WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Haruto

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◈ The Pushover Young Lord in a Romance Fantasy Won't Take It Anymore ◈

Chapter 55: D-DAY

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Just a few weeks ago, the imperial capital's media had lavishly dressed up the expedition as a holy war.

But the public was not so easily fooled.

Once the initial excitement faded and the reality of the Ashen Forest drew closer, people's attitudes turned cold.

"What holy war? They're walking straight into a tiger's jaws. Do they think the Ashen Forest is some hill behind their village?"

"Tsk, tsk. His Highness the Crown Prince even supported them with military funds to help them save face... and those ignorant bumpkins are scattering the money to the wind."

Skeptical opinions about the expedition could be heard in every tavern and salon in the imperial capital.

It was a hellhole that even elite armies honed over decades had not dared enter.

The very idea of conquering it with an expedition force hastily assembled in a month was laughable.

"They'll be lucky if they kill a few magical beasts around the edge of the forest and come crawling back."

"It'll be a miracle if even half of them return alive."

As the public reaction grew so frosty, the media outlets that had acted as cheerleaders began changing their tune as well.

The front page of the Imperial Capital Gazette clearly reflected the Empire's cold public opinion.

[Is This a March for Glory, or a Reckless Act of Youth?]

[Cardenos's 'Ashen Forest Expedition' Nears Departure. Imperial Capital Citizens Grow Increasingly Concerned...]

The praise that had once shouted about "love for humanity" and a "great undertaking" had vanished without a trace.

Now, it was being dismissed as a reckless challenge born from Young Lord Astin's ambition.

In the end, the expedition would fail, leaving behind nothing but massive casualties.

That was the prevailing view.

* * *

Two days before departure, I headed to Kyle's workshop.

The moment I opened the iron door, the sharp smell of herbs hit me.

Through the thick smoke, Kyle stared blankly into space with hollow eyes.

"Ah, Young Lord... you've come."

The dark circles beneath his eyes were deep, and his hair looked like a bird had built a nest in it.

Kyle was a workaholic, yet he looked like that. I couldn't even imagine how busy he'd been trying to meet the deadline.

"You checked that nothing was missing, right?"

"Yes... We've stockpiled more demonic energy antidotes than we'll need. The standard purification masks and emergency hemostatic agents have all been distributed as well."

Kyle pointed to the thick stack of documents on the table. Exhaustion had carved furrows between his brows.

"But so many people gathered that we had to use some of the dead stock to cover the demand. Especially the magic items."

Numbers and cold weapons alone would not be enough to force our way through the Ashen Forest.

First, since we couldn't use warhorses, spatial storage pouches were essential.

There were magical communication stones for contacting the rear, mana flares to light the darkness, purification stones, silent heat stones, and all kinds of scrolls to hold magical beasts in place.

Magic items were indispensable resources for the expedition.

"We secured plenty, but the recruitment notice was a huge hit. Too many people can be a problem too."

"It doesn't matter much. We're only short on spares, right?"

The dead stock Kyle mentioned was reserve supplies. Spare lives, in case something went wrong.

The money earned from cosmetics, the family's full support, Irina's bottomless funds, and even the military budget from the Imperial Family. Everyone had been issued enough supplies.

"It's noisy outside. Did something happen?"

Kyle blinked his tired eyes and glanced toward the window.

Frowning, I walked over as well.

Outside, a long procession of wagons crossed the vast plains.

It was a massive convoy, every cargo bed piled high with goods.

I assumed it was Irina's side.

The Patrian Merchant Guild had said it would send in the final supplies the day before departure.

"...What?"

The crest engraved on the leading wagon. Seven stars set against a silver background.

I rubbed my eyes.

Even after looking again, there was no mistake.

It was the crest of the Sirius Mage Tower.

'Why is the Magic Tower from the imperial capital here?'

I immediately ran out of the workshop.

A crowd had already gathered in front of the encampment, murmuring as they watched.

"Hey, isn't that the Sirius Mage Tower's crest?"

"Wow, that's crazy. Did the Magic Tower send support?"

"The Imperial Family, and now the Magic Tower too... This is no joke."

The lead wagon approached in a cloud of dust before stopping near me, as if it had been planned that way.

Clunk.

The wagon door opened, and a familiar figure stepped down.

It was Damian, deputy master of the Sirius Mage Tower. His eyes had been fixed on me from the start.

