The Tyrant Wants To Live Honestly

“Dorothea!”

 

Raymond grabbed her as soon as the meeting was over.

 

“Are you going to go down by yourself? Are you crazy?”

 

At the first harsh words out of Ray’s mouth, Dorothea looked at him with wide eyes and burst out laughing.

 

But Raymond was desperate.

 

“There are plenty of knights who will pay their allegiance to Ubera. You just need to be here!”

 

No one would be happy to hear their sister going to war.

 

“Haven’t you heard they’re sending soldiers from other places too?”

 

There are nobles who oppose conservatively, but there are also those who are determined to protect Ubera.

 

“Then send the others.”

 

“Ray. It’s Ubera’s army, one of the imperial family must go down anyway.”

 

If Ubera’s army is not led by Milanaire, This is the same thing as handing over the military power to other nobles.

 

Whether now or later, Milanaire must go forward to lead the army.

 

“Then I will go down—!”

 

“We never know when His Majesty the Emperor will die, Ray.”

 

However, it would be unacceptable for the Crown Prince Raymond to be absent.

 

If Carnan dies, there must be Raymond in this lampas and next to Carnan’s coffin.

 

Dorothea looked straight into Raymond’s eyes as if to make sure he understood what she was saying.

 

Raymond then clenched his teeth.

 

“You don’t have to be at the forefront.. Go as late as you can, and let the generals and knights ahead of you finish the job.”

 

At Raymond’s words, the corners of Dorothea’s lips rose warmly.

 

“Thanks for your concern, Ray.”

 

“If you knew I was worried, you have to stop—”

 

“Don’t worry, I’m going to win, and I’m going to end it on my terms so I don’t have to lead generals and knights or soldiers behind me.”

 

Dorothea patted Raymond on the shoulder.

 

Raymond frowned at Dorothea’s confidence.

 

“Dorothea, no matter how you are, war is not that simple.”

 

“I know.”

 

‘It’s not like I’ve been through a war once or twice. Before returning, I used to go all over the continent to expand my territory.’

 

And the nickname Dorothea got was the tyrant and warrior.

 

Even for Dorothea, war is not always easy.

 

“You protect the center of Ubera. I will come to protect Ubera’s borders.”

 

Dorothea reached out to shake hands.

 

But Raymond did not hold her hand, but glared at her with a furrowed eyebrow.

 

“Maybe it will be the last time, so are you going to spend it like this?”

 

“Don’t say that…!”

 

Raymond’s lips trembled as Dorothea urged him to shake her hand.

 

Seeing that, Dorothea laughed.

 

“Okay, I’ll come back healthy.”

 

Instead of shaking hands, Dorothea pulled Raymond and hugged him tightly.

 

Then Raymond held his breath and froze.

 

‘Dorothea…hug me?’

 

Raymond was very surprised because Dorothea had always hated hugs, but soon hugged her.

 

“I don’t think I can see you anymore.”

 

As Raymond spoke anxiously, Dorothea sighed heavily.

 

“Then let me go.”

 

‘I gave him a hug, and he complained even more.’

 

As Dorothea grumbled, Raymond hugged her hard enough to break her, and then let her go.

 

“I wish I could follow you.”

 

“It’s not going to happen.”

 

Dorothea smiled at him and set off to head towards Cerritian.

 

Raymond wanted to hold her, but he couldn’t.

 

at that time.

 

“Ray.”

 

Dorothea took a few steps and looked back at him.

 

“When I get back, bring back your memories. Until then, if you’re doing stupid things like amnesia, I really won’t let you.”

 

Dorothea narrowed her eyes as if warning Raymond’s blue eyes.

 

Then Raymond’s eyes widened.

 

‘Stupid Ray.’

 

Dorothea shook her head, smiled, and started walking again.

 

* * * 

 

Cerritian’s night was lit with flames. At night, the battle entered a lull, but the groans of the soldiers guarding the Cerritians were deep.

 

“Sir Stefan, how long can we stand like this…?”

 

While standing the night watch in a bloody atmosphere, Paul, who was checking the wounded, asked.

 

The number of Hark’s army was overwhelming by ten times their number.

 

Their weapons, well-prepared for war in advance, were far superior to those of Ubera’s soldiers.

 

The reason why Ubera did not collapse now was that Stefan was a little ready and had an advantage in holding out because he was in charge of defense in the siege.

 

The flames soaring from the village outside the castle made Stefan feel angry and embarrassed.

 

Nevertheless, they relentlessly defended Cerritian’s castle.

 

When this is taken, Ubera’s front line is retreat significantly.

 

“If I had known this would happen, I would have brought at least one more when I came down…!”

 

No one thought war would be this close until they came down here from Lampas.

 

Stefan tried to motivate the lamenting soldiers.

 

“Everyone is doing well. Great.”

 

Even though he was not good at speaking, he had to gather all the words he would say for the rest of his life and become the strength of the soldiers.

 

It was true that they were doing well, as they were holding out this much despite being outnumbered.

 

Contrary to their anxiety, the soldiers persevered and endured well.

 

Probably to protect their village and family.

 

“Where’s Jonathan Bronte…?”

 

Stefan asked Paul as he passed the wounded soldiers.

 

“He was going to the duke’s house to see the food distribution plan for the castle.”

