Raising the Princess to Overcome Death

Chapter 251

250: Childhood Friend - Conclusion

The dark clouds dissipated.

Within less than a day, the Irotashi River, once stained with blood and rain, returned to its original state. The victors buried their fallen comrades before the shattered stone bridge.

A mournful requiem lingered. The steady beat of drums comforted both the dead and the living.

Though they had won, thirteen thousand had died. More would follow. The hastily erected medical ward was filled with groaning patients.

On the sunlit riverside, the soldiers stood in long lines. Even the boisterous barbarian warriors, often indifferent to life and death, showed sorrowful expressions as they gently touched the shrouds covering their comrades' bodies.

Before the water burial, Rev, dressed in somber colors as best as he could find, ascended the platform. A sad cheer arose. Regardless, they had won. After a moment of silence, Rev began to speak.

“I remember them as they were yesterday. They were alive, and they fought bravely. Because of this, we were able to win.”

Rev placed his hand over his heart and bowed his head. The soldiers and warriors followed suit, bowing their heads to the deceased.

“There may still be some who do not know why we fought yesterday. Some may not understand why Marquis Guidan was branded a traitor and brutally killed.”Rev’s voice was raw. He began to add a slight heat to his calm, steady tone.

“The reason Marquis Guidan died, the reason we had no choice but to fight, lies in the corrupt system of this kingdom. It is because of the vile laws that enslave the peaceful indigenous people and turn debtors into slaves. That is why we fought!”

Rev’s voice then quieted again.

Originally, he had planned to use the death of Marquis Guidan to rally the soldiers who had lost their leader. But a stabbing pain in his chest made Rev unclench the fists he had raised to his chest, trying to quell his emotions. He then turned to the indigenous warriors.

“...We will not stop. This is just the beginning, and the day will come when all the indigenous people of this land will live as equals with the kingdom’s citizens. The only thing I can promise you is victory. I promise to spread the banner of indigenous autonomy across the continent. I offer my deepest condolences to all the comrades who have left us, including Marquis Guidan.”

- Splash!

Though they were from the Orun Kingdom, the bodies were wrapped in shrouds bearing the emblem of the Conrad Kingdom and slowly disappeared beneath the water.

As Rev descended from the platform, he was met by Count Ogleton, Leo Dexter, and Sir Hazen, the commander of Conrad’s Second Knights.

Sir Hazen had crossed the river this morning with his knights, ten thousand Lutetia garrison soldiers, and five mages. He had helped oversee the captured nobles and the surrendered heavily armed infantry of the Lognum royal family, as well as recover the bodies along the riverbank.

- “His Majesty King Lean de Yeriel ordered me to assist you. He regrets that he couldn’t come personally.”

Sir Hazen thought of Rev as a benefactor to King Lean de Yeriel. The knight, in his businesslike manner, remarked:

“That was an impressive speech.”

Then he returned to his duties.

It took a long time to bury the thirty thousand dead, including those from Duke Elzeor de Lognum’s side. The river flowed solemnly as the soldiers cast the bodies into the water. Watching this, Count Ogleton spoke to Rev.

“Your speech differed somewhat from what we had prepared. Why was that?”

“...I apologize. I didn’t want to exploit Marquis Guidan’s death to spread false propaganda. After all, Marquis Guidan wasn’t actually interested in abolishing slavery.”

The marquis had only sought a way to preserve his family line without marrying off his daughter to the princes. Rev had merely incited him.

Count Ogleton stroked his chin, seemingly surprised.

“Hmm. I wouldn’t call that a lie, but... you have a tender heart. So what do you plan to do with Marquis Guidan’s soldiers?”

That was the issue.

Although their numbers had dwindled, many of Marquis Guidan’s private soldiers remained.

With their strong armament and disciplined training, the five thousand soldiers were a force that could not be ignored. Yet Rev spoke decisively.

“I will send them back.”

“...I see. But you must have an alternative plan, correct? Even though we’ve achieved a major victory, our losses are significant, and the Lognum royal family remains strong. Executing Prince Elzeor yesterday might backfire.”

Leo also had questions.

Even though Duke Elzeor was defeated and we had the support of the Conrad Kingdom, there was no reason for the other side to surrender. In fact, with the prince executed, they might retaliate even more fiercely than they did after the last encounter.

Rev shook his head.

“No. An unexpected battle occurred, but now that Prince Elzeor is dead and the enemy has lost two knightly orders, the war is over. Just wait for a month. The outcome will become clear.”

His words carried conviction.

Rev eventually disbanded Marquis Guidan’s army.

However, the term “disband” isn’t entirely accurate. Marquis Guidan’s private soldiers weren’t subject to anyone’s orders to disband. Yet, it wasn’t quite right to say they were simply sent back either.

