DSMBL Chapter 74

Chapter 074

Cassius was facing monsters at that moment. He had tracked down the ones hiding deep inside the cave.
The knights who picked up the monsters’ scent lit fires at the cave’s entrance, and the monsters, unable to bear the smoke, were forced to come out.

Even though one of them was missing a leg, its massive size gave off a terrifying presence.
“There are two,” Cassius thought.
So where did the other two go? His eyes narrowed.
“It’s a diversion.”

One group must have attacked humans or the gate. Hopefully, they went for the gate instead. The knights guarding it were the best-trained, and the Yeti warriors were strong as well.
They should’ve torn the monsters apart. But if the creatures went into the human world…

Cassius clenched his teeth.
There was an emergency system in place for when he was away. He had no choice but to trust his comrades and subordinates.

Hiding his worries, he gripped the hilt of his sword.
“You chased us all the way here,” one of the monsters growled between its teeth.

Cassius glared at them as he slowly drew his sword.
“You think I expected you to hide like rats?” he said with a smirk.

“There are only two of us here. Aren’t you curious where the other two went?” the monster tried to provoke him.
But Cassius didn’t react. He only needed to kill them quickly and move on to save the others.

He gave a silent hand signal behind him.
“If I kill you all, that’s all that matters.”
“Confident, aren’t you?”

The werewolf crouched into a fighting stance.
“Don’t get in the way. I’ll kill you first,” Cassius warned.
“Yes, my lord!”

The two monsters charged at the same time. Cassius rushed toward the one that seemed like the leader.
Cassius’s sharp sword clashed with the monster’s claws. The metallic sound of their collision sent chills down his spine.

The monster swung with its remaining hand at Cassius’s side. Cassius rolled to dodge and slashed his sword.

“You filthy rat!” he cursed.
Without a word, he coated his blade with blue aura. It was so sharp that it could cut just by touching.

The monster stepped back in fear.
“He’s already tired,” Cassius thought.
He had to cut off its head quickly and move on to the next.

Cassius kicked off the ground and launched himself at the monster.

***

More than five hours had passed since Cassius had left.
In the meantime, the noblewomen had gathered and were making cloth bandages as Luna suggested.

The children, sensing the serious mood, either read quietly or took naps.

“…It’s better being together like this,” someone said.
“I know. When I was alone at home, I thought I’d go crazy.”

The Duke’s castle was under emergency protocol. Every knight remaining was guarding the northern border. The person in charge today was said to be Sir Giverny.

They had to be ready in case the Yeti warriors betrayed them, even though they trusted them.

Sir Giverny had come to me this morning and bowed, saying:
<“I’m in charge of military operations today. While I handle the army, you, Duchess, will oversee the administrative matters. But if something urgent happens, please follow my lead.”>

Hearing those words had sent chills down my spine. It reminded me of the weight of war.

“This is your first time experiencing something like this, right, Duchess?”
“Since I got married, yes.”

The noblewomen sighed.

“This is on a whole other level than fighting Yetis. We haven’t had a monster gate this big open in a long time.”
“Usually only small ones come through, so it was bearable before.”

“Can’t the gate be closed?”
“I heard it disappears naturally. Until then, monsters might keep coming, so we have to stay on guard.”

“The wyverns that came last time were terrifying. Flying monsters can go anywhere.”

Those who had lived in the north longer than I did spoke freely. For them, this was just another part of life.

“Even after going through it so many times, is it still hard?”
“Yes, Duchess. You never get used to it.”

The cloth bandages we made were stacked in the center.
According to the head maid, the knights would return straight to the castle.

Tents had been set up in the training yard, and doctors were waiting there.
On days like this, all the doctors in the north would gather at the Duke’s castle.

“Um, Duchess.”
The head maid came to find me.

“Yes?”
“Mr. Miller is looking for you.”
“Has Cassius returned?”
“No, ma’am! He just has something to ask.”

“Oh.”
I felt my hope deflate like a popped balloon. I chatted briefly with the other ladies and left.

“…The knights will return soon, Duchess.”

Once we were a bit away from the others, the maid spoke.
“Yes?”
She turned to me. The sunlight blocked her expression.
My heart began to pound with worry.

“There are some injured and dead. But…”
“…Don’t tell me Cassius—”
“I heard it’s not serious. It can’t be. There’s no way such weak creatures could hurt the Duke. But…”

She swallowed hard.
“Those cursed monsters attacked the Duke together, and he was injured in the process.”

“…Cassius…”
I murmured, stunned. My legs, which had been moving quickly, suddenly stopped.
The maid grabbed my arm.

“He’s fine! He’s the symbol of victory, the one who never loses!”

But her face looked desperate.
I realized something then—
The people of the North treated the House of Istheria almost like a religion.
They believed in them. Worshipped them.

There might be a reason for it.
Because even if it’s just that, they need to believe that Istheria will protect them no matter what—
That’s the only way they can survive in this fear.

That’s why Cassius had to be an unbreakable sword,
a symbol of absolute victory.

All of this…

“…This is crazy.”
I whispered softly.

Cassius was just a man, and yet the entire North was clinging to him.

Now I could finally understand the weight of Istheria—
the weight of the crown they were carrying.

I understood why he could stand as a small king in the North.

“He has survived and won many times,”
the head maid said with a firm expression.

“So this time will be no different, Duchess.”

That was blind faith.

***

When I faced Miller—
When I saw his hands soaked in blood—
And when I saw Cassius hidden behind him—
I forgot how to breathe.

“Move. I’m fine! We need to locate the others right now—hah!”