by Hyougetsu
“Just in case, I’m assigning someone to guard Prince Woroy. I doubt Prince Ivan will try to kill him as well, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I’d feel bad if he died.”
“Oi, boss. He’s our enemy, isn’t he? Why’re we protecting him?”
Jerrick was right of course, but I was rather fond of Prince Woroy. Naturally, that wasn’t a good enough reason to risk my comrades, though.
“We have to ascertain whether or not he was in on the plot. Until then, we need to keep an eye on his movements and keep him alive. Besides, while he may be an enemy, he’s an enemy we can reason with. We can’t let him die.”
“Is that how it works?”
“Unless we’re planning on slaughtering everyone, it’s better to leave enemies like that alive. Or else the fighting’ll go on forever. If we kill all the reasonable enemies, who are we going to negotiate peace with?”
For demons, who liked to thoroughly root out all enemies, this was probably a difficult concept to grasp. I turned to my werewolves and said, “Let’s get out of here before Doneiks’ troops arrive. Once we’re back in Eleora’s mansion we can analyze what we’ve learned. Everyone, be ready to fight at any time.”
“Aye!”
I had no idea what move Prince Ivan would make next, but he’d gone past the point of no return. This snowbound land would soon be awash in blood.
The moment we got back to Eleora’s mansion, I explained the situation to her and started making arrangements to prepare for any situation. In emergencies like this, responding fast was crucial. We needed accurate reports on what our allies and rivals were doing, of course, but even more importantly we needed to act fast before people had time to analyze our actions. Just sending out messengers was nerve-wracking right now.
I spent all night sending reports and taking stock of who was where. The sun was beginning to crest the horizon by the time I could finally take a break. I slumped at my desk, and Natalia brought me a cup of black tea and a sandwich. The sandwich smelled like roast beef.
“Lord Veight, would you like a midnight snack?”
“Sure, thanks. Oh yes, could you bring some food for my aides too?”
“Don’t worry, I’ve asked the maids to bring them the same food I brought you.”
I was beginning to see why Natalia was Eleora’s favorite. Just then, Kite and Lacy walked into the room, looking exhausted. The maids brought them their food, and we all sat down to eat together.
“So what happens now?”
Kite shot me a worried look as he wolfed down his sandwich. To be honest, I was pretty worried as well. Lord Doneiks, who was second in line for the throne, had been killed by Prince Ivan, who was third in line. The logical conclusion was that Prince Ivan was aiming for the throne. Even if that wasn’t truly the case, that’s what everyone in Rolmund would think.
My guess was Prince Ivan would try to hide the death of Lord Doneiks. After all, killing your father was a grievous sin. Actually, hold on. There’s one other way he could play this. I’d become more accustomed to assassinations than I would have liked, so I had a lot of experience with how they played out. As soon as this other possibility occurred to me I said, “If Prince Ivan really wants the crown, he’ll mobilize North Rolmund’s army and attack West Rolmund.”
“So we’re gonna get stuck in another war.”
Kite frowned. Lacy looked worried as well.
“If it does become a war, what’ll happen to us?”
I have no idea. Of course telling her that would just make her more worried. After thinking about it for a few seconds, I gave her the only answer I could.
“We’re part of Eleora’s faction, so if Prince Ashley and Prince Ivan go to war, we can remain neutral. Our best option would be to see how things progress and back the side that’s going to win.”
If it came to war, Prince Ivan’s side would be firmly in the wrong, so it’d be dangerous to support them. At the same time, there was little merit to backing Prince Ashley. Besides, if we came out in support for Prince Ashley now, the Doneiks side would know we have spies watching them. Until Prince Ashley noticed something was strange, we were better off just sitting tight. That said, explaining all this to Lacy was a pain, so I just gave her the abridged summary.
“Anyway, even if a war does break out, you two won’t have to fight. You can leave the killing to me and my werewolves.”
