Surviving As The 5Th Prince Of Hellman Kingdom [EN]: Chapter 146

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Airships flying in the sky.

The shock they caused when they first appeared on the battlefield was immense. Opponents facing airships that fired magic cannons unilaterally from the sky were helpless.

The Aimen Kingdom, which first introduced airships to war, swallowed half of the Eastern Continent and transformed into an empire.

And for a while, countries around the world devoted themselves to building airships.

Airships don’t just have advantages.

Enormous production and maintenance costs.

Demanding conditions for using magic cannons.

Terrible fuel efficiency.

Fragile durability.
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.
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“Reporting in. We have struck all the strongholds of the Hamel Empire on the path from Bellington Fortress to Beyrn Territory.”

The kingdom’s airship fleet, which had risen from Bellington Fortress at dawn, quickly pushed across the border.

And they completed their entry into Beyrn Castle, which would become the base for the recapture of the North, without major casualties.

The surprise operation, in which over 100 airships and the kingdom’s elite knight order were simultaneously deployed, could not possibly fail.

-Kwaang!

-Kwaaaang!

The sound of the magic cannons fired by the kingdom’s airships still seemed to ring in my ears.

For the Hamel Empire army, who had been watching the confrontation between the kingdom and the Khan tribe with the detached interest of a neighbor watching a fire, it must have been like a bolt from the blue.

“Out of the large (1), medium (8), and small (96) airships mobilized by the kingdom, 2 medium and 26 small airships require repairs and must return to the royal capital.”

Julian’s report made my head spin.

Just firing magic cannons from the sky puts a great strain on the airships’ fragile durability.

Small airships are often jokingly called flying paper boats, and there’s a reason for that.

······.

Still.

“To have a quarter of them leave the battlefield in just one day is too much.”

“Considering the bad weather, I think we did well to manage this much.”

“What is the troop movement situation?”

“Just now, the vanguard unit sent a communication that they are passing through the (former) Einberg Territory. At the latest, the main force should be able to gather here in three days.”

Alfonso’s ears perked up at Julian’s answer.

“From now on, there’s no need to say ‘(former)’.”

“Understood.”

“Has there been any identified movement from the Hamel Empire side?”

“The empire’s capital is in extreme chaos. It’s only natural. The emperor, who fainted after learning that the national seal had been stolen, is unconscious. It seems that conflicting orders are being issued simultaneously to each unit.”

A smile naturally crept onto my face.

The fact that the Royal Secret Service was obtaining such information meant that the Hamel Empire’s situation was a mess.

“Still, it seems that some units have received the same order to stop us. But there’s no need to worry.”

“That’s right. More than half of them will be dragging their feet and watching the situation.”

How many foolish commanders would risk their lives to fight because of an order from who-knows-who?

If I were given such an order, I would go into hiding in the middle.

Suddenly, the airship broke down.

Everyone got sick from drinking bad water.

Lost in the middle.

There are plenty of reasons to make up. So, currently, there is no need to pay any attention to the Hamel Empire’s central army.

“The four provinces that were sucking the blood of the Lionel people in the northwest that the kingdom had lost—Byram Province, Red Rise Province, Silver Flower Province, and Yellow Plains Province—should be considered the real enemies the kingdom has to face.”

“That’s right. But you can exclude Byram Province and Yellow Plains Province. They won’t be able to move.”

I nodded.

There were sufficient reasons to exclude the two places Julian mentioned.

First, Byram Province.

That’s where the Khan tribe led by Nurgal is heading. They won’t have time to worry about this place with those invading their base right in front of them.

Next, Yellow Plains Province.

Yellow Plains Province, where the Yellow Tower is located, was the first to realize the value of Greysteel [a valuable mineral] and was the biggest culprit in invading the North in the past.

But the governor of Yellow Plains Province cannot move his troops rashly. He has to protect his granddaughter, the 11th princess, who is a disciple of the Yellow Tower Master.

Making her the emperor and Greysteel. There’s no need to ask which is more important.

“How about Red Rise Province and Silver Flower Province?”

“Well, it seems that a considerable number of troops have gathered, but they seem to be unable to do anything because the emperor’s death is imminent.”

“Good. The next three days are important. Seize as many key strongholds in the northwest as possible during this time when the Hamel Empire is in chaos.”

“Understood. Ah, and here are some articles written by war correspondents. Would you like to read them?”

Julian handed me a few sheets of paper.

I examined the titles first.

『[Breaking] The Kingdom’s Airship Fleet Takes Off Simultaneously at Dawn』

『[Breaking] The Missing Khan Tribe, Where Are They?』

『[Breaking] Lionel Kingdom Army Advances Towards the Northwest That Was Taken Away?!』

The last article caught my eye.

After reading it, it was an article filled with more imagination than facts. However, it closely matched the kingdom army’s movement path and goals to the facts.

The war correspondents are still at Bellington Fortress. They should not know the whereabouts of the kingdom army, as they will be coming here late with the supply unit.

I glanced at the author of the article.

Blue Moon War Correspondent Fisher.

Ah, is that the guy?

“Correct the facts a little and have it published in the newspaper. If he has inferred this closely, he deserves to be rewarded.”

Other reporters will know the content in a day or two anyway, but their world is one where the difference of just a few hours or minutes determines whether it’s a scoop or not.

The information obtained from [Library] is also like that.

Information that was hard to hear even for a thousand gold suddenly loses its value.

「The Emperor of the Empire has died.」

Like now.

The sound of the information value regarding the emperor’s will plummeting was heard.

***

Marie, who was kidnapped by Radwan Runtia three years ago and dramatically rescued.

This year, she turned nine years old.

“Marie, may I put my hand on your back for a moment?”

“Yes!”

