202─The Battle
For a temporary one, the platform was built very neatly and carefully.
And Fersen, who entered the barracks and command center next to him, was able to see the Second Prince preparing a speech and Princess Elizabeth assisting him.
Blessed by the God of Wisdom, it is a mysterious ability that, although limited, can predict good or bad news for the future.
It will undoubtedly be a great strength, so there is no reason to spoil her ahead of her great task, her war.
“…… “
As soon as our eyes meet, Princess Elizabeth, who naturally smiles, greets me with her eyes.
Ferzen also waved a greeting and walked towards the second prince—Raymond, feeling a distance that was truly difficult to describe in words, yet seemed distant yet close.
“Fersen von Schweig Ruerg. It has arrived now. Majesty.”
“Ah…… Did you come? Count.”
The Second Prince, who was reading the speech with concentration, smiles brightly and greets Fersen.
“There is still time left before I go up to the podium. “Let me rest for a while.”
“I understand.”
Ferzen lowered his head as he answered, then walked over and sat down on a chair in the barracks to catch his breath.
Squeak.
And then a man naturally walks in front of him and sits down next to him.
To be exact, a very familiar old man──Corleone Wayne Barretta Alfred.
“…… “
“Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk.”
He is holding a cane with both outstretched hands and smiling inexplicably, looking secretly at Fersen.
“Why, it’s hard to believe that I’m here.”
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“It would be a lie if I said it wasn’t new…… Yo. This.”
I had thought for a while that it was not right to bring up one’s personal feelings ahead of a war, so even though it made me feel nauseous, Fersen continued to use honorifics.
“Is there a need to push forward the few remaining lines of life?”
Of course, even if you use an honorific title, there is no way that there will be thorns in the words you say.
“…… The current head of Alfred’s family will be able to participate in the war. “It is truly sincere that you think about your family’s future.”
“Is that possible?”
“…… “
“Fersen.”
“Don’t call me by my name.”
“Count Ruerg.”
“Yes.”
“Do you know?”
“What do you mean?”
“If there had been several wars in the history of the empire…… “Alfred would have achieved an honor comparable to today’s Brutein.”
“Is it really necessary to vent that terrible sense of inferiority before a war?”
Corleone chuckled at Fersen’s harsh criticism and adjusted her staff.
“Politics is war without bloodshed, and war is politics with bloodshed.”
“…… “
“There is no such thing as noble dignity on the battlefield.”
A place where the ugliest and lowest nature of humans is revealed.
So, is there any place where Alfred’s method is more suitable?
“Brutein can raise the morale of his allies and make his enemies shrink…… “You will not be able to make the enemy tremble in fear.”
“…… “
“Count. “Let them see for themselves how the malice of the human beings who sit on the most foul and terrible throne in the world, which the Bruteans have always ridiculed, leads to war.”
If we win the war, at least you will be the ones to be praised.
They will take on the practical leading roles.
“Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk.”
After finishing his words, Corleone stands up and pats her hunched back.
“Ah…… And before coming here, I did some research on your collateral.”
“…… “
“Perhaps if you had died on the battlefield and Uriel had not been able to bear your seed…… “It will be passed on to collateral who have compiled the list.”
“Is that so?”
Corleone glanced at Fersen, who was reacting calmly, and smiled bitterly.
Even if he showed that kind of reaction now, it wouldn’t mean anything, but I think that guy’s pride is really strong.
“Okay. “Then I’ll just leave.”
Tap.
Corleone, walking away with a cane, gradually disappears from Fersen’s sight.
And when he left the barracks, Ferzen let out a deep breath with all the discomfort he had been holding in.
It is a childish provocation.
No, maybe it was encouragement to survive and not die the way that damn old man did.
But he didn’t think he liked it either way, so Fersen got up and went behind him.
After that, he brings the tobacco to the fire lit nearby and takes a deep gulp.
“You learned something harmful to your body.”
“Her Royal Highness.”
“Why don’t you stop smoking the cigarettes you’ve been smoking?”
Finch!
“…… “Is that okay?”
When Ferzen saw her sudden visit, he immediately threw her tobacco on the floor and tried to trample her with his feet, but she stopped at her one word and asked carefully.
“It’s okay. “Even my wife smokes.”
“…… “
“It’s a joke.”
Looking at Fersen’s awkward reaction, which seemed to make her stiffen, Princess Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and smiled, covering her mouth.
“There is no way a man could like a woman whose body smells like tobacco. “She doesn’t have a partner yet, so I can’t touch something like that.”
“Not necessarily.”
“Even those who smoke tobacco would hate the smell of other people’s tobacco.”
“…… “
“Why are you doing that? “Does she have any doubts that the woman in question is aware of this menstruation?”
“That’s not true.”
Although these words were spoken sincerely, Princess Elizabeth approached her and gently snatched the tobacco out of her hand.
The right thing to do would be to take it back and prevent it from touching those beautiful lips.
How is it that she is so beautiful as she clumsily holds a candle with her slender hands and takes a puff of smoke?
“Cough…… ! Cough!”
“…… “Are you okay?”
Princess Elizabeth, coughing violently from the acrid smoke that goes down her throat, sheds tears.
“Well…… Cough! You’re smoking something like this…… “
“Then why did you put it to her mouth?”
Fersen belatedly snatched the tobacco out of her hand and threw it on her floor. After stepping on her foot, he took out her handkerchief from her arms and began wiping her tears.
“Erasing unnecessary doubts is…… Cough! “Isn’t that right?”
