The Story of a Modest Young Lady Who Formed a New Engagement the Day After Her Engagement Was Annulled - Chapter 13

Shortly before the armistice agreement was signed. The fighting had ended, but there was still much to be done. Agreement meetings with the enemy nation’s leadership, assessment of reparation payments, condolences to the families of the war dead, prisoner releases. Visiting acquaintances and subordinates, writing letters to the families of those who had fallen in battle—time flew by in an instant. After completing the armistice signing with the opposing nation, we finally welcomed the end of the war.

“You’ve returned alive. That’s good to see. I heard you performed in a manner worthy of the War God’s name once again, Fels. You’ll be receiving another medal.”

It was Prince Heinrich, the crown prince who had come to the front lines to attend the signing ceremony as the Emperor’s representative, who spoke to me. His carefree demeanor and the difficulty in reading his true feelings from his expression were probably the result of having lived as royalty for many years. Though I had been assigned as his playmate and we had spent much time together, there were times when I couldn’t quite grasp what Heinrich was thinking.

Whenever I returned from the battlefield on leave and visited the royal capital’s castle to make an appearance, I was often recommended portraits of unmarried noblewomen, as they wanted to provide me with a partner. Even the princess consort, Heinrich’s own spouse, had strangely recommended some to me, which left me somewhat troubled. They argued that it wouldn’t do for the eldest son of the Margrave family to be without a partner, and since they spoke the truth, I couldn’t simply dismiss them. Still, I never actually chose a partner through their introductions.

“Heinrich, it wasn’t just my achievement alone.”

I looked at Heinrich, thinking that if I said any more, I might end up saying something unnecessary. The weight of the medals was the weight of the lives of the comrades who had died under my command. The twenty-year war was over. Now we could look forward and advance toward a new future. There was a possibility we might tread the path of war again, but given that priority would be given to restoring the exhausted domestic economy, we would likely have peace for a while.

After all, neither the Emperor nor Heinrich, the next king, were warmongers. The trigger for the twenty-year war had been the enemy nation’s invasion of our country.

The territories along the border became the front lines, and the border between the Lotus Margraviate and the enemy nation became a fiercely contested area. If the Margraviate were breached, it would be the royal family who would suffer. Geopolitically, if it were breached, the fall of the royal capital would be imminent. There had been periods of truce, but in the end, the war had dragged on for twenty years.

“I see.”

Heinrich murmured briefly and lightly patted my back. I knew he too was pained by the many casualties. Being in a position that prevented him from going to the front lines, he had often expressed frustration that he could only send off those who were deployed.

“Hey, Heinrich. I have a small favor to ask. I included it in the military report, but I’m worried whether they’ll investigate it properly.”

Though I had written in the report that I had been able to defeat the enemy mage thanks to a black-haired woman, I doubted whether the military would conduct a proper investigation.

Because I’m hailed as the War God, there’s a tendency for them to dislike acknowledging anyone else as having contributed. Moreover, due to women’s low status, there was also the possibility she wouldn’t be properly evaluated.

At times like these, it’s convenient to be from the Margrave family and to be on good terms with Heinrich, a member of the royal family. I felt somewhat sorry for the military upper echelons and guilty about involving personal feelings, but it was the surest and quickest method. I was well aware that Heinrich was busy, but if it was him, he would probably look into it in his spare time.

“It’s rare for you to ask a favor. What’s the matter, being so formal?”

Heinrich looked at my face with a puzzled expression. Indeed, it was unusual for me to ask anyone for a favor.

“I want you to look into a black-haired woman serving in the military. This time, the reason I was able to achieve merit was thanks to her. If possible, I want her to be properly recognized.”

I could have ordered my subordinates to do it, but that would feel even more like using personal influence to move military personnel.

“A woman, huh… It’ll depend on the testimonies of those around her, I suppose. But if you say so, both the royal family and the military will likely have to accept it. Heinrich told me this with a subtly troubled expression. He first instructed me to send a detailed report to him, and I bowed my head in thanks. Women’s status remained low, and there were many male nobles who didn’t look favorably upon women achieving success. On the battlefield, some openly disliked them, citing physical weakness or times when they were incapacitated due to their monthly cycles.

However, those who could use magic were highly valued, and noblewomen who had received magical education sometimes stood on the battlefield, while others who were struggling to make ends meet joined the military. I’d heard that due to the prolonged war, some had been recruited to replace men. Despite this, those bound by old-fashioned ideas boldly declared that women should stay out of sight. Exhaling, I thought it might still be a while before women could gain formal recognition and be accepted. I looked at Heinrich again.

“It wouldn’t do for me to unilaterally praise her. She might be accused of favoritism, so having her evaluated through official channels should be better for the black-haired woman.”

With just a word from me, she could be elevated just like I had been. While I wanted her to be recognized and receive proper compensation, it was a difficult situation.

“Mm-hmm. I’m surprised that someone as rigid as you have thought that far. I’m happy, so I’ll do my best to look into it. In short, you don’t want to create another War God, right? ‘The battlefield goddess who aided the War God and led to victory’—has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

I returned a wry smile to Heinrich, who was chuckling. At least it seemed things would work out, and Heinrich had understood my concerns.

“Ah, well. If she herself wishes for it, then perhaps it would be alright?”

It would depend on the military and the royal family’s judgment. If the black-haired woman desired it, Heinrich would probably arrange it. It felt a bit like leaving it to others, but what I could do was fight on the battlefield.

Another thing was that with the war over, I would have to take various actions for the reconstruction of the Margraviate. The epithet “War God” would likely fade with time as well. For a while, it was certain I would still be called the War God, and I could easily predict being invited to soirées and celebratory banquets during the victory festivities.

“For the royal family, it would be best if she wished for it herself. Well, it depends on the woman you’re concerned about.”

Concerned… More than concerned, it was that I wanted her to receive proper recognition. Whether this feeling fell into the category of “concern” was ambiguous.

Heinrich laughed while shrugging his shoulders. He too was someone who bore the title of crown prince. He must have keenly felt the anguish and suffocation of being elevated by others, the expectations, envy, jealousy—the myriad of emotions directed at him. I also shrugged, thinking we both had our share of troubles, and we walked together down the corridor of the armistice signing venue.