Rev, along with the barbarian warriors, Leo Dexter, Count Ogleton and his soldiers, and Sir Hazen’s Conrad Kingdom forces, accompanied the soldiers as they returned to Marquis Guidan’s territory.

The surrendered heavily armed infantry and knights of the Lognum royal family, along with the captured nobles, were entrusted to Count Gideon Lopero, the Conrad Kingdom’s western border count, until the war’s end.

The numerous small boats built by pirates proved to be useful.

Rev’s prediction came true.

When Leo Dexter arrived at Marquis Guidan’s estate,

“Honey~ How have you been while I was away? Have your cooking skills improved?”

he teasingly pinched Lena’s cheek, who welcomed him warmly. At that moment, a Sinis (a type of eagle) flew in from the southwestern sky and perched on Rev’s shoulder.

Rev smiled broadly.

Attached to the Sinis’s leg was a note from Cesar announcing the fall of the Lognum royal family.

*

The one who brought down the Lognum royal family was Count Taradin Amus, the right-hand man of Prince Athon de Lognum.

Count Amus, who had sent his rival Count Geogis Germain to Duke Elzeor de Lognum and stayed behind in Nevis to win over the nobles, received shocking news.

Prince Elzeor was reported dead.

For a moment, he thought it was good that he hadn’t gone to the front, but the situation had become extremely grave.

It wasn’t Conrad Kingdom that had killed Prince Elzeor. It was a Swordmaster named Rev, who had emerged last year from the Holy Kingdom of Jerome, and had raised the banner of indigenous liberation in rebellion.

If it had only been this, it wouldn’t have been such a major issue. They could have mobilized the army and crushed him. However, word spread that the Swordmaster had allied with Marquis Guidan and that the Conrad Kingdom’s army had crossed the border, sending shockwaves through the citizens of Nevis.

To make matters worse, Marquis Evni Drazhin, the northern border lord, began leading a large army southward. The capital of the Orun Kingdom, Nevis, was gripped by fear. There was growing concern that the Holy Kingdom of Jerome intended to conquer the Orun Kingdom, using the Swordmaster as their instrument.

The anxiety was amplified by the fact that the Holy Kingdom had always been intolerant of slavery, and the Frederick royal family had recently begun to act independently, lending credibility to the rumors.

“Count Amus, you must make a decision.”

“...”

“The Drazhin Marquis’s army is advancing from the north, while Marquis Guidan, the Swordmaster, and the Conrad Kingdom’s army are pushing in from the east. Unless you intend to abandon everything and flee, you must sever ties with the Lognum royal family.”

Cesar’s whispered advice shook Count Amus. With little more than land to his name, his options were limited.

“If I surrender... will they accept me? No one in this country owns more slaves than I do.”

“It will be difficult, of course.”

Nobles like Marquis Drazhin or Marquis Guidan, who had estates on the border, didn’t use many slaves.

They earned enough from trade with other kingdoms, and above all, the geography of the Orun Kingdom dictated this.

The towering Lognum Mountains stretch along the southwestern coast of the Orun Kingdom.

The mountains, rich with minerals, gradually sloped down as they moved inland, reaching a plain at the Orun Kingdom's border—except in the direction of the Conrad Kingdom, where the elevation sharply dropped as if someone had "flattened" it. This meant that many nobles with estates deep within the Orun Kingdom managed mines, which required a significant number of slaves.

Count Amus, wondering if surrendering would be enough, hesitantly asked if it could be acceptable, but Cesar quickly crushed that hope. Before any resistance could form, Cesar continued.

“The ones who executed royalty aren’t going to simply accept a surrender. You’ll need to show sincerity.”

“What kind of sincerity?”

Cesar subtly shifted the topic.

“I’ve heard that many of the kingdom’s knights have been dispatched. I understand that two knightly orders were sent... I wonder what happened to them.”

Count Amus was no fool. Realizing the implication, he groaned.

A rebellion. I must start a rebellion.

At present, there were not many forces left in Nevis to protect the royal family. There were the Royal Guard Knights, the palace guards, and the First Knights, who had not been deployed.

Moreover, the panicked royal family was sending out urgent messages to raise an army, dispatching royal guards to recruit soldiers, so their numbers were likely even smaller. Was there a chance of success? Yes.

Most of the nobles in Nevis were in the same situation as I am. With my old rival, Count Geogis Germain, who constantly obstructed me, no longer around, I’ve held control over his faction for some time.

However, what made him hesitate was how everything seemed to be falling into place too conveniently. Could a kingdom really collapse so easily? And why, of all times, was this crucial decision placed in my hands?

