Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 328

Trowel, who had been watching the spectacle with a click of his tongue, soon got up as well.

“I should be going now, too.”

“Huh? Matthew, you’re leaving too?”

“Yes. I said from the start that I wouldn’t participate in the war. I just joined you for a bit because I was happy to see you all after a long time.”

“To leave so soon… Besides, you’re not in good shape right now.”

“I just had a momentary dizzy spell. I’m fine now.”

“But…”

“I’m really okay. See you later, then. Everyone, take care.”

Since he said he was okay, the Champagne Mercenaries couldn’t stop him and reluctantly nodded. It didn’t take long for his receding figure to disappear from sight. The spot where two people had left at once felt particularly desolate, and they all wore troubled expressions.

“Geez. I feel really empty.”

“Me too.”

“Should I convert when this is over? I suddenly feel like visiting the Temple of Punishment.”

“That’s not a bad idea. I was thinking the same thing.”

“You too? Me too.”

“Amazing. I was thinking that too.”

“We must have been through a lot together. To think we’re so in sync.”

Everyone agreed with Iril’s last words and burst into laughter. They attributed this sudden change of heart to being influenced by the Priest of Punishment. To some extent, that was true. However, the fact that the priest was Ellyuen, the God of Punishment himself, that they were enjoying the grace of God more freely than anyone else, and that their souls were purified, leading them to a noble destiny, remained unknown to them.

* * *

The Grand Duke’s army, failing to achieve significant results in the guerrilla warfare, eventually chose to retreat. As the Emperor’s army’s advance speed, which had been sluggish for a while, gained momentum, the battles between the two camps became even more intense. At the forefront of the increasingly fierce battlefield was always Emperor Isana. The Emperor, who had initially visited the vanguard to encourage them, chose to remain and command the battle instead of returning to the central army.

The Goddess’s daughter, who had shown numerous abilities, was also reliable, but the fact that the most esteemed being was at the forefront was enough to boost the soldiers’ morale. Conversely, this put considerable pressure on the Grand Duke’s army, as their master, Grand Duke Yukarte, remained in the Imperial Palace even as the civil war accelerated. He had never shown his face, only leaving the standing army in front of the capital’s gate. Even Sword Master Duke Caribdis, who could have been a greater force than anyone else if he joined, was merely kept as his personal guard. Rumor had it that he enjoyed banquets with delicacies every day. In comparison, the Emperor willingly came to the front lines with his knights. The young Emperor, who had not even had his coming-of-age ceremony, did not fear battle in the slightest. Naturally, comparisons were inevitable.

Yet, the war situation did not completely tilt because there were many talented individuals who made up for the Grand Duke’s inaction. Duke Wekan, called the guardian spirit of the Imperial Palace, and the heads of the meritorious families who had protected the empire in moments of crisis were still on the Grand Duke’s side. Although Count Setnio’s military power was failing in every operation, it was not negligible.

“Duke Wekan’s cavalry joined us at dawn yesterday. It seems they are preparing for an all-out war.”

At the strategy meeting that continued until late at night, Isana reviewed the report with a serious face. Duke Wekan, along with Duke Caribdis, was the Grand Duke’s most powerful asset. If Duke Caribdis was a man who could exert the power of a thousand troops alone, Duke Wekan was a general who could use a thousand troops to play the role of a hundred thousand. He was the Grand Duke’s greatest helper and the mainstay who supported him in every way. In fact, defeating him would mean the end of this civil war.

“What’s the news from the Red Hawk [a specialized reconnaissance unit]?”

“They say everything is ready. We can start right away at any time.”

“Good. Where has Brother arrived?”

“Duke Cael said he was passing through Ralph Territory around this evening. He will arrive tomorrow morning.”

“I understand. Increase the surrounding reconnaissance. Have the Red Hawk stand by, and tell the Doves [another specialized unit, likely for communication or support] to move. This concludes today’s meeting.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The men who received the orders dispersed from their seats in an orderly fashion. Only then did Isana take a breath and lift his head, feeling a gaze. Alisa, who had not left her seat even after the meeting, was looking at him with a strange expression.

“Why, Alisa?”

“No, well… I just thought, Isana, you really are an Emperor.”

“Do you dislike the Emperor in me?”

“Wh, who said I dislike you? I’m just saying.”

“I see. That’s a relief.”

Alisa’s face turned bright red at his smiling face. Lately, he had been smiling whenever he saw her. He must know that she was weak to his smiling face and was doing it on purpose. And why was his voice so sweet? The Emperor, who was becoming more of a man every day, seemed to be learning only how to be more seductive. Of course, it was all based on unfounded misunderstandings, but Alisa firmly believed in her thoughts.

“Come to think of it, Alisa, why did you come to the meeting alone today? Where’s Sibel?”

“Huh? Ah~ Sibel is teaching Asel. He seemed busy, so I just came alone.”

“You shouldn’t do that. It’s dangerous.”

“It’s right next door. It’s only twenty steps from my tent to here.”

