Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: I Won't Abandon a Single Citizen (6)
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The weather at the tail end of autumn was mercilessly plummeting toward winter.
Holding onto the warmth that tried to slip away day after day was no easy task.
Ordering the soldiers to chop firewood wouldn't last even a day or two... It wasn't an empty phrase; I genuinely wanted to borrow even a cat's paw.
"I'll help too."
"Pardon? But how could a noble like you...?"
"Is this the time to worry about status? We have to survive first, don't we?"
Commander or whatever, there weren't enough hands if I just stood back and gave orders.
Besides, I possessed physical abilities far beyond any ordinary soldier.
It would be a tremendous loss if someone like me just idled away.
"The Baron himself is working so hard with his own hands... How can we...!!"
"We'll work hard too!"
"???"
For some reason, the soldiers' morale rose a bit. Well, good is good, I suppose.
Fortunately, being surrounded by forests made gathering firewood straightforward.
Of course, some nobles voiced concerns. Using the forest resources arbitrarily could mean the gallows... Damn fools.
"We can plainly see we'll freeze to death without firewood. Are you suggesting we just accept death meekly?"
"That's not what we... We just..."
"I don't want to hear it. I'll take full responsibility, so bring back everything—game, fallen fruit, trees—without missing a single one."
At my stern command, the nobles bowed repeatedly and scurried away.
Thanks to soldiers who were former hunters, we managed to secure some game... but with winter closing in, the numbers dwindled sharply each day.
Tasks overflowed, yet time slipped mercilessly away, bringing darkness once more.
I summoned Sir Belguard and Viscount Harvan to discuss future plans.
After the formal report, Viscount Harvan hesitated before speaking up.
"Baron, we won't last much longer at this rate."
"The capital isn't far now. Just two weeks, and we'll make it."
"We might scrape by that long. But..."
"...Yeah, we have to prepare for the worst."
Life itself can't be controlled at will—how much less a war entangled with so many factors.
Still, the capital's proximity was our sole lifeline.
...Until the next day, when a most unexpected guest arrived—one I hadn't even dreamed of.
Despite her minimal escort, the nobles hurriedly knelt before the unparalleled dignity emanating from her.
"We greet Your Highness the Princess!!"
"......"
"B-Baron. We must show proper respect..."
"Enough."
Just as Viscount Harvan tried to admonish me for not kneeling...
The princess's clear blue eyes fixed on me as she sharply cut him off.
And then the second unforeseen event occurred. She, rather than I, offered formal courtesy.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lord Blackguard. I've heard of your heroic exploits."
"...Is that so."
"In peacetime, perhaps not. But in wartime—especially on the battlefield—the commander's authority supersedes even that of royalty. I understand this well."
"......"
"Your steadfast and righteous character has saved the kingdom's people. On behalf of the royal family, I commend your achievements."
At the princess's declaration, the nobles cheered her and my name in unison, praising our glory.
I had no idea what misunderstanding was at play, but I hadn't been upholding any commander's authority.
The real reason I couldn't move was simple: my brain short-circuited at the utterly unforeseen sight.
'Princess...? Wait, where's the prince...? Why a princess all of a sudden...?'
No matter how I looked at it, only one royal would venture into such a situation personally.
The protagonist of the fallen prince scenario: no one else but Prince Andark came to mind.
Yet here stood not Prince Andark, but Princess Anna. My brain fried at this absurd twist.
But I quickly regained composure. As she said, I was this group's commander.
If I faltered, everyone behind me would shake even more.
Composed, I briefly returned her praise before arranging a place to talk.
"I never dreamed Your Highness would come here in person. What if you'd encountered imperial forces or bandits...?"
"How could I, with royal blood in my veins, shirk my duty while my loyal subjects risk their lives outside?"
"I respect Your Highness's boldness. Then, reinforcements from the capital...?"
"Regarding that... I'm afraid I bring ill tidings."
From there, the news Princess Anna shared exceeded imagination.
To sum it up: they doubted my loyalty, using my handing over the imperial princess as an excuse.
Of course, it was outrageous. How many imperials had I slain so far?
"How can they suspect such nonsense! I've cut down hundreds of imperial soldiers alone!"
"I agree. If I'd intended to surrender to the Empire, I'd have done so long ago—like so many nobles."
"......"
"That's why I came myself. How could they stand by, with a royal like me here?"
I quietly eyed the knights who'd accompanied her.
About three at most. Experts, so they'd bolster our forces... but recalling the original scenario, the disparity was tear-jerking.
'Could it be she stayed hidden until now because her gender barred her from politics...?'
I'd thought it odd from the start. In the fallen prince scenario, aid would've come sooner.
Now, facing Princess Anna, all doubts resolved.
Her capabilities remained intact. With her here, the royals had no choice but to send reinforcements eventually...
