Chapter 40
Two years ago, when Baberi first met Sisel, she thought the princess must be crazy.
“You want to hold a three-way battle for the position of Commander of the Expeditionary Force?”
Perhaps it was her confidence in her own knights. But what if she lost? Wouldn’t it become an irreversible situation?
Baberi’s face showed doubt, and Sisel responded with a gentle smile.
“Slaying the Evil Dragon is a task impossible without a weapon called Ballista. Considering its importance, you are fully qualified to be Commander.”
She had been so harsh toward the prince, saying he had no qualification… and yet, she said Baberi was fully qualified?
Baberi found Sisel’s words unexpectedly sincere. She wasn’t sure if it was a lie or not, but at least it didn’t make her feel bad.
…Should I go for it?
Before a positive thought could fully form, Mark pulled Baberi by the arm.
“Even if you win, it will be hard for everyone to recognize you as Commander.”
The nobles who wouldn’t even give her a corner in meetings would never follow her orders properly. Mark tried to persuade her realistically.
Baberi agreed. Even if it was Sisel’s wish, Blake glaring fiercely at her from the side would never approve.
“What are you two whispering about?”
Sisel shouted.
Baberi made up her mind and answered with a sulky expression.
“Even if I win, no one will acknowledge me as Commander.”
Maybe if someone fed them, but why bother trying to earn that recognition? Baberi didn’t want to waste unnecessary energy. If she got delayed at mealtime by staying here, who would take responsibility?
“You two handle this peacefully, and I, a humble one, will withdraw.”
Baberi placed her hand over her chest and bowed. Then she gestured to Mark to go eat.
Sisel slammed the sword she was holding, scabbard and all, onto the floor.
“I am Sisel Amare, the rightful heir to the Lancaster Kingdom! I have been granted full authority over the Evil Dragon expedition by His Majesty!”
Baberi was startled by Sisel’s loud voice. It was impossible to believe such power could come from such a small frame.
“I ask my knights!”
As if answering her call, all Lancaster knights turned to face her.
“Is there any Lancaster soldier who cannot follow my command?”
“There is none, Your Highness!”
“If I declare this person as Commander, will anyone refuse to obey?”
“There is none, Your Highness!”
Lancaster soldiers certainly had loud voices.
Baberi blinked, flustered. She had never seen such disciplined knights before.
While Baberi contemplated what to do, Dran stepped forward.
“You need not worry too much, Lance.”
Dran smiled, revealing his pearly white teeth.
I’m not worried about losing…
Baberi shot him a sharp look from behind. Stepping forward first while three were about to fight was foolish.
“Prince, are you going to intervene personally?”
Unsurprisingly, his knights tried to stop him.
“If not me, then who can stop the Howling Gray Wolf, Blake?”
Ignoring those trying to intervene, Dran grabbed his sword.
“Howling… what?”
Baberi tilted her head in confusion.
“The Howling Gray Wolf. He’s usually just called the Gray Wolf.”
Mark explained to Baberi.
“You know a Lancaster knight’s nickname? Impressive.”
While they chatted, Dran was quickly defeated by Blake.
“Lance, your turn next!”
Blake pointed his sword at Baberi.
She had hoped he would have tired out by now. Such an annoyingly smug prince.
Baberi cursed Dran in her mind and raised her sword. Mark grabbed her and whispered:
“If you feel you can’t win, surrender immediately. Don’t be stubborn.”
“Wait, why are you assuming I’ll lose?”
Baberi glared at Mark.
“I say this as a friend. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
The word “friend” softened Baberi’s gaze, which had been tense.
“Then let’s have a drink together…!”
Without warning, Blake lunged right in front of her. His sword was heavy.
“Don’t get distracted in a duel.”
Startled, Baberi’s heart raced as she stared at him.
“You really resemble him. I’d believe it if someone said the Count just grew his hair longer.”
Blake looked at Baberi with admiration, slowly turning to anger as his expression reminisced.
“I owed your father once. But he died before I could repay him.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he launched a fierce attack.
Baberi finally understood why Sisel had so much confidence. He was stronger than anyone she had ever fought.
If she remained stunned, she could lose. Flustered by his sudden attack, Baberi tried to remain composed.
As her breathing and movements steadied, Blake squinted and grinned.
“You may resemble him, but your skills are that of a novice.”
“What?”
Baberi bristled, and Blake chuckled mockingly.
“Disappointing for the daughter of that man.”
Mark shouted from behind Baberi as she prepared to strike in anger:
“Don’t fall for his provocation!”
Baberi froze for a moment, realizing she had been fighting recklessly out of anger.
She tried to regain her stance, but Blake was faster. The relaxed grin vanished as he charged with a fierce expression.
Baberi barely dodged his attack.
Should she step back? Kick him away? In an instant, Baberi deliberated. Instinctively, she aimed for his neck.
“Got you…”
Feeling her sword at his neck, Baberi muttered and then lifted her head, panting.
“I won!”
