Chapter 98: Chapter 98

The army of Easterners that had assembled and departed from Shedil City moved toward the northwest.

Their number was about fifteen hundred.

This was the result of leaving behind some troops to prepare for the appearance of monsters, which had become more frequent lately.

Compared to when they had resisted Elvin’s offensive a few months ago, their numbers had decreased, but their armaments and state of training were far better.

After all, a majority of them were now battle-tested veterans, and they had not been idling away during the autumn and winter.

As they walked on the dirt road, which had turned muddy as the snow accumulated throughout the winter gradually melted, Arwin made a grumbling sound.

It seemed that by the time today’s journey ended, he would have to pick out the dirt stuck in his hooves.

While lost in thought for a moment, Shan turned his head at the voice coming from beside him.

“Seeing how the weather has turned cool, spring has certainly arrived. If only spring would come to Pendia as well.”

Looking at the ruins presumed to have once been a village, Lug muttered with a bitter expression.

Having passed this winter and finally reached the end of his vassal contract with Elvin, he was armed in a splendid attire unworthy of a free knight.

It was thanks to Cheryn having crafted and sent equipment for him in advance.

In truth, agreeing to renew a vassal contract in advance like this was traditionally considered a taboo.

However, the situation was far too urgent in many ways to strictly adhere to every single customary rule.

For Cheryn to personally visit the released Lug, knight him, and return to Palles would take at least ten days to half a month alone.

In peaceful times it might be fine, but in an era like this, it would not be strange for anything to happen in that span of time.

“How could spring come on its own? We must claim it ourselves.”

At Lug’s lament, Roden, who was opposite him, spoke in a calm voice.

Vigor returned to Lug’s eyes, which had been wandering aimlessly in the air.

“Indeed. You are right, we must. Absolutely!”

Lug displayed a respectful attitude toward Roden, though perhaps not as much as toward Shan.

Although he had never seen him fight in person, he had heard the stories that he was a hero who blew away one of the Hydra’s legs.

Above all, he was also the field commander Shan trusted and relied upon the most.

After chatting amicably for a short while, Roden departed toward the rear as Shan’s proxy to manage the unit’s supply of materials and the status of illnesses.

“What is the supply situation?”

“No problems!”

“Check the inventory and report. Since this expedition includes many priests, make sure any sick soldiers receive immediate treatment…”

An army was naturally an entity where problems arose constantly even while on the march.

Was it not inevitable for all sorts of issues to occur whenever people gathered?

At least Shedil’s army was able to solve various problems thanks to several magic devices supplied throughout the winter.

Minor things such as ignition magic devices that eliminated the need to gather firewood, tents with heat-insulating effects, and waterproof leather boots.

Relieving fatigue and increasing march speed in small but definite ways alone was of great help in maintaining morale.

“Let’s go, boys! It’s hunting time!”

“Wroooar!”

Furthermore, during break times, the semi-horse archers led by Ranta rode their horses around the surrounding area to hunt miscellaneous monsters or bring back game that could serve as fresh meat.

In particular, Ranta was eager to show off the magic device bow he had received as a gift from Cheryn to his subordinates.

His subordinates made a fuss, complimenting how amazing it was, whether out of flattery or sincerity.

‘Should I replace it for him later if something better comes out? Seeing how much he likes it, it would be a shame if even common archers all ended up receiving and using the exact same thing…’

Shan harbored such thoughts as he watched that scene.

Passing by monsters frightened by the march of a large army while tending to various matters like that, a week went by.

At the end of a tedious yet peaceful journey, they finally reached their destination.

“Is this the place?”

“That’s right. Looking at it, it seems that side has already arrived. Looks like we’re late.”

An area located about 150 kilometers northeast of Hasra.

Garn, a small town where around three thousand people lived, nestled against a low hill.

In front of it, the pre-arrived army was camped, and flags symbolizing Palles and Cheryn fluttered above the tents.

However, judging by the sight of stakes still being driven into the ground, it seemed they had not been there long either.

Leading his army toward that spot, Shan saw familiar faces he had not seen in a long time coming out to greet him.

The knights of Palles, including Yurk and Ravana.

