Chapter 112: Thirteenth Episode: Chapter 3 (1/2)

Chapter 112: Thirteenth Episode: Chapter 3

Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The home of Her Royal Highness Princess Opareal Roulexberg was located near a quaint and quiet little village on the banks of Laufenkamen Riverside. Her mother, Her Majesty the Queen of Roulexberg Dynasty, lived a monastic life in Lombardy Castle near the village after the death of their former king. Less than two hours away from the castle was Nalinka Fortress - the most well-protected fortress within the border of Deiss.

Laufenkamen Riverside was an area in the entire Deiss with most tranquil scenery. The idyllic countryside was even crowned the Italia of Deiss! Cold and frost on the Alps lost its brutality in Laufenkamen after ravaging the land of Titan previously. Although the easterly wind of spring was still strong and forceful, it portrayed itself as rather gentle with hints of a slight mist.

The river crept its way into the distance like a silver bow hanging on the back of the God of War. When it finally arrived at the quaint village as well as Lombardy Castle, the river quietly flowed its way through the vast vineyards that stretched as far as one’s eyes could see, and continued its journey underneath a couple of exquisitely constructed stone arch bridges.

This was the most important defence point to the southeast of Borensberg - the capital of the Deiss - hence Nalinka Fortress was always maintained at a vigilant state. Although the patrolling cavalry continuously passed through the village and the fields, the honest enthusiasm of the idyllic life more or less weakened the austere Yaran nation. Moreover, in the evening when the sun was about to set, these soberly grave people also enjoyed century-old famous pastoral poems accompanied by the melodious singing voices of sweet young girls.

The land was rich and fertile, which proved nature’s generosity at its best. The inheritance of handicrafts integrated almost perfectly into agricultural life. As the people led directly under Her Majesty the Queen, those who lived here would never be sent into the country’s warfare if there was one. Thus, topics favored by the Yarans such as pastoral poetry, religious literature, philosophy, were all fully developed right here in the riverside. It was safe to say that Lombardy area was the only symbol of freedom in the entire of Deiss.

Lombardy Castle was an ancient fortified fortress castle that was built on a plateau that protruded from the plains of the riverside. Looking from afar, Lombardy resembled a giant potted plant full of greenery that bloomed with countless flowers. Casted under the shadows of moonlight, one side of the castle was covered with pure silver light, while the other side was so dark even its silhouette couldn’t be made out at all.

”18 days! 18 days!” Sarlat Drosha mumbled quietly to himself. As soon as he ignited the oil lamp it was distinguished by the light breeze. With no other alternative, the paladin who was captured shut the castle window before walking toward the bed to tuck the unconscious person up in the quilt.

”It has been 18 days already?”

Sarlat Drosha jerked to a halt! He found himself staring right into the brightly-lit eyes of O’Neil Andrew Morisette, who blinked continuously like bright stars on the night sky.

”My… my my my… my good God of Light! You… you you you… you have finally awakened!” Paladin rushed to the side of the bed. He would love to wrap his arms tightly around the young man, but he didn’t dare to even touch him an inch as there were about forty or more wounds on the young man’s body. The most dangerous and fatal one was the cut that Princess of Deiss slit through his stomach.

”18 days?” Oscar repeated the same words. However, honestly, he wished he would never wake up. As soon as he regained consciousness, he could felt every inch of his body piercing with excruciating pain.

”Yes! That’s right! It has been 18 days! You have been in lethargic state for the past 18 days!”

”Oh? Have they all… get out of the forest safely?”

”Do you mean the Red Tigers?” Sarlat Drosha scratched his head, wondering how could he explain this. ”They… should have escaped from the forest. Have faith in Murat, he wouldn’t leave your knights all alone in that place.”

Oscar wanted to nod but he realised he couldn’t budge a bit.

”Ola! I’ve just remembered, where are we now? Have we been locked down here by the Deiss? Who else is with us?”

”Slow down! Slow down!” Sarlat comforted the young man. Oh God! He only regained conscious after being asleep for 18 days. ”Don’t speak too much, it does no good to your internal organs! This… is Lombardy, the castle of the current Majesty the Queen of Deiss. I have to congratulate you, Your Highness, the Yarans helped move us to the hinterland of Deiss in the fastest speed we could ever imagine.”

Oscar opened his mouth to reply but was stopped by Sarlat.

”Alright, Your Highness, I think I know what’s on your mind. Like us, there was another six people who have also been captured; Hercules Mendez Blane, your messenger, and four Red Tiger knights. Unfortunately, two were severely wounded and sacrificed, while the other two were imprisoned into a place Deiss use specially to keep prisoners of war.”

