Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Welcoming the Prince
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Whoooosh.
Pure white snow fell endlessly from the sky.
Without a whisper of wind, the gently descending flakes would have painted a breathtaking scene straight out of a masterpiece.
But in the narrow gorge of the Dragon Mountains, they merged with the razor-sharp gusts, whipping into a blizzard that was nothing more than a cascade of pretty garbage to those trudging through it.
"Ugh! Cold, so cold. It's freezing."
"Unlike the central regions, the north is already deep in winter—I've told you that countless times, Your Highness. So why did you wear such thin clothes..."
"Damn it, who could've known it would be this brutally cold? Edirne doesn't get this merciless even in the dead of winter, let alone early winter!"
Prince Julius rebuked his knight while gazing at the Dragon Mountains, their massive presence unmasked even amid the storm.
"Seeing the Dragon Mountains means Banten territory isn't far off."
"The Count said he'd send men from the Kunt Plains to escort Your Highness, so it'll be about five more hours. The mountains look big, sure, but they're still a good distance away."
"If it's this cold here, how harsh must the Holy Empire be further north?"
"That's why they always eye the southern continent. Especially now—the rumors say the Third Imperial Princess has the greatest royal talent in the empire's history."
"Hm! These are the times when a kingdom must shore up its defenses."
"Count Carviot never lets his guard down even for a moment, so this land will hold firm."
"Truly, the Shield Family is reliable, silently guarding this unforgiving wasteland."
Prince Julius sniffed and praised the Shield Family, though he couldn't hide his concern.
"I just hope the Shield Family stays different from the Sword Family. The kingdom needs steadfast loyalists to protect it."
The knight who heard the prince smiled warmly.
The prince had been kind and bright since childhood. To the knight, whatever the Holy Empire's princess's talents, their own prince was no less.
'Please, Count. May the steadfast loyalty passed down through the kingdom's long history remain unchanged.'
Unlike the Sword Family, the knight fervently hoped the Shield Family would not waver.
The prince's party arrived at the Kunt Plains, shivering from the cold, as the sun dipped low.
A flag emblazoned with the golden turtle emblem of the Carviot family fluttered proudly.
Beneath it stood a group of knights in perfect formation, without a hint of disorder.
Their disciplined bearing and aura suggested they were no ordinary soldiers.
They radiated a presence that could rival even the royal knights—clearly among the count's elite.
As the prince's group approached slowly, a young man stepped forward.
He looked too young to be called a youth, yet too old for a boy.
If anything, he was a boy on the cusp of manhood.
'And this boy is leading the Shield Family's delegation?'
Julius instinctively knew the boy was a key member of the Carviot count's bloodline.
No one else his age would have the authority to command such elites.
'That must be Ares, the Shield Family's prized eldest son. Though he seems younger than the rumors suggested.'
While Julius silently confirmed the boy's identity, the youth dismounted, knelt gracefully, and spoke.
"You've had a long journey, Your Highness. I am Jerome von Carviot, third son of the Carviot count family, here to greet you. From now on, the Blizzard Knight Order under my command will escort you safely..."
Hearing Jerome's greeting, Julius muttered unwittingly at the unexpected name.
"...Jerome? The Shield Family's worm?"
The "worm" in question, Jerome, crumpled his face upon hearing the prince's soliloquy.
"Ahem, forgive me for the poor first impression. Your reputation precedes you... Seeing you in person, so different from the rumors, I was caught off guard and spoke carelessly. I hope you're not too offended."
"...Haha, it's fine, Your Highness. It was true, after all."
Prince, you bastard. I've seen your face now. I quietly downgraded my fondness for him inwardly.
Of course, Saladin, who'd come with me, was stifling explosive laughter beside me, but I ignored him. You too, bastard. I've seen your face.
'Up to here, it's as expected. Didn't think the prince would come personally, though.'
In the original history, unlike the Sword Family that seized Nile's grain, the royal family struggled with food supplies and couldn't properly aid their faction.
This let the Sword Family poach nobles from the royal faction bit by bit, until the royals lost all ground in the already lopsided fight.
Our family, starving, eventually reached out to the Sword Family.
Given our importance, they didn't threaten us with grain outright, but we couldn't stop their influence creeping north.
From then, the kingdom's fall was all but sealed—one family wielding food as a weapon over the entire realm.
But now, our family had taken the grain the Sword Family should have, so the royals coming to us was natural.
As a family loyal to the crown for generations, we were an asset they couldn't lose.
So their visit was anticipated, but I hadn't expected Father to order me to greet them after the magic communique three days ago.
"You go."
"Pardon?"
"What 'pardon'? Ares and Mersie have earned merits through countless missions. If you want to claim a spot as heir, earn your keep."
That was how I ended up here today, proving my worth.
"...Impressed by your foresight in stockpiling grain ahead of the famine."
"Hahaha, thank you. I just followed Father's orders."
