The Hero Becomes the Duke’s Eldest Son

Translator: Marctempest
Editor: Rynfinity

Chapter 21

Aden recalled the scene he had witnessed and fell into deep thought.

“Orcs and trolls joining forces?”

It was a bit different from that.

From his perspective, they were not mixed as equals.

The orcs were being treated as lower soldiers.

“This is strange.”

It wasn’t an issue that could be overlooked.

Aden knew orcs very well.

They were a race with pride comparable to that of knights.

Those creatures would not submit to anyone unless they genuinely recognized their superiority.

Of course, it was possible that the orcs had been absorbed by the troll army led by the High Troll Shaman under the threat of force.

It was highly likely, in fact.

However, the troubling point was that the orcs in this area had a hostile relationship with the trolls.

Orcs did not compromise with their enemies.

They believed that compromising with an enemy corrupted the warrior’s spirit.

Yet, they were clearly being commanded by the trolls, who were their enemies.

“There was a time like this before.”

Aden recalled memories from his previous life.

It had happened back then as well.

A group of trolls commanding orcs.

The troll group, led by a High Troll, that Aden had fought in his past life.

They also had orcs as their subordinates.

“Maybe these trolls are the predecessors of those creatures.”

It wasn’t just a guess; Aden was certain.

He remembered the tattoo on the chest of the High Troll Shaman.

The creature had a tattoo resembling flames.

“The High Troll I killed also had the same tattoo.”

The tattoos carved into the High Trolls’ bodies differed from individual to individual.

It was undoubtedly the same creature.

So, the method by which the creature subdued the orcs would be the same as what he knew.

“He must have taken the chieftain and the children as hostages.”

Orcs revered honorable battles and warrior spirit.

The chieftain was the one they pledged their loyalty to, and the children were those they had to protect.

With such essential beings taken as hostages, they had no choice but to obey like puppets.

The lord spoke with a pale face.

“Duke, no, not only the duke’s family but also support from other territories is necessary!”

It was impossible to leave everything to Tiried Sedus, the Sword Master.

Facing the High Troll alone might be manageable, but defeating the entire army was too much.

Carl shook his head and spoke.

“No, it’s too late, Viscount Timon.”

Given the location of the troll and orc group observed by the investigation team, they would storm the fortress within five hours.

Even if the armies from Remes territory and other territories were gathered and sent immediately, it would take at least two days for the knights to arrive after sending the messengers.

And two days were enough for the fortress to fall and for them to invade the civilian areas.

“I think there’s only one way.”

Tiried Sedus spoke with a grave expression.

“To be honest, the forces in this fortress can’t stop the gray undead legion. Even if I assist.”

With Tiried Sedus’ skills, he could certainly kill the High Troll Shaman.

But its subordinates wouldn’t just stand by and watch.

With the trolls who wouldn’t die even if cut down and the orcs joining forces, he would certainly die.

They were an army.

So, the best response was to counter an army with an army.

But the forces in the fortress were insufficient in both quality and quantity.

The best option was to hold out with a desperate fight while waiting for reinforcements or to abandon the fortress, retreat, join the reinforcements, and then defeat the troll and orc army.

Hearing this, the people’s faces turned pale.

In the first case, all of them here would surely die.

No, the Sword Master Tiried might survive.

However, Aden and Carl were not ones who should die meaninglessly here, making this method unusable.

So, the only remaining option was the latter, to abandon the fortress.

Carl shouted in shock.

“But, Sir Tiried! If we do that, the residents of the nearby territories…!”

“Yes, they will all die.”

If they used the latter method, the nearby areas would be devastated.

Much blood would be shed.

It was cruel, but at the same time, it was the best option.

“No! We can’t do that…!”

Carl was a boy of only sixteen.

Despite being the designated heir of the duke and possessing the corresponding skills, making such a decision was too difficult for his age.

Carl looked at those seated at the table with trembling eyes.

The lord and the knights, all with grave expressions, did not refute Tiried Sedus’ words.

Carl knew.

The reason they were silent was that they did not want to die here holding out.

They thought it was better to plan for the future.

Even Carl himself, recalling his previous encounter with trolls, understood their feelings, which made him even more frustrated.

“But… but…”

Carl’s voice trembled.

Was this really the only way?

At that moment, Carl realized.

It was merely a dozen people.

The decisions of these dozen people would determine the lives of hundreds, thousands of others.

Suddenly, the seat he was in felt heavy.

He felt an overwhelming urge to leave like a child.

“No, there’s no need to leave.”

A relaxed voice reached his ears.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward Aden.

Aden was smiling.

It was a smile full of composure, like a seasoned veteran.

Meeting Aden’s eyes, Carl felt overwhelmed by him at that moment.

Aden’s gaze shifted to the window.

His eyes seemed to look down on the troll army coming over the mountains as if they were mere insects.

“I have a way.”

He had beheaded and split the heart of that High Troll in his past life.

### Chapter 21

Both the time and situation were different from before, but this was the same battle.

Therefore, this time he could attack more decisively.

Aden smiled coldly.

“Let’s see if we can kill the Immortal Legion.”

Killing an undying legion.

Aden uttered truly contradictory words.

* * *

Tiried Sedus was sprinting through the mountains at an incredible speed.

It was a speed only someone of superhuman skill could achieve.

“Man, he’s crazy. Really crazy!”

Tiried Sedus repeatedly muttered “crazy” under his breath.