"It's been a long time, Young Lord Astin."

Damian gave a slight bow, maintaining the formal manners expected of a noble.

I still couldn't hide my surprise at the sight of him.

"Damian, what are you doing here? And what's all that behind you?"

I motioned toward the long line of wagons, and Damian smiled.

"The Sirius Mage Tower has decided to support the expedition. I used a little of my influence as deputy master."

The public estimated the expedition's chance of success at less than ten percent.

Even merchant guilds obsessed with profit and potential were reluctant to provide support.

Yet the proud, calculating Magic Tower was suddenly supplying us with materials?

I looked Damian over suspiciously.

"You must think we're going to succeed."

So he could pick up a few scraps for himself.

Damian gave an awkward smile and shook his head.

"That isn't why."

"Oh, really? Then why is it?"

Without answering, Damian turned his gaze toward the grand ducal residence.

It was as if he were looking at someone beyond the city walls.

"Ah, if you die, won't my goddess be sad?"

"You're insane."

A laugh escaped me in disbelief.

I thought all the male leads from the original story were useless idiots obsessed with women.

But now that things had turned out like this, I'd changed my mind a little. Even guys obsessed with women could be useful, depending on how you used them.

"But you're just delivering supplies and leaving, right? You're not coming with the expedition?"

"Yes, well. My life is precious to me too."

Never mind, then.

Then again, mages were obsessed with self-preservation too.

Still, I was more than grateful for the supplies alone.

This support had come out of nowhere, and I was truly thankful.

"I'm grateful, but don't try anything with Celine because of this."

"...."

"Answer me."

"Could I at least see her once before I go...?"

"Just get lost. I don't need support that comes with ulterior motives."

"Ah, my apologies. Please accept it as a gesture of goodwill."

* * *

D-1.

Time passed, and one day remained until our departure.

Training was important, but there was a mountain of paperwork that had to be finished beforehand.

Practical matters like checking supplies were for Adjutant Lucia or the quartermaster.

As commander, I had separate documents to handle.

There were final approvals to establish the chain of command, along with papers assigning political and legal responsibility.

The first document I dealt with authorized the enactment of wartime military law and summary punishment.

Discipline was the only means of controlling the expedition.

The moment we crossed into the Ashen Forest, imperial law would become useless.

Cardenos military law would be the only law remaining.

Bang!

I pressed my signet ring into the signature line.

It delegated authority to each unit commander to carry out summary punishment against those who disobeyed orders or deserted.

The second document guaranteed compensation and wages for those killed in action.

The expedition members had come prepared to risk their lives, not throw them away.

They were wandering mercenaries drawn in by money and honor.

'Even if they die in the Ashen Forest, their families will be properly compensated.'

Honor and glory were good, but trust had to come first.

Only then would the soldiers be willing to take up their swords and risk their lives.

Bang!

The last document was my will.

I had already ordered the expedition members to write theirs.

The fate of the world rested on my life. If I died, everything would be destroyed.

I had no intention of dying in the slightest, but it was necessary for formality's sake.

Scratch, scratch.

I'd already thought through what to write, so it came quickly.

I'd written countless wills in my first life.

I'd probably written more of them than love letters to that fucking bitch Azelin.

Even so, writing a will always left me with a strange feeling.

After finishing it, I left my office.

It was one in the morning. I headed straight to my room.

The bedroom was pitch-black.

Without turning on the lamp, I slipped the will into my desk drawer.

Then, as I turned around, I froze.

"...?"

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw that the middle of the bed, which should have been flat, was bulging upward.

For a moment, I wondered if Rosenthal had sent an assassin.

But if it really was an assassin... could they possibly be this sloppy?

Just in case, I rested my hand on the hilt of the dagger at my waist.

Suppressing my presence, I approached the bed.

Whoosh!

I pulled back the raised blanket.

"...Ha."

Soft, even breaths drifted from beneath it.

Celine was curled up asleep, hugging a pillow.

It was so unexpected that I could only laugh.

There was no way she'd mistaken the room, and I had a rough idea why she'd come.

I debated waking her, then decided against it.

Careful not to disturb her, I slipped between the blankets.

Celine's long lashes trembled. Her half-open eyes quickly widened.

"Gasp."

Even her startled face was damn cute.

I hid what I was thinking and asked calmly, "Why are you sleeping here?"

"I came to surprise you, but..."

