Chapter 183

Chapter 183

***

A person frowning his face at the blazing sunlight next to the road was looking up at something. He was an impressive man with a well-trimmed and sharp mustache, and his armament was flashy and luxurious. It was the 2nd Prince Lotharius.

What Lotharius was looking up at with his head slightly tilted was none other than a person pierced by a pole from the bottom to the mouth.

He was one of Randel's subordinates, the person who had cursed and mocked Rickart from the castle wall. Coincidentally he was also the person who cruelly murdered Count Caldebern's young heir.

Surprisingly he was, still alive. Though hanging limply down was practically no different from being almost dead. The price for noble murder was big.

But this kind of thing was a high-level skill only very special people among torture technicians could did. Avoiding major organs, carefully and slowly, keeping them alive while piercing the entire body from bottom to top, that was.

"It's art."

Lotharius said briefly. Cruelty, prudence, and an understanding of the human body, should it be called a comprehensive art dealing with life. He felt it like that.

Presently the one skewered on the pole breathed his last. By doing so it was a feeling exactly like some art was completed.

Lotharius watched the art with its final dot placed for a little longer, then lowered his head.

And far away, he looked at Adelorn's knights waiting on the other side of the bridge crossing the river. Flags drawn with a picture of a black eagle and a burning sword combined on a red background.

It was a situation exactly opposite to when he blocked the bridge against Rickart in the past. This time he was in the position of having to cross the bridge.

Rather than being shocked he tilted his head slightly as if not understanding, then asked Baldur next to him.

Baldur was the commander who achieved victory against the 5th Prince Bellator commanding the army on his behalf.

"How did he know? It doesn't seem like the plan leaked."

Lotharius's words meant, how could Rickart and his knights be over there at this point in time.

That Rickart moved his army swiftly was a well-known fact since he experienced it himself, but right now because it was an impossible matter unless he knew in advance.

"It doesn't seem like the plan leaked, I wonder if he too hadn't been targeting Count Caldebern from before. Since Randel happened to kill the Count he seems to have quickly occupied the territory."

"Isn't it too much of a coincidence?"

"Anyway since the current situation is like this, if we have to piece it together it is like that. What is important is not what he did, but what we do from now on, Your Highness."

"What is your thought?"

"Fighting and winning is impossible. Moreover crossing the river and attacking is even more impossible."

"The King of Adelorn beat me by doing that, are you saying you cannot do that?"

"Battle is not a matter to be done putting pride forward, Your Highness. After accurately gauging what the enemy can do and what level their capability is, and conversely what I can do and what level my capability is, you must establish a plan to be able to win. Your Highness's direct troops are about a thousand, and the rest are all conscripted forces. Furthermore right now because we came hurriedly there are only 2,000 whose organization is not completed. With 200 knights, and those being 200 steel knights from the Flame Knights, crossing the river and attacking with 2,000 is bringing upon the act of being skewered on this pole here."

Lotharius intentionally tried to subtly scratch Baldur's pride, but Baldur merely advised calmly.

Thereupon seeing as Lotharius wasn't only filled with pathetic corners, he understood those words quickly. Most of all having tasted bitter defeat before actually he himself didn't want to fight either.

"But simply returning is a bit, isn't it? What is this like boiling porridge and giving it to a dog......"

"Stormhearts's manor knights have participated in the war on our side. The King of Adelorn's father and eldest son, that is. Since they happen to have come together right now how about sending them? Reveal that you have no intention to fight, and Your Highness please recognize the title. Since the situation has become like this anyway, do not make an enemy and go for peace. If you solidify the relationship well at least they won't stand on the 5th Prince's side right. Besides, there might be a use for them later."

"......"

Prince Lotharius thought for a moment, then considering that word to be right he nodded his head.

Only, Stormhearts's manor knights were originally somewhat like vassals of Count Caldebern, and Count Caldebern was a vassal of Duke Brumbaer.

Normally he couldn't act on them directly himself, but right now leading an army and fighting a war there could be somewhat exceptional matters.

Lotharius conversed more intimately with Baldur about how to sort out and handle the current situation. Baldur was currently the second-in-command and the real power within the 2nd Prince's army.

After finishing the conversation Lotharius called Stormhearts's manor knights Abellich and Graut. As they crossed through the encampment and came, both father and son were majestic and imposing.

