Ch.211Afterword

That day, for the first time in his life, Lord Debuvin was able to see the world from the same eye level as nobility.

Though he could only see darkness since his eyes had been gouged out, he wouldn’t complain. The tongue that might have voiced grievances had been cut off as well.

When I proposed my execution method, Viscount Renea’s face turned deathly pale, but his vassals showed enthusiastic approval.

After I told them what I had witnessed on my way here, even the viscount nodded in agreement.

Two hundred and thirty-one men in total—soldiers who had surrendered their weapons and the severely wounded who were still alive. Plus Lord Debuvin himself.

The same punishment was carried out on all of them.

Though Viscount Renea’s private army had been reduced to just 80 men after numerous battles, there was no shortage of executioners.

Hundreds of citizens filled with hatred and rage were waiting inside the castle.

“AAAAARRRGGHHH!”

The agonizing screams continued for hours.

Some were fortunate enough to die from shock during the execution, but most soldiers, true to their otherworldly nature, endured with remarkable resilience.

Even after having their groins and limbs sliced with blades, their faces mutilated to match Lord Debuvin’s, and being impaled on blunt stakes, they still remained alive.

Two hundred stakes stood densely packed in one corner of the domain.

I suggested arranging them around the perimeter like a fence, but they objected, saying it would be too difficult to manage if spread out.

Management, huh? I suppose they intend to keep them alive as long as possible.

Well, the rest is up to the domain’s people. Whether they set them on fire or flay their backs.

After confirming that the last one was impaled on a stake, I left Renea’s domain.

Before departing, at the viscount’s earnest request, I left a letter stating that I had overseen this affair.

The Leopold faction lords might attack Viscount Renea upon hearing about Debuvin’s fate.

If they learn it was my doing… they’ll likely stay quiet.

—-

“Finished? That took longer than expected. I was almost tired of waiting.”

“I had to stay to confirm the handling of the prisoners.”

Originally, I planned to rejoin the group right after the battle, but decided against it, thinking the condition of the criminals wouldn’t be good for Lena’s emotional education.

[After impaling two hundred people on stakes, you still care for that girl with utmost devotion. Like a real sister.]

What of it?

‘Speaking of sisters, don’t you have a younger sister too?’

[…I do, yes.]

Her voice dropped low as she answered.

Seems they weren’t on good terms.

Hersella remained silent for a while.

—-

“Conscripted soldiers… not a pleasant topic.”

“Oh? Though forcibly conscripted, I thought they deserved the same punishment as the regular soldiers since they voluntarily participated in the massacre.”

Unless Debuvin’s soldiers had held knives to the conscripts’ throats, threatening to kill them if they didn’t participate in the massacre and rape.

Those who joined voluntarily, thinking they’d miss out otherwise, deserve no sympathy.

“No, that’s not what I meant. I dislike the conscription itself. Since the empire stabilized, there’s been almost no need to conscript farmers for battle. Territorial conflicts between lords were extremely rare, and the standing army was sufficient for border defense.”

Leonore leaned back in her seat with a sigh.

Ah, so that’s what she meant. I misunderstood.

“The fact that lords are now mobilizing conscripts to fight… it’s a troubling trend. The commoner population that should support the empire will rapidly decrease. After the civil war ends, who knows how long it will take to recover national strength…”

A valid concern.

The empire has maintained its position as the world’s hegemonic power thanks to its vast territory and the productivity of its large labor force.

Even the tens of thousands of imperial troops were maintained by taxes collected from them.

If just 30% of the labor force disappeared due to civil war and conscription, the impact on the empire would be enormous.

At this rate, even if Isabella were to win, the empire’s status would already be irreparably damaged.

…Perhaps Isabella’s true goal is to render the empire beyond recovery?

When I think about it that way, all her actions make sense.

Corrupting the ruling class with trash, destroying the palace, bringing in foreign invaders to start a civil war…

And instead of consolidating forces, scattering them everywhere to throw the entire empire into chaos.

…I should talk to Ludwig about this.

