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Jerome had no choice but to return to the battlefield less than three days after setting foot in the capital.
He had occasionally monitored the situation in the capital through the intelligence network, but there was a great difference between receiving reports and seeing things with his own eyes.
Especially if the information missing from those reports was something his lord absolutely needed to know.
It had to be delivered quickly.
“Just as expected. We’ve been away from the capital for far too long. Quite a few of our agents have been bribed by the Count.”
“As I thought. So it was my uncle who manipulated the information. What about the negotiations?”
The war was now in its fourth year.
With Duke Ditrio leading the army to one victory after another, the Lionef forces had the upper hand.
But only slightly—since the Genovan army was resisting fiercely, the conflict had dragged into a war of attrition.
As the meaningless fighting continued, both sides grew weary, and eventually it was the Genovan side that proposed a truce first.
Hoping to sign another peace treaty.
“At this rate, there will only be meaningless sacrifices. We’ve sent envoys to you for negotiations, so until then, why don’t we suspend the fighting for a while?”
Kyrgen agreed to that.
Even though, with justification and pretext on Lionef’s side, there was no real reason to retreat.
But he had grown impatient with how much longer the war was dragging on than he had planned.
The time frame he had set was exactly four years.
He had planned to return to the capital when he turned twenty.
He didn’t want to delay seeing Emilina any longer than that.
Once his succession to the title was complete, his uncle would have no power to manipulate him.
He intended to make sure Emilina could not be touched the moment he returned.
That was why he had endured and waited for the right moment… but the war had shackled him.
His uncle was doing everything he could to prevent his return.
Because of that, it was difficult to gain complete victory.
No matter how powerful Kyrgen had grown, he could not end a war alone.
It would take time to lead the Lionef army to triumph.
So when the choice was given, Kyrgen had not hesitated.
If negotiations could end this tedious war quickly, he was willing to accept.
But no matter how long he waited, there was no reply from the capital.
“I was just about to bring that up, actually. The king has refused to resolve things peacefully.”
“And his reason?”
“He said only by subduing them with force can the kingdom’s prestige be maintained.”
“…”
Kyrgen’s displeasure was obvious.
Jerome, as if understanding, asked cautiously:
“You just thought he was insane, didn’t you?”
“…You’ve got a sharp tongue, saying that about the king.”
“Oh, come on. It’s the truth, isn’t it?”
“You’d best watch your mouth unless you want to be dragged away on charges of lèse-majesté.”
“I only say it because it’s just the two of us. Don’t worry, I’m careful otherwise.”
Jerome replied smoothly.
Kyrgen spoke in a flat tone.
“That’s enough nonsense. Was my uncle interfering again?”
“Need you ask? Seems he’s been whispering in the king’s ear, doing his best to keep you from coming back.”
Kyrgen clicked his tongue.
“And the nobles who wanted negotiations? Since the other side approached first, they wouldn’t have wasted the opportunity.”
“The king sided with the opposition and dismissed them all.”
“So he insists on bloodshed, then.”
Kyrgen raked his hand through his hair in irritation.
Jerome added, hesitantly:
“And there’s a decree that never got delivered because of the message controls. It said you are not to return until you’ve brought back the head of the Genovan king.”
“My uncle must have bribed the courier.”
“Just a delaying tactic. Thanks to that, we wasted half a year doing nothing.”
“What became of the courier?”
“Dead long ago. Took a lot of effort to track down even a trace.”
“Of course… My uncle would never leave loose ends.”
Kyrgen muttered under his breath.
Jerome looked regretful.
“If it weren’t wartime, I’d have caught the trail. A real shame.”
“It’s in the past.”
Kyrgen shook his head.
“What I’m more concerned about is how Genova will respond. Have you learned anything?”
Jerome’s expression turned grim.
“For the past four months, funds have been flowing into the Genovan army. Not a massive amount, but nothing insignificant either.”
“So the quiet was preparation for a strike. A large battle is imminent.”
“They sent the entire envoy back as corpses. They’ll attack with everything they have.”
Kyrgen nodded.
“All the better. Strengthen our defenses and summon the officers.”
“You mean to strike first?”
“It’s the only way to avoid being struck ourselves.”
“True. That’s why we’ve been conserving strength until now.”
“Then hurry with the rest of your report and let’s move.”
At Kyrgen’s sarcastic remark, Jerome frowned.
“Let’s be honest. The Count is just an excuse—you sent me to the capital for news about her, didn’t you?”
“You’re the one who reported she might have been exposed to my uncle.”
“…”
Jerome looked at Kyrgen, speechless.
“Well? Are you not going to report?”
Jerome suddenly found him unbearably irritating.
With a sigh, he finally spoke about what he had found in the capital.
“I didn’t have much time to investigate, but it seems Baron Klein is entangled in usury.”
“Usury?”
“His debts have skyrocketed lately. I dug deeper since it smelled fishy and found that Viscount Zolta is involved.”
“Viscount Zolta… It may well be my uncle’s doing.”
Kyrgen tapped the table thoughtfully.
Jerome, almost anticipating him, said quickly:
“Let me say this first—don’t think of sending me back to the capital. Ending this war comes first.”
Kyrgen answered a beat later.
“…It was just a thought.”
Jerome narrowed his eyes.
“Not this time. Genova could attack any moment, and if I leave, it’s a real loss of strength. A loss.”
“Not exactly a loss.”
“Either way, returning to the capital now is not a good idea.”
Kyrgen didn’t want to admit it, but Jerome had a point. He could only nod.
“And about Lady Klein… there’s something I haven’t reported yet—”
Jerome began cautiously, but Kyrgen silenced him with a raised finger.
He gestured toward the entrance of the tent.
Jerome lowered his voice.
“An intruder?”
“No. Too obvious to be a spy.”
“I’ll check.”
Kyrgen nodded.
Jerome approached the tent entrance silently.
And just then—
“Duke, it’s me, Rosie. I came because I have something to say about Lady Emilina.”
A familiar voice came from outside.
Jerome pulled aside the flap with a deflated look.
“So it was you, Rosie?”
“Gasp—Deputy Commander?”
“Yes, it’s me. So what business do you have with the Duke?”
“Uh, well, that is…”
Rosie stammered.
Jerome clicked his tongue and filled in for him.
“You came about Lady Klein.”
“Y-Yes, that’s right.”
Rosie nodded awkwardly.
Kyrgen, watching, added,
“Speak. I’m listening.”
Rosie swallowed hard and held out a letter.
It was from Emilina.
Kyrgen frowned at the letter shoved at him, but Jerome, quicker on the uptake, drew Rosie inside.
“Ahem. Best to talk inside.”
“You already guessed something, didn’t you, Jerome?”
Kyrgen’s sharp remark made Jerome flinch.
Then, feigning nonchalance, he replied,
“I was just about to bring it up myself.”
“And this has to do with what you’ve been holding back in your reports?”
Jerome looked away under Kyrgen’s sarcasm, then hurried to change the subject.
“Haha… Rosie, so what’s happened with the young lady?”
His laugh was awkward.
Caught between the two men, Rosie cautiously spoke.
“Well… it’s just that something the Deputy Commander said earlier has been bothering me. Is the rumor about the young lady connected to you, Duke?”
“Rumor? What rumor?”
“Ugh—so it was about that?”
Kyrgen raised an eyebrow, while Jerome groaned and shook his head.
Rosie looked confused by their opposite reactions.
‘Does the Duke not know about the rumor?’
As Rosie looked at Jerome questioningly, Kyrgen said irritably:
“Jerome. I think you’d better explain.”
“Hmm… yes, I suppose so. You see… Lady Klein’s situation is not very good right now.”
