Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Aspiring Grand General
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The prisoner camp set up in the Crossing army's encampment.
I was walking around the place with Anton.
I was an outsider, but no one gave us strange looks thanks to Anton being with me.
Anton examined the prisoner list handed over by Juras and explained each key figure one by one.
“This man is Mana Tolkins, a battalion commander of Europia's infantry. He's a noble.”
“Pass.”
“And this man... his name is Lebron Dames. He's a cavalry soldier, but apparently quite skilled in personal combat.”
“The name alone sounds like we'd be perfect pals.”
I took a casual interest, but he wasn't all that exceptional in skill.
“No standout talents catching my eye...”
“Can't be helped. My lord already has plenty of excellent people by his side. Ymir as well, and Gaspar and Lord Lutger too. My wife is the same.”
“And Eonia?”
“Lady Mirabel... somewhat. She's a bit off the mark, you could say.”
It felt like he was pointing out her typical sycophantic tendencies.
“Haha, don't say that to her face. You'll start a fight.”
There were no recruits that really drew me in. Most with even a hint of talent were nobles, making recruitment difficult, and sifting through commoner talents was practically impossible.
‘At least bringing back Prince Romello covered my costs.’
Still, it felt a bit lacking.
“No helping it. Let's head back.”
“Yes.”
That was when I turned to leave.
“Wait!”
A sharp voice pierced my eardrums.
“That gray helmet. You're Wade!”
“...?”
It was a boy dressed in ragged clothes.
He looked about two years younger than me. His voice was high-pitched, as if he'd just hit puberty. He had a sturdy build, but hadn't fully grown yet, so he wasn't big.
“Please! Release Uncle Bram and Uncle Rampart! Both of them have wives who just got pregnant!”
“Shut your mouth!”
The guards nearby threatened him, but he stared me down with stubborn eyes.
“No way! I'll make a huge fuss until you let those two go!”
“You insolent brat!”
Thwack! Thwack! The guards beat him soundly, using it as a chance to discipline the other prisoners too.
“Beat me all you want—just let those two go!”
He wouldn't back down.
Even as his face swelled up and his mouth bled profusely, his eyes didn't dim.
Intrigued, I signaled Anton with my eyes.
“Stop!”
At Anton's command, the guards scattered.
I approached the boy and spoke.
“Interesting kid. But do you know your own situation? You'll soon be a Crossing slave. Anyone who can't pay the price ends up that way. From the looks of it, you weren't well-off in Europia either. So what can you offer me in exchange for releasing those two? You wouldn't expect me to let them go just out of the goodness of my heart, would you?”
“I've got nothing right now! I'll pay it back later!”
“How?”
“By becoming a great general!”
“...What?”
He shouted boldly.
“I'm going to be a grand general someday!”
A stunned silence fell. Even the guards snorted in disbelief.
“Nice delusion.”
“What!”
“Then why's a grand guy like you locked up here?”
“Th-that's... because I tried to save the uncles...”
“If you were really grand general material, wouldn't you have saved them somehow? Then you wouldn't be caught and humiliated like this.”
“...I admit I'm not there yet. But give me a little time, and it'll change!”
“Anyone can talk big.”
As I turned away, he hung his head in despair.
The guards dragged him off and threw him into a narrow solitary cell.
I muttered casually.
“Anton, release the men he mentioned.”
“You don't need to heed that kid's words.”
“It's not that I'm swayed by him. Just... we have a pregnant woman waiting at home too, right? Similar situations, so I decided to show some mercy.”
“Ah...”
It must have hit home for Anton.
“Thank you for your consideration. We'll handle it that way.”
“Treat that kid too. If he dies from this, it'll just give me nightmares.”
“Yes, sir!”
Grand general, huh.
‘His spirit's admirable, but...’
In this world, for a mere commoner to become a grand general was like reaching for the stars.
I figured the kid was lucky if he just didn't starve to death, let alone that.
*
*
*
Bringing Prince Romello to my side had strategic value too.
Europia was fiercely attacking the Crossing forces to retrieve their prince, but once I took him back to the Galran Mountains, they ended up like dogs chasing a chicken.
Attacking where I was meant facing the fully fortified Galran Mountains, untouchable now.
Plus, unlike Crossing, famous for not executing prisoners, no one knew where I'd bolt to next, making the enemy cautious.
After much deliberation, Europia judged retrieving the prince impossible and withdrew their forces to the rear.
‘Finally, a breather.’
With Toonkai and Europia both pulling back, the front lines fell into stalemate.
My helmet was getting uncomfortable, so I had Anton wear the gray one as my double and decided to return as Als.
The unit I returned to welcomed me with Major Fudge's proud smile.
“You've worked hard, Als. Thanks to you, General Dunan could rest easy.”
“You too, Major Fudge.”
Fudge scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
“And that thing... you ordered promotions for me and Stina? You didn't have to go that far.”
“What are you talking about? You racked up huge merits in that retreat battle. It's only fair.”
“Heh, thanks.”
After unpacking in my tent, I wandered the camp aimlessly.
To observe things not visible when I was top commander.
That's when I ran into my peer, Banningss.
“Als! You're back! Leg injury all better?”
I'd excused my rear assignment as an injury, so no one questioned it.
Banningss, who'd talked to me before I left, knew it wasn't the leg, but played along—even if I'd fled in fear, he'd understand.
“All good. What's with the commotion?”
