TDKSR 12

Chapter 12

Jonathan’s plan had succeeded to some extent.

However, the enemy’s aura manifester also seemed to have realized that the Imperial Army had noticed his ability, and gradually began changing his tactics.

It was around the time that the enemy kept slipping away at bizarrely close moments, just when it seemed Jonathan could cut him down.

Tern, his escort knight, spoke to Jonathan.

“Your Highness continuing to roam the battlefield poses too many risks.”

“I’ve never been noticed by either enemy or ally even once so far. With a little more effort, it’ll be soon. There’s no reason to hold back especially now that Daniel’s abilities are growing stronger.”

“That’s precisely why we must be more cautious. With Daniel’s performance, victory has clearly shifted to our side.”

“Yes. So…”

“But Your Highness personally chasing the enemy’s aura manifester is not advisable. Leave it to Daniel Evans. Your Highness’s life is not like that of others.”

“No. I’ll do it. There’s no one else who can, besides me.”

“…Your Highness throws yourself into danger too much. You are first in line for imperial succession. You seem to keep forgetting that.”

“Enough. Do you think you can stop me when even His Imperial Majesty couldn’t?”

Tern fell silent. Jonathan was right.

“More importantly, are these all the letters?”

“No. Several more letters have arrived.”

Tern handed over the correspondence.

Jonathan immediately picked one out based on color and material alone.

A smile formed at the corner of his mouth.

It was a letter from Livga Wilton.

For Jonathan, Livga’s letters were the only source of vitality on this dreary battlefield.

Livga’s letters arrived about once a week, and before he knew it, Jonathan had come to look forward to them.

Perhaps it was because the battlefield was so bleak and there was nothing else to do.

Or maybe it was because Livga was a Star.

If not that either, Jonathan couldn’t say for certain. He’d never given it much thought.

It was simply that in this place of extreme stress, Livga’s letters eased his anxiety somewhat.

Perhaps because they were delivered directly through his subordinate Yona, Livga’s boldness was evident throughout her letters.

At first, she seemed a bit cautious. But once Jonathan made no comment about the tone he used in his replies, she became unrestrained.

Reading her letters, Jonathan would often be reminded of his one and only sister, Rachel.

Livga and his sister were complete opposites.

Princess Rachel treated Jonathan like a madman and wouldn’t give him the time of day—she was prim and quiet. So Jonathan found it hard to read her heart.

But Livga’s letters were different.

—

To His Highness Jonathan Kusakov.

Hello, this is Livga Wilton.

I received your insufferable letter from last time well.

The respect I hold for Your Highness in my heart diminishes with every letter I receive.

I hereby state that Your Highness’s letters contribute significantly to my headaches.

—

The content was full of the kind of exchanges one might imagine having if one had been born into an ordinary family with an ordinary sister.

Reading Livga’s letters, Jonathan would find himself feeling like an immature older brother who had gone off to war consumed by a sense of justice.

And so Jonathan would think, without meaning to:

It was far better for him to endure a little more hardship than for this bold child to set foot on the battlefield.

Livga’s letters made Jonathan cheerful.

Every single time.

—

I heard you’ve been sounding victory bells day after day. I also heard that Sir Daniel Evans has been performing remarkably well.

An aura manifester of common birth, a knight whose abilities are manifesting ever more strongly—already in the capital, a trend of idolizing him has begun.

Surely, many people’s efforts have gone into reaching this point. I am also well aware that Your Highness’s contributions cannot be disregarded within that.

It feels like just yesterday I asked you to return to the capital soon, but it seems the day of your victorious return is not far off.

Though Your Highness speaks spitefully, I know well that your true intention is to endure more hardship yourself rather than see a foolish fallen noble girl’s cheap death. I understand.

So I will stop complaining now.

I look forward to Your Highness’s safe return.

Jonathan had thought that Livga would at least somewhat understand why he didn’t summon her to the battlefield.

Because Livga was smart.

But he hadn’t expected her to so precisely recognize his consideration and convey her acknowledgment of it.

After you return, you’ll be truly surprised to see how much I’ve come to be recognized in the Finance Department.

Oh, and are you still threatening Sir Yona over that incident last time?

Surely not—the great Duke Your Highness, first in line for imperial succession, wouldn’t do something so petty. My mistake.

