The Academy is an educational institution that gathers the children of nobles between the ages of thirteen to fifteen. The Academy teaches them the Sacred Code and the laws of the Kingdom, as well as economics, history, geography, ethics, the languages and culture of the surrounding kingdoms, and an outline of other subjects. They also have research institutions for those who want to further their education and is the only school in the kingdom that has educational and research facilities.
It’s natural that noble children are educated to a certain extent in their own homes, but it is said that the Academy was established to thoroughly educate nobles on the national laws, which are based on the Sacred Code, administered by the Church.
Therefore, as a general rule, the noble children are enrolled in the Academy and study and live on the Academy’s premises in an attempt to unite with the other domestic nobles.
Except for winter holidays, students needed to submit an application to the Academy and get permission from their head of house to go out, and those who aren’t researchers, teachers or nobles who aren’t students, are not allowed to enter the Academy.
Because of those conditions, the Academy, which occupies a huge area in the southwestern part of the Royal Capital, is built similarly to a city, and has formed its own unique society commonly referred to as ‘The Second Royal Capital’.
Well, this closed society isn’t an obstruction to me, since I’m my own head of house and can give myself permission to go out.
In any case, I’ve already applied for permission to go out on the third day of school.
It was for the final battle with Rindarl.
After the hectic events of the entrance ceremony and orientation, it was on the third day after arriving at the dormitory that I finally felt comfortable.
I visited Ergnard, who was also busy in the Royal Capital, and we read through dangerous documents such as the Rindarl Intelligence Report, that the current Earl Jugfena had sent to me.
As soon as we finished reading the documents, there was no room to rest before we started preparing for battle. There was something in the latest report that I couldn’t ignore. The information about them preparing for battle by assembling a large amount of food and men in Densel is concerning, but the top secret information which indicated a possible defector found in the passages that described the people of the enemy unit is something I couldn’t ignore.
He was a young man, a little over 20, with brown hair and brown eyes. His knife wounds are frighteningly accurate, and he has noticeable burn marks all over his body.
I grasped the chain on my left wrist. I still dream of that day, and spend many sleepless nights having nightmares about him.
“Do you think it’s possible that he can be your attendant?”
“It’s possible.”
“Even though he’s in the enemy army?”
“You said it yourself. Kamil wasn’t there. You said that it was possible that he might have been kidnapped judging from the traces that had been left in the corridor. Prisoners of war aren’t that uncommon, are they?”
“That’s… yes. But it’s also possible that he disappeared of his own free will.”
But it’s also possible that Kamil hadn’t died in the first place. I’m still not sure if that badly burnt young man is Kamil or not, so I have no choice but to look for him.
“… Well, it doesn’t change what you have to do on the battlefield, even if he is the person you’re looking for.”
Before long, Ergnard sighed and said,
“It hasn’t even been three days since you’ve entered the Academy…”
“The barbaric Rindarl don’t care about considerations or being boorish.”
Hah, I also sighed. I guess I’ll be leaving the capital the day after tomorrow since I’m going to the House of Lords meeting for a day, and then a strategic meeting with the royal army for a day. I’ve been in the capital for less than five days and I’m already making a U-turn.
“Dear me… so it’s Densel again, huh? They never learn, do they? Are the other three Dukedoms just going to sit on the sidelines this time?”
“You’re smiling, Eliza.”
“Oh, my bad. It’s not like I enjoy going onto the battlefield.”
“Of course, Densel wouldn’t learn their lesson. As you know, the battle where they put in everything they had, and even their sudden skirmish was crushed by a single girl. Their honour must be torn to shreds. They can’t let the war end until they win at least once.”
As he said this, Ergnard looked at me in amusement and laughed. I brushed him off nonchalantly but snorted in my mind.
“Honestly, I don’t like that my precious foster child is being called a cruel or cold-blooded Earl by a bunch of foolish nobles because of Densel.”
“I didn’t mean for things to get exaggerated.”
“Well said. You’ve rampaged long enough… Come out when you’re done. You can make it to today’s House of Lords’ meeting if you hurry.”
He said, before quickly leaving the room. I also rushed to pack my weapons and followed after him. I was supposed to be absent from today’s meeting, but I don’t know when the intelligence report will be brought up at the House of Lords, so it would be better for me to attend as much as possible. Well, judging from the contents, it will probably be brought up today at the earliest and tomorrow at the latest.
