With only a small trunk, I got off the carriage onto the brick ground.
The sky was clear and blue. The royal capital, which thawed faster than the fief, had a cool and comfortable wind blowing against the warm sunshine.
Isn’t this the perfect weather for orientation? It’s a pity that this kingdom doesn’t have any cherry blossom trees. Speaking of orientation, people think of white flowers with a light and cute red hue. I’ve never actually seen it before, so I really wanted to see it.
Contrasting with the history of the old, white school building that sat at the back of the garden, which was vast, but not glamorous, and can be seen through the gate in front of me, were not red or yellow flowers, but only fresh green leaves that softened the cold feel of the massive building. The road paved with bricks, the whiteness of the building, the green flowerless plants, and the blue sky. I think it’s quite a refreshing scene.
… However, if the overly-decorated words 『Engage Links ~ Etoile Swaying the Gap』hadn’t ruined this beautiful image in my mind, then it would be really refreshing.
I sighed at my annoying memory. I haven’t found anything useful in the last 13 years, and even though I had completely forgotten about it because of my busy days, the moment I saw the scene that was involved with that, I began to insist on its existence to the extent of being annoying. It is only painful to have my emotions shaken more or less every time I’m made aware of this. On the one hand, I wondered whether this memory would disappear into oblivion, on the other hand, I had a feeling that the curse-like memory might torment me for the rest of my life.
There is nothing more depressing than this. I quickly drove that memory to the corner of my mind.
“… Excuse me. Young lord. Are you the new student, Earl Kaldia?” A voice called out to me as I gazed at the main gate of the school with a daunting feeling. I turned my gaze and saw a commoner woman dressed in the staff uniform with an awkward smile quickly come out from the guard tower in the outer wall. I nodded, and she plucked the hem of her skirt and curtsied.
“We’ve been waiting for you, Earl Kaldia. Welcome to the Royal Academy.”
“Thank you for meeting me. Please take care of me from now on.”
I tried to produce a soft voice as much as I possibly could, but it seemed like it was pointless. Her awkward smile completely convulsed, and she stared at my face. I was already used to this reaction in the royal capital.
Her gaze moved from my face towards my left shoulder. The dark ruby shone through the light of the sun reflected in her eyes, and she deflected her gaze as if she had been repelled.
“I, I’ll show you to the dormitory…!”
Blood drained from her face, and she turned her pale face away from me. Then, she went back to the guard tower to arrange a carriage from the school. This is also a reaction I see a lot, and I’m getting used to it.
I didn’t even sigh, and silently watched her back. Then, I turned to the other side of the fence again.
The ‘me’ in the memory that was stuck in my head behaved like a poisonous flower in this school. She wasn’t pretending, and she was like a deadly poisonous girl towards her parents and siblings, and in the end, she was pulled out from the school and executed.
――― Well, it’s already no use now.
I thought I had completely forgotten about it until I saw this view. In fact, I hadn’t completely forgotten about it, but it had escaped my memory that this school in my memories, the memories of a different world, is the stage of an otome game.
I headed to the dormitory where I would be staying for at least three years and swayed in the academy carriage for a little over 30 minutes[1]. The Royal Academy, an area which occupied one-fifth of the royal capital, was already the size of a town, and the area where the dormitory was located looked like a residential area.
The road which seemed wide enough for three carriages to run alongside each other with spare room changed from brick to stone according to the scenery. Along the road were well-planned dormitories, but the one I was assigned to, a mansion that stood on the other side of the fountain square at the end of the road, was a little further from here. Isolation or something?
“… So, this is it?”
I looked up at the building that towered over me and observed it… The bitterness that swelled in my heart flowed from my mouth. Up until now, I have been living a miserable noble life, so rather than feeling impressed by this mansion, the enormous cost of maintaining it floated into my head. My living expenses have increased unpleasantly, I thought, but was it really like that?
