Chapter 104 - The Beginning of a Long Night (3)
"Everyone's been waiting for you. Of course, me included. You're quite the celebrity, you know. I even heard some women were lining up outside the Academy just for a glimpse of you, then dashed off like hounds at a whistle. I thought the rumors were exaggerated. I met your eldest brother once—very handsome, yes—but not that impressive. But now that I see you in person, I'd say the rumors actually understated it."
Captain Eugen Schwartz, commander of the 1st Company, 1st Guard Battalion of the Capital Defense Force, spoke cheerfully as he glanced back.
Trailing silently behind him was Wilfried, who didn't so much as meet Eugen's eyes.
He simply kept his gaze lowered, watching the ground with lifeless eyes.
He probably wasn't even listening.
"Arrogant, but I'll have to let it slide."
Eugen was not the sort of man who tolerated fresh young officers acting like this.
But Wilfried was the son of a duke, and currently the most talked-about figure in the Mihahil Empire's high society.
Even if Eugen didn't like him, there wasn't a thing he could do.
He ran a hand through his curly black hair and muttered to himself, then spoke again.
"I think you've had enough time to adjust. Starting tomorrow, you're going on duty."
"…What duty?"
At last, Wilfried spoke.
Eugen turned back with a grin.
"I've used the stick enough. Time for the carrot."
"…"
Wilfried immediately understood what Eugen meant.
Ever since the Empire had declared war in a manner that was no different from an ambush on its own citizens, Grimman had fallen into shock and chaos.
With the war ongoing, the 2nd Guard Battalion had been deployed to the city walls, and the 3rd Battalion was out scouting the surrounding areas.
The 1st Battalion, full of high-ranking nobles and officers' sons, remained within Grimman, maintaining internal security.
They had kept the atmosphere so tense that even nobles were too scared to make a sound.
The Emperor, having gone mad, had mobilized the entire Capital Defense Force to completely control Grimman. People were so terrified they pretended not to see, hear, or speak.
At this point, fear of the Emperor's power outweighed the fear of war itself.
And now that the situation was fully primed, it was time to coax and appease the terrified masses.
"The 1st Battalion is in charge of internal security. And our 1st Company? We're basically the face of the Guard."
Eugen smiled, the kind of smile meticulously calculated to raise his lips just right, flash pristine teeth, and crinkle his eyes in just the right spots.
He was a dashing man—well-groomed black hair and beard, a strong body, and an irresistible smile.
Not yet thirty, Eugen had surely drawn more than his fair share of secret glances from noblewomen.
"There's a light party being held. Our job is to secure the venue."
"…"
"Of course, this is official duty. With the nation in turmoil, we can't have that many nobles gathering unprotected."
Eugen talked about "duty" like it was the most natural thing in the world. Wilfried stared at him with clouded, sunken eyes.
"There's a war going on, and you're hosting a party?"
"Hmm…"
At that, Eugen stroked his beard and sighed, thinking for a moment. Then he raised his hands slightly and shrugged.
"Let's be realistic. What does this war have to do with us? We only fight if there's actual combat inside Grimman. Do you think that'll happen?"
"…"
"Yeah, I know. I get it. Our soldiers are out there fighting, making noble sacrifices. Some are dying this very moment. You probably feel guilty, don't you?"
Eugen sounded sympathetic—but only in tone. He didn't actually care about who lived or died on the frontlines.
"But think about it, Ravid. You didn't start this war. You haven't killed anyone. We're just following orders. That's what soldiers do. We fulfill our duty—just like the soldiers out there."
But this time, his words carried conviction. Eugen truly believed he was fulfilling his role as a soldier of the Empire.
"And think again, Ravid. Not just anyone can do what we do. Anyone can shoot a gun. Hand a Balt rifle to a ten-year-old, and even they could kill someone, right?"
"…"
"But our job is different."
Even though Wilfried didn't respond, Eugen continued like he had.
"Killing, spreading fear—that's beneath us. Our mission is to calm the chaos and restore order in Grimman. That takes talent."
Narrowing his dark brown eyes, Eugen admired Wilfried's divine beauty, sculpted like a god's masterpiece.
"In that sense, Ravid, you were born for this. If you'd ended up in another unit, you'd just be a regular officer. But here in the 1st Company, you'll become the best soldier there is."
"…What do you mean by 'best soldier'?"
"A soldier who perfectly carries out his assigned duties, of course. …Oh, Ravid… Don't tell me you actually joined the Academy hoping to crawl through mud on some battlefield?"
