The Villain Who Robbed the Heroines-Novel

Chapter 202: War (2)

For something that would only be there temporarily, the platform was built in a rather neat and careful manner.

As Ferzen entered the tent that acted as a command center next to the platform, he could see the Second Prince preparing for the speech with the help of Princess Elizabeth.

Being blessed by the God of Wisdom meant that Princess Elizabeth, albeit limited, could foretell what the future had in store for them. 

Since it would undoubtedly beca great strength for them, there was no reason to not use her ability before such a great war.

As soon as their eyes met, Princess Elizabeth naturally smiled and greeted him with her glance.

The relationship between them was neither distant nor close and was really difficult to put into words. So Ferzen could only return her greeting with his glance before he walked towards the Second PrinceRaymond.

Ferzen Von Schweig Louerg has arrived, Your Highness.

Ah Have you come, Count?

The Second Prince, who was reading the speech with all of his attention, smiled brightly and greeted Fersen.

There is still tleft before we go up to the podium. Take a rest for a while.

I understand.

Ferzen lowered his head as he answered. Then, he walked away and sat down on a chair in the tent to catch his breath.

Creak!

And then, a man walked in front of him before sitting down next to him.

To be exact, it was a very familiar old manCorleone Wayne Barretta Alfred.

Huhuhu.

He laughed inexplicably as he glanced at Ferzen while his outstretched hands were holding a cane in front of him.

Do you find it hard to believe that I am here?

Id be lying if I said its not the case Sir.

Not long ago, he had resolved not to let personal feelings cloud his judgment before the war, hence, even as it turned his stomach, Ferzen maintained his decorum, addressing Corleone with honorifics.

Is there any need for you to forcefully consyour remaining life like this?

Of course, even if he used honorifics to address him, there was nothing he could do about the thorns in his words.

Participating in a war even though you are the current head of Alfreds family. You are really thinking about your familys future, arent you?

Do you think so?

Ferzen.

Please refrain from callingby my name.

Count Louerg.

Yes.

Are you aware?

Of what?

If our Empire had faced more wars Alfred might have been as honored as Brutein is today.

Must you project your bitter inferiority before we march to war?

Corleone laughed off Ferzens cutting critique and shifted his cane.

Politics is war without blood, while war is politics with blood.

Theres no room for nobility on the battlefield.

It was a stage for humanitys vilest and basest nature to be laid bare.

Could there be a better theater for Alfreds methods to thrive?

Brutein may boost our allies morale and intimidate our enemies But you cannot instill terror.

Count. Youll witness how the malice of a man on the worlds most depraved throne, which Brutein has always scorned, dictates war.

If victory came, praise would shower upon Brutein.

Yet, the tangible gains would fall to Alfred.

Huhuhu.

Corleone rose after speaking and patted the stooped back of Ferzen.

By the way Before I chere, I researched your collateral line.

Should you fall in battle and Yuriel fails to carry on your lineage The headship of Louerg will transition to one from the list Ive compiled.

Is that so?

Corleone glanced at Ferzen, who was reacting calmly, and smiled bitterly.

Since it was too late for Ferzen to react like that now, he could not help but think that he really had a strong pride.

Then, Ill excuse myself.

Step-!!

Walking away with his cane, Corleone gradually disappeared from Ferzens sight.

When he finally left the tent, Ferzen let out a deep sigh filled with the discomfort he had been holding in.

What he did was childish provocation.

Or perhaps it was a twisted form of encouragement to survive the war.

However, thinking that he didnt like it either way, Ferzen got up and followed his footsteps.

Then, after bringing a piece of cigarette to a nearby fire, he inhaled the smoke deeply.

Youve picked up a harmful habit.

Your Royal Highness.

Why not finish your cigarette?

Flinch-!!Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novelenglish(.)nᴇt

Is that permissible?

Ferzen, caught off-guard by her sudden presence, dropped his cigarette, poised to crush it underfoot, but her words halted him.

