Chapter 128
Chapter 128
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 128
Chapter Title: Stalemate and Realization
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The two sides, now locked in combat, had reached a stalemate by the time I returned from collecting the wounded and the dead and resumed command.
General Altiore had pulled back the troops for the moment, putting distance between us and the enemy.
Casualties from the clash were light on both sides.
Our army had lost around three thousand, while the enemy had suffered about four thousand.
Most of our casualties had come from the right wing.
"Ilrain General, orders to pull the forces back further!"
"...I see. Understood."
Altiore was well aware that the fiercest fighting had taken place on our right wing.
That was why he intended to make that the end of the battle.
As we withdrew our forces, Vulran began collecting their dead.
There was some distance, but their cries still reached my ears.
"Sister──!"
It was Tena sobbing as she clutched Lina's head.
Riser's body was also being retrieved by the protagonist.
Once Vulran had gathered all their dead, they slowly began preparations to retreat.
With the West and Svenner advancing on them, they had no time to dawdle.
As they started their retreat, our army leisurely pursued, reclaiming the territory we had yielded to Vulran.
'Not bad at all.'
Altiore definitely had a seasoned edge compared to Dunan.
He had a knack for grasping and exploiting the situation. That was how he could take control of the battlefield like this.
The march ended at Ulkan, a small city near the southwestern border.
After recapturing Ulkan, we entered the city amid the cheers of the citizens.
Once I had settled the soldiers into their quarters, I gave my aides some rest and headed to the administrative office in Ulkan, where an emergency military council was underway.
The meeting was discussing our next moves.
One officer made a suggestion.
"Vulran is in dire straits right now. If we keep pressing them, couldn't we seize territory all the way to the border?"
"Hmm."
Altiore nodded with a groan, seeming to find merit in it. Then he turned to Duke Helian.
"Regnat, this could become a diplomatic issue, couldn't it?"
"Indeed. We'd be advancing into enemy territory. It wouldn't just be a matter between Vulran and us anymore. Albad Kingdom... would likely protest."
Albad Kingdom was currently condemning the West and Svenner's invasion, having begun marching toward Svenner via Europhe.
Their interests aligned with Vulran's.
"If they end up forming an alliance with Vulran, it'll be a headache. Albad is already trying to ally with Europhe."
In that case, the continental balance would narrow to three major powers.
The western alliance of the West, Svenner, and Tunkai. The central alliance of Albad, Vulran, and Europhe.
And the eastern alliance of Bekavia, Calipher, and Crossing.
"Ilrain, what do you think?"
Altiore turned the question to me.
I was exhausted and wished he'd treat me like I wasn't there... but apparently, I had become a figure to watch after this war.
"As Duke Helian says, a central alliance would be detrimental to us."
"And that means?"
"If the western and central alliances sign a ceasefire later, the central alliance would likely turn their combined might on our east. It would put us in a tough spot. Bekavia's combat strength in our alliance is essentially nonexistent."
Should a central alliance form, the power balance would tilt central > western > eastern.
"So, the western alliance would seek a ceasefire and bow out once the central alliance solidifies."
"And then the central alliance targets us."
"Yes. So I think it's best to avoid giving them any pretext for an alliance."
"Hm. Does everyone agree?"
Altiore nodded and made the declaration.
"Until the diplomatic direction is set, our army will remain here for the time being! We don't know when the order to advance might come, so everyone stay sharp!"
─Yes, General!
The military council decided to monitor the situation.
I tried to head back to rest right away, but Altiore held me back.
"Ilrain, care for a quick chat?"
"A chat, sir...?"
"Oh, nothing serious. I just want to talk casually. So, you're still on good terms with my granddaughter?"
As expected of Gilbert Salleon's father. He had considerable political savvy himself.
Though he seemed less calculating than Gilbert.
"Fate works in mysterious ways. The baron's son who protected my granddaughter back then is a general now. So, when's the wedding? I'd like to see a great-grandchild before I go."
"Haha...."
It was so blatant that I couldn't help laughing.
Duke Helian, on the other hand, seemed irked by the overtness.
"Duke Altiore, apologies, but we had prior arrangements regarding General Ilrain."