I raised my left arm in front of me again and shook the thin chain on my wrist. The chain made the same thin clinking sound as it had on the day when it dropped onto my pillow.
“… Let’s go. I feel bad for Densel, but I’ll have them go along with my childish outbursts for a while longer.”
The thought of the young man covered in burn scars reminded me of Kamil on that day. He got badly burnt on my behalf, was covered in blood, cut down enemies one after the other, finally collapsed, and the sound of his heartbeat weakening ―――.
I set aside the matter about him maybe being alive, and just that memory of him filled my head with cold hatred and murderous intent.
War isn’t free; it costs money and consumes human resources.
The Arxian army is still winning, but Densel Dukedom, is being compensated with the lives of the people that we have taken prisoner in the previous battles instead of reparations. It’s surprising that the soldiers can go a year without revolting or breaking away. I don’t know if the soldiers don’t understand the situation or if it’s because they don’t have soldiers who would do that, but I’m impressed with their skill.
It cost a lot of money to even keep hundreds of prisoners alive… Since they have no intention of paying reparations or signing a ceasefire agreement, why don’t we kill the prisoners after the post-war limit of a month? If it’s useless to keep them alive, then there’s no need to feed them free food. Such brutal thoughts easily came to my mind when my mind had become completely chilled.
As expected, we talked about Rindarl’s movements in the House of Lords. I’m sure the Upper House of Lords’ members have quickly completed their examination of the intelligence report.
“People and supplies are being gathered in Eris, a city along the current border of Densel Dukedom. According to the report from the scouting party of our Knight Order, they have about 30,000 men gathered in Eris, but the amount of supply they have is too great for their army. It’s highly likely that something else is going on.”
Ergnard was participating in the meeting in place of Wiegraf, who couldn’t leave Jugfena. I already knew what he was going to say, but I listened carefully to the supplementary explanation of the enemy movements.
Densel’s movements were clearly an attempt to increase their troops. But the problem was where they were getting their manpower from.
Planates Dukedom, which was originally friendly towards Arxia, wasn’t directly involved in the war itself. They only demanded that Arxia return their Princess, the current Queen, who had triggered the war, and her son, the First Prince Albert, or improve their treatment. No, they were providing supplies to Densel behind the scenes, but in public, they are expressing their contempt towards Densel’s forceful war declaration and use of force and are refusing to participate in the war. Since their land is being managed by Rindarl, Densel troops are still allowed to march through there.
The problem is the two remaining kingdoms: Parmigran and Giograd. We have no diplomatic relations with these two kingdoms, and they are far from us, so we have no information on them.
Both kingdoms are highly commercialised, so we barely managed to find out that they were selling weapons and supplies to Densel, but we can’t tell what they think of the war itself, or how they want it to end.
If Parmigran and Giograd were to send out troops, then the liabilities of this war would expand even further. It’s true that we’re dealing with a single kingdom, Rindarl, but Rindarl has only been established for a year, so each kingdom must still have a strong sense of individuality. And the liabilities of war are generally the lives of the citizens. Unlike food, money and land, for someone out there, that liability will never be made up for in any way.
“… There’s a few things I would like to report here about Rindarl’s movements.”
A quiet voice penetrated the murmuring voices in the House of Lords. Silence fell like a receding wave, and all eyes turned to the speaker, Margrave Freche.
“What would you like to report…?”
“Rindarl… I want to talk about the movements of Giograd in the south, and about the messenger from Jenhans who recently came knocking on the border gate in my fief.”
There are no accurate maps of the southern nations as their lands always expand and shrink and the names of their kingdoms increase and decrease, making it impossible to draw a map of the southern nations.
Margrave Freche probably drew up a map of the current power structure of the major kingdoms in the south and presented it to the House of Lords.
“This is something that I’ve only shared with Luctfeld and the Upper House of Lords since I’m the only one who’s collecting information about the southern nations… but, judging from the movements of the neighbouring kingdoms, I believe there may be a connection.”
There are four kingdom names written on the map: Jenhans, Nazriq, Epadena and Paktushuki.
… Paktushuki, the only name that Kamil and I had shared with each other seven years ago, is a kingdom located at the southern tip, slightly to the west. Jenhans is a kingdom located around the eastern edge of Arxia’s south, and Epadena is quite large for a southern kingdom; they occupy the south-eastern edge of the continent, and Nazriq has no land.
