Chapter 109: Chapter 108: I Have A Piece Of Advice For You

Across the entire mountain range, dragon bones were being excavated at an excavation site.

In a secluded part of what was commonly known as the Dragon’s Tomb, bodies that were periodically recovered were cremated and given modest funerals.

Since there were casualties among the soldiers and adventurers who were clearing out the undead, it was necessary to commemorate their sacrifice.

“…It’s said that a funeral represents the life one has lived.”

However, unlike usual, where comrades from the same party or unit would visit, today’s funeral only had one attendee.

What was more unusual was that it was the Legion Commander overseeing the garrison, but what he uttered while looking down at the urn was closer to reproach than remembrance.

“Jang Cleo, the life you led was truly empty.”

Had those who came to the garrison with him at least visited, perhaps he wouldn’t have felt this much resentment.

Instead of visiting the funeral, they had simply left a note and gone off somewhere.

[If you go to the place written on this note, you will be able to recover his remains. Please conduct his funeral on behalf of Hyo-sung…]

It was a cruel act, if one were to call it that.

But if the reality was to resolve the foolish comrade’s lingering attachment, it wouldn’t be fair to simply blame them.

Even knowing that obsessing over heroes of the past holds no meaning in times like these.

“…I’ll watch over it, but don’t expect anything more.”

Surely, he must be continuing some kind of mission even after his departure.

His death was entangled with various complex emotions, but Marcus ultimately suppressed all of it, intending to persevere in his own path.

What was needed to protect humanity was not exceptional heroes, but an army so strong that even those heroes were just a part of it.

This thought remained even after witnessing his death, leading to a resolution to soberly assess the legacy he left behind.

“You might see some potential in that man, but to me, a hero is no more than one competent soldier.”

For now, it should be enough to watch over and support from behind.

With that, Marcus concluded the brief expression of condolence, ready to turn back to his mission.

“…He’s gone after all.”

Until he heard the murmuring of someone who suddenly appeared, as if to fill his absence.

“What…?”

Yes, now there was a woman occupying that spot.

Along with the apron wrapped around her body, the tools hanging from her belt indicated she was one of the artisans active in this garrison area.

“Until recently, I was waiting for the day I would die, but the youngster left before me…. Is time flowing too fast, or have I been too sluggish?”

However, more noticeable than that was the cigarette in her mouth.

The dull muttering and the strong smoke spreading alongside it were as intense as the scent of bones faintly wafting through the funeral site.

“…Did you know him?”

The visit of such a presence to a funeral that no one else attended was bound to arouse curiosity.

He stopped to ask, driven by such feelings, but she simply kept looking down at the urn in silence.

As if he didn’t matter at all to her.

“Hey, are you not listening to me…?!”

Just as he was about to snap at her, her gaze shifted.

As soon as he met her gaze, his breath stopped, and his hardened gaze began to fix on her staring eyes.

“…Did you call for me?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Her voice was tinged with fatigue, and her eyes carried a sense of decadence.

Just facing her calmed his impatient heart, and he felt the discipline he had to maintain as a legion commander being undermined.

It was only for a brief moment.

Because he thought that all notions of authority might be meaningless to the person before him.

“…Please refrain from smoking in the funeral site.”

Dismissing the momentary discomfort as a misunderstanding, Marcus averted his gaze from her and spoke cautiously.

Was his voice lower than usual because of an inexplicable sense of alienation?

Even though such behavior might seem unsatisfactory, she simply removed the cigarette from her mouth and exhaled only the strong smoke.

“Does it matter? It seems there’s no one else here except for me anyway.”

“It’s a matter of basic manners. Displaying an impure attitude at a funeral is not respectful to the deceased.”

Manners.

It was almost laughable, even to himself.

Rather than lighting up a cigarette in the first place, mocking the dead would be even more disrespectful.

“…That’s a laughable statement. To act politely in front of ashes.”

However, the woman’s scorn was not aimed at her own behavior but at the statement itself.

Then, fixing her gaze on the urn, she swiftly removed the cigarette from her mouth and muttered bitterly.

“Of course, funerals performed by humans are ultimately a culture of the living. If we don’t cherish even these ashes and reflect on the past, the time that has passed will become meaningless.”

“…Human?”

Meaningful murmuring flowed out with the smoke.

Feeling puzzled, Marcus, sensing the unease he had been feeling become reality, took a step towards her.

“What exactly are you saying? You are…”

Perhaps the person in front of him was not merely an acquaintance but something dangerous.

“Legion Commander! Legion Commander, are you here?!”

A shout came just as he was about to voice his suspicion.

Following that, the loud ringing of bells spread throughout the garrison area, causing Marcus’s expression to harden instantly.

This was not a mere announcement.

This sound was reserved for a massive invasion from the outside.

“Commander! The undead are currently forming an army and heading this way! Please command swiftly!”

‘So, it has finally come.’

Having annihilated the enemy’s vanguard not long ago, he had anticipated that the opposing side would feel the crisis and engage in a full-scale war.

Hearing his aide’s shout from afar, Marcus composed himself and prepared to head to the frontline.

