TUK 16

Chapter 16

Monclay explained to Lian the purpose of moving to the Dandelion Plains.

“Collect the bodies of our soldiers.”

Lian didn’t know how to react to Monclay’s obvious statement.

Originally, the pursuit of the remnants of the Imperial forces had been left to Sion’s disciples.

So there was no real need to advance to the Dandelion Plains, yet there were allied corpses there.

Recovering the fallen soldiers was necessary, even to boost the morale of the survivors. No soldier would follow a commander who left the dead to become food for beasts or fertilizer for the soil.

“Is that so.”

Lian responded in a dry, emotionless tone to Monclay, who spoke as if stating the obvious was something remarkable.

“Ah… yes.”

Monclay felt displeased by Lian’s stiff attitude, expecting at least some gratitude for handling the reporting of his subordinates. However, Lian seemed to be subtly sensing that Monclay had something to say.

Since their movement together, Monclay had been rambling about trivial matters.

“Do you have something to say?”

Lian asked, irritated, and Monclay looked at the soldiers moving ahead.

‘This distance should be safe…’

He was measuring the distance — far enough that no one else could hear him. Once he estimated that only Lian could hear, Monclay spoke.

“I wanted to discuss how to handle the casualties of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd platoons. How do you think we should do it?”

Lian stared at Monclay. His face was unreadable, but his words implied that this was a question that needed no answer.

“They are heroes. They sacrificed their lives to save our forces. You know that well enough.”

“Mm. I know. Of course. But…”

Lian expressed that the fallen should be treated as heroes, and Monclay appeared to agree.

“But even for them to be buried in their homeland intact, you and I need to be on the same page.”

He revealed his true intention.

“…”

Lian realized Monclay’s reason for speaking to him separately.

If reported truthfully, the fallen would naturally be buried in the Heroes’ Cemetery. Their sacrifice was unintended, yet it allowed the allies to defend Treverbridge.

But Monclay’s stance was different. He had ignored the Supreme Commander’s orders to hold Treverbridge, fought a war of attrition on the plains, and caused allied casualties. What had he said when defying orders?

“If we succeed, we are heroes; if we fail, death is inevitable — isn’t that war?!”

Lian still remembered Monclay shouting that at the council.

And now? Now he’s saying, “Let’s agree”? What nonsense. That phrase essentially meant he wasn’t taking responsibility.

‘Let’s hear him out first.’

Lian closed his mouth, signaling Monclay to speak. Monclay raised two fingers before beginning.

“I have two victory reports to submit to the higher-ups.”

“…”

“One: the vanguard, sent to monitor the Empire’s movements, misjudged the enemy’s provocation, advanced recklessly, and was annihilated…”

“Command!”

Lian frowned at Monclay, who casually outlined a false scenario, but Monclay ignored him and continued.

“You barely escaped, reported the deployment of elite troops and the mage to me. Disguised as the enemy, you successfully executed the mage assassination, leading to a great victory at the Trever River. That is one report.”

“…”

“If this report reaches the higher-ups… hmm… even your superiors or subordinates might not be allowed burial in the ordinary cemetery.”

Monclay spoke in a soft, generous tone, but it was a clear threat.

“Then how about this?”

Before Lian could reply, Monclay continued, and Lian listened quietly.

“We, despite numerical superiority, advanced to the plains for certain victory, but suddenly the Imperial elite appeared, shifting the tide. Three platoons united to block the enemy, creating a retreat path for our forces.”

“…”

“You alone survived and informed me about the mage. You completed the special mission to assassinate the mage. Together, you and I achieved a decisive victory at the Trever River. That’s the second report. How’s that?”

It was a scenario with no room for objection.

He tried to erase his own mistakes at the plains and claim the Trever River victory as his own.

‘A rat… selfishness beyond imagination.’

Lian clenched his jaw to stay silent, barely restraining a curse.

Monclay subtly smirked and continued.

“Even the soldiers resting on the plains would be satisfied with this. Their families should receive some consolation money to recover from grief, shouldn’t they?”

The answer was already clear. Even if Lian disobeyed, Monclay was fully capable of eliminating him. Lian was both a witness to the mistakes and proof of the great victory — a double-edged sword.

Monclay would not hesitate to discard what he could not use. He might even further humiliate the fallen to erase his own mistakes.

‘I can’t let that happen. Not for everyone’s sake.’

Lian decided to focus on the immediate gains.

“Then let’s do it that way.”

Monclay’s attempt to hide his mistakes and profit from them was disgusting, but there was no alternative. He could not let everyone die. Monclay was fully capable of that.

So Lian judged it best to let him have his way, at least for now.

