36. Uninvited Guest (2)
'Curtis, you've really mellowed out. Back in the day, you'd have swung first no matter who it was.'
Sighing to himself, Curtis fiddled with the ID card tucked in his pocket. It was the noble identification of Dresden Territory, shaped like a lion's head and made from the tooth of a crocodile monster—tough enough that no ordinary impact could even scratch it.
A 3rd class Gigant pilot earned quasi-noble status, but from squad leader upward, you got an official baron's title even without land. That was practically equivalent to a major territory, and it meant you'd be treated like real nobility even in the capital.
"If things get really bad, reveal your identity and tell them this is a Dresden Territory forward base."
"But that would tip off Enok Fortress too. And it'd only be a matter of time before it reaches Lord Proxy Adam's ears."
No family in the Empire was bold enough to charge in blindly at the mention of Dresden Grand Territory. Among all territories, it ranked in the top three economically, and with the second-highest number of Gigants after Ronsstock Grand Territory, its military might was formidable. On top of that, Vice Commander Boltain, the territory's greatest swordsman and a 1st class Gigant master, was a powerhouse no one could match—respected even by mech pilots from other lands.
"I know. And if Adam finds out, he'll pull some sabotage, maybe even force us to abandon the outpost. But nothing's worth more than your lives."
"Yes, sir...!"
Curtis hoped it wouldn't come to that, but the world rarely went as planned. That's why Wayne was rushing to secure his own territory—such incidents could happen anytime. With his own land, he wouldn't have to watch Adam's every move, could store gold and Gigants safely, and have a solid base to support a Gigant unit later on.
'Showing the territory ID is a last resort.'
He planned to bluff his way through first. If they didn't buy it, he'd explain the full story carefully to defuse things. Worst case, provoke their squad leader into dismounting for a brawl, subdue him, then talk sense into them slowly. He'd lose for sure in a Gigant fight, but hand-to-hand or swordplay? That was his domain.
As Curtis advanced slowly, the Lorenne Outpost Gigants mercifully joined up. Nine 3rd class Gigants plus three priest Gigants made twelve in total, arrayed imposingly before Patton Outpost.
Alicia and Knight Commander Bowga tensed at the sight of the 2nd class Gigant, but retreat wasn't an option. Without them, Lorenne Outpost wouldn't hold long.
Travis smirked at his subordinates' chatter over the radio.
His words made the Grint pilots see their point.
Gigant tracks had vanished nearby, and with all other outposts retreated, only Patton and Lorenne were left to check. Monsters prowled often, so Collin Squad could have been wiped out—but vanishing without wreckage or battle signs? Impossible.
Crimson Squad Leader grabbed his radio and hopped out, approaching the enemy pilot.
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
Curtis and Crimson stared, tilting their heads.
"Squad Leader Curtis?"
"Squad Member Crimson?"
Crimson grinned first. Curtis smiled back outwardly, but his heart sank. Of all people, it had to be a Grint mech pilot from the Ratan Desert five years ago—who knew his identity.
"No way! Squad Leader Curtis, out here of all places."
"Talk about a reunion. Running into an old comrade like this."
"Oh yeah! Squad Leader Travis—no, Squad Leader Travis is here too."
"The guy in that 2nd class Gigant is Travis?"
"Yep!"
Crimson waved his radio hand toward the 2nd class Gigant behind. Curtis chuckled inwardly.
'This might actually work in our favor!'
Travis spotted Curtis too upon Crimson's report.
His men didn't know the full story, but the three shared a deep bond.
'What's a Dresden mech pilot doing here?' Travis felt a twinge of unease.
[Patton Outpost]
"Whoa, what are the odds? Bumping into old war buddies in the Great Forest. Five years?"
"About that."
Curtis clapped Travis on the shoulder amiably as they entered the outpost.
"Heard you took a bad hit at the Sailon Occupation Zone battle. How's the body holding up?"
"Barely pulled through. Ha! We could talk all night about that Sailon mess. Those Tarun Kingdom bastards fly high in the desert."
"Ah... yeah."
Back when Travis was squad leader, his unit had been pinned in a Ratan Desert oasis by Tarun forces. Curtis's armored squad swept in, annihilating the enemy Magic Knights.
"Anyway, when did you make squad leader?"
"Promoted last year. Assigned to Luten Fortress in the Great Forest early this year."
"Congrats! With your skills, I figured it'd happen fast. Youngest in Grint Territory, right?"
"That's right."
Travis grinned sheepishly.
"First time in the Great Forest?"
"Yes."
"Tch, tough gig."
Travis swallowed dryly under Curtis's rapid-fire questions.
"Uh... so what brings you to Patton Outpost?"
Curtis glanced around before speaking.
"All thanks to the lord proxy."
"Lord proxy?"
"Young Master Adam's heir now, and lord proxy this time. Lord's off at the Estel front."
"Ah, Young Master Adam..."
Travis knew him well.
"And you've heard the rumors about his bad hobby."
"Something about collecting stuffed monsters?"
"Not rumors—fact. But even as proxy, he can't keep filling his mouth forever. So here we are... get it?"
Curtis winked meaningfully.
"You're stuffing monsters here and shipping to Dresden?"
"Some to the territory, some sold for the proxy's pocket. Don't know too much—it's bad for your health."
