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250. Childhood Friend – Summary

The dark clouds have lifted.

The Irotashi River, which flowed with blood and rainwater, returned to its original state in less than a day. The victor buried his fallen comrade at the destroyed stone bridge.

A mournful funeral song. The calming sound of drums soothed both the dead and the living.

We won, yet thirteen thousand lives were lost. And more would die. The hastily constructed infirmary was filled with groaning patients.

Along the sunlit riverbank, soldiers stood in long lines. Even the barbarian warriors, who had been so carefree about life and death, couldn’t help but show a sad expression as they fidgeted with the shroud containing their comrade’s body.

In preparation for the water burial, Reb, having put on dark clothing as best he could, ascended the platform. A sad cheer erupted. After all, we had won. Following a brief silence, Reb opened his mouth.

“I remember those who fell yesterday. They were alive and fought bravely. That is how we could win.”

Reb placed his hand on his heart and bowed his head. The soldiers and warriors followed his lead, lowering their heads in respect to the deceased.

“Some of you may still not understand why we fought. There may be those who do not know why Marquis Gaidan was brutally murdered, being labeled a traitor.”

Reb’s voice was raw and unrefined. He gradually infused more passion into his calm tone.

“The reason we had to fight after the death of the Marquis lies in the corrupt institutions of this kingdom. The evil laws that enslave peaceful natives and make those in debt into slaves. Thus! We fought.”

At this point, Reb’s voice subdued again.

Initially, he intended to gain the support of the soldiers who had lost their masters by selling the dead Marquis. But feeling a piercing pain in his chest, Reb released his clenched fists to ease the tension. He looked towards the native warriors and said,

“…We will not stop. This is only the beginning, and a day will come when all natives will live equally alongside the kingdom’s people. I can promise only one thing: victory. I vow to spread the banner of native autonomy across the entire continent. I offer my condolences to Marquis Gaidan and all our fallen comrades.”

– Splash!

Though from the Orun Kingdom, the bodies were wrapped in shrouds bearing the crest of the Conrad Kingdom, each disappearing beneath the surface one by one.

As Reb stepped down from the platform, Count Ogerton and Leo Dexter were there along with Sir Hazen, the Second Knight Commander from the Conrad Kingdom.

Sir Hazen had crossed the river that morning with his knight order, a thousand Rutina defenders, and five sorcerers. He not only aided in watching over the captured nobles and the heavily armed infantry of the surrendering Lognum royal family, but also helped recover the corpses scattered along the riverbank.

– “His Majesty King Lean de Yeriel has sent his help. He apologizes for not coming in person.”

Sir Hazen regarded Reb as a benefactor of Lean de Yeriel. That businesslike knight remarked,

“It was an impressive speech.”

Then returned to his duties.

Burying the bodies, which including those from the Duke Alzeor de Lognum’s side, amounted to nearly thirty thousand. The river flowed calmly while soldiers tossed away the corpses. Count Ogerton broke the silence, turning to Reb.

“Your speech differed somewhat from the one we discussed. Why was that?”

“…I apologize. I did not want to exploit the death of Marquis Gaidan for false propaganda. The Marquis was not truly interested in abolishing slavery.”

The Marquis had merely sought ways to preserve his lineage without marrying his daughter to princes. Reb had only egged him on.

Count Ogerton stroked his chin, looking surprised.

“Hmm. I wouldn’t call that a lie… but you are quite soft-hearted. So, what do you plan to do with the Marquis’ troops?”

That was the problem.

Though reduced in number, the Marquis’ soldiers still remained substantial.

Five thousand well-armed and solidly trained soldiers.

They were certainly no force to be underestimated, yet Reb replied firmly.

“I will send them back.”

“…Very well. But you have a contingency plan, right? Even though we won a great victory, we also suffered significant losses, and the Lognum royal family is strong. The execution of Prince Alzeor might serve as a double-edged sword.”

Leo too had questions.

With Duke Alzeor’s defeat and our support from the Conrad Kingdom, there was no reason for them to surrender. In fact, the execution of a royal would likely fuel their response even more vigorously than during our previous childhood friend gathering.

Reb shook his head.

“No. Unexpected battles did occur, but with Prince Alzeor dead and the enemy having lost two knight orders, the war is over. Just wait a month. The outcome will reveal itself.”

There was confidence in his words.

Reb decisively disbanded the Marquis Gaidan’s army.

However, “disbanded” is not quite an accurate description. Those who were the Marquis’ soldiers could not be simply ordered to disperse. Calling it a return would also cast doubt.

