***Arc 10 One Who Doesn't Acknowledge, Chapter 232 Turning Point***
Eight years since the War of the Five Great Powers――Elderant.
In the forest, the sun shining through the trees shone on a few small graves.
Offered before the graves are beautiful, deep blue Kirume flowers.
In front of it, a half-naked man was swinging a sword almost as tall as himself, as if dancing.
He continues to dance against imaginary enemies, dodging swords, slashing them, and sweating all over his body.
He has a beard that has grown on his well-groomed face, which is unkempt, as if he has not shaved since who knows when.
His sculpted body was covered with countless scars.
Proof that he had survived even after being seriously injured in countless places of death――despite just training, there was a spirit that could be called murderous intent.
"...Toba?"
He stopped his sword dance and focused his attention on a spot in the trees.
The man jumped down from the tree in dismayed his hidden secrets that even wild animals would not notice, being seeing through.
His red hair was slicked back, and his face looked somewhat frivolous.
He was clothed in Suiko’s fur, and carried a spear on his shoulder.
On his left ear was a black feather ornament representing the great tribe Arkaz, its chieftain.
He was Toba Arkaz, the young king of Elderant.
"Even though it's a long-awaited feast, you're practicing gloomily in the grave. Your dream to unify Elderant..."
"――It's Shelna's dream. Besides, the king has just been replaced, it's not what Shelna was aiming for."
Ledo Rani said.
Then he looked at the small grave with Kirume flowers placed on it.
"...And my purpose lies beyond this."
"I thought you might change your mind a little, but you haven't huh."
Toba scratched his head.
“Feni's been looking for you. I know you've got a crush on that little lady Shelna, but why don't you make a living woman happy instead of a dead one? Not to brag, but my sister is good-looking, and unlike me, she's a honest and nice girl."
‘She’s also in love with you’, he said as he sat down at the root of a large tree.
"You fought hard enough. Even though Shelna's wants you to be happy, I don't think she wants revenge beyond that."
His words were sincere, as if he were worried.
Ledo thrusted his great sword into the ground and answered.
"...I'm grateful to you for picking me up."
He said, clenching his fist.
“But either way... it's obvious if you look at the result of that battle. Eventually, country that can compete with Alberan will disappear. In a few decades, Elderant will probably bow to Alberan. I refuse to lick Alberan's feet and cling to their mercy.”
East――turning his eyes to the kingdom.
"If we’re going to do it, now is the last time. To conquer the western part of Alberan and sow chaos in the royal capital area. I'll gather up those who are dissatisfied with Alberan and crush them in one breath. If the chaos continues, Elsren will join the fight. Not a bad bet.”
"Well, it’s as you said but...I hear that Keithriton old man has also become quite weak. If we're going to move, now is the time."
It was information from a spy.
A few years ago, due to his poor health, Keithriton handed over the rank of general to an aide, and served as an advisor.
It seems to be true that Keithriton is not feeling well, and he had heard that he often did not show his face these days.
That was reasonable considering his age.
He was already over 120, not just 100.
It was stranger that he was still standing in Elderant’s way.
Ledo opened his mouth.
“Our failure last time was that we took too long to invade the center. The 3 countries were stopped brilliantly on the outer territory, and we were unable to cause any chaos. The reason was that Albera was able to make thorough preparations――and Alberinea's overwhelming strength.''
“Ha, That thing circled the country and won overwhelmingly three times. It's an incredible monster. ...Honestly, no matter what the outcome, I never even dreamed that that the young lady would be killed.”
Toba glared at Ledo.
"...You're excellent. You're probably the strongest warrior in Elderant now. ...But I don't think you're any better than Shelna young lady. Realistically, what are you planning to do against Alberinea?"
"You're right. I'm not arrogant enough to think I can kill her with a sword."
Ledo said as he approached the rock next to the grave.
He worked up his magic and put his hand on the gap between the rock and the ground, and dig it up.
What came out from below was a pot.
"…what’s that?"
Silently, Ledo opened the lid of the jar and took out a magic crystal from inside.
"...The chief priest's staff that I collected during the battle――those magic crystals. There are thirteen of them."
What was engraved on it was a technique that shoots out magic power.
Toba widened his eyes and glared at Ledo for a moment――but then he looked exasperated.
"I see. I was wondering why the blue cane disappeared so quickly, but I guess you were the one who was filched it. Spouting lies with that calm face."
“My bad.”