 

At the report of Paul, Stefan got on his horse and headed for the Duke of Bronte house in the center of Cerritian.

 

With all the people outside the castle having taken refuge inside, it’s unclear how long they will survive.

 

Therefore, the most important issue is how stable food, drinking water, firewood, arrows, etc. are secured within the castle.

 

Allocating limited resources is the most important issue in war.

 

“Where’s Jonathan Bronte?”

 

Upon reaching the Duke of Bronte house, Stefan hurried to find Jonathan.

 

The butler guided him by saying that Jonathan and nearby nobles were having a meeting in the meeting room.

 

At the long table in the duke’s spacious meeting room, Count Duncan and the nearby nobles were gathered.

 

As Stefan opened the door and entered, excited voices were heard over the table.

 

“Gold mines are about to be captured! How much is it worth…!”

 

“What’s out there right now is just a vanguard. Reports say that the number of Hark troops that will follow is a whopping 500,000. But we can only do that if we rake the farmers… It’s a long time before the imperial army comes down.”

 

“Let’s take it as soon as we can. Whether it be a mine or a castle, we have to live.”

 

As soon as Stefan entered, he wrinkled his eyebrows at the sound in his ear.

 

‘Weren’t they here to discuss resource acquisition and distribution?’

 

The soldiers fighting outside there and the people who tremble in fear and hug each other and cry.

 

“This is already over. we should just give up and retreat. We cannot beat that number.”

 

“Why don’t we just give up? wouldn’t that be more peaceful and stable, and we can keep the mines that way…”

 

They didn’t even care that Stefan had come, and were busy protecting the nape of their neck.

 

bang!

 

In the end, Stefan struck the floor with his sword.

 

Then there was a huge sound as if the mansion was collapsing, and the white marble cracked like ice.

 

The surprised nobles turned to him.

 

“Don’t give up, Don’t retreat.”

 

Stefan’s low voice echoed in the drawing room.

 

‘Even though they are outnumbered, we are holding up well, but seeing them already thinking about escaping, it makes my stomach boil.’

 

‘It’s not enough to plan a strategy and try to defend the border as much as possible, so what do you mean to give up and retreat.’

 

‘The thought of surrender and retreat never crosses my mind when I think of my soldiers fighting so desperately.’

 

A long time ago, Bronte, a war hero, obtained this land and kept honor and pride for a long time, but now it seems that blood has faded.

 

“Sir Stefan, think rationally. There are 500,000 troops.”

 

“We have a castle and reinforcements will arrive.”

 

“Reinforcement! From Freedia? How much would they spend if they could send it!”

 

‘It is a reinforcement of manpower that is sent roughly without knowing that there will be a war. if only 100 people were sent, what would change if that was the case!’

 

‘That would only add 100 more victims.’

 

Even if the reinforcements are sent later, this place will already be captured while the reinforcements arrive.

 

“They are bringing siege weapons from Hark. They’ll arrive in a few days, and if the gates break, we will all die anyway. It’s a matter of opening them or not.”

 

“I didn’t come here to give up or retreat.”

 

Stefan stared at them.

 

The reason Dorothea sent him here despite opposition from other nobles was because the borders must be defended.

 

“If we were not outnumbered, of course we would have resisted. We will hold on to this until the very end. Who would lose the most if we lost this land? Isn’t it us! You think we’re stupid!”

 

Count Duncan said angrily at Stefan’s insistence.

 

They are not giving up because they want to give up this land.

 

They were born and raised here, and it is here that all their fortunes, foundations, honors, and powers are found.

 

If this land is given to Hark, they would be the ones who would suffer the most.

 

So, if there is a possibility, they will endure to protect their own interests.

 

“But isn’t it possible?”

 

They were ‘learners’ who were brilliant at playing numbers.

 

They know better than anyone that an army of 20,000 men has a slim chance of defeating an army of 500,000.

 

Of course, there are also legendary victories that have been passed down through history. However, it is possible because the environment, factors, and time are well matched.

 

Because of those few victories, it is impossible to forget the teachings of hundreds and thousands of defeated ones.

 

“But their attacks are still passive.”

 

Despite the siege, they did not build ladders or wooden towers to climb the walls.

 

According to the report, there is no sign of digging a tunnel.

 

They boast of overwhelming force and threaten to surrender.

 

We can’t put up a white flag without trying to the end.

 

“Besides, Hark’s army is not as strong as Ubera’s; most of them must have been naval.”

 

“Nereus has been training to build up his army since he took the throne. We shouldn’t let our guard down just because it’s the Hark army”

 

“Princess Dorothea’s letter…”

 

“That is nonsense! Reducing pointless sacrifices is the answer we must choose, Sir Stefan. The revolt is an ignorant word.”

 

‘ignorance? So what about the soldiers over there watching the enemy’s movements with their heart pounding on the wall? Are the soldiers who fought and endured wounded out there because they were ignorant?’

 

Stefan clenched his fists with a force that could break even the hilt of His sword.

 

“If we surrender now, the next province will not hold out.”

 

“That’s their job. They have time to prepare, so they’re better than us, though.”

 

“Then run away, everyone. I will protect this place with the soldiers.”

 

Stefan couldn’t contain his anger and left the meeting room, closing the door roughly.

 

It was the first time he showed his emotions like that, so everyone stood there with their mouths open.

 

* * *