Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Downfall
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Upon returning to the castle, I sent an envoy to the Rothschilds and, at the same time, dispatched a single letter to the Glazers.
"An envoy from the Strange Family has arrived."
Hagen was taken aback by the sudden report. Sending an envoy to their camp right before war was about to break out?
War had not yet been declared, but they must have caught wind of something.
"Let them in."
Hagen twirled his rat-tail mustache with his finger. This was one of his habits to maintain composure.
Clank, clank, clank.
Five knights entered, their armor clinking. One of them bowed politely, removed his helmet, and spoke.
"It is an honor to meet you. I am Oscar, captain of the Strange Family's 3rd Knight Order."
The knight, with short silver hair and a sturdy jaw, gave a small smile.
Hagen rested his chin on his hand, pondered for a moment upon seeing the man's face, then asked sarcastically, as if unable to accept the situation.
"Do you know what the Strange Family did to us a few days ago?"
"Yes."
"And yet you send an envoy. If you're here to apologize, I won't accept it."
"...Lord Hagen, forgive me, but we do not know what words our Family Head wishes to convey."
"What?"
"We were simply told to deliver the letter. We were instructed not to inquire about its contents, nor to speak of them even if we learned them."
The knight pulled a letter from within his armor.
Hagen wondered what nonsense this man was spouting, but took the letter due to the knight's unwavering resolve.
"Is this from Roys?"
He asked, despite knowing Roys was dead.
"No. This letter is from Sir Berddin, the new Family Head of the Strange Family."
"?!"
He was shocked, even though he knew everything. To so casually reveal Roys's death, which they had been hiding until now.
'What is their reason?'
Hagen pondered the letter for a long time. What could be written inside?
Edward, standing by his side, furrowed his brow deeply and whispered.
"Father, it would be best not to read that letter."
"Why?"
"They're surely trying to talk their way out of war. If we proceed as is, crushing the south will be a simple matter."
No.
That couldn't be.
Hagen was certain as he held the letter.
The Strange Family never surrendered to enemies, even in defeat. They fought with swords, not words.
Rip.
Hagen tore open the letter.
Edward peeked at the contents and grimaced bitterly.
"Hmm—"
"Different paths..."
Hagen tore the letter to shreds and tossed it to the ground, glaring at the Strange Family envoy.
"You knew everything. You know who we're allied with."
The envoy knight met Hagen's eyes with a gentle smile, then bowed deeply and replied.
"Forgive me, but I do not know the letter's contents."
"Then let me ask you, who know nothing. If the Glazers and Strange Family go to war, who do you think the victor will be?"
It was an obvious question. What would a Strange Family knight say?
If valuing his life, the Glazers. If pride, the Strange Family.
That was Hagen's assumption. But the knight's answer was unexpected.
"There would be no victor."
"What?"
"Right now, both our Strange Family and your Glazer Family boast the greatest might on the continent. Even if we fight to the end, neither would emerge victorious."
"Then?"
"Those who wish for the disappearance of these two great powers would rise to the top of the continent, ushering in a new era."
Hagen's pupils trembled violently, like an earthquake. Edward saw his expression, waved his hands, stepped forward, and warned the knight.
"Get out. Tell Berddin never to pull this nonsense again."
Hagen shook his head and pushed Edward back.
"Does Berddin know what this new era is?"
"I do not know that either. However, on our way back, if the Glazers desire a meeting, our Family Head said he would come personally to talk."
Hagen fell into deep thought.
Berddin knows we've allied with the Rothschilds.
Moreover, he must have realized the Papal Court stands behind them, so he too must have joined hands with a new power.
'To oppose us.'
Edward whispered lowly.
"Father, please do not fall for their tricks."
"...Strange Family envoy, tell Berddin this: I, Hagen, Family Head of the Glazers, wish to meet him personally."
The envoy knight clasped his hands, bowed once more, and replied.
"I shall convey that, Marquis Hagen."
Berddin visited the Glazer castle alone. The mages and mercenary guards who had seen him before cowered and bowed their heads in fear.
"Follow me."
Edward von Glazer, called the future of the family, personally came out to greet him and escorted him to the room where Hagen and the mage waited.
Creeeak—
The door opened without being touched.
The face carved into the doorknob chuckled mockingly at Edward.
"Isn't that the brat who screwed you over last time?"
The left doorknob spoke first in a sneering tone.
"Hey, hey, cut it out. You wanna get us smashed? He's the guy hailed as the greatest mage in Glazer history, and he got beaten by a knight—how pissed must he be? Kahahat!"
The right doorknob pretended to stop it while stoking the fire.
Edward hissed through gritted teeth.
Tsk.
He yanked the handle hard and slammed the door shut.
Bam.
"Father. I have brought Berddin, Family Head of the Strange Family."
The blond Berddin approached with a subtle smile, swept his red cloak back, and sat in the chair.
Thud.
"Greetings. I am Berddin, who has taken the seat as the new Family Head of the Strange Family."
