Chapter 8

Yelker set off for the palace on the same day the order was given, accompanied by Airi and Stina. They were going to obtain the necessary permission to officially recognize the two as Yelker’s knights. On the way to the palace, Yelker conducted a final check with Stina.

"Make sure that the information doesn’t reach the ears of Duke Baltzall and Viscount Kenneth, right?"

"Yes, for that, there are two points to resolve. First, we need to get the immediate approval, and second, we need to avoid the days when the person who knows the situation is in charge of the relay."

"Is today fine?"

"I’ve confirmed. The person in charge today is directly under the Minister of State."

The three only informed the palace clerk of their application and waited in one of the grand reception rooms, more luxurious than the Marshal’s office, for the noble in charge to appear. Soon, the official came running.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Prince Yelker. Let’s get to your business right away."

Officially, it was a relay to the king, but in practice, unless it was a major issue, this official would handle it. His main duty was to hear the content and distribute it to the relevant departments.

"Actually, I received an order just yesterday. I’m also going to lead an army into battle."

"Hmm, congratulations."

"Thank you. Therefore, it’s difficult for me to handle all the miscellaneous tasks alone, so I’ve come here to take on knights."

"I see. You want us to find you some squire candidates?"

"No, no, the two squire candidates I’m bringing with me, Airl Forsius and Stina Almgleam, I want to take on as knights."

Upon hearing the two names, the official’s expression darkened.

"The Forsius and Almgleam families...?"

"Your concern is understandable. However, both have already been recognized as squires. There’s no need to worry."

The official pondered, hm. In fact, Yelker, as a royal, had the authority to appoint knights, though not unlimitedly. Currently, Yelker had no knights, and it was reasonable to have one or two if he was going to lead an army. Moreover, the two families had once sided with the rebels, but they had been allowed to become squires. If they were to be made knights from the position of squires, there was nothing particularly problematic.

"I understand. I’ll submit the application."

Yelker, seeing this as the critical moment, spoke up.

"Actually, I’m very sorry, but I’d like to get immediate approval if possible."

The official’s gaze sharpened.

"…What do you mean by that?"

"Since the deployment is sudden, there are only about ten days left until the day. I need to arrange supplies and other things urgently, and I want to ask these two for help. If they remain squires, it will cause delays in various tasks. Also, since the troops I’ll be leading are mercenaries, I need to assert my authority, which is difficult if they remain squires. I’d like them to be treated as knights as soon as possible."

The logic was sound. If the two were men, the official would have agreed immediately. Yelker continued.

"I don’t want the application to be delayed and miss the deployment. I want to give these two an honorable position before they head into a dangerous situation. Could you please consider it?"

Stina and Airl, listening from behind, were impressed. Yelker’s seemingly clumsy performance, even though they knew it was an act, made them want to lend a hand. The official, apparently thinking the same, agreed and left the room to process the paperwork. Once the official was gone, Yelker looked up at the ceiling and sighed.

"I hope it works out."

Despite their lingering doubts, the three were eventually able to get Airl and Stina’s knight applications approved without any issues.

However, the only thing that went smoothly was the knighting. Everything else, such as confirming command authority, supply plans, coordination with reinforcements, and specific objectives of the assigned mission, was obstructed by various means, making it impossible to confirm anything. Time passed uselessly. Yelker went back and forth between the Marshal’s office and the palace, trying to find someone who could provide information, while Airl worked on securing supplies and Stina went to some suspicious places for information gathering. Each night, they would check their progress, but Yelker had made no progress, and Airl was struggling. However, Stina was steadily gathering information.

"The enemy’s numbers are almost confirmed. It’s three thousand, excluding the border fortress’s garrison."

While having dinner at Yelker’s residence, Yelker almost choked on the onion he had in his mouth.

"Three thousand!?! Wait, wait, wait. Wasn’t the order to attack them?"

"What would happen if we clashed head-on?"

"I don’t know. This is my first battle."

"Coincidentally, it’s my first time too, Your Highness."

Airl, who was putting cheese on a piece of bread, continued.

"Come to think of it, it’s my first battle too. Hmm, aren’t we at a huge disadvantage?"

Yelker glanced at the two.

"Have you studied military tactics?"

"Somewhat."

"I’ve read all the books available in the capital."

Yelker, determined, tore the bread in his hand in half.

"Tomorrow, we’ll go to the library and copy the maps. Based on that, we’ll come up with as many strategies as possible and then discuss them with the leaders of the mercenaries. They should be experienced in battle and can judge the pros and cons."

Stina took out some documents from the large bag she had brought.

"I have maps. There are civilian versions, military versions, and tax collection versions. Being a knight has its perks; people are more cooperative when you just say you’re a knight than when a lesser noble asks for help."

"Good job, Stina! Let’s review them after dinner."

Ah, and one more thing, Stina added as if she had just remembered.

"Duke Baltzall and Viscount Kenneth are reportedly furious. You might be summoned by them tomorrow."

Yelker, looking exhausted, took a bite of the bread.

"…Can I pretend to be out like them…?"

"If you’re holed up in the residence, that might work, but you can’t avoid going out. We’re causing them trouble."

Airl was putting cheese on her fifth piece of bread.

