Extra in a Romance Fantasy

148 – War (5)

The forces of the two empires marching toward the Academy showed no signs of stopping.

And as they gradually drew closer to the Academy, the atmosphere of foreign nations and the continent grew increasingly tense.

It was only natural.

Depending on how they would act, it was clear that the balance of the continent would change.

Perhaps it was the starting point of a war that could engulf the entire continent.

However, even at this stage, not everyone was convinced that war would actually break out.

Some people, including the leaders of various nations, predicted that war might not happen at all.

They knew well that war does not arise so easily.

Moreover, the opponent was the same empire.

If war were to actually occur, it would be impossible to crush the opponent with overwhelming force, and inevitably, damage would ensue.

It would be nice if the damage were limited to mere losses, but the probability of that was much lower.

Even if they were to win, they would suffer significant losses, and in the worst-case scenario, the damage could shake the very foundations of the nation.

If that were to happen, the empire itself would be in danger.

A wounded and weakened beast is no longer just a fearful entity.

For that reason, some thought.

War would ultimately not happen.

This was merely a kind of show.

There would be negotiations along the way, and after some degree of consensus was reached, this show would come to an end, some believed.

However, contrary to their thoughts, no matter how much time passed, the military forces of both empires showed no signs of stopping.

As time went on, they drew closer and closer to the center of the continent, to the Academy, and when they finally came to their senses…

They had reached the city where the Academy was located, Ferdion.

“…They really have gathered.”

Professor Urt of the Combat Department murmured with a grave expression.

“It seems… this might be more dangerous than we thought.”

The one who responded to him was Professor Patrick of the Magic Department.

Though the two professors rarely displayed their emotions or showed signs of agitation, their expressions were now exceedingly serious.

The thought that war might truly break out was striking hard in their minds.

“…I hope things don’t flow in a bad direction…”

Both were opposed to war, and thus had been doing what they could to prevent it.

However, in the end, they could not change the situation, and things had come to this point.

Now, all they could do was watch.

Truly, they hoped that war would not break out.

*

The sprawling metropolis of Ferdion surrounding the Academy.

And there, the countless troops that were difficult to even count, revealed themselves in Ferdiun.

It was none other than the armies of Rainberg and Elbrent.

Forces that could turn the continent into a sea of flames in an instant, should they choose to move.

They stood in confrontation on the plains adjacent to Ferdiun.

The air that hung over the plains was heavy, sharp, and electric.

If a spark were to ignite, if a single ember were to catch, it seemed as if everything would immediately blaze up and be consumed by fire.

As if a single spark could trigger a massive explosion.

The moment a spark ignited here, it would swiftly become an uncontrollable inferno.

An inferno that would incinerate the continent.

And in such a volatile atmosphere, akin to a powder keg ready to explode.

Two figures stepped forward from each camp.

Amongst the multitude, they stood out, exuding a presence that demanded attention.

The princess of Rainberg, Estelle von Rainberg, and.

The crown prince of Elbrent, Kairn la Elbrent.

They finally revealed themselves.

Even with the might of armies capable of easily laying waste to a nation before them, there was not a hint of tension on their faces.

No, beyond that, there were no emotions at all.

Could one say they were the leaders of a vast empire, and the one who would lead it in the future?

Despite being barely past adulthood, an age that seemed incredibly young when viewed over the span of a human life, Estelle and Kairn already possessed a demeanor befitting their roles.

As they appeared, the atmosphere surrounding them grew even heavier.

It was impossible not to notice.

With a single gesture from them, the reality that war might truly break out loomed large.

Thus, amidst the heightened tension.

Estelle and Kairn gazed at each other.

Their eyes held no trace of emotion, a stark, dry gaze.

Even while looking at someone who could potentially become their mortal enemy, there was no sense of youthful fervor in their stares.

Yet the weight of their gazes was undeniably heavy.

And then.

As if they had made a silent promise, they began to approach each other.

“……!”

Those who were watching the two held their breath.

An unfathomable number of enemies lay just within reach, as if they could fall at any moment.

In such a situation, stepping forward could, with a bit of exaggeration, be described as an act of suicide.

