Chapter 116 - If You Know Your Enemy and Yourself, You Can Win a Hundred Battles Without Peril (3)

After barely calming her father down, Arwen asked for my understanding to speak with her father for a moment.

I told her to go ahead, and she dragged her father out.

Though the beaming smile on Siorin's face was absolutely not the expression of someone being dragged away.

The sound of the father and daughter bickering could be heard from outside the door.

"Why did you come all the way here?"

"I came because I was summoned by His Majesty."

"Don't lie. Anyone can see you volunteered, I know it."

"As expected, my daughter knows her father well."

"Did you happen to say anything weird to His Highness?"

"I did not. Do I look like the sort of man who cannot distinguish between public and private matters?"

"I am asking because you have a track record."

"Why are you overreacting so much? Is there really something this father does not know?"

Exhaustion was already evident in Arwen's voice. However, Siorin Kirgayen paid no mind and consistently clung to his daughter, pestering her.

Arwen urged her father to return several times, but Siorin held out, saying he could not back out now.

In the end, it was Arwen who threw her hands up in defeat.

『Promise me one thing. If you do, I will no longer presumptuously meddle in your mission, Father.』

『How is a daughter being involved in her father's work presumptuous...』

『Before I am a daughter of the Kirgayen family, I am His Highness's knight. Please just keep that fact in mind.』

At Arwen's demand, having ruthlessly cut off her father's words, Siorin Kirgayen replied that he would do so.

『I promise I will not do anything to put you in a difficult position in a public setting.』

『I am His Highness's Royal Guard, so please do not forget that I am always on duty, regardless of whether the sun rises or sets.』

『This father volunteered, not minding the long journey, solely to see you. How can you act so cold-heartedly? If you consider your father, do you not at least have the time to converse for a brief moment?』

『I do not.』

『Do you really not have even a little...』

『I do not have even a little.』

Arwen's sharp-as-a-knife reply made even me, the one listening in, feel awkward.

『I will do as you say. Still, it is good to see your face like this, and good again to see that you are healthy.』

Siorin Kirgayen's voice sank heavily. It was a lonely voice, like autumn leaves being swept away by a bleak wind.

『I-I am also just glad to see your face like this, Father. You have no idea how relieved I am that you are safe and healthy.』

Arwen's voice, stammering as she laid out her feelings on their reunion, had softened noticeably.

『Thank you, even if they are empty words. But I am well aware that you are unhappy with your father, so you do not need to try so hard. While on duty, I will try not to cross paths with you as much as possible, so...』

At this point, I could not help but know.

The fact that this man named Siorin Kirgayen was deliberately showing a weak side.

『That is not true! I have never once thought of you that way, Father. You have brilliantly led the Kirgayen family, and I have always respected you for that. The reason I acted somewhat cold-heartedly toward you is because you always treated me as a young daughter rather than a knight...』

And Arwen had been excellently hooked by her father.

『I see. Embracing you like this, I can tell you have fully grown up.』

『Father...』

As if they were sharing a touching embrace, Arwen's voice sounded muffled, as though buried in a collar.

『Father, please let me go no...』

『My daughter, my little bird! My Arl! How many years has it been since I hugged you like this! This father feels like he is dreaming!』

However, the emotion did not last long. Siorin Kirgayen shouted in a highly excited voice, and soon after, the sound of Arwen tearing her father away in disgust could be heard.

『You did it on purpose again!』

『Your father's heart when looking at you is always consistent, so it is not on purpose, but rather my welling feelings that are like that.』

Listening to them, it seemed this was not a stunt he had only pulled once or twice.

The sound of Arwen rebuking her father could be heard from outside the door before it soon died down. And the door opened again.

"Your Highness. Thanks to Your Highness's consideration, I was able to have a frank and open conversation with my daughter. I can only thank you again and again."

Siorin, wearing a satisfied face, babbled shamelessly.

Arwen's face was flushed red, though I could not tell if it was because she was angry or because she had said embarrassing things to her father.

It was just fascinating that such a colorful expression had appeared on her usually emotionless face.

Arwen gave me a brief word of thanks and apology before immediately disappearing.

I was alone with Siorin Kirgayen once again.

He wore the same haughty and cold face as when we first met.

To act all solemn now, after showing every disgraceful behavior possible.

I found it so absurd that I ended up letting out a hollow laugh.

Whether I did or not, Siorin Kirgayen shamelessly said a few words about the upcoming schedule in front of me before disappearing.

"What a fascinating fellow."

I shook my head from side to side while looking at the spot where Siorin Kirgayen had disappeared.

Not long after he left, Marquis Bielefeld came to visit.

