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Of the two hundred soldiers, just over a hundred remained alive.

An unthinkable defeat.

A single explosion had claimed the lives of the soldiers crossing the trap.

It was an unexpected tactic.

Who could have anticipated it?

‘Who would’ve thought… they’d use explosives?’

To maximize the efficiency, they had even filled the trap with broken arrowheads and sharp stones.

It was a tactic that would have been impossible without knowledge of both strategy and explosives.

They had even dug a pit to ensure that no shrapnel would fly toward their own side during the explosion.

“…Commander.”

“Tend to the wounded, and have the healthy soldiers monitor the enemy around the clock. We have to anticipate any new traps they might set.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once Manuen left, Acar stood up.

In a single battle, he had lost half his forces.

Of course, troops could be replaced.

He felt sorry for the soldiers who had died, but he couldn’t let this war end here.

But what stung Acar the most was something else entirely.

Gritting his teeth, Acar recalled the situation when the explosives went off, killing his soldiers and separating him from the main force.

The enemy soldiers had surrounded him as if they had been waiting for it.

But then…

—Let him go.

The single command from the enemy commander.

The look in his eyes, filled with the confidence of someone who could kill Acar anytime he wanted…

“…Damn it.”

When Acar had been appointed to this post, the expectations had been enormous.

Naturally so.

Acar and the previous commander, Goodwin, may have shared the same rank, but their paths had been vastly different.

A man who had clawed his way up from the bottom could hardly be compared to someone who had followed an elite course from the beginning.

That’s why, when Acar was assigned to the gold mine, everyone said that the Iren Kingdom was finally drawing its sword.

They believed he would secure the mine completely for the Iren Kingdom.

But now, look at what has happened.

He needed to request reinforcements immediately, but the thought of doing so filled him with shame.

“…Haa.”

Acar exhaled deeply.

Though his pride was wounded and anger boiled within him…

‘I have to admit it. Their preparations were far more thorough.’

They were weak, so they had prepared extensively.

Acar recalled the painful defeat as he stared once more at the hilly gold mine.

‘Could all that brush be traps?’

No matter how he looked at it, it seemed impossible.

They couldn’t have dug all those traps in less than a month.

In the end, those brush-covered areas…

‘They were decoys too, weren’t they?’

It was likely a ploy to deter his forces from retreating.

Now that he thought about it, it was clear that the enemy had set up more than a few tricks.

“A complete defeat on my part.”

But next time, he wouldn’t lose.

Acar got up and made his way toward the soldiers standing guard.

* * *

“…Explosives? Who could have seen that coming?”

“I heard it’s not something just anyone can get… How did they even get it?”

After the battle, the Makstri soldiers discussed the enormous explosion caused by the explosives.

It was a rare commodity, even within the kingdom, and difficult to obtain without proper authorization.

Who would have imagined it being used in a small-scale skirmish like this?

“What are you all standing around for? Get your gear in order and start fixing the base!”

The first squad leader shouted at the troops.

He knew how valuable this victory was.

But knowing how quickly his men could grow complacent, he kept the pressure on them—and on himself.

And so another day passed at the gold mine base.

“…Two months, huh.”

It had already been two months since Damian had taken control of the gold mine.

They had fought only twice: once when they first seized the base, and again when the new Iren Kingdom commander arrived.

The second battle had left the enemy with heavy losses, so they would need time to replenish their forces.

‘But…’

It seemed excessive to take this long just to regroup.

Now, the enemy only had a month left.

They had to reclaim the gold mine within that time.

‘If they suffer the same kind of losses as before, they might not have any chances left.’

After all, troops don’t just fall from the sky.

So what were they planning?

‘It’ll probably come down to a head-on clash.’

As the final days approached, Damian became even more meticulous in maintaining the base.

The catapult at the top of the hill was perfectly maintained, and thick planks covering the traps were prepared to be destroyed once their troops had crossed.

Thanks to daily training, the archery unit had improved to the point where they could even shoot while moving.

‘All they’ve been doing is eating and shooting arrows; it’s no wonder they’ve improved.’

And the third squad leader’s guidance played a significant role.

“Is it finally coming to an end?”

No matter who came, Damian was determined to hold the line.

This place was his first true mission since he had returned.

“Come on, I’m waiting.”

Damian murmured as he stared at the Iren Kingdom’s camp.

* * *

“Acar, sir.”

Manuen entered Acar’s office.

Acar looked more serious than usual.

He glanced at Manuen and asked, “How is the soldiers’ morale?”

“They’re all waiting for their chance at revenge.”

The soldiers of the Iren Kingdom were not used to defeat.

The battles here had always ended in their favor.

When the regular army of the Baroque Kingdom had invaded, they had withdrawn quietly to preserve their forces.