As the father knelt on one knee to the 2nd Prince first, the son also knelt following him.

"I heard you called."

"There is no need to observe formalities, brave knights. Rather you make me feel disappointed."

They were merely the lord's lord in a vassal relationship, and had no personal closeness so it couldn't be known what he meant by feeling disappointed.

Anyway Lotharius grabbed Abellich and Graut and stood them up. And talked sticking close exactly as if they were in an intimate relationship. To what extent they were close was that Abellich had to pull his head back slightly.

"First, forgive me for not being able to give you special treatment early on. After the defeat at the river last time I had no spare energy to pay attention. Although we met as enemies your son the King of Adelorn truly cannot find an opponent in the world. It would be a lie if there were no hateful feelings, but those have already been swept away by time and disappeared. What remains in me now is only respect and praise. Borrowing this occasion, I want to say to you that your son is truly wonderful."

It was an extreme praise. However Abellich merely watched Lotharius blankly with a slightly sleepy, or indifferent gaze, then answered bluntly.

"Thank you."

Lotharius was slightly embarrassed but because he had a goal he managed to smile with effort.

The Prince's close aides were watching their conversation from a close place. Down to each one for a manor knight they were nobles who couldn't dare to rub shoulders with them. However thanks to his son's halo no one looked down on Abellich.

"Could you step forward and properly convey this feeling of mine right now to the King? To the King who will be over there across that river, that is. Regarding the title of Count of Caldebern who is it? Eileen? Is it your daughter-in-law? Anyway, convey that I will recognize the title too."

"I shall do so."

Abellich merely only answered he understood. Seeing him answer so easily it made one wonder if he had some scheme, but he was merely thorough in fulfilling his duty.

40 days. Knights had a duty to serve the lord's call for 40 days. From then onwards the lord had to pay wages or make some other political promise. If not, it was fine for the knight to return to their hometown after finishing their service.

It was possible to follow purely with only loyalty past that 40 days, but realistically one had to see that as non-existent. No matter how loyal a knight was if they weren't given money they didn't fight.

That wasn't because they were crazy about money, but because leaving the territory and going to the battlefield itself was a sacrifice and a loss.

Abellich and Graut's current service days were the 37th day. They had a history of participating in the battle against the 5th Prince Bellator.

"When will you depart?"

"I will depart immediately now."

"Refreshing. You resemble your son. Ah, is it the opposite? It's a joke! A joke! Heo-heo-heo!"

Lotharius laughed loudly all by himself then patted Abellich's back. Abellich was older.

Abellich packed up preparations to depart immediately as an envoy along with his eldest son Graut by Lotharius's instruction. Actually there was nothing much to prepare either, getting on the horse in their currently armed state was all.

"It might be a trick, Father."

Graut who hadn't said anything the whole time suggested indirectly.

"Trick or not, there's nothing not to be honorable about in following the path of duty."

It was originally the case, but Abellich had a rigid and inflexible side. On the other hand Rickart knew how to employ flexibility. Of course having corners resembling his father he was stubbornly fixed depending on the time too.

Anyway Abellich and Graut hung a white flag and headed to the bridge placed across the river. Running slowly across the field the Steel Knight Order and Royal Knights on the other side of the river looked over.

Decreasing speed they reached the bridge even more slowly, and a knight with a sharp gaze came out and met them.

"State your names and purpose."

"Stormhearts's manor knight, Abellich. Came as an envoy of Prince Lotharius. This here is my son, Knight Graut."

Like the inflexible Abellich he didn't reveal that he was Rickart's father.

Hearing their names and purpose of visit the knight returned, and the other knights raised their spears up and blocked them thoroughly so they couldn't cross the bridge.

Seeing such a series of processes, Abellich felt vividly that the level of the army itself was different. Not only the individual combat abilities, but the point that the organization moved squarely and fast fitting together like cogs.

But not long after Rickart, without even riding a horse, ran over breathlessly.

"Father!"

Thereupon Abellich got off his horse, and tried to kneel to show respect to the King. However before his knees even touched the ground Rickart grabbed him abruptly whoosh and stood him up.

"There is no need to do this. Father. It's been a long time for you too, Older Brother."

"Right now it's not father and son, but envoy and monarch. You make me uncomfortable by doing this."