Gleeful welcome flickered across their faces upon seeing Shan.

“Everyone’s faces look bright, so it seems you enjoyed your winter.”

“It was the usual for us. Although we had a bit of a hard time because Blois kept whining every day wanting to see Sir Guardian.”

“No way.”

“Kiri mentioned something similar as well. Aren’t you quite popular with the kids, Sir Shan?”

At Ravana’s playful question, Shan chuckled sheepishly.

“Dear me, you are making me embarrassed.”

“By the way, could the person beside you be that…”

“This is Sir Lug. Everyone, please greet him.”

“Oh! Pleased to meet you, Sir Lug! We’ve heard a lot about the Giant of the South, but you truly are enormous!”

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you. Haha…”

Thanks to Shan having already spread rumors that he was the most skilled warrior after himself, welcoming warmth and competitive spirit were mingled in the faces of the knights looking at Lug.

However, whether because he was naturally very shy, or because he was unaccustomed to an atmosphere different from Prince Elvin’s camp.

At this atmosphere, Lug faltered nervously and hid his body behind Shan.

Of course, that did not mean his tall, lengthy body could be hidden.

At a sight unbefitting a huge and powerful knight, the others were slightly flabbergasted, but soon laughed it off.

After all, as long as he fought well, that was all that mattered.

After exchanging greetings with nearby lords of Palles, including Viscount of Treba, Shan finally came face-to-face with Cheryn, who stepped out of the largest tent.

Instead of a dress, she wore light gray armor with her long hair tied up.

The moment she spotted Shan, her sharply upturned eyes softened into a warm, smiling curvature.

“You arrived faster than I expected.”

“That is because I received your summons, Princess.”

“Why must your words always be so sweet?”

Giggling softly, Cheryn invited Shan along with the knights and nobles from Shedil inside.

“Everyone did well. First, let us go inside to rest and converse.”

“It seems you are staying outside rather than within Garn itself.”

“Living in a tent is not as bad as one might think. Above all, when the soldiers are suffering outside, it looks bad if only the leaders rest inside. It also makes it difficult to respond in an emergency.”

Though she had already personally participated in the previous expedition and accumulated a degree of martial accomplishments, her participation this time as well was because the situation was so complex.

Just like last time, to respond nimbly in a rapidly changing situation, it was convenient for the highest authority to be present on site.

Above all, to maintain balance with Shan, the next Count of Shedil, at least Count of Palles (that is, her maternal uncle Kladek) should have come, but he was far too weak-willed for that.

In truth, whatever the reason, Shan felt pleased to be able to meet Cheryn again like this.

*

Stepping inside the large tent Cheryn used, Shan realized her previous words were not empty talk.

The outer skin seamlessly blocked out the chilly draft, the inside was warm thanks to a stove, and a carpet was laid on the floor.

On top of that, perhaps because she brought along a few pieces of frequently used furniture, there were chairs and tables unlikely to be found in such a countryside, making it seem better to stay in than the mansion used by the lord of that small town.

Once everyone took their seats, Cheryn glanced around the inside of the tent and spoke in a low voice.

“Now, shall we first welcome our new companion?”

The very first thing performed there was Lug’s oath of fealty.

Given the circumstances, the format was informal; with the various nobles and knights of Palles and Shedil as witnesses, Lug swore fealty to Cheryn.

Even though he knelt on one knee and bowed his waist, his eye level was almost equal to Cheryn’s, causing those around him to click their tongues in amazement.

“Wow, I heard he was big, but truly…”

“I heard that at that height, he moves even more nimbly than average knights.”

Finishing the ritual by lightly sprinkling water instead of the traditionally used aromatic oil, Cheryn declared Lug as her knight.

The contract period, just like Shan’s in the past, was five years.

Receiving cheers and applause from those around, Lug sat down with an embarrassed expression.

“Now, let us begin the operational strategy meeting. Sir Ravana?”

“Yes, Princess.”

Rising from her seat, Ravana twitched her rabbit ears and spread open a large map on one side of the tent.

On the map depicting the entirety of Pendia, key terrain, each city, and the factions controlling them were painted.

