Published: January 15, 2026
As a result, I somehow managed to avoid going to the battlefield together.
His Majesty casually gave off an aura like, "I wish Van-kun would come too," but I deliberately pretended not to notice. Thanks to that effort, His Majesty finished preparations promptly and departed as planned.
I saw off His Majesty and Panamera as they left Seato Village, but the endless line of soldiers soon became boring. After all, to advance through the mountain paths of the Wolfsburg Mountains, they had to proceed in two-column formation.
With an army of over ten thousand, it took several hours from the start to the end of the send-off.
So, I quietly planned to slip back and return to the lord’s manor.
“...Van, where do you think you’re going?”
However, I was cornered.
Well, it wasn’t exactly a cornering, but unfortunately, at just the wrong timing, Yard and Sesto were leaving Seato Village.
They must have noticed me trying to leave and called out. They were leading a group that looked more like mercenaries than the usual knight order, walking towards me.
“Why do you try to go back without seeing off your real older brother? No, more importantly, why don’t you depart at all?”
Yard asked with an angry expression. No, it wasn’t just an angry expression — he was definitely irritated. When someone suddenly approaches you all flustered, you tend to get flustered too.
Besides, why I’m not going to war is obvious — because I’m scared. Van-kun is only nine years old. Asking why a gentle boy wouldn’t go to the battlefield is just pointless. Let’s not count mental age.
From now on, I decided to call Yard “Brother Yabo” in my heart.
Thinking such trivial things, I deliberately smiled sheepishly and shook my head.
“I’m sorry. My territory is still weak, and if I send away the already small number of knights to the battlefield, it would risk the destruction of the territory. Unfortunately, I cannot leave here.”
When I said that, Yard and Sesto silently looked up at the castle walls. The always-repairing walls were beautiful, and looking up from below was awe-inspiring.
On the topmost level of the walls, ballista tips were evenly lined up, watching outside attentively.
“...”
“…What’s wrong?”
Yard and Sesto shifted their gaze back to the adorable Van-kun, looking at me with an indescribable expression.
When I asked if they had some business, Sesto twitched his cheek and spoke.
“…Huh? Wh-which territory might be destroyed?”
They said that with a dry laugh, so I tilted my head and looked back.
“If I recall correctly, when you saw Seato Village, you both said it wasn’t a significant town... Actually, I think so too, so I feel uneasy unless we strengthen it more.”
Using their previous words against them like that, the two groaned and fell silent.
“Brother Yard and Brother Sesto, the towns where you acted as magistrates were more impressive, right?”
When I asked that, Sesto frowned and looked at Yard. Yard snorted and jerked his chin.
“Of c-course! Those towns were much more developed than this tiny place! They’re incomparable!”
Yard said that with a laugh, but I sensed some anxiety and unease on his face.
Well, in the marquis family where aptitude for four element magic is paramount, losing to the black sheep youngest brother must hurt his pride.
Seeing such stubbornness, I stared into the distance with a delicate handsome young boy’s expression.
“I want to build a town I can confidently say that about... So, for now, I plan to take time to strengthen the town bit by bit. Brother Yabo... I mean, Brother Yard and Brother Sesto have powerful knight orders, so I pray for your success on the battlefield on my behalf.”
When I said that humbly, Yard crossed his arms and glanced back. Noticing the rough mercenaries looking at him, he cleared his throat and spoke.
“Y-yes... With our strongest knight order, there should be no problem. I was just worried it would steal Van’s chance to earn military achievements! Seems it was unnecessary worry!”