"I entrust my life to you."
With Bai Heng's solemn words, an object fell into Bronya's palm.
It was a tarnished Silvermane Guard badge, mottled with the scars of time, clearly worn by years yet carefully preserved by its owner.
Bronya remembered.
This man before her, whom she respected as a mentor and who had become her personal guard, was once a member of the Silvermane Guard too.
He had come to Qlipoth Fort, named after 'Preservation,' filled with passion, ready to devote everything to the land beneath his feet, striving to bring dawn before despair.
But he failed. Advice sunk into the sea, ostracized by his comrades, he had no choice but to seek another path.
He stirred the people's hearts with words, kindled the hope for life with speeches, yet all these efforts were ultimately crushed beneath the violence of those in power.
And this badge witnessed everything this man had been through.
As if it were a symbol of his very life.
Now, he was handing it over to the girl.
This was both a promise and an entrustment.
Clutching the badge, Bronya could feel its immense weight.
She knew Bai Heng had made a decision—or perhaps was forced to make one.
If the tide of Fragmentum monsters surged into Belobog, this eternally standing city in the ice and snow would become a desolate ruin.
Stopping them here was the only chance.
The man knew this well.
Bronya could not bring herself to offer words of encouragement. She knew the power of that tide could not be held back by ordinary blades or axes. The only thing she could say to him was:
"You have to make it back alive..."
"Is that a request, or an order?" Bai Heng asked with a faint smile.
"This is..." Her voice trembling slightly, Bronya lowered her head. Even as someone in a position of authority, she seldom gave others firm commands.
But this time, she chose the latter with unwavering resolve.
"It's an order. You are my guard, a soldier. Obeying orders is your duty."
"So... you will follow it, right?"
To this, Bai Heng's reply was just two simple words.
"Of course."
--+--
Paimon: 「Aah—! I'm getting a bad feeling about this!!」
Lumine: 「Putting that aside... the moment he said those two words, I already felt like Mr. Bai Heng had 'death' written all over his face...」
Kiana: 「So, does the badge Mr. Bai Heng gave to Bronya have some special meaning?」
Black Swan: 「Let me guess. That badge witnessed everything Mr. Bai Heng has been through—it's no exaggeration to call it a symbol of his life. Handing it to Miss Bronya likely carries two meanings...」
「First, to give Miss Bronya motivation, so she can confront her mother and secure reinforcements. Second, if I'm not mistaken, it's probably: 'If I die, please carry on in my place, and witness Belobog's future for me,' or something along those lines?」
Keqing: 「.....」
Furina: 「.....」
Raiden Mei: 「......」
Stelle: 「Isn't this totally a multiple-choice question!! And it's obviously the latter, right!!」
Sparkle: 「You could always go for multiple answers~ Like, Miss Bronya manages to secure the reinforcements after all her efforts, but by the time she returns, Mr. Bai Heng has already been swallowed by the tide of Fragmentum monsters~」
Sampo: 「You're as devilish as ever...」
Klee: 「Can Big Brother Bai Heng hold off those monsters...?」
Jean: 「I'm afraid it'll be very difficult... It's not just a gap in combat strength. Most of the soldiers are filled with fear and despair. In a situation like this, even Mr. Bai Heng...」
Silver Wolf: 「In situations like this, I usually just say—'We're so screwed!'」
--+--
Indeed, just as everyone in the livestream had said.
Inside the camp, the atmosphere was unbearably heavy.
Despair and death mingled with the icy wind and snow, nearly suffocating everyone.
Bronya, the heir to the Supreme Guardian, had departed, plunging morale to freezing point.
Yet, at this very moment, a single question tore through the air of despair.
"Are you afraid?"
Under everyone's gaze, Bai Heng stepped forward, axe in hand. The cold winter sun gleamed off his icy armor, scattering reflections of light.
The Silvermane Guards knew Bai Heng well.
Over the past month, this personal guard of Lady Bronya, this man whose face was always hidden behind an iron mask, had led them to create miracle after miracle whenever the situation seemed hopeless.
Quelling Fragmentum attacks, reclaiming lost territory, and so much more...
Things they had never dared to even imagine before. And now, in this desperate situation, this man was stepping forward once again.
His gaze swept over every Silvermane Guard, capturing the fear in their eyes, as Bai Heng continued:
"It seems so."
"Then, let me tell you something even more terrifying."
"What consequences will follow if you flee this frontline out of fear." With a 'clang,' he drove his axe into the ground, his voice turning grave.
"Those Fragmentum monsters will flood into Belobog! They will devour the flesh of your wives and children! Your parents will die weeping in despair! Everyone you hold dear will be brought to the brink of death because of your cowardice!"
"Is there anything more terrifying than that?"
Family, love, bonds—these were the emotions most likely to stir courage. As Bai Heng's words rang out, fear began to fade from the soldiers' hearts, replaced by a slowly rising anger.
Anger toward the Fragmentum monsters!
"Three days!" Bai Heng held up three fingers. "That's how long Bronya, heir to the Supreme Guardian, has given us."
"Hold for three days, and reinforcements will arrive. We will be hailed as unquestionable heroes. Let the line of defense collapse within three days, and we will be remembered as Belobog's greatest failures."
"So, there is no need for fear, no need for dread. From the very beginning, we have had no way out!"
Raising his axe high, Bai Heng shouted with fervor:
"Behind us, the city lights shine bright!"
"Now, load your lives into your rifles! Fight for Belobog alone!"
The moment his words fell, a golden radiance pierced through the clouds, striking the frozen earth!
Faintly, as if echoing from the heavens, there came an ethereal, distant hammering.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.