As the cough began to subside little by little, Princess Elizabeth quietly turned to face Fersen’s face, which caught her eye from a close distance.
This handkerchief with laurel leaves embroidered on it, which seems to wish for victory, is probably not his.
I wonder if it was made by Uriel.
Or was it created by Euphemia, who would remain in Brutein?
‘Well…… ‘
It seems sad to see him burying traces of his wives, as he seems to be a man who already owns a property.
Finch!
Princess Elizabeth then stretched out her hands towards his neck and collar.
And Fersen looked down at her, her body trembling at the close distance between her and her truly mysterious aura.
Sureuk.
However, after Princess Elizabeth carefully adjusted his collar, she calmly widened the distance, instantly dispelling the strange atmosphere that had settled down.
“The speech will begin soon. “Let’s go.”
If she had just lifted her tiptoes slightly, it would not have been difficult for her lips to meet his.
But is there any need to give Fersen, who is about to go to war, an excuse to get in trouble with his own greed?
Therefore, Princess Elizabeth swept her messy hair behind her ear in the blowing wind and then turned her body.
“…… Yes.”
And Fersen answered a beat late, gently smoothing the area near her own collar where her hand had touched just a moment ago.
Because her own collar was not decorated at all from the beginning.
Perhaps because of that, her mind started to get a little confused, but Ferzen forced it out and started walking towards her.
* * * * *
The number of soldiers conscripted from the capital and territories close to the capital was 32,000.
And the 2nd Prince Raymond, who stood on the large platform in front of them, calmed his nervous mind.
I didn’t want to show my shame to those lined up in front of me.
I didn’t want to show my ugly side to the nobles, including Fersen, who were standing behind me.
The speech announcing the start of war is the first step in war.
Therefore, Prince Raymond took a deep breath, gave a signal with his eyes to the elemental wizards next to him, and opened his mouth.
──It will be scary.
His voice spreads out loudly due to the magically interfered atmosphere.
──No one has ever experienced war, but we still know how miserable and devastating it is.
The lined up crowd was quiet, and his voice penetrated deeply along with the exhaling sounds of the soldiers.
──Some will argue that this is a war that does not need to be fought.
──But, my people, if I bend down not to send you to battle.
──Rather, the choice to tear down the roof to protect you will become a poison that destroys the foundation.
──The rain that was supposed to be a sweet rain will become a flood, and the sunlight that would bring life will cause a drought.
──I can hear your sighs deeply.
──Perhaps future descendants may criticize me after seeing a speech that points out their weaknesses at a time when it is not enough to raise the morale of the soldiers.
However, Prince Raymond did not want to add lame rhetoric to this speech.
──A place where you hear voices you don’t want to hear and see scenes you don’t want to see. That is the battlefield.
──In that case, how could I glorify the war and tell you a pretentious lie?
──At the same time, I thought you should know. The purpose of fighting this war and the reason.
Simply a war breaks out and the country calls.
He did not want to treat his people as consumables who were killed by arrows without even knowing why.
That is why Prince Raymond continues his speech in this way.
With soldiers who know the reason for going to war and take up spears and swords.
Soldiers who pick up spears and swords without even knowing the reason for going to war are clearly different.
──What you are trying to protect is not the imperial family, but your home.
──Our royal family, like you, are also stepping forward to protect this home.
──We will never hide behind you like cowards.
──The total number of people conscripted was 75,000.
──Out of these, even if someone dies. We will never allow you to be buried in the grave of a nameless soldier.
──The Ernes Empire will remember your dedication.
──The Ernes Empire will reward your sacrifice.
──However, as members of the royal family, if I dare to wish for anything from you……
──Please, when we die, bury us with your own hands.
──Of course, there may not even be that moment.
──Just as a comrade who was a comrade only a moment ago falls to the ground as a cold corpse, and as if one does not even know that such a comrade has become a cold corpse.
──Our death with you will be no different.
──Now! My people! Why are you holding spears and swords at this moment?
「For a place to live────! 」
Perhaps it is a speech full of one’s own emotions.
When 32,000 soldiers responded in unison with loud voices, Prince Raymond was overcome with emotions.
──I promise you right here!
──The home you will protect, the Ernes Empire.
──It will forever remain a nation of you, by you, and for you.
Just like that, when Raymond, who was putting an end to his speech, the prince raised his right hand……
The sound of the trumpet so loud that it seems majestic envelops the entire area.
Immediately after, Prince Raymond’s last words, ordering to go to war, signal the beginning.
The soldiers’ shouts once again cover the area.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“…… “No.”
“Then, I will go back to my place. Majesty.”
“Good luck. Count.”
“Yes. “I also wish you good luck, Your Majesty.”
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Fersen turns his body and goes down from the podium to find his seat.
Okay, finally.
It was an open war.
* * * * *
It’s hot.
The heat emitted by those who responded to the speech was a very colorful firework.
But Lizzy, who could not respond to the speech, simply clapped her hands along with the applauding people and looked at the podium with dead eyes.
…… Their heat does not devour the enemy.
On the contrary, I hope it becomes a self-destructive destruction and turns it into a heap of ashes where not even a handful of remains will remain.
If that happens, you won’t be able to avoid death either.
If Fersen were to be present in the burning scene, wouldn’t that be a bad ending?
Indeed, which country will the butterflies chasing ashes pursue?
Thought she was truly curious, Lizzy quietly looked at Fersen walking towards them.