Chapter 198: A Battle Report That Shook the Kingdom
A single stone sent a thousand ripples across the water.
In Veli Province, Veli City, the first detailed battle report arrived by fast horse just as the ever-gentle Archduke Veli had finished his lavish lunch. He took the thin sheet of parchment and glanced over it casually, but in the next instant all the color drained from his face. With a dull clatter, his gold-rimmed knife and fork slipped from his hands and fell onto the expensive carpet.
“This… this is impossible!”
His voice trembled, his well-pampered face filled with shock and disbelief. The punitive coalition led by Demont had been defeated? Not just defeated, but utterly crushed.
He had seen Demont’s army before. It was strong, well-equipped, and brimming with ferocity, far superior to his own provincial troops who were fit only for tax collection and maintaining order. Even compared to the main force of the kingdom’s Southern Legion stationed in Veli City, they were not far behind. Yet such a formidable army had been annihilated so completely and so brutally by an obscure Pioneer Knight.
“Overwhelming destruction. Total rout. Commander Pascal killed in action.”
Archduke Veli’s hand shook violently as he held the report, the parchment rustling in his grip.
“A madman… that Nolan is a madman!”
He slammed the report onto the table and began pacing anxiously around the room. A terrifying thought took root and spread rapidly in his mind. After dealing with Demont, would Nolan come for him next? All he could hope now was that the harbinger of disaster would not come knocking on his door after his victory.
What should he do? If Nolan attacked, could he hold him off? Should he send a lavish gift at once to congratulate him on his triumph?
In an instant, countless cowardly ideas flashed through the archduke’s mind. Fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he nearly imagined the mob of rebel soldiers surging toward Veli City. For a moment, he even forgot that the kingdom’s regular Southern Legion was stationed just two miles west of the city.
Perhaps he should write a personal letter, claiming he had always disliked Demont and that they were natural allies. No, that would be far too deliberate.
Archduke Veli spun in circles in his room, utterly devoid of his usual composure.
***
At the same time, in the southeast of the kingdom, the atmosphere inside the castle study of Loman Province was stifling.
Archduke Loman sat at the head of the room, gripping a battle report in his hand. He had been staring at it for a full quarter of an hour without saying a word. His son, Robert, the military commander of Loman Province, stood quietly at his side, barely daring to breathe.
At last, the archduke spoke, “I was wrong.”
His voice remained firm and resonant, yet he rarely admitted mistakes. Robert stiffened slightly in surprise.
“This is not some case of dogs tearing at each other, Robert.”
The archduke slapped the report onto the table and tapped the line that read “Pascal killed in action.”
“I knew Pascal. Back when he served in the Southern Legion, he was a notable figure and was even slated to become the second-in-command before leaving the army for unknown reasons. I know his strength. Even in old age, he should not have lost so badly, so disgracefully, or lost his life.”
His finger pressed heavily onto Demont’s position on the map.
“This royal knight Nolan… he is no dog.”
The archduke lifted his head, and in his eyes burned a fierce competitive spirit Robert had never seen before.
“He is a wolf with a clear purpose. Hmph. Demont failed to strangle him while he was still a cub. Now they will pay the price.”
Robert’s heartbeat quickened. He asked cautiously, “Should we make contact with him, sir? If, hypothetically, Demont Province undergoes a complete transformation, should we establish relations with its new ruler in advance?”
Archduke Loman’s expression darkened.
He despised cowardice above all else, and Robert hurried to explain, “Sir, I do not mean that we fear them. Our goal in Loman Province has always been to become the undisputed number one in the south. We must understand every potential rival and ally. Know the enemy and know yourself, and you need not fear a hundred battles. We could send a delegation under the pretext of diplomacy to investigate Coldsteel City.”
Only then did the archduke’s expression ease slightly.
“In this regard, you have some sense.”
After a moment’s thought, he made his decision.
“You will send someone… no.”
He looked directly at his son and gave the order in a formal tone.
“You will go in person. Investigate Nolan and his Coldsteel City thoroughly. I want every detail.”
“Yes, sir!” Robert accepted immediately, then asked, “And you, sir?”
“Me?”
At the mention of it, anger flashed across the archduke’s face.
“That damned troublemaker Logan killed my tax officer again a few days ago!”
He slammed the table.
“I have tolerated this long enough. I will handle it myself.”
***
Meanwhile, in the political heart of the kingdom, the royal capital’s Elfin Palace.
Princess Flina, dressed in casual attire, sat by the window reading. When a maid presented the battle report, she glanced at it casually at first, but upon seeing its contents, her eyes widened and she sprang to her feet, her beautiful face lighting up with joy.
“Is this true, Teacher?” She held the report, her bright green eyes sparkling. “The knight… he won?”
Her voice trembled with excitement, her chest rising and falling rapidly. The lady-in-waiting beside her, who had raised her since childhood, coughed softly in reminder. “Your Highness, your composure…”
The man known as the Tattooed Count, Owen, looked at his visibly excited student with an elegant smile. “Yes, Your Highness.” He took the report and glanced at it. “Our Pioneer Knight has shocked everyone with a resounding victory. His strength exceeds even our boldest predictions.”
With a slender finger, he tapped the phrase “overwhelming destruction” on the report.
“It is said he commands many capable subordinates and a powerful army. After this battle, Archduke Demont will likely be overwhelmed.”
Flina’s eyes shone as she paced twice before stopping, as if having made up her mind. “Teacher, I wish to meet Mr. Nolan.”
Owen shook his head. “Your Highness, please be patient. This is not the right time to summon him.”
His tone was gentle but firm.
“Though he has won the first engagement, the main forces of Archduke Demont have yet to be deployed. He has demonstrated astonishing strength, but whether he is worthy of a seat at the table and can truly aid our cause of restoring the kingdom depends on his next move.”
His expression grew serious.
“Moreover, we must consider another possibility. If he chooses to carve out his own domain and build an independent power, he would become a warlord, which would pose an even greater problem for us. Should matters reach that point, the situation would become extremely difficult. There are many promising cadets among the third class of the Royal Military Academy, but none yet match him. Our core military force, the Southern Legion, would struggle to handle both the Undead Empire in the south and his potential threat. As for the Royal Guard in the Alde Territory, they must remain vigilant against the greedy powers in the north. With Prince Kruh’s ambition, he would never miss an opportunity to exploit any weakness.”
“I don’t think he would!”
Princess Flina blurted out almost instinctively.
Seeing Owen’s faintly amused expression, she realized her lapse and flushed slightly, yet insisted, “I mean, from the letter he sent earlier, I sensed sincerity. It felt like hearing from an old friend I had never met, a companion walking the same path. You know, Teacher, my intuition has always been accurate.”
Owen looked at her, a trace of approval in his deep gaze. “Of course, Your Highness. I have watched you grow up. I know your abilities well and have never doubted your insight.” Then he changed his tone. “But as the heir to the throne and the rightful successor of the kingdom, we must be cautious. We must consider the worst-case scenario in all matters, for the sake of the realm.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Flina’s eyes, but Owen smiled again, a glint of calculation in his gaze.
“However… if Your Highness truly wishes to meet him, it is not entirely impossible…”