“Well... General Dunan's body is coming in.”
“Ah...”
Right, Toonkai had agreed to return Dunan's body. To curry favor with Caliper's diplomacy for future prisoner negotiations.
They returned other bodies respectfully too.
When they arrived, the army's mood sank heavily.
One soldier wailed before his comrade's body.
“What was the point of this damn war...!”
The alliance gained nothing from this war. Even the Chimera allies' gains were meager.
A hollow neither victory nor defeat.
With over 100,000 dead, nothing to show for it. Losing friends, comrades, family—for this emptiness. They cried out in rage.
Dorothy collapsed beside Dunan's ragged corpse.
“Why are you like this, Dad? Get up...!”
Cadets gathered around the sobbing Dorothy in silent tribute.
Duke Helian approached me as I watched quietly and muttered.
“War's a cruel beast. Win or lose, the shitty situation doesn't change. Especially this neither-win-nor-lose crap—worst of all.”
“...”
“That's why I left the military for politics. Thought I could prevent wars beforehand. Ended up the same. Damn it.”
I sensed something beyond self-interest in Helian.
Like the greater good I'd felt from King Paraine.
“But handing over the bodies now? Morale's tanking hard.”
“It's fine. If the enemy attacks, they'll fight like demons and repel them.”
A quiet rage enveloped the soldiers. Less fallen morale, more heightened.
“For now, sure. But if the stalemate drags, problems will arise. How long do you think this deadlock lasts?”
“At least a month. But battles on our front? Unlikely.”
“That's quite long. Alright, I'll prepare ways to boost morale.”
Helian's idea was simple.
Organize massive soldier visitations.
One week into the stalemate.
With deadlock, both sides began backchannel work on a ceasefire.
Deploying troops to border points for max territorial gain, spies clashing in shadows for intel.
The shadow war had begun in earnest.
Yet our camp buzzed with warmth.
Visit halls everywhere, people streaming in and out.
Our eastern-edge position made receiving Caliper visitors easy.
Under Duke Helian's lead, families and lovers visited, lifting the gloom.
I wanted a break too, but Europian spies might infiltrate visitors, so I prioritized watching Prince Romello.
I'd pushed visitations aside, but apparently I had visitors too.
Ymir whispered as she approached.
“Young master. Madam Claire and Lady Yulia have arrived.”
“Sheesh. I said they didn't need to come...”
Father and Max, knowing I was Wade, stayed away out of consideration. But Mother and Yulia, unaware, came.
Couldn't turn them away, so I had Anton double for me and headed to the noble visitation hall.
The hall was set up like a party venue. Invited musicians played, nobles danced in a small space.
High-end ingredients procured—food looked lavish.
“What? This kind of grub exists?”
Half my military life felt wasted.
Addicted to rations, I lunged for the table, but Yulia appeared.
“Little bro─!”
Behind Yulia waving were six girls.
Kids I knew from Rainpole, the ones who'd given me flowers before.
“Sis, we agreed to drop 'little bro.' Elsie's and Chelsea's the babies now, right?”
“I thought so too. But rethink it—you're the youngest brother. So little bro!”
“What kind of logic is that?”
“Hmph! Sister's privilege!”
I seated them and fetched food myself.
Their eyes sparkled at the sight.
For these commoner girls, rare delicacies maybe once a month—they shoveled nonstop.
Curious how good, I tried some, but compared to Eo's cooking, meh. Stopped quick.
“Haha... still the same here.”
“Sis?”
Yulia scanned around with a bittersweet smile, nostalgic.
“Regretting retirement?”
“Nah. Helping with estate stuff. Still... can't help feeling guilty. Like I ran away alone.”
“I joined the army instead.”
“True. If little bro replaced me, military's way better off.”
“So drop the little bro already.”
As we chatted warmly.
Yulia peeked over and whispered.
“But little bro. Why's she keep sneaking looks here?”
Erina, glancing our way nonstop. Here to visit Ruan Chase and Salleon faction cadets, itching to join us.
“Looks like highborn lady. Know her?”
“Met during butler training.”
“What? Geez. Little bro's charmed another one. Typical.”
“Charmed...?”
“You have! Why else stare so obviously?”
Yulia scolded.
“Told you—lifting legs everywhere leads to trouble. Friend of mine got stabbed for it. Sure, no intent from you... but that's worse!”
Yulia put on a stern face to drive it home, but Mother arrived, fresh from Fudge's visit.
“Yulia, what nonsense at a visitation. Anyway, go see Fudge.”
“Eek. Why me?”
“You're twins.”
“That's why I don't wanna.”
“No backtalk. He got promoted—congrats him.”
“Ugh, fine. Kids, let's go.”
Yulia left sulkily with the group.
Mother sighed at the sight.
“Twins, yet so unalike.”
“Yulia's got her charms. You're wandering alone? Get lost—what then? I'll assign Ymir.”
“No need to trouble her. But... she hasn't come yet?”
Mother looked around, searching for someone.
“Other guests?”
“Berial and Estelle came too. Estelle's from Crossing, so complicated procedures.”
“Huh? Wh-who?”
“Berial and Estelle.”
Berial made sense—her uncle, Mother's brother-in-law, was in the war. But Estelle?
“No way... she's definitely here for me.”
“Of course. Begged to come along.”
“Mother, my stomach suddenly—”
Too late.
The hall soon buzzed.