Raising the Princess to Overcome Death-Chapter 281: Engagement - Departure Ceremony
280: Engagement - Departure Ceremony
The story Rera told, snorting with anger, went like this:
Somehow, Viscount Diego Brina found his way to the mansion. He called for Noel and, of all things, asked him to testify as a knight to the chaotic state of Avril Castle. In short:
Viscount Brina didn’t stop there; he also tried to court Dehor, the great warrior of the Ainar tribe.
He proposed that if Avril Castle were included within his viscounty, he would lower taxes and reduce the labor required for the castle’s upkeep. However, his blatant ambitions were shattered by just a few words from Noel.
“I’m sorry, but that will be difficult. I’ve already informed His Highness about Avril Castle. When I mentioned that I had lived there, he asked me about it.”
“You... met His Highness? What did he say?”
“He asked about the defensive state of Avril Castle, and I answered honestly. I told him the walls are sturdy, and the moat is deep. Supplies are somewhat insufficient, and munitions like swords are not perfectly maintained, but they’re within acceptable limits.”
Viscount Brina’s friendly demeanor vanished at that moment. The smile on his pig-like face disappeared, and he began to pick a fight.
“Why are you even here?”
“You're reputed to be a great knight, but from what I hear, that doesn’t seem to be the case. The citizens of Barnaul, who lost their families, are still in an uproar. Shouldn’t you publicly apologize?”
“The Dexter estate was granted by the King for you and your son’s use only, wasn’t it? I hear your brother has been using the name Dexter for the mercenary group I run... How audacious. I won’t stand for it.”
He made a scene and left.
Shortly after, Elson returned, furious.
Brina’s private soldiers had torn down the signboard of their mercenary group.
Rera, who finished recounting the story, was seething with anger.
“Isn’t he completely insane? I should have punched him in the jaw when he was here... Uncle Noel, do we really have to put up with this?”
Noel shook his head as if resigned. Elson, the one who suffered the insult, also had no real solution, and it was only Rera who was boiling with rage.
This was her first encounter with the injustices nobles could inflict on commoners.
“Ah— why not? You said you met His Highness, right? If you tell him—”
“Enough.”
It was Elson. He waved his hand dismissively and continued.
“There’s no need to make a fuss over something like this. It’s not uncommon... It’s actually a relief. I was getting tired of it. Let’s think about what to rename the mercenary group. Yuan, don’t just stand there; sit down.”
“...Yes.”
Yuan, who had been pacing around the dining room, sat down. Rera poked at Ray’s side, signaling for him to speak up, but Ray was preoccupied with something else.
As Elson said, the mercenary group’s name could be changed. Right now, with Malpas as their target, Viscount Brina was not someone to be concerned about.
However, Yuan and Ray felt uneasy. They sensed that the nobleman, who bore a grudge against their father, might cause trouble someday. Ray spoke up.
“Father, I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
Ray gestured for Noel to step outside. Rera pouted and puffed out her cheeks, complaining, “Why is everything a secret from me?” Dehor gently patted her shoulder.
“Why are you acting so creepy?”
“There’s nothing you won’t say to your dad. Raising a daughter is pointless, huh...”
“Stop deflecting. You said you came to visit the grave, but you haven’t even gone. What are you doing running around everywhere?”
“I have a lot to do. Unlike my stubborn daughter.”
“Who are you calling stubborn?!”
“You, of course. Who else? Hahaha. Don’t worry too muChapter You’ll find out soon enough.”
Rera furrowed her brows tightly. She crossed her arms and looked up at him.
“What on earth is it? They say war is about to break out. Are you planning to participate?”
“Something like that. Just focus on your training for now.”
“Huh? Really? Are you really going to join? If you were, you should’ve said so earlier. I’m fine with it. If I achieve something on the battlefield, I can become a knight quickly. But... Why are you going, Dad?”
“Hm? Why am I going? You sound strange. Haha. Surely you’re not dismissing me, are you?”
“Come on~ As if I would disregard my father out of filial duty?”
“Right?”
“Yes. I just wish you’d stay home and rest peacefully. Honestly, you’re not even my match anymore...”
“What did you say?”
Dehor’s eyes blazed as he growled.
“My darling daughter seems to have lost her mind. There’s no one in the world stronger than this dad of yours. I haven’t sparred with you because I didn’t want you to get hurt, but you don’t realize how strong I am?”
“Oh, then why don’t we have a match? If I win, you won’t join the battle. How about that?”
“And if I win?”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Daughter. Daughter! You’re going to get scolded today, so speak properly.”
When her dad started using formal speech, it meant he was genuinely angry. But since he had never raised his hand against her, Rera wasn’t bothered and responded casually.
“I don’t know, what do you want? Even if I wanted to buy you something, my money is your money, so it’s meaningless... Should I massage your shoulders every day?”
“...Even after you’re married.”
“Okay, okay. Then it’s settled...”
“Even after you get married.”
“...Isn’t that too much? Trying to get all that out of a single matChapter Fine. I’m not going to lose anyway. Bring your axe.”
Dehor’s mood seemed to improve as he grinned. He seemed quite pleased with the stakes of their bet. Before long, Dehor, with a massive axe slung over his shoulder, and Rera, holding a slender sword, stood facing each other.