“Still, you shouldn’t. Make sure to come together next time. I’m worried.”

“Don’t worry so much…”

“Alisa, please.”

“Okay, okay!”

“Thank you.”

His eyes softened, and a smile appeared again. Alisa unconsciously swallowed. See! He’s definitely doing it on purpose! Was she staring too obviously? Only after the escort knights cleared their throats did she finally come to her senses. Isana just had a bewildered expression. Seeing that, she felt very wronged, thinking that she was the only one being swayed. Ignoring Isana, who flinched at her glaring gaze, Alisa stormed out of the room. His calling voice followed, but she deliberately didn’t turn around.

‘I’m really annoyed. He always treats me like a child.’

Alisa knew that Isana cared about her. The biggest reason he stood at the forefront was because Alisa had said she wouldn’t leave the vanguard. As El and Lapis, her most powerful protectors, left the army, Isana became increasingly sensitive. Although Sibel was still there, he couldn’t completely relax as before. Thanks to that, the morale of the army was high, but from Alisa’s point of view, she felt overprotected and wasn’t happy about it.

Why is my growth so slow? Isana seems to be getting taller every day, but my height seems to be the same. She hated her hands and feet, which were smaller than her peers, and her seemingly fragile physique. She wanted to grow up quickly. She wanted to grow up and prove that she could do her part properly. If that happened, wouldn’t this relationship change a little?

“Huh?”

As Alisa grumbled and walked, she soon found a figure sitting alone at the lower part of the camp. It wasn’t difficult to recognize his identity because of his unique hair color, which looked like it had been dyed with flower water. It was Crown Prince Raon Hwizen of the Carter Empire. Since dismissing Asel, his group had been living very quietly. Since they didn’t have to face each other, they had even less conversation. It had been quite a while since they had met like this in passing. Was that why? She could have just ignored him and passed by, but today, his back view bothered her particularly. Alisa had no choice but to approach and ask.

“What are you doing here?”

“……!”

The Crown Prince, startled, grabbed his sword, then widened his eyes as he recognized Alisa. The agitation on his face quickly dissipated into vigilance. For some reason, her heart fluttered at that blatant reaction.

“……The Companion Star.”

“My name is Alisa, okay? Not the Companion Star.”

“Ah, I apologize, Lady Alisa.”

“Just call me Alisa, okay? That’s an expression used for noble women in the Carter Empire, right? I hate that kind of thing because it’s cheesy. It doesn’t suit me either.”

She hated being treated like a child, but she hated being treated like a lady even more. Alisa frowned, and Raon Hwizen’s expression became strange.

“You are good at expressing your likes and dislikes. I’ve heard that Alphonse women are honest, but it’s the first time I’ve heard a noble woman openly say she hates it.”

“So, are you dissatisfied?”

“No, it’s not bad.”

Alisa relaxed her frowning expression at the unexpectedly docile answer. She realized that it was a hasty judgment only after hearing the following words.

“But I don’t like the word ‘unsuitable.’ ‘Lady’ is a title given to noble women. If the title of ‘Lady’ does not suit a woman who will become the companion of the Emperor, I don’t think anyone can have that qualification.”

“Wow, look at the tactics. ‘I’ll appease you first and then get my way,’ is that it? Do you want to brag about being eloquent? Do you think I’ll just say, ‘Oh, is that so? Then let’s do that,’ if you bring up logic?”

“Why are you angry? Since you speak honestly, I was just saying what I thought.”

“So, you’re going to keep calling me that title?”

“……If you hate it, I will stop.”

Raon Hwizen, feeling like he was being drawn in, immediately declared surrender. Alisa chuckled at his even more sullen appearance. She had only thought of him as an arrogant and overbearing Crown Prince, but today she saw a cute side to him. It was a side she hadn’t realized before because her first impression was so bad.

“But what were you doing alone? Is it okay for the Crown Prince to be walking around without escorts?”

“I was just thinking. The guards are nearby, just keeping their distance. Why are you alone?”

“Well, it just happened.”

“You are overestimating your abilities. Carelessness is the greatest poison. Even inside the allied camp, it is not safe. You never know where those who harbor harmful things may be lurking. So, don’t walk around alone.”

“Are you saying that too? Stop it. Isana is enough with the nagging.”

She hated being treated like a protector. She was already upset because of it. Raon Hwizen closed his mouth at her blatant rejection. Was it a mistake to mention Isana’s name here? A belated self-reproach washed over him, but he couldn’t take back the words he had spoken. Fortunately, the atmosphere didn’t become uncomfortable. Raon Hwizen only glanced at her expression and didn’t reveal any particular emotion. The conversation, which had paused for a moment, resumed smoothly.

“It seems you met the Emperor by chance.”

“Ah, that’s right. Isana visited the village where I lived while passing by. He saved me from a dangerous moment.”

“I see. It must have been a fateful meeting, so to speak.”

“Well, if it’s fateful, it’s fateful.”