"He is untrustworthy," Harmon advised Carl carefully.
Harmon, aware of his precarious position, was anxious about bringing in a newcor like Howell.
"Harmon, I didn't know you could say that."
"...Sorry."
"Okay. Trust isn't that important right now,"
Carl said calmly as he changed his clothes with Harmon's help.
"The only thing that matters is that he has the ability, that I need that ability, and that I can have him. Just like you, Harmon."
"… … ."
Unlike Catherine and Billford, who were bound to Carl by a bond of trust beyond that of lord and knight, Harmon was soone Carl could handle because he was in a situation he couldn't escape from. And the sa went for Howell.
How could Howell escape when Carl held the lifeline of his little sister, his last remaining family mber, in his hands?
Blood is thicker than water. Carl knew it, but he realized it anew. 'A political marriage... As you live, you end up doing all sorts of things.'
If he were to ask what the easiest way to gain power would be, wouldn't it be a political marriage?
But Carl hadn't considered it at all because of Han Chang-in's mories. A political marriage with the Marquis Gasto's daughter, if possible, would bring about the best results.
First, it would prevent Balturan and Gasto from becoming independent by joining forces.
And Gasto is right next to Hilfin. It's beneficial for using Hilfin's silver mine without going through Azgoth and Monte Bank, and it's also good for developing using Hilfin as a base.
Well, if he can, that is.
Carl had no aversion to political marriages. He used everything that could be used. Even if it was himself.
***
As soon as morning broke, Carl finished arming himself and went to see Govan.
The armor he had embezzled from the Imperial Knights seed to have shrunk a bit over the past few days, but it wasn't enough to impede his movents.
"Your Majesty Carl."
"Your Majesty, Davron, preparations are complete."
Govan looked at Carl with so surprise at seeing him so well-clad in armor.
Carl was physically stronger and more robust than he looked, but he was so small that it didn't feel real. But when Govan saw him wearing armor like this, he was really shocked.
"Isn't it too early?" Govan asked.
However, Carl was not the type of person who hesitated or backed down from sothing he had already decided to do without any particular reason.
"The matter is urgent. How can we delay it any longer?"
Carl, who was just a little over Govan's chest, spoke with a voice as hard as steel, making him seem like a giant.
A strand of blonde hair flowing down the corner of his eye shone dazzlingly in the morning sunlight, and his green eyes, shining even brighter, did not waver even an inch.
"I will prepare it right away."
"Only I and my knights will go to the garrison of Tumari."
"… … ."
Govan, who realized that Carl was not a child trying to act confident, was taken aback by those words.
"It's too dangerous."
"It would be better to go with a small group rather than leading an army. I will cut off the pretext for attacking in advance. Lord Davron, please just prepare the cavalry in case of an ergency."
"The vile heathens of Tumaris can attack even at the sight of His Majesty the Emperor's banner. They will not be spared because of their small numbers."
"Then I can retreat under the protection of my knights. Then there is only an all-out war."
A suffocating silence flowed. It was so natural for the young prince to say 'all-out war' that the words suddenly felt unfamiliar.
"Are you serious? Seriously, is it really that easy to talk about an all-out war between two giant nations?"
"If they are going to attack soone who carries the Emperor's flag, doesn't that an the war can't be stopped anyway? So, without waiting any longer, it's enough to know the enemy's intentions for sure."
Those who are going to do sothing will do it no matter what.
So, if the enemy attacks, Carl will be satisfied with having accurately figured out the enemy's intentions in advance.
There was no fear.
Carl trusted Catherine and Billford.
Govan's eyebrows twitched, his eyes twitched, and his rock-like face distorted strangely. Perhaps it was sothing like laughter.
"I will prepare the cavalry. If the enemy shows any suspicious movents, you must fall back."
"Of course. I don't want to die yet."
Carl said that with a small laugh, finding it funny. The eyes that used to shine brightly now sparkled with a warm light, and the cold, blade-like aura softened.
Looking at his young expression, Govan could tell that Carl was only a boy of sixteen. Carl felt so big that for a mont, Govan thought he was about thirty, similar to Philaine.
Since Lucas was actually in his late 20s, it would be safe to say that Govan had seen right through Carl.
***
Carl rode out on a brown horse that was not originally his, escorted by cavalry. He didn't go straight out the east gate.
He didn't want to get caught by the Salgarez rcenaries, which would be bad.
The eastern gate leads to Tumariah, and the western gate leads into the Dabron domain. The North Gate and South Gate are usually side gates that only allow the residents to co and go.
Other than that, the main gate is rarely opened unless there is sothing special going on.
Just like today.
Carl, who had gone out through the southern gate, moved slowly under the guidance of the Knights of Davron.
Dabron, who has protected this land for countless years, knows how to perfectly utilize even the slight differences in elevation in the terrain.
When viewed from a high place, all of this land appears to be flat, but when you actually walk on it, you feel a strange slope blocking your view.
The Knights of Davron followed the non-existent path with perfect precision, making a large detour to the south without being noticed by the Salgarez rcenaries.
'That's incredible. So that's why they use scouts to figure out the geography and threaten the locals to find out the way.'
Carl gained new insight through his experience of moving in hiding in the open plains.
Of course, Carl knew it as knowledge, but experiencing it firsthand made him realize its importance even more.
Carl rode a horse carrying the Emperor's standard. With his visor up, he felt like he couldn't breathe.
No one could tell that he was a little nervous, perhaps because he tried not to show it.
'I can't do this twice.'
It's funny to think that I thought that way at Hillfin and am doing it again now. Of course, Carl will do it again and again in the future if necessary.
It may seem contradictory, but there are tis when you have to risk your life to survive.
The sight of Carl riding leisurely and leisurely seed extraordinary even to the knights who had been rolling around on the battlefield.
They too felt the fear of death when battle was imminent and when they saw the enemy. It's even more frightening because they knew it well. They couldn't help but feel its weight.
That is why Carl's extrely calm appearance could be seen as an attitude that he could show because he did not know anything about war.
But unlike his leisurely gestures, the sparkling eyes inside his helt were enough to completely erase such thoughts.
They thought that this small-bodied fourth prince was truly a strange being.
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