Chapter 127
Chapter 127
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 127
Chapter Title: Veilrin Forest
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“Veilrin Forest?”
“Yes, Master. Assuming Baron Riward’s army tries to seize Patos, the fastest route would be through Veilrin Forest.”
In a private meeting excluding the vassals, Luke made a firm suggestion to Eugene.
“The forest is so deep and vast that we can’t predict exactly where they’ll come from, but with your divine power and the abilities of the Beowulf warriors, I believe we can quickly identify their path and respond accordingly.”
“I see. By the way, you’ve changed. You’re brimming with confidence now. Finally acting like a count.”
“Right! You’re getting cocky, Squire No. 2! Hmph hmph!”
Mirian, perched on Luke’s head, snorted derisively.
“I-I’m embarrassed.”
Luke flinched and bowed his head deeply.
“I mean, with my lord, we’ve hunted monsters! Bathed together! Even crawled into that water dragon’s butt! We’ve done it all… Eek!”
Eugene, wearing a pleased smile he rarely showed others, pretended to pat Luke’s head while flicking the spirit away with his finger and spoke.
“It’s a good change. A count needs that kind of confidence.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Eugene patted the shoulders of Luke, whose ears had turned bright red, a few times before looking back down at the map.
“Veilrin Forest, huh. If he’s as hot-tempered as they say, he’s likely to cut straight through it. Still, just in case, we should send some warriors along the detour route.”
“Agreed. They’re fast and persistent, so they can wait a few days and monitor the situation.”
“Good. Then you lead the vassals to Patos. Wolfkin and a few warriors will escort you, so don’t worry. When I contact you, join up immediately with the vassals.”
“Yes! I shall obey your command, Master.”
‘Master is the light, the truth. Whatever Master desires, I will make it happen.’
Even as a count, Luke’s eyes sparkled with awe toward Eugene.
* * *
“You sluggish worms!”
At Baron Riward’s fury, the mercenary captains gathered in his tent shrank back.
The baron bellowed as if he might draw his sword at any moment.
“Thirty kilometers in half a day? Are you really warriors!? Even donkey spawn would outpace you lot!”
“We apologize, Baron.”
“Please forgive us. The path is too rough, and the men are exhausted.”
“It’s too much following you and the knights, sir.”
The mercenary captains bowed their heads and made excuses.
“You.”
“Yes, y-yes, Baron.”
Under Baron Riward’s blazing glare, the leader of the army provisions merchant group, trailing the troops, flinched and shrank his neck.
“No more selling alcohol or whores to the mercenaries starting today. Until we reach Krolmarin territory.”
“A-as you command.”
“But Baron! That’ll kill the men’s morale…”
“Then march thirty kilometers a day or more! When the hell are we supposed to arrive like this!?”
“Ugh.”
The mercenary captains dropped their heads.
‘That dogshit temper’s still the same. Damn it.’
‘Fuck! That’s why I said not to follow a half-orc baron—you end up in this shit.’
Yet they couldn’t resist the silver from the continent and the promise of unlimited plunder.
Plus, if Baron Riward swallowed Krolmarin territory, he’d rise as the strongest power in southern Brantia.
He’d play a key role in one of the king-proclaiming factions, and might even aim for the throne himself.
‘Even taking just the south would be a jackpot for a half-orc baron.’
‘He won’t rule that vast area alone; we might snag a spot each.’
‘Maybe even push to Mongard?’
Dreaming their own fantasies, the mercenary captains bowed before Baron Riward.
“If my orders are shit, quit right now, or whip your men into shape. We reach Delton tomorrow, no exceptions.”
“Yes, Baron!”
“Get out, all of you.”
“Yes, sir!”
The mercenary captains filed out of the tent.
Slaves quickly swarmed, removing his armor and meticulously wiping his body with wet cloths.
Meanwhile, Baron Riward examined the map on the folding table.
“Knights.”
“Yes, Baron.”
The knights of Baron Riward’s domain nodded briskly.
“If you were knights of Krolmarin County, where would you set up a defensive line? Speak freely.”
Baron Riward was nearly unmatched in Brantia for raw martial prowess, but he wasn’t a brilliant tactician.
Yet he was called one because he listened to his knights’ opinions in battle.
That’s how he racked up consecutive victories and earned his reputation.
“If I were a Krolmarin knight, I’d focus on Pensil or Patos Castle here.”
“I agree with Sir Deberson.”
“Hmm. If you had to pick one?”
“Patos, probably. It’s the best-positioned and toughest to assault among Krolmarin’s castles.”
“Patos, Patos. Fine, we smash there first. If they’ve concentrated forces, great. If not, we take it and use it as a supply base and foothold.”
“Truly wise, sir.”
“Only you can seize Brantia’s hegemony, Baron. Hahaha!”
It was basic tactics any seasoned knight would know, but they praised him anyway.
Pleased, Baron Riward grinned and raised his voice.
“Good. We take the shortest path to Patos.”
“Yes, Baron!”
They’d occasionally subjugated magic zones and crushed bandits, but nothing matched the thrill of war. The knights buzzed with excitement.
Then, one knight born near Krolmarin peered at the map and cautiously spoke up.
“Baron.”
“What?”
“The shortest path from here to Patos goes through Veilrin Forest.”
“So?”
“If Krolmarin sends a detachment to ambush us, we could take a hit. What if we detour?”
