The play, <Admiral Lee: The Final Battle>, which depicted the final moments of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, was successfully staged. But from the very next day, the imperial capital was thrown into chaos.

 

The holy yet tragically beautiful death of Admiral Lee.

 

The audience, unable to suppress their grief, was left in profound sorrow.

 

This was thanks not just to the well-written script but also to the actors who faithfully brought it to life.

 

[We have not yet defeated the enemy…!]

 

As the middle-aged actor, Mr. Renoir, who played Admiral Lee, was struck by an enemy bullet during the naval battle, his performance as he was held in the arms of a fellow actor was nothing short of divine.

 

[If my death is known, our forces will fall into chaos, and the enemies will gain momentum!]

 

[We are at the height of battle. Don’t let anybody know about my death!]

 

[Admiral! Oh, Admiral Lee!]

 

[No! Stay with me, Admiral!]

 

Admiral Lee’s greatness in facing death with composure.

 

His loyal soldiers who, while wailing, faithfully defended the country until the end.

 

The audience, witnessing this, cried as if they had lost a parent.

 

“Sniff, Admiral Lee! He was a true hero!”

 

“Let us mourn the death of Admiral Lee! Let us stand as a tribute to him as a true paragon of chivalry!”

 

“Admiral Lee! Admiral Lee! Admiral Lee!”

 

The boom caused by Phantom’s script was not limited to that.

 

“Speaking of the Crane Wing Formation in Admiral Lee, couldn’t our fleet use a similar tactic at sea?”

 

“It was indeed an impressive strategy. The playwright’s strategic insight is truly remarkable.”

 

“Are there any narrow straits like Myeongnyang Strait near the empire? Perhaps we could use it to repel pirates.”

 

“Why don’t we actually build turtle ships? The pirates would be terrified, wouldn’t they?”

 

The vivid depiction of the naval battle using the advanced production techniques of the fantasy world inspired the empire’s navy, which was responsible for the seas. In fact, many of the tactics used by Admiral Yi Sun-sin already existed. The Crane Wing formation, one of his representative tactics, had already been used many times in land battles.

 

However, Admiral Yi Sun-sin applied these tactics in a unique way to defeat the enemy. His creative decision to deploy the Crane Wing formation at sea, not on land, was a prime example of this.

 

His exceptional and flexible foresight was something that even the soldiers of this world could emulate. Based on this, the empire’s navy, which had a somewhat rigid mindset, began to research more innovative tactics.

 

Furthermore, if Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s strategic plans became popular among the higher-ups of the imperial army, and…

 

“Those who are willing to die will live, those who to try to spare their own lives will die.”

 

Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s famous saying began to trend among frontline knights.

 

Even Wolfgang, the crown prince, was captivated by the play,  <Admiral Lee>, which had also captivated academy cadets. Knights who were curious about its content flocked to see the play and became deeply immersed in it.

 

Courage and love for one’s country have always been the core virtues of chivalry.

 

The knights of the empire, from a young age, engrave these deeply in their hearts and train in martial arts.

 

And rarely was there a saying that struck a chord with them as deeply as the famous lines from <Admiral Lee>.

 

…Of course, the knights living in this Western-style fantasy world didn’t fully grasp the profound meaning behind Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s words.

 

“Charge! Charge forward!”

 

“Do not retreat! Remember Admiral Lee’s words!”

 

“Those who are willing to die will live, those who to try to spare their own lives will die.”

 

Admiral Yi’s mention of ‘if you wish to live, you will die; if you are willing to die, you will live’ was fundamentally a tactical strategy. It wasn’t about recklessly charging forward or endorsing indiscriminate assaults, but about properly preparing and confronting the enemy tactically.

 

On the other hand, the preferred tactic among the knights of this otherworld was to charge straight at the enemy. It wasn’t surprising they interpreted Admiral Yi’s words in a rather peculiar way.

However, this series of misunderstandings didn’t become a disadvantage for the Imperial Army; instead, it turned into an advantage.

