Became The Son Of The Final Boss [EN]: Chapter 59

59.

Attran Knights and Riverhill Magic Corps!

The family’s best elite units.

The fact that they bore the family name meant they took great pride in their skills.

I stroked Gale’s mane and said to Ken,

“Duke Beregon and Duke Riverhill have attached their families’ elite units to us.”

Ken narrowed his eyes and replied in a low voice.

“Their intentions are likely not good. The first thing that comes to mind is that they’re trying to prevent Your Highness from gaining merit.”

I shrugged.

“Sending the families’ elites, who were only selectively mobilized even during the First Conquest War, just for that? There’s probably a bigger goal.”

Both Ken and I knew it.

Ken spoke up.

“They’ll try to kill Your Highness under the guise of war. Assassination attempts within the Imperial Palace are no longer feasible… It’s rare for a commander to die in war, but the Western War is a bit special.”

The opponent wasn’t another human, but an Orc Legion.

Moreover, the Orc King had been born, and Goran, one of the great heads of evil, was about to be resurrected.

‘Only I know about Goran’s resurrection…’

I only warned about the birth of the Orc King before the Great War.

Most people didn’t even believe in the existence of the Orc King, so if I had talked about Goran, it would have been difficult to gain trust.

“The Orc Legion is by no means easy. No matter how many elites from the two great families are mobilized, it will be a difficult battle.”

I agreed with Ken’s words.

“The Orcs’ combat power is far superior to that of ordinary soldiers. The role of the Knights is important… but it doesn’t seem like the Attran Knights and the Magic Corps will readily help. I have no choice but to rely on the Knights of the Western Lord Alliance.”

Ken pointed out the flaw in my judgment.

“Will the Western Lords be compliant? They are likely to be just as hostile to Your Highness as those two.”

Only then did I remember the quest.

-A. Commander-in-Chief of the West.

It was about receiving oaths of allegiance from the Western Lords, and since it was an A-level difficulty, it meant it was very difficult.

‘Is this war even going to proceed properly?’

Facing a battle against an Orc Legion that could destroy all of humanity, there were too many internal problems.

“We’ll have to face it head-on. There’s nothing we can do right now.”

The fact that I couldn’t even rely on the evaluation tournament participants made me sigh involuntarily.

‘It would be a great help if only they were definitely on my side.’

While I was talking with Ken, Count Boaffen’s castle came into view.

As a Count who had his territory near the capital, it was quite large.

The walls protecting the outskirts of the city were also very high.

Ken explained as he saw me carefully looking at the walls.

“Count Boaffen became a Count by making great contributions during the First Conquest War. When His Majesty bestowed the title, there was considerable opposition from the nobles.”

Ken knew more about the history of the Empire than I, the Crown Prince, did.

Ken also didn’t find it strange that I, the Crown Prince, didn’t know even the basic history of the Empire.

The fact that I was an incompetent coward was known not only in the capital but also to the local lords.

Back then, I was just holed up in my room crying all day, so how could I have studied properly?

‘I wrote it myself… but I don’t really know the detailed history of the Empire.’

I thought it wasn’t too late to learn from now on, and I focused on Ken’s voice.

“Count Boaffen was not originally a noble. He is a typical war meritocrat [someone who gains power through military achievements]. He won quite a few battles during the Conquest War. If you think about it, he contributed more than the four great Dukes, but he couldn’t receive a title higher than Count due to the limitations of his origin.”

Ken added.

“The ones who opposed it the most at the time were Duke Beregon and Duke Austin. They are staunch believers in pure-blooded aristocracy.”

“I see.”

“Count Boaffen didn’t receive proper recognition for his contributions at the time. Was there no backlash?”

Ken nodded.

“Yes. He is one of His Majesty’s loyal subjects. He is also the leader of the few pro-Emperor nobles.”

I smiled and said.

“Weren’t you a pickpocket before entering the palace? You know more about the current political situation than I do.”

Ken shrugged.

“I was very interested in what was going on in the world.”

Then I asked the most pressing question.

“As far as I know, Count Boaffen wasn’t even a Sword Master, so was there a reason why he was able to make so many contributions in battle?”

“Count Boaffen is a mid-level Sword Expert. But he was a truly outstanding commander.”

I exclaimed in admiration.

The Calpheon Empire was different from the medieval era I lived in.

This continent was characterized by the fact that one knight could have the power to kill a hundred, or even a thousand soldiers.

Therefore, most commanders had truly outstanding martial power.

In particular, the commanders of large-scale wars like the Empire were almost top-tier Sword Experts, if not Sword Masters.

Ken continued his explanation.

“He was called a genius of tactics. He placed knights in the most appropriate places, and the mages demonstrated their power in the right places. His battle records marked a milestone in military science. Especially his troop management…”

Ken shuddered.

“During the First Conquest War, there is a record of Boaffen’s infantry annihilating two knight orders.”

I couldn’t help but admire him.

“He’s an amazing person.”

“Yes. If you see him in person and build a good relationship, it will be a great help.”

I didn’t have high expectations.

“It seems like he’s loyal to His Majesty personally, not to the Imperial Family of Leod, right?”

Ken cheered at my accurate assessment.

“Your Highness can do it too. You have a different charm from His Majesty, so have confidence.”

“I’ll do my best.”

With a self-pledge, I urged Gale on.

