Chapter 296

*Rumble, rumble, rumble!*

The carriage sped along the highway.

It was the highway leading to the Empire.

I was alone in the carriage.

My path was different from Regina’s.

She had to stay in the north for now.

Gathering a large army quickly wasn’t an easy task.

Lobel, the acting head of the family, couldn’t do it alone.

She had to assist him.

And the northern lords would feel more reassured if she, the symbol of the Ehrenbert family’s military might, was present at the main house.

We would join forces eventually.

It was inevitable, as we would have to march south with our armies.

I had left Dan and Godwin at home.

They weren’t even citizens of the Empire.

I didn’t want to drag them into this civil war.

“Um… Young Master.”

Dolph, the coachman, spoke cautiously.

“What is it?”

“W-Will the territory be alright?”

The Celtrine Duchy.

It wasn’t just a territory to Dolph.

It was his home, where his family lived.

I understood his concern.

“Of course. If the territory was in danger, do you think I would be here like this?”

“Phew.”

Dolph sighed in relief at my confident words.

“But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any danger.”

“Ugh.”

“But we can repel any threats. That’s what a lord is for.”

“Young Master…”

“As the next lord and heir to the territory, I will do everything in my power to protect it.”

“Y-Young Master…”

“Don’t get so emotional over something so obvious. Just focus on driving.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

The carriage continued speeding towards the Celtrine Duchy.

* * *

The First Prince’s envoy.

No, the self-proclaimed Crown Prince’s envoy visited various lords.

“I bring a message from Crown Prince Adolf!”

The envoy declared arrogantly, as if he was the master of the territory.

The lord, on the other hand, fidgeted nervously, unsure of how to react.

He was a minor lord.

A single cough from the First Prince, or rather, the self-proclaimed Crown Prince, could wipe out his entire territory.

“What are you doing? In the presence of the Crown Prince’s envoy! Kneel at once!”

“B-But…”

“Hmph, how insolent! If you don’t kneel immediately, I will report your disrespect to the Crown Prince!”

“Gasp!”

The lord’s face turned pale, and he hurriedly knelt.

His retainers looked at him with pity, but that was all they could do.

Because they knew.

That in times of chaos, might made right.

Defying the strong meant death.

“What are you waiting for? Kneel!”

The envoy shouted at the retainers.

“Tsk.”

The retainers gritted their teeth and knelt.

The envoy, satisfied, smiled smugly.

“Now, listen to the words of Crown Prince Adolf! Baron Burns Berrington, lord of Berrington, you are to pledge your loyalty to the Crown Prince and contribute all your forces to the fight against the traitorous Oscar! And send your eldest son to the Imperial Capital immediately! He will be treated with honor!”

“U-Ugh…”

Baron Berrington stammered, his face pale with shock.

Mobilizing his forces and pledging his loyalty.

He could accept that.

In times of chaos, the weak had to submit to the strong to survive.

But sending his eldest son to the Imperial Capital?

It was a hostage.

A tool of intimidation, to prevent him from betraying the Crown Prince.

He could accept it as a lord.

But as a father, he couldn’t.

No parent could bear to put their child in danger.

Baron Berrington’s body trembled.

“What are you waiting for? Answer me!”

The envoy pressed him for an answer.

Baron Berrington closed his eyes.

His duty as a lord and his love for his son clashed within him.

But in the end,

“…I-I will obey the Crown Prince’s orders.”

He said, his voice trembling.

He knew that he wouldn’t survive if he defied the Crown Prince.

To save his family, he had to endure the pain of sending his son away as a hostage.

That was his choice as a lord.

“Haha, a wise decision. I will inform the Crown Prince of your loyalty.”

The envoy smiled, satisfied.

It was a scene that played out countless times during the chaotic times.

* * *

Not all lords submitted to the threats.

Because they had different levels of power and different personalities.

“I apologize, Envoy. My son is sickly, and I can’t send him on such a long journey.”

Viscount Sephir said, scratching the back of his head.

“Is he truly ill?”

The Crown Prince’s envoy glared at him.

“Do you think I would lie?”

“Hmm, what about your other sons?”

“My second son is too young, he’s a late bloomer.”

“And your daughters?”

“How can I send my naive daughters to the Imperial Capital?”

“Sigh.”

The envoy sighed in frustration.

And then,

“Viscount Sephir! Your attitude is making me question your loyalty. Are you truly loyal to the Crown Prince?”

He reprimanded Viscount Sephir coldly.

But Viscount Sephir remained calm.

“How can you say that? I’m willing to support the Crown Prince’s army at any time.”

“…”

An awkward silence filled the room.

The envoy seemed to have made up his mind.

He turned and walked towards the door.

“It seems like you don’t know what kind of person the Crown Prince is.”

“What do you mean?”

“Do you think he has the time to wait for you to make up your mind? Do you think it takes time to mobilize an army? Well, I guess it does, considering the distance.”

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”

“You’re stalling, hoping to see how the situation unfolds before making a decision, aren’t you? Or maybe you’re just planning to sit on the fence.”

“Your assumptions are offensive.”

“Assumptions?”

The envoy smiled, a cruel glint in his eyes.

*Step, step, step.*

He walked towards the door.

Just before leaving, he said, “An example.”

“Hmm?”

“Remember this.”

The envoy left.

Viscount Sephir frowned.

And then he muttered, “He’s just an envoy, yet he’s so arrogant. He’s not even the Emperor yet.”

