Volume 3 – Clash (激突)
1
It was getting dark. As the reddish sun passed over the ridge, the light it created stained the clouds covering the sky blood-red. It was a beautiful sight, yet it somehow seemed bleak. It seemed to herald the bloodbath that would soon occur in the capital. Aran, who had been looking up at the blood-red sky for a long time, let go of his gloomy thoughts and looked away from the darkening red light.
The vast expanse of land was silent. Aran had been staring at the ground with his obsidian eyes and was lost deep in thought out in the cold air, finally, he turned his eyes away when the horse began fidgeting. After inhaling the cold air deep into his lungs, he grabbed the reins and sat up.
Behind him, the soldiers filling the wide land were waiting for the signal with bated breath. The tension emanating from them made the already cold atmosphere even colder. Aran looked back at them and slowly raised his arms upwards.
A short breath spread out in white. The arm that was raised high cut the air in a powerful half arc. In an instant, the tense air was cut through, and thunderous shouts filled the whole area. As the horse races fiercely, the sound of horseshoes resounded as though it were shaking the ground. The moral of the soldiers covering the charred earth was so high that it could not be compared with anything else. Aran’s expressionless face, leading the soldiers that were running across the frozen ground, was colder than ever.
It was the moment the war began.
If you’re reading this anywhere other than Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
2
It was the night before that they arrived at Sojinseong. After three full days following the unexpected battle at Hyeonunseong, they were able to reach Sojinseong, but only after having to collect the wounded, leftover supplies, and equipment. Meanwhile, by the time Aran and all of the soldiers arrived in Sojinseong, they were battling exhaustion due to having to move so swiftly as a precaution in case Taejeokrune’s soldiers showed up.
But he didn’t even have time to rest properly. He didn’t know what kind of tactic he used, but it was Taejeokrune’s soldiers who caught up with them at Hyeonunseong. They had to work tirelessly to prepare for war because it was impossible to know when they would be ambushed if they stayed like this. Fortunately, there were more soldiers than expected, and the number was over eight thousand there alone. In addition, the Ministers were gathering soldiers not only locally, but also elsewhere as well. It was a fairly strong Army.
After a full day’s meetings, Aran was unable to return to his room until late at night. It was only a few hours before he had to wake up again. Nevertheless, he couldn’t sleep easily, so he sat on the bed with his eyes closed.
“Seeing you look so nervous. It’s like seeing you for the first time.”
“… …”
“I’ve been on countless battlefields with you, but I’ve never been this nervous before.”
Cain came closer to him, raised his hand, and stroked Aran’s long hair. Aran lifted his gaze as his long eyelashes trembled.
“Perhaps it’s because my opponent is Taejeokrune, I don’t know.”
Upon meekly acknowledging that Cain raised the corners of his lips slightly. Aran stared at him. He always wanted to catch up to his strength. But he wasn’t sure, he may still be lacking. If only he couldn’t see that he was so nervous, at least enough not to speak up. However, he couldn’t calm his nerves either.
Aran, who was quietly facing Cain, reached out and carefully took his hand. It was a rough and calloused hand that could never let go of his sword for the rest of his life.
“I’m glad you’re by my side. If I had been sitting here alone, my mind might have wandered helplessly.”
Although he expressed his honest feelings, Cain was just lying on his bed with a smile on his face with an insignificant tone.
“I think it’s the first time you’ve said something like that.”
“Is that so?”
“Did you even plan to show a different side of you today?”
He asked lightly, resting his head on Aran’s legs and closing his eyes. He didn’t really reveal what he was thinking, but he knew one thing. The fact that he wasn’t as nervous as Aran was. Thanks to this, Aran also followed Cain’s example and relaxed a bit as Cain ruffled his hair.
“Then, shall we say something on a different subject?”
“What do you want to say?”
He wasn’t the type of person who often said complimentary things to other people, but a thought suddenly came to his mind. Right now, at this moment, there was one thing he wanted to tell him.
