Chapter 101

There was not a single part of Hermann’s body left intact. Each limb had been severed piece by piece, and both of his hands were missing entirely. The exposed cross sections were smooth, clean, with no signs of hacking or repeated strikes. His arms and legs had been separated with frightening precision.

It was workmanship so professional that it was unsettling, utterly different from the indiscriminate mutilation favored by the barbarians.

The barbarians typically destroyed the face first, crushing it beyond recognition. In contrast, Hermann’s corpse bore clear signs that someone had taken care to preserve its shape. The excess of consideration was grotesque. His face looked peaceful, like that of someone whose throat had been cleanly cut while asleep.

Because of this, several military physicians on the allied forces cautiously suggested that Hermann’s death might not have been caused by barbarians after all. Their opinions were quietly dismissed by those above them.

Whatever the truth was, Hermann’s death had to be the work of the barbarians.

The allied forces publicly announced that Commander Hermann had been killed in an enemy ambush. The news fanned the flames of outrage within the alliance and deepened hostility toward the barbarians. At the same time, the allied forces seized upon the commander’s death as powerful justification for a full-scale war.

Blair, who received Hermann’s remains, was barely able to keep himself together. Compared to the other corpses left behind by barbarian raids, Hermann’s body was relatively clean. That did nothing to soften the shock.

Instead of holding a funeral, it was decided that his body would be preserved against decay and sent to the capital. This was not merely the death of a commander, but the death of the eldest son of the Northern Duke’s household. The king publicly expressed his condolences and declared that a grand state funeral would be held to honor Hermann’s name.

“According to what has been confirmed, Commander Hermann’s encampment was subjected to a sudden enemy raid in the middle of the night,” a report stated. “There were no survivors, so the scale of the enemy force and their method of attack remain unknown. What is unusual is that the assault differed entirely from the barbarians’ typical indiscriminate combat using machetes. Every victim was struck in a vital spot and died instantly.”

“So it may not have been the barbarians’ doing?” someone asked.

“Yes. However, the allied forces has already concealed that possibility and concluded that the barbarians were responsible.”

Upon hearing the details, Blair could not hide his devastation. He was furious that the allied leadership had manipulated the truth rather than seeking it, and at the same time, he was painfully aware of his own powerlessness to do anything about it.

“If it were revealed that a third party was responsible, chaos would be inevitable,” Jocelyn said, tossing aside a daily newspaper. “Regardless of the truth, shifting the blame onto a common enemy was probably the most pragmatic choice for now. Still, Hermann’s death is bound to have far-reaching consequences.”

News of the commander’s death spread rapidly through idle gossip and soon dominated the front page of the imperial papers. The public trembled with unease. Rumors of a crisis in Reveln circulated, and popular sentiment grew increasingly unstable. Given that the war had already stalled without meaningful victories, the worsening situation felt inevitable. The allied forces’ morale plummeted with the loss of their commander, even as resentment toward the enemy intensified.

“So it turns out the dog you raised was actually the cub of a wild beast,” Jocelyn remarked lightly. “Impressive work.”

“Are you referring to Matthias?” Odelliana asked coolly.

“Am I wrong?” Jocelyn replied. “You’re thinking the same thing, aren’t you?”

Odelliana met his gaze without flinching and feigned ignorance.

“Not at all. My beloved knight’s status, whether alive or dead, has yet to be confirmed. What could a lone soldier without his unit possibly accomplish on the battlefield?”

“He isn’t just any soldier,” Jocelyn said dryly.

“Do you believe he’s alive?”

At her question, Jocelyn let out a derisive snort.

“The performance is convincing, but not quite enough to fool me. You’ll need more practice, Lady.”

“Perhaps you should summon a physician for an examination,” Odelliana replied coldly. “What sort of delusion are you trapped in? From where I stand, your condition seems severe.”

“So now you mean to paint me as a madman?”

“No one believes my knight murdered the commander. Your Highness’s suspicions are nothing more than absurd slander and fantasy.”

“The more fervently you defend him, the deeper my doubts grow,” Jocelyn said.

He was convinced that Matthias had killed Hermann. Just as in their past life, Jocelyn was captivated by Matthias’s talent.

Odelliana was overcome with despair, though she forced her expression into calm composure. Jocelyn was not someone who could be deceived with obvious falsehoods.

“My eyes and ears are scattered throughout the front,” Jocelyn continued. “Yet nowhere have I heard any news of your knight. What do you think that means?”

“Perhaps he’s already dead,” Odelliana said evenly.

“Perhaps. And yet I find myself thinking he’s simply shaking off pursuit.”

In truth, Odelliana shared his suspicion.

Judging by how Hermann had been dealt with, the method was strikingly similar to Matthias’s habit of striking vital points in a single blow. Matthias was also the type who always repaid what was done to him. It had already become clear that Hermann had been behind the ambush that destroyed Matthias’s unit. Matthias would not have let that stand.

Besides, Matthias had shown signs of intending to deal with Hermann long before. The front lines were a place where killing carried no hesitation, a perfect environment to erase someone cleanly. If Hermann had lived, he would have remained a constant obstacle to Matthias’s success.

Even so, Odelliana could not acknowledge any of this in front of Jocelyn.

“Even if my knight were the culprit, there is no evidence,” she said. “Punishment would be impossible.”

