Banquets of Victory and Bells of Mourning
Celebrations of victory and memorials for defeat. Have you ever seen a romance fantasy's main hero be incompetent? Of course not. It goes without saying. The male lead in a romance fantasy is the very symbol of a munchkin.
Even if I were a female reader, if the male lead in a romance fantasy fumbled even the smallest problems like an idiot, I'd spam hate comments until my fingers fell off and declare I was dropping the series.
The male lead in a romance fantasy always appears as a fully realized masterpiece from the start. Perfect in every way. The world's most exquisite looks. A brusque, ruthless personality that's gentle only to the heroine. Ergon Magnus Theodor, who appeared in the original work I Will Protect Your Empire, was the male lead who received the one-sided favoritism of the romance fantasy author.
He was blessed with every talent by the creator who birthed the world. The firstborn son of the emperor, a pureblood sovereign. A swordmaster of advanced rank and an 7th Circle mage—the strongest magic swordsman. And even the numerous blessings inherited from past emperors through bloodline succession.
Fuck. Talk about unfair. Even for a romance fantasy male lead, isn't that overkill? With each passing era, the power creep of these male leads skyrockets like Iran's oil reserves.
"Beware a single man?"
"Yes, Crown Prince Ergon is dangerous."
The intelligence reached the nobles of the War Council invited to the victory banquet for the Executor of the Frozen Wastes and the Red Mercenary King: the Black Lion of the Holy Empire had returned from the front lines.
The miserable end of the nobles who rebelled against the Holy Empire. The surrender of the Kingdom of Liberia. And the return of the Holy Empire's Black Lion and main legion.
There was no time to bask in the afterglow of victory. The overall situation was more precarious than ever.
The War Council's nobles were generals and staff officers representing the Colonial Empire. Instinctively, they knew the Holy Empire's Black Lion would launch a retaliation against the Colonial Empire.
"I've heard of the Black Lion's fame, but..."
"The Holy Empire's main forces returning from the front are a problem too."
"That's exactly why those Holy Empire bastards have arrogantly claimed to be the continent's hegemon. If not for the Black Lion's protection, we would've crushed them long ago."
Why else would a third-rate noble of mixed blood grit his teeth in frustration and endure three months of exploitation by the Steel Lorelei and her lovers, despite endless chances to escape?
Crown Prince Ergon. It was all because of that one goddamn munchkin.
If Ergon hadn't stayed by Zigrinde's side, a desperate escape would've been impossible. The moment he fled the Luxor family castle, he'd have been beheaded by Ergon's blade and his head displayed at the gates.
"A capable officer like you must have preparations in place already?"
"Of course."
A silver-haired beauty in a sleek black dress stretched out her long legs as she appeared. She handed over a glass of champagne she'd been holding in one hand.
A sharp apple scent wafted up. Good thing. I'd been worried it might be mixed with mint.
If it had been a drink filled with that refreshing mint aroma, I might've dumped it right there.
Gripping the glass, I addressed Leonora and the War Council's nobles.
"It's a multifaceted front. We need to pull in as many allied nations as possible to pressure the Holy Empire's Black Lion and main legion, keeping them from going all out."
"Hm... It takes a strong heart to even think of facing the Black Lion. Forming a multifaceted front will require time and money."
"What about the mountain kingdoms of the Lead Mountains? We don't need a head-on clash with Ergon—just keep gnawing at the Holy Empire through attrition."
"Locking the Holy Empire's knights in rugged terrain, eh?"
Do we really need to face overwhelming power head-on? No. Just drag it out in a war of attrition until that power burns out.
Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Chu famed in the Records of Chu and Han, terrified the world with his overwhelming martial prowess and bravery, yet failed to unify it. He couldn't endure the endless multifront attrition.
No rock can beat the wrapping cloth. That's the saying.
Leonora flashed a faint smile at my words.
"Indeed! Excellent judgment, Valtenstein Guard Captain!"
"Even a swordmaster can't fight alone on crumbling cliffs!"
"Not on the level of the Black Lion or Sword Duke, but... the Lead Mountains have their own standout swordmasters representing their kingdoms. If they request it, we can dispatch Colonial Empire forces."
The banquet hall's atmosphere, heavy as the deep sea, brightened in an instant. The War Council's nobles burst into laughter, their voices rising in excitement as they downed wine and champagne.
Now's the time. The chance to lift the mood even higher.
The thirty or so musicians hired for the banquet struck up their instruments. The sweet harmony of violins and lutes heightened the hall's energy.
