Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Loyalty Secured and War Declared
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Having received Lutger's oath of loyalty, I decided to tell him about Estelle's illness.
"I don't know the name of the disease, but I do know what it is."
"What the hell is it? The true nature of this hateful disease that's tormenting my daughter!"
"It's a hereditary disease that occurs in mixed-blood humans and elves."
That's what Als said in the game.
"Elves...?"
"Probably one of your wife's ancestors had elven blood mixed in. It diluted over generations until it meant nothing, but unfortunately, it caused problems in your daughter's generation."
"No way.... Is there a way to treat it?"
"Not yet."
The game mentioned two types of medicine.
The first was the ointment I'd prepared. The second was a decoction for curing the disease, where the herbs for the ointment were briefly mentioned, but the decoction recipe wasn't detailed.
"But I have a lead."
Als had learned of the treatment in the northeast of the continent. The northeast of the continent—that was where the Kurabel Holy Kingdom had been.
"I have a genuine half-elf from the Kurabel Holy Kingdom under my command."
A while ago, I'd asked Eo about it.
—An allergic reaction that occurs in mixed human-elf blood?
She didn't know what an allergy was, so I had to explain step by step.
Eo tilted her head a few times, then clapped her hands.
—Come to think of it, when His Holiness and the young master were little, they strictly warned me never to touch certain things.
—What things?
—I can't remember. It was the only time I was warned.
—I see. So it doesn't flare up after a certain age....
That confirmed it. At least the Kurabel Holy Kingdom knew about this disease.
So when Eo said she wanted to see how the people from the Kurabel Holy Kingdom lived this time, I'd asked her for one more thing.
To bring back someone who knew about this disease.
"She's currently in contact with people from the Kurabel Holy Kingdom, so I'll ask her about this too."
"Hmm, strictly speaking, you might not find a cure."
"Heh, regretting the oath of loyalty now?"
"No way. Just knowing the nature of the disease makes you my benefactor. I'm simply accepting that my daughter might have to live out her remaining days in her current state."
"Well, don't worry too much. We'll definitely find a cure."
Since they'd figured it out by the game's five-year point, it should be easier now.
"I hope so. Anyway, how should we stay in touch going forward? If it means separating from my daughter, I'll be quite disappointed."
"No need for that. I'm planning to stay in Rainpole for a while. Get a mansion in Rainpole and live there. I'll visit whenever treatment is needed."
"Oh, that's fortunate."
"But not those two."
"Those two?"
"George and Ings, right? Send them back."
I decided to add one more condition to Lutger.
Cut off all previous connections. This was to guard against any potential third-party links.
Send back not just Albad, but even the attendants George and Ings, and have no further relations.
It was a fairly tough condition, but Lutger accepted readily.
"Once I'm under your command, turning my back on Albad is the natural step. George and Ings would be better off free from the Rosenberg shackles to walk their own paths. It's not difficult. Then I'll need new servants to care for my daughter."
"...I'll handle that. We need someone to monitor the disease's progress anyway."
"I see. Thank you."
Lutger didn't seem like the type to betray.
'He doesn't strike me as someone harboring hidden agendas.'
I'd keep an eye on Lutger for a while.
After finishing up, I returned to Libel and informed my parents of the move to Rainpole.
The Ilrain family's territory of Libel was in a poor location.
Being in the southwest, it could face direct threats if Albad, Byurang, and Caliper invaded.
That made Rainpole, in the northeast of Caliper, ideal. Especially now with our solid Crossing connections.
But Father shook his head.
"I need to stay with Max until he settles in. The boy thought he was ready, but he's all over the place."
"If that's the case, no helping it. Then I'll stay at Julia Academy for a while too...."
"No, you go to Rainpole."
"Pardon?"
"While you were in Crossing, the domestic situation changed again. I don't know details as a low noble, but the atmosphere feels off. You might get caught up if you stay in Helian Duke's Julia territory, so head to Rainpole first."
"An ominous atmosphere...."
I wondered what the reason could be.
With Helian and Salleon factions reconciled, the only changes would be friction with other nations.
'Was the Chimera War supposed to start this spring?'
That would make sense, but info gathered in Crossing showed no such movements from the main Chimera War nations.
'There must be another reason I don't know.'
I'd learn the reason for the unrest in Caliper Kingdom soon enough.
*
*
*
Transferring to Rainpole Intermediate Academy, I drew major attention from day one.
Post-alliance, Crossing and Caliper students took joint classes here, but notably, there were almost no nobles.
Crossing had no noble system to begin with, and Caliper had only four nobles.
So even a low noble like me stood out.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Als Ilrain, aspiring cadet officer. Looking forward to it."
Subtle gazes poured from everywhere.
It was the usual scene, so I ignored it lightly and sat in the seat the teacher pointed to.
'Always such a hassle.'
Honestly, I wanted to quit the academy, but to follow the story, I had no choice.
I needed to advance to the upper academy to meet the protagonist.
