Extra in a Romance Fantasy

150 – War (7)

“……”

Silence descended upon the plain.

Despite the number of people present, enough to fill this vast expanse, it was an exaggeration to say that not even the sound of an ant crawling could be heard.

And their gazes were focused on one place.

None other than me.

In such a situation, I knew that simply being an unknown intruder would be enough to draw everyone’s attention, but I understood.

Their gazes were not directed at the mysterious outsider.

Most of the people here recognized me.

Even with so many eyes focused on me, I did not feel overwhelmed.

I was simply worried.

About how this situation would unfold.

I had no intention of revealing my true identity at all.

In a situation where Kairyn, who was searching for me with fiery eyes, stood right in front of me, and countless soldiers were ready to throw themselves at his beck and call, showing my face would honestly be nothing short of madness.

However.

Even knowing that, I revealed my face, my identity.

Because. I had gained certainty.

No matter what I said, no matter how much I poured out my words.

I could not persuade Kairyn, nor Estelle, with mere words.

I could not stop the war like this.

Thus, I unveiled my identity as a final desperate act.

To be honest, I knew very well that revealing my identity was unlikely to steer the situation in a positive direction.

No, it was probably more likely to lead to a negative outcome.

But there was no other choice.

I had no remaining options.

You could say it was an act of frustration.

Of course, that didn’t mean there was no calculation involved at all.

I was certainly aware that revealing my identity would draw the attention of those around me, and of Kairyn.

So I thought, if I could use that to divert attention and lessen the focus on the war, even just a little… if I could create even the slightest opening… and if that opening could allow for a chance to prevent the war… I entertained that thought.

But I knew as well.

That it was an overly optimistic assumption.

Therefore, this was not a well-thought-out move.

It was merely a desperate act, like throwing a stone into a lake.

And now that I had thrown the stone, all I could do was wait.

To see what ripples the stone I cast would create in the lake.

And so.

In the unbearably awkward silence, time flowed like an eternity.

“…Wade Hebron.”

Kairyn whispered my name.

“Right. You’re alive.”

His face was as calm as if the surprised expression from moments ago had been a lie.

It was as if he were a person devoid of any emotion.

The expression on his face, standing before the enemy of his younger brother, was far too cold to be called a mere expression of vengeance.

However, I recognized it.

Kai’ryn’s heart was not in such a tranquil state.

The evidence lay in his gaze.

His expression and tone were utterly composed, yet his eyes told a different story.

With a glare that seemed to harbor flames, Kai’ryn was staring at me.

It was only natural, and something I had anticipated.

Though it was a misunderstanding, I was known to have killed Hayden, Kai’ryn’s younger brother.

From the perspective of an older brother, it was only expected that he would look at me with such eyes.

“……”

I unconsciously swallowed hard at that gaze.

It wasn’t that I was particularly afraid of the gaze itself.

It was simply that a negative possibility seemed to be creeping into my mind.

For that reason, my heart felt heavy.

With a heart as heavy as lead, I quietly held my breath and waited for Kai’ryn’s reaction.

And then.

“You’re surprisingly still alive. The Empire has been tracking you with considerable force, after all. Setting everything else aside, I must acknowledge your abilities.”

In a somewhat elegant tone, Kai’ryn continued speaking.

As if he held no feelings toward me whatsoever.

In fact, his voice even felt tinged with pure admiration.

However.

“But… I don’t understand. Why have you appeared here?”

He asked coldly.

“Is it to prevent the war, as you mentioned earlier? You came here for just that? Knowing that the Empire is targeting you? Knowing that the Empire’s forces are gathering here?”

There was no anger in his question.

“Did you perhaps underestimate the Empire’s strength? Or have you overestimated your own abilities?”

Only pure curiosity filled his words.

“I know your skills are extraordinary. You assassinated Hayden and managed to escape the Academy, and even evaded the Empire’s pursuit afterward. Judging by that… your abilities must indeed be remarkable.”

But.

“You must know. An individual cannot stand against the Empire. No matter how extraordinary you are, you cannot overcome the power of the Empire.”

However.

“You’ve shown up here. And you’ve revealed your identity yourself. …Did you underestimate the Empire’s power? Or did you overestimate your own abilities? Or perhaps…”

At last, Kairn’s gaze shifted to the side.

Toward the woman who had been standing quietly beside him.

