My Ex-Girlfriend Was Appointed as a Knight Commander

Chapter 67

Compared to the desolate wastelands, Mura’s defensive preparations were not ideal. However, it was far too late to voice any complaints about that. The residents of Mura walked around with gloomy expressions, aware that their city lacked even a proper wall.

Once you left the wastelands and entered the empire’s mainland, the weather shifted dramatically. In Mura, the summer heat, which could not be felt in the wastelands, now became an oppressive force, tormenting the soldiers.

Amidst the greenery and the buzzing of insects, soldiers were busy setting up barricades at the front line. Mages were developing tactical spells, and knights were meditating and training to hone their skills to their peak. Watching them were Count Ray Agon, the lord of Mura, the Frontier Lord, and Theodora.

"Thank you for accepting our citizens," said the Frontier Lord.

Those citizens, now refugees, had scattered to different regions alongside Mura’s own displaced populace. Count Agon nodded humbly.

"It was my duty as a noble of the kingdom. There’s no need for your thanks."

"Were there any issues?" asked the Frontier Lord.

"The citizens have been diligent and honest. I almost feel like I didn’t do enough for them," Count Agon replied, glancing at the weary faces of the Frontier Lord and Theodora. They didn’t just look tired; it seemed as though fatigue was etched deep into their bones. The knights' natural resilience was likely the only thing keeping them going. Had Count Agon been in their shoes, he might have collapsed long ago from exhaustion.

"You’ve been through a lot," Count Agon remarked, stroking his thick beard. Though he knew his territory would soon face devastation, he remained calm. Even though he wasn’t a knight or a mage, he took pride in having protected this region for so long.

The Frontier Lord shook her head at Count Agon’s words.

Not one of her subordinates had expressed a desire to retreat. They were determined to protect this land with their lives, believing it was more than they deserved after failing to defend the wastelands. They insisted on dying on the frontlines rather than retreating.

"The hardest part is yet to come," said the Frontier Lord in a low voice. Count Agon sighed as he saw the stormy expression on her face.

"...We could hear the explosions from here," Count Agon said cautiously. "Did something happen in that wasteland city?"

The Frontier Lord looked out the window. From Count Agon’s estate in Mura’s city center, she could see the road leading to the wastelands.

"We blew up the entire city."

Count Agon flinched in shock.

"How could you..."

Count Agon understood how difficult that decision must have been for the Frontier Lord. Faced with an enemy too powerful to fend off, she had chosen to sacrifice her territory, turning it into a grave for her foes rather than allowing it to be overrun.

"How?" he asked.

"We set explosive magic throughout the city. After the war 15 years ago, the royal family provided a great deal of support for such measures," the Frontier Lord explained, her brow furrowing.

"If you retreated all the way here, I assume the explosion failed," Count Agon said.

"I couldn’t confirm the result, but I can assure you that the Behemoth is still advancing."

The Frontier Lord’s certainty wasn’t reassuring. Count Agon’s expression hardened.

"Even after being caught in such an explosion?"

"The Behemoth isn’t something that can be killed by shortcuts."

That’s the nature of mythical beasts. The Frontier Lord acknowledged the fact calmly.

"In the end, everything fell to a single Behemoth. We were so prepared. The soldiers and knights had such confidence that they could face anything, that they could withstand any attack..." the Frontier Lord trailed off.

Count Agon let out a long sigh.

"Is it truly that powerful?"

"Whatever you’re imagining, it’s far worse," the Frontier Lord responded.

Count Agon closed his eyes, trying to picture what sort of monster it could be, but his imagination came up empty. He glanced out the window, where soldiers moved busily.

"When do you think the battle will start?"

"Not long now. Soon, the remaining monsters will advance alongside the Behemoth."

The Frontier Lord glanced at Count Agon.

"It would be wise for you to leave before it’s too late."

Count Agon nodded slowly, though with great difficulty.

"...Perhaps you’re right. I wouldn’t be of much help in the battle anyway."

After a moment, Count Agon squared his shoulders.

"But how can I leave my soldiers here to fight these monsters while I flee? My family is already safe in the capital, so I will stay and fight alongside them."

Theodora, who had been quietly listening, narrowed her eyes as she looked at Count Agon. The Frontier Lord glanced at Theodora, inwardly impressed by the sharpness in her gaze.

