Sir Gareth shook his head as he looked at the stables.

“Why are the horses in such poor condition? The black shadow steed is certainly an impressive horse, but how can it be that not even half the others measure up?”

Sophia replied, “You’re aware that Ariel is poor, aren’t you?”

Sir Gareth waved his hand in the air, signaling that the state of things was obvious. Sophia smiled at his gesture and continued.

“Since horse merchants didn’t come to us, we had to seek them out to buy horses. And since we’re not long-term clients and didn’t purchase expensive breeds, they didn’t even show us their best stock.”

“Did you buy donkeys instead of horses? Are these their descendants?”

Sophia burst out laughing. “Not descendants yet. But we chose horses that could withstand the mountains. They navigate steep and rugged slopes without easily getting injured.”

“You haven’t tried riding them, have you?”

Sophia nodded. Sir Gareth frowned.

“That won’t do. No matter how small the horses are or how rough the terrain is, if they haven’t carried a rider, they’re of no use. That’s not how you train horses. You don’t ease them in step by step as you do with people. Horses need a different approach.”

“Well, for now, we’ve only tested if they can handle the terrain and strengthen their ankles. We’ve confirmed they can manage the mountains.”

“A horse is only a horse if it carries a person. Even a child should have ridden them by now. Make sure you do that next time. These horses will only be good as pack animals now; they can’t be used for riding. There’s no time to retrain them.”

Sir Gareth was right. The horses disliked carrying people. On top of that, the people of Ariel trusted their own two feet more and were mostly afraid to ride horses in the mountains. It seemed better to send these horses to the salt mines as pack animals.

Sophia immediately decided to send the horses to the salt mines and purchase new riding horses.

The two spent the entire day half-arguing and half-admiring each other. Sophia appreciated that Sir Gareth was easier to deal with than she had expected.

“As I thought, Sir Gareth is quite useful.”

Meanwhile, Sir Gareth was impressed by Sophia’s perseverance.

‘No wonder Prince Robert liked her. She’s relentless. Even after all the harsh words I’ve said, she still looks like she’s ready for more… She’d be a tough opponent as an enemy. Empress? She’d be better than the current empress, I suppose… If not Parma, at least she listens.’

Even as he clashed with Sophia, Sir Gareth was evaluating her as a potential partner for Prince Robert and even as a future empress, while also observing the surrounding circumstances.

‘It doesn’t seem like the Marquis of Ariel is an overly ambitious man, and Lord Ariel appears to have a similar temperament…’

***

Three months had passed since Saturn’s surprise attack. News arrived that Saturn’s delegation was returning to Ariel.

Sophia found Sir Gareth and exclaimed, “Let’s begin the operation.”

Sir Gareth grinned brightly. “So, we’re finally starting that wretched operation? I hope it’ll be known as the Ariel Operation and not associated with the name Gareth.”

Sophia laughed. “As you wish.”

Sophia was thoroughly pleased with Sir Gareth.

“It’s been a profitable deal. The future of the Gareth family looks bright. As expected.”

Jack shook his head as he watched Sophia beam with satisfaction. Jack prided himself on being the first to notice the connection between Prince Robert and Sophia. To him, it was clear that the two young people spent the whole day together, but they didn’t see each other as romantic interests. Instead, they interacted as someone trying to maximize their gain and someone indulging the other’s whims.

As the Marquis of Ariel prepared to receive Saturn’s delegation, he remarked, “Who would’ve thought I’d be facing a war with Saturn during my tenure? Do you think Ellie should stay here, or should she be sent to the capital? Now that both she and the child seem fine, perhaps she could go with Madame Fina when she leaves for the capital?”

Alex replied with a faint smile, “Ellie refused. She said she’s part of Ariel and wants to do what she can from behind the scenes. She’s even considering organizing and raising the children together.”

Sophia added, “We’ve arranged for children of similar ages to attend a school. Parents were terrified that the younger ones might recklessly venture into the mountains to try something foolish.”

John, the steward, shook his head at Sophia’s comment. “Lady Sophia, aren’t you among those young ones?”

“Oh, I stand corrected. I meant the younger children. Parents can’t always keep track of where their kids are, so we’ve organized group activities and ensured that adults know their whereabouts at all times.”

The Marquis of Ariel asked, “What is Sir Gareth doing now?”

“He’s practicing that wretched operation again, saying this will be the last rehearsal,” John replied.

“The Duke of Gareth must have had remarkable foresight to push Sir Gareth into the military. For someone his age to prepare for battle with such composure is impressive,” John, the steward, remarked.

The Marquis of Ariel nodded in agreement. “There’s a reason he’s called the Empire’s Sword. It’s reassuring that the Gareth family supports Prince Robert. They’re far more respectable than a house like Whiscombe.”

***

The carriage carrying Saturn’s delegation entered Ariel’s castle. As it came to a halt, Sir Enceladus was the first to step out, followed by Sir Dione, and finally, Prince Frederick.

The Marquis of Ariel, who had been watching them with a blank expression, raised his voice as Prince Frederick emerged.

“The Marquis of Ariel greets Prince Frederick Uranus. Welcome to Ariel, Your Highness.”

Prince Frederick surveyed the castle and its surroundings with a superficial smile. “Since this is my first visit to Ariel, I suspect I’ll be relying heavily on your hospitality.”

Gunther, following behind, dismounted his horse and greeted the Marquis of Ariel. He then proceeded to introduce the imperial inspectors to the Marquis.

