Episode 127
From the outset, the nature of this conflict was crystal clear.
It was a clash between shadows and gold. The shadow’s champion, Black and Blue, against the golden champion, Red and White. It was a straightforward battle of colors.
There was no need to specify who the “Golden Sovereign” referred to. It was the emperor of the empire of fire and light, the one who stood at its pinnacle.
Thus, it was equally clear where Dale, the “Shadow Sovereign,” should pledge his allegiance.
Even though the First War of the Roses ended in a victory for Lancaster, thanks to Dale’s efforts, as Mikhail had said, the war was only just beginning.
Not long after, the York family officially proposed surrender at Dale’s request, and the Lancaster family accepted. The hero of the First War of the Roses, the “Black Prince,” who had fought as Lancaster’s champion, returned to his domain.
Shortly thereafter, the Lancaster family accused York of brainwashing and bewitching their eldest son, Richard, and declared a territorial war.
Thus began the Second War of the Roses.
In this world, there are no eternal enemies or allies.
That’s why Dale found himself within the walls of the York Marquisate, who had been his adversaries until recently. He was there under the guise of “Philip,” the notorious scoundrel of the Count’s family, fighting for them.
Having already fought as Lancaster’s champion, Dale couldn’t simply switch sides and fight for York under his own name. So, the real Philip was imprisoned in the dungeons of York’s castle, and Dale took on his identity.
“I can tolerate my unofficial presence being known to the enemy. At least, Prince Mikhail likely believes I’m fighting 100% for York,” Dale said.
Mistress Titania smiled silently in response.
“However, as long as I officially act as ‘Philip, the Count’s eldest son,’ it will be difficult for the enemy to stop me.”
Moreover, Dale’s domain was at the northernmost edge of the empire, in the Demon King’s territory. By the time Lancaster could send someone to verify the truth, the war would likely be over.
Officially, the “Great Demon Alliance” between Saxon and Lancaster would remain intact. This was a separate matter entirely.
“Prince Dale… or should I say, Prince Philip, I never imagined you possessed such astute wisdom.”
“Oh, how gallant you are.”
Catherine of York, betrothed to Philip, reached out to touch Dale’s cheek, as if he were utterly charming. But Dale remained motionless, stopping her advance. Catherine’s expression turned emotionless.
“I am here of my own will, to lend my strength to the York family.”
“Are you saying you won’t be a pawn in Prince Mikhail’s game?”
“I’m not one to live in debt,” Dale replied coldly.
“And that includes you, York.”
“Since the ‘Black Prince’ has chosen to trust and accept us, we, the York family, will fulfill our duty as the ‘Shadow’s Champion.’”
“That’s not enough,” Dale shook his head.
“Is there something else you desire?”
“As soon as I secure victory in this battle, convene the ‘Sorceress Council’ of the Blue Tower,” Dale said, recalling his mentor, Sepia.
“And I will attend that meeting as well.”
“Indeed, you are more than qualified to do so,” Mistress Titania smiled meaningfully. Dale said nothing, unfolding a map instead.
In a chamber of York’s castle.
There were Dale, the Swordmaster Baro, and the witches of York.
The “Ghost Blade” Sephilia and her loyal Iron Cross knights, who had once served York, were no longer present. The royal family had summoned them directly.
“They must have planned this from the start.”
The timing was too perfect. With the situation as it was, the Red Tower’s involvement seemed inevitable.
“Does the royal family know about the Blue Tower’s support for York?”
“They have their suspicions. But with the ‘Black Prince’ joining this battle, their doubts will turn to certainty. Regardless, the Red Tower has likely already decided to fight for Lancaster.”
“The Blue Tower’s silence will end.”
“Oh, hardly. The Blue Tower has always remained silent,” Titania of York laughed with delight.
“As it has been, so it shall continue. Even before I was called ‘York,’ and even when I discard this name for a new one, nothing will change.”
The family’s structure was merely a guise for the “Mistress” and her kin to blend into the empire.
“Now, shall we all gather to share the wisdom of the Blue?” Mistress Titania spoke softly, spreading a large map across the wooden table.
The Lancaster family boasted only one extraordinary warrior, the Heavenly Sword. Meanwhile, York had the Swordmaster Baro. Even considering the disparity among the Seven Swords, the asymmetry in power wasn’t entirely broken.
Moreover, a battlefield involving warriors of the Seven Swords caliber never ends with just one of them participating.
The Rose Cross Knights, Lancaster’s pride, and Mikhail Lancaster, said to be closest to becoming one of the Seven Swords.
Dale’s victory in the first skirmish was merely a taste, and the true “War of the Roses” was just beginning.
