Chapter 106
“…Why is that Ellenhower fellow in such a hurry?”
Baltimo had expected Ellenhower to move at least a month later.
As far as he knew, the Duke also aimed for the imperial throne, and thus, he had judged that a bit more preparation was needed.
“It is my misjudgment. I suspect the problem was that our side expanded its influence too quickly.”
Mikhail, too, had reached the same conclusion by analyzing intelligence gathered through numerous spies sent to Somerset over time.
He had judged that the Duke would move after increasing his grip on the West.
Because the Duke they knew was a cautious type who would tap even a stone bridge hundreds of times before crossing.
However, the actions seen now were too drastic and fast.
It was enough to make them wonder if this was the Ellenhower they knew.
“Since it has come to this anyway, it cannot be avoided. We must use this opportunity to crush their forces as much as possible at Bielefeld.”
“The problem is that those recently gathered lord bastards won't follow my orders properly. No matter if their children are in my hands.”
“It will be difficult to use them in a decisive phase. It would be better to entrust them with defending the South and East. If told to protect their own interests in their respective places, they won't complain about that either.”
“Indeed.”
As Mikhail said, if the forces from the North-Central region appeared to be attacking them, they just needed to create a little smokescreen that their own domains and properties were in danger.
If that happened, eventually, those lords would strive to protect their domains with all their might, trying to save their own skins.
“In addition to that, order them to plunder the North-Central region on this occasion. That place is full of parasites clinging to Duke Ellenhower anyway. Now, while Ellenhower is away, is the opportunity. They are mediocre, semi-independent, semi-subordinate lower nobles, so they will be delicious prey for our grand coalition forces.”
“Will those passive fellows move even if ordered to plunder?”
“Send Sir Oleg.”
“Oleg? In a situation right before a decisive battle with Ellenhower, can we afford to pull him out? Especially when the Red Knights are gone because of that damn Karl Meyer guy.”
“It’s alright. If we wage a defensive battle relying on Bielefeld Castle anyway, even the great Somerset can only stall for time. If Sir Oleg and the northern nobles seize the North-Central region during that time, it’s a business with no loss for us.”
Gather all their attention onto Bielefeld, while actually reaping the benefits in the North-Central region.
There were a few minor risk factors, but a plan without any risk factors couldn't exist anyway.
This was a decent enough plan.
“Tell them to kill and plunder as much as they desire. Tell them that mercy and tolerance are unnecessary. As they thoroughly seize and destroy, they too will come to know its pleasure.”
For a moment, Mikhail’s eyes flashed a distinct red light, but Baltimo failed to notice it at all.
He simply thought it was a plausible plan and issued the order to execute it.
***
“Kill and plunder, that’s all there is to it.”
Oleg Yankov heard the order handed down from Marquis Baltimo, and his eyes curved into half-moons as he smiled, licking his lips.
“Isn’t this quite the splendid banquet?”
Some knights might have felt shame at not being able to fight at Bielefeld, arguably the largest battlefield, but Oleg had no interest in that whatsoever.
Rather, this situation, where he could kill and plunder people to his heart's content, was the best battlefield for him.
“It’s regrettable that I have to share, but well… I just need to move faster.”
He frowned for a moment at the part in the order stating he had to cooperate with the northern nobles, but soon smiled again.
“Yuri, assemble all the members and draft one from each squad to send to the northern region nobles. Tell them if they are late assembling, I will seek them out myself.”
His smiling voice contained something that chilled a person to the bone.
Vice-Commander Yuri bowed his head and left, and Oleg drew his beloved sword and began stroking it.
***
Karl and Count Vito were talking in Karl’s office.
“I am not unaware of what the Count worries about. However, what I'm saying is, if we have to move anyway, there's such a thing as an opportune moment. Additionally, we need to consolidate the North-Central forces somewhat.”
“The North-Central forces, you mean?”
“Most are under the Duke’s influence, but they cannot be called a coalition, so eventually, when a battle like this occurs, they will end up being a disorderly mob.”
As Karl said, nobles were composed of independent forces, making alliances easy but also often resulting in something close to a disorganized rabble.
“It would be best for the Count to be the center.”
“…I desire nothing more than this.”
“I am not telling you to expand your power. I am asking you to stand at the center of an alliance formed for survival.”
Count Vito, understanding his words, let out a small sigh.
“Why don’t you do it, Sir?”
“I have no intention of doing so.”
“Neither do I.”
Grin.
Karl smiled.
“You are already a Count, are you not?”
“You too, Sir, are the lord of this Collo. A bona fide noble holding the title of Baron.”
“With a Count beside me, how can a Baron take the lead?”
Karl, who smiled while subtly humbling himself, felt particularly annoying to Count Vito today.
“I will try contacting them.”
“A good thought.”
Thus, one day, while Count Vito was contacting the nobles of the North-Central region.
