37-110

EP.110 The Shaking Balkan Empire (3) 

The news that Teseito and the Balkan Empire had agreed to a truce spread rapidly throughout the empire, delivering a major shock to its people. 

For nearly half a century, the Balkan Empire had never lost a single major war, so the fact that it had not only lost part of the Zenon Plains but had also been the first to request a truce was an enormous humiliation, infuriating the lords who supported Prinz. 

However, regardless of their outrage, Heinrich’s imperial army began preparing to move east to suppress Prinz. 

Bang!! 

“That madman!! Is Heinrich out of his mind?! How can someone calling himself emperor even think of handing over Zenon?!” 

As the crown prince raged and discussed the situation with his retainers, his new advisor, Viscount Leberkin, approached and brought new information. 

“Your Highness, this is no time to be doing this. The imperial army has begun advancing toward us!!” 

Heinrich’s unexpected truce with Teseito, when everyone had expected him to continue fighting, was a critical blow to Prinz, who had been gathering his forces. 

No matter that Duke Windrage was with him and eastern lords were rallying under his banner Prinz knew all too well that his forces still couldn’t stand up to Heinrich, now crowned emperor. 

“Damn! Heinrich really means business! How large is his force?” 

“After consolidating the remnants of the 6th and 7th Corps on the western front into the Western Army to hold the line, intelligence says the 1st and 2nd Corps, the existing 3rd Corps on the eastern front, and the Adria Imperial Guard are all heading this way!” 

“Then what’s our current strength?” 

“…Because we also have to keep an eye on the Leon Kingdom, Duke Windrage has taken his private forces out, so we barely have just under 20,000 men, enough to form two corps.” 

“Who’s the supreme commander? Any masters among them?” 

“They say the imperial army’s supreme commander is Baron Hasau, who led the 1st Corps. No masters have been confirmed to be participating perhaps they were injured in the last battle with Teseito.” 

“Whew~ Even if no masters are involved, it’s still grim… Even with Duke Windrage’s army, it’s barely enough, and we have to watch Leon as well… Maybe surrendering is best? I can’t sacrifice the eastern lords who followed me this far. And I can’t risk the lives of so many soldiers. If I offer up my head, the lords probably won’t be punished. At least, if Heinrich has any sense.” 

In this utterly desperate situation, Prinz even considered surrendering to his hated brother. 

“Your Highness, what about negotiating with Leon Kingdom as well? If we offer Poligal Island and the border, we could get reinforcements… and since this side started first, we have the justification.” 

“…That’s not possible. I can’t sell out the empire for my own revenge. Even if we win, I’d go down in history as a traitor who sold out the empire.” 

Viscount Leberkin found Prinz’s adherence to principle frustrating, but it was also why he had pledged loyalty to him, so he couldn’t truly dislike him. 

“Then let’s fight! The 1st and 2nd Corps suffered a defeat against Teseito, so they can’t be in perfect condition. Plus, the march here will exhaust them. If we fight before they regroup, we have a chance!” 

“But we can’t win in a straight-up fight. We’re outnumbered, and their training is surely superior…” 

Leberkin approached the now completely demoralized Prinz and slapped him on the back. 

“Y-your Excellency! What are you doing?” 

“Your Highness! You mustn’t lose heart! We all followed you here because we believe in you. We’re here to restore justice to the empire. If you, our rallying point, show weakness, what will happen to us and the soldiers? Even if we lose, we mustn’t forget that we are the just side!” 

Leberkin’s words brought the light back to Prinz’s eyes. 

“…Sorry. But thanks to you, I’ve come to my senses. Yes! We must restore justice to the empire! Even if I can’t become emperor… at least that usurper Heinrich must be punished for seizing the throne unjustly!” 

“Well said!” 

“I have a suggestion! The imperial army heading east is surely suffering from supply problems. Losing the Zenon Plains during harvest means the empire is desperately short on food, and local requisitioning will be difficult, so they’ll have to rely entirely on supplies from Adria.” 

“So you’re suggesting we hit their supply lines? But don’t we lack the mobility? Their supply trains will be well guarded, and we could just lose more men.” 

Prinz’s point was valid, and his retainers nodded. 

“We don’t have to move ourselves! We have another force, don’t we?” 

Prinz and his retainers looked puzzled at Leberkin’s words. Leberkin brought out a map and pointed to a territory between them and Adria. 

“This place is…” 

“Yes! It’s the Third Prince’s territory! Lately, merchants from Nicana and Deshida counties have been coming and going actively in the east. That coffee tea you’re drinking was developed there.” 

“Huh~ Is that so? Yuno must be running his territory well. I heard he handled a monster invasion too… That’s a relief. But isn’t Yuno still not fully recovered? And besides the mountain rangers, he doesn’t have much military power, does he?” 

“That’s not the case! He may not be able to move in full force yet, but he’s operating normally to some extent. He’s also developed new farming methods and, thanks to an influx of refugees, has begun training a real army.” 

“But…” 

As Prinz hesitated, another retainer supported Leberkin’s idea. 

“We have nothing to lose by trying. Besides, the Third Prince is close to you, Your Highness. You worked together during the Streve campaign, too.” 

“Haha, Yuno did all the work, I just tagged along… All right! Let’s ask Yuno to join us!” 

“Yes! A wise decision. I’ll send a message right away to request a teleportation link for the envoy.” 

“Understood. And I’ll go myself!” 

Prinz’s retainers were shocked at the idea of the crown prince going in person. 

“B-but, Your Highness, there’s no need for you to go yourself… and you have to consider the soldiers’ morale…” 

“It’ll take the imperial army nearly two months to get here from Zenon, maybe longer with supply issues. I’ll go see my brother after so long, and I want to give Yunas a break. Please understand. But since you’re worried, I promise to return within a week!” 

As Prinz made his bold promise, his retainers began to come around. 

“Hm… Well, if you go yourself, the Third Prince will surely be more receptive to joining the fight.” 

“Please also find out what forces and troop types Yuno can mobilize. If it’s over a thousand, we can do some real guerrilla warfare.” 

“And if you can, bring back more of that coffee tea! It’s so fragrant and good for staying awake at work, but it’s hard to get.” 

Hahaha 

Laughter filled Prinz’s office for the first time in a long while thanks to Leberkin’s joke. 

“Hahaha, all right! I’ll bring back plenty. Prepare the teleportation! I’ll definitely ask Yuno for help for the sake of restoring justice to the empire!” 

“Yes, Your Highness! We will do our utmost!!” 

Smiling at his retainers’ hearty response, Prinz soon received word that the teleportation to Teshidanikana was ready. Without even a single bodyguard, he took only his wife Yunas and headed for the teleportation circle. 

“Your Highness! We’ve received confirmation from Teshidanikana. The teleportation will begin immediately.” 

“Begin!” 

With the ever-unsettling sensation of teleportation, Prinz and Yunas closed their eyes, and when their vision cleared, they saw a familiar face before them.