CHAPTER 167
Morning.
The Star's Legion camp was in an uproar after receiving the orders from the main camp.
"Suddenly deploying? Are they insane…!"
"This is crazy, absolute madness."
The members groaned at the news that they'd have to go into battle without properly recovering from the journey.
However, the overall mood wasn't too bad.
Most of them were confident in their abilities, knowing they could shake off their fatigue quickly. In fact, some even welcomed the news, seeing it as a good opportunity.
They would be the ones to open the war.
To them, it was a chance to prove their skills, and they weren't the type to consider the possibility of defeat.
They would win.
Just as the Magus of the Stars always had, and as the hero of Lacente had before, they had no doubt in their minds that victory was theirs.
Thump!
Thump!
Their hearts pounded with excitement as they prepared for battle, their eyes filled with determination.
***
'Are Sean and my sister not here yet?'
Before heading out, Elric glanced around the camp one last time.
He still hadn't heard any word of Heize, Black Skull, Sean, or the Nerester family joining the camp as they had promised to do soon.
He felt a bit disappointed, thinking he might only see them after the battle was over, but the thought of giving them a fun surprise later amused him.
"Speckles, let's go."
Neighhh!
Speckles, overjoyed to be with Elric again, whinnied loudly as they moved forward.
『But, I have to ask.』
[...What?]
『Didn't they say you'd be the ones to open the battle? Why is it so quiet?』
Mephisto snorted while glancing at the main camp, where not a single person besides Herman had come to see them off.
The vanguard is a critical part of any war.
It impacts the overall morale and discipline of the entire army.
So, it would've made sense for the Star's Legion, who were heading out first, to receive some ceremonial encouragement or at least more recognition.
Instead, all they had received was a formal order delivered right before they left camp.
[Officially, this is just a scouting mission. The main camp doesn't expect much from us.]
Elric smiled crookedly.
[Which is why we need to lead things in the direction they don't expect.]
At Elric's faint smile, Mephisto let out a huff of laughter.
『You sure are something, pulling off these big moves.』
Mephisto shook his head, still puzzled as to how someone like that could become the Empire's Crown Prince.
"Anyway, let's get this over with quickly. Hyah!"
Speckles picked up speed.
The march had begun.
***
"They've deployed, right?"
At Zeraitz's question, Patran, the division head of the Fourth Inspection Bureau, straightened his back.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Any other message?"
"There was none."
"I see."
Zeraitz briefly closed his eyes before opening them again, his gaze revealing a flurry of emotions.
Irritation, anger, and killing intent—the kind of violent feelings that, in someone of his power, could cost many lives.
However, there was also regret and self-loathing.
Because he knew how pathetic he was.
In truth, Elric wasn't someone Zeraitz really needed to care about.
Sure, Elric was the head of the Melvinger family, but so what? The Melvingers were a fallen house, while Zeraitz was set to lead the vast Empire.
If Elric ever became a real threat, Zeraitz could easily fabricate some charges and eliminate him once he was securely on the throne.
By that logic, he had no reason to be bothered by Elric Melvinger, even with all the recent media attention calling him a "rising star."
And yet, he couldn't help but be bothered by him.
"Isabelle... she followed him again, didn't she?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"She went after him again, despite knowing full well what I want."
That was why Elric bothered him.
Isabelle Weyl.
She was the woman he had loved the most, still loved, but could never have.
And now, she was constantly tied to Elric, which infuriated him.
He hated it.
He hated seeing Isabelle with Elric, and he hated how it distracted him from other matters.
What was this feeling?
Jealousy?
Envy?
Whatever it was, it was an emotion he didn't want to face.
It was proof of how petty and small he could be, testing the limits of his own pettiness.
But no matter how hard he tried to fight it, he couldn't escape it, because even as Crown Prince, he was still human.
'Isabelle, I've tolerated your little excursions long enough. But this will be the last time. Once this mission is over… I will get rid of him and have you by my side again.'
Zeraitz didn't suppress these emotions.
On the contrary, they fueled his determination to complete this subjugation mission successfully.
After this, he would solidify his position as Crown Prince and gain absolute power that no one could challenge.
Then, he would cast Elric aside and claim Isabelle as his own.
And those who had opposed him up until now would no longer be able to do anything to stop him.
Not even his father, the Emperor!
"Even if I can't understand why Melvinger accepted the order so easily, in the end, they will fail."
Patran nodded heavily.
Though the Star's Legion had been told they were opening the war, Zeraitz and the Fourth Inspection Bureau knew the real battlefront was on the western side of Wynz Border Province.
