Volume 2 Chapter 23 The Groundwork
One week had passed since the event that would later be called the Grandcud Rebellion. Eleonora and her companions were preparing to return to their homeland when they were stopped by King Charles.
The king, having stripped the traitorous nobles of their lands, turned to Eleonora with heavy eyes.
"Come with me to Parisess."
"...Why?"
"I'm tired," he replied quietly. "I plan to abdicate the throne of Dolbor. Elodia will take my place."
To abdicate—surrendering the crown. If the Dolbor Kingdom, including Parisess and the surrounding Isle of Clanf Region, was absorbed, it would mean Princess Elodia controlled two-thirds of the Loriengita Empire's territory. Both in name and reality, she would be the empire's successor.
"...Is that really okay?" Eleonora asked. "Most people don't get to just step down from a throne."
"I want to prioritize my wife and children. I carry imperial blood, so there should be no problem. After that, I'll find a quiet place to live out my days."
Charles rubbed his forehead and sighed, then covered his face with one hand. His voice was exhausted—like a man who'd worked through the night and come home only to find dishes still piled in the sink.
"You'll return in glory," he said. "It's better if you're seen traveling with us."
A quiet voice reached Eleonora's ear—Narrow whispering from beside her.
She gave a small nod. "Then... King Charles, your family should join us. Prepare a carriage."
"And Prince-King Haral?" the king asked.
"I'll summon him for the celebration. He should at least enjoy the party he missed."
* * *
Preparing the departure was a massive task. With 8,000 troops, plus travelers, merchants, and even prostitutes who had grown close to the soldiers, the journey to Parisess was more than a march—it was an operation.
It served as a live drill for the squad leaders: adjusting the march speed, making sure no one was left behind, marking rest points on the map, estimating arrival times, and assigning messenger soldiers to keep Eleonora updated. It took three days to finalize the route.
When they finally departed, the people of Teanuki exhaled in relief. Though there were still concerns about ambushes, Suno's soldiers remained stationed in the settlement, and Eleonora's men paid for their food, drink, and companionship. Economically, it had been a net positive.
In most towns, armies would've seized supplies. But not here. Teanuki had escaped that fate—and its residents, unused to war, were grateful. This area had been a peaceful part of the old empire, far from the chaos of battle.
* * *
In Parisess, Elodia stood alongside Johanna and Georges, gazing upon the capital as it slowly came back to life.
Burned homes had been cleared and rebuilt. Streets once in ruin now looked orderly, bringing a fragile peace to those who had once slept beneath the stars.
"Thanks to the restored security, not just merchants but also officials and clerks have begun returning," Georges reported. "At this pace, we should be able to resume governance soon."
Elodia nodded.
"...Ms. Johanna," she said softly. "You might think I'm being ungrateful. But I still believe it's wrong for everyone to rely so heavily on that person."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"They think that if they follow her, things will always work out. But if one day she's no longer here... they won't know what to do. They'll lose their path."
She looked up toward the bright midday sky, her heart steadying.
"So that she can return to the people without worry... I'll walk my own road. I'll find it with my own eyes."
* * *
Below the balcony, Eleonora led the Ropsein Army into the city. François Wilhelm guided the carriage carrying King Charles and his family. Crowds filled the streets, cheering for the returning forces—one of the few joys left to the people.
Among the young, talk had already begun.
"So... the throne of Dolbor's being given up?"
"Yeah. Just having imperial blood isn't enough anymore. It's frustrating, but someone like me can't bring a country together."
"I get that."
"Still... we've got elf archers, dwarf heavy infantry, and human light infantry in our forces, right?"
"That's not really our army."
"The non-human troops were lent to us. The humans only number about a thousand—and most of them are still raw recruits. Aside from Eleonora's unit, our army's still finding its footing."
Elodia was well aware of their fragile military strength. Right now, Eleonora and Narrow were holding things together—but in the country Elodia wished to build, a country where Eleonora could be free, that alone wasn't enough.
* * *
"We'll return the imperial seal of Loriengita. I doubt the late emperor ever imagined his youngest daughter would inherit the throne..."
"Wait," a voice interrupted.
It was Simeon, King of East Clanf. At the mention of Dolbor's abdication, his expression had stiffened.
"...What is it, brother?" Charles asked.
"Elodia bearing the empire's banner—it's a heavy burden. There will be many who refuse to accept her."
"What, do you want the throne?" Charles asked quietly.
"I'm a defeated king. I have no right. And you, betrayed by your own retainers, are no different. Elodia... has yet to prove herself."
"...Prove herself?"
"She's been hiding in the shadows. She hasn't commanded an army. She hasn't governed a nation."
Elodia winced. He'd struck a nerve—and she knew it.
That was why she'd been doing her best to produce visible results through reconstruction efforts. But everything was taking longer than expected. The spoils from recent battles—especially the weapons—had gone through a loop: merchants who'd returned were selling them to citizens, adding unnecessary delays.
"...Then what is it you want to do?" he asked.
"In this world, the strong take what they want. If that's the rule... then there's no one more suited to the emperor's throne, is there?"
Simeon turned his gaze out the window. Below, in the sunlit courtyard, Eleonora lay sprawled among the flowers, eyes half-closed in drowsy peace.
"...So sleepy..."