The architecture style of this building was much older than the dormitories I saw along the road. The semi-wooden imported ebony structure was exposed like mortar, and the window frames were decorated with rare traditional tiles… If my knowledge is correct, three features are designated as protected by the church as historical and cultural structures. Simply put, it is a national cultural property. Do I have to live in a cultural property…? Honestly, you’ve got to be kidding me.
The size of the property made me feel uncomfortable, and a knocker on the large door sounded. The servants who I hired at the royal capital should already be in this mansion. I already told them my arrival time, so the door immediately opened from one side with a heavy sound.
I tried to thank the servant who had opened the door ――― and was startled. I thought I would see the face of a servant in the prime of his life, but it was a guest with an extremely high position.
“Yo, you must be tired. I arrived early, so I came here first.”
“… Ergnard-dono.”
A great knight who I’ve become surprisingly close with in the last few years. I never expected him to greet me, so I ended up gaping and looking stupid.
“You seem really surprised.”
“I heard you would be arriving tomorrow at noon.”
“That’s why I said I got here early. It was easier to get rid of the monsters than I thought, so I ran here on my horse since I wanted to see my adopted child’s finest clothing. I thought I would get here before the owner of the mansion, but I can’t help when I’ve arrived.”
With a smile on one side of his lips, he, ――― Ergnard, opened the front door wider. He took the small trunk that wasn’t so heavy from my hand and walked back into my house, as if he was familiar with it.
“Come quickly. I have a few gifts for you.”
I followed after Ergnard, who was beckoning me. I walked quickly to bridge the gap of his large strides and tilted my head.
“Gifts?”
“From my older brothers and one from me.”
“… From Earl Einsbark?”
“You won’t say there’s no reason for you to receive it, would you, Countess Eliza Kaldia Einsbark?”
I was at a loss for words. I am certainly using Einsbark as my name now. Although this surname was given to me by His Majesty the King, the reason was certainly that I had formed a relationship with the Einsbark House.
… However, it’s natural to be reluctant to receive a private gift from people who I only remember meeting a few times. The relationship was a pseudo-parent-child relationship between individuals and is not connected to their family. Honestly, their expectations are transparent and very heavy.
“Haha, you don’t have to think so hard. When you became my adopted child, father also made a parental offer, right? But, you coldly turned it down. My older brothers would have made the same offer had they been allowed.”
Ergnard passed my trunk to the servant while saying, “Because you’re…” and walked up the stairs. I know he was complimenting me, but I didn’t feel pleased. Maybe because I would be evaluated as a result. Having said that, it wasn’t like I was uncomfortable, so I feel complicated. I exhausted my words with heavy expectations.
When we went up the stairs, there was a sunny lounge with elegant furniture. It was a space I didn’t have at the small mansion I used in the noble district, nor at the mansion I used in the fief. Recent architectural styles tend to reduce extra space.
“This is the most comfortable place in this mansion. You can relax and doze off here. How about performing your office work here?” Ergnard, who had entered the house before the homeowner, said as he laughed, then he sat on the sofa as if it were his own home. I also sat down on the other sofa across from the low table. I could tell that this comfortable sofa was high-quality because it was soft but not spring-like.
“I’ll put away the sofa and table, and if I can bring in a bookcase, then I’ll do that.”
“You can’t do that. Don’t destroy my relaxation space. And if you destroy this relaxation place, then you’re getting your priorities backwards.”
“Hah,” he sighed in a pompous way. I laughed a bit. Even though he had said that, Ergnard is a very diligent and prominent person who leads the Knight Order at the border fortress. His unique way of caring, by showing humour and getting rid of distance, hasn’t changed since we met.
“So, I’ll be performing office work in the office. After all, this table can’t handle mountains of documents.”
“Then, alright. These are the items my brother gave me.”
I dropped my gaze to the low table in front of me. Three simple and small boxes sat on the table. “Why don’t you open them?” Ergnard urged. I opened the boxes from the left.