“It may be that I’ve fallen in love with your scent.”
Cain narrowed his heavy eyelids in response to the softly murmured confession and stared at Aran. Aran slowly moved his fingers through his hair, without avoiding Cain’s gaze.
“It seems to be a scent that reminds me of the dry desert. Every time I smelled your body’s scent, I feel that way.”
“Well, I think that’s the most pleasant thing I’ve ever heard from you.”
“Is that so?”
Aran asked with slightly reddened cheeks. With a languid smile, Cain suddenly reached out and grabbed the back of Aran’s neck, and pulled him closer. Because of this, Aran was forced to bend down and put his face close to Cain’s.
“You make my heart tremble.”
Whispered Cain, with the tip of his nose close enough for his breath to touch him, and then kissed his upper lip as softly as a bird’s feather. Then, a sweet sensation spread over his cheeks, chin, and then back to the lips again. Aran closed his eyes.
He didn’t know when this man became so sweet and kind but, it wasn’t bad. In fact, far from being bad, he fell in love with the sweet drug-like action that calmed the anxious heart. Aran exhaled a warm breath as he fell in love with the sweet kiss he gave him. He seemed to have completely forgotten that he was heading to the battlefield in a few hours.
“Aran, I told you, you’re mine!”
Cain said at that moment with a throaty¹ voice, then the kiss continued endlessly. As Suddenly as it can to mood, he gently pulled his wet lips away and clasped Aran’s cheek. Aran looked at him with an undisguised heat.
“If you forgot, listen to me again. You are mine! Everywhere, from head to toe, without omission, it’s all completely mine.
“… …”
“So I won’t allow you to get hurt or hurt yourself.”
At the sound of his resolutely determined voice, Aran raised his mouth slightly. He was a man who always seemed like a thoughtless rogue, but at some point, he became terribly serious. Just like right now. Aran laughed quietly as he leaned his head over Cain’s chest, who had an unfamiliarly harsh expression on his face. When he saw his stern face in the past, he was nervous to the point that his back went stiff, but now his heart just felt ticklish.
“Don’t laugh, Kid.”
The thump-, thump-, of his heartbeat of Cain’s heartbeat, made his heartthrob. It was a nice sound to hear. A powerful sound that clearly demonstrates that you are alive and breathing. Aran, who had been lying on his chest for a moment listening to his steady heartbeat, calmly opened his mouth.
“Cain, I’m sure I’ll win this war.”
“… …”
“I will win. That’s all there is.”
It was a low whispering voice, as though it were a promise to himself, but there was a strong determination in it. His was a voice full of conviction, without any doubt. Cain then put on a satisfied smile and hugged Aran’s head.
“Of course, we will. I didn’t come all the way here to see you lose.”
“After we fight Taejeokrune and find Won, the last of my bloodline…… ”
Aran stopped talking at that point. Cain, who was sweeping his big hand through Aran’s long, pitch-black hair, glanced down and looked at Aran, who was still clinging to his chest.
“And after finding him?”
“I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Oh?”
“The reward you asked me for before. I’ll give you whatever you want.”
He wanted to say it as calmly and casually as possible, but he was not used to speaking such unfamiliar words. Aran quickly turned his head and lay down. It was clear that his face would be flushed red, even without checking. Even his heart was beating faster.
“Alright. I will remember those words, and I won’t forget them. I will definitely take you up on that.”
Cain held Aran in his arms. He buried his face in the exposed nape of Aran‘s neck and closed his eyes.
“l must win to get what I want.”
He put his lips to his ear and patted Aran’s back lightly with a large hand, as though he were a child.
“For what I want, and for what you want. But for now, it would be better to get some sleep.”