A messenger rushed urgently into the office.
“Urgent news!”
From the messenger’s urgent voice, Karl instantly smelled the thick scent of blood.
“Philsen Domain has fallen. It's not just fallen, but it's said few escaped alive….”
“….”
Silence momentarily descended upon the meeting room.
A short while later, after the messenger’s report concluded, the key figures of the County of Collo all took their seats.
Among them were some nobles from the North-Central region who were visiting for cooperation talks.
“300 members of the Red Wolf Knights led by Oleg Yankov, along with 1,000 troops gathered by the northern nobles, have annihilated Philsen Domain.”
“Annihilated… Did you say?”
“Yes, annihilation. Except for a few survivors who managed to escape or were far away and avoided the calamity, everyone within the castle was massacred. Lord Zakof and his entire family as well. Furthermore, these bastards cut off their heads and hung them on the castle walls. They declared that unless others surrender and offer everything, they will suffer the same fate.”
At Count Vito’s explanation, the faces of those present turned ashen.
They trembled more in fear than in anger.
The Count, reading their expressions, barely suppressed a sigh that threatened to escape.
‘Look at these pathetic figures.’
In a time when even thinking about gathering soldiers and responding was insufficient, the word 'surrender' already seemed lodged in their minds.
Even though the conditions demanded were to hand over heirs as hostages, immediately give up seventy percent of their possessions, and offer fifty percent of everything earned henceforth, they couldn't muster the will to fight.
“Your Excellency Vito, what should we do? Those bastards' strength is too great. We do not have the power to resist. Duke Ellenhower is too far away, and since he is currently engaged in a siege with all his forces, it is impossible for him to help us.”
They cried out Ellenhower’s name, having no thought of fighting back themselves.
Unable to bear watching this, Count Vito slammed his chair down hard and shot up from his seat.
“Have you ever seen such pathetic cowards!”
Since Count Vito was known for being benevolent and gentle, the people present looked at him with the startled eyes of rabbits at his sudden outburst.
“They are now trifling with us, our families, and planning to exploit our subjects as slaves! And you intend to crawl between their legs and beg for mercy that isn't even in their hearts!”
At his roar, the nobles' faces turned bright red.
“Even if you manage to prolong your lives for a short while, how long do you think that will last?”
Count Vito’s voice carried the spirit of a knight passed down through his lineage.
“They have no intention of letting us live long anyway. With Duke Ellenhower tied down, they see this as their chance to kill us. Do you think they will accept you as one of them if you bow your head? The moment you bow your head, an inescapable noose is placed around that neck!”
At the Count’s second tirade, the nobles somewhat regained their senses and their expressions changed.
“…Then, what should we do, Your Excellency?”
“Let us gather all possible forces. If they are to push into the North-Central region, they must capture Blovisce Castle. Blovisce is not quite like Bielefeld, which His Grace the Duke is attacking, but it is a fortress among fortresses, so we must first stop their advance here.”
Quickly scanning the map and grasping the situation, Count Vito decided without hesitation how and where to gather the troops and who would head there first.
“That is all.”
“Then, Your Excellency…?”
“I will be the first to rush to Blovisce.”
The meeting ended with him looking pitifully at one baron who, even at the last moment, was weighing his own interests against the Count's.
Everyone left the meeting hall, leaving only Karl and Count Vito behind.
“Why did you say nothing?”
“I am merely a single knight.”
“You are now also the Commander of the Lighthouse Knights.”
At his sigh-filled remark, Karl smiled quietly and patted his shoulder.
“What will you do, Sir?”
“Five days. Can you hold them off for just five days without me?”
“….”
Five days might not seem like a long time, but considering the scale of their forces, it wouldn't be easy. Especially if Karl was absent.
“I will leave the Lighthouse Knights behind, so Count Vito, you take command.”
Then the story changes again.
Of course, they would have Oleg, a Master-grade knight, and 300 Red Wolf Knights, plus about 200 more knights sent by the northern nobles, but in a defensive battle relying on an excellent fortress….
“You must have your reasons.”
“I will strike their rear.”
“May I ask how?”
“Mercenaries.”
At Karl’s single short word, his head nodded. He knew well what had happened at the Mercenary Guild.
“I will try to hold them.”
“I will try to move as quickly as possible. If I use that fellow, perhaps I might arrive even sooner.”
“Will you leave immediately?”
“Time is of the essence.”
Having made his decision, Karl rubbed his ring outside the inner castle gate, and a moment later, Silver rushed before him.
Karl mounted Silver's back and immediately began to gallop.
“Let’s give it a go!”
Just as the cool wind hit Karl’s face due to Silver’s rapid speed, a system window popped up before his eyes.
[Quest: Red Snake Hunt]
Ignoring the system window that appeared, Karl vanished like a streak of wind, and Count Vito began rushing busily around the castle interior.