The Story of Hero Among Heroes ~The Founding Chronicles of Arestia - Chapter 146 – Archduke’s Speculation

Territory of Archduke Saxon, Rudberg. It’s the base of the Saxon clan, the cornerstone that protected Holy Arcadia empire’s western region.

The residence of the Archduke Saxon was situated in the center of the territory.

The current clan head, Georg, was currently in house detainment as a punishment for his actions and failure during the previous war. He’s currently reading a letter from Scion of the Rosenheim clan.

Georg simply skimmed through the content…before tossing the letter away grumpily.

[That Rosenheim brat…he’s messing with me]

His eldest son, Rudolf was sitting on the opposite side of the table. He took a look at the discarded letter and read it himself….his complexion gradually changed.

[Please provide food and passage for the campaign to conquer Thracia, it says. He’s treating us like errants.]

[Esteemed Father! There is no way I’m willing to follow this! Let’s pick up arms so that they can’t pass Saxon territory…]

George was quick to reprimand Rudolf.

[But then we’ll become traitors And that’s probably what that brat is aiming for. If we let them pass, it’ll give the impression that we’re following him. If we don’t, then they’ll mark us as traitors.]

Rudolf clenched his teeth and looked down.

[Then…there is nothing we can do?]

[For now we need to be patient. However…]

Georg started thinking.

With the failure of the previous war, Archduke Saxon’s integrity was certainly damaged. However…

(His Majesty is only watching despite this kind of movement… which means that, His physical condition is worsening. At this rate a civil war will erupt in the near future. At that time… I will accompany His Highness Carlos to claim the throne.]

Thinking so while stroking his beard… Georg remained silent.

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Scion murmured to himself while staring at the map spread in front of him. It was the map depicting the entire Arcadia continent.

The territory of each aristocrat was clearly marked on the map. Along with the new territory that the Empire obtained from the previous war… and of course, the Schwarzer Frontier territory was also included there.

[Can Ares Schwarzer do anything to thwart me at this point?]

Scion murmured to himself as he turned his sight toward the frontier area. A man who was standing nearby spoke up.

[All we have are these speculations that don’t make any sense. Moreover, none of the people who we sent to investigate ever returns. Just what’s going on there…]

The man was Marquis Isaac Featherstone. Still in his mid twenties, the man possesses an abundant amount of brown hair that he let loose behind his back. His body was tall but thin, and yet he has a pair of sharp eyes reminiscent of a bird of prey. He was already recognized as people of great talent in his youth. Despite only recently joining Scion’s faction, he had already become one of the faction’s indispensable advisers, alongside Gala, who prefers to work from the shadows.

[All logistics stop at Redgear. We know nothing else beyond that.]

Geographically speaking, Grants really stuck out like a sore thumb. There’s only one road leading there and should anyone travel through any other path they’ll get swarmed by magic beasts.

Scion had certainly ordered several spies to infiltrate from other paths, but all of them had become the magic beasts’ food. The iron curtain of Grants remained impenetrable.

Information about Grants was basically near impossible to get. But everyone was almost certain that items that circulate in Redgear originated from Grants. The 『Platinum Meat』and the 『Distilled Spirit』that recently became popular among the aristocrats along with many other goods are from Grants for sure.

Other than that, not even the Royal Capital knew what really happened inside Grants. What’s more, even if one can enter Redgear, nothing much can be gleaned about that place. Only merchants working for Ares are privy on those info.

If products kept coming, confidential information would also leak somehow… but there’s none so far.

[Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about that guy. For the time being, we can only make a base in Redgear and continue to send people in. Keep an eye on Schwarzer territory.]

Scion then turned his attention to the lower part of the map… a wide stretch of land in the south.

[…what’s equally worrying is Archduke Lombardia.]

[Rest assured. Archduke Lombardia has sent a reply that he’ll send some soldiers.]

Archduke Gaius Lombardia. He was also someone who didn’t show any interest toward the political scuffle between aristocrats outside of his own territory.

Lombardia territory was originally known as the largest and richest among the four Archduke’s territories. The most famous amongst the family of Archduke Lombardia was Guissepe Lombardia, one of the four followers of Emperor Leon Arcadia.

The clan strove to keep their lands safe, whilst also developing it for generations.

And just like Archduke Schwarzer, the Lombardia generally kept to themselves and didn’t meddle much with the political disputes in the Royal Capital. It was known that the south had developed their own unique culture over time.

The current Archduke Lombardia, Gaius Lombardia was only in his late twenties as of now. His talents assured the previous archduke to entrust all of the territory’s political affairs to him even if he was still in his early twenties back then.

His long blonde hair that was tied at the back as well as his androgynous feature was pretty enough to equally attract male and female alike. But his impressive sharp eyes gave the impression of someone not to be trifled with.

Rumours said that the south would always be peaceful under his rule, for he’s equally talented in political and military arts.

He’s generous, thus many followed him for the benefit. He also often presented rare commodities from the south to the royal family, earning him a good reputation.

Certainly, he’s an encouraging existence to have as a fellow Arcadian. However, Scion had a different opinion.

(They are most definitely a pack of wolves, waiting patiently in their den in the south for an opportunity to strike.)

Scion had personally met Gaius on several occasions in the past. And he realized something from the glint of Gaius’ gaze.

(His was the gaze of an ambitious person. I have a feeling that some sort of an agreement might’ve been struck between him and the Tsarnagora Kingdom in the south. There’s no doubt that he’s planning something.)

Gaius had his own ties with the Royal clan through the First Princess Elizabeth. It’s said that she was the most ambitious among Sephiros’ many children. And that only served to stoke Scion’s vigilance.

