Various Circumstances (2)

The boundary between the Atoon Kingdom and the Mirkas Federation began to crumble.

It was because of the Demon King who reappeared on the battlefield, and the biggest problem was that there was no expert on the battlefield who could stop him.

Furthermore, due to the recent halt of Ingrad-made medicine appearing on the battlefield, they were suffering from a severe depletion of supplies. Even though the Kingdom was practically persecuting the Alchemists’ Guild and the Pharmacists’ Guild to replace it, there was difficulty in meeting the volume.

“Why on earth did they have to persecute the Ingrad Domain!!”

The dissatisfaction of the Imperial Army, which was forming a joint front with Atoon, was notably larger. That was because the treatment medicine originating from the Ingrad Domain used to be distributed evenly to the Imperial Army.

Therefore, it was to the extent that no one would die unless it was a reasonably severe blow, and dissatisfaction grew as they could no longer receive the items that had saved their lives multiple times in the war against the Demonic Tribe.

Furthermore, with the death toll surging these days and even the Demon King barging in and stirring up the battlefield, it was a truly maddening situation.

In addition, it was unknown why the Demon King, who had been attacking the Mirkas Federation’s side, turned his attention here, but one thing was clear.

“I don’t know if we’re all going to kick the bucket at this rate?”

“What can we do… we have no choice but to fight… If we get pushed back like this, Atoon will croak before they even have a chance to reorganize. What happens after that?”

“Ugh, even thinking about it is terrible. But will we be able to live until then?”

“That’s true as well… but if I die in the war against the Demonic Tribe… won’t my family be able to live a comfortable life?”

“Tsk, I heard that’s all in the past.”

To the unexpected story, a puzzled soldier spoke.

“It seems the embezzlement in the middle is no joke. A former comrade of mine was a twin, and when the younger brother died then, ten large gold coins were supposed to come as consolation money, but they say only two large gold coins arrived. It seems they took everything under various pretexts.”

“….Is that true?”

“If it’s ten large gold coins, it’s worth throwing away one’s life as the price… but you can’t die for just two.”

It was a conversation between soldiers who fell into deep thought with complicated gazes. Meanwhile, the commander was also worried quite a bit because of the appearance of the Demon King.

“Why on earth do you think he headed this way?”

“How could anyone know that whim?”

“Ugh… What about the Sword Saint?”

“Did the Sword Saint not publicly declare that they would not move unless an enemy entered their own country?”

“What do you mean this place is not our own territory!!”

“He spoke like that… but saying this land is not his own country’s territory…”

“What kind of nonsense is that!!”

The commander was incensed, but because it was clear the situation was not good, he judged that another way was needed.

“Since it has come to this, it is a request for reinforcements. Send a messenger to the Empire immediately, and tell them to issue a mobilization order for the Masters responsible for each defense, or if not that, to send the Heroes who temporarily retreated to the rear back to the front!”

“As for the Masters… there is a fear of being rejected. And the Heroes are not under our jurisdiction…”

At the staff officer’s words, the commander touched his forehead. He knew it too, but the fact that he had to do something made his head ache, and just as he was agonizing over it, a knight rushed into the barracks from outside.

“The—They have launched an all-out war!!”

At the urgent knight’s words, it was a moment where his already aching head was stimulated even more painfully.

Duke Balsen was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief and stood in a position overlooking the countless soldiers who had come up from various regions.

Then, when he signaled to the mage who followed right beside him, the mage used ‘Amplification’ magic so that Duke Balsen’s remarks could be delivered to all the soldiers.

“We have met a historical moment!”

It was the start of an abrupt comment, but soon Duke Balsen’s words continued.

“We shall subjugate the atrocious rebels, reclaim the lost fiefs, and write a new history. I even wish to congratulate you in advance on your glorious future where you will serve as the guides of that history and be spoken of forever!”

A slight stirring sound was heard, but that too was silenced by the shouting of the knights stationed in various places, and after the silence, the voice of Duke Balsen, who opened his mouth again, spread out.

“We will subjugate those who plotted rebellion in the North and share all the wealth accumulated there with you. Therefore, let us be part of history together! Advance!!”

It was a fairly short speech, but unlike Duke Balsen’s hope that the content alone would be enough to breathe vitality into the soldiers, the soldiers were feeling anxious.

It was because of the news of the Ingrad Domain that had leaked out from several merchants recently.

It was because it did not seem like the appearance of ‘new weapons’ and the walls and fortresses exceeding 10m could be handled with ordinary siege equipment. Most of the soldiers were thinking that those ignorant nobles would surely try to return glory to the knights by making mountains of corpses out of the soldiers.

However, because a soldier has no choice but to do as they are told from above, they had to march in silence, and the morale of the soldiers, who were stealing glares at the joyfully laughing knights here and there, was clearly on the verge of hitting rock bottom.

Meanwhile, Duke Balsen, who was unaware of these circumstances, was speaking to Marquis Islant Branche, who was decided as the strategic advisor this time, with a pleasant expression.

“Was that not a decent speech?”

“It was so. It was a charismatic speech, and seeing the soldiers whose spirits rose from it, my heart was quite satisfied.”

“Hahaha, you know how to say good things. But we will surely be able to win this war, right?”