“Nazriq lost in a war with Epadena at the end of last spring and became a ruined nation. Epadena has taken advantage of that war to further expand its power and is continuing to engulf the surrounding small nations.”
Epadena’s leader seems to be a very stubborn expansionist. He continues to defeat and engulf neighbouring nations into his territory without taking into account any cultural or ethnic differences.
It is said that the southeast is being subjugated by Rindarl, so I wonder if Epadena has received Rindarl’s intervention.
“But doesn’t that happen all the time in the south?”
Someone spoke up and there were whispers of agreement all around.
If that didn’t happen, then nations wouldn’t violently rise and fall. It’s a never-ending struggle as nations expand and shrink, split up or become independent because they can’t keep their boundaries. And that basically involves the intervention of other nations, either directly or indirectly.
“It does. But at the same time, the invasion of Epadena is somehow different this time… The war between Epadena and Nazriq ended after four years of continuous fighting.”
Four years… It took four years?
Ergnard moved beside me. He is much more in touch with concrete numbers than I am. He knows all the costs associated with maintaining and operating a force.
You need national power to wage war. Even more so if you want to preserve the frontline. That power can be the human resources needed to maintain the troops and armies, the resources and materials needed to maintain weapons, or the reserves in the national treasury needed to maintain a nation in turmoil due to war.
And nations that are in constant danger of being invaded and plundered, and are in such a state of flux that they can’t even make it onto maps, can’t afford to increase their national strength.
“So that’s when Rindarl intervened?”
“Yes. Rindarl… or rather the two nations were competing to buy weapons and supplies from Giograd. Or should I say, they were being bought.”
Giograd was selling weapons and food on loan to both nations to make the war longer and more intense.
“How were the debts paid?”
Those words came out of my mouth.
There was a clear disparity between Giograd and Epadena, enough so that it made it impossible to hope for a decent transaction. In addition, Epadena must have been stagnant for four years due to their conflict with Nazriq. Unlike Arxia, Epadena isn’t a nation that can develop its economy while fighting on a scale that can be seen on a map.
What the heck can Epadena use to pay off their debt? I asked since I had a bad feeling about this, and the Margrave smiled ironically at me.
“… I don’t believe that you’re as vicious as the rumours around the capital say.”
“Excuse me?”
I wondered what he was talking about all of a sudden, but the Margrave shook his head.
“It does seem true that your idea is something that can only come from knowing evil. It’s no wonder that those who have little to do with warfare wonder why you can do such a brutal thing.”
“… Ignorance is an unforgivable sin for a noble.”
I heard a scornful laugh from somewhere in the hall. It came from where the northern nobles were.
“I understand that anything is pathetic when things go too far. Now, I’m sorry for shifting the subject. Let’s get back to what we were talking about. Epadena paid Giograd with humans.”
Humans… My bad feeling was spot on. I looked away from the Margrave for a moment.
But now it’s clear. Giograd intervened with the southern nations to get slaves… human resources.
Buying and selling people is an atrocity in the teachings of Ar Xia, and a crime under the laws of Arxia. In the past when Kaldia’s economic activities were devastated, my father used to dispatch his unemployed citizens outside the fief as public labourers, and this was how he paid the national tax. Although he was clever enough to avoid breaking the law by calling it a labour service, it didn’t change the fact that he was a slave trader.
What Epadena is doing was the same as what my father did. If you don’t have anything to sell, then you sell people.
So, how are the sold goods used?
“Slave soldiers…”
The entire House of Lords was shook as I mumbled this.
“Slave soldiers… to increase Densel’s army?”
“Ah, how could they…”
“What a vile nation they are. I can’t understand why Planates would want to be united with such a nation!”
The northern nobles’ gazes became even more intense as the nobles verbally expressed their displeasure towards Giograd, and by extension, Rindarl. What have I done?
“Twenty days ago, a messenger from Paktushuki visited our gate along the border for the first time in eleven years and brought us detailed information on the situation over there. Epadena is about to suppress Jenhans. Even the nations on route that have allowed the army to pass through have lost significant numbers of people.”
“Paktushuki… is a nation with a trade permit? Are they that friendly that they would send a messenger to give us information even though they know they can’t enter?”
When the noble, who was hosting this meeting, asked this question casually, the Margave shook his head.
“It would seem they are. I heard that a group of Arxian merchants, who visited them more than ten years ago, contributed greatly to the economic development of Paktushuki. At the same time, the teachings of Ar Xia also spread throughout their nation, and although I don’t know what has happened to their nation since then because of the distance, the messenger also carried a diplomatic letter with them asking for protection from Arxia, as a sovereign nation.”
