Ch.202Discernment

After that, Hersella wouldn’t answer no matter how many times I called her.

She’s being stubborn. But that won’t last long anyway.

I couldn’t understand the principle, but as long as my consciousness remained clear, she seemed unable to surface and control my body.

So the dominance over this body still belongs to me. Fortunately.

If she could have emerged on her own whenever she wanted, she would have gone wild like an unleashed beast each time.

In any case, I’ve achieved half of my goal, so I should be satisfied with this for now.

The other half—borrowing her power or learning how to use it—can be accomplished gradually.

At least I clearly remember the four techniques I saw that day.

The defensive method that disperses impact in all directions, the attack technique that seemed to wield a net of blades, and the strange movement that forcibly twisted the arm to break the direction of the sword.

And I also saw how to use Karma of Murder like a mist to detect the presence of ghost swords.

It would take quite a bit of practice to use them as skillfully as she does… but I’ll get used to it with practice.

I smiled as I looked down at my left hand.

The red thread forming at my fingertips rippled like smoke.

It wasn’t as refined as what Hersella had shown, and it was so clumsy that it would dissipate weakly if my concentration wavered.

Still, I seemed to understand the basics.

—-

Hersella said that Leopold’s plan would certainly fail.

While Leopold and I had only focused on the speed of Faelrun’s joining, she suggested the possibility that they might not join at all.

She said that if their feet were tied up by external enemies, and in the meantime Leopold’s forces were surrounded and attacked after penetrating deep, that would be the end.

External enemies.

A possibility I had overlooked.

She probably meant the Werebeasts beyond the Sky Mountains in the northern Imperial territory.

Right. Unlike Wien, Faelrun is a duchy that shares a border with the Werebeasts.

Like Landenburg, whose forces are tied up with the Ka’har, if Werebeasts launch a large-scale invasion, Faelrun would have no resources to support Leopold’s army as they would be busy defending against them.

The material support Leopold promised would be a later concern—if they can’t immediately stop the Werebeast invasion, the entire Faelrun territory would be in danger.

For a great lord of a province, the most important thing is not loyalty based on contractual relationships, but the safety of their territory and people. Even during a succession war.

When one’s territory faces a critical crisis, prioritizing its defense is not dishonorable but natural.

Perhaps this is an excessive leap.

Although Isabella is a powerful witch, how could she, not even an Imperial, handle Werebeasts beyond the mountains?

However, as if mocking our complacent judgment, Isabella has repeatedly shown movements beyond common sense, fooling everyone.

Now I understand too.

It’s meaningless to define what is possible and what is impossible for her by our standards.

So, I should consider the risk, not the possibility.

I got up from my sickbed and headed to Leopold’s office.

With each step, my throbbing chest burned hot, but the priest who treated me must have been skilled because it was bearable enough.

—-

“You’re saying Isabella will mobilize the Werebeasts? By what means?”

When I arrived, Leopold was reading a paper on his desk.

A letter with a familiar seal. It seemed to be correspondence from Landenburg, and it didn’t appear to contain good news, judging by the faint wrinkles between Leopold’s brows.

“I don’t know that myself. I have nothing that could be called evidence. But nothing she does would surprise me. As has always been the case.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Perhaps she didn’t even need to meddle. With the Empire engaged in civil war, would they really ignore such an opportunity?”

If an enemy country is split in half fighting amongst themselves, and the frontline defense forces are reduced as well… even I would be tempted to attack.

“…Indeed, there’s logic to that.”

Leopold put down the letter.

The white paper was filled with Ludwig’s situation report.

——————

The Ka’har forces are currently camped south of the border, far from the Wall, in a standoff position.

They have only about four thousand infantry and a thousand cavalry, but judging by the abundance of horses in the rear of their camp, I estimate that the infantry can also convert to cavalry at any time.

Strangely, they show no signs of attacking yet.

They might be waiting for their main force, but considering that those who seemed ready to charge at any moment are now deliberately delaying after my arrival…

I suspect they are waiting for the civil war to intensify and the eastern defenses to weaken.

Judging from these movements, it seems they are more aware of the Empire’s current situation than we thought.

Though it may be my excessive concern… if true, we must assume there was some connection between Isabella and the Ka’har that we were unaware of.

Currently, they are forming small detachments to raid the Dane border and then return.

As soon as sufficient forces are gathered, and I am certain this is not Orhan’s trap, I will attack.

– Ludwig Wilhelm von Landenburg.

——————

It seems the east hasn’t engaged in battle yet.

Ludwig appears to have reached a similar conclusion as I did.

