Chapter 127

From the very beginning, the essence of this confrontation was clear.

The clash between shadow and gold. Beyond that, the colors: black and blue claiming to be the standard-bearer of shadow, crimson and white claiming to be the standard-bearer of gold. It was an extremely straightforward color theory.

Who the ‘Golden Sovereign’ referred to went without saying. The one standing at the pinnacle of the Empire of Fire and Light.

Therefore, there was no need to even mention where Dale, bearing the name ‘Shadow Lord,’ should fight.

Even though the First War of the Roses ended in victory for Lancaster thanks to Dale’s exploits, as Mikhail Malmatta said, the war was only just beginning.

Shortly thereafter. Officially, the House of York offered to surrender at Dale’s request, and the House of Lancaster accepted their surrender. The hero of the First War of the Roses, the ‘Black Prince’ who had served as Lancaster’s standard-bearer, also returned to his own lands.

Shortly thereafter, the House of Lancaster declared war on the House of York, accusing them of brainwashing and bewitching their eldest son, Richard.

This marked the beginning of the Second War of the Roses.

In this world, there are no lifelong enemies, nor lifelong allies.

That was why Dale found himself within the castle walls of the House of York, against whom he had fought as an enemy just moments before. All in the name of ‘Philip,’ the reckless scion of the House of the Earl who fought for them.

Having already served as a standard-bearer for the House of Lancaster, Dale could not possibly fight for the House of York while bearing that name. Thus, the only option was to imprison the ‘real Philip’ in the dungeons of York Castle and fight under his borrowed name.

“I can tolerate my existence becoming unofficially known to the enemy. No, at the very least, Prince Michael will believe I am fighting 100% for the House of York.”

At Dale’s words, Mistress Titania smiled silently.

“However, as long as I officially act as ‘Philip, the eldest son of the Count’s family,’ my opponent will likewise find it difficult to restrain me.”

Above all, Dale’s domain lies at the northernmost edge of the empire, within the Demon King’s Realm. By the time envoys from the Grand Duchy of Lancaster arrive to verify the truth, the outcome of the war will likely already be decided.

Officially, there will be no breaking of the ‘Great Demon Alliance’ concluded between Saxony and Lancaster. This is, after all, a separate matter.

“Prince Dale… no, Prince Philip… I never imagined you possessed such brilliant wisdom.”

“Ah, how truly noble you are.”

Catherine of York, betrothed to Philip, reached out toward Dale’s cheek. As if to say how truly lovely he was. But Dale remained utterly still, merely stopping her action. At the same moment, the emotion vanished from Catherine’s expression.

“I am serving the House of York entirely of my own free will.”

“So you have no intention of being played according to Prince Mikhail’s whims?”

“I’m not the type to live in debt.”

Dale replied coldly.

“Moreover, this debt extends to your House of York as well.”

“Since the ‘Dark Prince’ of the realm has placed his trust in us and accepted us, we of the York family will fulfill our duty as the ‘Shadow Riders’.”

“That is insufficient.”

Dale shook his head.

“Is there something else you desire?”

“The moment I secure victory in this battle, convene the ‘Sorceress Council’ of the Blue Mage Tower.”

Dale said, recalling the image of his master, Sepia.

“And I shall be present at that gathering as well.”

“Heh heh, Your Highness is already more than qualified to do so.”

Mistress Titania smiled meaningfully. Dale did not answer, but unfolded the map as he was.

A room in the Duke of York’s residence.

Present there were Dale, the Swordmaster Baro, and the sorceresses of York.

Beyond that, the ‘Sword Spirit Sephelia’, who had been active as a branch of York, and the Iron Cross Knights loyal to her were no longer present. The Imperial Court had directly summoned the Sword Spirit and her knights.

‘They must have planned for this outcome from the start.’

The timing was far too coincidental. And given how the situation had unfolded, the Red Magic Tower joining forces was likely a foregone conclusion.

“Does the royal court know that behind the House of York lies the Blue Mage Tower?”

“They merely suspect it. But once the ‘Black Prince’ joins this battle, their suspicion will turn to certainty. Regardless, even without the Prince’s involvement, the Red Mage Tower would have decided to fight for the House of Lancaster.”

“The Blue Mage Tower’s silence will come to an end, then.”

“Oh my, that won’t happen. The Blue Mage Tower always maintains its silence.”

At Dale’s words, York’s Titania laughed as if delighted.

As it has been until now, so it shall remain. Even before I was called by the name ‘York,’ and even when I cast off this name and take up a new one, nothing will change.

The form of the family is merely a pretense for Mistress and her kin to blend into the empire.

“Now then, shall we all confront the blue wisdom together?”

Mistress Titania spoke softly, unfurling a large map upon the wooden table.

The Lancaster faction boasts a formidable outsider in the form of the Heavenly Sword. Meanwhile, the York side has the master assassin Baro making his mark. Even considering the disparity in rank among the Seven Swords, the situation is far from a complete collapse of asymmetric forces.

Moreover, a battlefield where continental Seven Swords-level masters participate is never limited to the involvement of just one of the Seven Swords.

The Lancaster House boasts the Knights of the Rose Cross, and furthermore, Michael Lancaster, who is said to be the closest to the continent’s Seven Swords.