The diplomatic letter was favourable and the message it carried seemed to concern the reasons for the critical international situation.
… More than ten years ago? Perhaps the merchant I had killed was part of that merchant group. I’m talking about… Kamil’s father.
“There’s nothing that can be done now about the mentality of Rindarl, who now enslaves people of defeated nations. We can just change this with our victory. But we have other problems to face.”
“You’re talking about the royal army.”
Earl Lorenzorell, the son of the commanding general of the royal army, changed the topic. He is a strategist in the army and is here on behalf of the commanding general. He’s also my classmate Sieghart’s father.
“I’m sure everyone here is well aware that unlike the private knight orders and armies of the lords, the royal army is restricted by strict laws.”
The nobles started murmuring again at the sound of his voice, which sounded a lot like the commanding general’s.
The private knight orders and lord armies established by nobles basically exist for emergencies. They can act freely to a certain extent since they might not be able to make it to where they need to be in times of emergencies if they need to wait for permission, but if they do something wrong, then they will be punished for it later.
However, that wasn’t the case with the royal army, which is under the control of the House of Lords as an army directly under the King, and the state-appointed Jugfena Knight Order, which is also directly under the King.
… The warfare laws in Arxia are rather complicated. Generally, we mainly use our armies for self-defence, but it is possible for us to invade other nations when we’re in a state of war. However, we can only attack the enemy army under the authorisation of the King, and we can only invade land which belongs to the army.
The reason why the King has to approve the nations that we can attack is because otherwise, we would become a nation that will invade any kingdom during wartime.
There are three branches of armies at the border: The Royal Army, led by Marquis Lorenzorell, Jugfena Royal Army, consisting of the knights and commoners at Jugfena Fortress, and the armies of the surrounding lords, namely Margrave Junas’s army, and my Kaldia army, which has just returned.
Of those, only the lords’ armies are allowed to fight without the King’s permission since they weren’t a part of the Royal Army.
Of course, the other two armies have permission to intercept and counterattack the Rindarl forces at any time if they invade, but that’s the only permission they have.
In short, any attacks made on Rindarl’s allied forces aren’t authorised.
“Of course, under these circumstances, we will allow them to intercept allied forces as well. But we must discuss who will inform the soldiers of this.”
Permission given to the Royal Army is issued under the name of the King. That is to say that it is a royal order. The royal order isn’t something that a mere noble can pass on in the King’s name.
“So… who of the royal family will be sent to the frontline? That’s the issue.”
――― The meeting continued until the sun began to set.
The final nominee was Eric Tulle Dorvadine, the second son of the Archduke, and the son of his concubine.
“Hey! Why are you riding in the carriage with me?!”
Eric barked as he sat cross-legged with his arms folded in the seat across from me.
I hesitated on whether I should answer him or not, then wondered how I should answer while holding back a sigh.
“… Because I am Eric-dono’s bodyguard while we’re travelling to Jugfena.”
“Then you can ride a horse and swing your sword!”
“To be precise, I haven’t been assigned as your bodyguard. I was told to escort you under my banner. So, it’s actually my army who is protecting you. I train them to lead, but I’ll only get in the way of them working as soldiers to protect someone.”
“Argh, whatever. You’re noisy, shut up!”
Asshole. He asked me a question, and then told me to shut up when I carefully explained everything to him. What an annoying guy.
What was decided at the House of Lords on that day and the following day was immediately put into action, and after a strategy meeting with the Royal Army in the morning, as expected, exactly five days after I arrived at the Royal Capital, I set off for Jugfena with Eric, carriages loaded with supplies and soldiers from the Kaldia and Royal army.
Eric was annoying, which was to be expected after what had happened at the evening party on the night after the Academy started. But all the other carriages were filled with supplies for the frontline, and there was nowhere else to sit, so I had to put up with him.
I didn’t want to get involved with him any further, so I pushed Eric out of my mind and shifted my gaze out the window.
The landscape of Ryunfeld, located between the Royal Capital and Kaldia, is a long stretch of peaceful agricultural land. Every path in Ryunfeld was paved simply, and there were perfectly designed waterways everywhere. That’s what Ryunfeld looked like.
