Chapter 142

Translator: Willia

There is no courage that does not know fear. Because courage is precisely overcoming fear, not knowing fear merely makes it appear that way.

Fear of pain, fear of failure, and fear of death.

One cannot know what kind of inner state courageous people experience as they overcome those fears, but they had one thing in common.

It was an intense longing toward a goal. Whether it was something momentary or something cherished for a long time, from the flame called longing, the renowned sword called courage was born.

So when you asked them how they could be so brave, without exception they answered like this.

They said they merely did what they naturally had to do.

Things that others called foolish or crazy acts were, to them, merely obstacles to overcome and part of a process.

Thus, at times, the renowned sword called courage cuts down the obstacle called impossibility.

At that very moment, time stops and is remembered by people forever. An immortal name is left in history.

Ricardt had a longing. It was not something like a desire for greatness as other rulers had.

It was to stop Vilter’s foolish actions and, ultimately, to bring an end to Adeloron’s war and deliver hope to people so that they could live again.

If asked why it had to be so, for Ricardt it was simply a natural thing to do, and there was no particular reason.

If one were to insist on finding a reason, he merely thought of it as repaying a debt for memories of a happy childhood, for compassion toward those who could not enjoy such things, and for the fact that he himself had been loved.

How hotly, fiercely, and greatly the flame of longing that Ricardt harbored would burn was something even he himself could not know. The nature of a flame was that it changed from moment to moment.

However, aside from the coastline, all of the land of Sinatria was highland. The highlands were places where the wind blew especially strongly and were specialized in creating flames intense enough to melt iron.

Where, exactly, did this unceasing wind originate. From atop those high mountains, from some unknown place beyond the sea, or from the breath blown by God above the sky.

In any case, it seemed like the perfect place to nurture the flame of longing held within a person’s chest.

The sun revealed itself on the distant horizon. The black sky gradually turned into a deep blue, and though it was the beginning of summer, the mornings and evenings were still cool.

The wind blew, and the flags symbolizing each knightly house fluttered.

The men of Sinatria were famous for their valor, but perhaps because war was a reality, they all looked weary. Rather than physically exhausted, they seemed closer to being mentally worn out.

A siege was ultimately a battle of endurance, but with those Green Dragon Brothers running wild, morale was in a terrible state.

They stayed at their posts only reluctantly by the king’s order, and their hearts had long since returned to their hometowns.

Those who had stood watch overnight took a simple meal and went to sleep, while soldiers who rose in ragged states gathered in small groups, lit fires, and hung pots over them.

Food eaten in the field was nothing special. They simply boiled or grilled whatever they could get their hands on. That was why it tasted different every day.

Ricardt and the knights of the Order of the Flame Knights had brought separate provisions, but they were not very plentiful.

Since they would not be staying long anyway, it did not really matter, but when Raimund brought a pale porridge with strange chunks floating in it in a wooden bowl, Ricardt shook his head.

“I prefer to be a little hungry before fighting. When my stomach feels heavy, I think I get a bit dull. I appreciate the thought.”

Then he fully armed himself and mounted the red horse. Ricardt turned his head and gazed at the rising sun and the drawbridge far in the distance.

Raimund and the knights merely sat there eating, staring blankly at the sight.

For them, it was also an opportunity to see Ricardt’s skill firsthand, and they thought it would be good to boost morale if he were to bring down one of the Green Dragon Brothers.

Then, in their own way, it would also save face regarding the boasting they had done. That was as far as their thoughts went.

The Flame Knights did not know what Ricardt was thinking or what he intended to do. As for Ricardt, he did not explain his plan, thinking that even if he did, they would only see him as a braggart.

Knowing that showing once was better than speaking a hundred times, Ricardt took the spear banner of the Order of the Flame Knights and left the encampment.

Because mealtime was when all the soldiers and knights gathered, he deliberately rode his horse slowly from the right wing to the left wing.

Duguduk. Duguduk. Duguduk. Duguduk.

Under the morning sun, the red silk surcoat and gleaming golden armor radiated an overwhelming presence. Even though they did not know who Ricardt was, the soldiers were naturally drawn to him.

Ricardt let his blond hair flutter and deliberately drew everyone’s attention, then put on a helmet adorned with stiff red tassels.

Then he returned to the center and, like a racehorse and rider waiting for the signal to charge, stared at Leonia Fortress. Before long, the fortress drawbridge came down with a grinding rumble, like a great beast crying out.

The one who revealed himself was Tiuso, the younger brother of Tausso, and judging by the green dragon helmet ornament and surcoat alone, it was difficult to distinguish him from his older brother.

