Chapter 119
Chapter 119
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: The Players Assemble
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The rule of primogeniture.
According to imperial tradition, the heir to the House of Lancaster should have been the eldest son, Richard.
However, the Heavenly Sword, Archduke Lancaster, defied imperial tradition and named his second son, Mikhail, as his heir. Using this breach of tradition as their justification, Richard's in-laws, the House of York, declared a territorial war.
Summoning the greatest powers on the continent, acquired through the wisdom of York.
It was, without a doubt, the largest war to occur since the Empire unified the continent.
This was on a different level from the proxy wars waged by Lord Black and the Holy Sword Master through their lesser lords. Furthermore, even the battles in the Kingdom of Britannia would be nothing more than child's play compared to the scale of a full-scale conflict between these two great lords.
The Heavenly Sword, hailed as the strongest of the Seven Swords of the Continent, was now opposed by two other swords from that same esteemed group, both lauded as heroes of the Empire. And when the Seven Swords of the Continent took action, it was never limited to just them.
For while they could not yet compare to the masters of the Seven Swords, the powerful figures of the next generation, destined to one day take their places, were no exception.
Just as Mikhail, the second son of House Lancaster, was one of them... the Demon Sword Sephylia and the Holy Sword would be no different.
Furthermore, the House of Sachsen officially dispatched a minimal force to uphold their 'loyalty to the House of Lancaster,' a token gesture at best. All the while remaining silent about any potential alliance they might form.
However, the forces of the 'Black Prince,' who acted as Lord Black's proxy from the shadows, were a different matter entirely.
High-ranking assassins from the 'Shadow Court,' including Master Baro, one of the Seven Swords. In a conflict between great lords of this magnitude, their value was simply immeasurable.
***
“Dale!”
Around that time, as he prepared for war not as Viscount Sachsen but as the 'Black Prince,' a female knight, unable to hide her dismay, called out to stop him.
It was Lady Black, the Sword Princess Charlotte, clad in black armor.
“I heard you're going to participate in the Lancaster's territorial war.”
“That's right.”
Dale nodded, and Charlotte bit her lip. The forces under Dale's command could not be moved recklessly, as they were needed to defend the Northern Demon Lord's Territory. The Black Armor Company, the Winter Watchers, and the Night Raven Knights had a duty to develop the Demon Lord's Territory, regardless of Viscount Sachsen's absence.
Charlotte was no exception.
But Dale's loyal instruments, the 'Shadow Court' and Lady Shadow, were not.
“Does this mean I still can't stay by your side?”
“For now, yes.”
Charlotte asked again. Dale answered with deliberate coolness.
“Because you can't use an Avatar.”
“...”
“Four of the Seven Swords of the Continent are participating in the battle that will unfold in the Lancaster domain. And many of the leading candidates for the 'next Seven Swords' will be joining as well. It's too dangerous for a mere Aura Knight to handle.”
“Dangerous...”
As someone who was still only an Aura Knight, Charlotte could not exert any significant influence. This didn't mean an Aura Knight was worthless, but he couldn't just throw her into the front lines of a cavalry charge. Charlotte's role was, above all, to be Dale's guardian knight. And considering her talent and potential, her presence right now would only hold Dale back.
A knight who should be ready to die for her lord was instead becoming a source of his concern.
At this realization, Charlotte bit her lip and continued.
“Because I'm not strong enough...”
“Don't blame yourself.”
“But you're still taking Orelia with you.”
Charlotte said bitterly.
“Lady Orelia is a warrior who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the powerhouses of the 'next Seven Swords'.”
She was on a level far beyond Charlotte's current state.
“Yes, I know.”
At his words, a cold assessment made as Viscount Sachsen and, moreover, as the 'Black Prince,' Charlotte clenched her jaw. She was not unaware. Of the gulf in class that existed between knights, of the 'realm of the Avatar' that even her talent could not yet bridge.
“It seems I have no choice but to become stronger.”
“You will.”
Charlotte gave a bitter smile. Dale didn't deny it, silently affirming her resolve.
“Take care of the Demon Lord's Territory while I'm gone.”
“You can count on me.”
But even though Charlotte was under Dale's protection, her duties here in the Demon Lord's Territory remained unchanged. As Lord Helmut's prized disciple, she had to lead the Night Raven Knights and defend the peace against the demonic threat.
While it couldn't compare to the battles of the Seven Swords, it was still a grave responsibility that she could not fulfill without risking her life.
“You have to come back safely.”
“Don't worry.”
In response to Charlotte's words, Dale smiled as he always did. Seeing that smile, Charlotte finally managed a smile of her own.
It was a smile that trembled faintly.
***
A short time later, the House of Sachsen officially sent a 'minimal force as a token of support' to the House of Lancaster.
Five hundred Night Raven Knights and their lances. Furthermore, there were five 5th-Circle black magicians and one 6th-Circle black magician.
In a dispute between minor lords, this would be an overwhelming force capable of sealing the outcome, but in a clash between the continent's most prominent great lords, it was merely for show.
However, the 'Shadow Court,' the organization led by the infamous 'Black Prince,' was by no means a token presence.
***
Around that time, in a chamber within the Marquis of York's castle.
And this chamber was the most special and secret place within the castle.
A room forbidden to men, a secret chamber that only the women of the House of York could enter. In other words, a place that even the Marquis of York, the official head of the house, could not access.
And in that room hung the crest of the House of York.
A blue and white rose, its symbol meant to represent 'wise integrity.' It should have.