”How was Wellington taken as a prisoner?” Oscar was rather confused, he couldn’t remember much details of the incident.

Sarlat rolled his eyes before answering, ”My friend, can you believe it? Your messenger charged to attack a small team with only two knives! In the end, he was knocked down after taking down nine lives from the rival team!”

”How many were there… in a small team?”

”Ten!”

Oscar rolled his eyes at the news, ”That being said, my messenger did a pretty good job!”

”That’s true! Even though he was still taken prisoner in the end!” Sarlat said with a soft sigh.

”Oh God! Look at me, my friend, you must have been starving!” Paladin sprung up out of the blue as he was suddenly reminded that the young man has not consumed any food for half a month.

Oscar tried hard to feel the sensation, but he was rather puzzled. ”I… I just feel like there’s an emptiness devouring me inside! But… I don’t feel hungry.”

”That’s for sure!” Sarlat shrugged nonchalantly, ”You lost consciousness that time, so you wouldn’t know what happened. Yikes! Your intestines were all over the ground, and if it wasn’t for the Princess who threatened her doctors to treat you with her sabre, I believe the doctors would have given up on treating you! They cut off a couple parts before sewing up the wound, it’s definitely normal for you to feel empty inside!”

Oscar nodded in understanding, ”Hmm… it doesn’t seem that bad! That means I wouldn’t get dysentery ever again!”

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

”Why?”

”Why?” Countess Aeolia Siva Wimmester replied without giving it another thought, and looked right at Young Lady who stared back at her in disbelief.

”Are you asking me?” Aeolia gave her a scornful look without really answering the question. ”Why don’t you ask yourself? Young Lady, you’re a reasonable person, you should know best about my withdrawal from this activity.”

”I want you to answer my question!” Sasha placed her hand over the sheath. She bore the humiliation with forbearance.

”Sure! I’m willing to do that!” Aeolia still appeared to be indifferent. ”But before I do, my Young Lady, the family’s Young Lady! Can you answer me three questions? Or should I ask if you are dare to answer three of my questions?”

Sasha remained silent.

”First of all!” Aeolia raised her voice, ”How badly injured is His Imperial Highness Prince? This question decides how we should transport him away from where he has been kept prisoner. Secondly, where did the Deiss imprison His Imperial Highness Prince? How is the condition of the defence? This question decides if the ones present here will die in foreign land. Lastly, how are we going to obtain reliable sources from within the border of Deiss, where will be our hideout, how long can our false identities keep us covered, where shall we retreat to once our mission fails, what about our escape route, and when…”

”Enough! Enough!” All of a sudden Sasha growled out a warning, her arms wrapped around her head.

Young Lady’s shoulders trembled. The crowd had no idea if she was crying or if she was opposing helplessness.

”Miss Aeolia! Please get out of the room!” Big sized Ferry went up to the Chief of Investigative Officer. He has never seen someone behaved so poorly toward the Young Lady.

”Ferry! It’s alright!” Sasha finally raised her head. It was obvious that she has been crying.

”Aya! I admit that I’m extremely naïve, but how come everyone present here is willing to carry on this absurd plan with me even though they’re well aware of this? That’s because they’re all friends of Oscar.” Sasha said as she stood up from her seat. She walked toward Aya and wrapped her hands firmly around the military secret agent’s.

”Aya, I expected you to stand up against me on this! And I also know you’ll have a better solution than me! Please, help me!” Young Lady pleaded sincerely, her bent knees almost touching the ground.

”Please don’t do this!” Aeolia quickly helped Young Lady back at her foot again, and cupped her hands on the girl’s face. ”My Young Lady! It’s not about whether the idea is naïve, or if I’m willing to help you! This is a matter of life and death for everyone present here, including you! The life of first Young Lady of the family!”

With no alternative, Aya let go of poor Sasha who couldn’t stop weeping. ”My Young Lady, I was planning to break the news to you later, after all, this is the top confidential secret of the family! Your father, Duke Dortmund, and the rest of the family’s Independent Cavalry are already on their way to the border of Deiss and Czerroc in secrecy.”

Sasha failed to understand the sudden news, ”My father? The Independent Cavalry? The border between Deiss and Czerroc?”

”Yes! That’s exactly right!”

”But… but why?” Still confused, Sasha leaned into the chair, ”I know the family will definitely take actions in accordance of what has happened, but… why are they heading for the border? Why not mobilise the Narcissus Knights, instead of armed Independent Cavalry operated by relatives and nobles?”

Aya glanced at the helpless girl. The girl was smart but she was definitely not talented in politics.

