Earlier that morning, before the troops set out.
Osiris had gathered the generals of the First through Fifth Armies to outline every possible contingency.
"These are the patterns for if Leo fails to break through, and if he succeeds."
"I understand the plan if he fails, but a successful breakthrough... is that even a realistic possibility?"
"Two thousand against ten thousand. Ordinarily, such a force would be too insignificant to warrant concern. However, I have no intention of simply trusting that the enemy will remain idle. My fear is that they might abandon the Eldoro Plains Castle."
"Why would they? That fortress is a vital strategic node for them."
"Indeed. But if they choose to abandon it, what happens to the center? While the Fifth Army is pinned down at the castle, the enemy could strike our flank from the side roads, exactly as we intend to do to them. In the end, this entire battle hinges on who controls the center."
"But would Odixia truly take such a gamble? Abeljan is known for his sound, steady tactics. To abandon the castle while simultaneously thinning their numbers at the center... if they fail, they lose everything."
"There is no way to know for certain. A perfect prediction is impossible; we are dealing with the whims of men, after all. Their movements could shift on a moment’s notice. Besides, they might have their own outside interference to contend with."
"Interference?"
"Let’s just say Odixia is not as unified as it appears. However, should this pattern hold..."
"Yes. If this is the path they take..."
And now, the moment had arrived.
"This is our victory, Abeljan. Your mistake was acting on a whim—a plan that wasn't even properly vetted. I have no idea who put the thought in your head, but it was your undoing."
"……Don’t underestimate me! If I take your head here, we can still—!"
Osiris and Abeljan stood squared away.
The soldiers of both armies held their breath, watching the two commanders. A duel between the leaders of such vast forces was an occurrence that should have been impossible in a war of this scale.
"Why would I ever do that?" Osiris asked coldly. "Why would I accept a duel when I already hold every advantage? Arcadia, charge!"
"Osiris!!!!"
Osiris had no interest in chivalry. He was a man dedicated solely to results, and he refused to take unnecessary risks.
Still holding the unconscious Leo, he retreated to the rear as the Arcadian Knights surged forward to fill the gap.
"Adidas, take command of the remaining rear forces. Annihilate them."
"Sir!"
"Flare."
"Yes! Whoa—!?"
Osiris tossed Leo toward her, and Flare scrambled to catch him.
"Take him and return to the main camp. He’s spent. Deskis, you can still fight, right?"
"With pleasure, sir!"
The two armies clashed once more.
Knights fell on both sides, their numbers slowly dwindling. However, the disparity was becoming clear. Arcadian reinforcements were arriving in waves, while Abeljan’s forces remained isolated. Abeljan knew it better than anyone. This was a scenario he hadn't prepared for, and he had left his subordinates no instructions for such a catastrophe.
He had no choice but to try and carve a path through this death trap with his own hands.
The Heavenly King fought like a man possessed. Even against overwhelming odds, he cut down nearly a hundred knights single-handedly. It was a staggering display of martial prowess.
Yet, there was a limit to what one man’s valor could achieve.
Finally, Abeljan sank to his knees and quietly closed his eyes.
"Haah... haah... I... surrender. Osiris! We surrender!"
"Unfortunately, the boy who likes to talk about mercy isn't here to advocate for you. I am taking your head."
"I know that! Just... treat my men as prisoners of war, Osiris."
"You have my word. I will execute the Masters, but the rest shall live. Looking back, we’ve been at this a long time... I am Osiris Ashtress."
"And I am Abeljan Rogren."
Their gazes locked for a fleeting second as they held their Crests to their chests. Then, Abeljan roared for his knights to lower their steel. Through tears of blood, the Odixian Knights allowed their Crest Swords to vanish into light.
"I’ll be waiting for you in the next world, Osiris. Next time, we settle this in a duel."
"I decline. I still have work to do. Until it is finished, I refuse to die."
"Hmph... then I shall pray for your luck. Farewell."
Abeljan plunged his Crest Sword into his own heart.
He collapsed to his knees, coughing up a mouthful of blood. Across the field, the Crests of his men vanished instantly. The weeping knights fell to the earth, broken and unable to stand.
Osiris looked down at Abeljan’s corpse and gave his next order.
"Adidas, take the rest as prisoners. Decapitate Abeljan and display his head on a pike. We move to seize the center immediately. Let the sight of their commander’s head grind the enemy's morale into the dirt."
"Sir!"
It was a cold, ruthless command—an act that desecrated the fallen hero. If Leo had been awake, he would have surely protested the cruelty of it. Osiris knew that well.
But he did it anyway. Because this was war.
Abeljan’s death dealt a catastrophic psychological blow to Odixia. The loss of their Commander-in-Chief was an absolute disaster. Furthermore, with Osiris striking their flank, the Odixian center collapsed into total chaos.
Odixia was forced into a full-scale retreat.
The Valhalla Frontline, which had been stagnant for years, was pushed back significantly. It was a massive strategic gain for Arcadia—a total victory.
The Federation Government of Odixia reeled from the news. They had traded minor victories and defeats for years, but this crushing loss and the death of a hero like Abeljan sent a wave of terror through the populace.
In response, the Federation Government declared a State of Emergency. Fear was quickly forged into a weapon, and public opinion shifted toward rapid military expansion.
They would do whatever was necessary to oppose Arcadia.
"……Or so Osiris would likely conclude. In fact, he’s probably thinking even deeper than that. He might even see the same horizon I do."
In the wake of Council Chairman Hermes and the elderly Zeno’s return, Valzak Dragonia sat alone, sipping grape juice while studying a map.
One of his subordinates ventured a question.
"My Lord, why did you not explain the full situation to Lord Zeno? As it stands... Zeno’s advice has essentially become a death sentence for Odixia."
"And your point is?"
"Wh-what do you mean?"
"Abeljan, much like Osiris, was a cautious man at heart. He earned his title as one of the Four Heavenly Kings. That is why the front line didn't budge for years. However, Abeljan had one blind spot: Zeno. Because of their history as master and pupil, he placed absolute, unquestioning trust in the man. He was practically conditioned to believe that doubting his master was a moral failing."
Valzak smiled. He had known all along that Abeljan would follow Zeno’s words without hesitation. His critical thinking would simply stop because he believed his master could never be wrong.
"Hmph... But for an old knight like Zeno to be so blind to his own fading intellect. He is what people call a senile relic. He should have retired long ago. It is his own fault for being so easily deceived."
"But... did we not form an alliance with them?"
"A wise player takes whatever pieces are available when the opportunity arises. Besides, this will change Odixia for the better. Their anxiety will fuel their hunger for war. Their hostility toward Arcadia will be laid bare, and soon, no one will be left to voice opposition to the draft."
"……Just how far ahead do you see, My Lord?"
"Let’s see... for now, I see as far as one month from today. The moment of Arcadia's total annihilation is quite clear."