Ashes and Kingdoms

The number of bodies left on the battlefield, as evidenced by the speed with which the Dolphins fled, was small compared to the plethora of defeats. Of course, none of the dead are on the Empire's side.

Glaus took twenty elite men, including Alect, to the city when ordered to set up a camp just south of Combs to take care of the wounded.

Legion soldiers guarding the castle gate went through the line in a way that was neither thrilled nor tired. The city's air is also staring motionlessly. As the news of the defeat of the Dolphae army has already been passed on, neither rejoicing nor rebelling to drive out the Glauses.

"That's creepy."

Alect whispers suspiciously frowning. Glaus continued to walk to the Lordship Hall, paying close attention to his surroundings without alarm.

At the gate of the hall, they were finally welcomed. Levanus himself came out.

But in all its indignation, both Glaus and Alect lost their voices. It would only be about twenty days caged in the Combs, but it's as if they've fought it out for years. The reason was explained by Levanus' own mouth.

"I've been waiting for you, General. This is how I can give you the city of Combs, and you can finally sleep in peace. He lost most of his infantry in the defeat of the first war and was destroyed a crossbow. Survivors were gathered and caged in the Combs, but some soldiers rebelled… now less than half the strength of the Fifth Corps. Not really."

"No... well done, you carried me around"

Glaus managed to push out the words of labor and slapped Levanus on the shoulder. Having to fight a soldier who was one of us and punish - and not execute - it must have been far more painful than fighting an enemy. The more you change your face, the more you'll do it.

"How are the citizens? Is there any fear of rioting if we let soldiers into the city?"

Combs' barracks are in the corner of the city. If the Fifth Corps is using it, but its numbers are drastically decreasing, it will give some of the soldiers of the Second Corps who are camping some rest under the roof.

"I don't think so," Levanus answered bluntly. "The thoughts of those who rejoice in the return of the Dragon Horse, or those who are not, are hidden in their hearts to watch them become. No disturbing rumors were heard, no movement in the city was seen in the proximity of the Dorfaye army"

"Right. Let's go to the barracks first and come through the conversation. Revanus, I'll hear from you later. Rest in the museum for a while now, but be good."

Glaus said and tried to walk out, but Levanus stopped it.

"General, I'm afraid... someone wants to see you in the hall"

"What?"

"I'm Marius-Fialk. We've been imprisoned in the hall since a report of the Dolphae invasion, but he wants to tell you as soon as the general gets into the Combs."

Inside, I can whisper.

At that time, Grauss felt his noodle hair turn upside down. Chilli, and like a spark ran.

"... right now, huh?

An unexpected reply caught my mouth. It is not uncomfortable to see Marius. Instead, in the last three years I have had some kind of trust with him, and now that Elesia is back, it seems that there is something I need to discuss with him. But.

"Sure, later."

Levanus replied snot-nosed. And add with a tired voice.

"But please hey as soon as you can. The Dolphins don't know when they'll be back."

"Uhm."

Glaus roared on the tannic side. Alect looks at the two alternately, leaning his neck and suggesting.

"Shall we wait until the meeting is over? It won't take long. Or I'll take a few men to the barracks."

"... right"

After a roundabout, Glaus nodded vaguely.

"Don't worry about getting attacked by a mob, just in case, take them all. This way, I'll use the soldiers of the hall if I have to."

"Got it. Then Lord Levanus, again later."

When Alect saluted him properly, he was repaid and led his men to leave the street in two rows of columns. Glaus was led into the hall by Levanus, feeling somewhat restless.

When he was recalled for questioning, there were still no signs of a return of Elesia. The servants who served the hall, like Marius and the other Nornicombs, treated Glaus with a little familiarity. But now everyone was approximate to recall their position as Imperial servicemen and conquerors.

Feeling rejected by the hall itself, Glaus can put a spicy bitterness on the edge of his mouth. Now we're back three years ago.

"Only Lord Marius has been imprisoned."

"No. Everyone with a communal and influential face, such as Lord Marius' wife and her relatives, is being held without this hall and at home."

"Don't let it get rough."

"Of course. There's nothing wrong with being somewhat handicapped."

Levanus, shady, stopped in front of Marius' private room. Knock on the door and tell him the general is here. Clerical, fine dust and a warm voice.

(Prisoners and rulers?)

Glaus sighed inside. If, over the course of more than three years, we have regained the trust of the people of Nornicom, even in the slightest measure, but at that rate of collapse and departure.

At the corner of his sight, he captures the servant sneaking through the corner of the hallway. That too, I guess I can't return the meeting like I've ever done - with that in mind, I turn my face unconsciously just a little bit. And, unexpectedly, as if waiting for that glimpse, the servant returned a sliced feather.

