Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: The Lanister Family's Hidden Duty
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"From the time of Lord Teheran, we were given a mission."
"A mission?"
"To defend this place."
"......?"
Arthur tilted his head.
He could understand trying to protect the territory from monsters.
But did they really need to abandon everything and hide away here?
Especially when no monsters had appeared for decades.
Ralph nodded at Arthur's reaction.
"There's something I want to show you."
He glanced at Drakan, who stepped forward and said to Arthur,
"Just follow me."
Drakan led the way into the cave.
Arthur and Millerph silently followed, and the men standing around joined behind them.
After about ten minutes of walking.
Drakan stopped.
"Huh?"
Arthur was startled by the massive tunnel in front of him.
"They've been digging a passage."
"A passage?"
It was too astonishing.
He couldn't believe monsters were tunneling up toward the territory.
Millerph peered inside and his face hardened.
"This is human work."
"What?"
"There are traces of magic cast everywhere."
"Who......!"
Arthur's eyes flashed.
He recalled that the Demon King was originally human.
That meant he might have used followers of the devils.
With a grim expression, Arthur asked Drakan,
"What happened here?"
"I was too young back then and don't remember anything. Lord Ralph will answer."
Drakan looked toward Ralph approaching with Linda.
Ralph stopped in front of Arthur and gazed up at the high ceiling, recalling the first time they came here.
Arthur waited silently for him to speak.
After a moment.
Ralph opened his mouth in a low voice.
"We fought exactly three hundred days without a single day off......"
"Who was the enemy?"
"Followers of the Demon King."
His guess had been right.
"Among them were knights and mages who attacked relentlessly alongside monsters, trying to seize this place."
"Why?"
"They believed that if the Julius Count Family fell, the Demon King would revive."
"Who spouts such nonsense......"
Millerph shook his head in disbelief.
Ralph continued calmly.
"While fighting those bastards, the screams never stopped for a day. Baron Jebura said that if we lost here, it was all over, and he devoted everything."
"Hmm......"
"On the day of the final battle, they brought hundreds of monsters. Baron Jebura issued a total assault order......"
Over a hundred knights had sacrificed their lives for victory, leading to a truce that lasted until now.
But the monsters that had vanished a few months ago were starting to appear and become active again.
"Hmm."
Arthur's face grew stern.
The Lanister Family had given everything for Grada Territory—no, for the entire Oscar Empire.
Like Teheran, they deserved respect.
Arthur looked around at Ralph and everyone present before speaking.
"As the representative of the Julius Count Family, I offer my deepest gratitude for the noble sacrifice of the Lanister Family."
Arthur placed his right hand over his left chest and bowed deeply.
"C-Count......"
Ralph's eyes widened.
Drakan was also taken aback by Arthur's action.
But Millerph, having watched Arthur all this time, wasn't surprised—instead, his chest swelled with pride.
'As expected of my lord.'
Arthur raised his head and asked Ralph,
"Do you plan to keep defending this place?"
"It's the Lanister Family's fate."
"Is this everyone's will, or just your own thought?"
Arthur slowly looked around.
The men's faces seemed to waver slightly.
Sure enough.
Someone spoke up cautiously.
"Please keep your promise."
Drakan added to Ralph.
"I want to forge my own destiny."
"Hmm......"
Ralph's face hardened.
Millerph asked him,
"What's going on?"
"Most of these people moved here with their parents when they were young or were born here. Naturally, they want to go outside."
"Hmm."
Millerph looked at the gathered men with an understanding expression.
"So I made a promise. If we met someone from the count's family, I'd petition the count on their behalf."
Ralph gazed at Arthur.
Arthur met his eyes and asked calmly,
"Speak."
Ralph glanced at Drakan supporting him from the side. Drakan released his hand and stepped back.
Ralph steadied his breath, then knelt on one knee before Arthur.
"I beseech you, my lord count. Order us to return home."
"......"
As Arthur's face showed a hint of embarrassment.
Millerph's voice echoed in his mind.
-My lord, I'm sending telepathy so they can't hear.
Arthur looked at Millerph without a word.
Millerph continued the telepathy while meeting his eyes.
-Ralph is following Baron Jebura's dying wish. But with a generational shift in the knight order, a mere will isn't enough to keep them here anymore.
'I see.'
-Only the head of the Julius Count Family can issue a new order. That's why they're turning to you.
"Hmm."
After a brief thought, Arthur asked Ralph,
"Where does this tunnel lead?"
"To the entrance of the western mountains."
"If we seal this place, is there another path for them to reach the territory?"
"There's a way around the mountains to the south, but it's narrow and treacherous. It takes a long time since it's a detour, and they'd definitely be spotted."
