episode_0043

Burghei’s request for surrender was accepted, and the corps began to withdraw sequentially.

Of these, the 7th Corps was the first to return.

Because he has fought many battles and is also the main character of this victory.

To be honest, I wanted to stay a little longer and watch how things went.

I was curious about Burkhay’s movements, as well as those of Forland and Kaden.

But since the order to withdraw included my name and the princess’s name, there was nothing we could do.

“Nehaam!”

Kaya yawns lazily as she rides beside me.

As I look at him, a scene from a battle that happened a while ago unfolds.

Standing at the very forefront of the 7th Army Corps, he literally ‘massacred’ the Burkhay Army.

The dance was so freaking scary that I wondered if it was the same person.

Even though he ran wild like that alone, he came back without a single scratch.

Right. What was the first thing you said when you came back covered in blood?

He said that since he already punished all the guys who hurt his neck, it’s time to punish himself.

Kaya was my escort, and I almost got shot by an arrow, so it’s not like I’m completely free.

However, there were many parts that were beyond my control, and above all, I, the person involved, said that I was okay.

First of all, how can you scold someone who ran to the battlefield and cleaned up the people?

The decisive reason why the balance, which would not have been strange if it had collapsed somewhere, tilted towards the 7th Corps.

This was possible because none other than Kaya was active and literally slaughtered the Burkhay army.

If I scolded the guy who did such a good job, it would be bad for morale and the picture would look weird.

“Brother.”

“Huh?”

“Wound. Show me.”

No, why again? I saw it before we left.

It’s almost healed now, so stop bandaging it!

“I’m all better. Kaya. Don’t worry.”

“If it still adds up, it’s a big problem.”

“I think it’s because I don’t think it can be added to this oppa’s view.”

If Kaya had been the only one treating me, then it would have been different.

With the princess clinging to me and taking care of me, there’s no way anything could go wrong.

Rather, I felt like I was going crazy because I could tell everything.

How many wounded soldiers were there? How many new bandages did I have to use on my own?

If someone saw me, they’d think there was a hole in my neck. In reality, it was just a slight graze.

There was some bleeding, but no major blood vessels were touched.

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“It’s okay. Kaya. Look at this. You bandaged it up and applied medicine so diligently, so it’s all better now.”

“But there’s still a red aura, oppa!”

“It’s all healed up. There’s really nothing to worry about.”

Kaya eventually nodded to my earnest persuasion.

And then he returns the bandages, saying he doesn’t need them anymore. How long did he have them for?

“Hoohoohoo. The relationship between siblings is really good.”

The princess riding beside him bursts into laughter.

He said that he was always busy clashing with his older brother, but seeing us siblings made him look quite happy.

He also said that he wondered if he could have done the same if he had not been the prince and princess of the empire.

“You said Kaya, right?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I’m fifteen now.”

“Yes.”

“And yet, you did a great job. It was truly amazing. The ridiculous inaction you showed on the battlefield. Not only me, but the entire legion was mesmerized by the sight.”

Yeah, yeah. Our Kaya wasn’t usually that great.

Especially when he just swept away the knights with one swing, it was really awesome.

The morale of the Burkhay army, who witnessed this sight, was completely eroded.

On the contrary, the momentum of our 7th Imperial Corps was sky-high.

“To be honest, I didn’t know things would work out this well.”

“God bless the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Yes. God gave you there too.”

“… .”

I’m not a strategist! If someone like me were to become a strategist, those who heard the word strategist in my memory might beat me up with a military strategy book! I want to say that, but I’m tired of it now.

So I just kept silent and looked elsewhere.

And in that place, there were those who moved to the Empire with the 7th Legion.

“… .”

“… .”

The Prince and Princess of Burkhay. The price demanded in exchange for accepting their surrender.

I heard that they tried to delay the schedule somehow. They even said they would send it later.

But, as a prince and princess, wouldn’t it be right for them to visit with an official delegation?

But the Empire is not an Empire for nothing. He cut me off, telling me to prepare immediately and move with the 7th Legion.

I can guess why. First of all, I was worried that he might not keep his promise.

Once the Imperial Legions have all withdrawn, you can waste time talking nonsense.

This can be seen as the strong will of the imperial leadership to never allow such a sight to be seen.

And second, the 7th Army Corps is truly one of the main players in this war.

In the meantime, the prince and princess of Burkhay are put in to show the complete victory of the empire.

It is not good for the two of them, but they plan to reveal it to the world as a kind of spoil.

‘This will further diminish Burkhay’s influence in the East.’

At this point, the balance of power is almost perfect.

Burkhay, which has been dug up a lot, and the fattened Forland. And the same old Kaden.

The three kingdoms will engage in a fierce battle of wits in the future to see who will be better.

“… .”

At first glance, Prince Burkhay’s side looks a bit better.

There is no way they don’t know exactly what their situation is.

Accordingly, he appears tense but not overly intimidated.

As a prince of Burkhay, he seems to have at least a modicum of self-respect.

But the condition of the princess who followed her… well, it’s not that good at all.

It’s so pitiful to see him cowering and looking around.

You’re probably scared. Of course you are. You might never be able to go back.

“What are you looking at like that?”

At this moment, the princess who had suddenly come in next to me turned her head to follow my gaze.

Then he looks at the prince of Burkhay, then the princess, and then he looks at me again, saying, “Hmm?”

“What is it? Are you in love with Princess Burghei?”

“… Your Majesty?”

