Chapter 63
“…Machado is dead?”
Everyone except Count Calido fell silent.
Under Count Calido, there were a total of 100 knights.
Among them, two of the three knighthoods known to be the strongest had essentially vanished in an instant.
“They say those fellows have dispatched troops, just two baronies banding together to strike at us.”
Though he seemed to speak calmly, Count Calido’s fists were clenched tight enough to break, and he looked anything but comfortable.
“What a ridiculous sight. Utterly absurd. Absurd. Two mere barons joining hands to raise a banner against me? Against me?”
“That is correct, my lord. We must take all their heads.”
“How? Sir Basto. How should we take them?”
“If we take all the knights and soldiers and attack them….”
Crack!
Unable to contain his anger any longer, Count Calido threw the crystal glass in front of him at the knight’s head.
“Now, let’s try to think a little. A whole 50 knights have been completely defeated, you see. That bastard named Karl killed 50 of them. And now, 15 knights including that Karl, along with 300 soldiers, are heading towards our domain, is that it?”
Looking around at his silent subordinates, he continued speaking.
It was difficult to prevent the harsh expressions used on the battlefields of the East Continent from slipping into his words.
“Because Sir Avalon and Sir Machado died along with the knights under their command, the remaining forces in the castle are about 50 knights and 800 soldiers. Of course, we still have the advantage in terms of numbers. But do those bastards really think they can face us now with just 15 knights and 300 soldiers? Unless they’re crazy, there’s no way they’d do that.”
His knights bowed their heads at his words.
“Solar, why do you think they are advancing here?”
“…There must be reinforcements.”
“Who do you think it might be?”
“That… I don’t have a clue yet.”
Calido nodded as well.
Because he, too, had no idea.
If just two barons banded together and shouted ‘Down with Calido,’ who would possibly sympathize with them?
The surrounding area was entirely filled with Calido’s vassal families.
If he issued a mobilization order, it meant they too would fight for Calido.
However, Calido had no intention of calling them.
“I will not request troops from the vassal families. If they harbor different intentions, it will bring about greater danger.”
In truth, many of the policies Calido had implemented towards his vassal families were enough to provoke their opposition.
If they took this opportunity to foolishly join the rebels, he could truly fall into danger.
“Anyway, if we don’t conscript them, they’ll just roll their eyes until our fight with those fellows is over. They aren’t the type of people to take risks unnecessarily.”
The vassals, including Solar, nodded.
“The problem is, who are those two nuisances receiving aid from? Those two wouldn’t have just lost their minds overnight and gone to war; we need to figure that out. Everyone except Baron Solar may leave.”
Following the declaration ending the meeting, everyone withdrew, and when only Baron Solar remained, Calido spoke.
“What happened with sending people after Karl?”
“…I apologize.”
Solar, bowing his head and even kneeling, began to speak honestly about what he had done.
He, too, had not expected the outcome to be like this.
‘What on earth did those foolish Tarantula bastards do….’
Even if they couldn't kill Karl, they should have at least inflicted serious injuries.
They should have at least prevented him from reaching the Tennesse Domain.
But since both attempts failed, Solar, who had devised the scheme, had nothing to say.
“….”
When his story was finished, Count Calido remained silent for a while.
“So even the assassins sent by Tarantula failed, and that fellow, after defeating the assassins, went straight on to cut down Machado.”
“…I am deeply sorry.”
The issue now wasn’t the fact that Solar had failed.
What mattered was the fact that Karl had single-handedly killed all their assassins and even cut down Machado.
‘Could it be… Impossible. He’s only in his mid-twenties. I remember him when he was fifteen or sixteen….’
The absurd thought that Karl might be a Master crossed Calido’s mind.
“When he reached Baron Machado, Karl was reportedly accompanied by Baron Mollio. Therefore, wouldn’t it be that Karl defeated the assassins together with them?”
Of course, thinking that way was common sense, but Calido couldn't shake off an inexplicable sense of unease.
