Chapter 108
(Kyle
Calendar Year 507: Age 14)
The Birth of a Formidable Foe
Translator : PolterGlast
"Your Highness,
thank you truly for saving my unworthy self this time. And I am immensely
grateful for this opportunity to meet Your Highness, even if I am but a
low-ranking noble."
The man prostrating
himself before the one called "Your Highness" was still young, barely
in his twenties, somewhat unrefined, and not quite noble in appearance.
"It's fine. I've
heard much about you. There's no need to pretend. Speak freely; formality is
enough in court. It puts me at ease."
"Phew..."
The man sighed, looking exasperated, then raised his face and chuckled.
"This court life
isn't really my style either... Your Highness, why do you have business with a
prodigal son of a minor noble, who was held accountable for a defeat and
imprisoned in a dungeon?"
"Y-you rogue! How
dare you be disrespectful to His Highness?!"
"I spoke freely
because Your Highness told me not to pretend and to speak at ease. Aren't you,
sir, the one being disrespectful by going against His Highness's wishes?"
The young man boldly
retorted, unfazed by the enraged attendant.
"Stop! I said it
was fine. But... I'd heard about him, but he's quite an interesting man."
Saying this, he mentally replayed the report he had received about this man
from his subordinate.
※
Sieghart Kämpfer, a
former member of the Astray Count family, whose father held the rank of Baron.
Compared to his father, who was a brave and daring staff officer for Count
Astray's army, the opinion of him by those around him was extremely low.
"I haven't heard
any good rumors about him at all," the investigator commented, utterly
dismissing him.
This somewhat
unreliable man, even past the age of 20, neither contributed to his father's
internal affairs nor served in the military. He simply spent his days reading,
and when tired of reading, he would ride on his horseback freely across the
territory, living a life of leisure. Even the citizens of the Kämpfer Barony
called him a worthless prodigal son. It was also said that in last year's
campaign against Kyle Kingdom, he reluctantly led the army in place of the
Baron, who had suddenly passed away. Count Astray himself was reportedly
greatly disappointed at first by the Baron's sudden death and the son who came
in his stead.
"However, after
going to the battlefield, the Count's evaluation of him seems to have
changed," his subordinate, who conducted the investigation, added.
As the Count's army,
acting under the First Imperial Prince's orders, advanced through the
unfamiliar Demon Realm, he reportedly made many proposals. He had somehow
researched what were called the taboos of the Demon Realm. Initially, there was
doubt, but with no alternative proposals, the Count apparently reluctantly
adopted his suggestions. As a result, despite the Count's army advancing along
the edge of the Demon Realm, they avoided unnecessary damage and attrition,
maintaining sufficient combat strength.
"With that
achievement, he gained Count Astray's trust, and by the time of the final
battle, he seems to have been entrusted with commanding the entire army by the
Count."
Upon discovering their
retreating allies, he admonished the Count against the folly of immediately
joining them. He maintained his distance, letting their retreating allies pass,
and remained hidden until the pursuing Kyle Kingdom army had passed. Then, he
suddenly attacked the enemy army's rear, who were frantically pursuing their prey.
Under his command, the
Count's army attacked the startled enemy, who were caught off guard by the
unexpected assault, and with momentum, swiftly broke through the enemy lines.
This forced the Kyle Kingdom army to temporarily cease their pursuit to regroup,
which ultimately aided the First Imperial Prince's retreat. After that, he
protected the rear of the retreating allies, outmaneuvering an enemy force five
times their size, gaining time for his allies to safely withdraw, then
retreated at an opportune moment. He accomplished the retreat battle without
significant losses to his own army.
"However, as a
result of the meeting held in the Imperial Capital at the beginning of the
year, the Count was punished, and his own situation changed once again."
He was abruptly
stripped of his noble status and imprisoned, accused of causing the defeat due
to Count Astray's army's late arrival in the final phase. Count Astray himself,
who was in a position to protect him, was also subjected to an equally
unfounded punishment and reportedly couldn't defend him.
"However, he is a
very eccentric person..."
He reportedly accepted
the unjust charges against him without flinching, entered the prison, and lived
a life of leisure, immersed in reading, as if enjoying his newfound freedom.
※
"Even though you
brilliantly directed the operation that helped him escape, and instead of being
rewarded, you were repaid with enmity, did you feel nothing?"