The nobles, tipsy for the moment, took to the stage with noblewomen, surrendering to the music.
"This was a victory banquet with Your Excellencies Leonora and Frederica as the stars... Thank you for giving me a moment to speak, Your Excellency Leonora."
"I'm the grateful one. For sharing intel on the Holy Empire's Black Lion."
"It's only natural, coming from a Holy Empire native."
"Ahem! If you're so thankful, how about escorting me?"
The silver-haired beauty blushed as she extended one hand.
I took it without hesitation.
"It's an honor to escort Your Excellency Leonora."
"Hehe... Consider it a reward for your recent exploits."
"Martial arts are basic etiquette for Holy Empire nobles. Even a third-rate one like me can waltz with eyes closed."
"I'll be looking forward to it."
I drew close to the beautiful judge, wrapping an arm around her slender waist. Our eyes met Leonora's.
* * *
While the Colonial Empire reveled in its victory banquet, the Theodor Holy Empire did the opposite, notifying all cathedrals in the Imperial Capital to toll their mourning bells and honor the dead.
It was a hopeless rout. Thousands of troops killed or captured.
Especially the Kreuz family, who led one flank of the front, suffered near-annihilating losses.
"The Sword Duke's prestige will take a hit."
"What of young Lord Zikfried's fate?"
"He's surely dead. He lost both hands to that traitor's blade amid sulfurous flames... Even if he survived the scene, he can't escape disability."
The Holy Empire nobles in black formal attire whispered about the Kreuz family's fall from grace.
They'd fallen for the cunning traitor's deception, losing nearly 7,000 troops. Their prestige and honor were inevitably tarnished.
Zikfried's survival was still unknown. He might even be a war prisoner in the Colonial Empire.
But the Kreuz family had officially declared him dead, erasing the name of the heir who sullied the Sword Duke's fame.
Just as Count Lucien had disowned his only daughter Rozalin, they turned him into a Holy Empire martyr.
"Lies...! Zik, that unbreakable knight Zik, fallen...! You promised to lay down your life for the Holy Empire's glory, for the Steel Lorelei... How could you leave first, Zik...!"
The nobles' gazes converged on the golden-haired beauty in pure white nun's robes.
Zigrinde von Levanfalt. The Steel Lorelei, who had secluded herself repeatedly, appeared in public for the first time.
Tears streaming down her pale cheeks. Plump lips savoring sorrow. And the fists clenched tight in mourning for the lion.
The Steel Lorelei sincerely grieved the deaths of the fallen, led by her lover Zikfried.
The Holy Empire nobles, witnessing her violet eyes brimming with tears, let out low sighs as they fell to the allure of this kingdom-toppling beauty.
"Crown Prince Ergon."
"You've arrived, Your Highness."
"Forgive me for reporting defeat."
The swarm of nobles parted hurriedly. A black-haired youth stepped forward, escorted by knights of the Black Crown Knights.
The Black Lion safeguarding the Holy Empire. Leader of the Black Crown Knights, called the strongest order. The magic swordsman inheriting the Sword Duke's swordsmanship and the Red Tower's magic.
Ergon Magnus Theodor.
As the crown prince appeared, an icy gale of intimidation swept through.
"Sorry, Linde. This happened because I was away."
"Ergon...! Ergon!"
"I'm back now, so relax. You've endured well until now."
"Sob! Hic... Waaah!!"
Zigrinde turned and flung herself into Ergon's arms as he approached from behind. The black-haired crown prince embraced the one fragile being he truly loved, sharing the joy of reunion and the sorrow of loss.
They clung tightly. His chest soaked with tears in moments. The trembling grip of her hands conveyed through quivering sobs.
Ergon stroked Zigrinde's slender shoulders in comfort.
"Give the order, Linde. I'll fulfill any command of yours. Even staking the Empire's dignity and the Black Lion's honor."
"I-I...! But I can't burden you...!"
"The root of all evil is the traitor who betrayed you and the Holy Empire. You bear no blame."
"Kill him...! Kill him for me...! The deserter who betrayed me, betrayed the Holy Empire...! Judge the blood enemy who slew Zik with the Black Lion's blade...!!"
Of course. He'll face karmic retribution without fail.
The culprit who betrayed you, left you wretched, turned you into a laughingstock in an instant.
Even if it means mobilizing every knight in the Holy Empire, I'll bring that traitor's head.
Ergon vowed vengeance as he pulled Zigrinde's waist tight.