Side Story 1: Scholz (1)

"What on earth are the higher-ups thinking!"

This was the guardhouse of the Lifrea Holy Knights.

The man raising his voice was Eldward, Scholz's colleague and fellow Knight Commander.

It was unusual for Eldward—a devout follower of the One God, Rezegul, and a man deeply loyal to the Pope—to lose his temper like this.

"Now, don't say that. The higher-ups must have their reasons."

Scholz felt the same way, but he chose to calm Eldward down. Even in the guardhouse, one wrong word could be taken as criticism of the higher-ups. You never knew who might be listening.

It was only the other day that the Lifrea Holy Knights invaded Rudek at the invitation of Rudek's First Knight Order. They suffered a defeat rarely seen in history and slunk home in disgrace.

Scholz had not participated in that battle. The higher-ups had told him to sit it out. Rather than proven Knight Commanders such as Scholz and Eldward, the Lifrea Holy Knights had been led by a general named Jumei.

Though he was also a Knight Commander, his ability was clearly inferior to theirs. However, he was well regarded by the higher-ups, so he had been selected as the commander of the expedition.

The central figure behind the invasion plan was Lucifal Belas, who led Rudek's First Knight Order. He was a proud man, and credible whispers claimed that the higher-ups had taken that pride into consideration as well.

To begin with, the invasion of Rudek itself had come completely out of the blue to Scholz.

There had been an announcement that Rudek would be allowed to cross Lifrea's territory. Immediately after the Tenth Knight Order had passed through, a sudden declaration of hostilities was issued.

Apparently, the higher-ups had deliberately kept the matter from any generals likely to object.

Certainly, had he known beforehand, it was the sort of matter on which he would have voiced an opinion. Of course, it was obvious that the higher-ups were not about to heed Scholz's opinion.

To begin with, the Holy Knights' influence had never been great. Lifrea had survived through diplomacy rather than armed conflict. Its history had naturally lowered the Holy Knights' standing.

That tendency had become particularly pronounced since the Orthodox Council, the current leadership, seized control of state affairs. Naturally, more and more members of the Holy Knights had come to resent the way they were treated.

As if that were not enough, there was the humiliating defeat in the invasion of Rudek.

If only they had gone in with a fully prepared force, the outcome might have been somewhat better. Those thoughts had built up until they spilled from Eldward's lips.

Still, Scholz thought, even if he and Eldward had accompanied the expedition, it probably would have failed.

After hearing the news of their defeat, Scholz analyzed the battle in his own way.

An unfamiliar giant weapon and the betrayal by the Second Knight Order, which was supposed to have been secretly aiding them. The more he heard, the more inevitable their defeat seemed.

One of the few pieces of good news this battle offered Scholz and the others was probably Lucifal's death in battle. I hate to say it, but it was hardly desirable to have him continue using the Holy Knights as though they were his personal property.

"However..."

While Eldward still looked as though he had more to say, Scholz poured wine into his cup and changed the subject.

"What's done is done. More importantly, we need to think about what comes next."

"Will they attack us...?"

Eldward's expression grew serious as well.

"The chances are high."

Scholz didn't think Rudek would simply let this go. An allied nation had tried to stab them in the back. That was even more underhanded than anything the Empire or Golbel had done. Rudek would not forgive Lifrea easily.

"But can they?"

"I don't know. It depends on how many reserve troops Rudek has left. Or perhaps the fighting won't come until several years from now, after they've rebuilt their strength."

At present, Rudek had to face off against the Empire and Golbel while also fighting Lifrea. Rudek could hardly send troops against Lifrea so easily.

Moreover, Rudek's forces had been greatly reduced when the First and Ninth Knight Orders defected to Lifrea.

"Could they swallow their bitterness and agree to a truce?"

What Eldward suggested was not impossible. But forgiving and accepting, even if only outwardly, an opponent who had done something like this would sow the seeds of serious trouble down the line.

"If it doesn't come to war, so much the better. But we must prepare on the assumption that we will fight. We are the proud Holy Knights, after all, sworn to protect the Pope and the people of Lifrea."

"...Yes, that's right."

Eldward nodded at Scholz's words. No matter how circumstances changed, the Holy Knights' duty would not change. They existed solely to protect the Pope and the people.

"If we make thorough preparations, Rudek won't get the better of us. Given the circumstances, even if Rudek attacks, it will be a short, decisive battle. Otherwise, the Empire and Golbel will have their way with us."

Eldward's analysis seemed sound. If Scholz had been a Rudek commander, he would have wanted to deal Lifrea a significant blow in a short, decisive battle, then use that advantage to lay down arms and secure a truce.

Then all they would have to do was absorb that blow and turn it back on them.

With his thoughts settled, Scholz poured wine into his own cup and drained it in one gulp.

It was some time after that conversation that a formal declaration of war from Rudek arrived, along with news of a tripartite alliance that would shake Lifrea.