"My lord," Theodora addressed him.

"Yes, Lady Bening?" Count Agon responded, using a title Theodora disliked but did not outwardly show her displeasure.

"The Frontier Lord is right. You should retreat to the rear, to the capital. It’s the wisest decision."

The Frontier Lord nodded silently in agreement, and Count Agon’s expression grew tense.

"I’ve already sent my successor to safety, and my soldiers remain. How could I leave them to fight while I retreat?"

"My lord, with all due respect, we can’t afford to spare a single soldier for your personal guard," Theodora said carefully.

Count Agon opened his mouth to argue but then closed it, knowing full well that she was right. It would be a waste to assign soldiers to protect him when they were desperately needed elsewhere.

He finally understood why the Frontier Lord had been forced to abandon her territory. He realized that his situation was no different from theirs—he had to set aside his pride as a noble.

After a long moment of contemplation, Count Agon nodded, his emotions mixed.

"Yes, it’s not just my territory at stake."

"Theodora," he said, calling her name as if to ask why she was here. Only then did she relax, her expression softening as if she’d been worried about something.

"Would you like to come in?" Maxime asked.

Theodora nodded and stepped into the room.

"What brings you here?"

Maxime’s voice was calm as he asked. He had a pretty good idea of what Theodora had come to say.

"I just spoke with Count Agon," she began.

Maxime nodded, indicating for her to continue.

"...We talked about him returning to the capital."

Maxime nodded again, having expected as much.

"So, Count Agon agreed to your proposal."

"It wasn’t my proposal. It was the Frontier Lord’s, but yes, he accepted it."

Theodora corrected him, and Maxime raised an eyebrow.

"I’m different from Count Agon. At least I’m not a burden," Maxime said.

Theodora shook her head.

"That’s not what I mean, Maxime."

Her eyes, usually veiled in gray, now resembled storm clouds. Maxime waited for her to explain.

"I’m just worried about you."

For the first time, Maxime’s golden eyes wavered. Oh, Theodora, that’s not fair.

"I’m terrified of you being on the battlefield," she admitted, her voice shaking.

Maxime tried to maintain his composure as he replied.

"I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself—"

"I know you won’t," Theodora interrupted, her gaze stubborn, like the one she used to give him back when they were together.

"Theodora, I—"

"Maxime, you know you’re losing your memories, right?"

Theodora’s words struck him hard, and for a moment, Maxime was speechless.

"That’s..."

"Even if you survive, you know it won’t be truly living," Theodora continued, her voice pleading.

Maxime grasped for the remnants of his old self, desperately trying to push her away.

"No."

"Maxime, I’m scared. I’m scared of you losing everything, and I’m even more scared of having to watch it happen."

Theodora took Maxime’s hand. He couldn’t bring himself to pull away from her warmth.

"Maxime..."

"Theodora," he replied, squeezing her hand gently.

"I don’t want to lose anything either. But..."

Were her eyes shaking, too? Maxime lifted his head to meet Theodora’s gaze.

"I don’t want to lose you. Not if I can’t even be there to see it."

Something deep inside Theodora wavered. Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"...You’re not supposed to say things like that right now."

Tears welled in Theodora’s stormy eyes.

"Theodora," Maxime said, his voice almost a plea. Though she looked like she wanted to retreat, Theodora didn’t break eye contact. And then, just as Maxime, weakened by his condition, let his guard down completely—

"?!"

Theodora’s lips met his.

Maxime’s mind went blank as he accepted her kiss. Her lips were still soft and warm. Unable to push her away, Maxime kissed her back, their tongues entwining. Theodora’s hand slid down from his cheek to his neck.

The kiss was brief, but to Maxime, it felt like an eternity.

As he sat there, dazed, Theodora stood up. Suddenly, Maxime felt a sharp pain in his neck.

"Theodora...?"

His body grew weak. He tried to stand, but his eyelids became heavy. The pull of sleep was irresistible, dragging him down into the deepest darkness.

His vision blurred. Maxime fought the drowsiness with every ounce of willpower he had left, calling out to Theodora with a slurred voice. Standing behind her in the doorway was a familiar figure with long, golden hair.

"Christine...?"

And then, everything went black.