Ch.368One Month

“…That’s quite a fancy name for a mere soldier, Fleur.”

That was the only comment Jahan made about my name.

“Pleb. If you insist on using my real name, call me Pleb.”

Being called “Fleur” is like being called “Flower Lady” from my perspective.

It’s not a title I particularly appreciate.

So call me by my surname.

We’re not close enough to be on first-name terms anyway, are we?

[Star’s flower? Truly, it doesn’t suit you at all. Such a name would be more fitting for a sheltered maiden who has never held a sword in her life. Who on earth gave you such a ridiculous name?]

‘Well, my mother?’

[…On second thought, it’s an elegant name befitting a noble lady. Your mother must have hoped you would grow up to be like that.]

You’re quite skilled at changing your tune.

Did you learn that from Leopold?

‘Your name doesn’t exactly sound warrior-like either, you know? Though I don’t know what it means.’

[What nonsense. To harm enemies, to kill them, to make them wail. What name could be more befitting of a warrior?]

…So that’s what Haschal means?

I doubt Imelia would have given her daughter such a name, so it must have been Orhan who named her…

What a peculiar man. Giving his daughter a name like that.

—-

After leaving the basement, I returned to Ludwig’s office to relay what Jahan had told me.

The news about Hersella’s guard’s self-destruction might not mean much to Ludwig, but I thought I should inform him anyway.

“…So the pursuit team didn’t follow them?”

“That’s what he said. Jahan didn’t know why either… but something big must have happened in Ordos during that time. For them to stop pursuing a traitor, it must be something significant—perhaps Orhan finally returned?”

Ludwig shook his head.

“That’s unlikely. If Orhan’s main force had returned, they would have deployed their abundant warriors to capture the traitor and strengthen internal unity. If there was no pursuit team, it means not that the main force returned, but that they needed to use their existing forces elsewhere. For example… perhaps they found traces of the missing great criminal.”

He must be talking about Amin.

Indeed, if they discovered traces of Amin at that timing, they wouldn’t have time to worry about Jahan’s escape.

“So the eastern situation remains unclear… That’s troublesome. We can’t maintain this state of tension indefinitely. I need to go back soon.”

“You plan to return to the islands? At this point, with war against the east looming…? That’s hardly welcome news. I won’t demand you show responsibility as Landenburg’s heir, but if you intend to inherit my territory, you should at least show some concern for its safety.”

When I mentioned returning to the islands, Ludwig expressed dismay as he deeply inhaled from his thick Mana Herb.

“I understand that… but it’s not just chaos here. The elves and dwarves are fighting to the death, monsters and bandits are running rampant throughout the Empire, and even the Holy State is showing suspicious movements. The Holy State is particularly problematic. There’s definitely someone in their upper ranks connected to Isabella… but we don’t know who or how many.”

It would be troublesome if the Holy State continued their uncooperative attitude.

If those who should be keeping the elves in check on the western front don’t do their job, the burden on the Empire would increase.

Whether it’s the doing of the shadowy figure connected to Isabella, or simply dissatisfaction with the establishment of the Imperial Diocese, I’m not sure…

But if we find this shadowy figure and burn them at the stake, they won’t be able to continue their defiance.

The very existence of an unbeliever among the cardinals is a disgrace that will go down in history.

“So, Lacy the Archbishop General is planning to go to the Holy State to investigate… but in my opinion, if she and Bells go there together, they might return brainwashed, if they return at all.”

In the worst case, she might become a vessel to bear the next generation of saint candidates.

A priest’s power is proportional to the depth of their faith, but hereditary aptitude can’t be ignored.

Since priests typically don’t marry, this isn’t widely known, but those who need to know are aware.

If she’s talented enough to manifest holy light at nineteen, her child would likely have abundant talent as a priest.

By forcing her to bear a child and then brainwashing and raising that child, they could create an excellent saint candidate.

“That’s… certainly a problem that can’t be overlooked. We can’t disband the Diocese now either.”

Ludwig stroked his chin and sighed deeply.