"I figured. But why did you fall asleep first? You were supposed to surprise me."

"You took too long. What time is it now?"

"Now? It's past one in the morning."

"I think I waited for more than three hours."

"No wonder you fell asleep."

I could picture her trying to hold in her laughter for three hours before passing out.

She must have looked so damn cute.

It made me feel a little sorry for keeping her waiting.

"Mmm...."

Celine squirmed beneath the blankets.

As she moved closer, she slipped right into my arms.

Her bright yellow head peeked up.

She must have been tired after waking up, yet her round eyes shone as she looked up at me.

"Um...."

For some reason, her voice trembled softly.

When I waited in silence, Celine forced herself to continue.

"Can't you be the only one who stays home?"

She was asking the commander to stay behind on the day of departure.

Celine knew that wasn't possible. She was only whining anyway.

"Did you have a bad dream?"

Without a word, Celine pressed herself closer into my arms.

After a brief pause, she gave a tiny nod.

Of course I knew. Celine had always worried too much.

With departure right around the corner, her anxiety must have spiraled out of control. It had probably turned into a nightmare.

Pat.

I placed a hand on her small, chick-yellow head.

"Celine. You know that's not possible."

"...."

Celine's face fell. The corners of her eyes drooped as she lowered her gaze.

Her complaint was transparent, but that was why I liked it. If she'd had a nightmare over this, didn't that mean I was all she could think about?

As I wondered what might cheer her up, a good idea came to me.

"Come to think of it, we've never slept together. We're siblings, so we should sleep in the same bed at least once. Should we do it now?"

Celine pressed her lips tightly together.

Her mouth stayed silent, but her actions were honest.

Nod. Nod.

Her platinum hair swayed in every direction. A loose strand tickled the tip of my nose.

Looking closer, the pillow she held was one she'd brought from her own room.

She must have planned to sleep together even without saying it.

"My hands were feeling empty anyway. Get over here!"

"Eek!"

"You little soft, chewy sweet rice cake. Sniff, sniff. You smell so good. You're like a little golden puppy."

I kneaded her cheeks and buried my nose in the top of her head, taking deep breaths.

It was a little pervy, but I really couldn't help it.

Maybe because she'd just woken up, her sweet, nutty scent was especially strong.

After doing that for a while, something suddenly felt off, and I stopped.

"What is it? Why are you staying still?"

At this point, she should have been struggling.

But Celine didn't resist at all, nor did she complain.

Anyone would think she was a body pillow.

Even as I wondered about it, I couldn't let go of Celine's cheeks. They were too addictive.

"Are you already asleep?"

"Nwo...."

"Then why are you staying still?"

I took my hand away so she could speak.

Celine placed both hands over my wrist.

Instead of pushing me away, she moved my hand back onto her cheek.

"If you leave, you won't be able to touch me for a while."

Celine rubbed her cheek against my palm.

"So you should get your fill now...."

My thoughts stopped dead.

Celine filled my narrow field of vision completely.

"You're not getting any sleep tonight. Get over here!"

Celine smiled brightly and offered me her cheek.

That brat who always struggled and ran away was letting me touch her for the first time.

Honestly, I was really moved.

"Don't worry, Lady Sweet Rice Cake. If I die, I won't get to touch these cheeks, right? I definitely won't die."

"When you come back, you can take a bite out of my cheeks."

"Oh, then I definitely can't die."

"Hehe."

It might sound a little clichéd, but...

I really had no intention of dying.

I'd returned alive even from a living hell worse than the Ashen Forest.

* * *

Time passed quickly, and D-DAY arrived.

At last, the day of the departure ceremony had dawned.

Around two in the afternoon, beneath a clear sky without a single cloud.

Dressed neatly in the Black Lion uniform, I walked onto the platform.

Standing there, I slowly looked down.

"...."

A vast wave filled my view.

Ten thousand soldiers stood in orderly ranks. Twenty thousand eyes looked up at me alone.

Armed knights, trained elite soldiers, and veteran mercenaries who had survived countless life-or-death situations from all over the continent.

Above their heads, the Banner of the Black Lion fluttered in the wind.

"What a sight."

The nobles and public of the imperial capital had mocked us and predicted our failure.

They called it suicide, walking willingly into the jaws of magical beasts.

Part of me wanted to show them the sight unfolding beneath my feet.

Keeping the expedition force in my sight, I opened my mouth.

Footnotes:

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