Natalia, who’d been listening in all this time, puffed her chest out and said, “The 209th Imperial Mage Corps will fight too! I’m certain East Rolmund’s nobles will back Princess Eleora as well.”
“As long as Lord Kastoniev asks them to, I’m sure they will.”
Just then, Hamaam walked into the room.
“It seems Prince Ashley isn’t aware of what’s happened yet.”
“He might just be playing dumb. Keep watch over his troops in shifts. I’ll send another squad to do that now, so you and your squad get some rest.”
“Roger, Vice-Commander.”
I’d already sent a messenger to Lord Kastoniev, and I’d told Ser Lekomya and the other palace nobles to remain vigilant. As Hamaam left, Fahn walked into the room, a half-eaten sandwich in her hand.
“Did someone deliver you food as well, Veight?”
“Yeah, we got our food. You should rest, I’ll have someone take up your position for a bit.”
Fahn scowled at me.
“You need to rest too, Veight. Once morning comes, we’ll be even busier. There’s no one who can take your place, so you should rest while you still can.”
She had a point. I was too strung up to sleep, but I still got to my feet after finishing off my sandwich.
“Alright, I’ll sleep for a little bit. If anything happens...report to Eleora.”
The moment I entered my room, I suddenly felt drowsy. While I had no idea what time it was, I was pretty sure I had a few hours before morning at least. I collapsed onto my bed and fell asleep.
When I woke up the next day, it was already noon. I rubbed my eyes and looked up at the sun.
“How come no one woke me up?”
There was no reply. I walked into the parlor and saw most of my werewolves collapsed on the floor. The Garney brothers were sleeping in the doorway, so I stepped over them and entered the room.
“Morning. What happened after I went to sleep?”
Jerrick and his squad turned to me. I’d rotated them out to rest first, which was why they were awake.
“Boss, shouldn’t you be asleep?”
“Yeah, we haven’t heard anything at all.”
Well that’s a surprise. I sunk into a nearby sofa and Monza snuck up on me from behind. She had a brush in her hands.
“Sheesh boss, you should at least comb your hair when you get up.”
“Eh, my hair’ll fix itself by evening.”
“It’s already noon, so I doubt that. Now shut up and let me brush it.”
Who cares what my hair looks like? It was too troublesome to argue, so I let Monza mess with my hair.
“By the way, did any reports come in while I was asleep?”
“Hmm... Nothing from my squad. Hey, stop squirming.” Monza used her free hand to hold my head in place. As she wrestled my bedhead under control she continued, “We sent off the fastest horse we had to deliver your message to Lord Kastoniev like you asked.”
In that case, Lord Kastoniev was probably telling his village overseers to prepare for battle. Since farmers had nothing to do in winter, drafting soldiers would likely not be difficult, but mobilizing them in the thick snow would be. As we talked, Fahn walked into the room and took the brush from Monza.
“Veight’s hair’s thick, so you have to be more forceful with your brushing. Like this.”
That hurts, Fahn. Please stop. Fahn tackled the pointless task of fixing my hair with gusto and said, “Borsche returned to Fort Novesk. He’s planning on coming back with the mage corps members stationed there.”
While the mage corps were few in number
, they were veterans of urban warfare. They had infantry capable of blowing up castle walls, as well as cavalry skilled at navigating narrow alleys. Considering we couldn’t transform here, they’d be more useful than us werewolves.
“No one’s noticed we’ve started to move, have they?”
If anyone discovered we were mobilizing our forces, we’d be in trouble. Jerrick, who’d started repairing the parlor door’s hinges on a whim, answered, “Nah, boss. The guys staking out the palace say there’s nothing out of the ordinary. I think we’re fine.”
I sure hope so.
Lord Kastoniev arrived at Eleora’s mansion by late afternoon. Once he did, we began our planning in earnest.
“This is quite a surprise. I never thought Prince Ivan would resort to assassination. Isn’t he being a bit too hasty?”
I nodded in agreement.
