Chapter 146: The Reason for Independence
Why would Shen do something like declare independence at a time like this…
My mind was filled with that thought.
I wanted to enter the mansion as soon as possible and question him, but now that he’s declared independence and I haven’t confirmed the current situation, it wouldn’t be good for my presence to be revealed.
Suppressing my impatient feelings, I pretended to be a fully armed soldier and handed a letter to the gatekeeper.
The addressee was a fictitious person, but it was a name that would reach Shen without question if sent under it.
“I’ve heard that you’ll understand once you confirm the name.
I’d like an urgent reply. Due to a secret mission, I cannot reveal my identity, but would you allow me to wait?”
“Hmm… Understood. I’ll have someone guide you. Please wait a moment.”
Relieved that they seemed to accept it readily despite this emergency, I followed the guide inside.
Being guided to the reception room of my own home, which I hadn’t returned to in a long time, was also frustrating.
I wanted to rush to Shen’s side right away, but I calmed myself and waited patiently. After a while, the door opened, the room was cleared of people, and then Shen entered immediately.
“You really came, didn’t you, Ani-ue.”
“More importantly, tell me! Why declare independence now of all times…”
“Ahaha… You have to hear me out. It was really, really tough…”
Seeing my younger brother’s cheeks twitch as he laughed weakly, I realized there must have been unavoidable circumstances.
Calming myself, I nodded and said, “Let me hear it,” then took a seat.
“There was a battle six months ago, right? I was summoned for it. The day before…
I heard through an imperial edict that the Church was proclaiming it a holy war, so I prepared in a great hurry and really pushed myself to go… but, being told the day before, there’s no way I could have made it in time!”
“That’s to be expected. But from the looks of it, they used that to find fault with you, didn’t they…”
Shen had tears welling up in his eyes.
He’s the type of kid who usually laughs off even painful things. Something truly terrible must have happened…
“Yeah… When we arrived at the castle, they told us.
The Marquis Ignat Family, for failing to carry out the imperial edict, would be abolished. Those connected to it would be executed for high treason, they said.
Naturally, I couldn’t obey such words. I tried to protest that we hadn’t committed any treason, but far from being allowed through the castle gates, the soldiers pointed their spears at us.”
After that, deciding there was no point in staying if we couldn’t meet the Emperor, we decided to return, but we were detained under the pretext of high treason.
However, if we had complied, we would have just been executed.
He explained that they were forced to retreat to the Ignat Territory while fighting defensively to minimize casualties as much as possible.
“I see…”
“Of course, I didn’t decide on independence right away either.
I pleaded for a revocation that would meet the central government’s demands!
But it seemed like they wouldn’t be satisfied unless they took everything from us. All I got back was a letter saying that, at the very least, they expected us to hand over our territory and the heads of our family…”
There had been many instances of fault-finding due to political strife before, but this was too cruel even among them.
Even the most heartless nobles would at least try to appear as victims from an outsider’s perspective.
However, this time, it was a situation where most people knew they wouldn’t make it in time.
For the Emperor himself to do such a thing… has the Empire finally fallen this far?
I never imagined they would be subjected to such a childish and obviously unreasonable plot.
“Indeed, if it came to that, there was no other way but to fight, huh?
But if that’s the case, why didn’t you come crying to me? True, I now serve another lord, but if there was even a slight possibility, shouldn’t you, as the head, have at least bowed your head?
Her Highness is a wonderful person. She wouldn’t treat you cruelly without reason.”
I feel apologetic towards you.
To be honest, I want to help you right now.
Those were the words I spoke with that thought in mind, but before a reply could come, the door to the room opened.
“That’s because I was here, former Marquis Ignat-dono. No, I suppose both of us are former Marquises now, aren’t we?
Still, to think you were alive. I was deceived… but I’m glad.”
“–!?”
Why is this person in our mansion!?
At the sudden appearance of the intruder, Lloyd the Swift, I instinctively tensed up.
Surprised, I looked at Shen, but he had stood up and gone before Lloyd, not noticing my gaze.
“L-Lord Lloyd!
I am very grateful for your assistance, but to barge in uninvited when we have a guest is just…!”
“No, my apologies. But when I heard the voice of a friend I thought was dead, you see?”
A friend, huh… Indeed, back when he had just been promoted to general, we interacted frequently.
For a time, I wished I could be like that too, but in the end, he too was tainted by the darkness of the Empire, and we grew distant.
Well, his actions, though cruel, were to protect himself. Unlike me, he didn’t have the shield of a noble house, so I have no intention of blaming him.
But why?
Why would he, hailed as Lloyd the Swift, go so far as to betray the Empire and offer his aid…
“May I ask, Lord Lloyd, why are you on this side?”
When I asked that, he showed a relaxed smile, like when we first met.
