Chapter 51
Chapter 51
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The Stage of the Decisive Battle
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"They're all just lounging around?"
"Yes, my lord. According to our informants, they've been handing out bonuses for the past few days and telling the mercenaries to rest up. And that guy Kaiyer—he's out fishing by the river."
"Fishing? Heh heh heh. What an interesting fellow. He should be racking his brains on how to survive a moment like this."
"He probably knows the power you wield and has given up."
"No.... Something still feels off."
Viscount Lukens shook his head at the words of Delbado, his chief knight and advisor of many long years.
"In any case, once the ships set off in a little while, it'll all be over. And tomorrow, that Kaiyer will either hand over his head or flee."
The four days passed in the blink of an eye.
Even a large transport ship could sink crossing rough seas.
All they had to do was slip past the eyes of the nominal commander-in-chief still overseeing Neruman and exit the river.
And the moment the ships touched the sea, they would hand over the goods to those waiting and be done.
"Once the transport ships depart, give the remaining soldiers plenty of booze and meat. And tomorrow, we go catch that bastard."
"Yes, sir!"
The transport ships would depart the river at the fall of darkness.
*Rookie punk, I'll slice open your gut and check myself. See how swollen your guts are....*
A sinister smile curled at Lukens's lips.
The bloody slaughter coming tomorrow.
*Jenis.... You're next. Heh heh heh.*
Jenis, the last formal noble remaining in Neruman.
He had left her alone due to the casualties that would come from clashing with the commander-in-chief, but now it was time to clean house.
Lukens made up his mind.
He would formally take full control of Neruman within a few days.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Liker, can we trust these guys?"
"Heh heh. I specially selected ones with clean records. Just trust me, my lord."
Liker, the handsome man flashing a sleazy smile as he asked to be trusted.
I didn't want to trust him, but I needed his hands for now.
"Derbal, have the other mercenaries left?"
"Yes, my lord. They all got excited about the hunt and headed out of the city."
*Shall we get moving now?*
I'd spent the past few days fishing with Bebeto.
And now the day had arrived for Lukens's transport fleet to depart.
"Liker, let me say it once more: my job is just to scatter the enemy. Do not let it turn into a prolonged fight."
"Just trust me. Heh heh."
Liker's creepy, parasite-like grin as he insisted I trust him.
I could trust anyone else, but Liker? Never.
*Fine, if you lure them away, I'll toss in a wyvern as a bonus.*
No country could handle eleven wyverns at once.
Not defenseless ones like Temir's, but wyverns equipped with magical armor up to 4th circle defense, ridden by veteran skynights in the air.
So, I had no choice but to use a dirty trick.
"The paint job is perfect?"
"As long as they don't get too close, they won't notice. They're wearing the exact same magical armor and air plates as you, after all."
"Then we depart immediately. Derbal, lead the mercenary band waiting outside the city. You must reach Gadein Castle when the moon is at its zenith."
"Don't worry. We've gathered every horse in the city, so that's covered."
Just as Derbal said, we'd scraped together every horse in the city.
And distributed them to about 500 mercenaries.
*All or nothing!*
In a big gamble like this, one bet decided everything.
"Then we depart now. I wish you all good fortune!"
"We pray for your victory, my lord!"
"Heh heh. Just trust me!"
Mercenaries I didn't fully trust except for Derbal, and Liker.
But the arrow had been loosed, and the lottery wheel was spinning.
*Lukens, today I'll strip you down to your underwear! Umhah hah ha!*
This Neruman place meant nothing to ground forces anyway.
Catch Lukens and his crew, and I'd devour them whole without leaving a hair behind.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Depart!"
"Hoist the sails!"
A gentle river breeze.
At the pier near Gadein Castle, shrouded in thick darkness, the transport ships unfurled their sails.
*Parararak.*
The sails billowed out instantly, swollen like a pregnant woman.
"Skynights, ascend and form a defensive formation!"
*Parak parak, parararak.*
Following the five wyverns already in the air, the remaining six took flight into the moonlit sky.
They formed a classic defensive diamond shape for aerial combat.
A formation capable of defending against attacks from any direction.
*Shiiik, shiiiik.*
They circled widely above the ships in a long loop.
"Wing defense formation!"
From the rear, Viscount Lukens issued the order for wing defense formation.
Four wyverns per squad to patrol the perimeter.
