Chapter 142
Chapter 142
Understood." Our conversation ended there. If anyone asked who my enemy was, I'd say the Glazers, of course. But the reason I took this stance with Gradra and Gret was simple. 'They too could change in unpredictable ways in the future.' Just as those around me in my previous life had all changed, there was no guarantee they wouldn't.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I set out for Kaswell Harbor with a thousand elite troops trimmed down to the essentials. No matter how many soldiers I brought, the number of ships was limited, so I had no choice but to cap the numbers to maximize mobility.
"Fix bayonets."
Upon arriving at Kaswell, we entered the village in full battle formation. Traces of the mages' attack were scattered everywhere. Collapsed houses from some force, thick black smoke rising, and the howls of beasts barking at crossroads greeted us. 'Looks like everyone who was here has fled.' It made sense. Why guard the place after finishing their business? Kaipa, who had been guarding the vanguard, straightened his bent waist and reported to me.
"It seems the village is empty."
I grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground, let it trickle through my fingers, and took a long breath. Suuuuh— Fuuuu.
"I can smell the scorch of fire and the dampness of water. Strangely, there's no bloodstains from those who confronted them."
"No bodies either, so they must have been taken as slaves."
"Slaves?"
"Yes. To them, the southern folk are little more than spoils of war."
Kaipa glanced at me cautiously before continuing.
"I heard long ago that mages conduct many experiments on humans who haven't opened their qi."
"Experiments?"
"Yes. They're trying to find ways to forcibly awaken others' mana and siphon it for themselves."
Kaipa rolled his eyes briefly, shook his head, and went on.
"I don't know if it's true. Lord Roys mentioned it offhand in the past."
If so, there's a high chance it's accurate. In my previous life, I was too young during the war with Glazer to know much. But now, witnessing everything firsthand, I could grasp it all and predict what futures might unfold.
"Sir Kaipa, hurry and assess the number of ships, then load everyone aboard."
"Understood. As instructed, we'll divide the squadrons between archers and infantry."
"Yes. And at departure, send the infantry ships out first."
"Infantry first?"
"We'll conduct perimeter searches immediately upon arrival. The enemy might be lying in wait."
"Ah... Understood. We'll do that."
Kaipa tugged at his mustache and began directing the troops.
"1st, 2nd, and 3rd Companies, move to the harbor, check ship counts and interiors. 4th and 5th Companies, secure the rear and prepare for potential attacks!"
With the clank of metal, the Strange soldiers moved swiftly. Kaipa's troop deployment and command transmission were unmatched in the family. 'Appointing him as adjutant was indeed an excellent choice.' While they prepared for departure, I scouted the village. Just in case some unseen enemy lingered. Step. A unfamiliar shadow emerged from between the ruins of a church.
"Might we have a word, Lord Berddin?"
"Philip."
"Yes."
Step, step, step. Philip approached cautiously, lowered his hood, and bowed deeply with one leg extended back. He wore a white smoke ninja outfit.
"It won't take long."
I scanned the surroundings, then headed to an empty spot.
"Why are you here?"
"To give you my answer regarding the opportunity you offered."
"Decided already? I gave you a week."
"...
No need for prolonged thought. I already knew which side to join." Leaning against a ruined house wall, I asked him. "What will you do?" Philip pulled a fist-sized blue stone from his bosom and showed it to me. An alchemist's symbol, representing their heart. "The Philosopher's Stone." "Yes. I thought this the best way to prove my intent." "Why think that?" "I know noble knights never trust betrayers." "......" "A traitor betraying twice is nothing, they say." This guy Philip was repeating exactly what he'd said in my previous life. Back then, he'd brought the stone to win me over too. "I want to buy your trust. And there's only one way." "By giving me the Philosopher's Stone?" "Yes. It's the only way to sway your heart now." Cute fellow. I pretended to snatch the stone he offered and hurl it to the ground. "No!" "...
So it really is your Philosopher's Stone." "Y-yes! If it breaks, I die! Don't handle it so roughly!" I couldn't help but chuckle at Philip's face. He fidgeted anxiously, his complexion darkening. "I like this about you." "Pardon?" "You enjoy pranks, but your actions and words carry weight." "Uh... You speak as if you've known me for years." "Maybe I have." My words just now weren't meaningless. With Philip's intellect, he'd grasp the implication and what I was hinting at. 'And.' I wanted him to realize I'd been reborn. Not told directly, but to figure it out himself and adjust his actions accordingly. Philip scanned me slowly, then bowed deeply. "Then I'll take that as you accepting me." "Good. But how do you plan to cut ties with Albus?" "Simple. Tell you about their hideout and schemes." "To me?" "Yes. You'll wipe them out for me, right? Problem solved without lifting a finger!" I burst into laughter. Loud enough to echo through the village. "Kuhahaha!" Openly admitting to using me to eliminate enemies—he couldn't lie, I knew, but this bluntness was something else. 'I like him. Truly the talent I need.' Whether past or present life, he meshed perfectly with me. "Shh, be quiet! What if others spot me?" Philip, flustered again, tried to cover my mouth. I brushed his hand away and shook it lightly. "So what? You've allied with me now. Let them see." "...
Is that so?" "Yes. They don't even know you're the master of the modified monsters. Or that anyone controls them." "Didn't you tell them I'm the owner?" I grabbed his cheeks and stretched them long. "Exactly. So don't play dumb in front of me. It's what I hate most." Philip groaned in response. "Eugh... U-understood."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Splash! Five ships cleaved through rough waves eastward. I stood at the prow of the lead ironclad, deep in conversation with Philip. More like listening to his one-sided report, really.
"Albus's ultimate plan is to use Strange to topple the Papal Court."
His view clashed wildly with my conclusion. Albus, one of the Five Generals—in my previous life, suppressed by my brothers, he faded quietly into my era, his true nature unknown. But now, openly threatening Strange, I thought he moved for power. 'The Five Generals plotting to kill Judal?' Their superior, essentially.
"How did such a one infiltrate the Papal Court?"
"To learn internal affairs. I don't know the exact reason, but his goal is clear."
"Then why use us?"
"Because you're strong."
"Strong?"
"Yes. Frankly, isn't Strange the only force gripping continental hegemony now?"
Philip paused, then continued.
"Ah, by Strange, I mean during Lord Roys's time as family head. Not that you're weak, Lord Berddin."
I knew what he meant. I hadn't yet matched Father's prestige.
"Don't take offense. I just judge that Strange hasn't fully taken on your color since Roys left."
I nodded briefly in agreement.
"True. So through this war, I'll make them all mine."
"As I thought."
"Your thought?"
"Yes. Honestly, couldn't you end this alone in the east?"
"......"
"Yet bringing such a grand army. It's to make them recognize your strength."
Philip's analysis was sharp as ever. But he hadn't grasped my full intent. This war wasn't just to show my power—it was to overwhelm the enemy with force so they'd never challenge us again. Not my power alone, but to demonstrate Strange's collective might. That was my goal.
"Right. Anyway, I get Albus's intentions now. Head back."
"Head back?"
"Yes. You need to stay by his side for now."
"May I ask why?"
"...
I'll share a secret of this expedition." "A secret?" "Yes." I pulled a hidden map from my sleeve and showed him. From my previous life's memory: the secret gate in the east I'd created. "Know what this place is?" An ancient ruin not far from Glazer Castle. "...
I've been there before." "Good. Then you know what's slumbering here?" Philip's bewildered eyes sharpened instantly. "No way..." With a smile, I gazed at the approaching waves. "I'll find the starting point of the waves. And show the world my era has come."