"What if imperials or cavalry ambush you?"
"Then I'll fight with all I have. Without such resolve, how could I step into the jaws of death?"
"I see. I understand your intent."
Her bold action and courage matched what I knew—gender aside.
I grasped her intent fully, but we couldn't just wait idly for uncertain aid.
So I kept the march going. Thankfully, no command disruption arose.
Princess Anna, highest in rank, respected and upheld my authority.
After three days of marching, we reached Rock Iron Bridge near the capital. Hoofbeats echoed from afar.
Already informed by scouts, I stayed calm and looked to the princess.
"It seems Your Highness's ploy succeeded."
"Thank goodness. I worried what we'd do if no reinforcements came..."
"Viscount Harvan."
"Understood."
At my word, Viscount Harvan spurred his horse to greet them.
Watching, I sighed in relief. Reinforcements had arrived—we could relax a bit.
So I thought. Until an arrow from the front pierced Viscount Harvan's throat just before impact.
"Gahk...?!"
With a blood-choked death rattle, he tumbled from his horse.
Hooves mercilessly trampled his twitching body on the ground, charging ferociously.
Sensing disaster, I drew my greatsword and bellowed.
"Everyone, battle stations!! The enemy is... Ngh?!"
But the ensuing shockwave hurled me back before I finished, words cut short.
Rolling across the dirt, I clung to consciousness, lifted my head... and met blazing blue eyes.
A white-haired prince with bear-like bulk and honed muscles. Crown Prince Andre.
For some reason, his searing gaze held an unfathomable obsession.
"Your Highness! Why attack?! We're allies...!"
Thwack!
"The situation is urgent—explanations later, Princess."
Amid the chaos, Princess Anna tried intervening, but Crown Prince Andre knocked her out in an instant.
Blood trickling from my mouth, I rose. This wasn't a fight.
It was a one-sided massacre. Helpless refugees and exhausted soldiers from the forced march fell without resistance.
"Fuck! What the hell is this...?"
"We've rescued the princess! Execute the traitors who bewitched and abducted her!"
"...What?"
Traitors. The word I'd never imagined spilled from Crown Prince Andre's lips.
Traitors? Me? After all I'd done to save people and slay foes?
No time for leisure. Securing the princess safely, he charged me.
Instinct reacted first—my jet-black greatsword blocked his blade.
But soon, blue energy flared from his sword like flames. Unmistakable aura.
Denser even than Valentis's. Meaning...
"Expert Advanced realm...?!"
Yes, only four—no, three now—in the kingdom at Expert Advanced. And one was Crown Prince Andre?!
Full focus might've let me hold, barely.
But how? Amid slaughter screams and hoofbeats, his judgment fell on my people.
And he was skilled enough to kill my distracted self easily.
Metal bit my neck. Even as my cleanly severed head hit the ground, I saw it.
The horrific sight of loyal soldiers and trusting citizens collapsing in blood-mud.
With that, I opened my eyes again. The blood-soaked carnage vanished, replaced by clear blue eyes.
"That's why I came myself. How could they just watch, with a royal like me here?"
At familiar words from Princess Anna, I couldn't help but laugh. How could I not?
Though forced, I'd pledged my life in loyalty... and this was the return? Traitor?
I met her clear blue eyes with my own blazing glare.
"Your Highness... it seems His Majesty and Crown Prince have already decided."
"...I can't deny it. But with me here, we can somehow..."
"Once decided, the outcome's fixed. No reinforcements. Instead, troops to execute traitors."
"No way. Even so—with me, a princess, and His Majesty's subjects here...?"
"Forgive my impertinence, but if all went rightly, war wouldn't have started."
My words stirred murmurs among the nobles. Some tried persuading me—no way His Majesty would.
Incredulity all around. Even I could scarcely believe it.
How could they? Yet one—only the princess—pondered deeply, then nodded.
"...Assume you're right. What now?"
"You're not returning?"
"If so, the kingdom's made an irreversible choice. Better a hundredfold to stand with you than hide behind royals."
Her resolute words forced me to acknowledge her.
No jest. She'd truly risked her life to come here.
I raced my thoughts. Armies thrive on speed—delay decisions, and they crumble.
Past experience taught me that clearly.
"Any suitable spot nearby to fortify?"
"A village two days' walk away. Near the capital, so most folk fled to the castle."
"Then Your Highness, go there with them."
"And you...?"
Cavalry's greatest strength is speed.
Overwhelming infantry, they close or widen gaps instantly.
Let alone evading pursuit with over 100,000 refugees.
I'd experienced and used it. Someone must buy time.
"I'll hold the bridge alone."
Half-forced, now I turn my blade on the kingdom I'd guarded.
Reason unknown... but now, it felt possible.