Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Counterattack
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A small mansion nestled on the border between the south and the west.
And though it was a unit under the Strange family's command, it was a knight order of only company size, less than a hundred men.
'Their equipment is in poor condition.'
Some didn't even have proper leather armor, let alone gambesons stuffed with cotton.
Most of them had never truly seen battle.
Berddin and the five knights who had followed him mingled among them to form the unit.
'Of course.'
To avoid an excessive gap in armament with these border knights, he had shed his orichalcum armor—made from the finest ore—and changed into gear on their level.
"To reiterate, we're not here to declare war on Glazer. We're just capturing Katarina alive and escaping the castle."
The operation was simple.
Kaipa would abandon Strange, join hands with his maternal kin Katarina, and enter Glazer territory.
Meanwhile, Berddin would kidnap Katarina and flee Glazer Castle.
"And what do we do in the meantime?"
Cynthia asked the question.
"Rox and I will divert the mages' attention."
"Mages? I thought we weren't fighting them."
"We're not fighting. We'll just bicker over something trivial. Five seconds—no, three—will buy enough time to get Katarina out."
"...Is that possible?"
"It is."
Of course, it was a rather rough method.
But no one participating in the operation objected. It proceeded on the premise that Kaipa and his unit could return safely as well.
Kaipa stroked the Strange family crest engraved on his silver helm and spoke to me.
"Then we'll escort you and them inside, then head straight back to Strange territory."
"Yes. If Duchess Katarina accepts the alliance proposal, say you've come with negotiation terms from Glazer and depart."
"They won't notice our movements?"
"Absolutely not. In fact, now's the perfect time to make them drop their guard."
"Is that so?"
"As the saying goes, a headless snake seeks eyes to serve it. They'll welcome you with open arms."
"...Understood."
Kaipa was a knight who, from my childhood until adulthood, had ruled his territory without a single incident—stubborn yet steadfast in his chivalric code.
'That's why we can pull off this operation.'
This 'Katarina retrieval' mission had begun on mutual trust alone, so I needed to repay that faith.
"Once this is over, I'll formally knight all of you into the Strange order."
Kaipa's eyes widened.
"R-Really?"
"Yes. And I'll equip you all to properly represent Strange."
This was an unprecedented offer.
Official Strange knights were only those who graduated from the knight academy or passed the main family's trials.
Knights knighting their own unit officially?
A knight order's reputation and standing reflected the lord's power.
This was tantamount to elevating Kaipa's fame.
Not just within Strange territory, but recognized across the continent.
"I'll remember that."
Kaipa didn't thank me. The operation hadn't even started, let alone succeeded. Rewards came after victory.
Chattering prematurely could lead you astray like a dream-chasing horse. He needed to stay sharp until the end.
"Unit, attention!"
Kaipa's adjutant heard the command, turned rearward, and bellowed at the soldiers.
"Unit, attention!"
As his shout echoed, those gathered before the mansion snapped to attention.
Their gear might look sloppy, but their spirit was strong. Trained under Kaipa, their basics were solid.
"We march to Glazer Castle without rest. Arrive before sunset. Maintain formation—focus!"
Hagen tilted his head in bewilderment.
"Kaipa de Strange?"
Kaipa's unit had been under surveillance the moment they entered Glazer territory.
How could knights bearing the Strange name invade without warning?
They lacked the imperial declaration for formal war or the pretext for unprovoked attack.
'Of course.'
Some preemptively strike enemy forces, but giants like Strange and Glazer never resorted to ambushes.
No, it would turn every knight on the continent against them—impossible between such powers.
"He claims to be Duchess Katarina's kin."
Dictri von Glazer—Hagen's third son and right-hand man—replied. A black-skinned man with mage-unlike solid muscles.
"Katarina's kin? Ridiculous. She bears imperial blood. A mere border knight saying that?"
"Rumors say his mother was imperial too. Exiled to the border after some past incident, for reasons unknown."
"...Why enter our territory?"
