Chapter 111: Thirteenth Episode: Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 111: Thirteenth Episode: Chapter 2

Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Spring of year 797 had finally arrived at Swan Hill. Colors alongside range upon range of hills changed constantly. Fresh green grass revealed themselves within crevices in strange-shaped jagged rocks, while unknown wildflowers spread across the open space of forests basked in spring sunshine bloomed with multicolor beautiful flowers!

A litter of kits scrambled to escape their warren. They examined their surroundings carefully while not forgetting to gasp for the air filled with the fresh smell of lush greens. Eventually, after they determined that there wasn't any potential danger lurking around, the herds of kits finally made their first springtime activity under the lead of their mother. These young creatures were greatly tired of the dull winter life.

An almost grown wolf was seen around the forest. It sniffed at everything it encountered, trying to mark every inch of the forest land as its own with its unique scent. This piece of land was eventually to be under its territory. It was believed that in the near future, following its parents' footsteps, it would manage an area much larger than this current one.

After having gone through the ordeal of a harsh winter, tiny cygnets grew into graceful swans with strong physiques. Snow and frost turned their feathers from messy light gray to clean, pure white.

Young swans gradually converged on the lake. They communicated in high-pitched honks, flapping their wings and rubbing against each other in order to show their appreciation for the newly-bonded friendships. Soon, these young swans formed their own community. The God of Light, the great creator of all, transmitted the message of flying to these beautiful creatures. All of a sudden, the fledge of swans began to flap at their wings continuously. Slowly but clumsily, as the air current rose and the bodies soared, for the first time in their life the swans witnessed the beauty of the magical great sky.

”Look! Here's another wedge taking off!” Alanis exclaimed in delight and pointed towards the vast blue sky.

A soft bed was laid out on the spacious balcony of Swan Hill Castle. Warm spring sunlight glimmered on the lace curtain surrounded the bed, causing numerous patterns of light and shadow to dance around as the breeze blew.

Looking out at the ”gloomy” sky from inside of the lace curtain, Sasha appeared feeble and weary. She struggled to sit up, but her frail body gave up and once again she fell on the pillow.

Alanis sat right next to the bed. She withheld her excitement from the flying creatures which were enjoying their first taste of spring and turned to look at the ”critically ill” Young Lady. She couldn't help but sigh in a low breath. If she hadn't instructed the servant to carry Sasha's bed to the balcony, she believed this Andrew's Narcissus Corolla would slowly wither away her life in the dimly lit bedroom until she finally died.

”Sasha! I beg of you! It's spring now, the time for even withered plants to resuscitate, so please stop torturing yourself any longer!”

”I have not tortured myself, have I?” Sasha turned her head away, as stubborn as a mule.

Alanis rolled her eyes exaggeratedly, ”Have you not? You haven't consumed any food for the past two days!”

”But I'm not hungry!”

Alanis stood up from the bed as she shook her head at the helpless girl. Abruptly, she raised the curtain. Strong bright rays of sunlight gushed into the dark, and the sudden contrast of light almost blinded Sasha.

”Please stop!”

”You need sunlight, hot food, and to stretch your legs a little…”

”Alanis! I only need him, you know that! Right now, I only need to know if he's safe and sound!”

”Of course he's all well!” Alanis grabbed Young Lady's hand, ”He's the hero of the Empire, the idol of the soldiers! Do you know that millions of people cheered at the sound of his name? He's my fiancée, and… it seems like he's yours too.” Alanis said with slight disappointment as she stole a glance at the precious ring rested on Sasha's finger.

”Please stop, I don't want to hear any of this, especially the word hero. Do you know what it means in Narcissus County? The word is only used in remembrance to cherish the memory of martyrs.”

Alanis startled at the comment. She had no idea how to comfort the dispirited Sasha E.

After what seemed like forever, Alanis slowly sat back on the chair.

”Sasha, believe me, Oscar will be fine. Our fiancée will live a long life. I'm sure the Empire will exchange for his freedom at all costs! Besides, the highest-level delegation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs is already on their way to the Deiss Kingdom. I believe good news will soon be delivered to us.”

Alanis finally revealed her concern as she glanced at the paladin waiting by the French window. She took Sasha into her arms and planted a light kiss on her cheek.

”Kid, promise me that you'll feel better. Oscar will definitely come back to us, and when he does, you wouldn't wish for him to see you like this.”

Sasha listened to the princess and nodded eventually, ”Do you have to leave already?”

”Yes,” Alanis stared at the paladin in annoyance, ”The entire Empire has now entered the state of combat readiness. Secret Service Department searches frantically for secret agents who work for Deiss, and guards have blocked the main roads, ready to go on the offensive. Even me, the Princess, has to live in seclusion for safety measures.”

Just as Alanis was about to leave, Sasha held on to her arm.

”Thank you!”

