Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: The Black Eagle Regiment's Commander
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The Black Eagle Regiment was the Dukedom's army unit stationed closest to the capital, Shionia, and its sole mission was the defense of Shionia.
The Three-Headed Eagle Fortress housed numerous knights directly under the Ducal family, and Shionia had its own guard forces as well. However, their duties were limited to protecting the Ducal family's direct lineage and maintaining the city's public order.
In other words, when push came to shove, the true army defending Shionia was the Black Eagle Regiment.
That was why most of its 600-odd members were infantry, with only about 100 cavalry.
One might wonder how 600 men could defend a large city like Shionia, but if the Black Eagle Regiment had to mobilize for Shionia's defense, it would mean all-out war.
By then, able-bodied men from Shionia and nearby villages would obviously have been conscripted, so in reality, thousands would be fighting.
But such a scenario was the worst-case one, where the Dukedom faced existential crisis. Normally, the Black Eagle Regiment patrolled around Shionia, subjugating monsters, bandits, and robbers while preventing their appearance.
Of course, no large bandit groups could be found anywhere in the entire Sion Dukedom, including around Shionia.
In any case, since the Black Eagle Regiment existed for Shionia's defense, its training level was high and its discipline strict.
And a major role in that was played by Joden Blaho, the Swordmaster of the Sion Dukedom and commander of the Black Eagle Regiment.
“Piot Sion… Young Lord Kilburn, was it?”
Blaho was the type of man whose appearance screamed 'I am a knight' from the get-go.
His sturdy build featured a straight forehead above a prominently hooked nose, and intense green eyes that left an unforgettable impression on anyone who saw them.
Dressed simply in black pants and a single white shirt, he looked neat and proper but hardly noble-like.
Moreover, the practical muscles honed by training and real combat, visible both inside and outside the shirt, made it impossible to think of him as a middle-aged noble in his forties.
Yet he was a publicly acknowledged Swordmaster, one whom even Sion had certified.
Piot kept his tension in check and bowed his head politely.
“Yes, Master Blaho. Lady Maria Sion is my grandmother.”
“Hmm…”
Blaho's gaze shifted from Piot to the figure beside him.
Sirban, standing there with a slightly tense expression, nodded vigorously upon receiving Blaho's look.
“My uncle, Sir Yonas Paloma Sion, and I have both confirmed it. Young Lord Piot Sion Kilburn is indeed Lady Maria Sion's grandson.”
“If Paloma's young lord says so… then it must be true. By the way, what about that one over there?”
Blaho subtly glanced toward the back of Piot and Sirban.
Stelmann, who had come alone leaving his mercenary subordinates outside the unit, gave a slight bow of his head.
“Stelmann Zanstrick. Just a commoner leading a small group called the Zanstrick Mercenaries out of Alfmaren City.”
Right now, he had only the forty-odd subordinates who had followed him, but the Zanstrick Mercenaries had once boasted a hundred combat personnel.
That was no small number, and their combat prowess could turn a minor barony into a wasteland, yet Stelmann humbled himself and spoke modestly.
And rightly so, for his opponent was a Swordmaster acknowledged by Sion himself, commanding hundreds of regular troops as a knight.
Stelmann had never seen a professional standing army of this scale, nor—Sion aside—a knight with such overwhelming presence as Blaho.
‘He's definitely above me.’
Recalling the chilling goosebumps that had prickled his skin upon first meeting Blaho's sharp gaze, Stelmann felt humility rise even as a flicker of competitive spirit stirred within him.
“Hah! A commoner? If you're a commoner, then the captains under me are less than that.”
Blaho chuckled as he spoke, and the eyes of the three knights lined up behind him subtly changed.
They were no ordinary folk either, instantly recognizing Stelmann's considerable skill.
But they hadn't expected a mere mercenary captain to outrank them.
However, if Blaho said it, they had to accept it for now. Even if all three of them ganged up, they couldn't defeat him.
“You flatter me.”
“Flattery my foot. From the look of you, your men must surpass your average sellsword, eh? Do they all ride? I've heard northern knights are quite skilled—how do you stack up?”
“I'd confidently say we can hold our own against ordinary cavalry, if not formally trained knights with years of practice.”
“Hah! Impressive. Ah, we've been talking only about you. My apologies, Young Lord Kilburn.”
“No, it's fine. And please, just call me Piot.”
“Very well. So, Young Lord Piot, why come to me instead of heading straight to the Three-Headed Eagle Fortress?”
Feeling even greater affinity for Blaho's straightforward manner—unlike nobles who loved flowery deflections—Piot replied courteously.
“Because Sir Sailun, a royal who guided me here, told me to meet Master Blaho first.”
“Sailun… the one connected to the First Duchess, the Princess?”
“Yes. He's a distant relative of mine as well.”
“We and Uncle Yonas verified Sir Sailun too.”
“I see. But why would a royal tell you to meet a stranger like me?”
“Because Sir Sailun said to deliver a message upon meeting Master Blaho.”
Piot pulled a letter from his bosom.
Blaho stared at it indifferently for a moment before tearing open the seal and reading it.
The paper was small, so the content should be brief. Yet Blaho fixated on it for nearly a full minute, as if it were a lengthy report.
As everyone wondered, Blaho finally raised his head. He spoke to Piot, who wore a tense expression.
“Did Sir Sailun happen to ask for a reply?”
“Yes? Ah, yes. He said it would be one of three.”
“Hoo…?”
