Chapter 65: Punitive Expedition (1)
The pitch-black sky was filled with stars. Carlyn stood by the window of the palace corridor, gazing at the night sky.
Though it was a beautiful sight, his purpose wasnt really to admire it but to conceal his expression.
-So, Duke Tenvohen is siding with the eldest brother?
-Its not confirmed yet but Ive confirmed that there have been discussions.
-Damn it. What does it matter who was born first? Wouldnt it be better to subtly communicate it?
-Rather than that, I think its better to focus our efforts on Duke Canin. Im worried we might miss out on the best outcome by trying to get the second best.
-Fuck!
The sound of the Third Prince throwing a bottle reached Carlyns ears. Soundproofing by magic usually didnt mean much to Carlyn unless it was a room so tightly sealed that air travel was impossible.
If the space wasnt sealed to the extent that it blocked air movement, the Winds would pass through anywhere.
Of course, if it was a magic implemented by a mage of a certain level or higher, the situation might be different. Like where the Sword Master was.
Even within the palace, there were places where Carlyns Winds couldnt reach. Where the Emperor resided was one of those places.
In any case, as Carlyn had already confirmed, Duke Tenvohen was still neutral.
However, intentions mattered aside from the facts, too.
If it was a fact that the Third Prince was attempting to involve Duke Canin instead of Duke Tenvohen, it was sufficient.
The rest would be utilized by Haisens intelligence agency. They would either spread misinformation or subtly leak information.
For now, thats enough for the Third Prince.
Three months had passed since Carlyn became a knight in the Princesss bodyguard.
It was an amount of time when the movements of the stars he observed every other day were physically noticeable.
Meanwhile, Duke Egni had nearly lost his power, as if he was on the brink of extinction.
The princes had put forth their strength, but the one taking action was the Emperor. With sufficient justification, resistance was meaningless.
The intensity of the surveillance had also weakened significantly. To the Empires observers, Carlyn seemed solely focused on his guarding duty.
He was so textbook that there was no room for suspicion about anything.
Occasional outings consisted solely of drinking sessions with Emmet.
Of course, at first, he appeared too pristine to seem completely normal, but after three months, that wasnt the case.
Suspicion is a double-edged sword.
In the intelligence field, excessive suspicion was as harmful as having none. If you doubted everything, you would eventually be unable to do anything.
Thus, the number of people observing Carlyn had decreased to just two.
They shouldnt drop it further. But I cant completely exclude it.
Carlyn moved his Winds. On the paper held by Phiri outside the palace, words began to appear.
Carlyn was obtaining higher-quality information from the entire intelligence unit under Haisen.
Initially, every time Carlyn reported, a lot of misinformation that the Haisen intelligence agency had was corrected.
It was a natural outcome when he could directly overhear conversations among the people in the palace. It was something only Carlyn could do.
Its been a while since Ive seen Phiri.
Though they met like this every other day, the last time Carlyn had only seen her face was in Haisen.
They avoided encountering each other. It was also because they intentionally kept their paths separate.
Why do you always stare at something?
At Emmets words, Carlyn turned her gaze from the window.
The stars are bright.
Do you actually like looking at the night sky?
Yes.
For a knight, youre quite romantic.
Emmet said teasingly. Since it was said in jest, Carlyn responded with a faint smile.
After all, he had already conveyed everything he heard. Carlyn moved to stand next to Emmet.
Dawn. The time when the princess slept granted the escort knights a bit more freedom.
During sleepless nights, conversation was the only way to pass the time, so Carlyn also had to participate.
By the way, did you hear that story?
What story?
About the western lands. They say the situation isnt looking good there.
Oh. Yes, I read it in the newspaper.
Prince Rohalak controlled 70% of the western region. The remaining areas were also on the brink of being conquered.
It was a deviation from the Empires predictions. Naturally, the Haisen intelligence agency hadnt anticipated it either.
Rodri must be preparing as well.
Since they were a cooperating organization with Haisen, they naturally exchanged information.
Since Rodri would be the one governing the West after Prince Rohalak, he absolutely couldnt die.
Carlyn was concerned because his intervention could change the future.
Originally, by now, he might have been in the western province after being struck from behind and losing his family.
It seems quite dangerous.
You mean within the Empire?
Yes. Absorbing so many kingdoms wont make internal issues a joke. To resolve that, theyll need another enemy.
Though he hadnt seen his face clearly while he thought, was it due to the war? Carlyn felt anew that Emmets insights were deep.
In reality, Prince Rohalak was unifying the West and attacking the Empire.
Theyre probably preparing above as well, dont you think?
Im not sure. People around here dont seem too concerned. They think it will collapse soon.
But its still the Empire. The Emperor and the intelligence agency must be considering it.
Emmet nodded casually as if to say it didnt matter.
Still, its a problem. The Emperor has announced the competition, so shouldnt the princess also go out?
In the Empire, participation in military campaigns was a virtue among the nobles. Considering the Emperors personality, that was even more the case.
Whatever happens, a war is imminent according to you.
I see it as a flow that cant be stopped anymore. But the nobles who support the princess are too few. The number of soldiers might be enough, but its questionable whether the commanders will follow orders.
It was a reasonable concern. If they were given an army, nobles would also be assigned alongside it.
Since it would be difficult to fill the ranks solely with nobles supporting the princess, nobles from the princes faction would also be included.
Disobedience at critical moments could lead to the princess being cornered into danger. But if she stayed in the rear, it wouldnt yield good results either. Carlyn responded positively.
Who knows, seeing the princess up close might change their minds.
Ha. I hope so, but
Emmet trailed off.
A deep sense of regret showed on his face. As someone who was entirely loyal to the princess, the regret was evident.
