**Chapter 131: The Rebel Prince’s Resolve**
“Ugh… am I… still alive…?”
Rodel struggled to comprehend what had just transpired. A blinding flash of light had suddenly struck the command tent where he and his allies were gathered. In truth, it wasn’t just his vision that was scorched; the very tent itself had been incinerated, along with the soldiers stationed outside.
All around the charred remnants of the command tent, bodies lay strewn about. They were all nobles from the Queen Dowager Faction, nominal supporters of Rodel.
“Tch… what a formidable sorcerer we’re up against…”
“Who are you…?”
As Rodel squinted through the haze, he noticed a man standing protectively in front of him, blocking his view.
“You’re from the Empire…?”
The man was the leader of the reinforcements sent from the Empire, clad in a black hood that concealed his face and name.
“Was that light magic? No, just before it struck, the surroundings darkened. It seems to be a spell that gathers sunlight and fires it as a laser… a Solar Ray, perhaps. It might even be utilizing gravitational lenses rather than just light magic…”
“What are you talking about…?”
“Clearly a strategic-level spell. Such magic shouldn’t even be listed in the Magic Encyclopedia of the Sage Council. Is there a Sage-level enemy capable of creating new types of magic in this country? Damn it, this is unexpected!”
The hooded figure showed no reaction to Rodel’s words. With a frustrated click of his tongue, he kicked the body of a man lying nearby. It was none other than Marquis Aiger, the de facto commander of the rebel forces.
“Ugh…”
“Hey, get up! Stand up already!”
“Guh… ah… I… ugh…”
“Enough! Give orders to the soldiers! The enemy will charge at us any moment!”
“It… hurts… I need treatment…”
“Tch…”
The hooded man clicked his tongue again, grabbing Marquis Aiger by the collar and yanking him up forcefully.
“Damn…!”
“Your orders are… ‘Instruct the soldiers’ and ‘Prepare to face the enemy!’”
A strange purple mist emanated from the hooded man’s hand and was drawn into Aiger’s ear. Instantly, the agony that had contorted Aiger’s face vanished, and he stood upright on his own.
“…Understood. I will command the soldiers to face the enemy.”
Marquis Aiger stepped outside the command tent and began issuing orders to the panicked soldiers to prepare for the enemy’s assault. By that time, the sounds of battle and shouts could be heard from outside. It seemed that he had been slightly delayed in giving orders, as the enemy had already begun their charge.
“…We’ve fallen behind. Can we win this? No, it’s impossible. The militia must have been terrified by that last attack and fled. Those here for gold and plunder likely ran as well. If we’re lucky, half of our soldiers might still be willing to fight.”
“W-What are you saying…? Hurry and heal my injuries!”
“Ha…!”
From beneath the hood, the man let out a mocking laugh.
“Don’t make a fuss for someone so insignificant. I carried you along as a favor to our comrade, ‘her,’ but this is where it ends.”
“W-What…?”
“The conclusion will come swiftly. It seems we can’t drain any more from the Aiwood Kingdom. However… I’ve managed to reveal one of the kingdom’s trump cards. Your existence wasn’t entirely in vain. Good work.”
“…………”
“Perhaps that was also the work of a reincarnator… If she were to join us as a comrade, it would be reassuring, but if she ends up like the ‘Heavenly Emperor,’ then I’ll have to deal with her. Ah, what a troublesome future awaits!”
“Guaah…!?”
After ranting to himself, the hooded figure stepped on Rodel.
“The Empire will no longer support you. You’re nothing but a puppet with a name and lineage. Whether you meet your end by execution, in battle, or by your own hand… die however you wish, out of my sight. Farewell.”
With that, the figure vanished into thin air. A miracle that was said to be nearly impossible with modern magical techniques had been demonstrated right before Rodel’s eyes. He stood there for a moment, stunned, before finally murmuring through trembling lips.
“A… light… puppet…?”
Was he referring to Rodel? Neither Marquis Aiger nor any of his subordinates, nor the reinforcements from the Empire, had even glanced in Rodel’s direction. He was being belittled. Ridiculed. The last remnants of pride within Rodel felt as if they had been pierced by a thick needle, causing him pain.
“…I won’t let it end like this.”
He was not merely the grandson of the Queen Dowager. He was not a mere puppet or a vessel. He was Rodel Aiwood, a man in his own right. He could not allow himself to die while being used without showing his true worth.
“Guh, Uuuuuuuuu…!”
Rodel gritted his teeth against the pain and forced himself to rise. Through Body Enhancement, he strained his body to stand. Healing magic was not his forte; it wasn’t that he lacked the talent to learn it, but rather that he had never intended to. He had always believed that someone as exceptional as himself would never suffer injuries. He had no intention of using his magical power to heal others.
Resentful of the arrogance of his former self, he took his time to staunch his wounds and finally stood, gazing out at the battlefield.
“I will… make my mark…!”
Rodel was a fool, but even a fool could understand one thing. This war was a losing battle. Defeat was merely a matter of time. Yet, he had no intention of sitting idly by and waiting for death. He would etch his existence into the minds of as many people as possible. He was not the grandson of the Queen Dowager… but Rodel Aiwood, a man in his own right.
“Just wait… just wait for me…!”
With his body dragging behind him, Rodel slowly made his way toward the battlefield.