Overlord (book 1)

"Captain, there is no other person around. I hope you can tell me the truth."

The Lieutenant’s face showed a contempt smile, which does not shows the slightest kindness

and spoke with disdain:

"It’s because of those nobles, right?”

Gasef did not answer back, because he knew it was the truth.

"Those damn nobles actually use people's lives as tools in their power struggle! Not only that, because this territory is directly under the king’s control, they wil use this to ridicule the king.”

"...... Not all nobles think that way."

"Perhaps the Captain is right, there are also nobles who live for the sake of the people, for

example golden princess. However there are only few ...... If we could only centralize the power

as the emperor, then we can oppose those damn noble for the sake of the people right? "

"But If you rush things, perhaps it would lead to civil war and our country’s territory wil be split.

Presently, our Kingdom is facing the neighbouring empire’s ambitions to expand its territories. If

a crisis such as a civil war would become a national disaster."

"I know, but ......"

"Let’s stop for the time being ......"

Gasef’s suddenly shuts up and his eyes gaze straight ahead. Smoke is curling out behind a

small hill in front of them. The people present all know what such a sign means.

Gasef could not help but to click his tongue. In gallops, he rode to the small hill and in front of

him and a scene he expected appeared. The whole village was scorched to ruins. A few burned

roof wreckage look like erected tombstones inside this ruin.

Gasef orders with a firm voice:

"Everyone be ready. We need to take action fast."

The village was completely burned and the wreckage of houses barely showed their original

appearance. Walking through the ruins, Gasef smelled the smell of burn mixed with blood.

Gasef's face is very calm, he felt no emotional ups and downs. But looking closely to his

expression one can clearly see his mood. Walking beside him, his Lieutenant had the same

expression.

More than one hundred people in the village and only six survived. In addition, everyone were

mercilessly killed. No matter woman, child, or even baby, all the same.

"Lieutenant, send a few people to escort the survivors back to Lantiere."

"Wait a minute, under these ......"

"You're right, under these circumstances, we have to protect them."

Yes, Lantiere is one of the king's demesne. And is the king's obligations to protect the

surrounding villages . If the survivors were abandoned here, it would case a huge problem to

the king. You can imagine, the aristocratic factions would deliberately use this opportunity to stir trouble and weaken the king’s influence. More importantly ───

"Please think about it. These survivors have all witnessed the knights of the empire. This was

the king’s first assigned priority. I think we should take our man and temporary retreat to

Lantiere. We need to be prepare appropriately for the next step. "

"No."

"Captain! You should be very clear of it, that this is definitely a trap. This Village got attacked at the same time as we are on our way to Lantiere, it cannot be a coincidence. These brutal acts

are definitely to lure us in or else they would not be this ruthless. This is absolutely a downright trap. "

“The survivors did not escape the hostility of the Knights by hiding, it was thanks to the enemy’s

mercy. I am afraid that they planned this. In order to protect the survivors they want us to divide

our troops.”

"Captain, you would not chase them down even knowing that this is a trap, right?"

"...... I am."

"Are you serious about it?! Captain, you are really strong. Even if facing one hundred knights, you can definitely win. But the Empire has a famous magician. If this old man is with the enemy,

it can become quite dangerous even for you. Even if captain encounters the pride of the Empire,

the four paladins, they are likely to lose against you. So I beg you, please retreat for now. For

the sake of the kingdom, even if several villages are sacrificed, it cannot be compared to the

lose of captain’s life! "

Gasef quietly listens, while the Lieutenant continues excitedly:

"If you do not want to retreat ... Then how about abandoning the survivors and we all chase

them with you."

"This is perhaps the most sensible choice ...... but doing so is equal to letting them die. The survivors here, do you think they can survive alone?"

The Lieutenant became speechless, because he knows that the chance of survival is almost nil

for the survivors. If they do not send people to protect them and bring them to a safe place, they

will be killed within a few days. Even so, what the Lieutenant was not wrong, - no, right and

wrong does not matter here.

"...... Captain, your life is the most valuable, it cannot be compare to the lives of the villagers."

Gasef fully understand the pain of his Lieutenant’s decision, that’s why he let him say such

things. But even so, he still can not agree with him:

"I was born as a civilian and you as well."