Chapter 13

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 4

Chapter Title: The Demoted Captains

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In the midst of everyone's shock at the Crown Prince's words, Stan raised his head and shouted.

"Your Highness, rather than that, please demote my position!"

Kamin regarded Stan with cold eyes.

"Demote you? Do you not realize how grave a sin your actions today were?"

"But..."

Stan seemed indignant, as if about to argue back, but he shut his mouth upon catching Makia's fierce glare.

Leona, sensing the chaotic atmosphere among the soldiers, cautiously interjected.

"Your Highness..."

"Hm?"

"How could a mere servant like me command the captains of entire units? Please take back your words."

"Don't worry. By the authority of the supreme commander, I hereby strip these two of their positions."

The moment Kamin's words fell, not only Stan but Casey too widened their eyes in shock.

Kamin surveyed the soldiers plunged into confusion before continuing.

"From now on, entrust the oversight and management of these two to my close attendant maid, Leona. Leona, take responsibility and keep them in line so that these two never cause such a commotion again."

"M-Me... take responsibility?"

Leona blankly echoed him, her face dumbfounded.

Kamin patted her shoulder encouragingly.

"Your Highness..."

Ignoring Leona's pleading gaze, Kamin turned to Stan and Casey.

"Stan. Casey. Will you obey my decision?"

As the two hesitated to respond, Kamin pressed them firmly.

"If you refuse to obey, then leave the unit right now. I have no intention of taking soldiers who defy my orders into battle."

"We obey, Your Highness!"

Casey shouted urgently, as if afraid of being chased off immediately.

"And you, Stan?"

Stan clenched his fists, his face full of resentment.

"Defiance?"

"......I... obey."

Only once Stan finally submitted did Kamin instruct Makia and Glenn to select acting captains for the units and to assess the extent of combat losses by checking on the seriously injured soldiers.

Leona stood there dazed, as if struck on the back of the head, until she saw Kamin entering the command tent and hurriedly chased after him.

"Your Highness, even so..."

"It's already decided. No more words."

Kamin cut her off curtly.

Leona swallowed the plea she had been about to make.

"Until we reach the assembly point. Just keep those annoying fellows from loitering around me until then."

With that, signaling the end of the conversation, Kamin went to the table and picked up a report.

Afterward, he focused solely on the report, not sparing Leona a single glance.

Leona quietly moved to the Crown Prince's side and tidied the cluttered table, subtly placing a few dried jujubes within his reach.

Kamin read the report for a long while before absentmindedly picking up a jujube and eating it.

One, two, three... When no more were within grasp, he fumbled across the table and finally looked away from the report. Just then, Leona offered a plate of jujubes and asked.

"Your Highness, what shall we do about dinner tonight?"

"Hm?"

"There was a commotion, but to boost the soldiers' morale, wouldn't it be best to prepare the meal as originally planned?"

"Hm..."

Kamin ate a few more fruits before replying in a somewhat reluctant tone.

"Fine, do it that way."

"Understood, Your Highness."

Leona waited until the Crown Prince turned back to his report before quietly slipping out of the tent.

Outside, Casey and Stan stood a short distance from the tent.

Casey grinned shamelessly, while Stan glared at Leona as if he wanted to kill her.

Leona swallowed a sigh that threatened to escape and first summoned the quartermaster, who was stamping his feet anxiously in the distance, to relay the Crown Prince's orders.

Once he confirmed the command, the quartermaster left with a relieved expression.

Now it was time to deal with the two burly men.

What to do with them? Keep them by her side and put them to real work?

Leona shook her head.

What did they know besides fighting? Trying to boss them around would just pile more work on her.

So how to use these cumbersome fellows? She had to give them tasks to tire them out so they wouldn't cause trouble... Ah!

Leona beckoned Casey and Stan to come closer.

For a moment, the surroundings fell silent.

All the nearby soldiers' eyes turned to the two captains.

Casey nimbly approached Leona right away, but Stan dragged his feet, coming slowly as if reluctant.

Casey shot Stan a displeased look.

Leona waited for Stan to draw near, then told the two men to follow her to a spot out of sight.