 

No matter how brave a knight is, there will be moments of fear and the instinct to save one’s life.

 

Especially for those with families to protect, the attachment to life was even stronger.

 

For such people, Admiral Lee’s famous saying acted as a magical phrase that allowed them to forget their fears and worries before a mission.

 

“Hold your ground until the retreat order is given!”

 

“The brave will live! The cowardly will die! Do not die as a coward, but return alive as a brave father!”

 

“Never flee! A wound on the back is a knight’s shame!”

 

Knights were expected to be both the sword and shield of the Empire, fighting against monsters, other races, and enemy nations.

 

When they were able to forget their anxiety and fear, the mages and priests could assist them in battle more effectively.

 

… As a result, the survival rate of the knights increased significantly.

 

Truly, the Admiral Lee syndrome.

 

The storm of cultural shock caused by Admiral Yi Sun-sin was sweeping across the entire empire.

 

However, the true impact Admiral Lee had on the Empire was being realized not in the capital, but in the cold, desolate northern lands.

 

 

 

✧❅✦❅✧

 

 

 

“Have a seat. I came here to speak with you alone.”

 

At the far northern edge of the Holy Empire’s territory lies the Bestfall Mountain Fortress.

 

A place ruled by bone-chilling cold and solitude.

 

Inside this impregnable fortress, built to combat the demons of the Northern Sea, two men faced each other.

 

One was Sir Wenford, a noble knight who had been demoted and was now serving as a common soldier on the empire’s front lines.

 

The other was Heinrich von Clausewitz, the Emperor of the Empire, who had ordered Wenford’s demotion and posting.

 

“The capital has been quite noisy. The play, Admiral Lee, has caused an enormous sensation.”

 

The middle-aged Emperor, who shared the same raven-black hair as his son, Prince Wolfgang.

 

With a sharp, wolf-like demeanor and a cold, steely presence, he sipped his warm coffee.

 

Sitting across from him, Sir Wenford smiled politely.

 

“Your Majesty, I too have heard of the news. My humble daughter is so enamored with Admiral Lee that she can’t seem to get enough.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“She’s been skipping the academy and going to see it again and again, which has me quite worried. No matter how entertaining a play is, I can’t understand why such a diligent child would be so obsessed with one work…”

 

“Perhaps it reminds her of you.”

 

Clink—! 

 

The Emperor placed his coffee cup down on the table, cutting off Wenford’s speech.

 

“Remembering her father, who lost all his honor and was sent to the frontlines after incurring the Emperor’s displeasure.”

 

At the sharp words of his lord, Sir Wenford fell silent.

 

And the emperor said nothing more, maintaining an awkward silence.

 

Indeed, the character created by the unknown playwright ‘Phantom’ bore a striking resemblance to him in many ways.

 

Commanding soldiers with exceptional bravery and strategy to defeat enemies.

 

Being slandered by greedy traitors and having his rightful military achievements stripped away.

 

Being demoted to a mere knight and sent to serve as an ordinary soldier after offending the Emperor.

 

Even after going through all this, he never resented the emperor who had cast him aside and remained loyal to the end.

 

“… I haven’t seen the play myself.”

 

The Emperor broke the prolonged silence.

 

“I only know about it because my son has been raving about it. He spent an entire day chattering about the play, holding me and his sister hostage with his tales.”

 

It remains unclear what intention the playwright had in crafting this story.

 

Whether it was pure coincidence, whether the script was inspired by Sir Wenford, or if there was a deeper, more profound motive remains uncertain.

 

However, the story of Admiral Lee gave the Emperor a sudden realization.

 

A realization about how to ‘deal’ with the problem of Sir Wenford, who had been troubling him knowingly or unknowingly all this time.

 

“…I have disliked you, Wenford, for a long time,” the Emperor began in a dark voice, closing his eyes.

 

“Being near you made me feel insignificant. Compared to you, who excelled in every aspect, I felt like I was capable of nothing but politics. You were the epitome of an ideal knight.”