“I know,” Jocelyn replied. “A meticulous hound like yours would never leave proof behind. And with the higher-ups already burying the incident, how could anyone press charges? I have no intention of slandering your knight. I’m simply admiring his skill.”

A peculiar gleam flickered in Jocelyn’s eyes. Odelliana felt a chill run through her and drew back slightly.

That look.

It was the same look he wore whenever he coveted something intensely. The same gaze the prince had once turned on a mere female mercenary named Lelusha. Just like in their previous life, he was fixating on Matthias.

Odelliana’s eyes hardened.

In this life, no matter what, you will never have him. Matthias is mine.

She would never allow him to be taken.

Never.

***

The Reveln royal family, enraged beyond restraint by the death of the Grüsewald heir, declared not suppression but total war. It was a declaration of absolute intent to eradicate every last barbarian. As a result, the First Knight Order, which had previously declined to join the punitive campaign due to Prince Belnias’s unexplained worsening illness, confirmed its departure.

Even so, the tide of war did not improve. The season of brutal cold was equally merciless to all, and rather than clashing blades, both sides were forced to focus on surviving the cold itself. In effect, the front remained in a state of temporary stalemate.

After the long, exhausting winter passed and spring arrived in full bloom, Odelliana recovered enough to move about on her own. Even then, the aftereffects were severe enough that she still struggled with daily life without assistance.

Martin and Liam were keenly aware that Odelliana’s injuries were entirely their fault, and their guilt weighed heavily on them. They asked Blair to remove them from regular duties so they could serve exclusively as her escorts. Blair granted their request, appointing them as her personal guards and instructing them to care for her attentively.

Odelliana found it deeply regrettable that young knights who should have been honing their skills were wasting time because of her. Once she regained some mobility, she deliberately began visiting the knight order grounds more often.

“I’ll take a walk around the area,” she said lightly. “You two should go train together.”

“My lady,” Liam protested weakly, “you’re still not well. You don’t need to concern yourself with us like this.”

Odelliana smiled and nudged him forward.

“This is the knight order grounds. It’s wide and safe, perfect for a walk.”

“But still…”

“I don’t want you neglecting your training because of me. You need to grow stronger than you are now if I’m to trust my safety to you.”

In truth, both Liam and Martin had been training diligently since dawn, and Odelliana was well aware of their sincerity.

“I want you to know this,” she added gently. “You don’t need to blame yourselves. None of this was your fault. I don’t hold you responsible.”

Moved, Liam clenched his fist tightly.

“My lady… I will serve you for the rest of my life.”

Their loyalty deepened even further in that moment. Though this was not what Odelliana had intended, she smiled nonetheless. As the two ran toward the training grounds, she began walking around the estate with Malena supporting her.

“They looked truly touched,” Malena remarked.

“They’ve suffered a great deal,” Odelliana replied. “I don’t want to become a burden to them.”

“You remind me of early spring, my lady.”

“Early spring? Why not just spring?”

“Early spring is full of life, with new shoots emerging, yet winter hasn’t fully retreated and the cold still lingers. Cold, yet warm at the same time. Just like you.”

Odelliana considered the words, then shook her head.

“It’s all of you who warm me.”

Even now, she was able to enjoy this peaceful moment thanks to so many people. Martin, Liam, Malena, Blair, and Matthias, who was surely enduring hardships on the front lines.

“In this life… I’ve been truly blessed with people.”

Memories of her past life, which she had once thought nothing but ill-fated, surfaced vividly. Her leg was still impaired, and she had faced countless schemes that nearly claimed her life, yet she no longer felt that her life was unbearably cruel.

Her body was frail enough to leave her breathless after a short walk, but she was far happier than before. She was not alone. She had people who willingly supported her. That alone was a blessing beyond compare.

Holding back a swell of emotion, Odelliana looked up at the sky.

“Today, I miss Matthias especially.”

“He always cared for you more than anyone,” Malena said softly. “I’m sure he’s alive and well.”

“Yes.”

Even amid war, spring arrived in full. The warmth was gentle, lulling both body and mind. Yet there was bitterness in enjoying it alone. The front lines would still be locked in winter’s grip. A place where, despite the season of rebirth, the presence of death loomed far stronger than life.

***

“Has the item’s whereabouts been confirmed yet?” Jocelyn asked coolly.

Aidas lowered his gaze and answered in a grim voice.

“We searched every senior commander’s quarters, but found nothing.”

“It’s a valuable card that will be useful later,” Jocelyn said. “We must secure it ourselves, without exception.”

“Understood.”

“And the people connected to Duke Batijo?”

“They’re under surveillance. There’s no cause for concern.”

“Leave.”

Dismissed, Aidas withdrew at once. Left alone, Jocelyn placed a cigar between his lips. Since it was not yet time to head to the front, he was forced to idle away his days in this small, dilapidated city. The lack of action left his body stiff and restless.

He watched smoke curl through his hazy vision in boredom when a servant arrived with the news he had been waiting for.

“The Lady has just returned to the castle.”

“Has she?”

Jocelyn sprang to his feet. Grüsewald’s hidden scandals had recently become his favorite source of amusement.

“Why does she keep frequenting that filthy poorhouse?” he muttered. “Isn’t she afraid of plagues?”

He stubbed out his cigar and stood, humming softly as he shrugged on his coat. A faint smile curved his lips.

“Since someone’s arrived to relieve my boredom, perhaps I’ll go pay a visit.”