Why now, after a lifetime of struggle?

‘It’s because of this guy.’

Count Amus muttered in a low voice, realizing something.

“There was a reason most of the mercenaries in Cesar’s band are barbarians.”

“...!”

“I’ll stage a rebellion. Not because you suggested it, but by my own will. I trust there’s a plan to ensure our safety. Ah, right. There is something else.”

The count, who had been scrutinizing Cesar with a hint of surprise, stood up and opened a cabinet, taking out a pair of items with his index and middle fingers.

Shoes.

They were the shoes he had gifted to his daughter, Lady Taralin Amus. Caesar felt a tightening in his chest.

“I think I’ve found a suitable match for my grown daughter. So, I’ll be counting on you.”

The count left the room.

Left alone with the shoes, Cesar trembled, once again reminded of the terrifying nature of nobles.

It was a mistake to think that a mere commoner could manipulate a count with a few sly words. While Cesar was maneuvering the count, the count was observing him.

If Lord Rev hadn’t managed things well outside, what would have happened to me?

Cesar stepped outside, rubbing the goosebumps on his upper arm. He thought about returning the shoes to Lady Taralin Amus, but decided to postpone it until after everything was settled. Not long after, Count Amus overthrew the royal palace.

*

Cesar met Rev a month later. Rev, leading the barbarian warriors and the Conrad Kingdom’s army, entered Nevis without bloodshed. Nevis had already been secured by Marquis Drazhin, who had arrived earlier.

Eager to report that he had fulfilled his master’s orders, Cesar rushed to request protection for Count Amus and Lady Amus.

However, his master summoned him not to Marquis Guidan’s residence, where Rev usually stayed, but to a desolate stable.

It was once a branch of the now-defunct Dorf Family.

What business does my lord have here? Caesar wondered as he stood before his master, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. Rev, seemingly lost in thought, silently inspected the abandoned stable before finally speaking in a nearby warehouse.

“Cesar.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve done well. Thanks to you, everything went smoothly.”

“It was nothing. I just did as you instructed. I didn’t do much at all.”

“I appreciate you saying that. However... I have one more task I’d like you to take on.”

“What is it? Please, command me.”

Rev unsheathed his sword with a soft sound. To Cesar’s shock, Rev presented him with a painful choice.

“I’m sorry, but to complete this task, you’ll need to lose an arm. It’s not mandatory. You can refuse if you wish.”

“What? W-What kind of task...?”

“I can’t tell you just yet. It’s a top-secret mission. Can you do it?”

[Achievement: Master-Servant Relationship.2v - ‘9112’, Those who swear loyalty to Leo will never betray him.]

Without an arm...

A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions surged through Cesar.

The first thing that came to mind was, Would Lady Taralin Amus still like me if I didn’t have an arm? Probably not. No one in the world would love a cripple.

[Achievement: Master-Servant Relationship.2v - ‘9112’, Those who swear loyalty to Leo will never betray him.]

However, Cesar didn’t want to disobey his master’s command. With a trembling voice, he asked,

“What is this task? I swear I won’t speak of it to anyone. Maybe there’s another way?”

But Rev gently shook his head, and his kindness only made it more painful.

“It seems you need time to think. I’ll give you a few days. Take your time and give me your answer.”

[Achievement: Master-Servant Relationship.2v - ‘9112’, Those who swear loyalty to Leo will never betray him.]

Cesar gritted his teeth.

I cannot betray my master’s expectations. This must be an immensely important task, one that he’s entrusted only to me. I cannot let him down. Trembling, Cesar raised his left arm. But, mercilessly, Rev said,

“I need your right arm.”

He demanded even more. With a pale face, Cesar muttered, “H-Here it is...” and as soon as he moved his right hand, swish! Rev’s sword cut through his elbow.

“Aaaargh!”

Cesar’s arm dropped limply to the straw-covered ground. Screaming, Cesar clutched his bleeding stump.

Even though he had braced himself, the pain was excruciating. Biting his tongue and clenching his teeth, Cesar writhed on the ground, then asked,

“Urgh... Now, what do I...”

When Cesar looked up, he froze in horror.

His master was smiling coldly, and he even seemed to be enjoying himself. Rev spoke slowly.

“There’s no mission. I just wanted to see what it would be like to cut off your arm. By the way... may I try cutting off the other one too?”

This is the traitor who made me kill my brother. Rev waited patiently until Cesar made his decision.

Until he begged for death. Until even his unwavering oath of loyalty was broken, Rev would tear him apart and torment him.

Rev didn’t leave the warehouse for a long time. Only Cesar’s longtime companion, the orange-feathered Sinis, circled the gruesome scene.

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