Chapter 225
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 225
Chapter Title: Northern Calamity (5)
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Returning to the castle, it thankfully looked like they had successfully wrapped up the defense battle here as well.
Otherwise, Count Camillo wouldn't have greeted Jun and his comrades with such a gentle smile.
"You've done us a great service."
"I'm glad you're pleased with how it turned out."
The count truly seemed delighted.
This was unusual.
Refugees weren't exactly the most welcome sight, after all.
Of course, if they included family members, that would be different, but generally, they were just seen as more mouths to feed, draining the food supplies.
Naturally, worries and concerns should have mounted.
Yet the reason for the count's bright expression was thanks to Jun's magic.
Who would believe it?
The refugees, whom everyone thought would freeze to death, had arrived bearing a brilliant sun overhead.
It looked like a scene straight out of myth, and when the real dawn sun rose above their heads, someone even made the sign of the cross.
"Thanks to your magic, morale in the castle is holding strong."
"That's only because Your Lordship handled things so wisely."
Jun's exploits had certainly played a big part.
But the spiritual pillar of this place was none other than Camillo.
Seeing him appear publicly and calmly comfort the citizens left a deep impression on Jun.
'In the game, it was hard to see him like that.'
When the empire was engulfed in the flames of war due to the Heavenly Demon Cult's schemes, everyone hated each other.
Watching Camillo now sparked hope that such a future wasn't inevitable.
"Anyway... from here on out is what really matters."
"Yes."
Even while Jun and his comrades were away, the invasions continued through the night.
This time, they said 5,000 had come—more than before.
"We took out half of them outside, and the rest came down to siege warfare. They charged in like utter brutes."
"Were there any large monsters in the mix?"
"The one from Sir Virtanen's report? We didn't see it."
"That's a relief."
It was best if he handled that thing personally.
With at least five days until the Ranes Mage Tower arrived, they needed to hold the walls until then.
"However... I can't bring only good news."
Camillo's expression suddenly grew serious as he glanced toward the door.
There stood Kailler, looking like she'd just pushed through a blizzard.
"Captain Kailler?"
"Just finished scouting."
"What happened?"
"A blizzard kicked up in that short time. It's been a while since this place's fickle weather acted up."
"So, is it as the reports said?"
Kailler nodded heavily at Camillo's question.
"We've spotted another group of refugees."
"How many?"
"Twelve thousand."
Jun's face hardened at the words, and Count Camillo's was no different.
"More than the initial report..."
"Looks like refugees from the neighboring Rotengar territory joined them. More wounded than the ones we took in this time... and their food situation is dire."
"The problem is the terrain."
"Which direction?"
"Northeast."
"You mentioned Rotengar earlier... don't tell me it's between Blade Gorge?"
Kailler looked at Jun in surprise at his question.
"You've really memorized the local geography?"
"Yes."
"Impressive. Anyway, that's not the point. You're right, Captain Jun. The refugees are coming from Blade Gorge."
Blade Gorge.
A narrow, deep chasm just like its name, flanked by sheer cliffs on both sides.
"Why of all places there...?"
"They said calamities hit everywhere else."
"No other choice, then."
Camillo let out a heavy sigh.
"How many enemies this time?"
"Ten thousand."
"Ten thousand..."
This was a number even Jun's [Soul Drain: Cloud-Merging Poison Technique] would struggle to handle.
To poison that many troops, he'd probably need a truckload of mana fluid constructs.
"But it's not all bad news. The terrain makes it hard for them to block us off completely."
"Can't we collapse part of the gorge?"
"Too risky. One slip, and we could trigger an avalanche."
"I see..."
In the end, there was only one way.
Block them in the middle of the gorge.
No matter how many there were, the number that could advance through the narrow chasm would be limited.
"The gorge is wide enough for about a hundred adults abreast, at best."
"So what have you decided, my lord?"
"...It's worth a shot."
"What about the other retainers?"
"Two in favor, one against."
Surprisingly, the one against was Nornen.
Why would she, who had first predicted the refugees and insisted on rescuing them, oppose now?
"A very pragmatic reason."
It was because the refugees weren't just coming from the northeast.
"There are easier ones to reach and bring back."
"So she..."
"She's a sharp one."
Her concern wasn't the refugees' lives. It was the count's reputation as the future lord of the north.
In other words, sacrifice one group for the sake of the 'precedent' of saving the other.
"Hmm..."
Not pleasant to hear. Even Camillo grimaced.
But in a way, it was the most realistic advice.
Who knew when the enemy would launch a full assault?
