154 – 158
Hoo hoo… I thought there was a rift between the two.
From Noble mtl dot com
Not long ago, my son-in-law who visited me asked for help, subtly suggesting that he wants to hand over the Emperor’s faction to Terra without dismantling it.
What a kind son-in-law he is.
Even in my eyes, he is truly a kind son-in-law.
Of course, it was definitely wrong of him to hand over Ephirus and Ezeb without informing us, but I can understand his feelings.
Handing over the territory of the woman he loves, it must not have been easy for him as a man to speak of such delicate matters.
According to what I heard from my father, the current situation in the civil war is leaning heavily towards Devian’s victory.
Nicaea, having landed troops in Adriah, almost gained the upper hand on the front lines, excluding the forces.
Meanwhile, the fully mobilized grand army has almost all arrived in the Kingdom of Eren, indicating that the end is near for King Johannes and Nicaea.
“Terra doesn’t seem to greatly dislike her son-in-law…”
Especially at times like this, if there were some event between the two, their relationship might return to its original state.
“Is there something missing?”
Should I secretly slip an aphrodisiac into my son-in-law’s morning meal?
If they had a child together, they might get along better.
Of course, I’m not suggesting this just because I want to see my grandson and granddaughter soon.
Since they are already married, and unless they are infertile, they must live together for the rest of their lives, right?
In a world where strategic marriages are common, the relationship between Terra and her son-in-law is peculiar, especially when even loveless couples are getting married and having 4-5 children nowadays.
Although they both care for each other… why don’t they take that step?
Even though Terra is only 21 years old, it would be best for a stable imperial succession to have a son as soon as possible.
Otherwise, the imperial succession could become complicated.
“If you’re going to have a child anyway, why not have one soon… I miss Ian and Renée…”
As I ponder over this, I do feel like expressing my displeasure, but telling my daughter to seduce her son-in-law…
It feels a bit… off.
Even though they are family, encouraging a marital relationship seems somewhat inappropriate, leading me to sigh day by day.
“If they love each other, they should just go for it…”
I can’t quite grasp my son-in-law’s thoughts, which only makes me sigh.
“Should I really use an aphrodisiac?”
The thought of using an aphrodisiac keeps crossing my mind, causing me to hesitate.
It’s my daughter’s first experience, so should I really do that?
As I think about it, the image of Ian, my adorable grandson with grey hair like Terra and me, comes to mind.
Yes, let’s use the aphrodisiac!
Meeting my cute grandson as soon as possible is something I cannot refrain from… no, it’s my duty as the Empress of the Empire.
If the imperial bloodline is severed due to the lack of an heir, it would undoubtedly bring immense chaos to the Empire.
What I do is just part of being an adult in the Empire, assisting the Emperor in fulfilling his duties.
Yes… that’s right. It’s okay to proceed.
“Is the herbalist outside?”
I call for the herbalist outside.
-Creak.
“Did you summon me, Queen Hwang Tae-hu Mama?”
Entering the room, bowing respectfully, I coughed lightly and spoke to the court lady.
“Ahem… Um… Could you get an aphrodisiac to arouse desire in men?”
“Yes?”
The court lady raised her head with a slightly surprised expression at my words.
Realizing that I had known her for a long time, I explained the situation.
“Since the King hasn’t been inaugurated yet, I’m worried. I want to help my son-in-law a bit.”
Taken aback by my words, the court lady spoke with a puzzled expression.
“Y-You want to give an aphrodisiac to the Crown Prince?”
My cheeks blushed slightly at the court lady’s words.
“W-Well… I don’t want to do this either… But if the Crown Prince doesn’t have a child, there might be an issue with the royal succession in the future.”
Listening to my words, the court lady hesitated for a moment with a blank expression before quickly composing herself.
“Understood. Queen Hwang Tae-hu Mama, I will do whatever it takes to get it.”
Watching the determined court lady, I swallowed hard.
No… Why would she risk her life to get an aphrodisiac?
I felt puzzled by the court lady’s firm determination.
***
Commanding the officers, Johannes made a firm decision.
“Tonight, we will retreat.”
Nobles, knights, and generals sighed at Johannes’ resolute decision.
“But if we simply retreat, the enemy will attack. Therefore… Divide the troops, send half for the attack, and prepare the other half for retreat and ambush the enemy’s pursuit force.”
Knowing that if Byzantium fell, it would truly be the end, Johannes swallowed his anger and issued the retreat order.
-Yes, understood.
As the subordinate officers responded, Johannes suppressed his bitter feelings and cursed Devian inwardly.
‘Child without a mother or father! I will definitely kill you myself.’
Seeing the officers rushing out to follow Johannes’ orders, Johannes, noticing the empty barracks…
“Ah!”
-Swish!
Drawing his sword, he swept the war map off the table.
-Clang!
Johannes took a deep breath, looking at the table split cleanly in half.
“Ha… Ha… You bastard. I won’t kill you mercifully.”
***
William sensed that the enemy’s attack was unusually intense.
‘There seem to be twice as many attackers as usual.’
Watching the enemy attack more fiercely than usual, as if determined to conquer the place, William felt puzzled.
