Academy’s Barbarian

The news of Or-han’s defeat spread across the Great Plains.

The invincible Indestructible Body, which had reigned supreme for over twenty years, had been defeated.

Everyone who heard the news was stunned.

“Defeated by Ha-shal-leur? A mere nineteen-year-old girl? Was she really that strong…?”

Even Biasiren, the former queen who had left her homeland and was now handling the affairs of Ai-shan in Or-han’s absence.

“…To think she could cut down the Indestructible Body. Whether it’s due to inheriting a deeper Divine Blood than her father or some other divine blessing mixed in her lineage… she’s too dangerous to leave alone.”

Even the woman who called herself the “Grand Sorceress of the White Valley,” the leader of the grassland sorcerers.

“Even the mighty Or-han couldn’t easily overcome the Barrier. If he dies here, I’ll have no regrets.”

Those who had surrendered to power but still clung to their ambitions. The tribal chiefs who knelt, waiting for a chance to rise again, also heard the news.

“If he dies… I’ll have everything he possessed at my feet. Gold, women, even that city.”

The few tribal chiefs who had avoided joining the war with various excuses now gleamed with ambition as they listened to the news from the west.

If Or-han died here, it would be the perfect opportunity for them.

A chance for revenge, to seize Ordos, plunder its treasures and women, and plant their flags in the palace of Ai-shan.

—

Most of the tribal chiefs were strong and capable warriors, so they had no choice but to be conscripted into Or-han’s army. Most of them perished at the hands of the Berengeiria defenders.

Some were slain by Ha-shal-leur, others were blown apart by Frederick, and many were crushed in the collapse of the Barrier.

Or-han had praised the chiefs’ bravery and pushed them to the front lines.

His plan was to use them as the focal points of their tribes, then naturally eliminate them to fully absorb the remaining tribe members.

For the chiefs, leading the charge was an honorable duty, so they had no way to refuse Or-han’s orders.

However, a few cunning chiefs, as deep and calculating as snakes, were certain this war would be their grave. They used every trick to avoid Or-han’s conscription and save their lives.

Some swallowed poison and feigned illness, claiming they couldn’t join the expedition.

Others killed their brothers or sons, claiming they couldn’t leave their tribes due to mourning.

Some even cut off their own hands, claiming they were too injured to fight.

They sacrificed themselves or their kin to survive the disaster that was Or-han… and now, with sharp eyes, they watched the battlefield, waiting for the disaster to pass and their time to come.

“…There’s an uneasy air. Send a message to Sahallyeon. His mother is waiting, so return to Ordos with the Blue Army.”

Meiharin, the queen of Ai-shan, ordered her guard.

She called for her son, Sahallyeon, who had gone east of the Barun River with thousands of Blue Army troops to stabilize the region.

“Are you sure? To recall the Blue Army without a word to Kagan…”

The guard asked worriedly, but Meiharin waved her pale hand dismissively.

“My husband would be pleased, not angry. While he circles southwest to engage the Imperial Army, this gives us a chance to attack the weakened Barrier again.”

After her brief explanation, Meiharin closed the curtains of her bed.

Her hand disappeared into the gorge-like gap between the richly decorated silk drapes.

“Don’t worry, just deliver the message. I won’t repeat myself.”

“Yes. I’ll send the message immediately.”

The guard, sensing the clear warning and her decisive tone, bowed deeply despite the chill running down his spine.

—

“Haah… I’m back, sister…”

Rana returned a little after evening, having finished treating the severely wounded.

Exhausted from a full day of tending to critical patients, her pristine nun’s robe was splattered with dried blood, and her eyes were half-closed.

“Welcome back, Rana. You’ve worked hard. I’m proud of you.”

“Sister… when I saw the Barrier collapse, I was so shocked… Are you hurt anywhere?”

“Hurt? No, not really. Thanks to our ancestors, I guess.”

My fractured leg had mostly healed by now, and I had changed into a spare pair of long pants, so I could hide the injury from Rana’s scrutinizing gaze.

“Strange… That can’t be…”

She didn’t seem to fully believe me, but she didn’t immediately cast a Healing Miracle either. It seemed she had used up all her energy treating the patients.

“I’m fine. Let’s eat dinner. You haven’t eaten yet, right? Are you hungry?”

“……”

Rana stared at me silently for a moment, then chuckled and nodded.

“Yes, I’m hungry. What about you?”

“I was waiting for you. Eating alone is boring.”

I patted Rana’s head lightly and called the servants to bring some simple snacks.

—

It wasn’t a lavish meal, given the chaos after the great battle that had even destroyed the Barrier, but it was a decent dinner.

“I’ll sleep first… I’m so tired…”

“Alright, sleep well.”

After finishing dinner and sharing stories of saving several patients, Rana began dozing off within minutes. Unable to stay awake, she washed up quickly and collapsed into bed.

Within a minute, soft snores filled the room. Like a well-fed cat, she was out cold.

She must have been exhausted, sleeping so soundly that she wouldn’t notice if someone carried her away.

I turned off the lantern lighting the room, sat by the window, cracked it open, and lit a cigarette as I gazed outside.

The crimson flames cast flickering shadows on the city walls, and smoke billowed into the sky.

Though night had deepened, the work of collecting and cremating the dead was still ongoing. There was no time for individual funerals, and leaving the bodies unattended risked an epidemic.

With priests around, treating diseases wouldn’t be too difficult, but their Holy Power would be better spent tending to the wounded.

So, instead of sweet sleep, the exhausted soldiers were given the task of night mobilization. It reminded me of soldiers clearing snowdrifts from barracks in the dead of night.

Though this scene was a hundred times more gruesome.

“Sigh…”

I exhaled, adding a hint of mint to the smoky night air as I stared at the partially collapsed Barrier.

Though I hadn’t shown it in front of Rana, I wasn’t in a particularly good mood despite the victory.

Too many people had died.

Tens of thousands had perished in just one battle.

People, and those I didn’t even want to call people.

Lately, it had always been like this.

Ever since my power had grown to an unbelievable level… since I could slaughter thousands of enemies with ease.

It wasn’t just me. Those who had reached the Realm of Heroes could easily massacre thousands if the situation allowed.

Joshua could cut down dozens of people with a single swing of his sword, and Frederick could kill fifteen hundred from a distance with just a hundred spears.

It wasn’t something to celebrate. Not at all.

For me, it was more overwhelming than anything.

Because those who wielded such power weren’t just on our side.

Madmen who saw killing as trivial, even enjoyable, were being given the power to slaughter thousands alone.

How could anyone be happy about that?

If they roamed freely, they could kill tens of thousands before someone of equal strength could stop them.

And the more they killed, the stronger they’d become.

An era where human lives were worth less than dust.

That was the truth of the Age of Heroes.

…And an even more dangerous era was coming.

“Sigh…”

I could understand Carolus’s desire to create the Heavenly Barrier to suppress the power of the strong. He must have wanted to prevent a world like this.

But now, it was impossible.

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