Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 235

The Great War (1)

“What a cute kid.”

After Leia, who had been looking back several times, was completely out of sight, the Grand Duke spoke. His tone was calm, but it was impossible not to feel the rebuke within. Caribdis lowered his eyes without a word.

“I was surprised to hear that you had taken in a young boy, but I never imagined he would be an ability user. To think he’s already contracted with a spirit at that age; he’s a talent whose future is frightening. When were you planning to tell me?”

“I was going to visit you soon and tell you.”

“You weren’t trying to hide it?”

“…It seems he didn’t summon it knowingly but happened to make a spirit contract by chance. I thought that if it became known to the world too early, the child might become arrogant, so I was going to keep his ability a secret for a while.”

“So you don’t deny it.”

“……”

Caribdis closed his mouth at the stinging words. As a heavy silence continued, the Grand Duke immediately burst into a hollow laugh.

“You’re too honest for your own good. Well, considering the child’s peaceful life, it’s better to keep quiet for now. I understand that you cherish that child that much. It’s surprising that you of all people would show such consideration.”

“I apologize.”

“Oh, you’re apologizing? That’s even more unexpected. To admit it so readily… Am I even talking to the Caribdis I know?”

“…I apolo…”

“Haha, are you just going to apologize? I’m just kidding, just kidding. I’m not blaming you. Anyway, time is truly terrifying. I never imagined you would come to adore a child. The sun will rise in the west tomorrow. Is my loyal sword finally thinking of settling down for a comfortable life?”

“That’s not really it.”

A teasing gaze reached him, and Caribdis immediately turned serious. He had taken him in on impulse, but that was just a product of disloyal emotions that he himself couldn’t understand. It wasn’t that he cherished the child in particular. He didn’t think that his daily life or values had changed because of the child. It was merely that he had brought him in, so he was taking on the corresponding responsibility. That’s what he thought.

“Oh, still a long way to go. You should say yes at times like this. I was thinking it was a good sign.”

The Grand Duke shook his head as if he couldn’t help it. Caribdis silently watched him, carefully gauging his intentions. The Grand Duke, reading his suspicious gaze, chuckled.

“I’m serious. I was worried that you would never marry and grow old alone by my side. So I’m really happy about this change. I’m truly relieved that you finally seem to be thinking of becoming attached to something.”

“…Your Highness, that’s…”

“While we’re at it, why don’t you take it a step further? I’ll find you a good match soon. It’ll be good news for the girls who dream of becoming the partner of a hero.”

“No, there’s no need for that.”

“Why? Your own child would be cuter than someone else’s child with whom you share no blood. A large family suits you. Get married soon and have lots of children. About ten would be good.”

“Ten people…”

“Five daughters and five sons. Doesn’t that sound nice? If the house is full of children, it’ll be very lively and fun. If they’re your children, they’ll be talented like their father, so it’ll be a great blessing for the empire in the future.”

While the Grand Duke continued to talk excitedly, Caribdis’s expression became more and more troubled. He had never once thought about becoming a husband to a woman or a father to someone, nor did he think it suited him. Just hearing about such an ordinary and happy scene and trying to imagine himself in it made him feel uncomfortable, as if he were wearing ill-fitting clothes, beyond just listening to someone else’s story.

“Ah, right. Give me one of your sons. I’ll make him my successor.”

“……!”

The moment he heard the words that followed, a chill ran down his spine. Caribdis, who already had an uncomfortable expression, immediately hardened his face.

“That’s out of the question.”

“How stingy. Are you saying you can’t spare even one for your lord?”

“It’s not that, it’s just that Your Highness should have a successor from your own bloodline.”

“My bloodline…? The only bloodline I have left is Isana, and that child will die soon too, won’t she?”

“…Your Highness can take a consort and have an heir.”

“You want me, a priest, to marry?”

“Once you perform the coronation, you will become emperor. There will be no problem even if you shed your priestly status.”

“What if I prefer things as they are?”

Asking questions as if to catch him was the Grand Duke’s main habit, and it was only intended to make the other person uncomfortable. Caribdis, who knew this well, sighed.

“…Even so, it’s absurd to make someone of humble origins like me your successor.”

“Haha, the Duke of the Empire, a hero who fought a dragon, and the bloodline of a Sword Master who commands the continent is of humble origins? Then there would be no noble status in this world.”

