episode_0154

Hehe… I thought the two of you had a falling out.

My son-in-law who came to visit me not long ago asked for my help, saying that he wanted to hand over the Emperor faction to Terra instead of disbanding it.

What a good son-in-law is this?

From what I can see, he is a very good son-in-law.

Of course, it was definitely a mistake to hand over Epirus and Ezip without telling us, but I understand how my son-in-law feels.

It was handing over the estate of the woman he loved, but it must not have been easy for a man to say such shameful things.

From what I heard from my father, the current civil war seems to be progressing towards a landslide victory for Debian.

Nicaea, where William landed on the Adriatic Sea and withdrew his troops from a battle line where he had almost won.

In the meantime, it is said that the large army that has been assembled has almost arrived in the Kingdom of Eren, so the end of King Ioannes and Nicaea is not far away.

“I don’t think Terra hates his son-in-law that much…”

In times like these, if you have an event just for the two of you, your relationship might get better.

“Is there something missing?”

Should I really put an aphrodisiac in my son-in-law’s breakfast?

If they had a child, things would be a little more harmonious.

Of course, I’m not doing this because I want to see my grandchildren and granddaughter quickly.

They got married anyway, and since they can’t divorce unless they are infertile, shouldn’t they be living together for the rest of their lives anyway?

In a world where arranged marriages are common, even indifferent men and women get married and have 4 to 5 children, the relationship between Terra and her is strange.

They both have feelings for each other… but why don’t they do it?

Although Terra is still 21 years old, it is better to give birth to a son as soon as possible to ensure a stable succession to the throne.

Otherwise, the succession to the throne could become complicated.

“If you’re going to have it anyway, do it quickly… I want to see Ian and Renee…”

Even though I’m complaining like that, I can’t tell my daughter to flirt with my son-in-law…

It’s a bit…

It’s a bit like that.

Even though she is my family and my daughter, I sigh every day because I feel like there is something wrong with encouraging marital relations.

“If two people love each other, I think they just have to do it…”

I can’t easily understand my son-in-law’s thoughts, so I just sigh.

“Should I really use an aphrodisiac?”

Once a thought comes to mind, I keep wondering whether or not I should use an aphrodisiac.

This is my daughter’s first experience. Should I do that?

That’s what I think of, but then I think of Ian, my cute grandson with gray hair who looks just like Terra and I.

Okay, let’s use an aphrodisiac!

I want to meet my cute grandson as soon as possible, but what can I not do? No, it is my natural duty as the Empress of the Empire.

If the emperor’s lineage is cut off because there are no descendants, this will bring enormous chaos to the empire.

What he does is simply help the emperor fulfill his duties as an adult of the empire.

Yeah… I mean. It’s okay to do it.

“Is there a maid outside?”

I call the head maid outside.

-Squeak.

“Did you call me, Empress Dowager?”

I enter the room, bow my head, and clear my throat as I speak to the head maid.

“Kuhm… Well… Can you get me an aphrodisiac that causes sexual desire in men?”

“Yes?”

The head maid raised her head with a slightly surprised face at my words.

Come to think of it, I’ve known her for a long time, so I explain the situation.

“I’m worried that Tera hasn’t returned to office yet, so I’m planning to use it for my son-in-law.”

The head maid spoke with a puzzled face at my words.

“Aphrodisiac… Are you using an aphrodisiac on His Majesty the Archduke?”

My cheeks turn a little red at the words of the head maid.

“Well… Yeah… I don’t want to do this either… If Terra doesn’t have children, there might be a problem with succession to the throne in the future.”

At my words, the head maid gently opens her mouth and has a blank expression on her face, but then quickly corrects her expression.

“Yes, I understand. Empress Dowager, I will rescue you somehow, even if it means sacrificing my life.”

I swallow my saliva as I see the head maid expressing her firm determination.

No… why are you sacrificing your life to find an aphrodisiac?

I feel puzzled as I see the head maid being more determined than necessary.

***

Ioannes gives orders to his commanders.

“Tonight, I will withdraw.”

Nobles, knights, and generals sigh at the words of Ioanes, who has made a firm choice.

“But if you just retreat, the enemies will attack. So… divide your troops and commit half to the attack, and prepare the other half to retreat and ambush the enemy’s pursuit force.”

Ioanes, well aware that if Byzantion falls, it will really be the end, swallows his anger and orders a retreat.

-yes! I accept orders.

As his subordinate officers responded, Ioanes tried to suppress his bitter feelings and cursed Devian in his mind.

‘A child without a mother or father! I will definitely kill you.’

After seeing them rushing out to follow Ioanes’ orders, Ioanes saw that there was no one in the barracks…

“Ugh!”

-Whisk!

He draws his sword and strikes the table with the war map drawn on it.

-Percussion!

Ioanes catches his breath as he looks at the long table that has been neatly cut in half.

“Ha… ha… you son of a bastard. I will not kill you gracefully.”

***

Meanwhile, William sensed that the enemy’s offensive was more serious than usual.

‘It seems like there are twice as many as the usual number of attacks.’

William feels puzzled as he sees the enemy attacking much more fiercely than usual, as if he is determined to capture this place today.

