Languished Life

by Patrik Mielonen

And before Tenil even knows it, the vivid dream is gone. The dragon has been observing the dream in silence, but still doesn’t know what entity it is. It isn’t from Cerphet, and of that he is certain.

  ***

  It is stated in reports that the empire is retreating from Teckton. Apparently, the ruined fortress isn’t enough to give shelter for an army of over ten thousand. Some political decisions also play a part in the retreat. The Northern line remains steadfast, however. They’ve been supplied with the proper equipment, so they’ll be staying there for the winter.

  Due to the snow, it’s hard to repair the fortress, but they’ll try anyway. Teckton will be rebuilt in two months with the workers hired for the job. Tenil’s unit is appointed to defend the construction site for the months to come, along with three other units of the same size. She isn’t commanding them all, though. A lieutenant is assigned as their commanding officer. One thing that has surprised Tenil is that her father had been assigned into one of the other units at Teckton.

  During the months of construction, the empire’s guerilla forces attack the supply line thrice, until they’re caught by Tenil’s fierce unit. She has been training her knights on a daily basis, so it’s safe to say that they’re the strongest elites in the kingdom. Although they’ve been calling them guerilla soldiers, the enemies are, in fact, druids.

  Four months since Tenil’s Battle, an urgent report states that the empire has begun to advance from South. The kingdom hasn’t built too many fortifications there due to the fact that the mountain range in South is too rough for any army to pass through without problems. There is, however, the fortress of Utock, built in case the federation declares war. It’s not located at the border, but twenty miles inland. The empire might be aiming to conquer it. Ivymn regiments are sent to reinforce Utock in South while regiments of Tror and the royal division hold the line in North. Teckton has been repaired for the most part by then as well, and the knights stationed there have been doubled.

  A week later, reports come in again. The empire’s strategy has been thus exposed; they seek to overwhelm the kingdom with superior numbers at every front. According to a prisoner of war, the empire has come to fear the Red Demon, so they’re aiming to challenge multiple fronts, as the devil can’t be everywhere at the same time. To the kingdom, the concept of the Red Demon is novel, so they asked about that as well and ended up laughing.

  The prisoner has told that it all began at Teckton where a valiant soldier defended the gate ruthlessly, painted in blood. It was just a rumor, but the idea of a devil lurking in the kingdom’s army was thus born. The fear of the Red Demon was exacerbated by the red flag Tenil’s unit had left behind at Renyil. And then, Tenil’s Battle confirmed the case. A monster with an absurd sword annihilated the third imperial army of Valoria.

  When the prisoner was told that the Red Demon is the first female knight in the history of Phyr, he wore a stupid face in response. He shook his head soon after and revealed an interesting fact about the Red Demon the kingdom didn’t know; the loud roar during Tenil’s Battle was Tenil’s doing.

  That said, Tenil has been summoned to Tungon. Her unit will stay behind, a major of the royal division in charge of them. Tenil can’t ride a horse because of the weapon’s heavy weight, so she’s forced to travel on foot with a supply caravan. The sight of her carrying it on her shoulder makes her look like a bird skewered by an arrow.

  Boooring... The dragon complains.

  I can’t do anything about it. If the empire doesn’t want to attack just yet, it can’t be helped.

  Can’t you just cross the border on your own and go nuts again?

  If possible, I don’t want to rely on that power ever again. I felt like some inner desire to... uh, rip and tear was surfacing. I didn’t feel like I was myself. I had to use all my willpower to restrain myself from, er, devouring the soldiers. The last thing I want to eat is human flesh.

  Sorry about that. I guess my desires get mixed with yours. Well, I’m a dragon, and I do like feasting on humans.

  Yeah, right.

  Do you regret it?

  Not really.

  I knew it. So if you ever get into a desperate situation, I’ll just lend you my powers on my own accord. I’ve already recovered from the last time, so...

  Just make sure I won’t start consuming my comrades.

  I’ll do what I can to prevent that from happening.

  The snow is slowing down the caravan. It has been snowing for the past week, so the snowbanks are deep. The cold wind is biting too, but it’s something the people of Phyr are accustomed to. It’s late evening by the time Tenil gets to Tungon. She’ll rest for the night. Tomorrow, she’ll be summoned to the marshal’s office.

