hernando opened a tent to heal the wounded.
“Sir Hernando!”
“Ah, Sir Priest.”
Jermaine, a priest of the Briol Army, opened the tent and entered.
“Oh dear, why are you struggling alone without informing me?”
“Hahaha, Priest Jermaine, you need to rest too.”
“No, I don’t.”
Jermaine placed his hand on his chest and spoke.
“How can I, as a messenger of God’s will, use physical fatigue as an excuse? If my sacrifice can bring peace to many, I will dedicate myself gladly.”
“Your faith is deep.”
“Indeed.”
Jermaine fetched a chair and sat next to Hernando.
“Now, knights, please come to me.”
Inside the tent, not only knights but also many soldiers were present. However, Jermaine specifically referred to the knights.
“I will heal you. God’s will shall be imparted to you all.”
Yet, no knight approached him.
Although he was a priest using holy magic, Hernando’s ordinary healing magic was superior.
“It’s fine. Please, come here. Hahaha…”
Then a soldier standing in the back row quickly sat before Jermaine.
Jermaine’s eyebrows trembled subtly but commenced the treatment without complaint.
“Where does it hurt?”
“Here…”
A white light emanated from his hand. Soon, the pain began to lessen.
The soldier thanked him with a nod and exited the tent. Then one by one, people lined up in front of Jermaine.
Kori, assisting Hernando, poured water and placed it on Jermaine’s table.
“Sir Priest, drink as you work.”
“Uh…?”
He seemed slightly startled by Kori but soon nodded.
“Yes.”
Kori could perceive the reluctance from Jermaine. It was already known within the company that Kori was a half-orc.
“If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Alright.”
Kori stepped back to observe Hernando and Jermaine healing people.
Each time a white light spewed from their hands, the groans of those suffering from their wounds subsided.
Kori saw the process of contorted faces relaxing with tranquility.
“It hurts so much here. Please, please…”
“Why did you come so late?”
“I thought it would be okay…”
“The wound is going to rot.”
Jermaine furrowed his brow.
“Kori.”
“Yes?”
“Please bring some water. Make sure it’s clean.”
“Understood.”
Kori hurried off.
Due to congenitally different leg lengths and a bent limb, he couldn’t run fast, but he returned as quickly as possible, hobbling all the way.
Jermaine chanted a spell over the bucket Kori brought.
“This water has become holy water. It will disinfect the wounds. Even if it stings, bear with it.”
He gently poured the water over the wound. White foam sizzled.
A stifled groan escaped the soldier’s lips.
“The holy water is reacting with the dirt in the wound.”
“It’s burning.”
“Bear with it.”
“Ugh…”
“Kori, please clean it.”
“Understood.”
Kori used a clean towel to wipe the wound.
Again, a light emanated from Jermaine’s hand. The soldier’s face gradually calmed.
“Done. Next.”
Jermaine wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Hernando and Jermaine continued to heal people. Although Hernando remained calm, Jermaine showed evident signs of exhaustion.
Sensing Kori’s gaze, Jermaine spoke.
“It’s because Sir Hernando is a remarkable mage. Don’t just assume.”
“No, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“A glass of cold water, please.”
Jermaine quaffed a glass of water and manifested the holy magic once more.
Thanks to the quick response, there were no significant injuries.
Once the situation settled, Jermaine rose from his seat. His priestly robe was soaked through.
“Thankfully, it ends here.”
“There hasn’t been a war yet.”
“It will be brutal. It’s already worrying. May God look upon us…”
“What about you, Kori?”
“I’ll tidy up and leave.”
“Leave it for tomorrow.”
The three stepped out of the tent.
“Ah…”
Though the night was deep, the surroundings were still bright.
Soldiers gathered around a large bonfire.
Soon, an unnamed soldier began playing the lute and singing.
His voice was notably pleasant.
“Life is like this.”
Hernando smiled gently.
Kori scrutinized the people one by one.
Some had been injured in the medical tent. Their previously anguished faces now bore carefree smiles.
Watching them, Kori felt a strange emotion.
“Though they’re heading to the battlefield, they’re laughing like this now.”
Hernando opened his hands.
From each of his ten fingertips, beams of light, like stars twisted into the sky.
“Wow…”
Kori widened his eyes.
The beam that Hernando conjured rose to the sky, undulating like waves.
Against the backdrop of a starry night on the plains, an unprecedented spectacle of light unfolded.
They burst like fireworks and transformed into beastly shapes, playfully chasing each other.
The colors shifted from red to green, from green to blue, dazzling the eyes.
The soldier’s singing voice brightened further.
All sorts of colors flickered in the eyes of those looking up at the sky.