I nodded along appropriately as the prince kept chatting, studying him.
First time seeing his face up close—second, technically—but first real conversation.
Of course, I already knew this prince.
How could I not?
If Ares and Mersie doomed the family in the past,
Prince Julius wrecked the kingdom.
After the kingdom burned, opinions on Julius split sharply.
Without the Sword Family's pressure or war,
He had the makings of a sage king.
But after the great famine, King Horn lost the power struggle outright, dying unfulfilled without enacting his policies.
Julius, warped by his father's pathetic end, twisted completely.
—This kingdom that mocked the king and made him a puppet must be destroyed.
When Holy Empire's Emperor Ibarella burned our family and marched on Edirne,
Julius appeared before her, bound by his own hands, kneeling voluntarily in front of the people.
I, barely escaping the burning family home to the capital, saw it clearly from the walls.
—I surrender. But can you grant just two requests from this man?
—Hm, daring to 'request' from me... Entertaining. Speak.
—First, take my head if you must, but spare the people. Second, that damned Sword Family... leave not a single root, tear them all apart.
Julius's requests caught even Ibarella off guard; she laughed maniacally.
—...Kekeke! Wow, what a riot! Asking me to wipe out your kingdom's noble house?
The empress, doubled over, soon nodded.
—Ha, you made me laugh hard. Fine, you've amused me, so I'll grant it. The people are mine anyway. The Sword Family... Hm, the three dukes said they're useful, but whatever. Granted. Plenty of talent around—no need to keep kingdom-biting vipers.
With the Holy Emperor's nod, the kingdom's famed Sword Family became ash under the monster empress's boots.
Thus, the glorious kingdom met its pathetic end.
Julius: blessed with sage-king qualities, yet branded a tyrant in history.
I wondered: which way was this prince's fate leaning now?
Toward a sage king to build a new future with, or...
"Ho, the whole city looks like a fortress."
The prince murmured in admiration at Banten's outer walls and moats.
"Hahaha, not quite the typical noble estate you're picturing, right?"
The prince nodded.
"Indeed. Seems even more defensible than Edirne's royal castle."
"Banten plugs the Holy Empire and Beast Forest—the kingdom's front line. If we fall, the capital and whole kingdom are at risk. That's why our territory has no teleportation circles. Even if we crumble, the capital needs time to prepare."
Time for a light test.
"Well, it might be inconvenient for someone used to the capital's comforts. Hahaha."
"Young Master Jerome, how dare you! Such insolence to His Highness!"
The knight with the prince bristled, but I focused on the prince.
If he snapped at childish provocation, he was hopeless.
We'd have to save ourselves coldly, letting the royals fall to the Sword Family.
I aimed to protect the kingdom's people and family—not some idiot king.
Well? Your move.
Unaware he toyed with his own destiny, Julius paused, then shook his head.
"You're right. Compared to national security, my comfort is trivial. For kingdom and people, a little hardship means nothing."
Gazing warmly, oblivious, he said,
"Guarding this harsh land so faithfully for so long. Truly, the Shield Family are the kingdom's loyalists. A top noble house, yet loyal to the realm, diligent in duty—this is the kingdom's fortune."
'Hm. Not rotten to the core yet.'
His eyes told me: no empty flattery.
This Julius wasn't the future king who never was. He was different now. Worth helping—a bit.
'Not for free, though.'
This was grain saved via family cultivation arts. Even loyalists don't give treasures away; Father wouldn't.
The prince must prove worthy. That's Father.
I spoke to Julius.
"Your Highness, you'll meet Father soon upon arrival."
"Ah, yes. Sorry to take time from the Count on such vital duties."
"One request."
Julius looked curious.
"Oh? Tell me, Young Master Jerome. Can't offend the Count. I'll listen."
"Think far, see far. Don't fixate on the near—view big-picture, and paths will open."
"...Thanks. I won't forget your advice."
He tilted his head at my cryptic words, then smiled.
Whether he grasped it or not, his response would shape his fate. Surely.
'Choose wisely.'
"Such a barren land hosts a noble guest. I hope that rascal served you well, Your Highness."
"Not at all, Count. Thanks to Young Master Jerome, we arrived without trouble."
The Shield Family, Father and I included, welcomed Julius warmly.
Father prepared a bath immediately upon inner castle arrival.
A courtesy: tidy up before dinner, respecting the prince's station after the hard trip.
After bathing with maids' help, Julius dressed and joined the late dinner.
Barren compared to the center, but the Carviot count was a top house.
Exotic dishes filled the table, but Julius ignored them.
Skipping pleasantries, he addressed Bacchus directly.
Or tried to.
"M-My lord! Big trouble!"
"What is it? With His Highness here—what embarrassment is this!"
The knight bursting in ignored Father's roar.
What was so urgent to report despite the prince?
"Hunters from the forest—they've appeared!"
The report was indeed time-critical.