As if to prove this, Lancaster’s forces, which had been on the defensive, began to move.
They had the “justification” of rescuing their eldest son, Richard.
In the fertile lands where York and Lancaster’s territories intertwined, devoid of natural fortresses like rivers or mountains, simultaneous breakthroughs were attempted along the long boundary.
By creating multiple fronts simultaneously, they aimed to sow confusion, identify the weakest point, and execute a concentrated breakthrough before the enemy could respond.
It was a deep penetration tactic based on the “maneuver warfare doctrine,” the hallmark of the Rose Cross Knights.
Bang!
Dale, lying prone atop the fortress tower, pulled the trigger of his “Shadow Rifle,” and a bullet of darkness struck down a Lancaster infantryman.
A combined arms unit of knights and infantry.
Stopping this unit was not difficult. As they attempted to siege the fortress of the York Marquisate, each pull of Dale’s rifle trigger steadily eroded their morale.
“Retreat, retreat! Everyone fall back!”
Dale’s previous exploits as the “Shadow Sniper” against the Knights of St. Magdalene were a solo endeavor, and Lancaster likely hadn’t even identified him.
Whenever Lancaster’s forces encountered the “unknown terror of death,” their orders were always the same.
A unilateral retreat.
“We’ve defended the fortress! Lancaster’s dogs are fleeing!”
“Serves them right, those Lancaster curs!”
“Prince Philip has led us to victory!”
The soldiers of York, unaware of the true circumstances, reveled in the joy of defending the fortress, praising the name of the infamous “Philip.”
Yet, Lancaster’s forces suffered minimal losses and would regroup to attempt “re-engagement.”
Pursuing the retreating enemy would only result in getting bogged down. The enemy’s numbers were significant, but even if the entire force were annihilated, it wouldn’t impact the overall war.
“They’ve built their battle doctrine assuming my involvement.”
Watching the retreating enemy, Dale bit his lip softly.
In this vast and fertile region where the territories of the two great houses met, it was crucial to identify the “core force” of the enemy’s mobile units.
For this, high-ranking assassins of the “Shadow Court” were conducting reconnaissance missions across the front lines, and all Dale could do was wait.
At least for now.
Even without officially possessing “extraordinary warriors,” the York family had their own order of knights.
The Blue Rose Knights.
Officially, the leader of this order was Sephilia, a branch member of the York family and deputy commander of the Iron Cross Knights. Thus, they invited Sephilia in the form of a “knightly order” to receive her teachings.
The breastplate adorned with the blue and white rose, symbolizing the York Marquisate.
Thud!
An aura blade of red and white pierced through that armor.
It was a strike from Mikhail, the sword demon closest to becoming one of the Seven Swords, and the heir to the Lancaster Duchy.
Alongside him, the Rose Cross Knights swung their swords at the York knights.
Battles aren’t won by numbers alone. The cavalry units of the Rose Cross Knights, deployed across various fronts, were all organized identically. It was a ruse to prevent the enemy from gauging their strength by the number of cavalry.
However, this didn’t mean the quality of the knights within those units was the same.
Despite refraining from any actions that might arouse the scouts’ suspicions, such as deploying avatars recklessly, Mikhail’s cavalry unit was steadily advancing deep into the heart of the York territory amidst the relentless onslaught from the House of Lancaster.
No one dared to utter the name “Prince Mikhail,” and Mikhail himself remained hidden behind his helmet, concealing his identity completely.
“The Lancaster forces are engaging us on multiple fronts, effectively pinning down our defenses.”
At that moment, in a fortress not far from the front lines within the York Marquessate.
“To think they once accused us of ‘York’s vile plundering,’ and now they resort to such shameless tactics.”
Dale spoke up, and York’s Titania smiled knowingly, as if she had expected this, surrounded by the noble ladies of the York family.
“This is no time for jokes.”
“Oh, did my words sound like a joke to you?”
Titania of York retorted.
“If I ever feel this battle is unwinnable, I won’t hesitate to leave the York Marquessate.”
“My, how cold-hearted of you.”
At that, Catherine, the second daughter standing beside Titania, leaned in to whisper something in her ear, out of Dale’s hearing.
“Oh my, how delightful.”
Titania burst into laughter upon hearing the whisper.
“How can you laugh in a situation like this?”
“No, it’s just that amidst the chaos of battle, we’ve received an unexpected ‘guest.’”
Titania explained.
“It seems the ‘Wise Fairy’ was so concerned about the prince that she decided to visit our domain herself.”
The message carried the name of Sepia, the puppet of the Blue Mage Tower and the Sorceress Council, and a mentor Dale could never forget.