War

Even though the Emperor of the Ernes Empire had declared war, daily life in the capital of the Empire still went on as usual.

To be precise, the people were ordered to continue their daily life as usual.

Thus, the soldiers stationed temporarily in the capital, as well as those who had bid farewell to their family...

Felt complex emotions as they saw the women, young children, and elderly people fill the streets without them.

However, they also felt relief because they realized that their families would be doing well while they were on the battlefield.

Not only that, they also felt a sense of alienation when they saw that their families were the only ones who were still immersed in their daily routine even though they had always shared it together.

"..."

The 2nd Prince, Raymond, who was looking at the expressions of the soldiers who were gathering on the outskirts of the castle wall, curled his fists.

"...Older brother."

"Is there something wrong?"

"As I look at the eyes of the people facing the war, I feel ashamed of myself for insisting that this war is something that had to be fought."

"Isn't that rather fortunate?"

The First Prince patted Raymond's shoulder while quietly listening to his younger brother's guilt-ridden words.

"In the face of war, the royal bloodlines will become aware of the weight and fear that war brings."

"..."

"Is there a better virtue for a monarch than to fear and dislike war rather than to enjoy it?"

"I see..."

"Little brother. It's better to wage a righteous war than living in a wrongful peace."

"I understand."

"Then let's get ready too."

Shaking off the swirling thoughts in their heads, the two princes turned their backs.

At the same time, they made the same decision in their hearts.

Rather than becoming a king who survived miserably on the battlefield. They prefer to seize the glorious opportunity to be buried with the hands of the people.

* * * * *

"..."

Laura toyed with her uniform's collar as she watched Ferzen and Yuriel engage in their playful antics before her.

Their unabashed display, heedless of the onlookers, stirred both her embarrassment and a tinge of envy.

'In the first place, the thing that will give you the most strength on the battlefield is...'

Her past life.

So, how could he treat her so cruelly?

After the two people who were hugging each other slowly pulled apart. Laura looked up at Ferzen who was looking down at her.

"Be careful."

Ferzen said as he gently stroked her hair with his signature large hand.

In response, Laura felt an urge to clutch the nape of his neck, draw him down, and on tiptoes, clumsily press her lips to his.

"Alright..."

Yet, with Yuriel's watchful eyes upon them, she held back, replying softly instead.

As Ferzen left in the direction of his unit, Laura walked towards their unit together with Yuriel.

Sniff...

At that moment, she could smell the strong scent of perfume emanating from the body of Yuriel who was walking next to her.

The reason Yuriel used so much perfume was to cover the smell of her body which had turned into a natural pheromone for Ferzen. However, since Laura had no way of knowing, she could only wonder how dirtily she had mixed herself with Ferzen to spray the perfume so heavily.

Even though her big buttocks and voluptuous breasts were well hidden by the uniform, their unique lewdness could not be hidden at all.

Surely, if the clothes were stripped from her body, Ferzen's traces would be clearly seen.

But since it was no different for her, Laura lifted her shoulders as she felt some sort of triumph.

In addition, the delivery schedules of the rear support were roughly the same as the time when the full moon would be in the night sky.

So when she thought about the musky smell of his penis that was covered in dirt and sweat because he was unable to wash it properly after rolling over on the battlefield piercing into her pussy...

She could feel her tightly closed slit flexing and throbbing lasciviously.

'...'

Laura smiled faintly at that.

It was only yesterday that she called Yuriel, who was walking by her side, as a vulgar and lustful woman.

Actually, isn't she the same?

'They say that a woman who is in love will become more beautiful... What a blatant lie.'

It's a pretty good way of saying that they would get even more lascivious.

* * * * *

"Welcome, Sir!"

Upon his arrival at the encampment of the troops under his command, his aide – Rimbel dashed forward to greet him.

Ferzen surveyed the 30 disciplined soldiers arrayed behind Rimbel.

Thirty in total.

While the Empire boasted more warlocks, those assigned to him were the Empire's nurtured elite—a cut above the rest.

Lizzy, out of place and confined to a wheelchair, was hardly their equal…

Yet the Emperor's command was clear; she must serve her country to redeem her disgrace, leaving her no real choice.

Without placing a traitor at Ferzen's side on the front lines, where the fiercest battles loomed, the noble dissenters would continue their clamor.

"Have you divided into tens and chosen a leader for each group as instructed?"

──We have!

Three warlocks stepped forward, responding robustly to Ferzen's query.

With their names etched in his memory, Ferzen addressed them.

"Bellatain."

"Yes."

"Luibrio."

"Yes!"

"Astel."

"Ye… Yes!"

"Henceforth, I will relay critical matters to you first. And on the battlefield, unless directed otherwise, you will act as my proxies."

──Understood.

After acknowledging the three captains, who bowed their heads, Ferzen's gaze drifted to Lizzy, standing at a distance.

The 30 people in front of him were supposed to be her comrades who would have their backs on the battlefield. However, the sight of her not being able to blend in and seeming to have been left behind was really pitiful.

Flinch-!!

Upon realizing that Ferzen's gaze had shifted to Lizzy, Astel, the leader of the group she belonged to, trembled slightly.

Anyone could see, she was being treated as if invisible, deliberately ignored by all.

However, contrary to Astel's expectations, Ferzen did not say anything to reprimand him.

As their superior, the visible discord warranted at least a mild chiding.

But such gestures would be futile.

It was akin to asking a bully and their victim to shake hands and be friends.

The way they treated her with a cold shoulder was more preferable as it was the most adult-like way of doing things. Because at the very least they did not cross the line.

Unless they were fools who did not fear death, they would not bring their personal feelings when they stood on the battlefield.

... On the contrary, if they could afford to do that with the enemy right in front of them, then in a sense they could be called an imbecile.

"Then I will go see His Highness and return after the speech is over."

"We understand!"

As Ferzen withdrew his gaze from them, turned his back, and left the barracks, the heavy, depressed mood was gradually revived.

And those who came to the barracks after that...

"Nice to meet you."

They were the knights of the Imperial Family.

Since on the front lines, warlocks and elemental wizards were the highest priority for elimination from the enemy's perspective, knights were always assigned to protect them.

"Oh... ! Welcome, everyone!"

And since they all knew each other, they quickly mingled with intimacy.

The only person who couldn't do that was Lizzy who was sitting in a wheelchair far away from the crowd.

'Ah...'

The atmosphere was so uncomfortable to the point Lizzy wished that the war would start quickly.

While those thoughts were in her mind, Lizzy looked closely at the face of one of the knights who came to their barracks.

...She didn't remember his name, but his face still stood out clearly in her mind.

He was a young knight who was particularly kind to her back at the final exam.

Probably feeling her gaze, he turned his head to meet her gaze.

"..."

But, the kind and warm gaze he had given her back then was gone.

His eyes that swept over her before leaving again were only filled with contempt.

His glance, brief and scornful, implied the dishonor he felt in defending a traitor's kin with his honed blade.

'That's right...'

Why did she even allow herself that sliver of hope?

Experience had taught her the harsh truth of this world's indifference.

'Stupid...'

Lizzy's head dipped, a wry smile tracing her lips.

War loomed, yet she found no sense of purpose or meaning for herself within it.