“…Did you truly believe that the Princess of Rainberg would protect you?”

Following Kairn’s gaze, and his words, my own eyes turned to Estelle.

And I locked eyes with Estelle, who had been silently watching me.

“……”

“……”

Neither of us spoke a word.

We simply gazed quietly into each other’s eyes.

Her eyes were still wide open.

And they were clearly trembling.

The slight tremor that Estelle displayed, who had just moments ago shown no sign of movement or disturbance.

If there were anyone who knew her, it would surely be a great surprise.

For Estelle von Rainberg was not one to easily reveal her agitation in front of others.

Yet here she was, clearly unsettled.

Looking at me.

Confirming that I was alive.

In that sight, in that tremor, I too felt a strange emotion surge within my chest.

It was hard to define exactly what it was.

But I felt it.

I too was unsettled in her presence.

Yet.

Her agitation, her tremor, soon vanished without a trace.

“…You were alive.”

With a face that had returned to its previous calm, and now with eyes that showed no hint of trembling, Estelle spoke.

“…Yes.”

I answered her for the first time, opening my mouth in response to her words.

“……”

Then, silence descended once more.

However, this time, the silence did not linger for long.

“…War… must not happen, Your Highness.”

The joy of reunion had to be postponed for later.

Right now, it was not the time or the situation to swim in such emotions.

I looked directly at Estelle and spoke.

Estelle, who had been slowly meeting my gaze, replied.

“…It is impossible.”

Calmly, she shook her head.

Thud, my heart sank heavily.

“Your Highness, but—”

“The situation has reached this point; there is no turning back. The name of Rainberg is not so light.”

“…….”

From her voice, I felt a resolute will that would not waver.

I had anticipated this.

That she would not easily bend her opinion upon reaching this situation.

Yet, even so.

There was a glimmer of hope in my heart.

I was aware, too.

That her attitude towards me was quite different from that towards others.

That she seemed to hold me in considerable regard.

But.

Despite my pleas.

She did not yield her stance.

Thus, I could only lower my head in resignation.

“The will of Rainberg appears to be steadfast.”

At that moment, Kairn’s voice interjected.

“Given the resolve of Rainberg, it seems we must accept that preventing war is now impossible.”

With his still cold voice, he declared.

“What will you do now? Wade Hebron. Will you give up? Or will you join Rainberg?”

With a chillingly cold expression.

“Wade Hebron. According to the Empire’s experts… they speculate that you possess the skills of a Ten-Blade level. At your age, a Ten-Blade level, no less… It sounds absurd, but if you can evade the Empire’s pursuit and even go so far as to fake your own death, then you must indeed be capable of that much.”

Kairn continued to unleash the daggers of his words.

“With skills like yours joining Rainberg, you would surely be a great asset. Perhaps the tide of war could change because of you. Then… while you may not be able to prevent the war, you might bring victory to Rainberg.”

So, what will you do?

Kairn was asking me that.

Now that preventing the war was out of the question, what would I do?

In that gaze, in that question.

I… could not provide any answer.

As he said, if I were to join Rainberg, their chances of victory would significantly increase.

Perhaps Rainberg could also greatly reduce the damage it would suffer.

However, I was unwilling.

To take the lives of countless people with my own hands.

And to let innocent people bleed.

“…It seems you have no intention of doing so.”

Then. It’s over.

In a dry voice, Kairn brought it to a close.

“Given the circumstances, I won’t particularly touch you. Decide for yourself whether to watch from there or to intervene.”

As if he had lost interest, he said that and turned his gaze away from me.

Then, he looked at Estelle.

“Now, let’s begin.”

“…Understood.”

Estelle agreed.

And then, Kairn and Estelle raised their hands.

I immediately grasped their intent.

They were about to ignite the signal for war.

A hand that could not be overstated, with the fate of the continent at stake.

A hand that held the lives of countless people.

As if waiting for that signal, the forces of both Empires began to gather their momentum and magical power.

Ready to thrust their spears at any moment.

At last.

The hands of the two slowly began to part.

I could only watch the scene helplessly.

I had no choice but to watch.

There was nothing more I could do.

And then.

As a deep sense of powerlessness and despair filled my chest, the two finally let go of each other’s hands…

The forces of the Empire, which had been brimming with momentum,

suddenly began to attack their own troops instead of the enemy.