Alanis pinched Young Lady's cheek lightly and paced toward the door. As she closed the door behind her, she turned to smile at the paladin. ”See that? She's such a timid and weak-willed little girl.”

***************

”A bunch of incompetent cowards!” Alfa III's brows were locked together. He appeared to be lost in his own thoughts but still couldn't come to a conclusion at the end of the day. ”Who can tell me any other abject adjectives that could be used to describe my Imperial Army?”

”Your Majesty, is this the topic of today's discussion?” Marshal Alan spoke from his seat. As the commander of the Imperial Guards, he was obliged to respond to the Emperor's critics.

”Yes! Yes!” The Emperor glared fiercely into the Marshal's eyes. ”I would be much satisfied if my Military Affairs Chancellor could answer this question!”

”Your Majesty!” the Chief of Staffs of Imperial Guards finally spoke up too, ”The Empire's army is not cowardly nor impotent! His Imperial Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette and the 11116 warriors on Saijo Mountain have already proved this with their brave actions.”

”Hahahaha!” the emperor laughed all of a sudden, but almost immediately the laughter was replaced by a cold expression on the face, ”Praise the almighty God! My Chief of Staffs, I'm glad you still remember His Imperial Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette and the 11116 warriors! 18 days have passed since the battle on Saijo Mountain, even the remaining Deiss army forces have withdrawn and returned to their hometown. So please enlighten me, in the past 18 days, what have you done for His Imperial Highness Prince and all the sacrificed soldiers?”

The Chief of Staffs glanced at Alan who sat right next to him but was disappointed to notice the sly Silver Fox was indifferent to the rescue. The Chief of Staffs had no choice but to bite the bullet himself.

”Your Majesty! My staff is discussing...”

”Enough!” with a gesture of frustration, Alfa swept the messy piles of military papers from the desk, ”Your staff are always discussing and always making plans that are impossible to implement!”

The chief of staff shot a sideways glance at Alan with the corner of his eyes. He knew well that the old fox should speak.

”Your Majesty!” As expected, Marshal Alan spoke. He opened up a thick tube-shaped object and retrieved from it a map which he spread over the Emperor's desk.

”Your Majesty, what laid in front of you now is the northwestern border region of our country with the Riel Kingdom and the Deiss Kingdom. Your humble servant had already instructed the Combat Department and Steinberger House to begin preparations for a massive offense. Seeing as His Imperial Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette was still in the hands of Deiss, therefore I'm placing the focus of this attack on the Riel Kingdom. Eleventh region and tenth region in the west, as well as twelfth region in the northwest, have already assembled twenty divisions inside the border, Steinberger House also mobilized all the troops and reserves. We intend to...”

”My marshal!” the Emperor suddenly interrupted, ”I have faith in you, and I trust your strategic deployment. Go ahead and do it! My golden lion seal is ready for you at any time! But do not forget to exert some pressure on the Westland Kingdom Alliance, I believe the alliance will understand our actions. Riel must be held responsible for their violation of rights and interests of the country!”

”Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. The Imperial Guards and I will not let you down again!” Silver Fox Alan bowed to the emperor with a humble attitude, with his military cap held in front of the chest.

”Although... Your Majesty!” anxiety washed across Silver Fox's face, ”I shall remind you that Deiss remains our real rivalry. This unprecedented raid is enough to confirm this nation's conspiracy to stage a full-scale war at us.”

The Emperor nodded in agreement. If it wasn't for his little Oscar that had been captured, he would certainly have declared war against Deiss as soon as he heard the news about the Saijo Mountain battle.

”However, for the moment, Deiss seem to have given up on further military actions!” Alan pointed to several locations on the map, ”They have taken a full defensive stance by withdrawing the military forces inside the frontier to a few well-protected fortresses. Hence, I entrust Steinberger House to continue intensifying their attacks and suppression on its border lines!”

”That's right!” the Chief of Staff finally found an opportunity to speak, ”Your Majesty, a weak defense will not work against the Deiss. Instead, we should attack constantly like the Ollier people in order to sap the will of the aggressive Yarans. Maintaining a strong military front on the borderline and constantly attacking its fortresses on the border will not only ensure us the upper hand against the Deiss, but also guarantee the safety of His Imperial Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette. After we successfully drain the enemy troops of their strength, I believe Deiss will place His Imperial Highness Prince on the negotiating table, and by that time they would probably resort to our threat of force.”

”Even though...” Alan took over his colleague's words, but he seemed to be rather hesitant, ”Your Majesty! There is another thorny issue that we're facing!”

”Oh?” The Emperor frowned.

”Your Majesty, please have a look at this!” Alan revealed a letter from his arms, ”We have just received a handwritten letter from Marshal Dortmund Andrew Nedgabel early this morning!”

