novelraw Chapter 277: Engagement - Anxiety
Chapter 277: Engagement - Anxiety
276. Engagement - Anxiety
“So, you got scolded.”
Prince Arnulf de Klaus nodded. He failed to persuade his father. Still dressed in his travel clothes, the prince took a large gulp of the drink his companion offered, frustrated.
“Ugh! W-What is this?”
...only to spit it out immediately.
It tasted awful. Even though the prince was not a connoisseur and considered alcohol merely a bitter drink, this went beyond. It was like drinking raw alcohol straight.
How dare someone serve such an unidentifiable liquid to the prince? But his companion responded with a sly smile.
“Oops, my apologies. I gave you mine by mistake.”
It was Baron Arpen Albacete, the Sword Master of this kingdom.
The Baron opened an ornate cabinet with a silver handle and took out a drink he thought the prince would like. It was a low-alcohol, aromatic liquor—low by his standards, anyway.The baron personally replaced the prince’s glass and poured the new drink. But... the porcelain cup was excessively elegant. The back of the baron’s hand, holding the glass, was covered in thick, shaggy hair, making it stand out even more.
It wasn’t a special glass brought out just because it was for the prince. The baron’s own glass was the same, matching the soft wool carpet, the purple curtains, the rounded marble fireplace, and the delicately crafted furniture in the elegant reception room. If there was one thing in this room that didn’t belong, it would be Baron Arpen Albacete himself.
However, this mansion belonged to Baron Albacete. The baron, dressed in clothes that seemed on the verge of bursting from his bulging muscles yet exuding a noble air, lifted his glass elegantly and took a sip.
Even his raised pinky finger was sprouting thick hair.
“It seems His Majesty is intent on waging war. I tried to dissuade him, and the ministers expressed their concerns, but he wouldn’t change his mind. So, don’t blame yourself too much, Your Highness.”
“...Is that so? Ha... This is serious. It’s only been about ten years since the last Nine Days War... We’ve only just regained stability in the kingdom... This is largely my fault.”
Baron Albacete shrugged.
He wasn’t interested in the kingdom’s stability or anything like that, but he still offered warm words of comfort to the prince.
“It’ll all work out. You know what they say... Kids grow up by fighting.”
“...”
Of course, this wasn’t helpful. The prince smiled bitterly.
“Yes... well... I suppose. But now that it’s come to this, I’ll head to the battlefield. We’ve come this far, so we might as well win. I hope you’ll lend me your support, Baron.”
Baron Albacete was his greatest ally. The prince was sure the baron would readily agree, but to his surprise, the response was a refusal.
“I won’t be going.”
“...Could you repeat that? You won’t be going to the battlefield?”
“Yes. I’m not going. And you shouldn’t go either, Your Highness.”
“W-What do you mean... What would we do if a Sword Master like you doesn’t fight? Our opponent is the Kingdom of Bellita.”
Sip.
Arpen sipped his drink. He savored the dwindling liquid as if it were a precious commodity and spoke.
“We can lose. Frankly, I have a ‘feeling’ that losing might be the better option. Losing doesn’t mean the kingdom will collapse.”
“There you go with those feelings again. I’m sorry, but I can’t trust that anymore. Last time, you told me it’d be best to visit the Kingdom of Bellita...”
“I never said that. I only said it would be better if you were away from the capital.”
“Isn’t that the same thing? Where else would I go?”
“Anyway, I’m not going. My intuition has been acting up for months now. I feel like I shouldn’t leave this place.”
“Aren’t you worried about my safety on the battlefield? Count Herman Forte of the Kingdom of Bellita will certainly appear on the field.”
“Sorry, but no, I’m not worried. Even if our army loses, the worst that could happen is you get captured. We pay your ransom, and you’ll be released. What’s there to worry about? It’s a shame I won’t get to face Count Herman Forte in battle, though. I’m sure he’s strong too, isn’t he?”
“...It’s not the first or second time, but you’re really stubborn! As a prince, I command you. Go to battle!”
Arnulf de Klaus feigned anger, but the baron merely blinked his bulging eyes that seemed to lack eyelids.
“Whether I go to battle or not is my prerogative as the Commander of the Knights. Besides, I’ve already informed His Majesty.”
“To His Majesty? Don’t tell me... Did you get his permission?”
“Yes. He was quite disappointed. Annoyingly so... Ah, I misspoke. My apologies.”
A slip of the tongue that could have cost another person their head.
However, the baron was the first example of a native barbarian becoming a noble, often showing a lack of etiquette, so Prince Arnulf let it slide. The baron also admitted and apologized for his mistakes on the spot, so no major issues had arisen thus far.
But that wasn’t the problem. The prince vented.
“Baron Arpen Albacete. Please, come with me. H-How about this: You don’t have to do anything. Just show up on the battlefield. Your mere presence will inspire the troops and significantly reduce casualties.”
However, Baron Albacete only crossed his arms and shook his head, leaving the prince increasingly frustrated. He tried cajoling, then resorted to threats, but none of it worked. Just then, a butler knocked on the door and appeared.
“What is it?”
“I apologize for the intrusion. There is a guest.”
“A guest? I’m in the middle of a conversation with His Highness. Tell them to leave.”
“But... they know the prince is here. They insisted I deliver this message.”
“Who is it?”
The prince frowned. Shouldn’t they have sought his permission first? But the name the butler uttered was surprising even to him.