“… What is this?”
“From me, the Tactics Book, the Spear Instruction Book… Oh, this is amazing. It’s Rindarl’s Intelligence Report.”
All the boxes contained bundles of paper. Only the tactics book narrowly had a binding, and it did look like a book. There were also two holes punctured on the paper, and string was used to tie the papers together. I think these are a good representation of the personalities of each of the senders.
I thought of it like escapism, because such an unexpected gift was slipped in.
“Rindarl’s Intelligence Report…” I whispered in amazement. I quickly flipped through the pages, and, just like I had predicted, unpleasantly the back was dated four days ago. Isn’t this the latest and newest report that hasn’t been submitted to the Upper House of Lords?
I was at my wits’ end. Intelligence on Rindarl Union, who were at war, is confidential. The Upper House of Lords reviews the information before other nobles can apply for permission to read the contents… That is how vital this information is.
Why give this to me?
“That’s a great expression.”
Ergnard laughed happily. But I couldn’t laugh.
“Isn’t it fine? You’re now indispensable to the fight with Rindarl. You should be allowed to read everything.”
“… I don’t think that’s the case.”
I held my aching head while glaring at Ergnard, but he wasn’t bothered at all. Ergnard, who is always in the frontline of battles, wouldn’t respond to a gaze from a young girl like me.
“Well, it’s like that. The sooner you get the information, the more advantages my troops get. Isn’t that right, Earl Kaldia? You who hold distinguished military service and is admired as the cruel Earl.”
I was at a loss for words again. Ergnard looked at the ruby medal on my left shoulder. I had certainly received this dark scarlet jewel, which was like a blood crystal and resembled my eyes, from His Majesty the King for what I did in battle… I try not to think about it much, but Ergnard, who had purposely pointed this out, is a terrible person. I held my head more and hung it down.
“I was just lucky that time.”
“Oh. Well, you were certainly lucky. On top of disrupting a force equipped with the latest pistols, you also captured the Earl and Knight Division of the enemy kingdom. That’s an achievement that hasn’t been matched in 200 years, you know?”
――― I actually hadn’t wanted distinguished military services. I was desperate for the soldiers I led, and for the sake of surviving. Because of that, I became strangely excited; well, it might have also been a mixture of personal hatred, and anger… at any rate, I never imagined that I would receive a medal, a name and even an Earl title.
But, why did it turn out like this?
“You probably think you’ve been overestimated. Well, that’s true. Your self-assessment isn’t wrong. But you forget the important point.”
“Important point…?”
“You’re still a child. You’re an inexperienced child. It’s not right to see yourself in the same line as mature adults.”
“Arggh,” a groan escaped from my mouth. Ergnard burst into laughter as if he couldn’t hold it back and finally held his stomach.
Don’t laugh. I was desperate. I resented that quietly in my mind and rubbed the wrinkle that had appeared between my brows.
Those who have an important task, like Ergnard, but have leeway are utterly jealous of me. I’ve only hit the limit, but I received an Earl rank. No matter how you look at it, it’s too much for me.
Give me a break. I’m not that great. How easy would it be if I could say that? I don’t have exceptional abilities, nor was I born blessed. I was a Viscount’s daughter and would have remained that way had I not done anything.
But if I did have something special, then…
The reason why my schedule went amiss even though it was an awful and stupid reason, then… it’s because, from some mistake, the memories of a woman from a different world were stuck in my memories.
It’s depressing. No, honestly, it’s tiresome.
Since standing at the main gate of the academy, every annoying memory that I tried to forget flickered through my mind. Every time I’m aware of these memories which I call ‘previous memories’, my graceless life, which I have been desperately clinging to with no leeway, is dragged out longer. It’s really annoying.
“And, remember your success in your first silent campaign. The plan worked remarkably well. In spite of being on the front line.”
