Chapter 64 – Duty as the representative knight

Arloston listened to the conversation as he invited Roglain to his home.

On the desk, a map of Schleitocker Road was spread out, with pieces resembling the Imperial Army and Vilgard’s forces placed on top.

“Well then…”

“Yes. Considering the information from Barkdine-Tono, it’s almost certain. However, I don’t think the Imperial Knights can replicate the same with this.”

Arloston had been investigating the factors that led to the elite Imperial Knights being besieged and annihilated.

How Vilgard employed such a mysterious strategy. Without understanding that, there was a risk of facing another major defeat. Analysing the enemy’s strategy was crucial.

“They initially expanded only the centre line…”

“By doing so, they probably directed the attention of the large army further forward. Also, expanding it first would ultimately push them over a longer distance.”

Arloston could almost analyse Vilgard’s strategy.

Although not completely analysed, it was becoming clear how they faced the large units with a small force.

“The battlefield was chosen by Vilgard. Probably, this was the most suitable place to perfectly defeat a large army.”

“So… from the beginning…”

“Yes. But as I mentioned earlier, this isn’t something that can be accomplished overnight. You also need to synchronise the rhythm of the retreat, and above all, if the centre is breached, defeat is determined at that point. It’s too much of a gamble to do it in actual combat. At least when faced with the same situation, I won’t adopt this strategy.”

That’s why Arloston felt the same unease as Barkdine.

Precisely, where did Vilgard acquire such military strategy and courage, and when did the nomads of the plains become so elite.

Originally, the impression of the nomads of the plains was that they were nomads living in the easternmost region of the Empire.

They gallop across vast grasslands, skilled with bows. They offer horses to the Empire and are under nominal rule. Basically, they are gentle and easy-going. That’s the image.

But once they come out of the grasslands, they become an incredibly strong army. Vilgard, who can command them, is also abnormal.

“Arloston-sama, there is no doubt that Prince Vilgard fought on the front lines and took command. He is… both a top-class commander and warrior.”

“Yes…haha. It’s hard to imagine from his days in the palace. He must have been burning with revenge against the Empire on the grasslands for so long.”

“…I’m not so sure. At least in my eyes, he didn’t seem like that kind of person.”

Roglain himself took responsibility for the defeat and had become a common soldier. But Arloston intended to appoint him as vice-captain after about a year.

Despite safely returning to the Imperial Capital, both Barkdine and Roglain felt uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry, Arloston-sama. Because of me, you had to go through all this trouble…”

“No, it was partly my fault for underestimating Vilgard. But it’s not all bad. Thanks to this, I was able to unify the Imperial Knights.”

Arloston didn’t just stay down after the fall. He dismissed Barkdine but this gave the impression that he wouldn’t abandon those from the old faction of the Knights.

And by removing Barkdine from the spotlight, he also absorbed his faction.

Of course, there are still knights who admire Barkdine. He had a certain level of popularity among the knights and soldiers from the start. Plus, many had seen him shed blood alongside them in previous battles.

‘At least compared to me, who only gives orders from the Imperial Capital, he must be more popular among the soldiers…’

However, Arloston himself was popular among the new Imperial Knights, especially among the younger knights. Roglain was one of the knights who supported Arloston.

“I’m glad you’re back safely. I may call upon you to come to the mansion again… Please continue to assist me.”

“Yes, sir!”

■

“Ah! Dad!”

“Oh… there you are.”

As Arloston walked through the courtyard upon returning home, his daughter, Aralysia, came running towards him. Arloston reached out his arms as his daughter jumped into them, lifting her up.

“Aralysia, you’ll fall if you run like that.”

“Hi, Daddy!”

Cindys Londonic. Arloston’s wife.

Arloston married her, entering the Londonic family and relinquished his right to the throne.

“Hey, Daddy! I studied a lot today, too!”

“Is that so? Good job, Aralysia.”

While Arloston had been busy as the representative knight, the past few years had seen a stalemate with the lords’ alliance, allowing him to spend time with his family like this.

Though recently, he had become busy again.

“Cindys, I’m sorry for always leaving Aralysia to you.”

“No, your job is irreplaceable. It’s okay.”

“…Thank you.”

“Dad! Let’s play!”

“Aralysia, don’t bother Daddy too much…”

“Haha, it’s okay. So what should we do?”

“Yay! Um, let’s see!”

Arloston will be staying at the castle for a while starting tomorrow. He didn’t know when he would have the chance to play with his daughter like this again.

‘…Wasn’t it around this age that I used to play a lot with Nii-san and Reminiel?’

Arloston vaguely remembers his time at the Imperial Palace. Like Vilgard, he received education as a subject.

‘We should have received the same education… Yet, the brother I hear about from Barkdine-Tono and Roglain seems to be the epitome of a king.’

There are a certain number of nobles who do not hold Emperor Creyval in high regard. They whisper things like,  『If Arloston had retained his right to the throne…』

But that’s absurd. Arloston himself doesn’t believe he’s fit to be a ruler. At most, he could assist with some aspects of the job.

Vilgard, who demonstrated magnificent command in front of large troops, should be strongly trusted and admired by the soldiers. After all, he’s employing strategies that couldn’t work otherwise.

Earn trust from below and shed blood on the front lines together. While his actual governing ability is unknown, his behaviour as a king is impeccable.

‘Am I supposed to fight? Against my brother?’

He recalls his position. He’s the representative knight who leads the Zeltreich Empire’s Knights. His duty is to be the Emperor’s sword and to defeat enemies.

‘The fact remains that His Majesty Creyval still hasn’t unified the Empire. And the lords’ alliance is the same… But, fundamentally, it’s not the lords’ obligation to unify. It’s the duty of His Majesty the Emperor.’

Some doubts surface in his mind. But he quickly dismisses them and enjoys time with his daughter. And soon, Aralysia falls asleep, tired from playing.

“Goodness… Aralysia, you were so happy to play with Daddy.”

“…Cindys. I’m going to the castle now, ahead of schedule. Otherwise, if I see Aralysia’s face tomorrow, I won’t want to go.”

“Moouu….fine, I’ll tell Aralysia properly. Please accomplish what only you can do.”

“Thank you.”

Right. They can’t turn the Imperial Capital into a battlefield. Probably, there’s quite some time before Vilgard moves significantly.

Their forces are still not sufficient and the lords’ alliance won’t easily give up their vested interests.

Dealing with minor lords might be manageable but their opponents are major lords who haven’t shown submission to the Emperor until today. They’re a tricky bunch to negotiate with.

‘That’s right… It’s something only I can do. Even if the opponent is my brother… I will protect this Empire…!’

However, as he sits here, Vilgard is on the brink of capturing Clostova territory.