“Your Highness.”

Caribdis’s voice deepened. The Grand Duke clicked his tongue softly at the weight in his voice, as if he were carrying all the worries of the world on his shoulders.

“At times like this, you’re really frustratingly foolish.”

“I apologize.”

“I’m starting to get tired of hearing that apology. Well, fine. That’s what I admired about you. Let’s stop with the boring talk. I don’t want to ruin my mood when I’m feeling good for once. I haven’t had any fun lately. I thought I’d stop by to lighten my mood, and I’m glad I did. It’s more enjoyable than I expected.”

“Is there something you’re worried about?”

“National affairs are always a concern. Recently, there’s been an important contact I’ve been waiting for, but I haven’t heard anything. I’m getting impatient just waiting.”

Caribdis listened silently to the Grand Duke’s grumbling. He had always followed the given orders and never questioned them. But that didn’t mean he was ignorant of the empire’s movements or the political situation. The contact he would be waiting for recently would be about the Emperor or the war he was preparing for, but it didn’t seem to be related to that. Then it must be about the matters of the Demon God Church. Thinking that far, he recalled the time when he had visited the Imperial Palace. At that time, the Grand Duke was in the middle of yelling at the Demon God officials. He had met Duke Webern in front of that door.

“Ah, now that I think about it, it seems Isana has joined Duke Clamore.”

“……!”

At the words he heard at that moment, Caribdis snapped out of his thoughts and raised his head sharply. The Grand Duke stroked his chin with an unpleasant look.

“I thought things were going according to plan since I hadn’t heard from them lately. I didn’t expect them to resolve it so quickly. It’s become less interesting thanks to them. I put a lot of thought into it, but I guess it was weaker than I thought.”

“Weaker? What do you mean by that?”

“Hmm? Ah, I told you I played a trick on Duke Clamore. I used a curse that gnaws at the mind.”

“You said… a curse?”

“Yes, it was a curse from a Demon God official. Tsk, I was really looking forward to it because they said it was a powerful curse with almost no way to purify it. If I had known it would turn out like this, I would have left Isana alone for a few more years. If I had given it two or three more years, I could have completely turned Duke Clamore into a cripple.”

The content he was muttering so casually was so appalling that Caribdis lightly closed his eyes. He hesitated about where to start and how to say it, then carefully broached the subject.

“…Your Highness, Duke Clamore has a good reputation among the people, and his influence is not insignificant throughout the continent. If such a thing becomes known to the world, it will have a major impact on international affairs…”

“As expected, a rigid answer. That’s why I didn’t want to tell you.”

“I’m saying this for Your Highness’s honor.”

“If my honor would be tarnished by getting rid of just one duke, it’s better to consider it non-existent. If there are those who try to oppose me by using that as an excuse, I can just get rid of them all as well. Did you say international affairs? I might as well unify the entire continent while I’m at it. Do you think I can’t do it?”

“Your Highness…!”

“Stop. I told you I don’t want to ruin my mood today. I’ll set aside a day to listen to your nagging. Anyway, the situation has become troublesome. There will be times when I need to find you soon, so be prepared.”

“…I understand.”

The answer was delayed because he was forcibly swallowing his resistance. The Grand Duke, who sensitively noticed this, frowned but didn’t bother to find fault. Instead, he openly revealed his hurt feelings.

“The game was too long. I should go back now.”

“I will escort you to the Imperial Palace.”

“No, it’s okay. You’re bound to show your dissatisfaction with a sulky expression all the way back. Why would I want to watch that? I’ll just go alone, so don’t follow me.”

“But…”

“Are you going to make me say it twice?”

At the sharp gaze, Caribdis had no choice but to stop his approaching steps. The Grand Duke looked back at him as if to warn him again, then turned his body as it was. Caribdis watched the retreating figure of his lord with complicated feelings.

Duke Webern asked in a past recollection. He couldn’t sleep for a while after hearing that question. The thoughts that had been tormenting him for a long time once again forced him to choose.

-Do you want to protect it?

The words Bluster had asked him someday came to mind. At the same time as recalling those words, he was immediately drawn into the situation of the past. Himself, still young and powerless, and therefore the weak figure he couldn’t protect. It was a bitter afterimage that he couldn’t forget even in death. Even the emotions he had forgotten for a while surged up all at once.

‘Yes, I will protect it.’

