Chapter 219 – The Torn Defense Line

“Nonsense! I would never marry someone like you!”

Feeling Kulun’s unrestrained gaze, Princess Trelinka instinctively retorted.

“And don’t think I’m unaware of Kamos Kingdom’s schemes! Auxiliary forces? That’s just a pretty name for your attempt to annex our Glory Army!”

Trelinka’s face turned pale with rage. She couldn’t fathom Kamos Kingdom’s shamelessness – their so-called “assistance” was merely kicking Dillon Kingdom when it was down.

It was evident that once the Glory Army soldiers settled in Kamos Kingdom and were dispersed among Kamosi troops, within a few years, which soldier would still remember Dillon Kingdom’s glory? Who would still be willing to shed blood and sacrifice their lives for Dillon Kingdom?

Kamos Kingdom’s wolfish ambition was crystal clear. How could Princess Trelinka not be furious? The only remaining loyal force to Dillon Kingdom was this approximately 150,000-strong Glory Army. If even this army forgot Dillon Kingdom’s glory… then Dillon Kingdom would truly become a vassal state of the Church of Dawn.

“This is a nation founded by Dillon Kingdom’s ancestors, an independent and sacred nation. I will never allow it to become a subsidiary of the Church of Dawn…”

Trelinka stared angrily at the frivolous man before her, declaring in a low but firm voice:

“Every soldier of the Glory Army is a warrior of our Dillon Kingdom. They will never become hired thugs for foreigners!”

“No, no, no, let’s not use such unpleasant terms like ‘hired thugs.’ You must understand, I’m trying to help you preserve the Glory Army’s warriors. If all your brave soldiers die on the battlefield, what loyalty and courage would remain?”

Ignoring Trelinka’s anger, Kulun continued using his exaggerated tone to persuade Princess Trelinka.

“Your esteemed Highness the Princess, you needn’t worry about the soldiers refusing Kamos Kingdom’s ‘kind offer.’ If we marry, Kamos and Dillon Kingdoms will become friendly neighbors. Surely the Glory Army warriors wouldn’t refuse to visit a friend’s home!”

Kulun’s expression grew increasingly greedy as he spoke, moving closer to Trelinka until the princess disgustedly retreated two steps backward. Only then did Kulun dramatically inhale the maiden’s fragrance before stopping his speech.

Witnessing Kulun’s disgraceful behavior, Trelinka felt unprecedented disgust. She could neither accept the Glory Army’s annexation by Kamos Kingdom nor tolerate such a man becoming her husband.

Marry someone like Kulun? Death would probably be more preferable!

This was Trelinka’s conviction.

With anger and disgust mingling in her heart, Princess Trelinka’s face turned cold. She had no desire to waste more words on the scoundrel before her.

“The Glory Army soldiers will uphold their honor, and I won’t betray their expectations. The envoy of Kamos should take his leave. I believe that through united efforts, the Glory Army will certainly…”

“Certainly what? Certainly die without intact corpses?”Kulun abruptly interrupted Princess Trelinka’s words, his voice suddenly rising an octave higher, his flippant tone dripping with sarcasm:

“Your warriors are undoubtedly loyal and brave. I’ve heard they never fear enemies ten times their strength, and even when only one remains, they’ll shout the name of their beloved princess and charge! But this is a real world—loyalty and bravery can’t help warriors withstand thousands of troops, much less reinforce their crumbling walls that have no time for repairs.

As far as I know, the Church of Dawn’s next assault is about to begin. Let me think about their lineup… seems there are seven Formal-Level clergy leading the charge. The captain, I believe, is called the ‘Heretic Slayer.’ Rumor has it he enjoys using a scorching hot iron plate to sear the skin off captured officials. Ah! Those loyal officials defending the fortress for the esteemed Princess Trelinka are in for a rough time…”

“Stop talking…”

“Let me see, I recall the Noble alliance is planning a simultaneous attack from the north. Their army numbers over three hundred thousand, while the northern ‘Glory Army’ defenders are barely fifty thousand. Tsk, tsk! Such a lopsided ratio—no chance of leaving survivors…”

“I said stop talking!”

As Kulun grew more animated, Trelinka’s mind once again flooded with images of her soldiers’ gruesome deaths. She seemed to see countless soldiers accusing her—a scene she witnessed every night. Loyal, brave soldiers shouting “Glory” as they were torn to shreds by terrifying spells, families of the fallen collapsing in grief upon receiving casualty notices…

On the day of the uprising, Trelinka had repeatedly told herself these sacrifices were necessary, that their deaths for “Glory” held meaning, and that victory would inevitably follow their sacrifices.

But in her heart, Trelinka had always been asking herself:

“Is so-called glory truly more precious than life? Are the soldiers’ sacrifices really worth it? Will continuing this war truly bring victory?”

Now Kulun ruthlessly tore open the last defense in Trelinka’s heart, laying everything bare and forcing the eighteen-year-old to make a choice.

Continue fighting, but everyone would die, or… survive, at least giving the soldiers a chance to live!

Trelinka felt lost, uncertain how to choose. Should she think as “the last hope of the Dillon Kingdom,” or choose as “the young girl Trelinka”?

Seeing Princess Trelinka completely distraught, Kulun not only didn’t cease his words but strode forward and grabbed the nearly collapsed princess from the wheat field. He lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him, then loudly delivered the final blow:”Your warriors are fighting for you, yet you only wish to send them to their meaningless deaths. Their families await the triumphant return of the ‘pillars’ who joined the military, but instead of welcoming their loved ones back, they will be reduced to lowly slaves or have their very marrow scorched by raging flames. Now answer me, respected Her Highness the Princess Teleilinka—do you truly not consider the lives of your subjects? Can you really bear… to watch them perish one by one?”

Having spoken, Kulun released his grip, allowing Trelinka to collapse onto the cold ground.

“Enough, please stop… I beg you to stop. I agree… I’ll agree…”

Kneeling on the ground, Trelinka could no longer hold back her flowing tears. She did not know what course to take, but she understood one thing clearly—she could not bear to witness the deaths of those warriors who remained loyal to the Kingdom.

“How fortunate that you have made such a wise decision!”

Seeing Princess Teleilinka’s utterly broken demeanor, Kulun secretly relaxed his grip on the Ring he had been clutching and breathed a sigh of relief. After all, he was merely an ordinary man without any professional rank, and facing Trelinka—an Apprentice-Level knight—had placed him under considerable pressure.

But now, he knew he had emerged victorious.

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(End of Chapter)