 

“……………”

 

“At first, it was just a feeling of disdain. I acknowledged your exceptional abilities and gave you the respect you deserved, but that was all. You were just an annoying guy I had no personal affection for. That was all.”

 

“Your Majesty…”

 

“But soon, that feeling grew into jealousy and eventually into suspicion and fear. Everywhere I went, it felt like people were whispering that the truly deserving hero as ruler was not Heinrich, but Sir Wenford. The higher your fame rose, the more I heard such murmurs.”

 

King Seonjo similarly did not despise Yi Sun-sin from the start.

 

In fact, until Yi Sun-sin was appointed as the naval commander of Jeolla Province, King Seonjo was a strong supporter and benefactor.

 

So much so that complaints arose about Yi Sun-sin’s rapid promotions being too excessive.

 

However, that favor disappeared in an instant after the Imjin War.

 

King Sunjo, who had become more wary after the rebellion, doubted even Yi Sun-shin’s loyal heart.

 

That mistrust soon turned into fear, hatred, and inferiority, which tightened around the king like a vice.

 

Even when the deposed hero served as an ordinary soldier without complaint.

 

Even when he preserved the country and the royal ancestral shrines with genuine patriotism.

 

Even when he finally met a glorious end at Noryang, shot by enemy bullets

 

King Seonjo continued to belittle and ignore Yi Sun-sin out of personal feelings until the very end.

 

And King Sunjo’s actions were embodied in the nameless character of ‘King’ in the play <Admiral Lee> written by the playwright Phantom.

 

Of course, the script doesn’t explicitly blame the king or point the finger at him.

 

On the contrary, the King’s foolishness was greatly reduced compared to the original history to avoid political controversy. The fact that there were many spectators who cursed the villain Warken, but no spectators who specifically cursed the king, was proof of this.

 

Nevertheless.

 

“But after hearing my son talk incessantly about the play… I’ve had a lot to ponder.”

 

For an Emperor with a hero akin to Admiral Lee as his subject, there were subtle but undeniable connections.

 

“You’ve always been that kind of person. No matter how much I insulted you or agreed with the slanders of the traitors, you never showed any sign of resentment towards me. Instead, you gave me advice without hesitation, even risking your life. And even when I banished you by my order, you would return as if you had never been banished and defeat my enemies. From the barbarians who invaded the border to the rebels who threatened my throne.”

 

Sir Wenford, a knight of the empire, was a man of unwavering loyalty.

 

Even knowing that the emperor was wary of him, he willingly endured hardship.

 

Even when he was treated with ingratitude, he always prayed for the safety of the royal family and his Lord.

 

While the Emperor ignored his nobility with personal feelings, Sir Wenford continued to fulfill his duty as a subject until the end.

 

And when he was finally able to objectively view this contradiction from a third-person perspective.

 

A completely new emotion began to take root in the Emperor’s heart.

 

“I have been petty and narrow-minded.”

 

The Emperor stood up and then knelt on the stone floor of the reception room.

 

He bowed his head like a prisoner seeking redemption, sincerely apologizing for his past mistakes.

 

“Please forgive this foolish monarch, Sir Wenford? Can you forgive all the persecution I have inflicted on you and your family? Can you call me your emperor again, this pitiful me?”

 

“Y-Your Majesty! Please stand up! Your Majesty!”

 

A startled Sir Wenford also sprang to his feet and knelt down in the same way.

 

He couldn’t dare touch the Emperor’s sacred body, so he hesitated, and pure emotion overwhelmed the noble knight, making him shed transparent tears.

 

A loyal retainer, William Wenford, who had been unjustly demoted due to the machinations of traitors and the Emperor’s jealousy.

 

It was the day he was finally set to make a grand return to central politics.

 

And this joyous news.

 

Would soon reach the ears of Sir Wenford’s lone daughter, who was continuing her studies at the academy.

 

 

 

— End of Chapter —