Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 121: Night Raid
“Hehehe.”
In response to Duke Markarth’s accusation, the young Count Hogan gave a sly smile and retorted:
“Duke Markarth, it was you who went against the late king’s will by supporting the crown prince’s rebellion. What I’m doing is for the stability of the Morning Light Kingdom.”
“Hahaha, betrayal? What nonsense.”
Marquis Layman stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
“From the very start, I was working for His Majesty. My support for you was nothing but an act.”
He paused, then added with pride:
“I expect the crown prince has already been crushed by His Majesty’s forces, and my son’s army must have taken great credit in that victory.”
“You—! You bastard!”
Duke Markarth was so furious that he was lost for words.
He could well imagine it—the moment the Dragonfang Ridge troops suddenly turned on the battlefield, it must have been a devastating blow to the crown prince.
If the third prince seized the chance to launch a full assault, the crown prince would surely be doomed.
“That’s enough, Duke Markarth. Fengsui City has already fallen into our hands. You don’t even have the chance to resist anymore. By His Majesty’s order, I am to personally escort you to the capital.”
Then Marquis Layman turned to his men and commanded:
“Guards, take Duke Markarth away and keep a close watch on him.”
“Yes, sir!”
Two soldiers immediately stepped forward.
Knowing resistance was pointless, Duke Markarth didn’t struggle much and was quickly led away under guard.
Afterward, Count Hogan rubbed his palms together in delight and said flatteringly:
“Marquis Layman, I’ve cooperated so fully with your plan. Will His Majesty truly entrust Fengsui City to me?”
“Of course, Count Hogan.”
Marquis Layman replied firmly.
“With such great merit, His Majesty will reward you generously.”
“That’s good, that’s good.”
Count Hogan let out a sigh of relief.
“Count Hogan, I’ll be escorting the rebel to the capital for His Majesty’s judgment. In the meantime, you should start getting familiar with the management of Fengsui City.”
Hearing that, Count Hogan’s spirits lifted.
“You’re right—Fengsui has just changed hands. There must be a lot to handle. I’ll get to it right away.”
“Take care, Count Hogan.”
When Hogan left, Marquis Layman’s face grew dark and cold. He muttered to himself:
“Hmph, as if I’d let you take the lion’s share of Fengsui’s spoils. Let you be happy for a few days first.”
That night, the crown prince and a small band of followers camped out in the wilderness.
They had barely escaped the battlefield alive and were now planning to head north, back toward Fengsui City.
As for Duke Markarth’s son—he had gone missing in the battle. Most likely, his fate was grim.
Legovis sat alone in front of the campfire, staring blankly into the flames, while the others rested nearby.
It was his first time tasting bitter defeat, and the blow had left him utterly dejected.
Damn that Marquis Layman—and his son. I’ll make them pay dearly! Legovis swore in his heart, clenching his fists tightly.
“Your Highness! We caught a rabbit—there’s food!”
Just then, a knight came over cheerfully, holding up a fat horned hare for him to see.
Legovis lifted his head for a moment, then lowered it again without a word.
Seeing his prince’s gloomy state, the knight set the rabbit down and tried to comfort him:
“Your Highness, don’t lose heart. Defeat in battle is nothing unusual. As long as you live, with your status as crown prince you can rally another army, and in time, launch a counterattack.”
“…Haa.”
Legovis let out a heavy sigh.
“I know all that.”
Then, his face twisted with bitterness, he added:
“But I just can’t swallow this humiliation. If not for Dragonfang Ridge’s betrayal, how could I have fallen to such a state?”
“Marquis Lyman’s behavior is truly disgraceful. We must settle accounts with him once we return.”
The knight echoed.
“Mm.”
Just as he nodded, Legovis’s stomach growled uncontrollably. Only then did he realize that he hadn’t eaten a single bite all day.
At this, the knight gave a bright smile and once again lifted the rabbit in his hand.
“Your Highness, you’ve traveled such a long way today—you must be starving. Allow me to prepare this rabbit for you. Tonight, we’ll have meat.”
“I’ll leave it to you, then.”
“Rest assured, Your Highness. When I was young, I often went hunting with my father. I’m quite skilled at dressing and cooking game.”
With that, the knight drew a small knife from his waist and prepared to step aside to clean the rabbit.
But to everyone’s shock, just as he turned around, an assassin suddenly appeared, slashing his throat with a short blade and killing him instantly.
The knight didn’t even have time to issue a warning.
“Courting death!”
Thankfully, Legovis reacted swiftly. He snatched up the long halberd beside him, leapt to his feet, and thrust toward the direction the enemy had appeared.
Whoosh! The strike missed.
The opponent was skilled—not only had they evaded Legovis’s attack, but they had also managed to slip past the sentries on watch.
At the same time, more noises erupted behind them. The campfire was deliberately stamped out, and the surroundings plunged into darkness.
It became clear—the enemy’s numbers were not few.
“Enemy attack!”
The nearby knights all drew their swords and fell into defensive formation.
“Quick! Protect the Crown Prince above all else!” one knight shouted.
At the command, the knights moved to close in around Legovis.
But at that moment, more enemies emerged, clashing with the knights and forcing them into battle, preventing them from approaching the prince.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of weapons colliding rang out around them. Legovis himself was locked in a fierce duel with a highly skilled assassin.
The assassin wore a strange mask that hid their face. Their movements were swift and agile, dodging every one of Legovis’s wide, powerful strikes.
Still, getting close to the Crown Prince was no easy task for the assassin either.
After several exchanges, Legovis swung his halberd with great force and by chance severed the assassin’s headband. A cascade of beautiful violet hair tumbled free, clearly visible in the moonlight.
“A woman?”
Legovis faltered for a moment.
The female assassin lingered briefly before him, the corner of her lips curling upward.
“Remember my name—Night Enchantress I am His Majesty’s trusted hand.”
No sooner had she spoken than she rapidly recited an incantation. Her form flickered unnaturally, growing fainter and fainter.
Sensing something amiss, Legovis struck without hesitation, spinning his halberd and smashing it down toward where she stood.
Boom! The blow struck nothing, only throwing up a clump of dirt. Night Enchantress had already vanished without a trace.
“Damn it!”
Not knowing how she had disappeared before his very eyes, Legovis grew uneasy. He swung his halberd wildly in every direction.
But after striking nothing but air for some time, he gradually stilled his weapon.
Panting heavily, Legovis forced himself to calm down, straining his ears to catch the faintest sounds around him.
The enemy couldn’t simply vanish into thin air—they had to still be nearby, lurking.
“Urgh! Damn—”
Someone was killed, though amidst the chaos it was impossible to tell who. The sounds of battle muddied Legovis’s senses.
Even so, he managed to catch the faintest stir in the noise—right behind him!
A chill ran down his spine as he whirled around.
But it was already too late. With a heavy crack, something struck the back of his head. His vision went black, and he collapsed into unconsciousness on the spot.