Chapter 59
(Kyle Calendar
Year 506: Age 13)
Founding of
the Youth Knight Order
Translator : PolterGlast
"Nobles are truly
irredeemable, hopeless individuals, isn't that what the word refers to?"
Darek gave a wry smile
at Kran's grumbling.
"I'm one of those
hopeless nobles too, you know..."
"No, Lord Darek,
you are completely different from them. They think they can do anything just
because of their bloodline."
Yes, Kran was
indignant about what had just happened at the Royal Capital Academy.
※
"It seems the
Gryphonia Empire is finally invading."
"I hear the
Frontier Earl (Margrave) on the border is preparing for interception."
"The ones who
lost last time are planning to overwhelm us with sheer numbers next, it
seems."
Even among the nobles
in the royal capital, there were those well-versed in the frontier's affairs,
and among their children who overheard snippets, confidential information was
whispered as an open secret.
"Oh, they made
such a spectacle of themselves last time. Even if they attack with several
times the force, it'll just be more shame piled on."
"They're the kind
of people who were outsmarted by a bumpkin Baron. They're no match for us,
venerable nobles."
"That Turnip
Baron's eldest son is a lucky one. He earned military honors against weak
barbarians and is already a Baronet."
"I, too, wish to
be blessed with an opportunity to achieve military honors."
"Indeed, I wish
we could partake in their good fortune."
"We could have
achieved twice the military results."
Their conversations,
coming from those who knew nothing of war and only prided themselves on their
noble status, were so low-level that they weren't even worthy of a child's
fantasy.
Thinking this, Darek
did not associate with them in the academy and consciously kept his distance,
remaining aloof.
However, one day, they
started saying something outrageous.
"Are we not also
children of nobles who support the Kingdom? Is it not time to take to the field
and show the true nature of the Kingdom's nobility in this difficult
situation?"
"I agree. We
should show the true nature of the nobles who support the Kingdom, unlike the
rural nobles of the frontier."
"Military honors
and rewards should be bestowed upon us, the chosen ones.
If we demonstrate our
military might, the barbarians of the south will not even think of invading
again."
This was nothing short
of reckless bravado.
They spoke eloquently,
but they never envisioned actually fighting on the battlefield themselves. They
would merely hide in the rear.
They believed that
fighting was for their subordinates, and that it was only natural to claim the
military achievements earned by their subordinates' lives.
Having spent a year at
the academy, my brother, whose swordsmanship was the best in the academy—no,
who had already reached the rank of [Sword Saint]—was praised as incomparable
throughout the Kingdom.
Even such a Darek was,
to them, merely a disposable pawn who would fight on the front lines.
While unpopular among
noble students, Darek was popular, respected, and admired by students from
commoner families, knightly families, and baronet families.
That fact alone was
displeasing to the children of noble families.
In terms of
popularity, ability (swordsmanship, tactics), and achievements (military
honors), Darek possessed everything they lacked.
"Even though he's
a Baron, he's just an upstart from the frontier after all. It suits him to lead
the charge himself and fight in such an unseemly manner."
"How about this? We, the children of noble families, form a 'Youth (Apprentice) Knight Corps' and request His Majesty to allow us to march in this battle?"
"That's
interesting! If we, the established noble families, take the lead and call for
participation, many will agree and join."
"This time, we
will achieve military honors and show the common people what true nobles are
like, the true nature of righteous individuals."
Darek had no way of
knowing that such reckless proposals were being discussed among the children of
high-ranking nobles.
And this reckless
proposal...
『The spirit of these youths is commendable!』
—was presented to the King through the influential
noble families, and the establishment and dispatch of the Youth Knight Corps
were approved.
The Royal Capital
Knights Commander and nobles who knew about real combat were said to have held
their heads in their hands, troubled by this decision.
※
"While a great
war that involves your own territory is breaking out, to be studying leisurely
in the royal capital, the son of the Turnip Baron is truly elegant."