"...."
The two locked eyes steadily.
Altiore spoke first.
"Regnat, do you have a marriageable daughter?"
"...No."
"Hah, I see. Well, if there's a prior arrangement, nothing to be done."
Altiore smiled leisurely, having confirmed his house's superior position.
Always going on about marriage, marriage.
Even I was starting to get fed up.
*
*
*
After the council, I headed to my assigned lodging.
My quarters were the mansion of a noble who had fled the war.
All my aides were gathered there.
Upon returning to the mansion, a delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen—Eo must have been preparing dinner.
"You're back!"
Eo came out to greet me, wearing an apron. Thanks to the tracking spell on me, she always arrived first.
"Smells good."
"Yes! I was making the meat stew you like, Als sir. Just a bit longer."
"Got it. I'll rest in my room—call me when it's ready."
Eo seemed to have regained her energy, which was a relief. I headed to my room on the second floor.
Ymir was making the bed.
"Young master, you're back."
"...."
Perfect timing.
"Ymir, mind if I ask a favor?"
"Yes...?"
I sat Ymir on the edge of the bed, lay down, and rested my head on her lap.
"Whew! Finally, I can breathe."
"Heehee."
Ymir smiled softly and stroked my hair.
What was this? It felt like a habit from Als's memories, not mine.
As a child, Als had always chased after Ymir to play.
Ymir would smile warmly, swishing her tail as if to say "catch me," and Als would dash around the mansion trying to grab it.
Then, when tired, he'd fall asleep on her lap just like this.
Those memories lingered in me now.
After possessing Als's body at age twelve, I'd been too embarrassed to do it often, but on tiring, headache-filled days like today, his memories tugged at me, and I'd indulge now and then.
"Whew...!"
Lying here on Ymir's lap soothed my mind. The throbbing headache faded away.
I turned, burying my face toward her belly. The fabric of her clothes tickled my face pleasantly.
Naturally, I brought my right hand to her tail. Another habit of Als's.
Pat! I'd cover the tail with my palm.
Swish! Ymir would pull it away and lay it on the back of my hand.
Pat! I'd cover it again, and swish! She'd pull it away and place it back.
The pointless, embarrassing play repeated.
"You must be really tired today."
"A bit."
I hesitated, then decided to bring it up.
"Ymir, remember that guy who talked to me about justice and judgment?"
"I didn't see him clearly from afar, but I vaguely recall."
"That was Arios Almain."
"...."
Ymir fell silent, then...
"...Really?"
"Yeah. Juras said so."
My game knowledge backed it up too.
"You didn't recognize him?"
"Well, the Arios young master I knew was three years old. I could spot traces if I observed closely, but..."
"True, it'd be hard to tell."
"Even if we talked, he was only three, so he wouldn't remember someone like me. And as Lizna's servant, I didn't interact much with Lady Yufemia or young master Arios."
Since I'd started, I had to ask.
"Hey, Ymir. Hypothetically. If Arios tried to kill me, what would you do?"
"I'd kill young master Arios first."
Instant answer.
"I see."
It made sense that Ymir's failed assassination attempt on the protagonist in the game stemmed from this context.
After that, we continued the tail chase in silence.
Twenty minutes later.
A knock, and Eo peeked in.
"Als sir, dinner's ready... Huh!?"
Eo gaped at us in the lap pillow position.
"Yeah, already done? I thought stew would take longer. Alrighty!"
I sat up and headed to the door. Eo was still stunned.
"Ah, Als sir, th-this is...?"
"What is?"
"N-no, you and Ymir, like that..."
"Oh, right, first time seeing it? I do this sometimes when tired. Haha, embarrassing, huh."
"Th-then I, I, I, me too..."
"Hm?"
"N-nothing!"
Eo fled down the stairs.
Ymir said she'd tidy the bed and come, so I headed to the dining room alone.
*
*
*
Meanwhile, in Vulran's camp, hastily retreating.
Prince Eldric's face had gone pale white as he finally received the detailed report.
"Dalmore betrayed us...?"
Eldric couldn't accept reality. Soon, he lost strength and fell from his horse.
"Prince!"