It wasn’t a defeat but rather a strategic retreat on their part.

Thus, the aftermath of their loss was significant, and the anger it fueled was substantial.

“Everyone wants to avenge their fallen comrades,” Manuen reported.

Acar nodded.

The troops had been replenished quickly, but integrating them effectively was the most critical task.

That’s why Acar had been waiting for the right moment—the moment when they could unleash their full power.

“I am ready now,” Acar thought to himself.

To end this war completely, he knew he had to defeat that commander named Damian.

Although Damian appeared young,

‘He’s stronger than anyone I’ve ever faced.’

It had only been a brief exchange of blows.

But even in that single clash, Acar had recognized Damian’s formidable skills.

He had blocked Acar’s sword without the slightest movement.

Swoosh.

Acar stood up.

If they lost this time, there would be no turning back.

“Rally all the soldiers. Tonight, we strike,” Acar ordered.

“Understood,” Manuen replied, his voice solemn.

* * *

There are nights when you can feel that something is about to happen.

Tonight was exactly like that.

“The night is cold,” Hemus remarked.

“Hemus.”

“Do you think they’ll attack us in the middle of the night?”

Hemus asked Damian, who was staring at the Iren Kingdom’s camp with a serious expression.

Damian shook his head.

“It’s not about whether they will attack tonight. We are at the point where they could strike at any time.”

“That’s why we’ve lit more torches. I don’t think you need to worry too much.”

“Hemus.”

“Yes.”

“In a single day, when do you think our defenses are most vulnerable to a surprise attack?”

“…Is it now?”

“No, right before dawn.”

“…Pardon?”

“That moment when the night ends and tension relaxes. Even the most disciplined soldiers often fall prey to it.”

“…But it’s still early morning,” Hemus said, confused. Damian responded.

“If you look at the entire three-month period, right now is like the moment just before dawn.”

With only three weeks remaining, the enemy could attack at any time.

They always had to be prepared for an assault.

Defense was not as comfortable as it seemed, which was why Damian came out every night despite the guards being on duty.

At the same time, elsewhere…

Whoosh!

“We will divide into five groups and attack the enemy. Groups 2 and 3 will flank the enemy base, extinguishing their torches and creating confusion.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Groups 4 and 5 will follow me straight to the base once the enemy is scattered.”

“…Understood.”

Acar had made a bold decision.

He would use the cover of darkness to split his forces.

It was a tactic impossible against a castle with walls, but it was feasible against the hilltop base without fortifications.

Moreover…

‘They’ve never fought a battle like this before…’

It was all the more reason to try.

However, this attack also had no fallback for Acar; if it failed, everything would end here.

Clenching his fist, Acar felt confident.

Though they had lost the last battle due to the enemy’s traps,

‘The crux of this battle will ultimately be between that commander and me.’

If he could seize the base, their duel would decide the outcome.

“Let’s move.”

Acar’s eyes gleamed beneath his helmet, and he led his troops as they melted into the darkness.

* * *

“…!”

Whoosh! Thud!

One of the torches lighting the perimeter of the base went out.

Startled, a Makstri guard quickly pulled out a whistle and put it to his lips.

Was it an enemy raid?

The guard double-checked what he had seen.

Thud!

Another torch went out with a faint tremor.

Screeeech!

“Enemy attack! The enemy is here!”

The sentry’s shout echoed as the soldiers, roused from sleep, hastily grabbed their weapons and rushed outside.

Damian also emerged to assess the situation.

“The enemy is attacking. They seem to be advancing while extinguishing our perimeter torches.”

“A diversion tactic?”

Extinguishing torches on both sides of the base meant the enemy had split their forces.

Dividing their already limited two hundred men meant the enemy was making a significant gamble.

‘Where are they… Which side will they strike?’

Left or right?

They would come to this base eventually, but failing to defend against the side Acar was on would only increase their casualties.

“A guerrilla attack at dawn, huh.”

Well, this was hardly his first encounter with such tactics.

Damian swiftly summoned the squad leaders.

Excluding the third squad leader, who was with the archery unit, there were six squads.

Damian spoke.

“Squads 1 and 2 will cover the left side. Squads 4 and 5 will hold the right. If the enemy is merely probing, play it safe and keep to a defensive stance. But if they come at us with full force…”

Damian’s gaze sharpened.

Until now, he had ordered his men to fight defensively, to conserve their strength.

“Kill them. End this war with your own hands.”

“…Understood.”

Everyone’s expressions grew resolute.

The sixth and seventh squad leaders then asked Damian.

“Commander, what about us?”

“You’re coming with me. We’ll head down the center and strike the enemy.”

If luck was on their side,

“We might face their commander directly.”

And when that happened, it would be time to end this war once and for all.