Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Clashing Marquis
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***
“Your Majesty, Marquis Tano and Marquis Valtre have clashed!”
Arthur’s face hardened at Skevin’s report.
It was unfolding just as expected.
Now, the battlefield’s fate would hinge on whatever decision Emperor Ruan made.
“What about the border?”
“Duke Sakhazana’s forces are advancing and should arrive by this evening.”
“Evening...”
The gap in their forces was quite long.
He wondered what decision Artisan would make.
His own next moves would depend on it, so the clash between Marquis Tano and Marquis Valtre didn’t worry him.
“Hmm...”
It was then, as Arthur’s gaze deepened.
A knight burst into the office.
“Your Majesty!”
“What is it?”
“Marquis Mandora’s Espagna Knight Order has clashed with the Busta Knight Order in the Gopra Mountains.”
“...!”
Skevin’s eyes flashed in an instant.
Arthur shot to his feet the moment he heard the knight.
Emperor Ruan’s intentions were now clear.
He had decided to wipe out Tomoya Kingdom in one fell swoop.
With Marquis Tano’s massive army on the move, it made sense he’d come to that conclusion.
Just how long could Marquis Valtre hold out?
And if Artisan attacked, could Duke Sakhazana fend him off?
Did he even know the extent of Artisan’s forces?
From the current situation, things couldn’t be better for Julius Kingdom.
The more they fought and weakened each other, the better it was for him.
Artisan was the only one left.
‘If he just makes his move...’
Skevin carefully assessed the situation as well.
It was turning in their favor on every front.
If just one more thing broke right, it would be perfect.
Given the Namshar Empire’s actions so far, the odds of him moving were high.
They should prepare countermeasures.
The moment he looked at Arthur, the king spoke first.
“We need to prepare for a second attack.”
“Are you referring to the Namshar Empire, Your Majesty?”
Arthur nodded, explained the scenario he’d been considering, then asked,
“We can’t rule out the chance he’ll come after us either, right?”
“I see it differently. If Duke Sakhazana falls, wouldn’t he head straight for Emperor Ruan?”
“That would only be possible if Tomoya Kingdom pressures Marquis Tano and Marquis Mandora, or if one of them crumbles.”
“That won’t be easy. Tomoya’s forces can’t handle a pincer from the second- and fifth-ranked marquis...”
“Marquis Valtre must have hidden forces. That will decide the battle’s outcome. And our own decisions too.”
“Then I’ll reposition some of the forces near the border toward the front.”
“No need. I plan to have the Devil Squad scout it out. Even if Artisan moves, he’ll clash with Duke Sakhazana first, and we won’t be late shifting troops then.”
“Understood.”
Skevin bowed deeply.
“I need to meet Natasha.”
Given the circumstances, their help would be a huge boon.
Arthur left the office with high hopes.
***
“Mommy... those people are so scary...”
“D-don’t worry... Duke Drakan said they’re not bad people...”
The mother and child huddled together against the wall, waiting for Natasha’s group to pass.
Natasha roamed the castle freely without hesitation.
Drakan had guided her on the first day, but from the second, she moved on her own.
People startled like they’d been shocked whenever they crossed paths.
Filled with fear, they backtracked or hurried past.
It was the reaction she’d expected.
But when they kept running into the same people two or three times, their responses shifted.
The fear remained, but pity and sympathy seeped in.
How many would look at them and feel that way?
Considering it a rare case, she stuck to the same areas on the third day.
Things she hadn’t noticed before, distracted by reactions, now caught her eye.
Servants bustled about, smiles on their faces.
Oddly, their children played here too.
Even the kids who’d feared her moments ago looked like any mother-child pair.
The servants’ kids roamed freely, ignoring the nobles’ glances.
‘They’re definitely servants’ children...’
As doubt clouded Natasha’s face, Yubra called from behind.
“What?”
She stopped and turned.
Yubra met her eyes and asked,
“Have we ever been exiled from the Magic Tower and wandered without our robes?”
“You’re not asking because you don’t know, right? What are you getting at?”
When Natasha asked curtly, Yubra answered cautiously.
“We like it here.”
“We?”
Natasha glanced at the others behind Yubra.
They nodded timidly without a word.
Natasha scowled in disapproval.
“It’s only been three days. We haven’t even gone to the village. Don’t jump to conclusions.”
“Why not just stay here without going to the village?”
“Who decided that? Did he say we could live in the castle? I never heard that.”
“If that’s what you want, we’ll make it so.”
Natasha’s head snapped toward the sudden voice of Arthur.
He approached, giving a nod of greeting to Selom’s group.
Then he asked Lord, who’d followed silently thus far,
“What do you think after looking around?”
Lord had lost his eyes to mana backlash, but his mind’s eye saw and felt everything.
The people here all seemed happy.
They worried about the war, but their faith in Arthur was strong.
He’d led a group himself, but such trust in a leader wasn’t easily forged.
“I’m quite surprised.”
“I’d like to hear why. Shall we talk as we walk?”
Arthur toured the castle with them, conversing.
Lord shared his impressions from the people, and Natasha and Meteor listened closely.
“That’s how it seemed to me.”
“Thank you for seeing it that way. Now, what about you?”
Arthur turned to Natasha.
