To deal with Heister's army, which suddenly attacked the border, Kallian quickly led only Valdormer's forces to the battlefield.
He had sent orders to gather the vassal families, but there was no time to wait.
When Kallian arrived—
The battlefield was complete chaos.
Heister's army had already destroyed the border troops and pushed into a nearby small city.
Worse—
They had taken over the city and were using its walls and civilians as shields.
Valdormer's army had rushed there at full speed and was already exhausted.
The situation was completely different:
Heister's army invaded without mercyValdormer's army had to protect the city and its people
It was an unfair fight.
Still—
Kallian stood at the very front and led the battle.
For four days, the fighting continued.
Cutting. Killing.
Screams and cries echoed across the blood-soaked ground.
Blood ran into his eyes, making it hard to see—
But Kallian endured, his eyes red and burning.
Like a beast starving for blood—
He kept pushing deeper into the enemy lines.
As if he didn't fear death at all.
What he was looking for…
Was Cesar.
The one who held the key to saving Yuliana.
At the imperial banquet, Kallian hadn't fully recovered his memories.
By the time he regained them, Cesar had already left—
And Heister had started the war.
But it wasn't too late.
From his many past lives—
Kallian knew this war well.
If Heister's leader, Juan, still considered Cesar his heir—
Then Cesar would be leading this army.
That meant—
There was still a chance.
Cesar wouldn't be at the front.
He would be somewhere behind, commanding the army.
Kallian planned to reach him.
Kallian walked forward, surrounded by dark energy like a grim reaper.
Even his own allies felt fear just looking at him.
When he charged—
The enemy soldiers reacted in two ways:
They froze, then ran in fearOr they went mad and rushed at him
Most who attacked him died instantly.
His dark power blinded them the moment they touched his blade.
To them—
Kallian's power felt like something beyond human.
But even he had limits.
From behind the lines, Cesar shouted:
"Stop him from using his ability!"
Kallian's dark power had limits.
If he spread it too widely, it would weaken quickly.
So he focused it around his body and sword.
Anyone touched by it lost their sight—
Then he killed them instantly.
There were only two ways to defeat him:
Put ability-restraining cuffs on himSacrifice soldiers to push him to his limit
The first option was nearly impossible.
Kallian was too strong, even without his power.
But the second…
As insane as it sounded—
Was possible.
"Unit 44, step forward!"
At Cesar's command, hundreds of soldiers stepped out.
They were shaking.
Unit 44 was a suicide squad.
Most of them were poor people.
They had agreed to die in exchange for money for their families.
Their mission—
To charge at Kallian and die.
Their bodies were covered in explosives made by Heister.
These bombs couldn't be thrown—
But they could be detonated manually.
Their faces were pale with fear.
But they didn't run.
Because they had a purpose.
Even in their dead, hopeless eyes—
There was still determination.
They were promised five times the reward if they managed to hold onto Kallian while dying.
So if they had to die—
They wanted to leave something behind for their loved ones.
Among them—
Was a boy who looked only around twelve.
One fought for his starving motherOne for his sick wife and childOne for siblings abandoned by their parents
They all stood there with bombs—
Becoming arrows aimed at Kallian's heart.
"Unit 44, charge!"
Hundreds of soldiers rushed at Kallian.
They no longer feared death.
Because those who had already faced darkness—
Could no longer be afraid of it.
Kallian cut them down as they rushed him.
They weren't skilled fighters.
Most barely knew how to use a sword.
But—
Even when cut down, they kept coming.
Even when their comrades exploded—
They stepped over the bodies and continued forward.
They were like monsters.
Slash—
Kallian's blade cut off a soldier's arm.
Even blinded, the soldiers kept throwing themselves at him.
Another strike—
A soldier's chest was cut—
At the same time, the explosive triggered.
Kallian dodged the blast.
One explosion caused others nearby to explode too.
Still—
They kept coming like demons.
"This is dangerous…"
Kallian gritted his teeth.
If he released a large amount of his power at once, he could escape—
But then he wouldn't be able to use his ability for a while.
Cesar was clearly aiming for that.
So Kallian kept fighting—
Cutting down the soldiers endlessly.
Then—
A boy rushed at him.
He looked about twelve.
The same age Denian might reach someday.
In Kallian's past lives—
Denian had also once been a child like this.
In his very first life…
For a brief moment—
Kallian's sword hesitated.
That moment—
Was enough.
The boy grabbed Kallian's leg.
"I—I got him!"
Terrified and not thinking clearly—
The boy reached for the explosive at his waist.
"No—!"
Even then—
Kallian didn't think about himself.
He reached out to stop the boy.
Because the child would die.
But it was too late.
The boy pulled the trigger.
Everything turned white.
In that moment—
Kallian saw Yuliana.
Her smiling, crying, angry face.
Her bright smile as she said she loved him.
As the world turned white—
He thought:
If I die like this…
can I stay with you forever in those memories?
BOOM—!!
A massive explosion erupted.
Other soldiers threw themselves at him and detonated their bombs.
The blast destroyed everything—
Tearing apart hundreds of bodies.
After the explosion—
Through the smoke—
One figure remained.
It was Kallian.
He was on his knees.
His body was torn and burned.
He had used his power to absorb some of the explosion—
But not all of it.
In the ruins—
Kallian lowered his head like a sinner repenting.
Death is not something I am allowed.
Blood dripped from his crushed hand.
Not until I kill those who murdered Yuliana and Denian again and again…
He looked at where the boy had disappeared.
His eyes filled with rage.
Not until I repay, with blood, the lives of those used and sacrificed…
Slowly—
He lifted his head.
His eyes were filled with killing intent.
Far away—
Cesar met his gaze—
And trembled.
Kallian stared at him and thought:
The only time I am allowed to die…
is after I drive my sword through the hearts of Heister… and the Emperor.