There were many industries in Ryunfeld, but they specialised in agriculture. It is known throughout the kingdom as a major grain-producing region who supports the Royal Capital.
As I was admiring their well-developed irrigation technology and cultivation tools, Eric barked, “――― Hey, why do you keep looking outside? There’s nothing there!”
Is he really bored? He told me to shut up, so I did, but now he’s talking to me again. He really is annoying.
“… There is something. I’m looking at the well-developed agriculture land in Ryunfeld. See, there’s irrigation work being done everywhere. It’s very useful as a reference.”
I couldn’t ignore him, so I held down my sigh and replied.
Eric frowned. He looked like he was straining.
“… Irrigation work? What’s that?”
“There’s some undeveloped land in my fief. We’re going to build irrigation channels in the rivers and lakes to eliminate flooding to make the land habitable.”
“Oh, good work.”
I thought I had answered his question, but Eric suddenly became irritated and spat out briefly.
… It’s getting more annoying to talk to him. Should I ask to ride behind one of my soldiers at the next stop? Maybe I’ll ask Gunter.
“Hey!”
“… What?”
What is it this time? My gaze was apparently sharp when I looked at him for the third time, and he flinched for a moment. But he spoke firmly. It would have been better if he had kept his mouth shut.
“Alfred seems to acknowledge you a little, but Grace and I don’t trust you! Don’t make the mistake of getting too close to Alfred, you rising Junior Earl!”
Shouldn’t I be the one who should be telling you not to misunderstand?
How sad that I had to do something that would bring the displeasure of nobles from everywhere. I was the one who was troubled by the unexpected approach of the Crown Prince that night at the evening party.
“A rising Junior Earl like me cannot read what the Crown Prince is thinking. However, His Highness is an intelligent man who is blessed with a good environment, so I’m sure that he will quickly understand social status during his time at the Academy.”
“Hah? What do you mean by that?”
“…”
What do I mean? It means that you should quickly make the Crown Prince understand the differences in social statuses when you return from this trip.
I don’t have time to figure out what the Crown Prince is thinking. But as I have told him, I have no intention of becoming friends with him.
I’ve been awarded with two prizes recently, and I’ve gained status, money, and prestige; I have even received the greatest honour of being a noble. Perhaps because of this, the feelings that the northern nobles directed at me at the House of Lords was even more intense. Their stares told me that they would send an assassin after me if I tried to get close to the Crown Prince.
Well, unlike Eric, I probably won’t return to the Royal Capital until after this war is over, but I’m sure this chatterbox will tell the Crown Prince all about his frustrations and exasperations from his travels. That should make some distance between us… Probably. Or so I would like to believe.
It took two days on a carriage from the Royal Capital. Isn’t it natural that the group decided to stay in my Kadia fief on the way there?
In peaceful times, it’s unlikely that a person from an Archduke and Marquis House would stop by a newly promoted Earl’s fief and stay overnight. The servants of the former feudal lord’s mansion, the Golden Hill Mansion, which is now treated as a branch, weren’t able to cope with the situation. It seemed that Bellway, who had been entrusted with the management of the mansion, quickly gathered personnel from the surrounding villages, and they were barely able to prepare a warm reception for the nobles.
By the way, the reason why the reception wasn’t held at the new feudal lord’s mansion was simply because of location. The newcomer’s village and current feudal lord’s mansion was located away from the road that led from the Royal Capital to Jugfena.
“… It’s a shabby mansion, inappropriate for your position.”
The first thing Eric said when he got out of the carriage was as rude as ever, but his tone didn’t contain mockery or condescension, it sounded as if he had just carelessly stated this out loud.
“I’m sure the person who built this mansion didn’t expect to receive a new title.”
“Yeah, you’re right. No one would want to believe that a descendant of theirs would take credit for a victory that was won by a cowardly act.”
It seems that what happened in Lynx Plateau was well received by the nobles in the Royal Capital. It was talked about everywhere as if it was a fad.
“It’s true that if people knew that they would give birth to someone like that then they might not have children at all. If I knew that I would give birth to someone like the former feudal lord, then I wouldn’t think about having children at all.”
Not just my father, but what I said could be the subject of what Eric had said. The thought of my own children or grandchildren being able to hurt and kill people without changing their expression repulses me.
Eric’s shoulders shook and he glared at me even though he had made that kind of statement. Apparently, my comment had unintentionally struck a nerve with him.
… Oh, I see.
