episode_0131

It was around that time when Raven worked hard to build up the knights’ confidence.

Rudolph’s camp also took a step back to prepare for winter.

“A decisive battle is necessary. At this point, this long, bad relationship must end.”

Rudolf didn’t think much differently from what Heinrich did.

Although we had never shared opinions, we vaguely agreed that a single battle was needed to end everything.

Now that the war is already three years old, there are some creaky corners here and there in the great world I have drawn.

After declaring neutrality, the nobles who were watching began to secretly support Henry, and the Pope, who had started the scandal, was unable to be of much help as he was locked up beyond the Alpine Mountains while dealing with the Count of Canossa.

However, if that were to be said about whether the allies were trustworthy, they were not.

“Isn’t now the time for us to unite and go on the offensive? The need must have been clearly learned through this battle. This side has greater numbers and power, so if you take advantage of its strengths and suppress it, you will definitely be able to achieve a complete victory next time!”

“That is indeed true, Your Majesty!”

“Okay, thank you for responding.”

“Just! As thieves have started to infest our territory and the complaints from the residents have increased, it will be a little difficult to join them until next summer. Please understand that I have no choice but to step down.”

“Baron, can’t you speed up the timing just a little bit? At least in late spring.”

“I can only apologize, Your Majesty.”

“… Are you in a bad financial situation?”

“Oh, how did you know that! Indeed, Your Majesty seems to be blessed with knowledge given by God.”

It was clear that the nobles who defected in this way would extend the period to days, months, and years, and eventually give up completely, saying nonsense about how they wanted to remain neutral from the beginning.

And unfortunately, reality was not a strategy game where these problems were solved with a few clicks of the mouse.

If I were to compare it, it would be more complicated and cumbersome than that… So it was something like a Doki Doki noble dating simulator.

Rudolph slowly began to become confused as to whether what he was doing was war, or whether he was trying to win the favor of nobles who were not even there.

This meant that morale was low and that the allies were exhausted from the long war.

It also coincided with the fact that there were many people willing to abandon ship and leave if the situation were to arise.

Therefore, an important task such as a special attack on Heinrich with a pinpoint attack had to be given to someone trustworthy.

This belief was not of a human kind. If you were a noble, even your own blood relatives could not be trusted as they were potential threats to your power.

Instead, what Rudolph believed was impatience and desperation.

Those who were pushed by the situation and had no choice but to follow were much more trustworthy than those who only talked about being loyal.

Coincidentally, there was one such person around me.

A person who has nowhere to retreat, is impatient, and can never withdraw from the war.

“Did you call me, Your Majesty?”

“Count Ravenna, please come in. I called you because I have something serious to discuss.”

As soon as he sent away the nobles who had completed the attack, who were smiling brightly while holding a beautiful bag of money, Rudolph looked for the Count.

He, a seasoned and accomplished politician who seemed to have already vaguely guessed why he was called, bowed his head before his emperor.

Even if the Count of Ravenna surrendered, it would be difficult to maintain his position as Count.

The basic premise was that he would be replaced only after Heinrich appointed a knight named Raven to the position.

Perhaps he might have dealt with it secretly even after resigning from his position as earl, in order to eliminate any potential problems that might arise in the future.

Whether it was Raven, who was angry at being abandoned as a child, or Heinrich sending an assassin as an after-sales service.

“Count, as much as I trust you, I plan to entrust you with a correspondingly large mission.”

“Please speak, Your Majesty. What can I do?”

“I will attach some of my knights to you, so you can capture Heinrich in the next battle.”

The Count of Ravenna didn’t show it, but it was clear that he was thinking about five times in his heart, ‘What on earth are we supposed to do with this?’

But if they really wanted to end the war, they had to cut off the head.

“I don’t care if I’m dead or alive. Also, the path will be opened by others. Are you still worried about this?”

“… I don’t dare give you a definite answer.”

“Their situation is not good at the moment. I heard they started to criticize Conrad, who was predicted to be the next emperor, but it must have been because of some kind of internal strife.”

Normally, he would have provided a stage for his son to play on, but for some reason he seemed impatient because he couldn’t watch Conrad up close.

The fact that there were flaws in the succession structure meant that there was great confusion when the emperor disappeared.

