What exactly is the criterion?

At this point, I can’t help but think about the standard for defeat-based regression.
I had wondered about it from the start, but at least back then, there was a clear benchmark.
Giving up the fight and fleeing, or losing and dying.

Anyone would agree that those counted as defeat, so I could understand that much.

But now, abandoning the residents suddenly counts as a defeat?
Based on what standard, exactly?

After long and careful thought, I could only come up with two hypotheses.

‘First is the lord’s duty.
A lord has the obligation to protect their territory and its people… or so the idea goes.’

If that hypothesis were true, then why wasn’t abandoning the territory itself counted as a defeat?
That led to another hypothesis.

‘If abandoning the residents triggers defeat, then it’s scenario-based…
Basically similar to a campaign mission.’

Like other strategy simulation games, this one also had scenario missions.

For example, becoming the grand general of the Garon Empire and preparing a rebellion in Empire of Treason.

Or becoming a prince of the Arpen Kingdom and restoring the nation in Kingdom Restoration of the Savior Prince.

Each scenario had missions, and failing a mission naturally meant game over.

‘If that’s the case, then defeat is judged based on the scenario.’

"My lord, here is your meal."

"...I see."

One of the soldiers handed me a bowl of porridge, steam rising from it.
Pulled out of my thoughts, I silently accepted it, playing the part of a lord.

It was porridge with a fair amount of meat and vegetables mixed in.
Of course, it was still just porridge.

"How is the situation?"

"Not very good.
On top of everything, it started raining at a time like this…"

"That figures.
Still, hang on a bit longer.
We’re not far from Count Sandui’s domain."

"Understood."

It was as if the sky had been punctured.
The endless rain seeped cold all the way through my armor.

The mud, softened into sludge by the rain, made even walking a heavy ordeal.

We had taken everything we could from the territory, but even so, conditions weren’t good.

There simply wasn’t enough food to fully feed all 250 residents.
So along the way, we gathered whatever famine foods we could find, like tree bark, and boiled them into porridge.

The troop count, which had once been 100, was reduced again to 20.
Since many had been forcibly conscripted, including middle-aged men and even the elderly.

Naturally, it was a measure to prioritize rations for those who could actually fight.

‘Our marching speed is slower than I imagined.
A distance that should take two weeks on foot has already taken three.’

Our pace had slowed to less than half.
At least we weren’t being pursued.

If the retreating imperial forces had latched onto our rear, we would have truly had no answer.

Perhaps because they had left their beloved homes and set out on an unfamiliar road of evacuation.
Illness began to spread among the people whose bodies and minds were already in tatters.

A vicious epidemic called anxiety.
Even the soldiers were not exempt.

"My lord, can we really survive?"

"How dare you doubt the lord?!"

"But isn’t it true…
Even if it’s Count Sandui’s domain, there’s no guarantee he can hold against the Empire…"

It wasn’t a wrong concern.
Even I carried the same fear.

I am ordinary.
I ended up leading people by circumstance, but my essence hasn’t changed.

In truth, I chose Count Sandui’s domain because there were no other options.

‘It would take months on foot to reach the capital.
Even with just soldiers, that distance is brutal, let alone with residents.’

Hiding in the forest was impossible too.
Mages could search far too easily.

After striking the imperial army that hard, pursuit was inevitable.
Their pride as the great imperial army had been wounded, so they would surely try to make up for it.

‘On the other hand, Count Sandui’s domain is in the exact opposite direction from the capital, and its scale is no joke.
Conquering it would consume significant forces.’

The Empire was advancing by splitting its forces, occupying minor territories or forcing surrender.
Arrogant, but confident in their overwhelming strength and solid intelligence.

Which meant there was a high chance they would only bypass or contain Count Sandui’s domain, since it lay completely opposite the capital.

…At least, that’s what I want to believe.

"Isn’t Count Sandui an upper-tier Sword Expert?
There’s no way he’d fall so easily."

"Upper-tier Expert?!
That’s one of the strongest knights in the kingdom!"

"Yeah, someone like that wouldn’t be easily conquered even by the Empire!"

A small flame of hope slowly began to push away the anxiety.
That part was fortunate.

But I alone could not relax.
Because I understood the gap between the Empire and the Kingdom better than anyone here.

That was when the thunderous sound of hooves began to echo from afar.
Not from behind, but from ahead.

If it was the count’s army, that would be fine.
But if it was the Empire…

Without realizing it, my hand went to the sword hilt at my waist.
And it was the right call.

