Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 126

Chapter 126: Blue Is Extracted from Indigo, Yet Is Bluer Than Indigo
  As the tumultuous day that had engulfed various individuals drew to a close, and the citizens who had shamelessly scrambled for food in the city and the soldiers of each faction had finished their evening meals to survive until tomorrow… inside the large tent of the encampment built around the airship, the territorial lord’s daughter was slumped over an assembled work desk.
  
  Unable to bear wasting time idly, Nina eventually raised her upper body and faced the young officer standing beside her, expressing simple gratitude.
  
  “Thank you for stopping me. I certainly went too far.”
  
  “When cornered with nothing but the truth, the other party has no choice but to lash out. It’s not like you don’t understand that, do you?”
  
  Leonardo, who had replaced the emblem on his knight’s uniform with the “Golden Eagle of Zephyrus,” let out a sigh and glanced at Aynst, who was standing diagonally across from him, with a dubious look.
  
  The Knight Captain shrugged at the officer who had just joined the staff at the lowest rank, declaring his position during the negotiations with the Rigsia territorial army, where he had served as a messenger.
  
  Perhaps he had a slight subconscious aversion to the four-armed Clawsolas, the Nightshade Rasetsu, after his Begalta L-type had been soundly defeated in the battle near the small city of Begnitz.
  
  Sensing this, the young lady considered having a new, specialized Clawsolas built that could rival the multi-armed Clawsolas she intended to retrieve on her way back. However, her longtime confidant spoke up with a cold demeanor.
  
  “Everything Lady Nina mentioned was true. It’s not something that warrants intervention. I myself harbor resentment towards those who caused the deaths and injuries of nearly ten thousand imperial citizens, including soldiers.”
  
  “T-The majority of the casualties were Rigsia’s people! Don’t be ridiculous! Are you suggesting we weren’t doing our utmost?!”
  
  “Unfortunately, results are meaningless without action. It’s no excuse to the dead.”
  “…Stop it, Aynst. Besides, Leonardo is now part of our faction.”
  
  Both men fell silent at the words of the young lady, who felt a headache as her earlier words, spoken in anger to Baron Ramsey and the others, were recounted dispassionately, leaving an awkward atmosphere in the tent.
  
  After a few seconds of silence, Nina, as their leader, decided to fulfill her responsibilities and attempted a summary, despite her reluctance.
  
  “Anyway, now that we’ve agreed to the ceasefire, let’s avoid excessive condemnation of Rigsia. As for the request for assistance with rescuing survivors and handling the dead, the two of you should work together on that.”
  
  “As you wish…”
  “Understood. I’ll live up to your expectations.”
  
  Looking at the two men who nodded in agreement, she reminded them that her own resources were limited and that she would not be accepting disaster victims or distributing food. She instructed them to make sure this policy was communicated to all units, and then the private discussion was adjourned.
  
  At the same time, the voice of the mage Elnea, who had come to fetch her, could be heard from outside. As the subordinate officer under her command moved to leave, the foxy young lady asked him a question.
  
  “The Marquis’s heir who went missing during the battle… if you know him, could you tell me about his character?”
  “Ah, yes. He’s like a more flexible version of Lord Heisel, but lacking in knowledge and experience.”
  
  “Sounds like another troublesome one.”
  “He’s not a bad person at heart. It depends on the advisors who support him.”
  
  Perhaps taking the initial assessment into consideration, the newly joined officer replied with an air of detachment, turned his back, and returned to his quarters with the lavender-haired girl who had been peeking through the tent flap. The Knight Captain, busy with the aftermath of the battle, also quickly excused himself.
  
  
  Meanwhile, news of the incident in the central city of Leipzig had reached the imperial capital of Beril on the same day due to its proximity. A single tear rolled down the cheek of the young Emperor Matthias as Duke Prime Minister Cristophe reported the events to him.
  
  Cristophe raised an eyebrow at the unusual sight, but he couldn’t do anything about it as his nephew’s inner thoughts were beyond his reach, especially with his second sister, the former Emperor’s concubine, glaring at him with a demonic expression.
  
  “An Emperor shouldn’t cry. Forgive me.”
  “Not at all. May I ask why?”
  
  “Thanks to the Archbishop, I’ve recently come to understand death a little better. When I think that some of my subjects have lost people as precious to them as you and Mother are to me, the tears just flowed naturally.”
  
  Hearing the words spoken with shame, Cristophe was relieved to see the harshness leave his sister’s face. He was impressed that the education provided by the selected scholars, albeit a bit too gentle, seemed to be progressing smoothly.
  
  It was truly gratifying, but he couldn’t praise his nephew in front of the government bureaucrats gathered in the audience chamber. Switching gears, the Prime Minister decided to move on to discussing concrete measures for the future.
  
  “Regarding Nina Valer, who was suspected of treason by the Senate Council…”
  “Issue an imperial decree to withdraw the resolution. There is no doubt about the loyalty of the Margrave of Zephyrus.”
  
  “What shall we do with the succession to the deceased Marquis of Rigsia?”
  “Based on the established order of succession, make a suitable arrangement.”
  
  The young Emperor responded smoothly, as if in a question-and-answer session. However, he faltered in his reply at the last part, lacking detailed information.
  
  Letting out a small sigh at the issue that would likely trouble everyone, he lamented his lack of experience in his still short life.
  
  “I’ve never interacted with someone of equal standing. What should I do?”
  “The Knight King has stepped into the Empire’s internal affairs. I believe it’s fine to leave it at that, without making a fuss.”
  
  “I hear that Lady Nina was the one who brought him in. Should we entrust her with his hospitality?”
  “Let’s go with Mother’s suggestion. I’ll write a personal letter to King Claude, including that matter. I’ll rely on you to proofread it.”
  
  Matthias, aware of his own immaturity, laughed mischievously, as befitting his age, and made a sarcastic remark about the current state of the document, which would be revised beyond recognition by his fussy uncle in private.
  After exchanging words with the government bureaucrats who had been waiting their turn to speak, regarding their respective duties, the bright but sleepy Emperor retired to his bedroom, accompanied by his mother.
  
  ……………
  ………
  …