The 182nd day of the other world summoning [Elena's Revenge] :

As Cale fell to the earth due to Ryojin's blade, deep in the forest, Elena's vengeance was about to come to an end.


'Shit! Protect the General and his wives!

Follow me! We're going to break through the enclosure at this point!

The battlefield was complicated with different orders flying in from all over the place.
Those trying to defend the perimeter of Hodram.
Those trying to gather knights around themselves in an attempt to break through the enclosure of the ambush army.
They creak their armor and desperately scramble through the blades attacking them from all around.

But the reality is merciless.
Their good fight was not rewarded.
They held out their shields and swung their swords around to cut through the enemy's encirclement, but one by one they sank to the earth.
There are about 30 people on Hodram's side.
In contrast, Elena's troops are 200.
Because they are both fully armed knights, the difference in numbers between them is an absolute difference in strength.

Hodram was ambushed by Elena in the forest after being taken by surprise by Ryoma at the night camp.
It was a trap that was set up from the beginning.
Ryoma, playing the role of the hound, chases Hodram away, and Elena, playing the role of the huntsman, finishes him off.
It was truly a desperate measure.


Elena-sama........things are proceeding as you instructed. The only thing left to do is to get the heads of Hodram and his family.

'Yes. In this situation, we can now see the outcome. You did a good job, Ryoma-kun.

Elena nodded with a dark smile at the knight's words as she returned to report on the battle situation.

''But........I didn't expect it to go so well.......that young man......he's terrifying.... ...

The second in command muttered as he turned his attention to the battle unfolding ahead.
In front of his eyes, a one-sided battle that could be described as a "slaughterhouse" was unfolding.
Of course, it was Elena and the others who were laying waste to the enemy 《jurin》.
I'm sure you'll be able to see the outcome of the battle if you have four or five knights working on one knight as a group, unless you are very strong.
Furthermore, the reserve knights surround it with ten or twenty layers of knights to obstruct its escape.
The knights following Hodram had nothing left but a future in the name of death.
This situation was created by the scheme of a man named Mikoshiba Ryoma.
Fear for Ryoma flashed in his eyes.

'Well, he's a big deal... are you afraid of him?'

Elena smilingly praised Ryojin's plan and turned to her deputy and asked him.
There wasn't an ounce of the smile on her face that was left over from earlier.
The deputy remained silent at her question.
That spoke eloquently of his feelings.

At least, until now, there was no fact that Ryoma had acted detrimentally against the Roselia Kingdom.
Normally it would be acceptable to praise him as a reliable ally.
But a certain anxiety lingers in his mind.
(He has certainly done a great job. ) He is an excellent planner and practitioner and commander.... but he is not from here.
He recognized Ryojin's power.
And he understands that his imagination is a completely baseless imagination.
But even though he understands that much, he is still afraid of Ryojin.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.
It's not that he swears allegiance to Princess Lupis, nor does he have any affinity for the kingdom.
It was just a series of coincidences that connected Liangma and Princess Lupis.
That fact is a common perception among the executives, including Princess Lupis and others.
That's why the second in command is afraid of Ryojin.


''As I thought.......I understand why you are anxious......I've already received similar consultations from several people.......''

Elena muttered sadly.
The deputy's face changed at her words.
The worst choice passed through his mind.
The most dangerous choice of assassination....

Though I've already told everyone not to plan anything unnecessary from me because that would mean poking at the bushes and letting the snake out.

Elena cowered her shoulders and said.

''Does that mean ... it's possible that Mikoshiba-dono could be assassinated?''

Elena did not deny the deputy's question.
It's probably true that at least there was someone who suggested it.

(I guess that means the stake will be hammered down...)
Something that cannot be described as either loneliness or regret passes through the deputy's mind.
It is true that he is afraid of Mikoshiba Ryoma.
But he had no intention of assassinating him to remove that threat.
(But no one has done as much good in this civil war as he has. It was thanks to him that Princess Lupis was able to get rid of General Hodram and Duke Gerhardt... even if he was a drifter who wasn't a citizen of Roselia, he would still assassinate the person who did the most good...)

Keeping the country is not a pretty sight.
He understands that well enough.
But even so, he still wasn't convinced to assassinate Ryojin.

Besides, there was another problem apart from his deputy's sentiments.
Choosing to assassinate him was fine.
But it comes with a condition.
It has to be a certainty of death.
You can't fail to do that.
If he survived, the Kingdom of Roselia would create an enemy that would be far more dangerous than Hodram or Gerhardt.
He didn't feel the need to assassinate Ryojin at that risk.
(The best thing would be for you to continue to serve the kingdom... then both this country and Mikoshiba-dono could prosper together...)
Granted, that wasn't as easy as it sounded.
The wall of status was thick, and there were many problems that could be considered to make Ryojin, who wasn't even a citizen of Roselia, a nobleman.

