By Zephyria 
What was the reason why the war had not ended for decades?
External factors such as geographical advantages or physical conditions were excluded first. This was because it was beyond my control.
Then? Was it because the generals commanding the battle were incompetent? Because there were not enough soldiers? Because support was cut off? Because the weapons were insignificant? Because they couldn’t think of ingenious and brilliant tactics?
“……”
None of the above. During that long time, they would have already used all the tactics that existed, and there must have been many capable generals who had spent more years on the battlefield than I had lived.
I briefly stopped by the armory to check. The weapons were not made by master craftsmen, but they were not of particularly low quality either. Most were one level higher than ordinary.
There was no shortage of soldiers, of course. Support was not abundant, but it was not lacking. Rather, as the war dragged on, internal discipline and laws seemed to have arisen on their own, and management became stricter and discipline was properly established.
I recalled the old general who had been giving me various explanations with tired eyes. He must have managed the soldiers well. It was a flaw that he was getting old enough to feel his energy running out, but other than that, he was the right person for the job.
With a commander already in a solid position, if I meddled unnecessarily, it would only add to the confusion. It didn’t seem like the situation would change just by replacing him with a child who had only learned about war from books and had been training comfortably in a safe training arena without any experience.
Maybe I should just stay quiet and go back…
“Your Highness.”
I was lying down in my tent, trying to come to a conclusion after a long thought, when someone called me from outside. It was a younger voice than the general who had greeted me.
Is there anyone here who would look for me separately?
“Your Highness.”
At the repeated call, I had no choice but to open my mouth.
“Come in.”
What could they want to request a private audience with me for? Surely it’s not something like exposing corruption. In a brief moment, useless imagination was unleashed, but I dismissed the thought when I saw the many people coming in.
Even though it was our first meeting, they were all smiling brightly as if we had met after a long time. As if it were a lie that this was the front line where direct combat took place, everyone was wearing expensive silk clothes.
“It is truly an honor to meet you like this, Your Highness. My father has made great contributions in Actan and historically…”
Someone came forward as a representative and suddenly started boasting about their family and father. I listened casually and looked around. I was looking at the long line stretching out of the tent when the man seemed to read my mind and said,
“I hastily prepared a banquet because I heard that Your Highness would be visiting in person. The time was short, so it is very inadequate, but please be generous and we will do our best to serve you without disappointment during your stay.”
“……”
Did he oil his tongue? I was more surprised than displeased by his incredibly obsequious tone that dripped with servility. In the Imperial Castle, no one would be so openly flattering to me, a prince in name only. After all, there was no benefit to it.
“How can you hold a banquet in a place like this?”
I asked out of pure curiosity, and a flash of triumph erupted in his eyes. Thinking that his idea had worked, he came closer to me and whispered,
“There is always a way.”
“……”
At someone’s signal, a table full of delicacies, including delicacies from all over the country, was quickly set up inside the spacious tent. I couldn’t help but be shocked to see the scantily clad girls and boys who followed.
Are these guys crazy?
I was speechless with absurdity when a thought flashed through my mind, and I opened my eyes wide and asked the man.
“Where is the general?”
“He has gone on patrol.”
“Good.”
I smiled, and the man smiled back at me.
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“What would someone who has only been on the dusty battlefield all his life know? I was so worried that he might be rude to Your Highness.”
The man said sadly, dabbing his tears with a handkerchief. I heard his name, but I couldn’t remember it, so I said to someone else.
“Someone sing a song. And dance. Are there no instruments?”
“Your Highness, of course, of course there are. I have prepared everything. Did you think I wouldn’t prepare such things when Your Highness came? What are you doing! Bring in the dancers and singers!”
The tent quickly became noisy. The sound of drinking and singing spread everywhere, but the soldiers didn’t even blink an eye and kept their positions. I was a little surprised that not even one of them frowned.
I couldn’t tell if they had adapted because it happened so often, or if they were just not reacting.
“Bring paper and pen.”
“Yes? Paper and pen? Why suddenly…”
Perhaps because he had some alcohol and the atmosphere had loosened up, he was now talking back. I was taken aback, but I smiled and imitated the Crown Prince.
“They are too inadequate, so I need to evaluate them. I will give a prize to the one with the highest score, so sing louder.”
“Ah! Such a profound meaning!”
I took the paper and pen that the man gave me and evaluated the singers and dancers one by one. In fact, I only pretended to do so and wrote a short letter and put it in my pocket.
“What is the reason why the war does not end? It’s all because the commander is incompetent. He can’t even handle those vulgar barbarians, what a disgrace, tsk tsk. I am always here and offer a bow of apology towards the Imperial City twice a day, every morning and every night.”
“……”
“Although I have not commanded the battle, I am truly sorry, Your Highness. Please, for my sake, do not blame the soldiers. They are also trying their best.”
He kept chattering on and on next to me, and I lost my appetite. Now the alcohol was starting to kick in and the banquet was in full swing.
It didn’t seem like one day would be enough, so shouldn’t we hold a banquet for about 3 or 4 days?
