Going back a short period of time, when Vihera’s force had just broken through the vanguard and were staring down the rear guard.
The main camp of the punitive force was in complete chaos.
「You idiots! How could we have been pushed back with such a big difference in strength!? We outnumbered them 4 to 1!」
「Yes, numbers are important, but quality is even more important! That was why we requested the help of the S rank adventurer Noiz-dono and the A rank adventurer Digma-dono!」
「But both of them were easily defeated! In fact, the reports coming in that Noiz-dono conceded defeated and retreated!」
「Even Digma-dono was defeated without being able to do anything!」
「It was a mistake to rely on those useless people!」
「You dare to be rude to Noiz-dono, a friend of His Majesty the Emperor!?」
「You can argue about this later! We need to discuss what to do right now!」
「Let’s properly assign responsibilities. If we don’t do that, won’t we just end up in the same situation again?」
「I’m telling you that this isn’t the time for that! If we keep talking like this, they might break through our rear guard at any time! There’s no point discussing who’s responsible right now!」
「No, then why don’t we withdraw our troops and retreat from here?」
「You idiots! There’s no point in retreating from here! Yes, if we retreat we won’t have to worry about our lives and the lives of Their Highness’, but that’s only a temporary measure at best. We’ve already fielded the majority of all the forces we could have assembled for this battle!」
「What do we do then!? If we keep fighting, defeat is inevitable. Are you telling Their Highness’ to die here?」
The voices of nearly 30 nobles echoed about as they argued about what to do next.
Shurus and Kabajid just watched on without a word, as the nobles seemed to be unconcerned with their own lives.
Of course, there were some nobles who did fear for their lives, but most were still thinking of ways to get out of their current predicament.
「So, Kabajid, what do you think we should do? To be honest, there aren’t many options left.」
As they watched the nobles discuss, Shurus turned to Kabajid, who was sitting next to him, and asked a question.
The current options Shurus could think of were facing Mercurio’s army in a final fight, knowing that he would lose, surrendering to Mercurio’s army, temporarily retreating from Brissa Plain, fleeing and seeking asylum in a neighbouring country, or asking their father, the emperor, to intercede.
However, Shurus immediately rejected the last two options. Having started this civil war themselves, asking the emperor to intercede would have huge, irreparable effects on his bid for the throne, seeking asylum in another country would have a similar effect.
Fighting Mercurio’s army in this unwinnable situation would also just result in a needless waste of military strength, so he rejected that option as well.
That left surrendering or temporarily retreating and reorganising.
「Yes, I don’t think we have that many options left. Unless something unexpected happens, we can consider our defeat to be almost certain. At the very least, I can’t think of any way to turn the situation around at this point. Since that’s the case, as I said before, wouldn’t it be better to surrender and bide out time?」
「Kabajid!?」
Shurus shouted out on reflex, his voice loud and clear from his shock at Kabajid’s suggestion.
Even the nobles who had been listening into their discussion were taken aback by Kabajid’s words. Their eyes went wide as they looked at Kabajid in shock.
「Do you understand the situation we’re in!? This civil war had gotten to this point. If we were to surrender to Mercurio here, we will not go unpunished! You know that, Kabajid!」
「Yes, I know that. But, if things continue you like this, a lot of people will lose their lives. If that happens, won’t the Bestir Empire’s national power be further weakened? Besides, as I said, just because we lost now doesn’t mean we’ll lose forever. We just need to build up our strength for the next battles, right?」
Shurus couldn’t understand what Kabajid was saying.
On one hand, he was saying that the Bestir Empire’s national power would only suffer if they kept fighting, so it was best to stop fighting now. But at the same time, he was also saying that they should bide their time, surrender now, and rebuild their strength for future fights.
He was saying to surrender, but also to do the opposite of surrendering after surrendering.
「Kabajid, what are you thinking? At worst, we might be executed, at best, we will still be stripped of our right to the throne, which will be given to Mercurio!」
The fact that Shurus didn’t even mention Frizione’s name seemed to indicate his true thoughts.
However, Kabajid didn’t seem to care as he turned a sharp gaze towards Shurus.
「Can you please not make me repeat myself? I said I know that. ……Well, if you value your life, that’s fine. I’ll just say this was my own decision.」
「……Kabajid?」
Shurus had always felt that his brother was mysterious, but he had never felt as unsettled about him as right now.
It was as if he was speaking to an alien, human-shaped entity, he understood his words, but couldn’t understand their meaning.
Was this really his blood brother? The thought crossed Shurus’ mind, but Kabajid ignored his reaction as he spoke to his subordinate.
「How is the matter going?」
「……We are ready. A messenger will depart for the Imperial Capital at any moment.」
「I see. Well then, all that’s left now is to end this battle in a manner worth of the First Prince.」
As Kabajid spoke, a commotion broke out in the surroundings, as if waiting for that moment.
