Chapter 5: Prelude to a Falling Nation
[The Principles of the World]
Once, there existed a vast unified nation on this continent.
Its name was the “Adler Empire.”
The Emperor’s authority was absolute, and everyone believed without doubt that its rule would last for a thousand years.
However, the great empire began to quietly collapse from within due to calamities beyond human resistance.
A plague known as the “Black Death,” followed by an unprecedented great famine.
The fertile granary regions, once said to be the richest on the continent, withered away, and along the roads leading to the imperial capital, the bodies of those who had fallen to sickness and starvation piled up like mountains.
The empire’s ability to govern rapidly deteriorated.
The Emperor became nothing more than a figure who prayed to the gods, and orders from the center no longer reached any of the regional lords.
The nobles who had once sworn loyalty to the empire began to bare their fangs at one another under the pretext of protecting their lands and people.
Thus began an era of endless warfare that engulfed the entire continent.
It marked the beginning of the chaotic age later called by historians the “Age of Warring Lords.”
“Valzen Ducal Calendar Year 10, July 1 — Caledon Territory, Drachensburg Castle”
[Perspective of Reinhardt von Caledon, Heir to the Marquis]
It had not even been ten days since Father lost his life at the Helden Hills.
Now that the empire’s authority had faded, it was Father’s charisma alone that served as the only wedge binding together the lords of the Caledon territory.
With that wedge gone, ugly desires for the next hegemony had begun to swirl among the nobles who had come to Drachensburg Castle to pay their respects.
The one who tore through that atmosphere was the desperate cry of a messenger who burst into the throne room.
“M-My report! The Duke of Valzen has departed from the capital Eisenburg with four thousand troops! He is heading toward the Helden Hills!”
That single report caused chaos like a disturbed nest of hornets.
“W-What!? He’s already moved!?”
“The Helden Hills!? Don’t tell me he plans to use that as a foothold to invade our territory in one sweep!”
“Damn that Valzen, taking advantage of our weakness…!”
“My territory is close to the Helden Hills! Lord Reinhardt, send reinforcements at once!”
“Don’t be a fool! If we divert troops to your land and leave the main castle vulnerable, what then!?”
No one spoke words of mourning for Father anymore.
All that filled their minds was the safety of their own lands and schemes of self-preservation at the expense of their neighbors.
(Is this… the country Father sought to protect…?)
I, Reinhardt von Caledon, bit my lip atop the throne.
Before anger, a crushing sense of helplessness consumed my entire body.
“Silence! All of you, calm yourselves!”
My desperate shout did not reach the ears of those driven by immediate danger and their own desires.
At that moment, a single cough echoed through the hall, forcibly silencing the chaos.
It was my uncle, Count Gerhart.
“…Pathetic, all of you. The enemy has not even crossed the border, and yet this disgraceful display.”
At his calm voice, everyone fell silent.
Count Gerhart glanced at me on the throne and spoke without hiding his contempt.
“Lord Reinhardt, do you intend to follow in your father’s footsteps? What we need now is calm judgment. If we move our troops recklessly, it will play right into the Duke of Valzen’s hands. We will simply be defeated one by one.”
“Then are you saying we should just sit and watch!?”
“Indeed. This Drachensburg Castle is impregnable. Evacuate the people into the castle and prepare for a siege. Even the Duke of Valzen will be forced to hesitate before these great walls. We buy time and wait for reinforcements from neighboring nations. That is the only and best course of action.”
It was sophistry—no different from admitting defeat before even fighting.
While we remained holed up, it meant watching helplessly as the Duke of Valzen ravaged our lands at will.
(No one can be relied upon anymore. Then…!)
I slowly rose from the throne.
I looked over each and every noble gathered in the hall.
In their eyes, there was only relief and the base instinct of self-preservation.
“…Perhaps Uncle is right. Those who wish to remain and defend may stay in this castle.”
At my words, the atmosphere in the hall visibly relaxed.
But I continued.
“However, I will go. This is a war of vengeance for Father. For the pride of House Caledon, I will avenge him! …Even if I must stand alone!”
I flipped my cloak and left the throne room without looking back even once.
Behind me, I could hear whispers of confusion and ridicule.
Even so, I did not stop walking.
The nation Father built, and the empire that had already fallen—was now collapsing from within.
The only one who could stop it now was me.
Even if it meant a reckless battle that would end in my own destruction.
However, I was stopped by everyone, and I was unable to depart for battle.