Though Estelle and Kairen were known for their exceptional skills even among the elite gathered at the academy, such accolades meant nothing in this context.

Yet, there was not a hint of hesitation in their steps.

Everyone’s eyes widened at the sight.

However, in the end, no one stopped them.

Rather, it would be more accurate to say that they could not.

They simply followed quietly behind, providing an escort.

Thus, slowly, the distance between Estelle and Kairen began to close.

Though the vast expanse was far from close, for those who could wield magic, it was not a distance that could be considered long.

With a mere thought, they could cross it in an instant.

However, Estelle and Kairen walked as if they were out for a leisurely stroll, their steps imbued with a sense of ease.

Because of this, the distance between them hardly diminished.

Time flowed, evoking a sense of eternity, stretching out in a way that felt almost surreal.

At last, their steps came to a halt.

“……”

“……”

With only a few steps separating them, Estelle and Kairen faced each other.

They stood still, merely gazing at one another.

How long had it been in that state?

“If you’re going to make a move, now is the time.”

It was Estelle who broke the silence first.

She declared this in a calm tone.

As if it were the last act of mercy.

The dignity woven into her voice compelled those who heard it to bow their heads instinctively.

However.

“I’ll return that statement to you.”

The other, Kairen, showed no signs of intimidation.

“If you’re afraid of war breaking out, you’re free to turn back right now. I’ll let it slide this time.”

Facing Estelle’s gaze directly, Kairn spoke confidently.

The Crown Prince.

The one who will become the Emperor.

Though Kairn stood in a position that still did not suit the name of a sovereign, the aura emanating from him was already that of a true ruler.

“I see. So you choose death, then.”

At Kairn’s response, Estelle calmly nodded.

“Then there’s nothing more to be done.”

Estelle slowly turned her body.

And Kairn also turned away.

With that, the conversation came to an end.

Now, there would be no more exchanges between the two, no more dialogue between the two empires.

If Estelle and Kairn returned to their respective camps like this, the moment they did, the war would begin.

A war that would greatly change the continent, its future.

And so, it was the moment when Estelle and Kairn took their steps.

Boom!

A man suddenly appeared with a thunderous sound.

*

“So you were alive after all.”

As he watched the man who had suddenly emerged in the plain that would soon become a battlefield, Allen murmured.

Allen had been quietly observing the standoff between the two armies from a distance.

Suppressing his excited heart, he tried to remain calm.

Though his expression was composed, the man’s heart was tumultuous, boiling beneath the surface as he watched the scene unfold.

It was a rare occurrence.

For him to feel such emotional turmoil.

Having lived for many years, his emotions had dulled significantly.

Before the flow of time, his heart had become merely a machine to sustain life.

Sometimes, when plans went awry, he would impose a fitting ‘punishment,’ but that too was not born from emotion.

He simply acted out of necessity.

Thus, the man’s heart had essentially been at a standstill.

Yet now, that heart, which had been dormant, was beating with passionate intensity for the first time in a long while.

—

It was finally approaching before his eyes.

The war between the two empires.

And, at last, the moment when his dream was coming true.

The suffocatingly heavy atmosphere, the gaze of the people holding their breath as they focused on the actions of the two, felt entirely unbothersome to him.

On the contrary, it was pleasing enough to bring a natural smile to his face.

When Estelle and Kairn finally faced each other and ultimately turned their backs, a bright smile unconsciously appeared on his face.

However, like a disruption breaking the tension, an interloper intruded.

The face was unfamiliar, but he immediately recognized it.

He understood the identity of the man.

“Wade Hebron.”

The variable he had been most wary of.

A variable he had mobilized even the sword masters to eliminate, yet had failed to remove.

That variable, unyielding and persistent, had appeared once more to thwart his plans.

Yet.

Even in such a situation.

His expression did not waver.

“It’s already too late.”

Now that it had come to this, there was no way to stop the war any longer.

That unwavering conviction resided within Allen.

“Go on, struggle in your ugliness.”

A deep sense of anticipation clouded his face along with the smile.

He was so looking forward to seeing Wade’s desperate efforts to prevent the war, and ultimately, the despair when he failed to do so.