"Well... it's a
decision made by those high above. There's nothing to be gained from lamenting
what can't be changed. Well, it was a bit inconvenient, but days spent reading
were not bad."
"I see, just as I
expected, an eccentric fellow. By the way, how do you see my current
situation?"
"Honestly... may
I speak frankly?"
"Ah, that is
precisely what I wish to hear."
"With all due
respect, Your Highness, I believe you have been completely ensnared in a
scheme. You face enemies in both the south and north, and seated in the central
area, dividing you, is a cunning old fox who is not to be underestimated.
Unfortunately, it must be said that your current situation, with this fox
holding the power of life and death over you, is quite severe. Arrows will fly not
only from the front but from behind as well. Furthermore, Your Highness's army
is peerlessly strong, but unfortunately, Your Highness is the only one
commanding it. The twin-headed dragon, boasting unparalleled strength, raising
its heads to both the south and north, appears to have only muscle in one of
its heads..."
"Hahaha! This is
the first time anyone has spoken so frankly! I like you!" The Third
Imperial Prince laughed gleefully, looking at his attendant whose face was red
with anger.
"So, it's easy to
say, but how would you deal with this predicament?"
"If you cannot
face both, then simply put a 'lid' on one. This should turn the dragon's heads
in one direction."
"Specifically?"
"That is... Your
Highness must also have your own thoughts. There is no need for me to
elaborate."
Indeed, the Third
Imperial Prince also had a "plan." However, he lacked the
"person" to entrust that plan to. The Third Imperial Prince silently
watched him and pondered. This man, who seemed incompetent at first glance, was
surely testing him. If he were a fool without a plan, I wouldn't even bother to
deal with him properly. He might have been thinking that.
"It's decided. I
shall welcome you as my strategist and a general to lead an army."
"I am from Count
Astray's family, part of the First Imperial Prince's faction, you know. Is that
acceptable?"
"If this matter
is successfully concluded, I shall reinstate Astray, who lost his noble status.
And I expect you to perform well as the 'lid.' Once the lid is closed, you will
be able to enjoy your reading freely, more so than before. Is that not
enough?"
"Hmm... I don't
like troublesome things, but... it is also for my uncle, the Count..."
He said that and
knelt. He looked slightly reluctant, in his honest way.
No one in the Empire
paid any attention to this minor personnel change. There were only a few who
laughed, saying, "The eccentric Third Imperial Prince seems to have hired
another oddball."
※
Several months later,
the Third Imperial Prince, entrusted with both the northern and southern fronts
of the Empire, initiated his court maneuvering.
Initially, many
opposed his directives, especially within the First Imperial Prince's faction.
"First Imperial
Prince, even with your martial prowess and mighty Imperial Guard, you couldn't
defeat the enemy. If you desire the glory of defeating that enemy with half the
forces, then I'll gladly give it to you!"
At these words, they
fell silent. As a result, the fact that the Third Imperial Prince was forced to
divide his forces between the south and north, making the foolish mistake of
dispersing his troops, remained unchanged. In fact, by further diverting troops
from the struggling southern front, he would surely weaken considerably. The
First Imperial Prince's faction reluctantly approved his directives, intending
to gather strength and reorganize their forces during this time.
※
"Well, as you
wished, the 'lid' is ready. I leave it to you; proceed as planned."
"Yes, then I
shall enjoy reading and napping at my leisure."
"After the lid is
closed!"
"It's as good as
closed already. By the way, did you prepare that?"
"Ah, is something
like that truly sufficient?"
"The value of
things changes greatly depending on the location. It's the same as how monster
materials are precious in our Empire."
One of his proposals
was difficult for the Third Imperial Prince to comprehend.
"And Your
Highness, are you truly going through with that plan?"
"Yes, for the
future. It's hard to believe, but if there's even a possibility, it's best to
act proactively and turn it to our advantage. Besides, didn't a letter arrive
from a Baron under Bradley?"
"Well, I
investigated various things, and there's probably a possibility. But, if
there's even one sharp-witted person, such a trick will be exposed, you
know?"
"In that case...
just say 'I made a mistake' and laugh it off!"
"Hmm, that's
difficult to do. I'll prepare the real thing just in case. If they notice, I'll
switch it out. Is that alright?"
"It's fine. If
there's someone clever enough to figure that out, it'll make things more
interesting in the future."
"I just want to
take it easy..."
His murmur was, as
always, disregarded by the Third Imperial Prince as a matter of course.
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