What voices were they and who was speaking? There was no need to wonder.
「Come on, Shurus. It’s time for the fun part.」
「Fun? ……Fun!? What are you talking about, brother!? This is the battle that will decide our future! Why are you talking about it like it’s some sort of game……」
「There’s no need to worry about that. Everything in this world is just a dream. But……yes, I would have liked to meet with Crimson again, if possible.」
With those words, he quickly turned his gaze away form Shurus as he addressed the nearby nobles.
「Well then, let’s welcome the messenger of our coming ruin. I don’t know who has come, but I would rather not sit here waiting for death……although that’s not inaccurate to say.」
Kabajid tilted his head at his own words as the nobles stayed silent, unable to think of anything to say.
Why had it come to this?
They were all influential nobles within the Bestir Empire and they had sufficient skill……if not above average.
So how had they been pushed to this situation?
Even as such thoughts consumed them, the nobles all took their own actions, some following Kabajid as he walked out, some staying where they were, and some leave to flee, unwilling to remain here any longer.
That said, over 70% of the nobles in the First Prince’s faction followed after Kabajid, which for one reason or another, demonstrated that their loyalty was genuine.
「……Kabajid, why……」
Shurus muttered to himself as Amare, who had been standing close by, went up and spoke into his ear.
「Your Highness Shurus, what will you do now? Judging from Prince Kabajid’s actions, it seems he plans to resolve this matter with just his own life. If you stay here, your life will be safe……」
「……I know. We both lost, but he’s pushing the blame for the defeat onto himself while I hide away. I can’t do that as a man. Let’s go.」
「Are you sure? If you take the brunt of the punishment along with Prince Kabajid, your life could be in danger.」
Amare’s voice was as calm as ever, but her words held unmistakable concern for Shurus.
If he didn’t step out, Shurus’ authority would be tarnished.
But, he would live.
As his childhood friend who had grown up with him, Amare didn’t want Shurus to die.
However……Amare’s words only served to strengthen Shuru’s resolve.
「……Let’s go. I can’t leave the cleanup entirely to Kabajid. You may die, so only those who are willing to do so should come with me. Everyone else, or those who value their lives, leave this place now!」
Shuru’s tone grew increasingly forceful as he spoke, causing the members of the Second Prince’s faction to start moving.
That said, compared to Kabajid’s faction, there were far fewer people willing to go with Shurus.
This was mostly due to the fact that the Second Prince’s faction was made up of a lot of nobles who had been unable to join the First Prince’s faction.
Even so, Shurus was surprised to see about half of the nobles in his faction join him. He smiled as he followed after Kabajid.
「……Amare, you don’t have to come with me.」
As they walked out, Shurus spoke to Amare, who was standing at his side as always. Amare replied without any change in her expression.
「I am His Highness Shurus’ adjutant. I will accompany you wherever you go.」
「What an idiot, coming along on a suicide mission.」
「That’s true, but it can’t be helped since my master is an idiot.」
「Hehe, that’s true.」
They laughed at each other as the nobles following them also smiled.
Within a few minutes, they had caught up with Kabajid, who had stopped.
Kabajid spoke with surprise as his younger brother took his position beside him.
「Oh, so you came? I thought you’d leave this to me.」
「It’s unfortunate, but I have my own pride as the Second Prince. Besides, it’s not like you’ll die, right?」
「……Well, that’s true. But, it’s also true that the chance of dying are still quite high. For someone with hopes for the future like you, I think it would be better to survive.」
Despite the fact he could be facing his death at any moment, Kabajid spoke without any stress, causing Shurus to frown.
It was as if Kabajid was saying he would be okay with dying.
「Kabajid, may I ask you something?」
「What is it? This might be the last time you can ask me something, so feel free to ask anything you want. Well, I don’t know if I will be able to give you an answer thought.」
「Kabajid, you don’t seem to be afraid of death at all. Of course, as a prince of the Bestir Empire, we cannot fear death, but that’s just something we can’t show on the surface. Deep down, it’s different. But……it seems like you really don’t care about dying at all, you don’t fear death. Why?」
As Shurus asked with a serious expression, Kabajid looked up silently into the sky.
The weather was cool enough that snow could fall at any moment, the cool air creating a beautiful, clear blue sky.
The sky seemed to stretch on and on……and on.
If it weren’t for the temperature, one might mistake the sky for a midsummer day.
Beautiful.
Such words would come to mind as one looked into the sky.
It was autumn season, winter weather, and summer skies.
As Kabajid gazed into the sky, Shurus, unable to bear the silence any longer, started to speak……but before he could, Kabajid turned his gaze forward.
「Unfortunately, our time is up. It’s time for our adorable little sister to make her appearance.」
At the end of Kabajid’s gaze, Gurgast, Tilleyle, and Vihera appeared, accompanied by her soldiers.