A glint flashed in Blaho's eyes. With a strange smile, he glanced around and said,
“Everyone out except Young Lord Piot.”
“Yes!”
The three knights saluted crisply and left without a word.
Sirban hesitated briefly, peeking around, but followed Stelmann out after a poke in the ribs, leaving Piot alone in the room.
“Now, what are the three replies Sir Sailun mentioned?”
Still wearing that strange smile, but exuding a somehow dangerous aura, Blaho prompted him. Piot swallowed dryly and parted his lips.
“Sir Sailun said Master Blaho would give one of these three answers: do it, quit it, or stay put.”
“……Somehow, I feel like he predicted which of the three I'd be most likely to say. Am I right?”
“Uh, yes. But that…”
As Piot hesitated, Blaho flashed an even deeper smile.
“It's fine. Tell me exactly as Sir Sailun said it, not a word off.”
Feeling the danger intensify with Blaho's smile, Piot spoke without even wiping the cold sweat beading on his brow.
“Sir Sailun said Master Blaho is most likely to say he'll stay put. And if he does… then… he'll…”
“Then?”
Blaho pressed, and Piot squeezed his eyes shut, raising his voice.
“He must want to get beaten like his grandfather and spun around in full kit till he drops, sir.”
“…….”
After several seconds of silence, Piot cautiously opened his eyes.
‘Gasp!’
Startled by the sudden surge of killing intent, Piot instinctively flinched back a step.
But Blaho was still smiling.
“…And then?”
“Th-that's… If he says do it, then don't look back, just head straight to the Three-Headed Eagle Fortress….”
“He said. And if I say quit it?”
“No matter where you go, he'll stake his honor to provide full support, but if you stay, he'll show you a new world.”
“……!”
The silence was the same, but the demeanor different. Blaho looked genuinely shocked, his eyes widening slightly for the first time.
“A new world…?”
“Yes, that's what he said. Though he didn't explain what it was…”
“Hmm? You seem to have some idea, Young Lord Piot? Any guesses?”
“…Yes. I do.”
Piot hesitated briefly but answered.
“But it might be hard to discuss now. It'd be tough to believe, and Sir Sailun knows best and can explain it to you himself.”
“Hm. This is getting more intriguing by the minute.”
Blaho muttered, stroking his chin. The sight sent a shiver through Piot.
‘Just as Grandfather said. Even knowing Master Blaho's grandfather well, how could he predict this?’
Piot inwardly marveled as Blaho reacted exactly as Sion had described.
Strictly speaking, though, this was just one of the reactions Sion had outlined for Blaho.
Sion had said that if things went best—meaning Blaho was very much like his grandfather—this would be his response, and luckily, it had played out that way.
But from Piot's perspective, having trusted Sion absolutely for so long, it felt like sorcery.
“Young Lord Piot.”
“Yes, Master Blaho.”
Piot tensed again at the calm, settled voice and stared at Blaho.
“Frankly, you know how absurd this situation is.”
“Of course.”
Even with verification from Sirban and Sir Yonas, some unknown punk shows up claiming to be of the Sion Ducal family, shoves a worthless letter at a Swordmaster and Ducal knight, and scratches his temper?
It'd be weirder not to get thrashed and chased off.
“Yet I'm entertaining it because of Sirban's and Sir Yonas's endorsement, and the contents of Sir Sailun's letter you delivered. Do you know what's written in it, by chance?”
“No. But I can guess somewhat.”
It's a letter personally penned by Grandfather, who knows the Ducal family's history and secrets.
It must relate to Master Blaho's grandfather, who lived in the same era.
“Right, I suppose so. But even if you guess, you don't know the exact details.”
“Yes.”
“The contents of Sir Sailun's letter are this: Young Lord Piot will deliver it to me, and within days, something big will happen at the Three-Headed Eagle Fortress, so as Black Eagle Regiment commander, I must decide.”
“……!”
“First, join Piot and follow his lead. Second, disband the Black Eagle Regiment. Third, do nothing.”
“Ah…”
Piot was stunned.
He had only anticipated the first. The second and third hadn't crossed his mind.
“Looks like you only thought of the first option.”
“Y-yes.”
“If only the first had been written, I'd have subdued you and everyone with you on the spot. Clear treason.”
As Piot gulped, Blaho continued.
“But the second and third are entirely different paths. As I said earlier, I was leaning toward the third. The Ducal line will continue anyway, and I can just pledge loyalty to the new Duke. Right?”
“Yes…”
“But that Sir Sailun stripped away my choices by having you relay an anecdote about my grandfather known only to me and a few direct Ducal scions. So in the end, I have no choice but the second path.”
“You mean… disband the Black Eagle Regiment?”
“If someone else sent this, it'd be nonsense. But this is a proposal from that 'Sailun.' You know what Sailun means to knightly houses like mine that stood with the Ducal family from the start, alongside the First Duchess.”
The image of Knight Longlive from Cheolsan flashed in Piot's mind. Come to think of it, his attitude had changed upon hearing 'Sailun' too.
“Thus, I have no choice but to mull these absurd proposals and pick one. The first was wrong from the start, and the third is dead from your earlier reply, so the second path it is.”
“Th-then…”
Piot didn't grasp the full implication, interpreting it merely as the regiment commander quitting the regiment.
But Blaho's following words exceeded his imagination.
“As Black Eagle Regiment commander, I'll give my men one last order: stand down. Then I'll quit alone. After that, as free knight Joden Blaho, I've decided to go with you to Shionia.”
“Y-Yes!?”