Once they reached a secluded area devoid of people, Leona faced the two men and spoke.

"From now on, the two of you are under my command. So please obey my orders faithfully."

"Yes, ma'am."

Unlike the compliant Casey, Stan snorted with a sullen expression.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has entrusted your disposition entirely to me. He told me to watch over your conduct. If I deem it satisfactory, then he'll allow your return."

Leona spoke without batting an eye, embellishing boldly.

Whether her bluff worked or not, Stan subtly straightened his posture from his slouch.

"I'll give you two hours now. Go hunt game for tonight's dinner."

"Hunt?"

"For your information, His Highness the Crown Prince likes rabbit meat."

Stan let out a hollow laugh.

"Why should I do such a thing?"

"Why, you ask?"

Leona stared straight at Stan and hardened her expression.

"His Highness, considering the soldiers' hard work, specially ordered a lavish dinner tonight. But because of the trouble you and Captain Casey caused, all the ingredients the quartermaster's men had prepared were scattered on the ground and ruined."

As Leona approached forcefully, Stan unwittingly stepped back.

"You two wasted His Highness's benevolence. Don't you feel any pangs of conscience? Don't you pity the soldiers who'll have a meager meal because there's nothing to eat?"

Stan backed up until a wooden post pressed against him; he could retreat no further.

"What do you think, Captain Stan?"

"A-All right. I'll hunt, okay?!"

Having secured Stan's surrender, Leona nodded in satisfaction.

"Two hours. Bring back the game within that time. You must show it to me for confirmation. I'll be watching you both every day and assigning scores. Only with good scores can you return sooner."

As Leona finished her admonition, Stan stormed off, grumbling in frustration.

Casey started to leave too but was stopped by Leona.

"Captain Casey, stay a moment."

"Pardon? But..."

"I have something to say to you."

Casey fidgeted, his eyes on Stan who had left first.

"Miss Leona, can it wait? I need to go hunt soon too..."

"What are you worried about? Would I ever give you a bad score?"

"Ah ha...!"

Casey sighed in great relief and smiled broadly.

"I'll trust only you, Miss Leona. Please take good care of me from now on."

"Yes. Just trust me."

"But what did you want to say..."

Leona glanced around before asking softly.

"Why did you fight with Captain Stan?"

Casey flinched and averted his gaze.

His serious expression suggested he wouldn't open up easily.

Leona let out a deep sigh as bait.

"His Highness was greatly disheartened by this incident."

"His Highness... was?"

Casey bit the bait.

"Yes. He doesn't show it, but he places great trust in the guard unit. Especially you, Captain Casey. He cherishes you the most. You feel it too, don't you? How His Highness treats you more casually than others. Like a close friend."

Casey nodded vigorously.

"Of course, of course."

"But today, you caused a disturbance, and His Highness is deeply disappointed. It's like... being betrayed by a trusted retainer."

"Betrayed? I would never..."

"I know. Not that you did, but that's how great His Highness's disappointment is."

"Ah..."

Casey drooped his shoulders, looking depressed.

Leona patted his back and whispered.

"I heard you were the first to throw a punch. The Captain Casey I know doesn't swing without reason. Captain Stan must have picked the fight first, right?"

"...Yes."

"What did he say? Something bad about His Highness?"

Casey looked startled.

"How did you know?"

Leona darkened her expression, knowing her guess was correct.

"I happened to overhear him talking about His Highness."

Hearing that, Casey flared up.

"That bastard's been spreading it around?"

"Spreading what..."

"That His Highness isn't the Emperor's blood..."

Casey blurted it out thoughtlessly before clamping his mouth shut.

"He said that? Captain Stan?"

As Leona's face hardened coldly, Casey shrank back in alarm.

"Tell me. What exactly did he say?"

"Uh... He just muttered in passing that His Highness doesn't resemble His Majesty much."

"But it implied suspicion of his bloodline."

Pinned directly, Casey floundered.

"Please keep it from His Highness. He's not a bad guy, just loose-tongued..."

"Are you close with Captain Stan?"

"Not that close, but we've known each other a long time."

As Leona stared silently, Casey added an explanation.

