Chapter 207
In the audience chamber, the heads of the Seven Stars had arrived and were waiting for the Emperor.
After exchanging light greetings with them, Gale spoke up with a heavy tone.
“I intend to step down as the head of the Wolfbert family today.”
His sudden declaration left the heads visibly flustered.
Especially Odell, the chancellor and a close friend of Gale, seemed deeply shocked.
“Sir Gale… Are you saying the rumors of your defeat in the Head of House Duel were true?”
“That’s correct.”
“My… I thought someone of your caliber would naturally remain active…”
“I still consider myself active. It’s just that my child surpassed me faster than I expected.”
“Hmm…”
For Odell, who knew Gale’s capabilities, it must have been hard to accept. But Gale, appearing with bandages wrapped around his body, looked every bit the defeated. Moreover, his demeanor didn’t seem like he was lying.
“What? Gale, are your children already that grown?”
Laura, the head of the Elsink family, chimed in.
“Yes, it seems so.”
“Tsk, tsk. Why did you even create something like the Head of House Duel? The head of the family should stay in their position until death!”
“Hmm! I heard it wasn’t Patrick who defeated Sir Gale, but his daughter!”
This time, Leon, the head of the Peiriguris family and the Imperial Army’s general, joined the conversation.
“I recall seeing Count Ruelberta’s bodyguard knight at the last harmony meeting. If that was your daughter, then you—”
“Yes, Leon. I lost to her.”
Gale admitted his defeat nonchalantly. His unashamed acknowledgment of defeat truly showed he was a warrior to the core.
“Hmm! So, does that mean Count Ruelberta’s bodyguard knight will become the head of the Wolfbert family?”
“Huh? How does that work?”
Not just Leon and Laura, but I was curious too.
As everyone’s gaze focused on him, Gale shook his head.
“The head of the Wolfbert family will be passed to my eldest son, Patrick.”
“Then what about your daughter?”
“She is disowned. However…”
For a brief moment, Gale’s gaze turned toward me.
“I won’t strip her of the Wolfbert name.”
So, that’s how they reached an agreement…
The long-broken father-daughter relationship had festered for too long. In the original story, Gale’s death at Helga’s hands was ultimately a tragedy born from a lack of communication.
When I hospitalized Gale and Helga together, it was to encourage them to talk. Of course, I didn’t expect them to return to a normal father-daughter relationship. I simply hoped for something less toxic than before.
“What? What kind of disownment is that?”
“Disownment is disownment. As it has been, she will no longer have any involvement with our family.”
Listening to Gale, it seemed my wish had been somewhat fulfilled.
Honestly, Gale seemed to want to place Helga as the head, but that would only bring greater chaos.
The family’s real powers, Hildegarde and Patrick, wouldn’t stand idly by, and the family members wouldn’t accept Helga as the head out of nowhere.
Though it was a half-baked compromise, I was somewhat satisfied.
“Hmm! If that’s how it is in Sir Gale’s family, then so be it!”
“Hmph… He could’ve just ignored it and stayed as the head.”
“You’ve worked hard, Gale.”
“Haha… It’s a shame.”
“Yawn…”
Except for Colin, the head of the Rishuzet family, who seemed indifferent and kept yawning, most seemed to understand and accept Gale’s retirement.
Come to think of it…
Bella, standing beside me, hadn’t said a word since arriving in the audience chamber. She hadn’t even glanced my way.
“…Don’t talk to me.”
“…?”
I hadn’t said anything…
She stared straight ahead, speaking coldly.
“Don’t even look at me.”
“…I wasn’t.”
“You were thinking about looking at me. Don’t even think about it.”
What the…?
Perhaps because of the earlier “Pride” incident, Bella was more aloof than ever. She refused to look at me but stayed close, like a cat.
“It seems everyone is here.”
A voice suddenly rang out, and everyone turned their heads.
The Emperor had finally appeared in the audience chamber.
“We greet Your Majesty.”
The heads of the Seven Stars knelt in unison, as if rehearsed.
Except for me.
I stood straight, looking at Luna seated on the throne. It didn’t make me seem like a rude delinquent.
Because in this country, no one could touch Tristan Ruelberta, a great noble and the head of the Ruelberta family.
It wasn’t arrogance. It was a natural action born from understanding who held the higher position.
“…Hmph.”
At first, Luna would’ve been furious, but now she just wore a “what else did I expect” expression.
“All of you, rise.”
“Yes.”
“You must be wondering why I summoned you at this hour.”
Luna, crossing her legs arrogantly, glanced at Odell, Leon, and Gale as she spoke.
“Before that, Gale.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Gale bowed deeply at the Emperor’s call. His massive frame made it so that even when bowing, he was almost at eye level with Luna on the throne.
“I’ve heard the news. You’re stepping down as the head?”
“That’s correct.”
“I see. I can’t interfere with that. But do you intend to retire from your official position as well?”
“…I apologize, but yes.”
Gale spoke with his head still bowed.
“I cannot continue as the Imperial Navy’s admiral without being the head. Please, Your Majesty, relieve me of my duties. I will never forget your kindness.”
“Out of the question.”
Luna flatly refused.
“Gale, you are an indispensable talent to the Imperial Army. As long as you are here, I have no intention of passing your duties to anyone else. You were appointed by me. Fulfill your responsibilities.”
“……If Your Majesty insists, I will gladly accept.”
“Good.”
