71 71 Ch. 23. What You Lose, What You Lose (1) (2/2)

Maximilian is falling apart.

I had no income while holding yearly meetings. Even the retreat was not decided, so only the Winter Castle's commandos and lords' goals deepened during the galloping.

I felt like holding a knot that didn't come off.

In fact, it's a knot that can be loosened like this.

Maximilian takes a long breath.

It just felt like everything was back to normal.

* *

After the Northern lords left, all I had was a barracks, some knights, including Vincent and Maximilian.

All kinds of emotions arose from the faces of those who had been stiffened throughout the meeting.

“Your Majesty.”

They summoned the first prince several times. I have a lot to say, but I don't know if my mouth is easy, but my lips are just fuzzy.

“Say what you want me to say. ”

One prince said eagerly.

I was weary, but my expression was not the same as usual.

But Vincent and the men knew.

I didn't know that the prince's eyes were not looking for a place to go, which was usually shot so comfortably by a man.

“You don't have time for this. ”

The prince laid the crown.

I could not see the coldness of the ten lords who had cut their voices and faces into daggers.

The leader, who had overwhelmed dozens of his men throughout the meeting, was no longer there.

All I had left was a kid who was too proud to let me know what was wrong.

“Your Majesty. ’’

Vincent called the prince again.

“How many of the family's men do you think Baleard would have died in bed? ”

The word death began to faint terribly.

“I need to rest. I haven't recovered yet...”

“There shouldn't be more than five. ”

Vincent took a step forward and said,

“It's not unusual for a man of the Valrhards to end his life on the battlefield. I'd rather be honored. ”

The first prince got up from his bed.

“He was not a whiny oak, he was killed fighting the king of the Orcs. You burned my sword to prevent that monster from pursuing its allies. ”

He quickly lost his balance, and Adelia hastily supported him.

“My father's last words were not worth your sympathy. ”

Vincent gave it a boost.

“Do not insult His righteousness. ”

The prince did not answer. Vincent never spoke again.

Vincent turns his head. Other articles followed without saying anything.

“I'm glad you woke up okay. ”

Even the short greetings he left before leaving the barracks said nothing. Adelia looks at him like it's a pity.

* *

The garrison's troops fled overnight.

Earl Schrthol and other northern lords marched out of the camp with troops, and hundreds of horsemen were dispersed around in the messenger's duties. Each destination was different, but their duties were all the same.

At the behest of the First Prince, they dreadfully evacuated the people before arriving at their destination. It wasn't hard to convince the people because there was a terrible rumor that the Orcs were making the surrounding celestial fields blurry.

The people headed south with only minimal valuables.

The soldiers of the Northern lords were with them.

Some of the unlucky were also attacked by Orcs. But not so many encountered the Orcs.

It was a virtue that survivors of the Winter Castle lured and carried the Orcs around shooting all over.

The southern troops and people split to a point of origin.

Soldiers steered toward the fort, which is further east, and the people continued south to cross the bridge across the Rheintes.

The two-prince Maximilian led them.

It was the safety of a prince who feared that the forces of the kingdom who had set a low-lying line south of the Rheintes would expel the refugees in the north.

Perhaps if the Orcs were attacked during the attack, Maximilian would be outrageous.

However, there was no raid on the rest of them who were concerned about whether they were doing my job well.

And finally, the Maximilians and the refugees were able to reach the Rheintes Bridge, which connects the north and the middle.

Maximilian was relieved.

I saw the kingdom's troops over the bridge.

Flags bearing different family symbols were flowing across the river. Even at first glance, it was a troop that looked beyond the water.

Some of them ran out of the garrison and crossed the river.

“Stop!”

Maximilian sees soldiers blocking his legs and shouting, wetting the hood of the fur cape.

“The people who fled the chaos in the north are on the way to escape. Open the way.”

“Your Majesty? ”

The commander who recognizes him closes his eyes.

After that, everything was one thousand and four thousand.

The commander of the defensive ship would have expressed his gratitude at the sudden crowding of refugees.

It was not known whether it was because of the prince's existence, nor whether the kingdom's policy was that of Maximilian.

If there was anything he could tell, the central part was just the fact that everything was abundant.

There was a lot of troops, food, and weapons.

It was hard to even feel a disguise for its richness.

Everything else is lacking and everything is poor. It was like coming to another world.

“The Second Prince saved the people of the North! ”

The faces of the aristocrats and soldiers were furious with praise.

Usually, he would have stepped up first to explain the situation and stop the excessive hymns and cheers. But not this time.

It was time to borrow a fake.

A small spot created to celebrate the return of the two princes who left for the North. A timeless atmosphere.

“The Orcs' army is on their way here now. ”

Maximilian lays cold water on it.

“Why are the Orcs shaking north by now...”

He opens his mouth again, looking at the nobility, talking in comfort as if he were watching the fire across the river.

“The Orcs will be here within the next week or two, whichever is sooner. ”

The sweet music that the musicians were playing, and they snapped. A smile came from the mouth of the nobles who were holding the cup and toasting.

“The party is over. ”

Maximilian said, ”It was a dry, cold voice that resembled the whirlwind passing through the snowfield.