Hagen pushed a teacup toward him with cold eyes and replied.
Slide—.
"Pleased to meet you. I am Hagen, Family Head of the Glazers. No need for introductions since we're already acquainted."
"Of course."
"I received your letter via my envoy. The contents were quite intriguing, so I hurried to meet, and you obliged. Thank you."
"No need for thanks. Let's drop the formalities. We're just going to kill each other anyway; no point in standing on ceremony."
Hagen raised his eyebrows sharply.
"Kill each other?"
"Yes. You wish for war with us, don't you, Lord Hagen? It seems you've already completed all preparations."
"May I hear why you think that?"
"The barrier between south and east, your troop movements. And I heard you spoke directly to the Emperor about declaring war on us."
Berddin spoke from start to finish in a flat tone.
Hagen's lips twitched slightly as he took a sip of his black tea.
Slurp—
"Indeed. Now that we both know what we want, no need for formalities. How is your father?"
"He has passed. You knew that too, didn't you?"
"I wanted to confirm it from your own mouth."
"From my mouth?"
"Yes. I wanted to know why you're not hiding it. If you knew we were preparing for war, you could have concealed his death to buy time to gather troops."
Berddin drank the tea Hagen had prepared with a meaningful smile, without checking for poison or curses.
Slurp.
"There was no need."
"Oh?"
"Yes. The Strange Family lives every day of the 365 as if it were war, always prepared."
Hagen unwittingly burst into laughter.
No matter that he'd become Family Head, for this young boy to boldly stand up to him—it was amusing from Hagen's perspective.
"Prepared for war, you say? So even if we declare war tomorrow and attack, it wouldn't matter to you?"
"Of course. It would probably be a good opportunity for the Glazers to crush us."
"...No, why do you say such things so calmly?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm saying I'm going to attack your family, the Strange Family. You're talking as if to say, 'come if you dare.'"
Berddin pulled his chair forward, leaned in toward Hagen, and replied.
"Lord Hagen, allow me one question."
"A question?"
"If I said let's not go to war, would you stop?"
Hagen did not answer.
He simply remained silent.
Berddin nodded shortly as if understanding, then continued.
"No matter who wins this war, the true master of this land will be the Rothschilds."
"What?"
"In the past war with the Glazers, do you not know why my father aimed for Ragnarok instead of your neck?"
"Th-that's because I was hiding in Yggdrasil—"
Berddin slammed his fist on the desk.
Bang!
"How can you say something so foolish? Do not deny the truth you know!"
For a brief moment, Hagen glimpsed Roys's figure shining behind Berddin.
'This kid.'
"No matter how high the sky, eagles must descend someday."
"And if they do?"
"It means they are prey a lion can catch."
"Lord Berddin."
"How long will you watch them play with this world, claiming to be children of god with their lies?"
"......"
"If this war gives wings to the lion, think about what will become of the eagle."
Hagen tapped the table a few times with his finger, then tilted his head sideways and replied.
"I understand what you're saying, but we will not stop the war."
Negotiations failed.
Without noble etiquette, the Glazers might have gone straight for Berddin's neck.
But they were heads of their families.
"Then, until we meet again."
With that, Berddin left the Glazer castle, and Hagen and Edward discussed the impending war.
"I'm relieved. I worried you might fall for his wedge-driving."
"Do you think I'd fall so easily to a fledgling like that?"
"Of course not."
"This meeting was merely to gauge the Strange Family's strength. And to see how much he knows."
"As expected..."
"Edward, I'll entrust command of this war to you. Prepare a fitting strategy."
Edward nodded with a stern expression.
"I won't disappoint you."
Hagen nodded in satisfaction.
"Good. And... as you heard, the Strange Family claims to be fully prepared, so don't rush. Mobilize as many troops as possible."
"Yes, Father."
After Berddin left, the Glazers changed their strategy and spent a week focused on gathering troops.
The Strange Family claimed to be fully prepared for war, so if it came to all-out battle, they needed matching numbers.
Kaipa grinned broadly in satisfaction.
"The strategy worked perfectly, Family Head. Thanks to you, we've bought time to gather all our forces scattered across the continent. Hahaha!"
"Good. I was worried Hagen might suspect, but he took the bait."
"Kahaha! But what did you say to keep them from moving?"
"Just... that we're fully prepared for war, so come anytime."
Berddin continued, gazing at the map of the east and south.
"The Glazers must have sensed Father's absence and planned to strike our vulnerability."
"......"
"Knowing we have no vulnerabilities, they'll prepare even more thoroughly before attacking. That's why I said it."
Kaipa was astonished upon hearing the strategy.
He thought Berddin had just gone to hear their declaration, but he'd bought time for war preparations through talk.
"So the Glazers haven't declared war yet?"
"Yes, and they won't come south for a while. Assigning units to mercenaries from various places will take at least two weeks."
"Oh..."
"Which is why."
Berddin looked at Rox, who had just returned after completing his mission, and continued.
"I'll be away for a few days, so please don't tell anyone I'm gone from the castle.