  ***

  “Sir, where do I leave my weapon? Or am I allowed to take this inside?”

  To Tenil’s question, a lieutenant at the entrance of the citadel’s tower replies with a troubled face. “Uh, leave it outside.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  The massive chunk of hulking iron makes a loud clang as Tenil puts it down beside the wall. The lieutenant is baffled by the weapon and also glad that Tenil isn’t his enemy.

  She climbs all the way to the marshal’s office, knocking the door twice. She enters upon hearing Ramiel say the word. The marshal is seated behind his desk, a general standing next to him.

  “Sir, I was summoned.”

  “Yes you were, Master Sergeant Tenil,” Ramiel says. “We’ve heard some really disturbing things from a prisoner of war. You are the subject in that matter.”

  “Sir, explain.”

  “First of all, the empire sees you as the Red Demon, a creature from their folklore. Did you know that?”

  “Negative.”

  “I see. And why did you raise a red flag at Renyil? I’m asking out of curiosity.”

  “To terrorize the enemy, Sir.”

  “Fair enough. Well then, you claim to have found the massive sword from the woods, and according to the knights of your unit, that is a confirmed fact. Now if I hadn’t heard the prisoner talk about a demonic beast with a massive sword annihilating their ranks, I’d have believed it was just an oversized sword, but the part about demonic beast makes it disturbing.”

  Ho! How will you crawl out of this one, I wonder? The dragon wonders.

  Shut it, I’m trying to focus. “Sir, there was no demonic beast. It was me making my last stand.”

  “But that doesn’t explain the roar everyone heard,” the general points out, holding his jaw as if deep in thought.

  “Could it be that you are a druid?” The marshal inquires.

  “Negative.”

  “Then what was the roar?”

  “Sir,” Tenil stops for a second to gather her thoughts. “Let me explain in detail.” She waits for the marshal’s approving nod. “It all began during the march. Since the earth was muddy because of the rain, I slipped and fell down a slope in the dark. As I began to circle around, I stumbled upon the massive weapon. From here on, how much are you willing to believe me, Sir?”

  Ramiel answers, “Try to keep it simple. Don’t make it sound as if you’d gone insane.”

  “Understood. In short,” Tenil pauses again to think, “I believe the weapon is from Cerphet.” That statement is far more believable than telling them about the dragon and the blessing.

  “Master Sergeant Tenil, is that a confirmed fact?” Ramiel inquires.

  “Sir, before I go any further, it should be noted that Bladanian blood flows within me. When I fight, my mind is serene and emotions nil. I usually forget the details of battles because of that. I cannot remember the roar. It is true, however, that the weapon helped me survive, and on that basis I claim that it is from Cerphet. That is all.”

  “I see. And no one else can lift it other than you, am I right?”

  “Sir, that is so. If anyone thinks he can lift it, he is welcome to give it a try.”

  “The Red Demon, huh? Talk about legends,” the general speaks his mind. �
��Can you demonstrate the swords real power?”

  “Affirmative, but I do not recommend it.”

  “Why?” The marshal wonders.

  “It would take at least half a month for the weapon to recover.”

  “Ah, I see.”

  They can only believe her, for she’s already proven its power once. She is a stratagem the kingdom cannot afford to lose.

  “Master Sergeant Tenil, do not die. Dismissed.”

  Chapter Ten

  Royal Order

  “Ireine, reporting for duty!” A new knight has been appointed to Tenil’s unit, the Knights in Red.

  Tenil is inside the new citadel of Teckton. The original building has been removed from the courtyard during the months of construction, the gate Tenil fought to protect in the summer now leads to a vast courtyard. The main building is now located behind the outer gate at the rear, meaning that the empire needs to get through two gates in order to conquer the fortress. Also, the entrance to the fortress is at the back of the citadel, so there are three gates overall. The archer platforms have been built so that they have a clear view to the courtyard.

  As to why Tenil has a troubled face when she looks at the newly recruited knight at face, the pronoun she’ll have to use to address the person in question is she, not he. Red hair, blue eyes, that’s Ireine.

