Ch#225
Chapter 225The first incident to occur was a war in the Border Region. When rumors of this spread, people reacted with a sense of "again." At the same time, now that the Emperor had passed away, they expressed indignation toward the enemies who had invaded the border as if they had been waiting for this moment.
They had thought the matter was resolved amicably by sending a delegation last time, but it seemed that from the enemies' perspective, that was not the case.
The nobles, their pride wounded, argued that an envoy should be sent immediately to protest. They claimed the empire was being looked down upon and that they could not sit idly by.
However, it did not take long to discover that the invaders were not soldiers of a rival nation, but the work of nomadic tribes. Although they wore the clothes of a foreign country and used similar weapons to mimic them quite convincingly, they were caught immediately because the appearance of those taken prisoner differed from the people of that nation, and their speech was awkward.
Thanks to the information obtained by torturing the prisoners, it was revealed that the nomadic tribes wandering the border had been unified under the foot of one man, and that they had invaded because they desired fertile land. Upon hearing this, the nobles snorted and dismissed them, thinking that mere barbarians were of no consequence. They believed the invasion would be suppressed in no time, assuming such a gathering would surely be a disorganized rabble.
However, the enemy was not to be underestimated. Perhaps because they had named their tribal alliance Eriñus, proclaiming their identity through vengeance, they were incredibly wild and cruel beyond measure.
Margrave Muten, who had initially underestimated them and led his soldiers to fight outside the castle, changed his mind after suffering repeated defeats in several battles.
The soldiers of the Eriñus were demons themselves. They did not fear death; every time they fought, they lunged at the imperial soldiers like dogs, tearing at their flesh and quenching their thirst with blood.
Even with a sword plunged into their bellies, they charged until the very end to take an opposing soldier with them to the afterlife; their persistence instilled a fear akin to a plague.
Furthermore, they were so swift and their system of pincer attacks was so well-coordinated that the knights and soldiers of the Border Region alone were not enough. This was despite the fact that those defenders were veterans who had spent generations protecting the frontier.
As defeats piled up, the demoralized soldiers huddled inside the castle walls, adopting a defensive posture. It was inevitable, as going out to fight meant certain defeat.
Strangely, the barbarians seemed to know the weaknesses of the Border Region, targeting the most vulnerable parts first and beginning to crumble the castle bit by bit.
Though they had no siege engines, they hammered at the castle gates with massive logs brought from who-knows-where, and they prepared dozens of ladders and hundreds of hooks to scale the walls. Their relentless climbing indicated they had prepared for this for a long time.
“To gather such a force, they must have fought immensely among themselves, and there is no way the surrounding nations wouldn't have noticed. The fact that it has been quiet until now is quite suspicious. These barbarians are acting as if they have been preparing for war for a very long time. My soldiers' strength alone is insufficient.”
In a letter sent to the Capital describing the current situation, Margrave Muten expressed his vigilance by pointing out several strange things about the Eriñus Tribe.
They were said to be a unified alliance of wandering tribes, yet there should have been power struggles between the various factions, and they certainly shouldn't have had sufficient funds to prepare for war. Yet, they fought as if they were one body. No, they invaded the border, ruthlessly killing imperial soldiers as if they were dealing with mortal enemies.
Though their armor was merely well-tanned leather, it was sturdy enough that swords could hardly penetrate it, and the weapons they carried were all well-oiled and gleaming.
The strangest thing was the condition of the soldiers. For people who had invaded in search of fertile land, they were all well-fed and did not show the typical destitute appearance of barbarian tribes.
Therefore, the Margrave added that someone was systematically supporting the barbarian tribes and that it was likely the work of a neighboring country. Since they were the ones who first invaded the Border Region, there was more than enough reason for suspicion.
Of course, the Border Region had not been breached yet. The castle walls, which had stood firm against foreign invasions like the guardian deities of the empire for a very long time, were not so fragile as to easily yield to barbarians.
Even though the Eriñus were attacking by miraculously finding parts weakened by the passage of time, the imperial soldiers were not so weak as to just stand by and watch.
However, they requested reinforcements simply because the fatigue from frequent battles and the fear stemming from numerical inferiority were lowering the soldiers' morale.
The one who informed me of these facts was, unexpectedly, my guardian.