“It’s simple, Lord Ignat.
It’s because, during the holy war, we deserted in the face of the enemy due to its utter foolishness.
It’s only natural, isn’t it? I didn’t obtain that position because I wanted it.
I only had to obey to survive, so there’s no way I’d follow an order to die.”
I see.
So he saw the pillar of light at that place. Unlike me, with his naked eyes.
If he were hit by that, even he wouldn’t survive.
So that’s why he decided to withdraw.
“Now, may I ask you something?” he said, turning his gaze towards me.
There was no need to hear the question.
It would be about why I faked my death.
“You probably already understand, don’t you? Since you were at the last military council.”
“I see. So it was because of that…”
I can’t go into detail because it would cause trouble for Her Highness.
So, when I remained silent after that, he seemed to understand and changed the subject.
“But this is good. This place will be safe now.
With three generals, the Marquis Ignat’s army, and my army, we should have more than enough to handle the current Empire.”
“Three… you say?”
“War God Honoka-dono is also lending her aid, Ani-ue.”
Wha-!?
The Empire’s strongest, Honoka-dono!?
If that’s the case, then indeed, we can make plans to defend it, at least for now.
“I see. So that’s why…” When I looked at Shen, he nodded with a confident expression.
“But Lord Lloyd, you should have seen the abnormality of that Ancient Race.
Didn’t you think it shouldn’t be provoked?”
“No… I don’t know that story. What’s an Ancient Race?”
I see. He’s quick to make decisions.
Did he withdraw skillfully as soon as he saw the pillar of light?
“They are intelligent Monsters that have lived since ancient times. They likely possess power that could kill even Honoka-dono in an instant.
To give you an idea, it instantly obliterated an area about thirty percent the size of the Imperial Capital.”
“…I can’t follow this. I don’t think you’re one to tell such lies, but it’s too absurd.
If that story were true, the Empire would have already been destroyed, wouldn’t it?”
“No. It’s a strange but true story.
It’s a Monster that has lived since ancient times, and has even spent a long time with humans.
It offered protection on the condition that it be entertained, and King Nagira accepted it.”
“!? For that name to come from you, who weren’t there, means that prince after all…
No wonder you grasp the situation better than we do.”
D-Damn it!
I should have kept quiet about King Nagira…
No, it’s a story we’d arrive at anyway if I explained.
I’ll deny it, but getting him to understand the situation is the priority. Especially for Lord Lloyd, who will likely be on the front lines.
“No, the events of that day, especially concerning the Ancient Race, are now fairly common knowledge outside the Empire.
More importantly, not provoking the Ancient Race is the top priority. If it appears, we’ll have no chance of winning.
It has declared that it won’t interfere in conflicts between humans, but I implore you, just don’t invade.”
While speaking to Lord Lloyd, I conveyed to Shen with my eyes, “You understand, right?”
“I never intended to from the start.
I’m just acting to protect this house that I inherited from you, Ani-ue.
If there’s no other way but to strike down the Emperor, I might have to act as the head of the family, but I’m not foolish enough to provoke such a monster at this stage.
However, if that’s the case, it looks like the defensive line will continue for a while. This is going to be tough…”
As a Lord responsible for the lives of his people, that’s an admirable answer.
However, he hasn’t realized the gravity of the situation.
I want to scold him for his naive perception, but Lord Lloyd’s presence makes it difficult to explain.
In a situation where I don’t know how things will turn out, I don’t want to give him any certainty.
As I was worrying about this, Shen seemed to notice my thoughts.
“Lord Lloyd, isn’t it about time?
For now, I’d like to speak with my Ani-ue, whom I haven’t seen in a long time.”
“Ah, right. I did barge in, didn’t I?
My sincerest apologies. Well then, let’s talk again when things have calmed down.”
“Yes. If our schedules align, by all means.” After we shook hands, he left the room.
Seizing this opportunity, I used the Magic Tool Her Highness had lent me to give Shen a detailed explanation.
Shen was surprised by the 3D image, a first for him, but he quickly composed himself and listened intently to the explanation.
Thanks to that, he also realized that his perception of the threat level had been too optimistic.
“This is troubling. So, if we make a wrong move, it could become a world crisis…”
“That’s right. And His Highness also said he wanted to speak with you once.”
“…Will I be stopped after all?” Shen asked with a troubled expression.
“I wonder. But given His Highness’s character, he would never just tell you to die in silence. You already know that, don’t you?”
“That’s true. Regarding the Strange Disease, I also thought he was someone you, aniki, could trust. Normally, one wouldn’t accept us, nor would they undertake treatment. It’s like we’re being treated as family.”
“Yeah. I’m truly being allowed to do things freely. So much so that it’s almost too much freedom.”