  “Huh? You’re a woman?” Tenil can tell. Ireine doesn’t look boyish. In fact, she looks dazzling, even gorgeous. She is taller and older than Tenil, nineteen years of age. Also, her name is feminine, like Tenil.

  “Affirmative.”

  “And you’re the one I’ve been warned about?”

  “Sir, warned?”

  “I was told you’d be a special case, so I assumed you are troublesome or something.”

  “Heh, maybe. Oh, uhm, are you the real Slayer of Thousand Men everyone’s been talking about? Sir.”

  “Maybe.”

  “How did you do it!?” Ireine demands impolitely.

  Tenil punches her in the abdomen. “Is that how you speak to your army superior!?”

  Ireine replies in pain. “S-Sir, my... sincere a-apologies...!”

  “Better,” Tenil pulls her fist back. “Do not think you can take head on an army just because I’ve done it.”

  “Under... stood!” The pain isn’t going away, causing her to speak with pauses.

  “Why did you enroll?” Tenil inquires.

  “S-Sir... I heard they... began to accept volunteer women... because of your merits... so that’s why.”

  “Just because I’ve been performing exceptionally in battle doesn’t mean every woman should enroll in the army.”

  “Sir, I was the only one who volunteered according to intel,” Ireine is recovering from the blow.

  “I hope you haven’t been lied to. War means death. Even if you’re skilled, a stray arrow may kill you on the spot. If you’re stupid enough, you’ll die right away. If you’re lucky, you might survive for a while. My point is, make peace with your death, now. That’s an order.”

  “Sir, yes Sir!”

  “Now, follow me. I need to show you our battle station in case the empire sieges us,” Tenil says that as she walks away, heading to the gate that leads to the wide, open courtyard between the citadel and the wall.

  Ireine follows her outside. Once in the courtyard, Tenil turns to her right. She left the dragon’s fang outside. Carrying it around indoors is risky for obvious reasons. As she lifts it, Ireine freezes, staring at Tenil with round eyes.

  “Master Sergeant Tenil of the Royal Army, fourth regiment of the division, twelfth unit, also known as Knights in Red. Welcome to our unit,” Tenil gives an introduction as she carries the massive chunk of hulking iron on her shoulder. “Don’t let your jaw hit the ground, soldier.”

  Realizing that she must look stupid, Ireine fixes her face and follows Tenil to the wall.

  Why are females not fighting in general? The dragon asks, curious.

  Because males are disposable. Technically, one man can father ten children in a day, but women can mother only one child at a time. In other words, if half the males died, it wouldn’t matter much. Also, men have stronger physique by nature.

  I see. That’s interesting. We dragons can’t multiply so easily, so whether it’s male or female, we are all equal in that regard.

  If only it was the case with humans as well... Tenil thinks to herself.

  “Sir, that sword, er, can you really swing it? Sir.” The thunderstruck Ireine asks.

  As there is more than enough space in the courtyard, Tenil decides to demonstrate. She slashes the air in an impractical manner. Ireine’s blue eyes are sparkling as she witnesses Tenil swing it.

  “Have I convinced you?”

  “Yes Sir! Now I can see how you annihilated the imperial army on your own!”

  “I didn’t eliminate the whole bunch, though.”

  “But still...!”

  During all the months of conscription, Tenil hasn’t had a day when she’d been as verbose as she is today. And it’s only midday right now. In a way, Tenil is relieved to have Ireine in her unit, not in military terms, but for social reasons.

  “Judging from your equipment, you’re a footman, are you not?” Tenil asks Ireine. It is true that Ireine has heavy plate armor like Tenil.

  “Aye, Sir. I’m terrible with a bow.”

  “Noted.”

  ***

  Two days after Ireine’s arrival, a blizzard is rising. According to the report of a scout, an army of 5,000 has taken shelter in Renyil. The main body is located further North. The major who’s been in charge of Teckton for months now doubts they’ll attack, but he has doubled the guards on the wall despite the odds.

  The fortress in South has been under constant pressure from the empire, and the battlefield in North has suffered heavy losses. Teckton is the only front that hasn’t been assaulted since the snow fell.

