The Youngest Son of the Northern Grand Duke Wants to Break Off the Engagement-Chapter 94

As soon as the war situation entered a lull, Alraune immediately attended an emergency meeting.
Three out of the five Vassals had been eliminated, so it could be seen as a virtual reversal of the tide.
However, since Benelrode the Incandescent and the Knight of True Flame still remained, they could not relax their guard.
"The number of enemies has greatly decreased. Now, the Eastern Army alone should be able to defend."
"I also agree with the great mage... but I can't think of a way to deal with the dragon."
The First Holy Apostle of the Semerune Order, Berhan Soltedas, crossed his arms and looked around.
Although the situation had become more favorable than before, in the end, nothing had really changed.
Unless Benelrode the Incandescent, the main culprit behind this incident, was destroyed, war would certainly break out again.
"Those who have the necessary skills must face the dragon. If we take soldiers from the Eastern Army, they'll be annihilated in an instant."
Alter replied without hesitation, glancing back and forth at the two.
Though his standing was weaker compared to the great mage and the holy apostle, he had distinguished himself through his achievements as a powerful warrior.
Therefore, he was included in the meeting, able to discuss countermeasures for what lay ahead.
"So, you're saying only four of us here should deal with the dragon?"
"If necessary, we should take some knights. Do you think the dragon will fight us alone?"
"Hm... It's not impossible. Aren't there still two Vassals remaining?"
"Even if we discount one, we can't leave the Knight of True Flame unchecked. Isn't he the trickiest of all?"
"..."
Brillie only listened quietly, her gaze lowered.
If the next Sword Saint had drawn their sword against the Empire, then they must be executed as an enemy.
Of course, she couldn't be certain that the Knight of True Flame was the next Sword Saint, but she couldn't deny the truth her instincts were telling her.
"If things have come this far, the dragon won't be able to hide anymore. It will attack directly—then, we'll just have to gather in one place, won't we?"
"What will you do if the Knight of True Flame tries to capture another fortress?"
"We must defeat the dragon first. If even one of us is sent elsewhere, it'll be too difficult to face the dragon. All we can do is hope those left behind can hold out long enough."
"And if the Knight of True Flame breaks through the front lines, what then?"
"The longer we're delayed, the greater our losses. I think we have to accept some level of risk."
Despite being aware of the attention around him, Berhan vaguely mentioned the potential losses.
He, too, wanted to protect the fortress and their forces alongside the paladins, but the enemies' momentum could not be underestimated.
Therefore, even if the frontlines shook, he was determined to take quick action and seize victory.
"Considering the destruction the dragon could cause, the Holy Apostle is right. But I believe the Knight of True Flame is no less of a threat. Will the soldiers be able to hold out against him while we fight the dragon?"
"That's why our role is so important. If we defeat the dragon quickly, our side's losses will also be minimized. If we try to keep everything, we might lose it all."
"Shouldn't we also consider the possibility of failing to slay the dragon? If the frontlines collapse, the casualties will grow."
"This is... quite difficult. Neither you nor I can foresee victory, so it's no wonder we're having these doubts."
"Exactly. That's why I respect your perspective, holy Apostle."
"..."
Alraune, unable to step forward, continued to worry in silence.
Even with just the four of them, they could not guarantee the defeat of the dragon.
Moreover, with the variable of the Knight of True Flame in play, he couldn't make a rash decision.
"The Order says that dragon is Benelrode the Incandescent. I heard he was defeated by the suicide squad and gravely wounded... Does that mean he's weaker than before?"
"He must be weakened. Several academic societies have records stating he's lost his left wing."
"In that case, he shouldn't be able to fly. Do you know anything else?"
"Only a few from the suicide squad survived. Even they were badly wounded, so there might be gaps in the accounts. We won't know for sure until we engage the dragon directly."
"That alone may not be enough..."
"I understand Benelrode the Incandescent suffered a blow to the heart. If so, his magic power circulation would be weakened—he won't display the same might as before."
Alter spoke calmly, referencing the future he had foreseen.
Benelrode the Incandescent had never fully recovered his strength and ultimately was forced to hide his form.
Therefore, if the circumstances were right, even four powerful warriors might be able to clinch victory.
"If that's true, we can focus on the dragon. What do you think, great mage?"
"If it truly is so, the odds are in our favor... But how did you learn this information?"
"I found a journal written by a member of the suicide squad. It took some luck to obtain—would you like to see it?"
As he spoke, Alter drew a faded book from his robes.
Alraune accepted it immediately and carefully looked through its contents.
"It describes the situation quite accurately. All members who participated in the suicide squad seem to be mentioned..."
"Let me see it. I'd like a look myself."
