Chapter 53 – Meeting with Grandfather

For about two months, our advance into the territories controlled by the Lords’ Alliance had been quite smooth.

We divided our army into four units, advancing through various regions and compelling the local lords to submit. Most complied and some even rode out to personally pledge their loyalty to me.

Many of these lords had been waiting for a member of the royal family to stand up. They opposed the current emperor’s methods but still held onto their pride as nobles of the Zeltreich Empire.

However, a few attempted to negotiate with me. These lords typically had forces of about five to ten thousand soldiers and sought rewards in exchange for their allegiance.

If they were major lords, the situation might have been different but I had no intention of spending time on negotiations with mid-sized territories.

For such lords, I used the Dorga tribe’s messengers to merge our dispersed forces and initiated military actions against their capitals.

They likely assumed we only had about five thousand troops and didn’t expect us to coordinate so effectively across different regions.

But we could communicate in near real-time, constantly aware of each other’s positions. This capability allowed for a dispersed invasion, thanks to the Dorga tribe.

Word of my methods quickly spread among the lords. Eventually, having brought the eastern part of the Lords’ Alliance’s territory under control, I settled in a certain territory.

This territory bordered the Linzent domain. From here, I sent a notification to the Linzent domain and the surrounding lords.

『If you submit to me, come here by the deadline. Those who don’t will be deemed rebels and dealt with accordingly.』

It was a high-handed demand but I had the necessary environment to enforce it. Roban-san looked slightly concerned.

“Do you think Lord Linzent, Vilgard-sama’s grandfather, will come?”

“Who knows… Honestly, I’d rather not fight him. But if he doesn’t show, we’ll have to use him as a training opponent to improve our army’s skills.”

Certainly, he is a close relative. But I have not misplaced my priorities.

My actions are all aimed at unifying the empire. Even if negotiations took time and the Lords’ Alliance were to submit to me without a fight, that time would be used for restructuring the imperial knights and fortifying our defences. Ultimately, it would only lengthen the road to imperial unification.

Currently, the empire is being cautious towards us. We must seize this opportunity to consolidate this region swiftly. If necessary, even if it means clashing with close relatives.

However, my grandfather failed to show up even by the deadline.

■

The next day, I hosted a grand party at the reception hall.

It was an occasion to foster closer ties with the lords who followed me. Rina joined as my wife.

Rina, with her grace learned from the Muga tribe, smoothly interacted with the lords.

She’s truly remarkable in situations like this… Behaving perfectly as my wife.

As Mayo’s position could still shift depending on the relationship with the empire, I entrusted Rina with socialising for now. Well, I could have brought them both together.

“Indeed, it’s a joyous occasion! Finally, the prince who will lead us has appeared!”

“Your Highness Vilgard! We would love to hear about the time you defeated the Imperial Knights!”

“Oh! The Battle of Schleitocker Road, where you destroyed a 100,000-strong elite knights with just 20,000, isn’t it?”

“They say it’s called the Nightmare of Schleitocker in the empire.”

I continued conversations with many lords, gauging their thoughts and feelings. Overall, they seem positive towards me. There’s little sign of fear.

In addition to the relief of finally gaining the desired leader, it might also be due to rumours spread by Roban-san and the others, which favourably portray us.

At that moment, a soldier whispered something to me.

“…I see. Understood.”

“Oya? Is something the matter?”

“Yes. It seems a latecomer has arrived.”

The doors of the reception hall swung open. Stepping through was a man with the demeanour of a seasoned warrior, looking stern and formidable. Like Barkdine, it was evident that despite his age, he kept his body in shape.

And for anyone unfamiliar with his face, there was not a single person here who didn’t recognize him. After all, he was one of the four major lords.

“The head of the Linzent family, Lord Wolk Linzent, has arrived!”

The servant announced loudly, causing a stir among the lords gathered in the reception hall.

Amidst the commotion, I approached him with a dignified stride. Wolk also cast a scrutinising gaze towards me.

“Wolk-sama…”

“Is he to become the grandfather of Prince Vilgard…?”

“I was worried when he didn’t show up by the deadline…”

“Thank goodness. I guess he can’t leave his grandson alone after all.…”

The eyes of the lords turned towards us. I spoke with a voice filled with intensity, audible to everyone present.

“You’re late, Wolk Linzent! Why show your face now! Before the lords who came here by the deadline to become my vassals, you shamelessly appear without any sense of embarrassment! Did you become so arrogant, thinking you’re a special entity unlike the other mediocre lords!”

I strongly rebuked Wolk in front of the assembled lords. This was my first meeting with my grandfather, and it couldn’t have started off in a more confrontational manner… Though I couldn’t afford to be concerned about such matters.

It’s a fact that he arrived late. Whether because he’s a major lord or because he’s my grandfather, he would never stoop down.

Besides, he doesn’t have the kind of light-headedness to humble himself. Because I am a prince and I harbour ambitions to become the emperor of this empire.

If he felt ashamed and returned to his domain, it wouldn’t matter. The next time we meet will be on the battlefield. With that strong determination in my eyes, despite my calm tone, I fix a cold gaze on Wolk.

Accepting my gaze head-on, Wolk widened his eyes and trembled, then immediately dropped to one knee.

“I deeply apologize…! There is no excuse for my tardiness to this gathering…! I wish to repay this disgrace with loyalty to Prince Vilgard from now on…!”

The surrounding atmosphere buzzed with Wolk’s attitude. After all, he was a major lord with more troops than my own and he was my grandfather. Both my scolding and Wolk’s kneeling were unexpected reactions.

But here, in front of everyone, Wolk lowered his head and pledged loyalty to me.

It clarified who was superior and who was subordinate, and showed that despite being my grandfather, he wouldn’t act arrogantly towards me. Perhaps Wolk himself understood that.

I squatted down and patted Wolk’s shoulder, then helped him to his feet.

“…I’m glad that  Wolk-sama has come to me like this. With your current pledge of loyalty, your tardiness will be overlooked. Come, this way. We are in the midst of deepening friendships with my vassals. Please, share stories about your family… about my mother.”

“A… Ah…”

Tears flowed from Wolk’s eyes. And the party resumed.

I sat down at the table with Waluke. I called Lena to sit next to me.

“Allow me to introduce. This is my wife.”

“Pleased to meet you, grandfather. I am Rina, Vilgard’s wife.”

“Oh, my…! To meet my grandson for the first time… and even his wife like this…! Haha… My blood… is being passed on like this…”

The stern gaze Wolk had when he arrived at the reception hall completely disappeared and he changed his expression to one of joy just to meet his grandson.

At the same time, he maintained his etiquette as a vassal. Perhaps because it was in front of everyone, he drew a clear line.

“Oh…Prince Vilgard. If you would be so kind, when you were at the palace, how did you spend time with my daughter? And how were her final moments? Would you tell me…?”

“Of course. Grandfather, please also share your memories about mother as well.”

And thus, I spent meaningful time with a blood relative other than my mother for the first time.