She replied gruffly.
“Nothing particularly good comes to mind.”
“Then tell me what you don’t like.”
“There are too many people. Especially the kids—they’re a hassle to navigate around.”
“Time will fix that.”
Arthur nodded toward a spot.
Natasha looked where he indicated.
Children swarmed a massive Giant Wolf.
One yanked its fur, another grabbed its ear trying to climb on, using all their might.
One even punched its sensitive nose.
Yet the Giant Wolf didn’t bare its teeth—it played with them.
Natasha snorted.
“I said the cases are different.”
“They are. But I don’t see much difference in the fear they feel.”
“Is that really so easy...!”
Natasha’s eyes widened as she looked down.
A toddler, barely walking, approached and grabbed her finger with tiny hands.
It met her gaze without crying—instead, it beamed innocently.
‘What?’
Natasha frowned.
The child finally got scared and wailed, prompting a servant to rush over, bowing to Natasha and Arthur.
“Sorry! I didn’t know the child came this far.”
“She seems a bit startled.”
“I’ll soothe her right away.”
The servant carried the child away and calmed her.
The girl stopped crying and looked at Natasha.
Then she stuck out her tongue and grinned.
“What the...”
Natasha was dumbfounded.
Meteor gaped at the unfamiliar scene, while only Lord wore a faint smile.
A desire to live among people stirred in him.
“It’s been a long time since I felt like this.”
Lord smiled softly, watching the child quietly.
He looked at Arthur, resolved.
Then he bowed as formally as he could.
“The Gathering of Hermits will follow Your Majesty.”
“Lord!”
Natasha’s face twisted.
Arthur nodded.
“I won’t betray your faith.”
“We’re grateful you accept us despite our many shortcomings.”
Lord knelt on one knee before Arthur, head bowed.
“I, Taryun, will do my utmost to meet Your Majesty’s expectations.”
“So your name is Taryun.”
Arthur placed a hand on his shoulder and continued.
“Even if you have shortcomings, we’ll address them step by step—so watch. In return, I promise: you’ll live better lives here.”
“Thank you.”
Arthur turned to Natasha.
“You need more time to think, it seems.”
“I’m too suspicious to trust people easily.”
“Understood. Take your time looking around.”
Arthur looked back at Taryun and asked,
“Shall we discuss what comes next?”
“Yes.”
Before following Arthur, Taryun had words for Natasha.
“Natasha.”
She frowned at him.
Taryun smiled and said,
“Let go of your negativity and accept things as they are. Your thoughts will change.”
“What are you trying to say?”
Natasha snapped irritably, then scolded Yubra’s group.
“You lot, get your heads straight!”
“Captain, look over there...”
Yubra pointed ahead with his reluctant hand.
“What now?”
Natasha turned.
Right in front stood the children who’d been playing with the Giant Wolf.
They stared openly, unafraid.
‘What’s with these kids?’
The one with the biggest eyes grinned mischievously.
“Uncle, play with us!”
“You brats, who’re you calling uncle!”
Natasha bellowed.
But the kids didn’t flinch—they bounced excitedly, circling her.
Women who seemed like their mothers watched worriedly from afar, then returned to their tasks.
It was as if they’d turned off their concern entirely.
In this baffling situation, Natasha stood stunned.
For a moment.
“Uncle, play too!”
The kids rushed Meteor and Yubra’s group, starting to play.
They even grabbed Yubra’s sticky hand and spun around, leaving everyone slack-jawed.
“Look! This uncle’s all sticky!”
“Wow! This uncle’s covered in fur! Isn’t it cool?”
“These uncles are so weird! Play with us!”
They didn’t know what to do as the kids clung to their hands.
“Whee! So fun!”
“Uncle, catch me!”
“Gorilla uncle, over here!”
The kids’ laughter filled the air, drawing more children from everywhere.
Surrounded in seconds, they looked flustered.
A girl stared at Natasha’s missing arm, then approached.
“Sis super strong too?”
“Wha—sis?”
Natasha’s eyes wavered.
The girl grabbed her leg.
“My dad lost his arm fighting bad guys. But Dad said people with one arm are super strong.”
“That’s a lie.”
Natasha cut her off coldly.
“It’s true! Grandpa Captain said so too! People without arms or legs aren’t inconvenienced—they’re so strong they only need one. So be friends with them. They’ll protect you from monsters.”
“What nonsense are you feeding the kid?”
As Natasha scowled, a sturdy white-haired old man approached.
It was Helm.
He’d finished morning training and come to rest, curious about the unusually loud children’s laughter.
“The kids adapt fast.”
“It’s Grandpa Captain!”
The girl ran to Helm, grabbing his hand.
“Grandpa, Sis doesn’t believe what you and Dad said.”
“What doesn’t she believe?”
Helm smiled kindly at Natasha.
She glared and demanded,
“You the one feeding this kid lies?”
“Quite the sharp tongue.”
“What do I do? I’ve never befriended geezers.”
“Oh, have you not?”
Helm grinned and extended his hand.
‘What?’
As Natasha frowned, the girl beside Helm looked up with sparkling eyes.
“Sis, shake with Grandpa Captain!”
The child seized Natasha’s hand, placed it in Helm’s, and beamed.
“There!”