Abellich drew the line exactly. Thereupon Rickart looked at Abellich with a slightly blank face for a moment, then thinking he was exactly the same as always ended up smiling snicker.

"Even before being a King I am also a father's son. You make me uncomfortable by doing this."

"However I have a purpose, and it might become a loss to the King. Seeing as a knight's duty is to follow the lord's order, this is a matter that cannot be handled with personal feelings."

"I will take care of that. Anyway I can see the 2nd Prince's inner thoughts clearly. What I wish for is to secure the safety of our family. Honestly I even have somewhat of a thankful feeling. Toward the 2nd Prince. Because I was wondering what to do if he made an excuse and took you as hostages. He doesn't seem to be a figure that shameless to that extent."

Actually Rickart had even established a rescue operation completely in advance preparing for when the 2nd Prince took Abellich and Graut as hostages. But now the need for that had disappeared.

Because since the situation became like this, the 2nd Prince gave up the title of Count of Caldebern cleanly and wished to make peace with Rickart.

In that regard, sending Abellich and Graut as envoys was an excellent measure. Rickart was a person who knew how to repay grudges with grudges, and grace with grace.

"Sister-in-law is currently staying at Caldebern Castle, and she'll be out of her mind cleaning up the mess. Please come inside for now. Let's talk while eating something."

Rickart grabbed Abellich's arm and walked. When he was young he couldn't even dare approach near his father, but not anymore. If this was something that could be enjoyed with power, he thought it was the best thing.

As Rickart acted like this, the Royal Knights parted rip. That discipline and knife-like angle seemed like it would cut, and to that extent the courtesy was certain.

There was an encampment behind the hill, and Rickart took his father and older brother to his own barracks. Inside there was only a table, a field bed, armaments, and piles of documents. For a King's barracks it was excessively modest.

"Roy, go and bring out the best alcohol and meat."

"Yes."

"He's my attendant. Somehow I ended up taking him as a disciple, and he's a kid who has followed me until now."

After Rickart spoke briefly about Roy, he sat the two people in front of the table.

Silence hovered for a moment, and Rickart spoke first.

"Do you know? The one who killed Count Caldebern is the 2nd Prince. It's not that he overtly instigated it, but he hinted at it. Fortunately I happened to occupy the castle in time, but what did the 2nd Prince say?"

"......"

Abellich and Graut who were merely mere knights didn't know well about the conspiracies the great nobles plotted behind their backs. Only, hearing the story right now they weren't greatly surprised or anything like that.

Abellich kept his silence, and because he was so inflexible the eldest brother Graut stepped forward instead.

"We don't know well about such things. We don't want to rashly lay our hands on it either. We merely came to convey the Prince's words. That he sends respect and praise to you. And he also said he would recognize the title for Eileen. That's all."

Rickart noticed as soon as he heard the words that he turned to peace.

"That's a welcome news to hear. Then well, there's no need for army and army to purposefully stand facing each other and confront. Since I understand the 2nd Prince's intent well I myself will visit or something soon even just to prepare the documents."

Definitely since Father and Older Brother came and revealed the intent, there was absolutely no such thing as having a war of nerves for no reason or trying to deceive each other.

Right in time Roy brought out alcohol and meat, and Rickart the King himself poured alcohol into the glasses himself. It was a mead of the Michela Sword Monastery, alcohol fermented with the nuns' saliva.

Once everyone drank a glass together Rickart sliced the meat with a dagger, and that dagger was none other than what Abellich gave as a gift when he left home.

Under the name of 'Boar's Tusk', he was still using it well. The place it was cast was the smithy of Count Caldebern's castle.

Abellich who couldn't have not recognized that suddenly asked. It was finally a tone of speaking not to a King but to a son.

"Do you intend to become Emperor?"

Thereupon Rickart's hand slicing meat stopped abruptly smack. But soon he softly smiled and shook his head.

"Perhaps I might come to possess the world in a completely different way. But if that happens it won't be for me but for what's beyond that."

"......Saying this now but, did you happen to live your life twice or something?"

Graut asked. Though he didn't know when he was young, the younger brother who was establishing his abilities in the world at such a fast speed and advancing on a great path suddenly felt unfamiliar.

Rickart didn't tell a lie. He merely sliced the roasted pig leg meat thinly putting it on each plate and said.

"Perhaps."