Chapter 86: Chapter 86

The great fortress that had protected Alfraia's defensive line since the early days of the war, remaining a thorn in the Empire's side.

When news arrived that it had fallen, the entire Empire was swept up in a festival atmosphere.

Securing that fortress meant more than simply breaking a defensive line that had never been breached.

The fortress was linked to supply lines running to every front; by cutting those lines and taking the fortress as a base, colossi and armies could now be dispatched with ease in any direction. It was an achievement far greater than what met the eye.

"Did you see the Knight?"

"Saw it a while ago. He became a hero in an instant."

Inside the swaying train, Cain Lorenz-the very man who had changed the course of the war between the Empire and Alfraia-lowered the newspaper and spoke.

"Prince Gard must have a stomach-ache by now."

"That was quite a show. I never thought you'd mock him right in front of our brother."

"I was so anxious I thought I'd die just watching."

Having left late the previous night, Yaan greeted the morning on the train and took a sip of the coffee set before him; Prince Klaus and Cain each added a remark.

"Still, I never thought they'd push us off the front lines , as if kicking us out."

"Didn't the summons arrive?"

"That's close to an excuse. Only Cain was invited, yet everyone under his knights, even you, was sent away."

'"He even went so far as to charter the entire carriage for us," Prince Klaus added under his breath.'

"If things had gone according to our brother's plan, the attention Cain should have received would have come to him, so of course his stomach hurts."

"Thanks to that, the fame of House Lorenz has soared sky-high. You saw the crowd at the station."

No one knew how the rumor had started, but even at this late hour the station was packed with soldiers on leave and citizens hoping to glimpse the new hero.

"Some nobles even paid extra to buy tickets for this very train just to meet Cain in person."

"I never expected it to spread so far."

"If you showed your aura blade, the effect would be even greater."

When Yaan said that, Cain scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh.

The aura blade Cain had revealed at the fortress.

After returning to the frontline base, Yaan and the knights of Lorenz had kept its existence hidden.

Nearly half of the Lorenz knights had already perished, and the survivors were severely fatigued.

In a forward base packed with Belkuth knights, revealing it rashly could have led to who knew what trouble.

"Even hearing it I can hardly believe it... yet, looking at the recent results, it makes sense. To think I'd actually meet a legendary aura user."

"I'm still not used to it. Once I return to my territory, I'll have to train more."

As the three of them chatted in the morning sunlight, an invitation written on fine parchment lay before them.

A victory banquet hosted personally by the Emperor in honor of the victory. They had been invited.

"Lord Cain Lorenz, head of the household. It's the chief steward."

After responding to the knock, the steward entered smiling and handed Cain a thick bundle of letters.

"What... is all this?"

"These are letters from the passengers in the carriage addressed to Sir Cain Lorenz. May the Empire's hero be blessed!"

With a respectful bow, the steward passed the letters held in both hands, shook Cain's, obtained his signature, and only then disappeared. Cain stared at the pile of letters in the center of the table with weary eyes.

"Should I have chartered another carriage?"

"Isn't that why you reserved three in the first place?"

If they had bought ordinary tickets and sat in the common cars, it would never have ended .

While Cain sighed at the memory, Prince Klaus, who had been watching the scene, chuckled softly.

"Every citizen of the Empire knows the name Cain Lorenz. After such a feat, it's only natural they go mad with excitement."

Starting with Klaus, the three of them each picked up a few letters and passed the time reading.

Some were on yellowed paper, others sealed with elegant wax.

The contents varied wildly: letters praising Cain's achievements, invitations to meals, marriage proposals-too many to count.

"Your Highness, Sir Cain, Commander. We have arrived."

Dandel appeared from the rear door of the carriage and addressed them.

Unlike the others, who were dressed simply in shirts, he wore a perfectly neat uniform from head to toe.

"Miss Diana and Irene?"

"They are ready and waiting."

"Good. Then let's go."

As Klaus rose, attendants appeared and carefully placed the letters into bags.

Cain insisted on reading every single one, even those that could have been discarded.

"Capital Vailsar! We're in Vailsar!"

The returning capital lay veiled in morning mist, creating a strange, dreamlike scene.

"At least there aren't many people."

"Commander, please cover your face. I don't want to be swept away like at Vernar Station."

Most of those who disembarked were knights of House Lorenz and members of the 87th Independent Company.

After quickly inspecting the soldiers who had gathered at once, Yaan and Cain hurried toward the palace.

"Your Highness Klaus, Sir Cain Lorenz, Sir Yaan Verkut. We have been expecting you."

A magnificent four-horse carriage, waiting in front of the station, conveyed Yaan's party to the palace.

The Vailsar Imperial Palace, located at the heart of the Empire, had been busy preparing for the banquet for some time; every hall was filled with dazzling decorations.

"Brace yourself, Lieutenant. If you freeze at the entrance, we'll have trouble."

"If I'd known... I should have shown my face at the knighting ceremony, at least."

After ten years living in trenches filled with filth and mud, the dazzling splendor before Yaan's eyes was almost impossible to grasp.