"The Melvinger name might give them a bit of confidence, but once they realize where the true forces are… We'll take advantage of their confusion and attack all at once, not knowing where our main force is."
Zeraitz himself planned to lead the main forces.
The justification put forward by those who currently support Prince Cromhel is that 'in this era where military force is prioritized, the Crown Prince is too weak to show any notable achievements.'
The Crown Prince was thinking of completely silencing Prince Cromhel with his overwhelming military achievements.
During that time, Elric Melvinger would serve as nothing more than bait.
Even if Elric did somehow manage to win the opening battle, it would only overshadow Zeraitz's achievements.
But… well.
'He'll be lucky if he even survives.'
Neither Zeraitz nor Patran believed for a second that Elric would succeed.
Even the Bureau's intelligence, which had meticulously analyzed Elric's capabilities, and the tacticians who had planned this operation, all concluded the same thing:
Certain defeat.
Or certain death.
Even if Elric somehow survived by luck, the challenges ahead would ensure that Melvinger could never rise again.
And then, Isabelle would naturally become his.
Zeraitz firmly believed it.
***
The order given to the Star's Legion was simple:
–Attack Ketrain Castle in the northern part of Wynz Border Province. If deemed too difficult, gather as much intelligence as possible.
But Elric understood a different meaning behind it:
–Draw the enemy's attention to Ketrain Castle and inflict as much damage as possible.
The Ketrain Castle assigned to the Star's Legion wasn't an easy target, as it hadn't yet been proven vulnerable to an attack by an untested force like theirs.
'And it's not just Ketrain Castle; the three major castles surrounding Wynz Border Province are all like that.'
Wynz Border Province was the Empire's defense against the eastern frontier. In the eastern regions, barbarian tribes had long posed a threat to the Empire, making their homes in the mountains and valleys stretching from the Great Dragon Mountain Range.
To defend against them, the castles of Wynz Border Province had undergone extensive reinforcements and renovations over the years.
They were castles known to be nearly impregnable.
And each castle was defended by the "Four Claws," the protectors of the Red Lion house.
"Claymore" Sagnard,
"Bastard Sword" Tedan,
"Rapier" Nirf,
"Saber" Genoa.
These four individuals, each with a sword as their nickname, had played pivotal roles in expanding the power of Wynz Border Province to the point where it was now seen as a threat even to the Imperial Family.
Among them, Ketrain Castle was currently under the command of 'Claymore' Sagnard.
Even without Sagnard, Ketrain Castle was known as a massive castle overseeing the entire northern region of Wynz Border Province.
With Sagnard there, its power was considered overwhelming.
And yet, the main camp had issued an order for Elric to attack it, though it was clear the true intention was to gather intelligence rather than actually launch a full assault.
In reality, the order was just an attempt to diminish Elric's reputation by sending him on a mission destined for failure.
However,
'That's all the more reason to do it.'
Unlike what the main camp intended, Elric had every intention of conquering Ketrain Castle.
If he didn't, he knew Zeraitz would continue to manipulate him throughout the war.
"Scouts report no visible enemy patrols in the area, but the surrounding terrain is full of ridges and canyons... we could be spotted at any moment," Ate, a former soldier, reported grimly.
Elric nodded heavily.
Fortunately, thanks to the officers Herman had assigned to assist, the Star's Legion was able to function as a cohesive unit, even under these difficult circumstances.
"We should assume that our movements will be detected soon. In fact, it's better to operate as though we've already been spotted."
Elric didn't bother mentioning his suspicion that Zeraitz might have tipped off the enemy about their approach.
"No matter how carefully we move, the enemy will likely see us as nothing more than an unorganized bunch."
Ate's face tightened. He had been worried about the same thing.
"That's why we need to strike swiftly and decisively."
"Swiftly and decisively?" Ate asked, tilting his head.
"We're going to hit them hard, all at once."
"But... isn't that like throwing eggs at a rock?"
Ate couldn't help but be confused by Elric's plan.
Considering Ketrain Castle's reputation, Elric's plan seemed ludicrous.
The enemy was estimated to have around 3,000 soldiers stationed there, while the Star's Legion barely numbered 100.
Not only was there a significant difference in numbers, but the enemy also had the advantage of a well-defended castle.
"So that's why we need to hit them fast. They'd never expect us to launch a full-scale assault with such a small force. We'll catch them off guard."
"Ha...!"
Ate was even more skeptical now.
But then.
"That's why I'll be the one attacking the castle myself."
"....?"
"....?"
"....?"
Everyone blinked in disbelief, wondering if they had heard Elric correctly.
Only Isabelle stood off to the side, giggling quietly behind her hand.
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