Chapter 82
Chapter 82
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Invasion of Bekavia
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The continental situation had entered a lull following the Chimera War.
People predicted that at the very least, no new wars would break out this year.
Unless Bullang lashed out at Svenner in a fit of rage, there was no real pretext for war.
Even if one did erupt, they figured it would be limited to small-scale local skirmishes.
But then, something happened that completely upended those expectations.
The Western tribes began marching toward Bekavia, passing through Svenner and Tunkai.
Their force numbered 130,000. On top of that, Tunkai—eager for a share of the spoils—had formed a temporary alliance with the West and joined the invasion with 60,000 troops.
A total of 190,000 soldiers. For Bekavia, which had been on the road to ruin, it was an overwhelming army they could scarcely hold off.
The topic had become a hot issue at our academy too.
"The barbarians are invading Bekavia!"
"Wild savages pouring into the continent..."
The cadets seemed frightened by this massive war erupting just over a month after the Chimera War's end, but since it didn't directly concern them, they soon regained their smirks.
They joked with Casper.
"Bekavia must be shaking in their boots. Hey, Casper, you gonna get a request?"
"Hahaha! That'd be hilarious. What do you say, Casper? Wanna go teach those barbarians a lesson? Who knows—you might save Bekavia and get that genius princess as a concubine."
For some reason, at this flattery, Casper glanced my way and laughed smugly.
"Heh, if they ask, I might consider it."
"Ooh! Too bad Bekavia's diplomats aren't here to hear that!"
"Honestly, it's a shame. If those Western barbarians had invaded Kalliper instead, I could've been the overall commander."
"True! Grand General Dunan's spot still hasn't been filled. You led us to victory in the Chimera War—it'd be only natural!"
What nonsense were these guys spouting?
*If the West invaded us, that'd be great?*
Impersonation was one thing, but this crossed the line.
*Is this the faction's influence too...*
With his entire faction fawning over him, Casper was acting like he was Wade himself.
At this point, I wondered if he'd fully committed to the Method acting.
*Or maybe he just feels safe spewing it since it won't backfire on him.*
From Kalliper's perspective, this war was mere entertainment from afar. Bekavia was essentially a hostile nation, so it didn't matter if the tribes won and wiped them out.
But international diplomacy can shift overnight.
Already, strange undercurrents were stirring within Kalliper.
The trigger was Bekavia's request for aid from their ally, Albad.
Bekavia asked for troop support, but Albad balked.
And for good reason—positioned in the center, Albad had too many fronts to cover.
To the east: historic rival Crossing and Kalliper, fresh off a ceasefire.
To the south: Bullang, madly expanding its military under the pretext of civil war.
To the west: Svenner.
Northwest: Tunkai and Europe.
With no room for gaps, Albad simply couldn't spare the support.
Bekavia, deeply disappointed, denounced Albad and began seeking new allies.
That's when Crossing stepped in.
They offered to repel the West in exchange for a third of Bekavia's territory.
An outrageous demand, but Bekavia accepted without hesitation. After all, Crossing could annex them outright if they wanted.
Rationalizing it as land they should've lost in the Three Lions War anyway, Bekavia accepted. Crossing assembled 100,000 troops under Jurass as overall commander.
And this rippled into Kalliper as well.
Kalliper and Bekavia's enmity had been mediated through Crossing to begin with. So with Bekavia reconciling with Crossing, relations with Kalliper improved by default.
Bekavia, wanting to make it official, tried pulling Kalliper in too.
Their diplomat persuaded Kalliper's king with talk of vengeance.
Avenge Grand General Dunan by striking Tunkai, they urged, promising massive rewards. The king eventually pledged 20,000 support troops.
And then, something no one saw coming unfolded—or rather, the king's grand design revealed itself ahead of schedule.
The reason General Delbadova, directly under the royal family, had become the cadets' instructor—and why he'd approved Bekavia aid.
Starved for military talent since Dunan's death, the king had boldly promoted the so-called golden generation of cadets to actual command roles.
The news hit the classroom, plunging it into stunned silence.
Even the officers seemed shocked, swallowing dryly as one spoke.
"By His Majesty's order, some of you will be promoted to infantry commanders. Each will lead 2,000 troops. First, Als Ilrain!"
They called my name first because I'd already been promoted.
"You'll retain your rank while leading 2,000 soldiers. You can use private troops or royal direct forces. Your choice."
"...Private troops."
"Good. Next, Casper Milias!"
Casper paled at his name, at a total loss. So much for his smugness—he panicked when the arrow turned on him.
"You'll lead 2,000 as well. Private troops?"
"Uh... Y-yes, sir!"
From the Salleon faction: Ruan Chase and Denian Geglish.
From the Helian faction: Joshua Herald and Dorothy Grimwood.
Three from each faction.
"Wh-what about us?"
The uncalled cadets.
The officer nodded.
"Join the commander of your choice. Your call."
Most cadets eyed Casper. Even non-faction members hoped to finally catch his faction's eye by joining him.
In the end, most flocked to Casper or Joshua Herald from the Helian faction.
Dorothy and I were left as isolated islands.
I was the loner type anyway, but Dorothy—despite her fine house—had doubts about her war skills trailing her, leaving no followers.
