Chapter 123:Release The Dog (1)

The battle on the Ramdas Plains resulted in sixty-five fatalities. Among them, twelve were cavalrymen, and two knights were killed. 

The number of the injured, both severely and lightly, was much higher, so the army of Lord Lothar, whose available forces had dwindled, had no choice but to halt its advance once more. 

However, was there nothing gained and only losses? At least, not in the eyes of Cedric.

“Prince Gottfried. You’ve suffered quite a lot.”

“……”

The biggest gain was the capture of Baron Gottfried. His face was unrecognizable. Even a kind word like “he looks fine” would be impossible to say. His nose was broken, and the dried blood clung to his face, while his swollen eyes and bruised face were tinged with a dark blue. 

Despite the gruesome state, he was still breathing, barely.

“Looking at your face, it seems you’ve had quite a rough time.”

“…..Lord Lothar, please show some respect to the prisoner—”

“While you burned down our lands, right?”

Lord Lothar said with a sardonic smirk. Baron Gottfried, his limbs bound tightly, had no response, merely remaining silent.

Meanwhile, Cedric, who had just received treatment inside the tent, watched the scene with a rather uncomfortable expression. 

‘It’s stiff.’

It wasn’t anything else; it was his shoulder, where the arrow had struck. The constant dull pain made it feel odd. It had been a long time since he had felt such pain—perhaps it was the first time.

At the absurdity of that fact, he let out a brief bitter laugh, but soon, Lord Rutger, who had just finished treatment as well, entered the military tent.

“Lord Lothar.”

“Oh, Lord Rutger. I was just about to call for you.”

“Pardon?”

“I need to inform my father. I’ll send a messenger to bring the news. Once I share such joyful news, surely my father will recover soon.”

Lord Lothar said as he scratched his ear with his finger. Lord Rutger nodded absentmindedly and then promptly left the tent again.

“And… Cedric?”

“Yes, Lord Lothar.”

“Come here. Don’t overdo it… That’s right. Someone bring an extra chair!”

Moments later, one of the attendants brought a chair and placed it next to Cedric’s leg. 

Thanks to that, Cedric found himself in a rather comfortable position, feeling quite perplexed. Lord Lothar had changed a bit. Actually, quite a lot.

Before, his eyes were dull, and he acted as though he lived without a thought, like someone who never thought about anything. After Cedric slapped him, he had avoided Cedric at all costs.

Yet, after a single battle, the person had changed. It seemed as though he was eager to treat Cedric even better than before, almost desperately.

“I will write in detail about your achievements and send them to my father. No one will be able to diminish your merit, so don’t worry.”

“…Ah, yes. Thank you.”

In truth, the only person who could have undermined Cedric’s merit was Lord Lothar himself. Yet, even Lord Lothar was suddenly being kind to Cedric, making Cedric feel awkwardly confused, not understanding why this change had come over him. 

But, as the saying goes, “Don’t refuse goodwill,” so Cedric had no reason to decline the kindness.

“By the way, Cedric. What should we do with this one?”

Now, he didn’t even call him “Prince Gottfried” anymore. As a result, the face of Baron Gottfried, sitting in front of him, twisted in humiliation.

“Although it’s difficult to follow everything exactly as you’ve said, I do intend to strongly reflect your opinion.” 

After all, Baron Gottfried had been captured by Cedric. Cedric didn’t have many doubts about that logic. Simply having his opinion somewhat accepted was already a good outcome. 

Truthfully, part of him wanted to kill Gottfried. After all, it was Gottfried’s cunning actions that had led to Jacob’s death. 

However, even though Cedric had captured him, it wasn’t as simple as just killing him or tearing his head off. 

“I…” 

Cedric struggled to speak. 

Originally, the ultimate reward of this territorial war had been the title of Baron Gottfried itself. In other words, taking everything from Baron Gottfried, who was sitting right in front of them, felt like stealing away his entire life.

He wasn’t sure whether it was appropriate to say this in front of both Lord Lothar and Baron Gottfried himself. 

The original terms of the contract had not even included the capture of Baron Gottfried. The actual terms stipulated that the contract would apply once they had occupied Baron Gottfried’s lands. 