Stepping back, Kori took in the entire scene.
Magic.
It reached Kori.
Suddenly, he felt it had to be now or never, overwhelming him with sensation.
Thus, without realizing it, Kori spoke. Normally, he wouldn’t have expressed himself like this.
“Sir Hernando.”
“Hmm?”
“Please, teach me magic.”
As he spoke, Kori gazed up at Hernando from beneath his hood.
It felt both like it was and wasn’t coming from him.
There was an odd detachment from reality.
Hernando’s face tilted slightly as he looked down at Kori.
Apart from Yuri, Hernando was the only person nearby who didn’t grimace at him.
Would he take offense at Kori’s audacity in asking to learn magic? Would even Hernando suddenly change his demeanor?
But Kori wasn’t afraid of that.
The brilliance behind Hernando’s face shone all the more resplendently.
“This is…”
Hernando spoke.
“I haven’t seen this in so long.”
“Are you talking about me?”
“Not you.”
Hernando’s expression softened more than ever before.
He reached inside the hood.
Kori was startled. Hernando was caressing a cheek no one wanted to touch.
“Every person has a fate bestowed upon them.”
“Fate?”
“Yes. But I can no longer see it. Because of someone.”
Kori could not comprehend his words.
“But I can see it emanating from you. Even when he’s right there.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Originally, the fate you didn’t have has come to you, almost like a lie. Should that be called fate?”
Hernando asked with a smile.
“Kori, why suddenly do you wish to learn magic?”
“Well…”
He could have mentioned Yuri’s name. But he didn’t want to.
Kori turned his head and looked at the people gathered around the campfire.
“Because people are smiling.”
Those who had been suffering from injuries were comforted. The people heading to the battlefield could smile.
He envied the power of magic that could create radiance more beautiful than the stars.
“I see.”
Hernando nodded. Just in case, Kori added,
“Ah, and because His Highness recommended it as well.”
“I see, that must be it.”
Hernando chuckled aloud.
Though he often joked, Kori had never seen him laugh so heartily.
As his laughter diminished, Hernando murmured.
“A half-orc using magic…”
Kori flinched.
Hernando placed a hand on his shoulder.
“That would be truly magnificent.”
Such words were new to him.
Kori quietly donned his hood deeper.
His lips twisted. He tilted his head, unable to understand the unabated facial muscles, but when he saw the other soldiers’ faces, he realized it was a smile.
It was a facial expression he had never made before.
***
The Briol Army marched diligently towards Balshad.
Occasionally, they spotted orc shadows in the distance but never faced a direct assault.
As they moved further from the border, unfamiliar landscapes emerged.
“What is that?”
“What are they riding?”
Mysterious orcs riding unknown beasts appeared prominently.
“That’s a Komodo Drake.”
Soldiers turned back at the sudden answer.
A dark-haired boy stood with his arms crossed.
“Your Highness?”
This peculiar prince often appeared suddenly among the soldiers.
Other nobles might have panicked, but this prince was not authoritarian and could be approached casually.
“The monster orcs ride instead of horses.”
“It’s huge.”
“There aren’t many, so you won’t see them often, but if you do, run. Once bitten, the wound festers. Plus, their skin is so tough that it cannot be cut unless with sword energy.”
“I see. Your Highness knows a lot.”
“It’s all in books.”
“I’ve never seen you with a book though…”
“I like to read in secret.”
Komodo Drakes resembled giant lizards, crawling on four legs and about twice the size of an orc.
Although seemingly cumbersome due to their bulky bodies, once they started running, they were so fast that their legs blurred.
The orc cavalry that scouted the Briol Army quickly vanished beyond the horizon.
“Next time, I’ll shoot them down with an arrow.”
“They’re too far; you won’t hit them.”
“But it’s annoying.”
Yuri whistled, and the black horse walking behind them galloped over.
He mounted and moved to the front.
Leading the vanguard was the knight order, including Raymond.
“I got it!”
“Yes?”
Jared tilted his head. Yuri continued,
“Today’s lunch is jerky-flavored meat soup.”
“Ah, I see…”
“I negotiated with the supply division to open a cart.”
“That’s good news.”
“It’s thanks to my foresight predicting an orc night raid.”
“Oh yes, we’re proud of you, Your Highness.”
“Remember to bow in my direction with every bite you take.”
The army headed steadily towards Balshad. It seemed they would arrive by evening.
“I hear some countries have already reached Balshad.”
“Already?”
“They say their journey was unimpeded.”
“Lucky them.”
Nations summoned to the coalition were gathering towards Balshad from various routes.
Briol, having proximity to the plains, was relatively close, but the travel was delayed due to various incidents.