"This must be
Lord Errol of the Hiyorimi Viscountcy. My younger brother was greatly indebted
to you in Teigun last year."
Here, Darek, though
thinking it was beneath him, decided to retort directly.
"I had thought
you were staying in the royal capital.
At times, you were on
a mission to annihilate a bandit group at the edge of the Demon Realm.
At times, you led a
small force to rush to the aid of a neighboring territory in crisis.
At times, you set an
example for nobles as a student at the Royal Capital Academy.
I was truly amazed by your
multifaceted activities."
Errol's face flushed
with anger, perhaps recalling the great humiliation he suffered last year.
"You need not
worry, Lord Errol.
I, too, plan to rush
to Southern Gate as a member of the Solis Barony Army shortly."
"Hmph, this time
the enemy is also a large army, and in a siege battle, there will be no room
for tricks. Good luck, do your best."
"Are you going to
continue your studies, Lord Errol?"
"This time, I
plan to proceed to the battlefield as a member of the glorious Youth Knight
Corps, formed by the children of the Kingdom's nobles. Its splendor alone will
make it an awe-inspiring corps, truly befitting my first battle."
"I see. In that
case, it seems we shall meet on the battlefield next. I wish you good
health."
"Are those guys
idiots? No, I knew they were idiots, but even so, they are beyond
redemption."
He sighed to himself
after Errol left.
※
Apparently, Kran had
also heard rumors about the formation of the Youth Knight Corps. That seemed to
have led to his uncontrolled outburst, which could be taken as an insult to
nobles.
Well, he was just
speaking the truth, though...
"Kran, it's about
time we departed for the Estol territory.
I imagine Father is
already busy calling up the troops."
"Understood. However,
the Headmaster has summoned Lord Darek urgently. What shall we do?"
Feeling a tinge of
unease, Darek hastily headed to the Headmaster's office.
※
"Welcome, Baronet
Solis von Darek."
There, he found
Headmaster Klein von Klaus, Duke, and Count Golaus von William, Commander of
the Royal Capital Knights.
"Please, have a
seat. Only you and us two are here. Today, I wish to hear your true
feelings."
Darek, while wondering
why the Commander of the Royal Capital Knights was here, took the seat offered
to him.
"Have you heard
about the Youth Knight Corps?"
As Darek nodded
solemnly, the Headmaster continued.
"It is truly
beyond redemption that even adults would go along with the reckless actions of
youths... What do you think will happen if they are dispatched?"
"I want you to
speak frankly about what you think, as someone who has actually fought against
the Gryphonia Empire's officers and soldiers."
The Royal Capital
Knights Commander also added to his words.
"Begging your
pardon, but the Gryphonia Empire's officers and soldiers are formidable foes.
We only won because the enemy underestimated us and our strategy worked. The
same strategy will never work twice.
If these noble youths,
who know nothing of war, run wild, their first battle will be their first and
last experience."
"In other words,
they will fight and be defeated, losing their lives, huh..."
"Yes, as the
Commander of the Knights says. They have no experience in war. They also
underestimate the enemy as weak soldiers. It is clear that they will lose
control and charge recklessly in their eagerness for military glory."
"Headmaster... it
seems our views are the same."
"Indeed. Although
they are incorrigible, we cannot abandon these young people to needlessly throw
away their lives."
"More
importantly, there is a possibility that they could trigger a collapse of the
battle line. We cannot overlook that."
"Are the Royal
Capital Knights not participating in this battle?"
Darek's question was
met with an unexpected answer from the Headmaster.
"The Royal
Capital Knights are heading to a different crisis front in preparation.
Barons and
lower-ranking nobles with territories in the south would be placed under the
command of Margrave Hastburg.
You know that the Kyle
Kingdom currently has two disputed borders, do you not?
The southern and
eastern borders are currently in a state of high tension, but the south is
being defended by the Margrave (Hastburg) and his subordinates.