* * *

An example.

Viscount Sephir should have heeded those words.

And he should have taken action as soon as possible.

This was the consequence of his inaction.

“Aaaargh!”

“Kyaaaaa!”

“S-Spare me… Ugh!”

Screams and cries of agony echoed through the air.

The Crown Prince’s army, led by the Imperial Knights, had launched a surprise attack on Viscount Sephir’s territory.

It was a small-scale operation, so Viscount Sephir hadn’t even noticed them approaching.

But “small-scale” didn’t necessarily mean “weak.”

No, they were terrifyingly strong.

*Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab!*

Ten swords, moving as if they were alive, pierced through the bodies of Viscount Sephir’s knights, leaving gaping wounds.

It was Vinchel, the Sword Saint, and his Sword Control Technique.

“You pathetic fools!”

A knight clad in black armor unleashed a powerful aura, slicing through the knights and their armor.

It was Marius, the Black Knight, and his Sword Aura.

“Blame your misfortune for serving the wrong lord.”

*Whoosh!*

A blazing sword.

A sword engulfed in flames, incinerating everything in its path.

It was Justino Henatus, the Lion of Scorching Heat.

“H-H-Help!”

“M-M-Monsters…!”

The morale of Viscount Sephir’s knights had plummeted.

No, they were completely terrified, their minds consumed by panic.

It was a one-sided battle.

That day, Viscount Sephir’s territory was burned to the ground.

His severed head, along with the heads of his two sons and daughter, were displayed on spikes at the main gate.

It was a perfect example.

* * *

Whiterebel, the capital of the Ehrenbert Duchy in the north.

The Crown Prince’s envoy also visited Whiterebel.

But the atmosphere was different from his visits to the other territories.

He seemed tense, trying to hide his nervousness.

He walked with exaggerated strides, gulping nervously.

‘Their military presence is overwhelming.’

He didn’t even need to see the knights.

The aura emanating from the soldiers was enough.

They were like sharpened blades.

The Ehrenbert family, known for their powerful soldiers despite their small population.

The rumors were true.

“This is it.”

The knight who had been escorting him stopped.

And then he said in a clear voice, “Acting Head, the Prince’s envoy has arrived.”

“No, not the Prince, the Crown Prince…”

The knight ignored the envoy’s flustered correction.

“Let him in.”

A deep, booming voice, like a polar bear’s roar.

The door opened.

“Enter.”

The envoy hesitantly stepped inside.

The audience chamber.

Lobel, the acting head of the family, sat on the throne, his presence overwhelming.

‘H-How can a human be so big?’

At first, he had thought it was an ogre sitting on the throne.

He was incredibly large, towering over even men who were over two meters tall.

…So this was Lobel Ehrenbert, the Giant of the North.

His presence was intimidating.

And it wasn’t just Lobel.

The retainers lined up on both sides of the throne also radiated a chilling aura.

It was only less noticeable compared to Lobel’s overwhelming presence.

The envoy clenched his fists, his palms sweating.

‘D-Damn it, I’m the Crown Prince’s envoy! Don’t be intimidated!’

He mentally steeled himself and straightened his shoulders.

“I bring a message from Crown Prince…”

“Crown Prince?”

The envoy’s words were cut short.

He should have reprimanded the knight for his disrespect, but he was too intimidated by the knight’s glare.

“Was there a Crown Prince in this Empire?”

Lobel said, cracking his neck menacingly.

“W-Well, Prince Adolf has declared himself the new Crown Prince…”

“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“…”

“Anyway, continue.”

The envoy took a deep breath and tried again.

He struggled to keep his voice from trembling.

“Crown Prince Adolf wishes for the Ehrenbert family to contribute their forces to the fight against the traitorous Oscar.”

He had finally delivered the Crown Prince’s message.

But,

“You son of a bitch!”

“H-H-Huh?!”

The envoy flinched and stumbled backward at Lobel’s thunderous roar.

“Who are you to speak to a Duke of the Empire with such disrespect?!”

The Crown Prince’s envoy had visited many lords.

But he had never been treated so poorly.

Because an envoy was an extension of the Crown Prince.

But,

This place was different.

This was the north.

And this was the Ehrenbert family.

The Sword of the North, who had protected the north for generations.

“Answer me!”

Lobel’s roar crushed the envoy’s spirit.

He realized that the Crown Prince’s authority meant nothing here.

“I-I-I… I-I apologize… I-I made a m-mistake…”

The envoy stammered, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

Lobel’s expression softened slightly.

“Say it again.”

“C-Crown Prince Adolf w-wishes for the E-Ehrenbert family to c-contribute their f-forces to the f-fight against the t-traitorous O-Oscar…”

The envoy repeated the same message, his voice much more humble this time.

“Hmm.”

Lobel rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

He had received a message from his sister, Regina.

She had told him to turn away any envoys from the Prince or Princess, saying that he would consider their proposals.

And the Prince’s envoy had indeed arrived.

‘I understand, but it’s not a good idea to be indecisive at a time like this.’

Lobel thought.

The game had already begun.

Delaying his decision wouldn’t benefit him.

It was then.

“Who’s a traitor?”

A cold voice came from the doorway.

The envoy’s eyes widened in surprise.

But Lobel smiled.

His sister, whom he had been waiting for,

Regina Ehrenbert, had finally arrived.

(TLN: ngl the pacing has been really good recently hopefully it stays like this)