Episode 119
The rules of succession.
According to the traditions of the Empire, the heir to the Lancaster Duchy should have been the “eldest son, Richard.”
However, the Swordmaster Duke of Lancaster defied this tradition and named his second son, Michael, as his successor. Using this breach of tradition as a pretext, Richard’s in-laws, the House of York, declared a territorial war.
Summoning the continent’s mightiest warriors with York’s cunning.
This was, without a doubt, the largest-scale war since the Empire had unified the continent.
Unlike past proxy wars fought by minor lords under the Black Duke and the Holy Swordmaster, this was on a different level. Even the battles in the Kingdom of Britannia paled in comparison to the scale of this conflict between the two great houses.
The Swordmaster, hailed as the strongest among the Seven Swords of the Continent, faced off against two of the Empire’s heroes. And when the Seven Swords take the field, it never ends with just them.
Even those who are not yet at the level of the Seven Swords, but are destined to succeed them, are not exempt.
Just like Michael, the second son of the Lancaster family… neither the Phantom Sword Sephilia nor the Holy Sword are exceptions.
Furthermore, the House of Saxony officially dispatched a token force to honor their alliance with the Lancaster Duchy, maintaining silence about any future alliances.
But the forces led by the “Black Prince,” who operates in the shadows for the Black Duke, were different.
The value of the high-ranking assassins from the “Shadow Court,” including Master Baro, the first seat of the Seven Swords, in a battle of this scale between great houses, is immeasurable.
“Dael!”
Around that time, as Dael was preparing to depart not as the Viscount of Saxony but as the “Black Prince,” a knightess called out to him, unable to hide her dismay.
Lady Black, the Sword Dancer Charlotte, clad in her black armor.
“I heard you’re joining the Lancaster territorial war.”
“That’s right.”
Dael nodded, and Charlotte bit her lip. To protect the Northern Demon Realm, Dael couldn’t recklessly move his forces. The Black Armor Company, the Winter Watchers, and the Night Raven Knights had their duties to develop the Demon Realm, regardless of the Viscount’s absence.
Charlotte was no exception.
However, Dael’s loyal “Shadow Court” and Lady Shadow were not bound by such constraints.
“Does this mean I still can’t stay by your side?”
“For now, yes.”
Charlotte asked again, and Dael replied with a feigned calmness.
“Because I can’t use an avatar.”
”…”
“The battle at the Lancaster estate will involve four of the Seven Swords of the Continent. And many strong candidates for the ‘next Seven Swords’ will also participate. It’s too dangerous for a mere Aura Knight.”
“Dangerous…”
As an Aura Knight, Charlotte couldn’t exert significant influence. While the value of an Aura Knight isn’t negligible, she couldn’t be recklessly thrown into the front lines of a cavalry charge. Charlotte was meant to be Dael’s bodyguard. Considering her talent and potential, she would only hold Dael back at this moment.
A knight who should lay down her life for her lord was instead causing him concern.
Realizing this, Charlotte bit her lip and continued.
“Because I’m not strong enough…”
“Don’t blame yourself.”
“But you’re taking Aurelia with you.”
Charlotte continued bitterly.
“Lady Aurelia is a warrior who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the ‘next Seven Swords.’”
At least, she was beyond Charlotte’s current level.
“Yes, I know.”
As the Viscount of Saxony and the “Black Prince,” Dael’s words were coldly calculated, and Charlotte bit her lip. She knew well the gap between knights, the “Avatar’s Realm” that even her talent couldn’t bridge.
“I have no choice but to become stronger.”
“You will become stronger.”
Charlotte smiled bitterly. Dael didn’t deny it and silently affirmed her.
“Take care of the Demon Realm while I’m gone.”
“Trust me.”
Even though Charlotte was under Dael’s protection, her duties in the Demon Realm remained unchanged. As the disciple of Sir Helmut, leading the Night Raven Knights against the demonic threats to maintain peace.
Though it couldn’t compare to the battles of the Seven Swords, it was still a task that required risking one’s life.
“Come back safely.”
“Don’t worry.”
At Charlotte’s words, Dael smiled as he always did. Seeing that smile, Charlotte finally smiled too.
A smile that trembled faintly.
Shortly after, the House of Saxony officially sent a “token force” to the Lancaster Duchy.
Five hundred Night Raven Knights and their Lances. Additionally, five 5th-circle dark mages and one 6th-circle dark mage.
In a skirmish between minor lords, this would be an overwhelming force, but in a battle between the continent’s great houses, it was merely a token gesture.
However, the presence of the “Shadow Court,” led by the infamous “Black Prince,” was far from a mere formality.
Around that time, within the York Marquisate.
And this room was the most special and secretive place within the York Marquisate.
A forbidden area, accessible only to the women of the House of York. In other words, even the Marquis of York, the head of the family, could not enter.
The emblem of the House of York hung in that room.
A blue and white rose, symbolizing “wise nobility.” It should have been.
But the rose in that room lacked white. Instead of the “nobility” that white represented, it was painted in a most unexpected color.
