–Chirp –Chirp –Chirp
The birds were singing happily after the rain stopped. Alexander lifted his head as sunrays descended upon the land. The sun spread its warmth while slowly crawling higher above the horizon.
A shimmering arc of living light formed in the sky, banded bright in an ethereal brilliant hue. A rainbow, a bridge to heaven appeared; a gift of beauty in pure delight.
Alexander scanned the surroundings. Countless bodies were strewn on the ground, they were bathed in the maroon mud. His golden eyes started rolling again and an exclamation escaped his mouth.
"Ah…"
Sir Wyatt and the rest of the Knight Lieutenants along with the refugees entered his vision, they had gathered not too far from him. The man bent his back and smiled at him, beckoning that the refugees were safe.
Alexander nodded his head and answered with a smile. However, the corners of his lips dropped when he turned around. Scattered bodies filled his sight once more and he clenched his fists.
Just like Dariush said, war was never a good thing. Although it helped to attain peace, that peace came with a price. And the one who helped him achieve peace here was…
Alexander lowered his head and a white-haired boy who was sitting was seen.
"Can you stand?"
"Yes."
He took his hands and helped him. Damian's head almost hit the ground but luckily Alexander skillfully caught him.
"Careful."
"Thank you."
He stared into the blue eyes present before him and subconsciously placed his hand on Damian's head.
"I should be the one thanking you."
The boy was startled and immediately looked away. It seemed he was still angry but he was glad Damian didn't shove his hand away.
"Your Highness!! Your Highness!!"
Alexander withdrew his hand. Fedel was seen running this way and soon he arrived with his ragged breath.
"Haa… haa…"
Anxious painted his face vividly, he hastily grabbed Damian's shoulders and eyed every inch of his body. He was trying to make sure that the one he served was okay.
"Your Highness! Are you all right?!"
Fedel sounded worried, almost close to that fear. Alexander believed that the old man had the most tearful voice in Gaia.
"Fedel?"
Damian couldn't help but frown upon listening to Fedel's tone. He even asked right away to make sure it REALLY was his head butler; because he sounded so out of character.
Fedel took Damian's hands and held them.
"Yes, Your Highness, Fedel is here."
At this point, Alexander's stomach churned; he wanted to puke but restrained himself from doing so. That old man had to stop his talentless acting, it started to look cringey and he was afraid his eyeballs would run out from their sockets if he kept watching him any longer.
Just look at Damian and the two Knights standing beside him, they wore the same crooked expressions. They were beyond surprised to witness Fedel's absurd behavior.
"Oh, Fedel. I'm sorry my eyes are–"
"Your Highness!"
"Ian!"
They shouted in unison the moment Damian lost his balance and fell into Fedel's hands, he was unconscious. Alexander instantly crouched down before him.
"Calm down. Let me check him."
Fedel spoke flatly.
"Didn't you change your tone too fast?"
Alexander soon bit his lower lip. It slipped off his tongue!
"..."
The old man looked at him indifferently, he could even feel his eyes piercing through his spine. Damn it! Alexander immediately turned away to escape Fedel's gaze. He didn't mean to say it out loud!
And in the next second, Alexander could feel his back burning as Fedel stared at him with a blazing death glare. Nonetheless, Fedel sighed and immediately examined the boy's body and exhaled a sigh of relief.
"His Highness fainted due to Mana Core Exhaustion. He should be fine after a long rest."
The Knights breathed a sigh of relief and Alexander shamelessly returned his sight to Damian.
"Ahem. Ahem."
He cleared his throat. He took out a tent and blanket, then gave them to the Knight next to him
"For the time being, please build this tent so my brother can rest more comfortably."
"I understand."
He returned his eyes to Fedel.
"I will leave Damian in your care."
"I understand."
With that, they went to find a more suitable place to rest.
Alexander involuntarily clutched his head, somehow he felt a little dizzy. Not without reason, his last attack required more Mana than he had originally thought.
'I want to rest, but there are so many things to do.'
"Your Highness!"
He raised his head and a brown-haired man on horseback was approaching.