'The path Kahn took.'
Arthur turned to Millerph.
"Can you set up a barrier here?"
"I can, but it would break quickly."
"Doesn't matter. We just need to detect if they enter."
"Then it's possible."
Arthur nodded and met Drakan's eyes.
"Are you the heir of the Lanister Family?"
"Yes."
Drakan bowed deeply and knelt on one knee.
Arthur spoke solemnly and gravely.
"I, Arthur Julius, command you: The Lanister Family shall return at once."
"......!"
Drakan's eyes bulged.
Linda covered her gaping mouth with her hand, and the others couldn't hide their joy at Arthur's words.
Meanwhile, Ralph clamped his mouth shut and shed silent tears.
'Family head......'
Arthur gripped his shoulder firmly.
"You've done well all this time."
Ralph's chest swelled at his words, and he finally broke into sobs.
"Hic, hic-hic."
As he cried, everyone else followed suit with tears.
But their faces were filled with joy.
Arthur stepped away with Millerph to give them their moment.
Millerph grinned and asked Arthur,
"What plan have you devised?"
"I'm thinking of building layered defensive walls in the western mountains."
"Ban will be busier than ever, with no time to sleep."
"Encourage him with recovery buffs like during my training."
"Ah, that makes it better, hahaha."
Millerph burst into hearty laughter.
Arthur laughed along as he watched the Lanister Family men rejoicing with Ralph.
If they joined the knight order, the Julius Count Family's forces would more than double in strength.
And if they hired the mercenary group too......
'We can win!'
Strong confidence appeared on Arthur's face.
Seeing him clench his fists, Millerph smiled deeply.
'The count's family is growing stronger.'
***
"You're impressive. Everywhere we go, you make every effort to impress the count—it really shows."
"Of course."
Yarve grinned at Hajan's words.
In every territory they passed, he delivered the emperor's orders and demanded troops.
The lords complied without hesitation, providing knights and soldiers.
Now, the knight order alone numbered over five hundred, and soldiers reached a thousand.
Leading such a massive force leisurely made everyone look up to him in awe, bowing their heads.
It felt like being emperor.
'Power is everything.'
As Yarve headed to Grada Territory, he devised a grand plan.
He would utterly devastate Grada in the cruelest way to pressure the lords under his influence.
Then, using power and money, he would crush them and make them vassals.
That way, he could use their strength whenever needed.
It wasn't breaking imperial law, so no need to worry about the emperor.
Outwardly pretending loyalty while actually splitting and co-ruling the Oscar Empire amicably.
"Heh."
Yarve chuckled meaningfully and asked Hajan,
"Those beasts are coming along well, right?"
"They're moving through the mountains to avoid notice."
"Amazing. How do you control those things?"
"It seems tough, but once you know, it's really easy."
"Tell me."
Hajan smirked slyly and replied.
"Those guys have insane parental love. Hold one family member hostage, and they can't move."
"Wow."
Yarve looked deflated.
"And their wives are no joke. They kill like elves. The kids are prettier than dolls."
"Really?"
Yarve's eyes widened with interest at the sudden talk of women and children.
"I told them: disobey an order, and their wives and kids die."
"You have their wives and kids?"
"Interested, my lord?"
As Hajan gave a meaningful smile, Yarve grinned lewdly.
"Nice, as expected, you know how to enjoy, Count."
"Life's just a few decades—gotta enjoy everything you can."
"Wise words!"
Hajan clapped in agreement.
"If there's fun to be had, share it. Right?"
"Exactly. Just say the word anytime. I'll pick ones to your taste."
"But without the wives, how do you handle those beastly guys?"
"Show them alive once a month."
"Huh? That's too much hassle."
As Yarve made a annoyed face, Hajan grinned slyly.
"Return them and swap for new ones. You've never experienced a system like this."
"Return and get new ones?"
"Yeah. Chance to enjoy various tastes."
Hajan nodded and added,
"Don't return the wife of a dead one—keep her for yourself, Count."
"Good! After crushing the Julius Count Family, let's go see those women."
"Understood."
As Hajan smirked like a rat, the scouts returned.
"My lord Count."
"What is it?"
"The Steel Knight Order from Vulcan Territory seems to have arrived at Aslan Territory."
"Really?"
Yarve was surprised.
He had sent a letter to Count Damor, but got no reply and gave up.
Hearing they arrived at Aslan before him made his lips curl up.
A man rode forward on horseback, exuding fierce presence.
Ironclad cavalry in black armor!
Wielding long spears and halberds!
It was Capo Mars, captain of the Steel Knight Order and a Sword Master.
Yarve burst into boisterous laughter.
"Hahaha, the gods are on my side!"