Chapter 227: Ashes (2)
Noon.
The point where the sun was at its highest.
However, unlike usual, warmth could not be found in the shining rays of sunlight as snow began to fall from the pure white clouds that spread like paint across the sky.
The snow which was slightly wet due to the hot vapor that came out from the breath that was released by people when they were exhaling, piled up on the ground, obscuring the horrors of the battlefield.
Although the environment had become harsher than before, it could be said to be the most optimal situation for the detached unit to move.
Though, we would only move after one more battle took place......
In other words, it meant that it was also better if this side attacked first.
Some might say that it was too hasty of a decision.
After all, with time passing, their side would receive additional supplies.
If things went well, Ferzen would be able to replenish his goods.
However, he could not opt for that option.
After all, he didn't want to give both Elmark Empire and Lizzy any time to prepare.
If this deadlock continued for a long time and Lizzy got her hands on Prince Raymond's body parts like hair and the others,
Forming the detached unit would be meaningless.
To be honest, Ferzen was curious as to why Empress Gremory, who had a strong desire to win, had been so quiet.
But if the enemies did not know their cards, and they themselves don't know their enemies' cards,
What would clash in the end was naturally the best cards each side had.
Step-!!
After thinking so, Ferzen raised his head and stepped on the snow that had accumulated.
Winter was the season that became the starting point of all his stories with this body.
So, it was the perfect season to put an end to the story and see spring.
* * * * *
Late at night.
Leaving behind the soldiers that were standing guard, Lizzy entered the hut with Astel, the captain of her group. Once she was inside, she shook off the snow that had accumulated on her shoulders, lay down quietly in her bed, and covered herself with a blanket.
When she heard about the outline of the detachment's operation from the non-commissioned officer, Rimbel earlier tonight, she honestly couldn't help but snort.
After all, it was clearly painted with Ferzen's intention of killing her under the premise of a strategic move to win the war.
You...... Probably didn't know.
The reason she forced him to ejaculate inside her vagina that day was not only because she wanted him to despair by having a child with her.
Another reason was because his semen, which could stay in the uterus for up to 5 days, could also be used to satisfy the conditions of the Cursed Doll.
This meant, that his sticky semen, which was squeezed between her narrow entrance and settled inside her womb became her strongest weapon and shield.
Even if the detached unit would not be leaving until four days later, it did not matter.
All she had to do was sleep with him again before that.
Of course, as a means of intimidation, it would be more effective to obtain Prince Raymond's body parts.
But perhaps that's why Ferzen felt more comfortable with the attention being focused entirely on him.
More than that, his greedy plan to not lose anything even in this situation, made Lizzy chuckle in a different way.
Did he think that even if she gave him the nape of her neck, he would not be able to pierce her artery?
Rustle-!!
Lizzy turned her head to the side and looked at Ferzen's space which was only separated from the rest of the tents by a flimsy tarp and slowly blinked her distinctive purple eyes.
At the same time,
And place.
Despite breathing in the same space, Ferzen still refused to kill her.
She thought that the idea of a villain not wanting to be seen by the people around him as a villain was truly cowardly.
It would be better for him if he knew that in order to gain something, he must lose something.
No, it did not matter if he did not know.
After all, she just had to make him understand step by step.
* * * * *
It has been three days since the snow started to fall.
The situation on the front line remained in a stalemate. However, during the lasting peace, discomfort was palpable.
Except for when minor skirmishes happened between the scout units of each side, it almost felt like the war was nothing more than a play.
Because of that, the leaders of the Ernes Empire felt a little bit anxious.
Structurally, this was a world where strategy could never be superior to strength and most strategies could be responded to with overwhelming power......
However, in the process of responding, if a situation arose where Ferzen had to consume the goods he owned, there was no need to weigh who would suffer the loss.
From their point of view, Ferzen could 'only' open the gate that led to the third floor of the Underworld three more times, rather than 'whooping' three more times.
That meant that Gremory was not pressured as much as Ferzen. Therefore, they could not be blamed for being cowards.