''What do you think, Elena-sama?''

Me? I disagree. Of course it is because of him that we are able to kill Hodram and if we fail to kill him, the kingdom will have an even greater threat on its hands... ...

Elena's mouth slurred at her deputy's question.
With a little thought, this level of conclusion can be easily drawn.
The problem is that the decision will be made and decided without my knowledge.
At that time, Ryojin would never forgive the kingdom.
Because to him, the Roselia Kingdom would only see it as a betrayal of him.
Still, Elena is a knight of the Roselia Kingdom.
If he's going to harm the country, he has no choice but to fight whoever it is.

''But... if he turns on the Roselia Kingdom, then........''

But Elena's last words didn't reach the deputy's ears.

''Whoa!''

"'Gotcha! I've got you!

It was drowned out by the cheers that erupted from the battlefield...


Boys! Are you hurt? We're going to break the enclosure! In fact, never take your hands off me. Keep your eyes fixed on my back, not on your surroundings!

Hodram runs around desperately trying to break through the enclosure, sheltering his wife and daughter on his back.
The carriage is the first to be killed and the horses killed and rendered useless.
He quickly dismounts his wife and daughter from the carriage and attempts to flee into the forest.
But Elena's siege was so strong that it could be described as truly ironclad, and all avenues of escape were blocked.
In the end, he had no other choice than to drive his knights and force his way through the siege.
However, this world was not so naive as to be able to get by with such a discarded assault.
Because of his repeated, reckless assaults, one or two of the guarding knights around him had been killed, and now he was surrounded by enemies.

''Father,''

Her daughter's face had been hit by the murderous atmosphere around her, and she looked so bloodless that it could be said to be completely blue.
Just a few weeks ago, she had been one of the country's most distinguished daughters.
No one was immune to the bleakness of the battlefield.
Moreover, the journey to the Kingdom of Tallelujah was taking its toll on her strength.

''I'll be fine! I've got an eagle with me! You only need to run with your back to me!

Hodram raised his voice to reassure his wife and children.
He knew that if he showed the slightest sign of weakness, it would break the girls' hearts.

'It's okay. You must trust your father.'

My daughter nodded at my wife's words.
No, what other choice do we have?

Let's go!

The guarded knights nodded at Hodram's voice.
That number was four.
The guard knights, who had only thirty people, had already reduced their number to four.

''Ooooooooooh!''

They rushed into the encirclement as one.
They raised their swords and held up their shields, making their bodies interrupt the "shani-muni".
The way they shouted and swung their swords around is like a crazy dog.
They threw away their defenses.
In any case, the end of Hodram is the end for them too.
That fact transforms them into daredevils.

'My lord! Now! Here!

Perhaps frightened by the four of them' abandoned attack, the siege collapses for a moment.

''Let's go! Look ahead and run into the woods at once!

His wife and daughter nodded at Hodram's words.
He confirmed it and started running at once.

'My lord! Quickly!

The shout of the guardian knight pushes them back and the three of them start running without turning aside.
Three meters to the forest........one meter....

Almost there! If we run into the woods, we can do anything we want! (If we can just get away with it!)
Of course, there is no guarantee that you will survive just because you enter the forest.
But if you can break through the siege, there's still a chance of survival.

"Kyaaaah!

Suddenly, his daughter's screams echoed from behind Hodram.

'Rude! Get your hands off me! Me.....

Boom!

There was a dull sound of flesh shooting.

'Mother! ...stop! Don't be rough!

Turning around, Hodram's eyes caught sight of his wife squatting on her stomach and his daughter struggling against the knight's wings.
The knight must have beaten her.
Stomach juices and drool are leaking from my wife's mouth.
From the point of view of chivalry, there is no way he would be allowed to raise his hand to a woman.
But on the battlefield, such pretty things would disappear.

He hesitated.
(Shit! We're almost there, so what do we do? Can you help? ... no I can't do this anymore. Would you go back in this situation? .... but he's abandoned his daughter, etc.)
His and her daughter's gazes crossed.
Her eyes pleaded with him to help his mother and himself.
But he couldn't move.
Almost, almost, he might be able to survive.
It would be practically impossible for him to save his wife and daughter here.
The cold-hearted part of him bursts out in a loss.
It's impossible.
He should abandon his wife and child and run away.
But at the same time, it will decide his fate.
(What happens if he abandons his wife and daughter and runs away on his own? (Even exile to Tallujah is in jeopardy...)
The reason why the Kingdom of Tarja will accept Hodram is because his wife's family is a nobleman of Tarja.
If he abandons his wife and runs away, his wife's family will never forgive Hodram.
Self-preservation will bind Hodram's body.
Whichever he chooses, the only path left for him is destruction.

'General Hodram! Put down your weapons and surrender! Or they can choose to die like this!

