Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Revealed Forces
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Arthur stared at the map spread out on the table with a grave expression.
The wars in this world were different from what he knew.
Territorial battles within the Empire were settled by direct confrontations between knight orders. The reason was to minimize weakening the Empire's overall military strength due to such conflicts.
Not knowing this, the plan he had devised to deal with them became useless.
"We need to change the plan."
Skevin, who had been silent until now, finally spoke in a heavy tone.
"I heard you faced Yakim."
Arthur nodded, and Skevin asked seriously.
"Was he really a Sword Master?"
"I don't know the exact criteria. But I can tell you this much for sure. He was strong enough to give me chills."
"Hmm..."
"Every time he swung that sword wrapped in deep blue aura, everything around him was torn to shreds."
"Did anything shoot out from the sword by any chance?"
"Something deep blue came flying at me."
"As I thought."
Skevin's face hardened.
When one became a Sword Master, every sword swing would form and launch an aura blade.
He had hoped otherwise, but it confirmed Yakim was a Sword Master.
Still, it was astonishing that Arthur had returned alive after facing him.
Skevin figured Arthur must have survived only because he used the Chaetac for ranged attacks and managed to escape.
But with a Sword Master on the enemy's side, the momentum had already shifted decisively against them.
"It won't be easy."
"Not necessarily."
"...?"
As Skevin tilted his head, Arthur recounted what had happened there.
The moment they heard he had inflicted massive damage on Yakim and the Red Warrior Corps leadership, everyone was stunned.
"To wound a Sword Master..."
Skevin's eyes widened.
Even Millerph looked stunned this time, staring at Arthur with a dazed expression.
Arthur responded calmly to their reactions.
"Now's not the time to be surprised. They'll come charging at dawn."
"As long as Yakim is alive, the situation won't change much. I'm sorry to say this, but haven't we just fueled their rage even more?"
Millerph nodded in agreement with Skevin and added.
"Plus, this incident will make them realize the Julius Count Family's forces aren't to be taken lightly. They'll move more cautiously now. It won't be easy to take them down."
"That could be true."
Arthur glanced back and forth between the two, recalling Yakim.
Having faced him, he knew the man was undeniably strong. But rather than carefully planning to dismantle his opponent, he seemed the type to act on emotion.
"But I think differently. He'll probably try to sweep us away in one go."
Skevin tilted his head again and asked.
"Why do you think that?"
"If he had fought properly, would I have gotten away with injuries like these?"
"!"
"At the very least, wouldn't I have lost an arm or a leg? That means he's not the type to fight with meticulous planning. Either that, or his judgment is clouded by his overwhelming power."
"Hmm."
Skevin fell into thought for a moment.
What he said made sense.
Arthur had grown strong, but not to the level of facing a Sword Master.
If the man had gone all out, Arthur wouldn't be standing here now.
It was one or the other, just as he said.
To reach Sword Master realm required countless battle experiences.
And he was a mercenary, wasn't he?
If he hadn't acted cautiously and thoroughly, he wouldn't have survived this long.
He had said it hadn't been long since becoming a Sword Master, so the latter was more likely.
"Listening to you, Young Master, I can see that might be the case. But we also have the Rose Knight Order to deal with."
"That's why I have something to ask."
Arthur met Skevin's eyes and asked.
"Can you handle the Rose Knight Order?"
"What do you mean..."
"If the Phoenix Knight Order blocks the Rose Knight Order, I'll take on the Red Warrior Corps."
"Pardon?"
Skevin's eyes bulged.
"I'm not saying I'll do it alone. I need Millerph, the Devil Squad, and about thirty knights from the order."
"It's still too dangerous."
"Not really. Their forces are heavily weakened, and if we lure them into the western mountains, I think we can manage. What do you think, Millerph?"
"The western mountains..."
Millerph stroked his chin in thought, then his eyes lit up as if realizing something.
"You're planning to use traps, aren't you?"
"Yeah, cut off their mobility with the traps we've set and turn it into mountain warfare. That should give us at least a slight advantage."
"Mountain warfare..."
A flush of excitement appeared on Millerph's face.
"The problem is the Rose Knight Order."
Arthur turned to Skevin and continued.
"They outnumber the Phoenix Knight Order by nearly double and haven't suffered any losses."
"I'll handle them."
Skevin replied without a moment's hesitation.
"Think it through carefully. The Phoenix Knight Order is the guardian deity of the Julius Count Family. It absolutely cannot fall."
"I know."
Skevin nodded heavily and turned his gaze to Helot.
"What do you think?"
"It would have been tough before, but now we have over fifty Sword Experts. Half of them are intermediate level or higher, so we're incomparably stronger than before."
"I think the same."
Skevin looked back at Arthur and continued.
"Take Helot and his team with you."
"What?"
Arthur frowned.
Helot also looked momentarily flustered.
"If the Devil Squad were at full strength, it would be different, but half of them can't move due to injuries right now. They'll fill in the gaps."
"You think we can still win even without them."
"Of course."
Confidence filled Skevin's face.
Arthur curled the corner of his mouth slightly upward.
"Alright, then gather around the table. I'll explain the plan now."
***
"Man."
Ban examined the Chaetac and shook his head.
