Chapter 159: Greed and Madness (5)

As Joonbum and Jackson began planning a huge trap for the upcoming war, the armies of the Horun Empire retreated back to their homeland. The empire didn’t expect a retreat and was shocked by their arrival.

“They’re here!”

A horn was blown, signaling the return of the army. The commanders gathered and sent out scouts around the area just in case.

“All scout teams, go and scout the area. Search for any abnormalities. Send messengers to each other on one-hour intervals and consider it a danger if there is no message. Retreat if you find anything.”

“Yes, sir!”

The scouts rode out on fast, lean horses. They themselves were lightly armed to improve their speed.

“Hmph.”

Jonathan frowned. He turned to the soldiers who just came back.

“Food…!”

“WATER!”

They were all thirsty and starved, fear in their eyes.

‘What are they afraid of?’ Jonathan thought. He thought of the day when all these soldiers proudly left the base camp. The famous idiots of Duke Barisman led the group and all those who normally hung out with two brothers joined forces. The mercenaries, who always worked to do their dirty bidding, followed them. There was a few thousand of them and they were strong and merciless. He never expected them to return in such a state.

“Hey! Water!”

“Slowly! You’ll die!”

A man who handed them water warned them as he stopped the soldier from drinking too quickly. He slowed his drinking.

“So, what happened?”

“Huh? OH! UGH, ngmg. Urgh…”

The soldier began coughing violently as he heard the question.

“The devil… It was the devil!”

He shivered as he spoke. The Horun Empire was a believer of Horun, in turn, they also believed in devils. Their whole purpose of this war was to kill the evil witch. But the man who asked wasn’t convinced.

‘Devil? We did say that we were trying to kill a witch, but what nonsense is he talking about?’

“There’s a devil in that land! I didn’t believe it, but it’s true! Everyone died! They’re from hell! Heads exploded and they threw humans around like sacks!”

‘He’s crazy.’

The soldier let out a big breath and continued, “You don’t believe me? Those nobles who were having a feast were killed instantly at the devil’s signal! All of them at once! There was an explosion and- they’re devils! Dev-”

At that moment, a sword penetrated the soldier’s body. He looked down in disbelief as his mouth filled with blood. He then fell on the ground, lifeless.

“Anyone who dares speak nonsense will be put to death.”

“Yes, sir!”

That was enough to stop any rumors from quickly spreading. But Jonathan, who had just quelled the rumors, was grim.

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‘I can slow it down, but I can’t stop it. I should have questioned him more.’

Jonathan looked down at the man who was just killed and then looked away. He needed to find someone to report what they had seen to the nobles. He needed someone with higher status.

“Sir, the forces were ambushed in the middle of the night and were forced to retreat with losses.”

“AMBUSH! This countryside rats are evil!”

The commander, Duke Christiole Barisman, was furious. He shouted as he heard Jonathan’s report.

“I questioned all the soldiers who returned and there is no mistake. These two are the witnesses to your sons’ deaths.”

Jonathan pointed to two soldiers at the side. It seems he was wary of the duke’s fury.

“ARGH!!”

The nobles who were listening seemed to be surprised when the duke screamed in anger, but they acted as if they had expected it. The duke stepped onto the table and jumped over it to approach the two soldiers. He was old but still formidable.

“UGH!”

“ARGH!”

The two soldiers who were lying face down on the ground were killed instantly by a sword. The duke stabbed their lifeless bodies endlessly like a madman. Some nobles began throwing up and the others turned away to avoid the sight. The duke kicked open the dead body’s head and then backed away. He glanced at everyone in the room.

“Is there anyone who will lead?”

Everyone flinched. His voice was cold but still full of rage. Some nobles quickly raised their hands.

“I am Victor Hotein of Count Hotein from the south! I will take the lead!”

The duke turned to him.

“Hotein? Oh, I heard you have a good army there. I remember Grix Hotein! It’s been thirty years since I last saw him. Is he well?”

“Yes, milord. He is well. He misses the days he spent with you, milord.”

“I see, I see…”

The duke stared into the distance, thinking of the past. He shook his head slowly.

“I thought I had forgotten, but I remember clearly. Son, I want to hear stories about your father, but my heart aches. Will you lead the army to avenge my sons?”

“I will, milord. I will avenge them in Horun’s name!”

Victor kneeled in front of the duke as the other nobles seemed to realize that they had missed a good chance.

“Good. Hotein will lead the army! Anyone who wishes to follow should do so! Remember that I, Duke Barisman, will not forget my friends as well as my enemies!”

“Yes, milord!”

The nobles answered loudly. They knew that by declaring his name, there was promised wealth once they returned victorious. The Barisman family was famous for never forgetting to pay back those who helped and those who became their enemies.

“Time for vengeance is now! We will lay waste to those evil Torians for our dead warriors!”

“FOR HORUN!”