Chapter 643: Scammed
Chapter 643: 643: Scammed
Regalina blinked several times after hearing those unexpected words while her beautiful eyes remained fixed on Ethan, and confusion slowly appeared across her face as she tried to understand what he meant.
"Scammed?"
She tilted her head slightly before asking in a puzzled voice.
"What do you mean?"
Ethan let out a long sigh and rubbed his forehead helplessly before answering.
"I think His Highness trapped me with words."
Regalina remained silent for a moment while quietly waiting for him to continue.
Ethan pointed back toward the command tent.
"I refused because I didn’t want to charge into ordinary soldiers and massacre weaker people."
"So I asked to join the Saint team instead."
He paused for a moment and then let out another bitter laugh.
"Now that I think about it..."
"I practically volunteered to become bait."
Regalina’s expression slowly froze.
Then realization gradually dawned on her face.
"You mean..."
Ethan nodded.
"The Crown Prince wanted someone capable of holding down the enemy Saints."
"He knew that if he asked me directly, I would have refused by giving the excuse that I am not strong enough to take them on and that the previous battle was only a fluke."
"So he gave me another task while knowing that I would refuse it."
A bitter smile spread across Ethan’s face as he looked into the distance.
"I objected."
"Then I personally offered myself."
He looked up at the darkening sky and slowly shook his head.
"I walked right into his hands."
Regalina stared at him blankly for several seconds.
Then she suddenly covered her mouth and laughed softly.A quiet giggle escaped her lips before she could stop herself.
Seeing that reaction, Ethan looked at her with complete disbelief.
"You are laughing?"
Regalina quickly tried to suppress it but failed.
"I am sorry."
"I really am."
"But your expression right now is too funny."
Ethan’s face immediately darkened.
"I am about to get beaten up by Saints."
"And you think this is funny?"
Regalina finally calmed herself before gently patting his shoulder.
"It is because you walked into the trap yourself."
"No one forced those words out of your mouth."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"Also... I don’t think it is a bad thing."
"You are only being ordered to hold them down, not kill them."
Then Regalina cast him a mysterious look.
"You know..."
"Anyone would have started doubting after you pummeled that Saint."
"Anyone experienced enough could see it."
"The fight was almost one-sided."
Ethan remained speechless after hearing that.
Thinking back carefully...
She was absolutely right.
Haster had never specifically ordered him to fight the Saints.
The Crown Prince had merely assigned him another task.
He had been the one who confidently volunteered for this role himself.
The more Ethan thought about it, the more relaxed he became, although deep inside he still wanted to slap himself for walking so neatly into the trap.
"Damn it."
He clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"I really got scammed."
Regalina smiled gently.
Then her expression gradually became serious.
She stepped closer and carefully adjusted the collar of his armor with both hands.
"Even if that is true..."
"You still made the choice you believed was right."
Her fingers paused for a brief moment before she continued speaking.
"I know you."
"You would never forgive yourself if you slaughtered thousands of weaker soldiers just because someone ordered you to."
Ethan quietly looked into her eyes.
Neither of them spoke for several long moments while the evening breeze gently blew through the camp and carried the distant sounds of soldiers preparing for tomorrow’s battle.
Finally, Ethan let out a slow breath.
"You always know what to say."
Regalina smiled proudly.
"Of course."
"I plan to become your wife one day."
"So I have to understand you better than anyone else."
Those words made Ethan chuckle despite everything.
Some of the heaviness inside his heart slowly eased away.
Just then...
A loud war drum suddenly echoed throughout the camp.
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
The heavy sound spread through every corner of the gorge.
Immediately afterward, horns began blowing one after another while officers started shouting commands across the camp, and soldiers hurried back toward their assigned formations without wasting another second.
The brief moment of peace vanished almost instantly.
Regalina looked toward the source of the sound before reluctantly taking a step backward.
"It seems preparations have begun."
Ethan also turned toward the gathering army.
Rows upon rows of torches had already been lit.
Countless figures moved between the tents while supply units reorganized themselves and officers double-checked every formation.
The final battle before leaving the gorge was approaching.
Regalina slowly reached out and gently held Ethan’s hand for a brief moment.
Then she reluctantly let go.
"Come back alive."
Her voice was soft and filled with worry.
Ethan looked at her and gave a firm nod.
"I will."
Without saying anything else, he turned around and walked toward his own troops.
Behind him, Regalina quietly watched his departing figure until he completely disappeared among the countless moving soldiers filling the camp.
Only then did she slowly lower her head.
Her fingers unconsciously clenched together.
For the first time since arriving on this battlefield, a quiet trace of fear appeared inside her heart.
*****
The entire army quietly began its final march as the time of battle drew closer, and countless troops and knights advanced in well-organized formations while being led by their respective nobles toward the designated positions. The sound of heavy boots striking the rocky ground echoed throughout the gorge while banners fluttered in the cold wind and thousands of torches illuminated the narrow passage, creating an endless river of light that slowly flowed through the darkness.
The atmosphere was extremely tense.No one spoke carelessly.
Every soldier understood that once they stepped beyond the mouth of the gorge, there would be no turning back.
Weapons had already been checked.
Armor straps were tightened one final time.
Supply wagons were pulled into position while military officers continuously rode through the columns and repeated orders to maintain formation.
The entire army steadily approached the outer periphery of the gorge.