"Did you get enough sleep?" Instead of greeting, August said, seeing the prince lifting the tent flap.
"Sorry," answered Klaus.
"I asked you not to do that. These changes scare me. Be the same with me as before."
"I can't become the same as before even if I really wanted to," the prince sighed. "Although, now it would make things much easier."
"Are you okay?"
"As much as possible. I can control myself and not let this happen again."
"That would be great. Have you already talked to my father?"
"No, I came straight to you. What does he want?"
"I'm glad to hear that I was the first person you thought of," August grinned, and his face became serious again. "I don't quite understand him. He told me that he wanted freedom of action, but he didn't specify what exactly he was talking about."
- Then shall we go? Let's settle this matter.
- Go alone. I've talked to him enough already.
Klaus left silently. Jiro's tent was at the other end of the camp. Now the rebel army and Jiro's soldiers, although they were on the same territory, were invisibly divided into two camps. Klaus understood that the soldiers were worried. He had been lying in bed for two days because of his stupidity and had not announced the unification.
The prince stopped at the entrance. He clenched and unclenched his fists. He winced when a sharp pain pierced his injured hand. His miss. Another confirmation of his weakness.
"How long will you stand there? Maybe you'll come in and greet your uncle?"
"I admit, I'm surprised by your appearance. I didn't expect you to take my side."
"You didn't even discuss this with me, although you visited several times. Did you doubt me that much?"
"Let's just say that trust is not customary in our family, and you are the king's brother, and a twin to boot. I don't know how things work there, but I've heard that twins usually even think alike."
"Maybe it is so for some, but my brother and I have been different since childhood. We definitely have something in common, just like you and him, I'd like to point out."
"So why did you decide to support me? Just please don't dodge the answer. I'm pretty tired of all these verbal intricacies lately. I want to hear an honest and direct answer."
"Well, to tell you the truth, if I had the chance, I wouldn't interfere in your squabbles at all, but I was deprived of such a privilege. Ichiro called me to the capital. If I went there, I would clearly be against you. I don't want to quarrel with you, besides, even if I joined my brother, after all, he would find a way to get rid of me. I only joined you because I have a better chance of surviving here. Are you satisfied with the answer?"
"I am satisfied with the honesty and am not surprised by the reasons. What do you want for your help?"
"As I already told August, I want freedom of action."
"That's too vague an answer. More specifically."
"You probably already realized that I love inventions, although I myself am a complete zero in this. I want you to give me freedom. I want to openly create new artifacts."
"I can't give you complete freedom."
"Well, that's to be expected."
"But I can give you the opportunity to do what you want. All these magical devices will be able to make life in the country much easier. We don't have many magicians, but everyone will be able to use magical artifacts. I will make you the head of this industry. I will give you practically unlimited rights, but on one condition."
"Let me guess, no coercion or harm to the lowborn?"
"Not only the lowborn. I want to make everyone equal, well, at least relatively equal."
"That's more than I have now. Well then. Klaus, or should I call you Your Majesty?"
"I prefer the first option. The second one gives me unpleasant feelings."
"Then, Klaus, from this day on I entrust you with my life and army. Use them as you see fit, but lead us to victory."
'Thank you, Uncle. You will not regret choosing my side."
'I hope so."
***
They set out the same day Klaus returned. The prince did not listen to August and Horald's persuasive requests to wait and let his body fully recover. Klaus longed to meet his father.
A full-scale civil war broke out in the country, dividing it into two camps. The royal army was moving towards them, destroying forests and settlements. The king seemed to have gone mad. He did not think about what would happen after the war. His goal was destruction.
The rebels and their allies had a harder time. In addition to the initial goal of reaching the capital, they had to protect villages, estates of allied nobles. This slowed down the movement and no matter how much the prince wanted to end everything as soon as possible, he could not act like a father. The desire for revenge and the desire to prove that he was different, that the blood that flows through his veins will not get the better of him, that he is not a monster, fought inside and for now revenge was losing a little.
Every day the task became more and more difficult, and then Egor came to his aid. He was simply there and listened to Klaus's delirious thoughts. He neither judged nor supported. The fair-haired youth was simply there, and that was enough to clear his mind.
Sometimes Klaus wondered if he was going crazy? Maybe Minami's insanity was caused not only by what she had to endure? Maybe it was a disease that Klaus had inherited?
"Don't talk nonsense. There have never been any crazy people in the Astrik family," answered Jiro when the prince shared his concerns with him.
"And what about the Deffenders?"
"I don't know if you can call it madness, but our ancestors have always been distinguished by their bloodthirstiness. Perhaps the influence of blood is what you are experiencing now."
"And you?"
"We've all been through something like that. We're at war now, and this is fueling the fire. Blood, death, how many have you destroyed with your own hands? You've unleashed what was deep inside, now you have two options, give in or fight."
"How did you deal with it?"
"I just stopped picking up a sword. Speaking of the sword," Jiro called his assistant over and he brought two long objects wrapped in black cloth.
Klaus raised an eyebrow in surprise.
'Do you want to give me a gift?"