Lukens's skynights, drilled relentlessly, split into groups of four and scattered in all directions.
*Excellent.*
Viscount Lukens, who rarely showed emotion, smiled in satisfaction at the sight of the magical armor glinting in the moonlight as they dispersed.
He felt they possessed skills that could stand against the Imperial Guard Skynights—not out of arrogance, but confidence.
*Rookie.... Come and get it. Heh heh heh.*
According to today's intel, the brat had repelled and captured Temir's wyverns attacking Commander Yakes with spirits and magic.
But he didn't buy it.
How could a mage summon spirits?
He'd heard of magic swordsmen, but spirit mages were almost unheard of in continental history.
*Srurururuk.*
Viscount Lukens flew at the center of the wyvern escort.
Below him, the transport ship pressed forward steadily on wind and current.
Today's cargo, bought with every penny he'd scraped together over years of ruthless saving.
Using it as a springboard, Lukens would expand his ambitions further.
*Whiriririring.*
*The wind feels good.*
With spring in full bloom, the breeze was soft beyond words.
The air plate blocked external temperatures, so no chill or heat.
But the sound of the wind alone told him the season and its flavor.
Skynights.
No matter what anyone said, they were the sons of the wind.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
*The wind feels good.*
Bebeto, who could fly higher than the other wyverns.
Far ahead, with Liker leading, he greeted the wind from even loftier skies.
*When Liker appears, at least one squad will break off. That leaves seven or eight. Must take them out fast.*
No need to hide my power now.
Once Lukens was dealt with, no one in Neruman could touch me.
*Jenis, you're the only choice left. If you come to me after today, you're my enemy.*
Before leaving Denfos, I'd sent Jenis a fast horse.
Heading to deal with Lukens now.
Join the fight if you wish.
But after today, if we meet, you're an enemy. A short warning and overture.
My final consideration for Jenis, who had shown me kindness.
*At this speed, ten minutes. Time to loosen up?*
An unusually large full moon today.
Unlike the sun, its soft light illuminating the earth stole his breath with its beauty.
A taste only those who ruled the skies could savor.
Heavenly as wild eel with raspberry wine.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"...A warning and an overture."
Jenis crumpled the white paper in her hand.
Her brown eyes gleamed coldly.
"Two wyverns have sortied."
"Two? Are you kidding? Viscount Lukens has eleven wyverns. The best skynights piloting them."
Artsan stared in disbelief at Berkes's words.
There was the three-to-one unbreakable rule.
Even the finest skynights always lost to three times their number—a time-honored formula.
Few in history had won against such odds.
Only a handful, like the Vazran Empire's founding emperor, the Wind Emperor Bahillain.
"Let's hit them from behind instead. With Lukens and now Kaiyer showing hostility, we can't sit idle. We strike their rear in the heat of battle!"
Berkes, who resembled a horse's head, pushed aggressively.
"Sneaking a backstab is cowardly.... How about gleaning? Rumors say Baronet Kaiyer has some skill. If he nobly takes out four or five wyverns, we'll have a shot too."
Berkes and Artsan dreamed not of frontal clashes.
They knew their own abilities too well.
"Prepare for flight. And order all soldiers: tonight, we attack Gadein Castle!"
"What? G-Gadein Castle?"
"If... Kaiyer takes Lukens, then I...."
Jenis trailed off.
More important to her than Neruman's peace was revenge.
Her brown eyes shone like stars in the sky.
"We depart immediately. I won't yield Lukens!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
At Jenis's firm command, her two skynights bowed their heads.
Praying fervently to the goddess of victory, Ormion, for a morning of triumphant joy.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Alright! Off to the hunt! Everyone, move out!"
"Kiyoooo! They're all dead!"
"Umhah hah ha! I'll bag the biggest monster and claim the bounty!"
"Charge! Ride till dawn!"
*Whew.... Mercenaries.*
The mercenaries cheered excitedly, oblivious to their destination.
Derbal sighed watching them.
They weren't main forces anyway, but riding hours with these orc-like types was nightmare fuel.
*At least the money raised their loyalty.*
Usually apathetic to orders from a knight like Derbal.
A few days of bonuses and rest, and they listened decently.
"Hya!"
"Go!"
*Crack! Crack! Chak!*
"Neigh!"