There was a crack in the section where the orb loaded and fired.
Even Millerph's reinforcement magic couldn't withstand the pressure.
"Nothing but Oriharukon will do."
Unable to do anything about it himself, he set the Chaetac down and picked up the kukri.
Its blade was completely ruined as well.
Some parts were dented, others broken off.
"What the hell did he hit it with?"
Deeply perplexed, Ban heated the kukri in the forge and began hammering it.
Some time passed like that.
Arthur entered the smithy.
"How's it going?"
Ban, drenched in sweat like it was raining, set down the hammer and bowed to Arthur.
Then, with a face full of complaints, he asked.
"Who the heck did you fight?"
"Hard to fix?"
"Swords I can hammer all dawn if needed, but the Chaetac is beyond my abilities."
"Hmm."
"But since it's just surface cracks, another reinforcement spell should let you use it a few more times."
"That's a relief."
Arthur went to the table and looked at the Chaetac.
Seeing the cracks everywhere brought back memories of the fierce battle with Yakim.
Even with mithril and reinforcement magic, it couldn't withstand the attacks. He couldn't help but be amazed again at the man's strength.
"He's a real monster."
"What kind of guy was it? Even against the ogre, it wasn't this bad."
"Of course not. He was a Sword Master."
"Sword Master...!"
Ban's eyes nearly popped out.
So the one Arthur fought was a Sword Master?
Yet seeing him return unscathed made his head spin.
He had heard rumors that the young master had become incredibly strong.
Vice Captain Helot wasn't even his match, and even Captain Skevin was a step below in bare-handed combat.
But a Sword Master was on another level entirely.
Just a few months ago, he had been a total wastrel, and now he was strong enough to face a Sword Master? It was hard to believe.
But looking at the state of the kukri...
"Hmm, anyway, please use it carefully. Making new ones or fixing them isn't easy."
"I know. But what can I do against a monster like that?"
Arthur walked over to the wall where weapons hung.
He planned to grab a few extras just in case.
But nothing he wanted was there.
"Hmm."
Ban, who had been watching Arthur, asked.
"Nothing catches your eye?"
"Yeah."
"If it's something simple, I can make it for you."
"You got time for that?"
"With them coming any moment, I'll cut sleep and make it if needed."
Arthur grinned, went to the table, and quickly sketched something on paper.
Unlike before, he finished fast and handed one sheet to Ban, pocketing the other.
"Should be easy to make."
"Looks like it. Like a dagger without a hilt?"
"Yeah, about palm-sized, and make as many as you can."
"Got it."
"See you later."
Arthur left the smithy and climbed the ramparts, surveying the surroundings.
The territory, cloaked in darkness, was deathly silent.
Not even the usual chirping of birds could be heard.
Like the deep calm before a storm.
Arthur simulated the upcoming battle in his mind.
His goal was singular.
Annihilate them with minimal casualties.
To do that...
After much thought, he hardened his expression with resolve.
"No other way but that."
***
"How's the mood?"
"Everyone's on edge."
Medlin's face grew even grimmer at Lesanna's words.
A war in Grada Territory was unprecedented in a hundred years.
Those who had never experienced war had every reason to feel fear.
And truthfully, she felt the same anxiety and fear.
"Did you tell Arthur?"
"Young Master has been running around nonstop, so I couldn't see him. I passed it on to Andrew instead."
"He's probably swamped."
As worry piled onto Medlin's face.
Knock knock.
With the knock, Arthur entered the office.
Medlin's face lit up with joy at his appearance.
"You're here."
Arthur approached her and bowed politely.
"Sit here, no, over there."
Medlin pointed to the seat beside her, then quickly shifted to the opposite side.
Having him sit next to her like before felt too awkward now, with how unfamiliar he seemed.
Before sitting, Arthur pulled a paper from his pocket and handed it to Lesanna.
"Make this for me."
"What is it this time?"
Lesanna unfolded it to see what looked like some kind of strap.
"How soon?"
"As fast as possible. We'll use it in the territorial battle."
"Understood."
"Give it to Ban when it's done."
After asking Lesanna, Arthur sat down.
Medlin, despite her stiff expression, asked in as gentle a voice as possible.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes."
"I have something for you."
"I have something to show you too, Mother."
Arthur extended his right hand to her.
Medlin tilted her head and looked at his hand.
A familiar ring caught her eye.
"That's..."
"I got it from brother."
"Why would Aild...?"
"He thought I was more suited to be its owner than him."
"...I see."
Medlin didn't say it, but she shared Aild's view.
Since Wesley's death, it had been Arthur—not her or Aild—who led the Julius Count Family.
Preparations for the impending territorial battle were under his command.
Above all, having inherited Tehren Julius's legacy, the count family would revolve around him.
Aild must have sensed the mood in the castle.
"That ring is the family head's insignia. I believe you can do it."
"Thank you. And I have something to tell you."
Arthur met Medlin's eyes and explained the plan for the territorial battle.
Worry filled Medlin's face.
"Will they follow our plan?"
"That's why I'm asking—can I use the heirloom?"
"The family heirloom..."
Medlin pondered for a moment, then her eyes widened.
"You don't mean!"
Arthur nodded with a serious expression.
"I'll wear the family head's armor and lure them in.