Chapter 276: Chapter 276 - What We Carry Into Battle
Right after the system message announcing the surrender of the opposing lord, Selvara, the entire battlefield froze. Completely still.
The rumble of thunder and the crackle of lightning still echoed faintly in the air, but Atlas’s spear stopped mid-strike, the lightning around it fading as if its power had been drained away. The massive tornadoes shattered and fell apart, dissolving into heavy rain that poured down upon the silent field.
The deafening chaos of battle, the clashes, the explosions, the shouts, vanished in an instant. The only sound that remained was the metallic clatter of weapons falling to the ground as Selvara’s soldiers lowered their arms, their weapons scattering across the wet earth.
Selvara, standing before Atlas, looked stunned. Her once-calm, unreadable expression had changed completely. Her trident slipped from her grasp, hitting the ground with a sharp clang. She was breathing heavily, trying to steady herself, lowering her gaze to avoid meeting Atlas’s eyes.
"If you had surrendered earlier, there wouldn’t have been this many casualties," Atlas said quietly.
"I only did my duty as a lord," she replied weakly, her voice trembling.
The woman shook her head, saying nothing more. Atlas stored away his Wavebreaker Spear, while Zefyros separated from his armor, reforming beside him before leaping lightly into the air and dashing off to run around the area.
Selvara’s remaining soldiers, who had been fighting moments before, quickly regrouped, some walking, others running, to stand behind their defeated lord, their formation silent and somber.
Moments later, voices rose from among Selvara’s soldiers.
"Selvara, you’ve done your duty well!" one of them shouted.
"Yes, there’s no one to blame. We chose this path together, and we’ll carry it together," another added.
Atlas remained where he stood, silently watching. Scenes like this were not uncommon after a battle. After all, every lord fought for their own cause, striving to win just as he did.
Then Selvara turned toward her soldiers, and in that instant, Atlas’s eyes widened slightly. Among them, a man was carrying a small child... a little boy, no older than four.
The boy wriggled out of the man’s arms and ran toward her.
"Mom... Mom!"
Selvara turned, and for the first time, the expressionless mask she had worn throughout the entire battle broke. Tears welled in her eyes and streamed down her face.
"Please," she said softly, looking at Atlas. "Allow me to speak with my son for a moment."
Atlas gave a single nod.
The woman knelt as the child threw his arms around her.
"Mom... did we win the battle? We won, didn’t we? I saw the huge tornadoes... and the lightning, it was so loud I had to cover my ears. But then it stopped so quickly. We won, right, Mom? I just wanted to see us win. I don’t want you to lose, Mom..."
Selvara held him close, her hands trembling slightly as she whispered, "We won," she said gently. "Yes, we won."
That was the only answer she could give.
Was this the reason Selvara had insisted on a one-on-one duel with Atlas? To protect her son, just in case something happened during the battle?
It was possible.
And that was also why Atlas had chosen an all-out confrontation in the first place. Ever since Vienne came into his life, the fear of losing someone dear had lingered in his mind. That worry, buried deep within him, often shaped his decisions more than he cared to admit.
Now, seeing the woman before him standing in the same kind of situation, Atlas could understand her actions more clearly. The quiet desperation behind her choices.
Selvara slowly stood again, still holding her son’s small hand. She bowed deeply toward Atlas.
"Lord Atlas," she said softly, her voice trembling. "I have declared surrender. My island, my army, and myself now belong to you."
She paused, swallowing hard before continuing. "I only wish to tell you that there is a child on my island, and he is my son. But... if you find it troublesome, I can send him to the Lower Lands. The decision rests entirely with you."
She remained bowed, saying nothing more. Her son tugged gently at her arm, his eyes wet with confusion.
"Mom... you said we won... Mom, don’t leave me. Please, don’t send me to the Lower Lands."
The woman tightened her grip on his tiny hand, her lips pressed together as she fought to keep her composure.
Atlas finally spoke, his tone steady. "Is his father here?"
Selvara slowly raised her face. "He fell in battle," she answered faintly.
If Atlas’s guess was correct, the man she spoke of must have been one of her own, someone who had fought and died among her people on the island.
Moments later, soft footsteps approached from behind. Atlas didn’t turn, he already knew who it was from the sound alone.
Something warm and small touched the back of his neck, and then a pair of little arms wrapped around his head.
"Pa... pa..."
Morganna had arrived, carrying Vienne in her arms. But something about the girl startled him. Vienne looked as if she had grown again. She was now strong enough to cling tightly to Atlas’s shoulders.
Selvara turned at the sight of them, her eyes lingering on the girl in silence.
"I understand, at least a little, what you must be feeling," Atlas said quietly. "But there’s something I’ve always done after every victory. I ask whether those I’ve defeated will keep fighting and join me, or if they wish to walk away. And I will do the same today."
Selvara said nothing, her gaze fixed on him.
"You may go to the Lower Lands with your son," Atlas continued, "and anyone from your army who wishes to follow you may go as well."
A low murmur spread among Selvara’s soldiers at those words. They whispered to one another in disbelief; clearly, they had never heard such an offer from any lord before.
Selvara finally lifted her head, her expression somewhere between confusion and defiance. "You can’t possibly let go of something you’ve won with blood so easily," she said.
"Not really," Atlas replied calmly. "I’ve already gained your island, your resources, and the rank points that came with this victory. Armies can be rebuilt easily enough. As long as I uphold the code I set for my people, those who believe in me will continue to follow me. They chose this path: To fight, to endure, so it makes no difference who leads them. The only thing that changes is where their loyalty lies. And I have never bought loyalty through force or victory."
Selvara shook her head slowly. "You will not let me go down. You must gain something from me. I will become your strength," she said softly.
Atlas nodded, then fell into thought. Should he allow Selvara to stay here with her son on his island?
He paused for a moment, because he knew this moment would come. It always did, especially for those who had fought in this world for a long time. Children were born, whether to the rulers or to the people they led. They would either let their children be sent to the Lower Lands, or they would take leave to descend with them.
This would happen, inevitably. It was only a matter of time before Atlas had to take a stand on it. And it seemed this moment had arrived sooner than he expected.
"Fight for me," Atlas said at last.
Selvara lifted her head again.
"If you keep your son on your island, you may do the same on mine. Watch him, raise him, and you can still serve and fight for me."
Atlas fell quiet, understanding how much heavier the burden would become if he agreed. He knew Edrik would likely oppose this decision, though he would not say so outright as usual.
Atlas could have chosen the selfish path. He could have forbidden any child from setting foot on his island. Children would be a burden here. Unable to contribute to the island or to any battle, relying only on their parents’ protection and strength. They would slow progress, distract focus, and add weight to the hearts of those who fought.
But he couldn’t ignore the tug in his chest.
"Give me your answer," he said quietly. "Descend to the Lower Lands and take your son with you. Or stay on the island. Either send him down alone or keep him here with you. The choice is yours, and I want to hear what your army decides as well."