Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 105

Chapter 105: A Lizard’s Tail Cut Off～♪
  The next morning, as the scout cavalry from the Knight Kingdom and Zephyrus Domain, who had been observing the enemy forces, entrusted their provisions to their remaining comrades and turned their horses to return to their respective camps, the main Imperial faction nobles, excluding the person at the center of the turmoil, were once again gathered in the council chamber of the Imperial capital, Beril.
  
  At the order of Duke Christophe, the Prime Minister, the first and second reports brought by spies lurking in the battlefield via carrier pigeons were not favorable. The faces of those seated at the heavy oak table were clouded with a heavy atmosphere.
  
  Among them, one person seemed oblivious: Count Jörg of Aidos, a relatively young noble who strongly supported Heisel and even mobilized his own forces.
  
  “…My family’s giant knight squadron was annihilated? Is Knight Captain Bertrand, who was in command, safe!?”
  
  Upon coming to his senses, he roared. The Duke Prime Minister, who also served as the leader of the faction, calmly wove his words, accepting this as part of his job.
  
  “I understand that the Knight Marquis is your irreplaceable friend and your wife’s older brother, but it is a difficult situation to expect his survival.”
  
  Judging from the parchment in his hand, it seemed that during the battle with the fierce Knight King who ruled the neighboring country, there was no time to escape using teleportation. The cockpit of the heavy knight Gravys was crushed along with its chest armor.
  
  If they abandoned wishful thinking and faced reality, both the pilot and the mage responsible for power control would likely be unrecognizable.
  
  Chewing over Duke Christophe’s somewhat indirect statement, Jörg groaned lowly, his eyes filled with unconcealed agitation and hostility as he glared resentfully at a corner of the seats where his compatriots were sitting.
  
  “Guuuuh, Margrave Hazen… You said that the Knight Kingdom wouldn’t intervene in the Empire’s internal conflict! But look what happened! My forces were annihilated by them!!”
  
  “It was merely a possibility, I never made any definitive statements. Besides, regardless of the circumstances, it was you who made the decision to engage in battle with the White Fox. I believe you cannot shift the blame.”
  
  The Marquis, whose territory was close to the three western territories of the Nina faction that held back the Aberrations, shrugged slightly and declared, asserting that there was no reason for him to be blamed.
  
  Despite his misjudgment, some members of the Imperial faction cast harsh glances at their compatriot who was trying to brush it off with a cold attitude, but no one voiced any objections.
  
  After all, they had also preserved their own forces based on calculations of profit and loss, refraining from participating in the subjugation army aimed at invading Zephyrus Domain, and instead focused on providing Clawsolas units and support supplies.
  
  In other words, they were all birds of a feather and not in a position to strongly condemn Hazen, resulting in an awkward silence.
  
  “I understand how you feel about losing your relatives and subordinates. However, I don’t believe this is the issue we should be discussing here.”
  
  “Indeed, I would like to have a constructive discussion.”
  “I apologize, I agree.”
  
  The eldest, Aldabert, the elder, interjected, and with the other Imperial faction nobles expressing their agreement, Jörg, who still seemed to have more to say, swallowed his words after a brief internal struggle.
  
  Duke Christophe, who was slightly relieved inwardly by this, regained his composure and addressed everyone, trying to move on to the next best plan he had prepared in advance.
  
  “We may have various feelings, but there is also the invasion of the ‘Hour of Ruin.’ I do not want to cause unnecessary chaos within the Empire. Reluctantly, we must have negotiations with the White Fox, that Rare Human, and aim to cease hostilities.”
  
  “So we’re abandoning Margrave Heisel, who made a blunder?”
  “Someone has to take responsibility, Elder.”
  
  The unspoken understanding, which was already known to all, was deliberately brought up and made explicit. After solidifying the understanding among his compatriots, the veteran with deep wrinkles fell silent again, urging them to continue with a slight gesture.
  
  At this point, it was certain that today’s absentee, who had led the Fox Hunt, would lose his position, and the details were being worked out to bring the situation to a close.
  
  “First, we want to exert pressure on the Lizel Knight Kingdom, whose defenses have weakened, by sending a brigade-scale force across the border. This will involve mobilizing the forces of Lindenbaum, which is geographically close, but…”
  
  After a short pause, the Duke Prime Minister received a silent inquiry. The Count who had been enfeoffed with the said territory for generations hesitated with a reluctant expression and, as a last resort, opened his mouth.
  
  “We have trade and other dealings with them as neighboring territories. To avoid leaving too deep a grudge, we should avoid a full-scale battle. If we can receive financial support, I will instruct the administrator I left in charge.”
  
  “That’s fine. It’s a threat to make them accept our intentions. I will use my authority as Prime Minister to allocate a portion of the national treasury for the necessary expenses.”
  
  He soothed the Count, saying there was no need to worry, and also promised to petition the young Emperor for the deployment to the Knight Kingdom, thus persuading the hesitant Count to agree.
  
  Seemingly feeling some remorse for having forced his way through, Duke Christophe let out an uncharacteristic sigh. After a moment of contemplation, he looked at Elder Aldabert.
  
  “I feel hesitant to ask Margrave Hazen, who misjudged the situation once, again. Elder, I would like you to make the trip to the Knight King’s encampment.”
  
  “Hmm, you intend to convey that the Imperial faction’s forces have crossed the border and begun preparations to station themselves near the nearest small city, along with your request for me to mediate negotiations with the White Fox… It’s not a bad move.”
  
  He could not think of a reason why the neighboring country would support the Zephyrus Domain forces at the cost of damage to the lives and property of its own citizens, and it was unlikely that they would reject a proposal that would lead to the end of the conflict.
  
  Furthermore, considering the calculating yet loyal nature of Nina Valer, it was unlikely that she would treat the Knight King’s words lightly, as she had been rescued from dire situations twice by him.
  
  The Elder, judging that if they could successfully bring her over to the Imperial faction’s side, they could minimize the impact of the defeat near Begnitz, nodded and accepted the Duke Prime Minister’s request.
  
  Even after the general outline was decided, they exchanged opinions on several details, and the hastily convened faction meeting was adjourned.