Chapter 14
BACKTICKCHAPTER_TITLE: The Graveyard of Regrets
p>A hearty, booming laugh echoed through the castle.p>The man with the snow-white hair combed neatly back to hide his advanced age was Walter Martinez, the commander of Rotinzel’s navy.p>As if he owned the captured fortress of Plamont, he sat in the finest room, puffing on a cigar with a satisfied grin, while reading a single document.p>A young knight entered the room, drawn by the sound of that laughter.p>“Is there good news, perhaps, my lord Martinez?”p>“Ah, you’re right. A letter arrived from Aaron as he advanced on the capital. Would you like to read it?”p>Walter handed the document he had been reading to his vice-commander Hereis Aden.p>Aden read it carefully and his eyes widened in shock.p>“Safe arrival in Roire. The king and all his people have fled the capital. Nicholas’s forces were ambushed while entering the fortress… Is this even possible?”p>“The king fleeing the capital is one thing, but burning the entire fortress to deny it to us? That’s quite entertaining.”p>“Westeria and Ozyndent must be beside themselves with panic.”p>“Exactly. That’s what makes it amusing. Those two were riding too high on victory. They should taste defeat once in a while.”p>“I understand your regret over not leading the army, but if you enjoy your enemies’ losses so much…”p>“One never knows whether someone might be listening in and reporting to His Majesty.”p>“Ah, what of it?”p>Walter set aside his half-smoked cigar, brought his teapot forward, and poured himself a cup.p>Currently, both Walter and Aden were operating their navy from the southeastern city of Plamont in Bluisol as their forward base.p>Delivering the supplies sent from the home country of Rotinzel to the occupied forces safely required a crucial role for the navy.p>If Bluisol’s army were to sever the sea lanes, Nicholas and Aaron’s land forces advancing on the capital might become isolated in the heart of enemy territory.p>However, no matter how important the navy was, seizing Bluisol’s land and capturing the king was far more rewarding.p>That was why many commanders vied for the position of army commander, and Walter, who lost the competition, found himself here now.p>He had no personal grudge against Nicholas and Aaron, yet the fact that their plans had fallen apart gave him genuine satisfaction.p>Walter savored the finest black tea slowly before continuing.p>“For a man favored by His Majesty like you, it must be hard to understand why we fight among ourselves for glory on the battlefield.”p>“I do want to leave my mark. For His Majesty’s sake.”p>Aden clenched his fists, his eyes shining with youthful passion.p>That was the fire of youth. Walter set his teacup down with a small chuckle.p>Aden was the knight Emperor Edward II held dearest, almost like a son.p>Building a relationship with this handsome young man who would soon hold power would surely benefit him.p>Walter, having calculated everything in his mind, slowly spoke.p>“Soon, I hear Leonard will arrive from the home country as support troops. When he does, I’ll arrange a transfer to the army for you.”p>“Thank you.”p>“However, until then, we must carry out our duties. Wouldn’t you agree?”p>“Of course!”p>Aden replied with eager fire.p>Walter pushed the teacup aside and spread a map on the table.p>“So, what is your plan for the future?”p>“First, we will clear the entire southern coast of Bluisol.”p>“You will head toward La Rochelle.”p>Aden traced the map with his finger, drawing the sea route.p>His finger halted at Bluisol’s southwesternmost and largest fiefdom, the blessed land of La Rochelle, fertile plains.p>“Any new information about that place?”p>“Currently, the La Rochelle estate has been inherited by Duke Mathias Flot Sujet La Rochelle for a year.”p>“A name I have never heard before.”p>“A young noble of twenty-four this year. The previous duke died suddenly, allowing his son to inherit the title far earlier than expected.”p>“A greenhorn.”p>Walter clicked his tongue.p>The La Rochelle family of Bluisol had been renowned for generations for their powerful navy.p>Like a small kingdom, they independently nurtured military strength without interference from the central court, protecting Bluisol’s seas.p>But no matter how well-trained the soldiers, a poor commander turned them into a rabble.p>The fleeting arrogance at the thought of facing the famous La Rochelle duke in Rotinzel vanished instantly.p>Aden added, “Age is not everything. I am only twenty-five.”p>“Even so, you trained through many battles versus a flower nurtured in a greenhouse. There is no comparison.”p>“Your recognition honors me.”p>“The reputation of the La Rochelle family ends here. The army led by a greenhorn is nothing to behold. We will finish quickly and bring all of Bluisol’s southern seas beneath our feet.”p>“Understood.”p>Aden bowed his head.p>Walter placed a small pin shaped like a ship on the map at a certain point.p>It was the waters off the island located midway between Plamont and La Rochelle.p>“Prepare to set sail. The date is two days from now, and the target is Jades Bay.”p>***p>The humid, chilling air suitable for a graveyard touched the skin.p>Charles’s statue, crafted with such delicate precision that it seemed made of stone, looked down at her with dignity.p>“Responsibility. So the old me avoided that and ran away?”p>Kneeling on the cold stone floor, Jeanne remained still for a long time.p>The statue before her seemed to ask, “Can you handle this sword?”p>“Did you want