Episode 134: The Guardian of the Royal Castle

At the very moment Luverios was preparing a defensive strategy against the Eastern Army, Siegfried von Kreving, leading that same army, was steadily advancing toward the royal capital, Kirchherion.

“…No attacks from the kingdom’s forces so far, it seems.”

Beatrice, riding alongside Siegfried, spoke up from atop her horse.

As her words suggested, the Eastern Army had not faced a single attack from the Kirchhen Kingdom’s forces during their march thus far.

“If they recklessly engage us, they’ll only be crushed. And if they lose, unrest will spread throughout the kingdom. They know that all too well.”

Siegfried responded calmly.

The small units stationed across the Kirchhen Kingdom lacked the strength to challenge the Eastern Army, which numbered over ten thousand.

Even so, if they foolishly provoked a fight and lost, the rumor of “the kingdom’s forces being defeated” would spread like wildfire.

Even if it didn’t significantly impact the war, such a rumor alone could sow anxiety within the kingdom.

That was why the kingdom’s forces couldn’t afford to act recklessly.

Siegfried, too, had no intention of engaging with small units unnecessarily. He simply pressed forward, marching steadily and efficiently.

“In other words, Luverios and I are in agreement on one thing: the royal capital is the stage for the decisive battle.”

Siegfried gave a satisfied smile.

“What’s about to begin is the final chapter of the ‘Kirchhen Kingdom Arc.’ And—Luverios, the ultimate villain, will shine brightest on the stage of the royal capital. Not bad, Your Majesty.”

 

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“…Are we all here?”

Sitting on the throne, Luverios quietly surveyed the room. Standing before him were the pillars of the Kirchhen Kingdom’s military might.

Three knights and one mage—just four individuals. Yet, Luverios knew these four were worth more than an entire army.

“As you’re all aware, Count Siegfried von Kreving has raised an army in rebellion and is marching toward the royal capital. Our mission is to defend this capital from the hands of these traitors.”

Pausing, Luverios scanned the group again. There was no trace of hesitation or unease in their expressions.

“Our strategy for defending the capital is simple: we will hold the city of Kirchherion.”

The royal capital, Kirchherion, was protected by the magically reinforced barrier known as the Magia Valm. This impregnable wall would surely halt the enemy’s advance.

“…A wise decision, Your Majesty.”

The one who responded quietly was a middle-aged knight with black hair and sharp, hawk-like eyes. Though his frame appeared slender at a glance, his tightly honed muscles spoke of his formidable strength.

His name was Klaus von Weinberk.

The second-in-command of the Kingdom’s Knight Order, Vice-Commander Weissmaster, and one of the ‘Three Great Knights of the Kingdom,’ known as the ‘Kingdom’s Sharp Spear.’

“If we maintain the siege, the Holy Church will eventually join us. Once they do, we can crush the Eastern Army with minimal losses. It’s an eminently rational strategy.”

“I fully endorse this plan as well!”

The one who declared this loudly was a refined young nobleman in his late twenties. With golden hair and handsome features, his face carried an air of elegant charm.

His name was Karlheinz von Weizach Reinefeld.

The current head of the Reinefeld family, one of the five great noble houses, and the leader of the Royal Guard, Royal Aegis, directly serving the king. He was one of the ‘Three Great Knights of the Kingdom,’ known as the ‘Kingdom’s Radiant Shield.’

“The Magia Valm is truly impregnable. The Eastern Army stands no chance against it! Though, I must admit, it’s a tad disappointing that the Holy Church’s arrival might steal some of our spotlight!”

Karlheinz flashed a dazzling smile, his white teeth gleaming with confidence.

The Reinefeld family was renowned among the five great noble houses for its elegance, and Karlheinz, having inherited the family at a young age, was the embodiment of that legacy.

However, he hadn’t attained his position solely through his lineage.

While the Royal Guard was smaller in number compared to the Kingdom’s Knight Order, it was composed of elite warriors handpicked to protect the king. To stand at its helm through bloodline alone was impossible.

Only those who combined noble lineage with exceptional skill could claim the prestigious title of Royal Aegis, the leader of the Royal Guard.

“Personally, I’d love to ride out and face them head-on. I want to defeat that Count Kreving, who bested Randolph in the dorm battle, fair and square!”

“…That’s hardly the kind of talk one expects from the ‘Kingdom’s Radiant Shield,’ sworn to protect His Majesty.”

The air grew faintly tense. The speaker was a robust man with reddish-bronze hair—the Grandmaster of the Kingdom’s Knight Order and the foremost of the ‘Three Great Knights,’ Zefard von Lugardis, known as the ‘Kingdom’s Flame Sword.’

Most men would have shrunk under Zefard’s piercing gaze.

But Karlheinz remained unfazed.

“Hahaha! I’m merely expressing my enthusiasm!”

Karlheinz flashed his teeth again, grinning brightly.

“Well, that kind of spirit isn’t half bad, is it?”

A new voice cut in, calm and rational yet tinged with a hint of mockery toward those around him.

The speaker was a young man clad in a blue robe, adjusting his glasses as he spoke in a composed tone.

“Indeed, we’re protected by the Magia Valm. But our opponent is Count Kreving. Who knows what he might pull? After all, he possesses… a spark of talent beyond ordinary men.”

“…Exactly.”

Zefard, the Grandmaster of the Knight Order, nodded at the words of Ignas-Zeo Grave, the court’s chief mage, Grandcaster.

“Count Kreving is no ordinary man. While we prioritize holding the Magia Valm’s defenses, we must also prepare for scenarios where we’re forced to engage.”

With that, Zefard turned his gaze toward King Luverios.

“…What are your thoughts, Your Majesty?”

Luverios gave a slow nod in response.

“I concur with your assessment. We will proceed with the siege as our primary strategy but prepare for the possibility of sallying forth. It’s unthinkable that we could lose—the Magia Valm is an iron fortress, and you are the mightiest knights and mages in the eastern nations. But even an iron fortress can be breached by the smallest lapse in vigilance. Stay sharp, all of you.”

The group responded with resolute salutes.

 

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After Zefard and the others left the throne room, only King Luverios, Chancellor Joachim, and one other remained.

That man had been present the entire time, lurking silently in the shadow of a pillar, erasing his presence without so much as a sound.

“…I’ll need you to move as well.”

Luverios let the words fall quietly.

“Zefard and the others will handle the defense of the capital. You… are to raid Count Kreving’s estate.”

The man hidden in the pillar’s shadow didn’t so much as flinch at the command. Unperturbed, Luverios continued issuing his orders calmly.

“Kill every butler and maid in the mansion. Bring me their heads. Show them to Siegfried, and even he won’t be able to stay composed.”

“Heh…”

A stifled chuckle escaped from the shadow of the pillar.

“As always, I get stuck with the dirty work, huh?”

“…Do you have a problem with that?”

The one who posed the question was Chancellor Joachim, a strange glint flickering in his eyes.

“Not at all. I’d never complain… I’ll make sure to enjoy myself.”

The moment he muttered those words, the man vanished without a sound.

He was not one to stand in the light like the Kingdom’s Knight Order or the Royal Guard.

A man who lived in the shadows, operating behind the scenes—the ‘Kingdom’s Shadow, Umbra,’ leader of the Kirchhen Kingdom’s covert unit.

With this, the Kirchhen Kingdom’s preparations for war were complete.

Soon, the decisive battle between Siegfried’s Eastern Army and Luverios’s Kirchhen Kingdom forces—the Battle for the Royal Capital—would begin.