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Chapter 45
It Was Originally Mine
A letter arrived from the Kingdom of Kishiu in the Northern Continent. It reported a large outbreak of monsters in the Red Forest and requested reinforcements. The Kishiu royal family had previously sent troops during the Revan War. Since then, the two nations had maintained an alliance, occasionally providing mutual support.
“We’ll hold a state council soon,”
Tanasis informed Sabas. The old man frowned as he read through the letter.
“Monsters often appear in this region, but I didn’t expect them to request reinforcements. Is there a problem?”
“They say the magical energy in the Red Forest has intensified. The number of monsters has increased severalfold compared to previous years.”
“That’s troublesome. Dealing with those affected by magic is already complicated enough, tsk.”
The letter also included reports of significant casualties among the Kishiu Royal Knights already deployed to the frontlines. Sabas rubbed his furrowed brow.
“You’ll need to accompany us this time, Master.”
“Very well. Sending a few disciples alone wouldn’t be sufficient anyway.”
“To be entrusted with command only to be sent to war immediately…”
Rishar Officié lamented as he read the report alongside them. He had come to pay his final respects to the Second Prince before departing for his barony. Tanasis, immersed in thought, casually addressed him.
“To be precise, it’s an extermination mission.”
“Your Highness, the monsters near Hinnom Valley are intelligent. You mustn’t underestimate them.”
“You have a successor; what is there to worry about?”
Tanasis pointed to Arsen, who stood beside Rishar. Arsen nodded reassuringly, calming Rishar’s concerns.
“You’ve already passed on your position, Baron. Don’t worry and return to your territory.”
Rishar hesitated to leave. It wasn’t that he doubted Arsen, the newly appointed Royal Knight Commander, but knowing his longtime lord would go to war while he remained in safety made him uneasy. Tanasis, however, was unsparing.
“As you heard, the meeting starts soon. No need for farewells.”
Reluctantly, Rishar turned away. As the aged knight left the office, Sabas swung his staff at Tanasis. Tanasis avoided it with a slight lean and lazily handed him the report.
“Look at the way he speaks. I almost feel slighted just listening.”
“If I hadn’t, Sir Officié would have insisted on joining the battle. After decades of being tied to the palace, we can’t stop him.”
Tanasis glanced at Arsen beyond the paper.
“Fortunately, we have a young, capable volunteer. We’ll let him go.”
Arsen had declared his willingness to join the battle as soon as he read the letter.
“Sir Lafayette, serve as my aide.”
“I will obey.”
“Master, you will command the medical corps.”
“Understood.”
After a moment of thought, Tanasis added,
“Rose will be excluded from this campaign.”
“She’s surprisingly useful. The expedition isn’t for another two weeks. Her health has recovered, and she’d be handy.”
“No. Please ensure she remains in the palace.”
Sabas looked surprised, then glanced at Arsen. The knight had stayed close to the Third Princess in the past, but for some reason, he was quiet this time.
“Because of Ludwig?”
“Yes. We need someone to counter the Grand Duke.”
“Rose alone? I can’t predict what Ludwig is thinking.”
“We’re not expecting much. Just enough to buy time.”
Since it became known that Rose had fully recovered thanks to “Regeneration,” the palace valued her blessing highly. Ludwig would be cautious around her for some time.
“I understand, but he may not accept it easily. He has quite a temper.”
Sabas chuckled strangely. There was a hint of familiarity in his tone, making Tanasis frown slightly.
“You’ve grown close, I see.”
“Why, it’s family, isn’t it?”
Sabas casually replied with a snort.
Meanwhile, Arsen stared at the obsidian bracelet on his wrist, lost in thought. Three days earlier, he had been training on the parade ground to clear his mind. His subordinates gave him wary looks at his relentless effort. Yet, despite the training, the inner turmoil grew stronger each day, stirred by personal feelings he had realized during the closing ceremony.
Harboring a young man’s feelings for a lifetime master… he realized he was not yet fully disciplined. He kept training, thinking his emotions would eventually die down.
Then something flew from the sky. A small bird with yellow feathers—the current emperor’s canary—landed gracefully on his arm, its beak adorned with a familiar ornament.
“What… is this?”
As a presence approached, Arsen quickly drew his sword. The metal clanged; the canary fluttered up.
“What are you doing?”
“Recovering what the princess’s pet stole.”
“Are you serious?”
Arsen showed the bracelet. The other nodded, and his heart stirred. He pocketed the bracelet.
“I’ll return it to her.”