That Isabella had some kind of relationship with enemies outside the Empire and had summoned them for the civil war.

“My vision was narrow. When the eastern army was held up by the Ka’har, I should have considered the possibility that the northern army could be blocked in the same way…”

Leopold leaned deep into the backrest and pressed his left hand against his eyes.

A gesture full of extreme fatigue. A deep sigh dispersed into the air.

“What do you plan to do now? If you push forward with the existing operation, forgive me, but you’re likely to become Isabella’s plaything. Wouldn’t it be better to withdraw the advance plan?”

“No, that’s impossible. The moment the northern army is tied up in Faelrun, whether we advance or defend, this war is as good as lost. So…”

With his eyes covered, Leopold remained silent for a while.

For so long that I wondered if he had fallen asleep.

“Um, Your Highness Leopold. Are you perhaps sleeping right now?”

“…”

This guy, did he really doze off…?

Would it be treason to tap the prince’s shoulder to wake him up?

After a moment of deliberation, I finally made a decision and reached out my arm.

“Ah, yes. That would work…”

Leopold removed the hand covering his face.

Though his eyes were weary, they still shone brightly.

Apparently he hadn’t been sleeping.

“Seems like you’ve come up with some brilliant alternative?”

“I don’t know about brilliant, but something did occur to me… though I’ll need the princess’s help.”

Me?

Surely he’s not asking me to go north and face the Werebeasts?

To live up to my nickname as the Were Eater?

“Me? Wasn’t I supposed to head east…?”

“It won’t take long. Shortly, I plan to invite some people to my office for a brief discussion, and all the princess needs to do is stand quietly beside me and demonstrate your usual talent to the fullest. Simple, isn’t it?”

My talent?

Does he want me to use my strength?

“I don’t particularly recommend smashing people’s heads in your office.”

Blood would seep into the furniture and books and wouldn’t come out, and it would smell bad too.

“No, not that—I mean creating an atmosphere of fear…!”

Ah, that’s what he meant.

I thought he was suggesting the traditional method of conversation where you smash one person’s head to make the others more cooperative.

“That’s no problem. Leave it to me. I’ll bring them to the brink of a heart attack.”

“I’m counting on you. And perhaps some unpleasant things might be said about the princess… I apologize in advance for that. I will surely repay you someday, so please bear with it for a while.”

Leopold bowed his head slightly.

Perhaps Hersella’s frenzy had left a significant impact on the prince, as he seemed to be somewhat cautious around me since I woke up.

It’s the same this time. A man who would have acted first and apologized later is now bowing his head in advance.

I wonder what he’s planning to say that makes him approach with such humility… it’s a bit concerning.

“…As long as it’s not about an arranged marriage.”

“It’s not that, so don’t worry.”

Well, if that’s the case, there shouldn’t be any problem.

I nodded readily.

“Then… Perseval, go find Lord Georg and Lord Duber, and tell them I have urgent matters to discuss, so they should come to the annex palace immediately.”

“Lord Georg and Lord Duber…? Um… Your Highness, if I may be so bold, what if they refuse your invitation? In that case, what should I do?”

Perseval asked hesitantly, seeming somewhat perplexed.

I don’t know who they are, but judging by Perseval’s reaction, they must both be important figures.

Leopold rested his chin on his hand and smiled coldly.

“If they forget their place and act so arrogantly… then remind them. That Duke Wien’s knights are currently waiting in the imperial palace, and that I am still one of the legitimate heirs to the throne. They should understand what that means. You seem to understand as well.”

“Yes! I understand. I will convey your message right away!”

Perseval saluted hastily and headed out of the office.

“Who are Georg and Duber that he reacts like that?”

“They are the commanders of the Imperial Knights and serve as legion commanders of the Imperial Army. I will send them north to fill Faelrun’s gap. Though they may lack some Master-level forces, two Imperial Army legions have several times the number of troops as Faelrun… they should be able to hold out.”

So he plans to send the Imperial Army north to block the Werebeasts, while Faelrun continues to attack Isabella’s forces.

I doubt the Duke of Faelrun would be pleased with the request to entrust the safety of his territory entirely to others.

No, before that, will these two people he’s calling actually obey Leopold’s orders?

“Imperial Army legion commanders. I don’t think they’ll comply so easily.”

…Honestly, it doesn’t seem very likely.

They’ve maintained strict neutrality despite the witch controversy.

“We’ll have to make them comply. That is precisely what the princess and I must do.”

His answer was quiet but carried strong conviction.

…Can I trust this guy?