episode_0018

And so, the three-person gathering began under the vague pretext of a “study session.”

When Princess Charlotte first attended, she had arrived with quite a few thoughts in mind.

Among them, what she was most curious about was, of course, “that horrifyingly self-destructive tactic Baron Hebel used in yesterday’s mock battle.”

And the core of her curiosity was interrogating Baron Hebel about it.

‘Now that I think about it, did he just wing it?’

At the time, her mind had been too dazed to press the issue, but after returning home and calmly reviewing the events, she couldn’t shake the feeling.

Upon closer inspection, the tactics Baron Hebel had employed were a fairly classic example of a feigned retreat and ambush.

Provoke the enemy with swift light cavalry, lure them into a counterattack, and then, when they retaliate, pretend to flee in defeat.

Then, once the enemy’s formation crumbles in pursuit, the waiting main force—strong and prepared—launches a surprise attack on the overconfident foe.

Afterward, the fleeing troops are recalled to encircle and strike the enemy’s flanks.

It was a common battle progression seen in the old days when fighting against demons and centaurs.

Baron Hebel’s tactics were undoubtedly based on that theory.

The problem was the most crucial element—the “strong main force.” For instance, the centaur heavy cavalry had been woefully unprepared.

And the fact that he had resorted to suicidal attacks to compensate for that…

It was suspicious enough to make anyone think he had just slapped it together haphazardly.

‘Don’t tell me… When he said it was “heavy,” he just meant he didn’t feel like doing it and half-assed it?’

Even the brief conversation they’d had that day, when reconsidered, could only be interpreted that way.

So, as Charlotte subtly probed for answers, the thought ‘I’ve been had’ began creeping into her mind.

She offered opinions in line with Baron Hebel’s lecture, engaged in Q&A exchanges, and even nodded along to what Margrave Lutetia said…

Before she knew it, two hours had flown by.

……Wait, was this just a lecture?

No, lectures at least involved professors speaking to a group of twenty or so. This was more like a one-on-one tutoring session.

‘What is this…? Why am I sitting through a history lecture again…?’

Just as Charlotte’s mind was about to ascend to a state of Zen-like emptiness—

Baron Hebel was not one to let people space out on his watch.

“Now, now, Your Highness. What was I just saying?”

“Uh… Yes?”

“My, you weren’t listening. Then let’s go back to the beginning—”

“Ah, no, wait…! It was about the author’s opinion on how the Empire managed to unify and strengthen the nations of all races, right?”

“Yes… So, what was it?”

Having just been grilling the Margrave, he suddenly turned the question on her, startling Charlotte into a hasty reply.

No matter how she looked at it, if she failed to answer, he’d probably keep her there even longer.

“Well… The author of Foundations of the City cited the Empire’s advantages over other nations as ‘superior numbers’ and ‘actively learning the tactics of other races.’ So…”

“Though humans may not possess the innate physical prowess or magical affinity of other races, the ability to ‘mimic’ their tactics—that universal adaptability. That’s what the author identified as the Empire’s and humanity’s strength.”

Baron Hebel’s slow, deliberate tone carried the unspoken command: Pay attention!

His rapid-fire barrage of questions left no room for her to ask anything else, making Charlotte wonder, ‘Was he always this talkative?’

She had assumed he’d take a break if he were human, but it had already been half an hour.

“Um, Baron Hebel…”

“Yes?”

“How long are we doing this today…?”

In the end, Charlotte had no choice but to broach the subject herself.

The sun was already setting, and it was about time she headed back…

“Ah… Has it gotten this late already?”

Only then did Baron Hebel glance around the hall, as if finally realizing how much time had passed. Then he said—

“There’s still something left to do…”

Of course.

“Is it… something that absolutely must be done today?”

Margrave Lutetia, equally exhausted by the sudden study marathon, cautiously spoke up when he saw an opening.

“Well… From my perspective, it’d be best to finish it now. But if not, tomorrow—”

“L-Let’s wrap it up quickly today, Baron! I don’t think I’ll be free tomorrow!”

Charlotte frantically waved her hands, and after rubbing his head, he finally relented.

“What I wanted to do was analyze yesterday’s mock battle… Should we take a short break first?”

“Uh… Sure.”

“Then I’ll excuse myself for a moment.”

Perhaps he needed a bathroom break. After declaring a short recess, he quickly left the hall.

Watching him go, Charlotte barely held back a sigh.

“Are you alright, Your Highness?”

“And you, Margrave…?”

“I’m… used to it, I suppose. He often does this when he’s in a hurry.”

