Chapter 53

The civil war in the Roshan Kingdom, which seemed to be ending in a rebellion victory in an instant, did not end as expected. Thanks to Otto's efforts, the civil war only grew longer. This was because the Crown Prince Louis Blanc successfully repelled the rebels and arrived at Fort Pelton, giving the suppression forces a reason to suppress the rebellion. As a result, the 1st Legion, stationed at Fort Pelton and known as the elite force of the Roshan Kingdom, began to prepare for war swiftly.

This made Duke Alex, the leader of the rebels, extremely angry. "The Crown Prince... escaped?"

Duke Alex's expression froze like ice at the report. "Do you think this makes any sense?"

The nobles who had joined the rebellion could not answer Duke Alex's question and remained silent, like mute bees. In fact, capturing the Crown Prince was not a difficult task. The Crown Prince's party had suffered tremendous losses while escaping the capital. The elite knights were all dead, and most of his close aides were either captured or killed. The Crown Prince's party was utterly exhausted, and capturing him should have been a matter of time. Even if it took a day or two longer, failure was unimaginable.

"I thought it was impossible for the Crown Prince to escape the capital. But nothing in this world is perfect. I believed it was just good fortune for the Crown Prince. Therefore, I did not hold anyone accountable. However, I never imagined that the Crown Prince would completely escape."

Duke Alex rose from his throne and slowly descended the steps. "Bishon."

"Yes, I am here."

Bishon, a knight who had always been favored by Duke Alex, knelt on one knee. "You commanded this operation, didn't you?"

"Y-Yes, my lord."

"Do you know what the failure of this operation will bring?"

"It is..."

"Due to the Crown Prince's escape, our country cannot avoid the civil war. It means that war is inevitable."

"I understand, my lord."

"You must know the horrors of war. Have you even imagined how much blood will be shed due to your failure?"

"My lord, I have committed a grave sin. Please forgive me..."

At that moment.

Swish!

Duke Alex's sword flashed like lightning.

Thud!

Bishon's head rolled on the floor of the throne room.

Spurt!

Blood gushed from the decapitated neck like a fountain.

Thud!

Bishon's body fell to the ground. Once a knight favored by Duke Alex, he was now a fallen hero.

The throne room was filled with a suffocating silence due to Bishon's death.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The nobles bowed their heads deeply, not daring to meet Duke Alex's furious gaze. As the nobles expected, Duke Alex's anger did not end with Bishon's death.

"The officers who participated in the operation are not without blame. Arrest them and execute them. And... prepare for a full-scale war. The Crown Prince will not back down."

"Yes, my lord."

The nobles bowed deeply, accepting Duke Alex's orders.

'This is a mess.'

Duke Alex clenched his teeth as he left the throne room. 'I tried to avoid the civil war.'

A civil war was the worst form of war. It was a monster that devoured the nation's strength. A war where the belly button was bigger than the belly. A victory that left only scars. A cripple whether you win or lose. A country in ruins even if you win. For Duke Alex, who could have swallowed the Roshan Kingdom whole, the Crown Prince's escape was a painful failure. Moreover, the 1st Legion stationed at Fort Pelton was a formidable force, and Duke Alex would have to endure significant losses if a war broke out.

'I won't be able to sleep tonight.'

If he had captured the Crown Prince, he could have ascended the throne without spilling a drop of blood. It would be strange if he could sleep.

Duke Alex drank strong whiskey to stay awake, suppressing his regret and anger over the Crown Prince's escape.

* * *

"Is something good happening?"

Camille asked as she saw Otto grinning while eating breakfast. 'Is he thinking of something evil again...?'

"Something good? Yes."

"Is surviving that good?"

"Well, of course it is. Ha... ha ha..."

Camille's pointed words made Otto break into a cold sweat. 'I almost died. Ugh.'

Otto shuddered as he recalled the chase last night. Camille's anger was immense after a week of evading the rebels, and it was all directed at Otto.

'This guy... is going to kill me...'

'No, let's calm down and talk it out...'

'Die.'

'Aaaaaah! The knight is killing the king! Aaaaaah!'

Camille's anger was so intense that she pursued Otto relentlessly, even though he was already battered from the operation.

'I barely survived.'

If his escape speed had been a bit slower, Otto was sure he would have been skewered by Camille's sword.

"So why are you smiling? I don't think you're that happy just because you didn't die."

"It's nothing special."

"Then what is it?"

"How angry do you think Duke Alex is?"

"...Is that it?"

"How disappointing it must be. It was the perfect opportunity to seize the throne."

Otto felt a sense of satisfaction as he saw through Duke Alex's frustration.

"He might not have lost his mind, but he definitely wouldn't let it go. Of course, many heads would roll."

Otto was certain that Duke Alex would not only execute Bishon but also other officers. He knew that capturing the Crown Prince was the most important task in this rebellion, and Duke Alex would find it difficult to control his anger.

