Chapter 29..
The duchy’s winter was warm.
Since it was a region with a mild climate all year round, the temperature didn’t drop much even in winter.
Thanks to that, even in the middle of the monster waves, no one froze to death or starved.
It was truly fortunate.
But the world never offered only advantages.
The monsters too enjoyed the benefit of this gentle winter.
In other regions, the harsh cold would’ve slowed their invasions somewhat, but not in the duchy.
As a result, battles never ceased, coming one after another without end.
“Are you heading out again today?”
Eina asked as she set her teacup down, her face faintly shadowed with gloom.
“If you’re that lonely, why don’t you just go back?”
Dante probed, thinking this might be his chance.
But Eina snorted, dismissing the idea.
“And if I do? When young master returns, who will make sure you’re properly fed?”
“There’s a mess hall here, you know.”
“You eat enough for five people at a sitting. Do you know how much attention that draws? You can only eat comfortably because I’m here.”
…She wasn’t wrong.
Without Eina, it would have been a hassle, if not outright awkward.
Going to the mess hall every time to grab food was a chore—plus the taste wasn’t anything special.
On the other hand, Eina’s cooking skills improved day by day, as though she were growing alongside Dante.
Sometimes he wondered if she might be a prodigy in the culinary arts.
“In any case, I won’t listen if you tell me to go back, so don’t even bother saying it.”
In the duchy, she was the only one who could talk to Dante like that.
“…Fine, I won’t.”
Dante sipped the steaming tea and nodded.
He hadn’t expected her to give in anyway—it was more habit than anything.
“So, where are you headed this time?”
“There was a report of Balok’s tracks near Outpost 107. That’s likely where I’ll go.”
Balok was a powerful monster, one with the might of a behemoth.
Its size was only slightly larger than a human’s, but it was intelligent and wielded fire, making it a dangerous foe.
Yet, despite hearing the name of such a terrifying creature, Eina’s face showed little change.
She only reacted with a simple, “Oh, I see.”
It was natural—
“Balok monsters must be common, huh? Haven’t you already hunted several?”
—because she had heard Dante mention hunting Baloks more than ten times, and he always returned without a scratch.
“They aren’t common.”
Of course not. Behemoth-class monsters were never common.
It only felt that way because of the monster wave’s unique circumstances.
In truth, Balok was a very rare monster.
“So when will you be leaving?”
Eina kept asking questions, wanting to prolong the conversation even just a little.
Knowing her feelings, Dante answered every one of them sincerely, without a hint of annoyance.
“Tonight, if possible. Two days at the latest.”
“…You won’t get much rest this time either.”
Eina sighed softly.
Dante nearly told her again to go back, but barely held the words in.
Phew.
If he had, he would have been stuck listening to her nagging for at least an hour.
“It’s war. There’s no helping it.”
Instead, Dante reached out and ruffled her hair.
Though she was slightly older than him, in his eyes she looked more like a granddaughter.
And he was grateful for her constant care and concern.
“I just wish it would all end soon.”
She pouted.
“I’ll do what I can.”
That was all Dante could say.
Perhaps sensing the heavy mood, Eina suddenly clapped her hands as if remembering something and changed the subject.
“Oh right, did you hear? The empire’s reinforcements are arriving today.”
“Was that today?”
“I overheard some soldiers talking—they’re almost at Belladion already.”
They had promised reinforcements before winter ended, but the emperor seemed to have hurried things along.
He must’ve received reports that the front lines are faltering, making him impatient.
If the duchy fell, the empire’s southern lands—its richest granary—would be the next target.
The empire couldn’t afford such a blow.
Thus, the war had to remain contained within the duchy.
That must be why the nobles rushed to send their private troops.
Dante could guess how things had unfolded.
Still, he held no resentment toward them.
On the contrary, he was grateful.
Whatever the reason, their reinforcements would surely help in the war.
“That’s good news.”
“Right?”
Eina smiled, then glanced at Dante carefully.
The Aquites family hadn’t sent reinforcements.