Upon seeing this, Sir Gareth hurried over and bowed to Prince Frederick. “Stefano Gareth greets Your Highness, Prince Frederick.”

Prince Frederick looked at Sir Gareth and remarked, “You bear a striking resemblance to the Duke of Gareth. I’ve heard much about you. How did you end up all the way in Ariel?”

“I followed Parma here, and circumstances compelled me to stay. Ariel needed my assistance, and I couldn’t refuse,” Sir Gareth replied smoothly, guiding Prince Frederick with practiced ease.

“We’ve just begun training the soldiers of Ariel. If it pleases Your Highness, would you care to observe?”

The two members of Saturn’s delegation exchanged curious glances as Prince Frederick nodded with interest.

“I’ve only heard tales of Sir Gareth until now. Finally, I’ll witness his skills firsthand.”

It was a comment that could be taken as both an expression of anticipation and a subtle jab. His tone was skillfully ambiguous, befitting a prince well-versed in courtly intrigue.

Sir Gareth appeared unbothered, even smiling, as he led Prince Frederick to the training grounds.

Beyond the expansive encampment, soldiers were drilling in formation. Though their attire was mismatched, they executed complex maneuvers with impressive coordination.

From a distance, they appeared to be well-trained soldiers. A closer inspection, however, revealed a mix of older men, women, children, and the elderly. This was the essence of the so-called “wretched operation” Sir Gareth often disparaged—creating an army from the unfit and vulnerable.

As Prince Frederick moved closer, his face alight with curiosity, Sir Gareth awkwardly smiled and said, “This is the ideal vantage point, Your Highness. You can observe the formations clearly from here. If you get too close, the dry conditions might kick up a lot of dust.”

Prince Frederick, intrigued by Sir Gareth’s hesitant and defensive demeanor, ignored the suggestion and moved closer to the training grounds.

Sir Enceladus and Sir Dione, who had been silently following, exchanged whispers.

“This isn’t for Prince Frederick—it’s for us,” Dione murmured.

“Exactly. If the prince weren’t here, they’d be telling us directly. Look closely. It’s clearly a fabricated, weak army,” Enceladus replied with a smirk.

Dione scoffed. “Do they think showing off such a shoddy force will make Saturn lower its guard?”

“Pretending to be weak instead of strong?”

“Maybe it’s their way of hiding just how prepared they really are?”

Enceladus grinned as though amused. “It’s a childish double bluff. They’re trying to intimidate us by suggesting they’re secretly well-prepared. But with no proper knight order in place, there’s no way their soldiers are truly ready.”

Dione kept his expression neutral and said, “They’re watching us closely. Can you feel their gaze?”

“Yes, as if they’re trying to bore a hole through my face.”

“We should act like we’re falling for it.”

“Exactly. Let’s play along. We have our own plans anyway. Let them think we’re underestimating them.”

“Understood.”

The Marquis of Ariel, observing the two men, muttered, “They’re not falling for it. They know we’re exaggerating our numbers and that the training is a façade.”

John replied, “You already expected that, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but it’s still irritating to watch them feign ignorance. Those Saturn scoundrels. They don’t seem to think Ariel could ever be fully prepared.”

“The imperial inspectors are actively cooperating with the transportation and sale of salt. We may not know how long the war will last, but we can hold out. If Saturn underestimates Ariel, they’ll pay dearly for it.”

“It’s been only a few months since we reopened the salt mines and I became the border marquis. And now, a battle… Saturn chose their timing well.”

“Indeed. Ariel must have seemed like easy prey, newly led by a marquis with little experience. They likely believe we lack the means to sustain a war without relying heavily on the capital.”

“Is Gunther’s report on Saturn scheduled for tonight?”

“Yes, he promised to deliver the report in person. Lady Sophia and Master Alex are also well aware of the situation. Both of them have grown remarkably. In times like these, they’re proving to be solid pillars of support.”

“Jack, too—he used to be so childlike, but now he carries himself like a proper heir to your position. You’ve raised your children well.”

“I didn’t raise them well; they grew well on their own.”

The two men reminisced about their children’s growth, feeling a sense of pride. In the face of crisis, they were keenly reminded of how much the young ones had matured.

***

Sophia stood atop the castle walls with Ellie, observing the training and the Saturn delegation. While the elderly participants were already showing signs of fatigue, the soldiers composed of men over 50 were maintaining their formations better than expected.

Sophia remarked, “They’re doing quite well, aren’t they?”

Ellie replied, “They’ve spent their lives traversing the Titania Mountains. They’re no ordinary middle-aged men. To me, it’s clear they’re different from others of their age in the capital. They probably have more stamina than many bookish young men in their twenties.”

“They’ll be a great asset in the rear. They’re already proving helpful.”

Ellie shifted her gaze to Prince Frederick and commented, “I never thought I’d meet both princes here in Ariel, not in the capital. Prince Frederick leaves a very different impression compared to Prince Robert. He seems… regal, like what you’d expect from a prince.”

“Everyone says that. Prince Frederick is exactly the kind of prince you’d imagine—like one straight out of a novel. Whether he’s consciously aware of it or not, I don’t know. Prince Robert, on the other hand, feels like his complete opposite.”

“Even so, I’ll support Prince Robert. For you, and for Ariel’s sake.”

Sophia smiled. “Both of them feel so distant from Ariel.”

Ellie understood that Sophia had already dismissed any possibility with Prince Robert. Yet, according to Helen and Sol, the two still harbored feelings for each other.

‘But neither of them is the type to act on their feelings,’ Ellie thought.