It wasn’t odd that my self-deprecating words would strike a nerve with him. ――― Eric’s stepmother, his mother’s murderer, shunned his existence.
I made sure that the Kaldia soldiers that I was taking to the battlefield with me were ready by the time we left the next day. From here, I will lead them, not in a carriage, but on a mounted beast. I’ll be leading the army, which has grown over the past three years to the point where it wouldn’t dampen our population after the Sill Tribe joined, while riding Rashiok.
Perhaps because it’s been a long time since I’ve come in contact with him, Rashiok seemed extremely happy.
His serpent-like tail was swaying behind him and his steps were light. When I stroked the back of his neck in an obvious gesture of affection, his ears twitched in pleasure.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to keep you company. I wish I could have taken you to the Royal Capital with me, but that’s just not possible.”
I said and he replied with a cry that sounded as if he was trying his best to say something. I narrowed my eyes and stroked the back again since it sounded as if he was saying that he understood.
“… Hey, he’s watching you, Eliza-sama,” the soldier running next to me said. It was Aslan, who had declared his intention of becoming a soldier in the Kaldia army three years ago, and was now the youngest light cavalry.
“Yeah… Ignore him.”
“What? Is he an attention seeker?”
“Who knows?”
――― Eric’s sharp gaze was fixed on me from a carriage which was driving a short distance away.
Even though it was only a month since spring had begun according to the calendar, it was already hot as summer in Jugfena Royal Fief.
With Amon Nohl at its border, the temperature on the eastern side was higher. It’s only natural for it to be hotter than the Royal Capital, but it’s hotter than its neighbouring fief, Kaldia, probably because of the cool breeze coming down from Amon Nohl.
“Hey, thanks for escorting him here. The rest will be taken care of by me and the Jufgena Fortress Knights… Hah, I really didn’t think that you’d only stay in the capital for only five days. I was hoping that you’d enjoy your student life a little more.”
The one who came out of the black iron fortress to pick us up was Ergnard, who had returned earlier on fast horse.
“It’s true that I returned earlier than expected, but it shouldn’t be a problem. If I’m behind on my studies, then I can learn it later.”
“No, you’re what’s more important than studying… No, nothing, listen to me. I don’t think your personal connections are something that you have to make at the Academy. You know the Lorenzorells, Theelsias, Moudon and Freches and you’re even with an Archduke House this time.”
“We were fortunate enough to be in the same class at the Academy. I guess I’m blessed with good fortune.”
“Your voice sounds gloomy even though you said that. Your good fortune is quite remarkable.”
We chatted while greeting each other and caught a glimpse of Eric grumpily getting off the carriage. Eric’s mood has been going downhill, like I had thought it would, so I’m sure he’s in a bad mood right now.
“I see, so he’s…”
“Yes. The King’s proxy, Baron Eric Tulle Dorvadine.”
Even though the Einsbark House has close ties to the royal family and the Upper House of Lords, Ergnard generally doesn’t come to the royal capital. This is probably his first time meeting Eric.
“I’ll have to take him to my brother. You take the soldiers to rest first. I’ve left the second through fourth floors of the south wing empty as usual. I’ll call you for dinner, so get ready.”
“Alright. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your concern for my soldiers.”
I’ve been in and out of this fortress so often before I entered the Academy that it has already become a familiar military base for Earl Kaldia’s army. We didn’t need to be assigned rooms and each of the soldiers walked into their rooms in a familiar manner.
“As usual, the fourth floor will be reserved by My Lord, the lady, myself and Theo.”
“Oh, you came all the way here to check? Thanks, Gunter.”
“I didn’t… More importantly, what’s wrong with Rashiok?”
“Who knows…?”
I was resting between the border gate and the fortress, where I used to learn how to use the halberd, while gazing at Rashiok, who refused to leave for some reason.
As it’s wartime, I couldn’t leave the draconis to their own devices in a military base controlled by someone else, and as the person in charge of Rashiok, I couldn’t let him out of my sight. Well, I don’t mind since I don’t have anything to do until Ergnard comes to get me…
Rashiok approached one of the draconis and was snuggling with her.
The other draconis was about a size smaller than Rashiok, with scales that almost looked pure white and wing membranes that were almost scarlet in colour. As for the size of their body, it seemed that Rashiok is larger than the average draconis, so I guess that that draconis’s size is average.
As far as I can tell, they weren’t Rashiok’s siblings who stay in this fortress. When I saw Rashiok’s siblings before, they looked very similar to Rashiok, although their scales were a slightly different colour.
