Chapter 78

The war that has been ongoing for two years has been eroding the empire's prestige and national strength in real time. The northern expeditionary force's command was suffering from the situation, which felt like they were sinking deeper into a quagmire the longer the war dragged on, and they were fighting the impulse to bite their tongues in frustration.

The northern nomadic tribes had never formed a single force before. Therefore, they were merely targets for the empire to suppress at will. However, the reality was that the empire had been suffering defeats for two years at the hands of these suppression targets. Even a mere nomad had managed to crush the empire's vaunted strong army and demonstrated its might.

The strength of the khan and the terror of the united nomadic cavalry charge were not the main considerations. The continent remembered only one thing: "The empire that could not defeat a mere nomad."

"If we lose here, the empire is finished."

A single sentence from the Duke of Victory. Although it could be considered disloyal and deplorable for someone leading the imperial army under the emperor's command to say such a thing, no one could refute it. Indeed, if they lost this war, the empire would be finished. Even if Kaphelopen survived, the empire would be finished.

If they could not stop the self-proclaimed khan who dared to challenge the only empire, they would lose the justification for ruling over the continent's many nations. If they could not stop a mere nomad and allowed the birth of a new empire, their national strength would be doubted.

Of course, other nations were aware of the khan's ferocity, but what did it matter to them? With the empire, which had ruled over them, now on the verge of collapse, they were preparing to feast on the remains.

"The khan was injured in the last battle."

A few days ago, a battle with the khan took place, and they succeeded in inflicting a significant injury on him. However, the cost was high, with the 4th Division Commander and other key forces being transferred to the capital for treatment. Still, it was a relief that they did not die.

"Kal Crassius."

"Yes, sir."

"Can you do it?"

"I will definitely succeed."

And the Duke of Victory did not miss this opportunity. Rather, he could not afford to miss it. The khan, who had always been invincible, being injured was a first in two years. If they missed this chance, when would the next one come? At least not while the empire was still intact.

So, now was the time. They would deploy all the forces the imperial army could muster to capture the khan. And the leaders of the 4th Division, including himself, would be the ones to do it. They had learned from experience that overwhelming numbers were meaningless against the khan.

"This is a teleportation scroll. The Duke of Magic worked hard to create it."

The scroll would transport the khan to where the commando team was waiting. Although it would not be easy, it would be easier than killing the khan. Once they reached the khan, teleporting him would be simple.

"The fate of the empire rests on your shoulders."

Fortunately, another special forces unit succeeded in separating the khan from his army by using the scroll. And the 4th Division leaders succeeded in killing the khan where they were waiting.

Although five out of seven fell and could not rise again, it was a miracle that two survived.

But perhaps the miracle was only for one.

"Sorry, Kal."

Hecate followed the five as they returned to the capital.

In the end, I was the only one who returned to the capital from the commando team that killed the khan.

***

Why would I only recall this much? It keeps coming to mind.

'I can't just erase my memories.'

Unfortunately, memories are not something you can control at will. Unwanted thoughts suddenly come to mind, and even when you try to put them aside, they won't go away.

Was it because I was soothing my wounds, or was it because the anniversary was approaching, making my mind react? While sitting on the beach, I couldn't help but think about the past.

Still, from the looks of it, my expression didn't reveal my melancholy. Perhaps time has passed, and it doesn't show as much as it used to.

"It was fun!"

Louise, who had been sitting on the beach, laughed brightly as she got into the carriage to return to the resort. Louise, who had said she would rest for a moment and then go back in, never got up from the blanket. As a result, the other club members slowly crawled out of the sea, and the blanket was full.

Louise did go in and come out, but Margareta never even dipped her toes in the water. She didn't seem to mind, though. In any case, I nodded in response to Louise's comment.

"Indeed. You had a good time until the end."

Of course, it was Louise, not me. The official school trip schedule lasts until tomorrow, but we return to the academy right after breakfast, so today is practically the last day. We really made the most of it until the end.

"Can we come back next year?"

"Probably. It's a place we wouldn't want to end our visit to after just one year."

At this, Margareta, who was sitting next to me, seemed to shudder but deliberately avoided eye contact. The sad truth of a school trip is that some people enjoy it while others suffer.