Marie receives regular check-ups from Schuetz. She didn’t know the reason before, but now that she’s nine, she knows.

It’s because she has divine power.

“I’ll be done soon, so please stay still.”

As soon as Schuetz put his hand on her back, Marie felt a warm energy throughout her body. She strangely felt sleepy at times like this.

“Hmm… still no trace of divine power.”

Schuetz muttered softly.

Marie pursed her lips, feeling like she had become a liar.

“Okay, that’s it for today. You worked hard today. Buy something delicious on your way back with this.”

“Yes!”

Marie felt happy again as Schuetz handed her a coin. She left the hospital with a light step.

Marie headed to Perigeux Confectionery at a quick pace. It was a famous place that even supplied chocolate cookies to the royal family.

It was a place she always visited after receiving Schuetz’s treatment.

“Hello! Two giant chocolate cookies, please!”

One was for her, and one was for her mother.

“Oh, the ones I’ve already made are all sold out, so you’ll have to wait a bit. Can you wait?”

“Hmm… yes!”

“Okay, I’ll give you this cookie for making you wait. The shape is messed up, but the taste is the same.”

“Thank you!”

Marie sat on a chair, munching on the chocolate cookie and looking out at the street through the window.

Until recently, the streets were filled with a gloomy atmosphere. So much so that even young Marie could feel it.

Marie, who was nine years old, knew the reason.

It was because the fearsome barbarians who lived way up there in the very cold place were coming to eat the Lionel kingdom people.

But today, strangely, the streets were full of life, and people’s faces were bright.

Clang.

A customer came in.

“Owner, are the chocolate cookies all sold out?”

“Please wait a moment! I’m almost done baking them.”

Come to think of it, the confectionery owner also looked strangely happy. Usually, he would have replied curtly, “Wait.”

Originally, he was known for being unkind except to young children and pretty women.

“Owner, have you heard the news? The kingdom army has advanced to the northwest that was taken away from the bastards.”

“Haha, of course I know. Can’t you see the newspapers over there? I once aimed to enter the Royal Military Academy. I can read the newspaper myself.”

Marie crunched on the chocolate cookie, looking at the pile of newspapers stacked in one corner of the confectionery.

Marie, who was nine years old, could also read.

She couldn’t understand why the confectionery owner was so proud of it.

『[Breaking] Kingdom Army’s Unstoppable Advance Towards the Northwest』

『[Breaking] Shock! The Emperor of the Hamel Empire Dies』

“The barbarians, no, the Khan tribe, were actually allies of the kingdom! Isn’t it amazing that the recapture of the northwest began right before the Hamel Empire emperor died? I couldn’t have imagined that His Majesty the King was drawing such a big picture.”

“Haha, I wasn’t worried at all when the Khan tribe moved south in the first place. With His Majesty the King standing firm, who would invade the kingdom?”

The confectionery owner and the customer’s uninteresting story.

Marie quickly lost interest.

She wanted to take the chocolate cookies home as soon as possible. To Marie and her mother’s nest attached to Schuetz’s mansion.

Ding-dong! Ding-dong!

A loud sound ringing from the oven.

The owner, who had been having a heated discussion with the customer, rushed to the kitchen. Soon, he appeared with two large bags.

“Here! You’ve waited a long time. Here are the giant chocolate cookies.”

“Thank you!”

Marie hugged the cookie bags to her chest and left the confectionery.

She headed home at a quick pace.

“…The Khan tribe’s forces are…”

“The empire bastards… we…”

“…Support… Father is in the North…”

“If we get Greysteel… we will become a great power…”

The adults on the street were all sharing similar stories to those shared by the confectionery owner and the customer.

Marie was nine years old, but there were too many difficult words, so she didn’t understand what they were saying.

“Nurgal! From today, we are friends.”

“Good! Who is the enemy we must fight!”

“You bastards! I am the 666th contractor of the Demon Race, the new emperor of the Hamel Empire.”

The content of the children’s war games changed.

Clearly, until yesterday, the Lionel Kingdom and the Khan tribe were fighting.

“Brothers! That guy is our enemy!”

“Good! I’ll smash his head with my axe!”

“Hehehe, come on… Ouch! Ouch! It hurts! How can you hit me for real!”

Stupid boys.

Marie shook her head and quickened her pace. Just as she arrived at Schuetz’s mansion and was passing through the garden path.

Cheep-cheep- Cheep-cheep-

A mournful bird sound was heard.

Hugging the cookie bags, Marie looked around and ran towards the direction of the sound.

A small bird with bloodied wings was struggling.

“That must hurt!”

Marie tucked the cookie bags under her arm and held the bird in her arms. She looked around and, after confirming that no one was there, quickly ran home.

Marie went into her room, locked the door, and covered herself with a blanket.

Cheep-cheep- Cheep-cheep-

The bird cried pitifully.

“It hurts, I’ll make you better.”

Marie warmly held the bird in her arms.

Woong- Woong-

A dazzlingly bright light filled the blanket! The bird’s bloodied wings slowly began to heal.

Chirp-chirp! Chirp-chirp!

“It’s done! Shh! You have to be quiet!”

Marie lifted the blanket slightly, confirmed that no one was there, and approached the window.

“Don’t tell anyone that I healed you. Okay?”

Chirp-chirp, chirp-chirp.

The bird chirped as if to say it understood.

Marie smiled contentedly, opened the window, and let the bird fly away.

After confirming that the bird had flown far away, she crunched on the chocolate cookie, carefully gathering the divine power that had filled her body and hiding it so that it couldn’t be seen.

It was a secret that should not be revealed to anyone.

Because if she got caught again, she would be separated from her mother, and then her mother would put her name on an ugly doll and throw it away again.