ch 21; Luck
Let's rewind the clock a bit, month before the current situation.
***
Ludwig has a lot on his mind lately. Mainly, concerning their future allies and partner-in-crime, Vedora Kingdom's unchecked growth which implicitly agreed on by his higher ups in the Empire.
This uncharacteristic decision from them wasn't without a reason. Ludwig was busy with the matter of the south, so he got the news pretty late, but the internal situation in the central are about to be shaky.
What's that saying again? 'Turn crisis into opportunity'?
Ha! How shameless, those bunch.
In times when the Empire were surrounded by enemies and potential enemies on all front, how dare they make a move to seize their own benefit and fracturing the Empire instead of uniting under the Imperial family.
But of course, their movement was sniffed out quickly by Imperial family's hound; some weak-willed nobles which swayed by the sweet-talking of the instigator choose to shut their own door, willingly. Effectively cutting off their alliance while also waving the white flag.
However, the core members at large didn't even budge while clearly they've sense the presence of the Imperial's hounds. Granted, they haven't made any move, only preparation, but in light of this events, the Imperial faction choose the hardline approach while also maintaining quietness.
A tall order, yet it has to be done.
They have no other choice, really. If they don't want to give their enemies momentum, this news should not leaked out by any means. Yet, festering the internal wound would only lead to extremely hazardous complications later. Leaving them wasn't a choice, and making a fuss about this is also out of the window.
Hence, such near-impossible order was their only option.
This, however, rapidly consumes their resources. Because to ensure nothing leaked out, a tight net has to be arranged beforehand. Not to mention the actual purge itself also consumes a lot of defense magic disruptor, special weaponry, and much more expendables to, once again, ensure its success.
And it was like that across the board.
The difficult part is, they had to strike simultaneously. To guarantee success, a blitz-like assault is basic. Hitting them so fast, and so hard, they couldn't afford to even blink, is the core of this operation.
Unfortunately, their opposition is no pushover either.
Before the plan truly enacted, the head of those snakes made a move first.
"We've secured agreement with the northerners Prime Minister's daughter regarding the alliance, Your Majesty."
A diplomatic success. One that they pour a large resource to establish, are now to be realized. It would be a joyous occasion, a chance to take a breather amidst the heated situation. But instead, it got increasingly complicated.
The ones who brings the news are exactly those snakes.
And securing this deal with the Ferjya Federation's higher ups mean they had forge a connection with them. In this times, when results are clear, nothing would be worse than proceeding with their hardline plan.
Belatedly hearing the story, Ludwig has been frowning at the impeccable timing behind their success. His wild instinct blaring that this is no coincidence. No, in fact, every Imperial faction who heard it had thought the same.
There's no way those despicable bunch had just achieve months of effort so timely, when their sole are about to be burned.
However, it is undeniable that they achieve a diplomatic importance on behalf of the Empire. Raiding such patriotic men like their original plan would drove stake on their internal. Men won't be eager to prove themself anymore, and most importantly, Neutral faction would potentially drove themself into the opposition en masse, fearing the gratefulless action of the Imperial faction onto them next.
Ironically, this critical juncture has bolster Philip's plan in the eyes of the Imperialist.
Which is why, in this times, Ludwig could pool enough resources to sufficiently invade and install puppet regime before dipping out.
Anyhow,
Exactly what that guy did in his past life? His luck is insane.
Ludwig marched to the Gardenar's territory with such light hearted mind. Unaware of travesty currently bombarded Philip, threatening his life. On another hand, Ludwig didn't fly any pigeon this time. His army movement surely be monitored by Vedora and its surrounding nations, and he believe Philip would act accordingly.
Despite his reluctance, the command from the homeland was clear.
Hasten the inception of Entente.
They need a definite allies, one where they don't had to worry about connection with potential traitor, with clean background, and manageable ally. In this case, Philip and his Vedora Kingdom was clearly fit the bill. Even if the Entente grown considerably, the higher ups agreed it would be much more tolerable than festering a snake in their own backyard.
And, they calculate it would be good for the grand plan too.
Even Ludwig found it very much convincing.
Since the new proposal from Philip which shift the target of Entente from the two kingdoms to only Gardenar Kingdom, Ludwig, as well as Siegmund, thought it would be too stretch to rely on Operation Tight Knit. Because this shift in target means a shift in resource. They already poured much of Operation's resource in the two kingdoms. No spare resources could be redirected to quickly topple Gardenar via a coup.
So they changed the method.
