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A large punitive force, led by the heir, marched out to Obitus, where the Lion King was said to have fallen in battle. Their goal was the complete eradication of the New Resistance, which was plotting rebellion.

The Imperial Family had often conducted operations to suppress the Resistance before, but this punitive battle carried a different weight due to the Emperor’s grand proclamation that they would no longer tolerate their excessive acts of terror. Especially since the Emperor declared that the heir who achieved the greatest merit in this battle would be crowned as the successor, the eyes and ears of the Empire’s powerholders all turned to Obitus.

– Thud, thud.

The sight of the heavy colossal mechs marching in formation was reminiscent of a battlefield. The residents of Obitus trembled in fear at the sudden appearance of the punitive force, seriously considering whether they should flee.

Of course, no one actually left. Obitus was a territory renowned for being a good place for commoners to live. The lord of Obitus did not impose excessive taxes and often implemented policies for the benefit of the territory’s people. In an era where class and status existed, the fact that Obitus was not exploited made it a rare and livable territory.

Although the current Empire’s laws prohibited excessively heavy taxes, this was limited to the major cities within the Empire’s reach. In the small territories on the frontier, exploitation of the people was as common as eating rice, so no one would leave such a good place.

Moreover, even if they went to another territory, the medieval era’s characteristic hostility towards outsiders was certain. Finding a job or a place to live would likely be difficult.

For these reasons, the people of Obitus locked their doors and fervently prayed for this situation to pass.

“Halt!”

Seraphina’s unit, arriving near the northern part of Obitus, began setting up their base. According to intelligence, the New Resistance, led by Horizon, was advancing towards Obitus’s northern gate.

Other heirs, having received similar intelligence, also set up their bases near Seraphina’s unit. Since this was a battle involving colossal mechs, the bases were merely command centers, and the knights were ready to board their mechs at any moment.

“Commander Gilbert. What is the estimated arrival time of the enemy forces?”

Seraphina asked Gilbert. Based on information purchased from the Wild Rose Guild and reports from the reconnaissance unit, Gilbert estimated the arrival time to be about a day.

“Considering the margin of error, it should be around a day.”

“I see. Then, except for the sentries, have the knights set up tents and rest. Maintaining the best condition is the goal.”

“Understood.”

Gilbert bowed his head and gave the order for the knights to rest. The knights, who had been on edge thinking they might be deployed to the battlefield at any moment, relaxed at Gilbert’s command.

The knights here were Seraphina’s most loyal faction, veterans who had fought alongside her on many battlefields. This punitive battle was not just about suppression but also a test for succession, so the elite knights had been selected.

Normally, they would have considered it shameful to take orders from Gilbert, who was still an Academy cadet, but they did not feel that way at all.

The knights knew how Gilbert, known as a troublemaker, had become the Empire’s hero, and they had witnessed his bizarre training methods on the way here.

At first, they looked down on him, but after seeing the aura he exuded and his commanding presence, they acknowledged him. Though they were knights known for their pride, they knew to set it aside when heading to battle.

A single mistake could bring down the entire army, so they had no intention of causing unnecessary trouble and ruining this punitive battle.

“Now we can rest a bit.”

“True. I thought we’d be thrown into battle as soon as we arrived, so this is a relief.”

The knights, opening the cockpits of their colossal mechs and gathering in small groups to set up tents, didn’t look too bad. Though they were seasoned veterans, they didn’t exactly welcome the battlefield.

In their early days, they thought of it as a great opportunity to gain fame and honor, but as they participated in more battles, that thought faded.

War was not a place for honor and glory.

It was simply a judgment seat where life and death were decided.

They didn’t fear death, but they didn’t welcome it either.

After all, knights were still human.

“Commander. I have a reconnaissance report.”

Gilbert, who had been quietly watching the knights set up tents, turned towards the voice. There stood Layla, leading the Golden Mane.

Fortunately, the Count of Lithuania had allowed the Golden Mane to join. Though the Count was known for avoiding political entanglements, he couldn’t leave a rebellious force opposing the Empire alone.

Thanks to this, Layla, after finishing the funerals of the two fallen team leaders, gathered the Golden Mane’s elite forces and joined the punitive force. True to their reputation as one of the Empire’s most renowned ranger units, their reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering abilities were exceptional, greatly aiding in planning.

“Report.”

“As expected, we confirmed the New Resistance’s colossal mech unit about a day’s distance away.”

“Scale?”

“Since we had to conduct reconnaissance outside artillery range, we couldn’t determine the exact scale. We estimate it to be about two to three times the size of the previous raid.”

Gilbert frowned slightly. It was larger than he had anticipated.

The number of colossal mechs that had nearly destroyed the Academy was in the hundreds. Two to three times that number meant nearly a thousand, and it was questionable how a mere rebel force could amass so many.

But Gilbert quickly composed himself.

The enemy was a monster who had somehow extended his life to its limits.

The wealth and fame Horizon had accumulated over his long life were immeasurable. With ambitions of continental conquest, it wouldn’t have been difficult for him to prepare this much.

Moreover, Horizon’s goal was clear.

Not just continental conquest, but becoming the Lion King Terodamas himself.

