Chapter 32

“Calling it a Grand Convergence, it's rather petty, now that I think about it.”

The Second Prince, Secundus Debius, said so and took a large bite of a piece of meat.

“Why are they nitpicking over this and that so much?”

“It must be to keep Ferbias in check.”

“Hmm. That's why I didn't say much. But it is somewhat difficult.”

Three contests, deciding the event to compete in, wagering Treasures……. At this rate, the fun is draining away.

Secundus glanced at me.

I was just about to bite into a cookie covered in sugar.

“Anyway, Zionis, are you alright with just that? It starts at dawn tomorrow, so eat a proper meal.”

“I'd rather ask you brothers. Do you normally eat like this?”

It was a table that lacked any semblance of unity.

The pile of lean meat, devoid of any oil or sauce, belonged to Secundus, and the cute sugar cookies and pumpkin pie belonged to me.

And on one side, there was a heap of fried and stir-fried dishes that reeked excessively of oil.

“Especially you, brother Kateka, you're really going to collapse if you keep that up.”

“…Is that something for you to say, Zionis……?”

Kateka Keshulei said so and brought a piece of fried fish to his mouth.

He didn't forget to dip it generously in a sauce that looked greasy at a glance.

Kateka had a tendency to not consider food as food unless it was greasy, oily, and strongly flavored.

“…This is better than sweets……”

He slurped up a noodle dish made with plenty of cream with gusto.

‘He won't live to see his natural lifespan at that rate.’

I shook my head and brought a piece of bread drenched in syrup to my mouth.

It was so sweet that it wouldn't have been strange if I had collapsed from a sugar rush right then and there, and for that reason, it was very delicious.

Secundus wanted to say something to his two younger brothers, but he didn't.

How on earth had their tastes become so twisted when they were both still so young?

The muscular prince thought so and chewed on a dry, bland chicken breast.

“But it's true that the rules are more complicated than I thought. It feels like some kind of strategy is needed……”

The muscular prince snorted and wiped his mouth.

“I hate difficult things. Isn't it just a matter of winning!”

“You are right.”

It was a remark that seemed thoughtless at a glance, but I agreed without hesitation.

It was because I knew that Secundus Debius was not that shallow.

“If we try to play mind games, we'll just get swept up in them. It's more advantageous to go simply.”

“Hmm.”

“You're not as foolish as you look, brother, but our opponents are sister Leniar and brother Ferbias, aren't they?”

“…You have a way of saying the right thing in a very unpleasant way.”

I snickered.

Kateka also laughed under his breath, so Secundus' lips also curled up.

Sometimes he was endlessly suspicious, but at times like these, he was also an endearing younger brother.

“Actually, I've already made a decision to some extent.”

The muscular prince crossed his arms.

“I won't wager any additional Treasures. Since we have the upper hand, there's no need to let many treasures be exchanged.”

“A good idea.”

“…Wise……”

Secundus continued.

“And I've also decided what we'll compete on.”

“What is it?”

“It's simple. What it is……”

He answered in a small voice.

Both I and Kateka easily nodded our heads.

“Not bad.”

“…No reason to object……”

As if empowered by his two younger brothers' agreement, Secundus continued in a confident voice.

“Hmm. Right? Doesn't it fit me perfectly!”

Looking at the heartily laughing Secundus, I stroked my chin.

His proposal was the same as before my regression.

It wasn't bad, but there was some room for a slight addition.

“But brother, it's all good, but how about trying it like this?”

“Hmm?”

“…You could send a message to … and ask for ….”

“…Tell me in more detail.”

My proposal piqued Secundus' interest.

Since the plan was already laid out, I shared my opinion without hesitation.

The complexions of Secundus and Kateka changed several times.

“…It's plausible. But it's a bit of a stretch.”

“But isn't it alright?”

“If it's possible!”

I snickered.

“There's no reason why it would be impossible.”

A secret-keeper is familiar with stratagems.

“Brother Ferbias won't be able to say much since he was the one who was unreasonable first, and aren't we in a non-aggression pact with sister Leniar? Hermai isn't being strict either.”

“…Hmm. Then it would be easier than I thought, but.”

“It's the start of the Grand Convergence. Let's seize the atmosphere and take the momentum.”

“……”

It was a groundbreaking proposal.

It wasn't something to be openly talked about, but it was enough to give their faction a considerable boost.

Secundus scratched his short hair.

I felt his heart leaning towards my proposal.

“Can we make it by dawn tomorrow?”

“Is there a reason why we can't?”

I gave a faint smile.

It was childish.

And so it was also strange.

To think he would offer such a fitting improvement, as if he had known what proposal he would make.

Even though he was my brother who shared my blood, it was impossible to fathom his depth.

