Chapter 14
Chapter 14
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Rumors of the Kirin Child
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Albad Kingdom had launched a surprise raid on the western front.
The Caliper forces, caught in a pincer attack by Albad's Second Legion Commander Gillas Melbourne and Third Legion Commander Yussis Goldray, suffered the loss of key officers including General Morgan Rossi. However, thanks to the mercenaries' valor and the desperate efforts of a few officers, they managed to claim victory.
"—That's apparently the after-action report being submitted to the court."
My brother Ferge stated calmly.
"No way! There's nothing about this guy at all!?"
Infantry Commander Felix exploded in anger, pointing at me. He was due for a promotion after being recognized for his achievements in this battle.
"I'm fine, Felix."
I was actually relieved there was nothing about me.
"No, there is something about my little brother. Strictly speaking, it's not Als, though."
"Not me?"
"The mercenary Wade. He's being rated at the same level of achievement as Mercenary Captain Iliya. The military's offering a hefty bonus."
"Uh... That should go to Master Iliya instead."
Who would've thought Wade's identity would gain such fame?
'I can make good use of this.'
Until the protagonist's story kicked into high gear, I planned to lurk in the shadows, preparing for ruin. The Wade persona was perfect for that.
I asked Joshua and Felix to keep quiet about it.
They wondered why we'd turn down a path to success but nodded for now, saying they understood.
We were discussing the battle aftermath for a while when someone entered the tent, announcing their presence.
"Mind if I come in for a moment?"
It was Vice-Commander Ironheart.
As a key officer, he'd been gravely wounded in Gillas's arrow barrage but survived by quickly taking cover.
"Vice-Commander!"
"Are you alright!?"
Ferge and the other officers snapped to attention at his arrival.
Ironheart told them to relax and turned his gaze to me.
"You... Als Ilrain, right?"
He seemed to remember my blunt advice.
"The battle unfolded exactly as you predicted."
"What do you mean by 'as I predicted'?"
"What you bluntly warned about last night."
"Blunt advice? I don't recall doing anything like that, given my station."
Ironheart sighed and nodded at my feigned ignorance.
"You're covering for me like that? I appreciate it."
If word got out, Ironheart could lose his standing.
He'd be branded an incompetent officer who ignored accurate advice and endangered the entire army.
This was a win-win for both of us.
My identity as Als stayed out of the spotlight, and Ironheart preserved his reputation.
"Regarding that, there's a strange rumor circulating among the troops right now."
"A strange rumor...?"
"Yeah. They say a Kirin Child appeared in our army and saved us from crisis."
"..."
We'd kept it quiet, but some leak must've happened.
Felix and Joshua looked awkward, avoiding my eyes—clearly feeling guilty.
"And it seems various pieces of intel combined in a weird way. Put it all together, and it looks like one person was active in multiple places at once."
"Multiple places?"
"Simply put, achievements from several people got lumped onto one. Onto Milias's prodigy, Casper Milias."
The cadets from Julia Academy who'd come for training.
They'd played their parts in the predawn battle, mostly in support roles.
But Casper Milias was different.
"They say he commanded troops at the vanguard."
Of course, it wasn't some game-changing feat.
He just stood out, becoming a symbol of victory and scooping up all the credit and fame.
In the end, it felt like he'd stolen some of my achievements.
"He's going to be hailed as the Kirin Child from now on. You okay with that?"
"I have no idea what you've been talking about since earlier. I was just a coward trembling in the corner."
"Hah, a seasoned hawk hides its talons, huh? Fine. If that's what you want, I'll play along for now."
Ironheart shook his head with a wry smile and left.
I saw him off, then got to work on preparations for the full withdrawal.
*
*
*
With that incident, continuing the training was impossible.
It was the end of the training period anyway, so we cadets received orders to pack up early and head home.
I said goodbye to Yulia, who'd stayed to help with cleanup, Ferge, and Master Iliya, who was returning to mercenary HQ, then headed back to our territory in Libel.
The military had given us a generous travel stipend, so we planned to hire a good carriage in the nearest city.
But before that, Ymir showed up pulling a carriage—somehow knowing.
"Young Master. I heard from Lady Yulia and came to meet you."
"Thanks. You saved me the trouble."
Ymir smiled warmly and guided me to the carriage, but her face darkened when she saw the huge bruise on my temple.
"Young Master, this...?"
"A badge of honor."
"A head wound? Did you fight a battle risking your life!?"
"Honestly, if not for the helmet Mom gave me, it could've been bad. Who knew it'd really act as a charm."
Ymir bit her lip hard.
"That's why I didn't go with you—because that woman was there. And yet this happens...!"
"Don't blame Master Iliya too much. It was my mistake in the end."
"But...!"
Ymir declared with resolve.
"From now on, I'll serve at your side no matter what."
"Sure. You would've followed secretly anyway, even if I said no."
"..."
She was so overprotective.
Even in the game, Ymir acted solely for Als.