If he didn't kill Gremory within the remaining time he had, it would be worse than not doing anything that hurt her so far.
War is truly unreasonable in many senses......
No matter how many soldiers died.
No matter how many enemies they killed.
In the end, the difference between victory and defeat was whether or not each other's strongest hand was broken.
"I'm thinking that...... We should attack first."
"I also agree with that opinion."
"I also agree."
Was it as expected?
Thinking so, Ferzen quietly nodded his head.
In fact, that suggestion was something he wanted to say two days ago.
However Ferzen did not speak those words out loud.
After all, he did not find it difficult to predict that this kind of future would happen.
Moreover, considering his current position and no matter how annoying Lizzy might be,
Showing impatience would only be poisonous to the atmosphere of the battlefield.
"...... If that's your opinion, then I understand. Everyone, please rest to get fully prepared for tonight."
"We understand, Your Majesty."
* * * * *
Immediately after the meeting ended, the soldiers intuitively realized that they would soon be deployed as the camp atmosphere became more hectic.
Lizzy also noticed that, so she looked at the entrance to the snow-covered Eliatta Canyon and tied the front of her robe tightly.
She would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous.
But on the other hand, she was very curious about what kind of expression Ferzen would make if he didn't manage to catch her in the trap he had set.
It's an operation that carried quite a bit of risk for Ferzen himself.
Will he be able to maintain his composure when the essence of the plan is gone?
Maybe a picture where Empress Gremory, who was pursuing them, dying together with them would be painted.
That's right, it wouldn't be that bad.
Returning together with her after successfully repelling the chase would be the worst outcome for him.
Woooosh-!!
The snowy wind blew harshly to mess her hair. However, her purple eyes, which were more intelligent than ever, were not disturbed at all.
* * * * *
Step-!!
Late at night, after finishing his last business of the day, Ferzen entered the hut, took his gloves off and brushed the snow on his shoulders in front of the roaring fire.
Rustle-!!
Even though he had already noticed, he just pretended to not know.
However, as Lizzy blatantly feigned ignorance about what he did as if trying to tell him to look at her rather than looking away, Ferzen was forced to turn his head to the sides.
"......"
"......"
Was she still a bad girl?
In this space that was filled with the sound of men breathing and their body odor, a faint but sweet smell of flesh wafted around.
Creak-!!
Before long, Lizzy supported her body with a crutch, got up from her bed, and slowly closed the distance between them. At that moment, Ferzen turned his gaze towards the campfire that was burning without saying a word.
If someone were to see the two people standing together with only a small distance between them, they would get the illusion that they were a passionate couple.
But contradicting that illusion, Lizzy and Ferzen did not utter a single word to each other.
It was a night that could be the end of a bad relationship they were entangled in.
As the perpetrator and the victim were standing together, what kind of conversation could they have?
Step-!!
It was Ferzen who left first.
Step-!!
"......"
Lizzy did not necessarily follow in Ferzen's footsteps.
She just stood there because all she wanted to do was to let him know that even if he had to take the loss, right here right now was his best chance to kill her.
You're making a useless provocation.
Ferzen, who was able to read her intention, smiled faintly as he entered his own space that was separated by a flimsy tarp.
Even though she had a deep understanding about dark magic, did she think that he did not know about the detailed information about a monster called the Voodoo Doll?
Well, it was as expected since even though he knew about it, she probably thought that he could not do anything since his seed was already inside of her body.
......If he delayed the departure just a little, it would not be difficult to make the means itself useless.
If he'd reacted in that way, she would have created a situation and tried to have sex with him once again.
That course of action was the most optimal situation with no variables for her.
If she knew the weapon she was carrying wasn't effective, she'd have come with something else.
If she didn't know about that fact, wouldn't she ultimately die a miserable death after picking up that weapon?
Thanks to Laura, he had learned that the monster's abilities were ineffective against him. So it wouldn't be a bad idea to let her have a comfortable dream for now.
A field covered in pure white snow.
There would be no better tomb for a lamb than that.
It would serve as a good veil to hide his ugly sins.