The Gap Between You and Me - Chapter 134

It was a truly hellish day.

Hot fires erupted from all over the fortress, and huge catapults rained down from the sky like burning meteorites. Soldiers hurriedly ran to the waterway to extinguish the rapidly spreading flames. But for some reason, even that place was engulfed in fierce flames, so it was not easy to approach.

Bang! Bang! From the side of the castle wall, a loud sound came without rest. Every time that happened, the ground shook precariously as if they were about to collapse. It had been a long time since the inside of the fortress had become a mess due to the shouts of soldiers and the screams of civilians. There was no rule or order to be found. There was only chaos.

“Your Highness! Your Highness Bernard!”

In the midst of that dizzying chaos, a knight came running in a hurry. It was Jonathan, who was guarding the gate.

“The eastern wall has fallen! They…… ! They’re like a pack of dogs…… !”

No matter how urgently he ran, Jonathan breathed heavily and could not finish his words. A stream of red blood ran down his straight forehead.

Standing in the center of the fortress and commanding the soldiers, Bernard quickly looked in the direction Jonathan pointed. Beyond the haze of smoke, he could see the walls of the castle, which were smooth beyond it, get sunken down.

‘Damn it.’

Bernard groaned lowly. Even though they were lacking in many areas compared to the Kustan army, they were able to endure this much thanks to the wall that separated them. He knew very well that the moment the Kustan army crossed the walls of the fortress, the tide of battle would turn in the direction of the Kustan in an instant.

He had to stop it at all costs. By any means.

“How long will it take to repair the collapsed walls?”

Bernard, who was quickly rolling his head, shouted at Jonathan.

“If I give you time, can you fix that wall?”

With Bernard’s question, Jonathan looks bewildered.

“Repair the walls? I’m sorry, Your Highness, but that’s impossible…… !”

“No! Don’t say it’s impossible in front of me!”

Bernard coldly cut off Jonathan’s words. He strode over to Jonathan and grabbed his collar. Then he brought his face close to Jonathan’s.

“Listen. It doesn’t matter if you use a stone or a tree, as long as you can get your hands on it. Sir has to rebuild that wall no matter what! If the Sir can’t fill that hole within the given time, we and Velicia will collapse in front of Kustan. Got it?”

Now they had no choice. There was only one way left to survive. And Bernard conveyed that fact clearly to Jonathan. It may seem coercive, but there was no time to explain.

“…….”

Jonathan, who was a little surprised by Bernard’s rough appearance, soon hardened his expression. He nodded his head slowly. Seeing this, Bernard took a rough breath and let go of his collar.

“How much time do you need?”

“No matter how fast the wall is filled, it will take an hour.”

An hour. Will they be able to survive that long? Bernard gritted his teeth.

“Alright. I will take 4,000 soldiers.”

“Is Your Highness participating directly?”

Hearing Bernard’s declaration, Jonathan was startled.

“Nonsense! If you leave the fortress like this, you’ll be swept away by the Kustan army right away! Rather than letting Your Highness participate, I’d rather go!”

“No. I must get out.”

Bernard said firmly.

“If I, the prince of Velicia, go out myself, I will be able to fully capture the Kustan’s attention. While I attract their attention, you remain here to repair the collapsed walls.”

“But Your Highness! If you do, Your Highness’ life may be in danger!”

“If we can’t repair the wall, we will die anyway.”

Bernard paused his words for a moment before adding.

“If we’re going to die one way or another, shouldn’t you at least try?”

Jonathan opened his mouth wanting to protest Bernard’s word again. But no words came out of his parted lips. It feels stuffy like swallowing a handful of dry cotton.

The master he had sworn allegiance to had long since made up his mind. Jonathan, who was looking into Bernard’s eyes, which radiated firmness, clenched his fists tightly.

“As soon as possible…… I will complete the mission as soon as possible.”

This was the best answer he could give back at this moment.

* * *

It was just before going out of the fortress. The horribly disorganized space, Bernard made a final check, examining the soldiers he was going to lead. Arranged in a hurry, they of course had sloppy points here and there. He had no time to pursue perfection.

Before long, an apprentice knight approached, pulling a horse. It was Bernard’s horse.

At first glance, the pedigree horse seemed to have undergone thorough training, and was not disturbed by the relentless roar of bombing. It stood there very calmly, only twitching its ears.

Bernard, who had been handed the reins of his horse by an apprentice knight, ran his palm gently over the horse’s neck. The horse seemed to like his touch so much that it leaned toward him with a soft thud. Without knowing what thorny roads might unfold for it in the future.

“…… it! Wait!”

Bernard was about to change his position to get on top of the horse when a clear voice came through the busy noises.

“Move aside! I’m coming through!”

A voice that doesn’t fit in the slightest in this place where everything is distorted and chaotic. Bernard casually turned his head to look in the direction the voice was coming from.

Before long, surprise spread in his eyes.

“Herietta?”

Bernard shouted almost in a scream. He was very surprised, he didn’t even have time to pay attention to the gazes of the people around him.

“Herietta, why are you here…… ?”

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