"Even though Stan acts like a thug, he's originally an excellent knight and loyal soldier. He's just... having a hard time accepting the current Crown Prince. He was close with the former Crown Prince."

"The former Crown Prince...?"

"Yes. When the former Crown Prince died suddenly, he grieved deeply. But soon after, the current His Highness took the position, and with even higher evaluations compared to the former... it's even harder for him to accept."

"...And you, Captain Casey?"

"Me?"

"As part of the guard unit... you must have had ties with the former Crown Prince?"

"More like loyalty befitting my duty. He was a decent man, but... I like the current His Highness. I believe he's truly worthy of the Crown Prince title."

Casey scratched his cheek, embarrassed after speaking.

"Me too."

"Right?"

Leona's agreement made Casey beam with joy.

Though Casey started hunting half an hour later than Stan, his results weren't bad.

In two hours, Stan brought back two deer, and Casey three rabbits and a wild boar.

Leona gave both passing marks and sent the meat to the quartermasters.

The cooking staff butchered the beasts, preparing barbecue and simmering meat stew in large pots.

As evening dusk fell, delicious aromas spread throughout the camp.

The guards and New Moon Cavalry soldiers, who had kept their distance, were drawn by the smell and unwittingly mingled together.

As the quartermasters began dismantling the roast pig, the subdued camp regained its活力.

Everyone drooled while watching the butchering.

The cooks selected the tenderest, most flavorful cuts first for the Crown Prince's plate.

Leona placed that plate on her tray along with other dishes and entered the Crown Prince's tent.

Once Leona vanished, proper rationing began.

Not all soldiers got barbecue, but everyone received generous portions of warm meat stew, freshly baked bread, and sausages.

With full, warm bellies after so long, the soldiers' faces lit up, and the chilly atmosphere between the units softened.

Kamin tasted the well-roasted pork and asked Leona.

"Stan and Casey hunted this?"

"Yes. They felt sorry toward the soldiers and went hunting for dinner."

"Is that so?"

Kamin glanced toward the tent entrance. Laughter and conversation from the soldiers outside drifted in.

"Both are deeply reflecting on today's events."

"...Hm."

Kamin lost interest and focused on his meal.

Leona said no more and quietly attended him at his side.

Once the Crown Prince finished eating, Leona gathered the empty dishes and left the tent.

At the entrance, Barts took the tray from her hands.

"Miss Leona, go eat as well."

"Have you taken care of Jahankun's meal? And yours, Barts?"

"Yes, yes. I served Jahankun and ate mine too. I told Noel to set aside yours in advance, so hurry over."

"All right. Be back soon."

Leona took her mess kit from Noel, then looked around for a seat.

Nearby, Casey was regaling his men with tales.

He recounted hunting the wild boar so vividly that even New Moon Cavalry soldiers were subtly listening in.

Finding no suitable spot to eat, Leona headed to her own tent.

Thanks to a quartermaster pitching it for her, she wouldn't have to sleep in the carriage tonight.

She had just reached her tent when she glimpsed red hair vanishing among the other tents.

Leona set her mess kit on the ground and quietly followed.

The camp outskirts were shrouded in thick darkness.

Yet far off in the field, a single light flickered dimly in the gloom.

Leona slipped off her shoes and cautiously approached the light barefoot.

As she neared, sounds grew clear: feet stamping the ground, a sword slicing air.

Soon, Stan entered her view, swinging his sword alone.

His blade pierced, slashed, and struck the darkness with swift, powerful motions.

Leona watched his training briefly before retracing her steps.

Padding barefoot on the cold ground, she recalled Stan's nickname.

Mad Sword.

"A man mad for the sword..."

Murmuring quietly, Leona pondered.

Could Stan be the one who stole the Crown Prince's secret pact document?

She resolved to watch him closely from now on.

Nine days passed.

True to his word, the Crown Prince provided hot meals and ample rest every three days.

Thanks to this, morale stayed high despite the grueling march, and progress was smooth.

Two more days, and they would reach the assembly point, Goyad.

At sunset, the Crown Prince's army decided to camp in the midst of a forest.

As it was a hot meal day, the quartermasters bustled to prepare dinner the moment they halted.