After conveying His Highness’s character, I asked about Lord Lloyd’s and Lady Honoka’s intentions.
Under what conditions had he welcomed them as swordmasters?
“No, they just asked us to shelter them. Their participation in the war was also just how things turned out; we haven’t made any particular promises. However, they did say they can’t stay with us until the very end.”
Since they had been accepted before the problems arose, it seems it truly happened by chance.
When Shen decided to declare independence, he asked them about their future plans, and they apparently said they would lend a hand in defense as long as it was within their capabilities.
“I see… Can we really trust their words about having abandoned the Empire?”
“Well, as far as my investigations have shown. For people that central, a single word from the Emperor would be enough, so they could easily receive secret orders. But if it’s a family they’ve decided to crush with the most unreasonable pretext… they could just have them crushed by military force, right?”
That’s true.
If those two led an army, we’d be easily defeated in my absence.
Well, even if Kai and I were there, with our strength before going to His Highness, we’d probably only last a little longer…
However, in that case, it’s highly probable that their wish is for a place to belong in the future.
So, this was the place where they could currently sleep most soundly, is that it?
As I was speculating about them, Shen spoke with a bitter expression.
“I thought our military strength was sufficient, but aniki’s story is so much more unexpected than I imagined, I’m confused too.”
Sufficient?
Certainly, they wouldn’t be completely overthrown, but even with those two, if the entire Empire is the opponent, wouldn’t the surrounding areas be chipped away?
I posed this question to Shen, but he said that right now, the Empire is too preoccupied with the rampant Strange Disease to deal with much else.
The central government seems to be business as usual, but apparently, other regions no longer have any soldiers to dispatch.
“We’re about the only ones who took early measures and completely contained it. Everywhere else seems to be in a terrible state. Arson attacks are happening in various places.”
Shen said that for that reason, even if they brought all the forces stationed in the north, they could still resist.
I was a little surprised to hear the situation was that dire, but for me, it was a convenient situation no matter how you looked at it.
“I see,” I sighed in relief.
“So, when is the meeting with His Highness, Crown Prince Rui?”
“The sooner, the better. But please, make sure there are no interruptions next time.”
The last time I guided His Highness, Shen ended up barging in.
If that happens again this time, we’ll lose His Highness’s trust.
“I’m really counting on you,” I emphasized.
“Yeah. This time was so sudden, I wasn’t prepared either. Next time, I’ll properly prepare a place where there won’t be any disturbances.”
Hearing that, I thought, “That’s true,” and was convinced.
This time, I hadn’t given any prior notice and had only sent an anonymous letter.
I reconsidered, thinking that in such a sudden situation, it couldn’t really be called Shen’s fault.
When I nodded back at Shen, he continued, “I’m ready anytime,” but I wonder if he really understood.
His Highness will probably say, “Well then, I’ll go listen to what you have to say right now.”
“Are you already prepared?”
“Well, it’s not something that takes a lot of time. It’ll be enough if I move to the annex where they aren’t, right?”
“If they still follow and force their way in, then I’m at my wit’s end,” Shen laughed.
Some generals might do such a thing out of mere curiosity, but those two wouldn’t resort to such forceful methods as tailing and barging in unless they’ve designated someone as an enemy.
This recent rudeness was also surprising behavior for Lord Lloyd.
However, even if I tell Shen to take countermeasures, it’s difficult to counter forceful methods.
“Then, I just need to report considering that possibility,” I nodded, moved to a separate room, and contacted His Highness via the Magic Tool. He expressed concern about the presence of the generals, but secrecy would be easy with video communication.
I received a reply that the sooner, the better.
At that time, I conveyed every piece of information I currently had in detail.
The reason Shen had no choice but to declare independence.
The fact that Lord Lloyd and Lady Honoka were with the Ignat Family and the circumstances behind it.
The disastrous state of the Empire due to the Strange Disease.
His Highness didn’t show much surprise at the participation of the two generals, which I thought would surprise him the most. Instead, he was angry about Shen being framed and the Emperor doing nothing about the Strange Disease.
To be concerned about his subordinates even at a time like this… indeed, my lord is of a different caliber.
As I finished my report with these thoughts, I received words from His Highness.
“I’ve also gotten permission from Pops for me to act directly, so let’s discuss it and think together about how we can help your side.”
These were words of kindness far exceeding my imagination.
His Highness’s words made the corners of my eyes grow hot, and tears welled up.
Not only allowing me to participate in the war, but for His Highness himself to take action.
How joyous it is to have met such a wonderful lord…
Until now, I thought I couldn’t even die because I was worried about Lia, but His Highness would protect her even without me asking.
In that case, as His Highness’s Knight, I will simply protect him with all my heart and soul.
Even if it means throwing my life away against an unbeatable enemy, that is how I want to be.
——–This is my conviction.