To the Border
On the third day after leaving the Capital city, we caught up with the Castle Knights.
As Brother Adel spoke recklessly, both Sister Emilia and I felt exasperated.
Beside Brother Adel, the Knight Commander Banburg snorted indignantly.
“When our Castle Knights get serious, we’ll easily crush the Bardhain Empire troops stationed at the border. Don’t underestimate the Castle Knights.”
“Yeah, we might be able to control the border. But that’s not the point Sister Emilia is making. What if the Bardhain Empire takes it seriously and launches a large-scale attack? Do you have a perfect plan to defend the Kingdom, Commander?”
“Well… if we strengthen our military…”
Knight Commander Banburg wore a bitter expression and evaded the question. Then, Margrave Belmont spoke up.
“So what about the Bardhain Empire troops deployed along the border? Are you telling us to deal with them with our soldiers alone? Is the castle not planning to send reinforcements to my territory?”
Margrave Belmont’s territory includes the region where the Bardhain Empire troops have appeared along the border.
As someone whose territory is being threatened, it’s understandable that he has grievances.
However, sending the Castle Knights to the border as it is would be dangerous.
Seemingly thinking along the same lines as me, Sister Emilia slowly shook her head from side to side.
“Still, we can’t deploy the Castle Knights.”
“Then what are we supposed to do?! We can’t just turn back after coming all this way!”
Being stopped by the two of us, Brother Adel flushed red and raised his voice in anger.
Having come this far with the Castle Knights in high spirits, he probably doesn’t want to turn back now.
I understand how Sister Emilia feels, and I also understand Brother Adel’s feelings.
I sent a glance to both of them and clapped my hands together.
“In that case, how about Brother Adel goes to the border with Margrave Belmont as the castle’s representative? If Brother Adel alone is unsatisfied, then Sister Emilia and I can go too. I don’t think there would be any objections to three members of the Royal family participating in the battle.”
“That’s reassuring.”
Margrave Belmont gritted his teeth in frustration. Beside him, Knight Commander Banburg glared at me.
If three members of the Royal family participated, it would be considered a representation of the castle.
In this case, the castle wouldn’t be seen as neglecting in sending reinforcements.
I walked confidently up to Brother Adel and smiled warmly.
“By doing this, you can go to battle, Brother Adel. It’s your first time, so make sure not to get injured and do your best!”
“Yeah, I’ll definitely seize victory!”
As expected, Brother Adel just wanted to go to battle and didn’t think much about it.
His straightforward and rough nature saved the day.
Sister Emilia smiled gently and waved her hand towards the Knight Commander.
“The Castle Knights will return to the Capital. We will head to the border with Margrave Belmont.”
“Just a moment. We can’t send only Your Highnesses to the frontline. Let’s assign a few knights from the Castle Knights to accompany you.”
“Then let’s have Kriss and the others who escorted us come along. The rest can return to the castle.”
“As you wish.”
Knight Commander Banburg nodded reluctantly and withdrew.
Then, he gave instructions for all soldiers to return to the Capital.
After watching the Castle Knights head back to the Capital, Sister Emilia and I got into the carriage, while Brother Adel and Margrave Belmont rode their horses, heading towards the border.
Inside the carriage, Sister Emilia sat down and let out a deep sigh.
“It’s good that we sent the Castle Knights back to the cCapital, but I wonder if it was the right decision for us to head to the border?”
“If it’s just the usual skirmishes, I don’t think the Bardhain Empire is serious about starting a war against our Kingdom of Critonia. And if that’s the case, Brother Adel is also feeling motivated, so I think it’s okay to let him do as he pleases.”
“Then why didn’t you just let Adel go by himself? Why are we going together with him?”
“If we only sent Brother Adel to the battlefield, his achievements would be credited to the Adel faction supporting his claim to the throne. But if you and I go with him, the credit will go to the castle.”
“Ian, you are so smart! I did not think about it that far!”
Excited, Sister Emilia spread her arms wide and tightly hugged me, who was sitting opposite her.
Three days after meeting up with Brother Adel, our group entered the territory of Margrave Belmont.
Two days later, we arrived at the Capital of the territory and stayed overnight at the Duke’s mansion before departing for the border.
It took about two days by carriage from the Capital to the border.
On the grasslands of the border, the Bardhain Empire’s army and Margrave Belmont’s army had set up their camps, facing each other in a tense standoff.
The Bardhain Empire’s forces numbered around three hundred, while Margrave Belmont’s forces numbered around two hundred and fifty.
From the number of enemy troops, it was clear that the Bardhain Empire had no intention of seriously invading the Kingdom of Critonia.
Margrave Belmont, Brother Adel, Sister Emilia and I, entered our camp’s tent, where the Duke and Brother Adel began their war council. Sister Emilia and I decided to observe quietly.
“It’s best to attack the enemy in a flank formation and break through.”
“Indeed. With nearly equal numbers, under Prince Adel’s command, the soldiers will surely be motivated. We will undoubtedly achieve victory.”
It seems both Brother Adel and Margrave Belmont intended to push through the battle with sheer force.
If the numbers were evenly matched, victory or defeat may depend on luck.
It might be dangerous to rely solely on momentum in battle.