The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 259

The great war, which mobilized hundreds of thousands, was ultimately decided not by the number of soldiers but by a handful of superhumans.

The Third Prince’s army of over 400,000 was merely an entourage for a few dozen superhumans.

“The enemy commander Cliff de McNeil has been beheaded!”

Count Melvin’s victorious shout quickly brought the battle to an end.

The masters from the Marquisate, who had fought bravely despite being outnumbered, lost their will to fight, and the Empire’s superhumans fled.

Even Crinid Lamir, the Imperial Magus who had boldly clashed with the Sword Saint, was no exception.

“Damn it, old man. Consider yourself lucky! Next time, you’ll get no mercy!”

Though his mouth ran until the end, the sword scars etched into his armor made it clear who had the upper hand. Of course, fleeing didn’t mean they would be let go easily.

Raul and the First Knights, along with Marquis Greer, relentlessly pursued and took down three of the Empire’s masters.

Although it was regrettable that Magus Lamir escaped, it was inevitable. Even the kingdom’s superhumans weren’t yet capable of capturing someone of the Sword Saint’s caliber when he decided to flee.

Once the superhuman clashes concluded, the war quickly ended. A single swing from a master could cut down dozens of soldiers and knights.

With over twenty masters present, after the Marquis McNeil’s death, few were willing to fight to the death.

The Marquisate and Third Prince’s key figures also chose to flee rather than resist. Most were eventually caught by the First Knights and players, but not all.

The Imperial Hound’s superhumans who aimed for the Sixth and Eighth Princes failed to achieve their goals. The Sand Knight and Masked Knight were decapitated by Caldenas without much of a fight.

Silver Zero, who tried to escape after sensing the tide turning, was not let go by Nakia.

An alchemist, often thought specialized in experiments and creation, but extreme proficiency brought unparalleled strength.

Alchemy and magic circles were closely entwined, making Nakia’s mastery of magic circles astounding. As a 7th-circle alchemy mage, Nakia’s equipment and body-engraved magic circles allowed for instantaneous magic casting.

And she had set up trap magic circles around the princes’ tent in anticipation of an attack….

“Sir Kane will be pleased.”

Nakia smiled, having captured Silver Zero, who had attempted to escape using a dummy. Silver Zero was the one who had razed Kane’s information guild in the capital, Thurium, so he would likely be thankful.

Caldenas, too, looked at Silver Zero with a menacing glare. It was Silver Zero who had released the seal in the royal palace’s underground, overseen by Caldenas.

For Silver Zero, it would have been better to die than to be captured.

*

“The number of casualties wasn’t as high as expected.”

On the way to the royal capital after cleaning up the battlefield, a commander reported the damage. With a total of 650,000 troops clashing, casualties were expected.

“Phew, to think nearly 100,000 died or were injured in such a short time. It’s truly tragic.”, sighed the Sword Saint.

“At least the number of deaths isn’t high. We need to ensure the injured are treated and can return to their livelihoods.”, agreed Marquis Greer, with nods of agreement from the other heads.

Most casualties were conscripted soldiers from local lords. The central army, being elite troops, had fewer clashes due to the masters’ duels, but the local forces on the flanks suffered heavily.

Fortunately, the number of deaths was low because many were injured while fleeing rather than fighting.

‘If the battle had continued, the casualties would have been unimaginable. I hope they find peace.’

Raul mourned the soldiers who lost their lives in a power struggle. In any case, the war ended in a decisive victory for the alliance.

The alliance led by the Sixth Prince suffered fewer than 10,000 casualties, while the Third Prince’s army incurred nearly 100,000 casualties and was utterly routed.

Almost half of them surrendered on the spot, and most of those who fled eventually raised the white flag under the pursuit of the cavalry.

While some managed to escape, they were merely minor local nobles who wouldn’t affect the larger scheme. As the tally concluded, the topic shifted.

“By the way, what will you do about the Third Prince, Herdian?”