"Wh-what do we do?"
Dorothy floundered, knowing she couldn't properly command troops.
"Why me as a commander...?"
She teared up.
It was pitiful. The Helian faction lacked options, so they'd picked her solely as Dunan's daughter.
What good is having nice friends for? I decided to help.
"Don't worry too much. If things get rough, I'll back you up. Us isolated islands gotta stick together."
"Really, Als? You can do that!?"
"Yeah. You helped with the fertilizer research."
"I haven't developed it yet, but... Thanks! I'll count on you."
And so, in this bizarre twist, we were heading to war.
The thought of clashing directly with the Western tribes behind it sent persistent pangs of unease through my chest—but also a spark of curiosity.
*
*
*
Indirectly thrust into the war, I gathered my retainers before recruiting private troops.
"That's the situation. Let's pick who's coming along. Given the army's nature, combat's unlikely, so I still need someone handling internal affairs back home."
I said that, but after last time's Chimera War escalating to commanding a huge force, they were all on edge.
The retainers eyed each other warily.
*Eo's awfully quiet today.*
She'd normally volunteer first.
That Eo was peeking at me cautiously.
"You've been like this lately. What's up?"
"Uh... It's nothing!"
"Not like you. Spill it."
"I-I'm fine. Not the thing for this setting..."
"Now you'll keep me up all night. Just say it."
"Alright then..."
Eo opened up hesitantly. It was ridiculously trivial.
"Th-that novel you wrote, *Their Circumstances*. Does the protagonist end up with the knight heroine?"
"...Huh?"
"No, I mean—he abandons the other girls and leaves with her. So they do end up together, right?"
A novel question, of all things.
The other retainers looked dumbfounded.
"Depends on how you see it. If that's your take, then yeah."
That's the charm—and the annoyance—of an open ending. But pure-hearted Eo took her interpretation as canon.
"Got it! He ends up with the knight! Hehe."
Brightening with a smile, she tilted her head.
"But what were you talking about?"
"You weren't listening... Who wants to join me for this war."
"Oh no! I'm going with you, Lord Als!"
"Knew you'd say that."
I planned to take Eonia, Lutger, and Gaspar.
Gaspar's intel skills made him a safe pick; Lutger, from Albad, knew Bekavia's terrain like the back of his hand.
"Olaf, keep handling internal affairs as usual. Ymir, stay by Master's side with Illya."
That's when I was finalizing the lineup.
"...Hold on a moment."
Master, who'd been silent, spoke up.
"I have a proposal."
"Go ahead."
"It might be hard for everyone to accept, but... Als, what if you went alone this time?"
Master continued with a pained expression.
"For your growth—maybe try it that way."
"For my growth?"
"Surely you've felt it. Your martial prowess has stalled."
"...!"
It hit the nail on the head.
I sparred daily with Ymir, Eo, and occasionally Anton to hone my skills, but I'd hit a plateau.
Our training methods played a part. The three always held back against me, worried about injuring me. So I never felt true peril in spars with them.
Master's spars were rewarding, but pregnancy put even those on hold.
"I believe you can grow further. You haven't unlocked your full potential yet."
Spot on.
Als's game stats tell the tale.
Base martial stat: 88. Clear the hidden enhancement quest, switch main weapon to spear, hit 92.
Me now? Spear alone, generously 80. With Chester Style, maybe 85.
Huge gap with spear.
Game Als is three years from now, so time's on my side—but still.
"What are you saying, Illya? What if Als gets hurt? Or loses his life?!"
"I oppose it too."
Eo and Ymir immediately objected.
Gaspar, Olaf, and Lutger voiced opposition to varying degrees.
"Kid's a strategist, not a fighter. Just do that job—no need to risk his neck."
"I agree."
"Hm. Imagining my daughter's reaction if he gets hurt is terrifying."
Opposition carried the room. Anton would've opposed too if here.
Yet Master held firm.
"Short-term, sure. But you'll face far deadlier battlefields ahead. If a similar crisis catches you unprepared later and costs your life? As your master, I'd curse my own negligence. That'd be as good as me killing you."
"Master..."
"Birds in cages can't soar far. Please understand."
Like the others fretting over my life, Master worried too—but for the long game. Bigger stages later would make going solo harder without experience now.
"No way!"
Ymir rarely raised her voice in agitation.
"We'll protect Young Master. Forever! No need to expose him to danger!"
Eo chimed in.
"Yeah! If Als gets hurt, how'll you take responsibility?!"
Master nodded.
"If Als is injured, I'll pay the same price."
"Th-the same how?"
"If he loses an arm, cut off mine. If he dies... take my head, Eonia."
"Eek...!"
Overwhelmed by Master's resolve, Eo fell silent.
Gaspar, Olaf, and Lutger, swayed, now looked to me for the call.
*Master has a point.*
I'd had a close call in the last war.
Vs. Three Great General Lexit. I was powerless. Even with Ymir and Eonia, my lacking skill let him survive—and nearly killed me instead.
Anton bailed me out by luck, but luck won't always hold.
To ditch luck, I need to grow stronger.
After much deliberation, I nodded.
"Alright. I'll go alone for this war."
"Young Master!"
Ymir kept protesting, unwilling to accept, but my mind was set.