"The supply situation is terrible. Some people even seriously suggest taking supplies from the border residents. Even as harassment, there are things you can and can’t say."

Yelker had a troubled look on his face.

"I’ve been told the same. Maybe they really believe it… I don’t like it. The Marshal’s office won’t be happy, but the supply preparations are their job, and we have the right to receive them. No matter what they say, we should stand firm, Airl."

"Yes, I won’t hold back then."

After finishing the dessert brought by the servant, they cleared the table and started discussing their strategy in the dining room. Airl presented a well-thought-out plan.

"I’ll charge alone and crush the enemy’s vanguard, and while they’re distracted…"

"You’d be finished if they rain arrows on you! Both of your bravery is already known to the enemy, so don’t let your guard down!"

Stina, with a serious face and thinking it was a good idea, suggested:

"What about sneaking into the border fortress with the three of us? After the army departs, there won’t be many capable opponents left, and we can have a field day with headhunting."

"Headhunting? Are we savages!? We’re supposed to defeat the border army, not the border itself. No to such indiscriminate weak-point targeting!"

The two’s ideas were so far from what they had learned in military school that they would likely get a zero and a furious instructor if presented in a knight school, but the difference in forces was too great for a normal strategy to work.

"Lie in wait, Your Highness, there’s no other option. Set up a lot of traps in a favorable terrain. In a narrow place with poor visibility, it will be difficult for them to counter with arrows even if I charge."

"We need to show our might, so we can’t just lie in wait. And I won’t let you charge alone, so drop that idea."

Yelker’s counterargument was met with silent protest from Airl, who pouted.

"Keep shooting arrows from horseback and run away."

"The enemy has cavalry too. Besides, the mercenaries are mostly infantry, and even if given horses, they might not handle them well."

Stina, looking sulky, looked at the map. Yelker summarized the situation carefully.

"Anyway, we have to fight. We have to. But, how can we minimize losses and retreat? Don’t think about winning or inflicting damage; just focus on minimizing losses."

Immediate objections and complaints came from Airl and Stina.

"Your Highness! How can you think so negatively! If we don’t establish our reputation here, we’ll never get another chance!"

It’s a hard argument to counter. Airl, who is basically a brawn, occasionally spouts sense.

Stina, as if to get back at her, countered.

"We’re leading mercenaries. If they see your hesitation, they might not act properly. How do you plan to convince them to face six times the enemy just because it’s an order to engage once?"

That’s true, Yelker thought, folding his arms.

From there, it turned into a chaotic discussion, much like a drinking party. It started with this is good, that is bad, and they even drew on the table with water to add notes to the map. The three discussed well into the night.

Yelker, summoned by Duke Baltzall and Viscount Kenneth, had to go to the Duke’s residence despite his busy schedule. The two had been plotting to take Airl and Stina as concubines, and Yelker, who couldn’t stand them, had to remain calm and deal with them rationally. It was his duty to protect the two now. He had to be prepared for any demands they might make. They were experienced nobles, and anything was possible. Yelker was determined to see through any schemes and entered the meeting with resolve.

"What are you thinking! They are the daughters of traitors! And you want to make them knights! What kind of thoughtless, foolish idea is that! If you do this, you’ll be suspected of treason!"

"I heard that all the younger princes are fools, but you exceed even that. Now I understand the Minister’s troubles. To act without considering the future, no wonder you’d want to cull them."

"Hah! Have you been swayed by those women! With your shallow face! You probably don’t even know how to please a woman! I can see you being deceived and ruining yourself!"

"In my youth, there were fools, but the young today are incomprehensible. They lack prudence, judgment, and thought, and are only passionate about pleasure. They are nothing but a scourge to the country."

Yelker was taken aback. He had expected a strategic battle of words, but he hadn’t anticipated being endlessly berated with raw emotion. He thought they might try to slip in a fatal remark after intimidating him, but the two only continued to shower him with insults without any real strategy. Eventually, they ran out of steam, and Duke Baltzall, panting heavily, concluded.

"Then you will withdraw the two knight applications today! Do you understand!"

Yelker, wanting to retort immediately but restraining himself, waited a moment before responding politely.

"I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. The application has already been approved by the Minister. If I withdraw it now, I’ll be greatly embarrassed."

Yelker had dealt with emotionally charged people many times at the knight school. Calm and precise remarks were meaningless in such situations. They would just shout louder to assert their righteousness, regardless of the logic. If he didn’t agree with their words, they would explode again, but it seemed that Duke Baltzall and Viscount Kenneth were too exhausted from their rant to do so. They just made meaningless gestures with their faces turning various colors.

"I will take your words to heart. I’ll take my leave now."

After leaving the Duke’s residence, Yelker reflected. The meeting had been a complete display of foolishness from the two. Perhaps they had underestimated him as a young man and thought they could solve the issue by shouting and threatening. The next move would be more serious, likely in their area of expertise, given their long noble careers. Yelker had tried to make them think there was still room to persuade him before his deployment.

"Still, it’s much more suited to my nature to wield a sword."

A certain instructor had said that the relationships at the knight school were a microcosm of the noble life ahead. It was entirely true. However, mistaking it for an exact replica would likely lead to painful lessons.