“We are almost at the border! Once we get to the Khalodian Empire, it will be a new beginning for our lives!”
“To the land of hope!”
The number of people crossing the border to the empire started out with just two digits and quickly multiplied.
“FINALLY!”
The people’s faces brightened when they came across the flag of the Khalodian Empire.
“Khalodian!”
“The land protected by the invincible emperor!”
The number of refugees seeking protection from monsters grew as the days went by. If it was in the past, kings and nobles would have done their best to stop their people from moving, but it was different now. They would rather have their people placed in front of them as bait so they could hide from the monsters coming from the mountain.
“Damn nobles. They collect taxes for protection and now they just abandon us!”
“It’s not like they’ve been honest anyway. It’s us who are fools to believe them.”
“That was the only choice we had back then.”
“But it’s okay. We now have a better future!”
There were no forces outside their fortresses or castles to block people from moving out of their lands and estates. For refugees, it was better that way as they could safely flee from where they were to the empire.
“STOP!”
It was then that they noticed a group on horseback galloping towards them, sounding a horn. The refugees became pale at the sight.
“R-run! They’re coming to capture us!” someone shouted as the people began to run. The refugees scattered in fear of being captured, leaving the women with children who could not run as fast, trailing behind everyone. Nobody went to help them as they all were running for their lives.
At that moment, a gun was fired and everyone stopped dead in their tracks.
The soldiers who were chasing the refugees on their horses dropped to the ground.
“KHALODIAN!”
“It’s the soldiers from the empire!”
Soldiers on horseback from the Khalodian Empire quickly rode over to the forces of the Katzback Kingdom who were moaning on the ground.
“Ugh… Who are you?! This is Katzback land! How dare you invade our land!”
“Whoa. Sorry about that. Didn’t realize we crossed the border there. But so what?”
“WHAT! Do you not realize that this is a declaration of war?! Who are you to declare such-”
An old knight from Katzback took a step forward and shouted as a knight on a black horse from the empire scoffed.
“Hah! I am Knight Hallis, the one in charge of protecting the border from Katzback. You said war? A WAR? Bring it! If you want war, then come! With your king and nobles all stuck behind those castle walls, I wonder if you even have an army to fight with.”
“Y-you! ARROGANT BASTARD!”
The soldiers from Katzback began to shout, but Hallis just smirked.
“We welcome a war. It will be better for the innocent people of Katzback! Then they would not have run from their own land if we go to war, right?”
Hallis taunted as the faces of the Katzback soldiers became red with fury.
“HOW DARE-!”
A knight came charging at Hallis with a sword, but Hallis’ spear was already pulled up to strike. His spear easily deflected the sword and struck the man, Knight Daion, into the air.
“Sir Daion!”
“Protect Sir Daion!”
The soldiers quickly ran to protect Daion, who fell on the ground, but Hallis had already backed away.
“Whoa, don’t be so edgy. I’m not the one who wants to start a war here. Or… do you want one?”
“Ugh… YOU….!”
Daion was infuriated. He got up as he glared at Hallis.
“Hey, I’m Hallis. You really don’t know who I am? Or should I remind you?”
Hallis glared at the Katzback soldiers with a vicious expression.
“Ha-Hallis? The mad dog?”
“MAD DOG HALLIS! He’s the son of the Commander of the Empire’s Army!”
The soldiers then realized who they were up against. The man was the son of the Commander of the Empire’s Army and one of the finest warriors from the empire.
“How about you back off now? I’m sure you won’t get punished for running away from me. I’ll take these people into my custody.”
Hallis shouted and the Katzback soldiers frowned, but they couldn’t object.
“They are our people! You cannot just-”
Daion spoke out, but Hallis quickly stopped him from speaking.
“The moment these people took a step into our empire… the moment they wanted our protection… they are our people. We, the Khalodian Empire, protect those who wish to become our people. Your king abandoned your people a long time ago! Soldiers of Katzback, if you object, then raise your arms and fight. Prove that you are right by your might.”
Daion frowned, but he couldn’t do anything. The empire was the strongest in this world. There was no way to oppose them.
“…We’ll fall back,” Daion said in resignation as he gritted his teeth and jumped on his horse to retreat.
“WHOOAA! KHALODIAN!”
“WE LIVE!”
“WE’RE ALIVE!!”
The refugees erupted into cheers as the soldiers of Katzback began to fall back.
‘It is not long until we will unite the entire land,’ Hallis thought. It had been two years since he was stationed in this area. He now knew how things ran in the world and its ways.
‘First, I’ll have to get these refugees to safety.’
“Protect the refugees!”
With his order, his men began escorting the refugees to a safer region.
End of Chapter