"To meet the Family Head."
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"He'd only say it to you directly. Wouldn't answer me no matter how I pressed."
Hagen propped his chin, gazing out the window.
"A Strange knight wants to meet me without reporting to his main house. And he's Katarina's kin."
He didn't ponder deeply.
A few guesses surfaced, but he refrained from hasty judgment, merely instructing Dictri.
"Don't kill this Kaipa. Bring him to me."
"Understood."
"Attach watchers to his unit. Track their every move until we know why they've come and their goal. Don't let them roam free."
"Yes, Family Head. I'll handle it cleanly."
"I leave it to you."
Upon reaching Glazer Castle, Kaipa hit a snag at the gates.
He'd assumed showing the surrender document would let the unit enter per protocol, but they ordered everyone except him to wait outside.
"If you don't like it, leave. We have orders not to admit Strange into the castle, and you bring this many soldiers—can't permit it."
Dictri stated firmly and clearly.
Kaipa glanced back toward Berddin, then stepped forward and whispered.
"I heard Duchess Katarina is inside."
"Who told you that?"
"Who else? It came straight from Valentine de Strange, who met Hagen personally."
"..."
"To be frank, I bear the Strange name, but my blood's thin—I committed a past sin and was exiled to the border. Naturally, my loyalty to the family is low."
Dictri eyed him with interest.
"I survived then because of my kin to Katarina. Now it's my turn to help her."
"Your turn to help..."
"And I need my unit inside because, wary as you are of us, I fear Glazer too."
"You fear us?"
Kaipa laid his sword on the ground.
Thud.
"Yes. Think about it—first time in this castle since birth. How could a mere knight not fear mages?"
"..."
"Unlikely as it is, if unforeseen events unfold, I need minimal men inside for defense. Not to fight you."
"Ha—really."
"If you wish, we'll disarm completely."
Dictri scowled at the unit and asked.
"How many need to enter?"
"Ten—no, five. Four suffices."
"Four?"
"Yes. As you see, I can't walk properly—two to support me, and"
Kaipa suddenly limped on one leg.
"two to carry luggage."
"Three."
"...Three?"
"Not hauling shells inside. Luggage? Just those bundles."
Cough, cough.
Someone coughed.
Turning, Berddin—deep-hooded—nodded while covering his mouth with a fist, continuing the coughs.
"...Very well. Three it is."
They'd successfully entered the castle.
While Kaipa negotiated in Glazer's assembly hall,
Cynthia, Alfredo, and I waited at the far end of the opposite corridor.
'Father was right after all.'
Worth calling him Coward Hagen.
Not slacking even against four knights.
Placing us—looking like lowly knights—in such a remote spot.
Heard he was cautious and never careless, but this was excessive.
'Though that works in my favor this time.'
I nudged Cynthia's side with my fist.
She nodded curtly at the signal and beckoned the nearest mage.
"Hey, um."
Dictri—who'd escorted us—replied, eyes fixed at the corridor's end.
"Speak."
"Sorry, can I use the bathroom?"
"No."
"...Just a moment? I drank too much from nerves—gotta go bad."
"Hold it."
"If I could, I wouldn't ask. A bit longer and... it'll come out."
"Still hold it. Can't let you go now—"
Cynthia unbuckled her belt.
Clatter.
"Ah, forget it! I'll just go here. Later, when this Hagen guy comes out, he'll love the stench—a soldier pissed the corridor 'cause no bathroom break!"
"W-Wait! What are you doing?"
"What? You won't let me—"
Dictri grimaced, yanking up her trouser leg.
"Enough—pull 'em up! Hey, Frank. Take her to the toilet. Watch her every move, no slacking."
The soldier called Frank rushed over, aiming his spear at Cynthia.
"Yes! Hey, up you get. Where does this bitch think she is...?"
Cynthia smiled, stood, winked at me, and followed Frank.
'Good.'
It's starting.
Time to launch the Katarina retrieval operation.