“Father, according to the agreement between Fanoren and Brungwurt, the borders of Zweilink are within the defensive purview of the Royal Army. But here, we have generals of both armies. Then why don’t we, by which I mean our Brungwurt Autonomous Army, tentatively come under the command of His Excellency the General and participate in the defense of Zweilink?”
“Auriano… You…”
August looked his son in the eye. Auriano wore the most relentless expression he had ever seen.
“Father. The treasure of the Cassieux family has been harmed. I will find the man who did this to Leorino and avenge him. Neither Zwelf nor Gdaniraque…will ever get away with this!”
Auriano wept in fury. He had always been the calmest of his brothers, but was now so furious that he had lost all reason.
Gravis patted Auriano on the shoulder.
“Lord Auriano. I doubt this will be much comfort to the Cassieux family, but I have already beheaded the man who tortured Leorino.”
The Cassieuxs’ eyes widened at Gravis’s words.
“But I would certainly appreciate the help of the Brungwurt Autonomous Army. Gdaniraque is a mercenary army. Even without their leader, they can continue to fight. Not to mention this war will be different from eighteen years ago. Our objective is no longer simply the defense of our kingdom.”
“Your Highness… You don’t mean…”
August visibly shuddered.
“I have decided to destroy Zwelf.”
The men of Brungwurt, even the doctors tending to Leorino behind them, held their breaths at Gravis’s declaration.
Destroy Zwelf.
Gravis had actually spoken those words.
“After we take back the outer fortress, we will invade Zwelf territory. It will be a battle for the north. Please lend my army the strength of Brungwurt.”
“Your Highness… You…you can’t be serious!” August paled as he implored Gravis.
“Sasha, Madame Maia. I leave Leorino in your care.”
But Gravis did not respond. Instead, he approached the comatose Leorino once more and gently pressed a kiss to his cold forehead.
“I love you… Please wake up. Let me see your beautiful smile once more.”
With the same lips that declared he would destroy Zwelf, Gravis whispered his love to Leorino.
With a final press of his heat to Leorino’s lips, Gravis vanished from the scene.
Under Dirk’s command, the Royal Army of Fanoren had already begun the operation to retake the outer fortress.
After Gravis returned, they invaded in earnest. After a fierce battle, they recaptured the outer fortress that evening. If not for the ability users, it would have been just another battle. The Royal Army knew Zweilink inside and out, and had the advantage on the ground.
Lucas and Josef endured until reinforcements arrived, and defeated many an enemy within the fortress in the meantime. In particular, Josef’s contribution was said to have been extraordinary.
When the reinforcements arrived, Josef finally collapsed from exhaustion and Lucas carried him back to camp.
The next morning, a war council was held in the camp. Brungwurt was represented there by the eldest son, Auriano Cassieux, and Josef Lev, the son of the army commander. Josef appeared somewhat tired, likely still reeling from last night’s battle.
Gravis announced to his officers, “We are going to invade the forest beyond the border and attack the Gdaniraque camp.”
The officers were shaken.
“What…? You mean we’re not simply defending ourselves, we’re going to attack Zwelf?”
“Yes, that is my intention.”
The officers’ eyes went wide. If they went through with this, it would be the first time in nearly two hundred years—when Fanoren acquired its current territories—that it invaded another country.
“What does the lieutenant general think of the general’s decision?”
Lucas had been silently listening to the general. Finally, he opened his mouth.
“Your Highness, our army is not accustomed to fighting in these cold lands. Winter is coming. I do not intend to risk our soldiers’ lives more than is absolutely necessary. What do you say to this?”
Gravis nodded lightly, a sign that he understood the problem.
“I’m aware. That’s why we will finish the fighting in the forest before the snowfall. The Brungwurt Autonomous Army has agreed to participate in this invasion. I’ve asked Lord Auriano to come here as a representative of Brungwurt.”
“…!”
Auriano stepped quietly forward.
Despite his youth, he already carried an aura similar to his father, August. He was a worthy successor.
“My father August, the leader of the Brungwurt Autonomous Army, has allowed our forces to provisionally enter the command of the general of the Fanoren Royal Army.”
“But Lord Auriano…”
“We see no reason why our army should enjoy peace and quiet while the Royal Army is fighting. Not to mention, we have valid reasons to invade Zwelf, even if Fanoren were against it.”
With that statement, the officers understood.
This was a declaration of revenge. Now that the apple of its eye had been harmed, Brungwurt was finally drawing its blade.
But both Gravis and Auriano appeared calm at first glance. Having witnessed Leorino’s horrific appearance, the men were concerned about his condition. One of the officers hesitated, but finally summoned the courage to ask.
“Your Excellency…how is Lord Leorino?”
Auriano and Gravis exchanged glances.
Gravis answered.
“Leorino is still fighting.”
With these words alone, the men knew that Leorino’s life was still in danger.
How much anguish did Gravis feel behind these simple, unadorned words? The men remembered his laments and roars when he rescued Leorino, and only hung their heads, unable to say anything more.
Josef buried his face in his hands. Eventually, he began to shake.
Dirk and Lucas placed their hands on his shoulders and silently comforted the young man weeping for his master.
“We are grateful to have the Royal Army’s own Dr. Sasha treating my brother. On behalf of the Cassieux family, I thank the Royal Army for your kindness,” Auriano said, and bowed his head.
Gravis looked at Lucas.
“The Brungwurt Autonomous Army has more experience in northern battles than we do, so with their help we can put an end to this before the snow piles up… Lucas, does that answer your question?”
“Yes, that should be enough. I’ll go along with Your Highness’s decision.”
The officers were surprised when Lucas readily agreed.
“Lieutenant General…! Are you not opposed to this?! If we are forced to fight in the snow, we will be at a tremendous disadvantage!”
“Whatever’s the issue? Do you suddenly fear the enemy now?”
“No, sir! But isn’t it too reckless a gamble to attack at this time?!”
“It will only be as reckless as you insist on making it. I will abide by His Highness’s decision.”
“Lieutenant General…”
Lucas scoffed at the officers with a brazen smile. “I’ve yearned to do this for a very long time. For eighteen years, in fact.”
“Our army will not be inferior in strength to Zwelf or Gdaniraque,” Dirk argued to reassure the officers. “With the addition of the Brungwurt Autonomous Army, our forces are now overwhelmingly strong. In addition, our ally, the Kingdom of Francoure, has already begun to move its troops toward their border with Zwelf. If we can settle this early, we have a chance to win this war… Isn’t that right, sir?”
“Yes. Our objective is not to expand our territory. We have decided that any land we acquire will be ruled jointly with Francoure, on the premise that we sign a separate non-aggression pact with Brungwurt. On top of that, as far as Zweilink is concerned, we will transfer our rights to Brungwurt after the war.”
The officers understood the implications of handing over border rights to Brungwurt.
Despite Auriano’s presence, an officer didn’t hesitate to sternly point out, “Don’t you think you are giving Brungwurt too much power?”
To which Auriano calmly replied, “I thought our stance since our founding made it perfectly clear that we are not interested in expanding our power.”
“That is true, but…”
“That will not change. We only wish to protect our land. We have given our youngest brother to the royal family. You must understand that this is a sign of our unchanging loyalty to Fanoren.” Auriano looked at his brother’s fiancé. “But that is only if…my brother lives to see another day.”