353. Childhood Ep – The Vases of Wrath

“How do you always know where to find me, Sir Reb? It’s quite amazing.”

Prince Vivian asked.

Leaning against the earthen wall of the trench, he had tossed aside his princely attire and dressed in a tattered uniform, completely embodying a field commander.

He had moved his base every other day while patrolling the labyrinthine trenches, and Sir Reb had been remarkably good at finding him.

Reb shrugged and replied, “I’m still just a guest who eats up your food, so I have plenty of time on my hands.”

“Hahaha!”

The prince laughed without malice.

He always gave off a reliable and easygoing vibe, and whenever they met, the fatigue of trench life would momentarily wash away.

Vivian appreciated this so much that whenever Sir Reb visited, he would personally brew tea and host a tea time, and today, Marquis Maxinus Zelai, who was following the prince, joined them.

“How are things on the front?”

“Not too bad. It’s slow, but we’re pushing them back little by little. Thanks to our plentiful magicians.”

Sluuurp—

“That’s a relief. What about the concern you had earlier? I heard the Second Knights of the Belita Kingdom have arrived.”

“We managed to hold them off. Supplying large shields to the soldiers was key. It’s funny how tactics that were only used in ancient times have returned to be useful; war is truly unpredictable.”

“Do you regret inventing trench warfare by any chance?”

Vivian chuckled lightly and didn’t respond. However, he could glimpse the underlying thoughts behind Marquis Maxinus’s words.

“Hehe! Now that the supply issues are sorted, what can we do? Baron Trudy has contacted me. It seems negotiations with Prince Lean de Yeriel have concluded successfully. This means we can fight longer and… with more perseverance.”

“…Prince Lean de Yeriel? What negotiations did he have with our prince?”

Marquis Maxinus glanced at Vivian for a moment. The prince appeared to give his approval to speak. Well, this guy is from the Conrad Kingdom, after all.

“It’s classified information. Your prince has come to the southern border region. It seems he acted as a mediator regarding the arms trade between our kingdom and the Belita Kingdom, and it looks like Baron Trudy pulled it off. Well, it was a predictable outcome, to be honest.”

“…Baron Trudy has accomplished something significant. I hope the Emperor doesn’t downplay his contributions.”

Baron Trudy was Prince Vivian’s closest aide. Vivian knew he wanted to elevate him, but Maxinus was a man who spoke his mind.

“I’m not downplaying it. Just stating that the opponent was too easy. The Marquis Benard Tatian, who has been turning a blind eye to this war, has entered the bidding for military supplies… hehehe, if Count Hermann Forte finds out about this, he’ll be furious. He might just collapse from anger.”

‘…Ah.’

However, Reb gleaned different information from Maxinus’s words than intended.

He wondered how Lean would lure Tatian out to meet him, and it seemed that was the bait.

Marquis Benard Tatian had a keen interest in the border regions between kingdoms.

He wanted to expand trade routes, thus reaching out to the borders of the Belita Kingdom, Conrad Kingdom, and Aisel Kingdom.

This was why Tatian seemed overly friendly with Count Gustave Peter.

Since Peter’s territory was located right on the border with the Conrad Kingdom, it meant that securing him would, in effect, open hidden trade routes between the Conrad Kingdom and the Belita Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the Trudy family, where Baron Trudy hailed from, had territory on the side of the Aisel Kingdom within the borders of the three kingdoms. To achieve Tatian’s ambitions, they would need to bring this family into the mix, and it appeared Lean had laid out the groundwork using the arms trade as bait.

Tatian likely relinquished the military supplies quite willingly. He might have put on airs while buttering up Baron Trudy, but, hahaha, this is how war works.

Excelling in strategy and fighting well on the battlefield is important, but what happens behind the scenes in politics is just as crucial.

That’s why those in command on the battlefield must constantly look over their shoulders. Reb quietly asked, “How about our side? Is the Gaidan House quiet?”

A hint of reluctance passed over Maxinus’s face.

He held his tongue, and Vivian, unable to hide his concern, spoke up.

“I heard that Prince Eric de Yeriel has taken control of the Gaidan House’s forces. Oscar de Isadora has renounced his claim to the throne… It’s not good news for me.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I was hoping to achieve results in this war to appeal to the Empire Council, but there are rumors Eric will send reinforcements soon. The fact that I initiated trench warfare… has turned out to be a blunder for me. Once the reinforcements arrive and begin pushing the front lines, I’ll only get to share credit for the achievements.”

It would be impossible to finish before the reinforcements arrived… Reb stifled a laugh.

He had sensed this turn of events the moment he handed over Princess Iina’s necklace to Eric. It was only natural that Eric would rise rapidly, having the seal of the legendary former queen that could amend Cornus’s golden documents. Also, Eric, who was late to the succession race, urgently needed accomplishments to present. So he was trying to get in on the action.

But why did Oscar give up his claim to the throne so easily?

That was unexpected, but things seemed to have worked out anyway.

Thinking that he had done well trusting Eric, Reb momentarily wore a somber expression. Then he introduced the main reason he had come to see the prince today.