Its fine. Even I indulge in a smoke.

I jest, of course.

Princess Elizabeths eyes twinkled with amusement, her smile hidden behind her hand.

No man desires a woman reeking of tobacco. I am yet unwed, unfit for such vices.

Not all would agree.

Even smokers detest the scent on others.

Do I seem suspect to you, knowing of such things?

Not at all.

While Elizabeths words were genuine, she reached for the cigarette in Ferzens hand with a delicate grace.

The right thing for him to do was to take it back and prevent it from touching those beautiful lips.

However, how cthe sight of her clumsily holding a cigarette with her slender hands and inhaling a puff of smoke looked so beautiful?

Cough ! Cough!

Are you okay?

Princess Elizabeth coughed violently, tears welling in her eyes from the harsh smoke.

Cough! So, this is what smoking is like

Why did you try it?

Ferzen quickly took the cigarette from her, crushing it underfoot, and pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket to dab her tears.

Dispelling needless doubts is Cough! Necessary, right?

With her cough subsided, Elizabeth quietly faced Ferzen, noticing the proximity of his face.

The handkerchief, embroidered with laurel leaves for victory, wasnt his own.

Perhaps a gift from Yuriel,

Or from Euphemia, now in Brutein?

Seriously

Seeing him, a man already claimed, adorned with the marks of his wives, stirred a pang of melancholy.

Flinch-!!

Elizabeth reached out to his collar.

The closeness and her enigmatic presence made Ferzens body tense.

Rustle-!!

But she simply straightened his collar, stepping back and breaking the peculiar tension.

The speech will start soon. Lets go.

A mere tiptoe from her could have brought her lips to his.

Yet why pursue such whims and cloud the mind of Ferzen, bound for battle?

As the wind tousled her hair, Elizabeth turned away.

I understand.

Ferzen, replying after a moment, brushed where her hand had been near his collar.

After all, his collar had not been crumpled at all from the beginning.

Because of that, his mind started to get a little confused. However, Ferzen forced it out and started walking towards her.

* * * * *

From the capital and the nearby lands, 32,000 soldiers were conscripted.

Prince Raymond, poised on the grand platform, steeled his nerves.

He couldnt bear to reveal his anxiety to the troops before him.

Nor to the nobles behind him, including Ferzen.

His upcoming declaration of war was a pivotal moment.

Taking a deep breath, Prince Raymond signaled the elemental wizards and began to speak.

Magically amplified, his voice boomed across the field.

Soldiers listened in silence, absorbing every word amidst their own breaths.

Not just heeding a nations call to arms.

He would not send his people to perish by arrows, ignorant of the cause.

And so, Prince Raymond maintained this course in his address.

After all, theres a huge difference between soldiers who took up spears and swords after knowing about the reason for going to war,

And soldiers who grab spears and swords without even knowing the reason for going to war.

His speech, though personal, resonated.

And as 32,000 voices roared in response, Prince Raymond felt a surge of emotion.

With the conclusion of his speech and a raised hand

A trumpeting, so powerful, it seemed to fill the world.

Following this, Prince Raymonds final command marked the onset of the inevitable war.

The soldiers shouts once again cover the area.

Thank you for your effort.

It is nothing.

Then, I will go back to my place. Your Highness.

Good luck, Count.

I also wish you good luck, Your Highness.

Ferzen turned his body and left the podium to return to his place.

Thats right. Finally,

The war begins.

* * * * *

Its hot.

The fervor responding to the speech ignited like grand fireworks.

Yet Lizzy, unable to echo that sentiment, merely clapped with the crowd, her gaze hollow upon the stage.

Their fervor wouldnt consthe foe.

Rather, she wished it would turn inward, incinerating them to nothing but ash.

Death would claim her, too, in such flames,

But if Ferzen shared that fiery fate, it didnt seem so grim.

Which country will the ash-chasing butterfly pursue, she wondered.

Feeling truly curious, Lizzy quietly looked at Ferzen who was walking towards her group.

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