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Chapter 211: Gremory Elden Ishtar Elmark (6)

「 Are you happy with us……? 」

As the murky, twisted shadows gathered together, leading towards the Gate of the Underworld, they turned towards Ferzen and asked-

「Will you feed ‘Mommy’ as well……? 」

“......”

From that question, one could understand that their “Daddy” had eaten already.

Rather, he didn’t even have the energy to answer it, so Ferzen tried to remain silent, but……

“How many……How many mothers……. Are There?”

His OCD gave enough strength to his body to ask the question.

Normally, an individual would only have one mother and one father.

But for those aberrations residing in the Underworld, things could be different.

「 T-Two….We Have two……」

Indeed, the ramblings from the creature confirmed his theory.

Ferzen turned his head away from the creature, and by doing this, he already felt some of his OCD fading.

While the creature walked beyond the Gate, it spoke in a bright tone.

「 Um…… It’s good “Mommy” didn’t get to eat…… 」

「 Thank goodness. 」

「 Goodness. 」

Close-!

As the gates closed, Ferzen took a deep breath and sat down on the ice.

He felt like he would collapse at any moment.

His body was simply exhausted.

Because of his mana depletion, the simple act of trying to control a corpse pained him.

Just like a person’s stomach being corroded by their hunger.

However, Ferzen stood up, using the Witch of Genova as his support, as he gathered the remains of the 13th Head of Brutein, and slowly made his way back to the frontlines.

Then, with a gentle touch on his altar, he prepared to open the Gates of the Underworld once more.

Even if her mana was depleted, the body of an Auror Knight was a weapon in its own right.

……As it is, it was fortunate that this battle was put on hold, even if for a moment.

At this point in the war, there was nothing more he could do than to preserve his life.

And Ferzen naturally had no plans of doing otherwise.

*****

“......”

The song of steel had died down.

As the cries of the soldiers slowly emerged in their place.

The Elmark and Ernes Empires retreated from the battlefield, as the sun began to set.

The sunset was unusually red, perhaps reflecting the bloodshed brought to this land

Nevertheless, the carnage was unmistakable.

Ferzen stood on the frontlines, waiting for the soldiers to complete their retreat.

His trembling legs were ready to collapse, but he knew what he represented to those men, so he stood firm by his sheer will.

However, as he stood his ground, some soldiers passed by him…..

“Where are you going?”

Ferzen stopped them and asked.

Judging by their composed faces amidst this carnage, they must have been seasoned mercenaries or soldiers.

“M-My Lord….We were ordered to retrieve the remains of the previous heads of Brutein……”

“I have already done it.”

“B-but……”

The soldiers averted their gaze.

Because on that path, stood Gremory Elden Ishitar Elmark.

The remains of the 13th and 21st Heads of Brutein still lay on the battlefield.

“I will not retrieve the remains of those two ancestors.”

“......Understood.”

Although they were curious about his reasoning, the soldiers bowed their heads nonetheless.

“Go back.”

Blocking their way, Ferzen commanded them to retreat.

‘Brutein doesn’t need the pity of a lowly soldier.’

An unmatched arrogance.

After all, he was a Brutein.

Those ancestors were soldiers, men and women of action, who were graced with the images of nobles, that’s why……

“The dead should remain as they are, while the living should be the ones here.”

“......”

“So go see the ones who still draw breath, treat them.”

“Ah……”

“Do not show the dead such gestures of respect. Isn’t it truly evil to give more respect and attention towards the dead, than to those who survived?”

How could the soldiers even express the emotion surging inside their hearts?

They could only feel an indescribable sense of pride at Ferzen’s words.

Indeed,

This person……

Could only be called a noble.

Until now, those whom they had seen were only pigs wearing noble disguises.

So, the soldiers bowed deeply to Ferzen.

“......Make haste. Otherwise, I might turn my back on you all.”

“Yes, my Lord!”

As the soldiers made themselves scarce, Ferzen turned his head and looked at the remains of the previous heads of Brutein.

In Brutein, there has always been one rule passed down to all their descendants.

When a body bearing the blood of Brutein is taken into a war or conflict.

And should this body be destroyed or become unable to be controlled?

Then, they should rest in the same place as those who have fallen.

Furthermore, they shouldn’t be honored.

As Ferzen had said, there was nothing to be gained from giving preferred treatment to a corpse.

They couldn’t dare to receive better treatment than those who survived.

“......I apologize, ancestors.”

With a bow, Ferzen sought forgiveness that wouldn’t come as he offered the mangled bodies of his ancestors in the arms of the soldiers.

“Count.”

In the end, Prince Raymond who also stood on the frontlines approached him……

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Ferzen looked at him and smiled.

“You’ve also done well, Your Highness.”

Prince Raymond wiped his tired face with a faint smile.

As the soldiers finished their retreat, Prince Raymond and Ferzen turned their backs and walked away.

Both men were tired.

However, the war has not ended. This was simply one of its many chapters.

Battles like the one fought today will continue to happen.

So, Ferzen made sure to engrave the events of this day in his mind.

*****

The moment of their meeting was close.

