Chapter 48

Two days later, I headed for the battlefield.

In front of the castle gate of the Royal Capital, a bell announcing departure was ringing quietly.

The faces were the same as when we left our country. But it was different from that time. That time, it was “to attend the establishment of the academy.”

In front of the gate, the King announced shortly.

“You will link up on the highway, just before the hills. The local army is already deployed.”

I nodded.

The soldiers granted to me were not many. Twenty escort knights. All of them elites.

Behind them, fifty squires and light cavalry combined.

A formation emphasizing mobility, tasked with reconnaissance and communications.

It is small-scale for a royal taking the field.

But this is not the main force.

The arrangement was to link up with the local knight order and conscript soldiers in the hilly terrain just before the front lines.

If you move soldiers all at once, supply stagnates. Dividing the advance and linking up is standard practice in war.

I stood at the head of that small unit.

I am not leading a large army. I am a blade to move while watching for an opportunity. The soldiers were lined up quietly, waiting for the command to depart beneath the castle gate.

I readjusted my grip on the reins while on horseback.

I raised the corners of my mouth.

It’s at times like this that feelings matter. Fear dulls judgment. But excitement sharpens the blade.

“Depart.”

The command echoed. The sound of iron followed in succession, and flags fluttered.

I looked forward.

The battlefield is no longer far.

Elysia’s Perspective

First Princess Elysia stood at the top of the stone steps of the inner bailey gate. Her royal cloak wavered slightly in the wind.

In front of the castle gate, the ranks were already formed.

The Third Prince stopped his horse at the head of the ranks, about ten paces from the gate. The Vice Commander pulled his reins slightly, adjusting the distance.

The distance between us was about ten meters.

Any closer, and it looks personal. Any further, and voices won’t reach.

The Prince bowed on horseback.

“I am off.”

His voice projected well, but not enough to be a shout.

I pulled my chin in slightly.

“May fortunes of war be with you.”

I said nothing more. It was a place where it would enter the ears of the gate guards, knights, chamberlains, everyone. The gatekeeper issued a command.

The chains were wound up, and the iron doors opened with a creak.

The sounds of leather and iron overlapped, and the army slowly began to move.

I did not move. Because in a public setting, it is the duty of the Royal Family to remain standing until the end.

—The Third Prince reads ahead.

Before I knew it, I had come to think of the talk of the academy, which normally should have been difficult, as fascinating.

Solving battles with thought. How will that manifest on the battlefield? —Honestly, a part of me wants to see it.

But at the same time, a small thorn pierced the depths of my chest.

Why, I wonder? I believe he will make the right judgments. Even so, my impatience doesn’t vanish.

…I am remaining here.

Seeing him off from inside the castle walls. Being in a position where I cannot stand in that place is strangely heavy.

The gates closed. His figure vanished from my sight. I slowly exhaled.

“…Make sure you return.”

With that, I closed my eyes.

It took two days.

My unit linked up with the local army at an encampment past the hills. Hundreds of tents were lined up on the grassland, and flags were fluttering low.

Our arrival had already been made known by messengers. The generals were gathered in the plaza at the center of the camp.

Spears were stood up, and flags were raised. Although improvised, that place became a public setting.

The Vice Knight Commander stepped forward one pace and presented a letter engraved with the King’s crest. Red sealing wax bearing the mark of the Royal Family.

The Margrave entrusted with this front line received it and verified the seal.

The gazes of those around us gathered all at once.

The letter was read aloud.

“To His Highness Leonhart, we entrust tactical advice and limited command authority in this battle.”

There was no stir.

But the air pulled taut one level higher.

The surrounding knights were observing me in silence. A young, well-featured face. It probably looked as if I still had little connection to the mud of the battlefield.

The Margrave closed the letter and lowered his gaze slightly. Then, he dropped to one knee. Following his example, the generals also did the same.

“I have certainly received the royal command. We will face this battle receiving Your Highness’s advice.”

His voice was low and carried well.

But his back was not completely bent.

A posture that said even if he kneels, he will not hand over the initiative.

One of the knights in the back row gave a short snort.

The person next to him restrained him with an elbow. They are welcoming us.

The name of the Royal Family raises fighting spirit. But at the same time, they are measuring me.

Whether I know the weight of the battlefield or not.

I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword.

“The initiative in this battle lies with you. I am one who views the board together with you.”

At those words, the Margrave’s gaze rose slightly. For just an instant, the air relaxed. The Margrave stood up.

“In that case, let us have you view the war situation first.”

The formalities were complete.

This is my first war.

The terrain, logistics, and tactical theory are all in my head. But. The smell of the wind, the breathing of the soldiers, this taut silence—they are all firsts.

A tension I have never tasted until now. The depths of my chest rang terribly quietly.

I steadied my breathing.

From here on out, it is not a board.

It is a battlefield.