–Gallops –Gallops –Gallops
The horse neighed when Sigmund pulled the lead rope and they stopped before the Prince. He dismounted and immediately knelt.
Alexander's forehead frowned. He was perplexed after watching the knight's strange demeanor.
'Why were there so many people acting weird today? And What is he kneeling for?'
"Your Highness, I'm so sorry! I was late!"
===
"Hmm~ Hmm~"
–Brush –Brush –Brush
Sigmund was combing his horse's mane whilst humming, and unexpectedly a voice interrupted his action.
"You're departing soon?"
"Yes."
Silence.
The Prince next to him didn't say anything and just blankly stared at his subordinates. Sigmund patiently waited and finally…
"Sir Sigmund, could you return a little sooner?"
He spun his head and locked with his golden eyes.
"May I know the reason?"
Yet, Alexander shook his head.
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, but you will know once you get back here."
Sigmund's brows furrowed. He racked his brain to think of every possibility.
'What kind of scenario required me to be back here so soon?'
After a brief pause, Sigmund asked what had just crossed his mind.
"Is it related to the safety of the refugees?"
"..."
Nonetheless, the Prince in front of him remained silent.
"Your Highness?"
He tried once again and eventually Alexander heaved a long deep breath.
"It appears so."
"Then, wouldn't it be best if we didn't go to the Naval Base at all?"
"No. Please deliver the shells as scheduled."
First, Alexander didn't want the story to change greatly, Sigmund needed to send the Elemental Shells so the Yovanny Kingdom would announce their surrender, just like in his previous timeline.
Secondly, he didn't want the enemy to notice, so they could carry out his plan. Because, in order to catch a fish, he needed to secretly set up nets so the fish didn't get away.
"I know this sounds more like a demand rather than a request. But I hope you will consider it."
"If it is regarding the refugee's welfare, then I should not hesitate."
Alexander smiled.
"Thank you."
"It is my pleasure."
===
Originally, he wanted Sigmund to join because they lacked men's power, but that didn't matter anymore. They had won this battle and more importantly, the refugees were now safe.
"It's all right, Sir Sigmund. You don't need to be sorry. It wasn't your fault. You may rise."
"Thank you."
Sigmund got on his feet and took out a cloth-wrapped bundle that he strapped across his back. Alexander couldn't help but frown upon seeing the package; the fabric oozed red liquid and it was dripping.
He loosened the tie and unwrapped it. As if struck by lightning, Alexander was stunned. A human head presented before his eyes.
"Although I'm late, my Company and I managed to take down the fire arrows archery outside the camp."
"You… did?"
Alexander was surprised.
"Yes. We arrived not long after the Earth Barrier appeared and we immediately confronted them. I took their Leader's head as my proof to you."
The boy tried to open his mouth, but someone was faster.
"Not only that, Your Highness. Sir Sigmund also wiped out the remnants of the enemy troops."
Both of them turned to the voice and a light blue-haired man came into view.
"Is that true?"
Ulrich nodded undoubtedly with a smile.
"Yes. I saw everything."
Alexander returned his gaze to the man in front of him.
"Thank you so much for your help, Sir Sigmund."
"It is my pleasure, Your Highness."
Warmth flickered in his heart.
Alexander's mind flew, he clearly remembered how he failed to save the lives of the refugees here and cowardly left them.
Whereas before this camp was razed to the ground and refugees were slaughtered, this time with the help of Damian, Ulrich, Fedel, Wyatt, Sigmund, and the others, they created a new ending.
Unknowingly the corners of his lips tugged, now that he mentioned his lovely little brother, it seemed they were back to square again; Damian hated him once more.
"Haaa…"
Alexander exhaled a deep long sigh and massaged his nose bridge when his headache returned to his head.
'There is so much to talk about with Damian.'
He was just glad that the little imp fainted so he could be more focused on the postwar, and he would deal with him once he regained consciousness.
Alexander turned to Ulrich, he tried to open his mouth but something went wrong. Suddenly, his body felt light and his vision darkened.
"Your Highness!"
"Your Highness!"
The most uptodat𝓮 n𝒐vels are published on (f)reew𝒆(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