Osli Alfa Morisette handed over the letter with discretion. He had already considered his brother-in-law's reaction at the time of the news of Saijo Mountain battlefield report arrived. At his worst expectation, the Commander-in-chief of Narcissus Knights would definitely curse and yell like a lunatic at receiving the unfortunate news.

Alfa III's furrowed brow appeared to have deepened as he read along the lines of the characters written in the letter.

When the emperor finally put down the handwritten letter, the Chief of Staffs of the Imperial Guards glanced mockingly at Alan. How did he not know of such an important matter! Obviously, Alan had already planned to draw a clear line of demarcation between himself and the incident of Saijo Mountain. Perhaps… this old fox had long sensed the complication of the matter. With his head hung low, Marshal Valier Cypress turned his body aside. No one knew what was on his mind.

Alan looked at the Emperor and sighed, ”Deiss' Teutonic Knights almost destroyed the organizational system of Narcissus Knights' Red Tiger Assault Division, and the invader had successfully shattered the big-name heroic commander's two designated Groups. I believe the Narcissus Knights and the Andrew Family are deeply disgraced by this shame, not to mention their children were also captured!”

”So... Your Majesty, I believe you understood our situation by now!” the old marshal pointed to the letter on the table, ”Marshal Dortmund demanded the Military for an explanation on the event of Saijo Mountain battle. If he could not be satisfied with our answer, he will solve the problem using the Andrew's way. Do you know, Your Majesty? Andrew's Military Personnel Bureau has begun to arm their reserve institution, and the troops located in the inland of Narcissus County are also getting ready to be dispatched! They are only waiting for orders from Marshal Dortmund, or should I say, they are all only waiting for your response!”

”Yes! I know!” Alfa III waved his hand impatiently. He was aware of the movement of Narcissus Knights more than anyone else. ”This issue ... can be really tricky! If I don't provide a satisfied explanation to my old friend Dortmund, I believe he would solve the problem in Andrew's customary manner. As far as I know, no one is still in this world after having angered Andrew.” The emperor thought to himself.

”But... will Andrew be determined enough to defy the Titan Codex?” his Majesty asked the marshal with slight suspicion, ”According to the Titan Code, any Narcissus Knight troops higher in rank than a Group are not allowed to get out of the settlement of Andrew without permission from the Imperial Family. Would Dortmund... have the courage to challenge the imperial power?”

”Your Majesty!” Chief of Staff of Imperial Guards Marshal Valier Cypress stood up and took over Marshal Alan's map, ”Although the Titan Codex clearly stipulates that Narcissus Knights may not be allowed out of their territory without permission, but it does not state that Andrew could not go abroad from the country. I believe the Narcissus Knights will, like the Deiss, bypass the Czerroc Kingdom located northeast of the Empire. This kingdom suffered severely from Yarans before, moreover, similar to Narcissus Knights, they are also resisting from the Persians. Historically, Andrew House had rescued this kingdom from the hands of Persians countless times! Therefore, in order not to be in contradiction with the Titan Codex, Marshal Dortmund will certainly invade Deiss by Czerroc, and I'm positive the King of Czerroc Kingdom will certainly agree to the request of their old comrades.”

Alfa III was completely lost for words! The man was right! It was completely possible for Narcissus Knights to avenge their insult while not violating the law, with help from Czerroc which had an equally immense hatred of Deiss Kingdom! The emperor was suddenly reminded of the war happened with the Italians a few years ago. At that time, Narcissus Knights almost managed to subvert a dynasty with a long history with only the army forces of two Front, then… Was Deiss a match for Andrew? The moment Deiss couldn't handle the attack from Narcissus Knights anymore, they would definitely threaten the opponent with the life of young Oscar. If that was the case, then what was the point of Andrew's attack? After all, in the hands of Deiss obtained an important bargaining chip, so... what was the ultimate reason for Dortmund's action?

Alan realized the emperor's doubts, and the old Marshal gently coughed to attract the emperor's attention.

”Your Majesty, the top priority now is to launch a more forceful diplomatic campaign against Deiss while at the same time maintaining a powerful force at the border! We have to combine the threat of force with necessary compromise in exchange for the freedom of His Imperial Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette. In fact, you must have discovered that our imperial prince here is the real crux.”

”Of course! I certainly understand this!” the Emperor nodded again, ”But Narcissus County appears all ready for the opening of a real war that they even mobilized their reserve forces. How many years has it been since they mobilized their reserves? In order to avenge their shame, they are willing to position even children on the battlefield! Therefore... I am a bit puzzled! Is the life of his young son insignificant to the Duke of Andrew? Or should I say... the existence of this youngest son... is just dispensable?”