Each tribe in Elderant always has a chief priest who presides over festivals.
Their symbol was the staff, and many of the staffs they carried had magic crystals attached to them.
A magic crystal engraved with an advanced technique that emits magical power like a flash of light.
The ‘Blue Staff’ left behind by the sages of Elderant was a treasure that the people of each tribe must protect with their lives.
Many of them were lost during the Elderant Unification War, causing a commotion, but it seems that the cause was right next to him.
“We can't win outright. Step by step. ...I looked into it, and Alberinea's battle is simple and straightforward: headhunting. She moves with the aim of bringing the war to a quick end by capturing the head of the enemy general with her own hands. If she have the skills to defeat Shelna so easily, then there's nothing to fear.''
Ledo pointed to his neck.
"Using my neck as bait and finish it off with a volley of shots from the blue staff at close range. No matter how fast she is, she can't avoid the flash of light emitted by the blue staff. Our first objective should be Alberinea alone, not the Alberinea army."
Ledo said that ‘even if I die, it will be over as long as we kill Alberinea’.
"After that, we will divide the army and send them to various places. Let them run wild and do whatever they want. That will accomplish the goal of plunging Alberan into chaos. ...Alberan will not be able to be crushed, though. At the very least, if we disrupt the country, we can stop them.”
He narrowed his eyes at Ledo's words, deep in thought.
‘It's a gamble’, Toba said.
‘Yes’, Ledo replied.
“A faction dissatisfied with Arkaz's unification of Elderant rushed to Alberan in search of freedom――that will be the reason. Whether I die or live, the situation won't get any worse than it is now. If things continue like this, eventually Elderant will have no choice but to submit to Alberan.”
"...You're saying something selfish. I'm sorry, but I can't cooperate with you."
"I know...If you want to kill me, decide now."
Ledo turned his back to Toba and sat cross-legged on the spot.
"...You're right, Toba. Shelna won't want it. This is my selfish revenge...But still, I won't stop until it's all over."
"...You’re not going to reconsider it?"
He thrust his spear at Ledo's back.
"... Unreasonableness is all over the place, but just like that, happiness is also all over the place. To the pint that just moving your hand slightly, you will get it. If you change your way of thinking that is."
There were only countless scars.
Toba, who fought alongside him, knows how much death the man in front of him has endured.
"Stop pushing yourself, Ledo. You've done more than enough. ...Take a wife, start a family, and create the new Elderant that you and Shelna young lady dreamed of. Use your head instead of your sword at my side.”
‘Throw away your sword’, Ledo, he repeated.
"Think again. ...Besides, you still haven't paid your debt back to me for picking you up."
"I left it up to you because I owe you a debt. I won't complain even if you kill me."
Ledo answered as his back was turned and the blade was pointed at him.
Proudly, there was no feeling of fear there.
"...Are you trying to make my sister cry?"
"I live in a world where the enemies of Shelna and the others are living in peace, and I can't imagine being happy."
"...damn you."
Toba threw away his spear and scratched his head.
Then he thought for a while and said.
"I regret helping you. I'll let you go, but there are conditions."
"……what?"
"There’s still one year right. Until then, live with Feni."
Ledo looked back at him with a frown.
Toba's eyes were serious.
"...It will just makes her sad."
"It's best if you're aware of it. You made her fall in love with you, so take responsibility. ... If you have a kid with her, even if you're gone, it'll give Feni some comfort."
Ledo lowered his eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I can't make her happy..."
"Either die here or accept that terms. That's all I'm asking."
He looked down at Ledo with pity and sighs.
"First of all, try living as a human being, Ledo. ...If you think it's impossible, then you can do whatever you want. Well, either way――if you become a bastard who makes my sister cry, I'll give up on you."
Then he picked up the discarded spear and turned his back to him.
"I'll tell Feni about the situation. Come to me later."
He started walking without waiting for a response.
Ledo saw it off, looked at the great sword he had raised, and then turned his gaze to the small tomb.
The grave of his mentor, comrade, and lover.
The deep blue petals stood out in the sunlight.
‘I thought I'd try raising Kirume. ...I never thought about growing anything, so”
When she was a child, she gave it to him as a gift because it resembled his eyes.
Saying it was a beautiful blue.
‘...I wonder if she'll grow up properly. I hope it turns out to be a beautiful blue color.’
It's not a particularly rare flower.
But since then every time she saw the Kirume flowers, she was happy.
