Chapter 254

Nana Nereyades was tidying her outfit.

Since it was wartime, there was no such thing as a full-length mirror.

Instead, she set up a small hand mirror and twisted her body this way and that in front of it to tidy her outfit.

A long sea-colored coat is her uniform.

Once, there was an insignia symbolizing the Nine Streams General on her shoulder, but now there is not.

This is because Nana is no longer one of the Ten Great Generals.

However, she did not mind it much now.

Looking at the coat fitted to her small frame, she wondered if she looked too short.

Still, she groomed herself with sincerity.

She neatly tucked the strands of her shirt into her pants and retied the knots of her military boots.

Only after checking her appearance five or six times like that could Nana move her steps.

“Oh my, how pretty.”

Outside the barracks, Marina was already there and waiting.

She could not wait for Nana to come to her barracks, so she ended up coming out to meet Nana from the morning breeze.

Marina, who examined Nana dressed in the sea-colored coat here and there, opened her lips.

“By the way, Nana, aren’t you tying your hair? Come here. I’ll tie it to you quickly.”

Marina pulled Nana without listening to an answer.

Then she finely braided Nana’s hair into three strands.

Even though she only had seven fingers, her skill was good.

“Done! Let’s go now.”

“Yes, Your Highness Former Empress Consort.”

“I told you to be comfortable.”

Walking while giggling, they soon reached Deballo’s barracks.

“We’re here, Dad.”

“Sit.”

Deballo jerked his chin.

Nana quickly bowed at the waist to greet him.

“I greet the Grand General.”

Deballo Debius lifted his lion-like eyes and scanned Nana up and down.

“Niko’s granddaughter, right?”

“…Yes, I am Nana Nereyades.”

“You resemble him in being quite pretty.”

Nana felt somewhat puzzled.

There were two reasons.

First, she did not think she was beautiful.

Especially after fighting with Shion who became a black dragon and receiving a large wound on half of her face.

Second, it was because the Whale of Hobel Bay and the expression ‘pretty’ did not match well.

Deballo Debius pierced through Nana’s question.

“Since you don’t know Niko’s youth, it’s understandable to be puzzled. If that guy had even a little interest in women, the history of the Imperial social circles would have changed.”

“It is my first time hearing that.”

“Why, is it a story you didn’t particularly want to hear?”

“No. Thank you.”

“Then that is fortunate.”

Deballo Debius smiled broadly.

The Grand General acted like a benevolent next-door grandfather to Nana, and in fact, he was feeling a similar emotion.

Nana also smiled back and sat down.

It was next to Secundus.

Secundus nodded his head slightly towards Nana sitting next to him.

Nana also nodded to greet him back.

Secundus crossed his arms and moved his chair slightly, and Nana realized he was nervous.

It was obvious why he was nervous.

It was likely because of Nana sitting in the next seat.

Nana realized anew that the giant Secundus, whose head was three times larger than others, looked cute.

Marina and Deballo noticed the emotions passing between those two but pretended not to know.

“Anyway, I am glad that Legion Commander Nana is participating in the meeting from today.”

“Thank you for allowing me an undeserved seat, Grand General.”

“Undeserved is too much.”

Deballo Debius laughed guffaw.

“I have already reported the outcome of this battle to the Imperial Family. It means it won’t be long before Legion Commander Nana regains the position of Nine Streams General.”

“…I am satisfied with my current position. No, actually I think even the position of 11th Legion Commander is undeserved.”

“This old man really likes the humility of Legion Commander Nana. Though you could afford to be a little arrogant.”

The veteran’s eyes curved roundly.

“Still, excessive humility rather makes the other person uncomfortable. In Deballo’s view, you are fully qualified for the Ten Great Generals. Can you not trust my eyes?”

“…If you say so to that extent.”

Nana bowed her head.

Secundus raised his hand slightly towards Nana and gave a thumbs up.

That was funny, so she ended up smirking.

Deballo continued his words.

“It just so happens that today is the day the Imperial messenger arrives. That is why I asked you to gather like this.”

Deballo chuckled.

“Actually, it is a great merit. Since we breached the Waist Gate in two days and didn’t lose any troops. There will be a commendation to boost the morale of other commanders.”

Marina nodded to express agreement.

Deballo Debius pulled up the corners of his mouth playfully.

“Even as I age, somehow I don’t change. I am always excited for this moment.”

“Oh my. Me too, Dad.”

“Since I don’t need things like medals, I wish they would grant me a vineyard or something. I want to try brewing wine myself.”

“I want to hold a Former Empress Consort’s tea party, I hope permission comes out. The Succession War ended ages ago, so it’s okay for us to get a little close, isn’t it.”

Deballo and Marina chatted as if having fun.

Soon a sound came from outside.

“Ah, it seems the messenger has arrived.”

Deballo said.

“Tell him to come in.”

***

“Isn’t this Viscount Mustas!”

“Nice to meet you, Grand General. Have you been well?”

“Of course! I didn’t know you would come as the messenger.”

Deballo Debius extended his hand without hesitation.

Viscount Mustas politely clasped that hand.

“Since they said it was a task to see Grand General Deballo, I volunteered immediately. It is truly nice to see you like this.”

“Do you not see me, Viscount Mustas?”

“Your Highness Marina, didn’t I see Your Highness very often? We met at least once every season.”

“So you are not glad to see me?”

“Ha, why are you being like this to trouble me?”

Viscount Mustas is a renowned noble of Cordis.

His personality was easygoing and his scholarship was deep, so his reputation among the nobles was good.

He had maintained a long friendship with Deballo and Marina as well.