Whips cracked everywhere, and soon the mercenaries' horses surged after Derbal.
None knew where they were headed.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
*They're here!*
Who said birds of high altitude have keen sight?
The camouflaged wyvern mimicking Liker's Bebeto was nearly a kilometer below me.
Beyond it, silver magical armor gleamed, slicing the sky into my eyes.
*Removed the magical armor for today. Perfectly painted black.*
For victory, I'd stripped Bebeto's magical armor.
One hit meant defeat anyway.
To ensure absolute victory, I'd painted over Bebeto's golden patterns with black.
*Sorry, Bebeto, your master isn't strong enough. But next time....*
Even the finest wyvern was useless with an incompetent rider.
I refused to be that master.
I wanted to share the glory I enjoyed with Bebeto.
*They've spotted us.*
They weren't blind; they'd seen Liker.
No, they'd be idiots not to.
I'd polished the magical armor to shine and painted black with glowing golden stripes for contrast.
*Whoooosh.*
Sensing detection, Liker veered right.
*Well-trained.*
Unlike me, systematically drilled—Liker performed flawlessly from takeoff.
His usual sloppiness belied perfect flight posture.
*One, two, three, four. A full squad.*
Lukens's knights shifted from defense to attack upon spotting Liker.
They accelerated into a triangular formation.
*Take care, Liker.*
Liker fled vigorously as ordered.
Watching, I gripped a Blast Spear in each hand.
*Seven left now. Quick and clean!*
After Liker vanished, the transport ship's silhouette appeared over the river far below.
*Parak parak, parararak!*
Bebeto sensed the decisive moment instinctively.
Powerful wingbeats merged dynamically with my body.
Enemies appeared below.
*Kwaak.*
I squeezed my legs, signaling descent to Bebeto.
*Shyaaaaaaaang!*
Bebeto dove sharply.
*Now!*
Eyes wide even in the plunge, I hurled a Blast Spear at an incoming foe.
*Pop!*
Mana-charged, it cleaved space like a comet tail.
*Swish.*
I swiftly drew two more Blast Spears.
Mechanically, I flung them at the next target.
*Die, you bastards—hit something and drop dead!*
Enemies overflowed; no need to conserve Blast Spears.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
*Fleeing? Hmph! I overestimated you.*
When the rookie's wyvern appeared through the moonlight, Lukens's heart raced.
Guts to show despite absolute disadvantage.
Fool or true hero.
But as the rookie closed in, he turned tail without hesitation.
Black silhouette with stark golden stripes.
*Heh heh. You're dead today.*
He didn't know the wyvern's speed, but caught in terrain-mastered subordinates, it was doomed.
Lukens grinned in delight.
*Hm?*
Yet amid joy, a prickling nape.
The killing intent of the skies, known only to decades-long wyvern riders.
Startled, he scanned around.
"Gasp!"
A scream escaped his helmet as he looked up.
In the moonlight, a massive black shadow descended to earth.
A wyvern plummeting faster than a meteor straight at him.
And a flashing comet.
"D-Dodge!!!!!!!!!!"
Panic mixed with a shrieked evasion order.
*Thud! Thubthub!*
*Kueeeeeeeeek!*
*Kueeeeeeee!*
The agonized cries of two wyverns.
They burst.
Such force: the spear pierced magical armor like a meteor, gutting the belly.
"Aaaargh!"
"Enemy!"
Mana-laced screams and "enemy!" erupted together.
*Pa-bat.*
Amid chaos, blood and guts spilling, wyverns plummeted; skynights hastily activated Fly spells on air plates to leap away.
*Y-You bastaaaaard!*
How had he raised such wyverns and skynights?
Mocked in the Empire, they'd nested in remote Neruman for dreams.
Gathered via cajoling and threats, foundation nearly complete.
Yet two wyverns, blood and bone, exploded without a proper fight.
*Boom! Kaboohm!*
Their massive bodies shattered on impact.
"Enemy! Enemy at 11 o'clock!"
After two fell, evading wyverns barely dodged four more spears.
They spotted the foe.
Descending from the sky at 11 o'clock, heading for Viscount Lukens.
*B-Black wyvern?*
Incredibly, a black wyvern symbolizing the Vazran Empire.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
*Impressive!*
Caught them off-guard; downed two wyverns.
But subsequent spears grazed evading wyverns.
Regrettable.