Breaking the fragile peace, what appeared alongside the pounding hooves was a red banner bearing a dragon, the symbol of the Empire.
Imperial cavalry.

‘About forty of them.
D*mn it, a patrol that was sweeping this area.’

Judging by how they patrolled enemy territory like their own home, it seemed the Empire had already completely occupied this region.

It was too late to hide now, so all I could do was face them calmly.

They were cavalry, but even so, this had to be easier than facing a thousand troops.

Soon, the sound of hooves came to a halt.
One armored knight at the front urged his horse forward.

"I am Rangdkul van Grodel, knight of His Great Imperial Majesty.
Are you friends of the Empire, or enemies to be crushed?"

"Cain Blackguard.
As for your question, that depends on what you b*stards do."

"Impudent wretch.
A mere rural noble of the Kingdom dares run his mouth?!
I’ll tear that mouth off—!"

"Enough."

The adjutant, unable to tolerate being slighted by a rural noble, tried to mete out punishment himself.
But Rangdkul raised his hand and stopped him.

What was this?
Did he not know who I was?

"Cain Blackguard?
Are you Baron Cain Blackguard, lord of the Blackguard territory?"

"That’s right."

"...And those people behind you…"

"They’re residents."

After everything I’d been through, a snide ‘can’t you tell by looking?’ nearly slipped out.
But I didn’t want to provoke a fight unnecessarily, so I kept my answer brief.

It seemed that was enough.
Rangdkul fell into deep thought for a moment.

‘I don’t know what he’s thinking, but if I strike while he’s distracted…’

"That will suffice.
You seem pressed for time, so proceed with caution."

"...???"

"Sir Grodel!
You’re not seriously letting enemies of the Empire go, are you?!"

"Silence, adjutant.
Do you dare question a decision made by your superior?"

The discipline seemed strict.
At Rangdkul’s razor-sharp warning, the adjutant shut his mouth completely.

Rangdkul then personally cleared the path.
He even dismounted and bowed his head to me in greeting.

"Though circumstances have placed us on opposing sides, it was an honor to meet a noble lord who understands honor and fulfills his duty."

"...You’re really letting us go?
Why?"

"Who knows?
Perhaps one day we may fight under the same banner.
Besides, this direction is… no, never mind."

‘Reassure me with lies, then return and call for reinforcements…
No, there’s no need.
Forty cavalry, all knights.
If they intended to attack, they would have done so already.’

Leaving behind words I couldn’t quite make sense of, Rangdkul rode off with his men.
I had no idea what kind of nonsense that was, but at least we avoided a fight.

I was wondering how many times I’d die this time.

Rangdkul’s decision was extremely unconventional.
So much so that even his subordinates worried.

But it wasn’t mere mercy.
It was a calculated move, backed by careful reasoning.

News that the army led by Sir Valentis had been defeated had already spread throughout the imperial forces stationed in the East.

Defeat itself could happen.
Even if the opponent was the weak Arpen Kingdom.

The problem was the details.
A rural lord not only opened the gates and challenged them to a duel,

but even defeated Valentis, who had reached mid-tier Sword Expert?

‘Losing a duel alone is shameful enough, but to refuse the result and try to overpower him with force.’

Rangdkul clicked his tongue.
Defeating a mid-tier Expert knight without even using aura.

The implication was obvious.
Cain Blackguard was at least an upper-tier Sword Expert.
Perhaps even a top-tier knight approaching Master level.

The mages claimed he wasn’t even a sword user, but what would spell-slingers know?

The moment they met, Rangdkul understood clearly.
Despite facing cavalry, the man did not flinch.

That mountain-like presence, calmly placing his hand on his sword hilt, ready to respond.

If they had engaged right then, it might have been their side that suffered instead.

But the greatest shock was the countless people behind Cain Blackguard.

Ordinary civilians who looked completely powerless.
And the man standing in front of them, shielding them.

‘To think he would protect them without abandoning a single resident.’

War is hell that strips away pretense and hypocrisy.
When pushed to the very bottom, people finally reveal their true face.

And just now, Rangdkul had seen Cain Blackguard’s true face clearly.

Refusing to surrender even in a losing situation, loyal to his homeland until the very end.
Abandoning not a single resident.

A truly noble and unwavering loyalist of the Kingdom.

"It seems we’ll meet again soon anyway.
I hope next time, it’s as comrades under the same banner."

Murmuring those meaningful words to himself, Rangdkul tightly gripped the reins of his horse.

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