The only way to tell the brothers apart was the single difference in their secondary weapons, one using a battle axe and the other a sword.

How deep the brothers’ bond was could not be known, but their cooperation in defending Leonia Fortress contrasted with King Santonio and his brother, and with Ricardt and the Vilter brothers.

However, what could be done. Since they had met on the battlefield, there was no choice but to set aside personal impressions. There was no need to know each other’s stories in depth.

Ricardt’s flamboyant attire was clearly visible even from afar, so Tiuso wondered whether the enemy had hired a highly skilled mercenary.

The same was true of King Santonio’s soldiers, and with a sense that something different from usual was about to happen, they watched the situation without knowing whether the food was going into their mouths or their noses.

Both Ricardt and Tiuso wore helmets, so they could not see each other’s faces.

But having met on the battlefield, what words could there be, and what did facial expressions matter. Only the weapons they held clearly conveyed their intentions, and that was enough.

When Ricardt slowly stepped forward first, the one far away also came forward holding a spear. This was not a jousting match, and there was no referee. If there was a referee, it was death itself.

Then someone beat a drum in the allied camp. Thud, thud, it was struck at a slow tempo so that everyone here could hear it, and strangely enough, hearing the drum made one’s heart rise along with it.

As Ricardt and his opponent gradually increased their speed, the drumbeat also quickened.

When they truly began to gain speed, it was as if thunder were crashing down.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thudthudthudthud!

Drreuk! Drreuk! Drreuk! Drreuk!

With the powerful gallop of the massive warhorses, thick clouds of dust rose, and Ricardt and Tiuso lowered their upper bodies little by little as they gauged the distance and aimed their spears at each other.

But just when it seemed Ricardt had reached top speed, he increased it even further. He shot forward like a red comet, and his opponent lost the timing for the strike.

In mounted spear duels, more than any other technique, timing was the most important. At the proper moment and proper distance, one increased speed and placed everything on the spear tip with an unshakable posture. Thus, failing to judge distance and speed put one at a severe disadvantage.

As Ricardt charged in at an incredible speed, Tiuso’s spear tip wavered. Just as the thought that something had gone wrong flashed through his mind, Ricardt closed the distance far faster than expected.

Huuuuung!

The gigantic, heavy warhorses brushed past each other. Tiuso hurriedly twisted his body and changed direction, avoiding the clash.

“Wooooah!”

As the two who had been charging at tremendous speed passed each other, allies and enemies alike burst out in loud exclamations.

From afar, it looked as if the outcome had been decided, yet upon closer watching, it seemed not to be so. Everyone simply watched with eyes wide open, completely absorbed.

Still, to avoid the outcome in a duel fought for honor. That was something unheard of. But who in the world wished to die. It was not entirely incomprehensible.

Since war was a matter of employing every possible method, anything could happen, and Ricardt did not panic.

He himself quickly changed direction and pursued Tiuso. Tiuso’s posture had collapsed, and he was wholly occupied with urgently turning and calming his startled horse.

At this point, turning back to fight Ricardt was far too disadvantageous, so he could only flee with all his strength. Suddenly, a chase unfolded before Leonia Fortress, a pursuit where one chased and the other fled.

At that moment, to save his younger brother, Tausso, Tiuso’s older brother, hurriedly came out of the fortress. He too was dressed in a green dragon helmet ornament and a green surcoat.

“You little bastard!”

As Ricardt pressed closely in pursuit of Tiuso, Tausso charged over and shouted loudly.

It was a desperate moment. For each of the three of them. There was no time for careful judgment, only instantaneous and instinctive decisions determined victory or defeat and divided life and death.

Ricardt made his decision. He stopped pursuing the younger brother Tiuso and turned his reins again. Because it was such an excellent horse, its instantaneous acceleration and change of direction were unbelievable.

However, unlike Tausso, who had been charging toward Ricardt from the start, Ricardt did not have time to properly build up speed. The fleeing Tiuso also realized that his brother had come to help and turned his direction again.

From afar, it looked as if two green dragons and one red dragon were intertwined in battle. It was a scene that left a powerful impression in the minds of all the thousands watching.

In any case, the urgent fight continued. Knowing that he was at a disadvantage, Ricardt resorted to a desperate measure and gripped his spear in a reverse hold, hurling it straight at Tausso.

Huuwoong!

The spear, carrying tremendous force, shot straight toward Tausso. Tausso was also remarkable. Though it should have been difficult to evade while charging toward Ricardt, he avoided it by lowering his upper body just slightly, without any large movement.

However, the tip of his own spear also veered away from Ricardt.

Then, Tausso suddenly felt as if time had stopped, and in his eyes he saw that Ricardt had already drawn his sword and was holding it high above his head.