She'd been cutting back on rest for days. Simeon stepped outside and slowly approached.
Beside her stood a young boy—Hugh, the slum-born twin who had once teetered on the edge of death.
"Hey," he said.
Eleonora didn't move.
"...What?"
"Hey, miss. Teach me swordsmanship."
He held out a wooden sword, small and clumsy in his grip. Eleonora gave it a lazy glance and let out a long yawn.
"I'm not in the mood. Too much of a hassle. Shouldn't kids your age be chasing bugs or something?"
"But you're strong, right? Don't you like swords?"
"I hate them," she replied, her voice flat. "If it weren't for swords... I wouldn't be here."
She lay back down, crossing her legs and letting them swing. Her tone was heavy—not bitter, but seasoned. She wasn't complaining. After all, the sword had brought her both glory and scorn. But she'd never forgotten the cost.
As the old saying went: live by the sword, die by the sword. She didn't want to pass that burden to a child.
"...Are you scared?" Hugh asked.
"Huh?"
"Scared I might get stronger than you?"
Eleonora blinked. Then, without warning, she burst into laughter—sharp, sudden, and genuine.
"Pfft—ha! What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
Her sleepiness vanished. With a flex of her core, she sat up, crossing her legs properly this time, and stared Hugh straight in the eye.
"Alright then. Why do you want to learn swordsmanship?"
"To protect Jeanne," he said without hesitation.
"...Good answer. Full marks."
She reached out and ruffled his hair roughly. Hugh swatted at her hand, but she grinned.
"Yeah, protecting your little sister. That's a good reason. But listen... if you go down this road, there'll come a day when you'll have to kill someone. Are you ready for that?"
"If someone comes after us, then I'll be ready to die."
"...Hmm. Close, but not quite."
Her gaze grew distant.
"The faces of the ones I've killed... they never leave. You get used to it eventually—but once you do, that's when you stop being human."
She leaned in, their faces inches apart.
"Can you become something less than human?"
"For my sister," he said.
"...Alright. Then I'll watch over you."
She got to her feet and stood behind him, adjusting the way he held the sword, repositioning his feet.
Her own style wasn't exactly conventional. She wasn't sure it suited him—but if this was the path he chose, she'd help him walk it.
"Lady Kamitafira. May I speak with you?"
She turned to see François standing nearby.
"What is it?"
"They're asking for you upstairs. The Three Kings."
"That's not really my business, is it?"
"The wind's shifted. Apparently, they want to talk."
Eleonora sighed and gently patted Hugh's head.
"Tomorrow, I'll teach you again. For now, go eat and get some sleep."
She looked up at the wide sky overhead and muttered softly.
"Feels like another load is about to land on my shoulders..."
Notes:
• Charles - Male. King of the West Clanf Kingdom. He has brown skin and a regal appearance, often seen in royal attire. His speech is accented due to his southern roots. He is melancholic and pragmatic, prioritizing economic stability over territorial expansion. He has a newborn son, Arsène, and a sister, Elodia. His relationship with his lords is strained due to his passive governance.
• Elodia - The second princess of Loriengita. She has shown favor to Georges, who aims to marry her by achieving military merit.
• Dolbor - A kingdom ruled by Charles, known for its thriving commerce and strategic location. It is located east of the continent and is a key player in regional politics.
• Isle of Clanf - A sub-region within Clanf, where Parisess is located. It has seen significant improvement in security and citizen trust due to the efforts of the Ropsein army.
• Bo - A location south of Teanuki. It is a target for Eleonora's strategy to seize and put pressure on Zootuur.
• Narrow - Male. A former Viscount's son who severed ties with his family to serve Eleonora. Wears an iron mask due to past leprosy, now cured. Skilled in military strategy, governance, theology, and heraldry. Speaks formally and is determined to prove his worth. Has a distant relationship with his family. His combat style is unknown, but he is entrusted with leading a platoon of 300 men.
• Haral - The Chief of the Suno people, a tall and imposing figure. He values strength and generosity, prioritizing land, gold, and resources for his people.
• Teanuki - The royal capital of Dolbor, located in a bustling commercial area. It is a major port city with a castle overlooking the streets. The city is known for its economic prosperity and strategic importance.
• Georges - A rugged-faced knight and the only lower noble among the Twelve Sacred Blades. He volunteers to lead the cavalry, seeking promotion and recognition. He harbors ambitions to marry Princess Elodia.
• Johanna - Silvia's new name.
• François - The fourth son of Baron Lanramoncie of the Loriengita Empire. The one who join the tournament before.
• Simeon - The ruler of the East Clanf Kingdom. His appearance is not described, but he is portrayed as a strategic leader. He judges the benefits of expanding into the Magelun region as sufficient. His relationship with Elodia is one of opposition, as he seeks to capture her to justify his territorial ambitions.
• Hugh - Male. A cautious and protective older brother. His appearance is not described in detail, but he has a sulky expression. He is the twin brother of Jeanne and has a strong sense of duty. His parents were killed, and he is currently under the protection of Eleonora and Johanna.
• Jeanne - Female. A young girl with a lovely name. Her appearance is not described in detail, but she blushes and smiles shyly. She is the twin sister of Hugh and is expected to hear the voice of God in 8 years. Her parents were killed, and she is currently under the protection of Eleonora and Johanna.
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