Chapter 9: Tintagel Castle

So, how did you find me today?

We came in through the door. No one blocked our way this time.

Heh, you mock how you were treated prior, do you?

Last time, however, you did not get a private audience with me. Consider this as an apology for before.

Right, so now that you are here, I suppose you brought something worthy of my attention.

Your Majesty, we have no time to waste with these laymen.

It is of great urgency we must discuss the your coming royal decree of how you will proceed in negotiations with Britannia.

You're the chancellor, right?

If you know, why ask it so with such disrespect?

Well, given the king's right-hand man cares more about submission than protecting his own country, I dunno if you deserve respect.

.......

I beg your pardon? I will not hear this tripe from a cocksure greenhorn who knows nothing about Cornwall!

Well, there is one thing I do know.

Now that you used might as reason to enslave the Catfolk, if you refuse to fight and simply submit,

the next people to be enslaved will be Cornwall's subjects.

...

You bloody...

Silence.

As an outsider, whatever you say can only be considered opinion.

The Kingdom of Cornwall seeks the justice of might, yet if we cannot face the empire, we must bow...

It is unfortunate we do not possess greater power. The matter is as simple as that. I will not turn my kingdom into a pile of ash.

Why do you think Cornwall is lacking in strength compared to the empire?

Why? They have the land! The soldiers!

If that was enough, they would have already conquered the world.

It is strategy and people of talent that win wars, Your Majesty.

And I have brought you that strategy today.

Your Majesty, I have heard more worthwhile talk from a dung beetle! Send him away at once...

No, do continue.

Your Majesty!

Hamann... I am the king here.

Please wait outside so I can pay proper attention.

Urgh...!

As you wish...

Now, speak.

Y-Your Highness! What is going on? Ethan said it would all be all right!

Could it be his talk with the king went poorly?

I cannot say... Ethan was far too sure of his plan to fail this miserably...

We must focus on getting out of this before we think about anything else.

These men... They are not Cornwall Soldiers.

Something strange may be afoot.

Then is Ethan in danger?!

It takes far more to kill that moron. Let's first break through these men and think of how to save him.

Oh dear... There are too many.

Hic... This may be the end, Your Highness...

Wh-who?

Blasted heathens! How dare you wreak havoc within the castle walls?!

The Chancellor?

I thank you, consul... But why did you help us?

So you weren't a traitor?

The well-being of the kingdom is all I value. I simply did not wish to leave such grave matters of the state to people who may be spies.

Then why are you trying to submit to Britannia?

Submit? Codswallop! If we enter the war in our current state, it will only harm our innocent subjects. I intended to reach a peace deal through righteous diplomacy!

But then you lot showed up, with an air of being in someone's pocket.

This doesn't make sense. If the consul isn't the spy, then who?

Princess Isolde was the first one to tell us about Hamann.

Princess Isolde? What are you saying? Her Highness... She has been in a coma for several years now.

Yes?

One day, she was venturing with the Catfolk when she up and collapsed... His Majesty has never been the same since.

He was stricken with such anger that he attacked and enslaved the Catfolk, obsessed with the idea that might makes right. After that, he grew so forlorn he neglected his affairs... That was when the coup in Britannia occurred.

Then the Princess Isolde we've been meeting all this time...

You must flee!

Dame Tristan?

She was a fraud... I was hypnotized...

The consul, the chancellor, is not the enemy. Isolde... No, that demon who bewitched us... She has thrown the kingdom into jeopardy!

The real Isolde and the king... They're in danger! Please save the king!

Dame Tristan!

What on earth is happening?!

Ethan... Ethan is in trouble!

Astonishing.

You acquired the Imperial Army's battle map with relative ease.

Meaning they're that lacking in discipline.

It makes sense, considering it was only recently that Vortigern usurped the throne.

Nevertheless, for a mere four people to do so... Not even Dame Lua could have.

As well as the strategy you proposed... Further astonishing.

To focus not on protecting the castle from attack, but rather repelling the Imperial Army from the side paths leading to Cornwall...

Yes, passing through the Bluesand Forest via the Town of Bath...

