Chapter 188
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 188
After finishing his unilateral declaration, Lucian immediately led his army out of the Lerum Viscounty.
As soon as they passed through the castle gates, Lucian headed for a basin located a short distance from the Viscount’s castle. It was a spot neither too far nor too close—easy to defend and ideal as a staging ground for an advance.
The Viscounty fell into a state of chaos as they watched Lucian openly seize such a strategic military position. This wasn't just a hollow threat; he clearly intended to attack if provoked.
“My Lord! What on earth is happening?!”
“Mockery?! What did you say to the Duke to make him react like this?!”
Knights swarmed Viscount Oleg from all sides, but the Viscount had no room to answer. Lucian’s parting words were still thundering in his head.
‘Surrender or total ruin? Surrender or total ruin?’
Viscount Oleg felt his senses fading.
If those words had been spoken in a private conversation between two people, they could have been retracted at any time, regardless of the threat. But words that have reached the ears of others cannot be taken back, not even by the power of a god.
The moment Lucian spoke of war in front of his soldiers, any hope for a peaceful resolution had vanished. If Lucian were to change his mind after making such a grand declaration, he would become the laughingstock of the entire continent.
“How could this… Guh!”
“M-My Lord!”
“The Viscount has collapsed!”
Unable to withstand the shock of the grim reality facing him, Viscount Oleg crumpled to the ground. The surrounding knights, startled, supported their fallen lord and rushed him inside.
While the Lerum Viscounty was in a state of panic, the five-thousand-strong army stationed in the basin was overflowing with confidence.
“Look at those bastards. Serves them right.”
“They should’ve treated us better from the start.”
“Let’s take this chance to give them a proper thrashing.”
“Damn right. We need to teach them their place.”
Lucian’s declaration of war was sudden to them as well, but it was also something they had been secretly hoping for.
When they first entered the West with such majesty, their self-esteem had soared at the sight of the trembling lords. But as soon as they set foot here, they had been tied down by a "natural disaster," spending their time idly doing nothing.
As their stay grew longer than expected, the Viscounty’s treatment of them steadily deteriorated. Eventually, the hosts claimed they had no food left to feed the army, forcing the soldiers to survive on the military provisions brought by their own supply train.
“Dammit, it still pisses me off just thinking about it. How dare they treat us like freeloaders?”
“We tried to be understanding because they said they were struggling, but then they stab us in the back like this?”
The soldiers gnashed their teeth, remembering when their meals were cut off. Of course, they knew the Lerum Viscounty didn't truly have the resources to properly entertain five thousand men.
However, regardless of practical limitations, there is such a thing as atmosphere. When the Lerum Viscounty became unable to provide for them, they didn't show regret; they simply cut them off coldly. That attitude was enough to wound the pride of the soldiers.
The five-thousand-strong army that had struck fear into the hearts of numerous lords had been reduced to five thousand "useless mouths" in an instant.
“Let’s wipe out the bastards who mocked His Majesty the King!”
“Avenge Sir Hugo, who fell to their cowardly schemes!”
“Show them the power of the North!”
The five thousand soldiers, realizing the opportunity for revenge had arrived, let out a collective roar, their morale piercing the sky. Not a hint of hesitation or fear could be seen in their eyes. To them, this wasn't a "war"—it was simply the task of crushing an opponent who wasn't even in their league.
*
“The Viscount must have quite the headache right about now.”
Lucian smirked as he listened to the soldiers' cheers.
“His plan was likely to make them lose their hostility through hospitality, and then sap their prestige through shame and helplessness. Now, he’s stuck bearing the brunt of every single soldier’s rage.”
“It is his own fault for concocting a plan he couldn't even manage,” Marius added.
“Indeed. No matter how grand a plan is, one should never touch it if it exceeds their own capabilities.”
Lucian nodded at Marius’s remark. Honestly, Viscount Oleg’s plan itself wasn't bad. Had it gone as intended, Lucian wouldn't have been able to walk around with his head held so high.
The problem was that the Viscount had been so focused on the perfection of his scheme that he forgot two things: that Lucian could flip the board whenever he pleased, and that in these turbulent times, such an act wouldn't even be considered a major issue.
“He was a fairly capable man, but it seems he hasn't quite shaken off the habits of peaceful times. To think he still believes politics can overcome such a massive difference in weight class.”
“He must have trusted his backer, Marquis Bernhardt. Given how solid their relationship seems, he likely received help from him many times before.”
“The Marquis would probably try to help if the request reached him properly, but since there’s no way he can get here in time no matter what he does, it’s a meaningless hypothetical.”
Lucian chuckled and looked down at Hugo. However, Hugo, his arm wrapped in bandages, kept his eyes closed and didn't budge, as if he were fast asleep.
When the silence stretched on, Lucian sighed and slapped Hugo across the face.
Slap!
“Gah!”
“You bastard, stop pretending to sleep and get up. There’s no one left to watch us, so why keep up the act?”
“Hey, I might have been faking the sleep, but the broken arm is real! Can’t you see these bandages?!”
As Hugo protested indignantly, Felicia spoke with a smile.
“Yes, it’s a very clean break. Almost as if someone took the hit intentionally at an angle to ensure there would be no lasting aftereffects. It’ll be even stronger once it knits back together.”
“Ugh, you need teamwork even to pull off a scam.”
Hugo shook his head, then leaned back comfortably and grinned.
“Anyway, those Viscounty bastards got what was coming to them. I wonder if they’re so scared they’re pissing themselves right now.”
“They probably didn't expect things to escalate this far just from one conversation. They must be drowning in regret.”
“Regret isn't enough. Whether we have a real war or they surrender, I won't be satisfied until I’ve cut off at least one of their arms.”
