The Widening Gap
Deep within the imperial palace, Second Prince Velacrod’s office lay shrouded in heavy air.
And kneeling on one knee before him was Count Edrian Valenruuk.
Though he wielded the empire’s true power, even he had no choice but to tread carefully in Velacrod’s presence.
Velacrod summoned him with an irritated look in his eyes.
“Count Edrian Valenruuk.”
“Yes, Lord Velacrod.”
Edrian bowed his head deeply, yet his expression remained thick with displeasure.
It was because of the meritorious awards ceremony recently held at the palace.
Ostensibly it was a gathering to bestow rewards for the achievements at Aicled, but in truth it had been the formal declaration of the northern advance.
Helikel Canyon. Elbarphiel Lake. And with even Aicled now fallen, there remained no justification for failing to push northward.
As proof, the center had already pledged full support to the northern front and was moving troops.
Yet from Velacrod’s standpoint, every one of those developments could only be a problem.
All military merits won in the north would clearly work in First Prince Sedrian’s favor.
Sedrian was already acknowledged as the most suitable candidate. Even if matters simply drifted along as they were, the next emperor’s throne would fall to him. And if the northern campaign resolved this cleanly as well…
“The gap between me and my brother will only grow wider.”
Velacrod’s eyelids trembled faintly. He spoke as if chewing the words.
“Where are all the spies we planted in the north? What the hell are they doing that the situation has turned out like this!”
Unable to contain himself, Velacrod slammed the armrest of his chair. The air in the room grew heavier still, yet Edrian answered in the same calm voice.
“Helikel Canyon, Elbarphiel Lake, and Aicled as well… There is no way to reverse the present situation.”
“So you are telling me to sit on my hands and simply watch!”
Velacrod poured out his fury. Yet the cry itself trembled faintly—he feared that this affair might completely derail the struggle for the imperial succession.
“……”
Edrian remained silent for a moment. Then he lifted his head and looked straight at Velacrod.
“I believe the time has come for you to make a decision.”
“What are you talking about?”
“We cannot change the current situation head-on. In that case… we must steer it in a direction advantageous to us.”
When Velacrod’s brow furrowed, Edrian spoke more plainly.
“Now that the three key strongholds have been secured, the northern advance is inevitable. But what if the First Prince’s key figures who will drive that advance were to disappear?”
“……What do you mean?”
“Exactly as I said. The empire will not halt the northern advance merely because the people on the First Prince’s side are gone. Ultimately someone else must fill those posts…”
Edrian’s eyes flashed sharply.
“If we fill those posts with Lord Velacrod’s own people and let them earn the glory, then all subsequent achievements will become Your Majesty’s, will they not?”
“Watch your tongue, Count.”
At the words “Your Majesty,” Velacrod issued a warning. Yet contrary to his tone, his expression did not look displeased. If the scenario Edrian described came to pass, he could, just as the count claimed, claim the merits of the northern advance for himself.
Still…
“……Those currently holding the north are no easy prey. Have you decided on the targets to eliminate?”
“Our first primary target is the supreme commander of the northern front—Corps Commander Velkain.”
Though Velkain remained officially neutral, he had in practice leaned toward the First Prince. Their interests regarding the northern advance simply aligned.
“Moreover, when one considers his ability… he is practically the first person our side must remove.”
“And the next?”
“Captain Lukael Hargeil.”
“Lukael Hargeil… He is the one who received an award for his merits at Aicled this time, is he not.”
Only a few days earlier, at the palace awards ceremony, Velacrod had seen the man’s face. For a northern washout, he had worn a rather confident expression that Velacrod had not found pleasing.
Edrian nodded.
“He is said to have nearly reached the 6-Star realm. If left alone, there is no telling how far he will run wild. He is a man whose limits cannot even be predicted.”
“It will not be easy.”
A 6-Star possessed the kind of power that could, even within the empire’s center, rise to a general’s post. Velacrod knew the reasons why Lukael, despite such tremendous ability, still received his present treatment. Yet regardless of those circumstances, the man’s skill was genuine.
Edrian continued.
“Nothing about this operation will be easy. Yet… it is something that must be done.”
“Is there anyone else?”
“I have placed a few more names on the list, but they are not of great importance.”
However…
“Ah—there is one… person who is somewhat concerning.”
“Who?”
At Velacrod’s question, Edrian answered without hesitation.
“A boy soldier named Arteon. He is not yet of any great age, yet… according to the rumors, he is said to be able to handle aura.”
“……A boy soldier with aura?”
Absurd. Velacrod’s brow furrowed, but Edrian continued calmly.
“In the past we attempted both to recruit him and to kill him; both efforts failed. Most recently, during the retaking of Elbarphiel Lake, he is said to have fought on equal footing with two Kar Tribe commander-level fighters… I believe he must be placed on the watch list.”
