Chapter 124: The Deployment
The King declared the subjugation of the rebel, Marquis Berlio Aiger. With this proclamation, Marquis Aiger was officially recognized as a traitor to the kingdom and marked as a target for elimination. According to reports, nobles from the Queen Dowager Faction had already gathered in Aiger’s territory, along with a growing number of soldiers. Currently, the enemy forces were confirmed to be around fifty thousand, and their numbers were still increasing. The Kingdom Army, led by Crown Prince Richard, numbered approximately one hundred thousand. This would likely become the largest civil war since the founding of the kingdom.
“Though it may be too late to say this… wouldn’t it be better to strike before the enemy soldiers gather?”
Just before the deployment, Rest, who had returned to the townhouse of the Rosemary Marquis House for final preparations, murmured with a hint of curiosity. Uncharacteristically clad in armor, Rest wore a cloak that bore two family crests: one of the Rosemary Marquis House and the other of the Clover Viscount House, a newly ennobled family with a four-leaf emblem.
“Perhaps His Majesty the King intends to eradicate the nobles of the Queen Dowager Faction during this opportunity,” replied Primula, who was watching Rest with a worried expression.
“In a nation burdened by internal troubles and external threats, the most critical thing to avoid is a prolonged civil war that could descend into chaos. This opportunity must be seized to completely sever ties with the nobles of the Queen Dowager Faction.”
The Aiwood Kingdom had long been hindered by the machinations of the Queen Dowager Faction. To put an end to this situation, the Royalist Faction aimed to eliminate their adversaries and re-establish centralization. Centralization could lead to the concentration of power in the hands of the King, potentially giving rise to a tyrant like the previous monarch. However, considering the current precarious international situation with neighboring countries, centralization could be a wise choice to consolidate the nation’s strength in times of crisis.
“But… if we lose here, everything will be for naught. If we lose, it’s all over,” Viola said anxiously as she handed Rest the sheathed sword.
Rest attached the sword to his belt and nodded in agreement. “You’re right. While a short-term decisive battle is good, if we can’t win, it means nothing. In other words… we absolutely must achieve victory here.”
Rest clenched his fist. A short-term decisive battle—a one-time total war. If they won, they could eliminate the rebel faction, but if they lost, the Royalist Faction would crumble. The lives of the King and Crown Prince would be in jeopardy, and the kingdom itself would face annihilation.
“Speaking of which… His Majesty the King never mentioned Rodel’s name until the end…”
While Marquis Aiger was announced as the mastermind behind the rebellion, the name of the Third Prince Rodel, who served as the banner of the revolt, was conspicuously absent. Was it out of pity from the King, or had he discerned that Rodel was merely a puppet being used by Marquis Aiger? Or perhaps he simply did not want to make public the involvement of a member of the royal family in a rebellion.
“Regardless of the reason… we must win. I’ve just been ennobled and granted territory; I refuse to let it all end here.”
Rest hadn’t sought the noble title and territory for personal gain. Becoming the husband of the Rosemary Marquis House was more than enough for him; he had no further ambitions. Yet, the thought of the hard-fought achievements gained through life-and-death battles with Subnock evaporating into nothing was utterly unacceptable. Moreover, if the Kingdom Army were to lose this battle, the Queen Dowager Faction would seize control of the Aiwood Kingdom. Their first act upon gaining power would be to eradicate opposing factions, and the Rosemary Marquis House, the heart of the Royalist Faction, would likely be obliterated.
(If that happens, Viola and Primula… I won’t let that happen. I will absolutely win. I will win and return here…!)
Rest had people waiting for him to come back. He would return victorious and ensure they would reunite.
“Rest… do your best.”
“Rest-sama, please come back safely.”
“Yeah, I’m off!”
Leaving Viola and Primula behind, Rest departed from the Rosemary Marquis House. Though his name had changed to Rest Clover upon his ennoblement, he was effectively the representative of the Rosemary Marquis House. Following Rest out of the mansion were Dibble and other magicians affiliated with the Rosemary Marquis House.
Thus began Rest’s first experience of war against humans.