The Navy in a Fantasy World

Chapter 1 — Despair and Sacrifice.

"Ha... ha... haa."

My breathing was already labored. I ran through the forest until I finally reached a vast stretch of green grass, as if I had just entered the African savanna.

A blue sea stretched out ahead. I recognized this place. We were standing atop a steep rocky cliff by the sea.

A dead end.

There was nowhere left to run except to jump into the sea. Turning back would be no different from suicide. Our pursuers would arrive soon.

What should I do?

"Adrian, enough. Let us rest first." Charlotte's voice came in broken intervals between her heavy breaths.

"But they are still chasing us. I'm not tired yet, Charlotte. Please hold on tightly. Let us hide behind that large rock."

I pointed toward a boulder at the edge of the cliff.

"Slowly. My stomach hurts."

I stopped abruptly. Those words felt as though they had squeezed my heart.

I had been carrying her for hours while fleeing from our pursuers. As fallen minor nobles, once power and honor collapsed with us, enemies who had once feared and respected us began to bare their fangs. They were not the only new enemies. Those who had previously restrained themselves out of respect for our family's position also took the opportunity to vent their resentment toward Father and drag us into it.

Father was a Baron. He joined a high-ranking noble family in a territorial war. Not long after, news of the war reached our territory.

The noble supported by Father was defeated, and the old man was reportedly killed.

"Forgive me, Adrian... haa... haa. I'm causing you trouble."

Charlotte's arms were wrapped tightly around my neck, while both legs clasped my waist.

"Mm. Don't say that. It is only natural for me to protect you. Besides, this is my fault. I was unable to protect my own wife and instead dragged her into risking her life. Forgive me."

Charlotte clicked her tongue in annoyance, then bit my shoulder.

"Agh!"

"What are you talking about? You bastard. Walk slowly. The pain is starting to subside."

"All right."

Charlotte was pregnant.

Whether this could be called fortunate or not, our family's downfall occurred right after Charlotte had passed the early stage of her pregnancy. If the fetus was still under fourteen weeks old, I feared that fleeing for hours like this would trigger severe contractions.

I walked carefully toward a large dark-gray boulder. Each step was taken as cautiously as possible to reduce the jolting that could make her stomach even more uncomfortable.

Once we arrived, I slowly lowered her down.

Charlotte turned around, then sat down while leaning her back against the rock and gazing out at the sea.

Her eyes were filled with both admiration and longing for memories she had waited so long to see again. Then she turned toward me and smiled.

I sat down as well, letting her lean against me.

"I really love the sea. Mother often took me to the beach to play with my siblings. This is the first time I've seen the sea since the last time I was with Mother."

Her confession pierced my chest. An invisible wound scratched at my heart, reminding me of how inadequate I had been as a husband.

"You never told me that. If I had known, we could have gone together more often."

"I didn't want to trouble you."

"We are already married, yet you still think like that."

"Adrian. I don't want them to think of me as a wife who burdens her husband. I don't even help much with your work."

"Charlotte. Don't think that way. That is my responsibility."

"You haven't changed, Adrian. I'm fortunate. I should have accepted the Baron's request. The presence of another woman might have brought a different fate to the Herdin family."

"Enough."

I kissed her.

Our lips met. I held her close, stopping the words that continued to belittle herself.

It was painful to know that the woman I loved brought up the past and blamed herself.

My relationship with the Baron was not very good. Conflicts often arose, especially when Charlotte was involved. The old man repeatedly asked me to accept another woman to strengthen our family's position.

I rejected every proposal and continued to uphold my vow to love only one woman for the rest of my life.

Charlotte slowly began to close her eyes and gently returned my kiss until we finally parted.

My hand rose to touch her cheek. She pressed her face more firmly against my palm, enjoying the warmth it offered.

I could also feel the mingling of cold and warmth from her skin.

"Don't remember the bad memories. Just remember the memories we shared. I love you, Charlotte."

"I'm sorry."

"Stay here."

Her body jolted. Her eyelids opened wide as she stared at me.

A jolt. Footsteps.

From behind came the dull thudding of horses' hooves and human footsteps.

They had arrived. The pursuers had come faster than expected.

I stood, but Charlotte rose as well and stopped me.

"No, Adrian. Don't go. Please."

She gripped my wrist, tears beginning to wet her pale cheeks.

I restrained the surge of emotions raging within me. I did not want to show weakness, fragility, or hesitation as a husband.

"I have to go. I want you to live, for yourself and our child."

I stroked her stomach, trying to calm her anxiety and fear.

Charlotte sobbed and buried her face against my chest.

"Listen to me, Adrian. I can't without you. It would be better if we died together."

"Nonsense! Don't say that, Charlotte."

"Then what about me, Adrian? Tell me!"

She glared angrily without realizing that her voice had risen.

"What about me, Darling?! I can't live without you. Truly, Adrian, I can't... I can't... Please, just take me with you..."

Her voice slowly faded. Her eyelids trembled, then her gaze began to grow hazy.

"Take me... Don't leave me alone..."

"..."

"Adrian."

One final call accompanied the closing of the golden pupils that had looked at me with sorrow, fear, and love. Charlotte then fainted in my arms.

My heart felt heavy. Could she continue living after this?

"Fool. I'm being too pessimistic. I believe she can continue living without me."

As her husband, I should not hesitate as long as she survived this situation.

Sacrificing myself for my wife had already been my first choice. I had even made that decision before leaving the Herdin residence.

I did not believe I could take down dozens of pursuers in the forest. Fighting among the trees would hinder my mobility and vision, especially while protecting Charlotte.

However, this place was different. The terrain was open, without trees blocking the way. Not to mention that Charlotte was behind a large rock, protected from the sight of pursuers who could attack from a distance with arrows.

I laid my wife down on the flat surface of the rocks. Before leaving her, I kissed her lips, forehead, and the back of her hand one after another.

"Darling. Whatever happens, live."

Saying more words would only weaken my resolve.

That short sentence was enough.

I turned around, leaving her lying helplessly alone.

It would not be bad to die for the second time. In fact, this time it was more meaningful because I would die as a husband protecting his wife, rather than dying tragically in a car accident as I had in my previous life.

Twenty-three people.

That was the number of pursuers who had stopped ahead.

I calmly walked toward them.

Sszzing!

The cold metallic sound of a sword blade being drawn from its sheath rang sharply, slightly piercing my eardrums.

This sword was a gift from the Baron, as well as a symbol of the Herdin family and the unspoken legitimacy that the official heir to the Herdin territory had been determined.

My hand gripped the hilt of the straight, double-edged sword.

I stopped.

They stared at me with anger and hatred. One by one, they began cursing and speaking of Charlotte with filthy words.

I restrained the surging anger within me so that I would not immediately rush forward and cut the throats of those who dared speak my wife's name.