Selden Vishwaltz spoke calmly about the seriousness of the current situation and waited for my reaction.
“Is it because of the requisition of knights? A war is breaking out.”
“It seems highly likely. The opponents are barbarians with whom dialogue does not work.”
“Will they march all the way to the Capital?”
I asked the Grand Duke in a voice full of anxiety. He answered with a firm "no," as if that were impossible. But then he soon added in a slightly smaller voice, “Actually, it is difficult to guarantee.”
While the nobles engaged in desk-bound theories were still ridiculing the barbarians and mocking the Margrave's incompetence, several people, including the Crown Prince, saw through the fact that the Margrave's plea was not an exaggeration. Consequently, they were reportedly convening the nobles several times a day to discuss countermeasures.
However, the nobles' opinions were divided on this reinforcement issue. Rather than worrying about chaos in their territories due to the requisition of troops—most nobles maintain private armies to keep the peace—they were concerned that their own power would become weaker compared to other nobles.
It was also painful for them to give up soldiers they had spent significant money and time training without receiving anything in return.
In particular, the backlash was fierce from nobles who had families of hereditary knights as vassals. From the mouths of those aligned with the Empress's faction came complaints asking why they were making things so difficult when they could just draft a few serfs and send them out.
They complained that the Margrave was making such a fuss because he feared his own incompetence would be revealed. Although the Margrave's letter contained detailed descriptions of the enemies' scale and equipment, they ignored it, claiming he was exaggerating to hide the shame of being beaten by barbarians.
“In the midst of that, the name of House Bischwaldz came up.”
“Our name?”
“Yes. Rumors spread that since House Bischwaldz focuses on commerce, they have no need for soldiers to protect their fief.”
Even if they hadn't received land from the first Emperor, through repeated political marriages over a long time, several plots of land brought in as dowries still remained within the family. Thus, they were operating a force to collect rents and taxes in their own way.
Though they could not compare to the knights in the Capital, it was said that they possessed a fair amount of military power necessary to maintain order within the fief.
It was for this reason that it had become a natural duty for famous knights like Knight Sylphice or Knight Halverd to go down to the fief, inspect the condition of the knights and soldiers, and teach them swordsmanship.
But now, the nobles were saying that those troops should be sacrificed. They were pressuring us by bringing up the conversations held with the first Emperor, claiming it was unfair to have troops in both the Capital and the fief. They were taking advantage of the fact that the one protecting the house was a young lady with a guardian.
“Since you are telling me this, the name of Knight Halverd must have come up in the meeting hall.”
As I spoke with force through clenched teeth, Selden Vishwaltz nodded. Only then did I realize the reason why he had explained what was happening in the Border Region.
This was clearly the work of the Empress—no, the Grand Duke. He was taking this opportunity to clear Knight Halverd away to the Border Region. It was to prevent him from being placed in the hands of the Crown Prince.
“What did His Highness the Crown Prince say?”
“Other people are stepping forward to defend you rather than His Highness.”
“Does that mean he is just watching? I can't believe it. He, of all people, knows better than anyone how much Knight Halverd is needed!”
“Lady,” Selden Vishwaltz called to me.
He began to continue his words while pressing his temples with his fingers as if he were tired. It was a very elegant tone that did not suit the content.
“Lower your voice. You may not know this yet, but His Highness the Crown Prince does not fight with nobles. And he shouldn't. Nobles only fight with nobles. Therefore, you must never again use such irreverent words as saying he is 'just watching.' Is he not the one who will soon become the one and only sun?”
But were their actions not the will of the Crown Prince? Just as the Empress's crowd followed her will. To say he doesn't fight—what kind of forced logic was this?
I wanted to argue, but at his behavior—sending a firm look as if he would not listen to any rebuttal—I swallowed the sigh that was surging up.
Just as he said, it was not the time to be upset with him. Selden Vishwaltz had only come to deliver information. I reminded myself of that coldly and steadied my voice.
“I see. Then let me rephrase the question. What happens if the noble houses defending us are pushed back by them?”
“Knight Halverd and the fief's soldiers will head to the frontier on behalf of the noble houses.”
“And if we refuse?”
“They will be forcibly requisitioned.”
“They get to decide that?”
When I asked back with a slightly raised voice in disbelief, he answered in a casual tone.