Cain, who spoke in a pleasant tone as though he were trying to comfort him, held Aran in his arms and closed his eyes. Aran let out a small sigh in Cain’s tight arms. From tomorrow onwards, there will be no time to sleep like this, so he had to go to sleep, if even for a short time, just as Cain had said. However, contrary to the feeling in his heart, he could not rest easy, so he hugged Cain’s shoulder and was immersed in thought until the dark sky he saw out of the window slowly turned deep indigo blue.
< 5-row break>
As soon as their horses entered the capital, Jiyul and Chiayun headed straight for the Southern Gate of the Royal Palace with more than 7,000 soldiers, As Aran, Cain, Ryugen, and Shaw headed to the West Gate with the rest of the soldiers. Aran, who was riding on horseback, led more than a thousand soldiers behind him, as he glanced at the soldiers heading towards the Southern Gate. It would take some time to get to the Western Gate of the Royal Palace from there anyway, but it was better for them to go to the Southern Gate first, so they slowed their pace.
“Ryugen, you go first.”
Then he heard Cain’s voice from the side. Ryugen nodded at his command, and immediately led his 20 or so men away quickly. Instead of heavy armor, they wore black clothes from head to toe and disappeared into the darkness in an instant.
There were only about twenty remaining with Ryugen. They were called a band of bandits, but they were from the middle of the Forest of Evil Spirits. However, Ryugen’s feelings after having lost all of them to Taejeokrune and barely having the remaining twenty or so, would not have been much different from Aran’s.
Perhaps that was why? After seeing the men who helped Taejeokrune defeat his father, the true King, the cold promise Aran made to never forgive any of them was slowly fading away, like snow melting in the sun. He couldn’t say that there was no remaining animosity, but at least he didn’t feel the same grief as before. As the saying goes, there are no permanent enemies in the world, and sometimes those who were enemies, become allies.
“Come on, let’s get going.”
Muttered Cain monotonously, as he held the horse’s reins. Aran, who had yet to take his eyes off Ryugen’s fading back, turned his head and kicked the horse’s side with all his might. The sound of horses’ hooves sprinting across the frozen ground continued more.
As he headed towards the Western Gate, his mind was calmer than it had been the night before. The tension and anxiety disappeared as though it had been washed away, as though it had never been there before, and his simple movement of driving the horse gave him strength. As he drove the horse straight ahead the stone wall of the Royal Palace began to appear in front of him. The shaking lights that illuminated the darkness and the heavily subdued atmosphere made his fingertips tingle, as though knew what was to come. Aran stopped where he could see the Western Gate at a glance. Aran got down from his horse with his eyes locked onto the tightly closed West Gate, Cain then followed and approached him.
“Aran, you must not forget the promise you made to me yesterday.”
A vague emotion floated on Aran’s expressionless face at the sudden, low-pitched voice. He was looking at Cain without immediately answering, then Cain’s lips pulled upwards into a smile.
“I assure you, the West Gate will open first.”
Aran’s eyes widened in surprise at the promise he made. Cain, with his silver-gray eyes gleaming, was announcing an unexpected plan that he had said nothing about yesterday.
Would the West Gate open first? Wasn’t this just a diversionary tactic, an attempt to get time? He said he would take charge of this, so he believed him without asking any questions, but he didn’t expect that he would be fighting right from the start.
“Wasn’t the goal to turn the enemy’s eyes away?”
Shaw, who was muttering aloud to himself about his thoughts, asked Cain in a bewildered manner. Then he shrugged and looked through Shaw, then turned his gaze to Aran.
“Of course it is but because I am a greedy person. A fight that never begins in first place is the same as losing.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“I have a plan, but……. before that.”
When Aran also asked a question, showing his doubts, Cain tilted his head to the side as his eyes lit up.
“Aran, you asked for my help. So I’m helping you, but not as the Emperor, as your lover.”
Aran didn’t understand, what was he saying out of nowhere? Aran suddenly asked for ‘his help’. He didn’t know what the world it all meant, so he just stared at Cain who reached out and grabbed Aran’s chin lightly.