“No, you shouldn’t.”
The soldier scratched his head awkwardly.
“Why not?”
“The princess ordered her ‘guard’ to bring it personally.”
He emphasized the words deliberately. Arsen frowned. The soldier chuckled like a fox.
“Scary. Relax your expression.”
“You call yourself a guard and can’t even protect one item of the princess’s.”
“That’s right. I’m not suited for guarding, so I’ll obey her order properly.”
The soldier bowed slightly and extended his hand.
“Please return it to the master, Sir Lafayette.”
“It’s back to its rightful owner.”
“Master?”
“It was originally mine. I merely gave it to His Highness as a gift.”
“Oh.”
The soldier stood sheepishly, licking his lips.
“So that’s why it was precious.”
“What?”
“Oh, now I want to take it even more.”
He muttered something incomprehensible, then laughed lightly.
“Well, I suppose I’ll let it go. The princess wants it back desperately, so I must return it, brave sir!”
The soldier leapt and disappeared as quickly as he arrived.
“Time to head to the council.”
Snapped out of his thoughts by Tanasis, Arsen hurriedly covered his wrist. By chance, he would participate in the Red Forest expedition, keeping him apart from the princess. The campaign would last at least a year, maybe longer. Time spent abroad would help him suppress these feelings and refocus on serving his master faithfully.
“Finally, it has come.”
Rose stared intently at the messy papers scattered on her desk. Suddenly, a state council was called, and Tanasis announced the recruitment of an expeditionary force to the Northern Continent. Specifically, they would be sent to the Red Forest to fight monsters in the Kishiu Kingdom. Tension filled the room.
“The Royal Knights of Lemegis will form the core, with infantry and cavalry units. Sir Sabas will handle rear support. Upon arrival in the Red Forest, we will join the Kishiu Royal Knights for a joint operation.”
The council quickly discussed troop composition and support plans. Tanasis was appointed commander of the expedition.
“So it’s following the original plan.”
Prince Tanasis would earn fame in this war and be crowned Crown Prince upon returning, then embark on his pursuit of revenge and the throne. Rose watched Arsen planning strategies beside Tanasis. He seemed even more handsome than a few days ago.
“Ever since becoming the Royal Knight Commander, he hasn’t come around.”
Arsen, now Tanasis’s aide, would swear loyalty during this war. Rose watched them with narrowed eyes. She had to separate them.
“To do that, I must join the expedition too.”
Unlike the novel’s Rose, she had already manifested her fairy blessing. While she had to reveal her abilities to survive in the palace, her efforts today also served this purpose. Who would include a useless princess in an expedition? Having healed the wounded and earned the title of saint, she now only needed to prove herself in the Red Forest and solidify her royal standing.
“Heh. All that medical training finally pays off.”
After spending time in the infirmary and studying Sabas’s books, she would have no trouble joining the medical corps.
“I’ll join the rear support unit. I’ve helped Sir Sabas before, and my ‘Regeneration’ will be useful.”
However, Sabas unexpectedly opposed her participation.
“Rose, you must stay in the palace.”
“What? Why?”
“The Erettria capital’s waterworks construction is imminent. You’re the only one who can replace me.”
Rose had co-designed the capital’s water and sewage systems with Sabas. Now the plan passed safely, and construction was about to begin. Someone needed to oversee the project, and Sabas had to lead the medical corps.
“Then… I’m the only one?”
Rose’s expression fell. She couldn’t refuse now that she had personally developed it. Delegating it would risk misunderstanding. But taking the task meant giving up the expedition.
“Are you sure you can manage alone, Grandpa?”
“Hmph. Why alone? I have disciples, priests, and physicians. Plenty to assist me.”
“But…”
“I’ve managed fine without you before. Don’t treat me like a feeble old man.”
Hearing she wasn’t needed, Rose felt slightly disappointed. Even Sabas, her ally, couldn’t help her push the issue.
“So… I really have to stay?”
Her plan to shine in the expedition gradually slipped away. She would have to watch Tanasis and Arsen grow closer from afar. Desperate, she glanced longingly at Arsen, but he didn’t even look her way.
“If we don’t finish the work before winter, the river will flood again next summer. Rose, take over Sir Sabas’s project.”
“…Understood.”
With Tanasis’s final instructions, Rose had no choice but to comply. Arsen still didn’t spare her a glance.
“Ugh… that’s harsh.”
He wouldn’t take her with him, and he didn’t even look at her. How could he seem so heartless?
