Captain! Where is the Battlefield?

  “Just once, this hairpin can capture the sights and sounds of its surroundings using magic and send them to another pair of hairpins. Originally, it was used by young nobles to confess their love.”

 

  “What does that have to do with anything?!”

 

  “Well, since your mind isn’t exactly the sharpest, I’ll tell you. I’m using it to report your crimes to the Emperor.”

 

  The Marquis of Windell looked around in bewilderment, then glared at Rosalie with anger.

 

  In the original story, the Marquis of Windell did not recklessly involve foreign forces due to the rumors that Crown Prince Derivis supported the Duchess of Judeheart.

 

  However, Rosalie had considered the fact that Marquis Windell’s territory was close to the border and had also thought of the possibility of drawing in foreign forces during the war.

 

  When she was a soldier, she had seen and experienced countless wars that created variables by drawing in foreign forces. However, the difference now was that there was a powerful imperial authority that could definitely punish and crush them.

 

  “If it’s discovered that you’ve involved foreign forces, you will be charged with treason, and all your family and relatives will be stripped of their positions and executed miserably.”

 

  Rosalie continued speaking, observing Marquis Windell’s bewildered expression.

 

  “If you admit defeat in the territorial war and withdraw, I will spare your life. I will also keep your secret safe.”

 

  The Marquis of Windell’s dark brown eyes flickered endlessly with hesitation. He could win with the help of reinforcements, but he would be charged with treason and executed by the Emperor. No matter how strong his backing was, he could not prevent that.

 

  Nevertheless, greed and the desire to win firmly took root in his hesitating mind. Nathan watched his expression with pleasure and smiled.

 

  “Rosalie, you can just kill him. He’s bluffing.”

 

  “Who said I’m just bluffing?! Argh!”

 

  As if Nathan’s words were the catalyst, the angered Marquis of Windell shot a beam of light shot from the rod he was holding. Rosalie quickly summoned a dagger and rushed toward him, but her path was blocked by Marquis Windell’s Knight Commander.

 

  “How dare you block her?”

 

  Nathan, who had been watching Rosalie from behind, charged at Marquis Windell’s Knight Commander. Rosalie, who was now free, quickly aimed her crossbow toward the direction of the forest.

 

  However, contrary to her expectations, no reinforcements emerged from the forest even as time passed. Nathan spoke while shaking off the Knight Commander’s blood from his sword.

 

  “Rosalie. Do you want me to kill this Marquis?”

 

  Marquis Windell looked towards the forest with a bewildered expression. Still, there was no sign of any reinforcements, let alone a speck of dust. Instead, the sound of a hornpipe came from behind. His voice flowed out, filled with confusion.

 

  “What…?”

 

  From the direction of the sound came the Imperial Knights, their red cloaks fluttering. Rosalie was also taken aback by their sudden appearance. Among them, a black horse of a massive size slowly approached Rosalie.

 

  “Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

 

  “Hello, Duchess.”

 

  Derivis got off the black horse and greeted them casually. As the sudden appearance of the Imperial Knights halted the fierce battle, silence fell upon the scene.

 

  “How… Why are you here?”

 

  Rosalie couldn’t hide her surprise as she asked, her expression still showing her confusion. Derivis smiled as he took off his helmet.

 

  “To see you.”

 

  What he gave was a nonchalant response. Marquis Windell’s complexion turned pale and then ashen as he recognized Derivis’s face.

 

  “Marquis Hebrew Windell, the evidence is clear. It is best for you to cease your rebellion. The soldiers you called for have been captured by the Imperial forces, and your estate is in a similar situation.”

 

  “That’s impossible!” 

 

  “The Marquis of Windell suffered defeat in the territorial war and will now be executed on the spot as a traitor.”

 

  “How could Your Highness—!”

 

  Derivis drew his sword and strode towards Marquis Windell. His blue eyes, which were like a frozen lake, were as cold as ice.

 

  “You shouldn’t have moved so disgustingly.”

 

  Derivis ruthlessly struck down Marquis Windell with his sword. As he watched the Marquis of Windell collapse helplessly, Derivis slid his sword back into its sheath and then stepped toward Rosalie. 

 

  He dropped to one knee and kissed the back of her hand.

 

  “This victory belongs to you, Rosalie Judeheart.”

 

  Derivis’s eyes, once as cold as ice, were now shining like the warm spring sky.

 

  After resolving the situation to some extent and returning to the watchtower, Rosalie sighed as she looked at Derivis, who was smiling casually in front of her. Judging from Nathan’s nonchalant whistling beside her, it seemed that she was the only one who didn’t know.

 

  “When did you start preparing for this?”

 

  “Since a little while ago?”

 

  He still gave her a nonchalant response. Rosalie glanced at Derivis, her face a complex mixture of emotions that even she couldn’t recognize. It was a face rarely seen on Rosalie. 

 

  Worried that she might be offended, Derivis continued his explanation.

 

  “The corruption of Marquis Windell has simply gone too far, and I had no intentions of obstructing the Duchess’ plans.”

 

  Rosalie barely managed to remove her unmoving mouth, as there was something she needed to express clearly amidst her complex emotions.

 

  “Thank you for your help.”

