BBYW Vol. 1 Interlude 1

Interlude 1 – Dyngir Maxwell’s First Battle

The day after I received the news of the emperor’s death, I began making preparations to do battle against the empire.

First, I had to contact the nobles affiliated to house Maxwell. I was sitting at the desk in my room, penning letters to the eastern province nobles my age who I had close relationships with.

“I see you are working fervently, my lord, but do you really think the empire will attack us?”

Sakuya placed a cup of tea on the desk and asked me this question.

I gave a glance to my black-haired maid, without pausing my pen on the paper.

“I don’t want to say it will *definitely* happen, but chances are there is going to some turmoil on their side.”

I waited for the ink to dry, then put the letter in an envelope. I stamped house Maxwell’s wax seal and wrote the recipient’s name.

“The first and second prince’s factions have been competing evenly for the last ten years: neither has the decisive power to settle who is going to be the next emperor. The possibility that they will come harass the territories on the border in order to break that balance is definitely there.”

The Lamperouge Kingdom and the Baal Empire have always been sworn enemies. Winning over such an enemy would surely be regarded as a great achievement, a solid stepping stone to become the next emperor.

The first prince, especially, had a long history with the Maxwell territory: his personal grudges alone could be reason enough to justify the invasion. 

“Ideally, I’d prefer if the two princes started a civil war…but I know it won’t be that easy.”

“I see…by the way, Lord Dyngir, I recall that the empire attacked once just before I entered your service, is that true?”

“Hmm? Oh yeah, that was my first battle.”

Five years ago, when I was 13 years old, the empire attempted a large-scale invasion of the Maxwell territory. It was a very important memory for me, as it was the first time I stood on the battlefield.

I finished writing the second letter and took it in my hands. The recipients of the first two letters I wrote were my comrades in arms in that first battle.

Ladd Efreeta.

Salm Silfis.

I gave the two letters addressed to them to Sakuya and looked outside the window, the clouds trailing in the blue sky reflecting in my eyes.

“It’s been a while since all three of us last gathered together. Our next gathering will be on the battlefield again…pretty fitting, I suppose.”

I recalled the battlefield where I fought with them and smiled.

The faces of the two friends I trusted the most appeared in my mind.

As well as the face of the hero who became my first and greatest enemy.

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