That is not my sibling.
I drew the line with Aslan.
Returning to the capital could mean being caught by Clanis or captured by Berna.
“Honestly, that might be better.”
“If Clanis’s experiments or Berna’s corruption make them enemies, it’ll be easier to handle them cleanly.”
“The princess seems like a combative person herself. She must have wanted to take on Pector. But she stayed back. As a princess, she knows her place and responsibility. She’s not someone who would recklessly charge forward out of adventure like… certain others.”
“If it’s the princess, that’s to be expected.”
“Even seeing that Natalia came alone proves it.”
“That’s true.”
“The princess is more capable.”
“I hope pointing that out will finally knock some sense into them.”
“Sincerely, don’t you think you’re lacking? I suggested that marrying a commoner might be a good way to win public favor. But Selmahani and Yuria? I never thought they’d be as thoughtless as you.”
“I’m sorry.”
Yuria bowed her head, seemingly unable to argue.
“This is no time to bow your head.”
“For a woman who has to support Aslan, her current state is pathetic.”
“Because of you, over ten knights of Ashtar died or were injured. Their lives are more precious than yours. Can you take responsibility for that?”
“Even among my subordinates, Ashtar’s knights were killed.”
“Think about the origins of the knights. Not a single one is expendable, yet over ten have died or been crippled.”
“That’s—”
“Isn’t it too much to equate the lives of a prince with ordinary knights?”
“Raileur, that bastard. Does he really believe what he’s saying?”
“Just from what I’ve seen so far, I can’t let this slide.”
I thought it ended when I hit him back then.
But now, seeing his face again makes me furious.
While some are left behind to be embroiled in war, others act like this?
I should give them a proper scolding before they leave.
“Who do you think is more valuable? The useless prince who endangers the nation or the knights of Ashtar who guard the empire’s lands today to fight against monsters?”
“Calling the prince useless is going too far!”
Raileur. Of course, the loyalist has arrived.
“Considering there are others more fit to ascend the throne in his place, do you still find the prince so valuable?”
Yuria and Raileur seem to side with the prince since they’re his close associates.
But I’ll say what needs to be said.
“From now on, I’ll address you as the Emperor’s mentor.”
“Ugh.”
“And don’t forget that Ashtar stands behind me.”
“Do you intend to rely on your family?”
Aslan glared at me, as if accusing me of cowardice.
For someone who’s always reckless, power is the only way to subdue him.
Though it doesn’t matter to me personally,
Ashtar is sensitive about their relationship with the royal family.
‘How long do they expect to endure a useless prince?’
“Once the upcoming Demon King campaign begins and Lord Eldakrad’s revenge succeeds, Ashtar will go down in human history as the first family to conquer the Demon King’s territory.”
“So? What are you trying to say?”
Aslan glared at me.
‘Good. At least he has that level of fire in his eyes.’
“Show your anger toward the nobility.”
“You need at least that much fire to speak for yourself in the future when it comes to the throne.”
“Remember that more than half of the council members are from Ashtar. Public opinion? That too depends on Ashtar’s will.”
I leaned in and whispered to Aslan.
“In simple terms, if you want to become the Crown Prince, get on your knees and bow. You useless prince.”
While saying that, I patted his shoulder a few times.
A little encouragement to behave well.
Aslan and his entourage couldn’t argue back.
They know their place.
After sending the prince and his group away, I felt a weight lifted off my chest.
***
“Wasn’t that a bit too harsh?”
Syria asked cautiously.
“It didn’t feel too harsh to me.”
“He needs this level of provocation. Besides, he should now realize how absurd his actions have been.”
“Hmm.”
‘She didn’t seem entirely convinced, but I knew this was necessary.’
“Aslan is too small-minded for the empire. He needs to wake up to reality.”
“Someone like that would be better off receiving a noble title and managing a small territory. Playing king of a small domain wouldn’t be too bad for him. If he had been officially disinherited, he wouldn’t even be considered a child anymore. It’s only because of the empire’s unique circumstances that he’s survived this long.
‘I hope he gets it now.’
‘Otherwise, it’s not my concern anymore. I’ve upheld my loyalty to Aslan as much as I could. On reflection, this should be enough to sever ties completely. From now on, even if we meet, I’ll treat him formally as an outsider.’
‘I’ve already lost any attachment to him, especially after what happened with the succubus. Even in noble society, this will draw no criticism.’
‘At least I’ll get some distance from that pest.’
“Oh, cutting ties?”
“Yes. Call it cutting ties.”
‘It seemed like the right time to clean up Olivia’s connections.’
Olivia has few connections outside of Aslan and her family.
Most of her relationships as a noble were based on mutual interests.
After the engagement scandal, her so-called friends revealed their true colors and severed ties.
What remains is her connection to Ashtar.
I plan to leave that bond as a matter of convenience.
But Ashtar seems eager to reclaim her as family.
“By the way, Olivia.”
“What?”
“Is there any reason for you to remain part of Ashtar?”
“Well, no. I could leave anytime. After defeating the Four Lords, maybe I’ll head to the Land of Ruin. Or perhaps I’ll tour one of the smaller nations with a good reputation for sightseeing.”
“Not really. To be honest, I hate both the church and the capital. Staying here feels more like taking a vacation. Besides, my nuns alone aren’t enough.”
