Episode 71
“I am deeply concerned about the situation unfolding on the island of Britannia…”
The Duke of Saxon began to speak.
“Our duchy is already stretched thin, defending the Empire’s territory against the mass migration of demons from the Demon King’s realm.”
He spoke with feigned regret, but his resolve was clear: he would not send Saxon’s forces to Britannia.
“Of course, we completely understand,” Lady Scarlet replied with a knowing smile. “His Majesty is well aware of your dedication to the Empire.”
“What we seek is not the Saxon army, but the legendary mercenary company renowned across the continent… the Black Armor Company.”
Lady Scarlet turned her gaze to Dale, who stood by the Duke’s side.
“The infamous ‘Black Prince’ who weaves tales of invincibility under his command!”
”…”
“Not only is he gifted with sword and magic, but he is a strategic genius who maneuvers his ‘pieces’ to secure victory.”
Lady Scarlet began to recount the whispered tales of Dale’s talents.
“His military prowess was evident when he annihilated the Holy Sword’s forces in the Black and White War…”
She continued, her words laced with cold mockery towards their allies.
“Would you not lend your strength to the Empire against the traitorous forces of Britannia?”
The Duke of Saxon hesitated for a moment. He was reluctant to send his son to a distant island nation, especially with internal threats looming.
But retreat was not an option.
The independence movement led by the Holy Maiden of Salvation, the war for Britannia’s independence, was an opportunity too valuable to miss.
Just as Dale was about to nod in agreement on behalf of his father, the Black Duke spoke.
“Very well.”
”…!”
Even Dale was taken aback by the unexpected agreement.
“However, hiring the Black Armor Company in these circumstances is akin to purchasing the talents of my son, who is hailed as the Empire’s greatest genius.”
The Duke added, surprising even Dale.
“My son, a military strategist of unparalleled genius, who can rival the Empire’s strongest in individual combat.”
”…”
The Black Duke continued, boasting about his son with the pride of a doting father, enough to make even Dale blush.
“Moreover, the heavy infantry of the Black Armor Company are elite soldiers trained under the rigorous guidance of the Night Raven Knights.”
The Duke of Saxon added.
“Even now, hundreds of candidates are preparing to officially join the Black Armor Company in Saxon.”
As their tales of valor spread across the Empire, mercenaries flocked to Saxon, hoping to join the dream company. Only the best were selected, ready to become the strongest heavy infantry.
It was no wonder other mercenary groups felt threatened and hostile.
“Is the Imperial family prepared to pay the price to hire them all?”
Given the situation, the Black Armor Company would face not mere rabble, but the independence army led by the Holy Maiden, on an island at the continent’s eastern edge.
This was not a matter to be resolved with a paltry sum.
“A fortune will be required.”
Lady Scarlet smiled, understanding the implication.
“But to purchase Prince Dale’s talents…”
She spoke with deep significance.
“Even a fortune would be a pittance.”
She accepted the Duke’s demands without any attempt at negotiation.
“We will pay a king’s ransom.”
”…!”
Lady Scarlet named an astronomical sum, far beyond what the Duke or Dale had imagined.
“To acquire the talents of the ‘Black Prince,’ no expense is too great.”
She seemed willing to bear the cost for Dale’s talents.
“Isn’t that right, Prince Dale?”
”…”
To hire the Black Armor Company was to purchase the talents of the ‘Black Prince.’
The company’s reputation had been growing for some time. Many nobles had hired them in seemingly hopeless situations, only to achieve miraculous victories.
While some victories were due to Dale’s personal prowess, most were the result of his strategic genius, moving his ‘pieces’ to secure triumph.
The Black Armor Company’s value lay not just in their heavy infantry, but in their ability to command the entire employer’s forces, making bold and precise decisions to outmaneuver enemy commanders.
Dale’s tales of ‘miraculous victories’ were countless.
The company was known for its ‘superior operational capabilities,’ often outperforming their employers and intervening in all aspects of warfare to ensure victory.
Dale’s fame was well-known, echoing endlessly.
A true war enterprise.
The Empire was preparing for war in earnest, and they desired the talents of the ‘Black Prince’ as their supreme commander.
