The conflict between Heinz and Rowen had intensified.

Because Heinz knights had initiated the first attack, King Taras authorized the deployment of the Divine Beast corps. This amounted to an official permission for military deployment.

Accordingly, Duke Khalid summoned the knights and soldiers from the northern territory. The northern forces gathered at Mirbad Plains, the battle zone. Heinz’s forces also moved to Mirbad following the queen’s orders.

As small and large battles continued between the gathered Rowen and Heinz forces, the third month of Solsita passed and summer came to a complete end.

Before they knew it, the cool winds of autumn arrived, and it became the first month of Furion, the god of autumn. It was the harvest season where crops needed to be gathered in some places, and in others, it marked the beginning of the hunting season for grown monsters.

The letter sent by Queen Bridget from the Rowen capital of Larnas finally arrived at Marionchu, the capital of Etrang Kingdom, during this time.

Etrang Kingdom, one of the four major kingdoms located in the western continent, was a land nurtured by the touch of Furion, the god of autumn. Vast granary regions occupying much of its territory, abundant resources and favorable climate from the seas surrounding two sides of its territory. In terms of location, there was no better place than this land.

As if flaunting their occupation of such excellent land, Etrang was the country with the second-longest history after the Holy Kingdom of Vicanthus. Accordingly, the people of Etrang had strong pride in their country. This was also why Etrang people spoke both the continental common language of Vicanthus and the Etrang language.

The Anchuan Castle in the capital Marionchu was where that long history had taken place. In this historic castle boasting a long history, the king of the Gallois family, with a relatively shorter dynastic history, listened to the contents of the letter sent by his daughter.

In the king’s reception room. Robert III, wearing a heavy black cloak trimmed with fox fur, sat in his chair. The servant who had finished reading the letter stepped back.

Robert de Gallois, the king of Etrang Kingdom, who had long passed his sixtieth year, now had his originally black hair turned ashen and his black eyes dimmed in color. However, he had led this western power for a long time, and in his younger days, he had been a vigorous monarch who personally rode on horseback to subjugate many small kingdoms in the west and south under Etrang.

When Etrang King Robert III was still roaming battlefields and beginning his northward expansion, if Heinrich, the previous king of Heinz, had planned his southward expansion, the two knights would have clashed greatly.

However, such a thing never happened. Since the north wasn’t particularly appealing territory from Etrang’s perspective, their northward expansion had to take a back seat to the southern conquest. Heinrich desired other lands, but straightening out the complicated northern political situation had to take priority.

Then Heinrich died from wounds received while conquering the northern small kingdoms, and Robert III became lame from injuries sustained in the war with the southern Cargot Kingdom.

The Cargot knight who inflicted the fatal wound to his leg died right there and then, but after that, Robert III never personally went to war again. Etrang Kingdom’s southern conquest also came to an end around that time.

Thus, although time had passed and he was now old and confined to the royal castle, Robert III still keenly observed the numerous events occurring across the continent from within the castle.

“Rowen and Heinz.”

Robert III extended his arm resting on the chair’s armrest. His withered hand with protruding tendons and age spots stretched into the air. A servant waiting nearby took a wine glass from the table and placed it in the king’s hand. The king drank the red wine from the heavy pewter cup. The servant who had finished reading Bridget’s letter stepped back.

Behind the king, on the left stood a yellow flag bearing the Gallois family emblem of a black lion and sword. On the right was a yellow flag depicting the symbol of Etrang Kingdom’s giant soldiers – a crude-shaped helmet, sword, and shield. Around these, servants stood in line waiting.

Robert III spoke in the Etrang language to the elderly man sitting across from him.

“What do you think, Lord Morphier?”

Antoine de Morphier, the count with a plump build, stroked his curly beard with his pudgy hand. Between the count and Robert III sat a chessboard with pieces arranged. Count Morphier answered with a kind smile.

“What would I know, Your Majesty.”

Robert III fell into thought while holding his wine glass. As the count fixed his gaze on the chessboard in contemplation, the king spoke.

“This could put Bridget and Charlotte in our debt.”

Toward the king who was thinking of putting his daughters in debt, Count Morphier said.

“Rowen isn’t worth it. Not at present.”