The Sword Saint respectfully inquired of the Sixth Prince Gerard, who was now essentially the king.

“… What should I do?”

A tense silence filled the room. Despite the battle for the throne, royalty was still royalty. Moreover, the Third Prince Herdian arguably had the highest claim to legitimacy.

With the war’s outcome decided, determining his fate was a sensitive matter. As the family heads maintained their silence, Gerard sighed, appearing troubled.

“What are your thoughts, Viscount Raul?”

The Sword Saint suddenly sought Raul’s opinion. Though Raul met the Sword Saint’s gaze, seeing only curiosity, he questioned if there was an ulterior motive.

‘Well… he’s not one for politics. Besides, this matter…’

There might not be a need for extensive discussion. Nonetheless, Raul responded calmly.

“I believe it’s inappropriate to discuss this matter right now. We should first reclaim the royal palace and secure the Third Prince Herdian before discussing his fate.”

Though it might seem like an evasion, it was the right answer at the moment.

“You’re right. The battle may be over, but the war isn’t finished yet.”

By now, the hastily dispatched alliance knights would likely have reclaimed the royal palace. While it was doubtful any resistance remained, a commander must never become complacent until the very end.

With the discussion concluded, the alliance forces reached the gates of the capital, Thurium.

Citizens lined the main road to the open city gates, welcoming them.

“Long live the Sixth Prince!”

“Long live the Templeton Duchy!”

“Long live the Ashton County!”

Despite no prior arrangements, the scene resembled a triumphant procession.

As each banner-bearer of the participating noble houses passed by, the citizens praised and cheered for their houses.

“Good job.”

“You too, Master.”

As Raul waved to the welcoming crowd, Kane had quietly followed behind him. Speaking of which, Kane hadn’t participated in this battlefield.

What he had been doing and where during the battle was known only to Raul and Kane. At that moment, knights who appeared to be messengers were seen hastily running from the direction of the royal palace.

“Reporting in! The Third Prince Herdian has thrown himself from the palace!”

“……!”

“What do you mean! Did the Third Prince really jump off himself?”

Those who knew the Third Prince well looked incredulous. They hadn’t thought he would ever acknowledge defeat, but neither did they think he would choose suicide.

“…Uh, it’s…”

Those who listened to the continuing report from the messenger could only sigh in response. Upon hearing the news of his defeat, the Third Prince Herdian had gone mad.

In other words, he had lost his sanity. He beheaded the messenger who brought the news, shouting, “That can’t be,” and then killed the palace servants indiscriminately, screaming like a madman.

Finally, stumbling like a drunken man, he fell from the railing.

“The last guard to witness him said it seemed like he saw something he shouldn’t have, and he backed away in fright…”

“That’s enough. Go back and ensure the Third Prince’s body is properly taken care of.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

This eliminated the need for any further discussion about the Third Prince’s fate. Though it felt somewhat unsettling, neither the Duke nor the family heads insisted on uncovering the truth behind his death.

Thus, the Third Prince Herdian, who had briefly shaken the kingdom, faded from people’s memories.

*

Several weeks later. Fanfare resounded through the capital of the Ruben Kingdom, Thurium. The citizens all stopped their work and gathered along the main road to witness a historic moment.

Well-dressed knights from various noble houses marched down the main road with their banners, and the scenes were vividly broadcast on magical screens set up in dozens of squares in the royal palace.

Numerous banners and knightly orders continued their march, culminating in a large parade ground set up in front of the royal palace.

Today was the coronation day of the next king of the Ruben Kingdom. Simultaneously, it was a victory celebration to commemorate the victory in the civil war and a military parade.

After the march of all the knightly orders was complete, sixth Prince Gerard appeared on a specially prepared altar.

An archbishop from the Xenon Church dispatched by the Holy Empire placed the crown on Gerard’s head, thus ushering in the 24th king of the Ruben Kingdom.