“Send people to Tarantula and request additional support. Also, send people to the Alcantara Knights and ask for their aid. Tell them I will hand over a portion of the interests I possess if they help us this time.”
“My lord! That is out of the question! The Holy Knights will see you as a traitor.”
“We just need to hand it over without the Holy Knights knowing. Besides, considering my standing and the benefits I provide them, the Holy Knights won't be able to abandon me either.”
“…It is too risky a decision.”
“I don’t wish to join hands with the Alcantara Knights either, but there’s definitely something about that Karl fellow.”
“I will follow your command.”
Solar bowed deeply and went outside to carry out Calido’s orders.
After everyone had left and Calido remained alone in the conference room, his mind was filled with the suddenly tangled situation.
‘Once this matter is resolved, nothing else will be complicated.’
Calido shook off his complex thoughts and resolved to handle this matter well.
***
The forces, led by Karl and the two barons at the front, advanced without haste.
And while advancing, the task they focused on just as much as the advance itself was circulating joint petitions to the nearby domains.
“Will this really be effective?”
“Think about the things Count Calido has done in the short three years since he returned from the East Continent and began ruling the vicinity.”
My modern common sense wasn't common sense here.
Rather than the idea that even the complaints of the weak would eventually explode if accumulated, the dominant thought was that stronger power and fear could suppress dissatisfaction forever.
“They too may be dissatisfied with what Count Calido has done, but the vassals will ultimately maintain neutrality and not move.”
“That is what I hope for.”
“…?”
“Those who maintain neutrality like that find it difficult to raise complaints even when the world changes. Because of what they themselves have done.”
“Sir Karl already believes Count Calido will fall.”
“Because he made the biggest mistake.”
Curiosity filled the faces of the two barons, but I didn’t answer and simply spurred my horse forward.
When their slow march reached its destination, an unexpected figure appeared before them, leading troops.
Behind him were roughly 10 knights and about 150 soldiers.
“You are…?”
“Baron Vito, have you been well?”
“….”
“How did you come to be here?”
“I intend to avenge my father here.”
Vito looked at the young lord before him with a wary expression.
“Baron Seymour was an excellent lord. I too did not wish for him to meet such an end.”
“I know. That is why I am even more determined to avenge my father.”
The young lord before them was Baron Deren Bolido.
He was the eldest son of Baron Seymour, who had lost his life to my sword at Tennesse Castle, and the very person who had been taken hostage by Count Calido.
“I heard Calido appointed you as lord. Unfortunately, we are currently on our way to cut off Calido’s head. We cannot offer our necks.”
Baron Vito drew the sword from its scabbard and spoke firmly.
There was no wavering in his conviction-filled eyes.
Tension flowed between the two groups for a brief moment before Deren broke the silence and spoke first.
“It seems the Baron misunderstands. I meant that I wish to join you on the path to cutting down Count Calido.”
“…?”
“Although I was young back then, I know better than anyone what happened.”
Deren, who had been taken hostage, accurately understood what conspiracy Count Calido had plotted.
“I also know well that neither Sir Karl nor Baron Seymour could help it. Therefore, shouldn't revenge be sought against the true enemy? I am certain that if not now, the chance to execute that Count Calido will never come again in my lifetime.”
Deren’s gaze was straight and clear.
It was enough to know he wasn't lying.
“Sir Karl, would it be alright if Baron Deren joins us?”
Although the two barons were present, the de facto commander of this expeditionary force was me.
I answered by giving a light nod.
“Your father was an excellent noble and knight. I remember your father’s last request. And I fully intend to fulfill that request.”
I still remembered the last words Baron Seymour spoke.
[Save my family. If the chance comes, it would be even better if you kill that beast Calido and sprinkle his blood on my grave.]
Deren silently spurred his horse forward and watched my retreating back.
He was distinctly different from Count Calido.
Though I was just a Free Knight without even a squire under my command, countless people were already following me.
***
“The walls are high. We lack troops, so a siege seems impossible.”