“If we just eliminate Heinrich, it is no different from victory. If that feat is accomplished, I will reward my count appropriately.”

Rudolph handed him a list of knights to be entrusted to him.

The Count, who had been reading the list for a moment, nodded and answered.

“If you leave it to me, I will do it.”

At the same time and in different places, Heinrich and Rudolf shared the same thoughts and were steeped in their own hopes and dreams.

*****

The following winter was quite warm. It was a day with more rain than snow.

However, at least for the first day of the new year, the fields could be seen turning white.

Licia opened her eyes and immediately checked the window.

Judging by the position of the sun, it was early morning. I woke up early.

therefore.

“Idiot!”

“… … .”

That morning, Lisia erased a line from her heart.

There used to be so many that you could count them with two hands, but now there is only one line left.

In response to no response, I glanced at Raven’s bed and saw that it was empty. In this case, it meant training in front of the house.

He said that if he doesn’t move his body often, he becomes weak and forgets the skills he learned. I didn’t have much experience with forgetting something, so I couldn’t empathize, but I understood what he meant.

After getting dressed and opening the door, I saw Raven swinging a sword in front of the house.

Lisia, who looked at that scene for a moment, opened her mouth and asked.

“Laven.”

“Ah, Lisia. Did you wake up?”

There was one reason why he was so busy preparing in the morning.

There was a rumor that a battle would break out soon when the snow melted. Of course, I didn’t know how things would turn out in the world, but since I heard it directly from the princess, I guess I could assume it was half true.

“If the plan goes as planned, we will end up in the middle of enemy territory.”

“Okay.”

“Would you like me to cast some more magic? I might be able to give you a blessing from afar.”

“Thank you for your concern, but it’s done. Just staying safe and treating the soldiers from behind is enough.”

I asked out of sudden concern that the battle was so close, but I received a firm refusal to return.

That’s why, whatever. The reason may have been that she could be discovered to be a saint. Although I was a little worried about that.

Actually, that’s what I liked the most.

Where did you get such a sword, or from whom did you receive a blessing? Raven has been asked a lot of those types of questions recently.

Every time he was asked such a question, he jokingly gave various answers, such as saying he got it from a teacher or something he picked up from the ruins, but there was always no story about himself in it.

Even now, with only a year left, he was still keeping the secret well.

Are there other people like this in the world?

“You know I turned one year older today.”

“Is it already that time?”

“Yes.”

I have already laid down as much groundbait as I can get my hands on.

I told Heine in advance to ask for his cooperation, and I corrected the misunderstandings of those who asked if she was my daughter.

Nevertheless, the world was wide, and there were many places that could not be reached.

So, the problem was not the self, but the pressure from outside. That was the engagement request that came in with the idea of just taking a stab at it.

I wasn’t embarrassed because it was a situation within the table.

Wasn’t it planned from the moment it was announced to the world that he would fight for the earldom?

Of course, it was not a guaranteed position, but there were always gamblers in life who dreamed of buying low and selling high.

So, asking myself this has already become a part of my daily routine.

“Has there been any talk of marriage so far?”

Raven, who was swinging her lightsaber at my question, paused for a moment to catch her breath. Then, he gently leaned against the wall and answered.

“I’ve heard the story a few times.”

“… Then, what did you answer?”

“I said I wasn’t thinking about it for the time being.”

“… Heh.”

“I was the one who told you to wait in the first place, so I have to take responsibility.”

This… So, I agree.

Saying this to yourself was like seducing him first.

The feelings that could not be hidden came out with a faint smile.

Raven muttered, “Is it really that good?” and then added.

“There is something that other people have asked me a few times.”

“What is that?”

“He asked if you were planning on not getting married.”

Looking back, I had that memory a few times.

He is close to the princess, and even takes classes from the princess at university. There is no one better than you to help with secretarial or administrative work.

Nevertheless, I always refused. Because he was already waiting for someone else.

“Have you changed your mind yet?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Raven said he would wait for me. And because I believe in Raven.”

What would have happened if someone had taken advantage of the fact that he was not an adult and taken him away first?

There was a time when I felt anxious, but Raven’s answer made me no longer worry.

And when you grow up, yes.

I need to make sure that no one says anything else, and that even the slightest remaining anxiety disappears.

The girl happily imagined the day when all the lines she had drawn in her mind would be erased.