Eugen looked genuinely shocked.
"Yes."
Wilfried answered flatly.
Eugen, visibly uncomfortable, tapped his chin with long, graceful fingers.
"…Well, I suppose. You're still young."
It finally struck Eugen that Wilfried was only seventeen. He'd forgotten, likely because the boy was as tall as he was—and absurdly handsome.
"You're probably confused. I was, too. But in time, you'll understand. That life? It's not for us."
"…"
"You seem like you need time to think. I get it. Go rest for today. But be here early tomorrow morning. Got it?"
"…Yes."
Eugen let Wilfried go. It was clear that nothing he said right now would get through.
"Hmph… With a face like that, even weakness looks poetic."
Eugen muttered, watching the boy's retreating back.
He'll come around soon enough. And once he starts working, he'll soar out of my reach.
He didn't intend to let that happen. Eugen would clip those wings before they could spread.
Though he was flourishing in Grimman's high society thanks to his looks, Eugen's career advancement had been painfully slow. It had taken five years to go from lieutenant to captain. The hierarchy of the Capital Defense Force was unshakeable—every position locked down like bedrock.
To secure his current post, Eugen had pulled every string, spent a fortune, used all his influence, begged aging noblewomen, and sold his body. But the rewards had been worth it.
Still, he had no hope of climbing further unless he transferred out. And as his looks began to fade with age, his time was running out.
That's when the war broke out—and Wilfried Ravid, fourth son of Duke Ravid, was suddenly assigned as his second platoon leader.
This is fate. The heavens are helping me.
If he could keep the beautiful young noble under his thumb, everything would fall into place. Eugen didn't intend to let him fly alone—he'd squeeze every ounce of usefulness out of him.
"…"
Wilfried returned to the mansion and locked himself in his room, staring endlessly out the window.
Lightning flashed, and rain poured down. It reminded him of training with his friends—mud, screaming, exhaustion.
Despite the noise outside, Wilfried's nerves were so frayed he could hear every footstep pacing the hallway. After walking home in the rain and refusing all help, everyone was panicking over his sudden withdrawal.
He stood alone in the dark room, letting the flashes of lightning wash over him.
No news had come from the 2nd Corps fighting in Belliang—no victories, no defeats, no word on whether they'd broken through the treacherous forest.
Were his friends even alive?
Click.
"Wilfried."
A soft voice broke his thoughts. He flinched and turned around.
"…Brother."
He thought he was seeing things, but even after blinking, Adalbert Ravid, his eldest brother, was still there, striding into the dark room.
A servant quickly followed and lit the Balt lamp, driving out the shadows.
"What do you think you're doing, Wilfried?"
Adalbert frowned at his soaking-wet brother.
There was a faint note of irritation in his detached tone.
"…Why are you here?"
Wilfried's voice was faint. Adalbert looked down at his now-grown youngest brother, who stood eye to eye with him.
"You can't figure that out for yourself?"
"…"
Wilfried wasn't stupid.
Adalbert Ravid, next head of House Ravid, had come to chaotic Grimman to bow before the Emperor and expand his influence.
After a long silence, Adalbert frowned clearly.
"You're arrogant, Wilfried."
That twisted Wilfried's expression.
"What could you possibly do there? You're powerless. The only thing you'd accomplish is getting captured and causing trouble for all of us."
"…"
"Did you really think you could decide your own fate? Born a Ravid, raised with Ravid's protection, living on Ravid's money and wielding Ravid's power?"
Adalbert sounded genuinely angry, which shocked Wilfried. A ruler should never show emotion. Adalbert had been trained to never, under any circumstance, show emotion. And yet—he had.
"You are a Ravid. And you will never be free of that duty."
Adalbert had quickly regained control. Now he was utterly calm.
"…Ha. Duty."
Wilfried gave a hollow laugh as their matching eyes met.
"You mean licking the Emperor's boots like a dog?"
"…"
Adalbert was so stunned by the crude insult, he forgot to breathe. He felt dizzy and rubbed his temple.
"When did you know the war was coming?"
Wilfried demanded as he stepped forward.
Adalbert, trying to calm himself, finally answered.
"A few days before it was declared."
He spoke softly.
"We had no time. We couldn't retrieve you from the Academy, so we placed you in the Capital Defense Force."
If they had pulled Wilfried out of the Academy, everyone would've known war was coming—and the Emperor wouldn't have let that slide.
So they lobbied quietly, at great cost, to install Wilfried in the Guard. It had taken tremendous effort.