Berhan quickly flipped through the journal, then nodded.
Compared to the information received from the Order, there was considerable overlap.
More than anything, the roster and tactics of the suicide squad matched exactly, so he couldn't doubt it.
"You managed to get your hands on this. Did you find it in the capital?"
"Yes. It cost a bit, but it turned up in the end."
Of course, Alter had done his own research before acquiring the suicide squad's journal.
Even if he had knowledge from the future, in a situation like this he needed a reason his allies could accept.
Therefore, he devoted some effort to gathering solid evidence.
"Hm... I'll ask one more time. Do you, great mage, agree with the strategy I proposed?"
"I agree, but why don't we examine the situation closely before putting the strategy into action?"
"Of course. And the two of you?"
"If you both think so, I'll follow."
"... Then the Knight of True Flame will be dealt with later?"
Only then did Brillie speak for the first time.
Berhan hesitated briefly, then put on a subtle expression.
"If we can, we should. But for now, slaying the dragon is a higher priority, don't you think?"
"Yes. I think so too."
Brillie murmured slowly, uncertainty in her voice.
If the next Sword Saint was truly the Knight of True Flame, then she would punish him with her own blade.
At the very least, she had to defend the honor of the Setinos Knight Order and the House of Count Couster.
'The captain... isn't someone who would do that. I must be mistaken.'
* * *
As always, the Knight of True Flame strode calmly toward the battlefield.
Two Vassals had already fallen, slain by the great mage's apprentice and the Sword Flower, and the monsters could no longer surround the front lines.
The remaining Vassal would likely die soon, and then he alone would be left to face the powerful ones.
'It doesn't matter what happens to the Holy Apostle or the Great Mage. Those two are enough.'
That was why the Knight of True Flame was heading for the fortress defended by those two.
To Benelrode the Incandescent, it would appear he was confronting the most dangerous foes on his behalf.
Since Benelrode would soon move in person, preparations had to be made in advance.
'Can you really judge me? Not that it's hopeless...'
The Knight of True Flame immediately spread his wings and swooped down toward the fortress walls.
He had felt the encroachment of cold for a while, but he could still disperse it with his flames.
Yet the chill was steadily intensifying, prompting him to be just a bit more wary.
'It's best not to kill me just yet. If things go as I've planned...'
The Knight of True Flame faced the two and immediately raised his sword.
The soldiers cleared out on their own, and the two focused their attention solely on him.
Perhaps they had been waiting for just this surprise attack.
"..."
Brillie was the first to dash in, gripping her sword.
She still did not want to believe the truth.
In order to prove that her instincts were mistaken, she had to cross blades with the Knight of True Flame.
'This is... the captain's swordsmanship. I'm sure of it.'
As she fended off a string of flame-imbued attacks, Brillie unwittingly accepted the truth.
No matter how he tried to hide it, his unique habits and forms showed through.
And unlike before, he was lashing out openly—practically confessing his true identity.
"Captain?"
"..."
Even after hearing that, the Knight of True Flame swung his sword without a word.
For an instant, his resolve wavered, but now no one could stop him.
Having crossed the point of no return, he could only drive himself further.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
"..."
"Why are you doing this?"
"..."
"Answer me!"
Brillie, now thoroughly agitated, retaliated with swift sword strikes.
The captain of the Setinos Knight Order she knew would never do such a thing.
But the next Sword Saint before her only erased all those doubts.
'... You will never know. The reason why.'
Suddenly, the Knight of True Flame shifted his stance, channeling a violent flame into his blade.
He swung down vertically, knocking Brillie's sword aside.
At this moment, he could have struck her with his blade.
'Is it over here?'
The Knight of True Flame then attempted to cut down at her left leg.
But the arc of his sword grew faint, the flames sputtering out.
It seemed that the Knight of True Flame—Lang Couster—couldn't cast aside his feelings after all.
'As expected, I... hm?'
The Knight of True Flame could no longer swing his sword.
At some point, the flames running along the blade had vanished completely.
To make matters worse, part of his sword was frozen solid, with a lonely chill wrapping around the space.
'This is...'
Though he felt his right shoulder being slashed away, the Knight of True Flame couldn't take his eyes off her.
Her body was wrapped in the faint cold drifting from her.
She must have used that chill to protect herself just before he struck.
But the youngest son of the Grand Duke should have had his hands full just countering him—so how had he intervened for her?
'I see. That dagger...'
Steeped in cold agony, the Knight of True Flame staggered back.
Had his sword not been frozen, he might have repelled her attack.
But the chill emanating from that dagger would permit no harm to come to her.
'I heard it was a birthday present from her fiancé... In the end, my attack would never have worked.'