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Chapter 54 – Road to the Empire (6)
“So that bastard, Donovan, and I were both under General Perjen’s banner—his unit,” said Ohber while tearing meat off the turkey leg with his teeth. He took a large mouthful of meat.
“Are you talking about the Blademaster Perjen?”
As Fahel retorted, Ohber laughed with a sense of pride.
“Of course, the Blademaster Perjen! I still consider it an honor to have fought under General Perjen’s command. At the time, I was the adjutant of the 6th infantry unit and my direct superior, the commanding general of the 6th infantry unit, was Sir Rumonde. He was a knight that knew about honor.”
Fahel and Urich sat down at the same dining table as Ohber. Phillion was beside them as well.
“…Urich, at least pretend like you’re listening to Ohber’s stories. It’s disrespectful to not even listen to someone when they invited us over for a meal. It’s etiquette of the civilized,” Fahel whispered to Urich as he tapped on Urich’s leg.
Urich, who had been ravaging the food that was laid out in front of him, raised his head. He sucked on his fingers and laughed while looking at Ohber.
“Huh? Yeah. Etiquette! Yeah! I know about etiquette! Of course!” said Urich, using a prepared response. Fahel couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.
“Ahem. Hmm. I’m glad that this meal is to your liking,” said Ohber. As Ohber cleared his throat, Fahel focused on the captain’s words again.
“An excellent meal. I have also heard numerous times about the subjugation of the barbarian remnants that happened ten years ago. Many of our kingdom’s knights participated in it,” Fahel calmly responded.
“Sir Rumonde was a valiant knight. Barbarian hordes…”
Ohber paused his words to glance at Urich. He was trying to gauge Urich’s reactions.
“I don’t care. You can keep going. I converted to Sol. You see this, right? Praise Sun God Ru! Praise the Sun!” said Urich while spitting out a turkey bone. He was aware that his Sol pendant worked well on the civilized.
“Sir Rumonde wasn’t afraid of the barbarian traps and tried to march forth. He was able to achieve a ton of accomplishments. But one day, Donovan, the damned bastard who didn’t understand his place, lit a fire under the soldiers to renounce Sir Rumonde’s plans. Their mutiny was successful, and Sir Rumonde fell to Donovan’s sword. He’s an ungrateful bastard that murdered his own superior.”
“But Donovan is still alive. So it ended as just a simple dishonorable discharge.”
“That was only possible because of General Perjen’s benevolence. Maybe because it was the day that we were congratulating his promotion, it ended with a dishonorable discharge instead of execution. I should have cut off his head instead of handing him over for the trial. I never thought I’d run into him again as a mercenary. Looking at him walking around with his head held high like that makes me want to throw up.”
Ohber was grinding his teeth.
“That’s different from what I heard. Donovan said that he let you live because you begged for your life.” Urich laughed. Ohber quickly stood up after hearing those words.
“What a ridiculous statement that is! Mercenary Leader! D-Do you really trust his words? I am a knight of the Empire.”
“Of course I believe Donovan’s words over yours. He’s a member of my mercenary group. Donovan was grinding his teeth pretty hard when he was saying that you should’ve also died that day. You must have been quite the disliked superior?”
“Do not insult me, Mercenary Leader Urich! I will only let it go this time to save Prince Varca’s face!”
Ohber sat down on his seat again. Urich let out a childish laugh, causing Fahel to grimace and hit Urich’s leg.
“Anyways, I feel like I’ve heard of that person before. That Perjen person must be quite famous?” said Urich. Everyone instantly turned their heads to him.
“I can’t believe there was someone who didn’t know about Blademaster Perjen! The same Perjen that even every barbarian knows about! From where in the boonies are these mercenaries from?” yelled Ohber. While those words were intended to embarrass him, Urich’s expression did not change at all.
“There’s nothing embarrassing about asking about something you don’t know. I don’t know a lot of things. Teach me everything. Buuurp.”
Urich started gulping down the wine. As he put his bronze chalice forth, an attendant filled up his cup with wine again.
“Blademaster Perjen! He is a knight that participated in the ‘Unification of the Continent’ before he was twenty years old and became a general of the vanguard during the ‘Conquest of the Continent’ when he was middle-aged. And just ten years ago, he actively fought on the frontlines during the ‘Barbarian Subjugation’. He is someone who is called a knight amongst knights! He is someone who has lived half a century on the battlefield! He was swinging the sword before we were even born!”