"Lord Cain Lorenz, head of House Lorenz and lord of the Loren region! Enter!"

"His Highness Klaus van Vailsar, thirteenth prince of the Vailsar Empire and lord of the territories of Bultha, Carden, Jambak, and Garem! Enter!"

"Lord Yaan Verkut, lord of Verkut and knight! Enter!"

As their names thundered through the hall and they stepped inside, decorations even more extravagant than those at the entrance filled their eyes.

"I think that sometimes too."

While Klaus and Yaan muttered, nobles of every rank began to swarm toward Cain.

"You have achieved a great deed. Congratulations!"

"Would you join me for a meal sometime? I've come by some fine liquor-let us share a glass...."

Watching Cain surrounded by the crowd, Yaan shook his head and quietly slipped away.

It wasn't just the press of people; he could no longer bear the glittering atmosphere of the hall.

"Your face. You look terrible."

"Was it that obvious?"

When Ren suddenly plopped down beside him, Yaan's expression finally relaxed.

"Every time you bring something to eat."

Accepting the cookie Ren offered, Yaan watched the nobles enjoying the party from a corner of the hall.

Liquor and food that cost dozens of gold coins per plate. Music and dresses...

"I'd forget this country is at war."

"That's the opposite, Yaan Verkut."

A listless voice answered Yaan's mutter.

A voice so sensual it felt as though it would melt the brain.

"Oh my, if you grimace like that I'll be hurt."

Seeing Alienor approach in a black dress, her face still smiling, Yaan's own twisted.

Ren, too, quickly hid behind Yaan.

"I wanted to see that pretty face a little longer."

Yaan stepped toward Alienor and asked about her earlier remark. Curiosity aside, letting her speak to Ren felt dangerous. It was pure instinct.

"What did you mean by the opposite?"

Spreading her arms, Alienor turned her back on the ballroom and spoke.

"Luxurious liquor and food, dazzling chandeliers, the extravagant dresses they wear-every single thing was created by this war!"

As Yaan's brow rose at her words, Alienor laughed as if it were amusing and went on.

"Even if you call it a fifty-year war, in the end the ones who fight and die on the front lines are just the conscripts, the mercenaries, and the knights, right?"

At those words Yaan's face hardened.

"The clothes they wear, the shells, the bullets, the weapons, the food... where else could you find a market this profitable?"

"You're saying the war is being kept going on purpose?"

Yaan's speech had dropped to banmal before he knew it, but she paid it no mind.

There wasn't the slightest hint of hesitation in Alienor's answer.

"But only for a little longer. Vailsar, Alfraia-both are exhausted by the war. At this rate, both..."

"Will destroy themselves. That's why you're keeping Cain Lorenz alive."

Alienor chimed in with Ren's words from behind Yaan, smiling brightly.

"Alfraia's national strength is nearly exhausted, and the resources we could squeeze out of the war boom are drying up. But we can't wipe them out without any sacrifice, can we? So we set up Cain Lorenz as the second-in-command."

"So you're telling him to go die on the battlefield."

Just like the countless soldiers who had died, and were still dying, on the front lines.

"Quick on the uptake as ever. Though I didn't expect you to break through the center this fast."

The explosive demand for supplies fueled by the war boom. Meeting that demand were the nobles who owned the factories and farms in each region, and Emperor Cardias, who ruled forty percent of the Empire's territory as personal domains.

Burning the citizens' lives to fill the treasury. That was the underside of the Empire's material abundance.

"Well, the one who made this board has arrived."

Alienor tilted her lips in a crooked smile as she lifted her gaze.

Following her eyes, at the center of the ballroom strode Cardias van Vailsar, Emperor of the Empire.

"His Imperial Majesty approaches!"

In a gathering of nobles, no introduction or herald was needed. The moment he showed himself on the floor, everyone present dropped to their knees.

Yaan, Ren, Cain, Alienor... and Hiram, whose face Yaan now saw at the ball, let out a sneer.

"All of you, raise your heads."

The moment the guard's flags struck the floor twice, the attendees raised their heads.

"Last week, the Alfraian fortress that has tormented our Empire for so long was brought down by our Empire's hero. Thus I have prepared this occasion to personally commend our Empire's hero."

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It was Cain who answered the Emperor's words.

The Emperor, smiling kindly as he spoke to him, looked for all the world like a benevolent ruler.

But after hearing Alienor's words, it made him want to vomit.

When Ren called him, Yaan turned with a puzzled expression.

She was pointing with a finger at a corner of the ballroom.

"Your aide. He's in danger."

Aide? Was she talking about Dandel?

Thinking so, Yaan activated the AI Nill installed in his left eye.

Instantly, the palace's schematics filled his vision, and through the walls he could clearly see what the humans beyond were doing.

Past the noblewoman enjoying a tryst, the noble plotting a scheme, the servants working unseen...

"What the hell is that now."

In the spot Ren had pointed to, he saw Dandel being beaten by a Belkuth knight.

Continued in the next episode