That was because Reb, the barbarian warriors, Leo Dexter, Count Ogerton and his soldiers, and the army led by Sir Hazen returned with those soldiers to the Marquis’ territory.

The heavily armed infantry and knights of the surrendered Lognum royal family, along with the captured nobles, would be entrusted to Count Gideon Lofro, the Duke of the western borders of the Conrad Kingdom, until the war concluded.

Dozens of small boats made by pirates were utilized effectively here and there.

Reb’s prediction had become reality.

When Leo Dexter arrived in the territory of Marquis Gaidan, he exclaimed,

“Oh~ my dear wife. Have you been well without your husband? I hope your cooking skills have improved?”

Just then, a Sinus (a type of eagle) flew in from the southwest sky and perched on Reb’s shoulder.

Reb smiled broadly.

Attached to Sinus’ claw was a note from Cesar: the Lognum royal family has fallen.

*

The one who brought down the Lognum royal family was Count Taradin Amus, the right-hand man of Prince Aton de Lognum.

After sending his fated rival, Count Geogis Jermin, to Duke Alzeor de Lognum and staying in Nevis to rally the nobles to his side, Amus received the shocking news.

It was a report that Prince Alzeor had died.

I thought it was a relief that I didn’t go, possibly due to losing in a war against the Conrad Kingdom, but the situation became immensely serious.

It was not that the Conrad Kingdom had killed Prince Alzeor. Instead, a swordmaster named Reb, who had emerged from the Jerome Holy Kingdom last year, had instigated a rebellion under the banner of native liberation.

If it had just been that, it wouldn’t have been a major issue. They could simply gather an army and crush it. However, it became a problem when it was revealed that the swordmaster had cooperated with Duke Gaidan and that the army of the Conrad Kingdom had crossed the border, spreading rapidly to the citizens of Nevis.

As if adding insult to injury, the northern border duke, Marquis Evni Dragin, began marching his forces south. The capital of the Orun Kingdom, Nevis, was engulfed in anxiety, fearing that the Jerome Holy Kingdom would invade the Orun Kingdom led by the swordmaster.

The Holy Kingdom had never allowed for slavery, and with the recent independent moves of the Frederick Royal Family, such fears were credible.

“Count Amus, you must make a decision.”

“…”

“From the north, the army of Dragin is advancing, and from the east, the forces of Duke Gaidan, the swordmaster, and the Conrad Kingdom are closing in. If you do not wish to abandon everything and go into exile, you must sever ties with the Lognum royal family.”

Cesar’s whisper shook Count Amus. With only land to his name, his options were sparse.

“If I surrender… will they accept it? No one in this country has more slaves than I do.”

“Of course, that would be difficult.”

Nobles with territories in the outskirts, like Duke Dragin or Marquis Gaidan, did not rely heavily on slaves.

There were enough profits from trade with other kingdoms, and more than anything else, the terrain of the Orun Kingdom played a decisive role.

To the southwest of the Orun Kingdom lies the towering Lognum Mountain Range.

This mountain range, rich with all sorts of minerals, gradually slopes down as it moves away from the coast, becoming plains only near the border with the Orun Kingdom (except in the direction of the Conrad Kingdom, where the elevation drops sharply as if someone had ‘squared’ it). This implies that the nobles with territories within the Orun Kingdom often manage mines.

Mines needed many slaves.

Still, even if I surrendered, I wondered if that would be acceptable. But Cesar crushed Count Amus’ hope as if it were impossible before showing any resentment.

“The ones who executed even royalty. Therefore, it wouldn’t suffice just to surrender; you must show sincerity.”

“Sincerity, you say?”

Cesar subtly diverted the topic.

“I’ve heard that many knights have been deployed. I’ve heard two knight orders were surveyed, but I’m not sure what became of them.”

Count Amus was no fool. Realizing Cesar’s insinuation, the Count groaned.

Rebellion. I must start a rebellion.

Currently, there weren’t many forces left to protect the royal family in Nevis. The Royal Knights and the Royal Guards stationed in the palace, and possibly the First Knight Order that had not been deployed.

Even that would be considerably less as the startled royal family had begun sending proclamations in all directions, mobilizing soldiers and dispatching Royal Knights.

Was there a chance of winning… Yes.

Most of the nobles in Nevis were in situations similar to mine. Moreover, the old nemesis, Count Geogis Jermin, was conspicuously absent as it had been quite some time since he’d wielded influence over his faction.

However, what hesitated him was the eerily synchronized circumstances. Could a country topple so easily? Why, of all times, has such decision-making power fallen into my hands now?