“I know you don’t want my help. I know you’re worried that if it’s related to the Empire, there will be problems later between our two countries, even after you take down Taejeokrune. That’s why I’m here in secret.”
“Cain-.”
“But my heart feels pity for you.”
Cain whispered sweetly Interrupting Aran’s words. Aran, unable to guess what he was trying to say, just looked at him as if he didn’t understand. Then Cain smiled softly, bowed his head, and put his lips to his ear.
“I would do anything you wanted, but you don’t have the heart to lean on me. Well, that’s your charm though. Still, I’m worried. Everything I have is for you, so why don’t you want anything?”
“Cain, tell me so I can understand.”
Aran rubbed his temples and sighed, and Cain straightened his back again and stared intently with his deep, subdued eyes.
“I want my lover to lean on me and ask me for something, anything. And I am ready to reach out to you.”
Aran’s eyes widened. His mouth was agape and wouldn’t close. Every single low-pitched word was stabbed into his gut.
Cain was waiting for him. Literally, like a lover, he was hoping to have him lean on him. He said that he had always refused his favor, but he always wished to be equal with him, however, Cain felt rejected. His heart felt pain as he considered something he hadn’t recognized before. His hands trembled at the sight of him saying he wanted his affection.
“You’ve come this far alone, and it’s enough.”
“But…….”
“I think the time has come for me to ask for help. Sometimes that’s a good thing.”
At that moment, as he continued talking monotonously, suddenly, in the darkness on this side of the gate, he heard the sound of the ground moving slowly. To be precise, from the direction of where the ‘Forest of Evil Spirits’ was located, lights began to flutter like an illusion. Aran just stared at the waves of light that filled the darkness with a puzzled expression. Obviously, this was something he could not have even imagined.
Shaw, as if in surprise, stood motionless beside them and watched with wide-open eyes as the crowd pushed through the darkness like a huge wave. The murmur was growing even among the soldiers who finally sensed the huge wave.
“Oh my God……”
“So ask me. ‘Please help me’, for just those simple words I will gladly give everything I have for you.”
Gradually, the wave became an Army. Cain’s Army from the Empire. It was the power of Cain, who had never been defeated in a battle before. As they approached, filling up the vast, invisible land, the number could exceed twenty thousand, even without counting.
Even if all the troops of the current allies were combined, it was a huge number compared to the number of just over ten thousand. If that level of reinforcements were added, the outer walls of the royal castle might be destroyed before dawn, not just in a day.
“Come on, quickly.”
Cain said to Aran as if to urge him, who was looking at the wave of lights from afar. Aran slowly looked at Cain. With a smirk, he looked like a child who was struggling, and on the other hand, he looked like a man who was struggling in love. Aran swallowed dryly. Even then, Cain stared intently at Aran waiting for the answer he desired.
“Cain……”
He desperately wanted to ask why he liked him so much? But, swallowing the unanswerable question down his throat, Aran looked at him with his black obsidian eyes. The lips of his dry mouth trembled softly.
“Cain, help me.”
When the words fell out, Cain smiled with satisfaction and bowed politely. And he gently pressed his lips to the back of Aran’s hand. When his moist, warm breath touched the back of his hand, it was a thrilling sensation.
“Anything you want.”
Cain responded as he kissed the back of his hand like a loyal servant serving his master, then he slowly straightened his back and faced Aran. For a moment, Aran couldn’t hide his blushing face. The sight of Cain smiling brightly as if he had everything he wanted in the world made his heart pound. A hot lump spurred up from the bottom of his throat.
If so many people hadn’t been looking at them, he might have hugged his neck and kissed him right away. How could he not love him, who looked at him so lovingly?
But at that moment, Aran heard the sound of someone running at a furious speed from afar, and Aran had to lift his eyes. The sound of horse hooves running through the darkness was unusual. It was when he narrowed his eyes to see what was going on,
“Lord.”