“… I almost died,” I retorted as I remembered the beginning of my involvement with Ergnard. I involuntarily grasped my left wrist. A thin chain made a rubbing sound underneath the cloth. I bit on my molars at the excruciating memory.
Even though I’ve only been alive for 10-odd years, thinking back, nothing good happened.
… Even though there was an age limit, why wasn’t this more like an otome game where the world is sparkling, simple and happy? Sure, I’m not the main character of the game. Furthermore, I was a rival character, but this heartless world didn’t have many otome game elements. No matter how you compare my life to a game it would be a town simulation or war simulation.
I couldn’t help but complain about this world, even though I knew how painfully real it was.
Honestly, why did it turn out like this? ――― Was it because of my actions, after all?
With a tepid feeling, I remembered the first biggest screw up that I caused.
… I didn’t hesitate when that poisonous leaf sank into the soup in the pot.
I don’t know what kind of expression I was making as I gazed at it. When I looked at the finely ground poison, while being extremely careful not to touch it, my head was filled with blackness rather than white. With leather gloves that were too large for my hand, I sneered at how silly it looked. The poisonous leaf nearly killed my younger sister in the distant past and was etched in my mind. It was ironic that I now used that memory to poison and massacre my new family.
Fortunately, tonight’s dinner was filled with a large number of seafood delicacies that my vile mother had probably obtained from some unscrupulous merchant. Ironically, this was a banquet to celebrate my birthday.
The poisonous leaf was rarely seen in this kingdom and became a smokescreen. People must have thought that they had food poisoning, or they must have suspected that the merchant, who had sold the ingredients, had assassinated the family. In either case, the suspension would definitely not fall on me.
My mother was interested in nothing but money and picked fights everywhere, and my father loved seeing blood and pain contorted on people’s faces more than anything, so this was their punishment. The whole branch of the family was wiped out. No one had the right to inherit anything other than me.
Considering my age, I could wipe out the Kaldia House, but that was still fine. I didn’t want to become the feudal lord. Depending on the situation, I even thought it was fine to die as a reward for killing my family. Questioned for the sins of the father or exposed for murdering one’s family. At that time, my heart was dying, and I wasn’t able to think about my life or death.
Viscount Kaldia’s family, known for their viciousness, all died leaving behind their youngest daughter, Eliza, who had just turned two on that day. A merchant infamous for being unscrupulous was executed for the crime of poisoning the Viscount’s entire family.
――― And that is the story of how I, Eliza Kaldia, succeeded the position of Junior Viscount.
I cried when my first action was to assassinate my family, I couldn’t help but cry, because my heart already couldn’t handle anything anymore.
I could do nothing but endure my fear towards the crazy family who toyed with human life, to the resentment of the citizens who died, and to the future ――― exactly like the game ――― to the future where my whole family is given the death penalty.
The course of the villainess Eliza Kaldia was thus cut off, and all that remained was me, who committed the greater crime of killing one’s parents.
“Oh, look… that’s Earl Kaldia. Black hair, blood-red eyes, no doubt.”
“Oh, is that the inhuman Earl who enjoys blood…?”
In the hall filled with chatting students, I could hear some talking about me. I, who hold peerage and a fief, among these noble sons and daughters, held the second-highest rank in this school, after the Crown Prince.
I used the servant, who was accompanying me, and asked for a drink, but I didn’t cheer up even after gulping it down. It’s not very interesting. It was an evening party for first-year students, so I thought I should attend, but they surrounded me at a distance just because I was elevated to a higher position. On top of that, their eyes pierced me, and they said whatever they liked. It really wasn’t interesting at all.
Should I leave soon? It was much better to read the Tactics Book I’ve just received from Ergnard. I sulked, and someone tapped my shoulder.
“Hey, Kaldia… no, Earl Einsbark. Congratulations on your peerage promotion.”
When I turned around, I saw an astoundingly handsome boy with blonde hair and blue eyes. I managed to suppress my surprise.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince…”
The person, who was smiling softly at me, was the Crown Prince of this kingdom, Prince Alfred. As a simple introduction; Handsome Prince.
