Meanwhile, at the Anderson manor, Gazell’s study was filled with tension.
“I see… So it was Wels…”
Romello had just finished telling Gazell everything. The general hung his head, a dejected look on his face.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t let the army get involved in this. I can have them on standby in case something bad happens, of course, but if this turns into a war, it’s going to be more than just Wels’s problem,” Romello told his old friend.
“Even though we said we’d give up our lives for the kingdom? Otherwise, how is it logical?”
“Are you serious right now?”
“Yes. I can’t face my soldiers again after this. How can I be the general and act like nothing ever happened when I think of those who have given their lives fighting for this kingdom?”
“I understand what you’re saying, Father. But first we must focus on the battle at hand,” Pax cut in. “It’s best to try to avoid deploying the army before the situation gets any bigger, because that will give Tweil an opportunity to strike. Plus, if they find out that there’s internal strife within House Anderson, there’s no telling when they could attack. If it gets to that point, we’d have no choice but to mobilize the soldiers that are in the capital. Then, people will find out what’s going on if we move too many of them. That’s why I think the most ideal outcome here would be to take care of it using just the Anderson guard.”
Gazell looked over at his son and nodded. “You’re right, Pax. We’ll take care of it on our own. Since it was someone from House Anderson who started this mess, it should be House Anderson who cleans it up. Romello, Louis, you know where the ore is?”
“Y-yes, of course.” Romello said.
Gazell looked over at his son. “Pax.”
“All right. Lord Romello, Lord Louis, would you share that information with me? I’d also like to discuss the matter of supplies with you,” said Pax.
“S-sure. Louis. You go with him.”
“Yes, Father.” Louis and Pax left the room together.
“Gazell?”
“What?”
“I’m sure I can guess the answer, but I’m going to ask you anyway. What will you do about Merellis?”
“What do you mean? Will I have her participate in the operation? Do you want to call off the engagement?” Gazell asked. He turned a gaze on Romello that was cold but not angry. Romello was angry enough for the both of them.
“Don’t be ridiculous! That’s not what Louis wants. He’s working to make sure he doesn’t lose her!”
Gazell let out a sigh of relief. “You sure have a good son. But regarding whether or not I’ll allow her to participate, of course I won’t.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. She’s my precious daughter. I can’t let her. And she belongs to House Armelia now. If she participates, the sparks will spread to the Armelias, won’t it?”
“Well…”
“I can’t ask her to do that.”
“…All right.” Romello didn’t press his friend any further. Gazell could tell that the topic was now closed.
“Still, are you sure you have time to be here? And Louis?”
“What do you mean?”
“Time, I’m talking about time! Pax is long-winded. He’s probably already starting to suggest plan after plan to Louis after hearing what we had to say. Who knows how long it’ll be till they finish talking?”
“Then I’ll go on home. Let Louis stay here, would you? I don’t know when else they’ll have the time to decide things. This is their chance.”
“All right. Thanks.”
And so Romello left Louis in the care of House Anderson and went on home.
Meanwhile, Louis didn’t emerge from Pax’s study for three days. Pax, Louis, and two members of the guard were inside the study the entire time. The four of them used Louis’s intel to formulate a plan to move forward. From time to time, maids would bring them food and take away dirty dishes, but otherwise, the men remained inside the room.
Finally, as the third day was drawing to a close, a haggard-looking Louis, Pax, and the two guards emerged and went to Gazell’s study.
“Did you come up with something good?”
“Yes. Father, this is our plan. Please read over it and let me know if you have any questions.”
“All right… Good work, everyone. I’m sorry you had to stay for so long to do this, Lord Louis. Please rest up here and return to your home tomorrow.”
“Thank you for the kind offer, but there’s no need. My home is close, so I can return there. Please forgive me for excusing myself so abruptly.” Louis turned down Gazell’s offer and excused himself from the room. The general knew he had a lot of work to do since he had taken over Romello’s responsibilities, so he didn’t try to stop the young man.
“Think he’s going to go straight to work when he gets home?” Gazell muttered absently as he watched Louis’ carriage depart.
“Perhaps,” Pax answered as he watched by his side.
“He sure works hard. I could learn a thing or two from him. Although I’m getting too old to work as much as he does now,” remarked Gazell.
“I can learn a lot from him too.” Pax moved away from the window and took a seat on the sofa.
“Pax?”
“Yes?”
“I know what Romello and Lord Louis said, but I still think that I need to atone for this incident.”
“Since I am the heir, then I should have to as well, by that logic.”
“No, but you…”
“Why should I be the only one unscathed in this matter?” Pax’s voice was completely calm yet firm and without hesitation. His eyes were filled with resolve.
“No…you’re right. This is the end for House Anderson. Let’s go into this battle with the mindset of it being our last.” He had a faint smile on his face. It was the kind of smile that could only be described with a word he never used—fleeting.
“What will you do about Merellis?” Pax asked his father.
“She belongs to House Armelia now,” he replied. “I want her to live there happily. That’s enough for me.”
“I agree…” Pax nodded, a similar, fleeting smile on his own face.
Two days later, Romello gathered up all the guards who were training on the grounds.
“Atten-tion!” Gallia, the commander of the house guard, called out when Romello arrived. All the guards immediately stood at attention. Gazell stood in front of them, inspecting them.
“You are the fangs of House Anderson,” the general started. “The pride of House Anderson. Your sacred duty is not just to protect my life but to obey my commands and annihilate any enemies that threaten to do House Anderson harm.”
The air crackled with tension. No one dared to speak a word. Even the guards who stood in the very back of the line could hear the general clearly, as if there were no others standing between him and them.
Even the sound of them swallowing nervously sounded loud in the silence.
“And now, we have discovered our enemy is Wels. The man I used to call my little brother.” Gazell looked down for a moment. The guard could feel his hesitation, bewildering them. “However…” he murmured, and once he looked up, all traces of reservation had vanished from his face. “Don’t hesitate! Do not be afraid! I will not hesitate. I will not falter. Let us cut down every enemy who stands in our path! Strike fear into the hearts of those who dare cross us! You are the fangs of House Anderson! Bite into our enemies and follow me! Join with me and let us destroy our enemies together!”
His passion was enough to wipe away any fragment of uncertainty the soldiers had. Everyone present was pulled into his intensity, and his words stoked the fires of their fighting spirits.
“Onward!” The guard raised their swords to the sky.
And so Gazell took the first step forward to fight his own brother in a final, fateful battle.