Of course, it was a rather technical point, but even in noble contracts, it would be overly optimistic to think that such things would go unnoticed. 

Cedric wasn’t an overly optimistic person. So, he was being extra cautious. 

Originally, it might have been impossible to strip an alive noble of his title. This was something that should be left to Count Bogenberg and Baron Yaben to decide. 

Having made this judgment internally, Cedric quickly gathered his thoughts and spoke.

“I don’t think it’s my place to decide. It would be something for Duke Yaben and Count Bogenberg to discuss.”

“Hmm… You have a point.”

Cedric taking everything, including Baron Gottfried’s title, posed a problem. Even though it was clearly stated in the contract with Count Bogenberg, it didn’t make sense for the noble who had bled the most, Baron Yaben, to hand over everything to Cedric without complaint. 

Of course, it was clear that the territorial war would have been much more difficult without Cedric’s involvement… 

‘But that doesn’t make it a free pass.’

No matter which history you look at, the person who achieved the most in war doesn’t take everything for themselves. They usually receive the largest share, but not everything. 

Without Lord Lothar’s army, Cedric would have found it impossible to do anything. It had been a cooperative effort, so it wasn’t reasonable for Cedric to take it all. 

“Still, I can’t just stand by and watch him live comfortably.”

“Ugh…” 

Cedric’s navy-blue eyes gleamed coldly. When they met Baron Gottfried’s gaze, the latter shuddered.

Even though Cedric would rely on the judgment of Baron Yaben and Count Bogenberg, he didn’t want to let Baron Gottfried off easily. 

If possible, he would take everything from him his title, land, wealth everything. 

For Baron Gottfried, this would be the most brutal and painful punishment.

Cedric faintly recalled the time when he had reduced Fritz to a fool. 

Men from the north repay their grudges tenfold. Cedric was an exception. 

He repaid his grudges a hundredfold. 

And for Baron Gottfried, there would be no exception. In fact, it would be far worse than for others. 

A hundredfold? No, a thousandfold. This would be Cedric’s tribute to Jacob. 

“I will also explain this well to my father. I hope the discussion with Count Bogenberg goes well.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. I’ve kept you too long. Go and rest. We’ll be returning to Rund soon.”

The situation ended abruptly, leaving everything uncertain. 

But amidst this uncertainty and chaos, one thing was certain.

“This is the end of the territorial war.”

With Baron Gottfried captured, the territorial war was essentially over.

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The biggest catch was undoubtedly Baron Godfried, but he wasn’t the only prisoner of note. The knights who followed Baron Godfried were just as significant. 

Cedric silently watched the several military tents set up to one side. 

Many familiar faces were waiting endlessly in front of those tents. 

They were the knights of Baron Godfried. Among them, Cedric’s gaze met that of Sir Gerhard, who was particularly large in stature. Sir Gerhard nodded silently. Cedric nodded back in response.

There was no need for a deep conversation. Cedric was thinking of mercifully releasing Sir Gerhard. 

After all, the ransom he had collected from his capture would eventually be received, and he could take more from here as needed to pay off the previous ransom. 

Still, that could be foolish. If one became blinded by money and disregarded the future, it was not something Cedric would do. 

Moreover, since he had not interfered as promised, Cedric’s feelings toward him were quite favorable.

What would happen to Sir Gerhard? At least, he wouldn’t bear the disgrace of betraying his lord. Before protecting his lord, he had simply fulfilled the promise he made, tied to his own honor. 

No one really intended to blame Sir Gerhard. Even if Sir Gerhard had stepped forward, the outcome would not have been drastically different.

“Cedric, my lord!”

Just as Cedric was quietly sorting out his thoughts, Sir Henri, who had been coming from afar, waved his hand cheerfully.

“Sir Henri. Are you well?”

“…Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?”

As Sir Henri said, Cedric could not honestly claim that his condition was fine, even as a polite gesture. 

He had an arrow wound, specifically a deep injury on his back, near the scapula. In addition, there were wounds on his arms from blocking thrusting spears, along with scratches and bruises on his abdomen and neck. 