“Oh man, how old is he, then?” asked Urich. He was interested in the Blademaster. Urich rested his chin in his hands and leaned on the table.
“He just turned seventy-two this year.”
“So is he the strongest person in the civilized world?”
“While I can’t answer that for certain, there is at least no knight more famous than him. And there won’t be in the future either,” answered Ohber, who nodded to himself as he spoke.
Urich looked at Fahel. The corners of his lips were rising up.
“Fahel, then does that mean we can meet that Perjen person once we get to the capital?”
“We’re going to stay in the capital for at least two months, so if we get lucky, we might be able to meet him.”
“There are more reasons to go to the capital now. Amazing.” Urich hit his knee while laughing.
‘A mere mercenary leader wants to meet General Perjen? Hah.’
Ohber inwardly laughed at him.
‘Prince Varca is way too unreserved with that mercenary leader. But what can you expect from royalty from the Minor Kingdoms?’
The Seven Kingdoms were growing weaker, and the Empire’s power was getting stronger by the day. The high-ranked nobles of the Empire had comparable power to the kingdoms’ royalties. The kingdoms were a long way from becoming independent.
‘I can’t believe he’s being chased by his own uncle and forced to seek asylum from the Empire. While I feel pity for him, I also think he’s pathetic.’
Ohber took a glance at Fahel before turning away. Even if they were the Minor Kingdoms, royalty was still royalty. There was nothing good that came from catching their ire.
“Since we sent a messenger, they will soon return with guards to escort you to the capital, Your Royal Highness.”
“Thank you, Sir Ohber.”
“Please don’t forget my sincerity even when you’re at the capital,” laughed Ohber.
“I will let people know of your kindness, Sir Ohber.”
Fahel also knew what Ohber desired. The captain wanted for him to mention his name to the high-ranked nobles of the Empire’s capital.
‘While I dislike Ohber, he is at least treating me in a friendly manner.’
He shouldn’t treat someone however he pleased just because he didn’t like them. Fahel was learning things one by one.
‘Don’t be rash, Varca anu Forlcana,’ Fahel berated himself.
‘I can’t earn respect from the battlefield like my father and uncle. That era has passed. And even if it was still the Era of the Sword, I have no talent for it. I have to do it through politics.’
Fahel tried his best to hide his emotions. He didn’t respond to everything emotionally like before.
‘Think even just one more time before you speak.’
His effort came to light. Ohber quickly started babbling about this and that to Fahel.
“Back then, if only Donovan didn’t do that… I would’ve entered the Order of the Imperial Steel Knights with Sir Rumonde. Sir Rumonde especially treasured me. Fucking Donovan.” Ohber let out a curse, perhaps due to the rising tipsiness from the alcohol. Fahel let out a cough.
“Ahem, ahem.”
“Ah, I apologize, Prince Varca. I was just in my feelings.”
“I understand, Sir Ohber.”
“Prince Varca, you are extremely mature for your age. The young nobles and royalty these days… I don’t know if it’s because they haven’t experienced war, but they are extremely immature and full of themselves. These youngins who haven’t even killed a person with their own hands… act like the achievements that their fathers and ancestors accomplished are their own.”
Ohber even revealed his inner thoughts. Fahel flinched. Because, not too long ago, he was also one of those nobles.
Knock, knock.
A person entered the restaurant. It was Bakman. He was looking for Urich.
“What? Bakman? Want to sit down and eat here as well?” proposed Urich with a laugh.
Bakman shook his head in response. He had a serious expression on his face.
“Urich, Donovan was ambushed by someone. He was severely beaten while visiting the brothel. We won’t have to worry about him dying, but it’ll be difficult for him to move for a while,” said Bakman while reading the room.
Clench.
The armrest Urich was holding onto broke. He slackened his hand to drop the shattered pieces of wood. The people in the restaurant were shocked. It was not a cheap chair that should’ve easily broken like that. Urich was exceptionally strong to break it.
“Oh, is that so? Donovan was beaten up? Man, I did tell him to be careful.” Urich’s voice was deep. He was trying his best to hide his rising emotions.