“It appears Prince Ivan has some chronic disease. On top of that, he has a son. My guess is he wants to leave behind a stronger Rolmund for him, which is why he was willing to stain his hands and force a revolution.”
“I see, so he’s short on time...”
After mulling my words over for a few seconds Lord Kastoniev said, “If that’s the case, it would be in our best interests to drag this conflict out. The more we do, the more impatient Prince Ivan will become and the sloppier his plans will be.”
If we had to, we could hold out until Prince Ivan succumbed to illness. I was amazed Lord Kastoniev could say something so harsh so casually, though. This is why Rolmund nobles scare me.
Some time after Lord Kastoniev’s arrival, I got a report that Prince Woroy and Prince Ryuunie had left their manor. Hamaam’s squad was assigned to tailing them, so I wasn’t too worried. They wouldn’t be fooled by a decoy this time. Wherever Ryuunie ended up would be where Prince Ivan’s primary stronghold was. It took an entire night after that before there was any movement in the palace.
“Prince Ashley’s recalled all of the imperial guards back to the castle. He seems to be focusing on defending the castle, but he’s also sent messengers to the nearby lords.”
It was Ser Lekomya who brought me that report. I had no idea how much Prince Ashley knew, or where he’d gotten his information, but he was clearly preparing for war.
“Over the past few generations, it was only the last emperor who had a bloodless coronation,” Ser Lekomya added with a sad smile. “To be honest, I was hoping this change of emperors would go peacefully too, so I could just get my land in Meraldia and take it easy in the south.”
The whole reason I’m here is to stop you guys from getting Meraldia’s lands, so I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for something in North or West Rolmund. At the very least, this conflict would likely end with a good number of lords on both sides dead. Just then, Natalia ran into the parlor.
“Urgent news! Prince Ivan has raised an army to destroy Prince Ashley!”
“What!?” Ser Lekomya leapt out of his chair.
“What’s his justification!?” I asked.
“Umm...he issued a public statement saying ‘Prince Ashley assassinated my father, Lord Doneiks, because he feared my father would try to steal his throne. Such barbaric acts cannot be forgiven! Prince Ashley must be dragged from his throne and the crown returned to North Rolmund, where it belongs!’”
Despite being the culprit, it seemed Prince Ivan planned to use this assassination as an excuse to attack. It was the same tactic Meraldia’s Senate used when they’d tried to frame me for the assassination of Zaria’s viceroy. Whether or not the public would believe Prince Ivan hinged on his reputation. Since the Doneiks family were known schemers, I had the feeling people wouldn’t buy his story that easily.
“Perfect!”
I nodded, and Ser Lekomya nervously turned to me.
“Are we going to fight as well?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“We’ll remain neutral and avoid any collateral damage.”
“Huh?”
Or rather, we’ll appear to remain neutral.
Prince Ivan quickly rallied the North Rolmund lords and started marching onto the capital.
“Your Highness, it’s not safe here. We should retreat to Fort Novesk.”
Borsche had just returned from the fort and was urging us all to fall back there. But Eleora shook her head and replied, “We have nothing to do with this assassination incident. In order to show that to the public as well, I need to remain here and remain neutral.”
While she had a point, and I respected her courage, the capital was definitely getting dangerous. Eleora was another one of Prince Ivan’s political rivals, so if the northern rebels actually breached the city, her life would be in danger.
“Eleora, leave this manor to me and my werewolves. If you remain here, your servants will be forced to face the danger with you.”
Eleora was mindful of her subordinates so that gave her pause.
“You have a point. Yet...”
“The roads aren’t completely buried in snow yet. You should go back to East Rolmund with Lord Kastoniev and start raising your own army.”
Since Rolmund’s nobles all thought of me as Eleora’s vice-commander, there’d be nothing strange about her returning to her home territories and leaving me in charge.
“I’m an official ambassador from Meraldia. Prince Ivan can’t afford to harm me, or there’ll be repercussions.”