—-

The journey afterward was quite peaceful.

Rumors spread faster than our carriage could travel. Though, as rumors go, they were somewhat distant from the truth.

A madwoman who impaled 400 allies on stakes just for blocking her path.

No one had the courage to stand in our way after hearing such rumors.

[In about two years, you’ll have a worse reputation than mine. Should I congratulate you?]

‘…What a thing to say.’

There were some good rumors too.

Like how a noble knight faced hundreds of soldiers alone to prevent the massacre of even enemy civilians.

Probably a rumor spread by the people of Renea’s domain as thanks… only they know the truth.

Of course, it wasn’t a particularly helpful rumor.

It was completely overshadowed by the “Stake Princess” topic.

At least the eastern domains have quieted down instead of waging reckless civil war, so that’s one fortunate outcome.

After traveling for a few more days.

Finally, we arrived at Landenburg.

======[ Knut ]======

A mansion slightly removed from the district in the suburbs.

A building so neglected that people mistook it for abandoned, though it was known that a newlywed couple had moved in half a year ago.

A Dane husband with one leg missing who rarely left home, and a wife who often went out but whose occupation remained a mystery.

People gossiped that she might be selling her body behind her husband’s back, or perhaps she was a nobleman’s mistress engaged in an affair.

Such rumors were inevitable, but the couple seemed aware of them yet unbothered.

A man who actually approached her with money, thinking she was a prostitute, was found dead a few days later, drowned while intoxicated.

The reason they didn’t care about rumors was simple.

The newlywed facade was just a cover—they weren’t married at all.

Their relationship was closer to that of workplace colleagues.

Though how they truly felt about each other remained unknown.

The mansion was one of the safe houses prepared by the Dane intelligence agency.

Its location away from the district made it unsuitable for espionage activities, but it was perfect for hiding and waiting.

—-

In the bedroom at midnight.

The female knight, who had been reading a message by lantern light, put down the finished paper and turned toward the man sitting on the bed.

“Word from the homeland. It might be good news for you, Knut.”

“Good news…?”

Knut tilted his head.

Since his body had been shattered, all he’d heard was bad news.

Like how the Ka’har princess he failed to defeat was building an immortal reputation within the empire and the Church of Elpinel.

Recently, there were even rumors about her joining hands with a witch and devouring imperial knights. Though not entirely credible, it was an unsettling rumor.

“Orders to return home across the border while the empire is in chaos from civil war. With the peace treaty between Ka’har and the empire nullified, Dane must also prepare, they say.”

“Preparation. Yes, that makes sense. But why recall me for such matters? They must know I can no longer fight.”

Despite nearly six months of recovery and rehabilitation, he could never return as a warrior.

Having lost an eye and a leg, with his vitality significantly damaged, it was impossible for him to engage in intense combat as before.

Without being a warrior, he could no longer use Volberg’s holy power either.

“About that… there might be a way. Not as a crusader, but still.”

“What do you mean?”

The female knight shrugged as she burned the letter with the lantern flame.

“They’ve discovered a strange ruin back home. Details weren’t included, but they’ve found a way for non-mages to use magic… perhaps it might work for you too.”

“…Magic?”

Knut’s brow furrowed. Magic was a concept far removed from him.

The idea of non-mages using magic was beyond his understanding.

“In your condition, you can fight neither as a priest nor as a warrior, so what option is there besides magic? The chances aren’t high, but if you still wish to fight, this is your only hope.”

The female knight remarked coldly. She didn’t want Knut to continue fighting.

She secretly hoped he would live quietly from now on… but watching Knut suffer mentally after losing his fighting ability was quite unpleasant for her.

In the end, she had no choice but to respect Knut’s wishes. As she always had.

“Magic… So, should I prepare to leave now?”

“Yes. It will take about three days to erase our traces and arrange for a carriage.”

The female knight answered calmly, brushing away the ashes while inwardly sighing deeply.

As she had expected, this man still wanted to fight. Probably until his death.

She had anticipated this… but it was still an unpleasant reality.