"So... you take pleasure in others' anger?"

"Not others, but enemies."

Otto immediately corrected Camille's statement.

"Am I some kind of pervert? Taking pleasure in others' suffering?"

"Are you not?"

"Absolutely not."

"Hmm."

"What's that look for?"

Otto glared at Camille.

"Am I really taking pleasure in others' suffering..."

At that moment.

"Your Highness."

The swordmaster Cassim approached Otto and reported.

"The Crown Prince requests your immediate attendance at a meeting."

"Sure, I'll be there soon."

Otto stopped arguing with Camille and focused on his breakfast.

"Aren't you going?"

"I'll... finish... eating... and... go... This is delicious... Mmm..."

"..."

"This is all for survival."

For Otto, filling his stomach was more important than attending the meeting.

* * *

"Welcome."

Crown Prince Louis Blanc greeted Otto warmly as he entered the meeting. Indeed, if it weren't for Otto, the Crown Prince's chances of reaching Fort Pelton would have been slim.

Even the Crown Prince, who had a special bond with his savior, was no exception.

"Everyone, introduce yourselves. This is Captain Cain of the Black Brigade. Without Captain Cain, I would have been captured by the rebels. He is my savior."

The Crown Prince introduced Otto to his subordinates.

"Captain Cain, this is Lord Robert, our army's commander."

"I have heard much about you, Lord Robert. I am the commander of the suppression forces."

A middle-aged knight greeted Otto.

'He is an outstanding figure.'

Lord Robert was a loyal and skilled knight and soldier who had served the royal family for many years. He was not just the commander of the 1st Legion, the elite force of the Roshan Kingdom.

"I am Captain Cain of the Black Brigade."

"I am grateful for saving the Crown Prince."

"It's nothing."

"Please work well together in the future."

"Of course. The Black Brigade is merely fulfilling the late king's request."

After the introductions,

"Let's begin the meeting."

Thus, Otto successfully became part of the high command of the suppression forces led by the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince, impressed by the combat skills of Otto, Camille, and the swordmasters, actively recruited them.

"Our strategy is..."

The strategy meeting continued.

'Ugh. I'm sleepy. When will it end?'

Otto struggled to stay awake, barely paying attention to the meeting.

'I ate too much for breakfast...'

He was struggling to stay alert due to post-meal drowsiness. It was fortunate that he was wearing a mask to hide his identity.

"...Captain Cain?"

At that moment.

"Yes?!"

Otto was startled by someone calling his name.

"What do you think?"

He turned to see the Crown Prince looking at him with an expectant expression.

"Yes, well, that is..."

Otto was at a loss for words, mumbling incoherently.

'Damn. I didn't hear. What should I say?'

In fact, Otto was not particularly interested in the meeting's content. He did not need to interfere with strategy and tactics. His plan was to help the Crown Prince overcome strategic disadvantages and let the conflict play out, leading to mutual destruction.

"I desperately need Captain Cain's opinion."

"Um..."

"I request your opinion."

"Of course. My opinion is..."

After much deliberation,

'Ah, forget it.'

Otto decided to bluff instead of admitting he was asleep.

"Our Black Brigade will undertake special missions such as assassinating key figures at night and gathering intelligence before important battles. We will also disrupt the enemy to secure strategically advantageous positions for our army."

After Otto finished speaking,

"..."

"..."

"..."

The high command, including the Crown Prince, fell into silence.

'Oh no. I gave a non sequitur.'

Otto realized he had given an irrelevant answer and was flustered.

'Am I going to be dismissed? That would be a headache... I should have eaten less for breakfast...'

Being dismissed from the high command would make achieving his goals difficult.

"Captain Cain."

The Crown Prince spoke to Otto.

"Yes..."

"Truly excellent."

"Excuse me?"

"You have hit the mark."

The Crown Prince looked impressed.

Not only him,

"Wow!"

"What a spirit!"

The other members of the high command also seemed moved.

"Is it possible, given the dangerous and difficult nature of the task?"

"It's possible, or I wouldn't have said it."

"Ooh!"

The Crown Prince grabbed Otto's hand.

"I will never forget the combat skills you and your subordinates have shown. Since you say it's possible, how can I not believe you?"

"Ha... ha ha ha..."

Otto breathed a sigh of relief internally.

"Ah, and one more thing."

The Crown Prince asked Otto.

"Can you take on one more request?"

"Please speak."

"The Iota."

"The Iota?"

"They are growing rapidly. Even before my father's passing, we were keeping an eye on them. I cannot ignore them any longer. I fear how much more they will grow during our civil war."

"But you don't have the resources to subdue them now, do you?"

"I know that. That's why I'm asking... Can you deal with King Otto de Scuderi of Iota first?"

The Iota, a force that was barely a kingdom, but...