“According to intelligence, as you can see, the reinforcements from the Kingdom of Ajun have currently joined Conrad’s army, which is based in the Ranpel region.”

The region ruled by Conrad’s maternal grandfather, Duke of Ranpel, occupied several key strongholds in the west, including Solod Castle on the border between Libert and Pendia.

Obilos City, where Shan had hunted his first troll in the past, was also one of the duke’s territories; Poave, an influential jeweler merchant there who had sponsored Shan in the past, often relayed information about that faction thanks to his connection with Callion.

“Due to the losses sustained when Hasra was taken, Conrad’s army has currently diminished to fewer than five thousand men, while the reinforcements from the Kingdom of Ajun have been confirmed to be around six thousand.”

“About ten thousand, is it…”

“It could be a thousand more or less either way.”

“Compared to our army, that’s nearly two to three times as many.”

At a certain lord’s mutter, everyone’s faces darkened.

The army Palles mobilized for this expedition was slightly over two thousand.

This was the result of adding the forces of the lords south of the Tesen River who had sworn fealty to Cheryn not long ago, as well as the young Altoans recruited from the east.

Even with the addition of the eastern region’s army, it would amount to only about four thousand.

Just as someone had mentioned earlier, it was a far smaller number compared to the opponent.

“Fortunately, the situation is not entirely disadvantageous to us.”

It was Cheryn, sitting at the head seat, who refreshed this heavy atmosphere.

“Ajun defined this war as a holy war. Therefore, a significant portion of the soldiers in their army are merely militia drawn in by religious fervor.”

A considerable portion of the Kingdom of Ajun’s territory was land unsuitable for farming.

Instead, rare metals were produced in abundance, but even taking that into account, materials were insufficient to raise large-scale professional warriors like the country to the south.

Of course, Ajun’s militia were also a folk for whom pillaging was practically a way of life, so they could hardly be called purely civilian, but there was still a massive difference between them and those who did nothing but eat and train for combat.

“Oh, indeed…!”

“It is also a well-known fact that the vast majority of Conrad’s army consists of conscripts. On top of that, a significant portion of their elite troops was pulled away to control the newly occupied northwestern region. Thus, more than half of their army is nothing more than empty numbers.”

“In contrast, our army is mostly well-trained and thoroughly equipped. I believe the difference in strength is equal, or rather, the advantage lies on our side.”

When Shan added as if supplementing right beside her, color returned to the gloomy faces of the gathering.

Nay, some were so excited they looked ready to invade at any moment.

Sensing that atmosphere, Cheryn immediately threw cold water on it.

“However, the problem is still Elvin. Keep in mind that if we fight among ourselves and mutual destruction ensues, he will be the only one laughing.”

When the name of his former lord was mentioned, Lug, who was sitting quietly, flinched.

Because his frame was so massive, those beside him noticed the movement and glanced around.

In contrast, Ranta wore a nonchalant expression.

Naturally so, since to him, Elvin was far from a lord to whom he swore fealty, being merely a collaborator of his employer.

“In fact, a short while ago, I proposed to Elvin that we first combine our forces to finish off Conrad and drive out the Ajun scum, but he gave no definitive answer. He is likely aiming for Conrad and me to destroy each other.”

Elvin was also reinforcing his power on the Hasra side while replenishing the troops and supplies consumed in the past battle.

So that the moment either Conrad or Cheryn suffered heavy damage, he could immediately sink his venomous fangs into them.

That number was around eight to nine thousand men.

Though it would be difficult to completely overpower either one of them individually, if two factions destroyed each other, it was more than enough to devour them both simultaneously.

“Mmh…”

“It really is like a three-legged cauldron. The moment even one leg breaks, that side collapses.”

“Indeed. That is why we gathered here in Garn City. It lies between Palles and Shedil, while simultaneously being in a location that allows us to respond no matter which of Conrad or Elvin attacks where.”

If Conrad’s army raided Palles or the northern territories through the northwest, the east would be unable to support them in time.

Likewise, if Elvin mobilized his entire army to invade the east, the north would be unable to support them in time either.

