Chapter 5 – Ten years after the civil war, the present empire

“Is the continuous unrest in the continent due to this?”

“Yes, indeed. When the management of the country was already challenging, a civil war erupted. Its effects naturally extended to the people.”

The empire possesses a formidable knight order. Although the lords have their own forces, the number of professional soldiers is not that high.

The turmoil within the empire, which holds the largest territory on the continent has become an opportunity for other nations.

There were few friendly neighbouring countries but they have been intervening in various ways.

Some in the central region say,『Our country has suffered due to the previous emperor, but with you as the new emperor, things will be different. We are willing to assist you, so let’s build a friendly relationship from now on』.

Another country proposes to the territorial lords alliance,『We will support you in overthrowing the current emperor. In return, we want to marry our princess and royal family members to your country and the next emperor should be her husband. Let’s use this as an opportunity to advance the relationship between our two nations』.

Furthermore, some other countries begin to march with the idea,『If they are in such turmoil, we can easily seize their territory now』.

As a result, the empire, which had a vast territory, became further divided.

The northern part is under the territorial lords alliance, the southern part under the emperor and the western part is increasingly invaded by neighbouring countries.

The western region was particularly chaotic. Foreign armies mercilessly plundered villages and nobles, including the aristocratic families, killed women and children without hesitation. Moreover, an unexpected group of mercenaries acted differently.

“Mercenaries… you say?”

“Yes, that’s right. All of those mercenaries had crest. They had come to the empire’s territory along with the invading forces from other countries at that time but suddenly they turned against them.”

“Eh?”

They attacked the invading forces they had fought alongside until then, seized their equipment and killed knights with crest.

What remained were lands without lords and soldiers without power. Those mercenaries stayed in the western part of the empire and it seems they are still looting in all directions.

“It seems they are kidnapping nobles’ daughters and children, forcing their parents to pay ransom. They don’t seem to be governing properly and the territory is in a state of neglect.”

“They seem to be kidnapping nobles’ daughters and children, forcing their parents to pay ransom. It seems they are not conducting proper governance and the territory is in a state of neglect.”

“To resort to such actions…? However, if governance doesn’t improve, it would be difficult for them to gather the money and food they need to survive, wouldn’t it?”

Moreover, the country that invaded the empire had been betrayed by those mercenaries. It doesn’t seem like that country would remain silent.

“I don’t know the details, but it’s said that the mercenaries may have intended to betray the empire’s territory from the beginning.”

“Eh?”

“Now, in that area, all sorts of criminals are gathering from everywhere. I heard that one criminal even kidnapped the princess of the country that had invaded and took her to the mercenaries.”

“……….! That’s…”

According to my mentor, it’s unclear how much of this story is true.

However, it is rumoured that the mercenaries had left their own units within the country in advance and, upon the signal of betrayal, kidnapped the royal family and went to join their leader.

“If this story is true… Well, they’re probably hostages. Although, I doubt the kidnapped princess is safe either.”

And so, it seems that the western part of the empire has become a disorderly kingdom led by the mercenaries.

However, despite the disorder, their strength is undeniable. Both the territorial lords alliance and the emperor’s faction are hesitant to provoke them recklessly, as they don’t want to suffer any harm. If the balance of power were to be disrupted, they wouldn’t know when the enemy might attack.

And so, the once vast empire, which had extensive territories, is now divided into three and continues to be embroiled in conflict.

Particularly in the western region, criminals have gathered in large numbers and these criminals, also working as thieves, continue to disrupt the empire’s security as they travel to various places for their illicit activities.

“No matter how many bandits we defeat, they just keep coming, especially in a world like this.”

“…………….”

The Amatsuki Empire seems to be a relatively peaceful country compared to others.

It is located in the southeast when viewed from the Empire. It faces the sea to the east, and there are mountain ranges in the northern and southern parts. So, from the perspective of the Empire, it borders in the northwest.

Originally, there was another country between the Zeltreich Empire and the Amatsuki Empire. However, that country was invaded by the Empire during the reign of my father and it became part of the Zeltreich  Empire’s territory.

There seemed to be some friendship for both Empire when the Zeltreich became a neighbouring country, but I heard that there has been hardly any contact since the civil war broke out.

“Master, were you asked by the……top to explore the situation on the continent?”

“That’s right. It’s rare for an Amatsuki person to want to go outside the country. I’m considered an oddball in that regard… but I’m the Amatsuki person most accustomed to travelling the continent.”

That’s true. Whether it’s because of the good security, delicious food, or perhaps strong loyalty to the royal family, Amatsuki people don’t seem to have a strong desire to leave their homeland.

Of course, not everyone is like that, and I’ve heard that among my mentor’s disciples, there are those who travel the continent for sword training.

And the Amatsuki people themselves are not particularly closed off. That’s evident from their attitude towards me.

Well, they probably just don’t have much to seek outside their familiar home.

“What do you think? About the current situation in the Empire?”

“..Even if you ask me that, well, it’s not like I don’t have any thoughts.”

My birthplace, which used to be in ruins… There are many things to think about.

My siblings, the current Emperor who ordered the killing of me, the Lord of the Linzent Territory who is my mother’s father, the criminals who do as they please in the western part of the Empire.

And the people I met during my journey before coming to the Empire, the nomadic people I lived with on the grasslands for a while.

My feelings towards all of them can’t be expressed in just one word. There’s hatred, sorrow, impatience, camaraderie…a mix of various emotions. Anyway, I have both good and bad memories of the Empire.

However, those are the emotions of Vilgard, a member of the royal family and as a warrior of the Amatsuki Empire, Vil, I can’t help but feel differently. I suppose that’s because I’ve grown accustomed to the people of this country.

“I have no intention of going on a training journey from this country or going to the Linzent Territory, let alone going to the Imperial Capital and speaking my mind to the Emperor.”

Well, it’s not that I don’t have any resentment towards the Emperor. Rather, it’s more accurate to say that I don’t have the means to do so.

“My answer won’t change. I will live as a warrior of this country. That’s all.”

That’s fine, isn’t it… Mother?

Upon hearing my words, my mentor closed his eyes and said, 『I see…』

“It’s an answer that Vyril himself has thought about and arrived at. In that case, as the one who brought you to this country, I’ll take care of you until the end.”

“Master…”

“It’s also a promise with your Mother, Riguraize-sama.”

“Come to think of it, Master, you met my mother during your journey, right? How did you meet her? Mother is also the daughter of a high-ranking noble, so I don’t think there would have been many opportunities to meet her…”

I’ve only heard a rough outline of this part of the story. My master looked upward as if reminiscing.

“Well, shall I tell you a bit about that? It was when I was known as the 【Four Sword Breaker】 and was starting to feel uncomfortable in the Empire…”

The time that followed was spent in long conversations with my master and it was a rare opportunity to spend a leisurely time. Hearing about my master  before I met him and my mother before she married my father was also fascinating.

And then, by verbally expressing my determination, I felt a stronger resolve within me. I was determined to live as a warrior of this country.