The Gap Between You and Me - Chapter 142

But it was already too late. The Velician soldiers desperately blocked the Kustan army’s path and secured a way for Bernard to escape. The Kustan soldiers tried many ways to break through the defense, but to no avail.

Edwin stood still and watched the two people’s backs as they walked away.

If he chases after the two of them now.

If he breaks down the walls once again.

“Lord!”

Edwin could no longer hold out and knelt on his knees, sitting on the floor. Lionelli, who was nearby, hurriedly ran to him.

“Lord, you’re injured…… !”

Lionelli’s complexion darkened noticeably as she supported Edwin and checked his condition up close. A pale face, a cold body, and his right arm and shoulder in tatters.

It was amazing that he had been standing still holding a sword.

His injuries were much more serious than she thought. The ground was covered with his blood.

Lionelli clenched her teeth hard.

“Medic! Where is the medic!”

Her voice, full of anger, echoed across the battlefield.

Edwin slowly closed and opened his eyes. In his blurred vision, he saw the horse carrying Ciela and Bernard entering the fortress.

Like he was possessed by something, Edwin stared blankly at it and soon lost his consciousness.

* * *

Bernard was sitting alone in a large room that served as a conference room. Burying himself deep in the back of his chair as if he was half-lying, clasping his hands together, staring into empty space, just like that.

Bernard’s expression, immersed in deep thought, was infinitely dark and heavy. He was recalling the conversation he had with Jonathan earlier.

‘What is known about the commander of the Kustan army?’

Jonathan was rather puzzled by the sudden question.

‘Well. He is a mysterious figure of whom little is known about except for the fact that he suddenly appeared in the capital and joined the central knights, and took the position of commander of the knights in an unprecedented speed.’

‘When was it known that he joined the Knights?’

‘Probably around the end of last year.’

‘Last year.’

Bernard pondered over Jonathan’s answer. Judging by the timing, it happened after Herietta came over to Velicia.

‘If it wasn’t for you, she might have lived.’

‘If only you had gone out to meet her properly.’

Another voice came in his ear.

‘Where and what the hell were you doing while her body was hacked up and grew cold!’

The voice was boiling hot like lava.

‘Everyone who took her from me, including you, and caused her to die in the end. I hate and curse deeply.’

Blue eyes shown in a glimpse through the hole in the pitch-black helmet.

The commander of the Kustan Army, who exuded an intense murderous energy that made his whole body go cold just by looking at him. That very person acted as if he would not be satisfied even if he ate Bernard whole on the spot.

Why? Bernard shook his head that was full of thoughts. As far as he knew, this was the first time Bernard had ever met the Kustan commander face-to-face.

‘My name is…….’

Right before the confrontation, the image of the Black Knight reciting his name like giving a final notice flashed through his mind.

Come to think of it, what was his name?

Bernard frowned. Was it because he was so nervous? Memories of that time were indistinct, like water droplets dropped on ink.

His name…….

Bernard’s expression, who was frowning and searching for memories, disappeared.

‘My name is Edwin.’

“Edwin Benedi…….’

No way.

A name with a somewhat familiar tone. Thoughts that had been scattered in various directions began to come together. Bernard’s eyes widened.

No way.

Creak.

The door to the meeting room was thrown open, like they were going to be ripped open.

“Your Highness!”

Then, through the open door, a knight hurriedly entered. It was Jonathan Coopert, a knight of Bernard’s guard.

“Your Highness! You should come out for a moment!”

Jonathan shouted, breathing heavily showing that he had run a long distance.

Instead of asking for permission to go into the room, Jonathan cut out all the explanations and came right away. Known for his taciturn and calm personality, this behavior did not suit him at all.

“What is going on?”

“The Kustan army…… ! The Kustan army…… !”

Perhaps in a hurry, Jonathan stammered twice. Eventually, taking a deep breath and managing to calm himself down, he delivered the news that had made him so excited.

“The Kustan army is now withdrawing from the fortress!”

* * *

The order from the central government was very simple.

[All the Kustan troops who participated in the war against Velicia, as well as the troops stationed in various places in Brimdel, must return to their homeland, Kustan right now.]

The news came belatedly that the king of Velicia had joined hands with his allies and raided the capital of Kustan, while most of the Kustan army went to war with other countries.

There were only 3,000 troops remaining in the country, and most of the knights who were considered competent for having skills were absent due to the war. In the meantime, when the allied forces attacked with a huge force of 15,000, Kustan did not have the time to withstand their attacks.

The defense wall was easily penetrated and eventually collapsed. In this way, the allied forces entered the capital of Kustan without much difficulty.

The news of the allied forces’ rapid advance towards the capital greatly frightened the king of Kustan.

Even if they succeed in invading a foreign country, what use will it be if the country itself perishes before that? No animal, no matter how strong, could survive with its head cut off.

After a brief meeting with several high-ranking ministers, the King of Kustan decided to recall all the troops who had gone to war with Velicia. It didn’t matter what the current progress was or what the military situation was like. It was only important to recall as many and as quickly as possible.

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