Book 8: Prologue
Recap
Regis was engulfed in a sensation of softness.
He could feel her heartbeat.
Her body warmth was transmitted to him through her maids attire. Regis thought that he could feel the warmth of his late mother
The softness of her breasts covered Regis nose and lips, but incredibly, his breathing started soothing.
His heart was calming down too.
Regis tightly clenched fists also relaxed.
Hah
Have you cald down?
Ah, yes erm Thank you very much.
Because his face was still buried in her chest, his voice was much softer.
Fufu that tickles.
Erm I am thankful to you for taking care of But Im fine now.
You dont like this?
T-Thats not true!
Is this answer fine, Regis was at a bit of a loss.
He might have regained his wits after that nightmare But his mind was still blank because his face was still stuffed in Clarisses breasts.
In other words, his heart was pumping vigorously.
Clarisse tightened her arms.
She was always wearing an apron, but her assets still looked big. Now that he thought about it, they felt really huge and soft.
No, wasnt it rude to harbour such thoughts? To consider the physical characteristics of a woman who wasnt soone he would be marrying.
Regis mind started to wander.
From a very close distance, or rather, they were already touching each other, Clarisse muttered softly.
... Sir Regis, you dont need to bear all this alone alright?
He finally noticed that she was helping him.
To relieve his ntal pressure.
Although he still didnt understand why she was hugging him so tightly
But this should be an act of kindness, that would make sense.
I am grateful. However, it is the duty of my position.
This was not like the ti when he was just a fifth grade admin officer, thats the thing about rank. Ones responsibility would increase with their authority.
In the past, he just needed to state his opinion, it was another question whether it was accepted.
It was natural for him to feel a heavy ntal pressure. Or rather, it would be dangerous if he didnt. If the one with heavy responsibility lost the normal feeling of pressure
Clarisse who was hugging Regis gently brushed his hair and caressed his head.
You already worked hard when you were awake Wouldnt it be good for you to forget about this while you sleep?
I dont think I did enough
Try your best.
I am already doing all I can, but
Sir Regis is always working hard.
Sigh, this is the first ti soone told that.
He didnt practice swordsmanship or horsemanship in the Military Academy, and read his books all day. Everyone scolded him, saying he lacked motivation. Even though Marquis Thnezay recruited him into his army, he was lectured by his superiors plenty of tis because he was always holding his books.
Things didnt change after he joined the Beilschmidt Border Regint, although no one scolded him.
He also felt he lacked drive and ambition.
Well, Sir Regis you instead of striving for promotions, you are always reading books.
Haha Thats true.
But your will to plan a strategy where no one dies is proof of your drive, correct?
You are considering it from that direction?
It is important to mourn and respect the fallen. But you have to look at those who survived too. So Sir Regis You should look at the people you saved.
I didnt forget about them.
Is that so? Because of Sir Regis effort, I managed to stay alive right?
Ahh
Clarisse followed the expedition as the maid of the commander Altina.
Altina preferred to ride her warhorse during the march, so Clarisse always rode in the carriage with Regis.
If they lost the battle a few days ago, not just the soldiers, Clarisse would have been killed too.
I am still alive, can you feel it?
Yes
The sound of her heart beating.
Soft and warm.
This is because Sir Regis protected .
Yes
So, now is my turn to protect Sir Regis.
... Thank you.
From your nightmare.
Yes.
Maybe from the Princess too? Can I pull it off?
...Eh?
Clarisses hands relaxed. Regis who was basking in her gentleness lifted his head.
Clarisses face was slightly red, and had a unique womanly charm about her.
Her brows were slightly knotted with a wry smile on her lips.
Following her line of sight, Regis looked towards the carriage door.
Altina was looking their way with ruby eyes.
What are you doing, Regis?
Her voice was cold. With bloodlust that could rival the rcenary King from Regis dream, she gripped the hilt of her sword tightly.
M-!?
I rushed here because I heard a scream!
Speaking of which, he did scream when he woke from his dream.
Well, I had a nightmare
But I saw a scene filled with happiness!
You are misunderstanding!
Enjoying Clarisses gentleness was indeed a wondrous thing, but Regis wouldnt say sothing like that and put his life in peril.
Clarisse said in order to appease Altina:
Well well, Your Highness, I did the sa thing for you in the past right?
Ughh But wasnt I still a child back then?
I want to do it right now too but you keep running away, princess.
Its embarrassing! I am already an adult!
Altina pouted.
Her murderous intent had vanished.
Hah Regis sighed in relief secretly.