Leona, about to step out of her carriage, felt a chill and rummaged for thick clothes to layer on.

The temperature dropped the farther north they went, and today the air was exceptionally cold.

Leona grabbed two scarves and two pairs of leather gloves before heading out.

Stan and Casey stood before her carriage, bows in hand.

"How many hours today?"

Stan asked sullenly.

Leona had only assigned them hunting on hot meal days.

Now, they came to her on hunt days with their gear ready.

Leona eyed the twilight, calculated, and said.

"Just one hour patrolling nearby today. Return even if empty-handed. And..."

Leona offered scarves and gloves to the men.

"Take these. It's terribly cold."

"Oh, thank you."

Casey gratefully took his share, face touched.

But Stan refused.

"Captain Stan?"

"I'm fine."

"Still, it's cold today..."

"This much isn't cold for a soldier."

"Miss Leona, let him be since he says he's okay."

Casey dissuaded her and took the extra scarf for himself.

"Then go carefully."

Stan left without a greeting.

Casey glared at his back, bowed to Leona, and entered the woods.

Leona sighed watching their direction. White breath puffed out.

The air's chill was no joke.

Night would bring a sharp drop in temperature.

Leona consulted the quartermaster and decided to distribute extra blankets to the soldiers that night.

Then she fetched a thick cloak and garments from the Crown Prince's supply carriage and sought him out.

At that moment, Kamin was deep in the forest with Barts, Makia, and Glenn.

They secretly met a messenger from Goyad.

Barts held the lamp to one side as Kamin read the report.

After finishing, Kamin passed it to Makia and Glenn, then instructed the messenger.

"We're set to arrive at Goyad in two days. Tell the count to prepare so we can move straight to the camp upon arrival."

"Understood!"

The messenger departed. Kamin turned to Makia and Glenn.

"What do you think?"

"The Katago Tribe's southward advance exceeds expectations."

"Reaching Tegoya Forest already—without thorough prior scouting, it's impossible."

Makia and Glenn answered gravely in turn.

Kamin tilted his head, gauging something.

"Thorough scouting..."

Makia skimmed Hunt Burnier Count's report again.

It detailed the private troops assembled at Goyad and reconnaissance on the Katago forces.

The Katago army exceeded 10,000 cavalry, while the imperial forces, even with the Crown Prince's, barely topped 6,000—including infantry. Cavalry numbered under 4,000.

The disparity was vast.

Makia looked closely at the Crown Prince, who seemed unperturbed by the overwhelming odds.

Was he bold or just reckless? Hard to tell.

As Makia frowned in thought, Glenn probed the Crown Prince's intentions.

"Your Highness, the enemy's numerical superiority is not to be ignored. Shouldn't we send messengers to other lords requesting reinforcements?"

"No need."

"But..."

"The main battlefield will be Tegoya Forest. Horses can't maneuver quickly there, rendering their swift cavalry tactics useless. We'll use the terrain to maximum advantage and annihilate them in Tegoya Forest."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Hearing the explanation, Makia regarded the Crown Prince anew.

She was eager to see what qualities he would show as supreme commander in this war.

The three headed back to camp.

As they neared, Leona appeared suddenly.

"Your Highness! There you are."

Leona stood before him, greeted first, then thrust the bundle of clothes forward.

"Your Highness, the temperature is dropping. Please wear more layers."

"No need. I don't get cold."

Kamin refused and walked past. Leona trailed nagging.

"Not at all?"

"Yes."

"Really? It's so cold, and you feel nothing? Even in midwinter wearing just undergarments?"

"Not quite that much..."

"If not quite, then layer up."

"Annoying."

"No. Tonight will be truly cold. If it's cumbersome, at least change to a thicker cloak."

Kamin stopped abruptly and glared irritably at Leona.

Then he noticed her small frame burdened with heavy clothes and softened instantly.

"Fine. Give them here."

Kamin removed his cloak.

Leona handed the rest except the cloak to Barts and helped the Crown Prince dress.

"Sent those two hunting again?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Kamin scolded Leona with a displeased look.

"I gave them to you to use as you please, yet you're only having them hunt."

Leona smiled awkwardly, making excuses.

