Chapter 98

Breakfast was brought to the tent, but Celine didn’t back down; it seemed she was determined to get my agreement no matter what.

Her approach might be to take the positive response she gets from me and then go to General Wagelis and say that the children have retreated.

Incidentally, Nomariola is ignoring Celine.

She’s really consistent in showing no interest.

The moment I look at her to butter my bread, she moves right away.

Hmm, she’s competent but extreme.

“Nomariola, can you think of a way for me to get along with General Wagelis?”

I ask her while she’s buttering my bread.

“Unless you can make the General realize your excellence, it will be impossible to persuade him, just like the palace’s superficially impressive people.”

She casually adds criticism.

Thanks to her working as a double agent for Duke Lukaios, it sounds like she’s referring to a specific group of superficially impressive people.

However, it was Celine who responded.

“General Wagelis does evaluate the results of your actions, Your Highness.”

“Really? It just seems like he’s always angry whenever I do something?”

Celine can’t deny it and is momentarily at a loss for words.

“Well, he does acknowledge it. But... if you don’t show any leadership, he thinks you should keep quiet. Your approach seems very roundabout to him, and while I understand your caution with the guards, I can’t see why you don’t take a more active role. I can’t fathom your deeper thoughts, Your Highness.”

“Maybe what Helkoff said earlier is right. It’s not that deep, Celine.”

I’m a prince, a child, and acting alone won’t make a difference. Such logic is irrelevant.

What bothers me is the constant interference, the mismatch in temperament, and the lack of coordination.

It’s a matter of compatibility.

I’ve tried various things in the past, but that was with limited people around, and it required a lot of effort.

So, coordinating with someone else is something I’ve never done.

Even with Marquis Strategos, who I exchanged opinions with relatively often, he never gave me the lead.

In that sense, General Wagelis might think I’m just playing around unless I try to take the lead.

“In this army, I’m technically above in rank, but in terms of leadership, General Wagelis is above. Neither of us can back down from our positions, and if we fight, the army will fall apart. Perhaps he thinks I should just stay quiet.”

I look at Celine’s reaction to confirm that I’m not entirely wrong.

“Giving orders based on authority is also something General Wagelis can’t accept.”

“With a master as wise and calm as you, you should be considerate enough to understand the other person’s feelings. Yet, the General, who claims the title, only shouts and intimidates emotionally.”

“Wait, wait, Nomariola.”

When I analyze, Nomariola goes for the kill.

Celine, unable to defend her superior, General Wagelis, looks down.

“Celine is also concerned about you. That’s why she’s here, bowing her head.”

“That has nothing to do with the unfair evaluation you’re receiving. The General must first apologize for his past rudeness for any progress to be made.”

Nomariola’s calm opinion is met with nods from Wearrel and Ictus.

Helkoff, with his arms crossed, remains still, probably because he knows General Wagelis won’t do that.

Celine’s frown deepens as she looks at the reactions of my aides.

Her elf ears seem to droop slightly.

“I also think I’ve gone too far.”

“Was there a problem with your response, Your Highness?”

Nomariola immediately follows up, and this time Helkoff nods in agreement.

“Basically, it’s a matter of pride. Your sister, the squad leader, is trying to use you to get Locke to back down, right?”

When Helkoff says this, Celine, who is aware of her unreasonable demands, reluctantly nods.

It’s important for me to be the one to back down in the army.

For example, if the coach and the team have been working together well, and then a complete novice is suddenly put in charge of the coach.

If the coach tries to continue as usual, the novice, me, would use my authority to interfere without any track record.

If that contributed to the team’s success, it would be one thing, but it hasn’t come to that yet.

We’re just marching, and the disease was prevented, so the damage was minimal.

(Of course, I won’t let anyone die needlessly by pretending not to know and letting the damage increase before helping.)

(To increase the master’s influence, it should be considered...)

(No, no. Lost lives can’t be brought back. I won’t make more people unhappy for my sake.)

(...Understood, master.)

When I thought she was saying something scary, there was an ominous silence.

(No, Sefira Sefiroth. There’s also the idea of the greatest happiness for the greatest number.)

(Explain further.)

The idea that utilitarianism is fine if it results in the greatest happiness for the greatest number.

However, it’s not a matter of sacrificing the minority, and I’m on the minority side right now.

“Even if we try to create a conciliatory atmosphere, the General’s character will likely reject it.”

“Even if you soften your stance, this problem won’t be solved, Your Highness.”

Wearrel and Ictus also start to criticize Celine’s overly optimistic view.

While we were talking, I thought about finishing my breakfast, but Nomariola whispers to me.

“I saw the General walking with only two people when bringing the meal here.”

“Where?”

I ask Nomariola and have Sefira check the situation.

They were close enough for Nomariola to see, even though they weren’t near my tent, and they were only with a few people.

The house arrest was lifted yesterday, but it’s too few people for a thank-you visit.

(Report.)

Sefira returns.

It was indeed very close, in the direction of the guards’ tents.

(There are signs of rebellion.)

I almost spit out my buttered bread and cover my mouth.

Everyone’s eyes turn to me.

Especially the three aides who know Sefira are on high alert.

Yeah, something like this happened in the cathedral too.

“Um... okay.”

I ask Sefira for the details and quickly finish my breakfast.

“Nomariola, you can skip the cleanup and wait here. Ictus is fine, but can Helkoff and Wearrel move quietly?”

“What are you saying, Your Highness?”

To Celine, who was listening, I make up an excuse and stand up.

“A little post-meal walk?”

Wearrel stays behind, and Helkoff joins me.

“Oh, Celine, wait a moment.”

“Huh? Y-Yes, if you give me the time, I can...”

I quickly leave the tent, calling it a walk.

Sefira guides me and helps me muffle my footsteps and the sound of my clothes.

Unlike Ictus and Helkoff, I can’t do it on my own.

We head straight for the guards’ tents.

I ask Sefira to tell Ictus and Helkoff that General Wagelis is heading there with a few people.

We arrive at the latrine.

A small tent, and I can see the guards in uniform huddled together.

(Where?)

(They’re hiding in the shadow of the supplies stacked to the right.)

Looking where she pointed, I can see a faint shadow moving.

“Indeed, if we continue like this... we must protect our own lives...”

“The root of all evil is clear... a prince in name only...”

“The harsh mountain pass... if the baggage falls and rolls down the cliff...”

Yes, it’s me.

I’m the first prince in name only, and I’m about to be rebelled against.

Hmm, I’ve been on high alert for assassination and had the guards gather, but why are they plotting this now?

While thinking about this, I approach the shadow of the supplies on the right.

General Wagelis, who was crouching and listening, turns around when he notices me.

He looks very guilty when he sees me.

Regular update

Next: Aligning with the General 3