In the bond event with the protagonist, there was zero romance. It felt more like she lent her strength because Als was working with him, not out of loyalty to the protagonist.
Yet she wasn't one of the Seven Retainers for one reason.
'At the story's end, what she did suggests some hidden backstory.'
Even when I probed subtly, Ymir just tilted her head, saying she had no idea what I meant.
'Well, it'll come out eventually.'
Her issue would resolve naturally once I weeded out the traitor early, so I decided not to worry for now.
*
*
*
Back in Libel, I spent my days helping with Father's work again.
The kingdom was naturally abuzz. The king condemned Albad's sneak attack and formed an alliance with the neighboring Crossing Republic, including a defense pact, to respond.
Faced with a united front, Albad had no choice but to back down for now.
As nations entered a diplomatic standoff, things quieted temporarily.
Once the diplomacy settled, the court announced a western front victory banquet, celebrating the strategic alliance with Crossing.
"Ah, Als. This came for you."
Father, quite surprised, stammered as he handed me an invitation.
It was a court banquet invite sealed with the king's mark. Max and Miller gaped in shock.
For a baron's family on the frontier, a court banquet was the stuff of dreams.
"I'd rather not go..."
"What are you saying, Als? Do you know how great an honor this is!?"
Max yelled, veins bulging.
He'd been hopping parties for marriage prospects and had been hyped about the court banquet.
"You have to go! Just attending elevates our house's prestige!"
"Are Ferge and Yulia going too?"
Father nodded ambiguously.
"Yulia didn't get an invite. Ferge did, apparently."
Invites depended on achievements.
"Then isn't it weird I got one?"
My public achievements were basically zero.
There was another reason.
"They say all noble cadets who fought in that battle are invited. They see you as future talent."
"Then I won't stand out much."
Aside from Casper and the Herald count's kid, the rest would just fill seats.
"Fine then. I'll go."
It'd be fun seeing the game characters at the party.
Mother smiled proudly.
"We prepared a tailcoat for your coming-of-age, but no helping it. Ymir, bring that suit?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
With the court banquet decided, I spent the next while in etiquette lessons.
*
*
*
In the capital for the banquet, I wandered the city with Ferge.
Alpenserd, the capital boasting 1.1 million residents.
Even the palace district alone had 200,000, making it one of the continent's top ten metropolises.
'Definitely way too crowded...'
This world had unusually high population for its era.
Like a mix of medieval and early modern, yet mid-sized nations could field 200,000 troops. It was odd.
In the game, I chalked it up to inflated numbers for fun, but reality matched.
The reason was simple.
An uncannily advanced medical system.
Magic was essentially gone from this world. Legends said gods' strife thousands of years ago sealed it away.
Some magic lingered: lights for night and holy magic for wounds. Holy magic was especially potent.
As long as you weren't pulverized or missing limbs, given time, most external injuries healed.
Herbal medicine advanced alongside, handling diseases well.
This population boom put the continent's estimated pop at 50 million.
Medieval Europe peaked at around 70 million, but on a landmass one-third the size—twice the density.
"Als, what're you doing? I get you're excited about the capital, but spacing out will get you lost."
Ferge chuckled fondly.
"Come on. Better hurry. Prep'll take at least an hour."
"Yes, brother."
We arrived at what seemed a salon for nobles, where we'd booked styling.
The owner, a woman who lit up at the sight of me, introduced herself as Tiote.
"Oh my, a fine specimen after so long?"
She showed keen interest.
"Leave it to me. I'll make you the party's star in one go."
Ferge cautioned her enthusiasm.
"We're soldiers. Nothing too flashy."
"What a shame. Could you show me the outfit you brought? I'll style around it."
I handed over the tailcoat from my parents.
Tiote got inspired, sat me down, and bustled about.
Not into styling, I gazed out the window.
'Quite the commotion.'
Palace banquets usually evoked images of squeezing the commoners, but this seemed a virtuous cycle.
The city buzzed festively, boosting commerce.
"Done!"
Her OK sign prompted a mirror check—quite aristocratic now.
Ferge, meanwhile, had his hair slicked back neatly, screaming soldier.
We changed into tailcoats and headed for the prepped carriage to the palace.
Even en route, eyes followed us.
Soon, an eight-year-old girl dashed up, thrusting flowers at me.
"Take these!"
"Thanks. Pretty flowers."
"Ehehe."
She beamed and ran to her sister, who eyed her enviously.
"Jeez."
Ferge sighed in exasperation.
"If half that popularity went to Max, it'd be great."
"Why Max out of nowhere?"
"Max can't marry, so Miller and I can't bring up prospects. We're ready anytime..."
"You seeing someone, brother?"
"A cadet classmate. Daughter of another baron's house. Might meet her if you join the military later."
"Meeting for betrothal first would be best."
"Hah, wouldn't that be nice."
Chatting with Ferge, we soon reached the carriage spot.