Episode 213

While preparing for the territorial war, Father’s study essentially became the command center.

“It’s been a while since I’ve called you here, Grey.”

“The study of the main house… it’s been a long time indeed. And it’s been a while since this place has changed like this.”

Once upon a time.

“When I was 10 years old, I came to Father’s study. Back then, Father, you were preparing for a war here, weren’t you?”

“You helped a lot back then.”

After Mother returned from being humiliated, Father began various preparations in this study to start a real war.

“And now it’s being used like this again. Although it’s limited to the Barcel Marquis family.”

“They call it the Barcel Marquis family, but isn’t it practically the entire noble faction under Saint Gio Nostrum?”

The wide table in the study.

“The king is openly intervening in the territorial war. Unofficially, of course.”

As the mechanism clicked and was manipulated, a wooden contraption moved, turning the tabletop into a ‘map.’

“Support me, and you’re loyal. Support Gibraltar, and you’re an imperialist. Join the Golden Dawn, and you’re a patriot.”

The map of Nostrum spread out.

“By enforcing patriotism toward Nostrum, the king demanded war supplies from nobles across the kingdom.”

At the edge of the table, the gorge spreading beside Gibraltar fit exactly against the wall.

“The empire has no direct reason to interfere in this battlefield, correct?”

“Not officially.”

“The imperial army won’t cross the gorge to station troops, right?”

“True. Past or present, the ‘main enemy’ has never been the empire.”

Father’s gaze was fixed solely on the kingdom, as if the empire wasn’t even considered an enemy. Even if the empire had become an enemy back then, Gibraltar’s strategy would still have been to block them at the gorge.

“Initially, there was no need to pay much attention to anyone except Barcel and Rembourg Gunter. However, with Saint Gio settling in Barcel Castle, the nobles rallying under him have formed an alliance, even influencing central politics.”

As Father infused mana, the region corresponding to the Barcel Marquis family began to faintly glow.

“But this could be seen as a challenge to the king’s authority, and those gathering at the Barcel Marquis are more impressive than one might expect.”

Along with this, several neighboring territories and regions across the Nostrum Kingdom began to glimmer with ‘golden’ light.

“The north, the Roland Duchy. The south, the Serene Earldom family. They have sided with the Balzac Marquis family.”

“Their scale?”

“No manpower. The Roland Duchy sent weapons, and the Serene Earl family sent imperial-preserved rations.”

“Token gestures.”

“Yes. They don’t want to openly oppose us but can’t entirely ignore internal public opinion either.”

Such was the average sentiment in Nostrum.

“Though they reluctantly sent support, even Gibraltar wouldn’t genuinely point a sword at the king.”

“No matter how wrong the king is, no matter how wrong the knight commander protecting the king is, you don’t wage a territorial war, do you? Gibraltar wouldn’t.”

Father smirked, reciting someone’s words as if quoting them.

“Nonsense.”

“Yes, nonsense. But our enemy is a master of such nonsense, and those who can’t resist the coercion of nonsense are grudgingly sending resources to the Barcel Marquis family.”

When I spread my mana, golden arrows began pointing toward the Barcel Marquis family from across the nation.

“Analyzing the intelligence gathered from the ‘children of the gorge,’ who are spread throughout Nostrum via orphanages and employment, all regions except Morgania have sent resources to the Barcel Marquis family for this territorial war.”

“To Gibraltar?”

“Not a single one.”

“Good.”

Not all of the kingdom’s power converged on the Barcel Marquis family.

“Not everyone supports Barcel 100%, but if we treat anyone who even slightly supports them as an enemy…”

Even families who sent as little as a grain of flour to Barcel could be included in the list of combatants for the territorial war, leaving all but Morgania as adversaries.

“We are essentially waging war against the Kingdom of Nostrum.”

“Yes.”

“Against all families except Morgania and Gibraltar.”

“Yes.”

“And the emperor’s illegitimate offspring aligned with them as well.”

“Yes.”

“These are the enemies we must face within reason.”

“Yes.”

Father approached the map and lightly tapped the golden ‘king’ marker situated in the Barcel Marquisate.

“That madman would likely kill the envoy we send to declare war, wouldn’t he?”

“He’s the type to chop off the envoy’s head and say, ‘Message received loud and clear.’”

“I see.”

Father flicked the king marker with his finger and then placed a mint-colored rook near the Barcel Marquisate.

“I’ll have to hear a report once they return, but….”

“It will probably go as expected.”

I lightly pushed aside the soldiers standing before the mint-colored rook.

“Though I told them to do as they pleased, killing or sparing lives, there was no order to lose.”

“Shut up. Zelos Barcel is not dead. Here I am, alive and well.”

“Really? Then you’re at least at the level of a senior knight…”

Dame Mente smirked, placing a hand on the sword at her waist.

“You can block one strike, right?”

“What…?!”

As Dame Mente stepped forward, the soldiers instinctively stepped back.