Yuriel could sense it, as she clenched her fists while looking at the Elialta Gorge.

There had been no reports of victory or defeat during this time.

It was not hard to imagine how intense the battle was between the Ernes Empire troops on the front lines and Ferzen.

Now, a new year has arrived, January 7th.

Due to the harsh winter, the cruel wind would be blowing on the battlefield.

The rations that were now running low would be causing hunger among them.

To provide a momentary warmth to those who were suffering.

That\'s why they are here now.

Following the footsteps of those who had gone ahead, they were heading towards Elialta Gorge.

—Supplies!

As they entered the Gorge,

They received the welcome of the soldiers……

As Yuriel quickened her pace and entered the camp.

Flinch-!

As soon as she entered the camp, Yuriel was met with the soldiers scanning through the supplies her unit brought.

The soldiers belonging to her unit trembled under such gazes.

After all, the main force had gone ahead and didn’t bring large quantities of meat-like rations.

Since those who witnessed the horrors of war wouldn’t be able to digest such food.

They had seen the flesh of their comrades scattered on the battlefield.

So, every time one looked at a piece of meat jerky, they would remember such scenes and empty their stomachs.

However, as time passed, the surviving soldiers grew determined to survive at any cost.

“Welcome.”

And when the Commander-in-Chief of this place, Prince Raymond, approached slowly, Yuriel politely greeted him.

In fact, she wanted to cast aside even such formalities and go to meet Ferzen…

Prioritizing such personal emotions would undoubtedly be rude and disrespectful to them.

"Leave the rear to me and go ahead."

"Ah..."

But as if he could read her mind, Prince Raymond uttered a word.

Yuriel widened her eyes and looked up at him.

"Surely the Count would be pleased to see you."

"T-Thank you..."

"No need to thank me. The Count’s barracks are not far from here, so you\'ll get there quickly if you run."

"Yes...!"

With her answer, Yuriel took two steps forward.

No, before that, first…

"Laura! Assist the Prince and deliver the rations and supplies!"

But Yuriel didn’t forget to give orders to Laura, who stood behind her.

“Y-Yes……”

As Laura watched Yuriel run towards Ferzen’s barracks, she couldn’t help but frown.

The sight of those enormous lumps of meat bouncing with her run was akin to a slut who couldn’t differentiate a slum for a bedroom, in their haste to offer their bodies.

Of course, Laura wanted to rush towards Ferzen as well.

“Hmph……”

But she didn’t care one bit about Yuriel anyway.

Because in the end, the one being embraced by Ferzen would be her.

******

“Haa….Haa….”

Yuriel’s head went through a multitude of scenarios as she ran.

In the distance, she could see Ferzen’s barracks, and when she saw him standing outside, she wanted to yell his name right away.

But, her overwhelming emotions held her back.

She felt that the only way to express her joy at this reunion was to pull him into her arms and let him bask in her warmth.

Thump!

Soon enough, Yuriel stopped her steps right behind Ferzen.

"......"

Simultaneously, Ferzen also turned around, drawn by the faint scent that wafted from behind him.

A familiar fragrance mixed with an unforgettable aroma, intertwined with memories that couldn\'t be forgotten.

"Ah…..."

And the moment she laid her eyes on his face, Yuriel found herself shedding tears involuntarily.

His appearance was disheveled, covered in dust and dried blood, a pitiful sight to behold.

His crimson eyes, usually so imposing and full of vigor, now seemed burdened with an intense weariness, as if pleading for respite.

"Yuriel…..."

Startled, he called out her name.

Thud.

As if compelled by his presence, Yuriel hesitated for a moment before taking a step forward.

Click.

"......"

But beyond Ferzen, Lizzy, with her forlorn appearance, appeared in a wheelchair.

Yuriel stood still, her steps halted abruptly.

Her purple eyes reflected a shade of despair that seemed to encompass the entire world.

Perhaps that was why Yuriel could sense, even more keenly, the subtle glimmer of joy in Lizzy\'s eyes upon seeing her.

From Lizzy\'s perspective, she must have believed that Ferzen had taken Yuriel as a captive to impede the expansion of the Claudia family\'s influence.

Undoubtedly, she must be feeling a mix of guilt and a strange sense of camaraderie.

In her eyes, Yuriel might be the only solace, the one who could truly empathize with her pain.

That\'s why embracing Ferzen in front of her would be an act of cruelty, akin to pushing her off the edge of a precipice.

Sigh!

However, Yuriel disregarded that and took two steps forward, gently pulling the battered Ferzen into her embrace.

Even though Ferzen had said she didn\'t have to share his burden of guilt.

But then, could they truly be considered a couple, each completing the other\'s existence?

If the husband is a villain, then the wife must also embrace her inner villainess.

That\'s why Yuriel, averting her gaze from Lizzy, held Ferzen tightly, his broken form cradled in her arms, and spoke with a voice filled with longing.

"I missed you……"

And as if in response, Ferzen raised his hand, gently brushing her hair aside.

"I ... .Also missed you... Yuriel."

And Lizzy\'s purple eyes, observing that scene, trembled with a profound sense of /genesisforsaken