The man who finally stopped before them jumped off his horse and bent his knee in front of Cain. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him, but now he has his very familiar dark look. It was Jar. Aran could not hide his surprised expression this time either. Aran just wanted to ask how he got there.
“All preparations are complete.”
“Good work.”
Leaving Aran’s with his doubts, Cain and Jar exchanged greetings briefly. Only then did Jar get up from his spot and look back at Aran.
“It’s been a while, Prince.”
“Jar, how did you get here?”
“One cannot disobey the Emperor’s orders, no matter how reckless the Emperor may be.”
Jar responded with a blunt face that was no different from before. In front of Cain, he was more gracious than to anyone else, but his personality as he spoke bluntly about what he had to say, or the way he saw things, didn’t seem to have changed either. The only difference was that as his disciple, he was treated with respect. It was natural for Aran to return as the Prince of Kajang but it was also true that it was unfamiliar. But without saying a word, Aran just nodded.
“… Everyone, thank you.”
He was thankful to Cain and Jar. No words came to mind other than ‘thank you’.
“You’re going to thank me properly after the victory. But for now, the enemy in front of you comes first.”
Cain smiled silently and took out his sword. The frosty day that was revealed with the rumbling, chilling sound of darkness, shone even in the darkness. Accordingly, Jar was also looking straight ahead. Cain’s Army came closer and closer, gradually rising like a black sea, and their torches lit the dark night. In addition, as though they had heard the news that an unusually large Army was approaching, the Palace seen from afar, shook in confusion.
While calming his heart beating, Aran quietly looked at the high wall. And after a while, Aran, who exhaled a long breath, raised his sword. The shining silver sword was raised to the sky and then fell to the ground in a half arc. At that moment, Aran’s men and Cain’s Army behind him began to run forward with thunderous cries.
If you’re reading this anywhere other than Foolishtranslationss.wordpress.com, it was stolen from the translator’s website. Reading this anywhere other than the translator’s website ensures that the translator may never translate any other works. Thank you.
3
For a long time the arrows that fell like heavy rain were pouring down from both sides, but at some point, the speed started to decrease. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the soldiers laid a ladder on the outer wall of the castle, and the rest prepared explosives to blow open the gate.
However, if they only leaned on one side of the defense, it was not enough, and all three gates were being attacked. The enemy morale also felt markedly declining. They could not have even imagined that so many soldiers would rush in at once.
Cain’s Army was something they weren’t expecting either, so Aran couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. In addition, Cain and his army were incomparable to Kajang, and this was even more so because they had superior combat abilities. lt was also a moment when he realized once again Cain’s power, who had never been defeated.
“Prince.”
Shaw approached and stood next to Aran, who was watching the soldiers climbing up the stone wall.
“I think we can advance much faster than we expected.”
“It is because an Army that has been trained like that has pushed in.”
“He is a great man.”
He said that as though he had no choice but to acknowledge Cain, even though Shaw didn’t like him. Looking back at him, Aran smiled faintly. In fact, from the moment Cain’s Army joined, victory was in his hands. Of course, even without Cain’s help, it was a war that would have been won somehow, but with Cain joining, the victory was certain and the time would also be shortened.
“One thing I’m curious about is Ryugen. I can’t even guess where he’s at after leaving a while ago. You can’t see it from this side of the wall at all.”
Shaw spoke out in a questioning tone. Then he remembered that Cain had sent him on earlier. It seems that he was supposed to help open the gate by infiltrating the Palace through the ‘known way’, but he hadn’t thought about it since Cain’s Army had suddenly joined them.
Aran, who suddenly remembered Ryugen because of Shaw’s question, furrowed his brow. What is he really doing inside? He hoped nothing bad happened because of bad luck.
“… I’m sure he wouldn’t be defeated so easily.”