“How could he come up with such a mad plan and call it a strategy!”

He shuddered as he recalled Aden’s explanation of the plan.

And now, he was climbing the mountain to execute part of that plan.

-Only you can do this, Sir Tiried. Please.

Yes, it was something only he could do.

But still.

To buy time and hold out with such lowly soldiers until he returned.

-Let’s see if we can kill the Immortal Legion.

He clicked his tongue, remembering Aden’s words.

Even as a Sword Master, he found those creatures daunting.

And yet, how could a mere boy, who had just learned swordsmanship, make such a fearless declaration?

The boy might look young, but he seemed like a seasoned veteran.

He really was a madman who had lost all fear.

But strangely, he found himself liking this madman even more.

“I must be crazy too! Hahaha!”

Tiried Sedus laughed heartily as he climbed the mountainside at full speed.

* * *

At that moment, in Attila Fortress.

The entire garrison was positioned in front of the castle’s iron gate.

Aden stood at the forefront.

“All preparations are complete.”

Now, once the trolls arrived, it would begin.

Aden looked around at the soldiers.

They were all scared, filled with fear.

Clicking his tongue at their weakness softened by peace, Aden asked them.

“Are you all afraid?”

But there was no answer.

Aden, standing crookedly, taunted the soldiers.

“Fine, if you don’t want to fight, just back off. I won’t hold it against you. It’s a promise in the name of the Duke’s eldest son.”

The soldiers began to stir.

Really? Is he serious?

These questions spread among them.

“But know this. Do you know how cruel trolls are? They are born in the harsh wasteland and live by devouring anything that moves around them. They eat not just humans but also their own kind if they are weak. They show no mercy.”

Aden continued as he looked over the soldiers.

“They tattoo their bodies with the blood of the humans they hunt. They make accessories and weapons out of skulls and bones.”

As Aden spoke, the soldiers’ faces grew pale.

He sneered at them.

“But what do you think will happen if those creatures come down to the city?”

The soldiers felt a chill.

“Those troll bastards will devour your neighbors, your families, your lovers.”

The soldiers involuntarily clenched their fists.

Aden’s grin reached his cheekbones.

“Those creatures will eat your wives and make knives from their bones. With those knives, they will slit open your children’s bellies and tear out their entrails. They will take pleasure in the screams of your loved ones.”

His disdainful smile grated on the soldiers’ pride.

The tone of delighted excitement made him sound like a madman.

The soldiers tried to suppress the boiling anger within them.

Humiliation, anger, and fury tangled in their throats.

Clap!

Aden clapped his hands.

Still smirking, he taunted them further.

“Fine, if you want to tuck your tails like dogs, go ahead! Run away! Then you can watch as your families become their food!”

“Please, stop!”

Unable to bear Aden’s vile words any longer, a soldier shouted in desperation.

“Does it sound like madness?”

Aden erased his exaggerated smile and grew serious.

“But if you don’t hold the line, that madness will become reality.”

He asked them.

“So, what are you going to do?”

Then shouts erupted from all around.

“My wife and children are in the next village! I can’t back down!”

“Damn it! Same for me!”

“I have to die first; my wife did nothing wrong!”

The atmosphere changed.

Those who had been consumed by fear and terror now had anger and determination on their faces.

“Protect.”

He did not tell them to fight.

Aden simply told them to protect.

Their families, their neighbors, their people.

“Hold out to protect them!”

Aden shouted at them.

“If you are men, then hold out, you bastards…!”

His rough language and attitude.

Aden did not know how to raise morale through encouragement.

But he could make them angry.

An enraged person could forget fear.

This was the way of mercenary Aden, even if it was rough.

“Shout. I will protect!”

“I will protect!”

“And I will hold out!”

“And I will hold out!”

The soldiers shouted back several times.

Protect!

And hold out!

Fight to protect…!

The air trembled.

The resounding shouts, filled with a chilling determination, pierced the air.

Aden relaxed his expression upon seeing them.

“Now they look like real men.”

Aden had led soldiers countless times into death traps during the Battle of Talos.

Thus, he was experienced in dealing with such weak territorial soldiers.

At that moment.

Boom, boom, boom.

Drum sounds echoed.

They appeared.

The creatures showed themselves.

– Krashakaa!

Hundreds of orcs, with strength comparable to knights, came into view.

– Krulaa!

Amidst them, dozens of trolls with massive bodies walked.

At the rear of the hundreds, orcs carried a palanquin.

And atop that palanquin was their lord, the High Troll Shaman.

Jingle-!

The creature shook its staff, making a bell sound.

The Gray Undead Legion.

They were approaching.

Boom, boom, boom, boom!

As the drum sounds grew louder, the soldiers swallowed hard.

They were afraid.

But their eyes held resolve.

Aden watched them calmly.

“Just a bit closer.”

Come closer.

-Inser! Kururila!

– Krulaaa!

They roared as they advanced faster.

They could smell it.

The scent of the delicious humans inside the fortress.

Their reason was numbed by the instinct of gluttony.

They would kill.

Kill to satiate their hunger and quench their thirst with blood!

They rushed towards the fortress.

Getting closer and closer.

Clink.

They stepped on something and broke it.

“Got you.”

Aden grinned.

Boom!

White flames engulfed them.

The White Devil’s Flame, which had previously caused the trolls excruciating pain on the Monster Mountain, appeared again.