Chapter 169

Many high-ranking people gathered.

There wasn't a single person who wasn't a renowned knight or noble from somewhere.

There were even those who would not be out of place as the head of a nation, and at their center was I.

A golden brooch was pinned to my chest.

It was the symbol of an Upper House Member of the Dawn Brotherhood, one of the Seventeen Elders of the West.

Normally, it was an identity to be kept secret, but now I was displaying it proudly.

I felt as if I had returned to the time before my regression.

“Ten days.”

I stretched my hand over the map.

“In ten days, the 11th and 14th Legions will arrive.”

“…That quickly?”

“A normal fleet would take at least twenty days, no matter how fast they are. But our opponent is the Whale of Hobel Bay. Wasn't advancing in defiance of common sense his specialty?”

“You’re right.”

Grand Duke Pret nodded.

He had entrusted me with command to further gauge my abilities, and I was surprisingly proficient.

No, it wasn't just proficiency; I was more outstanding than anyone else.

It was to the point where it seemed this was more my aptitude than combat.

From my perspective, it was a natural assessment. Even before my regression, I was renowned as a commander, the Deputy Commander of the Western Alliance.

Moreover, since I was repeating a war I had already experienced through regression, it was bound to be easy.

“Then what should we do, Shion?”

“Let’s go over the clear facts first. They are faster than us.”

“We won’t be able to wait for reinforcements. The more time passes, the more advantageous it will be for them.”

Unlike the Empire, which had finished its war preparations, the West had not yet formed an alliance.

“Do we have to settle this within ten days?”

“If we do that, we’ll put out the immediate fire.”

I said resolutely.

“However, we cannot afford to lose our troops. Our forces number a mere 8,500. If we lose any more here, we won’t be able to stop Niko and the 11th Legion.”

“Besides, the majority are infantry, so they’re useless at sea. We’ve been forced into a defensive position.”

“Fortunately, it is advantageous for defending Guidone.”

“That is fortunate. At least.”

“Yes, at least.”

Grand Duke Pret stroked his beard. As he said, it was at least.

“Then how do we settle this in ten days? While putting all our troops on defense?”

“Aren't you asking for too much from someone who's just been appointed?”

“But you have something prepared, don't you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I feel like I'm starting to understand you a little, Shion of Merion. I would not want to make an enemy of you.”

I chuckled.

“What have you prepared? We will help with all our might.”

“You’ve become quite obedient, Grand Duke.”

“Because I want to live?”

“That’s correct.”

Grand Duke Pret shook his head.

From now on, it was wartime.

There was no time for trivial talk.

“The Empire knows as well. That they still have the advantage, that the West cannot act rashly.”

“So?”

“We will exploit that opening.”

My blue eyes sank deep.

“Common sense says this is a battle we are bound to lose. In times like these, an unconventional gambit is needed.”

“In my experience, gambits rarely succeed.”

“That’s true for unplanned gambits. Our hidden card is very sharp.”

“Continue.”

The corners of my mouth lifted.

“I will personally jump in and wreak havoc on the enemy’s formation.”

“…Without any other troops?”

“A little support will be needed.”

It was a crazy thing to say.

There were twenty-two thousand fishmen.

The elite fleet of the Cordis 9th Legion was gathered, led by the Nine Streams General Nana.

It was not a force an individual could do anything about.

And yet, my attitude bred a strange sense of trust.

I had always said such absurd things.

But hadn't all the absurd things I'd spouted become reality?

Grand Duke Pret realized he had nothing to lose by accepting my proposal.

I wasn't asking him for any kind of sacrifice.

I was simply declaring that I would commit some reckless act.

“I’ll go and make such a mess that they won’t be able to sort it out easily even after Niko and the other two legions arrive.”

“Is that possible……?”

“The 9th Legion relies on Nana alone.”

The Regressed Prince spoke without hesitation.

“If I defeat her, it will all be over.”

“Hah……”

Grand Duke Pret couldn't even laugh.

He just let out a sigh and looked up at the ceiling.

“To break through twenty thousand fishmen and the elites of the 9th Legion alone and defeat a Ten Great General……”

“I said I won't be alone. A minimum number of personnel is required.”

“…How many do you need?”

“Three.”

I counted on my fingers.

“Myself, my subordinate, and Cornelius.”

“…Is that enough?”

“Of course. I have waited a long time for this day.”

Grand Duke Pret wiped his face.

He had a habit of wiping his face when he was bewildered.

He thought it had disappeared with age, but it seemed the number of bewildering events had simply decreased.

He slowly opened his mouth.

“…You are not a man so foolish as to not know what you are saying.”

“No. I am more foolish than anyone, Grand Duke.”

“Whether you succeed or fail, we will hold our defenses. We cannot provide any help.”

“I’ve been saying that from the start.”

“But still……”

He looked at me. I was so young I was practically a boy.

Whatever my inner age, my appearance was not even twenty and beautiful at that.

I had the air of a protagonist from an old tale, as if born from the heavens themselves.

“…If, if it goes as you say… Shion of Merion, you will be……”

He found himself thinking about the person named Shion anew.

Husband of the head of the Verchello family, a big shot in Merion, a tycoon with dozens of mines, martial prowess to stand against a Ten Great General, a natural-born commander, and yet young and beautiful.

He was full of elements that people would be enthusiastic about.

Besides, heroes are always born in times of chaos.

It felt as if even the era itself was on my side.

“…a hero.”

***

Cornelius Merhes flew through the sky.

He was with Amethus and me.

“…My life.”

The mustached mage flew diligently, facing the sea breeze head-on.

It wasn't that it was overwhelming. He was a Four-Star Mage.

He had enough leeway to fly through the air with two men and cast concealment magic.

We flew straight across the sea. Nothing would be visible from below.

We raised our altitude as much as possible to avoid any chance of detection.

The closer the 9th Legion's ships came into view, the more frustrated Cornelius's heart became.

“I never intended to betray the Empire……”

“I can hear you, Cornelius.”

“I’m saying it for you to hear, Your Highness!”

“I told you not to call me Your Highness.”

“Ouch!”

I pinched Cornelius's thigh.

With the strength of one who wields the ‘Heated Iron Bloodline’, the mustached mage contorted his body in pain.

Yet, there was not the slightest waver in his levitation or concealment magic.

As expected of a Four-Star Mage, the star pupil of Hermai Merhes!

The mustached mage grumbled.

“…There’s no one listening, is there?”

“Secrets always leak through the smallest cracks. If you want to be on my side, watch your mouth.”

“…I have nowhere to go if not for you, Shion.”

“Then you should be more careful, shouldn't you?”

Abandoned by the Empire, if I were to abandon him too, his situation would be truly miserable.

Cornelius suddenly felt like crying.

How did the dean of the Imperial Academy of Magic end up like this? Still, he flew on steadfastly.

“I follow you, trusting that you will guarantee my life. You know that, right?”

“What kind of life do you want?”

“…Well. Not falling any further than this?”

“You ask for the most difficult thing.”

I chuckled.

“That's enough. I don’t intend to share any deep secrets. Your role, Cornelius, will be to guard Her Highness Santia.”

“What will happen to Her Highness Santia……?”

“When this is over, she will have to hold her wedding ceremony with Lord Gwaemos again.”

They should be in Merion by now.

‘I’m truly grateful to Serena. For taking them and returning to Merion.’

Valziart was in Merion.

I could have at least a minimum of peace of mind.

Serena de Verchello was a strong woman, so she would take good care of Santia and Gwaemos.

“Her Highness Santia will become the justification for the West.”

I swept my blond hair back. It was damp with the sea breeze.

“Proof that while the Empire broke the marriage contract and attacked, the West remained faithful to its promise to the end.”

“Oho……”

“Then Her Highness Santia will be accepted by the West as a living justification and a pitiful princess abandoned by the Empire.”

“…You had a plan?”

“Did you think I would just abandon you all?”

Who do you take me for, Ferbias? I grumbled.

Cornelius felt his heart stir for the man before him anew.

“You’ll be comfortable once this is over. Someone like you, Cornelius, can receive the best treatment in the West.”

“Oh, Your Highness Shion……!”

“That damn ‘Your Highness’!”

“Ouch!”

I pinched his thigh again.

Cornelius twisted in pain, but he had a smile on his face.

With his worries lessened, his heart felt lighter.

“I thought I was being exiled to the West, but it seems I came here to meet you again. I am a man of Cordis, but I wish to thank the gods!”

“…You’re quite sentimental.”

“You didn't know? Cornelius has also published a few books of poetry and novels.”

“Really? First I’m hearing of it.”

“You’re hearing it for the first time? That’s strange. They sold quite well. Sunshine Philosophy, Between Green and Blue, and Nightmare within Eyelids were always on the list of most borrowed books at the Imperial Grand Library.”

“…Sunshine Philosophy, Between Green and Blue, and Nightmare within Eyelids? I’ve read those. No, they’re in my study. You wrote them?”

“Yes. That was me. You didn't know?”

“Good heavens! I’ll have to get your autograph as soon as this is over.”

Cornelius and I snickered.

We were both from the Empire, but it felt like we were finally getting along a little only after being far away from it.

“Anyway, I… uhm, Shion. If you need me, I’ll help anytime.”

“Really?”

“…No. I’ll pass on anything too difficult.”

“Honestly.”

I hadn't expected much from Cornelius in the first place.

I never thought he would come to the West.

Now that he was here, things could proceed more smoothly, but I couldn't entrust him with a key role.

“Amethus, why haven’t you said a word?”

“The air… is difficult…”

The jade-eyed man barely managed to speak before shutting his mouth firmly again.

Tch. I let out a sigh.

I hadn't realized Amethus would have trouble flying.

“You usually leap around just fine.”

“Leaping with my own feet… and flying… are different……”

“…You leap over castle walls with your own feet, don't you?”

“It’s different, anyway……”

I shook my head.

True, I had no memory of flying through the sky with Amethus before.

He could have trouble with the air.

“I was going to go further before dropping you off, but just drop us somewhere around here, Cornelius.”

The 9th Legion's fleet was not far.

It was a distance that Amethus or I could cover in a few dozen leaps.

Cornelius didn't hide his smile. Finding that look detestable, I pinched his thigh again.

“Be careful, Your Highness!”

“That ‘Your Highness’ thing… Forget it, now. Do as you please.”

We were on the verge of an all-out war.

I felt it was about time my identity could be revealed, and there was nothing to be done about it.

“Just be ready to give me that autograph.”

***

We fell onto the sea.

There was no worry of falling into the water.

I had already cast a spell on our legs to walk on the sea. It was a spell cast in cooperation with Cornelius and the mages of the West. It should hold for at least a few days.

Descent.

The friction of the air was hot.

Though he was struggling, Amethus gripped the hilt of his double-edged sword.

Whatever his expression, his jade eyes were firm.

I also collected my breath.

I looked back at the seven flames in my heart, the ‘Septem Arcana’.

“Amethus.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The cry of the hunchback was heard.

Only I could hear it.

Cordis, Cordis, a hateful name, must be destroyed, the thousand-year empire, the wailing cry brought me to my senses.

My mind sharpened.

A fire lit in my sharp mind and began to burn hot.

My eyes, turned towards the Empire, became like a furnace.

I was ready to fight.

“It’s been a long time.”

“…It has been a long time.”

I remembered.

The empty eye socket.

Poesia, Poesia, my beautiful Chyallo flower.

A mother's tears of blood for her lost daughter.

The deepest flame in my heart.

Amethus remembered.

The woman who still could not rise, Shadi Shandor and Aretion.

His blood relatives, betrayed by the Empire.

Different minds, but they shared the same hatred.

“They are Cordis. The 9th Legion, the pride of the Empire. They even have a Ten Great General. What should we do to them?”

“I am a servant. I only follow orders.”

“Isn’t it only right to tear them to shreds?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

I bared my teeth and growled.

Amethus pressed his lips together firmly.

The blue and jade eyes were chillingly beautiful, yet piercingly sharp.

“Let’s go, Amethus. Let’s make the Empire, make that damn Ferbias, have a fit at the mere sound of our names.”

“As you wish, Your Highness.”