Chapter 257

(257)

“This way, please, Councilor. I’ll bring you your meal shortly.”

The cavalry captain guided Eric and his entourage to a large tent.

“Thank you.”

Eric stepped inside with his entourage.

Instead of candles, glowing orbs illuminated the interior of the tent, and the walls were not made of leather but of cloth treated with a special resin.

One of the escorts touched the fabric and let out a low whistle in amazement.

“In every little detail, you can feel the difference in national power. Truly, the Magic Empire.”

Eric faintly nodded, and the escorts who had remained silent up until that moment began firing questions.

“Councilor, did you manage to conduct fruitful discussions?”

“What kind of person was Duke Valenciaunos?”

“I’m worried. Could he possibly take you hostage?”

“Councilor, while your intention to prevent war is commendable, manipulating members of the imperial family to pressure the Republic’s general could easily be seen as treason—.”

“That’s enough. I’m too tired.”

Eric raised a hand to silence them.

Only then did the escorts notice Eric’s condition.

Even a man would fall for his handsome face, weary and pale from exhaustion, his white shirt drenched in sweat.

“Ah, ah.”

“My apologies, Councilor!”

The escorts hurriedly took out fresh clothing and instructed a soldier to prepare water and towels.

As they scurried about, Eric sat perched on a bed and stared blankly at them, recalling his meeting with Valenciaunos.

‘What kind of person was he?’

Eric was a councilor who, despite being relatively young, had been quite active in external affairs.

He had met influential figures who survived decades in the tumultuous politics of Lanzo and legendary swordsmen like Doroysen who could cut down hundreds of soldiers with a single blade.

Seeing the Bandit Duke, however, brought to mind the man known as the Sword King.

Ensis von Doroysen.

The 260-year-old Sword Master.

Eric found it hard to believe that he felt the aura of a superhuman who had single-handedly saved a nation from a boy who was not yet twenty, but his hands and eyelids were still trembling.

The neatly swept-back white hair evoked a delightful madness fitting for the nickname “Bandit,” golden eyes imprinted the power of royal blood passed down through generations, and his sallow cheeks and broad shoulders spoke to a man who had ruled over hundreds of thousands of lives with mere numbers and gestures.

‘What should I say?’

Eric wasn’t someone who judged others by their appearance or attire.

However, the numerous golden decorations on the pristine white uniform and the red-and-white sash spoke volumes about how much the so-called Holy Emperor, his twin sister, trusted him.

And what about the people sitting behind him?

The magician with blue and gold embellishments on her robes had an air of ancient grace, and the knight in white armor with red patterns was undoubtedly the infamous knight of Lanzo known throughout the empire.

The man with steel limbs and eyes was undoubtedly Marcus, the leader of the Ironblood Party who had plundered the borders of Doroysen for years.

The person Eric was most wary of among these formidable figures was the brown-haired, green-eyed maid.

Every time her calm expression revealed a chilly glint, Eric’s heart sank, fearing that his greatest secret had been uncovered.

‘He was a special person.’

Duke Valenciaunos was someone who could command such a group.

Completely overwhelmed, Eric couldn’t even present his originally planned negotiation strategy.

Instead, he awkwardly trembled and exposed all his weaknesses, and instead of bargaining, Eric wound up outright begging, or rather, pleading.

Eric gave up on describing it in words.

‘It was… a special meeting.’

An experience so intense it made him doubt even the notion that all men are created equal.

* * *

The night grew deeper, but sleep did not come.

I sipped cold water repeatedly while attempting to organize my thoughts.

“Damn.”

I disliked, even felt uneasy around, good people who volunteered to save their country, those who mustered the courage to try something. Usually, their boldness and courage only made things worse, and they’d attempt to justify their actions with good intentions.

Even the fact that I found these people uncomfortable meant I felt some kind of kinship with them.

I summoned into my tent the banneret knight sent by Duchess Signain.

“How does Duchess Signain intend to respond to Councilor Eric’s proposal?”

The knight, a flag-bearer representing his lord, answered composedly.

“The house currently lacks the resources to expand our territory to the southwest. Proioaito loves peace more than war, so a resolution without fighting is always welcome.”

“Hmm.”

“But creating a situation where the enemy might return is burdening. If we go to war, we need to ensure significant damage is done. Either blood must flow in great quantities, or not at all.”

I understood.

This implied that just wrapping up the current invasion is not the end. The Republic was notoriously tricky when it came to treaties during the previous timeline too.

Whenever the government changed, the new leader would attempt to nullify all treaties formed by the previous president. It’s difficult to have any constructive conversations with such people.

“Has Lady Trentia or Duchess Helena sent any messages, Lady Trentia?”

“Yes, Your Highness. By messenger bird.”

Trentia took out a piece of parchment from her bosom.

The handwriting was careful and yet bold.

[“Helena to Valenciaunos.

They are not worshippable gods we must embrace, but enemies we must conquer or exterminate.

Republicans are nothing more than cancerous growths on the empire.

Though there may be many foes, they are scattered, whereas we are united. We excel in chaotic battles, annihilation, long-range surprise attacks, and assassination.

Sacrificing glory to compromise shows the mindset of a coward.

Valenciaunos, people do not honor those who do not fear.

Regardless of any treaties or negotiations, I will insist that action must start with giving them a decisive blow.”]

“Sounds legit.”

That sounded very much like older sister Helena.

I could see the writer’s hesitation in the handwriting, as if they were afraid of offending Jeilliris with their counsel, but the content was undoubtedly worthy of the empire’s finest field commander.

The Republic of Lanzo was not a subordinate to be acknowledged by the empire.