”To attack the border between Deiss and Czerroc is to avoid violating the Titan Codex; as for opting for Independent Cavalry, that’s because these independent soldiers are constantly being moved around on the lines of defence, and this is perfect for confusing the secret agents. Up until now, no one in Dulin knows that Andrew’s vanguard has already arrived at the border of Deiss and Czerroc.”

Sasha was not ignorant, only after a moment of thought she understood perfectly the whole plan and arrangement. ”However… what good will this do? I don’t think my father is actually thinking of attacking Deiss, because that would definitely threaten the safety of brother Oscar! Moreover… moreover, would the Imperial Family allow this to happen? After all, father just went ahead and violated the sovereignty in secret.”

”No!” Aya shook her head to display disagreement, ”Young Lady, you might have understood this wrongly. The more aggressively the Duke attacks, the safer His Highness will be. Deiss would definitely want to safeguard the trump card they have in their hands, so when something really bad happens that they can’t tolerate further, they could eventually put His Highness up on the negotiating table.”

Aya thought for another moment. ”So far, the safest bet would be to arrange for the best compromise by negotiation! The Duke’s action is merely to maintain a strong threat of force against Deiss. This would certainly help to smoothen the negotiations process.”

Then, Aya kept quiet for a moment as she continued to play out the possibilities in her head. ”In fact… the risk for now is that Morisette Imperial Family will be provoked by the Duke’s action. There are several infamous sly foxes around the Majesty, and they would definitely try to prevent Andrew from taking further military action. That’s because… they don’t wish for Deiss to become the second Italia!”

Sasha tried to work up every nerve and logic inside of her brain to recall all those strategies that her brother once shared with her. Out of the blue, Young Lady raised her head by surprise.

”No! No! Something isn’t right! Titan Imperial Family dreams of demolishing Deiss! They… they’re not worried about our knights turning Deiss into a second Italia! They are concerned that… our family’s attack will threaten the safety of brother!”

”Haha!” Aeolia suddenly roared with laughter, ”My Young Lady, if even you think of this… that means the family’s strategy is extremely successful!”

Sasha suddenly became all smiles again when she realised the hidden meaning behind Aya’s words! But almost immediately, she fell into yet another black hole of deep helplessness.

”Even if the family’s strategy succeeds, how would it actually benefit brother? He will still be in the hands of Deiss!”

”So… it’s now none of our business anymore?” One gentleman finally raised the doubt. Majority of them were annoyed! These two ladies were into a heated discussion using terms and jargons that they couldn’t fathom!

”Oh, sorry! I’m really sorry!” Aeolia quickly returned to the side of the table, ”I’m truly sorry! We got lost in our own world!”

”Don’t worry about it!””Yes, it’s alright!” Suddenly the super criminals became a group of humble gentlemen.

Depressed, Sasha returned to her seat once again. She was now having trouble deciding after hearing Aya’s advice. Without precise information, without a place to settle down, without insiders to help out, without a safe route for retreat if things went wrong! All these risks and troubles made her plan to Deiss nothing more than a suicide route.

Aya couldn’t help but let out a low sigh when she looked at the struggling Young Lady. ”Ah… Sasha! Let me tell you just one more thing! To be honest, I can’t hold you back if you’re determined to head for Deiss, but once the family got hold of this news, then it didn’t matter if you could return safely, all the 22 military secret staffs assigned to guard your security will all be punished according to the military laws! Including myself and Ferry, we’re both going to die!”

Sasha was panic-stricken at the news. She looked at Aeolia in astonishment, and abruptly turned her head sharply toward big-sized man who didn’t budge as if he was only a rock.

”Lieutenant Ferry from Military Security Bureau! Tell Young Lady if I’m speaking the truth!” Aeolia’s voice was raised again.

”Colonel Aeolia from Military Investigation Bureau, your power doesn’t include giving me orders!” Ferry gave a cool and uninterested look at his colleagues.

”Is that true?” Young Lady asked as she grabbed the big-sized man by the arm, who has been always been by her side since young.

Ferry lowered his head and replied with utter silence.

Sasha threw herself on the chair. She was extremely dissatisfied. She has already gathered all these infamous talents of her brother’s friends around here. She felt truly deflated!

”Young Lady!” Aeolia raised from her seat, ”There is only one solution left!”

Sasha returned the gaze, completely perplexed.

Countess Aeolia Siva Wimmester puffed out her chest, and her keen eyes swept the room. ”Sasha, your disappearance would cause a great commotion due to your distinguished status in Dulin. Therefore, you must stay here! Let me… lead the ladies and gentlemen into Deiss!”