The heads of the prestigious and noble families, led by the Templeton Duchy, pledged their allegiance to the new king, and the newly crowned King Gerard I rewarded them through acts of recognition.

The Ashton County was elevated to the rank of a marquisate.

As a reward, they received part of the territory of the obliterated McNeil Marquisate and their authority as a border count overseeing the western frontier of the kingdom was significantly enhanced.

Through their formidable prowess demonstrated on the battlefield, the Marquis Ashton was proudly recognized as one of the top martial families alongside the duchies.

Raul was promoted from viscount to count, becoming the youngest count in the kingdom. Now a proud member of the high nobility, he had stepped out of the Ashton Marquisate’s shadow and established his own domain.

Count Raul de First was how he introduced himself to the world. Newly ascended masters and superhumans from the war were all granted the title of viscount.

Many noble families that had sided with the Third Prince, including the McNeil Marquisate, were stripped of their titles or had their territories confiscated, leaving no shortage of lands to distribute to these superhumans.

Across the kingdom, the territories of various noble houses were reallocated.

Given the difficulty many lords had in managing their lands due to the gate incident and the subsequent civil war, and the reshaping of the power structure, reorganization was necessary.

Accordingly, the boundaries of the Ashton Marquisate were reorganized to cover the western and northwestern borders of the kingdom. They were now fully responsible for the boundary of the Forbidden Monster Forest.

Meanwhile, Raul’s First County was established around the existing viscounty, positioned on the kingdom’s southwestern border.

They took over part of the forbidden boundary that had previously been under the Ashton County’s responsibility.

The First Knights’ officers, who had become masters and received viscount titles and lands, all repledged their loyalty to Raul.

Although Raul said they could establish their own houses independently if they wished, none wanted to leave the First Knights.

“Master, we are hurt! After everything we’ve been through together, you think we’d leave for a mere piece of land? This is Jake speaking, and I will follow you to the end, wherever you go!”

‘I didn’t tell them to leave, though….’

Nonetheless, Raul felt reassured as everyone insisted on staying with him.

With the newly titled viscounts’ territories as vassal states, the First County could now establish a force comparable to the old Ashton County.

*

In the opulent inner chambers of the royal palace, Raul was kneeling on one knee before the new King Gerard I in a private audience.

“Please, when we’re alone, skip the formalities. It’s already uncomfortable enough; if you do this, I won’t be able to breathe.”

Because of Gerard’s adamant requests and even orders, Raul could only treat him as a friend.

“Congratulations. How does it feel to be king?”

“Hah, do you really not know?”

Indeed, although he had become king, Gerard’s situation was anything but easy. He was never a strong candidate for the throne, so he didn’t have any supporting faction of his own.

Currently, the Templeton Duchy was offering full support, and the Ashton Marquisate and Raul also backed him, so there were no immediate issues.

But this support was temporary.

The kingdom’s prestigious martial families generally had little interest in politics.

The Templeton Duchy was like that, as were the Ashton Marquisate and the Greer Marquisate.

While the McNeil Marquisate and the Randal County were exceptions, knights who honed their martial skills generally had little interest in politics.

Thus, Gerard had to build a faction to protect himself in the political jungle of the kingdom’s capital. Otherwise, he might become nothing more than a puppet king, or worse.

“…It’s still impossible for you to stay in the capital and help me, isn’t it?”

“Sorry.”

They had discussed this matter beforehand, so Gerard let go of his regret.

“But did you really have to request land near the forbidden zone? Even now, I can arrange something better if you want.”

Had the Ashton Marquisate or the First County wished, they could have chosen fertile lands in the interior rather than the kingdom’s borders.

However, Raul and Count Melvin had refused and wanted to settle near the forbidden zone.

“Thank you. But I’ll just accept your kind offer.”

Raul smiled and slightly turned his head. The grand capital city, Thurium. The vast lands spread beyond it.

And, Raul’s gaze was already beyond the kingdom.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:

Finally, the end of the long war.