The smile vanished from Hugo’s face as he recalled the conversation he’d overheard between the knights. They were the ones who had been insulting Lucian just when Hugo was looking for an excuse for a duel.
In a way, they had handed him the justification on a silver platter. But he couldn't forgive their sins with just that. The things they had said had crossed the line by a long shot.
“My stomach was turning, having to pretend to lose to scum like that. Honestly, if it weren't for your orders, My Lord, I would have hacked them to pieces on the spot.”
“You did well to endure. Thanks to you, the tide has turned in our favor.”
Lucian laughed, patting Hugo on the shoulder.
Why would the Viscount have felt safe keeping a foreign army—and a massive one of five thousand at that—within his territory? It was because he was certain that his initial hospitality would prevent the soldiers' anger from being directed at them.
However, due to the conflict between Hugo and the knights, the soldiers' rage was now aimed squarely at the Lerum Viscounty. Now that things had gone south, Viscount Oleg had to get Lucian’s group out as quickly as possible. He had no way of knowing when five thousand hostile soldiers might start causing trouble within his lands.
‘But I have no reason to move according to his wishes. Did he really think he could hold me back and then just slip away without paying a price?’
Lucian had secretly visited the nearly completed bridge and destroyed it again. He intended to pay the Viscount back in kind for what had been done to him.
To be honest, if the Viscount had begged for forgiveness at that point, Lucian would have been content to fleece him for a reasonable amount and leave. Although the Viscount had deceived him, the actual damage caused was minimal.
However, until the very end, the Viscount had relied on his backer, Marquis Bernhardt, and tried to bargain as an equal.
‘Arrogant fool.’
A spark flickered in Lucian’s eyes. Since the man had stubbornly refused even the most generous terms, there was only one sentence left for the Viscount.
‘If you refuse to admit your fault, I will turn you into a loser and force you to your knees.’
*
Viscount Oleg, who had fainted, regained consciousness shortly after and summoned his retainers. As soon as they gathered, a desperate voice escaped the Viscount’s lips.
“What should we do now?”
“…”
“…”
The retainers said nothing, only lowering their heads. Frustrated by the sight, Viscount Oleg clutched at his chest.
“Say something! Argue that we must defend the castle with our lives, or that we have no chance and must surrender—anything!”
Despite the Viscount’s plea, the retainers only hesitated and averted their gaze. After a moment, one of his close aides stepped forward with a dark expression and bowed.
“My Lord.”
“Yes, do you have a plan?”
“I do not.”
“…Are you mocking me right now?”
The Viscount’s face contorted with rage at the aide’s words. However, even facing his lord’s fury, the aide only let out a deep sigh.
“We must surrender.”
“Isn't that decision a bit too hasty?”
“There is no room for debate. Because the bridge is down, we cannot request reinforcements from the Marquis. Even if we did, the castle would fall long before they arrived.”
Viscount Oleg gnashed his teeth at the mention of the bridge. The very bridge he had destroyed to stall Lucian had come back to stall him instead.
But the moment he surrendered just because there were no reinforcements, he would be reduced to a prisoner of war. The Viscount racked his brain, trying to find any chance of victory.
“…In a siege, the defenders can hold out against a force ten times their size.”
“The enemy has an army with a Sword Saint and a Mage. That more than makes up for the disadvantage of the attackers.”
“The Sword Saint is only human, and the Mage is a decrepit old man who could drop dead at any moment.”
“A few years ago, the First Prince was nearly killed by a single spell that brought down lightning. Do you think the Duke, who witnessed that scene personally, would have selected a Court Mage any less capable than that?”
“Even if that’s true, do you think he can get away with such an act and return from the West safely?”
“This isn't the heart of the West where the Duke can be surrounded. If he turns the Lerum Viscounty into a wasteland and retreats to the North, no one will be able to stop him.”
“Can you say nothing but that we’ll lose?! Give me at least one plausible strategy!”
The Viscount’s irritation finally exploded into a shout. After a moment of silence, the aide quietly bowed his head.
“If you wish, My Lord, I will go into battle.”
“…”
“I will risk my life to defend the castle, so please, give the order.”
“Heh… hehehe.”
The Viscount let out a sound that was half-laugh, half-sob at the aide’s words. After a long moment of trembling, he finally spoke.
“Right. We can’t win.”
“…”
“I’m no fool. I know there’s no chance of victory if we fight. But… but what happens if I surrender?”
Viscount Oleg shuddered, as if terrified because he knew exactly what would happen after surrendering.
“I toyed with that brat of a Duke. He knows it, too. If I surrender in the middle of a war, of all things, how do you think I’ll be treated?”
“It has been customary law for thousands of years to grant generous treatment to an enemy who surrenders without a fight.”
“That ‘generous treatment’ only covers the preservation of life and land. It doesn't stop the looting and the humiliation.”
“My Lord, you cannot expect to get away without paying any price.”
The aide’s words hit the Viscount like a hammer to the back of the head. It was exactly as he said.
Looking back, the moment the initiative shifted to Lucian, he should have bowed as low as possible. He should have swallowed his pride, admitted his fault, and begged for forgiveness.
Instead, the Viscount had tried to avoid paying the price by bringing up his backer. As a result, the cost had multiplied several times over and was now suffocating him.
‘If I try to dodge it again this time…’
Surrender or total ruin.
Once spoken aloud, it was a declaration that even Lucian himself could not take back. If Viscount Oleg tried to avoid paying the price once more, then, as Lucian had declared, the Lerum Viscounty would be wiped out until not a single brick remained.
“…Bring me pen and paper.”
Viscount Oleg spoke in a trembling voice, his eyes squeezed shut.
“I must write the surrender document.”