As an ominous thought flashed past, Aran shook his head and muttered to himself. Isn’t Ryugen a great ghost-like person who can never be caught behind the scenes? Even if he’s thrown into a pit of fire, he will surely come back alive with a smile. So it would be better to stop worrying about unnecessary things. It was around the time when he was thinking about it and biting his lips quietly, that heavy footsteps were heard from behind.
“No worries. If it’s Ryugen, he’ll probably be cutting the head of the guard that’s guarding the Palace Gates by now.”
A rough voice added. Aran looked back at Cain, who was approaching him with a slightly startled face. He didn’t even notice when the person who was leading the soldiers a little while ago, came to this place.
“Cain, when did you come this way… No, did you say that Ryugen has already gotten inside the inner city?”
“Well, I told you were going to open the Palace Gates, but I guess I didn’t say he was going to do it from the inside.”
“No, you didn’t.”
Aran responded curtly, feeling a bit deceived by Cain, who simply corrected him. However, Cain was just as carefree as he could be. It didn’t matter as he said that he would open the gates anyway, but the feeling of being deceived did not go away and he had no choice but to wonder.
“Next time, I’ll tell you in advance.”
It was at that moment when Cain was smiling as if to soothe him, Bang–! Aran, Cain, and Shaw turned their heads at the same time at the sound of a boom coming from far away. This is because the explosives placed in front of the West Gate exploded, and the heavy gates and the thick stone walls of the Palace were blown away with a white smoke cloud. It must have been difficult to deploy the explosives because of the arrows pouring down, but Aran took a couple of steps forward, surprised that it had already exploded.
“Now, all that remains is to go in.”
But this time, Cain only muttered lightly. Cain, Aran, and Shaw rode the horse quickly, without anyone else going in first. They were moving one step closer to the Palace. This was the beginning.
“The gates are open! Everyone go inside!”
Jar, who was already at the front, shouted loudly to the soldiers. Before the explosion, the soldiers who had already climbed the wall were killing the Taejeokrune’s archers. The soldiers swung their swords relentlessly, and the soldiers who remained behind also followed Aran and Cain and ran towards the collapsed Western Gate. Cain’s army rushed into the Palace before the stinging smoke and dust cloud from the explosion could disappear.
“Leave not a single one behind!”
Aran shouted with a voice like a blade as he swung his sword. The sword and armor, no, everything from head to toe was stained with red blood. The soldiers, led by Aran and Cain, rushed into the Palace and were diligent in cutting down the soldiers of Taejeokrune.
At a glance, it was a battle that could not be seen as equal. First of all, they were disadvantaged in numbers, and there was a difference in experience and skill. Cain, who is said to be a natural war god, was Cain, but his soldiers were also the veterans of many wars with Cain. It was only natural that they would have superior skills to Kajang’s soldiers. Moreover, Taejeokrune’s soldiers, who were being overwhelmed by the deadly force of their Armies, were being pushed back beyond the line of sight.
“Jar, take some troops and head to the Southern Gate.”
At Cain’s command, he immediately turned the horse’s head. Some soldiers followed him to the Southern Gate, some soldiers were organized to guard the Western Gate, and the rest, led by Aran and Cain, started heading straight to the Inner Palace. Running from the outer gate to the fortress wall that surrounded the Inner Palace, Aran constantly slashed the necks of those who blocked them.
As time passed, the road, which was made of stone, flanked by green grass and flowers, was stained red with blood and the dead bodies of soldiers. The cold submerged atmosphere was filled with a bloody smell, fires were lit here and there, and black smoke and black ashes were floating around the pitch black sky. The screams, shouts, and the sound of the blades crossing each other, which seemed to tear the ears, raged in dizzying amounts.
Aran, who was holding his breath for a moment as he swung his sword to shake off the thick blood, glanced at the current situation, which was no different from the miserable appearance of the palace he had seen as a child, with an unfeeling gaze. The air filled with a pungent smell and the dizzying and chaotic sounds created the illusion of being sucked into the nightmare created by Taejeokrune.