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

”You… you… you are…”

”Your Imperial Highness Prince O’Neil! I don’t recall hurting your brain!” A crisp female voice appeared at the door. Oscar was rather confused, he completely had no idea who was the lady with a dignified and graceful expression in front of him.

Although Opareal Roulexberg was the youngest among all the members of Deiss Kingdom’s Royal Family, she was the first princess in succession to the throne. In other words, if her brother, the current King, passed away unfortunately, then she would naturally become the candidate to become the Queen of Deiss Kingdom. Even though her brother has two sons after his name, however, in this country where military affairs remained a year-long priority, underage royal family members were not allowed to inherit the reigns. Only grown royal family members with excellent diplomatic tricks and immense wisdom could take the throne and lead the army.

The ninth King of Deiss’ Roulexberg Dynasty was well aware of his own health condition. It seemed that he wasn’t as lucky as the former King, as that damned hereditary disease of the family has befallen on himself. Quite recently, the disease took away the life of his brother, who always dreamed of being a king. Next year… he predicted… or maybe even tomorrow, the disease would also take away this man who has countless great ambitions for the Kingdom.

According to the lofty aspirations of the King, the first step to the revival of Deiss would be to accomplish the true reunification of the country. The priority was given to defeating Titan’s defense in the southeast in order to reclaim the lost territory! However, evidently, Deiss King’s first attack against Titan was a complete failure! Not only the King’s designation of first infantry army was lost, but their most elite Teutonic Knights also lost forever a military organisational system of Corps.

All of these misfortunes were thanks to the Titan Prince, O’Neil Andrew Morisette, who now took shelter temporarily in Lombardy Castle. If the Titans had not mobilized a force equivalent to the entire Deiss military force in the border, or if the Titans had not blocked the kingdom's southern trade route and several major forts, Deiss King believes he would have thrown O’Neil Andrew Morisette into a concentration camp specially for prisoners of war! To feed him with dog shit and horse piss! Order the tallest and strongest Deiss warrior to ”possess” him!

”Your Majesty!” a voice woke the Deiss King from his wonderful fantasy.

The King, who has just celebrated his thirty-third birthday, raised his heavy eyelids. Just as widely known in the eyes of the common people, the King of Deiss has delicate features; high nose and prominent brow ridge, soft light golden hair, full wide lips. The depressed noble King suffering from disease recognised the voice within seconds. It belonged to Eisenstein, simply because… he was the only one who can come in and out of the King’s sleeping quarters as pleased.

”It’s late, Eisen! What’s the matter?” The ninth King struggled to support himself up. From the opening of his sleeping gown, numerous red spots were seen on all around his body.

”Yes, Your Majesty! I’m lucky that you’re not asleep yet, because we’ve encountered an urgent matter!”

”Oh! Tell me about it.” Deiss King patted lightly on his bed. Before, this old confidant of his would definitely sit on the side of his bed without hesitation, but now… forget it, what good would it bring to think about this now. At the thought of this, the King slowly turned his head away.

”Your Highness! The Supreme High Command just received orders from commanding officer of the Kingdom’s eastern garrison area. On noon three days before, our tiny neighbor Czerroc Kingdom opened up three large gaps in that ridiculous border defence line of theirs.”

”What’s the significance for them doing so?” Deiss King stared blankly at the spokesman for his country’s government and Supreme High Command.

”It’s straightforward!” Eisenstein closed the emergency document held in his hands. ”Normally, joining together border defence lines means the country is entering defensive state; similarly, opening up the border defence line means the country’s entering offensive state, or that they’re… they’re planning for a conspiracy!”

”The Czerroc?” The King put a scornful look on his sick face, his eyebrows were almost touching the ceiling!

”Maybe, Your Majesty! However, the person in charge of Supreme High Command’s combat department, General Stanbein, whom you despise the most, suggested a fairly interesting hypothesis.”

”Tell me about it.” The King cupped his one hand around his chin. He didn’t want to hear about Stanbein, the person who disagreed to sign on the Rapids Plan combat proposal. At that time, the King was close to having the palace knight take down this old man’s head!

”General Stanbein suggested that it’s highly possible that in half a month, Narcissus Knights will mobilize an army force of five to ten thousand soldiers to attack our country by taking a route through Czerroc Kingdom.”

”Hahahaha! Stanbein loves to indulge in his wild fantasy! If it wasn’t for his disagreement on the Rapids Plan that wasted a week of our time, I believe we’ve long taken down the enemy! The kingdom army was harmed thanks to this old man’s cowardice and sham!”