Velacrod’s expression hardened. Edrian added,
“Regarding Arteon, I will attempt recruitment once more. If he still refuses to follow after that… then I think we will have to kill him for certain. However, since Velkain and Lukael come first for now, I am sorry, but may I make one request of Lord Velacrod?”
At Edrian’s words, Velacrod tilted his head.
“A request?”
“Please allow me to move Teratos.”
“……!”
At those words, Velacrod’s pupils began to tremble violently.
Having relocated his base to Helikel Canyon, Velkain calmly analyzed the terrain of the battlefield.
The northeastern north was vast, yet rugged mountain ranges stood as obstacles to any advance. Therefore he intended to push northward through the northwest, seize that region, and only then swing east to dominate the entire north.
If we do that…
He would be able to isolate the enemy at the far tip of the northeast.
Simply driving them that far will ensure they never again set foot on imperial soil.
Velkain’s eyes flashed.
Originally the barren north had been land where people could scarcely live. Crops would not grow; there was no fertile soil. Yet the resources buried within that barrenness were vast enough to move the empire’s budget for decades. Gold, silver, and every manner of mineral poured from the northern mines. On top of that, the safety of the imperial citizenry could be secured from the barbarian Kar Tribe…
Truly killing two birds with one stone—no, effects beyond even that can be gained.
Of course the center’s thoughts might differ somewhat.
Until now the empire had regarded the northern front as little more than a hard-labor ground for convicts—meat shields who died fighting the Kar Tribe. But now many things would change.
Velkain pictured the future in his mind. If the northern advance allowed them to take complete possession of that northern land, the north would no longer be abandoned ground.
It can become the foundation stone that makes the empire strong.
With that power as a base, someday even the unification of the continent might be dreamed of.
Yet Velkain soon shook his head. Thinking that far in the present situation was far too great a stretch.
Just then—
“Commander.”
Claw entered the tent and approached to report on the status of the support forces.
“I expect preparations will not be complete within six months. The number of troops that must be readied is enormous, and this time even regular army units are being committed, so time will be required.”
“Have all the special units that were at Aicled been disbanded?”
“Yes. All have been returned to their original units.”
He would have liked to expand that special unit a little further, yet interference from the center had been more severe than expected.
Useless fools.
He knew that intense underhanded struggles were already unfolding over this northern advance. It was possible those struggles might even reach this place. Still, Velkain regarded Claw with a calm expression.
Claw continued his report.
“However, among the special-unit personnel, soldiers whose affiliations remain unclear have not yet been dealt with.”
“……Lieutenant Arteon has no affiliation, does he not?”
“The last place he served was the 1st Company of the 4th Defense Line in the northeast. Yet it seems something of a stretch to call that his original post.”
“Is that so.”
Velkain’s eyebrows twitched. If Arteon had no fixed affiliation—
“Assign him here. Since he has no affiliation anyway, there should be no noise about it.”
Once the northern advance began in earnest, the man would be indispensable to the main force. The martial power of one who could handle aura was, by itself, greater than that of an entire company.
Yet Claw’s expression darkened.
“Yes, that should not be difficult. However… if we place him in the main force, what of his position… how do you intend to handle it?”
“……”
That was the problem.
Looking solely at Arteon’s skill, he ought to hold the post of company commander or higher. Yet considering his age and military career, the matter was somewhat unreasonable.
“Huu.”
Velkain exhaled a sigh and shook his head. Because of that extraordinary young man, the situation required more deliberation than expected.
However…
“Sergeant Major.”
“Yes, Commander.”
“What if we summon Captain Isaac and place him under his command?”
“Captain Isaac…”
Claw mulled over the words. Captain Isaac was a man who lacked nothing in military career, rank, or ability. A moment later Claw’s eyes brightened.
“It seems an excellent plan.”
“He can command company-level forces without difficulty. If we place Arteon under him, all the miscellaneous issues should resolve themselves.”
Claw nodded.
“Considering how well they have worked together thus far, their coordination will certainly be excellent. Moreover—though I have not reported it separately—Captain Isaac himself had requested to operate in the same unit as Lieutenant Arteon.”
“Good.”
He would have liked to keep Lukael with them as well, yet Lukael had to take command at the head of the main force. In the battles to come, the main force’s direct clash of power against power would be the most critical element.
The moment they advanced beyond Helikel Canyon, the battlefield would transform from canyon and mountain into vast plains. Of course even plains demanded their own tactics. Yet it would no longer be the guerrilla attrition and mind games of the present. A more fundamental picture of war would take shape—power colliding head-on with power.
Velkain rose from his seat and issued the order.
“Then proceed at once.”
“Understood!”
Claw answered firmly and strode swiftly out of the tent.
Alone once more inside the tent, Velkain could only gaze at the map of the north and let out a low sigh.