For a moment, Glaus snuggled himself. The gentle expression of the servant, blue and slightly shaking his head, intuitively understood what it meant.

Reflectively he was doing his hand to the sword on his hips. But sooner, a spear protruding from beyond the open door crosses his throat and seals the motion.

"Quiet, General"

Levanus almost told the sinking pain.

"It is in front of His Excellency the Dragon Hou. Don't act ugly."

"Levanus......!

Glaus gazed at his former men with incredible thoughts. but then, I turn my eyes indoors so that I can be drawn to forces that I can't tell you whether or not to.

The one I felt in front of the hall was a warning of instinct. Later Glaus understood, biting his back teeth into remorse.

It was the Dragon Horse Elecia who sat on the bench waiting for him. Marius stands by the chair, staring at this one with a hard look. It was the proud-faced Dolphae who was poking spears at Glaus.

Glaus lay on both knees at Elesia's feet, trying to fall in because of the sword being taken away and rammed.

"Good mood, General Glaus. You've given me a great deal of hospitality."

Elecia smiles spicy. Glaus looked up when he made that face, and his sad eyes.

"I made a wish that it would come true once again, but in this way it would be desirable. Lord Elecia, your flames seem to have clouded in three years."

"Provocation over this period is an evil ascension that I don't even think is the Commander-in-Chief of the Empire. Don't let me down."

"Not so," Glaus breathed all the time. "Your anger was justified, and therefore the flames were shining themselves. But now you seem angry just because you didn't start the flames. If it is the price of the Fire Dragon Marquis, you will not forget your wrath."

"... Huh!

"Anger will create hatred, hatred will produce poison. Neither will you be saved, nor will many of your people burned by the cloudy flames of your Lord."

Lord Glaus.

It was Marius who went into arbitration. When Glaus saw it, it was poured out with conflicting emotions, the same as when he once talked in line in the building of the hall.

"Admit also that during the absence of Master Elecia, the General has protected the people of Nornicom from the beasts of darkness without the power of the dragon. Therefore, when life helps... the Legion soldiers also promised not to take it to life if they did not resist and surrender. Please, put yourself at risk."

"Did you tell Levanus that, too, and let him go back to sleep? Or have you promised money or status besides your life"

Glaus roars and Levanus mourns. blocked Levanus, who opened his mouth to make excuses, to which Elecia replied.

"I didn't even have to do this rush. Those soldiers were shown a difference in power in the first battle, and their hips were completely shriveled."

She smiled glossy as she flickered her mocking gaze at Levanus.

"It's called muscle that burns down without a single Emperor's soldier left. Only with Marius's plea is her neck still connected. Be grateful."

…………

Glaus nodded and clenched his fists tightly on both knees on the floor.

"Lord Elecia. If you are also the head of the Dragon Hou family, you know what loyalty is. Do you think the Emperor's generals will betray his country and his comrades to spare their lives? Don't be shy, they'll drop this neck with their hands. I'm sure that's what you want."

Saying, he raised his face and stared straight at Elesia with his cloudless eyes.

"If I may, I want that hatred washed away with my blood. If you say you can't keep Lord Marius' wish, I'd ask you to give up Varys' neck instead."

On the way, Elesia's face was colored red red red with a flame of anger. But Glaus does not overlap words with fright.

"If you are a king, you will know that even a man's life is only a rushing ingredient. It's a different matter from the passion for the late husband and son. If the ruler persists in the redemption of blood, he will be doomed."

"Kind things"

Elesia barely returned the irony, but her voice was trembling in anger. Glaus got a tough eye and strengthened his tone. I'm not begging for my life by making a statement, with the thought.

"Lord Elecia. Is it strange that I should guide the people of Nornicom? I once served in the First Legion to mediate the troubles of Dorfaye and Nornicom many times, and for the past three years I have defended myself from being unfairly manipulated by my own side. I've spent a long time on this land, even if it's not my birthplace. That's why I'm asking you to hit me with one of my necks."

"As far as I know, the emperor would be a helpless baby if he lost it, but now he's changed. You think that baby's gonna take a weapon and stand up for revenge?

"No. Only a new emperor will stand. Another dragon march leads the army from the west. Still, you fight only to defeat the Empire and the Emperor."

Told in honesty, Elesia gets stuck in words. Anger and hatred fade, and reason returns to roam in front of endless battles. Glaus looked at it and opened his mouth to further fold. and at that time,

"What, he was still alive"

A voice containing mockery broke in, and Glaus chewed his back teeth giggly, staring at the Lord of his voice. Senion had just come in as if he were the lord of the hall.