That path connecting the forest to the plains is the optimal place to intercept.

Right. If the battle takes place in a narrow area like there, the smaller number of Cornwall men won't matter since you can surround them.

But would it succeed?

To base judgment solely on the stockpiles and advancement routes shown on this map... Variables are more than likely.

If the Imperial Army does not come through that way, what then?

You're not judging off the battle map alone. Their very state of affairs show that way is the only way they will take.

How so?

It's not war with Cornwall they're after, but subjugation.

It is not easy for Vortigern to unite the entire land by fighting every single kingdom and lord.

Especially since Cornwall's forces are no duck soup, he hasn't been able to take aggressive action.

The empire is submitting itself to war and moving south. It is a warning to Your Majesty.

If negotiations fall through, war breaks out. They didn't move all those men for nothing.

Hmm...

That said, whether they fight you or not, they need to get this matter over with quickly.

For they have enemies in every direction...

Exactly.

Britannia is at the center of the land. It's full of natural resources, it's easy to get to from anywhere,

but that also means it's exposed to a number of surrounding nations. Vortigern will want to finish this as soon as he can.

Therefore, he must use the quickest route. Now I see why you were certain.

Haha, yeah!

Right, then I shall call in Hamann and...

Father.

Huh?

Father.

I-Isolde?!

Are you... Are you well?

Oho-ho, of course, Father.

But Princess, you told me before it was difficult to come see your father, didn't you?

Before? What on earth do you mean? Isolde has been in a coma...

And now I'm walking about.

Pfft... a battle map... And I didn't even need to ask. Well done.

Might I check this map for myself?

A-After I finish showing the king...

Give it here!

Huh?!

What has gotten into you, Isolde?!

How do we know he isn't a spy trying to use his battle map to sway you?

I can't give you the map. Frankly, you're acting so strange that I don't even think you're the real princess.

.......

Aha... Ahahahaha!!!

I have grown tired of this act. Seems death is the only thing that can satisfy some people.

Ethan! Are you unharmed?

Elizabeth?!

Your Majesty! That is not Princess Isolde!

Hamann?

Haha, so it is hard to fool an eight-circle mage after all.

What is she...?

Let me introduce myself. I am Rowena. Vestal of the Titania Empire and Queen of Britannia.

And before I go, I shall first take King Mark's head!

Tsk!

Sorry, you will not lay a finger on His Majesty.

Heh, this body of mine I created from the blood of hundreds of Catfolk... I will not easily fall.

Be careful! A great dark energy is emanating from her!

All right, we got her!

Urgh, the blessing of the dragon... then my magic not working properly was...

.......

It is the energy of Karishara.

Well, this is what I came for, so consider my watch over you finished.

Ethan! The map!

When did she take that?

Mmm... the Swordbringer...

Charming, I admit, but not to my expectations.

I only pray you grow more delectable before we meet again... Ahaha!

She turned into a little doll...

We're back to square one with the battle map gone.

No, it's fine.

The whole thing? You're incredible, Ethan.

My daughter... Is my daughter safe?!

The black magic is undone. Princess Isolde will be all right.

Thank the heavens...

I never dreamt such a powerful black mage would come to Cornwall...

Or take the form of my precious daughter... I am to blame for failing to look beyond my castle walls.

Truly, I can only thank you...

It was not only us. The consul, Dame Lua, Dame Tristan...

With everyone's help, we overcame a great danger.

The great people of Cornwall saved you.

Hmm... I am afraid I do not know how to act towards all my vassals... Oh, the shame...

Act dignified as usual.

The Church of Tiamat's strategy went back as a failure. The only victory to be had now is in battle.

That is right. And we shall help, Your Majesty.

And I can't trust Ethan enough to leave it all up to him, so I will lend my power as well.

Thank you... Thank you all...!

Dame Lua, see to it these people have a good night's rest, and come morning, punish the packs of heathens.

As you wish, Your Majesty.

As of tomorrow, the Kingdom of Cornwall will follow the plan of Ethan the Swordbringer and stand against the empire!

I wish to see Isolde now. Excuse me.