“Count Hermann Forte has arrived. Don’t ask how I know, but please lend me fifteen knights.”

“…What do you need them for?”

Slurp.

“I want to go for a patrol. It’s difficult for me to go alone. I’d appreciate it if you could send them to the barracks today.”

Reb left. Marquis Maxinus stared at the empty teacup he had left behind and muttered.

“What a strange man.”

…I agree.

The prince nodded as well.

*

“Let’s go.”

On the first day of the lunar month, Count Hermann Forte and fifteen knights melted into the darkness.

The count had been waiting for this day, for there would be no moonlit night.

A moonless night, of course, meant darkness. But it also had the advantage of having no moon rising from the north bringing mana, leaving the atmosphere empty.

The magicians who had been draining mana from the atmosphere all day had left early for the day, and Count Hermann Forte and his knights took a wide detour around the front lines, deep into enemy territory.

The target was the barracks. The count believed that this bizarre war had taken on a war of attrition. So, smashing the enemy’s barracks, where they constantly transformed wounded soldiers into fighters, seemed like a prudent move.

Of course, it would be a violation of the accord. If news of an attack on the barracks got out, the Cross Church would not stand idly by.

But that was a matter for later, and by that logic, the other side had already broken the unspoken agreement of war first.

How cowardly to pour magic into it.

Surely, even in war, there are moral codes to uphold. The count did not believe this war, where soldiers dug into the earth, was a righteous one.

Filthy scum.

“W-who… Aaaah!”

At that moment, two knights charged left to ambush a hidden arrow trench.

The soldiers there were subdued before they could even turn around to signal; it seemed they were caught off guard, being far from the front lines.

“Well done. How much further do we need to go?”

“We should reach it in about a meal’s time, if the magician’s info is correct.”

“If he looked through a cloud eye, it should be accurate. Let’s take a break and set off again.”

“What about these guys?”

“Kill them. Ah, wait. Kill that one, and bring that one with us.”

A crunching sound echoed as a neck broke.

The soldier dragged in front of the tall Count Forte trembled like he was having a seizure.

“If you answer honestly, I won’t kill you. Understood? Good boy. I’ll just ask one thing. Which direction is your barracks?”

‘Over there! That way!’

His mouth was sealed, so he couldn’t speak, but the soldier rushed to point desperately. However, the direction the soldier indicated didn’t match what Count Forte knew.

“That doesn’t match what the magician scouted. What do you think?”

“Hmm… Isn’t this soldier telling the truth? The cloud eye magic looks down from the sky, so it’s easy to mislead.”

“Perhaps. Alright. Let’s head that way. That lad…”

The count glanced over at the soldier.

“Kill him.”

What was he expecting? The soldier widened his eyes to plead and gurgled something, but soon his neck was broken and fell silent.

He had mentioned having a waiting wife… while sitting down on the narrow trench floor for a brief break, the count began to recall his ex-wife.

Iina.

In my youth, I had an arrogance that I could recognize myself if I think back on it now. I defeated a knight when I was only 13, and by the time I reached adulthood, there was no one who could teach me aside from my father. With a childish attitude, I was boastful and carried myself with great confidence.

It was Iina who taught me humility and quelled my arrogance.

Honestly, when I married her, I didn’t think of love; I only considered how impressive it was to be marrying a princess from a neighboring kingdom.

It’s only natural that a supreme swordsman would take a beautiful and noble woman as a wife.

But there was a flaw in her.

She was young and pretty, but without her glasses, she was almost blind and couldn’t recognize me. Right before our wedding, I was furious to be marrying a wife with such a defect, and I did something mean to her.

– “Eek! W-who are you? Is anyone there?”

After brushing aside the handmaidens, I tripped her up. The princess fell flat on her face and looked for her glasses while asking for help. Poor thing.

But…

– “What good is it to marry when you can’t even see? Just go back.”

– “…So it’s you, Hermann. Please return my glasses.”

– “I’ll return them if you promise with your mouth that you’ll call off the wedding.”

I was insufferably arrogant and wouldn’t stop my foolish behavior. I thought that if I insulted her enough, she’d have the sense to manage herself, but Iina responded unexpectedly.

Taking a deep breath with her small, delicate body, she regained her composure. She gave up on finding her glasses, groped around, sat somewhere, and adjusted her attire.

– “…Why do you think someone will come to help you if you act that way?”

The effort she put in to maintain her dignity had me slightly deflated.

It wasn’t something an age-mate younger than me could pull off, and even without her sight, her undeniable nobility was crushing.

– “I’m going to be your wife. Please show me some respect.”

– “…Ha! W-why should I? Why should I show respect to a blind woman like you? Besides, the Isadora royal family is just a family from the eastern outskirts, isn’t it? If that eastern bumpkin from the Acaian Empire came to the grand capital of Oberg, they should be crawling on their knees.”

This comment seemed to irritate her. Iina Isadora grasped her necklace and replied.

– “You’re not the only one who carries the glory of the Acaian Empire.”