… Come to think of it, who came to help me with Claudia at that time? I’ve only just remembered about their existence, but I feel like I’ve seen their face somewhere before. Well, I’m sure I’ll be able to find out something about them later if I ask Ergnard about them.
But for now, Rashiok is more important.
“Ah… Say, aren’t they pairing up?”
Gunther said as if he had a hard time saying it while I was staring at the draconis.
“Pairing…?”
“Probably. I don’t know for sure.”
Pairing… I see. Rashiok has already grown up, so it wasn’t surprising for him to pair with another draconis.
I see, I thought as I took my eyes away from the two. It felt awkward to stare at them when I thought that they were pairing up.
“Speaking of pairing… Gunter, how’s your marriage plans coming along? Theo gave me his marriage certificate this spring.”
When I mentioned this to Gunter, he choked even though he wasn’t drinking anything… Did I say something weird?
He should be well past the marriageable age, but it couldn’t be helped, considering his position in the army. But he’s approaching the age where he wouldn’t be able to get married at all.
I don’t know his exact age, but I’d say he’s about twenty years older than me. My youngest estimate would be that he’s nearly 30…
I was wondering when he had passed the older brother age and entered the uncle age, and Gunter must have guessed what I was thinking since he glared at me and said, “Mind your own business, you shitty brat!”
“If you have a partner then you’d better report it to me quickly. I’ll stamp your marriage certificate as soon as I can.”
“Argghh! Shut up!”
Another thought came to my mind while I was lightly teasing Gunter, who seemed to mind this a bit.
What about Claudia? It’s useless to expect her to talk about it, but her parents should be planning to marry her off somewhere when she turns twenty.
At the age of nine, I established my own private Knight Order and made Claudia and Theomer my knights. By the way, Gunter refused. Claudia then got her wish and became a knight, but because of that, her marriage proposal fell through.
… I’d better check as soon as I get back. I’m not sure if I can interfere with the marriage of Claudia, who has become a trusted retainer.
I went to the noble’s dining room when Ergnard called for me and Wiegraf was already there. He smiled and waved at me.
I came here before Eric, probably because I’m Ergnard’s foster child, and is like a relative to them, and there was no one else in the room.
“Eliza-dono, I’m glad to see you.”
“It’s nice to see you, Earl Einsbark.”
“Hmm, yes, you’re the same as always. I’m glad to see that you don’t have any more scars. Thank you for bringing my foster niece and the royal army here safely. I’ve prepared a small meal for you as well, now sit.”
He gestured to me to sit at the lowest seat… The foster system is supposed to be a parent-child relationship between individuals, not between familiars. Why did he say foster niece? I’ve never heard of that word before.
My complicated feelings must have shown on my face slightly since Wiegraf tilted his head, “Hmm?”
“You should have accepted the foster application from me and my older brother instead of making a face like that.”
As I sat down on my chair, I casually turned my head away from his gaze.
When I decided to be Ergnard’s foster child, the former Earl Einsbark also offered to make me his foster child in a tone that made me wonder whether he was joking or not. Then, Weigraf and Vormav also sent me a letter asking the same thing. Recalling this made my cheeks twitch.
“I already receive plenty of protection from Ergnard-dono, any more than that is…”
“That’s true. In fact, in a few more years, Ergnard may be in a position to receive your protection.”
“… You must be joking.”
Even though he’s the third son, Ergnard is a direct descendant of the Einsbark line. He alone holds back the old northern nobles, and he holds the prestigious position of the Commander of the Jufgena Fortress Knights. There’s no way that I, a rising Earl, could reverse the balance of power with him.
“Yes, it’s a joke for now. But you’ve made quite a name for yourself now, so I’m always happy to have you as my foster daughter if you’re willing. I would mind adopting you if it’s before you reach semi-adulthood.”
Wiegraf smiled like his father and said, “Guess I got a late start since I was slow.” Einsbark people tend to unhesitantly say rather serious things in a joking manner like this. I think this is why they’re said to be suspicious.
The dining room was able to maintain a peaceful aura until Eric entered.
He seemed to be displeased with all the people I’m associated with, and only gave a brief response to Wiegraf’s welcoming greeting.
Ergnard and Wiegraf both gave Eric warm gazes, but Eric didn’t seem to notice. I’m glad he didn’t notice. There’s nothing more troublesome than a child’s tantrum, ――― I recalled my own outing a few years ago and looked off into the distance.