Why now, despite working a lifetime to achieve something seemingly impossible…

‘It’s because of this fellow.’

Realization struck Count Amus, who spoke in a low voice.

“There was a reason why most of the mercenaries in the Cesar Mercenary Group were from barbarian backgrounds.”

“…!”

“…I will start a rebellion. Not because you urged me to, but by my own will. I believe there will be guarantees for my safety. Ah, yes. This was it.”

Count Amus, astonished, rose to his feet. He opened a cabinet and held up an item with his index and middle fingers.

A shoe.

It was the shoe he had gifted to Lady Taradin Amus. Cesar’s heart sank.

“It appears I’ve found a match for my unwed daughter. Then, I entrust this to you.”

The Count left the room.

Left alone with the shoe, Cesar trembled, realizing once again the fear of nobility.

It was a delusion to think that a mere commoner like him could manipulate a Count and successfully sow division using only his tongue. When he urged the Count, the Count was also observing him.

Had Master Reb not handled matters well outside, what would have become of me?

Shivering as he rubbed his forearm, Cesar stepped out. He considered whether to return the shoe to Lady Taradin Amus, but decided to postpone that until after the job was done. Not long after, Count Amus overthrew the royal palace.

*

Cesar met Reb a month later. Leading the barbarian warriors and the army of the Conrad Kingdom, Reb entered Nevis without bloodshed. Nevis had been captured by Marquis Dragin, who had moved first.

Cesar was delighted that his lord had accomplished the mission entrusted to him and rushed to ask for the safety of Count Amus and Lady Amus.

However, the lord summoned him not to the Gaidan Marquisate, where he usually stayed, but to a desolate stable.

This was the former branch of the now-collapsed Dorph Family.

I wonder what my lord is doing here? Curious, Cesar stood before his lord, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. Seemingly lost in thought, Reb silently surveyed the abandoned stable before finally speaking in a warehouse.

“Cesar.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve had a hard time. Thanks to you, things have gone smoothly.”

“No, I merely followed your orders, Captain. I didn’t really do anything.”

“Thank you for saying that. However… I have one more task I’d like to entrust to you.”

“What is it? Command me, and I shall obey.”

Reb casually drew his sword, and surprisingly, he forced Cesar into a painful choice.

“I’m sorry, but you will need to lose one of your arms to carry out this mission. It’s not compulsory; you can decline if you wish.”

“W-What kind of task requires that…?”

“I can’t disclose it yet. It’s a matter requiring utmost secrecy. Can you do it?”

[ Achievement: Master-Servant Relationship.2v – ‘9112’, those sworn to loyalty will never betray Leo. ]

Without an arm…

Thoughts and emotions swirled around.

The first thing that popped into my head was, “Will Lady Taradin Amus still like me without an arm?” Probably not. No one in the world would love someone who is armless.

[ Achievement: Master-Servant Relationship.2v – ‘9112’, those sworn to loyalty will never betray Leo. ]

Nevertheless, I did not want to defy my master’s command. Cesar said,

“What is it? I will not disclose it to anyone. I will search for alternative methods if needed.”

He asked politely. However, his master shook his head and spoke gently. That only added to the heartache.

“It seems you need some time to think. I will give you a few days. Take your time to ponder and respond.”

[ Achievement: Master-Servant Relationship.2v – ‘9112’, those sworn to loyalty will never betray Leo. ]

Cesar gritted his teeth.

He could not betray his master’s expectations. This was undoubtedly a matter so significant that it wouldn’t be revealed to anyone else, and he didn’t want to crush that expectation. Trembling, Cesar raised his left arm. Cruelly, his master said,

“I need the right one.”

He demanded even more. With a pale face, “I-I will provide it…” As soon as he moved his right hand, [Swish!] the light brown sword severed his elbow.

“Ah!”

His arm fell helplessly to the ground, covered in hay. Cesar screamed, clutching his bleeding forearm.

Even with resolve, the pain was horrendous. With his tongue and mouth bitten, he writhed in agony as he asked,

“Ugh… what should I do now…?”

Cesar’s eyes widened in shock as he raised his head.

His master wore a chilling smile, seemingly enjoying the moment. Reb slowly opened his mouth.

“There’s no mission at all. I just wanted to see how it felt to cut it off. Can I slice off the other arm too?”

The betrayer who led me to kill my sister. Reb did not move until Cesar made his own decision.

I will wait until he begs for death. Until even the vow of absolute loyalty is shattered, I will slice him up and torment him.

Reb did not leave the warehouse for a long time. Only his longtime companion, the orange-haired Sinus, circled around that horrific scene.