Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Victory's Repercussions
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This war offered no great gains for either Svenner or Byurang unless one side achieved outright victory.
Unlike other nations that had dispatched mainly private troops from their nobles, they had conscripted common citizens, dealing a blow to agriculture.
From their perspective, it was preferable for the war to end quickly, but both sides were racking up evenly matched achievements, and the conflict showed signs of dragging on into a protracted struggle.
Even in the fierce battle between Byurang and Svenner that produced many casualties, the losses ended up similar on both sides, with neither gaining the upper hand.
If there had been any one-sided achievement, it was Kraus Faulkner slaying Dunhan Grimwood in the Galran Mountains.
Though this was now outdated information, the western barbarians, slowed by the distance in relaying news, were receiving it a step behind.
“Is that Kraus Faulkner, the traitor you’re talking about?”
An old man spoke, and a young man picked up the conversation.
“That’s right. The one who killed his superior and deserted to become a bandit. He was your disciple, wasn’t he? Tetora Anistri.”
The woman called Tetora flashed a bewitching smile.
“Who knows. I don’t recall raising any ugly fatso like that.”
“The fact that you call him a fatso proves you know him.”
“Hmph, he just arbitrarily called himself my disciple. I never taught him anything directly.”
“So you’re saying he learned by watching you from the sidelines and figuring it out on his own. That’s even more impressive. It means you possess excellent talent. When we conquer the continent later, it might be worth showing mercy and recruiting him.”
Two men and one woman.
These were the three leaders upholding the western barbarians.
They conversed leisurely, but their aides standing behind them wore tense expressions, eyeing each other warily.
Tetora spoke as she touched up her makeup.
“Didn’t you say Grandis and Rexite were there? That pig must have been squealing for help.”
The old man shook his head in response.
“Grandis wouldn’t use such a flashy ambush tactic. This is more like something you would do, Tetora.”
“Hmph, you’re desperate to link that fatso with me somehow. Do whatever you want. I don’t care.”
They were optimistic about the state of the war.
Especially regarding the Galran Mountains where Grandis and Rexite had been dispatched—they believed defeat was impossible.
That was why, a week later when that news arrived, the relaxed expressions on their faces hardened.
“C-Could you repeat that?”
The young man, unable to believe it, asked the reporting soldier again.
“Yes, sir! The Tunka Army was defeated in the Galran Mountains battle! Of the 50,000 troops engaged, 40,000 were killed or surrendered. Grandis has been taken prisoner, and Rexite has fallen in battle!”
A murderous silence filled the conference room.
“One of the Three Great Generals, Rexite… is dead?”
“Is that truly the case?”
“Not bad.”
The three leaders showed varied reactions.
Tetora spoke up.
“The one who killed Rexite was the mercenary Wade, right?”
“Yes!”
“How fun! I thought only we could kill one of the Three Great Generals, but it turns out there’s a decent one among the continent’s trash. Hahaha!”
Tetora burst into mad laughter.
“Fine, I’ll handle that guy myself. I’ll make him my slave, force him to kneel before me, and lick the soles of my feet.”
She had denied that Kraus was her disciple, but she acknowledged that he used military strategies in a similar style to hers.
The fact that even such a Kraus had suffered a crushing defeat stirred her competitive spirit unbidden.
As Tetora showed interest in Als, the other two shook their heads, thinking she was hopeless.
“Poor Wade, getting caught up with this lunatic.”
“I agree.”
The two sincerely offered their condolences for Als.
*
*
*
This information spread not only among the western barbarians but to every nation.
“Father? What are you reading?”
Erina asked Gilbert, who was reading the battlefield report while letting out exclamations of admiration.
Gilbert replied with eyes full of excitement.
“You came at the perfect time, Erina. Take a look at this.”
Erina’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s as she scanned the report.
“Repelled most of the enemy forces and completely seized the Galran Mountains…!”
“Amazing. Truly amazing. That mercenary Wade!”
Gilbert was convinced.
“This proves he has what it takes to become one of the Ten Heroes through this war. If a seat opens up, he’ll be the next one!”
“One of the Ten Heroes…? Wade as one of the Ten Heroes….”
He would certainly enter the ranks of the Twenty Warlords below them, at the very least.
Dunhan had died, creating a vacancy, and he had overwhelmingly surpassed Kraus Faulkner, Dunhan’s killer.
Naturally, the next Warlord spot had to go to Wade.
“We have to pull that guy away from Helian somehow. To do that, we need to uncover his identity as soon as possible… I can’t even tell if he’s from Crossing or Caliper, it’s driving me mad! Daughter, do you have any leads? Joan told me you encountered him in Gransel before.”
“Well….”
If she brought Als into the Salleon faction, they could talk freely without worrying about others, and she could even push for an engagement right away, which might be ideal.
But she didn’t chase immediate gains.