She worried he might be hurt or angry about it.
But Dante only chuckled inwardly.
It doesn’t bother me at all.
The Aquites family was in the far northwest of the empire, too distant to be affected by the monster wave.
They couldn’t spare forces anyway—they were tasked with guarding against Caldion, the kingdom eyeing the empire’s borders.
That threat was no less dangerous than the monster wave.
So of course they couldn’t dispatch troops to aid the duchy.
Dante understood this perfectly, and in fact, he preferred it that way.
The less Lucia learned about him, the better.
He never knew what schemes she might hatch otherwise.
Occasional greetings were more than enough.
“Anyway, I heard Princess Isabella herself will welcome them. Apparently, some special knight orders are among the reinforcements.”
“Special knight orders?”
Eina’s information network far surpassed even Dante’s as captain of Acracion.
That she even knew about Isabella’s movements was impressive.
Her mention of “special knight orders” sparked Dante’s curiosity.
“I didn’t catch their names, but I heard they’re some of the empire’s most famous orders.”
“Hm.”
Who could they be?
Which family’s knights?
If Isabella herself was to greet them, there weren’t many possibilities.
As Dante pondered, there was a knock at the door.
Knock knock.
Someone entered quietly.
“Sir Milleon!”
Eina’s face lit up with joy.
“Good to see you, Lady Eina. Have you been well?”
“Thanks to you. And you, Sir Milleon? You’re not hurt, are you?”
Perhaps because they were from the same homeland, Eina was far more at ease with Milleon and Elaine than with the other knights.
“Of course. I’m always healthy.”
Milleon laughed, then bowed respectfully to Dante.
“What is it?”
“His Majesty the Grand Duke is requesting your presence.”
Dante paused mid-motion, about to lift his teacup.
“Me?”
“Yes. The empire’s reinforcements have arrived, and he wishes you to attend.”
So they had already arrived.
Dante drained the rest of his tea and rose without hesitation.
Normally, he would have excused himself, but this time was different.
He wanted to see those “special knight orders.”
“Let’s go.”
At his words, Eina hurried over to adjust his attire.
“Come back safely. Will you be having dinner here?”
“That would be best.”
They wouldn’t hold a grand banquet in the middle of wartime, even for imperial reinforcements.
At least, Isabella wasn’t the sort to indulge in such folly.
“Then I’ll have it ready.”
“Don’t overdo it.”
“I’m doing it because I want to.”
Dante smiled, ruffled her hair again, and turned away.
“This way, sir.”
Milleon led the way.
As they stepped out, another knight appeared—Elaine.
“…You were here all along?”
Elaine, ever silent, only nodded.
“I told you there’s no need to guard me inside Belladion.”
“That won’t do.”
This time, Milleon answered for her.
“Our foremost duty is your protection, sir. We cannot neglect it.”
Unlike the other Acracion knights, Milleon and Elaine were Aquites family knights.
Their true mission wasn’t defending against the monster wave but ensuring Dante’s safe return.
Even their participation in Acracion was for that purpose alone.
So no matter how safe Belladion seemed, they would never let their guard down.
Seeing their unyielding expressions, Dante gave a wry smile.
Even after three years, they hadn’t changed.
And likely never would.
That’s just the kind of people they are.
He could only nod in the end.
“Do as you wish.”
“Then, let us escort you.”
With Milleon and Elaine by his side, Dante stepped outside.
“Quite a crowd already.”
Soldiers had gathered in droves, eager to see who and how many reinforcements had come.
The three of them made their way through the throng toward Princess Isabella, who stood at a distance.
And then—
“They’ve arrived!”
Through Belladion’s gates, the imperial knights entered.
Red helmets.
Red armor.
Red swords and red cloaks.
Dozens of knights clad entirely in blood-red.
At the sight, Dante’s face hardened.
Crimson Veil.
Imperial hypocrites, draped in the noble color of bloodline.
“The trash has arrived.”
Dante’s cold voice slipped into Milleon and Elaine’s ears.
