Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Erina's Plea
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Having heard the news from Juras, I couldn't just sit still.
‘If Albad launches a counteroffensive, Libel will immediately enter their range.’
What mattered was how much damage the Salleon forces would suffer. Even so, if around 10,000 of the 30,000 troops sent south managed to return alive, we could respond right away.
We could buy time alongside the 10,000 royal direct troops guarding the rear supply lines.
‘First, I need to talk with Duke Helian.’
After treating the abrasions from my spar with Juras and leaving the infirmary, Walak! Estelle, who had been waiting outside, threw herself into my arms.
“Als! Are you okay!?”
“Ah….”
Behind her stood Lutger. Having watched my match with Juras from the stands, he seemed to have figured out my identity—his face looked a full five years older.
He must have pieced it together when Ymir threw the dagger to protect me.
He looked like he had something to say to me, but I shook my head firmly, judging it nonsense to discuss here, and left.
“I thought you were seriously hurt, Als, and didn’t know what to do…!”
“I’m fine. It’s just some scrapes.”
To her, who thought the match happened because of her, seeing me get pummeled by Juras must have been heart-stopping.
‘Still stings a bit.’
Maybe because I took a punch loaded with aura head-on. Juras had held back, but it still hit hard.
‘Better rest a little now.’
For the moment, it was right to watch the battle’s outcome. How Caliper handled the initial response was most crucial.
I calmed Estelle, who refused to let go, and decided to wait for intel that day.
The information arrived around midnight.
I gathered my close aides and passed around the report. Lutger was among them.
Lutger stared at my face, still unable to believe it.
“You’re so young. Are you perhaps standing in for Wade?”
“No way. If I were just a stand-in, Eonia wouldn’t be fumbling around like that.”
Eonia, preparing snacks, was agonizing between taste and health.
I’d told her to make it as tasty as possible, while her boss Ymir ordered the healthiest snacks, so she was trying to find a middle ground.
“It makes sense why you wear the mask. Without it, no one would believe you’re Wade. You hid your face from me for that reason too, I suppose.”
“Who knows.”
I hadn’t revealed my face yet because I was still verifying Lutger.
I had surveillance on George and Ings, whom he’d sent back home.
If Lutger had ties to a third force, I figured he’d contact them through those two.
As for George and Ings, they were back in Albad, boozing it up and acting like thugs. Seemed the shock of being abandoned by Lutger hit hard.
‘Lutger seems trustworthy enough.’
At least for now, he wasn’t colluding with other factions.
That’s why I judged it safe to show my face.
“You personally looked after Estelle too. Thank you. Thanks to you, my daughter smiles more.”
“Good trend.”
“B-but that’s a different matter!”
“What matter?”
“Th-that… becoming lovers with Estelle…”
“Haha, no plans for that, so relax. If you’re wary of me, better watch the other guys. Once your daughter’s beauty shines through her illness, men will swarm her regardless.”
“Gasp! Is the academy like that?!”
“Everyone’s full of youthful vigor.”
Unlike Caliper’s academy, full of nobles, this one had hardly any, making it quite open.
“Anyway, shall we talk business?”
The results of the predawn battle.
Master Illya, reading the report, swallowed dryly.
“Unbelievable. Even in field battle… total annihilation!”
Caliper’s 30,000 troops had been ambushed and wiped out by Albad’s 3,000 guerrillas and Madon’s 23,000.
Over 10,000 soldiers captured, command captured entirely.
‘Even Gilbert Salleon taken?’
The Salleon faction’s head was nabbed. Huge incident.
I decided on quick measures.
“Ymir, go to Libel now and inform Father. If needed, prepare to evacuate the territory folk.”
“And Estelle? If you and I both leave, who knows what mischief she’ll face at the academy.”
“Hmm… Then take Estelle too. Call it a trip. You know the medicine recipe?”
“Yes, memorized.”
“Prepare and depart ASAP. Next, Anton. Crossing’s movements?”
Anton said it was tricky.
“Not sure if we can spare support for Caliper. As predicted, Bekavia’s mustering troops for Carrington Plains. Juras is forming 50,000 regulars to defend.”
“As expected, Crossing can’t conscript civilians either…”
With barren land, Crossing couldn’t waste farming season. Conscripting locals for war risked famine all year.
Carrington Plains occupation eased breathing room, but as a disputed zone, food networks weren’t set.