It was an offer too good to refuse.
That evening, in the Duke of Saxon’s study.
“They agreed more readily than expected.”
“It was an offer they couldn’t refuse.”
The Black Duke responded to Dale’s comment.
“And even if I had refused, you wouldn’t have agreed.”
As a father, he understood Dale better than anyone. He was right.
“You can’t spend your life cooped up in the frozen lands of Saxon.”
The Duke continued.
“Experiencing the Empire’s strongest firsthand wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Regardless of Dale’s intentions, future clashes with the Empire’s people were inevitable. It was necessary to gain experience now.
To see the true strength of the Empire’s mightiest.
“Understood.”
It was the Duke’s resolution, and Dale had no reason to refuse.
“I will not betray your expectations, Father.”
The night was deep. In the thickening darkness, an unexpected figure blocked Sepia’s path.
“Oh my, what a surprise.”
”…”
A crimson witch, draped in a sheer red lace gown, smiled seductively.
“To meet you here, Sepia.”
”…Lady Scarlet.”
“Are you on your way to attend to the young prince of Saxon?”
Sepia remained silent, ignoring the taunt.
“Such a possessive look on your face.”
Scarlet continued, amused.
“To think the noble elf would wear such an expression.”
She seemed unable to contain her laughter.
“It makes me all the more curious about Prince Dale’s skills.”
Sepia remained silent.
“The proud and noble Snow Elf.”
Yet Scarlet was undeterred.
“Reduced to a concubine attending to a human child.”
Her mockery was blatant.
“Your mother, the Crystal Queen, must be so disappointed.”
At the mention of that name, Sepia’s expression turned icy.
“Isn’t that right, Crystal Princess?”
Crystal Princess. At that moment, a chilling aura began to swirl around Sepia.
“Oh my, how frightening.”
Lady Scarlet quickly stepped back.
“Leave my sight at once.”
“Alright, alright.”
Feigning exaggerated alarm.
“Then, for the sake of your intimate evening, I’ll quietly disappear.”
With that, Lady Scarlet melted into the shadows of the corridor.
”…”
Watching her leave, Sepia remained silent, biting her lip in barely concealed turmoil.
A few months later, around Dale’s twelfth birthday.
An imperial decree summoned nearly 40,000 troops across the Empire.
Saxon’s Dale, the Black Prince, officially joined the Empire’s large-scale deployment with the Black Armor Company, now a 500-strong heavy infantry unit.
Additionally, some of Saxon’s Aura Knights, including Charlotte, joined as officers of the Black Armor Company. The 6th-circle elf mage Sepia was no exception.
To support their leader, Saxon’s Dale.
The imperial forces began their landing on the island of Britannia.
To face the Britannia independence army, gathered under the name of the Holy Maiden of Salvation, Aurelia.
“Please, do not show me mercy.”
Before the statue of the twin goddesses Sistina, clutching a cross necklace, the Holy Maiden Aurelia knelt in prayer.
“Grant mercy and compassion to those I must protect.”
The cross was simple, carved from wood without a trace of gold or glittering jewels. It was a birthday gift from her devout father.
“There’s intelligence that a large contingent of the Imperial Army has begun to move on the continent.”
It was at that moment her lieutenant, Sir Gilles de Rais, appeared at the chapel entrance. The deployment of a massive Imperial force—the worst-case scenario everyone had feared—was becoming a reality.
“Additionally, it seems the ‘Black Prince’ of the Saxon family is among the commanders.”
On the island of Britannia, news from the continent rarely reached them. Yet, the name of the Saxon family’s eldest son was one she was well aware of, echoing far and wide.
“To entrust such a responsibility to a mere child.”
Gilles de Rais tilted his head, puzzled.
“I was merely the daughter of a serf.”
“Saint… Saint Aurelia…”
“What we see on the surface is not all there is to this world.”
Yet, there was not a hint of complacency in Saint Aurelia’s expression.
“No matter how young the Saxon heir is, it gives us no reason to let our guard down.”
A twelve-year-old child and the daughter of a serf. Who would dare dismiss the Saint as just a serf’s daughter?
The same could be said for the Saxon heir, the Black Prince.