Dehor gave a warning in advance.
“Be careful. I can't hold back.”
“Don’t worry. It’s just an axe... Whoa! That’s dirty!”
Dehor’s axe swung slowly but with terrifying force, slicing horizontally. Rera leapt high into the air.
Rera flipped nimbly and struck down with her sword, but Dehor, with practiced ease, hid behind his massive axe like a shield. “Kahahaha! You underestimated me!” he laughed. Rera was slightly taken aback.
She thought he only knew how to fight monsters, not spar like this…
With a colossal build that dwarfed anyone, Dehor’s shadow alone was enough to engulf Rera. He grinned, baring his teeth.
“We agreed, right? You’ll massage my shoulders every day.”
It was then that Rera realized she was in serious trouble if she lost. She spat into her palm, feeling the urgency.
*
“Father, your son is off to battle.”
The day of the departure ceremony had arrived.
Prince Arnulf de Klaus bowed deeply to his father, who had personally come to the south gate.
But perhaps this was how a king should be.
King Pablo de Klaus of the Kingdom of Astin merely swept his cold, unfeeling eyes over the crowd that had gathered to witness the departure. It was likely just a trick of the mind that made it seem as though he smacked his lips in dissatisfaction.
The prince, too, set aside any personal emotions and began his . There were too many soldiers waiting below the eight-step platform for him to hesitate.
“Three thousand seven hundred and thirty soldiers conscripted from Barnaul, along with four hundred and fifty from the 1st and 2nd Knight Orders, are prepared to depart on the King’s orders. The army will march south, joining forces from various regions en route to the battlefield. I seek your approval.”
“Approved.”
As it was a predetermined procedure, the prince respectfully bowed and continued his .
“I, Arnulf de Klaus, will lead the forces. Until the main body is handed over to the Supreme Commander, I will bear the authority of command on behalf of the King, and I will take full responsibility for any untoward incidents that may arise during the marChapter As a successor of House Klaus and a servant of the Kingdom, I vow to use the army entrusted to me solely for the country and the royal family. I seek your approval.”
“Approved.”
Only then did the prince officially become the commander of the army. Arnulf bowed even lower and spoke.
“Please have mercy on your subjects heading to the battlefield. I, Arnulf de Klaus, humbly request that Your Majesty ensure these soldiers have ample rations, munitions to fight the enemy, and sufficient pay. If supplies fall short, I will requisition resources from your kingdom at my discretion. I seek your approval.”
The right to requisition was essential to complete the army’s independence. As it was another expected step, the King nodded.
“Approved.”
Arnulf bowed one last time. After that, he did not lower his head again, as was fitting for the one commanding an army.
He descended two of the eight steps from the platform. The warm spring breeze fluttered the numerous flags of the House of Klaus.
With the aid of magic, Prince Arnulf delivered a speech to the soldiers about to depart and the citizens of Barnaul who had gathered in great numbers to watch.
He proclaimed they would be victorious and defeat the wicked Kingdom of Bellita...
Words he did not truly believe.
However, his closing remark—that he wished for all to return safely to their families—was sincere.
After the prince’s somewhat bland speech ended, a middle-aged knight stepped up to the fifth step of the platform.
The appearance of a knight gripping his sword signified that an impassioned speech meant to boost morale would follow, and the citizens of Barnaul were eager to hear it. However, the speech exceeded their expectations right from the beginning.
- “I am Noel Dexter.”
“...Did he just say Noel?”
“No, Noel Dexter?!”
“The butcher of nobles!”
The vast plaza before the south gate stirred. Both citizens and assembled soldiers reacted the same way.
The nightmare of Barnaul.
This infamous knight, often described poetically, stood before them. Some of the younger generation had grown up hearing, “If you don’t stop crying, Noel Dexter will come and take you away!”
Noel’s voice, amplified by magic, continued.
Having seized the crowd’s attention with his reputation, it seemed he was now about to deliver a polished speech on the justness of this war, patriotism, and the certainty of victory. But the words that followed were not a call to arms.
- “Citizens of Barnaul, my guilty compatriots and neighbors. We have not forgotten the war of over ten years ago. Some lost parents, some lost children. I... lost my partner.”
The plaza fell silent.
- “Was it our fate to be born in troubled times, to lose those we love? No! We knew that wasn’t true. So who did you blame? Perhaps you found solace in blaming me, but even that was denied to me, for I was part of that war.”
Noel turned abruptly, shoving the magician beside him. He spoke with a mix of responsibility, guilt, and finally, anger.
- “So I will take responsibility. To that creature who lurks in the shadows of history, who took our parents, children, brothers, and loved ones! I will tell you this plainly. King! You are the one who started this war!”
“What nonsense is this! The King has signed a truce!”
“That’s right! Our King...!!”
As the citizens erupted in protest, Noel hurled his sword. No one had time to react; the sword flew and struck the King directly, causing screams to echo all around. But it wasn’t because the King had died...
It was because of the massive steel wings spanning three meters that unfolded. Between the eight wings covering the throne, a red raven poked its head out and muttered.
- How did you know?
Malpas’s gaze was fixed on the young man standing before the swarm of priests and crusaders gathered below.
.
!
Chapter 281: Engagement - Departure Ceremony
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