Clarisse composed herself and said:
Sir Regis is always busy with work, it is only natural that he is exhausted. And his work is taxing on the mind, so he would be both physically and ntally tired, right?
Altina thought about it.
Hmm Well, thats true starting from the defence of Fort Volks, helping the Seventh Army retreat, assuming the role of acting admiral in pe Prire Bay, the pursuit battle of the rcenary King He had been fighting nonstop.
It was now the evening of 4th July.
When they first encountered Franziska of Renard Pendu and when Varden Grand Duchy attacked Fort Volks, it was 30th April.
In a month and a half, as they were travelling across the empire, they fought four battles.
Altina shrugged.
And Regis was the one who ca up with the plans for the battles.
... Well, that was all I could do.
It would be tiring indeed.
It must be the sa for the troops.
Altina had an apologetic expression.
If I could strategize too, I would be able to lessen Regis burden a little
No, you have been a big help. Be it the defence of Fort Volks or the battle with the rcenary King, the headquarters was attacked in both cases. If you are a normal general, we would have already died plenty of tis.
Thank you. But just swinging a sword wont take down a fortress, or sink the Queens Navy from High Britannia.
We were lucky.
They concluded the sa thing last ti too, Regis said with an awkward smile.
Altina asked:
I didnt prepare anything right now, but you can tell what you want, dont hold back.
I want books But even if he said that, he probably couldnt get it on the battlefield.
Then, he wanted to rest.
Not just Regis, the soldiers who fought through the entire day and night must be exhausted too.
The battle might be over in the morning, but the continuous battles definitely had taken a toll on them. They stopped the march for the entire day and rested.
It would probably be a fretful rest though...
That might be so, but they couldnt spend their ti idly. If they dont move off tomorrow morning, it would be hard to reach the Empire before the morning of the 9th.
They had yet to discuss further plans.
In Regis mind, the strategy would be dependent on the state of the battle at the capital.
News that the Fourth Army defeated the High Britannian fleet and the supply troops should have reached the capital on the 6th.
The enemy probably had started retreating
Where would they escape to?
And how would the First Army led by Latreille act?
According to his character, would he choose to pursue? But the soldiers wouldnt want to. The chance of being counterattacked on the open field was high. Latreille should know that.
Regis had to consider all the possibilities and think up counterasures.
Altina leaned her face over.
Regis leaned back on reflex.
Her beauty was already so great that it made others jealous and anyone would be willing to buy her. After her fifteenth birthday, she was even more enchanting.
He would feel embarrassed if she got too near and stare at him.
W-Whats the matter?
You dont look like you are considering a reward.
Eh? Haha the thing I want Erm How about
No books okay?
Thats true, its a battlefield after all. Erm, Im thirsty so can I have so water?
Giving water as a reward, doesnt that make a harsh commander!? State a proper reward, I will prepare it later. Is there anything else?
Its hard to think of them.
He wanted to rest, but didnt feel like sleeping right now. He was getting hungry, but its be fine since it would be dinner soon. In such cases, it was the standard in stories to ask for monetary reward.
But that would be a hassle.
Whenever the unit dispersed money, the paperwork he needed to handle would increase three folds.
The reports he needed to send back to the fortress was more tiring than the consecutive battles, which made Regis shudder.
Clap! Clarrise clapped her hands. She seed to have thought of a good idea.
How about the princess doing sothing for Sir Regis?
Hmm? Do what?
What I did just now.
Hah!?
Altinas eyes opened wide, and even her neck turned red.
Regis reacted the sa way.
W-W-What are you saying Clarisse!? This is no joking matter!
Regis was given the peerage of Chevalier, but before the official appointnt, he was still a commoner while Altina was a royal. She was the fourth princess and second in the line of succession, and a Lieutenant General commanding the Imperial Fourth Army. In terms of age, she was no longer a child, but an adult. Even if they were playing, they couldnt touch a mber of the opposite sex!
Ara, you dont like it?
N-No, thats not what I an!
Altina stomped onto the carriage angrily.
Regis, wait. You are fine with Clarisse, but not !?
I didnt an that!
Then what did you an!? I-I have grown a little bigger recently!
What are you saying!?
Altina reached out and grabbed Regis head.
He could feel that she was very nervous. She had the sa expression when she wielded a sword. Her finger strength was powerful and it was painful.
She pulled hard.
And then, the thing closing in fast before Regis eyes was Altinas chest But it was silver.
Wait! Your armour is still!!
Ah.
With a bang, Regis nose crashed hard into the steel armour.
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