Chapter 28: Riven and Nostalgia

In my private chamber at the royal palace. I sat alone at my desk.

I was drawing a map of the world. Its balance of power. I was imagining the future ahead.

This was my battlefield.

Until she forced the door to my room open.

『Hey—today’s the day you win!』

『No way. There’s no way I could beat you... You know what they call me, you can’t be unaware.』

『Who cares! From what I can tell, you could become the strongest swordsman of all. Even stronger than me! So—promise me, someday we will...』

She grabbed my arm roughly and dragged me outside.

Bright sunlight flooded my vision—.

"—Ven? Riven!"

"...Neil, huh."

I opened my closed eyes.

Must’ve been dozing. A dream, then. A nostalgic one.

Not like me at all. Thinking about the past, about things that have already ended. I should be looking forward more than anyone.

There’s no time to look back.

"Unusual to see you napping."

"Just had a short dream."

"Tired?"

"No, I’m fine. Tell me."

When I urged her on, Neil only tilted her head a little and didn’t press further.

As always. Right now, that was a relief.

"The Hyden lot seem set to arrive in two weeks as planned."

"Unavoidable, then."

"Seems so."

She threw her hands up lightly, as if surrendering.

She joked around, but there’s no time for scolding now.

"And our losses?"

"Minor, if you can call them that. No one’s been rendered immobile."

"Then keep watch. Don’t let your guard down."

"Fight?"

"No need. We’ll lure them into town, crush them, and finish them."

If it’s Hyden, a straight clash is bound to incur damage.

We haven’t bought much time, but if this was a probing attack, the outcome isn’t so terrible.

"One concerning point: a few mages appear to have been with them. Fortunately—or not—that’s what let us fend them off and limit the damage."

"...They hesitated to pursue?"

"Yes."

Mages generally lack the physical prowess of warriors. It seems they realized that chasing my troops—who are composed of seasoned warriors—while bringing mages would be disadvantageous.

If they had been pure assassins, the result would’ve been different. Neither side would have escaped unscathed.

In that case, our small force would simply be worn down. Even elites, the sheer numbers aren’t in our favor.

"Well, fine. The situation’s simpler now. But mages..."

"What’s their goal, do you think? They’re not exactly suited for expeditions."

I don’t know. Why bring mages on a raid like this?

If their aim were to investigate dungeons for succession war reasons like I am, they’d send forces other than Hyden. So the target must be me.

...I don’t know. But that woman wouldn’t act without a reason.

"What about mage types?"

"Not sure to that degree. But they don’t seem to be offensive types."

Not offensive—so broadly either support or disruption.

That makes it even less clear. For what purpose would they bring such mages?

No use overthinking the enemy. We can only prepare the responses we can.

"Make sure you know their positions. We can’t afford them sneaking into town by surprise."

"The biggest fear is assassination, after all."

"Can’t rule it out. Keep vigilance."

I wanted to take the initiative, but with mages present, close combat is a liability. Launching a surprise attack against a highly skilled, covert group would be foolish. We’re not a unit built for that; no need to fight in unfamiliar terrain.

So we’re left with containing them using the town. There’s a risk of involving civilians, but the enemy would also be harmed if things go public.

I exhaled.

Neil’s expression softened, too.

The plan was decided.

I hesitated at the thought of dragging unaware civilians into a battlefield, but this wasn't the time for scruples. No matter what, I had to bring the dungeon's treasure back to this town and win the succession war. I couldn't let anything—or anyone—get in the way.

"Have our units follow them. Once they enter the town, deploy them to surround it."

"That's to make sure no one gets away, right? To stop anyone from taking word of the White Jewel outside."

I nodded. The last thing we needed was for that story to leak. Especially if Rosalind herself found out—she'd never allow those of the White clan to remain where they were; she'd try to forcibly remove them. It was absurd. I didn't want to imagine the consequences.

"Well—our first match is Lady Rosalind, huh. Tough break." "It's an opponent you'll face sooner or later. Think yourself lucky we meet while we still have some strength left." "Maybe. She's hardly someone we can fight if we're exhausted. Besides, her 'authority' ranks among the strongest of the siblings."

In a way, being under her protection had been the reason I survived. Still, she was a wall I'd have to climb sooner or later.

"Neil." "Yes?" "I'll become king." "I know."

He understood the mood and switched his tone. I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my mouth.

"I must become king." "That's common knowledge." "To do that, I accept sacrifices." "…We will obey. We are with you." "It's only just begun, but I'm leaving our rear in your hands."

Neil gave a troubled smile that was different from his usual smirk and left the room. I was alone, and I let out a breath.

I stood and spread the town map I'd procured across the desk. I had obtained it as a contingency; it was already proving useful.

How should we fight? Where might they reinforce? How would they move? Predicting beforehand decides victory or defeat. We can't rely on numbers, but we have the advantage of terrain. As the weaker side, we must use everything at our disposal to win.

"Watch. I'll make them understand I'm not a man to be only protected anymore…"

I gritted my teeth. In my mind I saw my sister—the one who'd always looked down on others as mere wards to be sheltered. Unlike me, she was born with everything a member of the Black clan should have. Natural talent pushed her close to the throne.

I wasn't jealous. Those without can't spare the luxury of jealousy. Still, I swore I would never let anyone demean me again—be it my blood sister or someone who'd once bested me.

"Tenyu. I'll keep the promise I made to you."

I thought of an old friend—someone I had lost because of my own uselessness, someone I could hardly bring myself to call a friend anymore. Still, if I called him friend, he'd probably spring up happily; he was that kind of person.

How would he react if he heard my current situation? Would he scold me, saying I wasn't asking for that much? Or would he clap me on the back and tell me to go for it? Probably the latter—he was always combative.

"First: get your weapon back."

I didn't know why or how that sword had ended up in this town. After he was killed, the weapon had vanished without a trace. This chance meeting was once-in-a-lifetime. I had to recover it—if only so I could lay it at the grave that couldn't even hold his bones.

"A preliminary skirmish, then, sister. Let's see which of our designs has the upper hand."

I smiled—just like my friend would have told me to. He used to say that before a fight, you must roar that you are here. I kept his words so I wouldn't forget.

Looking out the window, the sky was cloudless—a clear day.