One of the knights advanced and shouted loudly.
While Hodram hesitated, the surroundings were surrounded by Elena's knights, and the situation was already helpless.
(Kook! (Sheesh!)
The retreat to the forest has already been blocked by knights and it's impossible to break through.
Whether you abandon your wife and children or fight and scatter to get them back, your opportunity, your chance, has passed.

'What will be done! Would you like to see your wife and daughter's heads fly off on this occasion?

Again the cold words pierced Hodram.
Both his wife and son were strangled in the wings and both had swords held to their necks.

'You.........'

Father....

Both men's eyes pierce Hodram, father and husband.
The match is already decided.
Hodram throws the sword in his hand out to the earth.

"Surrender I do.

No!

The knight nodded lightly at Hodram's words and raised his hand lightly.
Quickly, several knights jumped out and manhandled Hodram's hands.

''Whoa!''

"'Gotcha! I've got you!

Cheers echo through the forest.
Everyone raises their swords to the heavens in triumph.

'It's over! This will usher in a new era for the Kingdom of Roselia!

"Glory to His Highness Lupis! Prosperity to the Kingdom of Roselia!

From the mouths of the knights, one after another, words of joy were shouted.


'What about us? ...Where is the trial to be held? King's Landing? In Heraklion?

Hodram asked the knight standing beside him.

'Trial? Do you think you're in a position to ask for that?

When asked, the knight looks at Hodram with a creepy, cold look in his eyes.

''What! What's going on? I surrendered, remember? You have a right to a formal trial!

Hodram forgot that he was being held and tried to grab onto the knight.
He thought that by choosing to surrender, he would be put on trial in person by the princess.
At least he won't be cut down without question, and his safety will be guaranteed until the trial is settled.
Also, Hodram, who had calculated Princess Lupis's naivety, had calculated that at worst he wouldn't have his family executed.
(At least it's not just Lupis executing his wife and daughter!
It was overturned to the core.

'What do you mean! The princess, Princess Lupis, ordered that!

'No! That's not true!

The knights who had surrounded Hodram quickly cleared the way.
And then a knight in white armor and castle cloak, dyed pure white all over his body, leisurely advances on the path.

''You seem to have misunderstood something.......General Hodram.

That voice ... and the way you look! Elena ... Elena Steiner ... why are you here ... weren't you here to take part in the attack on Iraklion?

Hodram's complexion changed.
It was unmistakably Elena Steiner herself who took off her helmet and appeared.

''Elena Steiner-sama? The one called [Roselia's White God of War]?

Is it really that Elena-sama...?

Hodram's wife and son let out a word of surprise at Elena's sudden appearance.
I don't think they expected to meet the hero of the country in this situation.
You will find that you will be able to get a good idea of what to expect.

''Do you think I can't predict your thoughts?

"You read everything I do! Nonsense! ...There's no way you could do that!

Hodram raised his voice.

'Oh? As usual, you seem to be blind to the reality of your situation... overconfident in your own abilities, undermining the abilities of others... since the day we first met. You haven't changed a thing since you were caught in the real world, which is how you got caught. Isn't that what it's all about?

Shut up! What a bunch of commoners! I am! I am a man of the famous Arleberg. You can't beat me!

Elena could only smile at Hodram's words.
(Foolish man.......ambition, wisdom, power, bloodline.......why is this man so foolish despite being so full of talent........

You! Commoners like you are better than me! You can't be better than an eagle!

"Wretched man... that's why Master Fried nominated me, not you, to be general because he realized that your sense of privilege and your arrogant humanity would undermine the country... ...and indeed it did! Look around you! The eyes of all the knights in this room, looking at you!

You're kidding me! Lord Freed just didn't see the point in people! Eagle! I will not allow you, a commoner, to take the general's place over me, a man of the great house of Arleberg! ...you! Do you people not feel anything? A glorious knight of Roselia, yet used by a commoner woman and others!

Hodram raised his voice and looked around.
But none of them agreed with Hodram's words.
No, the eyes of the knights coldly scorned Hodram.

''Wha.......what are you guys! Those eyes!

The eyes that are turned on Hodram.
It is similar to the eyes of contempt he has turned on the common man.
If there's one difference, it's the hatred that has been mixed in with the hatred he has been oppressed with.

'You are a fool they are all from lowly knights and commoners. These are the people that you prestigious knights have been oppressing and exploiting after all you don't see anything! He sat on his position and bloodline and didn't see the people who supported it!