Black.
A black-and-blue rose.
A symbol known only to the women of the House of York. And the leaders of the York family gathered there to strategize against the Lancaster family.
No men were present. Not even the Marquis of York was an exception.
“We’ve received intelligence that the House of Saxony has officially sent a small force.”
The wife of the Marquis of York, Margaret, who was betrothed to the eldest son of the Lancaster family, and Catherine, who had captured the heart of a count’s rogue, were among the many noblewomen present.
The black-and-blue rose, symbolizing the “ruthless wisdom” of the York women.
“The ‘Black Prince’ of Saxony has disappeared from the Demon Realm.”
“Do we have any information on his whereabouts?”
The wife of the Marquis of York, Titania, spoke up.
“Officially, there’s no word of the ‘Black Prince’ joining the Lancaster family yet…”
“He will join them.”
Titania of York answered without hesitation.
“Since the second son of the Lancaster family has joined the Demon Realm, they must have formed some alliance.”
“Mother…”
“The ‘Black Prince’ of Saxony possesses both the ruthlessness of black and the wisdom of blue. Do not underestimate his presence.”
Just like the black-and-blue rose symbolizing the York women.
“Now that I think about it, we have a rather convenient card in our hand.”
With that, Mother Titania smiled as if recalling something.
“If the ‘Black Prince’ of Saxony shows hostility towards us… we’ll call in the debt owed to us by the wise elf, Sephia.”
Recalling the “debt” owed by Dael’s mentor, the wise elf Sephia, to the blue enchantresses of York.
At her words, the York women bowed their heads in unison.
Their expressions were cold, devoid of the coquettish or innocent smiles they showed to men.
At that moment, in the Lancaster Ducal Palace.
In the Duke’s chamber, there was a rather unexpected face.
“Sir Sephilia, it’s a pleasure to see you.”
The Swordmaster Duke of Lancaster spoke her name, and the Phantom Sword Sephilia bowed silently. A knightess who held the second rank in the Empire’s most prestigious knightly order.
“Swordmaster Duke of Lancaster.”
“May I ask what brings you here in these troubled times?”
“I am here not as a member of York’s branch family, but to convey the ‘Imperial stance.’”
“The Imperial stance, you say.”
“Please, even now, reconsider and appoint the eldest son, Prince Richard, as your heir.”
“Didn’t the Imperial family declare neutrality regarding our decision?”
“Officially, yes.”
“From the unification wars of the Empire to before it became the Empire it is today… our Lancaster family has fulfilled its duty of loyalty to the Imperial family.”
The Swordmaster Duke of Lancaster. One of the Empire’s “Five War Heroes,” alongside the Hero from Another World, the Holy Sword, the Phantom Sword, and the Red Tower Master. A loyal family that has fulfilled its duties as a ducal house even before the war began.
“Is the loyalty I’ve dedicated my life to the Empire worth so little that it can be discarded for breaking a mere ‘tradition’?”
The Duke of Lancaster sneered coldly.
“It feels like witnessing the final moments of a hero from another world.”
”…!”
At those words, Sephilia caught her breath for a moment.
“As a knight of the Iron Cross, I pledge on my honor and the honor of the Empire. Even if this battle ends in the Duke’s defeat, our Empire will never forget his loyalty.”
After swallowing, Sephilia spoke.
“I resign from my position as vice-captain of the Iron Cross Knights and offer it to Duke Lancaster.”
“Are you suggesting I let all my lands fall into the hands of York’s harlots and become nothing more than a pawn of the royal family?”
”…”
“From the moment my eldest, Richard, fell under the spell of York’s Margaret, he lost his claim as heir.”
Duke Lancaster declared.
“And I refuse to watch my lands become puppets of York.”
The women of York. Duke Lancaster had never intended to break the tradition of primogeniture. But when Richard succumbed to Margaret of York and became her puppet, and when Michael resisted York’s temptations and rejected her…
In the face of York’s ambitions, this succession struggle was doomed from the start.
It was at that moment.
“Your Grace! Prince Michael has returned to the manor!”
A subordinate reported from outside the study, and Duke Lancaster nodded.
“Let him in.”
Unconcerned by the presence of his future adversary, the Swordmaster Sephilia.
The heir of the Lancaster family, Michael Lancaster, appeared.
And at that moment.
”…!”
The Swordmaster Sephilia caught her breath once more.
“An honor to meet you, Duke Lancaster.”
Beside Michael stood a nobleman clad in a black surcoat.
“And Sir Sephilia, the Swordmaster.”
“The ‘Black Prince’ of Saxony…”
Duke Lancaster was no exception to the surprise. Yet the ‘Black Prince’ paid no heed and spoke where his adversary stood.
“I am here representing the House of Saxony to fulfill our alliance with the House of Lancaster.”
In the shadows, it is Dale’s minions who move, not Dale himself.
The infamy of the ‘Black Prince’ finds its true meaning not in the shadows, but in the full view of all.
Thus, the curtain of war rose, and the key players began to gather one by one.