I Already Know That My Magic Power Is Ridiculously High! Now I Just Need To Get A Lovely Bride - Chapter 8

Someone once said, “People are born by the stars and die by the stars.”

Once upon a time, humans—who had no special powers and merely existed in countless numbers—were nothing more than stardust drifting through the universe. However, even stardust that crawls along the earth can come together to form something. Just as people build villages and create communities, beings with great power emerged from that stardust. They were named the Eisei Satera.

Perhaps that alone was too dull, for soon stars began to fall upon the land of Atra. At last, a force appeared on Atra that not only swept up even the Eisei Satera but also drew them into its own enormous gravitational field. Possessing supernatural power far beyond that of mere mortals, this being shone in the night sky like a dazzling star. Mankind called it the Hoshistera.

Did people gain their power because stars fell, or do the stars derive their power from people? When stars collide with one another…

“One Hoshistera-class unit has been added.”

Year 152 of the Zakurian Empire, July 10.

Our Ortenos territory—located in the far east of the Zakurian Empire—borders many lands. To the north lies the Tsetia Khanate, to the east the Naiya Kingdom, and to the southeast the Azarash city-state.

On this day, under my father’s orders, I departed from Ortenatoris—the capital of our Ortenos territory—and took up position on a small hill near Pekion Village, the point closest to the border with the Naiya Kingdom. The order was to defeat the 2,000 Naiya soldiers stationed near Pekion Village.

We had marched with high spirits, confident that—as everyone said—we could easily crush them. But then a problem arose. Suddenly, a massive army from the east, belonging to the Naiya Kingdom, appeared. I immediately ordered a retreat, and we fled like rabbits into the hill where we stood.

Now, our small force is locked in a standoff with the Naiya army from our elevated position. At that moment, an expressionless female military officer ran up to me and reported news that I could not ignore.

“One Hoshistera-class unit, you say…? Are there any others?”

I struggled to hide the anxiety welling up deep inside me as I asked her.

“No, we haven’t seen any others. The only Hoshistera-class unit is Balbat von Naiya—the sole second child of Carulina, who carries the accursed blood of the Naiya vixen.”

I see—so it is the second prince of the Naiya Kingdom. A surprisingly significant figure has appeared. My detection magic confirmed the same result, so the report is accurate. Still, I can’t help but think the timing is almost too perfect.

“Explain the situation.”

Though I was shaken by the appearance of a Hoshistera-class unit, I urged the officer to continue.

“Ah, our 5,000-strong Ortenos army is facing an enemy force of 20,000 from the Naiya Kingdom that includes one Hoshistera-class unit. It appears that the Naiya army began marching from Bangwall Fortress this morning and is heading this way. If we are surrounded, a clash is inevitable.”

Damn—it’s completely different from what Father had told me. We were only supposed to deal with a mixed force of about 2,000—composed of Eisei Satera and stardust soldiers—that had invaded our lands. So why has their number swelled to 20,000 and now even includes a Hoshistera-class unit?

“Up until now, there have been no reports confirming the existence of any Hoshistera-class units, correct?”

“We too are baffled by this sudden change. Our reconnaissance reports indicate that as of yesterday, no Hoshistera-class units were seen at Bangwall Fortress.”

Then I wondered: When did Balbat arrive at Bangwall Fortress? It seems he entered the fortress just as I arrived here.

(Is this a mere coincidence? …Or perhaps our movements were leaked?)

Still, it feels unwise to indulge in wild speculation. Right now, I must decide how to handle the enemy force before me, which now includes a Hoshistera-class unit. And I can’t help but worry—what about my grandfather at the northern fortress? In our current state of constant retreat, I have a bad feeling about it.

“What about Grandfather? How is he?”

“Ah, the so-called Military God—Grandfather—is at Lonshant Fortress, about 150 kels to the northwest, locked in a standoff with a mixed enemy force of 30,000 that includes three Hoshistera-class units from both the Naiya army and the Hoshiros Marquis army. Our allies number around 3,000, but they say no reinforcements are needed.”

My grandfather, known as the “Military God of Ortenos,” is feared both inside and outside the Empire. Even when severely outnumbered, he wields his enormous halberd as if he were a one-man army. Yet being surrounded by three Hoshistera-class units leaves him little room to worry about us.

“Is Grandfather really all right?”

“Yes. If necessary, he can cross the Ortena River behind Lonshant Fortress and retreat into Neivilim territory, so he should be fine.”

I suppose if he has planned that far ahead, it might work—but being surrounded by three Hoshistera-class units still seems overly optimistic.

“Understood. Facing three Hoshistera-class units is exactly the caliber of Grandfather. As long as he remains at Lonshant Fortress, it will not fall.”

I have a few concerns, but I choose to align my pace with his rather than cause needless worry. Now, I must finally decide how to act.

(Should I kill Balbat, or should I retreat?)

Given that the situation has diverged so drastically from my father’s pre-battle intel, there are plenty of reasons to run. Yet, retreating would set a poor example for the Ortenos family. On the other hand, if I kill Balbat, that could spark a new succession crisis for the Marquisate.

I don’t have much time to decide. I quickly weighed which option would be a compromise acceptable for both Ortenos and myself. After about ten seconds, I let out a sharp, decisive breath.

(Alright, I’ve decided.)

Then, almost without thinking, I pulled an imperial gold coin from my pocket and flicked it high into the air with my thumb. I didn’t even try to catch it with the back of my hand—I simply caught it with my right hand. This little performance isn’t meant to carry any deep meaning; it’s just something I do when making a big decision—a sort of ritual.

(I have no choice but to kill Balbat here and now.)

The damage from rumors that our army fled from the Naiya Kingdom would be far worse than the fallout from a succession dispute. I can easily dodge the former, but the latter would have lasting repercussions.

And frankly, whether or not I can kill Balbat is not even in question—it goes without saying for me.