Compared to that, Garn City was at a moderate distance from both the north and the east, making it easy to respond immediately to enemy attacks.

Baron Garn, who was originally the lord of this place, was Conrad’s knight and was staying in the west with him, so there was nothing to feel constrained by.

Roden, sitting quietly beside Shan, coughed lightly to draw attention before speaking.

“This standoff likely will not last very long. The Ajun faction came for religious reasons, and above all, an army is a monster that devours money.”

From maintenance costs of soldiers’ arms and armor, to salaries, and food rations.

Operating a large-scale army was practically equivalent to throwing money onto the road.

Of course, forcing conscripted soldiers to work like slaves or having them resolve supplies on their own could alleviate this financial burden to some extent, but that was an act that ate away at the growth engine of the domain.

Unless stationed in occupied territory, it was difficult to maintain long-term.

In fact, the reason the Palles region was able to develop remarkably while other regions declined during the past few years of civil war was not merely due to the assistance of magic devices.

It was thanks to an outstanding administrative system, as well as those other than properly trained professional warriors faithfully laboring as members of the domain.

“Therefore, what we must do is endure. Whenever a snake pops out from either side, we must beat it down or dodge while stalling for time. Moving forward, it will likely be a chaotic fight where one cannot foresee even an inch ahead.”

When Cheryn’s army’s top strategist, Roden, foretold a war of attrition, serious expressions settled on everyone’s faces.

*

As one could tell just by looking at the size of the city, Garn City was not a particularly good place for a large force to stay long-term.

As such, for an army of several thousand to be maintained, supplies had to flow smoothly.

Fortunately, since this city was at a moderate distance from both the north and the east, there was no difficulty in receiving support in materials, including food.

Peddlers from Palles and Shedil sold goods to the merchants of Garn City, and they in turn sold them to Cheryn’s army.

As a result, despite an army larger in number than the city’s inhabitants being stationed right next door, the lives of Garn City’s residents actually improved.

“This looks pretty, how much is it?”

“It is two silver coins, but…”

“Here. When I go back, I should give it to my daughter as a present.”

The woman who had set up her street stall looked with a surprised face at the middle-aged soldier buying the comb she had made herself.

That soldiers were avatars of destruction who acted as they pleased everywhere was common sense in today’s Pendia, which had entered its several-year civil war.

Viewed from that angle, Cheryn’s army was an astonishingly calm and gentle crowd.

Naturally, this was not because the people of the north and east possessed particularly kinder natures.

It was because Cheryn strictly restrained pillaging or attacks against civilians in exchange for guaranteeing sufficient wages along with all equipment and provisions.

Furthermore, as Shan (famous for inflicting harsh punishments on those who committed unauthorized looting) patrolled the city’s surroundings on horseback every day, no one dared to act rashly.

At any rate, thanks to that, the residents of Garn were glad that despite barracks opening up right next door, their livelihood had actually brightened.

For Cheryn’s soldiers were also quite generous in their spending.

As goodwill was secured like this, the stationed army also found things just as comfortable.

Because they could hire town women to take care of a considerable amount of tedious chores such as laundry and cooking.

Thanks to that, during their spare time, the soldiers trained their bodies and learned how to move in accordance with discipline in preparation for battle that might occur at any moment.

In particular, had not the north and east never fought side by side before?

If they floundered like a two-headed beast upon entering battle, they would end up completely wiped out.

The fortunate thing was that Roden accounted for a large share of the military training in both regions.

Thanks to following the training methods he had drawn up, they shared communication systems, including flag signals, and once they got the hang of it, they were able to move like a single body.

The knights as well practiced moving together or competed in martial arts with one another to keep their skills from rusting.

Of course, being careful not to injure one another since actual combat was not far off.

About ten days passed while spending time intensely like that.

Some of the semi-horse archers, who had been leading three horses each and patrolling the surroundings by riding dozens of kilometers every day, rushed over with urgent expressions.

“Urgent news! The allied forces of Conrad and the Kingdom of Ajun have begun moving toward the northwestern region!”

“What is their scale?”

“It is estimated to be around ten thousand men!”

Just as expected, the one who broke the balance of the three-legged cauldron first was Conrad.