“It’s Sir Noel Dexter and his son.”
“What? Noel? Let them in immediately... Oh, Your Highness. Is that alright?”
“...Yes, let them in.”
The baron had already risen from his seat. The prince, though displeased with the baron’s attitude, was also eager to meet the notorious knight known as the noble butcher, so he gave his consent.
Soon, a middle-aged knight and a young man entered the reception room.
“Noel!! Wahaha! It’s really you, Noel. How long has it been...”
“I greet the descendants of the Liberator. I am Noel Dexter.”
“I am Ray Dexter.”
Arpen rushed over to his most cherished junior, whom he hadn’t seen in over a decade, awkwardly rubbing his neck. Prince Arnulf de Klaus graciously accepted their greetings.
“I am Arnulf de Klaus. Sir Arpen, please, take your seat.”
By addressing him as “Sir,” the prince was signaling the end of their private conversation.
Baron Albacete pointed to seats for Noel and the young man before taking his place beside the prince. Since Arpen was the host, he opened the conversation.
“It’s been a long time. There’s much I’d like to ask, but... what business brings a retired knight to visit His Highness?”
Noel cleared his throat. He glanced at his son before voicing what he had prepared.
“I heard that our homeland has declared war on the vile Kingdom of Belita. I have come to offer whatever humble support I can.”
“What? If that’s the case... ahem. It’s an admirable and appreciated gesture. Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
“Indeed. But I don’t quite understand why you felt the need to come to me specifically. I heard you came here knowing I was present... Is there something you wish to propose?”
“Yes. I apologize for any rudeness, but I have a request. On the day of the departure ceremony, please allow me the opportunity to boost the morale of the troops.”
The prince looked at Noel with a puzzled expression.
“It would certainly be appreciated for a renowned knight like yourself to do so... but may I ask why?”
This part was unrehearsed. Noel improvised a plausible reason.
“It’s embarrassing to admit, but I’ve been retired for over ten years. I wish to return honorably, which is why I made this impertinent request.”
Prince Arnulf de Klaus glanced at Arpen. He remembered how Arpen had boasted that his junior was a knight with no desire for fame. Baron Albacete looked bewildered.
This was not like the friend he knew...
But from the prince’s perspective, this was a fortuitous turn of events. With the Sword Master stubbornly refusing to join the battle, they needed someone to uplift the soldiers’ spirits, and Noel’s timing was perfect. He agreed readily, and Noel was granted permission to give a speech at the departure ceremony.
Noel and the young man, presumably his son, bowed respectfully and withdrew, having concluded their business. The reception room was once again left with just the prince and the baron.
“...It’s a bit different from what you’ve always told me, Sir Baron.”
“...This is odd. No matter how much time has passed, he’s not the kind of friend to change like this... But I can vouch for his skills. He’s better than the Commander of the Second Order.”
“You’re saying he’s stronger than Sir Jensen Byley?”
“Yes. Even if he’s retained the same level of skill as when he retired out of laziness, Jensen would be no match for Noel. Jensen was his direct subordinate back then.”
“How does he compare to you, Sir Baron?”
“To me?”
Arpen grinned.
“Surely you’re not comparing him to me as I am now... Haha. Back in the day, he was stronger than me. When I was just a low-ranking knight in the Third Order, Noel joined the First Order as the youngest knight in history. I think his record still stands. He’s an exceptional man, full of experience... I highly recommend keeping him by your side on the battlefield.”
“You really have no intention of joining, do you?”
“I’m afraid not. You must be tired from your long journey; shall I bring you something to change into?”
This was his way of ending the conversation. The prince stood up.
“No need. I understand your position well, Sir Baron. I’ll return to the palace now. Inform me when you enter the court.”
“How could I not?”
Arnulf left the reception room.
Arpen saw him off, and on his way out, the prince caught sight of Noel Dexter and the young man who was said to be his son waiting in another reception room. It seemed they were waiting to speak privately with the baron.
‘Now that I think about it, that young man seems peculiar.’
Though the prince’s curiosity was piqued, he left the mansion without lingering. After he departed, Baron Albacete quickly returned, striding back to the room. He kicked the half-open door of the reception room with a loud bang.
“Noel! What’s going on here? What’s gotten into you, wanting to come out of retirement? And on whose authority? Back then, no matter how much I tried to stop you, you stubbornly retired.”
“It’s been a long time, Senior.”
“Forget the senior nonsense! You should have come to me first. Instead, you show up when the prince is here and make some strange request... I’m disappointed in you.”
Arpen, the burly giant, loomed over Noel, jabbing his finger into his chest repeatedly. It wasn’t sincere; he was happy to see his old friend, but he wanted to make it clear that he was deeply let down.
“I apologize. I have my reasons.”
“Reasons? Fine, let’s hear them. I’m sure they’re fantastic rea—whoa!?”
The young man standing behind Noel, who appeared barely of age, drew his sword. Arpen wouldn’t have blinked if it ended there, but his eyes widened at the sight of the flaming aura blade, a blinding white light.
A gentle heat emanated, and there was the faint scent of burning metal. This... was the real thing.
The young man sheathed his aura blade, and Noel Dexter, sensing his senior’s bewilderment, calmly addressed him, as if he had seen right through the baron’s mind.
“I know you’ve been feeling uneasy lately.”
─ he began.