A hasty choice could lead to irreversible consequences.
"The forces you stopped yesterday could be handled by the castle's troops alone. And... Captain Kailler will go rescue the refugees from the other direction."
Was it too inhumane to call it an unavoidable necessity?
But that was the reality—nothing else came to mind.
They still estimated the enemy forces at over 80,000.
In this situation, they couldn't afford to lose a level 7 user like Captain Kailler and her adventure squad recklessly.
"So you're debating whether to send us."
"...Yes."
Realistically, the White Whale Mercenary Corps was just as vital as the Altas Adventure Squad.
Especially in large-scale battles, no asset was more valuable than a 6th-circle mage like Jun.
But what held them back was still that number: 12,000 refugees.
Jun closed his eyes in thought, tapping his knee with a finger.
The sound echoed loudly in the heavy silence of the meeting room.
Finally, as if he'd finished his calculations, Jun spoke.
"Twelve thousand refugees. We'll save them."
"...! Can you?"
"On one condition."
"What?"
"Eternal cold iron. I request that."
"Hmm...!"
Eternal cold iron.
A mineral found only rarely in the remote mines even of the north.
It was so precious it was practically priceless, and so rare that even artisans skilled enough to work it were hard to find.
Probably impossible without an imperial master smith.
That's what Jun demanded.
And as befitting the north's leading family, Camillo possessed eternal cold iron.
A massive piece, even—a heirloom of sorts that no artisan had yet been found to refine.
Jun had asked for it.
"...That's not difficult."
"Brother?"
Kailler's eyes widened.
Not in reproach, but genuine surprise.
The previous count had never let the eternal cold iron out of the family.
"It's useless to us anyway. We already owe Captain Jun a great debt."
"That's... true."
Even now, with the calamity upon them, they had the luxury to discuss rewards because of the White Whale Mercenary Corps.
Handing such a dangerous mission—one with no guarantee of survival—to them would smack of greed on Camillo's part, or look like using the mercenaries as sacrificial pawns to others.
So he was offering the eternal cold iron so readily.
'At least we'll get some support.'
Of course, Camillo had no intention of truly abandoning the White Whale Mercenary Corps.
He'd simply made the call because there were no other options.
Thanks to that, Jun secured considerable aid.
"Bows and arrows."
"Rotengar has always produced many rangers. They hunt monsters from the ridges with ease."
"At least we can count on their help."
Quality supplies, ample food, and more.
"Save them and return alive."
Leaving the count behind, Jun and his comrades prepared to head out once more.
"Hoo. We're really kept on our toes."
"Better busy than idle, they say."
"Who the hell says that crap...?"
Jun quietly averted his gaze from Eleanor, since it wasn't something he'd heard back on Earth.
"Anyway, as you all heard, we're heading out to rescue 12,000 refugees."
"Mm...!"
It was undoubtedly dangerous, but no one objected.
Jun was quietly grateful for that.
But he couldn't show it, so he continued calmly.
"Looking at this map, this stretch is especially steep."
"Uphill, and the path is narrow."
"Right. And the refugees are here now."
Jun pointed far north of the steep section he'd mentioned.
Meaning, even starting now, they wouldn't make it past the narrow part.
"Enemies are here."
"Tch. They'll hit the refugees from behind before we reach the spot."
"Exactly. So we strike first and slow their advance."
Thankfully, that wouldn't be hard.
He still had mana fluid constructs left for a few more uses—meaning he could deploy [Soul Drain: Cloud-Merging Poison Technique] again.
"But the enemies are reacting weirdly fast. They probably have some long-range communication ability, like our World Tree essence."
"So... it might be harder to pin them down efficiently like before?"
Jun nodded plainly at Eleanor's question.
"Given the situation, we have to assume the worst. They might escape faster than we expect."
Still, his magic wasn't easy to counter, and at minimum, it would slow them down.
With that in mind, the comrades set off without delay.
The weather conspired against them, costing a full day to reach the destination.
"There they are."
Refugee shapes appeared in the distance.
Fewer than the reports—down by at least 2,000, it looked like.
Aiden glared at the sky resentfully.
"This damn weather..."
"Looks like a lot froze to death."
Of course, with the coldest time hitting just as the massive caravan was on the move.
They couldn't just stand by.
"Eleanor. You go welcome them. Separate out anyone who can wield arms."
"What about you, Captain?"
"I'll set up some traps."
"Got it."
Deliberation was brief; action swift.
Jun took Aiden and raced along the gorge rim, while Maya stayed to guard Eleanor.
The group reunited late the next afternoon.