Caribdis reaffirmed the promise he had made back then.

-Even if it’s a faded belief?

The voice asks again. The probing tone is as if to test him. Bluster is quiet now, so this was just an auditory hallucination created by his own mind. He did not yield.

‘Even if so.’

In any case, he has no place to retreat or settle down. Hadn’t he vowed to live his whole life only looking at one person’s back? So the Grand Duke must not fall. Even for himself, who lives for him.

Caribdis gripped the handle tightly. Riding the warmth contained in that hand, the transparent jewel embedded in the sword shone with a bleak light. It was a secret and quiet change that no one recognized.

* * *

As Clamore’s situation was somewhat stabilized, the war also began in earnest. The first opponents were the neighboring territories of Ruban and Asilan. The two lords there had already been openly revealing their intention to gather troops and strike Clamore for several months. After Duke Cowerl resumed his activities, they seemed to hesitate for a while, but they had no intention of changing their minds, so they hid inside Lassen Castle, where they were stationed, and built a defensive line as it was. It seemed that they had already taken all their families with them while we were busy stabilizing the situation. It was impossible to leave Clamore empty with the threat left behind, and it was a place that had to be passed through anyway to advance to the Imperial Palace, so the battle was inevitable.

A vanguard had left two days ago to recommend surrender, but what returned was news that they had refused. It seemed that they were using the fact that Lassen Castle was a fortress to their advantage and had begun to hold out. Eventually, the next day, Isana and Duke Cowerl set out with a large army. I and my party, who were bored of being in the mansion, also decided to join them.

“Hmm, so that’s Lassen Castle.”

The Lassen Castle in question, which took nearly half a day to reach, was built on high ground carved out of a mountain. It was surrounded by a wide lake, and there was no path that could be approached on foot. It seemed to be a structure where the bridge was only lowered from the castle when needed. As befitting its reputation as a fortress that no one had ever broken through, it was a difficult location to attack at first glance.

Soldiers and mages armed with arrows stood densely on the walls. Opposite them, armed soldiers were confronting each other across the lake. It was our vanguard that had arrived earlier. As Isana’s procession reached the front of the camp, the commander who was leading the vanguard hurriedly ran out.

“Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor! Welcome, Duke!”

“What’s the situation?”

Duke Cowerl, who lightly responded to the greeting, asked as he got off his horse. The commander wore a troubled expression.

“We have recommended surrender for the fifth time, but all have been ignored.”

“How long can they hold out inside?”

“Lassen Castle usually stocks quite a bit of food in preparation for external invasions. It has been depleted due to the recent drought, but they will still be able to hold out for a few months.”

“Too long.”

The Duke muttered in a displeased tone. As with any battle, becoming a prolonged war has more disadvantages than advantages. There were still countless battles to be fought in the future. If they spent too much time in one place, not only would their stamina decrease, but there was also a risk that the morale of the soldiers would decline. Moreover, in this terrain, if enemies were to rush in from the outside, there was a high possibility of being isolated in the middle. Duke Cowerl glared at Lassen Castle with a hardened face. The soldiers felt nervous at the solemn atmosphere flowing between the two camps.

“Amazing, I’ve never seen so much water gathered like this before. Is that the lake I’ve only heard about?”

Even in the serious atmosphere, there was someone who was focusing on a different part. A girl wearing a Swalt Empire-style dress looked at the lake with sparkling eyes. It was Alisa, who had defied Isana’s opposition and proudly joined this schedule. The party burst into laughter at the girl’s impression, which was typical of someone from a desert country.

“Come to think of it, there are hardly any lakes in the Alponf Empire, right?”

“Yeah, I’ve never even seen the sea.”

“Really? If I had known, I would have taken a look around when we stopped by Endil’s house. There was a coast right nearby.”

“What? Is that true? Aww, you should have told me sooner.”

“Sorry, let’s go again next time.”

“Can we?”

“Of course. We can go and come back quickly. Lapis will use teleportation magic.”

“…You’re taking me for granted too much these days, aren’t you?”

While I was listening to Lapis’s bewildered voice with one ear, I felt a sharp gaze from somewhere. It was Duke Cowerl. His vassals standing next to him were also looking at us with unkind eyes. Oops, did we talk too openly? As we gave them an awkward smile at their intense gaze, as if they were glaring at us, they made even more displeased expressions.