"Everyone has their uses. They're fine swordsmen—how could I put them to my chores? With nothing fitting to ask, I requested hunting."

Glenn, listening nearby, nodded in agreement.

Makia stood silently, observing Leona.

Kamin sneered at Leona's words.

"Must be a shortage of fine swordsmen."

"Both deeply regret the incident. Casey always brings rabbits knowing you like them. And Stan trains with his sword alone every evening, never skipping no matter how exhausted."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Quite the model swordsmen."

Kamin replied perfunctorily.

Leona tried sneaking a scarf around his neck too but got caught and scolded.

Reluctantly, she settled for changing his cloak.

But Leona didn't stop there.

For the Crown Prince's warmth, she fetched a winter sleeping bag and had Noel lay it in his bedding.

Then she delivered insulation items to Jahankun.

As evening fell, thick darkness blanketed everywhere.

Soldiers lit bonfires around camp to repel the gloom.

Casey returned on time with two rabbits, but Stan was missing.

Stan appeared over an hour later, looking like a drowned rat.

Leona gaped at his state.

"No game today."

Stan reported curtly, face pale blue.

"That's fine. Hurry and dry off. Just in case, get medicine from the medic beforehand."

Stan stiffly nodded and left.

Leona watched his back before tending the Crown Prince's dinner.

As soldiers finished dinner and prepared for bed, Leona visited the medic.

Worried about Stan, she asked his condition, but the medic knew nothing.

Stan hadn't sought him at all.

Leona took fever medicine just in case and headed to the New Moon Cavalry's area.

"Ah, Miss Leona."

Most New Moon soldiers gave her cold, expressionless stares, but Jonathan greeted her warmly.

"Hello, Captain Jonathan."

Jonathan was currently acting in Stan's role.

"Here for me?"

"No, worried about Captain Stan."

"The captain?"

"He came back soaked from hunting... Where is he now?"

"Said he'd rest early and went to bed."

"Where?"

Jonathan pointed to a sleeping bag by a bonfire.

It bulged with someone inside.

Leona approached and checked on Stan.

He was deeply asleep, sleeping bag pulled to his nose.

He didn't stir even as she sat by his head.

Jonathan, following, tried to shake him.

"Wait."

Leona stopped him and placed her hand on Stan's forehead.

It burned with fever.

As Leona withdrew gravely, Jonathan touched it too and widened his eyes at the heat.

Leona pulled out fever medicine and told Jonathan.

"High fever. We need to medicate him—fetch water."

"Got it."

Jonathan rushed for drinking water.

Sensing the tension, New Moon soldiers' eyes turned to Leona.

Leona scanned around, picked two young soldiers.

"You two!"

"Yes?"

"One fetch a towel and basin of water, the other the medic."

As they hesitated glancing around, Leona barked sternly.

"Hurry! We need to cool Captain Stan's fever!"

"Y-Yes, ma'am!"

Overawed by her presence, they saluted.

Soon Jonathan returned.

Leona dissolved the medicine in water and fed Stan bit by bit.

Meanwhile, others gathered; the errand soldiers brought items and the medic.

While the medic examined Stan, Leona removed the sleeping bag and wiped his face and neck with a cold wet towel.

Stan cracked his eyes at the chill, regaining some awareness.

"Captain Stan?"

Leona spoke as his eyes opened, but they closed firmly again.

The medic finished and explained to Jonathan.

"Chills from being soaked in cold weather. Good thing it was caught early—left alone, the high fever could've been dangerous. With medicine, he'll be fine by tomorrow."

"Really? That's a relief."

Jonathan sighed in relief, patting his chest.

Just then, Makia appeared.

Reading the commotion, she spotted the medic and asked.

"What happened?"

Jonathan detailed the events.

Makia watched Leona silently while listening.

Leona bustled directing soldiers to change Stan's clothes.

Makia observed briefly, then turned and left.

Leona consulted Jonathan and moved Stan to her carriage.

She suggested it first, figuring the patient would recover better inside than on bare ground.

Jonathan accepted gratefully, though apologetic.

"But where will you sleep tonight, Miss Leona?"

Jonathan eyed the sleeping bag she held, worried. Leona replied nonchalantly.