“A few strange rumors are circulating, but the Imperial Army is not one that cannot pierce a defensive wall hastily made by a mere viscount. Rather, our real enemy is Count Branne.”

“Hmm…”

Duke Balsen was also having such thoughts, and he had reached a judgment that it would be sufficient to send a large army of about 200,000 to a place like the Ingrad Viscountcy.

“What did you say about Viscount Muriel?”

“He wishes to go to the Ingrad Domain because of the matter of Marquis Giltian… but I have managed to change his mind. After all, to catch a Master with ordinary soldiers, one must grind up tens of thousands of people…”

A Master was not invincible. This was because they could be removed if the situation was pushed into a war of attrition by grinding up tens of thousands of soldiers or hundreds of knights.

Therefore, they had reached the point of persuading Viscount Muriel while intending to proceed by grinding up a large army of 800,000 just to remove Count Branne.

“A Master is a great military force, but once they turn into an enemy, they are nothing but a headache. But regarding the Ingrad Domain… surely there will be no complaints even if I take it for myself, right?”

“A few nobles might feel dissatisfaction, but since Duke Balsen, who owns the ‘Pharmacists’ Guild,’ has publicly declared that he will supply medicine to the Imperial Army using the precious medicinal herbs from that place, I believe it will be fine.”

“I never dreamed that stupid Doriyan fellow would be of help.”

Duke Balsen laughed whitely, and Marquis Islant Branche nodded at those words of Balsen.

And at this time, there was a person receiving reports on the movements of the Imperial Army through video from a long distance.

“Things have become difficult. Is it a week earlier than scheduled?”

At the words of Linda, who received an emergency report with the help of the Information Guild, the mage belonging to the Information Guild nodded and spoke.

“It seems the schedule was adjusted quickly because the preparation of the troops proceeded smoothly. Duke Balsen is the Commander-in-Chief, Viscount Muriel is in charge of military force, and the operations are handled by Marquis Islant Branche, who is called the ‘bag of tricks’ of the East. There are many other nobles, but the number is too many to list. Please refer to the documents I have prepared as they are listed in detail.”

“Thank you. Here is the payment.”

Linda handed over an Imperial Note worth 1,000 large gold coins, and the mage expressed his gratitude upon receiving it and went outside.

Although it cost a high price, it was valuable information.

“I must inform him.”

And Linda immediately left the office, and soon after facing her dear Lord, Linda began to submit the documents and report received from the mage.

“According to the Information Guild, the marching duration will be similar. Although it is a week earlier than scheduled, I believe there is no big problem.”

“Hmm… that is a bit troublesome…”

Linda’s heart throbbed at the sight of the Lord resting his chin on his hand and agonizing. To be honest, she wanted to lock the office door and share deep expressions of affection even right now, but the Lord cruelly did not seek her.

No, it was said that her Lord does not reject a woman who approaches first, but he almost never approaches first himself.

Although it happened occasionally, Linda knew that ‘Beni’ occupied most of those moments. It was something that made her stomach ache, but because it was Beni who had been together for a long time and always assisted from the closest location, Linda thought it might be something like a reward, yet she could not help being envious.

“What are you thinking about that you are grinning and laughing?”

Then the voice of ‘him’ was heard. In her fluster, no answer could come out, but did he think it was for some trivial reason?

“You aren’t sick anywhere, are you? Health is the best. And I should discuss this matter with everyone. Can you convey that everyone should clear their schedules a bit for the afternoon?”

“Yes, I understand. Is there anything else you need?”

“Hmm….”

Looking at ‘him’ who was agonizing, how good would it be if he said he needed her?

It was just as she was about to indulge in delusions again with that thought.

“Ah, there was one thing!”

She secretly tried to look forward to it, but she had no choice but to be disappointed by the words that came out of the mouth of ‘him.’

“The coffee has run out. It is a truth that the morning must start with a caffeine charge.”

It was a word she could acknowledge, but she could not help being disappointed. Therefore, she had no choice but to go outside and say she would tell the maids.

And she just stood in front of the door and let out a deep sigh.

“Are you looking for only coffee again?”

A familiar voice was heard then. It was Beni.

“Yes, he is looking for it, saying the morning must start with coffee.”

“He is always like that. But I’m worried because he seems to be drinking alcohol quite often recently as well.”

“Alcohol?”

“Yes. He has many worries. Regarding the domain…”

It was not that Linda did not know what Beni was saying. However, when she recalled the image of the Lord who was always resolute and handled everything effortlessly, how should she put it?

An image that was hard to believe came to mind. A Lord who relies on alcohol… somehow she thought it did not suit him, but she asked Beni.

“Is there anything else he does or anything?”

“He doesn’t particularly demand anything special. Even with alcohol, he just drinks the alcohol alone without anything to accompany it. I can’t understand why he likes that strong alcohol so much, but… if he’s drinking it because he’s having a hard time, then it’s a worry.”

Linda, who heard an unexpected story, thanked Beni, and while heading to her own office and agonizing for a long time, she was able to reach a conclusion.

‘I… wish I could be of comfort to him… What should I do?’

It was the daily life of a vassal who threw away her morning work within the wings of imagination.