“Tell King Farain and Juras: if sending aid to Caliper, put me in command.”
“Yes!”
“And Master. Head to Caliper first, gather terrain maps and battle intel?”
Master nodded silently.
“Lutger, go with Master Illya for intel.”
“Hm, Albad intel, right.”
“Hard to point a blade at your homeland? If so, sit this war out.”
“No. I’m resolved. I’ll go.”
“Settled then. Move out.”
Thus decided.
“Ah, Als.”
Eonia eyed me anxiously, saying she wasn’t done yet.
“Eonia, bring more snacks. I’m hungry.”
“Ugh…”
She made a discarded puppy face.
“Haha, kidding. Don’t look like that. Pack my gear. We’re moving together.”
“Ah…! Yes!”
The battlefield shifted abruptly.
With that, various forces sprang into motion.
*
*
*
Next day at the academy.
Dropping the absence form, I drew odd stares.
Because of yesterday’s match with Juras.
Regular students thought I got one-sidedly beaten and paid no mind, but cadets were different.
Having gauged my spearmanship, they all eyed me warily.
Hubert avoided my gaze, sitting meekly—probably warned by his brother. Or Anton handled it.
“Als. Welcome.”
Estelle, seated first, greeted me with a wistful smile.
After morning classes, at lunch, she said,
“I’ll be going on a trip soon.”
“A trip?”
“Yes, to Caliper Kingdom. Means missing academy at least half a month. Don’t want to, but Father’s situation… Don’t worry, though. Remy too.”
“Funny coincidence. I’ve got reasons to take leave too.”
“Oh? Why….”
“Secret. But if lucky, might meet in Caliper.”
“Hehe, fateful then. Anyway, Als. Lunch in our usual garden?”
“Ah…. Not today.”
“Yes?”
Outside the classroom, a figure paced, drawing a crowd of students. She commanded attention.
Erina Salleon.
She’d come to Rainpole Academy.
“Als…!”
Spotting me, her face nearly burst into tears. Deep stress shadowed her eyes, concealed by makeup.
“Good grief. Impressive initiative. Didn’t expect…”
Faster than Duke Helian even.
“Shall we move? Eaten?”
“No…. No appetite.”
“Force it then. My bento’s plentiful today—share.”
I signaled Ymir, then escorted Erina away.
Beside Ymir, Estelle stared blankly at me, shocked.
Salleon head butler Joan, accompanying her, sighed.
“Miss Erina. You insisted on Rainpole at dawn—to meet Master Ilrain?”
Unaware I was Wade, he chided.
“I understand desperation makes you seek support, but it’s immature. Given the situation, you must act with dignity.”
“Quiet, Joan. I have my reasons. Now leave. Want to talk alone.”
“Sigh…. Master Ilrain. Please, no weird rumors.”
With Joan gone, alone in the garden, Erina cut to the chase.
“Als. You’ve heard, right?”
“Yes, probably more detail than you.”
“Then please! Help us!”
Tears welling, she begged. I was inwardly troubled.
‘Was joining anyway.’
Even without her ask, Helian’s offer—massive deal attached—would come.
Erina couldn’t bargain.
“Don’t you have Duke Altiore? Former Caliper Grand General. Have him return to the front.”
“Impossible now. Grandfather can’t deploy because Father’s captured.”
“Albad threaten to execute Gilbert if Altiore returns?”
“Yes, seems so from Albad holding Father.”
Salleons couldn’t move directly. De facto head captured.
So Erina grasped at straws, coming to me.
“Please. I’ll do anything I can…”
“Fine. I’ll help.”
“…Yes?”
Eyes wide, not expecting clean agreement.
“I’ll help. Can’t guarantee results, but I’ll do my utmost for your father’s release.”
“R-really? No offense, but I’ve nothing you’d want.”
“Hah, what would I want?”
“That’s…”
“Between you and me. This favor’s fine.”
Truth would void it. Conversation meaningless.
So sweet words for her. Victory reclaims Gilbert naturally.
‘Plus, I owe her.’
She kept my Wade identity secret. If blabbed, Salleons would hound me forever.
“Between you and me!? Wh-what are we?!”
“Friends, obviously. Now eat. Cheeks sunken. Here.”
Offering Eonia’s bento, she reluctantly took the fork.
That was it.
“Delicious!”
“Right?”
Eonia’s skill shone; ravenous Erina devoured the box.