Chapter 51 (1/2)

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“I heard that the number of confirmed casualties over the past three days alone is over 1,500. There are many more injured. Unfortunately, it seems that our commander is not that talented.”

“If you knew that, shouldn’t you change the commander?”

Herietta asked with an absurd expression on her face. Because of the incompetent commander, only the pitiful soldiers under him are dying. She couldn’t understand Shawn, who came to Philioche like this, rather than try to fix it even though he knew about it.

“Well, it’s because the commander came from a fairly powerful and prestigious family. On the other hand, his lieutenant commander is from a family of knights. So I’ll probably leave it alone until the commander gets mixed up a bit more.”

“But people are dying because of that incompetent commander!”

Herietta, who was so angry at Shawn’s casual expression, raised her voice.

“A person’s life is at stake, but what is the importance of going to a prestigious school and status?”

“A person. Yes, it is only the lives of commoners and slaves.”

Shawn said with a smirk.

“Oh, right, I forgot. That includes the children of the penniless and powerless aristocrats. Yes, it’s…”

Shawn’s snake-like eyes turned to Herietta.

“… just like your brother.”

Between his gaping lips, he flapped his tongue as if to lick his lips. Herietta suddenly felt short of breath. She jumped up from her seat.

“I thought so, but coming here was a big mistake.”

She said, glaring fiercely at Shawn.

“I’ll get going. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ll be able to pray for your safety on the way back.”

“Your brother, don’t you want to save him?”

Shawn asked as he watched Herietta angrily head out.

Don’t you want to save him? It was as if his tone was suggesting that Hugo would die if she didn’t make the right decision now. When she said nothing, he spoke again.

“If it goes like this, you better stop thinking about meeting your younger brother again. He will die on the battlefield soon.”

“Hugo will not die.”

Herietta declared. She tried to resist her desire to run right away and strangle Shawn.

“He will come home safely no matter what you say.”

Because someone who held a higher rank than him had promised to do so.

But there was no reason to explain it to Shawn. Herietta, not wanting to interact with him any longer, quickly walked towards the door. She then placed her hand on it to turn the doorknob he had locked.

“Well, if I were you, I wouldn’t be so sure.”

Behind her back, Shawn said monotonously.

“Especially if this was the corner you believe in.”

‘This?’

It was a meaningful word. Herietta unknowingly turned her body to look at Shawn. In his hand was a sheet of paper she had never seen before. He was waving it towards her as if he wanted her to see it.

“What is that?”

Herietta asked. Then Shawn grinned as if he caught his prey in a net.

“Read it for yourself.”

He said in a whisper.

Herietta looked at him warily, but she couldn’t resist her natural curiosity. She approached him and snatched the document he had taken out. She then began to look down as she read its contents

‘This is…?’

Herietta’s body stiffened as she held the document. She thoroughly read every single letter written on the paperwork.

“This… Why is this?”

Herietta asked in a trembling voice.

“Why is this in your hand…?”

“You didn’t think it was foolish to think that the Crown Prince would personally step in to get things done, did you?”

Shawn asked with a low smile.

“I didn’t see it that way, but you used a really cute trick. I almost made a mistake, well. Fortunately, His Highness had entrusted the work to someone on our side, so there were no problems.”

The document Shawn handed over was written by Duon, the Crown Prince of Brimdel. The written content was concise and the meaning of the message was clear.

Investigate the reasons for the conscription of Viscount Mackenzie’s son, Hugo McKenzie, and, if he falls out of the conscription restrictions, immediately release him from conscription.

It was what Herietta had been waiting so long for. It was embarrassing that it landed in the hands of someone she didn’t expect at all.