Huh?
At that moment, Carlyn sensed people suddenly coming out from the Emperors residence area.
He couldnt discern what was happening. The strength of the soundproofing magic, combined with his careful observation due to the Sword Masters presence, made this a cautious location.
People were moving in this direction as well as toward the other princes. It was the Emperors summons.
After a few minutes, the Emperors messenger arrived.
The Emperor commands your presence in the conference room.
As expected. There were personnel stationed beside the princess besides just the escort knights. Carlyn woke up the maid in the adjacent room.
Soon enough, the tired-looking princess appeared.
Lets go.
In the early morning, the corridor of the palace where the princess walked was quiet. Carlyn expanded his Winds widely.
The princes were also heading to the conference room. What could be going on? It wouldnt be long before they found out.
Two days from now, all of you will depart for the northeast.
Yes?
At the Second Princes reflexive question, the Emperor frowned. The Second Prince closed his mouth and bowed deeply.
Because of those crazy dwarf bastards, chaos is increasing. Go and suppress it. It means to make it quiet for a while.
The dwarves hidden deep within the mountain ranges in the northeastern part of the continent distributed a drug-like substance called Plen Powder.
In the games setting, it was a failed experiment by dwarves attempting to enhance their bodies.
The highly addictive powder had side effects that turned humans into monsters and animals into ferocious creatures.
The animals turned into monsters lost their rationality and maximized violence. Yet, they still formed groups, only attacking humans, not dwarves.
Was there also a campaign in the northeast around this time?
In a fantasy-based game, there were creatures resembling monsters in the southeastern desert, northwestern plains, and northeastern mountain ranges.
If you chose the combat orientation, you had to visit these places a few times due to experience and resources.
Among them, the northeastern region was the most avoided due to the creatures resembling monsters becoming stronger.
The rampage of these creatures was quite a significant variable in the game.
The creatures and monsters in the northeast had no intelligence, so they didnt follow orders. They were entirely random events.
Carlyn had also experienced events that annoyed him when significant events were about to happen and triggered events occurred.
I will provide each of you with an equal number of troops. Command them yourselves. Since this isnt a war, dont bother bringing the nobles along needlessly.
Everyone present understood that this was a test.
Dont take it lightly. If you cant decide the winner among yourselves, Ill make a decision based on your performance. Ill also differentiate your tasks in the future.
Carlyn realized that this expedition was quite an important turning point. A war against the West was imminent.
The evaluation to be given this time would also affect the war with the West.
I will solely evaluate you based on the resources supplied. Hmm. For the monster heads, reward the slayers with double the heads of the monsters.
Carlyn thought that somewhat unfair results might arise from this.
Whether it was a person under the influence of the drug or an animal, the strength of each entity wasnt the same.
No, its actually advantageous for us.
He was sure that if he used his Winds to scout, he would have an easier time with the combat.
Wait. Something flashed in Carlyns mind.
If were just counting the number of supplies, doesnt that mean its okay to steal supplies?
* * *
At the Emperors sudden words, the palace became busy from dawn.
Each prince was calling their supporting nobles. After hearing about the expedition, no one could sleep.
Even if they were called now, they would only arrive by morning. However, Erendil also contacted the nobles near the palace.
Emmet and I were also in the meeting room.
What do you think?
Im not particularly quick-witted, but I think its alright. Without the involvement of nobles, the evaluation will be based solely on the princesss abilities.
Those were Emmets words. One was right, and the other was wrong. Erendils gaze turned toward me.
It was a signal for me to speak.
Nevertheless, there will be differentiation. Even if the number of soldiers is the same, theres a high chance of qualitative differences. This applies to the knights who will be provided as well.
Outwardly, it seemed like the princess couldnt become a competitor to the princes. Even those who would distribute the soldiers were on the princes side.
Especially when it came to knights. The supporting nobles would send their own knights.
Your concern is similar to mine. Moreover, its the first time for me to participate in a punitive expedition, unlike the First and Second Princes.
Erendil smiled slightly when she saw Emmets darkened expression.
But it will be more equal than at other times, as you say.
Since it was a pacifying statement, Emmet bowed his head.
In the end, we wont know until we try. We have to see how to utilize the troops and make decisions.
I contemplated inwardly and then spoke up.
But theres something else to worry about.
What is it?
The attacks from the other princes.
The princess frowned.
Even if I dont say anything specific, Princesss brothers nature isnt good. Even though.
The princess grasped my intention while speaking.
Yes. Based solely on the resources, princes who are low on supplies might attack due to suspicions. Even though our numbers are the same, their eyes are on the supplies.
Initially, I thought of stealing. What if I secretly took some? However, it wasnt that easy.
I couldnt steal everything by myself.
And the idea wasnt exclusive to me.
Though I couldnt think of it right now, when the end of the punitive period drew near, the princes greed might lead to such ideas.
Considering the Emperors personality, the side that got stolen from would be considered foolish.
Thats right. It makes sense. Whatever our achievements are, well likely be the weakest in terms of quality.
Indeed.
The princess gazed into the distance. In any situation, we were the most appetizing targets.
Perhaps the two princes might join forces. They wouldnt go as far as three since it would lead to distribution problems.
It wasnt like the princes got along well.
Those were good opinions. Very wise.
Thank you.
The princess looked at me with a renewed expression. As a spy, I hadnt had many chances to show anything.
Saving the Empress was the only thing I had done.
Because of that, theres something Id like to propose.
Speak. You worried first, so there should be solutions as well. Im looking forward to hearing them.
She seemed genuinely interested, her eyes shining. She seemed to have thought about something herself.
I wanted to ask as well, but given our ranks, I held my tongue quietly.
Author's Thoughts
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