Chapter 1372: Reasons for Fighting (Part 1)

Roche was stunned when he heard the old man's question.

He opened his mouth and wanted to say something.

But he couldn't utter a word for a long time.

In the end, Roche could only slowly close his mouth.

While closing his mouth, he also closed his eyes.

He lowered his head.

He didn't want to look at the armed merchant group headed by the old man... No, to be precise, he didn't dare to look at the armed merchant group headed by the old man.

His shoulders drooped, and his originally majestic body seemed to be smaller at this time.

…

…

The old man looked at Roche quietly.

For Roche's silence, the old man seemed to have been mentally prepared.

The expectation and nervousness on his face disappeared at this time.

Instead, there was a faint, gentle smile like a calm water surface.

However - this gentle smile revealed a bit of relief.

And a bit of...unspeakable helplessness...

The old man turned his head and winked at several subordinates beside him.

And the subordinates beside him immediately understood and took off several cowhide bags and sacks hanging on their saddles and threw them at the feet of Roger and Barrister.

"This is some water and food."

The old man said loudly.

"Although I don't know where you are going, it's right to bring more water and food."

"Just consider this as my gift to you."

"Keep it well."

"Then - we'll meet again later."

After saying that, the old man pulled the reins and turned the horse's head.

And the old man's subordinates also turned their horses' heads, ready to follow their leader to leave this place.

After turning the horse's head, the old man seemed to suddenly remember something, turned his head, and cast his eyes on Roger and Barrister again.

Then, he said word by word:

"May the stars guide your path."

After leaving this sentence, the old man did not stop at all, and led his subordinates to roll up the gusts of sand and rode away.

Leaving only the bags of water and food given to Roger and Barrister...

......

......

That night——

Barrister clearly felt that Roger was in a very bad mood.

Since the armed merchant group left, Roger has been silent.

It is the same now. Roger is looking at the blazing bonfire expressionlessly, not saying a word, just quietly watching the flames of the bonfire, not knowing what he is thinking.

Roche has been silent like this, which makes Barrister feel a little pressure and discomfort.

In order to get rid of the awkward and dull atmosphere between the two, Barrister plucked up the courage to ask Roger a topic that is easiest to discuss in detail:

"That... Your Excellency, may I ask——What does 'May the stars guide your path' mean?"

This is the last sentence the old man left for them.

Barrister had no idea what this sentence meant.

He just thought it seemed cool...

Barrister was originally worried that Roger would ignore him or scold him for not making noise.

But his worries were obviously unnecessary.

As soon as Barrister finished asking, Roger whispered:

"This is a... very old farewell phrase."

"A long time ago, this phrase was often used when saying goodbye to soldiers who were about to participate in important military operations."

"According to the ancient legend of our Rollin people, after the death of a hero, his heroic spirit will rise into the sky and turn into stars in the night sky."

"Heroes will always die, and the number of stars will continue to increase."

"'May the starlight guide your path' - it actually means 'May you be blessed by the heroic spirits of the past'."

Roche explained the meaning of this sentence to Barrister in a concise manner.

Barrister, who was fascinated by the short story that Roche had just told, nodded with a lingering feeling:

"So that's how it is... After knowing the specific meaning of this sentence, I feel that this sentence has become even more handsome... May the stars guide your path..."

Barrister kept muttering this sentence, as if he was exploring what tone to say this sentence in the most powerful way.

"It's handsome."

Roche smiled bitterly.

"But this is also a very old-fashioned sentence. Almost no one says this sentence now."

"But for some reason, I can often hear this sentence from other people these days..."

"It's really amazing..."

After sighing lightly, Roche picked up a few branches at his feet, broke them into several pieces, and then threw them into the campfire in front of him.

......

......

Barrister continued to look straight at Roche.

Roger, who felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by Barrister, said unhappily:

"What are you doing? Just say what you want to say, don't keep looking at me like that! Your look reminds me of the look of the old soldiers who have been in the barracks for a long time when they look at the handsome soldiers with delicate features!"

"I'm not that perverted!"

After closing his eyes and sighing, Barrister opened his eyes again.

At this moment, his eyes were more confused and bewildered than before.

"I don't understand..."

"What do you not understand?"

"Sir Roger... why are you fighting so hard for this country?"

"You finally escaped from Orleans, which was surrounded by the Britannian army. You don't have to risk going to Tully."

"You can just run away, escape back to your hometown, or other safe places."

"Or you can just surrender to the Britannian army. You are a senior general in the army. If you surrender to the Britannian army, the generals of the Britannian army will definitely welcome you to join."

"But you didn't do that..."

"Even if there is no horse, you have to walk to Tully with your own legs and feet..."

"And I guess when you arrive at Tully, send the news that Orleans is still holding on to Tully and ask for reinforcements, you will definitely join the reinforcements and return to Orleans. Am I right?"

"Why are you fighting so hard for this country?"

"What is it... that gives you a strong motivation...?"

......

......

After listening to Barrister's question quietly, Roger did not answer immediately.

After a long silence, he picked up a long branch next to him, poked the flames in the campfire, and whispered:

"That's true..."

"Why should I fight so hard for this country...?"

Roche's tone seemed to be asking Barrister.

It seemed to be asking himself.

"Is it to repay the emperor's kindness?"

Roche asked himself.

"It doesn't seem to be...Her Majesty the Queen has never been kind to me, and I hate the current emperor of my country the most. A few years ago, I participated in an uprising that was determined to pull Her Majesty the Queen off the throne."