Kapitel 240: [Chapter 239] The Fire Is Lit
Colorful flags fluttered in the night wind above the tents. There was only one tent among the hundreds that covered the field with a golden sun embroidered on its banner, and Ralph, sitting in the middle of that tent, gave his final instructions to the soldiers in front of him.
"Understood? Go as deep as you can, making as much noise as possible. If the first unit succeeds in attacking the lord's castle, raise red smoke. If there's a problem, raise green smoke, and then enter the Duchy as we practiced."
A dozen soldiers dressed in peasant clothes answered in unison, "Yes." Ralph bared his teeth and laughed cruelly.
"Don't worry about being captured and killed. Those northern barbarians won't even see you. It's because Dreicum, the first city you come to after crossing the Ilropium Mountains, is in ruins."
The Duke of Tipian probably thought the Imperial Army would just waste time here—hoped—but Abelus had no intention of acting so lukewarm. The Duke and Duchess dared to defy the Imperial Family.
The Imperial Family couldn't attack a minister without a reason. And stories about stealing money or whatever couldn't be revealed, for the sake of the Imperial Family's dignity.
But what if it wasn't an attack? Especially if there was a plausible reason. For example… a rebellion broke out in the Duchy of Tipian, where the atmosphere had been bad for a while, and the ringleaders fled to nearby Maindelant, so they had to be pursued.
Then, what could the Duke say if the Imperial Army trampled all over the southern part of Maindelant? The Emperor would be trying to help his minister by hunting down the rebels?
'This time, I'm going to get you good, Duke.'
Even Ralph, who had lived a life of winning against others, had experienced failures. The most painful one was a few years ago, when he was a student at the academy, before Cledwin Maindelant became the Duke, when he tried to kill him but failed.
It was a good opportunity then. The late Duke of Tipian had imprisoned the Duke with poison, and Ralph and Joseph Karen, who is now also dead, were tracking him down… If they had succeeded in their mission at the time, Ralph would probably have become the youngest knight commander in the empire by now.
But the Duke escaped that perfect situation. It was just a suspicion at the time, but thinking back now, it seems that little Neris Trude hid the Duke that day. A mere twelve-year-old freshman, a little kid from a lower noble family, how could she have been so cunning?
This time, he had to make up for his failure then. Moreover, with the Imperial situation becoming so urgent now, it was more important than ever to stand out. That was why Ralph didn't stop Abelus, even though he didn't like the fact that he was sending troops without sufficient reconnaissance.
'The whole continent is on our side, what's so great about those barbarian's land? It's better to please the Crown Prince.'
From Ralph's point of view, there was no real danger anyway. The Duke couldn't touch the Imperial Army. If he did, wouldn't that be a rebellion?
Even without the issue of legitimacy, the Duke's army would find it difficult to resist. If there was a war, the Imperial Family would have many reasons to win.
First, geographically, the Imperial Family would control the only passage between Maindelant and the rest of the empire, the path Ralph was looking at right now. If the enemy had allies, it would be difficult for them to ask for help, and if the Imperial Army blocked this narrow passage and the fields on this side of the Duchy with a thick force, it would be a very difficult task for them to break through.
Second, information is meaningless in the face of overwhelming power. Right now, the number of Imperial soldiers Ralph brought is small, but Abelus could ask other nobles to send troops if he wanted.
And if, although unlikely, those troops sent by the nobles were insufficient, they could ask for help from other countries. Theoretically, all the countries on the continent are rooted in the empire, which means that they can ask for help when needed, and the other side cannot refuse.
A special forces unit, also dressed as peasants, was waiting in this field to attack the castle of the closest lord under the Duke of Tipian. They were ready to shout, rampage, and slaughter as loudly as possible to make it look like a rebellion had broken out in the Duchy.
'Breaking the Duke's pride will be a signal flare announcing the great reign of our Crown Prince Abelus.'
He was already proud. Ralph puffed out his chest, watching the backs of his subordinates as they saluted and left. The outside was as bright as his future…
'Hmm?'
It was the middle of the night. A time suitable for a rebellion, or for 'traitorous rebels who failed and fled to hide in another's land.' The fires around the camp were minimized for extra precaution.
But why was the outside so brightly lit?
Ralph frowned and left the tent. Come to think of it, it seemed a little noisy. If something was wrong, his adjutant should have come to report it immediately. But since he hadn't, it must be nothing.
And what unfolded before his eyes was hell.
Ralph's subordinates, who had just left the tent in peasant clothes, were scattered across the field like logs. Every tent in sight was burning and soaked in blood. Knights clad in black cloaks, riding steeds, were relentlessly tearing through the entire camp.
It was a horrifying sight. The Imperial soldiers fell without a fight, because they were caught by surprise, and because they were so much weaker than their opponent. The enemy was only a few hundred, while they were thousands!
Young and high-ranking Ralph had never seen a fight like this. He had some experience in killing helpless minorities, but he couldn't understand the situation and screamed.
"Who are you! How dare you not even see the Imperial Sun Banner!"
How could there be such a brazen traitor? The enemy didn't have any insignia. But they didn't react to his words and continued, continued to swing their swords and spears.
After a while, there were no living allies around Ralph. The fire continued to rise, and the smoke from here would be visible from afar.
The knights in black cloaks gathered around Ralph's tent once the area was roughly cleared. Ralph, receiving their gaze, broke out in a cold sweat.