But the rose hanging in that room had no white. In place of the 'integrity' signified by white, a most unexpected color was painted.
Black.
It was a black-and-blue rose.
Their true symbol, known only to the women of York. And there, the leaders of the House of York had gathered to stand against the House of Lancaster.
There were no men. Not even the head of the house, Marquis York, was an exception.
“We've received intelligence that the House of Sachsen has officially sent a small number of troops.”
The wife of Marquis York, Margaret who was betrothed to the eldest son of House Lancaster, Catherine who had captivated the count's prodigal son... besides them, quite a few other young ladies were present.
The sirens of York. The black-and-blue rose that symbolized them, its true meaning was 'a wisdom devoid of blood and tears.'
“They say Sachsen's 'Black Prince,' who was staying in the Demon Lord's Territory, has vanished.”
“...Is there no information on his whereabouts?”
The Marquis's wife, 'Titania,' spoke.
“Well, there's been no official word that the 'Black Prince' will join the Lancasters yet...”
“He will join them.”
Titania of York answered without a hint of hesitation.
“Now that the second son of House Lancaster has joined them in the Demon Lord's Territory, some sort of alliance must have been formed.”
“Mother...”
“Sachsen's 'Black Prince' possesses the cruelty of black and the wisdom of blue. Do not take his existence lightly.”
Like the black-and-blue rose that symbolized the sirens of York.
“...Speaking of which, it's quite fortunate that we have a suitable card in our hands.”
Having said that, Mother Titania smiled as if recalling something.
“Should Sachsen's 'Black Prince' turn his malice against us... we will collect the debt that the Wise Elf, Sephia, owes us.”
She recalled the 'debt' that Dale's master, the wise elf Sephia, carried with the blue sirens of York.
At her words, the sirens of York bowed their heads in unison.
Their faces were utterly cold, showing none of the flirtatious or innocent smiles they displayed before men.
***
At that same time, in the Archduke of Lancaster's castle.
In the Archduke's private chamber, there was a most unexpected face.
“Lord Sephylia, I am most pleased to see you.”
The Heavenly Sword, Archduke Lancaster, spoke her name, and the Demon Sword, Sephylia, silently bowed her head. The female knight who held the second-highest rank in the Empire's proudest and strongest order of knights.
“Your Grace, the Heavenly Sword, Archduke Lancaster.”
“May I ask what brings you here at a time like this?”
“I am not here today as a member of a branch of the York family, but purely to convey the 'Imperial Court's position'.”
“The Imperial Court's position, you say.”
“I implore you to reconsider your decision, even now, and name your eldest son, Lord Richard, as your heir.”
“Did the Imperial Court not state they would remain neutral regarding our decision?”
“Officially, yes.”
“From the wars of unification, and even before the Empire became what it is today... our House of Lancaster has fulfilled its duty of loyalty to the Imperial Court.”
The Heavenly Sword, Archduke Lancaster. One of the Empire's 'five war heroes,' alongside the Hero from Another World, the Holy Sword, the Demon Sword, and the Master of the Red Magic Tower. And a loyal house that had fulfilled its duties as an archduchy of the Empire since before the war even began.
“Was the lifetime of loyalty I gave to the Empire so worthless that it can be cast aside simply because I broke one of their 'traditions'?”
Archduke Lancaster sneered coldly.
“It is as if I am witnessing the final moments of the 'Hero from Another World'.”
“...!”
At those words, Sephylia momentarily held her breath.
“I swear on my pride as an Iron Cross Knight and the honor of the Empire. Even if this battle ends in your defeat, Your Grace, our Empire will never forget your loyalty.”
After composing herself, Sephylia spoke.
“I will resign from my position as Vice-Commander of the Iron Cross Knights and offer it to you, Archduke Lancaster.”
“You expect me to let my entire domain fall into the clutches of those York vixens, only to become a mere dog of the Imperial Court?”
“...”
“The moment my eldest son Richard was bewitched by that York siren, he lost his right as heir.”
Archduke Lancaster said.
“And I will not stand by and watch my domain be reduced to a puppet of York.”
The sirens of York. From the beginning, Archduke Lancaster had not intended to break the tradition of primogeniture. But when Richard fell for Margaret of York and became her puppet, and when Mikhail escaped the 'temptation of York' and rejected her.
In the face of the House of York's ambition, this succession dispute had been irreversible from the start.
It was at that moment.
“Your Grace! Lord Mikhail has returned to the castle!”
One of the Archduke's men reported from outside the office, and Archduke Lancaster nodded.
“Let him enter.”
He gave the order without regard for the fact that a future enemy, the Demon Sword Sephylia, was present in the room.
The heir to the House of Lancaster, Mikhail Lancaster, appeared.
At the same time.
“...!”
The Demon Sword Sephylia gasped.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace, Archduke Lancaster.”
Beside Mikhail stood a nobleman dressed in a black surcoat.
“And you, Lord Sephylia of the Demon Sword.”
“The 'Black Prince' of Sachsen...”
Archduke Lancaster was just as surprised. But the 'Black Prince' paid them no mind and spoke in the presence of his enemy.
“I have come here today, representing the House of Sachsen, to fulfill our alliance with the House of Lancaster.”
It was Dale's agents who moved in the shadows, not Dale himself.
On the contrary, the notoriety of the 'Black Prince' only truly found its meaning not in the shadows, but in the open for all to see.
The curtain on the war had finally risen, and the main players were beginning to assemble one by one.