  Yesterday, a royal order was delivered from the capital. The King has summoned Tenil to his castle. As soon as she isn’t needed at the front, she is to meet the King. The reason is unknown, but a royal order is something that cannot be ignored. The major told Tenil that she is free to go tomorrow when the blizzard is gone. Knights in Red will have a temporal commander during the time of her absence. It should be noted that Lerrot has been promoted only recently to sergeant, so even if Tenil were gone, there’d be a proper noncommissioned officer leading them.

  “I’m freezing...” Ireine complains as she stands guard on the wall.

  An archer of the twelfth unit hands over a fur coat. “Take this, it’ll keep you warm, Milady.”

  “Thank you～!”

  Tenil clicks her tongue, shivering.

  “No worries, I just can’t bear to watch a beautiful woman suffer from cold.”

  “Pfft.” Tenil is vexed.

  “Ehehe...” Ireine scratches the back of her head awkwardly.

  The blizzard is reducing their sight greatly. They can barely see the snow-covered ground down below.

  “Stay focused,” Tenil reminds.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  Oh? You’re jealous? Now that’s new, the dragon teases.

  I’m not.

  Don’t try to deny it. I’m in your head, so I know your inner desires. You want to be as charming as Ireine, don’t you?

  As if.

  And then, without any warning, Tenil stands up and brings down her massive chunk of hulking iron in a downward motion as if to cut an opponent, the weapon aimed at Ireine—or so it seems. The gargantuan sword hits a capstone with a loud clang, shattering the stone. Blood is sprayed onto Tenil and Ireine.

  “To arms!” Tenil yells, having halved an enemy soldier who scaled the wall somehow.

  Ireine turns around to see the dead man behind her. For a moment she thought Tenil would kill her. The fact that there is a dead body with its innards spilling out right behind her doesn’t make her feel any better, though.

  The kingdom’s warhorn is blown. The empire
is attacking Teckton. They’re using ladders like before, but this time their length have been adjusted so that the tip barely reaches the capstones. Because of that reason, no one spotted the ladders in time.

  “What are you doing, soldier!? Stand up and fight!” Tenil yells to the shocked Ireine.

  “Y-yes Sir!”

  Soldiers of the empire are popping here and there on the wall, yelling their warcries now that they’re exposed. Archers are forced to retreat from the wall, footmen rushing to intercept the enemy.

  Ireine recovers from her shock soon and fights alongside with Tenil and the others. She hesitates to kill and thus ends up defending herself from deadly blows rather than delivering them herself. Tenil has her hands full already, but she manages to help her out whenever she needs help. If not for the shield, Ireine would be dead already.

  “Death to the empire!” Tenil swings the dragon’s fang at a group that has slipped through other knights, turning the soldiers into organic debris in the blink of an eye.

  She knows she shouldn’t be looking at her commander in the middle of a deadly clash, but Ireine does so anyway. The sight of Master Sergeant Tenil halving humans like they were just big tomatoes is awe-inspiring, but it also plants a seed of terror in Ireine’s heart. What if she was made to fight her? Even the thought of that makes her feel terror.

  “Valashanaa!” A soldier of the empire cries.

  “To hell with you!” Tenil answers the battlecry.

  ***

  The sudden attack halts an hour later. The empire is merely testing the kingdom’s defense. Like the major thought, it’s unlikely that the empire will try to siege Teckton with only 5,000 men. Overall, the empire should have a levy of 500,000. It’s still unclear as to what the marshal of Valoria is planning, but whatever it is, it has to be something grand.

  Tenil is troubled about the trip to Ivymn. She can’t ride a horse with the dragon’s fang, which means that she’ll have to spend half a month on travelling by foot. Her sole source of motivation to do it is her mother. She’ll get to see her in Ivymn, hopefully.

  Having packed, Tenil sets out two days after the attack, sighing as she exits the fortress. She is travelling with a supply caravan again. As a military representative, she needs to wear her armor set before the King. It’s troublesome, but she’ll have to travel with many pounds of metal all over her body. Also, for the sake of appealing to the King, the marshal has promoted her to Sergeant Major. The parchment with the promotion details came yesterday. Ramiel wants the representative of the front lines to be as good looking as possible, and the X mark on her shoulder plates further boosts her military appearance.