“So then … ”

“Can’t you see? We won.”

“Ah … ah, congratulations, Your Highness!”

“Congratulations, my ass. Why are you so late?”

“Pardon?”

“You keep saying ‘yes, yes.’ You want to be crawling on all fours? I asked you why you were so late.”

“W-Well, the road was long …”

“I asked why you were late!”

Aziel’s sharp shout silenced the knights. Their bright, ornamental crimson armor looked similar to his … still soaked with blood, but they were not the same. 

From deep within, a fury surged, mingled with bitter disappointment. These bastards, who hadn’t shed a single drop of blood, now strutted in as if they’d won the war themselves! They had only shown up at the end, hoping to bask in the glory of victory. They could have arrived earlier, because they were late, many soldiers had died.

Aziel’s head throbbed from the fury and bloodlust swirling inside.

“You lazy, worthless bastards! What kind of knights have such pathetic mobility?! How do you intend to fight a war like this?!”

“······.”

“And look at you, dressed to impress. You look like you’re headed to a damn wedding. Go stand guard around the perimeter, and clean up the corpses while you’re at it!”

“Y-Yes, Your Highness!”

Some of the knights shot disgruntled glances, but Aziel’s fury was too overwhelming. They scurried off like stunned animals … So many dead … So many sacrifices that could have been avoided, If only they had been here earlier…

“You sons of bitches!”

Aziel stripped off his sticky, blood-soaked armor and flung it aside with a heavy clatter.

“Clang. Clang.”

As the heavy silver plates fell away, some of the weight on his chest seemed to lift as well … Blood ran down his face, thick and hot. Then, 

“Your Highness! Andre reporting!”

“Your Highness! Sol has arrived too!”

Andre and Sol came running, the deputy fortress commander in tow, having nearly finished the transition of command. At the sight of them, Aziel’s fury cooled almost instantly.

“Commoner. Battle lamp. Pack up. We leave at dawn.”

“Already?”

“Your Highness, there’s still much to be done. You must continue leading the men. If we reclaim the lost fortresses with these stragglers, your accomplishments will grow even greater.”

“That’s the job of the Duke of the Northeast, commoner. Deputy commander.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“You’ll handle everything else concerning this fortress. That’s your role, is it not? I’ve done my part. We leave tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

“Also … I’ll leave behind a letter. Give it to the Duke when you see him.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“If those knight bastards try to steal credit, let me know. I’ll flip the whole board.”

“I understand!”

The deputy responded in a rigid, military voice, his eyes and demeanor had shifted since the first time they met.

“And finally … you and the soldiers. You’ve all worked hard. And you’ll be working your asses off a bit longer. Won’t be easy with those puffed-up bastards around.”

At Aziel’s passing acknowledgment … “Th-Thank you, Your Highness!” The deputy shouted back louder than he ever had before, sprinting off in a hurry. Aziel faintly heard something like, “Did you hear that?! The prince said we worked hard, bastards!” But he simply shook his head.

Andre and Sol beamed as they noticed the admiring glances and excited murmurs from the soldiers.

“If only you’d said that on the wall, Your Highness. Everyone would’ve been moved. You knew that, didn’t you?”

“The battle lamp … no, Sol is right. If you’d praised the soldiers earlier, they would’ve erupted in cheers.”

“Battle lamp?! You too, Andre?!”

Seeing the two of them banter …

“The dead can’t cheer. So there’s no need to accept it. Let the survivors enjoy it among themselves. They’ve got the liquor, after all.”

“Ah! Speaking of, how did they know to bring the alcohol?”

“I told the Royce family to bring it.”

“You knew we’d win? And had they delivered it right on time? Don’t tell me …you predicted all this?”

“Truly astonishing, Your Highness.”

“Of course. The prince you serve is magnificent. But those knight bastards , how slow must they be to arrive alongside the wine barrels? Damn slackers!”

Just thinking about it made his blood boil again. He reached down to grab a hammer that had fallen nearby.

“Whoa, whoa! Your Highness! Please , hold on a second!”

“Weapons are for enemies, Your Highness!”

Sol and Andre, both oddly proud and alarmed, rushed to stop him. Thanks to them, the knights were spared a very public beating.

• Bloated fools full of pomp.  –

Aziel was once again reminded that the greatest threat is often a lazy ally.     There was a brief commotion, but it settled quickly. He entrusted the officers with the final stages of the fortress cleanup and the arrangement of the remaining troops, then sent word of their victory to the Duke of the Northeast.

The shifting threads of fate stirred noisily again, he didn’t bother informing the royal family. The news would reach them eventually, and he wasn’t in the mood to answer why he’d gone east when he’d been ordered north. Instead, he left a note …

“Just thought it would be a waste to handle only one matter.”

He’d sidestepped the traps laid by those who hated him, who had no doubt rigged the northern path with obstacles.

“Salute the Prince!”

Perhaps the deputy was too talkative, because soon the rumor had spread among the soldiers, that Aziel had planned everything from the beginning. As the carriage rolled away, soldiers saluted with gratitude and reverence, some even shed tears. Not wanting to draw attention, Aziel silently extended his hand outside the carriage.

“WOOAAAAAH!” 

A thunderous cheer shook the fortress as it faded behind them.

“Stay safe, everyone! Until next time!”

“Remember my name, Andre the knight! And don’t forget the prince’s grace!”

Sol and Andre, energized by the cheers, waved their arms enthusiastically. Meanwhile, the Crimson Hawk knights offered only lukewarm farewells, perhaps still stung by Aziel’s earlier fury.

“Should’ve bashed in one of their skulls.”

Even as the carriage reached the small platform bound for the north, Aziel was still muttering with regret, but ultimately, he smirked in satisfaction. He’d crushed their egos in other ways.

As they entered the platform, a group of men in long black coats surrounded him.

“Welcome, Your Highness. We’ve been expecting you.”

No detectable presence, that alone confirmed their strength, their dull coats, their dead eyes, Aziel immediately guessed who they were.

“Why is the Intelligence Bureau waiting for me here?”

At his sharp question, 

“We’ve received critical intel.”

One man stepped forward, nondescript in every way … No aura, no scent, he was likely the leader.

The Imperial Intelligence Bureau, unlike the shadowy Ironblood Corps tied directly to the royal family, was a state agency responsible for various missions.           Foremost among them, “ intelligence gathering”.

“We’re here to protect you, Your Highness.”

Secret protection of royal blood was one of their less-discussed duties,              which meant…

“There are suspicious forces moving to harm Your Highness.”

A rather ominous implication.

Was it true? Or was this surveillance disguised as protection?

Aziel’s eyes scanned the group, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“Well now. What delightful traveling companions. Let’s go.”

“We’ll escort you.”

[Minor fates “Assassination” and “Surveillance” have begun to cling behind you.]

How could he not enjoy it?

At least the journey wouldn’t be boring, and just then, 

[Major fate “The Scent of Malice” brushes past your surroundings.]

A revolting stench drifted across the platform.