A brilliantly shining necklace. Its shape changed, revealing a red seal, the legendary seal of the Acaian Empire that had vanished into myth. It was said only royals could use it.

After that, we got married, and the rudeness I had committed that day seemed to get lost in Iina’s silent acquiescence.

But when Gilbert was born, I had to bring up the incident from that time to my wife.

I had been foolish back then.

I asked if I could still be forgiven.

My wife… no, Iina Forte said.

– “No.”

She said she had fulfilled her duties as a wife by giving birth to our son. Though deep down, she wanted to reclaim her family name, she was holding back.

– “…If you want to use the Isadora family name, go ahead. Why are you holding back?”

– “I think I can learn to love you.”

– “…!”

– “Just kidding. I’d like you to help our Isadora family a bit. Our Isadora family has always been competing with the Gaidan House. In fact, if I were to inherit the throne, there wouldn’t have been any issues… but my mother didn’t want that.”

Iina placed our two treasures, Gilbert, in front of her and began revealing her long-hidden past.

She had been born as a clear descendant of the Acaian Empire’s royal bloodline. Yet her mother wanted to end the current madness where noble families were desperate to marry royal wives.

In the Aisel Kingdom, any woman with blonde hair or gold eyes was treated as a potential concubine. With that, they acted as if they meant something, appealing for their names to be inscribed on Cornus’s golden documents.

What kind of folly was this, given that the royals disappeared thousands of years ago?

But the golden documents of Cornus, that immortal document imbued with magic, drove people mad.

As such, Iina’s mother, the former queen of the Aisel Kingdom, handed her this clearly rightful seal, shedding tears of despair.

Wanting her daughter to live as an ordinary noble without royal ties, she admonished her daughter to never return, and so she went to the Belita Kingdom. With the seal in hand.

– “If possible, I’d love it if you could just love me without any conditions attached. If I can’t be forgiven, at least I can receive love.”

Iina only smiled brightly and didn’t respond. I thought that was my wife’s answer, but I would realize about a decade later that it wasn’t.

When King Caroman de Tatalia rose to the throne, and he became the Swordmaster, Hermann had secluded himself in the royal castle and started engaging deeply in politics, neglecting his wife and son. Disappointed with this side of him, Iina declared divorce and returned to her family home.

Did she truly love me? Did I ever love her?

These questions festered in the heart of Count Hermann Forte for a long while. Thus, when his wife came to Oberg with Prince Vivian de Isadora, he rushed out in a hurry.

Maybe it was because she seemed to love me.

In a hurried flurry, I rushed out, knowing full well that I had neglected her, but it was clear that I loved my wife.

But Iina…

– “Surely, you must have some advice? Such as what Princess Chloe likes…”

Aside from helping Prince Vivian, she seemed to have no interest. She had merely come to use me to arrange a marriage between Princess Chloe and Prince Vivian.

Just like now.

Feeling a twinge of disappointment, Hermann took the opportunity to berate her while others were absent.

– “…Are you here to do this again? I’m sick of it. You royals only know how to beg and take advantage of people!”

– “Exactly! I came to beg! But have you ever helped our Isadora family? Never even stepping foot in our home, not even pretending to listen to what I say. You act like a lunatic.”

– “Do you think I wanted to be like this? I didn’t want this! But for some reason, I’ve been feeling anxious…”

– “Another rant about anxiety! Fine! I was a fool for asking. Don’t expect me to ask you again!”

– “Enough already!!”

The couple shouting without dignity was interrupted by their son, Gilbert Forte.

“I… I’m just happy to see you both together today. Would it be too hard for you both to talk and smile today? Is that… so difficult?”

Their grown son trembled. Iina felt embarrassed, and Count Hermann awkwardly crossed his arms behind his back.

That day, thanks to their son, he was able to talk more with his wife.

It had been a long time since Iina had visited the Forte residence, and Hermann restrained his desire to return to the royal palace. The three of them shared a meal, discussing the things they hadn’t communicated in a while.

– “They say our son is quite the charmer, huh? Seems he’s famous all the way to the Aisel Kingdom.”

– “Ah, no. You must have misunderstood who he was with.”

– “My back is breaking trying to clean up after our son’s mess. I can’t fathom who he inherited that from…”

– “Inherited? Who could he possibly inherit that from? He’s a spitting image of you. Back when you were young… oh dear.”

– “…Ahem.”

It was a joyful day. The following day and the next as well, until Princess Chloe de Tatalia and their son shared a kiss.

Feeling growing unease, Count Hermann Forte stood up. He roused the knights and proceeded on their way.

But after crossing a few more trenches, Count Forte encountered something.

“Father!”

His son, who had sparked this war, surrounded by sixteen knights, one of whom looked particularly extraordinary.

Is it a trap? At that moment, a foolish voice rang out.

“Father! Please stop the war! I…I’ll help! Mother said so too…”

Count Forte’s insides churned unbearably. He felt like he was going to be sick. No, he already… was. The count’s sword ignited in a bright, white flame.