His face turned crimson with anger after witnessing the black-haired man who emerged from the spot where the knights had stepped aside.
"Duke! What is the meaning of this! Are you staging a rebellion?"
"Ah, Sir Ralph."
Cledwin laughed nonchalantly, leading the knights in black cloaks, the 'Platinum' Knights, whose name Ralph now knew.
"Rebellion? What a preposterous notion. I don't understand."
"You dared to attack the Imperial Knights while being a subject!"
"What are you talking about? I haven't done anything like that."
"Denying it won't help! The people of the Duchy all know that the Imperial Knights I lead are stationed right here. The Duke will naturally report to His Highness that you attacked us, and His Highness will never stand for it!"
Ralph shouted, trying to sound strong, but he was sweating profusely inside. He didn't think he could survive this.
Cledwin nodded, still smiling.
"So, I don't understand what you're saying. I've only come to catch those who dared to rebel in our 'uncle's' land."
Ralph turned his stiff head to look at the direction Cledwin pointed. Red smoke rose from the nearby lord's castle, which was supposed to be attacked tonight.
Cledwin spoke to Ralph, who had barely turned his head back like a wooden doll and met his eyes, with a nostalgic tone.
"Ah, yes. Sir Ralph. I remember. We've met like this before. The sky was full of stars then, just like today."
The black knights laughed. Ralph understood what Cledwin was talking about. Despair filled his heart. He thought they wouldn't remember that night because they were out of their minds.
"You were a faithful dog, weren't you? Why would you blame the gatekeeper for what your master did?"
What? Was he going to spare him?
Cledwin smiled kindly at Ralph, whose face had briefly been filled with hope.
"But it was your judgment to bully my wife, wasn't it? Unfortunately, I have to make a complaint now."
Clack, clack. Cledwin's carriage approached Ralph.
A slow question arose in Ralph's mind.
'What if Maindelant… takes the lead?'
What if they take the legitimacy? What if their forces occupy that narrow path first?
Before he could think further, his vision went black.
***
Arthur Pendlant had never imagined that his working environment in the Imperial Palace would become so brutal.
He was born into the Pendlant family, which had produced excellent diplomats for generations. He graduated from the Noble Academy with excellent grades and, as the son of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, naturally started working as an Imperial official.
He was overshadowed by those of higher status in the noble society where bloodline was important, but for the young man, it was a stable life that he couldn't ask for more. Especially considering that the Empire Vista had diplomatic superiority over any country on the continent.
His surroundings had become spectacular lately. After His Majesty the Emperor fell ill, the Crown Prince Abelus, who had taken control of the affairs of state, had made changes to various personnel, and those who were loyal to him and had newly emerged had entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. And, unsurprisingly, those new faces were busy picking on things that had already been done before, without knowing anything.
Duke Ganiello, a grand noble, was deeply involved with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as his family's roots were in a foreign royal family. If he had stepped in to take charge of this department, things would have been different. But, coincidentally, Duke Ganiello had been absent from court for some time, claiming to be ill.
The same was true for other parts of the court. The top grand nobles, the manpower needed for the Imperial Family's rule to function, were all in hiding, either because their families had problems or because they themselves had problems. More than half of the people below them, who were considered suitable superiors, were suddenly replaced. So, young people like Arthur, who were still in their positions, had to take care of both newcomers to the industry and new superiors who were also newcomers to the industry.
'School is better.'
The strict teachers at the Noble Academy had made him nervous, but they hadn't, what's the word… 'scared' him like this.
Yes… Arthur was scared. The glorious tradition of Imperial diplomacy that he had grown up listening to from his father had become the target of criticism overnight, thanks to those who were not experts, backed by the Crown Prince's favor. Arthur's father had said that this situation wouldn't last long, but what if it did?
The court was bustling every day, but today was even more so. Arthur saw court attendants running around with pale faces in the hallway and poked his academy classmate who was passing by.
"What's going on? Aren't those all the Crown Prince's attendants?"
Diplomacy was ultimately about dealing with people, and Arthur, a brilliant diplomat, knew the faces and affiliations of all the key figures in the court. It went without saying that everyone in the Crown Prince's palace had become a key figure after the Crown Prince took power.
Arthur's classmate, who was currently working in the intelligence department, whispered with an excited expression.
"Big trouble. You know Sir Ralph, right? The Crown Prince's playmate."
Well… how could he not? Arthur and the Crown Prince had attended the academy around the same time. His friend shouted to Arthur, who looked confused.
"Sir Ralph, who went to support the Duchy of Tipian, was brought back in a terrible state. He was brought back by the knights of the Duchy! They say he was injured while suppressing the rebellion in the Duchy, but I heard it's not all!"
"So?"
It was already common knowledge in the court that Abelus had sent troops to support the Duchy of Tipian. The Crown Prince himself and his mistress, who was acting like a Crown Princess these days, had been boasting about the necessity for a while.
It was awkward for anyone to see Abelus sending troops without even being asked by the lord, claiming to be supporting them. Those who didn't know the details thought, "There must have been a request," but the high nobles knew the Crown Prince's intentions.
His friend whispered a few words in Arthur's ear. A moment later, Arthur ran off with a pale face.
The same sight was witnessed in various parts of the court, and soon after, in each noble family, and finally, on the streets.
People ran to those they thought needed to know this news. The terrifying word "war" was carried on the wind.
****
The fire was lit.
The rightful heir of the hero
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein