145 – Defensive Battle (3)

No matter how much you prepare, there are bound to be no mistakes.

‘Fantasy of Darkness’ was a very difficult game.

It was difficult enough to rank among all games around the world.

From the moment I fell into this world, failure and defeat were of course things I kept in mind.

Rather, it was surprising that they had never been defeated until now.

That’s how painful today’s defeat was.

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But the good news is that the damage from the Demon King’s army was significant.

Thanks to this, the pursuit was not too intense and we were able to retreat to the base and reorganize.

‘The most important thing is restoration.’

Why was I defeated?

What did I do wrong and how should I have dealt with it?

What is more important is what kind of operation we should plan in the future.

First of all, I was underestimating Catherine’s power.

Because she was only focusing on the power of Katrine herself, her response to the hordes of demons that followed her was inadequate.

Also, the charge was carried out too hastily.

The biggest reason was that Catalina ran away recklessly.

Wouldn’t it have been better to calmly cooperate with the elves and move forward?

Also, there was the biggest variable I didn’t expect.

“Erina.”

“…”

Erina is strangely quiet today.

The person who usually stuck to me suddenly disappeared.

He was shaking with a depressed expression.

His face was pale and pale.

Her shoulders were drooping, with no energy at all.

They just cling to me and keep their mouths shut.

He didn’t even respond to what I said.

“It’s okay. “I only backed out once.”

“…”

“It was my mistake this time. “I can definitely win next time.”

No matter how much I consoled her, Erina just listened blankly.

Other than occasionally squeezing her waist hard, there was no response.

‘Why did it suddenly change like this? ?’

I couldn’t understand at all.

Could it be because we only held hands and slept last night?

That said, it wasn’t much different from usual until morning.

She prepared for battle with her confident voice.

She was no different until she faced the Demon Lord.

But ever since Katrin appeared, Erina has been strange.

“Are you very tired?”

Don’t you sometimes have days when your condition is very bad for no reason?

Although Erina is strong, that doesn’t mean she’s invincible.

She clearly felt drowsy and felt her fatigue and pain.

Compared to other people, it is just significantly different.

I overlooked it because I only saw its lively appearance all the time.

“…No. I’m OK.”

She could barely hear short answers.

But she forced herself to hold her face and meet her gaze.

I was able to see blurred pupils and tired eyes.

“It looks very difficult.”

Then Erina stubbornly shook her head.

Even the way he shook off my touch, as if in defiance, was foreign.

“I’m sorry. Erina.”

“Yes… ?”

Did I put too much stress on her in the name of controlling her until recently?

Then Erina clung to me with an expression that looked like she was about to cry.

“It’s okay…” ! “I don’t mind!”

As she continued speaking, she became more and more sorrowful.

It was as if she wanted me to know how hard it was for her.

Have you been just holding back from me all this time?

You’re always by her side, but you don’t notice it until it gets to this point.

I just felt really sorry for Erina.

“Tomorrow… Tomorrow will definitely be different!”

“Yes. “Let’s win for sure.”

While I was comforting Erina, there were several eyes looking at me.

“It’s not your fault, master.”

Kayla held back her anger with her teeth clenched.

Celica, who was right next to her, also didn’t look good.

Tyria was also watching us with a dangerous expression.

“Tyria. “How much power does she have left?”

“…A total of 230 people remain.”

The number of people has decreased by half compared to when they first encountered the Demon King’s army.

He even gave up the most advantageous position.

There was also the biggest problem.

“How about Catalina?”

“Luckily she woke up quickly, but her right arm and left leg suffered severe burns.”

She was completely hit by Catherine’s fire magic, so there’s no way she would be okay.

Still, it was fortunate that it ended in burns.

If it were an ordinary human being, even her bones would have been reduced to ashes.

“I won’t be able to fight tomorrow.”

“Well, I don’t know. “I heard she’s still struggling to get up.”

At least Tyria’s words made me chuckle.

Catalina struggles as she lies on her bed, and Malcolm fights back with her whole body.

A clear picture was drawn in my head.

“First, tell them to rest until tomorrow.”

If the sun rises tomorrow, wouldn’t he run out immediately with a large sword?

Due to her personality, there was no way she could lie still in bed and rest.

“Seohyun. “What should I do in the future?”

Tyria lost her confidence due to this defeat.

But it was too early for her to give up.

“Once you enter the forest, there is only one way.”

After luring the Demon King’s army to the high ground, the elves attack and inflict damage.

However, I expected that it would not be as easy as it sounds.

Above all, I had doubts about whether the surprise attack would be effective as long as Catherine was there.

“I can’t help it. “We have to stay defensive as much as possible.”

The remaining hope lies in the capital’s knights.

If they joined, there was a possibility that the tide would turn.

But even the Demon Lord knows this.

Catherine will definitely push her troops in a speed war.

“Maybe we should give up the elf village.”

“Then the world tree is… !”

“Honestly, I can’t guarantee.”

I wanted to avoid a situation where the World Tree was taken over as much as possible.

Losing the most important base is also fatal.

The World Tree was also the pride and source of elves.

It was obvious that if the World Tree fell into the hands of the Demon King’s army, morale would be at a low point.

“Tell Aeria right away. “Evacuate all elves to Tarn Village.”

Of course, the world tree was important, but we should not be obsessed with it.

There was no point in trying too hard to protect the village and getting wiped out.

In the end, Tyria had no choice but to admit it.

“Yes. All right…”

Tyria leaves the barracks to deliver orders.

I wanted to comfort her, but I couldn’t.

Because I brought this situation upon myself.

‘You must never be defeated.’

Just one mistake was acceptable.

But what if there is one more defeat?

Seriously, everyone could have been in danger.

“Seohyun. Are you okay. “I can definitely win next time.”

At least Celica stepped forward and brightened her mood.

If we stay like this, morale will continue to drop.

It would have been better to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s battle.

“Everyone, let’s do maintenance.”

The meeting ended with my words.

She took off her armor and laid down her weapon to rest.

Celica and Kayla likewise went back to bed and started getting ready for bed.

In a dark atmosphere where no one spoke.

Erina was sitting in her chair, lost in her thoughts.

***

The day after the sun rose.

The Demon King’s army passed the entrance and was advancing toward the base.

Everyone was exhausted from fighting without a single day of rest.

On the other hand, the momentum of the Demon King’s army did not subside.

Rather, their morale was boosted by the fact that they had occupied the entrance.

The vibration of the earth can be felt from afar.

The cries of a monster full of ominousness.

Hellwood Forest, which had always been quiet, was changing.

“Eric. “They said there were 3,000 soldiers remaining.”

In response to my question, the knight commander sighed and nodded.

Two hundred and thirty elf warriors and three thousand knights.

On the other hand, the Demon Lord’s army that we had to deal with had tens of thousands of monsters and hundreds of demons.

Although it has decreased significantly compared to before, it is still overwhelmingly large.

“The good news is that the terrain is advantageous.”

If you’re looking for an advantage, that’s it.

There was nothing else.

“What are the odds of winning?”

“At least I can’t give up.”

“But it will be difficult.”

I responded to Eric’s words with silence.

Let’s just say out loud what everyone knows.

This will lower the morale of the already exhausted allies.

Eric gave a cold gaze along with a self-deprecating laugh.

“Tell me honestly. “Do you still think you can protect Hellwood Forest?”

I silenced my voice so that people around me could not hear it.

At least my colleagues next to me were listening clearly.

“It was definitely a great thing to negotiate with the elves. But.”

“…”

“I don’t think there is any reason to protect this place.”

Eric’s judgment also made some sense.

Of course it would be nice to protect the Hellwood Forest.

We had to prevent the annihilation of our troops.

In fact, most of the knights in Tarn Village participated in the battle.

If the war is lost, even other villages will be occupied in an instant.

“I am not afraid of battle. “I just want to protect my family.”

I fully understood his feelings.

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I also wouldn’t be able to sit back and watch if my colleagues were in danger.

“If you lose this battle, it would be better to step down.”

“The Knights of the Capital…”

“We might be wiped out before then.”

I wanted to protect Hellwood Forest no matter what.

The elves were evacuated in preparation for an unfortunate incident that might occur.

The advance of the Demon King’s army had to be stopped here.

Just as I was wondering how to persuade Eric.

“Don’t be unlucky.”

Catalina scowled with a frown on her face.

“The knight commander became a weakling.”

“…”

“Don’t think about useless things and just think about winning.”

Eric closed his mouth without saying a word.

Even if we argue with each other, it is a meaningless waste of time.

Because he knew that fact, he did not reply to Catalina’s words.

In fact, this method was better than the persuasion method.

“Anyway, are your injuries okay?”

“What kind of injury is this? “It’s just a scratch.”

He confidently rolled up his forearms as if to look at them.

Skin stained red and swollen.

Anyone could see that it was a serious burn.

But Catalina just laughed cheerfully.

“Malcolm. “I don’t know why that kid is making such a fuss.”

Even if she worries, she won’t even hear it.

She also decided to laugh it off.

While looking down at the devil’s army advancing.

“Seohyun.”

Erina, who had been quiet next to her, opened her mouth.

Holding my hand with a detached expression.

“There is something I want to share with you just for a moment. Would it be okay?”

Unlike usual, he asks in a calm voice.

The atmosphere had changed a lot since yesterday.

“Come back quickly. “The devil’s army is approaching.”

Eric noticed and nodded his head as if he understood.

I left Kayla’s anxious gaze for a moment.

I left the place for a moment with Erina.

In a corner where you can’t overhear unless you’re clearly listening.

“Seohyun.”

Erina called my name quietly.

A cold, almost expressionless face.

At first glance, it seems like he is tense and tense.

The gaze looking at me was just warm.

“Can you wait in the barracks for just one day today?”

Her head quickly turned at the sudden suggestion.

What was the intention?

It wasn’t an unexpected comment since she always put my safety first.

The atmosphere was quite different from usual.

The appearance of being aggressive or forceful disappeared, and only earnestness remained.

“Please, please. “You are resting in the barracks today…”

Her heart was shaken when she saw her asking for a favor as if she was pleading.

Should I follow her words and escape from the battle just for today?

But the decision did not change.

“You can’t do it without me.”

If I leave, who will give Kayla instructions?

And who should protect Celica?

Also, who can give Tyria her advice?

These are all roles that only I can take on.

“I see.”

Erina wasn’t that surprised by her firm answer.

She just spoke in a calm tone and made a small smile.

“No matter how much I tell you, you won’t back down.”

“I’m sorry. But I can’t be left out.”

“I know.”

Erina is carefully held in my arms.

He didn’t try as hard as he used to to cling to me.

Just lean in quietly to feel my warmth.

“I don’t think I can protect Seohyun today.”

Erina left me with a low voice.

A bitter smile, as if resigned.

She fell away from me on her own.

It was by no means a decision made lightly.

“Never die.”

“…”

“If you think it’s dangerous, step back immediately.”

After exhorting her to the end, Erina returned to the battlefield.

Did yesterday’s defeat come as a big shock?

But it was difficult for her to understand that alone.

What on earth is Erina thinking?

With a feeling of discomfort, she followed her back to her battlefield.

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