He must understand how important cooperation with the Holy State is for the Empire’s peace. Probably even better than I do.

“I was worried too, but apparently someone named Joshua has reached the realm of heroes. With nine masters and one hero, wouldn’t they be able to hold a defensive position on the wall even if Orhan’s army comes?”

“Lord Blake did display strange powers… but is that truly the realm of heroes? Like you?”

Not like me.

Even if he’s reached the realm of heroes, that doesn’t mean he’s on my level.

To be considered a powerhouse comparable to me, he’d need at least the physical abilities of a werebeast Champion and versatile combat skills on par with a high-level mage.

“I can’t say for certain since I haven’t seen it myself, but it’s probably true. Such bizarre power is evidence of reaching the realm of heroes. Of course, having just reached that realm, he’s probably weaker than me or Orhan. Still, he should be more than capable of fighting a defensive battle.”

I’d like to spar with him… but now’s not the time.

If two hero-level fighters clash at full power, it’s unlikely to end as a light sparring match.

If we both end up hospitalized and Orhan attacks at that moment, it would go down as the stupidest defeat in history.

“The Holy State. The Holy State…”

Ludwig muttered heavily with his head slightly bowed.

He probably doesn’t want to send me away, but his mind understands that I need to go to the Holy State.

“Then could you wait here for about a month? If Orhan doesn’t attack within a month, we can assume the war has been postponed until next spring. Considering the Archbishop General and your objectives, it would take at least two months to resolve the matter, which seems like just the right amount of time.”

A month, huh.

Yes, Lacy would probably wait that long.

And the war between elves and dwarves isn’t likely to end in a month either.

—-

While I was at it, I also got permission to take Jahan under my command.

I’ll be staying here for a while anyway, but keeping him locked up in that basement would be enough to make Hersella go into a fit.

“If he tries to return to the east or causes trouble here, I cannot overlook it even if he is your associate. As the lord of Landenburg, I would have to execute him. Keep that in mind.”

“I’ll keep him on a tight leash, don’t worry.”

After wishing Ludwig good fortune, I left his office and headed to the reception room where Lena and Nigel were waiting.

“I’m back.”

“Haschal unni!”

Lena, who had been chatting with Nigel, ran to me as soon as she saw me.

I placed my right hand on her head, giving it a casual pat while looking toward Nigel.

“Lady Haschal. Did your discussion go well?”

“Yes. I’ve decided to stay here for a month. After that, I’ll need to go back.”

“That’s good news. With war approaching, there’s no one more reliable than you, Lady Haschal.”

Nigel smiled broadly, apparently pleased that I would be staying here.

“Your seniors aren’t so reliable, I take it?”

“What? No, that’s not what I meant. I just…”

How flustered he is.

“I’m joking. Don’t take it so seriously.”

Nigel let out a light sigh at my smirking, shrugging figure.

“Your jokes go too far… If Lord Heinrich had heard that, he would certainly have been angry.”

“Heinrich? Who’s that?”

If Nigel is using an honorific for this knight, he must be one of Landenburg’s swords?

“He’s the second sword of Landenburg… being of Dane origin, he’s not particularly fond of Ka’har. While he didn’t oppose you becoming Landenburg’s heir, he was quite displeased about it.”

“Ah…”

If he’s a Dane, that makes sense.

For someone from a people who were routinely plundered by Ka’har, it’s saintly enough that he didn’t oppose having a Ka’har half-blood—and one famous as a Dane Killer at that—become his lord.

I should probably avoid him when possible.

If Nigel speaks of him like that, he likely harbors hatred toward Ka’har close to actual loathing. He might tolerate me, but he could draw his sword upon seeing Jahan.

“A Dane, of all things…”

I recalled an old memory.

Knut. The crusader who charged at me with blue eyes stained with vengeance, emitting Volberg’s holy light.

Come to think of it, I heard he was still alive, but I haven’t seen him.

In his condition, he probably couldn’t fight anymore, so perhaps he returned to Dane?