“It’s because there is no true heir, isn't it?”
“Even though I am right here?”
“You are merely a proxy, My Lady. The only one who can be called the true heir is the young master of House Bischwaldz.”
“...What about Roena?”
“Lady, only men can ascend to the title. Surely you aren't saying you don't know that.”
Selden Vishwaltz, who had always acted as a guardian in name only, was acting cold for the first time, showing a chilling side. And as if offering advice to me, who was speechless with my lips pressed tight, he added more words.
It was an incredibly insolent attitude, as if he had forgotten his past vow to act as a scarecrow. Just what was he relying on? ...Ah, the Crown Prince?
“Therefore, you should hope that he grows up quickly. Since countless things like this can happen in the future.”
I frowned and brushed off his words. My mind was so tangled that I didn't have the mental energy to listen to his voice.
Clearly, the late Emperor had said he was giving House Bischwaldz to me and had even stamped it himself. Under the promise that I would remain neutral. The Crown Prince knew this as well. Therefore, I was practically the Countess of House Bischwaldz. So why was he suddenly pressuring me by bringing up the guardian?
Was he acting this way knowing that if I disclosed the letter in this situation, I would surely become prey for the hungry hyenas, and thus I have no choice but to endure? Was he telling me to follow the predetermined result without a word?
I suppressed my boiling insides. Otherwise, I felt I would breathe as roughly as a bull. Right, so this is how you're going to play it? Because the time isn't right yet?
In an instant, the words that the Crown Prince does not fight with nobles flashed through my mind. So that’s why he sent the guardian to notify me. Because if he called for me while Knight Halverd was being discussed, all sorts of gossip might leak out. So he's trying to suppress me like this.
But he was wrong. He still didn't have a proper grasp of who I am. There was no way I would just take this lying down unless I were an idiot.
However, swallowing these inner thoughts, I nodded submissively as if I now understood everything and spoke to the guardian.
“I see. I had a momentary misunderstanding. Please overlook my immaturity. I thought I had become quite used to the noble world, but I suppose it was arrogance.”
“Not at all. Such things can happen.”
At Selden Vishwaltz’s attitude of answering as if it were natural, my lips twisted slightly. The word 'dare' almost jumped to the tip of my tongue, but I smiled softly as if nothing were wrong.
And soon, as if I had forgotten about Knight Halverd, I expressed concern about prices skyrocketing when war breaks out and turned my attention to the documents. I deliberately ignored the gaze of the guardian as he observed my expression.
***
The enemy of my enemy is my ally.
Never has this saying resonated as much as today. This was true for the other party as well; Madam de Lavallière wore a speechless expression at my sudden visit.
Regardless of her gaze, I smiled shamelessly. And feigning a voice full of charm, I begged for a cup of tea. It was quite vulgar behavior for a grown noble lady, but it was worth it.
Madam let out a small sigh as if she knew why I was acting this way. Instead of her typical sharp tone, she frowned as if she had taken on a headache of a task and ordered a maid to bring tea.
She was not blaming me for my rudeness, even though I had barged in without even asking if she could receive a visitor. At her attitude, I smiled inwardly, thinking she too must have heard the contents of the meeting. It felt as though the conversation would be easier.
At any rate, she seemed inclined to treat me as a guest, as plausible refreshments were soon set out. To anyone watching, it would look like an aunt having tea time with a thoughtless niece.
“The scent is wonderful.”
“There is a shop in the Capital that sells good tea. I found a few I liked and am currently drinking them.”
“Please let me know later as well. I should buy some too.”
“Do as you wish.”
For quite some time afterward, we spent time on trivial small talk. The maids standing behind her found it very strange that I, who was known to be distant from her, had suddenly visited and was now having a friendly conversation over tea.
So they glanced at me a few times and met my eyes, but soon retreated outside quietly after receiving a glare from the Madam.
After doing that a few times, naturally, only she and I were left in the drawing room.
“Is it enough now?”
Madam had been drinking her tea quietly even after the last maid left, and when she felt enough time had passed, she spoke in a cold voice.
“Yes.”
I corrected my posture as if I had never been unruly and answered politely. Although we had been in invisible opposition due to various matters, for this issue, we needed to be of one mind.
Shards of the Broken Glass Shoe
