Chapter 274

Grand Duke Pret fell into deep thought.

“Is Shion’s word true?”

He could not make a hasty decision.

“The Empire’s recommendation to end the war is too transparent. But they also gain nothing by continuing this war….”

Shion’s agitated attitude remained in his memory.

Why was he so angry?

Why did he speak as if he knew Emperor Ferbias?

Perhaps he is from the Empire?

If so, he….

No, that’s not it.

Grand Duke Pret shook his head to shake off his thoughts.

Shion’s identity was not important.

It only mattered that he clearly hated the Empire.

“But even if it is true, how do I persuade the others?”

His worry only deepened.

The war with the Empire had caused much damage.

However, war is originally like that.

Compared to the one 53 years ago, it was a surprisingly mild and peaceful war.

‘So they must think it can still be undone. That it’s worth returning to daily life before it becomes a bigger war, that it’s not too late yet….’

The Grand Duke bit his lip.

‘I understand Shion. What a pitiable man.’

He knew Shion’s journey.

He saw everything, what path he had walked from Merion, how he had struggled alone.

He couldn’t understand then, but he could understand now.

‘It’s all thanks to Shion. That the war didn’t grow bigger, that more damage didn’t occur, it’s all thanks to him stopping it….’

He brought down the Del Conti family, which had colluded with the Empire.

He stopped the horde of fishmen, the Nine Streams General, and Niko Nereyades that attacked the Bururade Peninsula.

He raised the Widow Queen and Obro Denoebang again, and prepared the West before the Empire’s all-out war.

If not for Shion.

If he hadn’t been there.

What state would the West be in?

At least there would have been absolutely no leisure for armchair theories like now.

Shion’s choices were always right.

From the time when no one could trust him, he looked ahead to the war with Cordis and struggled to prevent it.

Even if the reason was unknown, it was clear he knew this time would come.

As if he could see the future.

“…….”

Grand Duke Pret realized it was time to end his deliberation.

Nothing changes by worrying alone.

Time is urgent.

He rummaged through his tent and found a small mirror.

It was a communication mirror connected directly to Hika Hireium, the head of the Seventeen Elders.

“Elder Hika.”

[It’s Pret.]

Hika Hireium’s voice came through.

He was the master of the West, watching everything from the land farthest from the war.

[I thought someone would contact me. As expected, it was you.]

“I have a favor to ask.”

[What favor?]

“Please gather the Seventeen Elders.”

[Why?]

“…To them….”

Grand Duke Pret’s eyes shone with determination.

“…There is something I must say.”

***

Grand Duke Pret was over seventy this year.

No matter that he was the greatest knight of West-Erta in his youth, one cannot cheat age.

He felt himself aging day by day.

In the past, he never trembled in any battle.

But these days, even the most trivial decision made his heart flutter.

It was because he had experienced ad nauseam that the most fatal events often start from the most trivial things.

“…….”

He waited.

In his tent, with sixteen communication mirrors brought in, he waited for the others to gather.

Soon, faces began to appear in each mirror.

One was Hika Hireium.

One was the King of Maesh.

One was the Lord of Denoebang.

One was the Master of Hohopran Magul, one was the Widow Queen, one was Obro Denoebang, one was Shion….

Including Grand Duke Pret, there were seventeen.

The pinnacle of Western power, the 17 members of the Upper House called Elders.

[What is the matter, Grand Duke Pret?]

[It hasn’t been many days since the previous meeting …uh….]

[…Oh my, all seventeen have gathered…?]

Several who were chatting spared their words.

It was because they confirmed Shion was beyond the communication mirror.

Since they had discussed various matters excluding Shion, they couldn’t help but feel guilty.

Shion sent a sneer from beyond the mirror.

[If you are sparing your words because you held a meeting excluding me, don’t mind it. I didn’t expect much from the start anyway.]

[…….]

[…….]

Shion’s sarcasm birthed silence.

He is at the forefront as the Vice-Commander of the Western Alliance.

Yet, excluding him and proceeding with discussions as they pleased could not be a proud act.

Several high-ranking figures stayed silent, and the Lord of Denoebang urged Grand Duke Pret.

[…Grand Duke Pret, rather than that, why aren’t you saying anything? Time is still urgent.]

[That is correct. What story do you intend to tell?]

“…Isn’t it decided?”

Grand Duke Pret slowly opened his mouth.

“Whether to accept the Cordis Empire’s recommendation to end the war, we must make a decision quickly.”

[…….]

[…….]

[…….]

Silence was sixteen-fold.

It hung heavier than ever.

Shion looked especially surprised.

It was because he hadn’t even thought Grand Duke Pret would go this far for him.

[…Already….]

It was Hika Hireium.

[…It should be a matter already discussed and finished, Grand Duke.]

“Being busy with war, we had no choice but to discuss excluding a few. Now it is only right to seek their opinions as well, Elder Hika.”

[…That saying is correct. But it is meaningless.]

Hika clicked his tongue beyond the mirror.

It was a matter thirteen out of seventeen had approved.

Even if they sought opinions again including Shion and the three heroes, there was no way anything would change.

[However, I will go along with your will.]