He held his hand out to me with a dazzling smile. I took his hand, and after a moment of hesitation, I kissed the back of his hand. It was a formal greeting since this was the first time we had met, but judging by his expression, he may have wanted me to shake his hand instead.
I’ve seen him a few times before when I visited the castle, but I’ve never actually seen him up close. Therefore, it was not until I saw him give an opening speech as the first-year representative on the stage that I remembered that he was one of the capture targets who appeared in the otome game. When I look at his face from up close, hazy memories of him in the otome game are coming back to me, like they had at the front gate of the academy.
I recalled that the Crown Prince had a close relationship with the other capture targets, and when I looked at the people next to him, as I expected, I felt déjà vu. It’s a strange feeling. The names of the characters were vague, but their appearance stubbornly remained.
I compared my vague memories with reality, and next to him were the sons of Archdukes, and the grandson of the Royal Army’s commanding general; they were definitely talented people who will bear the next generation. They all will support the Crown Prince in the future… I wouldn’t be surprised if this school gets attacked by enemies. Aren’t there too many VIPs gathered here as first-years this year?
The Crown Prince had probably left his high ranking followers and took the trouble of coming to greet me due to status within the school. There were noble children here from higher ranking families than me, but according to the laws of this kingdom, they were still treated as nobles without titles. Some may have already inherited peerage from their House, but it seems like none of them has inherited a title higher than Earl.
“I’m happy to be in the same class as you. I’ll be in your care from now on.”
Just like the schools in my previous life, this academy separated students by their grades. It’s hard to say that this system fell in line with the cultural level of this kingdom, but I think these mismatched conditions is indeed an otome game component used for entertainment. Whether it was because I started practical study early to manage my fief, or because it was a gift from having memories of my previous life, I am in class 1, that is to say, the best class in this academy.
It’s unwelcomed. Most of the capture targets are there. From now on, I can easily expect that I will be bothered by each annoying memory.
“… It is a good fortune to be in the presence of Your Highness. I am most honoured by your words.”
I hid my difficult to describe disgust and politely bowed as a retainer. The Crown Prince looked troubled as he put a smile on his face.
“Take it easy. You are not my subject yet, but His Majesty’s. Besides, this is the academy. I’d like to be your friend; is that not possible?”
… Oh, that’s why he seemed unhappy when I kissed the back of his hand. If possible, I would like him to refrain. Not because he’s a character in the otome game. I won’t make friends for such a stupid reason.
“I apologise. Your Highness, you will be the future King. I cannot allow myself to be impolite. Please forgive me.”
“But are you going to be formal for three whole years? I think that will be just tiring for everyone. I think we’ll be seeing each other quite often given our ranks.”
No, no, of course, that wouldn’t happen. What is this Crown Prince talking about?
Although I’m the second-highest-ranking noble in this school after the Crown Prince, once I leave this school, I’ll just be an Earl. Furthermore, I’m a rising newcomer. Unlike a marquis or a margrave, my status isn’t appropriate for getting close to the Crown Prince. There should be dukes’ children here as well, so I think he’d be better off associating with them instead. In noble society, people of different statuses acquainting themselves with each other would plant the seeds of useless friction.
Although, my status is lower than the Crown Prince’s, so, unfortunately, I couldn’t refuse his direct request.
“… As you wish, Your Highness.”
In the end, when I reluctantly agreed with him, the Crown Prince showed off his gorgeous smile. It’s so dazzling, my eyes are spinning. Please stop it.
“Thanks, Earl. By the way, can I ask? Why are you wearing clothes for men?”
“According to the school regulations, students with noble titles are supposed to wear formal military attire.”