to tell me this, Your Majesty?”p>Jeanne lifted her head.p>“I will walk the path you have shown me.”p>Her resolute gaze, unshakable by anything, spoke of unyielding will.p>“However, I will not repeat the mistake of losing someone as precious as you.”p>In her first life, she had only lost much.p>She would not repeat the foolish act of missing the opportunity to change the future granted by regression.p>Jeanne stood and caught her breath.p>She calmed herself and continued thinking calmly.p>‘It’s amazing. Everything I experienced was just an illusion.’p>Compared to the era when Charlemagne lived, technology and science had advanced greatly, but magic was an exception.p>Instead, magic had grown more real with the passage of time.p>At this point, even the greatest mages in the kingdom could barely conjure a tiny fireball; perfect illusion magic was impossible to experience.p>Jeanne marveled at the ancient magic.p>Then, a beat late, her thoughts turned to the sword in her hand.p>“This is Joyeuse.”p>The hilt fit her hand perfectly, as if the blade had been forged just for her from the beginning.p>She loved its razor edge that could slice through air, and the lack of cumbersome decorations.p>However, Joyeuse’s value was not only in its superb craftsmanship.p>In this sword, in this graveyard, lay the deep regret of the king who had become monarch yet failed to protect those he treasured.p>A feeling no one could ever see, one she would never forget. That profound regret had been preserved in this space by the special properties of ancient magic, remaining in Joyeuse.p>Jeanne looked up at the statue and found a rosary hanging from its neck.p>She stepped forward.p>‘This is… Laurent’s… ’p>A red gem embedded in the center of the cross emitted an eerie light.p>It looked like the clean blood of a living creature surging forth.p>“So that was it. Indeed, Your Majesty, you were not just trying to protect the sword, were you?”p>The necklace Laurent had worn until the end. The sacred relic imbued with his faith that scorned sacrifice and devotion. Charles must have wanted to protect that faith.p>Jeanne carefully took up the rosary.p>The stone corridor echoed.p>Hearing footsteps from behind, Jeanne turned her head.p>“Hurry out!”p>Fabian, who should have been guarding from above, had somehow entered this room and shouted urgently.p>“Why did you come so quickly?”p>“Her Highness entered and it has already been two days.”p>“Umm…”p>Jeanne let out a soft groan.p>While she had been grappling with Charles’s memories, quite a bit of time had passed outside.p>During that time, the enemy had come here to plunder.p>Every second mattered. Facing the enemy inside the graveyard was the worst situation.p>Finally looking up at the statue that resembled the Great King, she said,p>“I will definitely protect this country.”p>Fabian gestured for her to come out the entrance. She hung the rosary around her neck and dashed outside.p>Jeanne and Fabian hastily left the royal tomb to avoid encountering the enemy.p>The northwest half of Roire was filled with forest.p>The north served mainly as the royal hunting grounds, while the west remained open for public use as shared lands for the people.p>The forest’s boundaries had been set that way because the royal tomb of Charlemagne was located deep in the western forest, and to keep the tomb near the people while also having no hunting grounds for entertainment before it.p>Emerging from the royal tomb, Jeanne moved through the forest to reach the place she had promised to meet Divine, reducing the risk of running into enemy scouts.p>Watching Jeanne from behind, Fabian was secretly surprised.p>‘How did she do this… She seems as if she has experienced everything.’p>Swordsmanship could grow rapidly through sudden insights, but erasing traces while moving through the forest was impossible without absolute experience.p>Yet every action of Jeanne’s was that of a seasoned soldier.p>After walking a long time, they came upon a low stockade in a small clearing deep in the forest.p>“Still, there were people left behind?”p>Concern crept between Jeanne’s brows.p>Rotinzel’s troops had set up camp and were staying in the very near area. Jeanne worried about those who had not fled even though they knew the enemy had invaded.p>Squeak. Squeak.p>Only the sound of footsteps on dry ground echoed in the quiet.p>Jeanne headed toward the village deep in the forest, lost in various thoughts.p>‘Why are people living in such a remote place?’p>Leaving behind a much better city and choosing to live in the forest was something her common sense could not understand.p>Before long, they arrived at the village.p>The stockade she saw up close looked so makeshift that it seemed hurriedly built.p>It was made by loosely weaving together logs gathered for firewood; it was questionable whether it could even block wild animals.p>In front of it, four young children under ten were playing by stacking stones.p>Fabian told Jeanne, “I will go first.”p>It was only natural for the escort knight to enter a strange place first.p>He strode toward the village.p>“Huh?”p>The children playing suddenly sensed movement coming toward them and looked up.p>“Waaaah!”p>“Kyaaah!”p>As if seeing a ghost, the children abandoned their stones and screamed as they fled the moment Fabian approached.p>Even considering Fabian’s frightening appearance to the children, the reaction was excessive. Jeanne’s suspicion deepened.p>Thud!p>A single arrow flew in and stuck in front of Fabian’s foot.