Kael thought the Shield Lines would be able to hold on for 15 minutes without suffering any heavy casualties, so he was on time but…
He was wrong.
The Shield Lines could not hold on.
The enemy breached the Shield Lines despite Lavinia and others' best efforts and… the alliance troops were being massacred.
It was all happening because of him.
And as Kael saw the carnage under him with his own eyes, the river of blood that had already soaked the snow, his people screaming in fear and agony as the enemy sliced them down.
His face turned heavy.
He made a mistake.
It was his fault.
If only he hadn't taken away so many troops—
If only he hadn't fallen into the enemy's trap—
If only he had left the army behind sooner—
But the next instant, Kael stopped those thoughts.
This was not the time to spiral into self-loathing.
Yes, people died because of his decision, but that did not mean more had to die. He needed to move and he needed to move right now.
"Igni."