‘If I do that, he’ll never want to see me again.’
Or with his usual slippery personality, he might brush it off as no big deal, but in the end, Erina chose silence.
“I don’t know. I met him, but his face was covered….”
“I suppose so. Sigh! If only there were some clue.”
Thanks to Duke Helian’s thorough information blockade, Gilbert couldn’t even grasp a hint.
Jozerte Milias from the Salleon faction, who knew Als’s identity, was on indefinite suspension and heading toward retirement due to accountability for the previous war.
“Father, before figuring that out, shouldn’t we stop impersonating Wade?”
“That can be pinned entirely on that Casper fool, so no issue there. In fact, I’d rather it gets exposed quickly now.”
That way, they could swallow up the cornered Marquis Milias House.
“Father….”
Erina pitied Gilbert for his scheming ways. No one was more capable as a politician, but at least Als seemed like the type who wouldn’t keep such people close.
Meanwhile, this news reached Lutger in Rainpole as well.
“Hard to believe.”
Lutger, reading the report, was genuinely impressed by the fortification scheme Als had devised. What surprised him most was fooling the enemy by cutting down trees.
“Even I… no, even Master Kaien wouldn’t have been able to counter this stratagem.”
Of course, their responses afterward would have differed completely from the Tunka Army, but at least grasping the full scheme would have been difficult.
“Father? What are you reading?”
Estelle, dressed in pajamas after getting ready for bed, visited Lutger’s study.
“It’s nothing.”
“Nothing? Is it a war report by any chance?”
“It is, but you don’t need to worry about it.”
“…”
Estelle narrowed her eyes and spoke.
“The way you say that means it’s about the Caliper forces. Show me too.”
Estelle had been visiting the Ilrain estate daily to hear about Als.
When news came that the Tunka Army had killed Caliper’s Grand General in the first clash, her heart had sunk, and she hadn’t slept properly.
So, new information on the Caliper forces—she absolutely wanted to see it.
Lutger sighed and handed over the report. Estelle’s eyes sparkled as she read it.
“Wade seized command of the army and crushed the Tunka forces… Father. That means Als is even more likely to be safe, right?”
“He’s definitely safe. They won so overwhelmingly. He’s probably scheming the next moves right now with that smug face of his.”
“Father, really. Als is just a junior officer. How could he be planning operations?”
“Child, the truth is…”
“The truth is what?”
“…Never mind. Better to hear it from him directly. Anyway, give it back once you’re done. I need to pass it to Ilya Anpei too.”
“Yes, here. Even so, Mercenary Wade… To think he’s such an incredible commander. I thought he was amazing for winning the war against Madon, but I never imagined a victory this big.”
“Yes, he has the skills to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Ten Heroes. Aside from a lack of experience, he’s flawless.”
“One of the Ten Heroes! If even you say so, Father, it must be true.”
Estelle’s expression darkened.
‘He’s working with Caliper now, but he could turn against them anytime. What if he ends up opposing the Caliper forces…? What if he opposes Als?’
To her, Wade was her lifesaver and the man her father had pledged loyalty to.
For her father’s honor, and to repay the favor of treating her illness, she couldn’t choose to betray him.
But neither could she let Als die at Wade’s hands.
‘In that case, I’d end up opposing both Als and Father. What should I do…?’
Estelle felt like a tragic heroine.
Then, a flash of insight struck her mind.
‘Right! Then I just need to bring Als to our side.’
Having made a firm resolution, Estelle spoke.
“Father. I have one favor to ask.”
“A favor? Tell me anything.”
“Please introduce Als to Wade.”
“…Huh?”
That was the only reaction Lutger could muster.
“Als may be young, but he’s incredibly talented. He was top of his class from elementary academy all the way to advanced academy. If he joins, he’ll surely be a huge help to Wade.”
“Wait. How do you know even those details? Did he tell you himself?”
“No, Als doesn’t talk much about that… I asked his mother and sister.”
“I-I see.”
Lutger was certain it wasn’t just about grades that she had asked.
“But you see… that’s going to be difficult.”
“Why?!”
“It’s theoretically impossible to let them meet. Or rather, there’s no need for it. Anyway, sorry.”
“No way! Then take him under your direct command yourself! If Als becomes your aide, it’d be like gaining a heavenly army of a million!”
“That’s what I’m saying… It’s impossible.”
“Ah…!”
Her usually indulgent father, who granted any request—what a shock that he’d refuse this one! Estelle was deeply shaken.
With things come to this, she had no choice.
“Then I’ll talk to him directly. If Wade hears how excellent Als is, he’ll definitely be interested.”
“He’d probably just laugh in disbelief. I nearly burst out laughing myself.”
“Father! Don’t say that—cheer me on at least!”
Estelle looked as resolute as if she’d been given a critical mission. Lutger could only shake his head.