Maxi hesitated before nodding.
Ruth looked uncertain for a moment, but he heaved a sigh and disclosed the truth. “Sir Riftan has formally declared war on the Duchy of Croyso.”
Maxi felt her whole body freeze. Though she had half expected this, having someone confirm it sent her heart plummeting.
Seeing the color drain from Maxi’s face, Ruth quickly added, “It was a decision made after thorough deliberation. The Remdragon Knights have been ill disposed to the Duke of Croyso for a long time now. War was inevitable.”
“B-But…no one spoke of war until now,” she croaked. “It’s my fault…th-that things have come to this….”
Ruth opened then closed his mouth as though unable to think of an adequate reply. Maxi’s face fell, and her hands trembled as she clasped them in her lap. Guilt pressed on her chest. She bit her lip at the weight of it when she heardRuth’s somber voice.
“It is too late. Sir Riftan infiltrated Croyso Castle and assaulted the duke. Though he has remained silent so far, the duke is not one to let such offenses slide. It would be better for us to strike first.”
“B-But…the A-Armistice of the Seven Kingdoms prohibits war. King Reuben…w-would never pardon it.”
Ruth shrugged as if to say that this had also been taken into consideration.
“You are correct,” he said, sounding indifferent. “It is highly likely that the king will impose sanctions, but we have enough reason to justify our declaration of war. It is indisputable that you now belong to Anatol, and that the duke no longer has any say in your affairs. The fact that he harmed you is grounds enough for war. We can assert our validity and go through with this even if the royal family interferes.”
Maxi flinched. Unable to bear it any longer, she had to ask. “Do the rest of the knights…kn-know everything?”
Ruth immediately grasped the vague question. Hesitating briefly, he rubbed the back of his neck and bobbed his head. “It’s not that I, Sir Elliot, or Sir Ursuline said anything. I’m sure everyone was able to figure out that the duke had done some grievous harm to you. I’d say Sir Riftan’s demeanor and those of the men who accompanied him were a dead giveaway.”
After a pause, he tentatively added, “To tell you the truth, quite a few brought up practical reasons to oppose the war. But those in favor of it were far more adamant. Sir Riftan is not the only one who is angry…. The knights are furious as well. I don’t think anything will be able to stop them.”
Flustered and unsure of how to react, Maxi fixed her gazeon the floor. Ruth heaved an exaggerated sigh as if to dispel the heavy air.
“As you know,” he continued, “those creatures we call knights will not be content unless they brandish their swords in the name of honor and chivalry. Please don’t let this trouble you too much. They’ll calm down after they’ve fought it out.”
“I…c-cannot think s-so lightly of a war!” Maxi cried. “Th-There is no need for the Remdragon Knights to do this…for my sake….”
“My lady,” said Ruth, his voice growing heavy.
Maxi flinched and raised her head. The sorcerer regarded her with a solemn expression as he spoke.
“You are not only the Lady of Anatol but a mage of the Remdragon Knights. And the knights never forgive those who harm one of their own. The majority were in favor of the war, and even those who opposed for pragmatic reasons are inwardly in agreement.”
“B-But…”
At a loss for words, Maxi dumbly opened and closed her mouth. Her heart fluttered as she recalled how she had once envied the bond shared by Riftan, Ruth, and the knights. Since when had she become one of them?
Noticing her bewilderment, Ruth gave her a bitter smile. “You fought for the people at Eth Lene with no regard for your own safety. It is the same for us now. The Remdragon Knights have the right to be angry and to retaliate against those who would harm you.”
“I-I…”
Maxi bit her quivering lip. Her eyes grew hot, and she felt a choking sensation as though she had swallowed a block oflead. If she had not followed her father to Croyso Castle, Riftan and the knights would not have had any reason to wage this war.
If only she had not been so weak and had been brave enough to face Riftan. If only she had trusted the people who were looking out for her. If only she had not abused her body…
Squeezing her eyes shut, Maxi mustered up the strength to continue talking. “I am grateful…but…I-I still…do not w-want a war. I never wish to see…s-such a terrible tragedy again.”
“It won’t become an all-out war,” Ruth said resolutely. “Although Sir Riftan wants to raze the duchy to the ground, doing so would give us no loopholes to avoid the sanctions for breaking the armistice. It’s why armed conflicts between territories are settled through cavalry battles. Knights of both territories will face off, and the winner will be determined after several battles. It’s not uncommon for a war to be won in a single fight by taking out the opposition’s commanding officer. It’s a completely different nature from monster raids.”
Maxi took a shaky breath. “E-Even so…we won’t be able to…a-avoid casualties. How could we make the men f-fight another war…when they have just returned from a long campaign?”
Hearing the tremor in her voice, Ruth’s expression grew troubled as though he were worried she would burst into tears.
“With Sir Riftan leading, the war should be over within a month…. No, make that half a month,” Ruth said reassuringly. “The duke’s knights may number almost three timesours, but the Remdragon Knights’ prowess in battle is at least ten times greater. The reason why they have yet to declare war on us is because they know it’s a battle they cannot win.” He then shrugged and mumbled, “Though it would have been better if they had declared war first.”