* * *

Boaffen gave the soldiers good food and warm beds.

All of them were prepared by emptying his personal wealth.

I praised him for that as soon as I met Boaffen.

“The food you prepared all looks good. Even providing enough meat to feed a thousand people in this winter is impressive.”

Boaffen’s impression was like a kind-hearted neighbor.

His warm face and constant smile made even the viewer feel warm.

His round face was strangely harmonized with his knightly, sleek figure.

“I was going to send soldiers and supplies because I was excluded from the Eastern Expedition, but I heard about the Western Defense Force and reported it to His Majesty.”

“Were they originally soldiers and supplies to be conscripted into the Eastern Expeditionary Force?”

At my words, Boaffen guided the way and said.

“Yes. Although I can’t go directly to the front lines, I must do what I can as a member of the Imperial nobility.”

Boaffen seemed quite disappointed that he was excluded from the Eastern Expedition.

His expression was already slightly excited, as if he was commanding soldiers in the enemy camp.

“It’s already fading from my memory that I roamed the battlefield with His Majesty… My territory is good, but I guess I’m still a battlefield type.”

I smiled.

“You will go to the battlefield again. His Majesty will not keep talents like Count in the territory forever.”

Boaffen burst into laughter.

“That’s right! His Majesty will not stop until the Calpheon Empire unifies the continent.”

While talking with Boaffen, we came deep inside the city.

We arrived at the castle that was clearly visible even from outside the territory.

It was Count Boaffen’s castle.

“The castle is magnificent.”

Boaffen replied to my words.

“It’s not a newly built castle. Originally, this place was someone else’s territory, but I’m using it as it is without any repairs. As you can see, it’s a bit extravagant… but it’s better than tearing it down and building a new one.”

Boaffen didn’t seem to have much greed.

Perhaps because he wasn’t originally from a noble family, or perhaps that was his nature, but he didn’t seem to have any vanity.

‘Is it a desire for honor… Seeing that he says the battlefield is his type, he seems to enjoy the thrilling danger of blood and flesh flying around.’

As we entered the castle, the cold subsided.

From the outside, it looked like a luxurious castle with many decorations, but the interior was simple.

It seemed that Count Boaffen had removed all the interior decorations.

“You guys come too. I have prepared separate places for your subordinates.”

Count Boaffen invited the Vice-Commander of the Attran Knights and the Vice-Commander of the Riverhill Magic Corps, who had been quietly following him.

They nodded lightly.

“You guys follow too.”

Ken and David bowed briefly.

Soon, we followed Boaffen into the castle’s dining hall.

A fairly generous table was waiting for us, although it wasn’t quite a banquet level.

Boaffen yielded his seat to me.

I didn’t refuse.

This was Boaffen’s territory, but I was the Crown Prince of the Empire, so my status and position were higher than Boaffen’s.

As I sat down, everyone took their seats.

Servants and maids were busily moving around, helping with the meal.

Boaffen filled my wine glass and said.

“It is an honor to serve Your Highness.”

“I am grateful to Count Boaffen as the Crown Prince of this country. You have supported five hundred private soldiers and a considerable amount of supplies. His Majesty, as well as the West, will never forget Count Boaffen’s sacrifice.”

And finally, Thompson, the Vice-Commander of the Riverhill Magic Corps, opened his mouth for the first time.

“It is a responsibility that nobles should naturally bear. It is not a sacrifice.”

Even at Thompson’s words, which openly refuted my words, I did not lose my composure.

I had fully expected such a challenge.

‘They won’t insult me, will they? They already know what happened to Ted’s knights… and Chen has been hit several times.’

Even Austin’s insults, I didn’t just let them pass.

It was the same this time.

It wasn’t about nitpicking Thompson’s words, but I didn’t want to give them the initiative in this meeting, which was like the first meeting.

They were already on guard, and if I looked weak, things would become more difficult in the future.

“A responsibility, not a sacrifice.”

Thompson added to my words.

“Both the Riverhill family and the Attran family have dispatched their best elites. That is the responsibility of the nobility. A few soldiers and a few supplies are not a sacrifice, but a way to show off.”

Boaffen’s face hardened slightly, but it quickly relaxed.

From that appearance, I clearly felt the discrimination he had received.

‘Even so, his loyalty to Father is still great. He’s a good person.’

Perhaps his words that the battlefield was better meant that he hated the central politics where such things were numerous?

The moment Thompson was playing with his fork, I opened my mouth.

“Considering the reputation of the Riverhill family, isn’t dispatching just one Magic Corps also a way to show off?”

Thompson flinched.

“Don’t you think so?”

“The Riverhill family is the best family of mages on the continent. The fact that such a family has dispatched its best elites…”

I cut off Thompson’s words.

“I should ask Duke Austin whether he has fulfilled his responsibility. I don’t know what responsibility you’re talking about.”

Thompson’s face contorted.

“Your Highness.”

“Be careful with your words and actions as you are invited to the Count’s castle and receiving help. And one more thing.”

I met Thompson’s eyes and said.

“Judgments about battles, tactical choices… well, since I don’t have experience as a commander, you can fully intervene.”

Thompson did not avoid my eyes.

I smiled faintly.

“But don’t contradict my direct orders.”

“Your lack of experience is not limited to battle, Your Highness.”

Ram, the Vice-Commander of the Attran Knights, had a smile on his face.