In the previous timeline, it was different because we needed Cariosa to guard the eastern sea. Even then, they invaded the palace, and we did nothing.

The Republic of Lanzo is a nation of traitors, openly denying the empire and the imperial court.

The empire has always ruthlessly crushed such rebels.

For the Solletarass bloodline, loyalty is not something that can be forced but something willingly given. Giving an opportunity to express loyalty is both a grace and a privilege of the sovereign.

“…Lady Trentia, what are your thoughts?”

Lady Trentia slowly shook her head.

“One does not ask a knight for opinions but commands.”

Rudi had the same look in his eyes.

I turned to Sererassie, and she quickly spoke as if she had been waiting for me to look at her.

“Valen, why don’t we help Councilor Eric just once?”

It was not behavior typical of the usually irritable Sererassie, who often acted high and mighty.

With a fresh curiosity, I asked:

“A councilor is not exactly your favorite kind of person, is it?”

The power of a councilor exists only because people believe in it, whereas a mage’s power exists irrespective of belief.

Eric the Councilor would be the most incomprehensible entity to Mage Sererassie.

Sererassie gave a slight nod.

“You’re right.”

“To nod and say yes goes against imperial conversational customs.”

“Quit nitpicking. Yes, I’m not interested in councilors or citizens.”

“Then why?”

She raised her eyebrows as if daring me not to see it.

“Because I am a mage. Helping a distressed junior is both a duty and a right of a senior mage.”

I cringed as if hearing a comment I should’ve ignored.

“Councilor Eric is a mage?”

* * *

It was dawn.

Lady Trentia and Marcus had left the tent, leaving only Sererassie and me inside.

I discreetly summoned Councilor Eric through Rudi.

“Your Grace the Duke? Did you call?”

Judging from his tired demeanor, he hadn’t slept at all.

Even his bloodshot sclerae, which should have made me feel protective, were ignored as I, the empire’s greatest rogue, suppressed any rising sympathy.

He, too, being a political figure, seemed to have realized that only myself and the ‘mage’ Sererassie were present, as his handsome face quickly paled.

It was quite a show to watch.

I crossed my legs arrogantly, tilted my head up, and gave him a sidelong glance.

“I don’t know much about the Republic of Lanzo, but I heard they don’t have mages, do they?”

In reality, my knowledge about Lanzo was practically nil.

After losing Rudi in the previous timeline, I lost myself in licentious living in brothels and slums.

When Helena dragged me out, beat me up, and restored me to a human form, it was already after the continent was swept by war.

To Eric, however, it must have sounded as though I knew all the facts.

He turned pale, tightly closed his blue eyes, and began to speak.

“Yes, the Republic of Lanzo upholds the tenets of equality and dislikes hybrids of different races who inherit power through lineage. No, not dislike, but outright deny.”

Equality of all people is a logical tenet based on the premise of natural equality.

However, the nobility of the empire and the continent gained power through marriages with other races and blood magic.

When reality conflicts with logic, many people unfortunately try to adjust reality to fit their ideology.

And then they perish.

“Our ancestors in the Venefict family seem to have fled from the empire. Occasionally, individuals appear who understand magic without any training.”

Realizing how wrong everything was, Eric’s voice grew increasingly gloomy.

At that moment, Sererassie smiled.

“Eric, won’t you look up?”

Her voice was unusually cheerful.

“Eh, me…?”

“Call me Sererassie. Senior Sererassie.”

“Uh?”

“You’re special just like me, right?”

Upon hearing those words, Eric’s gaze fluttered like reeds in the storm.

Sererassie radiated the unmistakable demeanor of a recluse mage.

Whether she realized it or not, she offered him a bright smile and suggested,

“We don’t enjoy war, do we? With your magical prowess, why not try once without fearing? Would you tell General Brnoa that Duke Valenciaunos wishes to meet?”

Eric returned to the republic army camp as if he’d been subjected to a mind-altering spell.

Two days later, General Brnoa invited me.

* * *

General Brnoa had a lion-like auburn mane slicked down with oil and a bearded appearance that suited the image of a general.

Being a devout follower, he wore the circular cross necklace of the Church of Radiance.

“I didn’t expect to meet the second-in-command of the tyrannical monarchy, General Brnoa, Duke Valenciaunos.”

Though his common tongue was awkward, his tone and expression successfully conveyed his intent.

Duke Valenciaunos first scanned the encampment of the republican army.

“…”

There appeared to be around 8,000 troops stationed there.

Odd metal wing-adorned pillars rose like stakes everywhere, and many figures robed similarly to the clergy of the Church of Radiance were visible.

Given the Church doesn’t usually meddle directly in state or noble disputes, these were likely pretenders, which gave off an odd vibe.

Most of the soldiers were of poor quality.

Their arms lacked muscles, and more men were shorter than Rudi.

They weren’t professionally honed elites but rather ordinary soldiers given a few months of training.

No units of sword users could be seen.

It was clear they stood little chance in direct confrontation, but they could likely escape in case of an emergency.

Duke Valenciaunos furrowed his brows once before mustering his mana and replied.

“Address me as His Grace Duke Valenciaunos! You lowly commoner!”

“!”

An involuntary twitch ran through Brnoa’s face, and Eric let out a quiet gasp.

The superhuman momentum of countless trials and spirit fusion was simply beyond what normal people who couldn’t handle mana were capable of bearing.

Duke Valenciaunos glared and continued his tirade.

“The Holy Emperor originally intended to flatten your despicable country but has sent me here in His divine mercy.”

“The holy knights will reduce your wheat fields to ruins, burn your villages, and dam your rivers!”

“Submit, then, before His representative, you leader of rebellion!”