(With Her Highness Elizabeth on his side, he’ll surely join should there be a fight for succession. I need to be able to overwhelm him by then…)

Scion himself is engaged to the Third Princess Annerose. At this rate, the battle of succession would deteriorate into a bog. Fortunately, the Second Princess Sylvia had quickly abandoned her right to inherit the throne and thus can be ignored, while the Third Prince Zerias wouldn’t have any say with his currently ailing body.

That left the competition to the First Prince Carlos, the Second Prince Joseph, Gaius and his wife the First Princess Elizabeth, Scion as the husband of the Third Princess Annerose and Ares as the Fourth Princess Cornelia’s husband.

[We need to win this battle in order to raise our position in the battle for succession…]

Scion murmured to himself as he turned his attention back to the map.

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Archduke Lombardia territory’s capital, Elza. In the center of this city, which can be said to be the largest city in the south, was the residence of the territory lord Gaius.

[Are you saying that you won’t be participating in this battle?]

That was Gaius’ wife, the First Princess Elizabeth, asking.

[Can you tell Us why?]

It was a question, but her voice sounded surprisingly low and timid. Anyone who previously knew Elizabeth would be surprised to see her acting like that.

Gorgeous and arrogant. Those were her known natures. However…

[Are you dissatisfied?]

Gaius’ voice was calm. But even that was enough to cause Elizabeth to tremble. Yes, she feared the man in front of her.

[No… it is just that Scion will take the lead on this battle, and should he win, he will have the upper hand in the battle for succession… I am not suitable to doubt your judgment…]

Without even listening to her words, Gaius laughed quietly.

[Don’t worry. He’ll definitely fail.]

[…how can you be so sure of that?]

[He has no tactician for this battle. That’s why it won’t be easy for him to win.]

Gaius said softly as he stroked Elizabeth’s cheek. Elizabeth stared at him with moist eyes.

[I assure you, there’s no need to be worried. Rather, isn’t there something else that you need to do?]

Hearing those words, Elizabeth’s cheeks turned red.

[What you have to do….is to give birth to my child, who will later become the next Emperor.]

Gaius laughed in his heart as he said so.

Elizabeth feared that Scion and her sister Annerose would take the lead in the fight for succession after this battle.

(Good grief, she’s truly an ignorant fool.)

Normally, he hated this kind of woman. However, he needs her for a legitimate successor to the throne. For that, Gaius believed that marrying such a foolish woman is worth the trouble. If she gave birth to a son, and he managed to raise this son to the throne, he could take over the empire as the Emperor’s father. It was but a stepping stone for him.

After a son is born…she’d no longer have any use for him.

[You don’t have to worry about anything else. Return to your room for now. I’ll join you later.]

[Alright…]

With a gentle voice Gaius coaxed Elizabeth to leave first. Looking at her behind as she went… Gaius let out a derisive chuckle.

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Someone else entered the room just as Elizabeth left.

[Milord, are you sure about this?]

[Un.]

The person that came in just now was Clovis Effenberger, one of Gaius’ trusted retainers.

He had bright brown hair that reached down to his back. The sharpness of his eyes was hidden behind his spectacles. His lean but tall body gave off a sense of elegance.

He was originally the successor to Viscount Effenberger. But after finding out about his talent, Gaius persuaded him to abandon his position and join the Lombardia.

Working for Gaius, Clovis was currently Gaius’ right hand in both politics and military affairs.

[We received a letter from the Rosenheim asking us to donate some soldiers.]

[I know. Even Elizabeth has heard about it.]

Hearing that, Clovis laughed coldly.

[…that person is very sensitive when it comes to this matter… I hope that she didn’t do anything stupid…]

[She certainly can’t. Although she certainly barked a lot about it… Then?]

[I wrote that Tsarunagorna is moving suspiciously. Therefore we cannot send any troops.]

[Fumu…well, that should do. Just in case, send a messenger to Tsarunagorna to inform them to continue the charade. In addition to that, 『Three Ogres Five Tigers』should be placed in each fort.]

After saying so, Gaius downed the rest of the wine in his glass.

The 『Three Ogres, Five Tigers』was the title for eight fierce and talented warriors Gaius had collected together from various places to manage his army. The group consisted of 3 superiors and 5 generals.

[That fool Scion does not know what war truly is. He can do all he wants. But he’s going to suffer a painful defeat in the end. There is no need to ride along with him.]

Gaius seemed to realize something, as he changed the topic.

[Will Ares Schwarzer join this battle?]

[No, he won’t. Apparently, he’s focusing his resources to battle the northern barbarian at the moment.]

[Ha. Using his status as 『General of Conquest』to its absolute limit.]

Gaius smiled in satisfaction.

[Speaking of Ares Schwarzer, what do you think of him?]

[I don’t have anything good to say about him.]

[Hmm, are you wary of him? Or are you jealous seeing him surrounded by so many women?]

[Both are true.]

Hearing Clovis’ answer, Gaius chuckled.

He had his own plan. He wanted to put his own sister into Ares’ harem, to act as his spy.

[If this can be achieved, not only we can keep an eye on him from inside, we can also get rid of him anytime.]

Gaius laughed in approval.

[Well said. Keep working on that. We should know what that guy is up to.]

[Haha!]

Clovis left the room afterward. Left alone in his room, Gaius poured more wine into his empty glass.

[Now then…it’s getting interesting. I need to start to make my move as well.]

As he said so, on Gaius’ left eye…what appeared to be a shining blue insignia could be seen.