Published: January 4, 2026
“Do we still not know the details, Your Majesty?”
“Noah.”
“Yes?”
“How large do you think the rebellion is?”
I was met with a question in return.
But as a vassal, no matter what the emperor’s question was, I had to answer.
I thought for a moment.
The plus in my status dropped from SS rank to S rank.
Almost all the water element points had increased when I decided on my fief.
That meant that all the SS points came from Almeria.
Since it dropped only one step to S rank, that meant—
“At this point, I think it’s small scale.”
“Correct.”
Unexpectedly, “correct.”
His Majesty wasn’t seeking opinions but already grasped the situation and was giving me a quiz.
“The army report says there are currently five thousand troops. What do you think, Noah?”
“Eh?”
I was momentarily puzzled by the “what do you think” part, but he quickly explained.
“As you know, it’s small scale, and it’s your fief. Don’t you want to lead the suppression yourself?”
I see, that’s what he meant.
I was surprised, then thought for a bit.
“I don’t think I’m capable.”
“Oh?”
“I’m young, and I don’t know the battlefield yet. Even if I go to suppress it, I don’t know if the soldiers will obey. If a prince must appear, I think one of my brothers would be better.”
“Hmm... That answer was unexpected. To be refused after such an objective assessment.”
Even as he said that, His Majesty laughed joyfully.
“Very well, I value that wisdom. I’ll choose someone other than you. Who do you think would be good?”
“...If it’s a prince, I think Brother Henry would be best.”
“Why?”
“Considering the scale, I think the best approach is to confront and suppress head-on. No need for trickery. Among the princes, Brother Henry is the most cautious, so he’s best.”
“A splendid choice. Let it be so.”
His Majesty made an immediate decision.
He summoned Cruise and ordered him to call the fourth prince to the palace at once.
Though it was late at night, Brother Henry appeared at the palace immediately and was ordered by His Majesty to suppress the rebellion in Almeria.
☆
After receiving the orders, I accompanied Brother Henry on the way back.
His carriage and mine traveled side by side, torches lighting up the night in the Imperial Capital.
“It’s a rare opportunity, are you sure it’s alright?”
“You mean me leading the troops?”
“Yes.”
Brother Henry nodded decisively.
“The empire is a land of warriors. Military achievements will benefit you later.”
“I’ll pass this time. It’s sudden, so I haven’t studied that kind of thing yet.”
“But you have a demonic sword.”
“Leading troops without knowledge—I won’t die, but the soldiers might suffer pointless deaths because of it.”
“...You’re amazing. You’ve thought about all that.”
Brother Henry’s eyes widened in admiration.
“That’s why, please, Brother.”
“Understood. Well, I’m good against cavalry. Let’s clean up your fief nicely.”
Hmm, the rebels have many cavalry?
Almeria, if I recall, is a frontier region where agriculture and livestock are weak.
“That’s right.”
“Huh?”
“The cavalry there is strong, but they’re outsiders. They were introduced through friendly relations with horse traders — they just happened to fit in well, not native.”
“I see.”
I gave a small smile.
Apparently my thoughts showed on my face.
Since being too obvious isn’t good, I tightened my focus a little.
“—!”
“What’s wrong, Noah?”
“There’s someone. Stop the carriage.”
At my command, the driver pulled the reins, and the two horses neighed and stopped.
“There’s someone? What?”
“...”
I jumped out of the carriage.
Leviathan, my loyal dog, reacted immediately — meaning I was the target.
So I jumped out first to avoid involving Brother Henry.
Immediately, magic circles surrounded me on all sides.
The magic circles created a water net that approached me like a fishing net.
An ambush.
Feeling the hostile intent, I leapt from the carriage just as the water net closed in to restrain me.