"...Got it."
Some Dresden outposts did exactly that, unofficially of course. Caught red-handed, Curtis mixed truth and lies into a plausible story. Travis and Crimson owed him their lives once, boosting his confidence.
"Oh yeah, take a look at this."
"At what?"
"Caught some guys a few days back trying to hit our outpost. Territory and unit marks scrubbed off—who knows whose."
Curtis unveiled the tarp over a Gigant.
"This!"
"Grint Territory 3rd class Gigant. They're sold to other territories too, so not yours, but still shady, so we kept it here."
"Ah, makes sense."
"Not your squad's, right?"
Curtis eyed Travis suspiciously. Travis waved it off.
"No way. We're under mobilization— all Gigants at fortresses and outposts."
"Then how'd you get here?"
"Well... there's Luten Fortress to the rear. Heard two forward bases hadn't retreated, so we came to check."
"Grint folk sure are considerate."
Travis sighed inwardly in relief. This wasn't just three Gigants—if word got out Grint Gigants attacked a Dresden outpost, the backlash would be catastrophic. Enok Fortress already had double their Gigants, and with most forces pulled to Estel, the gap was wider than ever.
'Damn it, those bastards should've kept it low-key...'
Travis knew Collin Squad skimmed monster parts often. The previous squad leader took bribes, and Fortress Commander Baron Bread did too.
"Uh, mind if I see the pilots who were in that Gigant?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Wanna interrogate how they got our territory's Gigant."
"Ah, fair point."
Curtis led Travis to the jail.
"Hey, Travis."
"Yeah?"
"I'll clear out the guards for a quiet interrogation. You know what I mean?"
Curtis winked.
"Curtis, I owe you. Won't forget this."
"Old comrades gotta stick together. Call me when you're done—I got a favor to ask."
"You got it."
Curtis dismissed the guards, and armed Travis entered alone.
[Lorenne Territory]
"H-Halt! I mean, stop!"
Soldiers with muskets and spears blocked Wayne's group, hands shaking in terror.
"Who's in charge here?"
"Please wait a moment."
A soldier bolted off on horseback at Wayne's question. Another gulped.
"I-Is that a 1st class Gigant?"
"Nah, just big—output's 3rd class."
"Ah, gotcha."
They gawked at the 10-meter Steel Golem.
Wayne cut the connection and waited. Soon, a rider approached.
"Which territory, and who rides a Gigant here?"
"I'm Wayne from Patton Forward Base..."
"Squad Leader Wayne!"
"Huh? Sergeant Henrik?"
"That's me. You remember."
"How could I forget the guy who drew Python monster fire with his musket in the Great Forest?"
Henrik was the sergeant who'd stood alone against an A-rank beast, shooting its eye to lure it into ambush.
"When'd you get back to Lorenne?"
"Came with the supply run last time. Switched to outpost guard duty—mom's not well."
"Tough break."
"And you're a hero in our territory, Young Master Wayne."
"People here know me?"
"Of course. Saving Lorenne Forward Base, rescuing the main force in the Great Forest, allying with our outpost lately—we know it all."
Recognizing Wayne's group, the soldiers' demeanor shifted.
"Right, no time to waste. I'll prep a carriage—follow slow. Gotta tell the lord."
"Thanks."
Wayne gave Yann gold, tasked him with guarding Eleven and the Steel Golem, then headed to the lord's castle alone with Sara.
Lorenne Territory was modest, unpretentious. One city, many villages—decent population. But arable land was scarce; they imported half their food from Kallung Grand Territory.
Clop-clop-clop!
A horse kicked up dust, pulling alongside the carriage.
"Squad Leader Wayne, sir."
"Who're you?"
"Albus Taylor, second son of Baron Frederick."
"Young Master Albus."
"Heard you were coming—raced ahead. Mind if I join?"
"Hop on."
Albus climbed in.
"Mom's told me lots."
"Your mom?"
"Lady Ilshia. Letters, of course."
"Ah."
"When Bowga brought the squad back safe from the Great Forest, I had to meet you."
Albus, a handsome early-20s youth, peppered Wayne with Great Forest and Wayne questions.
"We're here."
Albus dismounted. Wayne followed, facing a small castle—dirt-packed from barren soil, not anti-Gigant.
A pale man in a wheelchair waited at the gate with others.
Wayne bowed before the chair.
"I'm Wayne. Honored the lord came out himself."
"Baron Frederick. Forgive me for not greeting sooner, benefactor."
"Nonsense. Crashing unannounced as an uninvited guest, and you welcome me—I'm grateful."
Frederick smiled at the polite Wayne, introducing heir Bruce Taylor and daughter-in-law, plus knights.
As Frederick and Wayne entered, an irritated voice snapped from behind.
Wayne's red Odd spread wide sharpened his hearing.
"Albus! Who said you could greet the guest first?"
"Huh? I just thought Squad Leader Wayne might get bored on the road, so..."
"Shut it, you impudent punk! We'll talk later."
Wayne frowned slightly.
'No brotherly love here either!'
The siblings vied for this tiny barony. Up close, Frederick looked sickly—health issues clear.
Wayne subtly sent Odd toward the baron. It coiled around his legs in the chair, flowing inward—a technique blending Brass King's Odd and remote golem control.
'Huh? What's this black gunk inside him?'