 

  A little while ago, her underestimation of Marquis Windell’s determination had been a clear mistake. She should have come up with a more definite plan. Immersed in complex emotions and lowering her head, Rosalie was approached by Derivis.

 

  “Do you know what they say? The day of war is always cloudy.”

 

  “Is that important?”

 

  Derivis smiled brightly when Rosalie raised her head and met his gaze.

 

  “It gives me a good excuse to come and see you.”

 

  Derivis’s carefree and easygoing demeanor was infectious. Somehow, oddly enough, Rosalie felt herself relax a little. At that moment, Aaron, who had been surveying the knights, approached her.

 

  “Are you injured, Your Grace?”

 

  Derivis’s and Nathan’s eyes lit up at Aaron’s question. Rosalie, on the other hand, shook her head and regained her composure. 

 

  ‘Thinking about it could wait; the priority is to wrap things up for now.’

 

  “No, I’m fine. Let’s take care of the injured first. We have a healer waiting in the nearby village. Join them and return to the duchy for prompt treatment.”

 

  Upon Rosalie’s order, Aaron nodded his head and quickly moved. Derivis and Nathan exchanged suspicious glances.

 

  “Are you really not hurt? Even if you were, I feel like you wouldn’t admit it.”

 

  “Rosalie, are you really okay?”

 

  Rosalie turned her head slightly in response to the intense gaze of the two pairs of eyes fixed on her, feeling somewhat burdened.

 

  “There really aren’t any.”

 

  Despite her answer, the two still didn’t remove their suspicious expressions. Nathan even sniffed in case he could catch a whiff of blood on Rosalie. Derivis was about to take another look but was stopped by the voice of the Imperial Knight calling out to him.

 

  “Your Highness, you need to come to the Marquis’s territory.”

 

   Letting out a small sigh, he locked eyes with Rosalie.

 

  “If you’re hurt, don’t hide it. Remember what I said about not giving me any reason to worry.”

 

  Derivis, who couldn’t take a step away for a while even after saying those words, finally took heavy steps at the urging of the Imperial Knight. Nathan waved a hand at Derivis’s receding back.

 

  “The preparations are complete, Your Grace.”

 

  “We’re going back.”

 

  After completing their preparations, Rosalie and the knights stopped by the village they had visited last. The healers whom Rosalie had previously commissioned were waiting there and joined the knights.

 

  Considering the distance and the ongoing war, they were a group of less than five people, but their presence alone was enough to attract the urgent attention of the injured.

 

  “Rosalie. Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

 

  As they moved, Nathan asked Rosalie questions whenever he could find the opportunity. He was anxious because the confusion caused by the wounded and people around him made it difficult for him to determine if Rosalie was injured.

 

  “No, I’m not. And these healers are prepared for the heavily wounded.”

 

  The return journey was much longer than the way there due to the injured. Finally, as they entered the territory, the people of the dukedom welcomed them with cheers.

 

  “Long live Duchess Rosalie!”

 

  “Hooray for the Knights of Judeheart!”

 

  As they entered the duchy’s mansion amidst enthusiastic cheers, there were people from the mansion who welcomed them with tears in their eyes.

 

  “Your Grace!”

 

  “Save the hospitality for later! Quickly tend to the injured.”

 

  At Rosalie’s command, Dolan looked toward the direction of the castle. There were dozens of people in white priestly robes and healers. There were more people than Rosalie had originally hired, so she asked.

 

  “What happened here?”

 

  “Isn’t it a gift from Devi?”

 

  Nathan spoke up from behind her, and Dolan recognized his face.

 

  “Why is he here?”

 

  “I’ll explain later. Let’s take care of the wounded first.”

 

  At Rosalie’s command, Dolan regained his composure and swiftly directed the transfer of the injured.

 

  “Duchess!”

 

  Emma came running out and hugged Rosalie tightly. Rosalie tried to pull away, fearing that she might get blood or dirt on her, but Emma had no intention of letting go.

 

  “I’m glad you’re okay…”

 

  At the sound of her sobbing, Rosalie patted her on the back rather than pulling away.

 

  As Emma stepped back, Erudit came running out from inside the mansion, clearly out of breath. As he got closer to Rosalie, he slowed down and caught his breath before speaking.

 

  “You’ve arrived. “

 

  It was clear from Erudit’s bloodshot eyes behind his glasses that he hadn’t slept all night. As Emma stepped back, Rosalie approached Erudit and gently tapped his shoulder.

 

  “I’m back.”

 

  “Are you hurt anywhere?”

 

  “No, I’m fine.”

 

   Erudit finally smiled in relief at Rosalie’s usual demeanor, and thus the territorial battle came to an end.

 

 

  ⊱⊱⊱────── {.⋅ ✧✧✧ ⋅.} ──────⊰⊰⊰

 

  It had been four days since the end of the territorial war. The newspapers delivered to the duchy after the war mostly contained stories about the territorial dispute between the Duchess of Judeheart and Marquis Windell. 

 

  ‘The capital will be noisy for a while.’

 

  Nobles with military power had to report to the palace periodically, but Marquis Windell had not only involved foreign forces but had also falsely reported his military power. 

 

  As a result, the Windell family had to surrender all their property, territory, position, and even their loyalty to the royal family, including their lives.

 

 

 

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