“Hey, rookie. Let me give you a piece of advice.”

That was when a voice came from behind.

Contrary to her previously detached demeanor, the woman listening to the alarm spoke to him in a sharp voice.

“If you can’t stop them, everyone here will die, so do your best to hold them off.”

“What…?”

What could she mean by that?

Surely, if the invasion wouldn’t be stopped, annihilation would be inevitable, but why add the word ‘advice’ to such an obvious fact?

“Commander! You must hurry!!”

His aide screamed as if not a moment’s delay could be allowed.

In the brief moment his attention was diverted, the woman who had been at the funeral site had long since vanished.

Had he seen a ghost?

No, the unrest still stirring in a corner of his heart told him that he had strongly seen her presence.

‘Jang Cleo. What exactly are you…?’

He wondered if Jang would know the woman’s identity, but the dead tell no tales.

Feeling that pondering alone would not yield any answers, Marcus finally suppressed the unease he felt and decided to follow his aide.

While he couldn’t deny the possibility that she was a dangerous entity, the immediate priority was to eliminate the threat targeting this land.

“Report the situation. Where are the enemies?”

“We have confirmed that a large-scale army has entered the eastern ridges. From their movements, it seems they are trying to establish a siege around the eastern barrier.”

“Given their swift movements, it seems the reconnaissance is already over. Tell me about the number of troops and the key enemies.”

“The size is roughly at the division level… Although they are significantly fewer than our forces stationed at this excavation site, one undead with immense magical power has been spotted at their forefront.”

An undead with immense magical power. Does that mean a high-ranking leader like the lich that killed a hero recently?

No, a single lich could only command about hundreds.

If it weren’t multiple undead, then it implied one thing.

“Which of the Four Knights is it?”

The Four Knights of the Apocalypse.

The Four Knights, serving the Corpse Lord, were each capable of turning an entire city into a wasteland alone.

“Although we haven’t confronted them directly, judging by the greater than usual power of each undead, it’s speculated to be the ‘Red Knight of War’.”

“…The Red Knight, of all the knights. It seems they are determined to attack this place.”

What were the odds that the calamity named after war itself would target the defense of the garrison area?

Anyone who knew her might would naturally be on edge, wouldn’t they?

“Commander, judging by the numbers we’ve confirmed, it seems possible to crush them with our forces… What will you do?”

Of course, in war, the difference in forces was an absolute rule.

With the advantage of barriers and terrain, this defense would overwhelmingly favor them, but that was only if this fight remained a pure frontal battle.

After all, the opponent was a war specialist, as her name implied.

Even as undead, her high understanding of war meant there must be a significant reason she led a relatively smaller force into a disadvantageous attack.

“Stall for time with a defensive focus around the eastern barrier where the Red Knight has appeared.”

It wasn’t certain yet, but it didn’t hurt to be cautious.

Marcus decided to hold off on a total war, prioritizing buying time to understand the opponent’s intentions for now.

“And have the active heroes located outside the barrier head towards the northern area as much as possible.”

“To the north, you say?”

“The north is used to transport excavated dragon bones to the empire. Since the path is open, the barrier’s condition is relatively weaker compared to other places.”

If they attack, the north would be more suitable for their strategy and objectives than the strongly fortified east.

Assuming the enemy was also aware of this, their show of force in a relatively disadvantageous position was likely a ‘distraction.’

And if a figure like one of the Four Knights was causing disruption, it was highly likely that an equal presence had accompanied them.

“And let the entire army know. There might not be just one, but two of the Four Knights targeting this place.”

Two of the Four Knights, each of whom would be cause for alarm on their own, might be targeting this place.

It was still speculation, but even a slight misjudgment could lead to annihilation, so it would be wise to carefully navigate the situation.

‘At least it’s fortunate that we have over a dozen heroes on our side.’

The death of one recently was a painful mistake, but the combined force of the remaining heroes should be equivalent to that of a legion.

If they all followed his command, they could safely defend this place against any enemy.

If all the heroes followed his orders…

“C-Commander! There’s trouble! One of the heroes has gone AWOL and is heading towards the location of the Red Knight!”

“Damn it! Bring him back immediately!”

To think the key forces would ignore orders and run rampant…

Wasn’t this the worst way to start a war?

Of course, not all heroes were selfish.

Though it was easy to become arrogant with power, such arrogance often led to a sense of justice and heroism.

Lee Jun-young became a hero in this world, awakening such heroism.

‘I’ve been bored of catching small fries lately, but this is a good opportunity. I’ll distinguish myself in this fight and be recognized as a true hero!’

Yes, becoming a hero was accompanied by a tremendous triumph.

Recalling his days as a carry machine in games he played in the past, Lee Jun-young stood alone in front of the undead legion and boldly shouted.

“Come at me, you corpses! I am Lee Jun-young from Anyang, Gyeonggi-do!”

-ROOOOAAARRR!!!

Immediately after, a torrent of power was released from the enemy knight’s sword.

Exposed to it, Lee Jun-young’s body vanished without a trace.