However, the border
with the Istoria Royal Kingdom to the east is in a dangerous state. Information
is being suppressed, but the army of Margrave Hamish, who defends the eastern
border, has already suffered heavy losses in a defeat.
Therefore, it is
deemed impossible for them to hold out against the next invasion."
The Commander of the
Knights also replied bitterly.
"It seems that
the Gryphonia Empire and the Istoria Royal Kingdom are secretly in
communication.
We also have
information that there is a high probability they will launch a simultaneous
reinvasion.
On the other hand,
Margrave Hamish has not recovered from the damage of his defeat. Therefore, if
there is another invasion, he will surely be defeated, allowing the enemy to
invade all the way to the royal capital.
As the Royal Capital
Knights, this is a situation we cannot overlook. So, the entire Royal Capital
Knights army will head to the eastern border.
That's why."
"I understand the
situation. So, what do you need from me?"
"Therefore, I
wish you to lead the Second Youth Knight Corps."
"I discussed it with
the Commander of the Knights, and we believe you are the most suitable
person."
After a long preamble,
the two of them finally got to the point.
"Huh? The Second?
What in the world is the Youth Knight Corps...?"
The Headmaster added.
"Influenced by
the actions of the children of the established noble families this time,
children of baronets, knights, and even some commoners have also requested to
participate in the Youth Knight Corps."
"Therefore, the
corps was divided into two units, and a unit composed of junior nobles and
commoners was made independent, becoming the Second Youth Knight Corps.
This was to prevent
unnecessary confusion."
"Begging your
pardon, but what can a mixed army of southern nobles, the First Youth Knight
Corps who take war lightly and know nothing of battle, and the Second Youth
Knight Corps achieve?"
Darek paused and then
poured out his thoughts.
"Do the people in
the royal capital truly intend to defend the South? I don't think so at all.
Honestly, I don't
think this will even serve as reinforcement.
Specifically, are you
telling the Second Youth Knight Corps to act as a shield and die on the
battlefield, and to lead them?"
Darek was angry.
Of course, it was an
unreasonable order. The fact that the ones giving the order knew it too only
made him angrier.
"We have high
expectations for your family's domain as well. We hear that you have gathered
an unusually large number of mages for a barony and are diligently training
them daily."
"The deployment
of a large number of mages in actual combat would be an unprecedented feat in
the Kingdom, if it were to become public..."
With the implying
words of the Commander of the Knights and the Headmaster, Darek understood
their intentions.
『Takuhir, you idiot, the mage matter has leaked all the
way to the royal capital. Restrain yourself a little!』
Darek screamed in his
heart.
"It seems I have
no right to refuse... If you will agree to prioritize the safety of the Second
Youth Knight Corps in times of crisis, then I will listen to your
proposal."
"Viscount Kirias,
under the command of Margrave Hastburg, was originally part of the Royal
Capital Knights and my subordinate. I will also send him a letter explaining
the situation.
Indeed, the members of
the First Youth Knight Corps do not have the mettle to fight on the front
lines. At best, they will only be able to strike the backs of fleeing
enemies."
It wouldn't be that
easy. They would surely cause a self-inflicted explosion.
And their allies would
be dragged into chaos by them.
To die together with
them was out of the question.
Darek thought so, but
he nodded silently without speaking.
"So, is it
correct to assume that the Second Youth Knight Corps will operate as a
'completely separate unit' from the First Youth Knight Corps, 'act
independently,' and that the safety of each unit will be prioritized?"
"Yes, that is
acceptable."
"If,
hypothetically, the Second Youth Knight Corps is annihilated due to acting on
its own initiative, the First Youth Knight Corps will not be held responsible.
'And vice versa.' I would like to receive an order with these points
supplemented and the previous three points stated."
"Hmph hmph, both
brothers... you're even more capable than I heard. That's excellent.
Commander of the
Knights, that much shouldn't be a problem, should it?"
"...Indeed, I
understand about the order."
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