"Q-quick, get the medic...!"
Eldric gritted his teeth. Then, with a voice like it was dragged from hell, he screamed.
"You bastard... you bastard Juras! How long will you...!!"
He was convinced this was Juras's doing.
It was Juras's signature method.
He used everything in the world for his goals, discarding them once useless. He had no qualms sacrificing the few for the many.
Infiltrating spies was one of Juras's specialties among specialties.
The chilling part was how impossible it was to root them out. His methods were that cunning.
Eldric had never dreamed Dalmore was a spy, not even in his nightmares.
Unlike Cassius, they hadn't grown up together from childhood, and though from the West, Dalmore seemed trustworthy.
He thought he knew the man's character well. Yet...
"G-get out! All of you, out!"
In his panic, everyone around seemed like Juras's spies to Eldric.
Eldric thrashed in madness.
"Calm down!"
Slap! Cassius smacked both cheeks with his palms. The irreverent act made onlookers glare.
The shock therapy worked—Eldric's shaking pupils focused.
"Ahh... Cassius."
"Calmed down, sir?"
"Yes. Whew... I made a disgraceful show."
Cassius spoke to Eldric as aides helped him up.
"It's tragic, but we must stand. Think of Dalmore's betrayal as uncovered early. I'm just relieved he didn't target you, Prince."
"Lina and Riser's deaths... even Crans is dead!"
"We'll avenge them someday. Prince, justice is on our side! Justice doesn't lose! We are the judges! If we unite as one, victory is certain!"
Blazing eyes.
Meeting that gaze, Eldric felt uplifted.
"Yes, you're right. It's not over. This is just the beginning! We'll topple evil and build our nation! Absolutely!"
Als would have sneered at the hypocrisy.
But Eldric firmly believed they were the righteous ones.
And why not? Their foe was true evil—Juras.
Evil as the enemy meant they were justice. That was his conclusion.
Regaining composure thanks to Cassius, Eldric sorted the situation step by step.
"The one who turned Dalmore... that general. Als Ilrain, was it?"
"Tena said so. He shouted some strange code phrase, and Dalmore betrayed us."
"If he used Juras's spy, that means he's Crossing's puppet too."
This assumed the spy was from Crossing, but Eldric no longer doubted it.
"Pardon? A direct general of Calipher's royal family is Crossing's puppet...? From what I know, he even has independent operational authority."
"If Juras pulled out all stops, it's not hard. He's planted his limbs in Calipher's military core."
That explained Calipher suddenly promoting a cadet to second general.
"Juras rigged it. No doubt!"
Wrong on this point, but this false info led him to an unexpected truth.
Cassius nodded.
"I see. If he's a spy personally trained and raised by Juras Pamilion, that explains his abilities. This battle... and he took out Army Commander Christian Feltz last time too."
"..........................Ah?"
Eldric groaned in shock.
The word "trained" reminded him of another fact.
When he met Als back then.
Als wasn't trained by Juras—he was receiving butler training at Duke Salleon's house.
Would a key Crossing spy bother with butler training at Salleon?
To target Salleon? Plausible, but for infiltration, other methods were safer and more efficient than a rigorously vetted butler.
'And that bandit incident to kidnap Salleon's lady—was that all staged? No, then he'd have demanded her hand or to be her butler, throwing a fit.'
Instead, he took money as reward. Meaning no ulterior motive—just pure butler training.
Eldric felt a sticky unease about Als's actions. Too many oddities for a simple spy.
'Plus, he personally triggered Dalmore's betrayal.'
Spies usually betray at the final stage. Als activated that stage.
Meaning he had that much authority from Juras.
He doubted Juras would grant such power to a mere underling.
Als had to be one of Juras's top influencers and talents.
'Wait.'
That thought flashed a figure in Eldric's mind.
A freak warrior active sometimes in Crossing's army, sometimes Calipher's.
If that was Als? Everything fit.
Shattering Christian Feltz and wiping out the northern rally point.
Having capable subordinates to face Lina, Riser, and Crans at once. Using Dalmore's final code.
"...That's him."
"Pardon?"
Eldric trembled and shouted.
"He's the mercenary Wade!"