Holding an apple, I got up from my seat and looked around, watching the drunk people. The sound of chewing the apple was barely audible due to the loud noise and commotion. Of course, I had urged them to do so, but it was quite a sight.
“Your Highness.”
Then someone called me as I was about to enter the quiet thicket. I turned my head and saw a soldier I had never seen before.
“Why?”
“Please do not go to such a remote place.”
I narrowed my eyes and stared at the soldier. He had a blunt expression, but I could feel that he was very nervous. Just in case, I asked.
“Did the general order you to watch me?”
“Your Highness, I swear it is not surveillance but escort. I apologize if I have made you uncomfortable.”
He knelt down in front of me and bowed his head. He seemed to think that he might die if he said something wrong. I stared at the top of his head and asked.
“How many are there?”
“A total of eight.”
“Are they all nearby? You must be in charge.”
“Yes, I am.”
After thinking for a while, I took out the paper that I had pretended to evaluate earlier, wrote something else on it, folded it into a square, and handed it to him.
“When the general returns, give him this and tell everyone to step back now.”
“Your Highness, I am truly sorry. I will gladly accept any punishment later.”
He spoke at length, but he meant that he couldn’t do that. I was a little taken aback because I didn’t expect him to say no, but he continued.
“This area is not guaranteed to be safe. We patrol and guard every day, but there are so many blind spots and disappearances happen frequently. Please understand.”
Unlike his flustered appearance, his attitude was firm. It seemed like I couldn’t reason with him, so I ended up using the easiest method.
“Step back because it’s an order. You just need to deliver that to the general later.”
“Your Highness, but…”
“Don’t make me say it again, get lost.”
His face turned pale at my words. What could he do since it was an order? In the end, the escort retreated with all the remaining personnel. Now alone, I felt lighter and threw the apple I was holding up in the air and caught it as I went deeper into the forest.
I could hear the distant sounds of people playing and chatting in my ears. I was actually thinking that it might be a little dangerous if even the soldiers drank alcohol, but fortunately, they did not forget their duty.
“Hmm hmm. Hmmm…”
I hummed as I went deeper and deeper.
Thud, thud, thud.
Every time I threw the apple and caught it, I heard a dull sound. I stared blankly into the darkness where I couldn’t see an inch ahead and recalled what had happened a little while ago.
I hadn’t had a long conversation with him, but I could tell that the general was a rigid man who had no flexibility and couldn’t flatter at all. Perhaps because he was his subordinate, the man from earlier had a similar atmosphere. However, he seemed to be much worse at controlling his facial expressions than the general.
“Hmm, hmmm…”
If nothing happens tonight…
Then someone covered my nose and mouth. When I inhaled, I smelled a strong herbal scent. My arm was twisted behind my back in an instant so that I couldn’t move, and my mind became hazy.
I didn’t bother resisting and closed my eyes comfortably.
As expected, the more desperate one moves faster.
¸.•¨•¸.•¨•¸.•¨•¸
I regained consciousness, but I remained still and kept my eyes closed. This was because I had some resistance to such things compared to ordinary people, so I might have woken up earlier than they expected.
I repeatedly heard the rattling sound and the sharp noise of metal clashing in my ears.
“Hee… Hehehe.”
And chilling laughter was occasionally mixed in. Judging by the smell, it was definitely a humid basement. I somehow managed to endure the shivers that were about to run down my spine due to the slight chill.
By the way, it was a plan that suddenly came to mind when they said they would hold a banquet, but I never dreamed that things would go so well according to my plan.
I thought I would have to revel for at least a few days to get caught in the trap, but… As expected, Gaulaprum seems to be in quite a predicament.
It was understandable. Originally, war was the most foolish and idiotic waste of money. Astronomical resources were invested to win, and astronomical resources were also invested to restore it.
It is unconditionally beneficial to just not do anything.
Even the powerful nation of Actan is burdened by such a long war, so how much more so for a primitive tribe? According to the textbook, they should have been destroyed long ago, but due to a combination of various factors, they have miraculously survived until now.
But that’s all. They don’t have the power to turn the tide of the war. It just means that their best is to desperately hold on to their position.
They couldn’t possibly not know that once the fortress was breached, everything would be easy sailing after that. So they have no choice but to protect this last bastion.
Would they take good care of their internal affairs? Would they have the luxury of saving the young men for future generations? Would they be able to live self-sufficiently and eat their fill in the isolated forest of greenery?
It must be Gaulaprum, not Actan, that wants to end the war. So I thought they wouldn’t miss this opportunity. If not this time, when else would the Emperor’s child appear on this front line?
In the end, I knew that all the desperation and anxiety would make them move.
Creak.
Then the door opened and I heard someone coming in. I naturally opened my eyes, which had been closed, and looked ahead. As expected, it was a narrow underground prison with all sides blocked.
I looked at the man who opened the door and came in. He had a huge body like a bear and a large scar on his head. The man, who was wearing animal skin, had such a fierce impression that my legs would tremble just by making eye contact with him.
“……”
As our eyes met, I could see the violence growing in his fierce golden eyes. I knew this would happen, but when I actually faced the giant, cold sweat broke out.
I’m screwed… I’m not going to get beaten to death, am I?