Translated by Cadmar

2/2 chapters

Chapter 259 - Kyle's Feelings

"Ars-nii, I heard that you're going to fight the Arbalest family?"

"Kyle, yeah, that's right. Apparently, things are starting to shift quite a bit around here. It's possible that the Arbalests will be prompted by that to make a move. Barca will station our army in Paramea and see what happens. So, I'm going to go back to work for a while. I'll leave the rest of the jobs in Barcania to you."

"About that, do you think it would be okay if I went with you?"

"Eh?"

"I want to go with you, Ars-nii. Can I?"

"No, you can't do that. You're just a kid; a 10-year-old kid doesn't need to go into battle."

"But Baito-nii and you both participated in battles when you were 10 years of age. Then, I'm going to go to, too!"

"No, no, no, Kyle. I cannot take you into battle. Please stay in Barcania."

"Why?! I can fight, too!"

"What's the matter, Kyle? You're being more aggressive than usual today. Is something wrong?"

"I'm worried about you, nii-san. While fighting the undead dragon, you became so battered and bruised. You could have died. I thought that I could have helped, too, but I still couldn't do anything. That's why, this time as well, I also want to help..."

"Nn. So you are thinking about that time. Still, I don't think you are yet ready for a battlefield."

"No!"

"Well, listen. I'm going to ask you to do something very important and very special for the Barcan Army.

"Special? I can do it. What's the task?"

"I'm going to assign two people to you, Ojiisan and Payne. I want you to work with them and help the army. Specifically, I'd like to ask them to lead the Transportation Corps, which will procure and deliver weapons and food. Can you help them do that?"

"I take it you're not going to allow me on the battlefield..."

"Uh, well, yes... but it's an important job! I mean, to put it bluntly, battles are almost always won or lost in the preparatory stages. The army can't do anything if it's starving. The future of this battle is up to you, Kyle. Can you do it?"

"Yes, all right, nii-san. I'll take care of it. I'll make sure everything is set up so that you won't be in trouble no matter what the situation... Yet, I still want to help you directly..."

"That's the spirit," I said while ignoring the latter part of the sentence. "Good luck, Kyle. Alright, I'm going to head out now."

"Bye, Ars-nii... be careful!"

　Hmmm, I never thought Kyle would say something like this.

　Unlike his brother Baito, Kyle does not have a belligerent personality, so I had thought that he would not even consider going to the battlefield.

　Apparently, this had something to do with the fact that he went into the woods with Thanatos and me.

　I honestly don't know how that hard survival experience ended up affecting Kyle.

　I mean, I don't know if I'd call it a bad influence.

　Either way, maybe it's just a matter of whether it's too early or too late to say something like that.

　Because among knights and soldiers who go into battle, there are many who think that those who have shown strength in battle are qualified to stand above others.

　It may have something to do with the fact that battles have been going on throughout the long history of this world.

　This is no different from the historical nobility from my previous world.

　No one will follow a nobleman if he is a coward that will run away at the hint of war, even if he can give his retainers magic.

　It was the same with Carlos.

　After I defeated Raymond, who had originally been leading the Fontana Territory, Carlos managed to organize everything on his own after being given the chance.

　Then, he directly discussed with me, the cause of the problem, and showed his ability and free-thinking by incorporating me into his own forces. Next, he suppressed those that were rebellious against his rule.

　That is why the Fontana territory was unified under Carlos quickly.

　If Carlos had acted under the mistaken impression that, as the Head of the family, he was superior to everyone else, Fontana would have been torn apart.

　Besides, he was going to deal with the Memento family, which was about to move a large army.

　When you have to show your worth, you do anything that is necessary, even if it is dangerous.

　That is what is important for the nobles.

　This is not limited to Carlos alone.

　And, of course, Kyle is no stranger to this type of thinking.

　I recognize Kyle's competence.

　Not only is he able to use his own magic, but he is also very reliable in his office work.

　But whether or not other people recognize that is a different matter.

　A child who has never even been to war, just because he is my brother, is in a position like the head of the internal affairs of the Barca Knight's Domain.

　Naturally, there are those who are dissatisfied with this.

　Maybe even quite a few of those that went to battle with me and were given the Barca surname think that. As a consequence of this, Kyle might have a hard time reigning in those that oppose him.

　I wonder if Kyle is under that kind of pressure unexpectedly, just because I don't know about it.

　If so, I may need Kyle to work on the battlefield sooner or later in the not-too-distant future so that he shows his strength to those that doubt him.

　But personally, I don't think that is a very favorable choice.

　If something were to happen to Kyle because of that, I would be the one who would be most troubled, both emotionally and politically.

　What should I do?

　While feeling like a parent struggling to raise a child, I led the Barca forces into the Water Fortress Paramea, where Gana is staying.

　Apparently, the Arbalests had already sensed our movement.

　Soon after arriving, Gana informed me of Arbalest's army moving.

　Thus, the day of the clash between the Barcan Army and the Arbalest Army, in conjunction with the Ixian army led by Gana, was drawing near.

CadmarLegend

The army led by Gana is called "イクス軍 (Ikusu-gun)" Ikusu is the name and gun is "army." Thus, Ix Army becomes the Ixian Army in this context. Just wanted to write this so that I don't forget at a later date.