To do that, he needed items symbolizing Terodamas, two of which were held by Ian of the Richard faction.

Surely, Horizon would try to seize those two items during the chaos of battle, so Gilbert just needed to prevent that moment. It was a simple story.

Of course, the problem remained of how to stop a thousand colossal mechs. With the enemy’s numbers exceeding expectations, numerical superiority was out of the question.

But Seraphina’s faction wasn’t the only one here. Prince Richard’s faction, known as Shinkyomyo Mountain, and other heir factions had also brought their elite forces.

At the Academy, they had been caught off guard, resulting in heavy losses, but now it was different. The environment was set for a battle of strength versus strength or tactics versus tactics.

It had been a fight over who trained better and commanded better.

That was a simple question that didn’t even need to be asked.

“I will divide the Golden Mane into two units to prepare for any situation. Each unit will take turns monitoring the New Resistance’s movements. The goal is to watch for any tricks and prepare countermeasures in advance.”

“Understood.”

“You may go.”

Layla saluted sharply and quickly disappeared to where the Golden Mane was stationed.

Now, all he could do was prepare for tomorrow’s battle.

***

“Gilbert.”

“Brynhild?”

Late at night. Gilbert offered Brynhild a seat as she entered his tent.

The Grand Warrior of the Sigurd clan, she had joined this punitive battle. Though she had been defeated by Gilbert, she was no ordinary mech pilot.

In fact, she was one of the most skilled pilots here, which was why Gilbert had asked her to join. Brynhild, who had been thirsting for battle, readily accepted.

Gilbert was very pleased to have Brynhild on his side, as she significantly boosted their chances of victory. She was a formidable enemy but an equally reliable ally.

“What’s the matter?”

“Does a wife need a reason to visit her husband?”

Brynhild’s sly smile made Gilbert sigh involuntarily. He still hadn’t resolved the situations with Camilla, who had confessed to him, and Seraphina, with whom he had developed twisted feelings.

In terms of timing, Brynhild had come first, but she had let things flow naturally. In truth, it was more accurate to say she was giving him space.

“Tomorrow is the day of battle. Wouldn’t it be better to rest?”

“For me, being with you is resting.”

She was aggressive yet considerate. While exuding a wild aura, she skillfully lifted Gilbert up.

When he once asked her about it, she replied that supporting her husband was a wife’s virtue. Gilbert thought that perhaps Brynhild was the closest to an ideal wife.

But this ambiguous relationship couldn’t continue forever. With the situations involving Camilla and Seraphina overlapping, it was even more necessary to clarify the current state of affairs.

“Brynhild. I have something to tell you.”

“This is unusual. You have something to tell me?”

Brynhild’s eyes filled with interest. Since she was usually the one initiating conversations, it was rare for Gilbert to have something to say first.

I must be seriously ill.

Brynhild, who had lived a life keeping men at arm’s length, never dreamed she would become so attached to one man.

“Alright. What do you want to tell me? Whatever it is, I’m willing to listen. Even if it’s a request to lie down in bed right now, I’d gladly accept.”

She provocatively lifted her already scant clothing. In a way, her wild charm made her seem more like a predator than a prostitute.

Gilbert looked at her with steady eyes and spoke.

“To be blunt, I have no intention of marrying you.”

“All this buildup for that?”

Brynhild chuckled and asked again. Gilbert was slightly taken aback by her calm demeanor but tried not to show it.

“Gilbert. I know you much better than you think. I know your unconscious habits when you’re troubled, how you treat others, even your sleeping habits.”

That’s a bit creepy.

Gilbert felt a bit unnerved by Brynhild’s words.

He could understand knowing other things, but how did she know about his sleeping habits, which even he wasn’t aware of? This implied she could have snuck into his bedroom at any time to ambush him.

“So I knew. That one day, you would abandon everything and leave for a distant place.”

“What?”

Gilbert couldn’t help but ask. Did she know he intended to return to his original world?

No, contextually, that wasn’t it.

The fact that he was a possessor from another world trying to return was beyond anyone’s imagination.

Perhaps what she sensed was simply that he intended to leave somewhere. Given what she was saying now, that wasn’t an incorrect assumption.

“I won’t ask why. A man like you must have his reasons for such a decision.”

“Why are you telling me this now?”

“Just to let you know that no matter where you go, I will follow.”

Brynhild’s eyes turned provocative.

Her sharp gaze, like a predator spotting prey, made Gilbert swallow dryly. He thought that perhaps Brynhild was the final possessor of twisted desire.

But as time passed, the system’s alarm didn’t sound. She wasn’t one of the possessors of twisted desire.

Gilbert felt both regret that he hadn’t found the final possessor and relief that they hadn’t appeared yet. Experiencing such conflicting emotions simultaneously was a novel experience.

“So. Don’t think about running away from me. Gilbert Lion Heart.”

I never let go of my prey once I’ve caught it.

With a provocative, almost feral gaze, Brynhild made her declaration.

Gilbert thought he needed to deeply reflect on how his life had become so tangled.

***

The next morning.

The sentries on guard spotted a colossal mech unit kicking up dust as they advanced and quickly sounded the alarm.

The moment had arrived—Horizon’s New Resistance army had reached them.

 

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