‘They shouldn’t have received reinforcements. Why are they attacking so aggressively? Johannes.’
Observing the unusual behavior, William pondered.
‘Could they be aiming for something?’
As a soldier trying to climb the wall with a ladder was hit by an arrow and fell to the ground.
‘Ah! Could it be… if Nikea’s capital, Byzantium, is in crisis?!’
Yoannes is forced to choose between two options.
One is to retreat, and the other is to somehow conquer the city of Thessalonica as much as possible.
And then, he must head swiftly towards Byzantium.
However, the latter is a difficult choice.
It is uncertain whether they can conquer it as the current allies are holding their ground firmly.
‘Well… pretending to retreat to deceive them.’
William coldly analyzes the current situation and issues orders.
“Matteo! Allow the Golden Knights and all cavalry to rest, excluding them from the battle!”
Matteo questions William’s sudden order.
“Suddenly?”
“Yes! Today, the Nicaean army will retreat at night. We will attack the retreating enemy.”
As Matteo blinks at William’s words, he asks, “Why retreat today when the enemy is attacking fiercely?”
Though it may seem logical in a way, William sighs.
“If King Yoannes were as decisive as you, how wonderful would that be.”
‘If King Yoannes were decisive, he wouldn’t have started a civil war…’
Feeling regret inwardly, he says, “Follow the orders for now.”
“Yes.”
***
As the sun sets.
The commanders of Nikea suddenly issue the retreat order.
Being in a position where they must embark on a grueling march immediately after the battle, they are all as good as dead.
“Seriously. Is this what kingship is about? Does this make sense? Fighting with the expectation of death, and marching at night.”
“Yeah, you’re right. It’s ridiculous. What’s going on this time?”
Even the commanders who grumble do not stop the soldiers.
Because the commanders share the same thoughts as the soldiers.
Then.
-Clatter… Clatter…
The sound of hooves coming from behind grows louder.
-It’s an enemy ambush! An enemy ambush!
When a soldier from the rear shouts loudly, the commanders nod and give orders as instructed.
“Retreat! Retreat!”
Knowing that just a little further, there are troops lying in ambush to protect the retreating Nicaean army, the commanders shout at the top of their lungs.
“If you want to live, run along the road as fast as you can!”
The pursuit of the soldiers and cavalry rushing frantically continues, until the rear is caught by the enemy cavalry.
-aaargh!
-Ha… Surrender! Ahh! My arm!
A Nikea infantryman falls into chaos.
They hastily fled along the road into the forest, where the Nicene foot soldiers, crossbowmen, and cavalry were waiting outside the woods.
“We… we survived!”
Fireballs and bolts fired from the crossbows headed towards the cavalrymen chasing the Nicene army.
-Boom!
-Crack!
Sharp bolts cut through the air, bringing down the cavalrymen, causing the Imperial soldiers to frantically turn their reins and flee.
“Phew… we survived.”
From Noble mtl dot com
The surviving soldiers breathed a sigh of relief.
***
Upon hearing the report that the cavalry had returned from tracking the Nicene army due to an enemy ambush, William nodded in understanding.
“As expected, they were prepared.”
It might seem obvious, but it was wise to avoid unnecessary casualties by returning once the ambush was confirmed, William thought.
“Well, nothing can be done. If we recklessly pursue at night and fall into an ambush, the losses would be greater. Instruct the soldiers to rest deeply today.”
As he gazed at the full moon in the sky, William was lost in thought.
“Johannes… It’s irreversible now. Why did you start a rebellion…”
Since the fall of Byzantium, the war had already come to an end.
***
Sabinelli, the commander of the Duopol Front, is currently satisfied with the front’s situation.
Having successfully captured key fortresses, defended them solidly, and stably repelled the enemy’s attacks, he thought he was doing well for his first participation in the war.
It was too high to say he was arrogant, given his high achievements in the military field, so no one dared to speak ill of him.
Of course, they might do so inwardly.
As he lay resting in his quarters.
“Commander Sabinelli! A messenger from Prince Johannes has arrived.”
Upon hearing the messenger’s words, Sabinelli straightened his clothes, adjusted his collar, and said, “Tell him to come in quickly.”
Prince Johannes was nothing less than a benefactor to Sabinelli.
A lord who valued and trusted him.
Sabinelli couldn’t help but devote himself to Johannes.
He was well aware that there were many in Nicene who envied and plotted against him.
Despite the rumors circulating, Johannes had always ignored them and placed great trust in Sabinelli, which deeply moved him.
Moreover, even when he had made mistakes, Johannes had not withdrawn his trust in him, which was truly touching.
“Viscount! A letter from Prince Johannes.”
Taking the letter handed by the messenger, Sabinelli responded with a gentle smile, “Ah, you’ve worked hard. Is His Highness well?”
The messenger hesitated at Sabinelli’s words and replied, “It might be written in the letter, but he’s not doing well.”
Perplexed by the messenger’s words, Sabinelli inquired, “Not well?”
“Well… you’ll see once you read the letter.”
With that, he cautiously opened the letter to read.
“Byzantium is under attack, this… what is this?”
Sabinele’s eyes widened at the shocking news beyond imagination.