"I saw Count Kirgayen on my way here."

"He just left, as a matter of fact."

As soon as he entered, acting exactly as if it were his own home, the Marquis took a liquor bottle out of the display cabinet and asked me what my first impression was.

"He cherishes his daughter terribly.."

At my words, the Marquis chuckled and replied that, apart from his excessive affection for his eldest daughter, Siorin Kirgayen's capability was beyond doubt. Marquis Bielefeld, who had been chattering about trivial matters while tipping his drink, suddenly spoke with a serious face.

"Every place you step will be a thorny path, and everyone you meet will test Your Highness's patience."

The Marquis's words were not all that different from what the King had told me. The answer I would give him was also the same.

That I had lived not so differently in the kingdom.

"Please take care of yourself."

"Why so early?"

"I have separate orders directed by His Majesty, so I must leave The Capital early tomorrow."

Looking at the Marquis's expression, it was clear that those orders were quite secretive and important.

"I don't know what it is, but I hope it concludes well."

"I also hope that Your Highness achieves all your intended goals and that I see you return safely."

I proposed a toast to the Marquis, and the Marquis spoke softly.

"May there be infinite glory and peace in His Highness the Prince's future."

"In the Marquis's future as well."

After clinking our glasses, the Marquis emptied his drink in one gulp.

"Then, I shall take my leave."

The Marquis left without even looking back.

Still, it seemed we had grown somewhat attached after drinking together every day for the past few days.

I felt pity for the Marquis's situation, wandering here and there for the kingdom at an age when he should be resting comfortably in his own territory.

As soon as the next day dawned, I sought out Maximilian.

"Take charge of my sword."

Maximilian did not refuse, and I immediately handed over my original body.

And I quietly observed Maximilian's reaction.

It was because I expected that the Scoundrel Prince might perhaps speak to his younger brother. However, the guy's soul, having hidden itself tightly away somewhere, remained completely unresponsive.

With the thought of observing for a few more days, I entrusted my original body to Maximilian in advance.

I did not leave out the instruction to notify me immediately if he heard any strange voices.

However, contrary to my concerns, Maximilian never heard anyone's voice right up until the day of departure.

On the day I left The Capital, the King and Queen saw me off at the front of the castle.

The King repeatedly opened and closed his mouth, as if he had a lot to say.

"Have a safe trip."

However, in the end, the only words the King offered me were just that single phrase to have a safe trip.

Looking at the King like that, the Queen told him he should go and give me a hug. I was appalled, and the King was even more appalled than I was.

"Brother. Please return safely."

"Let's see each other when I return."

After finishing my farewells with Maximilian, I looked to the side.

The princes and princesses I had met once in the grand hall were there.

BOW.

I gave a rough wave to them as they silently bowed their heads to me, and then looked at Siorin Kirgayen.

"Then, may we depart now?"

"Let's go."

"Depart!"

At the leader's command, a force of nearly 500 troops began moving along the southern main road of The Capital.

And not long after, the knights of the Iron Lion Knights joined us.

The man who appeared leading about 50 Iron Lions was someone I knew well.

Erhim Kilinger. The Vice-Commander of the Iron Lion Knights and a man who had shared the joys and sorrows of life and death with me at Winter Castle in the past.

"Your Highness. I am deeply moved to see you again."

Seeing Erhim Kilinger and the Iron Lions kneeling reverently before me, I told them to drop the excessive formalities, to which he grinned and replied.

"I told you that when we met again, I would stand behind Your Highness."

"Did you?"

"Yes. I did."

Erhim Kilinger sent me a deep gaze.

It was a gaze filled with absolute trust and adoration. The Iron Lions standing behind him also offered me eye greetings with similar gazes. Including Dunham, they were the Iron Lions who had endured hardships together with me at Winter Castle.

While I exchanged glances with them, Erhim and Siorin exchanged greetings.

And the party departed once again.

Around the time we left The Capital and entered the southern border, old man Nicolo and the Rangers joined us from afar.

"Your Highness."

The lips of the Ranger bowing his head to me were sticking out in a pout. He seemed quite dissatisfied to be drafted for another long-term mission.

He looked like he had a lot to say, but because this was not Winter Castle where hierarchical relationships were somewhat blurry, he could not openly express his dissatisfaction to me.

He merely made a silent protest with a sullen face.

Like that, with the Rangers joining after the Iron Lions, the number of the party reached nearly 600.

Among them, 300 were cavalry from the Central Army, who broke away from the formation as soon as we reached the southern border. The ones who took their place were the cavalry of the Southern Army.

Escorted by the Southern Army, we advanced toward the southern border.