I suppose my anxiety has been acting up lately. I’ve rambled on about trivial matters.

Your Highness, I am always grateful.

Not just empty words of comfort—truly, thank you for your hard work.

I’m truly glad you haven’t been injured, and I hope that next time, it will be a meeting in person rather than through letters.

Livga Wilton.

—

“……”

Until now, Livga’s letters had given Jonathan vitality—but this letter he had just received…

Jonathan buried his face in both hands. His eyes grew red.

The letter whispered to him like this:

*’Jonathan, you’re doing well.’*

What he feared most was the anxiety that what he was doing now was meaningless, and worse, might be ruining the world.

He was enduring what he hated and feared, spending his time fiercely—and if all that endurance was not only meaningless but harmful to everyone, how terrible would that be?

Depending on one’s perspective, wasn’t it possible that the greatest hero could become the worst murderer in war?

Jonathan had sworn to do anything for the Emperor, but there were times when he himself wasn’t sure if what he was doing was truly for the Emperor.

Livga had written her letter as if she understood Jonathan’s heart well.

Jonathan read that letter over and over.

Before sleeping, he didn’t forget to kiss the letter like a talisman.

Then suddenly, he realized that kissing a letter was something only lovers or couples did.

For a moment, startled by what he’d done, he glanced around.

There was no one there. Naturally.

“Am I going mad from war stress?”

Thankfully no one had seen—it was exactly the kind of behavior that would get him mistaken for a madman.

Staring blankly at the letter, Jonathan tucked it under his pillow and lay down.

He was too tired to think deeply about his actions.

He was determined to finish this once and for all in the coming battle.

Jonathan decided to capture the enemy’s castle and seize the one who used Binding aura.

Praying earnestly that this time would truly be the last, he concealed himself using Stealth.

He succeeded in infiltrating the enemy castle by climbing up with a rope.

Since it was late at night, no one noticed Jonathan, who was hidden.

Jonathan crept silently toward the gate, barely breathing. Soon, the sound of his allies’ hooves would be heard, with Daniel at the vanguard.

Once the castle walls were in chaos, Jonathan planned to open the gate.

He didn’t forget to pre-score the ropes holding the gate with his blade.

Tension mounted.

Soon, the sound of hooves shook the ground.

As commotion broke out, fire arrows split the air and illuminated the surroundings, and a thunderous war cry was heard.

It was the beginning of a battle between those who defended and those who sought to take.

Jonathan immediately cut all the ropes holding the gate and turned the pulley.

It was a fairly heavy pulley, but soon it began to move.

As the gate moved, he heard the enemy soldiers shouting in panic.

Jonathan felt a thrill from the desperate expressions on the enemy’s faces.

Soon, his allies surged through the opened gate.

A smile spread across Jonathan’s face.

—

Winning battles was truly enjoyable.

Jonathan picked out enemies who showed exceptional skill in killing his allies and drove his blade into their backs. At the same time, he thoroughly searched every corner of the castle.

To find the Binding aura manifester.

Soon, Jonathan spotted him atop the castle wall.

Catching his breath, trying his utmost not to make a sound, he raised his blade—

“Filthy rat.”

“!”

Jonathan looked down at the blade embedded in his shoulder and turned his head.

The one who had stabbed him was clearly an ordinary enemy soldier. Not a man of hardened muscle—just an average one…

And yet—he had seen Jonathan, whom no one could see?

Jonathan instinctively drove his blade into the man’s gut.

“You’re one of those seeking the Star too.”

Jonathan’s cold face drove his blade into the man’s neck once more, ensuring thoroughness.

When he turned, what met his eyes was the startled gaze of the Binding aura manifester.

Jonathan’s Stealth ability was still active, so the man wouldn’t be able to see Jonathan.

Only the strange sight of a soldier suddenly bleeding and dying would be visible.

Jonathan walked slowly.

Then he realized—the drops of blood falling in succession to the ground could not be hidden even by Stealth.

At that moment, the man charged at Jonathan with his blade drawn.

The man swung his sword wildly in every direction.

“Damn it.”

The two fought fiercely.

Both knew that if they didn’t strike first, they would die.

The shoulder stabbed in the ambush throbbed with pain. His hand trembled from the agony. Even trying to dodge had its limits.

The man was following the trail of Jonathan’s blood and attacking him.