Even in the same position of knight, there are people who have been knights for their ancestors, and there are people who are commoners who have worked hard to become knights.
However, for a commoner to become a knight, he or she must go through a narrow gate with a multiplier of more than 100 times.
It takes a lot of effort to become a knight.
But even if you become a knight with that much effort, there is a clear barrier between coming from a commoner and coming from a prominent family.
It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
It was always a knight from a prominent family who performed a spectacular parade at the review ceremony.
Those from commoners are only involved in backstage and daily duties.
Some of the knights present here even had their lovers forcibly taken from them.
There are people who tried to accuse him of corruption, but were falsely accused of the crime, and were almost put on trial.
It is always the knight from a prominent family who benefits.
It is the knight from a commoner who undertakes the dirty work and loses.
That's because Hodram, the general who stands at the top of the knight's hierarchy, is himself from a prominent family and is a person who is obsessed with a sense of privilege.
If the top brass thought like that, it was only natural that his subordinates would be corrupted.

''Screw you! We are not equals! It's not right for you commoners to be knights. You are knights for mercy's sake! Just follow us quietly!

Hodram's emotions were running high and his face was flushed.
Although his words and actions were unclear at the moment, the only thing he wanted to say was that everyone present understood what he was trying to say.
A knight from a commoner should follow his own, who was from a great family.

''You really are an annoying person.

You! You're breaking state law! ....I have the right to a trial!

Hodram couldn't hide his surprise at Elena's words.
He himself had broken a number of laws in his life.
He has made unfair appointments, and has even flown people he doesn't like to the frontier guard.
He's also embezzled military funds and taken bribes from merchants who come and go.
He has even framed and incriminated a colleague who stood in the way of his career.

But at the end of his life, the law was still the one he turned to.
It is not a matter of how unreasonable and unreasonable the act was.
I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

It's not what you think? According to the official record, Hodram Arleberg faked his surrender and returned with an attempt to kill Elena Schneider. His family plans to flee and is cut down by a knight in shining armor. That's all it takes to get you to do what you do best, isn't it? Hey?

Elena gave a sarcastic smile.

'Nonsense! That's it! That's justice! It's not like that!

'Justice? It's not justice, okay? This is the revenge of the husband and daughter killed by you ten years ago.

Hodram's face froze at Elena's words.
A look of surprise came over Hodram's wife and daughter, who cuddled up beside him.

'What are you talking about! I don't know! I don't know your family!

In vain I learned from Heinz, the slaver, that you gave the order five years ago. He's the witness.

Following Elena's words, the deputy standing next to her nodded.

'I don't know! I don't know who he is! The First Ayako has already been executed! How can you prove it? Such testimony is not evidence!

What are you... what is going on here? Are you sure ... about Lady Elena's family?

Father...?

'What! Your eyes! I don't know, I told you. Can't you trust my father's words!

Hodram was furious when his family looked at him with suspicion.
But the more he defended himself, the colder the eyes of those around him became.
In everyone's eyes, it was an obvious fact that Hodram had committed a crime.

'Right. It won't prove it but hey, I don't need that. All I want to do is to kill you....

You....

Hodram finally realized the madness in Elena's eyes.
And the fact that he would never be able to escape her blade.

'Don't worry I'll take care of your wife and daughter with you and I'll take care of your daughter, she was raped and died, but that's okay I forgive you.

As she said this, Elena drew her sword from her waist and walked over to Hodram's wife and son.

'Wait! My wife and daughter have nothing to do with it!

Hodram tried to stand in front of Elena and was held back by the knights.

'If it's relevant, then so be it, okay? They're your family.

Wait! Somebody! Somebody stop him! Not like this! This can't be allowed to happen!

At Elena's words, Hodram desperately sought help from those around him.
But none of the 200 people present were willing to follow Hodram's words.
Because everyone wanted him and his family to die.

''Oh no... please... help me...''

Tears come to my daughter's eyes.
She understands what her father has done.
And how much people hated her father.
The fact that there are 200 knights surrounding him and not one of them has any pity for him is the best proof.

''Goodbye you are not to blame for your own sins but it's bad luck. I'll at least make sure you don't suffer...

No!

Hodram's cries echoed hollowly.
Elena's sword swung wide and went straight down on her daughter's neck.

Zash.

My daughter's strength slips from her body and she falls straight down, turning the earth red with blood.

Zash.

The blade that returned the favor tore my wife's heart out this time.

'You! My wife! My daughter! I'm gonna kill you! I'll kill you!

Hodram's eyes split open and drool splashed from his mouth.
But it takes several people to hold him down and he can't even cower.

'Yes! I needed to hear you say that! That's what I've been living for!

Elena stands beside Hodram with an innocent smile on her face.
(This ... this is the end ... you ... Saria ... can now sleep peacefully. Right? You can feel better about your disappointment with this.
All the resentment that had been building up for ten years is released.
The image of her husband and daughter comes to her mind.



Elena's sword swung up above her head.

'Shit! For you! To the commoners and others!

This was the end of Hodram Arleberg, the general of the Roserian kingdom and the mastermind of the rebellion.

Thus ended the months-long civil war in the Kingdom of Roseria.