Chapter 58

"Brigadier Cain… Where are you? I miss you. I really want to see you today."

Prince Louis Blanc gazed at the eastern sky every day, yearning for Otto.

The prince's longing for Otto grew deeper as the war became more intense.

After all, the prince had been exhausted from fighting the rebels for the past month.

He had lost countless troops in numerous battles and had seen the horrific scenes of war that were hard to bear with open eyes.

As the war continued, it felt as if his soul was becoming sick day by day.

Amidst this, the balance of power was so evenly matched that it seemed they would have to cease fire rather than continue the war.

"Exactly when will you come? You said you would return in a week. I desperately need your strength. If you return, I won't even consider a ceasefire…."

So Prince Louis Blanc waited for Otto with bated breath.

If Otto comes.

Firmly believing that with the <Black Brigade> and Brigadier Cain, he could sweep away the rebels…

However, contrary to Prince Louis Blanc's hopes, Otto was not in the suppression army camp but in the rebel camp.

"What? Iota's Otto de Scuderiya is here to see me?"

"That is correct, Your Highness."

"But he died a month ago, didn't he?"

The news of Otto's death had already reached Duke Alex's ears.

Since the person who was supposed to be dead was now alive and requesting a meeting, Duke Alex was naturally taken aback.

"He had to pretend to be dead due to internal affairs in Iota."

"Internal affairs?"

"There was an incident where he was nearly assassinated by Knight Camille."

"What?"

Duke Alex doubted his own ears.

"Camille…? The noble Knight Camille tried to assassinate the ruler?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Are you asking me to believe that?"

Camille's chivalry was well-known not only in the borderlands but also across the continent.

Thus, it was natural for Duke Alex to doubt the report.

He thought there was no reason for Camille to take on the dishonor of being a regicide, a <King Slayer>.

"It seemed there were certain circumstances."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Let him in first. I will meet him and talk to him."

Although Duke Alex found Otto's sudden visit suspicious, he decided to meet him.

* * *

"I see Duke Alex."

Otto knelt on one knee and bowed as soon as he met Duke Alex.

'Oh, really?'

Duke Alex was very pleased to see such a gesture from Otto.

For a king of a country to humble himself before the king of a neighboring country—though not yet a king—was an acknowledgment that the Kingdom of Rochan was clearly superior to Iota.

'Still, he has a good grasp of his position. Even after ascending to the throne, he can still humble himself like this.'

Duke Alex's gaze towards Otto softened slightly.

"Are you Otto de Scuderiya, the king of Iota?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Then why have you come to see me?"

"To seek an alliance."

"Alliance…?"

"Our Iota is a small country. On the contrary, Rochan is a large country. As a small country, we merely wish to form an alliance with a large country. We want to treat Rochan as our elder brother's country in the future."

"Hmm."

"Please do not refuse my request."

"What is the reason?"

"I just want to live."

"Want to live…"

Duke Alex nodded.

"Indeed. Iota must fear our country."

"Is there any doubt?"

Otto lowered his body even further, as if the mere thought of it was terrifying.

"In my opinion, the civil war in Rochan will ultimately be won by Your Highness."

"Of course it will. Soon, the prince's head will be displayed on the city walls."

In fact, Duke Alex was not confident of winning the war.

However, he could not show his weakness to Otto, who had come to bow first, so he pretended to believe in victory without any doubt.

'Certainly it will be.'

Otto saw through Duke Alex's true intentions and smiled inwardly.

The current balance of power between the rebel and suppression armies was almost perfect, making it difficult to determine a winner without a special trigger.

Therefore, discussions about a ceasefire agreement were even underway between the rebel and suppression armies.

To talk about displaying the prince's head on the city walls was nothing but bravado.

"Therefore, I earnestly hope that Your Highness will show mercy to Iota after ascending to the throne."

"Are you afraid of me?"

"I am afraid."

Otto even bowed his head to the floor.

"Can you not show us mercy?"

"Ha ha!"

Duke Alex laughed at Otto's plea.

"Showing mercy is not a difficult thing. However, mercy should not be given lightly. People are inherently ungrateful, and if they receive mercy without any cost…."

The cunning and experienced Duke Alex began to lay the groundwork as Otto took a humble stance.

However, Otto was even more cunning and experienced than Duke Alex.

"I will not take the favor of Your Highness for granted."

"Hmm?"

"I will fulfill my obligations."

"Obligations…?"

"To help Your Highness ascend to the throne as soon as possible, we, Iota, will assist you. Please give us the opportunity to lend a hand."