“We’ll rest here.”
The Briol Army paused to prepare lunch.
From afar, two knights on horseback approached.
By the time they drew closer, everyone in the Briol Army could see them.
Yuri assessed their attire while moving the spoon on his tray. The design of their dark armor seemed to belong to the Imperial Army.
“Hey.”
Yuri nudged the soldier next to him.
“Yes?”
The startled soldier stood up abruptly.
It was a soldier who had been uneasy due to the pressure of eating alongside Yuri.
“Why so surprised?”
“Ah, nothing!”
“Are you a recruit? Just enlisted?”
“Yes…”
“Perfect. You see those two knights coming this way?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Go over and ask what they want.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“How could someone like me take on such an important task…”
“It’s not important at all.”
“But still…”
Yuri glanced at the senior soldier beside him, who immediately scolded,
“Aren’t you listening to His Highness?”
“No, Sir!”
“Such a coward. Are you going to or not?”
“I-I will!”
The recruit’s eyes darted nervously. Yuri patted his shoulder with a grin.
“Just ask them what they want. Why are you so scared?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Alright. Off you go.”
“Y-yes, sir…”
The recruit reluctantly rose, taking hesitant steps before sprinting away under Yuri and his senior’s piercing glares.
Yuri watched this unfold, continuing to scoop his meat soup.
After running for a while, the recruit stopped in front of the strangers and spoke to them.
Occasionally, the two knights glanced in Yuri’s direction.
“The soup’s salty.”
Yuri finished his tray and pushed it toward the soldier beside him.
“You take care of this.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The recruit was now returning.
Yuri readied his sword and walked to meet him. Quick-wittedly, Laurent and Jared joined him.
“Which country could they be from?”
“Likely the Empire.”
Yuri recognized the Empire’s armor style. In his past life, he had fought them countless times. He knew their weak points.
Soon, the recruit returned, panting heavily.
“They’re knights of the Empire. They’ve come to warn us about orc squads moving near Balshad.”
“Kind of them.”
Yuri nodded thoughtfully.
“They might be in danger traveling alone. They must be confident in their skills.”
“Since they came all this way, shouldn’t we greet them?”
“We should.”
All three knights turned their eyes on the recruit. He took a deep breath and asked,
“Sh-should I go again?”
His eyes looked pitiful. Yuri let him go.
“It’s fine. You’ve done enough.”
Instead of sending the soldier as a messenger, Yuri waved to the two knights.
“You two should wave, too. Invite them over.”
“What’s…?”
Jared was about to shake his head when Laurent followed suit with Yuri.
“Why are you so quick to follow, sir Laurent?”
“You should do it too, sir Jared.”
“Oh no…”
In the end, all three enthusiastically waved their arms at the Empire’s knights.
Fortunately, they got the message, and the two knights approached the camp.
They dismounted. One removed his helmet, revealing his face.
“Greetings. I am Raphio Artem, a knight of the Empire and Count Zenon’s second son.”
He greeted Laurent with a bow.
Laurent, flustered, took a step back.
“Oh, it’s not me…”
Raphio’s gaze shifted to Yuri. Yuri introduced himself.
“I am Yuri Briol, Commander of Briol Army and the Third Prince.”
“Oh, my. I apologize.”
Raphio widened his eyes and bowed to Yuri.
“I didn’t expect the prince himself to welcome us.”
“You came far to warn us. It deserves a reception.”
“Thank you for the hospitality.”
“Have you already arrived at Balshad?”
“Yes. The Empire is arriving in multiple divisions. We are the advance team.”
Raphio explained the recent happenings.
Orc troops began appearing near Balshad, and some forces of a nation that arrived earlier had been slain by orcs.
“Hence, we’re scouting near Balshad and warning the alliance.”
“That’s a tough job.”
Yuri commended their efforts.
Though the Empire was his enemy, the Emperor had not yet shown his ambitions. There was no need to show hostility to ordinary knights.
“And who might that be…”
“Oh…”
Raphio turned back. The other knight stepped forward, removing his helmet.
He was a middle-aged knight with graying hair and a face lined with wrinkles.
Yuri’s eyes widened.
“Forgive me for not greeting you first. I am not in any honorable position right now…”
It was an unforgettable face.
He hadn’t changed at all from then to now.
In his past life, Yuri felt as though his voice echoed in his ears.
Concealing his agitation, Yuri nodded.
“The unworthy Graham Heartpole pays respects to the Third Prince of Briol.”
If the Imperial Princess Yekaterina was Yuri’s sin, the knight before him was akin to his shame.
Graham Heartpole.
An upright person and the epitome of a knight, now serving as a soldier without rank.