But I had already decided to put aside my suspicions about Shion.

Since tomorrow's fight was the priority, Secundus' eyes sank deep.

“Alright, Zionis. I will do as you say.”

***

Dawn broke over the plain.

Sunlight slowly began to fall upon the fifteen hundred soldiers.

Amidst the faint signs of dawn, there were many things that glittered.

They were sharp and fierce blades.

A thousand were in formation.

Two hundred were mounted knights, and eight hundred were their squires or troops to operate magi-soldiers.

They were those sent by the nobles who followed the First Prince, Ferbias Caseptus.

Meaning they were the most carefully selected among the noble private soldiers who did not belong to the imperial military.

They were too many and too skilled, to be mobilized for the Succession War.

It was a military force that could easily destroy a small city-state, and they knew it.

That was the reason they quietly glared at their surroundings with arrogant eyes.

They feigned humility and hid their stubbornness.

It was because their blades were so sharp that they had to be hidden in their scabbards.

And so they stood in neat formation, with blades hidden in their hearts.

As if to mock Ferbias' forces, a song mixed with laughter began to ring out.

“Ha, ha, ha-!”

At first glance, it was a sound that trembled deeply like the voice of a beast.

But it was clearly a human voice.

In front of the singing group was a short old man.

He held an axe and was one-eyed.

One of the Volmark Six Warriors, Yosef Haider, cackled to the song of the battlefield.

“Haider-hum!”

“““Ha, ha, Haider—hum!”””

Those who were human but also wolves all cackled together.

Three hundred Haider warriors had gathered.

The leader of the wolves was a one-eyed old man, and his master was a noble woman.

The First Princess with her beautiful, long silver hair, Leniar de Volmark.

“……”

“……”

Ferbias commanded a force of a thousand, and three hundred wolves followed behind Leniar.

The First Prince and First Princess looked at each other without a word.

A gaze so cold it was hard to believe they were siblings was exchanged.

Soon, a low thud sound was heard.

The cold gazes were pushed away, and laughter was mixed in.

Between the heavy footsteps, small metallic sounds were sharp.

The two hundred youths of the military gathered under the flag of Debius.

In front of them were three princes, and among them, the muscular prince was at the very front.

“Hmm. Good morning to you all.”

The Second Prince, Secundus Debius, offered a friendly greeting.

Ferbias reluctantly nodded while frowning, and Leniar at least managed a smile.

Soon, laughter erupted from the sky.

“A very good morning indeed. For siblings to fight amongst themselves.”

Hermai Merhes revealed himself from between the clouds.

The way he sat perched on a dragon-like, twisted cloud, stroking his beard, was very wizard-like.

“It's not my place to interfere in a sibling squabble, so this old Hermai will just quickly put out the Treasure and be on my way.”

In his hand was something like a square stick, and when he lightly flicked his wrist, it opened with a snap.

It was a folding fan engraved with a splendid pattern.

Hermai folded and unfolded it several times and said.

“The Treasure, the ‘Tri-Ripple Fan’. The name is stylish, but the power it holds is even greater.”

Anyway, who made this!

Looking at the self-praising old magician, I muttered softly.

‘That name is really lame.’

Hermai's eyes glared fiercely at me, but I just shrugged my shoulders as if to say, 'did I say something wrong'.

Hermai grumbled and threw the fan.

The ‘Tri-Ripple Fan’, true to its name, rippled through the air and then stopped dead in mid-air.

It was Hermai's magic.

It must have been prepared for the victor of today's contest.

“Well then, Prince Secundus, what do you plan to do for the first contest?”

“Hmm. I, Secundus Debius, know a thing or two about taste.”

The muscular prince crossed his arms and nodded.

“It wouldn't be right to get into a brawl from the very first fight. I won't wager any more Treasures and will go lightly.”

“I didn't know you knew about taste.”

Ferbias Caseptus interjected with a sneer.

He had been in a bad mood since yesterday's Grand Convergence.

“Since you know so much about taste, I look forward to seeing what kind of contest you will propose.”

“Do I have to explain it for you to know? Then again, you and refinement are a bit distant, brother.”

Ferbias' face contorted as his sneer was returned to him.

Secundus paid no mind to his brother and continued.

“The beginning of a war is set, isn't it. Send out your best warrior, one from each side.”

Secundus Debius, though only twenty-three, had already experienced several battlefields.

He beat his broad chest and shouted.

So loudly that no one among the fifteen hundred soldiers failed to hear.

“Let's have a duel!”

“Interesting, Secundus. I thought you would.”

Leniar de Volmark snickered.

Secundus Debius was not foolish, but he was honest.

Meaning that he often pushed through to the end, regardless of what others thought.

Leniar spoke to the one-eyed old man standing next to her.