The count picked up a chess piece and moved it. A crisp sound rang out as the ivory piece struck the board.

“Not at present?”

Robert III asked, swirling his wine glass. Count Morphier picked up a piece of fruit placed beside him, put it in his mouth, chewed, and answered.

“Regarding the new Duke Khalid, I’m still reserving judgment.”

Robert III remained silent. A commoner knight who married a princess and contracted with Divine Beasts. Though he was said to have many achievements within Rowen, what kind of person he was and what course he would take now that he had become a duke was still unknown.

“Conversely, because we can’t judge, it might be better to put them in debt now.”

Robert III said. Count Morphier smiled slightly. He raised his hand to gesture at the chessboard. Robert III took a sip of wine and handed the glass to a servant. Then, resting his arms on both chair armrests, he looked down at the chessboard and said.

“What about Friedrich?”

“That side is worth putting in debt.”

Robert III, raising his hand to touch his chin, moved a chess piece on the board. The piece stood with a click. Count Morphier, looking at the chessboard, said.

“It would be interesting to see the image of a brother taking revenge on his sister’s rival for her death. Though such an emotional decision isn’t very like Your Majesty.”

Robert III furrowed his wrinkled brow. The previous queen of Heinz, Crown Prince Friedrich’s mother Yvonne, was Robert III’s younger sister. Cladimien, who took her place after Yvonne’s death, was the sister’s rival he referred to.

“Taking the nephew’s side does seem rather cliché.”

“Indeed, it doesn’t suit Your Majesty.”

“Hmm.”

Nodding his head, Robert III said.

“It would be better to put Bridget and Charlotte in debt after all.”

As Robert III said that’s much more like me, Count Morphier nodded.

“I knew you would say that.”

“What does that mean?”

“Even when you ask for my opinion, you always decide according to your initial thoughts, Your Majesty.”

“I do consider them, friend. I just don’t reflect on all of them.”

Robert III said while looking at the chessboard.

“After all, the more children the better. Don’t you agree, Count?”

Robert III had married off all his daughters born from his deceased first queen to various royal families across the continent, and now had one young prince from his new young queen. Count Morphier tilted his head as he picked up a chess piece.

“Well…”

As Count Morphier was setting down the chess piece, Robert III ordered his servant.

“Bring the stone pieces.”

The servants bowed and turned to open the reception room door and left. When they returned, they carried between them a large board with a folding lid.

On the floor of the reception room, the large board was placed. When the servants opened the lid and spread it out, what was revealed was a map of the continent. A map carved in stone was spread out on the board.

Two servants brought a box to Robert III and opened its lid before the king. Inside the box were chess pieces carved from stone. Though not intricately detailed, they were instead as large as an adult’s hand. The pieces made of rough-textured stone came in two colors: black and gray.

These pieces were Etrang’s most precious treasure. They had been both shield and fortress protecting Etrang in this continent for a long time, while simultaneously being weapons that had crushed numerous kingdoms.

Due to their previous use, there were empty spaces between the placed pieces. The missing pieces had already been used and broken, and broken pieces could never be restored. That was the only drawback of these mysterious pieces.

However, many pieces still remained. Looking at the pieces lying in the box, the king said.

“Pawn.”

The servant took out a pawn from among the stone pieces in the box. It was the weakest piece, holding a sword and shield in its hands.

Another servant approached and pricked the tip of Robert III’s thumb with a long, thin needle. Robert III, holding up his thumb with a drop of blood, pressed it against the body of the stone piece held by the servant. The king’s blood stained the stone piece. That blood was also engraved on the ‘king’ piece among the stone pieces.

The king commanded the pawn marked with his blood.

“The target is the Heinz army.”

The blood on the stone piece absorbed into it along with the command. Soon the bloodstain disappeared without a trace.

The king withdrew his hand. One servant approached to clean his thumb. The servant holding the blood-marked stone piece approached the map board. Looking at the map, Robert III said.

“Mirbad.”

The servant placed the stone piece on one spot of the map. The place the king named, Mirbad Plains between the borders of Rowen and Heinz. The site of conflict between the two kingdoms.

Thus, on the board not yet fully set with pieces, Etrang king’s piece marked with the blood command stood.