Liu Bei POV

From how she said it, it seemed like she was doubtful, and a little curious, about me. I could not tell if it was out of kindness or malice but her question does make sense and it seems like those words of mine pushed some of Yuan Zhi’s b.u.t.tons.

“That huh…” I trailed off as I scratched my head and tried to think of some grandiose reason but failed and decided to be honest, “I know that I might not be of any help if I go but at times like these, I still feel like I want to help.”

“And what if you are unable to help if you went?” Yuan Zhi continued to ask. It was a very normal topic but I felt that it had become serious all of a sudden.

I turned to look at Yuan Zhi and saw that she was looking at me very seriously. Her eyes were trying to tell me something but I could not tell what that was. I looked down and saw that she had folded her arms across her chest and was fidgeting about. This might be because of the cold or the height but it’s not very high up to be honest.

Un… When I realised that my answer to this question probably mattered a lot to Yuan Zhi, I closed my eyes and began to carefully consider it.

“Yes, that’s correct. I feel that what Yuan Zhi said makes sense and I have indeed considered that issue before.” I slowly answered as I grasped at the bricks on the walls, grabbing some sand and dirt, “Back then, my martial prowess was much worse and even mounting a horse was difficult for me. I remember thinking ‘Ah, what is the point of my existence? If I’m so weak, why don’t I hide at the back?’ and other similar things.”

As I said so, I looked up, at the troops in the distance, who were moving rapidly towards us as they formed ranks. I squeezed my hand and tried to mold the sand and dirt into a lump and continued doing this for a while before I continued.

“But as time went by, I began to ask myself, is it really okay for me to be like this? To curl up and hide in the back safely because I am weak.” I looked at Yuan Zhi as I said so and saw that she was looking at the enemy troops in the distance as well. Unlike me, she was not doing anything else, apart from listening to me, “And thereafter, I began to feel that I shouldn’t hide any longer. Even if I can’t be of much help, I can at least help to protect.”

When I finished, I threw the lump of sand and dirt in my hands into the distance.

“Though I’m here atop the city tower right now, I am ready to lead the several thousand troops we still have in the city to a.s.sist them at any point.” I said as I reached down to my twin swords by my waist. At the end of the day, it all boiled down to a desire to do something, anything, to help no matter how small it may be.

“… Protect huh?” Yuan Zhi repeated. Looks like she was indeed listening to me. But when I looked at her, she seemed calm and unconvinced.

“Of course, Yuan Zhi is different from me naturally.” I said, “You’re far more capable than me so you would definitely be able to save many more people than I can.”

“No…” Yuan Zhi shook her head, “I can’t.”

“Aiya, Yuan Zhi, why are you–” I smiled stiffly and wanted to tell her not to be so modest all the time but she covered my mouth.

“Even though Xuan De thinks that I am being overly modest over and over again, I have to say that I am actually capable of nothing.” Yuan Zhi continued.

I frowned and felt puzzled as I looked at Yuan Zhi who looked like a kid who did something wrong, “Yuan Zhi, why do

you have to say such things? Be it the last battle or this, weren’t you the architect behind our strategies? How can you say that you’re capable of nothing?!”

“I too wish that I was the one who came up with them.”

“… Eh?”

What did Yuan Zhi just say?

“You wish too… What do you mean by that?”

Yuan Zhi pulled down her bandana and looked away before giving a soft reply ‘Nothing’ as though she wanted me to forget what she just said. Naturally, I would not forget it as those words were truly strange.

“N-no matter what, we s-should observe the battle that is about to happen first.” Yuan Zhi changed the topic as she revealed a little of her eyes from below the bandana. Since she stuttered, it means that she is nervous. Her aura has also weakened considerably.

… Never mind. As she said, this can wait till the battle is over.

I s.h.i.+fted my gaze towards outside the city and found that the enemy had already finished forming ranks and were waiting some distance away from the city. Now that they were closer, I could see that their numbers seemed to be very similar to that of the last battle, which meant that they were indeed about 10,000 strong.

Soon, a loud creaking could be heard and the tower trembled.

“The gates have opened huh?” I said softly as I poked my head out.

“Please be careful, my lord.”

“I’ll be fine, Liao Hua.” I replied, feeling for Liao Hua who was still worried about me while overseeing the construction works for the next level.

I did not want to miss this moment, the moment when Feng Xian rode out with her red and black plate as she wielded her s.h.i.+ny halberd. Beside her was Wen Yuan who held her Green Dragon Blade and the troops marched out closely behind them.

(TL: Wen Yuan uses a glaive as well.)

“Honestly, it would have been better for Lord Lu Bu and everyone else to stay in the city and defend.”

“Eh? Why is that?”

“The other side comprises heavy infantry and cavalry units, both of which are a counter to our side’s light infantry.” Yuan Zhi explained as she looked out, “But so that the enemy is not able to easily disengage when Lord Guan Yu raids Fan city, it’s better to leave the city and engage the enemy in a field battle.”

“Then this battle…”

“Yes, there will be many casualties.” Yuan Zhi nodded, “But if we can take Fan city, then it will all be worth it.”

I suppose.

“However, the enemy only numbers 10,000 so our losses here should not be too great.”

And we have Lu Bu as well, who will probably be the main reason why our losses will be minimised.

“That’s for the best, I guess…”

Yuan Zhi’s voice was more listless now and when I looked at her, I saw that she was not looking at where the battle in front of us would take place. Instead, she seemed to be looking in the direction of where Fan city was.

… Yes. It has been a long while since Yun Chang has left Xinye now. If they have been fast marching the entire time, they should be sieging Fan city by now.

Yun Chang… Even if you do not get the chance to send a message back, please come back safely…

Yun Chang POV

The scenery along the way was simply marvellous. Even though we were rus.h.i.+ng ahead at full speed and I had my eyes fixed on the road ahead, I could not help but to notice the beauty about me.

After we were about halfway there, the mountainous surroundings were replaced by a dense forest on the right with shrubbery to the left which eventually became a full fledged forest as we went along.

Our vanguard continued to dash ahead on horseback while our light infantry marched relatively carefreely in comparison due to their light loads. When I turned back, I saw that there were practically no stragglers.

Looks like we will not have to stop and re-form ranks. If we really have to, we can always do so just before we reach the city. When I looked into the distance, I could see the last of our troops. Further back, all that could be seen were the forests which covered any view of the mountains or Xinye city further to the back.

Only now did I realise that we had already left Xinye city far behind us. I wonder how big brother is like now and if Lord Lu Bu and Wen Yuan have left the city and started fighting with the enemy. Well, if it’s the 2 of them, there’s nothing to be worried about.

I then returned my gaze to the front. This is probably the longest expedition I have been on. If possible, I would like to reach Fan city as soon as possible.

“Zhou Cang, Guan Ping! Can we speed it up anymore?” I yelled to them.

“We can but the rearguard might not be able to catch up.” Zhou Cang said as she looked to the back with a relaxed expression, “The troops to the back look rather tired. I think we should rest soon depending on how things look.”

Rest huh…

“How far are we from Fan city still?” I asked.

“Not too far. If we continue at this pace, then we should be there in an hour at the most.”

An hour huh? In that case, we really should be moving faster. No… If the troops are completely out of breath and low in morale by the time we reach the city,it would be counterproductive.

I tugged on my reins and decelerated slightly. Zhou Cang and Guan Ping followed suit as well.