"Plenty of spots in this big camp. Don't worry about me."

Jonathan, uneasy, offered to prepare a sleeping area in the New Moon section.

But Leona politely declined, saying she had a place in mind.

The spot she went to with her sleeping bag was by a small spring near camp.

Nacha, resting there, twitched his nose and lifted his head.

"Nacha~"

Nacha whinnied happily at Leona's arrival.

Leona sat by him and draped a blanket over his flank.

"Tonight, I want to sleep next to you... Is that okay?"

Nacha bobbed his head eagerly.

"Really? Thanks."

Leona laid her sleeping bag right beside Nacha, crawled in, and leaned her upper body against him.

"Wow... so warm. Warmer than the carriage."

Nacha flattened himself for her comfort and nuzzled his head close.

Leona gently stroked his neck.

"Good night, Nacha."

"Whinny."

Leona buried her face in Nacha's red fur and drifted off.

As the night deepened and forest air froze, Leona shared Nacha's warmth, sleeping cozier than anyone.

The next day, early dawn while the forest was still dark. Kamin sought the spring alone and found Leona.

Nacha's eyes sparkled at Kamin's presence but he stayed still, only watching.

Kamin chuckled wryly.

He realized Nacha was motionless to avoid waking Leona leaning on him.

Suddenly irritable, Kamin impulsively wanted to shout and wake her. But seeing the blanket over Nacha thawed his annoyance.

Kamin quenched his thirst at the spring and returned to camp.

He hadn't realized he'd moved quietly the whole time near the spring.

As morning sun rose, soldiers began stirring.

Leona woke refreshed, stretching.

"Sleep well? Nacha."

Leona drank and washed at the spring with Nacha, then returned to camp with her sleeping bag and blanket.

On the way to her carriage, she bumped into some New Moon soldiers—who surprisingly greeted her first.

Leona smiled and exchanged morning greetings.

Meanwhile, Stan sat up with Jonathan's help.

Stan looked bewildered at the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Miss Leona's carriage."

"Why am I..."

Stan winced at his sore throat.

Then a memory flashed: Leona wiping his face.

"Yesterday..."

"Here, drink water first."

Jonathan handed him a cup.

As Stan drank, Jonathan recounted the night before.

"See? Without Miss Leona, you'd have been in big trouble. Thank her properly—and mind your manners from now on."

Despite the explanation, Stan pouted stubbornly.

"Captain."

As Jonathan was about to scold, the tent flap lifted and Leona's head poked in.

"Miss Leona!"

"Good morning, Captain Jonathan. Oh, Captain Stan's awake. Feeling better?"

Leona asked after him, but Stan stayed silent. Jonathan answered hastily.

"Much better. Fever's down a lot."

"Good. Then stay here in my carriage today and rest—no getting up."

"But then you, Miss Leona..."

"I'll ride another carriage."

Stan interjected abruptly.

"No need. I'm fine."

Leona stared fixedly at Stan.

He avoided her eyes, face grumpy.

Heavy silence fell. Jonathan tensed, eyes darting.

After a moment, Leona spoke.

"That's an order."

Stan finally turned to look at her.

To his bewildered expression, Leona gave a mischievous smile.

"Don't forget your position. You're currently under me, Captain Stan. Defying my command is insubordination."

Stan flapped his mouth speechlessly.

Leona left him there and went to prepare the Crown Prince's breakfast.

After morning meal, soldiers prepared to move.

The Crown Prince sat with Makia and Glenn by an extinguished bonfire, studying a map.

Leona arrived with three cups of hot lemon tea.

She served the Crown Prince and Glenn first, then approached Makia.

Without fail, she offered Makia tea daily.

Makia had never accepted.

Undeterred by constant refusals, Leona persisted.

Today too, she offered kindly as always.

"Captain Makia, lemon tea?"

This time, Makia didn't refuse outright but gazed steadily at Leona's face.

Leona smiled, awaiting his reply.

"Very well."

Makia finally accepted.

Kamin and Glenn nearly dropped their cups in surprise at his change.

Leona remained serene.

She calmly handed him the last cup as if it were nothing special.