Volume 8 Chapter 2 Part 8

The enemy’s main force, Halusia’s army, was spreading out or narrowing down at will, like a master’s casting net.

The army of his subordinate Lords, which should have been hastly assembled together, was working together like dancers performing a group dance. At the main camp of the Marquis of Halusia, some of the troops responsible for communication with other parts of the army were present with various instruments which they were playing and various flags which they were waving in order to communicate with each unit. Even in this, there was still a sense of harmony.

「This isn’t a war, it’s Alexis’s work of art… 」

Bernard let out a groan.

The Marquis of Halusia is said to be loved by the god of all otherworldly beauty and art. His talents spanned a wide range of fields, including painting, sculpting, music, and poetry. He is also a master dancer and an excellent musician. He was sometimes ridiculed for living in a dream world rather than reality. In fact, he has no political or diplomatic skills and is causing the decline of the Fantasia Union because of that.

「The collapse of the Union was supposed to be certain. That’s probably why all the Lords gathered here. He put his last hope into this Fantasia poetry nonsense to rile everyone up ti his side… 」

Bernard took off his helmet and threw away his sword. At this point, his defeat was all but certain. His only hope now was in the fact that Alexis detested the unnecessary bloodshed.

「… Raise the white flag. 」

That meant unconditional surrender.

At the same time, in the territory that formerly belonged to the Earl of Leclerc and was now taken by Oras Burel, Bernard’s nephew, was besieged by Gwendal, the Baron of Desoar’s army.

He had been advised by his uncle to be careful of Gwendal, but since Oras himself was now a Baron as well, he believed that his own strength was sufficient to defeat his opponent.
However, Gwendal was leading an army of 5,000 soldiers. Neighboring Lords gathered together under him, and the people of the Earl of Leclerc’s territory also took up arms and joined his army in order to take revenge for their Lord’s death.

The Earl of Leclerc was originally a conqueror hailing from the Norse lineage. However, he accepted Western culture and over three generations built friendly relations with neighboring Lords, but in the end, because he assimilated himself into the fantasia Union and fought for it, it caused him to lose his life.

On the other hand, Oras Burel hailed from a despicable and traitorous family, and the methods through which he acquired the territory of the earl of Leclerc for himself were exactly the same.

「Send word to my uncle to send help my way immediately! 」

Oras ordered his contracted Mage sent by his uncle to serve him. The Mage followed his orders and uses a magic wand to contact his master… but after a while, he started laughing out loud.

「W-What are you laughing about? What happened?! 」

Oras became suspicious and called out to him.

「I don’t need to answer to you. 」

The contracted Mage turned around and answered him rudely.

「Oi, stop being disrespectful and answer my damn question! 」

Oras’ face turns red with anger at such a blatant display of impertinence.

「I’m not being disrespectful. I’m simply no longer your contracted Mage, so I don’t have to listen to anything you say, and you have no power over me anymore. 」

「W-What do you mean by that…? 」

「Marquis Dawson lost a battle against Alexis Ducet and chose to willingly subordinate himself to him and return to the Fantasia Union after he was taken prisoner. He will soon lose his Crest to Alexis Ducet as well. Congratulations. With this, you will soon become an independent Lord, and you wont have anyone telling you what you have to do, Lord Oras.

「My uncle was defeated? Is that even possible? 」

The blood quickly disappeared from Oras’ face.

「Now, what good would it make if I lied to you about that? If I did something like that, I’d have to pay for it with my life, and I’m not a fan of that. I’m sorry, but no help will be coming to you. You’re on your own now. 」

「You want me to fight alone? We only have 2,000 soldiers, right? And we’re not even prepared for a siege! As things are right now, we won’t even last longer than three days! 」

「then why don’t you try thinking of something that would turn things around, huh? After all, the soldiers won’t be able to act unless they receive their orders… 」

「Coming up with a plan is supposed to be your job as a contracted Mage, damn it! 」

Oras yelled and grabbed the sleeve of the contracted mage’s robe.

「Unfortunately… 」

The Mage shook Oras off of him and sighed.

「Even if I offered a plan, it would only bring displeasure to you. We contracted Mages only speak in accordance with the wishes of our masters, and my master is the Marquis of Dawson, not you. If I did anything to help you now, that would be against his current wishes, so the only thing you can do now is to accept your defeat and surrender or embrace destruction. 」

The Mage said coldly.

「Destruction? I won’t admit it! This territory was purchased from Elam! I am the rightful Lord of it! Elam should protect it, right?! 」

「As long as it does not violate the peerage system, the Mages Association will not intervene in battles between the Lords. And I believe that this battle is exactly the one that doesn’t violate the rules of the system, so do your best to protect yourself from your enemies. 」

The Mage said so, wished him good luck and left. Then, a loud laugh can be heard from the hallway.

「Impossible… this is not happening… 」

Oras was stunned beyond belief.

At that moment, the sounds of battle began to echo outside the castle. And the one who stormed into the castle soon after was Patricia Gallas. Wearing her armor, she entered the throne room where her husband Kurt used reside without encountering much resistance along the way

The battle for the throne room of the castle where the Gallas family once lived was resolved in a short time. The enemy had no will to fight, and both the Lord and his soldiers fled or surrendered. This is because the contracted Mage that was supposed to be serving Oras spread the word about the Marquis of Dawson’s defeat while he was on his way out of the castle. And since his contract with Oras Burel has effectively been cancelled, the Mage was holding rainbow-colored flag in his hand to not be targeted by the forces of the Fantasia Union.