Still, the bleeding wasn’t as severe as expected, so there wasn’t much to worry about.

“It’s just a bit stiff.”

“Well, better to keep it at just stiff… Ah, what should I say?”

Sir Henri clicked his tongue and then nodded as if dismissing it as unimportant. Yes, this was just the kind of person Cedric was.

“Why have you come?”

“Well, you see… I came to check on your condition, and also because there’s someone who wants to see you.”

“Someone wants to see me?”

Cedric tilted his head, confused. Someone wanting to see him out of the blue was an unfamiliar statement. However, when he saw the face that appeared behind Sir Henri, he couldn’t help but understand.

“…Cedric, my lord.”

“Alyssa.”

Alyssa looked absolutely disheveled. Her appearance, looking terribly worn out, was undoubtedly the result of overusing magic. Just as Cedric was about to speak words of concern toward her, Alyssa spoke first.

“Are you… alright?”

“Well… I’m fine. I’ll feel better after a few days of rest.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“And you? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Thank you for worrying about me.”

A strange atmosphere lingered. Cedric awkwardly cleared his throat. Alyssa’s gaze, full of concern, was so overwhelming it almost suffocated him.  

“Ahem! Well then, I’ll be going now.”  

Sir Henri, having sensed the mood, wisely stepped away, and the soldiers passing by also kept their distance, moving further away to avoid the two.  

Cedric soon realized the surroundings had become quiet. An odd, ticklish feeling lingered, making him feel awkward. With the atmosphere so silent, it only made him feel more uncomfortable.  

He felt like he should say something, but he had no words, so he ended up just mumbling for what seemed like an eternity.  

“Cedric, my lord.”  

“Hm?”  

Alyssa suddenly spoke. Cedric turned his gaze toward her.  

“Have you seen any mages in Lord Godfried’s camp?”  

“Mages?”  

Come to think of it, Alyssa had arrived here with some mage, didn’t she?  

Cedric pondered for a moment. Lord Godfried’s camp had been a chaotic battlefield, filled with slaughter and bloodshed. Perhaps among the many people Cedric had killed, there could have been a mage.  

But even that wasn’t certain, so after a moment of hesitation, Cedric shook his head.  

“I don’t think I’ve seen any mages with my own eyes.”  

“…I see.”  

“But, it’s possible other knights captured or killed one. We’ll have to check in the morning.”  

“I appreciate it, but you don’t need to worry too much.”  

“No, it’s not that. You are my—”  

Cedric suddenly stopped speaking. What was Alyssa to him? A friend? A companion?  

—A companion who traveled together. Don’t make her feel too burdened.  

Cedric picked the most appropriate word.  

Yet, for some reason, Alyssa’s expression subtly hardened.  

“A companion… Right, a companion.”  

“Thank you. I’ll help look for the mage in the morning, too.”  

“Y-yeah. Let’s do that.”  

Alyssa, turning quickly toward the military tent, had a slightly different expression than usual.  

It seemed a bit sulky or perhaps slightly mischievous…  

But Cedric, with his mind equally tangled, didn’t think much more of it. The conversation ended there.  

“A companion, a companion.”  

Even as he returned to his tent and prepared for bed, Cedric continued to mull over the words he had spoken.  

A relationship defined by the word “companion.”  

If he wanted to take it further, would that be considered greedy?  

He didn’t know. Exhausted by the battle, Cedric’s body began to feel numb, and he started to feel as though his consciousness was drifting away.  

He promised himself that at dawn, he would search for any traces of the mage. If he couldn’t find any, he would question Lord Godfried.

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“Just when I think I can rest…”

Keldric, who had woken up in the peaceful commune, immediately collapsed onto the ground.  

As he lay still with his eyes closed, something hot carefully brushed against his ear before he knew it.  

‘Damn, guess I’m getting used to this.’  

Keldric opened his eyes. The pungent smell of smoke and the sour scent of sulfur stung his nose.  

“Ah, you’re here?”  

[…………It’s finally all falling apart now. Warrior.]  

“I’ve been here more than once, you know.”  

The familiar black wolf was looking at Keldric with a disgruntled expression.