Rather than doing it discreetly, just bulldoze them head on.
This no-brainer approach, serves as two purpose. One, hasten the birth of their ally. And two, create a grim history and unsettling, unfriendly atmosphere. That way, Vedora could use that to further persuade the Eastern Coalition into giving in. Based on what's been revealed so far, Ludwig thought that Philip guy could definitely catch their intention.
And so, he march towards Gardenar Kingdom with light heart.
It was not until he breach the first line of Gardenar defense, that the news of Philip's near-death experience reached him. Dumbfounded, he belatedly panicked reading the detailed situation and send a detached team for scout, or support if necessary.
The next day, however, he was even more dumbfounded because the news attached this time, was shattering his common sense.
***
"Knight live and die on the battlefield."
That's what his senior knight has drilled into him, a new appointed squire at the age of seventeen. Quite a young admittance, but in the Empire, young people who 'Awaken' at that age wasn't rare. Reita just 'one in a dozen'. While his small hometown was raging in a festive atmosphere, Reita was frankly heavy-hearted.
The awareness that he's not special weighed heavily in his young mind. In hindsight, it was natural. His age was the height of arrogance, thinking himself to be special just because his small hometown praising him as 'genius' is the norm. That's why, the first three years, Reita was half-assing the training, trying to prove that even with such lackluster effort, he could still reach the realm of knight.
A true trademark for 'genius'.
Yet, he didn't share this discontent to anyone. His social experience told him nothing would be good from sharing such things. Still, despite everything, he didn't spare his effort when it's in front of sir knights.
At first, it was an image.
Years of leaping around communities and social circle made him quite conscious on how people sees him. And so, despite feeling detached from the senior knight's adage, he act as if he faithfully live in that saying. Unknown to him that this is his first step towards 'Realization'.
It was not until in one of their mission, the senior knight turn his back on him, facing the horde of summoned monsters, that he gravely regret his arrogance.
That led him to desperation to prove himself, to at least try adhere the senior knight's adage at least once.
Yet, he was told to flee.
"You say knight live and die on the battlefield! Wasn't that your 'Realization'?! So why are you telling me to run!!"
In anguish, Reita screamed at the knight. He demand answer, for his heart was swayed by the contradiction of senior Bumi's action.
To that question, the knight chuckled a bit, and said, in a light tone, "Well, Reita, you're not yet a knight, aren't you?" But realized his words could be severely misinterpreted, he coughed once. "Ah, sorry. I don't mean to belittle you."
Reita could still see that calm gaze under the helmet. Words he uttered engraved into him forever.
"You will become a knight, I bet my whole golds on it. But Reita, for you to become a knight, you need to survive first. And surviving are fifty percent luck, and fifty percent effort. I will be your luck."
Heavy.
Suddenly, regret came washing him. A tons of 'what ifs' flying around inside his head, choking his heart. Yet, at that moment, his eyes glued on the senior knight's back. The one that truly embodies his own words. Never truly stray from it.
Third 'Realization'.
A step away from 'Deep Realization' which became the dream of all knights.
In that moment, senior Bumi's back… is different. Not an old knight's back, but a force on its own.
It's like…
Yes… a blazing fire.
Instead of 'end', it represents 'hope'. Instead of heat, it brings warmth. Such was the end of a knight named Bumi.
A knight live and die on the battlefield—
—an embers for the future to live on.
[Burning Embers]
As a few witnesses of that knight's brilliant sacrifice, Reita tentatively named Bumi's Third 'Realization' as such. Thinking it was a fit name for a man that always lives as if burning, yet brings warmth instead of heat.
"Haaaa…"
Sir. I think… I understand.
What it meant to become an ember. To become hope.
Facing mage, magic enhanced ballista, and numerous enemies, Reita choose to stand his ground. Even if his left hand broken. Even if his spear and sword break. Even if the ever-increasing enemies surround him from all fronts. They won't consume him. They will not lay a hand on his client.
No, not client. Future.
Opening his drooping eyes, Reita ready his weapon once more. He was no longer a mere 'defender'.
[Acclimation > Becoming]
The will that transcends roles. A mere pretender that finally reaches empathy, and strives to reach that person.
From the back, in Philip's eyes, Reita's back looks incredibly similar like that knight who successfully killed a rogue mage, rescue the whole village from becoming the mage's sacrifice, and forging a path for a squire to become a knight.
Despite drenched in his own blood, Reita readying his stance.
"You shall not pass."
He recalls his senior.