"Rather, return what is already yours. This," the man unfolded the cloth and handed Klaus his sword, which his father had given him on the day he returned from training, "what I took after you disappeared. I was in the castle. I knew about the assassination attempt, but I did nothing, so I took it with me. Thanks to it, I found out that you were in another world."
"Was it some kind of atonement?" Klaus chuckled.
"I participated in the murder of my eldest son, at least at the time I thought August was dead. Fear, that's what drove me then. I was afraid that my daughters and their families would suffer too. I had to lose one child to save the others. Consider it an attempt to fix everything, or maybe a desire to use you."
"I'll consider it both. And this?"
"This is what you left behind."
"Not of your own free will," Klaus grimaced.
"I think this weapon is more suitable for someone who wants to fight the bloodthirsty creature inside themselves."
"Yes, I fell in love with the katana as soon as I learned of its existence. There is nothing like it in this world," Klaus smiled, running his hand over the blade.
"A sharp and blunt end, like death and mercy. Yes, it suits you perfectly. What will you do with it?" Jiro nodded towards the sword.
"Yes, it would be symbolic to kill my father with it, but I don't want to take it in my hands anymore. Do with it what you want."
The journey, which under normal circumstances would have taken no more than a week, stretched out for almost four months. Four long, grueling and blood-stained months.
The capital did not welcome them with open arms. The rebels were driven back several times, but they stubbornly returned.
"I am tired of retreating like a beaten dog," sighed Klaus at the next meeting, where all the representatives of the allies were present.
"You have already reached the capital and in such a short time," noted Digger. "I, frankly, did not believe until the last that anything would come of your enterprise, but look, despite the rivers of blood, low-born and middle-born are crowds eager to join your army, even some offspring of high-born are already going out onto the battlefield."
"My son and two grandsons took part in the last six battles, although they are not as skilled as your warriors, but they have plenty of enthusiasm," Mor put in his word.
"Yes, there are too many pampered nobles among our allies, but it is commendable that they are eager to fight."
"I am grateful to everyone who joined me, but now is not the time for this. We need to break through the gates of Anatodom. If we are beaten like this a couple more times, I am afraid that there will be no one left to fight. We are wasting magical artifacts, and the cloaks lose their properties too quickly. Gorald, explain to the soldiers that they are needed so that they do not get killed, but this does not mean that they should spit on magical attacks!"
"Yes, I agree. They relaxed too much because of their invulnerability to magic, forgetting that each blow depletes the cloak."
"I heard that your… helps to create anti-magic cloaks," the Minister of Finance hesitated.
"Yes, my beloved, partner, lover, whatever you want to call him, helps me create them. He is an anti-mage and his abilities are not unlimited. It is difficult for him to pump out so much magic, so the production of cloaks has become a problem. Or do you have another anti-mage to help him, Mr. Marfi?"
"No... you know that they are not so easy to find. I heard that you have another one. Perhaps..."
"No, she cannot help us now. If this is all, then I ask only those who are knowledgeable in military affairs to stay. We need to develop a new strategy."
"Your Highness, there is another problem. Provisions. The battles have ruined new harvests, the crown has a larger food supply. I am afraid that if the war drags on, we will have nothing to feed the soldiers with. Perhaps... Perhaps we should retreat and after..."
"That's impossible. If we retreat now, we won't be able to get that close to our goal. I'll take care of the food issue. I need the money you manage."
"Your Highness, but the treasury I managed under the crown's control..."
"As far as I know, you have more than enough money. My father turned a blind eye to many things, so it's time for you to contribute to the war."
"But..."
"I won't leave you at a loss and will pay you back in full after I ascend the throne."
"Then let me make a suggestion?"
"Yes, I'm listening."
"I don't need to pay back the money I spent, no matter where you plan to use it. You're right, I joined the rebels, and I have to do my part."
"Then what do you want?"
"I have a daughter. She's sixteen now and ready to marry. She's beautiful, submissive, and well-mannered. I think she'll be a great match for the new king."
"Do you want to discuss the marriage contract now?" Klaus grimaced. "Right now, marriage is the least of my interests."
"But this issue is just as important for the continuation of the family line..."
"I already have an heir, whom I will introduce to everyone in due time. I already have a man who will be by my side. Ask for anything, but not this."
"Your man... he's... he's a man. How can he take the queen's place? How can he give an heir? Your Highness, please reconsider my offer. I'm not in a hurry to answer."
"And if the answer doesn't change? Will you refuse me financial assistance?"
"Of course not!"
"Let's put this conversation off. I'll tell you later how much money I need, and you calculate how much food we need to last until the next harvest."
'Yes, sir."
"August, tell the communications mage that I need to pass on messages to Twig. This border nobleman is doing an excellent job. Let him negotiate the purchase of food from his neighbors. And in general, take charge of this."
"Klaus, I'm getting all the routine work again! It's not fair!"
"Do you think it's better to entrust this to Gorald?"
"I'll do everything."
"So, Mr. Digger. I'm listening to your proposals. How should we take the capital?"