Olas Burel, the new Earl of Leclerc, was discovered to have been hiding behind his throne throughout the entire battle, and then he was brought out before Patricia so that she could pass judgement onto him.

「Please, I’ll do anything you want! I’ll even give you my Crest, but please, spare my life! 」
Oras was begging for his life and trying to surrender while trembling all over, but Patricia immediately shook her head.

「You are the enemy of my husband, Kurt Gallas. I will never forgive you for what you’ve done. 」

Then Patricia drew her sword and slashed Oras from the back with a single strike as he tried to escape. With a scream, Oras fell to the ground in front of her.

Patricia then finished him off by piercing his heart all the way through to his back. At least she showed him mercy by not needlessly prolonging his execution.

His screams stopped and blood spread on the floor.

「It was spectacularly done. 」

Gwendal, the Baron of Soisson put his hand on Patricia’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.

「Father.. 」

Patricia hugged her father and shed mournful tears for a moment. When she was finally done, she looked up towards the heavens.

「I will never leave this place unguarded again! Next time I have to leave here, I will ask you to protect it for me from the other side until I’m back. 」

Patricia swore to her late husband.

* * *

「The Marquis of Dawson was defeated? 」

When Marine heard the report from Aubest, she was shocked, even though in a sense, it all went according to her plan.

She had promised to make him an Elector, but she was secretly counting on him not surviving long enough for that to happen. In fact, if he did, then that would only get in the way of her future plans.

「Looks like the Fantasia Union has done a good job for once. 」

Marlne smiled mockingly.

「So, who commanded the army? 」

「If the reports are to be believed, it was Alexis Ducet, the Marquis of Halusia. 」

Marine was at a loss for words after hearing Aubest’s response.

「……Really? 」

「Yes, and what’s more, all the Lords of the Fantasia Union praised him for a splendid arrangement of the battle. In a short battle, 3,000 mercenaries and 2,000 knights led by Marquis Dawson were completely destroyed without even getting a chance to fight back. 」

Aubest told her calmly.

「No matter how incompetent Marquis Dawson was there is no way an army of 5,000 people would collapse so easily. Was the Fantasia Union’s army a large one? 」

「I’m sure it was over 10,000 soldiers. 」

「The difference in strength was certainly large, but it’s not as if that alone would guarantee him a big victory like that… also, I know that what I’m about to say may sound harsh, but you’re smiling right now, Lady Marine. I know it’s just the two of us in here right now, but nevertheless, do try to be more careful. 」

When Aubest told her that, Marlne hurriedly tightened her expression back into a serious one.

「I don’t think Marquis of Harusia is suited for battle. I think he should focus on writing long and tragic poem by now… 」

Marine said while narrowing her eyes. Her heart ached when she thought about how Alexis must be feeling right now. She gently placed her hand on her chest.

「What did he decided to do with the Marquis of Dawson? 」

「It appears that he will be allowed to live and is going to be imprisoned along with his family in a detachment house in Halusia. 」

「That’s a naïve and meek punishment. If it’s Alexis, I’m sure he’ll treat them more like his guests rather than prisoners… 」

Marlene sighed.

「What did the Marquis of Nord had to say about all this? 」

「It seems like he already knew it was going to happen, because he only laughed and said that he was looking forward to seeing The Marquis of Halusia on the battlefield. 」

「Really now? 」

Marine firmly grasped her hand that was on her chest.

「However, please do not let your guard down. Alexis’ talent is unparalleled. If he were to demonstrate that in battle, he would be a formidable opponent. 」

「As you command, my lady. 」

Aubest nodded and left the room where Marine was currently sitting. Marine also returned to her office, and told her two personal maids, Leila and Cammy, that she’s like to be left alone.

「Why did I do something like that?! 」
Marlene slumped into her chair and covers her face with her hands.

For a moment she was happy that Alexis had played an active role in the war, but then she realized what that meant and now she felt hopeless.

「If you hadn’t gone to the battlefield, your life wouldn’t have been in danger. 」

Eric the Ocean King secretly promised that he would take away the Crests, territories, and all property of the Lords of the Fantasia Union, but spare their lives if they surrendered.

「You will also be drawn into the real battle that is about to begin. 」

Marine didn’t think he can win such a battle, so she prayed that Alexis won’t join the war for real so that he wouldn’t die.

Marlne still wore her mourning clothes to remember the death of her father, as well as the knights and soldiers who died in battle. And also to mourn her own feelings that she suppressed. At the same time, it was her vow that she was willing to become a stepping stone for a new era.

Times are certainly moving. However, Marlene had no idea what kind of era would come next.

* * *

A large fleet of Nord ships had gathered in a port city in the southern part of Bretland. More than 5,000 long ships crowded together, and nearly 100,000 warriors raised their weapons and shields.

Eric, who is hailed as the Ocean King, watched the scene from the bell tower of a large ship, took a gulp of beer, and smashed the cup in his hand.

A fleet from the Fantasy Union was also approaching Bretland.

「Marquis of Halusia, I never thought you would challenge this ocean king to a naval battle. 」

His face contorts as he wipes the foam from his beard.

「However, this is a good opportunity. If I take away the Crests of the Union’s Lords,my own title will become that of an Archduke. Dartania’s Viceroy is dead, Marquis Dawson is defeated, and Marine is stuck in a battle against the Artuk Treaty…hmm. It’s as if it’s already decided that I will become Emperor… 」

Erik laughed out loud and ordered his entire army to set sail.

To be Continued in Volume 9