It was probably such a trivial thing that led her to start raising it.
"...It's a beautiful blue again this year, Shelna."
His face fell and he continued.
"This is Kirume that you were raising. Please tell me what you think of it."
There was no response to his trembling voice.
The only sound was that of the breeze tickling the trees.
"Elderant has been unified by Arkaz. Aside from Veeze and Miklea, I think things will calm down in the west for now. I don't know about the barbarians, though."
Still wearing a white one-piece dress, she misbehaved and swung her legs on the bed.
Queen Crescenta handed her bundle of parchment to Elvena and looked at Selene with a dark look on her face.
She played with her golden hair, which shimmered in red, and frowned in displeasure.
"Are you listening? National defense is your job."
"Oh, sorry. It’s about Elderant right."
Selene, wearing her usual military uniform and staring intently at her tea, thought for a moment before answering.
"The current West General is also General Keithriton’s right-hand man, and is a very experienced person. I think he can be left in charge to some extent even if something happens."
Felworth-Keithriton's right-hand man――Toluca Carnarius.
He had been Felworth's adjutant for many years, and as a general who protects the four side of the Kingdom, he had no shortage of abilities.
It was enough for Felworth to remain as his advisor.
"...However, we have to think about the next Western General. Both of them are quite old. There are several candidates but..."
Nozan Verreich.
Elzard Gokhals.
Dougleen Garhka.
Three generals of the North, East and South have excellent sons.
Dougleen’ and Elzard’ sons were currently their respective corps commanders and adjutants, and Nozan’s son is currently in military school.
There were no problems in this area, but Felworth's son died in battle and he only had a daughter, and Toluca was married but not blessed with any children.
Felworth's son-in-law is not a military man, and Toluca's adopted son is quite talented, but he suffered a leg injury from the War of the Five Great Powers.
From there, it was quite difficult.
The next candidates were Aleha and Tekrea Remin.
And then there were the commanders of each corps.
There's no complaints about Aleha, and Tekrea was also a good idea considering her future growth, but if that happens, the central general class will become thinner.
Furthermore, both of them seemed to be fully satisfied with their current situation, and considering that each army had excellent personnel as corps commanders, it seemed appropriate to choose from among them.
"I'll leave that to you. Please choose anyone that’s fit with Onee-sama."
"...That's right. I'll talk to Krische when she comes back."
Selene nodded and sighed.
Kreschenta furrowed her brow again.
"Could you please stop making that gloomy face already? Even Anne-sama is sighing because of you.”
“...Shut up”
Selene glared at Kreschenta.
"Are you saying you're fine?"
"I'm fine. No matter what happens to Argan-sama, as long as she’s not killed, that's the end of her lifespan, right? Besides, I really hate that person."
"...So many lies"
Selene said exasperated.
"I'm not lying. Onee-sama might be sad, but then there will be one less nuisance."
"...Please stop the joke. I'll get angry."
"Doesn't Selene-sama thinks like that a little too? If it wasn't for Argan-sama..."
“――Kreschenta!”
Selene banged on his desk, causing the tea to ripple and spill.
Elvena stiffened and stared at the two, while Selene lowered her eyes coming to her sense.
Kreschenta narrowed her eyes and looked at Selene.
“Venting huh”
“...who is venting”
Selene said, standing up and telling Elvena as she went to the door.
"...I'm going to cool down a bit. Please tell Anne that I don't need lunch."
"Yes,...understood"
Selene left the room and went outside.
Kreschenta told Elvena while burying her face in her pillow.
"After I finish eating, I'll go to the library."
"……yes"
Elvena lowered her eyes and opened her mouth.
“Um, Your Majesty…”
“…What is it?”
“..., no”
Kreschenta looked at Elvena from her side and said.
"You're just like my savants who was with me just before. ...Even if she had something to say, she shut her mouth like that."
"…My apologies"
"From today onwards, I'm going to randomly look at things from the outside. Please keep that in mind."
Elvena answered yes.
She hesitated a little and opened her mouth.
"...I'm sure she'll be fine. She’s still that young, so..."
"I'm not worried. Didn’t you listen?"
“M-my apolo—”
"It's because of that flying lizard after all. When she comes back, she will be as always, looking stupid."
She said and continues.
"I'm just investigating something okay. Please don't mix it up."
"...Yes. I'll do my best to help."
Elvena said and started cleaning up her tea utensils.
Kreschenta turned her back to her.