The emperor was startled by his own analysis! Was Dortmund trying to borrow Deiss' hand to get rid young Oscar – a member that could reverse the fate of Andrew House? Would he really sacrifice his own son? Why not? The emperor gritted his teeth! His doubt was cleared as he suddenly saw the light! The elders of the family had always been full of concern for this child. It wouldn't be a surprise if they seized this rare opportunity to solve the problem! By getting rid of young Oscar, it was equivalent to cutting off the last link between the Imperial family and Andrew House!

”No! No! Andrew can absolutely not take any military action against Deiss!” the Emperor growled loudly. His expression shocked the two marshals.

”Pay close attention to the negotiations with the Deiss King! I'm even willing to trade the two northern provinces of Deiss origin in exchange for my young son-in-law's life! Any action coming from Andrew will threaten the overall arrangement and interest of the country, I absolutely will not allow Dortmund to do that!”

”But... Your Majesty!” Alan's face was washed over by an inexplicable expression; his two bright white eyebrows were almost packed together. ”How do you want me to explain to Marshal Dortmund that you won't allow the Narcissus Knights to perform any military actions? After all, he has several good reasons! his youngest son was captured! His knights lost their designations! He could definitely act in private regardless of military orders! Hence, Your Majesty, you need to provide Andrew a solution to the problem.”

The emperor also frowned like the old marshal at the mention of the problem. Andrew would never get over this if he didn't allow the Narcissus Knights to take action. When they thought about their captured children, when they thought of the defeated Red Tiger, all these were unable to...

Hold on a second! Red Tiger!

Out of the blue, the Emperor was enlightened with an inspiration!

”So... my two Marshals, see if my suggestion would work! I could confer the titles on Red Tiger using my identity as the Emperor of Titan! Although their name is still Red Tiger, I can expand their organizational system. Didn't they lose the designation units for two Groups? I can turn it into the Red Tiger Cavalry Corps, so that would mean it has three brand-new Divisions! And then... I could upgrade the ranks of their high-ranking officers to one level higher and honor all the surviving Red Tiger Soldiers!”

Alan nodded without uttering a word, but Marshal Valier Cypress on the one side cast his doubts.

”Your Majesty, I understand the reason behind promoting to the Red Tiger generals and awarding the Red Tiger warriors, but why is it necessary to expand the system of Red Tiger? This should be Marshal Dortmund's own concern!”

The emperor shook his head in denial, ”My Chief of Staffs, that's because it's the only way to make Andrew House oblige. Why should I expand the organizational system of the Red Tiger? Because I want this heroic troop of Narcissus Knights to continuing fighting in the northwest border, and to enlarge its scale to increase its combat effectiveness. Dortmund should understand my decision, this is already my greatest concession to him! Of course, Dortmund will consider increasing troops to the northwest or directly dispatch another Front, but... a whole cavalry corps is already the bottom line I can accept!”

”But...” Valier asked again with practiced caution, ”Your Majesty, your arrangement will bring about a powerful cavalry force to the northwest of the empire! And... Wouldn't it cause any trouble… That this cavalry is loyal to Andrew?”

The Emperor waved his hand, ”Are you worried that this Andrew unit might pose a threat to the Imperial family? First of all, Dulin is far away from the northwest frontier. Secondly, the Red Tiger is a direct force under young Oscar. I believe that Red Tiger generals and soldiers will comply with the Prince's orders even more than before after this experience in Saijo Mountain. Oscar has brought them great victories and endless glory, and their soldiers lay emphasis on these!”

Alan once again nodded in agreement, ”Your Majesty is right! Furthermore, this is the only way to soothe the rage of Duke of Andrew! It doesn't matter whether Marshal Dortmund is really angry, depending on the current situation, it is more important to limit the offense of Narcissus Knights toward Deiss within the range and power of the Imperial Military and Imperial Family.”

”Exactly! That's right! The new Red Tiger will unleash greater power, so Deiss at the border will be out of luck! And... it's also in line with the military's strategy to increase the military threat of force!” Alfa III finally revealed a smile. His Majesty was contented. He felt pride in himself for coming up with such a perfect solution.

He checked the time on the clock and let out a relaxed sigh. ”Marshals, I'll not hold up your time anymore. Get busy! I believe there are many things waiting to be handled!”

Marshal Valier, the Chief of staff of the Imperial Guard, took the command and saluted the emperor. However, he realized Silver Fox Alan did not seem to intend to leave the chamber.

”My Military Affairs Chancellor, is there anything else that I can help you with?” The Emperor looked somewhat astonished at Alan.

”Yes, Your Majesty, please allow me to delay some of your time.”

Alfa III looked at the Chief of Staffs who was still rooted to the ground, ”Marshal Valier, you can return now!”

Valier saluted once again. Just as the Imperial Confidential Secretary opened the door for him, the Chief of Staffs glanced quickly at Silver Fox and in his eyes the man flashed with an unfriendly light. Valier was even more convinced that… Silver Fox must have grasped some crucial information.