And we arrived at the Southern Silver Lion Fortress, the stronghold of the Southern Army. We stayed there for two days, relieving the fatigue of our journey, before heading south again.

As soon as we left the fortress, Siorin said to me.

"Your Highness. From now on, you should travel by carriage."

Since it had been agreed that I would avoid showing myself as much as possible to prevent unnecessary altercations, I boarded the stuffy carriage without a word of complaint.

"Your Highness. Please get some sleep."

Adelia skillfully arranged the carriage cushions and laid me down there. Lying down, I enjoyed the regular vibrations of the carriage.

Then, I fell asleep without realizing it.

When I woke up from my sleep again, the procession was stopped.

"Adelia?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Rubbing my eyes, I sat up. And then I asked her why the carriage had stopped.

"We have reached the border line, but the Empire's troops that were supposed to come meet us are nowhere to be seen."

At those words, I ended up letting out a snicker.

It was a stunt where the intent was blatantly obvious.

"How childish."

Anyone could see they were intentionally dragging their feet to assert dominance.

Thinking nothing of it, I lay back down.

Sure enough, just as expected, the Empire's troops showed up late the next day.

I raised the shutters of the carriage and looked at them.

I let out a hollow laugh as I watched a group of cavalry strolling closer without a hint of hurrying despite being late.

"Your Highness. I will close the window."

At that moment, Siorin appeared and blocked my view.

The window was closed.

"Those not confident in controlling their expressions, lower your visors! From this moment on, do not breathe a single word!"

Not long after Erhim Kilinger's orders were given, the sound of horse hooves, which had been far away, approached right under our noses.

* * *

"Are you the delegation from Leonberk?"

The man standing at the head of the cavalry that strolled up abruptly asked in the imperial language.

Even at the attitude of the man who did not even apologize after being a full day late to the appointed time, Siorin Kirgayen did not bat an eyelash.

He merely asked for the other party's affiliation in fluent imperial language.

"You know how to speak the imperial language. Nice to meet you. I am De Gaulle de Debussy, a Senior Knight of the 112th Knight Order under the Empire's 41st Legion."

The man, De Gaulle de Debussy, who widened his eyes as if surprised, asked again.

"Is this the delegation's procession?"

"It is."

"Then the kingdom's prince must be in that carriage."

Siorin's expression hardened.

It was because low-quality malice oozed from the other party's tone.

"I must offer my greetings."

Sure enough, it was as expected.

"He has just fallen asleep, unable to overcome his exhaustion from waiting in the carriage for a full day."

As soon as Siorin's words ended, the Iron Lions tightly surrounded the carriage.

"Whoa, whoa. Calm down. I merely meant to offer my greetings because I heard a noble personage had arrived."

Though he said that, he stealthily approached, intent on seeing the prince's face at all costs.

Siorin realized that the Empire's knight had fully made up his mind.

"I do not know how it is in your country, but in our country, an inferior cannot request to give greetings first unless the superior wishes for it."

"It is the same for us."

At the blatant provocation, Siorin was about to take firm action, but the carriage door opened before he could.

Siorin furrowed his brow.

He thought to himself that, just as the prince was said to have a fiery temper, he must have stepped forward unable to hold back his anger.

He thought so.

But it was not so.

The face of the First Prince, who revealed himself from the carriage, was incredibly nonchalant. Let alone anger, there was not even a hint of annoyance on it.

That alone was unexpected, but,

"You wish to offer your greetings?"

Fluent imperial language flowed from the First Prince's mouth.

De Gaulle's eyes went wide, likely not expecting the prince to know how to speak the imperial language.

However, that was only for a moment; he quickly formed a despicable smile and replied.

"If you would permit it, that is."

Seeing De Gaulle approaching the prince without even dismounting from his horse, the Iron Lions flew into a fit of rage. However, the First Prince raised his hand and restrained them.

GRIND.

The sound of teeth grinding could be heard from beyond the visors.

Even though he could clearly hear that sound, De Gaulle drove his horse forward with a beaming smile. And finally, he arrived in front of the First Prince.

At that moment, De Gaulle's horse suddenly reared its front legs.

NEIGHHH!

De Gaulle's horse howled as if terrified, stomping its feet back and forth mercilessly.

"Ugh!"

Unable to hold on, De Gaulle tumbled off his horse.

Having rolled ungracefully on the ground, he barely regained his senses and planted both hands on the earth.

"Uurgh..."

The impact seemed to have been substantial, as De Gaulle shook his head vigorously several times.

In the meantime, the First Prince stood in front of De Gaulle.

"Hmm?"

De Gaulle raised his head. The First Prince looked down at De Gaulle with an arrogant face.

"Your greetings are well received."