“Darn, there are a lot of vagrants around here, so you should be careful, Mercenary Leader Urich. Since there are a lot of individuals with shady backgrounds roaming around outside the gate,” said Ohber whilst drinking his wine. Urich looked at him.
“…Is that so? Thank you for your advice, Gate Captain. So if it’s a vagrant, no trouble will come to me if I take care of them myself, right?”
“Of course,” Ohber replied while wiping his lips and nodding. Urich stood up and gave a chilling smile.
“Remember those words, Sir Ohber. Now, please excuse me as there has been an accident in the mercenary group.” Urich walked out while picking splinters out of his palm.
Only Fahel, Phillion, and Ohber remained in the restaurant. The attendants brought out water and alcohol to continue the meal.
“Prince Varca, it seems like you are quite close with that barbarian.”
“Is there anything wrong with that, Sir Ohber? The Empire also has a policy of harmonization with the barbarians, does it not?”
Fahel’s words were a bit sharp.
‘Ohber is probably the person behind Donovan’s assault.’
In this current situation, there was no one other than Ohber who would instigate it. To think of it simply as just Donovan getting unlucky and getting assaulted by a vagrant was too coincidental considering the current situation.
‘I don’t like Donovan, but… this doesn’t feel good.’
Fahel still remembered Donovan’s appearance as he threatened him. It was the same Donovan that waved a knife in front of his face, threatening to cut his tongue off. But at the end of the day, Donovan was still one of the mercenaries that fought for him. It might have been for money, but still, Donovan fought valiantly.
“There isn’t anything wrong with that, but young men like you keep barbarians close without really knowing about them. Barbarians are barbarians because they are uneducated. And it’s not as if he’s a member of the Order of the Sun Warriors. It might be best for you to distance yourself from that barbarian mercenary.”
Fahel furrowed his brows.
“Thank you for your advice, Sir Ohber.”
The meal was over. Fahel and Phillion got out of their seats and left.
“I didn’t like him at all,” Fahel said to Phillion as they walked in the hallway.
“An excellent job, Your Royal Highness. If you were able to be that cordial in front of someone you disliked, that much was an amazing job.”
Phillion was proud of Fahel. Although he acted contrary to his advice, Fahel decided on his own to save the farmers and even hid his true feelings in front of someone he disliked.
‘To have changed so much in two months after leaving the castle… The method of education in the kingdom’s castle was what was wrong. His Royal Highness is someone who truly has the aptitude to become king.’
Fahel started walking towards the address that Ohber prepared for him but stopped for a second.
“Sir Phillion, go join the mercenaries and prevent Urich from doing anything unnecessary. I’m sure he’ll think of my standing as well, but in the end, he’s also just a young man around my age. He might be overcome by his emotions and cause an accident. Please, prevent that from happening.”
Fahel was able to think that far. He wasn’t just thinking about himself; he was also able to look at other people and the situation.
“As you command,” answered Phillion. The knight gave a slight bow, left guarding Fahel to the other guard knights, and joined the mercenary group.
Fahel entered the room that Ohber had prepared for him. His knights took turns standing guard in front of the door. They were loyal knights.
‘I have to do well,’ thought Fahel while lying on the bed. He bit the nail on his thumb. The moonlight permeated into his room. His eyes absorbed the moonlight and shone like gems.
‘Up to now, my knights and the mercenaries have done an excellent job. So amazingly so that not even a single cil of what I spent could be considered a waste.’
He was obviously thankful to his knights but was genuinely thankful to the mercenaries as well. At one point, he despised the mercenaries, but all of the resentment that he held towards them disappeared.
‘From this point on, this isn’t a place for the sword but one of politics. It’s up to me now to receive help from the Empire. I have to be careful of my every action and word. I can’t throw away this opportunity that the mercenaries and knights have given to me through their own flesh and blood.’
Fahel closed his eyes.
‘How reassuring it would be to have my Elder Sister Damia by my side.’
He thought of his twin sister. While they were twins, Fahel always trusted and followed Damia as if she were multiple years older.
‘My beautiful older sister. With her golden hair more brilliant than anyone else’s and her incomparably clear blue eyes from her thick royal blood… and my sister.’
Fahel quickly fell asleep while thinking of multiple things. The only thing that could be heard was his gentle breaths permeating the room.