Luna nodded, seemingly satisfied with Gale’s straightforward response, then addressed us.
“Some of you may already know. I have decided to reclaim the North.”
“Your Majesty?! The North, you say…!”
“Hmm… Northern Garden, is it?”
Mondri muttered as if recalling something.
Luna nodded slowly.
“Yes. I intend to reclaim the land lost during the previous Emperor’s reign and avenge the humiliation we suffered from the monstrous beasts.”
“But Your Majesty.”
At that moment, Bella stepped forward.
“As a humble servant, I cannot possibly fathom the humiliation the previous Emperor endured. However, the Northern Garden is occupied by numerous monstrous beasts… It is perhaps the most dangerous region in this country. If we’re not careful, we could suffer great losses.”
“You’re right, Bella.”
Luna smiled, seemingly pleased with her observation.
“Until now, the Northern Garden has been teeming with monstrous beasts and demons, making it difficult to approach. However, according to my investigations, the number of monstrous beasts has drastically decreased in recent years. If we are to reclaim this crucial northern stronghold, now is the only opportunity… That is what I believe.”
The North has always been a region with strong demonic energy, frequented by monstrous beasts.
The Northern Garden, located at the northernmost point, was a key stronghold blocking the beasts’ advance south.
Understanding its importance, the Emperor emphasized its necessity to the Empire.
Laura, who had been quietly listening, spoke up.
“I understand Your Majesty’s intentions. If Your Majesty insists, I have no objections. However, what I’m curious about is… Why have you gathered all of us, the Seven Stars, for this northern expedition?”
“It’s simple, Laura. I need your help for the northern expedition.”
“What?”
“100,000.”
The number the Emperor mentioned was none other than…
“The number of troops for the northern expedition.”
“…!”
To have already gathered such a number…
Hearing the staggering figure of 100,000 made the expedition feel all the more real.
“Preparations for the expedition are progressing smoothly. The troops are already secured. However, the problem is the severe lack of commanders compared to the number of soldiers.”
Finally, I understood what the Emperor was getting at.
Having accepted my advice, the Emperor increased the Imperial Army’s military budget and began large-scale conscription. However, while the number of soldiers grew, the number of experienced commanders did not.
“I intend to grant the command of the northern expedition to those of you who have sworn loyalty to the Imperial Family. I believe you are capable of skillfully leading my army.”
“Your Majesty…”
“If any of you do not wish to participate, you are free to decline. Some of you may be distant from or reluctant to engage in battle. I will understand if you cannot assist.”
The Emperor, known for her cruelty, made an uncharacteristically humble request.
This expedition, given the enormous number of troops, was absolutely crucial and could not afford to fail.
It was better to place those she trusted in the severely lacking commander positions, even if they weren’t the most outstanding.
“To prevent a repeat of the ‘Autumn Tragedy’ from the previous Emperor’s reign… Lend me your strength.”
“Hmm! I, Leon, will gladly support Your Majesty’s cause!”
At that moment, Leon interjected with a booming voice.
“The Imperial Army has grown incomparably stronger through military expansion! Moreover, with Count Ruelberta, who has outstanding private soldiers and has purged the outer regions of monstrous beasts, taking overall command, this is by no means a hopeless battle!”
“Wait… Who’s taking overall command?”
Bella, taken aback by Leon’s words, alternated her gaze between me and the Emperor.
“Hmm! His Majesty, with his keen insight, has decided to entrust the overall command of this expedition to Count Ruelberta! Hahaha! So, there’s nothing for you all to worry about! We just need to fight according to the Count’s strategy, and victory will be ours! Everyone, rest assured and follow His Majesty’s will!”
Leon thumped his chest confidently.
As the head of the Imperial Army, he had already concluded discussions with the Emperor about the expedition.
He likely intended to support the Emperor’s decision, but what he blurted out was a major spoiler.
“Leon, that fool…”
The Emperor covered her face in regret, but it was too late.
“Your Majesty! Is what Sir Leon said true?!”
“Yes. The overall command of the expedition… will be handled by him.”
The Emperor pointed at me with clear dissatisfaction.
Luna, born from Lucy’s heart as the ideal Emperor, knew better than anyone that I was the only suitable candidate for this expedition.
And as expected, the backlash was fierce.
“I cannot accept this. Even if it’s Your Majesty’s command, that man…”
Laura was the first to voice her dissent.
And the next to object was someone I didn’t expect.
“Your Majesty! Please reconsider!”
It was Bella.
“Even if the Count has powerful private soldiers, leading an army is a different matter. While his advice may be sought for the expedition, the enormous responsibility of overall command does not suit him. Moreover, the Count lacks experience in battle. At the very least, someone like Leon, Gale, or even I, who am versed in swordsmanship, would be more suitable…”
“It’s unavoidable.”
Despite Bella’s passionate plea, Luna shook her head firmly.
“This is a decision I’ve pondered for a long time. As of today, I appoint Tristan as the expedition’s commander. From now on, those participating in the expedition will follow Tristan’s orders.”
“So it seems.”
“Count…”
Bella looked up at me, clearly resentful.
She seemed unwilling to accept me as the overall commander, but that couldn’t be helped.
This expedition had to be led by me.
I slowly opened my mouth.
“As the overall commander of the northern expedition, I hereby order you.”
Though the expedition hadn’t even begun, I issued my first command. The content was…
“You are to withdraw from this expedition. Bella Izakhel.”