Golden flames burning along the blade fluttered long like a banner.

Hwing! Peogeok!

But regardless of one’s will, time flows on, and Ricardt’s sword split his head, helmet and all, along with the dragon-shaped helmet ornament.

With his head split open, his body dangled limply on the horse as it continued to run forward with him already dead.

“Brotheeeeeer!”

Tiuso shouted in shock. Immediately, rage surged up, and he pressed closely in pursuit, staring at Ricardt’s back.

But Ricardt snatched up the spear that had missed and been embedded in the ground, then twisted his waist backward. His flexibility was impressive, but the strength with which he fixed his body was on an absurd level.

Gripping the spear with both hands, Ricardt skewered Tiuso, who had charged right up behind him, as if spearing a fish in a stream.

Puk!

“Kuh!”

The spear tip of the Order of the Flame Knights pierced through his chest and burst out his back, and Tiuso fell from his horse and rolled roughly across the ground.

Puk! Peobeobeok! Teolpudeok.

Thus, Ricardt alone had killed both of the Green Dragon brothers. It was such an astonishing sight that the spectators could only stare with eyes wide open and mouths agape, unable even to cheer.

From afar, King Santonio, who had been watching Ricardt’s fight, had his gaze shaken. A hero. Truly a dragon-like hero.

But the truly astonishing spectacle was only beginning. Ricardt did not slow down and charged toward Leonia Fortress like a red flash.

Drreuk! Drreuk! Drreuk! Drreuk!

The startled enemies hurriedly raised the drawbridge, and it was a hair-raising moment. If he failed, he would fall straight down the cliff and die.

“It’s dangerous!”

Raimund shouted loudly from afar in shock.

But the red horse and Ricardt, as if of one mind and one body, leapt up brilliantly without the slightest doubt or hesitation.

It truly seemed as though a red dragon were flying. The people watching from afar definitely felt that way.

Hihihihiing-!

In the quiet battlefield, the horse’s neigh echoed out. To the enemies inside the fortress, because Ricardt had the sun at his back, it looked like a radiant halo.

“El Ciiiid!”

No one knew who it was, but someone shouted. It was the kind of cry that hoped to reach Ricardt and give him even a little strength.

Whether it helped or not could not be known, but by the narrowest of margins, Ricardt crossed the slowly rising drawbridge.

Then the thousands who were watching, just about to burst into cheers, abruptly swallowed them back and gasped in shock. That was because even if he stormed into the fortress, he would be isolated alone.

After fighting so well, what was this, what kind of situation was this. It was confusing. Naturally so, because it was something they had never seen before and had never even imagined.

However, there was no need to worry, because the enemies had also been dealt a tremendous shock and were already overwhelmed in momentum.

Ricardt stormed into the fortress swarming with enemies, raised his sword high, and shouted loudly.

“Surrender and you will live, resist and you will die!”

Then, just as the Green Dragon brothers had trampled the allied camp at will, he spurred his horse and mercilessly rammed into and trampled the enemies who stood there stupidly.

Puk! Peobeok! Kwajik!

The enemies were thrown into utter chaos and panic, and each time Ricardt’s sword was swung, fresh blood sprayed.

After sweeping through the area in one fierce rampage, Ricardt charged at someone who looked like the lord of the fortress and, in an instant, severed his neck. Then he bent his upper body and cut through the thick iron chain that raised the drawbridge in a single stroke.

Kaang!

The chain unraveled with a rattling sound, and the drawbridge crashed down with a bang.

It was a succession of shocking events, and the enemies, forgetting all about winning or losing, fled in droves. The only places to run were the lodgings inside the fortress or their own homes.

Ricardt skewered the lord’s head on a spear and came out of the fortress. Since the chain had been cut, it could not be raised again immediately, and the fortress, left wide open, was no different from having fallen.

Ricardt returned to the allied camp and, just as he had done during breakfast time, slowly rode from left to right before the camp with the spear bearing the lord’s head, so that everyone could see clearly.

There was no need for long explanations. Without saying a word, he simply showed them. What kind of action he had taken, and what he had achieved.

Even the sun that illuminated the entire world seemed, at that moment, to be rising solely for Ricardt, and the thousands of soldiers were overwhelmed by a single man. An individual greater than the whole.

Leonia Fortress, which had not fallen for ten years, thus fell just two days after Ricardt joined.

Thus, an immortal name was forever engraved in history, on the land of Sinatria, and in the hearts of the people who lived there.

From the Empire's Stormhertz, the Caldebern Family, son of Abelich, El Cid Ricardt.

****

For more chapters, you can check out my Patreon here –> https://patreon.com/warriorsballad