Dale’s victory in the first battle was merely a taste of things to come, and the real ‘War of the Roses’ had only just begun.

And as if to prove that fact, the Lancaster forces, which had been consistently defensive throughout, began to move.

After all, they held the ‘justification’ of rescuing their eldest son, Richard.

The fertile lands of the Houses of York and Lancaster, interlocking in a region devoid of natural fortifications like rivers or mountain ranges. Along the lengthy border stretching between the two estates, simultaneous breakthrough attempts launched at multiple points.

By simultaneously forming multiple fronts to sow confusion, and through that confusion, identifying the most vulnerable point and executing a pinpoint breakthrough before the enemy can react.

It was a deep penetration tactic based on the ‘maneuver warfare doctrine,’ the very flower of the Knights of the Rose Cross.

Bang!

Dale, prone atop the fortress’s watchtower, pulled the trigger of his ‘Shadow Rifle’. A bullet of darkness plunged toward a single Lancaster infantryman.

A combined arms unit composed of a small number of knights and infantry.

Holding back this one unit is by no means difficult. You could see their morale steadily crumble each time they attempted to lay siege to the fortress in the Marquisate of York, and each time Dale silently pulled the trigger of his rifle.

“Retreat! Retreat! All fall back!”

Dale had previously distinguished himself as the ‘Shadow Sniper’ against the Knights of St. Magdalena. That was entirely Dale’s own initiative, and the Lancastrians likely hadn’t even grasped the full extent of his capabilities.

And whenever the forces of the House of Lancaster encountered the ‘unknown terror of death,’ their orders were always the same.

Unconditional retreat.

“We held the fort! The Lancaster dogs are fleeing!”

“Serves you right, you dogs of Lancaster!”

“Prince Philip led us to victory!”

They praised none other than the name of Philip, the genius of defeat.

Unaware of the full circumstances, the York soldiers were simply intoxicated by the joy of victory for holding the fortress.

Nevertheless, the damage to the Lancaster forces is minimal, and they will likely retreat to regroup and attempt to re-engage.

Attempting to pursue the enemy forces would only tie our own hands. While their numbers are significant enough to warrant attention, they are also small enough that their complete annihilation would have no impact on the overall situation.

‘They’ve built their combat doctrine from the start, assuming I’ll be the one to make the decisive move.’

Watching the retreating enemy, Dale bit his lip softly.

In this region where the vast and fertile domains of two great lords interlocked, they had to determine where the enemy forces’ ‘core strength’ was concentrated as they maneuvered simultaneously.

To that end, high-ranking assassins of the ‘Shadow Court’ were carrying out intelligence missions across the front lines, and all Dale could do for now was wait.

At least for now.

Even if they did not officially possess ‘non-standard powerhouses,’ the House of York also maintained its own knightly order.

The Blue Rose Knights.

Officially, the head of that knightly order is Lady Sephelia, a collateral branch of the House of York and the deputy commander of the Iron Cross Knights. Therefore, she was invited in the form of a ‘knightly order’ to receive instruction.

A breastplate embroidered with the blue and white rose symbolizing the House of York.

Puuuk!

An aura blade of crimson and white plunged into that armor.

It was the strike of the Sword Ghost, Mikhail—the one closest to becoming the next of the Seven Swords of the Continent, and the heir to the House of Lancaster.

Moreover, the Knights of the Rose Cross following him were simultaneously swinging their swords at the knights of the House of York.

Battle is not fought by numbers alone. The cavalry formations of the Knights of the Rose Cross spread across the front lines were all identical in structure. It was a deception meant to prevent the enemy from gauging their strength by the number of cavalry.

However, this did not mean the knights comprising those cavalry units were of equal quality.

Though they refrained from actions that might arouse the scouts’ suspicion, such as hastily deploying avatars… Amidst the Lancaster family’s simultaneous, wave-like assaults, Mikhail’s cavalry unit was already pushing deep into the heart of the York family’s territory.

No one shouted the name ‘Prince Mikhail’, and Mikhail himself concealed his identity completely beneath his helmet.

“The Lancaster forces are pinning down our defensive posture through widespread simultaneous engagements.”

At that moment, in a fortress within the Marquis of York’s domain, not far from the front lines.

“And yet, just a short while ago, they were pointing fingers at our ‘despicable plunder of the House of York.’ How utterly shameless this behavior is.”

Dale spoke up, and York’s Titania smiled as if she had expected it. Along with the young ladies of the York family following her.

“This is no time for jokes.”

“Oh dear, did my words sound like a joke to you?”

Titania of York retorted.

“If I believe this fight is unwinnable, I will leave the York Marquisate without a moment’s hesitation.”

“Ah, how cold-hearted you are.”

After saying that much, Titania’s second daughter, Catherine, approached her. She leaned close and whispered something in her ear that Dale couldn’t hear.

“Oh my, what a thing.”

Upon hearing those words, Titania burst into laughter as if delighted.

“Is this a situation to laugh about?”

“No. It seems an unexpected ‘surprise guest’ has arrived right in the middle of the heated battle.”

Titania said.

“It seems the ‘Wise Fairy,’ worried about the young master… has personally come to this domain.”

The Blue Mage Tower and the puppet of the Sorceress Council, bearing the name of ‘Sepia’—the teacher Dale could never forget.