Whether just or not, if Monclay could ensure the fallen received proper recognition, it would suffice.

On the condition of a fair exchange.

“While we’re at it, do one more thing.”

“What?”

“Make sure all the victims of this battle are buried in the Heroes’ Cemetery.”

Not only the three platoons annihilated on the plains but also those who died defending Treverbridge. They were all heroes, regardless of orders.

They sacrificed their lives to save thousands of soldiers.

Ultimately, this tragedy happened because of the war of attrition on the plains. Those who opposed it were the captains of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd platoons.

“They cannot base decisions solely on intelligence. The attrition was part of the plan. Facing the enemy at Treverbridge is more advantageous. If this place falls, it will be catastrophic for the canyon battles. Our mission was to defend conservatively.”

Those who had opposed the plains’ battle died exactly where they had opposed it. Yet, they bought the time for the allies to retreat and regroup. They deserved the Heroes’ Cemetery, as did the soldiers who defended Treverbridge.

Simple pity would not suffice. All should rest in the Heroes’ Cemetery, and their families receive consistent state support.

Even if some could only receive minimal compensation due to rank or status restrictions…

‘At least widows and orphaned parents won’t live in misery.’

Lian pushed Monclay to exercise his full ability for the sake of those who had fallen.

Monclay paused, lost in thought.

‘See this?’

The Heroes’ Cemetery was a sanctum for nobles. Wanting commoners buried there was a violation of protocol.

‘He wants me to personally make that happen?’

Allowing non-nobles to be buried there was fundamentally wrong.

“Those who achieved merit and sacrificed for the state shall be buried in the Heroes’ Cemetery, regardless of rank, and their families shall be protected by the state.”

The previous king’s policy had been corrupted by noble support. The nobles’ authority weakened, and commoners buried there could even acquire titles with state support, ultimately strengthening royal authority.

‘Does he know what I want?’

Lian’s suggestion was tantamount to lowering noble authority while acknowledging merit. Monclay had to weigh practicality and prestige.

Of course, prestige could always be maintained.

Why so obsessed with merit? Why remain in Northheim as a battalion commander? To claim Northheim as the Brown family’s new territory, not as a royal domain.

‘He can build noble authority after becoming Lord of Northheim.’

Now was the time to focus on immediate gains. No choice.

“I’ll try, but it won’t be easy. That… justification…”

Monclay hesitated, and Lian cut him off.

“These are people who held the line until the Empire crossed the frozen river. I think the justification is sufficient.”

Monclay nodded after a brief hesitation.

“Hmm. True… that makes sense.”

The proposal itself was not impossible. Decisions were up to the higher-ups. They wouldn’t accept everything.

“Understood.”

Monclay accepted Lian’s words without objection and tried to close the conversation.

“Anything more you want to say?”

Simply agreeing to the proposal was already remarkable; Lian expected no further requests.

“Once the plains are cleared, may I return home briefly?”

How audacious.

“It’s wartime. That would be difficult.”

Lian considered meeting his adoptive father, Allen, to ask about the cause of his immortality but dismissed it.

‘Right. That would be difficult.’

Who asks for leave during a war?

Lian forced a faint smile, answering plainly while Monclay twitched his brows.

“Understood.”

They had just left the Greenwave Forest.

Sion’s disciples and Monclay’s battalion met.

Crack. Crack.

Recognizing them, soldiers parted to let Monclay’s commander through.

“They say they’re Sion’s disciples. No wonder.”
“They must be knight candidates. That’s how they caught the Empire’s elite. Impressive.”
“So will Sion now form a proper knight order? Haha.”

The soldiers chatted among themselves while clearing the way.

Lea, outwardly calm, felt uncomfortable hearing soldiers speak of them with awe.

“A knight order…?”

Would Sion do that? Perhaps if he controlled aura.

“Indeed…”

Lea muttered softly to herself, blocking out the sounds.

“But the 3rd Platoon’s Sergeant, Lian or something, took down ten elite soldiers alone. Will he be scouted by another knight order?”
“He anticipated the ambush and stopped it alone. Likely.”
“Don’t be silly. He just got lucky during the chaos. So probably not… maybe?”
“Tch. Foolish. Believe that? Even so, the Shadow Claw was trained by the Empire. He must be hiding his true power — a great man, Lian or whatever.”

Among the soldiers’ conversation, a name caught Lea’s attention.

‘Lian Cade…’

He survived a hopeless battlefield alone, killed a mage, and turned the tide. Now he single-handedly blocked the Empire’s elite ambush. Even if exaggerated…

‘Who is that man?’

Lea turned her gaze toward Lian standing with Monclay beyond the path cleared by the rear troops.

“Better confirm it for ourselves.”