“Prince, look ahead.”
Aran, who was clenching his fists as he recalled the past as it overlapped with the present, opened his eyes to the voice of Shaw standing next to him. What stood in front of them was the second wall. In front of the solid wall that blocked the way to the Inner Palace, stood a number of soldiers that could not be compared to the defense of the West Gate. The fortress seemed to announce that what came before it was just a prelude.
There was no way Taejeokrune, who knew for sure that he was going to attack, was waiting quietly. Aran glanced at the soldiers who were encamped in front of the fortress wall, then stopped and took a deep breath.
“That’s great, Jung.”
A sharp voice rang out between them. Aran unconsciously gave strength to the hand holding the sword. The man’s cold, subdued voice was quite familiar. It was Taejeokrune standing in front of the soldiers who were standing so thick that the floor could not be seen.
With dark hair down to his shoulders and a black eye patch over his left eye, he was wearing black armor and holding a sword in one hand. The overall dark impression was so gloomy that it made me wonder whether a reaper had appeared.
“Taejeokrune……”
Aran swallowed dryly and glared at him as if to kill him. Then, taking a step forward, Taejeokrune twisted his lips upwards.
“Jung, since I lost you last time, I was so upset that I couldn’t even sleep. How well they get out like a loach every time. Still, I thought I’d see you again soon, but you came sooner than I expected.
His cold voice was full of sarcasm. Aran faced Taejeokrune with clenched fists.
In the distance, a commotion could be heard still fighting around the gates. But Aran couldn’t hear or see anything. His eyes and ears were bristling towards Taejeokrune.
“I will ask you first. Where is Won?”
Aran, who was staring at the fluttering torchlight on Taejeokrune, asked the question he was most curious about. Tarjeokrune remained silent for a moment, standing like a stone statue. He had a puzzled expression on his face. But soon he tilted his head and twisted his lips upwards.
“You’re talking about something you don’t need to know.”
“I don’t need to know?”
“Jung. Wasn’t the reason you came here to cut me down? Do not delay.”
Speaking provocatively, he smiled with self-confidence and pulled out his sword. His blade, caught in the shadow of a torch, gleamed like a blue glow in the dark. The moment he swung his sword, his soldiers rushed forward. Aran clicked his tongue and ran his horse forward.
A loud shout rang out, and the sound of horses slamming on the ground poured out loudly. The soldiers were entangled in an instant and swung their swords on both sides. Amid the dizzying flood of soldiers, Aran could not turn his gaze away from Taejeokrune, he was right there.
Aran Clenched his jaw and cut off the heads of those who stood in his way. He, too, came advancing with his red eyes, ready to kill. This time will be the last. Either Taejeokrune dies, or Aran dies. But now that Cain’s Army has come, he had no intention of dying.
Kagong-, as he blocked the slashing sword, sparks seemed to emanate from the crossed swords. It felt different from a few weeks ago when they met outside of the Gibang, it had a different feeling. He was not as nervous or anxious as he was back then. Aran calmly drove the horse only watching the fullness of Taejeokrune’s murderous intent.
“Finally, you have come all the way here.”
”… …”
“You look a lot better than the last time I saw you. It was such a short time ago, but what made you change so much?”
He spoke with a curious expression on his face. Without responding Aran quickly swung his sword.
“Did your injured shoulder heal well?”
“Now is not the time to worry about me!”
He didn’t show even the slightest bit of tension at Taejeokrune’s question. He was angry at his carefree appearance, as though he were treating him like a child. He had already heard the rumors that he was a war-crazed man. Long ago on the outskirts of the country, on the borders that were rife with constant conflict, he heard stories of him fighting on battlefields like a bloodthirsty man.
But now he was fighting a losing battle. The West Gate had already been broken, and the South Gate, now facing Jar, would soon collapse. Cain’s Army alone was over 20,000 strong, but when the Army led by Jiyul, Chiayun, and other Generals joins in, Taejeokrune’s Golden Army² will be smaller than that of his enemy’s troops.
