The Tribal Wars

Gizar wore a look of disbelief. Of course, he wasn’t incompetent. The possibility of a separate unit must have been considered by the Duchy of Diolde. However, Heisen had anticipated their misjudgment.

"Sergeant Buz, cover your ears for a moment."

"Yes!"

Buz responded energetically and covered his ears with both hands. From this point on, it would be problematic for an Imperial soldier to overhear. If he were caught eavesdropping, it would cost him his life. Nevertheless, Sergeant Buz was loyal to his duties. There should be no problem.

Gizar understood and spoke in a tone only Heisen could hear.

"There are at least 5,000 soldiers stationed at our fortress. Does the Empire have the strength to threaten them?"

"No, the Empire does not. That’s why we sought help elsewhere."

"The Cumon tribe."

"Precisely."

"But the Cumon tribe isn’t allied with the Empire. I heard it was merely a ceasefire agreement."

"I figured you’d see it that way."

"...False information?"

"Not at all. Lt. Mospizza lacks the skill for such deception."

"Did you know?"

"Such incompetence cannot outwit us."

Heisen and Kakuzu had to raise their voices to ensure their conversation was audible, as if they were bad actors in a play.

"But that still means the ceasefire agreement stands. How did you convince the Cumon tribe?"

"We didn’t convince them. We simply leaked information. We made it known that the fortress would be understaffed during this conflict."

"So you allowed the Cumon tribe to take over instead of the Empire?"

Heisen nodded in response.

"Still, it’s hard to believe the Cumon tribe would act. They’re a mountain tribe. Even if they captured a fortress on the plains, they wouldn’t be able to hold it."

"Exactly. Nothing has a fixed value. While the land is strategic for the Empire and the Duchy of Diolde, it isn’t for them. But the reverse is also true."

"...Land exchange!"

Gizar looked surprised.

"Yes. The Empire controls a large portion of mountainous territory once held by the Cumon tribe. However, it’s of little use to us."

In a country with harsh winters, developing mountainous regions is an incredibly difficult task. Many of the seized lands remain underutilized.

"With the current ceasefire agreement, it’s practically impossible for the Empire to invade the Duchy of Diolde. The only thing the Empire can do is trade those lands."

"You calculated all this?"

"No, Gizar. Your presence has complicated matters significantly."

"I don’t understand. Why take such risks with information leaks?"

Gizar was perplexed. If the Duchy of Diolde had known nothing, the fortress would likely have fallen. Even with Heisen’s support, holding it would have been impossible.

The young man with black hair answered casually.

"I don’t act for the benefit of the Empire. I prioritize my own interests. Simply put, I don’t want others to take credit for my achievements."

"…I’m amazed. He’s making an unapologetically un-soldier-like statement."

"It can’t be helped. I have my own reasons. As a result, I reaped the greatest benefits."

Heisen handed over a piece of parchment.

"What is this?"

"It’s contract magic that establishes a master-servant relationship. As promised."

Gizar, a powerful magician, needed to be bound by this to prevent any betrayal. Heisen fundamentally didn’t trust in loyalty alone.

"I have no objections, but are you certain? I thought you were betraying the Duchy of Diolde by becoming an Imperial soldier."

"If that were the case, you wouldn’t be my subordinate, would you? As I said, I don’t take actions that benefit the Empire if they don’t benefit me."

"Hahaha! I’m even more amazed and amused."

"That’s why, once we form the contract magic, you need to disappear quickly."

"Are you telling me to escape?"

Heisen nodded.

"In a few days, Lieutenant Mospizza will arrive here with the key to help you escape."

"But won’t he be punished?"

"That can’t be helped. He comes of his own volition. If he doesn’t want to, he doesn’t have to."

"Well, I think he will." The young man with black hair smiled confidently.

"Can I ask you one thing?"

"What is it?"

"Heisen, how old are you? You look very young."

"...Why?"

"Late teens—no, early twenties at most. But your actions don’t match your age. Who are you?"

"..."

"Certainly, there are those referred to as geniuses. The Four Counts are examples of exceptional individuals. However, compared to them, you are far more remarkable."

"Gizar, I advise you not to try to understand me. It will only lead to regret."

"I will keep that in mind."

Gizar nodded and took the parchment.

The day after the fortress defense battle ended, Colonel Zilba and Major Shimanto were in the military office, while the soldiers celebrated their victory with wine.

"...'Bring His Majesty the Emperor'... Did Ensign Heisen really say that?"

"Yes, without a doubt."

"Heh... heh... heh... heh... heh... heh... heh... ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Colonel Zilba, this is no laughing matter."

Major Shimanto slammed the desk in frustration.

"I have never cursed my own existence more than I do now. I have served the Emperor faithfully, only to endure such humiliation."

"Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing at you, Major Shimanto. It was directed at that disrespectful man."

"But the fact remains that I tacitly approved at that time."

"What are you saying? Ensign Heisen’s wordplay cannot hold up. You had no choice but to comply under duress, correct?"

"O-of course."

"Then there’s no problem. In fact, a man’s crime of disrespect is unforgivable. Regardless of his achievements, he will face the death penalty."

"Y-yes, absolutely! Yes, that’s right."

Major Shimanto was deeply relieved.

"I never imagined that man would make such a foolish mistake, especially after achieving the most favorable outcome."

"Y-yes!"

In this battle, Lieutenant Colonel Kenneck’s faction, which had deserted in the face of the enemy, would never be able to show their faces again in front of Colonel Zilba, who had fought valiantly.

After abandoning Colonel Zilba, the fortress commander, they retreated alone. They likely assumed the fortress would be abandoned, but that was a massive miscalculation.

From now on, Colonel Zilba and Major Shimanto would decide the fate of their enemies. The victory report should have reached them by now. They were probably enraged or scrambling to the fortress in disbelief.

"Well, if Ensign Heisen were to kneel and apologize tearfully, I might forgive him. But Major Shimanto wouldn’t, right?"

"Heh... yes. That man must, at the very least, eat horse manure. A lot of it."

"Heh heh heh heh..."

Colonel Zilba couldn’t stop laughing. Everything was going perfectly. The time had come for that commoner lieutenant who dared to challenge him, the commander of the Northern Karina district, to realize his place.

Of course, Heisen would claim credit for driving out Diolde's duchy, but that could easily be crushed. A superior could manipulate the achievements of an officer’s subordinates.

Such a young fool, unaware of this, had dared to make a disrespectful statement toward the Emperor.

"Well, let’s celebrate today."

"Yes, sir! It’s an honor!"

Colonel Zilba opened a bottle of extremely high-quality brandy and poured it into a glass. Major Shimanto gratefully accepted the glass, exclaimed "Thank you," and gulped it down.

"Ugh! This is... an exceptional taste!"

"Isn’t it? This is the taste of victory."

"Indeed, it’s excellent! Your insight is truly remarkable, Colonel Zilba."

"Heh heh heh..."

The white-haired old man, triumphant, poured more brandy into his glass and drank deeply.

"Ah! This is indeed a wonderful taste."

"Truly! Absolutely!"

"Alright! Let’s drink thoroughly today! That disrespectful man must also be savoring the wine of victory today."

"Heh heh... without knowing that tomorrow he’ll be eating horse manure."

"Heh heh heh... heh heh heh... ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Heh heh heh... heh heh heh... heh heh heh ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!" Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Colonel Zilba and Major Shimanto’s laughter echoed down the corridor.

"..."

"Ensign Heisen. Is something wrong?"

"No, it’s nothing."

The young man with black hair briskly walked away.