“Of course. We need to open the gates and go in. Just like this, it’s impossible.”
“What are you planning to do?”
“I plan to do nothing, so they come out.”
The three barons couldn't understand my words about doing nothing.
While coming here, we had delivered letters to the neighboring feudal lords and all the subsidiary domains belonging to Count Calido.
There was no reply to their letters asking to join forces, but others wouldn’t likely come to aid Count Calido either.
The troops brought numbered around 450, with knights totaling only about 20, while Calido’s forces were more than double that.
“He will come out to subjugate us.”
“Wouldn’t that be another problem then? Their forces outnumber ours by more than two to one.”
“The Holy Knights will come.”
“…!”
The Holy Knights.
One of the top major knighthoods among the numerous ones existing on the continent, and the organization to which even Count Calido belonged, at least superficially.
“Count Calido belongs to the Holy Knights, so how?”
“That’s why they’re coming. If he weren’t affiliated with the Holy Knights, they, having no connection to us, wouldn’t have come to help.”
“Ah, if it’s the Holy Knights, then it’s a relief.”
Even though Baron Vito felt relieved, I judged it necessary to observe Calido’s likely reaction.
‘If he mobilized Tarantula, there’s no rule saying he wouldn’t mobilize others.’
I didn't think this battle would end so simply.
Calido wasn't the type of person to hand over power so easily.
My troops and those of the three barons set up camp in front of the enemy's castle walls and ceased military actions.
A week passed like that.
***
“Why on earth… are those fellows doing nothing?”
“Aren’t they waiting for reinforcements?”
“What reinforcements could they possibly be waiting for? Those fellows must surely be trying to induce the participation of nearby lords.”
While Calido’s subordinates debated back and forth, Count Calido too was racking his brain as much as possible.
“They do not have proper reinforcements.”
That was definitely not it.
They wouldn’t have thought of attacking Count Calido with just their own forces.
Then the answer was.
‘They are waiting for reinforcements. But why? Wouldn’t it have been better to move with the reinforcements from the start?’
Just as Count Calido’s thoughts were becoming complicated.
“My lord! 100 knights from the Alcantara Knights have just arrived at the domain castle!”
“Really!”
“Yes, that’s correct!”
The Count shot up from his seat.
He had sent people out of hopeful expectation, but he hadn't actually thought Alcantara would lend him knights.
“Welcome!”
When Count Calido came out to greet them, before him stood Alcantara’s 7th Knight Unit and its commander, Haz Sleiman.
Seeing the well-armed knights and their imposing presence, complete with horse armor, Count Calido’s face broke into a constant grin.
“I didn’t expect the Count to send us a request for aid. I thought you were a member of the Holy Knights.”
“Of course, there was a time when I was registered with the Holy Knights, but I am an independent power belonging nowhere. Since the Alcantara Knights have shown me such goodwill, I too shall show goodwill befitting it.”
The Count smiled, but Haz of Alcantara, merely following the knighthood’s decision, did not view the turncoat-like Count Calido favorably.
“Now that our forces have been strengthened by the 7th Knight Unit, there’s no need to consider various variables. Tomorrow, we open the gates and strike them.”
“…But my lord, shouldn’t we watch a little longer before moving?”
“Dragging out time only increases the variables. Our 50 knights have been joined by 100 Alcantara knights. Our number of soldiers is nearly double theirs. If we lose even in this situation, then that’s just how far my fate reaches.”
Baron Solar couldn't pour cold water on the Count's confident face and nodded.
However, despite the situation, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
Just considering Karl alone, hadn’t he killed Tarantula’s assassins and slaughtered Machado and 30 knights?
Regardless of his unease, the next day, the Count’s army and the Alcantara forces finished preparations for the assault and stood before the castle gates.
“We will teach justice to the lawless ones who dare to raise arms against the rights of a legitimate liege lord! All troops, charge!”
Count Calido, emboldened before the 150 knights, raised his sword high into the sky and gave the order to charge.
Thus, the wave of the army began to surge forward.