“It has been a truly long time for Your Highness Secundus and Legion Commander Nana as well.”

“Mm, nice to see you.”

Secundus nodded.

Nana also responded with a smile.

“Thank you for the time of Grandfather’s funeral. Thanks to you sending plenty of attendants, we could finish it well, Viscount Mustas.”

“Don’t mention it. Compared to the debt I owe Legion Commander Niko, it is nothing. I should have gone myself, but the situation just didn’t allow it…….”

Viscount Mustas spoke like that and stroked his mustache.

He was also famous for being the owner of the second most stylish mustache in the capital Lutilium.

Now that Cornelius Merhes, who was the first, has disappeared, he was the undisputed number one in the world of mustaches.

“Now, then I will deliver His Majesty the Emperor’s letter.”

Deballo nodded.

Viscount Mustas took out a scroll from his bosom.

It was sealed with magic, so the contents were unknown.

Grand General, please verify.

Only after Deballo brought his seal to the scroll was the magic released.

Viscount Mustas spread the scroll open.

“I, Ferbias Caseptus Cordis, the fiftieth Emperor of the Cordis Empire, convey this. Hearing of the events at the Waist Gate, I was greatly impressed and……. I won’t read it all. Is that okay?”

“Viscount Mustas, even so, it is His Majesty the Emperor’s handwritten letter.”

“Handwritten my foot. I saw it myself. Director Kentil wrote all of this part.”

Viscount Mustas giggled.

“Since His Majesty isn’t present anyway. So blah blah, because of this and that…. He says he will give you rewards because you did well.”

“My, what a disrespectful fellow.”

“I am close with His Majesty so it’s fine.”

The Viscount placed his hand on his waist.

“So! What reward does His Majesty the Emperor want to give you all….”

It’s here. Marina rubbed her hands and pricked up her ears.

There are few moments to laugh in a terrible battlefield.

When joy comes, one must enjoy it fully.

Even if forced.

“First, Deballo Debius. Grand General!”

“Hmm. I am listening.”

“For stepping forward alone despite your old age and blocking the West’s bombardment. For achieving the first victory of the war. Since it is an unspeakable merit, he says he will additionally grant the fiefdom under the Sobel Mountain Range.”

“Under the Sobel Mountain Range, where?”

“It is written as the Neibos Village area.”

“Oh! That place, that place! That was what I wanted. Neibos Vineyard!”

Deballo was excited and chuckled.

Hey, tell him if I bottle wine, I will offer it to him.

Viscount Mustas nodded lightly.

“And Your Highness Former Empress Consort Marina.”

“Ye-es.”

“His Majesty the Emperor hopes Your Highness Marina will share the stories of the war and the bravery of the Imperial Army with the Imperial Family members. He asks that when you return to the Imperial Palace, you meet regularly with the Former Empress Consorts and share stories.”

“Re-ally? Oh my, how fluttering. Huhu. Finally, I can hold tea parties with my sisters….”

Marina rested her chin on her hand and grinned.

“And Legion Commander Nana.”

“…Yes.”

Nana tilted her head.

Next after Deballo and Marina should be Secundus’s turn.

But why did he skip directly to her?

Viscount Mustas also felt a similar doubt but decided to read down the letter for now.

“…Hmm. It says His Majesty Ferbias wants to apologize to Legion Commander Nana.”

“…Apologize, you say?”

“Yes. It is written that he feels truly sorry to only now commend you for fighting against Shion Pollinglight of the West until the end at the Waist Gate and protecting the Empire’s soldiers like that.”

“…I am fine though….”

“He says he will positively review your reinstatement as Nine Streams General depending on future merits.”

“…That is a truly grateful thing.”

Nana smiled bitterly.

It was enough that he recognized it even now.

Only about that much emotion was felt.

She realized anew that her loyalty was not as it used to be.

Also, that the position of Ten Great Generals she had been so obsessed with did not feel as attractive as before.

“And Your Highness Secundus.”

“Mm.”

Viscount Mustas smacked his lips.

“His Majesty the Emperor says to Your Highness Secundus, the Three-Mi Grand General…… Uh……?”

The Viscount lost his words.

He rolled his eyes over the letter several times as if he couldn’t believe it.

Since it was a letter sealed with magic, he was also reading the contents for the first time now.

“……No, what is this……?”

The Viscount muttered.

He trembled his mustache.

“…….”

Deballo’s face hardened stiffly.

As much as he had aged, he quickly caught onto the ominous premonition.

Deballo Debius pushed aside things like the joy of gaining a vineyard and spoke in a low voice.

“Viscount Mustas.”

“…Yes, Grand General Deballo.”

“Whatever is written, read it quickly. Is it not a letter sent by His Majesty? Read it clearly without getting a single letter wrong.”

“…Yes, yes, understood….”

Viscount Mustas squeezed his eyes shut and opened them.

He stroked his mustache once or twice with trembling hands and slowly opened his mouth.

“I, Ferbias Caseptus Cordis, wish to commend the hard work of my brother and Three-Mi Grand General Secundus.”

“I know that Secundus has gone through countless troubles for the Empire from the Horm conquest until now.”

“There was a slight slump in the early stages of the Western War, but I do not wish to blame this on Secundus.”

“However, worried about my exhausted brother, I have prepared a banquet in the capital, so return and attend.”

“……Send Secundus to the capital.”

“But considering that we are still at war, I will not allow accompaniment.”

Viscount Mustas’s lips trembled.

“Therefore, Secundus Debius, as soon as you receive this letter, return to the capital alone and attend my banquet…….”

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