Five versus three was a clear gap.
*Filling it with full mana yields that power.*
I'd unwittingly packed the first Blast Spear with mana.
Its power unimaginable.
Piercing the enemy wyvern, it still had force to crater the ground like a meteor.
*Incoming!*
No time for thought.
Lukens's remaining wyverns seized counterattack.
Hurling Blast Spears at me with all might.
"Bebeto, charge!"
I had a trump magic to block Blast Spears.
Trusting it, left hand on reins, right gripping spear, I cleaved the wind.
*Lukens, today you die! Heh heh.*
Among enemy wyverns, Lukens's stood out.
The one with an extra-large head from last pass.
Flying eagerly at me.
*Come on, baby!*
Surrounded by enemy wyverns and spears, no fear.
Victory-focused minds paint no defeat or death.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
*Insane!*
The bastard wasn't right in the head.
Despite successful ambush, now fully battle-ready skynights.
Yet his wyvern charged madly at them.
*I'll chew your bones! Grrr!*
Thought brief.
Value of two prime wyverns?
Gritting teeth, Lukens gripped a second Blast Spear.
*Paaat!*
Following it, mid-tier wind spirit Shuriel from spiritist Herein sliced the air.
Unlike limited-guidance spears, spirits struck by human will.
No armor or mage on his wyvern—it was dead meat.
Until the flashing magic explosion before his eyes.
*Flaaash!*
*Kwaaaaaang!*
"Gasp...."
500 meters away.
Magic burst in that short distance.
His Blast Spear vanished.
*Paat!*
"D-Dodge!"
Lukens's second scream.
Then the enemy's Blast Spear closed in.
*Thud!*
Deep into the head of mage Tres's wyvern flying right of Lukens.
*D-Demon!*
Demon flashed in mind.
Too shocked for his own spear, Viscount Lukens trembled.
*But Shuriel....*
Foolish: no body armor on the black wyvern.
Shuriel's comet-like strike flew at it.
*Got him!*
Shuriel neared, claws slashing down.
Distance now 300 meters.
No way for him to dodge spirit attack.
*Kiyaaaaaaaak!*
But then, the spirit's agonized wail.
"....."
No breath for screams.
It was vanishing.
Mid-tier wind spirit Shuriel, mid-attack, shed silver wings and forcibly reverse-summoned.
"Cough...."
Forced recall; spiritist Herein spewed blood, slamming head into wyvern.
Then, another Shuriel appeared.
Twice the size of the reverse-summoned one.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
*Playing tough, you fucking bird.*
Fearless top-tier contracted spirit baring teeth at me.
Bitten by my summoned one at the scruff, reverse-summoned to spirit realm.
"Dolly! Go bite!"
*Kiyoooooo!*
Shuriel flew joyfully at my command.
Cleaving wind.
*Kuaaaaaak—*
Wyvern's horrific scream.
*That hurts.*
Smarter now, Shuriel knew my mind perfectly.
It tore into the unarmored neck with full force.
Lukens's squad now 100 meters away.
Only two charging straight.
*Smirk.*
Friendly smile curled my lips.
Raised spear-bearing right hand high.
Left hand prepped a spell.
*Lukens, bye-bye~!*
Time to finish.
Hurled spear at dazed Lukens with full power.
*Paat!*
Then, a skynight beside Lukens flung one back.
*Damn!*
Too close; even I couldn't slack.
"Air Shield!"
Max mana surged forward on Bebeto into a mana shield.
*Whoa!*
*Thud! Boom!*
From my view, right-side Lukens.
The skynight hurling at me blocked Lukens's path.
Spear bounced off my shield.
His wyvern staggered, side-hit by my spear.
Then, Lukens grazed past too close.
100 meters aloft equaled meters on ground.
We brushed past each other.
Helmets hid faces.
But I pictured Lukens's twisted grimace.
*Whip.*
Yanked reins; Bebeto spun sharply.
*Huh?*
I'd braced for clash, but as I turned, Lukens's wyvern dove earthward in frantic flight.
*Chase?*
Brief dilemma.
*Heh heh. Think you got lucky today.*
Fierce aerial clash just ended.
Bebeto's sturdy breaths grew ragged.
Lukens no longer a threat.
The four chasing Liker? No worry.
*Secure Gadein Castle.*
While we fought aloft, the transport leisurely drifted downriver.