“I know, but…”
Even I think it’s natural for the Crown Prince to be confused with what I was wearing. I was wearing the Kaldia’s formal military attire. The school had no uniform regulations, and most noble children wore their own clothes. Especially the girls, it’s normal for them to dress up every day, since other nobles’ eyes will be on them. Most of the girls, who aren’t engaged, are desperately trying to find a partner here while in school.
However, there was a rule stating that nobles with titles must attend school wearing military uniform; just like how the Crown Prince was wearing the Imperial Guard’s uniform, and I, the Kaldia’s military attire. This rule was meant to make their statues stand out from other students.
“… Does that also apply to female students?”
“I am the first female student this academy has ever had with a noble title, so it applies to me as well.”
In Arxia Kingdom, it was customary for a man to inherit. A woman only inherits the title only when there were no other suitable candidates, and if there is only a minor female in the direct bloodline, then a boy from the branch family is given the right to succeed. I was a complete exception because there weren’t any other candidates from the branch family.
Well, I might have led a much easier life if there wasn’t a noble law stating that everything would be inherited by the sole survivor…
Thus, I am stuck with dressing up as a man for the next three years. Since the knight uniforms and military attires are considered as uniform, I had to dress up in this whenever I attend the House of Lords or evening parties.
“I like them very much since they’re more practical than dresses. I am glad I do not need to spend unnecessary money on accessories. You don’t have to worry about my clothes, Your Highness.”
Well, even before entering the academy and holding a Viscount title as a minor, I can count the number of times I’ve worn women’s clothing because of customs. I’m already used to wearing men’s clothing. I’m more familiar with them than dresses.
“Then, that’s fine. Now then, how about I introduce you to my friends?”
“It is my pleasure to meet them.”
After a slight bow, the Crown Prince summoned the people around him with just his gaze. The gesture, which hadn’t made me feel uncomfortable, was just as expected from a Crown Prince.
“Everyone, I’ll introduce her to you. This is Junior Earl Eliza Kaldia Einsbark. These are Archduke Dorvadain’s sons, Viscount Grace and Baron Eric. And this is Baron Sieghart from the Lorenzorell House.”
“It is an honour to meet you. My name is Eliza Kaldia Einsbark.”
I was impressed by the line-up of handsome boys in front of me. All of them were capture targets in the otome game. It would be strange for them not to be handsome. Their faces are younger than I remember, probably because I’m meeting them a year earlier than when the game started.
“Mm, you’re the one we’ve heard about. When I heard about your military achievements, I was astonished to find out you were a girl.”
“That’s right. Would a dress look better on you than a military attire?”
Without introducing themselves, Archduke Dorvadain’s sons, Grace and Eric, chuckled while saying impolite things; they had royal blood in them and are the Crown Prince’s relatives. Both of them completely inherited their looks from their father and looked like they could be twins, despite being birthed from different mothers. They had red shoulder-length hair, which was tied behind them, and matching saffron eyes. In the game, they certainly had those positions.
In the game, they had excellent specs, but they made fun of me in this place, right in front of me. It seems like their heads are rather empty. The people around us, who were listening in, started chatting among themselves.
Well, the immature side of me which got provoked by trivial remarks has been worn out since I entered the House of Lords.
“Though, you seem to resemble your father greatly even like this. Depending on who you ask, you’re the living image of him… As for the battlefield, you’re lucky. Our military is extremely confident because they’re well-trained, but that’s only a few. It’s nothing but sheer luck that you managed to defeat a small unit with a commander.”
I didn’t allow my facial muscles to twitch and spoke to dodge their malicious remarks.
“She’s like her father, huh. I’ve heard about him. The infamous demon feudal lord who tortured his citizens to death and ruined his own fief, right?”
Eric probably had a sense for striking at people’s weak points. He irritatingly added malicious information.
I glanced at my surroundings. The people around us, who were listening in, gulped their saliva while a dangerous aura surrounded us. The Crown Prince, and the remaining follower who hadn’t spoken, Sieghart, failed to come up with an idea on how to stop Eric.