Her laughing face looked almost childlike.
“After losing to your father, now losing to his daughter too… my grudge grows! Hahaha!”
Blake laughed heartily despite his frustration, then lowered his head apologetically toward his lord.
Sisel blinked once and approached Baberi, her eyes burning with intensity.
She’s acting like that just because she beat her knight?
Baberi hid behind Mark.
“Did you use me as a shield?”
“That’s what friends are for.”
“Baberi!”
As they bickered, Sisel stepped firmly in front of the two and extended her hand.
“Baberi Lance, congratulations on becoming Commander of the Expeditionary Force.”
Baberi glanced between Mark and Sisel, then carefully shook her hand, feeling embarrassed under everyone’s gaze.
“I will follow your command entirely. Not that defeated man.”
Sisel glanced at Dran and beamed widely. She genuinely seemed happy.
To defeat Dran, following Lance’s command was nothing.
Baberi knew Sisel Amare to be like that.
“The Lancaster troops haven’t moved at all?”
“Yes.”
Mark’s clear reply made Baberi move her lips.
“If we leave quickly, we might not be too late. Fortunately, Baslui hasn’t arrived yet.”
No one could stop them—maybe Lavender, but that was it.
Mark seriously advised returning to Rondar.
“No. I won’t go back to Rondar.”
Baberi shook her head. Mark couldn’t understand her refusal.
“We could lose Rondar at this rate!”
“That won’t happen. You know that princess too well.”
“Yes, but…”
“Right now, that’s our concern. We’re just waiting for the right moment to strike at Dran’s back.”
So don’t worry. Baberi sent Mark away.
“Are you really okay with this?”
Kurr, who had been watching silently with a duster, asked. Baberi’s expression was hidden from his view.
“I’m just curious. How long would it take if you turned into a dragon and flew to Rondar?”
Her voice trembled slightly. Kurr approached without answering, then burst into laughter.
All her previous confidence in front of Mark was gone. Baberi’s legs shook uncontrollably.
“Don’t laugh and answer me. I’m serious.”
“Weren’t you just curious?”
“I’m seriously curious.”
“…”
“Damn it! I didn’t expect that princess to act like this! Now I’m freaking out! What do we do!”
Baberi shouted in frustration. Kurr crossed his arms, tilting his head slowly.
“From here to Rondar…”
“How long would it take!”
Baberi grabbed Kurr’s sleeve, shaking him for a quick answer.
Kurr smirked knowingly. Baberi noticed he had already calculated the time but was stalling on purpose.
“Before I die of impatience, tell me, you sly lizard…!”
“Don’t worry, Your Highness.”
Kurr yawned lazily and stretched.
“How else do you think I went to meet you in Madni?”
There was a way. Baberi finally exhaled in relief.
“Though it will take quite a lot of Mana Stones.”
Kurr sniffed and smiled. The amount hidden in the castle seemed sufficient.
Baberi guessed what he planned to do.
“Go now. But don’t get caught.”
“You think I’d do something so sloppy?”
Kurr looked confident, then suddenly pondered something.
“But Your Highness, don’t you think the information is coming in too slowly?”
Reports could have arrived before crossing the Pony Gorge.
Kurr tapped his arm with a finger while mumbling.
“Leaving all this to someone in charge of accounts causes such delays.”
He argued that being overworked prevented quick responses. Baberi nodded in partial agreement.
“What can we do? There’s no one else to assign.”
Even agreeing didn’t solve the problem. Kurr squinted and fell silent.
The fact that he had no better solution was frustrating.
“You want to do it?”
“…Now I understand why Your Highness keeps trying to take matters into your own hands.”
Kurr pretended not to hear her, clearly unwilling to do it himself.
That night, Mark brought new news.
“Princess Sisel has invaded the Osh Tunnel.”
The Osh Tunnel was a longstanding conflict zone between the two countries, near the Moravi Mountains and close to the royal capital, Tatara.
Dran had no choice but to retreat from Rosedale to defend the capital.
Baberi laughed, holding her stomach in delight. It was as if Sisel had grabbed Dran by the hair from behind.
“Your judgment was correct.”
“Exactly. Didn’t I say so?”
Baberi proudly added, feeling vindicated.
Earlier, when they had to sneak Mana Stones, she had been anxious. Now, the confident Baberi was amusing.
Baslui returned to Martu around noon the next day, on the tenth day since Baberi arrived.
“Aren’t we meeting immediately?”
Baberi was horrified to hear she had to wait. The lord needed time to change after a long journey.
“This is so annoying. How long will they make us wait?”
Just as her patience reached its limit, a servant arrived.
“Your lord awaits you at the banquet.”
It was nearly nightfall.
Baslui had been waiting in the reception room. Seeing them, he smiled and spread his arms as he sat.
“I am pleased that the Lord of Rondar personally came on this expedition.”
As soon as Baslui addressed Baberi as a lord rather than a king, all the vassals from Baberania attending the banquet froze.
