Chapter 46: The Abandoned Prince Prepares for Battle

Some of the nobles within the Agardramoon Imperial Federation had started a rebellion.

The moment we received that report, Rosemary and I jumped onto a wyvern and rushed back to the capital.

We needed to hear the details directly from Alcarion.

“Mother! What exactly is going on with this rebellion!?”

“Exactly as it sounds. Some of the lords—many of them former nobles from the old Kingdom of Agarham—have raised their armies and are now marching toward the imperial capital. The attacks happened all at once, which means it was likely a coordinated effort.”

“W-Why do you sound so calm about it…?”

Rosemary looked worried as she glanced at Alcarion, who—as always—wore a completely unreadable expression.

But Alcarion answered in her usual flat tone.

“If I appear calm, then I’m glad.”

“Huh?”

“The truth is… I’m actually panicking. This future… was one I couldn’t see coming.”

“!?”

…Right.

Alcarion had the power to see glimpses of the future. But she hadn’t seen this coming at all.

Which meant something was happening behind the scenes—something none of us knew about.

“For now, Rosemary, I want you to head out with the Wyvern Knight Squadron. Prioritize suppressing the imperial nobles first. As for the former Agarham nobles… we’ve confirmed they’re using anti-air magic, so deal with them later. Begin by calling for the enemy’s surrender. If they comply, take them as prisoners.”

“And if they don’t?”

“Eliminate them.”

“E-Eliminate… them?”

“Yes. Wipe them out—completely, without mercy. However, no interrogation or torture is to be performed on captured prisoners. …Unless, of course, they attempt another rebellion after surrendering.”

“U-Understood!!”

I see.

Alcarion’s plan was to crush any resistance without hesitation and instill fear—to break the enemy’s will to fight and make them surrender.

Considering we were up against multiple fronts, it wasn’t a bad strategy.

“And I also have a request for you, my dear.”

“Huh? Me?”

“I’d like you to accompany Rosemary and treat the wounded—regardless of whether they’re friend or foe.”

“Wait, even the enemy?”

“Yes. I told Rosemary earlier to destroy those who resist, but the main goal is to break their will—not to rack up needless deaths. If any of your former subordinates wish to go with you, bring them. I’ll assign Salion as your bodyguard.”

“Hmm… those guys, huh…”

The subordinates who were captured with me and ended up settling down in the imperial capital…

I still hang out with them sometimes—invite them over, make some noise together—but most of them are like, “War? Yeah, never doing that again,” so I wasn’t sure if they’d be willing to help.

I mean, take Duncan for example. He married a barmaid, and I heard she’s pregnant now.

Dragging him back onto the battlefield would just be wrong.

“Yeah… I think I’ll manage on my own.”

My Perfect Regeneration doesn’t even use up magic, and whether it’s a hundred people or a thousand, I can heal them all just fine.

Sure, it’d be easier with help… but I’ll be okay.

And so, I began making preparations to assist in suppressing the noble-led rebellion.

That’s when—

“Lord Reyshel, may I have a moment?”

“Hm? Olivia?”

While I was getting ready to head out, I was approached by Olivia—my first love, and Hecton’s mother.

She was really starting to settle into her role as a maid. Her posture and poise were flawless.

“Is something wrong?”

“…I have a bad feeling.”

“A bad feeling, you say?”

“It’s just a hunch, really… but I have this strange sense that Hecton… that my son is somewhere on that battlefield.”

Olivia had just said something completely out of the blue.

That the Hecton we captured—who later went missing—might appear on the battlefield this time.

If it had been anyone else, I probably would’ve brushed it off.

But Olivia was his mother.

Maybe it was some kind of parental intuition.

I took her hand gently and smiled.

“Alright. If Hecton’s really out there, I’ll bring him back. So just wait for me.”

“…Are you sure? That boy—and I, too—have done terrible things to you…”

“Well, I’d be lying if I said I’m totally over it.”

Thanks to Hecton, I ended up stuck on the battlefield for five long years.

Honestly, if I saw his face now, I’d probably want to punch him.

But still…

“You’re mine now too, Olivia. So if you’re worried about Hecton… then I’ll worry about him too.”

“…You really do smile just like that person.”

“That person… you mean my mother?”

“Yes. She had the most beautiful smile… like a flower in bloom.”

Hmm…

I barely remember her.

My father kept me isolated from her ever since I was a baby, so the memories are vague at best.

I can picture her face, but not her smile.

Though I do know one thing—she was stunning.

And just then—

Olivia gently squeezed my hand back and leaned in close to whisper softly into my ear.

“Um… before you leave… could you hold me?”

“—Of course!!”

With a big smile, I happily agreed.

After giving Rosemary a quick heads-up, I slipped into bed with Olivia.

Rosemary looked a little exasperated, but I definitely heard her mutter under her breath,

“Well, once we’re on the battlefield, Reyshel’s all mine… I’ll just be patient for now.”

Salion was supposed to be coming with us too, but…

Sounds like Rosemary had already planned to sweet-talk or trick her into backing off so she could have me all to herself.

Honestly, I wouldn’t mind having some alone time with Rosemary too. That actually sounds kind of nice.

“Ahh ♡ Lord Reyshel ♡ Just for now ♡ Think only about me, okay? ♡”

“Ah, sorry, sorry. Olivia, you really are adorable.”

“Lord Reyshel ♡ I love you ♡ I truly adore you ♡”

Olivia was just too cute.

Even though she was Hecton’s mother, she looked at me with the eyes of a woman in love.

There’s no way that wouldn’t get me fired up.

…Hmm. Once I suppress this rebellion and bring Hecton back, he might have a little brother or sister waiting to be born.

Would Hecton be happy about that?

That thought lingered in the back of my mind as I enjoyed a long, steamy night with Olivia… 

And the next day, I set off to crush the rebellion.

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[Afterword]

A Random Tidbit

Author: “I started daydreaming about a story from Hecton’s point of view called,

‘My Mom Slept with My Half-Brother and Now I Have a Little Sister’.”

R: “Sounds great.”

If you’re thinking things like, “What is wrong with you,” or “From Hecton’s perspective, that’s actual hell,” or “Yeah, no, that’s not okay,” —then please leave a comment, bookmark, ★ rating, or review!