“――― Yes, he was definitely an infamous man. The horrible deeds committed by my father in his fief were really troublesome. As you know, reconstruction still isn’t complete. I wish he could have been stopped five years earlier.”
“Ridiculous. You wouldn’t have been born had your father died five years earlier.”
“There wouldn’t have been any problems even if it was before I was born,” I replied indifferently. I predicted my answers would agitate him. Eric shook his head in annoyance. It seems that my answers really got on his nerves.
――― I supposed I distanced myself from him with this. Eric isn’t a legitimate child, like Grace and Seighart, and his animosity is probably because he is incredibly selfish. Even after graduation, I will continue to interact with nobles, and he had a higher family status than me. It would be troublesome if he approached me futilely, and it was hard to make him hate me. Eric is an illegitimate child, so I probably won’t get involved with him in the future.
“Eric.”
Grace grabbed Eric’s shoulders and stopped him when he glared at me and looked like he was about to explode. Grace whispered something to Eric and dragged him away to the dance floor. Although I was supposed to have a higher rank than them, they didn’t even greet me. I didn’t want to worsen my relationship with Grace as well, but I wouldn’t interact with him if I don’t enter the upper noble ranks like Archduke. There’s nothing I can do about it, so I just left them alone.
“... My friend was rude to you.”
Before long, Sieghart awkwardly lowered his head towards me. Being the grandson of the commanding general Marquis Lorenzorell, he had sharp maroon eyes which shone gold when they hit the light, and dark black hair. He had fearless features like his grandfather and had ambition appropriate for someone who descended from the greatest military family in Arxia. He’s also the tallest of the four boys, had the best physique, and people could tell at a glance that he’s a military noble.
I was also treated as a military noble because of my Einsbark name, but compared to him, I feel like my body is awfully tiny. I guess the difference in our genders is too large.
“Please don’t mind. It appears that I have hurt his feelings.”
I shrugged my shoulders, and the commanding general’s grandson sighed in relief. His actions were slightly similar to those of my knights and definitely felt like he had a relation to the commanding general.
“How has Marquis Lorenzorell’s health been? He took good care of me on the battlefield.”
“I’m sure you know my grandfather better than I. We do live in the same house, but the last time I saw him was before the war began. He seems quite busy lately.”
“Oh, he’s probably still dealing with the aftermath of the battle. There’s a lot of injured soldiers, and many captured prisoners as well. Also, the enemy has invented a new weapon. Since the war hasn’t ended, he must be preparing for the next battle.”
The royal army is commanded by the Kingdom, while the fief armies are personal armies. Therefore, in a war between kingdoms, most of the fighting is done by the royal army. Since Marquis Lorenzorell has a solemn personality, he’s probably taking the lead in doing the work.
“… How about the injured soldiers in the Kaldia army?” The Crown Prince, who had been silently listening to us, asked quietly. He had a serious expression, probably because he already knew how many were injured in the royal army.
“Fortunately, most of my army returned unscathed from the battlefield. My army consists mainly of cavalry troops… so it’s slightly different from the royal army which consists of mostly infantry.”
“Ah, that’s good to hear. You won your first battle, and most of your troops returned unscathed? That's brilliant. You must be a reliable leader,” the Crown Prince congratulated me with a smile, but I felt my lips slightly twist into a wry smile.
“Thank you for your compliment.”
Actually, that wasn’t my first battle. The Kingdom pretended it didn’t happen for their own convenience, but my first battle was a skirmish that occurred in the eastern border.
It happened seven years ago. It’s understandable for the Prince not to know about such a small battle. After all, the Crown Prince had only been six-years-old at that time… Well, of course, I was also six.
But, what I had lost in that fight wasn’t that big.
If the Crown Prince didn’t know about this event, even though he more or less hears about information on war, then no one would find out about it, and the battle will fade into oblivion.
I feel ――― strangely sad about this.
As if mourning for the people I lost in that war slowly sunk into sentiment.