So he knew why Taejeokrune came out in a hurry. It must have been that they rushed out to attack Cain’s Army, who arrived at the inner wall first, and before the South and East Gates were opened.
“If you look down on me, You’ll regret it”
“Jung, you always make me angry, more so than anyone else.”
He said in a low voice. The voice was so faint that no one around could hear it, but it was clearly heard by Aran.
“What does that mean? I hope you mean Won.”
“You cannot take the child.”
Interrupting Aran’s words with a sound as sharp as a slashing blade, he opened his darkened eyes. The sight of him gave Aran chills, so much that it sent chills down his spine. Where the hell did he put Won? What did he do? His thoughts increased his fears.
“Anyway, if you did any harm to Won, I won’t kill you gently.”
Aran’s black eyes burned like fire. He couldn’t imagine what the villain would have done with his little brother. He was only a seven-year-old child, and he could not even guess why he had only kept him alive even though he had killed all the other members of the Royal Family. If he really had touched the little boy the same way he had tried to do to himself…..He promised that he would never let him die comfortably.
“Never… cared for him. But I’m sure of something. You won’t be able to strike me recklessly, If you want to find him. He will make a great hostage.”
“Shut up!”
He screamed and slammed his sword again, but Taejeokrune turned his body lightly to avoid it and kept a patronizing laugh.
“Is it possible that the reason you are looking for Won is that after you beat me, you will find the child so that you can take the throne that should have been yours? So you are trying to find him first?”
“…… What?”
As soon as the unexpected words reached his ears, Aran’s eyes widened. The hand holding the sword seemed to shake. As if his tongue was frozen, he couldn’t make a sound.
“The people who started the rebellion are those who followed the Previous King, aren’t they? Will they overthrow Won, the enemy of the current King, and place you on the throne?”
He didn’t know what this guy was talking about now. That was the only thought running through his mind. Ryugen was the first to say something like that. Aran got angry and scolded him, but even Taejeokrune had now said the same thing.
“… I won’t let it be like that.”
He suddenly spoke as if he was talking to himself. Aran frowned, wondering what that really meant. At that moment, Taejeokrune quickly ran and delivered a blow. When he raised his sword to block his attack, which made him more terrifying, a tingling pain spread throughout his arm. However, as the swords crossed, Taejeokrune began to apply pressure as if he were trying to crush him. It was a strong force like a rock.
Aran clenched his jaw and tried to get rid of it, but it was inevitable that he was pushed back a little due to the difference in physique. His arms trembled slightly. Nevertheless, the dark determination of Taejeokrune came close to his face.
“Prince!”
At that moment, Shaw ran like the wind and removed Taejeokrune’s sword at once. Realizing the difference in physique and strength, Aran had to adjust his posture as he breathed heavily. A cold sweat was flowing. It could have been a dangerous situation, so a chill ran down his spine. This type of all-out war had to be avoided, but he made the mistake.
“Jung, no matter what happens, I will catch you.”
Taejeokrune pointed his sword straight at Aran. A chill spread through him. Aran clenched his jaw loudly.
That was when, suddenly, a loud roar began to be heard from behind. All the South and East gates collapsed, and it was the shouts of the allies who entered the Inner City. With this, all three gates through which they could escape from the palace were seized. Taejeokrune would not be able to escape anywhere like a mouse in a trap. As if he had just realized that fact, his face hardened in an instant.
“Then I will strike you in the neck this time.”
Aran followed the Taejeokrune, raised his sword, and pointed it straight at him, whispering softly. A life colder than the cold wind began to flow between them.
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Foolish Translations 
I’m so nervous! Aran don’t lose focus while fighting this pos
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Thank you for all update! Stay awesome!
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Your Welcome (❁´◡`❁)
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