Kriolyov did not know what was waiting for him. By the time he led the First Legion in a forced march to Fortress Boen, it was already dusk.
"Fortunately, just in case, we didn't set up camp too far away. Otherwise, this really would have been troublesome."
Gazing at the tiny black dot of Fortress Boen on the distant horizon, General Kriolyov sighed, then his expression turned serious.
"Alright, I know everyone is tired, but we must advance immediately and reach Fortress Boen before nightfall. Karl, prepare for the handover with the fortress. Also, we'll need to renovate the fortress… forget it, we'll discuss it once we arrive."
Kriolyov let out a helpless sigh. In all his life, he had never fought such a stifling battle. Yet now, no matter how stifling it was, he had no choice but to fight.
Moreover, Kriolyov could sense that the morale of his troops was extremely low. That was understandable. As Herman's ace legion, the First Legion had never gotten along well with Prime Minister Stisser and the Council ever since they seized power. Many officers deeply disapproved of Stisser and the Council's conduct, often voicing complaints in private.
Back then, those were only private grievances. But after the Fourth Legion defected and raised the banner of "purging the court and executing the traitors," quite a few officers in the First Legion had begun to waver. They believed it was a good opportunity. After all, they were already at odds with the Council. In that case, why not simply eliminate those bastards who were devouring the nation?
This was no longer mere private discussion. There was even an instance where multiple officers jointly submitted a petition to General Kriolyov—but he suppressed it.
And now, the Council not only demanded they fight the enemy, but completely ignored their circumstances and forcibly dictated strategy. To be honest, even those officers and soldiers who previously had no such thoughts now had to start thinking.
No one wanted to die for nothing.
With the Council's outrageous maneuvering, even if they defeated the enemy, would the Council grant them any reward?
Kriolyov knew that unrest simmered among his men, but he had no solution. All he could do was forcibly suppress the frustration in his heart and focus entirely on the impending defensive battle.
However, just as they were about to reach the fortress, a messenger hurried over.
"G-General… something isn't right…"
"What now?"
Seeing the messenger stammering like this, Kriolyov frowned. He was not some endlessly patient saint. After so many unpleasant events in a single day, even with his composure, his voice now carried a trace of anger.
Sensing Kriolyov's fury, the messenger turned pale but hurriedly spoke.
"We arrived at the fortress as ordered—but they refuse to open the gates! They say they must see you in person to confirm!"
Those damned bastards!
Hearing this, Kriolyov's anger surged, blood rushing to his head. He was the general of the First Legion—the ace legion of Herman! And now a mere fortress garrison dared to show him attitude? Were they tired of living?!
"I'll see who dares block the First Legion!!"
Furious, Kriolyov strode forward, Adjutant Karl following close behind. Soon they reached the front of the formation, before the gates of Fortress Boen.
Under the setting sun, the fortress looked somewhat eerie. On the walls stood fully armed soldiers clad in Herman armor, motionless and stern. Kriolyov coldly swept his gaze over them, then called out loudly.
"I am Kriolyov! By order of the Council, I am here to assume command of Fortress Boen! Open the gates at once!"
"Rumble rumble rumble…"
As his voice fell, the fortress gates slowly opened. Seeing this, everyone let out a sigh of relief. But before they could enter, a towering black figure stepped out.
Clad in pitch-black armor, wearing a skull-like helmet, and carrying an enormous warhammer on his back, the figure was nearly the size of a giant.
At the sight of him, Kriolyov frowned, and the surrounding soldiers tensed.
The giant walked up to Kriolyov and stared down at him.
"I'm sorry, General Kriolyov. I cannot allow you to enter this fortress."
"What? What does that mean?"
"It's simple."
Facing Kriolyov's question, Duanmu Huai chuckled. Then he suddenly lifted his warhammer and smashed it heavily onto the ground before Kriolyov.
"Because this fortress now belongs to the Inquisition!"
"What?!"
Kriolyov and Adjutant Karl were struck dumb. They looked up at the walls again. This time, dozens of robed mages stepped out from behind the Herman-armored soldiers, raising their staffs and aiming at them. Clearly, this was no joke.
Which meant… the fortress had already been taken by the Inquisition?
How was that possible? He had scouts monitoring it constantly. If the Inquisition had attacked, why had there been no disturbance?
Yet no matter how unbelievable, the reality before them would not change. Kriolyov clenched his teeth and stared at Duanmu Huai. No matter what, they had fallen into a trap. And at this distance, with mages overhead… escape was impossible.
Damn it. Was this all part of their plan?
"What exactly do you want?"
Kriolyov asked coldly, locking eyes with Duanmu Huai.
"Nothing much. I just want to ask you a question."
"…A question?"
"That's right."
Duanmu Huai nodded.
"I'm not very familiar with you. I've only heard that General Kriolyov of the First Legion is not only a battle-hardened veteran but also a brilliant strategist. And that his adjutant is both wise and brave, widely acknowledged as your right-hand man. So I want to ask you… whom do you truly serve?"
"...…"
Kriolyov's eyelid twitched, but he said nothing.
"Do you serve the Emperor? Yet the Emperor has been sidelined. Even foreign officials know Herman's new Emperor is merely a powerless puppet. Or do you serve the nation? Then you have seen the nation's current state. The people lack food and clothing. In this freezing, harsh climate, they can barely survive, while the nobles and high officials feast and wear fine silks. And the culprits behind all this…"
As he spoke, Duanmu Huai raised a hand and pointed into the distance.
"Are right over there. So I'm curious—who are you fighting for? And why?"
Hearing this, General Kriolyov closed his eyes and sighed.
Then he lifted his head and looked at Duanmu Huai.
"I am a Blackgold Knight devoted to the Herman Empire. Even if these old bones of mine fall, I will fight as a knight."
"A knight?"
Duanmu Huai snorted softly.
"Shouldn't a knight be loyal to the nation, to his lord, to the people? What knightly honor is there in protecting the Council's corrupt interests and those officials who prey upon the populace?"
"..."
Kriolyov clenched his fists tightly, silent. Adjutant Karl flushed red but could not find words.
Then Duanmu Huai said something that left both of them stunned.
"I won't kill you. Nor will I capture you. Because you are not my enemy."
"You don't intend to arrest me?"
Kriolyov looked up in surprise. Duanmu Huai shook his head.
"I said, you are not my enemy. No matter what stubborn belief brought you here, it changes nothing. Whether you are a brilliant strategist or anything else, there is no stage here for you."
"What do you mean?"
Kriolyov was slightly startled. Duanmu Huai did not answer. Instead, he suddenly raised his hand and shouted.
"Hear me! I am Duanmu Huai, Grand Inquisitor of the Inquisition! I have come here to punish Stisser and his accomplices who colluded with Bishop Oz and dared to provoke the Inquisition! If you are not afraid of death, then come and see whether you can kill me!"
After saying this, Duanmu Huai chuckled at Kriolyov, turned, and walked back into the fortress. At the same time, the mages atop the walls disappeared once more, leaving only the Herman-armored soldiers standing there.
Yet at this moment, Kriolyov felt no relief at having survived. Instead, it was as if he had fallen into an icy abyss, his entire body chilled to the bone.
So that was it!!
He finally understood Duanmu Huai's purpose!
The man had no need to reveal his identity. But now, before the soldiers of the First Legion, he had openly declared who he was. Naturally, the Council would learn of this. And once the Council knew…
It did not take long for Kriolyov's premonition to become reality.
"By order of the Commander-in-Chief, the First Legion is to spare no cost in retaking Fortress Boen and capturing the Inquisitor alive!"
As expected…
Holding the order, Kriolyov clenched his teeth. From the Council's perspective, this was tremendous news. Fortress Boen was small—at most it could hold five thousand men. The First Legion had mobilized forty thousand. Anyone looking at that ratio would conclude Boen could not possibly hold!
And from the Council's standpoint, if they could capture the Grand Inquisitor alive, they might use him as leverage to obtain the Inquisition's powerful and strange weapons!
In other words, that Inquisitor had used himself as bait to draw the Council into the game!
It was a bold move. And no matter how Kriolyov thought about it, he could not understand where the man found the courage to pit at most five thousand against forty thousand.
Wasn't that suicide?
But… since he dared to do it, he must have prepared something in advance…
"What should we do, sir?"
"We have no choice."
Kriolyov shook his head and threw the letter aside.
"This is the Council's order. We can only comply… Prepare to attack."
Kriolyov finally understood why the Inquisitor had said he was not his enemy.
Indeed… from beginning to end, this was a contest between that Inquisitor and Prime Minister Stisser and the Council.
And he himself was merely a chess piece in the Council's hand.
At this moment, this battle-hardened strategist felt only a profound sense of powerlessness.
(End of Chapter)