They didn't know.
Rivers have paths, but they had no such luxury.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Wh-Where is this...."
"G-Gadein Castle!"
"Aaah! We're dead!"
Cheering, chattering mercenaries.
Derbal led one-handed, so they blindly followed.
Moonlight revealed the massive castle; all froze.
Dust-obscured terrain; small hill turn showed Gadein like hell's fortress.
Excitement sank.
Mercenaries eyed front-runner, one-armed knight Derbal.
What the hell?
*My lord, what happened?*
Aerial battle should be over by now.
Derbal gazed skyward, biting dry lips.
Incredible lord or not, two wyverns versus eleven? Impossible.
Absolute faith drove him, but unease lingered.
*Kuaoooooo!*
Then, distant sky wyvern cry.
"Aaah! Viscount Lukens's wyverns!"
"F-Fuck, wife with kitchen knife in dream last night!"
Mercenaries froze, no flight thoughts.
Even mounted, Neruman plains meant caught napping under moonlight.
"M-My lord....!"
But one man.
Tears of joy streaming.
Unforgettable: lord's wyvern Bebeto's cry.
"Attack formation, all!"
Derbal's bold shout pierced fearful ears.
"Fuck, seen that orc-rabies human?"
"Charge? Die alone prettily!"
Mercenary curses drowned his order.
*Kuaoooooo!*
*Parak parak, parararak!*
Meanwhile, black wyvern neared overhead.
"Charge! 10,000 gold to first over the gate!"
"Gasp! The L-Lord!"
"Wha—! Lord's here!"
"10,000 gold! Outta the way!"
Familiar voice and 10k gold flipped mercenary eyes.
Baronet Kaiyer's wyvern and 10k gold tossed thoughts to gutter.
"Aaah! Me first!"
"Move, you dog bastards! I was lead till now!"
*Thududududu.*
*Neiiiigh!*
No discipline.
Lifetime jackpot chance.
Mercenary life: come like wind, go like wind.
10k gold? Happy even in death.
"My lord...."
One word from lord solved what he couldn't.
*Whiric whiric whiririk.*
Lord's back flying to Gadein; Derbal felt heart blaze.
Cool-to-death lord Kaiyer.
Derbal's one true master.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
*Huh? What's with them?*
Gadein fell easier than thought.
Bebeto swooped castle walls; few awake.
Guards drunk since early evening, sprawled or dozing by torches.
I softly opened gates from Bebeto; mercenaries charged like Olympic sprinters.
Dozens stormed in, immediately fist-fighting over "first entry."
Mercenaries flooded Gadein.
Sober soldiers rushed but gawked at brutish mercs and haughty Bebeto atop walls, brains hitting floor.
Too-easy conquest.
Derbal, learning from me, offered mercs 1 gold per soldier; chaos anew.
Easy prey even to them.
Eyes bulging, they charged everywhere.
Gadein fell to me.
But one more to wrap.
The vital transport fleet.
Rode Bebeto swiftly over river.
Mana lines from magic stones as planned.
As expected, fleet snagged like fish in invisible net, halted.
*Jenis....*
Arriving fast on Bebeto, I saw Jenis and her skynights.
No—her soldiers aboard transport, disarming Lukens's knights and guards, awaiting me.
*Liker, what the hell?*
More shocking: Liker, who'd lured four skynights as bait, gone.
Giggling, chatting with Jenis.
*Peruk peruk, perurak.*
Landed Bebeto beside Jenis.
*One wrong word... no mercy!*
My netted transport.
If he claimed conquest, face lost—I'd bite.
"My lord! What of Lukens?"
Liker rushed at landing, asking after Lukens(?).
"Got away."
"What?"
"Caught all but that one bastard fled."
"Hah ha! As expected of my lord!"
Others would've questioned impossible win; Liker took it as natural, beaming "my lord."
*He's hurt.*
Hole fist-sized in wing of Liker's wyvern.
Blast Spear puncture.
"Is that true....?"
*Jenis.*
Jenis asked if real.
"I don't spout nonsense after fancy bread."
Ever-corny formal speech.
But situation demanded; swallowed cheesiness, spoke boldly.
"I-Impossible! How could one face seven wyverns!"
Jenis's skynight Berkes gawked, seeking confirmation.
"Wanna bet? Truth: you give wyvern. Lie: you take these two."
