"My soldiers! You want to live? Good! Because I too, I want to live just like you. Today… I don't need anyone who wants to die. If anyone wants to die, I will kill them immediately!"
"..." The death row inmates were still very obedient to Ash, not making a single sound since he started speaking.
"I know what you're thinking. 'The Empire threw us away because we're an eyesore', 'We're just a bunch of death row prisoners being used as bait for Ur', right? If you really think that way, then I'm sorry because you're totally wrong!"
"Huh?"
"What do you mean?"
As Ash had predicted, the murmurs once again arose, but then, they died down right after Serena slammed her sword down hard on the ground.
Not only did it create a loud enough noise to overwhelm them, it also sent shockwaves all over the place.
"Today… you were chosen because you still have one thing that is most precious: the desire to live."
"..."
"Ur are remnants, but don't forget—they are the ones who killed tens of thousands of the Voidveil Empire. They did not kneel, nor did they surrender. And we—are the last executioners of the Empire."
"..."
"You want to live? Then kill! You desire freedom? Then walk through the enemy's corpses! Use their blood to wash away your sins!"
"Freedom… Survival…" Ash's soldiers below began to mumble those two words.
A gleam of hope began to appear in their eyes.
"I don't promise to save you, but I promise: Whoever survives this battle, will never be a nameless person again."
"..."
"You will not return as prisoners. But as soldiers who buried the kingdom of Ur under your feet."
Ash paused for a moment to catch his breath before speaking again in a loud, clear, and majestic voice:
"And! Anyone who survives this battle, I will definitely help you not be executed! I may not be able to get you out of prison, but I will definitely not let you die!"
"Really, Your Highness? Would you really do that for us?" A prisoner below suddenly spoke up.
"Of course! But that's not all. I know you still have precious people, thus, I promise they will definitely not have to live in the shadows anymore. So, fight for the people important to you too!"
The words Ash had just uttered sounded more like they were meant for him.
"I am the Useless Prince of the Voidveil Empire! And for the first time, I am leading those who are most like me: Those who have been thrown away, but have not yet died."
"IF YOU HAVE A HEART, LET IT BEAT TO THE RHYTHM OF BATTLE!"
"THERE, MY SOLDIERS, ROAR, FIGHT, GIVE IT ALL YOU HAVE!"
"YOU ARE NOT TRASH, BUT THE WRATH OF THE EMPIRE."
"SAY WITH ME: VOIDVEIL EMPIRE, VOIDVEIL EMPIRE, VOIDVEIL EMPIRE!"
Ash finished his call, and the entire surrounding area was enveloped in silence. No one said a word.
But, just a second later, everything exploded.
"VOIDVEIL EMPIRE!"
"PRINCE ASH!"
"VOIDVEIL EMPIRE!"
"PRINCE ASH!"
All of the soldiers regained their fierce and noble fighting spirit after hearing Ash's call.
Their eyes burned with a great flame of hope. The despair from before had been completely kicked away.
Now, they were no longer death row inmates, but people who were willing to do anything at the command of the Third Prince, of the Voidveil Empire.
They wanted to live, to give the important people a happy life. That was why they would fight.
'MY SOLDIERS! LET'S GO! LET'S LIVE!" Ash shouted, followed by shouts of agreement from his soldiers.
***
They didn't even bother to eat breakfast to satisfy their empty stomachs, but quickly packed up everything, mounted their majestic horses, and headed towards the place where the remnants of the Ur Kingdom were hiding.
Right now, they were all feeling the same.
They felt like they wanted to fight, the soldiers' thirst for battle was burning more than ever.
Passing through forests, lakes, rivers, hills, and dangerous animals, the army did not stop to rest.
On the contrary, their speed increased as time went by.
Ash, who was leading the army, had never felt this fired up. In his entire life, this was the first time he had felt this way.
Ash might die, but he was not afraid at all, he was ready to face it.
If he wanted to return to his familiar home, enjoy the meals cooked by his mother, and chat with his calm father, he had to bet his life.
Soon, the night returned, causing the entire forest to be covered in the darkness of despair. However, the soldiers did not feel the same way.
They only felt like they wanted to devote themselves to the Voidveil Empire in order to survive, that's all.
***
After cooking for hundreds of soldiers, Ash was completely worn out. He tiredly returned to the tent, letting himself fall freely onto the soft bed despite the fact that it was no different from a festival outside.
He didn't even bother changing his clothes but just lay straight down on the bed.
Ash hadn't eaten dinner yet. But whatever, he would probably skip dinner tonight and sleep soundly until tomorrow morning.
'Oh right, I don't think I slept at all yesterday.'
Because there were so many events happening today, Ash had almost completely forgotten about his fatigue. But when there were no more events, his body couldn't hold itself up anymore.
Ash was about to close his eyes, but like every other time, Serena suddenly entered the tent without him noticing.
She casually walked towards him, who was lying on the bed like a corpse, holding a bowl of fragrant stew, making Ash's stomach start to growl with hunger.
"Eat this." She sat down on the bed, handing the bowl of stew towards Ash with a bored look, it seemed like she was quite disappointed at always having to take care of him like a child.
With a shy smile, Ash sat up, took the bowl from Serena's hand and started to eat it greedily.
Tomorrow would be an important day, the day that marked the end of the kingdom of Ur.