“… How carefree. I heard that including the 50,000 slave soldiers, a huge army of more than 80,000 was coming to this area. That’s why I rushed all the way to this remote place.”
Eric’s frustrations reached its peak when our conversation began to switch from pleasantries to how to deal with the slave troops.
I heard him whisper this as soon as I looked around to see if I had neglected him.
“Excellent. A strict awareness of danger is the most important thing when you’re in a war zone.”
Erganrd said while smiling.
He probably didn’t expect to be praised when he spoke ill of them. Eric looked at Ergnard with a flabbergasted expression on his face.
“But the enemy soldiers won’t suddenly appear on the border. According to the scouts, they haven’t even reached the first soldiers on the frontline yet. Our scout forces include draconis who have a good nose and can read the wind. If the enemies are close to us, then we’ll be able to detect them as soon as possible, so please don’t worry.”
“… Draconis. Those beasts?”
Eric looked displeased.
He looked at me for a second and his frown got worse.
He probably doesn’t like something about Rashiok. However, Rashiok has always been by my side since he joined the march in Kaldia, so I don’t believe that he’s done anything to Eric.
Then, Eric’s contorted face suddenly twitched into a smile.
“If you have such useful beasts then wouldn’t it be better for them to be near the Imperial Guards? I felt it on the way here, but those beasts are suitable for a commander or the king. If they have a sharp nose, then they can also detect poisons and metals, they’re ideal for serving the royal family.”
I was speechless. Because Eric purposely made his true intentions clear, I felt as if his malice was directed at me.
All the people here, except for me, are those in a position close to ‘commander or King’.
… I see. You’re trying to take Rashiok from me? I grinded my teeth and it made a small sound.
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
Wiegraf nodded. There was a definite hint of agreement in his tone and Eric shot me a triumphant look.
I dropped my gaze on my spoon to avoid making eye contact with him.
“Then, the next time we find young draconis, I’ll schedule them to be sent to the Imperial Guards.”
“Their breeding season is in spring, is it not? I don’t think we’ll be lucky to find an infant draconis, but I’ll talk to Marquis Lorenzorell about arranging some manpower here so that we can take care of them, just in case.”
Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Eric’s expression freeze at the loose promise that was being made between Wiegraf and Ergnard.
… I’m sure he wanted to use the reason of ‘draconis being beyond my position’ to take Rashiok away from me, but unfortunately, draconis do not change their masters. Draconis have never been forcefully taken away from their masters, so I don’t know how they will behave if they were forcefully taken away, but they are too rare and powerful to try.
“… If they’re going to be serving royalty, then it would be better for them to have silvery scales. It’s not as rare as blue-silver, but it’s more pleasing on the eyes.”
I remembered the draconis that I had seen in the daytime snuggling up to Rashiok, and when I said that Weigraf and Ergnard seem to know the draconis I was talking about and smiled. I felt as if they were telling me ‘that’s what we were going to do’.
I’m not sure whether the draconis serving by the King’s side will be Rashiok’s child, but well, two of the three draconis here are females. The fortress is directly connected to the edge of Amon Nohl, so young, stray draconis actually enter, so breeding should be less difficult than with Rashiok, since I take him around with me everywhere.
Everyone in the room coolly brushed aside the fact that Eric was unhappy that his plan hadn’t gone well.
That’s about it. If you think about it, it’s impossible to present a draconis who is covered in wounds from frequent battles to the royal family. I don’t know what it was about Rashiok that bothered him so much, but his argument won’t stand if he only based it on status. If such a thing were allowed, then it would only be allowed if it came from the King or Crown Prince, at the very least, it wouldn’t be allowed if it came from the son of an Archduke’s concubine, who they had almost no qualms about sending to the battlefield.
… I secretly sighed without making a sound.
I didn’t intend on degrading people because of who they were born to, but I’ve noticed that the difference of human value is ingrained in my brain, and I felt like choking a little.
If he is of low birth, then I am even more so.
Not because of my blood, but because the way I was born, that was clearly disgusting for a human being.
Early morning, the next day, even before Eric made his little speech to the soldiers, Jugfena Fortress was ready for battle and on alert.
Before sunrise, the scouting party had invaded.
Of course, the Jugfena soldiers weren’t so lax as to ignore their intrusion, and all those who dared to enter the fortress were captured.