"Wilfried, I can see how much you've changed at the Academy."
Adalbert took Wilfried's hand from his collar.
"But that doesn't change the fact that you are a Ravid."
"…"
"If we'd had more time—if we could've placed you in a secure position to earn merit—I wouldn't have stopped you from going to the field."
"I earned everything with my own ability…!"
Wilfried began to argue, but stopped himself.
He had indeed worked hard and achieved much at the Academy—but his life of comfort had always been thanks to Ravid. Even his looks were a gift. No matter how hard he tried, he could never escape them. He was a cog in the Ravid machine.
"The Emperor's movements are strange. This war isn't just to conquer Belliang or distract from internal issues."
Adalbert held his hand.
"Secure influence in Grimman. Watch the tides."
Wilfried's grip loosened. Adalbert gently let go.
"Do your duty as a Ravid, Wilfried."
With that, he stepped back and straightened his clothes.
"We weren't born to wield sword and gun. That's not our way. You may be a soldier, but you cannot remain one."
"…"
"Don't forget that. Wilfried. Ravid."
He turned and walked to the door.
Wilfried glared at his back, seething.
"Your brother seems to worry about you a lot."
The voice from three years ago returned—Ernest, at the founding day party, had said that upon seeing Adalbert.
"My father…"
Wilfried muttered without thinking. Adalbert stopped at the door and looked back.
"…Who decided not to place me in Ravid's military?"
Ravid had its own forces.
They could've easily commissioned Wilfried. But they didn't—they threw him into the Defense Force at great cost.
Did they really believe a seventeen-year-old could handle that responsibility?
Did they believe in him that much?
Or was it because he, more than anyone, despised being a Ravid…?
"Does it matter?"
Adalbert scowled, said nothing more, and left.
Wilfried saw something in his expression—something that betrayed his brother's true feelings.
"…Damn it…"
Wilfried cursed under his breath, hands covering his frozen face.
Once again, he'd been wrong.
Or rather, as always—Ernest had been right.
Adalbert had been trying to protect him, in his own cold, ruthless way.
And when Wilfried saw through him, it hadn't been shame—it had been anger at being exposed by someone beneath him.
Even his earlier outburst had been born from fear that his unreliable little brother might die on the battlefield.
Adalbert believed in his role as a Ravid—because he had never known another way to live.
"…"
Wilfried lowered his hands, listening to the footsteps of servants beyond the door.
"I want a hot bath."
"Y-yes!"
A maid lit up and rushed off. The others visibly relaxed.
That was the first time Wilfried had spoken to any servant since returning.
Fine. I'll play my part.
Wilfried looked back out into the storm. It still felt like rain was pouring on him.
Disgusting.
But that disgust helped sharpen his memories of the miserable training with his friends—memories that had become precious with time.
I'll do everything I can here.
Wilfried understood his power.
So did Adalbert—he had convinced their father that Wilfried would thrive in Grimman's chaos.
He was a duke's son, with inhuman beauty. People would pay fortunes just to be near him.
I can't interfere with the war. Neither I nor Ravid can.
He divided what he could do from what he couldn't, then separated what he should do from what he needn't.
Thoughts whirled in his young mind. And soon, he understood what he had to do.
He must secure influence in Grimman's high society.
It wouldn't be hard. He was a duke's son—and too beautiful to ignore. Ravid would fund him as much as needed.
Time was short. Tomorrow was his first "duty"—his debut.
But that was fine. Wilfried Ravid was disgustingly good at this.
In some ways, even better than his father or brother.
He had clawed his way up, trying not to be discarded.
If Ravid had known how dazzling he'd become, maybe they would've treasured him.
But even for a noble's son, being raised on scraps left a mark.
Wilfried Ravid had terrifying instincts—and knew politics like a seasoned statesman.
Eugen Schwartz.
Ambitious but naive, Eugen would be the perfect pawn.
Wilfried would let Eugen think he was in control—then bleed him dry and discard him.
Eugen was a rag.
Useful for mopping the floor—but far too filthy to wipe a lady's tears.
Wilfried knew the perfect silk handkerchief for that job: Adalbert Ravid, his dutiful elder brother.
He's dancing in the palm of my hand.
Wilfried had finally seen the truth.
Adalbert had come to Grimman, through this storm, to bolster Wilfried's debut.
Failure is not an option.
Wilfried glared at the stormy sky above Grinman.
His friends were gone.
Adalbert would leave soon.
He was alone now—surrounded by enemies and wolves.
And the long, stormy night had only just begun.