"Give you the opportunity to lend a hand… How do you plan to help?"

"I have an army of 5,000. I want to contribute to Your Highness with this 5,000-strong army."

At that moment.

'5,000!'

Duke Alex's eyes changed.

The rebel army currently had about 20,000 troops.

The suppression army had almost the same number, with little difference.

In such a situation where both sides' forces were evenly matched, securing an additional 5,000 troops…

'5,000… That's enough to break the balance. Yes, it's more than enough.'

The ceasefire agreement that he was reluctantly drafting could be torn up right away.

"Can you really provide that much support?"

"Of course."

"If that is the case… I will gladly show mercy to Iota. I will ensure at least 20 years of safety."

…But Duke Alex's words and intentions were 180 degrees apart.

'Heh heh heh. A mere promise can be broken after ascending to the throne. Yes, I'll let you be for about five years. But don't expect more. Heh heh heh.'

Duke Alex had no intention of keeping his promise.

The recently rapidly growing Iota was becoming an increasingly threatening force to the Kingdom of Rochan.

Like Prince Louis Blanc, Duke Alex also planned not to leave Iota alone after the civil war ended.

'He's lying.'

Otto knew this fact very well and secretly mocked Duke Alex.

"I will give you the opportunity to help us in recognition of your sincerity."

"Is that really true?"

"Of course."

"I am grateful for your kindness!"

Otto bowed deeply to Duke Alex.

"I will sincerely assist Your Highness!"

"I look forward to it! Ha ha ha ha!"

Thus, the Kingdom of Iota formed an alliance with Duke Alex's rebel army and prepared to fight against the suppression army led by the prince.

* * *

Duke Alex was not an easy person to deal with.

"You will lead the vanguard. I will give you the opportunity to earn merit."

Duke Alex intended to put Otto's Iota army at the forefront.

Why?

To preserve the strength of the rebel army.

This was a decision that would have a dual effect for Duke Alex.

The most dangerous place in war is undoubtedly the front line.

If the Iota army was placed at the front, it would undoubtedly suffer heavy casualties.

Conversely, the rebel army would suffer relatively fewer casualties, thus preserving their strength.

For Duke Alex, who planned to invade Iota in the future, this was the best scenario.

However, Otto saw through Duke Alex's intentions and did not easily fall for his scheme.

"Your Highness, I am grateful for the opportunity to earn merit. But I cannot do it."

"What?"

Duke Alex glared at him.

"You don't want to lead your army at the front? Even with the opportunity to earn merit?"

"I desperately want to lead my army at the front. But there is a problem."

"What is the problem?"

"If our Iota army appears, will the prince readily engage in battle?"

"…!"

"If the prince is not a fool, he will set up a defensive line in a strategically advantageous position and hold out."

"That…."

Duke Alex was speechless at Otto's point.

"Our existence must remain a secret until the battle begins. Only then can we catch the prince off guard."

"Hmm!"

"Your Highness, please lead your army to engage the prince's forces first. Then I will lead the Iota army to attack the prince's rear."

"Ugh."

Duke Alex clicked his tongue in disappointment.

However, he could not refute Otto's argument or insist further.

Why?

Because Otto's strategy was flawless, and logically, it was the right approach.

'No choice.'

Although Duke Alex was reluctant, he decided to follow Otto's strategy.

He wanted to sacrifice the Iota army as a sacrificial offering.

However, as Otto pointed out, if he used his forces in that way, the prince would not engage in battle.

In other words, the rebel army could not win this war without making some sacrifices.

"Fine. I will follow your advice."

"That is a wise decision."

"We will discuss the detailed plans for the operation later."

"Very well."

"By the way…"

Duke Alex, as if something had just occurred to him, asked Otto.

"How did you end up nearly being assassinated by a noble knight like Camille? What was the reason for pretending to be dead?"

"That is…."

Otto answered as if he had been waiting for this question.

"Actually, Knight Camille is not a noble person at all."

"Hmm?"

"Camille, that guy, pretends to be a noble knight on the surface, but his heart is darker than darkness itself."

"What do you mean? A noble knight with a dark heart?"

"That guy…."

Seizing the opportunity, Otto began to heap all sorts of terrible and wicked crimes on Camille.

After all, he needed a plausible reason for pretending to be dead and also wanted to get back at the annoying Camille.

At the same time.

'…Is His Highness badmouthing me somewhere?'

Unaware of the situation, Camille, whose ears suddenly itched severely, was certain that the culprit was Otto.

After all, Otto was the only person in the world who would badmouth the noble Camille, who had lived a virtuous life all his life.