'No signs of Als becoming a traitor yet.'
If game Als was truly a traitor, there should be some signal for me now.
The Crossing connection might be it, but I had no intention of betraying the protagonist.
So for now, I'd follow the story to meet him.
But if Als was truly hostile to the protagonist, things would change. I'd have to forge my own path then.
'No signs yet, so fortunately the Chimera War isn't this spring.'
I rested my chin on my hand and gazed out the window. The spring breeze carried scents.
Lately sleep-deprived, drowsiness crept up unexpectedly.
"Kyaa!"
A shrill scream pierced my ears.
The classroom buzzed.
"C-Calm down!"
The teacher tried to soothe the students awkwardly.
The reason was simple. Another transfer student entering after me.
"Along with Ilrain, welcome Estelle Diane to Rainpole Intermediate Academy. Estelle, please introduce yourself."
"I'm Estelle... Diane. Diane is my mother's surname. P-Please take care of me."
By her side was Ymir, whom I'd assigned.
"I'm Remiu, in charge of nursing Estelle. Please treat me as if I don't exist."
Ymir glanced my way slyly, so I grinned back.
'And....'
Lutger had made a bold choice.
Accounting for the chance the disease wouldn't be cured, he'd thrust Estelle out into the world right away. Like forcing her to get used to living like this.
Harsh, but understandable. She couldn't rely on others forever.
Lutger himself might die someday.
"As you've heard, Estelle has a chronic condition. Please understand deeply."
But understanding has limits. As the teacher tried to assign a seat, everyone avoided it. Front-row kids recoiled from the odd stench.
'It's much better than before, though.'
Even my battle-hardened master had been shocked, so kids accepting it was tough.
The teacher floundered, then brightened at me.
"Right! Fellow transfers can sit together."
My corner window seat was perfect for exiling Estelle.
Estelle sat beside me with a dark expression, then peeked at me.
"Nice to meet you. Als Ilrain. Let's get along."
"Y-Yes...?"
Her face said why no disgust.
"It's because you're sick, right? Can't be helped."
Knowing this was much improved, I could endure the smell.
'Besides.'
In the game, she'd taken her own life. She must have been cornered mentally. Probably still was.
That's why I'd ousted the unhelpful George and Ings, assigning Ymir as dedicated nurse.
'What can I do? I'll be her buddy since I'm close.'
Estelle replied a beat late.
"P-Please take care of me, Ilrain... sir."
"Just call me Als. I'll call you Estelle."
"Y-Yes...!"
So I'd focus on academy life quietly for now, but that night, shocking news arrived.
The reason Caliper's internal situation was unstable.
It reached my ears swiftly.
*
*
*
Back at the academy lodging, hearing the news, I doubted my ears.
"...What? Did I hear wrong?"
Anton, bringing info from Crossing, spoke.
"You heard right. Caliper Kingdom has declared war on Albad Kingdom and is assembling troops."
"So that's the ominous air Father mentioned...."
Caliper aiming blades at Albad.
The flow made sense.
Because of Crossing's Three Lions War.
Crossing had faced Bekavia and Albad simultaneously, clinching a splendid victory.
Bekavia took a blow shaking its foundations, Albad a non-trivial hit.
Caliper, preserving full strength, naturally eyed opportunities.
—If Crossing did it, why not us?
Arrogant thinking.
But not mere hubris. Rationally, now was ideal to invade Albad.
Seemed wise at a glance. But big problem.
"Anton, isn't this a time Crossing can't send reinforcements?"
"Yes. Post-Three Lions War, forces disbanded temporarily, and with planting season, gathering troops anew takes at least two months."
In other words, ally Crossing couldn't dispatch forces.
Making it a one-on-one between Caliper and Albad.
"Not a bad choice."
Master said.
"Caliper won't get Crossing aid, but neither will Albad. Bekavia lacks capacity to send troops."
"Yes, Albad's war-weary too, so objectively Caliper has the edge. But defeat spells huge trouble."
"Trouble?"
"It could domino into reversal."
"Domino?"
"Have to explain that first. Simply, defeat hits Caliper harder. Victory gains little."
I spread the war map and explained to Master.
"If Caliper loses, Albad counterattacks immediately, knowing ally Crossing lacks spare forces."
"...!"
"Plus, Bekavia would scramble troops to retake lost Carrington Plains, ensuring Crossing can't help."
Caliper would face dire crisis.
"Albad would then pull in other nations to smash Caliper."
Victory: tangible gains. Defeat: possible national ruin.
What was this if not a bad move?
"Then we must stop it."
"I lack that influence. Ally Crossing should. What do you think, Anton?"
Anton shook his head apologetically.
"Lord Juras found it intriguing and satisfactory."
"That damn madman...!"
Parain King would watch too. Caliper baring conquest ambitions suited him.
"Whew! Guess I have to move...."
If Albad counterattacked, our Libel territory fell in direct risk, so I'd handle what I could reach.