I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 205
Is it possible that Tess is spreading rumors that Euseniel Hardland is wearing clothes he made for her?
With my conspicuous attire, I made my way to the Knight’s Hall and soon was able to meet Sir Guard after a long time.
“Oh, Euel. What brings you here at this hour?”
Sir Guard, still residing in the annex behind the Knight’s Hall, was walking around the training grounds.
“I need to speak with Ehtyl…Sir Ethyl Bonart.”
As expected, Ethyl was still at the Knight’s Hall. Some knights had already been dispatched to the war front, and their names were announced earlier today.
“What’s up, Euel? What brings you all this way?”
While Duke Bonart might already know, Ethyl would find his own name on the list soon, but I wanted to be the one to tell him.
After hearing the news, Ethyl remained silent for a moment.
The darkened palace felt even more silent with Ethyl’s silence. After a pause, he spoke with a firm tone.
“I am a proud knight of the Northern Empire, a son of Bonart. It’s only natural.”
He usually spoke calmly and energetically but lowered his voice to make a serious point, yet I could not agree with him.
* * *
When I stepped out of the Knight’s Hall, I headed straight for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was able to meet my intended contact without difficulty.
“Aurin.”
“Euel.”
Aurin, appearing to be working overtime, was carrying some documents.
“I’ll help you.”
When she tried to dissuade me after looking at me, who took a hefty stack of papers from her, Aurin smiled, seemingly remembering that I was half-elf.
“Is everyone this busy?”
“It’s the season.”
Aurin quickly opened up about her concerns as if she had been waiting.
“Just when we had opened up trade with the principality, it looks like we might have to cut it off.”
“Oh no.”
“And we need to import food as well. It’s a big problem.”
The Northern Empire, with its cold climate and mountainous terrain, isn’t suited for agriculture.
Especially now in winter, and with spring approaching amidst a war, it’s the worst timing.
Soon we should be starting our planting season, but if the war escalates, a massive conscription might be necessary, reducing the labor available for agriculture.
In contrast, the Southern Empire, being warm all year round and capable of multiple harvests, is a land of plenty. They must already have ample food reserves.
Considering their aggressive and martial nature, the people of the Northern Empire might have the upper hand, but the basic necessities pose a problem.
And my real worry here is Tess.
Does this situation count as Tess being responsible for people’s deaths? Does it make him a murderer? If so, is he becoming more mad?
Tess won’t discuss this part, which makes it particularly frustrating.
“Damn that Southern Empire Emperor.”
These aren’t my words.
“A war? Talking about the merciful God Lux and then starting a war? Are they insane?”
After criticizing the Southern Empire Emperor for a while, Aurin seemed somewhat relieved. As Aurin’s workplace came into view, we couldn’t delay the conversation any longer.
“Aurin.”
“Yeah?”
“Well, I just spoke with Ethyl.”
My lips are not moving readily.
“Ethyl told me not to tell you, but I thought you should know.”
“What is it?”
Aurin and Ethyl might not be anything official yet, but it was clear they cared for each other.
If Aurin agrees, Ethyl will surely persuade his father. However, Aurin has not given any signs to Ethyl.
Aurin, you are somewhat like me.
You weren’t loved in your youth that you became unsure how to express affection to someone you care about. In this life, I’ve had another chance, but Aurin still lacks in this area.
That’s why, feeling somewhat more at ease now, I decided to step in.
“Ethyl is, deployed.”
The papers Aurin was holding dropped swiftly. I deftly caught them and placed them on top of the stack I was holding before she could react.
“Ethyl? He’s the eldest son of the Bonart family. Is he going to the front lines?”
“The Duke supported it.”
One of the founding heroes of the Northern Empire, the current Duke, has expressed a willingness to sacrifice his life for the country’s crisis.
However, there were objections to the captain of the Imperial Guards leaving the palace. Instead, his son was sent to the battlefield.
“I was just the messenger, and Ethyl agreed to it.”
The second child got married last year, and the youngest just came of age. If someone were to go, it would have to be him.
“He asked me not to tell you.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t give me a reason.”
I have a rough idea why though.
Realizing her hands were empty, Aurin took some of the documents from me.
“I was trying to hold onto it a bit longer. Hopefully, he won’t have to go through as much heartache as I did.”
As she resumed walking, it seemed she was engulfed in a mix of emotions. Understanding somewhat how she felt, I chose to keep silent.
It wasn’t until we reached her destination that Aurin spoke again.
“Thanks for telling me, Yuseiniel.”
“Mm, it’s nothing.”
I stayed put until Aurin’s figure disappeared into the building.
Thankfully, Tess wasn’t the one to go to the front.
Despite feeling selfish, a sigh of relief escaped me naturally.
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