“Hmm.”
Baron Riward’s sharp eyes fixed on the spot the knight indicated.
“Is the forest big?”
“Yes. It’s vast and deep, infamous for beasts and roamers since ancient times.”
“Then we go straight through.”
“Pardon?”
Baron Riward clicked his tongue.
“Tch! Knight, think. In a forest that vast and deep, even if Krolmarin sends a detachment, do you think they can pinpoint our exact route? Besides, that guy fancies himself a continental knight. Bound by honor and chivalry, he wouldn’t even consider an ambush.”
“Ah…”
As the baron said, continental knights in the scripture wars often lost favorable battles due to ‘honor and chivalry.’
“Still, they’re of the night clan, so who knows. Duke Pitamoras and some troops will detour with the provisions group. Can’t have supply issues before taking Patos.”
“Yes!”
With around six hundred troops, even razing a small village wouldn’t feed them for a day.
Protecting the thirty-odd wagons and hundred laborers of the provisions group was key—without it, the army wouldn’t last ten days. Baron Riward’s judgment was sound.
The problem was, even textbook decisions can go spectacularly wrong sometimes.
* * *
After parting with Luke and the Krolmarin forces, Eugene sent some Beowulf warriors along the detour, then led the rest into Veilrin Forest.
He paired them up and spaced them hundreds of meters apart.
With their superior sight, hearing, and speed, they could all rendezvous at the designated point within twenty minutes, no matter where enemies appeared.
“Remember: retreat into the forest the instant you spot them. Track their path. Attack immediately if fifty or fewer. Got it?”
“As fast and fierce as possible!”
“Krraaaargh!”
It was their specialty, so the Beowulf warriors grinned in satisfaction.
Veilrin Forest, untouched by humans for ages, teemed with game for the taking. With their lord Luke’s blessing to hunt, supplies weren’t an issue.
“Wish that half-orc baron shows up late.”
“Yeah. Pickled meat’s fine, but fresh deer or boar’s the best.”
“Grab a bite first? I’m starving.”
“Me too? Hey, me three!”
“Eek! Look at those dog-pigs! Stuffing their faces again!”
“Hey. Hold out with the jerky for now. Feast after the fight.”
“Kiing.”
The Beowulf warriors slunk back to their positions, dejected at Eugene’s word.
And three days passed.
* * *
Caw, caw.
Around five hundred troops trudged through the deep forest, where ominous crow cries echoed, divided into about ten groups.
The dense canopy prevented proper formations, but snaking in a long line avoided getting lost and helped against beasts or monsters.
“Damn! Even slower in the forest.”
Baron Riward, leading from the front, irritably glanced back.
“How’s the gap to the rear? Keep it under five hundred meters—where are they?”
“Uh, not sure, sir.”
“Go check!”
No signs of life yet, no beasts or roamers approaching, but Baron Riward never let his guard down.
Most troops being undisciplined mercenaries only fueled his frustration.
Veterans of the scripture wars, useful in fights but a mess on the march or at camp.
‘Serfs at least take a beating and obey. Fucking mercenaries.’
Serfs were easy to handle but weak in battle. Mercenaries were the opposite.
Baron Riward swallowed his temper, glaring at the trudging groups of dozens without more words.
Then.
Uwaaa~~
Kreeegh!
Screams erupted from the rear.
“A-ambush?”
“Shit!”
Mercenaries panicked, but the experienced-knight baron galloped toward the screams without asking.
“Hngh!?”
“Out of the way! Move, you slugs!”
But the disorganized mercenaries and massive trees made riding difficult.
No proper path meant the column stretched too long, and the rear mercenaries clustered in chaos from the mystery attack.
“Who’s the enemy!?”
“People? No, monsters!”
“Can’t see from here!”
“What’re you doing? Go help!”
Some drew weapons and scanned, others climbed trees, others dashed rearward.
Total chaos.
“You idiots!”
Finally, after wasting minutes, Baron Riward and the knights reached the rear—a full kilometer from the vanguard.
“...!”
The fifty-odd mercenaries, straggling far behind, lay dead.
Not killed by spears or swords.
Heads vanished without trace, limbs torn off, cheap leather armor shredded…
“Monsters?”
“Damn! Only monsters do this, right?”
As outraged knights scanned around, Baron Riward growled with dripping killing intent.
“Monsters or not, no amateurs. Not a single enemy corpse.”
“What…!”
The knights paled.
As he said, all the mangled bodies were their hired mercenaries.
“Attackers’ tracks?”
“Th-they’re… scattered every which way.”
“What…?”
Under the baron’s orc-royal ferocity in his eyes and voice, the knight gulped and replied.
“About ten of them. Tracks suggest mid-tier monsters. But they fled separately, not together. T-tracking… will be tough.”
“You fucking shit!”
Baron Riward’s rage echoed through the forest.
But then.
Aaaagh!!
Kweeegh!
Screams now from the vanguard.
“What the hell!?”
Face flushed crimson with shock and fury, Baron Riward whipped his reins again.
Meanwhile, the origin vampire and other Beowulf warriors gleefully slaughtered the vanguard mercenaries left without knights and fled.
“Kraaa! I’ll kill them all!”
Spotting the butchered bodies, Baron Riward bellowed bloodthirstily.
Uwaaaa-!
Enemy!
The rear came under attack again from the mystery foes.
(To be continued)