Episode 67: The Night Before Departure
On a day when the winter chill had softened, heralding the arrival of spring—the Kreving Earl’s household was visited by a messenger from the king.
Siegfried listened calmly to the messenger’s words, nodding quietly.
Then, with a smile tugging at his lips, he responded like this.
“—I accept the order from His Majesty the King.”
And that was it.
The next day, in the conference room of the Kreving family estate.
Siegfried quietly surveyed the faces of those gathered.
Knight Commander Beatrice.
Fen, the clan leader of the Gray Wolf Hairo beastmen and captain of the guerrilla unit in Siegfried’s army.
Furthermore, Leon, who had been given the position of infantry captain, and his deputy, Dominik.
In addition to these combat unit leaders, there was Evan, the butler and steward who managed the Kreving household.
Head maid Fine, and Celestina, who on the surface was just an ordinary maid.
Siegfried quietly opened his mouth toward the assembled group.
“You’ve already been informed about the king’s messenger visiting yesterday. From here on, I’ll explain the details and our future course of action.”
Everyone’s gazes focused on Siegfried.
“The king has ordered the Kreving family to dispatch troops. The destination is—the eastern front.”
Siegfried paused for a breath, turning his gaze toward Beatrice.
Sensing his intent, Beatrice immediately opened her mouth to respond.
“The eastern front… that means the war with the Serodonia Kingdom, right?”
“Exactly.”
Siegfried gave a small nod.
In settings like this, he actively encouraged his subordinates to speak up.
The primary reason was that it made things feel more like an evil organization.
The secondary reason was to foster their growth by getting them to voice opinions lively.
“…So, what kind of country is this Serodonia Kingdom anyway?”
Celestina tilted her head as she asked.
“Sorry about that. I’m not really up on common knowledge.”
Celestina had almost no knowledge of the nations in this era. But she showed no shame or hesitation about it—instead, she flashed a seductive smile that almost seemed provocative.
The only ones besides Siegfried who knew she was Celestina van Volfenstein of the ‘Seven Great Calamities’ were Evan and Fine.
Siegfried didn’t answer her question directly, instead turning his gaze to the elderly butler Evan beside him.
Catching the cue, Evan immediately began his explanation.
“The Serodonia Kingdom is a nation located to the east of the Kirchhen Kingdom. This country and the Kirchhen Kingdom have been in ongoing disputes over territory—but in reality, it’s a stalemate. Only about one or two skirmishes occur each year, and no large-scale conflicts have broken out.”
“Hmm… so even if we’re heading to the battlefield, it doesn’t mean we’ll actually be fighting… right? We’re just being deployed to stare down the enemy…”
Fen asked.
“—Is that what you think?”
A sardonic smile appeared on Siegfried’s lips.
“My read is that it’s not the case.”
“So that means a large-scale war with the Serodonia Kingdom is about to start? And anticipating that, they requested troops from the Kreving family…”
To Leon’s words, Siegfried shook his head slightly.
“…Your read is too naive, Princess Princess.”
““Princess Princess…?””
At that odd nickname, Fen and Celestina reacted simultaneously.
“Ah, I hadn’t explained it to you two. This man, Leon Vague, believes himself to be a princess princess.”
“Hey! Stop it! They might actually believe that for real!”
Ignoring Leon’s protest entirely, Siegfried continued calmly.
“In any case, the king’s reason for ordering the deployment lies elsewhere.”
Siegfried paused there, looking around at everyone.
“Most likely, the aim is—my life. Using this war to kill me. That’s King Luverios’s true objective.”
“No way…”
It wasn’t clear whose surprised voice that was. Fine’s, Fen’s, Leon’s, Dominik’s—or perhaps several voices overlapping.
“In any event, we must be wary not only of the enemy. There are those among our allies who will be after my head as well.”
As everyone held their breath, Siegfried wore an amused smile.
“We’ll have to cross swords with the enemy while watching for blades creeping up from behind by our own allies—as a villain, it’s quite the spectacle. You should be thrilled.”
“…Yeah, not thrilled at all, though.”
Dominik muttered quietly, and Leon nodded silently in agreement.
“If you dislike it, feel free to leave the room. I have no hobby of chasing after fleeing subordinates. —Do as you please.”
But no one moved.
Not Leon, not Fen, not Dominik. Not a single person tried to leave the scene.
They were aware of it. That they had been saved—by Siegfried.
Of course, Siegfried himself probably had no such awareness.
He had no recognition of having saved anyone, nor the personality to delight in having favors repaid.
Even so—the fact remained that Siegfried’s actions had drastically changed their fates.
And now, forgetting that and fleeing from the battle was something their pride would never allow.
Surveying the group who remained silent and unmoving, Siegfried quietly declared.
“—Then, I’ll give you your orders. Beatrice, Leon, Dominik—lead the troops and head to the battlefield with me as my subordinates. Evan, Fine, Celestina… I entrust you with the management and defense of the Kreving household in my absence. And—”
