The Way of Knight Chapter 9 – The Price of Victory
Morning in the village of Eisenwald was usually filled with the crowing of roosters, the earthy fragrance of damp soil, and the laughter of children running across the fields. But this morning, the atmosphere had turned heavy, suffocating. The scent of blood mixed with trampled dirt filled the air, invading the senses of everyone who still stood on the village square.
Fenrir stood at the center, frozen in place. His sword dripped with blood, its steel reflecting the dim sunlight. The hem of his clothes was stained dark red. His gaze was hollow—not from fear, but from the effort to comprehend the bitter reality before him.
Bodies lay scattered across the ground. Some belonged to the bandits they had defeated, but others were villagers who had fought and fallen defending their homes. Heart-wrenching cries echoed everywhere, far sharper than the clash of steel or the screams of dying foes.
"...Fenrir."
A rough, hoarse voice called from behind.
He turned. His father, Baron Cedric Eisenwald, stood there. His face was smeared with dirt and blood. One hand still clutched his sword, though his knees trembled beneath the weight of his years. His eyes, however, remained sharp, unyielding.
"Remember this sight well. Victory is never just about living to see another day. Victory is always bought with blood—sometimes your enemy's, and sometimes the blood of those you swore to protect. If you truly wish to be a leader, you must learn to bear that price."
The words struck harder than any sword ever could.
Fenrir lowered his gaze. His hand tightened around his sword hilt until his knuckles whitened.
In his mind, memories of his old life surged. He had once admired military strategy—guerrilla warfare, attrition, blitzkrieg. He memorized the works of Sun Tzu and countless stratagems of the past. Yet those were nothing but words on paper. Not one of those books had described the hollow agony of staring into the face of a mother who had just lost her son.
"Bring the wounded to the village hall! Quickly! Don't let them bleed out!" Fenrir's voice broke, yet his command carried undeniable force.
The surviving young men obeyed, rushing to lift those who still clung to life. Desperate cries for help rang out from all sides.
Fenrir darted forward when he spotted a youth lying with his abdomen split open. Blood flowed endlessly, soaking the soil until it turned into crimson mud. Without hesitation, Fenrir tore his own shirt and pressed it against the wound.
"Hold on! You will not die here!" His voice trembled, but his hands refused to falter.
The youth gritted his teeth, eyes swimming with tears, but there was a flicker of hope in his gaze as he looked at Fenrir.
Then, that cold, familiar voice echoed in his mind.
[Quest Completed: Battle Against the Bandits]
Reward: +50 EXP, +1 Strategy Point, +5 Leadership.
New Quest: A Responsible Leader.
Objective: Ensure the wounded are treated and their families cared for.
Reward: Skill [Compassionate Leader Lv.1].
Fenrir clenched his jaw. So that's the system's meaning. It's not enough to win the fight. If I cannot protect them after the battle, then this victory is nothing but an illusion.
The day dragged on like hell.
The village hall, once a place of gathering, had been transformed into a makeshift infirmary. The air was thick with the mingling scents of herbs, blood, and sweat. Women hurried in and out, carrying buckets of water and torn cloth, while children hid in corners, wide-eyed and trembling.
Fenrir refused to remain idle. He moved from one wounded man to another, helping to stop bleeding, offering words of reassurance to the dying, and—more painful still—standing beside families who had lost loved ones.
A little girl with dust smeared on her face looked up at him, eyes swollen red from weeping.
"My lord… why did my father have to die? He only wanted to protect me…"
The words pierced deeper than any blade.
Fenrir froze, his throat tight. He wanted to say everything would be fine, but such a lie would crumble instantly. Nothing could erase her grief.
At last, he crouched down and met her eyes.
"Your father died as a hero. He protected you, and he protected this village. As long as I live, I swear his sacrifice will never be in vain."
The girl's small body shook with sobs as she suddenly threw herself into his arms, clinging desperately. Fenrir felt the weight of her sorrow, and though his eyes burned, he held back his tears, embracing her gently.
From afar, Baron Cedric watched with a solemn expression. Pride mingled with concern in his gaze. He knew the burden of leadership was not only swords and shields, but also the endless grief of the people who followed.
Night descended.
A bonfire burned in the village square, casting flickering light over weary faces. The sobs had not ceased, prayers still filled the air, and those who could still fight stood watch, their silhouettes etched against the flames.
Fenrir sat alone on a wooden bench before the baron's house. His hands, though washed, still seemed stained red. He stared at his palms in silence.
Am I truly capable of this? If every victory means watching these people die… do I have the strength to keep walking this path?
The system's voice answered coldly.
[Quest 'A Responsible Leader' – Progress 50%]
Remember: A leader does not only lead on the battlefield, but also through loss and suffering.
Fenrir closed his eyes, taking a long breath. He remembered the heroes he once admired in books and films. None of them reached victory without scars. Every one of them bore pain as heavy as glory.
He rose and stepped toward the bonfire. Faces turned to him, tired yet filled with expectation.
"From this night onward," he said loudly, his voice steady, "I, Fenrir Eisenwald, swear this. I will not merely be the heir of a poor baron. I will be your protector. I will not allow the sacrifices of our people to be wasted. So long as I draw breath, this village will stand!"
There was no great cheer, no thunderous roar. Only quiet cries and nods, a fragile sound but filled with sincerity. Yet in those eyes, a flicker of light returned.
And then the system chimed once more.
[Quest 'A Responsible Leader' – Completed]
Reward: Skill [Compassionate Leader Lv.1] acquired.
Effect: Villagers' trust grows faster; troop morale rises significantly when led personally by you.
Fenrir felt warmth surge in his chest. Not because of the system's reward, but because he knew he had taken another step forward—a step onto a road he could no longer abandon.
This is the price of victory. And I am ready to pay it.
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