“A war with the Four Lords?”
“Yes. A war with the Four Lords.”
“The strongest noble family is Ashtar. Olivia is from Ashtar. It’s better than getting involved with some other family and raising their banner. Moreover, starting with another family while holding the title of a noble from Ashtar…”
“Marriage is required, which is the problem.”
“I am a noblewoman from Ashtar. If I want to gain the power of another faction while holding a noble status, the answer is marriage. Sorry, but I have no intention of doing that. Ashtar is enough.”
“Certainly, Ashtar’s Duke can raise an army of tens of thousands from his territory.”
“The kingdom is struggling to match that scale right now. That’s why Ashtar is helpful. Even now, the head of Ashtar is showing quite a satisfactory level of power. It was a bit emotional, but that’s the issue.”
***
Just then, Ashtar’s butler appeared before me.
“Olivia, the head of the family has asked to see you.”
“Here it comes.”
The feeling of war is thick in the air.
My father, who called me, was in the midst of a meeting about the upcoming campaign.
The head of the family was unnecessarily creating a tense atmosphere.
“Olivia, you know that Aslan went to the capital, right?”
The mood was somewhat suspicious.
“Yes.”
“The reason I didn’t send you is because of the campaign.”
“So, the campaign will go ahead. It would be better if there were no wars, but capturing the 3rd Corps is a wise decision. It would be tricky to attack Crad.”
“I understand.”
‘If it’s just a war, then I’ll lead the charge and crush the 3rd Corps. It’s better to get rid of the annoying things quickly.’
“I’m asking you to do something unreasonable.”
“No, this is good. Although it’s a hassle, I can handle it. Syria will join me, and we should be able to capture the 3rd Corps with minimal casualties.”
“No, I’ll lead the charge and crush the enemies. I’ll deal with them with magic from the front. Ashtar’s soldiers will follow behind, and the 3rd Corps will be annihilated. They’re barely enhanced humans, so it won’t be difficult.”
“Well, I don’t expect much beyond boosting the morale of the soldiers.”
‘What does that mean?’
“Excuse me?”
“You’re probably tired because of the mystical work as well. So, I won’t make you do anything too difficult.”
In other words, I’m supposed to step out in front and encourage the soldiers. “Cheer up! You can do it!”
‘Why should I go for that?’
“If that’s the case, what’s the point of me going?”
“I’ll just boost the soldiers’ morale.”
“Are you telling me to be a figurehead?”
Looking carefully, I can smell Noelle’s presence. Noelle is clearly trying to toy with me.
“Yes, you suggested attacking the 3rd Corps, so…”
‘What does that have to do with me stepping out in front?’
“We’ll protect you, so how about going?”
The fool, Eugene, who had no presence as a hero, grinned and spouted nonsense.
I didn’t even realize he was here.
‘What exactly is he hoping for? Is he crazy?’
“Is he really out of his mind?”
‘Shouldn’t we just bury this bastard here? We should throw him into the Demon King’s territory. That would be the best option. After all, in war, many people die. Many know that the hero is incompetent right now, so we can use him for that.’
‘How dare he throw that smile at me?’
Even Ella and Siriana’s faces were crushed from how bad it was.
“Well, if you really don’t want to, I can’t force you. But Noelle said you’ll definitely go.”
The head of the family mentioned Noelle.
I noticed Noelle, who had been hiding in a corner to avoid attention, standing in the background.
‘That crazy woman?’
“Noelle?”
“Oh, Olivia, don’t you remember? ‘For Ashtar and the Empire,’ you’ll be going to the Demon King’s territory this time.”
Noelle said that with a bright smile.
“Ah.”
She mentions Ashtar and the “Empire.”
She’s putting chains on me that I can’t refuse.
“However, the head of the family has been thoughtful. He said you only need to boost the morale of the Ashtar soldiers from the front!”
‘So, I’m just supposed to be a figurehead. This is disgusting. It would be better to just follow behind and participate in the battle. Noelle doesn’t want to go to war by herself. That’s why she’s acting like this. I expected war, but at least they should send me as a fighter. Why this? A bard cheering from the back?’
“After all, you’re a saint.”
Noelle’s words made my teeth grind.
She’s clearly mocking me.
I knew it was all part of her plan.
Crack.
‘That bastard!’
“Yeah. That damn woman orchestrated all of this.”
“Yes?”
‘Now, I can’t even focus on Syria next to me. Noelle’s words are what matter.’
“You’re stunning, so as the saint of Ashtar, leading the troops… wouldn’t that be great?”
She’s still mocking me.
“If Princess Ashtar were to do that, she’d be more reliable than an army of ten thousand.”
‘Where did she learn the phrase “army of ten thousand”?’
“You’ve already defeated Pector, and since you’re from Ashtar, you’re not like that whore, Berna.”
‘The urge to betray them rises in my chest. First, I just want to slap Noelle in the face!’
“Yeah, it’s not just her marriage to the hero that bothers me. That damn woman is trying to drag me along.”
“The first saint of the Empire? Haha.”
‘She’s trying to drag me along like some puppet. She may talk like that, but in the end, if I go to battle, there’s no stopping me. But you, Noelle, will die at the hands of the first saint of the Empire.’
‘Just in case, I called my nuns. They’ll be useful when I need to bury Noelle later.’