Margrave Lutetia, Albert von Beletia, scratched his pale cheek awkwardly.

“Still, you’re impressive. You’ve lasted this long.”

“……I just… wanted to see how far he’d go.”

Who knew he’d be worse than my tutors? Charlotte clicked her tongue and picked up the papyrus he’d left behind.

“Speaking of which, Margrave?”

“Yes?”

“What did you think of yesterday’s mock battle?”

“Yesterday’s… You mean the one between Your Highness and the Baron?”

“Yes. I’m curious about your thoughts.”

Normally, a princess wouldn’t have reason to care about a margrave’s opinion, but with her mind and body exhausted, she felt like venting a little.

Besides, this was the whole reason she’d come. Might as well get his take on it.

And also…

She was a little curious about how this Margrave Lutetia viewed his vassal.

A man known for his good nature, sociability, and ability to get along with anyone regardless of status.

Despite becoming a Grand Margrave at a young age and dedicating himself to studies far from home as a regent, there were no rumors of trouble in his domain.

With such a reputation and influence, it was no surprise the Emperor had once considered him as a potential son-in-law.

Of course, Charlotte herself had zero interest in him, and the Margrave had already secured a fiancée, so there was no chance of entanglement.

‘But when his vassal casually ordered his own troops to be shot down… What did he think of that?’

Honestly, she couldn’t help but wonder.

The Margrave, too, seemed to have given it some thought, exhaling through his nose before answering carefully.

“To be honest, I wasn’t that surprised by yesterday’s events.”

“……Why? Has he done something like this before?”

“Haha, not exactly… How should I put it?”

As if struggling to articulate it, Margrave Lutetia licked his lower lip and looked down before answering.

“I think I’ve already been surprised by Baron Hebel enough times that nothing shocks me anymore.”

“……What does that mean?”

“Let’s just say… there have been incidents. I’m not entirely without reservations, but I assume he had his own reasoning.”

Perhaps unwilling to elaborate, the Margrave dodged the topic with vague words.

Seizing the moment, Charlotte probed further.

“You seem to care deeply for your vassal.”

“We’ve been together for a long time, so I suppose so. It might sound strange coming from me, but he’s less a vassal and more like… a troublesome younger brother.”

“Younger brother?”

“We both lost our fathers around the same time. Our territories are close, so we naturally ended up looking out for each other. We’ve been together since before the Academy, really. He’s around my age, but he knows so much—I’ve relied on him often.”

So, Baron Hebel was the type to pull off suicidal tactics without it being surprising?

No, if he’d managed his territory like that, this man wouldn’t be sitting here so comfortably.

His domain was stable, his borders secure—that’s why he could afford to spend most of the year away.

‘What in the world happened…?’

But the Margrave didn’t seem keen on sharing, so pressing further would be pointless.

‘Well, it’s not like I can discuss tactics with him anyway…’

With a slightly uneasy feeling, Charlotte began scribbling down all the frustrated thoughts she’d stewed over all night.

Despite feeling somewhat cheated, she had to get the words ‘You half-assed this, didn’t you?’ off her chest.

And also…

That answer he’d given her.

‘To think I’d say something like that to someone who clearly didn’t put in the effort…! This is beyond embarrassing…!’

She was also a little curious about what he thought.

Of course, it never crossed her mind that Baron Hebel might not have even properly heard her words.

“By the way, why is the Baron taking so long?”

As Charlotte was fervently drafting her scathing critique on the papyrus, the Margrave stood up and spoke.

“Good question. He’s later than I expected. I should be heading back soon.”

“Then why don’t you gather your things and go? I’ll relay the rest of the discussion to him.”

“Aren’t you leaving too, Margrave? Let’s go together.”

“Very well.”

As they packed their belongings, they also gathered Baron Hebel’s things—which were surprisingly heavy.

The sight of two nobles struggling to carry their subordinate’s luggage was almost comical.

Once outside the hall, they exchanged farewells and prepared to leave—

When a deep, gravelly voice echoed from not too far away.

“Are you looking to duel me, Baron?”

A voice twisted with anger, a harsh tone like wind whistling through cracks.

The unmistakably aggressive growl of an orc filled the shadowed alley.

Wondering what was happening, they walked toward the commotion—

Only to find a towering figure, at least a head taller than the Margrave or the Baron, leading a group with his head lowered menacingly.

Whatever the reason, the one standing against them was none other than Baron Hebel, Werner von Hebel.

“Baron Hebel…?”

It was only natural they couldn’t immediately grasp the situation.