124 — 13 (5)

Louis looked down over the city. At first it felt strange to see this place from his father’s position. Now it had become too natural. Many things had changed. The city felt alive. Just as blood circulates through a body by the heart, people constantly moved through the city. The one creating that flow was himself. Was he doing better than his father—no, than the figures of the Pontina family in the past? There was no need to answer it himself. The citizens’ reactions already proved it. The army was gathering. As always, it was time to go seek new prey. For now it would be a preliminary engagement. There was no need to invite danger before the Horn Bow Archer unit was perfected. The army would focus entirely on hunting the monster called the gorgon.

“H-hello, Duke Louis.”

It was an unfamiliar voice, yet one he had heard before. Louis broke his thoughts and returned to reality. He turned around. Before him stood Kaban Mary and Kaban Ferdinando. Ferdinando looked like he had many questions. In truth, he did. He was continually surprised—at the assembled army, the astonishingly developed city, and Louis who had grown yet another step. Mary’s face turned red like an apple. Louis offered a simple greeting, and she became flustered.

Ferdinando relaxed upon seeing his granddaughter’s bright expression. She was still thin, but after deciding to meet Louis she had gained noticeable weight. When bedridden she had looked like a withered branch. But her matter was hers; more pressing matters now lay ahead. He subtly signaled he wished to speak alone with Louis.

Louis had also wanted a private conversation. He had not invited Ferdinando merely because of Mary.

“Lady Mary, the long journey must have tired you. Rest for now and I will formally invite you to dinner later. How about we continue our conversation then?”

Mary smiled as if she had waited for that.

“Oh, it would be an honor.”

As she was leaving, Ferdinando spoke.

“I have matters to discuss with Duke Louis, so go ahead and rest first.”

Mary answered briefly and left.

“…May I ask why you gathered such a large army?”

Louis roughly understood his thoughts.

“Ah, you misunderstand. I strengthened the army because I want to deal with the barbarians of Pantalist.”

“Barbarians… a convenient excuse. What I truly ask is whether you possess the capacity. Even investing so much into the city, where did the money to expand the army come from?”

“Simple. I earned it. But do you know I once nearly lost my life to those barbarians?”

“You…? Hard to believe.”

“Unfortunately it is true. I will be honest. The one who cornered me was Atila. His mercenary tactics are remarkable. Considering the interest involved, my actions are entirely natural. I understand your suspicion… therefore let me share one secret.”

Louis drew him in. Sword Master Kaban Ferdinando was skilled with the blade and upright in politics, but not particularly adept elsewhere. As planned, he was being drawn into Louis’s story. Louis wanted his support in battle; if he joined, casualties could be reduced.

“It seems Atila unified the Gedra tribe.”

“What…?”

“I was not the only one fighting a war. Recently he plundered the grain of Proia that I ruled. He was stockpiling provisions for war. Shameful to say, I nearly died then. I still vividly remember being cornered and falling into a river…”

At the time Louis had indeed been weak. Now he could have cut the unit apart and escaped, but not then. However, his words greatly stimulated the Sword Master’s caution. Ferdinando already evaluated Louis highly—bringing his granddaughter here proved that.

To Ferdinando, Louis was an unparalleled talent. He feared he might someday overturn the duchy. Yet someone capable of cornering Louis’s life—Atila—appeared extremely dangerous. Louis recruiting troops to eliminate him at the border seemed entirely reasonable and beneficial to the duchy.

“Hmm… so that was the story. I misunderstood. Will you accept my apology, Duke Louis?”

“Of course.”

“I owe you much, beginning with my granddaughter.”

“Then I ask this—please help me.”

“Help…?”

“The army is ready. You need only join. If this succeeds, it will greatly benefit the Eron Duchy. Why would I covet Pantalist? The land is worthless. But if we suppress the barbarians now, their raids across the border will greatly decrease. The timing is right—their internal affairs cannot yet be stabilized after continuous war.”

“Hm… I did not come for that purpose…”

He had truly come to spend time with his granddaughter. But the justification was too clear to ignore.

“…Very well. I shall participate.”

Parse Akiteia and Orsini Spessart stood before the Hanging Gardens.

Spessart said bluntly,

“What secret lies in this building?”

He too was a mage. He had even conducted independent investigation to uncover its secret, yet failed. Even when the Pope visited he thought he could solve it, but every attempt failed. When asking Louis directly, Louis simply answered he did not know.

Akiteia spoke.

“More than that, I’m curious about Louis. Did you hear the news?”

“What?”

“Sir Kaban is joining.”

“Really? What an honor. It has been ten years since Duke Kaban last entered a battlefield. To witness that moment…”

“Indeed. Seems Louis persuaded him well.”

After the Evantes incident, Akiteia and Spessart became personally close friends with Louis. Similar age and open mindsets allowed it.

“With Kaban joining, this campaign will be enjoyable.”

Naturally so. Troops were abundant, and thanks to newly repaired roads supply lines were perfect.

“But why did Duke Kaban come here…?”

Akiteia smiled.

“Apparently Mary likes Louis.”

Spessart’s expression darkened. He liked Mary, while his sister wanted Louis—and in truth, his entire family wanted Louis as well.

Unaware of his thoughts, Akiteia continued.

“Amazing, really. He convinced Duke Kaban to join in a single day. Incredible political sense. Thanks to Louis, my standing in my house improves daily.”

For Akiteia that second reason mattered greatly; he had once abandoned succession but now saw a real chance.

The creatures with ragged fur and massive bodies roaming in herds were gorgons. Now they were piled like mountains in the camp’s central square. Though herd monsters, their intelligence was below orcs; they had no chance against human tactics. Some barbarians encountered along the way were captured too. In truth only Louis knew why the gorgons must be hunted.

In the square stood Louis and Ferdinando.

“Duke Louis, what will you do with all these gorgons?”

They devoured crops and humans alike, giving them a vicious reputation. Even Ferdinando grimaced at the pile.

Soldiers struggled to kill one bound gorgon. Louis drew his sword, stepped forward, and struck its head. Its thick hide resisted cutting, but with one blow it split and gasps sounded around. Blood poured from the severed neck. His blade moved again, lifting something—gorgon sinew.

“I will create archers.”

“…….”

“With this.”

At that moment information arrived.

“What are you saying? Gorgons cannot even be eaten.”

“I mean it literally. I will make a new bow using gorgon sinew. This horn bow will play a tremendous role in this campaign.”

Ferdinando’s eyes widened. Creating something new for war was unfamiliar to him. This was Louis’s method of warfare. He finally realized the young man’s mind was filled with brilliant ideas. As one aged, surprises became rare—yet recently he kept being amazed and wanted to stay beside Louis.

Jodan spoke.

“Duke. Most gorgons nearby have been hunted. To hunt more we must go deeper.”

“We go deeper. More materials are needed.”

Advancing slowly would alert the barbarians, yet Louis deliberately tightened the net slowly. Everything depended on how powerful the horn bow would prove.

Red flames burned everywhere. The largest chair was draped in ogre hide—with two heads. Twin-head. It was merely decoration, yet to humans it inspired fear and authority. Sitting there was a rough man in crude leather clothes. Six scars crossed his face, and one eye was blind. He did not hide it, nor did anyone find it strange. Beside the chair stood two gentle blond women, clearly not of the same race as the man.

Those lined around also bore rough appearances. The most distinctive feature was the round-rimmed hats they wore. Their clothing varied, but the hats were uniform.