“……!!”

Without realizing it, the space around Dame Mente widened, and the knights only noticed they had retreated after glancing to their sides.

“Stop.”

Clap.

“Are you here to declare war, or are you here to declare war and start it immediately?”

“Heh.”

From beside Marquis Zelos, a young man with navy blue hair descended the hall’s staircase and picked up the fallen letter.

“You’re something, huh? Are you a master?”

“Of course not. I’m merely the marquis’s humble butler.”

The young man adjusted his glasses and carefully placed the letter into his coat.

“But keep this in mind: there are many strong people in this world who remain unknown.”

“You seem like someone who used drugs to gain strength, yet you talk a lot, huh?”

“I think it’s better than wasting 40 years in vain trying to overcome one’s lack of talent.”

“Ha, haha… Such arrogance, just because you can talk.”

Dame Mente pointed her finger squarely at the butler.

“You. Let’s meet next time.”

“Do you think there will be a next time?”

The butler raised his hand, and the main hall doors opened, revealing new knights.

“My lord. Your orders.”

“…Ah, yes! Golden Dawn!”

Knights clad in golden armor entered. They briefly frowned at Commander Zelos but soon closed in on Sir Mente, aiming their swords from the closest range.

“The enemy has declared war! From now on, this is war!”

“I came as an envoy, and yet you’re trying to kill me like this?”

“They are rebels who dared declare a territorial war even in the presence of His Majesty the King!”

“This is troublesome. I wonder who the real rebels are.”

Click.

“Bringing in ‘discarded crown princes’ from the empire just to secure your position—”

Clang!

“…Looks like I can’t even finish my sentence.”

“Die, Mente Rift!!”

“‘Die,’ you say?”

Dame Mente deflected the charging knight’s sword and leisurely turned toward the main door.

“Young fools.”

Clang.

“You won’t even be able to keep up with me.”

Dame Mente parried another strike aimed at her and leapt over the encirclement.

“You cowardly scum trying to kill an envoy! If you want to chase me, then try it! Come on, follow me all the way to Gibraltar!”

With an exhilarated expression, Dame Mente dashed away.

“That… that woman…! After her!!”

Commander Zelos pointed furiously at Dame Mente, who was leaping out of sight.

“…….”

But no one could match Dame Mente’s speed.

In a situation where every noble family in the kingdom had become an enemy, even those who didn’t want to oppose us refrained from helping, fearing they would be labeled as rebels.

We prepared for war with only our strength, but, coincidentally, we received unexpected support.

“Vice-Chancellor Batory. What brings you here?”

“Oh my, bringing good news but getting such a cold reception before even entering the castle?”

Vice-Chancellor Batory, having traveled by carriage rather than a magic vehicle, stood before me, opening her parasol.

“I came to tell you that the academy is safe. Hehe.”

“That’s only natural.”

Currently, Grand Duke Winchester was at Orosol Academy. The Black Rose Knights, along with Morgania’s forces, were protecting the academy, ensuring its role as a ‘sanctuary of education,’ even if a territorial war broke out.

The Third Zone.

While we couldn’t do anything about Orosol Academy, neither could the kingdom’s nobles send assassins there.

Even if they did, Astasia, Noir, and the Platinum Knight stationed to protect them were there.

So there was no worry.

Instead…

“Why are you looking at me like that? As if my presence itself is a destabilizing factor.”

“Because, Vice-Chancellor Batory, you’re the emperor’s person.”

Just the fact that Vice-Chancellor Batory was here was cause for concern.

“If you’re here for sightseeing, quietly stay at a hotel. If you’re going home, head straight to the gorge.”

“How cold, Chairman. I’m here to help, you know.”

“And I’m telling you your presence isn’t helping.”

“Oh my, so heartless. I even brought a message and some useful information.”

“…A message?”

“Yes. Ahem.”

Vice-Chancellor Batory cleared her throat and straightened her expression.

“…‘Apologies for failing to control the discarded crown princes.’ Those were His Majesty’s words.”

“…An apology?”

“Yes. That’s all from His Majesty, but as for those who observed the situation… hohoho.”

Vice-Chancellor Batory covered her mouth, laughing softly.

“There are so many uncontrollable offspring because of how much he’s left behind.”

“…….”

“And most of them believe their positions were stolen by the emperor’s adoptees.”

“Ha…”

“So I’ve come to help. They get imperial support; why shouldn’t you?”

“People already perceive this as a proxy war between the kingdom and the empire. Are you saying we should accept imperial help?”

“Oh my. No?”

Vice-Chancellor Batory placed her hand over her chest and leaned closer, her face nearing mine.

“The reinforcement is me. Hehe.”

“…….”

“Still not convinced?”

“Vice-Chancellor Batory.”

I pulled the tip of her parasol, covering her face and cleavage simultaneously.

“If you’re smaller than Astasia, keep quiet.”