Betrayal and Glory

"General, Samworth is requesting to see you."

"...Where is he?"

"At the city gate, alone."

"I'm going out for a moment, you don't need to follow me."

"General, please be careful..."

The young soldier reminded the commander-in-chief, who was younger than himself, but Sa'ad had already donned his black armor and walked out the door into the pitch-black night.

"...General Sa'ad, you came out of the city by yourself. You have a lot of faith in me."

"I feel that the 'Radiant Knight' need not bother with such trivial antics. And because you came to the Manir Legion on your own, how dare I question your sincerity?"

"If it hadn't been for this war, we could have become really close friends."

"Haha, we each have a blood vendetta for killing the other's father."

"None of us wishes to do something like this, but we had no other option. You should be well-aware that the Council of the Wise was rotten to the core, and that someone had to start a revolution."

"...Indeed, Samworth, I admire you. Your talents and virtues far surpass those of your father, and if you hadn't left the Church, you could have created the perfect Manir Legion."

"But, despite the fact that war cannot solve all problems, we continue to use it to do so. The Church has grabbed the people's faith, and in a corrupt and desperate society, faith is a desperate person's final refuge."

"That is why you joined the church."

"True, despite their vow to inhibit me, I ultimately persuaded the Pope that once the deed is done, I will declare the Church of Augustine to be the exclusive faith. If I am successful in becoming Augustine Knight, it will not be difficult for me to take over the Manir Legion."

"Then you can deploy your forces according to God's will and reform the council."

"Yes, but unfortunately..."

"Unfortunately, I showed up... but it can't be helped, those few tribal elders have long conspired surreptitiously, secretly buying a lot of weapons from the Golden Merchant Corps. Helen must take action since the Manir Legion's lack of allies is becoming increasingly dangerous. You should also understand that if the war had not begun, the Church's elderly bastards would not have let you get what you wanted."

"You did help me attain ultimate authority in some ways, but you have also become my most difficult adversary. But it's all useless now, since plans can't keep up with change..."

"What about right now? I don't imagine that 'Samworth the Radiant Knight' came all the way to me in the middle of the niht simply to chat."

"This was has lasted much too long, Sa'ad. We want victory, but the 'Golden Fountain' needs peace."

"There can only be one victor, Samworth. You are fully aware that, even if it is in our best interests to make peace, it would be an awful betrayal, both for those soldiers who are still alive and those who have died."

"That's right, and it's the reason I'm here. I am willing to offer a plan for the defenses and the head of... Samworth, as long as you promise not to harm the soldiers in the city."

"I will not make it difficult for them if they are prepared to submit, but you... Samworth the Radiant Knight will become the most despicable betrayer, and no history book will do you justice, and all the glory of Samworth will be trodden down to the foulest dirt."

"The honor of a knight, though, is to protect his people well. Make your move, Sa'ad, and I'm sure you'll keep your word. You have triumphed, and there will be no more 'Samworth the Radiant Knight', just 'Samworth the Betrayer' and 'Sa'ad the King of St. Fountain' from now on."

"Good! I respect your decision. I, Sa'ad, shall carry the honor of the 'Radiant Knight' and protect the people of this land until the very end."

**Irrelevant Files**:
**Chapter 1 -** Mission Report Kv10297 • St. Fountain Tour Guide • Golden Fountain • Fountain of Blood • From Sint Fontein to St. Fountain • Unsent Letter • A Flyer • A Resident's Diary • A Scrap of Paper • Duino Elegies