“I’m not completely serious, but I’m not completely joking either. That’s because Prince Kael was staring at me a little while ago.”

“That’s….”

“What. Looking at it this way, it is pretty. I forgot that Prince Kael was also a man in his prime.”

I definitely didn’t mean it that way, there’s another reason.

You quickly revealed the cause of that gaze before the princess’s misunderstanding grew any further.

“Aren’t those two people pitiful?”

“Huh? Oh. If you look at it from a human perspective, yes. But if you look at it from another perspective, it might not be such a bad thing.”

“Is that because they are not just hostages?”

The princess nods her head in agreement with my question.

“Could His Majesty the Emperor have sent the prince and princess away for no reason? They are not mere hostages, but to create a pro-imperial faction within the Burkhay royal family.”

“From now on, those two will be treated very kindly in the empire. Unlike the unstable domestic situation.”

Burkhay will be shaken for a while. There will be a lot of talk.

Perhaps the status of the current king and crown prince could also be shaken.

There, they may try to punish innocent people in order to strengthen their power.

In that situation, the targets are almost always other princes and princesses.

“The Empire can’t treat them lightly anyway, even in name. They are the King’s legitimate heir and legitimate daughter. And the more they think positively about the Empire, the more our Empire will gain.”

They are both hostages and a dagger for the Empire to use against Burkhay.

If the domestic situation in Burkhay becomes turbulent, I will immediately send back one or both of them.

Of course, before that, we had already started working to build goodwill towards the Empire.

It doesn’t really matter if they don’t genuinely like the Empire.

Because, like it or not, the two of them will be classified as pro-imperialists in their home country.

This will once again shake up Burghhey’s political world.

“Still. Prince Kael.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Isn’t the princess pretty?”

I don’t know if this princess is joking or jealous.

If it’s the former, you can just accept it, but if it’s the latter… hmm. It’s better to sort it out in advance.

“Well, in my opinion, the princess is more beautiful.”

“… Yes?”

“The princess is more beautiful to me.”

Objectively. And as one of the nobles of the empire. This is an obvious answer.

How dare a princess of Burkhay try to rub shoulders with the princess of our empire!

“Jo, it’s a bit sudden, but… I feel. I feel good. Hehe. Hehehe! ”

If so, that is fortunate, Your Highness.

I almost made a big mistake as a noble of the empire.

*

The 7th Army Corps finally crossed the border and entered the east.

Then, those who had been waiting in advance welcomed them warmly.

“7th Corps! 7th Corps!!”

“Wow!!”

Men cheer and women throw flowers from baskets.

Children follow along and clap their hands. Old people smile happily.

It is by no means only the imperial subjects who treat them as heroes.

Afterwards, those who received the imperial order appeared before the 7th Corps and first praised their hard work.

As a bonus, we were given plenty of food and plenty of time to rest.

“Prince Kael Klauwitz?”

Next, those who had come to the east under imperial command came looking for me.

“Here it is.”

“The Emperor gave something special to Confucius.”

What specifically did you get? I tilted my head at that.

It is right to award merits after arriving at the system and after all the legions have returned.

So it’s clear that I’m still far from receiving any compensation, but what do you mean there’s already been one?

“This is a special drink given by His Majesty the Emperor to Confucius. The awarding of rewards and honors has not yet begun, but His Majesty personally gave the drink to Confucius because his deeds were so great.”

Wow. As far as I know, only commanders who have won great victories receive this kind of thing.

Who would have thought that I, who had no official position, would receive a royal order from the emperor?

I could clearly see how much the Emperor liked me.

‘…hmm.’

Ah. Suddenly, I feel like I want to try that thing I remembered.

I guess I’ve just received some alcohol. There must be a suitable water source nearby.

No matter how I look at it, this is like the goddess of fortune telling me to try one more time.

“Over there.”

Of course, prior inquiry is essential. That way, no problems arise.

“Is this the gift that His Majesty the Emperor gave me?”

“Yes.”

“As a reward for those who have done their best for the Empire.”

“Yes, that’s right. Prince Kael.”

Well then. Let’s decorate the last finale for our hard-working 7th Corps!

*

The 7th Corps soldiers who were resting near the river were called up.

It is said that His Majesty the Emperor granted a royal decree to Prince Kael, who was with them.

High-ranking officials are well aware of what Kael has done.

Everything worked out so well because of the schemes he came up with.

But from the soldiers’ point of view, Kael is just a scion of a noble family.

They are somewhat well known because they are the siblings of the man who single-handedly destroyed Burkhay.

“This is the wine bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor.”

But from this moment on, everything changed.

“Huh huh?”

It was clearly a drink bestowed by the emperor. If so, it must be extremely precious.

It is a great honor and it is right to politely drink all the wine.

This is a fact that even they, as ordinary citizens of the kingdom before becoming soldiers, know.

But, didn’t a young man named Kael immediately start pouring the wine into the river?

“How can I dare to drink this glory alone, with the brave soldiers before me?”

So let’s drink together. I told him you’d worked hard. I told him you fought well.

I believe that His Majesty the Emperor will be lenient on the bravery of the soldiers of the 7th Corps.

At that shout, the soldiers immediately burst into laughter and shouted, “Wahaha!”

And then, without saying who would go first, they ran to the river.

The overwhelming anticipation of returning home victorious and proud.

There was a somewhat sudden but favorable impression of the noble youth’s care for them.

They added up and turned many of those soldiers into boys in their prime.

Yes! This is the wine bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor!

So let’s drink it all up and don’t leave any behind!!