Chapter 32

The day after meeting with his brother, King Granade and reclaiming the holy sword, Raidor set off for Brain Fortress, the stage of the battle against the empire.

Accompanying Raidor were Darren Galst, the commander of the thousand riders, and his subordinates, just as when he had arrived in the capital.

Granade did not even come to see him off, remaining secluded in the castle.

"That's only natural. After what happened yesterday."

"Perhaps... but I think a king should at least put on a show, even if it's a lie."

Raidor was once again in a carriage with Darren, heading to the battlefield.

He thought he should ride a horse rather than a carriage for a military campaign, but it seemed Granade had opposed it.

It appeared that Granade wanted to avoid exposing Raidor, who had become the official holder of the holy sword, to the public as much as possible.

"You don't need to be so afraid. His fear is abnormal, isn't it?"

"Again, calling the king 'that'..."

Darren frowned at Raidor's insolent words but, realizing that words were futile, shook his head.

"...His Majesty admires the founding king. He must value the power of the holy sword greatly."

"Hmph... enough to exile his own brother. He must value it a lot, indeed."

"By the way, why are you bringing a maid today? Isn't it dangerous?"

Darren, perhaps wanting to change the subject, turned his gaze to Naimia, who was sitting next to Raidor.

Raidor was dressed in chainmail and armor for the battlefield, but Naimia was still in her maid's uniform.

"The apron dress is a maid's battle uniform! There's no better outfit for the battlefield!"

"No, I'm not talking about the outfit, but why a noble lady is here at all..."

"Don't worry about Naimia. Let's talk about the battle instead."

Raidor cut off the pointless conversation and got to the point.

"First, tell me about the current state of the kingdom's army. I've heard we're being cornered by the empire. How much of a difference in strength is there?"

"Well... the kingdom's army has a total of ten thousand soldiers stationed at Brain Fortress, commanded by my father, Bazell Galst."

"..."

Raidor's eyebrow twitched at the name Bazell Galst, one of the people who had exiled him.

Darren noticed the change in the prince but continued, thinking it was pointless to probe a known danger.

"The empire's army has fifty thousand soldiers. Twenty thousand of them are suppressing the eastern nobles, so thirty thousand are attacking the fortress. That's a three-to-one difference in strength."

"I see... that's worse than I imagined."

Being besieged by an enemy three times their number without any reinforcements would be a nightmare for the soldiers in the fortress.

Given the dire situation, it was not unreasonable for Raidor, who had been exiled to the border, to be recalled.

"However, I don't understand. Why isn't Granade taking action? Why is he staying in the capital and not going to the battlefield?"

This had been a long-standing question.

It seemed natural for a king to stay in a safe place and not go to a dangerous battlefield, but in the current state where the country was on the brink of destruction, it was a poor strategy.

If the king went to the front lines, it would boost the morale of the soldiers, and the royal guards could be mobilized, significantly increasing the fighting strength.

Since the capital would fall if Brain Fortress were taken, it would be better to throw everything into the battle rather than preserve the forces.

"That's..."

Darren hesitated in response to Raidor's question. His expression clearly showed that he shared the same thoughts.

After a moment of hesitation, Darren finally spoke, seemingly giving up under the gazes of Raidor and Naimia.

"...His Majesty is not a coward. However, he is extremely afraid of the holy sword."

"Huh?"

"When Brain Fortress was first besieged, His Majesty Granade proposed leading the army himself. However, after hearing that the enemy had a holy sword holder, he canceled the expedition and secluded himself in the palace."

"I don't know much about war, but isn't it the king's duty to do his best for the country, no matter what the enemy is?"

"..."

Naimia tilted her head and asked, and Darren lowered his gaze.

"...His Majesty is possessed by the shadow of the holy sword. Because he was not chosen by the holy sword, he harbors an extreme fear and hostility towards the holy sword holder."

"...What a troublesome situation. What has the holy sword done to him?"

Raidor twisted his lips in a sarcastic smile.

Because he feared the holy sword, he had exiled his own brother and refused to go to the battlefield.

When it came to the holy sword, his brother became a foolish king.

"To say he's protecting the country while abandoning his brother, and then not being able to do his best to protect that country... what a joke. Does he think he has the right to sit on the throne?"

"His Majesty... is a capable person. At least, in matters of governance."

Darren's defense was weak and unconvincing.

There was no point in further criticizing the desperate knight. Raidor, still frowning, stuck his head out of the carriage window.

(The holy sword is beyond human power. It's right to fear it. But...)

Raidor reached out and touched the hilt of the black sword at his waist.

Feeling the approach of the battlefield, Dainsleif was radiating heat as if it were being scorched by fire.

(You don't become king because you're chosen by the holy sword. The holy sword responds because you are fit to be king. Granade... if you were truly fit to be king, Dainsleif would have chosen you from the start.)

In Raidor's hand, the black holy sword pulsed slightly in affirmation.

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