‘There wouldn’t have been any new reinforcements. How can you attack so forcefully? ‘Ioanes.’

William is troubled by his unusual behavior.

‘Is there something you’re after?’

A soldier trying to climb up a ladder by hanging it on top of a castle wall is hit by an arrow and falls to the ground.

‘ah! What if… you found out that Byzantium, the capital of Nicaea, was in crisis?!’

Ioanes is forced to choose between the two.

One is to retreat, and the other is to capture the city of Thessalonica as much as possible.

And we should quickly head to Byzantion.

However, the latter method is difficult to choose.

Currently, it is doubtful whether it can be captured as our forces are firmly guarding it.

‘Yes… it’s a trick to retreat.’

William coolly analyzes the current situation and issues orders.

“Matthew! Exclude the Golden Knights and cavalry from battle and let them rest!”

Matthew questions William’s unexpected order.

“Suddenly?”

“Yes! Today the Nicaean army will retreat at night. We attack retreating enemy forces.”

Matthew, who had blinked at William’s words, says:

“The enemy is attacking so fiercely, why are you retreating today?”

In some ways, this is extremely common sense, but William sighs.

“It would have been great if King Ioannes had been a father like you.”

‘If King Ioannes had been the real father, he wouldn’t have started a civil war…’

I say this while feeling sad inside.

“First, follow orders.”

“Yes.”

***

The moment the sun sets.

Before we know it, the commanders of Nicaea give the order to retreat.

They are in a position where they have to go on an arduous march as soon as the battle is over, so they all feel like death.

“Really. Is it all about being a king? Does this make sense? Fighting at the risk of death and marching at night.”

“That’s right. what the. What happened again this time?”

Commanders who hear such grumbling do not stop their soldiers.

Because commanders think the same way as soldiers.

at that time.

-All that… all that…

The sound of horses’ hooves coming from the rear can be heard loudly.

-It’s an enemy surprise attack! It’s an enemy surprise attack!

When the soldier in the rear shouted loudly, the commanders nodded and gave instructions as ordered.

“Retreat! Retreat!”

The commanders, who clearly knew that just a little further away the Nicaean army was lying in ambush to protect the retreating troops, screamed at the top of their voices.

“If you want to live, run as far as you can along the road!”

At those words, the soldiers and cavalry hurriedly chased after them, but the rear was soon caught up by the enemy cavalry.

-Ugh!

-Ha… Surrender! iced coffee! my arm!

Nicaean infantry in chaos.

As they hurriedly flee out of the forest along the road, Nicaean spearmen, crossbowmen, and cavalry are waiting outside the forest.

“Sa… lived!”

Fireballs and bolts fired from crossbows are directed at the cavalry chasing the Nicaean army.

-Quaang!

-Swaek!

As sharp bolts cut through the wind and felled the cavalry, the imperial cavalry quickly turned the reins and fled.

“Phew… I lived.”

The surviving soldiers breathe a sigh of relief.

***

William nods after hearing the report that the cavalry was pursuing the Nicaean army and returned to an enemy ambush.

‘As expected, I was prepared.’

In a way, it was natural, but William thought it was a good idea to tell them to return once the ambush was confirmed, as they did not want to suffer unnecessary damage.

“There’s nothing I can do about it. If you are chased at night and fall into an ambush, the damage will increase. Tell the soldiers to get a good rest today.”

William is lost in thought as he looks at the full moon in the sky.

‘Ioane… there is no turning back now. Why did you revolt…’

From the moment Byzantion fell, this war was already over.

***

Savinelli, the head of the Dupol Front, is satisfied with the current front.

They have captured important fortresses, strengthened their defenses, and reliably blocked the enemy’s offensive, so much so that they thought they were doing well considering it was their first time participating in a war.

To describe him as arrogant, no one can say such a thing because the major he took off was high.

Of course, you have to do it internally.

When I was lying down in the barracks and resting.

“Commander Savinelli! A messenger from His Majesty Ioannes has arrived.”

At the messenger’s words, Savinelli dresses neatly, clears his throat, and speaks.

“Ask them to come in.”

Ioanes is nothing less than a benefactor to Savinelli.

A master who treats me highly and believes in me.

As Sabinelli, he has no choice but to give his allegiance to Ioannes.

In fact, there are many people in Nicaea who are jealous and envious of him. Savinelli knows this well.

Those who try to slander him spread rumors, but Ioanes ignores them and is deeply moved by the fact that they believed in him until the end.

Moreover, he could not help but be moved by seeing Ioanes not withdrawing his trust from him even when his own plans failed.

“Count! This is a letter from His Highness Ioannes.”

Savinelli answers with a gentle smile while holding the letter handed to him by the messenger.

“Yes, you had a lot of trouble. How is your Majesty?”

The messenger is shocked at Savinelli’s words and says:

“It’s probably written in the letter, but it’s not that good.”

Savinelli feels puzzled by the messenger’s words.

“Not good?”

“Well… you will understand when you read the letter.”

With those words, he carefully opens the letter and reads it.

“Byzantium is under attack… What is this? ”

Savinelli’s eyes widen at the unexpectedly shocking content.