"Maybe we'll go to a different duchy next year. Or even the capital."

Lather's comment, said with a small laugh, generally received a positive response. Going to a different place might not be bad, especially since the prosperity of the capital is indescribable.

Perhaps imagining the future self who would plan the trip to the capital, Margareta quietly bowed her head, which was a bit pitiful. I might see Margareta deserting the student council next year.

'The capital is a place I don't like either.'

Going on a trip to a place that is also your workplace is just crazy. If someone said that to me, I might slap them. Lather, being of royal blood, can endure it.

The carriage arrived at the resort, filled with mixed reactions to the same topic. We were supposed to rest in our rooms until dinner.

"Sir."

I could have rested if the front desk staff hadn't suddenly called me. I sent the children upstairs first and went to the front desk, where a staff member bowed and placed a box on the counter.

"This is something sent by His Excellency."

"His Excellency?"

"Yes. He said it was something you needed."

Does that guy have something to send me? Since he asked to send the money to the inspection department, there shouldn't be anything else. Still, if he said it was something I needed, it probably isn't a strange secret order.

'Ah.'

When I opened the box, six bottles of a familiar brand of wine were inside. Boyar wine, one of the main products of the Boyar.

Wow, he remembered.

"Please thank His Excellency for me."

"Of course, sir."

I closed the lid and carefully picked up the box. I had already received more than enough rewards for the expedition, and now this. It's quite touching.

'He really knows how to handle people.'

It's no wonder the Golden Duke has such a wide network of influence.

Since I received something unexpected from an unexpected source, there's someone I need to tell.

- Who is this? Some guy playing on the beach?

"You've worked hard, so you deserve to have some fun, don't you?"

I called the minister for a regular report. He answered immediately, so he must have been free.

"I got the wine. You don't need to buy it separately."

I showed the wine given by the Golden Duke through the communication device. Originally, the minister was supposed to get it, but since I obtained it, I showed it to him.

The minister was silent for a moment and then showed a basket through the communication device.

"Ah."

- I bought it today too.

The basket contained six bottles of the same Boyar wine.

- I went to the trouble of getting it.

"Two bottles per person should be fine, right?"

- If you drink that much, you'll be too drunk to return to the sky. How much do you plan to drink?

I awkwardly stroked the wine bottles, embarrassed by the minister's chuckle. I thought it was fortunate that I didn't have to spend the minister's money on such an expensive item, but the timing was a bit off.

- But, where did you get it?

"From His Excellency, the Golden Duke."

- Hmm. He remembered last year, didn't he?

I nodded quietly. It seems he did.

Last year, around this time, I tried to get Boyar wine. However, due to various circumstances, the production was low, and the available supply was quickly exhausted, making it difficult to obtain.

After being outbid by the minister, I resorted to asking the Golden Duke as a last resort. At first, the Golden Duke was hesitant.

" Wine for the ceremony? You should have mentioned that first."

When I explained the situation, he immediately provided it. I didn't expect him to remember and prepare it again this year.

- Still, it's a relief. We won't have to struggle to get it at the last minute like last year.

"Indeed."

- It's quite amusing how the person who said he would get it ended up not getting it until the last minute.

Mentioning this natural black history left me speechless. I didn't know Boyar wine was so precious... I just thought it was an expensive wine.

- I'll send the mage to the main hall, so don't forget.

"Don't worry. You should be more concerned about dementia than me."

- Damn you.

We ended the call with a final exchange of barbs.

'The mage will be sent.'

I had planned to apply, but it seems he had already made the reservation. It's convenient and nice.

I looked at the communication device, now dark, and carefully put down the wine. Each bottle is precious, so I need to handle them with care.

"Boyar wine is supposed to be very delicious. I want to try it when I go to the capital."

"A bottle costs about a month's salary. What a show-off? Do you feel a sense of kinship with the red blood of the Red Pyre?"

"Asshole."

I didn't expect a casual conversation in Ger to lead to this. Damn, you could have just drunk any wine, but you had to choose Boyar wine and make me suffer like this.

As a result, I'm doing this on your anniversary. I wonder if you know how much I'm suffering.

Gerald, you drunkard. If your soul still exists, show up in my dreams. I went to great lengths to get it, but you can't even enjoy it.