Pointed at Liker and his wyvern.
"M-My lord...."
Ever-disposable Liker paled.
"Hard to believe, but must."
Jenis's eyes sparkled intensely.
"I don't lie after fancy bread."
*'Cept barley bread days....*
"Jenis de Zajdran swears by truth and justice god Sipotain: from this hour, Kaiyer Baron's skynight!"
*Thud!*
Kneeling one knee, pledging loyalty.
*Whoa!*
Stunned by unexpected Jenis move.
Neruman's #2, original noble with thousands troops.
With skynights, begging my service.
Best response:
"Thanks. Let's do well henceforth."
*Yow! Jackpot!*
Lukens haul astronomical; bonus pumpkin vine tumbling in.
Refuse? He'd be Bulguksa Pagoda classmate.
Knight oaths that fearsome.
"Your Berkes: Kaiyer's faithful spear."
"Your Artsan: Kaiyer's shield."
With lord Jenis bowing, her knights knelt, swearing.
But unlike her, teary-eyed.
Too young-hearted for overnight lord swap.
"Rise, all. We're family now. For Neruman's peace, give our best."
"Thanks, my lord. Lives pledged in loyalty."
Jenis's forceful vow.
"N-No need for your life, sis."
Short hair, tall, tanned skin hid uncommon beauty.
Slightly burdened.
"Umhah hah ha! Congrats, my lord. Nabbed Neruman's two lions overnight."
Tone-deaf Liker.
*Why live, human? Sigh.*
Would've given big tombstone if died nobly earlier.
*Thud.*
"Aaaaah!"
Only wrathful kick farewell.
"Carefully unload transport cargo to Skywing Group's warehouse. Especially return women inside to parents or siblings."
"Yes!"
Jenis's vigorous reply.
*Whew. Stormy night.*
Long evening passed.
Moon dozed, head bowed.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"No mercenary casualties. But fistfights over captives injured about twenty."
*Ugh....*
Ever-troublesome mercenaries.
Long night past; morning returned.
Skywing Group battle-high faded to exhaustion.
Jenis's troops who'd moved holy water and rarities all night slept; morning meeting: Derbal, Jenis, Berkes, Artsan, Liker, me.
*Oof, bones ache.*
Should've slept till afternoon, but diligent Derbal woke me with reports.
"Now, report on Gadein Castle and transport totals."
*Totals?*
Gold perked ears.
"Speak."
"Yes, my lord. Gadein Castle held about 523,200 gold in coin."
*Only 520k?*
Less than expected.
"Secret vault items and top-grade holy water from transport: my estimate around 4.5 million gold."
"Gasp.... 4.5 million gold."
"Whew."
Berkes and Artsan gasped in awe.
Even skynights, 4.5 mil no trifle.
*Pity. More wyverns captured....*
Surprisingly, Lukens's four chasing Liker all wiped by Jenis-Liker pincer.
But luckily: one Dolly-bit, one spiritist mount, one tanking for Lukens—three total.
*Heh heh. With Jenis's, thirteen now.*
"How many wyvern armors and air plates recovered?"
Now-equal knight Jenis asked Derbal.
"Most wyvern armors and air plates recovered. But intact armors: two only. All air plates usable."
*Couldn't flee.*
Skynights sans wyvern no match for numbers.
*How much left?*
One night's labor: unimaginable gains, mouth tearing.
"My lord, prisoner plans?"
Jenis queried as "my lord."
"Those actively aiding Lukens: knights and soldiers all enslaved. Accept willing via background checks. Form regular domain army with Count Yakes's troops."
"Gasp! Y-Yakes's troops too?"
"Yes. About 20,000 Neruman natives."
"....."
Berkes gaped, speechless.
"Ho ho. My lord truly amazing."
Jenis beamed praise.
"This is basic. To be my lord's caliber, expected. Right, my lord?"
*Sigh, pirates know nothing. Must bury that guy quiet.*
Ever-spicing Liker.
Vowed inwardly.
Catch and bury soon.
"Meeting seems done... rest up...."
*Ding dong dang!*
About to suggest afternoon resumption, emergency bell tolled shrilly in Skywing HQ.
"Hm?"
".....?"
Room faces stiffened.
Mercenary wails rang.
"Aaaaah! P-Pirates at the harbor!"
*P-Pirates?*