Hika Hireium said.

[Let’s put down complex procedures and proceed immediately. Those in favor of accepting the recommendation to end the war from the Cordis Empire, raise your hands.]

Thirteen raised their hands.

[Then those opposed, raise your hands.]

This time it was four.

Shion, Obro, the Widow Queen, Grand Duke Pret.

[…I will state it clearly.]

Shion opened his mouth as if growling.

His fangs were sharp.

[The recommendation to end the war is an obvious trick. Do not be played by it. The Empire will definitely attack us by seizing the opening.]

[We expected that much, and prepared….]

[Ha! As if! King of Konland, do you think I don’t know you are slowly pulling back your knight orders?]

[……You have no manners.]

[Whether I have manners or not. Are you my relative or something?]

Heindel intervened at Shion’s words.

He is the Master of Hohopran Magul, the greatest mage in the West.

[Look here, Shion. I acknowledge your achievements, but you have a strong tendency to inflate this war too much. All figures say that this war is different from before.]

[Before? 53 years ago?]

[That is so. I know because I experienced it. This time is not as cruel as last time, and the Empire is not that aggressive either. Rather, preparing for after the war is right…….]

[Stop talking nonsense. Evaluating this war when the war hasn’t even ended. How very smart you are.]

[……Why are you so aggressive?]

Another person intervened.

[Shion of Merion! Show respect to the Upper House of the Dawn Brotherhood!]

[I am showing respect.]

[Where?]

[If I were disrespectful, I would have run to where you people are right now and torn out your throats.]

[…….]

At Shion’s words, which were practically a threat now, Grand Duke Pret wiped his face.

Shion growled continuously beyond the mirror.

The heat seemed to transmit all the way here.

[You people-!!]

Shion cries out.

He is here across 19 years.

It was all because of this war.

It was to prevent that cruelty.

So he tried to bring down the Empire.

But seeing them walk into the Empire’s maw on their own, he exploded in anger and rage soared.

[You are only dreaming a vain dream! Thinking perhaps this war could end like this, aren’t you just being dragged around by that feeling!]

He shouts, anxious alone.

No one could empathize.

[It does not end like that! The Cordis Empire will eventually trample all of the West! They are those kinds of people! Ferbias is that kind of bastard!]

I know!

I know it!

Even if you don’t know, I alone know!

Shion Pollinglight shouted with blue flames surging in his eyes.

He was like a madman.

No, he was indeed a madman.

[…What is this…. Spouting only nonsense himself….]

[I can’t go along with this at all….]

[…Shion….]

Displeasure was thick.

There were even reactions of contempt.

Some concluded that Shion had completely lost his mind, that he was captured by his own obstinacy.

Since they didn’t know he was a regressor, it was natural.

Grand Duke Pret clenched his teeth.

It was his turn to step up.

“Shion. Calm down.”

[…Grand Duke. I will prepare even if I am alone. I cannot let the Empire trample the West. I cannot watch that sight….]

“I know. That there is no one who purely cares for the West as much as you.”

[…….]

Grand Duke Pret took a small paper from his bosom.

“Listen, everyone. If you do not know the Empire’s intent, isn’t it simply a matter of confirming it?”

[How?]

“A letter was delivered through the Queen of Schmeizen. I will read it for you.”

The old man continued without hesitation.

“Now, what is written in this letter…. Hmm.”

He even felt slightly excited, as if recalling his fearless days of youth.

“I convey to the friends of the West.

I wish to make a place to talk to each other away from swords.

If I leave the place and date to you, you will be able to come with peace of mind.

Since I will go alone, someone from your side should also come alone.

One of the seventeen would be good.”

[……Who sent it?]

“It is written, Cordis Prime Minister, Kerenneus Cansella Caseptus, respectfully.”

[……The current Emperor’s maternal grandfather!!]

[One of Great Emperor Continua’s confidants!]

There was a buzzing sound.

People chattered in surprise.

It was as Grand Duke Pret intended.

Shion looked at the Grand Duke from beyond the mirror.

His blue eyes were sad.

The Grand Duke smiled brightly as if to say trust only him.

Looking at him like this, Shion Pollinglight was a truly young man.

Had he not just turned twenty?

[You say you will go.]

Hika Hireium, the leader of the West.

[If so, we are fine with it. If you can only dig out Kerenneus’s inner thoughts, the Great Emperor’s scheme will also be revealed a little. However, Kerenneus is a very, very dangerous man. Experienced like a thousand-year-old eagle, and mean….]

“Then who will go?”

Grand Duke Pret confidently twitched his nose.

His stylish mustache moved along with it.

Shion realized only then.

Grand Duke Pret had eyes resolved for something continuously, and he now knew it was the resolve to lay down even his life.

“This Pret, the Grand Duke of West-Erta, will personally go to meet Kerenneus. Then wouldn’t a decision be made whether to approve or oppose the Empire’s recommendation to end the war?”

[…Alone…?]

“Since the opponent is alone, naturally alone.”

At Shion’s question, he laughed heartily.

“It is not pleasant if you worry too much. Even if this Pret is over seventy, in my youth I was the greatest knight in Erta!”

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