“He says he's going to have a duel, what do you think, Commander Yosef?”

“Well. My blood is boiling, but I'm afraid this old body will spoil the fun if I interfere.”

“Humble of you. Still, I will respect the commander's wishes.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Leniar and Yosef exchanged words as if they had rehearsed it.

It was indeed a conversation they had already prepared.

Last night, Leniar had already predicted that Secundus would propose a duel, and she had decided not to interfere in that contest.

So she raised her hand without hesitation and said,“The First Princess, Leniar de Volmark, will not participate in this contest.”

“Confirmed.”

Hermai Merhes nodded his head.

Leniar threw a question to the man with blonde hair and golden eyes standing at a distance.

“What will you do, older brother?”

“…If I also forfeit, the ‘Tri-Ripple Fan’ will just become Secundus'. I can't let that happen, can I?”

Ferbias glanced sideways.

There was a man standing behind him.

The figure with the flashing jade-green eyes couldn't be more dependable.

Ferbias raised the corner of his mouth.

“And as it happens, I wanted to show off how skilled my confidant is.”

Amethus took a step forward.

His jade-green eyes were even more menacing.

“How about it, Amethus. Will you bring me victory?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

“Alright, listen up, Dean!”

The First Prince laughed heartily.

“Ferbias Caseptus will participate in this contest!”

“That was decided quickly.”

Hermai stroked his beard.

“I'll at least make a dueling ground. Step back, unless you want to be crushed.”

The wind blew and pushed the military forces back.

A large space was quickly created in the center.

Hermai Merhes drew a line in the air.

Rocks rose, the surface was carved away, and a dueling ground began to be formed.

Ferbias, watching the scene, casually opened his mouth.

“Secundus, have you ever heard of it?”

Ferbias had a confident face.

“The rumor from about ten years ago, that a student from the capital's academy defeated a master from Maesh.”

“Hmm. I do recall.”

“I thought you would know, since you're so interested in martial arts.”

To protect the honor of the master who was defeated by a student, they had tried to suppress the rumor, but it couldn't be perfect.

Leniar, who was listening to their conversation, also nodded her head.

There was definitely such a rumor.

Secundus scratched his short hair.

“Since there were no other rumors after that, I thought it was just a fleeting rumor.”

“There were circumstances. What kind of rumors would there be when he was playing the role of a security knight with such swordsmanship.”

Ferbias gestured with his chin.

The jade-eyed man walked forward, and Secundus flinched.

It was because the inside of the seemingly calm jade-green eyes was blazing like a furnace.

“It's this friend of mine.”

“A pleasure to meet you for the first time, Your Highness.”

The jade-eyed man bowed his waist and paid his respects.

“My name is Amethus.”

“…Hmm. A pleasure.”

Secundus' lips were firmly sealed.

It was because Amethus' aura was not ordinary.

Ferbias, excited by his brother's tense appearance, continued.

“Amethus is my old friend and confidant.”

Ferbias Caseptus flashed his golden eyes and laughed loudly.

He didn't forget to pat Amethus' shoulder.

And yet, the jade-eyed man remained expressionless from beginning to end.

“You're called the strongest physique among us siblings, but it won't be easy at all!”

“Hmm? Brother, did you think I was the one going into the duel?”

“What?”

Ferbias let out a puzzled voice.

Though Secundus was a prince, he always enjoyed taking part in duels when he was on the battlefield.

Everyone in the Cordis Great Palace knew that.

“If not you, then who is going?”

He glanced at Secundus and then looked over Kateka, Zionis and the two hundred young men lined up behind them in order.

No matter how he looked, there was no one stronger than Secundus.

“Are you planning to send out the eleven-year-old Zionis? If you're going to just hand over a Treasure, I'll gladly accept it.”

“You'll understand when you see her. Since you're here, please greet her.”

“Who on earth… huh?”

Someone was approaching from behind Secundus and his force of two hundred young men.

Her appearance on a dark brown steed was majestic.

Her curly hair was neatly tied up, and her features were still beautiful even though she was over forty.

“No, this……”

Ferbias' mouth fell open as if in disbelief.

“…Crazy!”

Ferbias knew the woman on the horse.

The fifteen hundred soldiers and Hermai Merhes did as well.

Everyone's eyes widened in shock.

But Secundus nonchalantly bowed his head towards the woman.

“Thank you for coming, Mother.”

“Honestly, there's no point in raising a son. How could he work me so hard.”

Marina Debius, the Great Emperor's third Imperial Consort.

Secundus' mother and the eldest daughter of Deballo Debius.

Also, the former 7th seat of the Ten Great Generals.

One of the ten who represented the military power of the Great Empire of Cordis!

“A duel for an old mother like me.”

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