They’ll be more immediate than he thinks too. If he tries to attack us, I’ll have everyone transform and ravage his army. A city like this was the perfect battlefield for us. Werewolves’ surprise attack tactics were more effective in crowded streets than in an open plain. I could tell my men were getting restless too. Borsche backed up my words.
“Lord Veight is correct. Your Highness, right now we need to organize our forces at Fort Novesk. Regardless of whether we choose to back a side or enter the fray as a third party, we need to marshal our forces first.”
“...Alright. You have a point.” After a pause, Eleora nodded and declared, “Tell the servants to return to their hometowns. If there are any who wish to fight with me, have them accompany us to Fort Novesk.”
I ordered the older female werewolves to guard Eleora on her way back. Since they all looked like old ladies, people would underestimate them, and Eleora could rest easy knowing she had a powerful set of bodyguards. I assigned Mary to be the leader of the squad.
“Once you’ve escorted Eleora to Novesk, you should rest there for a while. You’re not good with the cold, right, Mary?”
“My, you’ve gotten much better at treating ladies, Veight. We’ll be fine, so make sure you don’t die on us.”
I get it already, so could you stop patting my head? All of the older werewolves still treated me like a little kid.
Alright, now that Eleora’s gone I can do whatever I want. I headed into the manor’s kitchen and started boiling some bacon together with a bit of sauce while I thought on my next course of action.
“According to Hamaam, Prince Woroy’s staying at Creech Castle, which is one of North Rolmund’s smaller castles. But it sits on a lake at the border of North Rolmund, so it’s a good staging point to launch an offensive against the capital.” I explained the current situation to my werewolves while we all ate my strange bacon stew concoction. “Since it’s winter the lake that usually protects it is frozen over, but it’s still a pretty sturdy castle.”
I pointed to the map with my spoon while simultaneously asking Fahn for seconds.
“Prince Ivan’s son, Prince Ryuunie is in a castle further north. Specifically, he’s in the Doneiks family’s main castle, Kinjarl Castle. Chances are it’s too heavily defended to capture.”
I knew the castle was located in a mountainous region, but I didn’t have any specific geographical information.
“I imagine Prince Ivan’s offensive will carry him pretty far. Prince Ashley’s war preparations are lagging behind.”
My werewolves nodded, looking a little
confused. They were all amateurs at large-scale warfare, so their understanding of battle lines and maps was limited. Jerrick wolfed down his stew and asked me, “Hey, boss, when are we gonna get to fight?”
“When one of the factions asks us to, probably. It wouldn’t be proper for us to enter the fight of our own volition.”
The ideal scenario would be Prince Ashley coming to us for salvation after Prince Ivan’s army had him cornered. We’d be able to even the scales, and turn this engagement into a war of attrition. The generals on both sides wouldn’t be happy about that, but I wasn’t here to make them happy. I was here to protect Meraldia. Besides, joining the fight would mean risking the lives of my men, as well as Eleora’s subordinates. I needed to act with prudence.
“Either way, we can’t do anything until Eleora raises an army. Armies in Rolmund are tens of thousands of men strong, our single werewolf unit can’t do anything by itself.”
It’d take at least a few days before we knew for sure which side had the advantage.
And so a few days passed. North Rolmund had been hit with a lot of snowfall, which delayed the arrival of reinforcements for Prince Ivan’s army. But even then, Prince Ashley was so woefully unprepared for war that West Rolmund’s army still had its hands full. Prince Ashley had sent multiple messengers to try and negotiate, but Prince Ivan and Prince Woroy had turned them all back. I gathered Ser Lekomya and the other palace nobles who were part of Eleora’s faction for a meeting. I needed to brief them before the war began in earnest.
“Gentlemen, this is the perfect opportunity for you to become landed nobles.” I flashed them a wicked grin, the same wicked grin I’d just spent an hour practicing in front of the mirror, and hyped them up. “If we can defeat the rebel army, their nobles’ lands will be confiscated. And Prince Ashley will no doubt grant those lands to the nobles who aided him most in this war.”
