The Extra Wants To Live

When Hardion's army, led by Carl, resumed its march north after a brief rest, they were once again faced with an unexpected situation.

"We will never surrender! You cruel demon of Hardion!"

"… … ."

This was the answer that came back to Carl, who was walking towards the locked gate, demanding surrender.

Carl immediately sensed the situation. As Chandar retreated, he must have spread rumors in the castle and the city that Carl had been carrying out a brutal massacre by sending prisoners out as cannon fodder. That way, Chandar could justify his defeat and retreat.

It wasn't entirely untrue, but strictly speaking, Carl could not be entirely blamed for it. Although Carl acted with intention, Hardion's army had actually tried to protect the prisoners, and in the process, blood was shed.

Weren't the Tumarians the ones who shot arrows without checking whether their targets were friend or foe?

"If you don't surrender, there's nothing I can do," Carl said.

"Okay, just wait a minute!"

As Carl prepared to calmly order an attack, Akhtal Ali suddenly ran forward, shaking off his soldiers to avoid a senseless death.

If they refused to surrender at this point, Carl had no choice but to attack and conquer. The monument of conquest built with blood would become the tombstone of a grave—a grim outcome Ali desperately wanted to prevent.

"Akhtal Ali, step aside. They have not surrendered, and we cannot simply pass by. The enemy's false rumors have made it impossible to trust others to surrender without force. We must capture every castle and city we encounter. This is not something I can change, regardless of my promise to Sultan Yusuf," Carl said, his tone cold and resolute.

He had no intention of wasting time stranded here. Any further delay would lead to greater losses due to supply issues and problems within Hardion itself.

It would also interfere with the war between Yusuf and Siana, who were fighting in the east.

"Or, Akhtal Ali, would you like to try persuading them yourself?" Carl asked.

"… … ."

Ali couldn't respond to Carl's polite but pointed question.

Ali stepping forward to persuade was something that could have been done at any time in the past. In fact, it was something Ali should have done. But now, it was impossible.

The actions of the defeated leaders, including Chandar, to avoid responsibility, were returning as karma and accelerating the division of the territory north of the Tishal Mountains.

It wasn't just the defeat in battle that was the problem. Chandar had also blamed Topal for the loss and, in a desperate attempt to cover up his failure, carried out a reckless attack that decimated his own troops. Then, he retreated and spread false rumors.

If Akhtal Ali, one of the spiritual leaders of the Hadad sect, were to reveal the truth and scold the nobles, including Chandar, it would lead to an irreversible war.

A riot could break out, with indiscriminate accusations and violence aimed at the nobility. This would strengthen Hardion's hold on northwestern Tumaria and leave a scar that wouldn't heal, even if Yusuf eventually unified Tumaria.

"… … I will do it. Archduke Carl, I will do it."

The one who stepped forward in place of Akhtal Ali was none other than Topal, who had barely managed to stand that morning.

Clutching his chest, torn apart by resentment and pain, Topal earnestly pleaded with Carl.

"Please, let me do it. This time, I will definitely convince them."

"Sahal Din Topal! This is not right!"

Ali tried to hold onto the pleading Topal and push him away. However, no matter how wounded Topal was, he remained a sturdy warrior who could control mana. The frail, elderly Ali could not move him.

Ali clung to Topal, embracing him tightly, and whispered urgent words into his ear.

"Don't you know what will happen to you after the civil war ends? You'll face a situation worse than death. Are you willing to become a traitor to your nation?"

If Topal went through with this, no matter how noble his sacrifice, he would undoubtedly be branded a traitor after Tumaria's unification.

Not only would his family suffer execution, but even his relatives would face persecution. Those who survived would live in shame and torment.

Topal, the man who sacrificed himself for his people, would be condemned as the leader of a rebellion and meet a terrible end.

"Akhtal Ali, I appreciate your concern for me. But don't you see that there is no other way?"

"… … ."

Topal, still panting from dizziness, tried to console Ali.

Everything was already proceeding according to Carl's plan. The division of the land north of the Tishal Mountains was certain. Carl would ensure it.

Rather than Ali stepping forward to divide black and white, it was better for "the traitor Topal" to bear the burden of all the darkness.

After the civil war ended, Sultan Yusuf could easily solidify his power by executing Topal to control the chaos.

Ali couldn't bring himself to say anything. If he objected, Carl would launch an attack. If he agreed, this noble man would fall into the abyss.

It was a flawless trap.

Topal gently embraced the sobbing Ali, then pushed him away firmly and stepped forward to face Carl.

"Sahal Din Topal, what will you do?"

Carl asked softly, his eyes glinting.

The young archduke and the elderly military commander, three times his age, stared at each other.

"Yes, Archduke Carl. I will do it."

Topal's voice was resolute, his eyes filled with determination.

There was sadness in his gaze, but no hatred.

Because this is war. War is originally something more miserable than this.

It is better to chew on your resentment and reflect on it, but not harbor hatred.

Looking at those clear eyes, Carl smiled with satisfaction and nodded slowly.

"Very well, Sahal Din Topal. It is only because you can say so that you are worthy."

Topal's eyes widened at Carl's incomprehensible words.

It's truly an unexpected words for him, that comes out Carl's mouth.