Chapter 433: The Only Option Left is to Threaten Them Again. (3)
Dark transformed into a crow with Ghislain’s letter and disappeared somewhere.
Ghislain immediately gave orders to his closest aides.
“It’s too late for the Northern Army to move together now. Therefore, only the Fenris Mobile Corps will be selected and sent to the Northern Fortress.”
The Northern Army was currently stationed at the westernmost edge, having moved there after securing the central region. The eastern region was temporarily being held by the royal army and local lords.
To reach the Kaipiler Fortress, they would have to cross the western region, but since the Northern Army was mostly composed of infantry, their speed was slow. Only the Mobile Corps, composed of highly skilled cavalry, could arrive in time.
Gillian asked with a worried expression,
“It’s a Rift expansion that no one noticed. And it has consumed the entire northern lands as it grew. There must be a massive number of Riftspawn gathered there.”
“Yes, you’re right. If it has expanded that much…”
Ghislain tilted his head slightly before continuing,
“Wouldn’t there be around five hundred thousand?”
“……”
Everyone’s expression stiffened.
Each Riftspawn was individually stronger than a regular soldier. The idea of facing half a million of those creatures was horrifying.
However, Ghislain spoke with a calm expression.
“Don’t worry. There’s a lot of them, sure, but this time we’ll be fighting from the fortress. They’re just mindless creatures that charge forward. As long as we have enough time, we can wipe them out.”
In truth, the greatest problem was the Equidema. The Riftspawn could be annihilated with Fenris’ and Ferdium’s overwhelming firepower.
The only issue was how long it would take to finish them off. If simply dealing with the Rift was the goal, no one would be this concerned. They were, after all, specialists in handling Rifts.
Gillian voiced his concern,
“What if we send the Mobile Corps first to hold them back while the Northern Army joins later? The savages won’t sit idly by while we defend the fortress.”
“Right. Since those savages have allied with the Salvation Church, they probably created the Rift. They must have gathered every tribe by now.”
The savages were likely putting everything on the line for this battle, bringing tens of thousands of warriors.
Ghislain pondered briefly before shaking his head.
“No matter how I think about it, the timing won’t work. By the time the Northern Army arrives, we’ll either be completely wiped out or have already won.”
“Even if the Northern Army can’t join the Rift suppression, they could handle the savages sweeping through the north. Fenris alone can’t fight on two fronts.”
To face half a million Riftspawn, not only the Mobile Corps, but the remaining ten thousand Fenris troops stationed at the estate would have to reinforce the fortress.
Even if the Fenris troops stayed behind, there were only ten thousand of them. That number wasn’t enough to stop the savage horde. At best, they could only defend Fenris itself.
Meanwhile, the savages would surely raid and occupy the other vacant territories.
The entire Northern Army had already been mobilized. The royal forces were relying on them, having deployed their own troops to the southern and eastern frontlines.
Ultimately, the savage horde had to be stopped at the northern entry point.
But at the moment, the available forces were far too few.
Ghislain chuckled and replied,
“They’ve clearly schemed to shake us. But it’s fine. Someone else will hold off the savages for us. Meanwhile, we just need to deal with the Rift quickly.”
“Huh? Who would…?”
Gillian looked confused for a moment before recalling someone.
“Don’t tell me…”
“Yes, that ‘don’t tell me.'”
“Would she really do it? That person has no reason to suffer losses for us. I’ve heard that she’s not the type at all…”
“That’s exactly why she will. She hates taking losses more than anything.”
Ghislain was confident. If she didn’t help here, it would interfere with her own ambitions. So, grudgingly, she would have no choice, but to comply with Ghislain’s demands.
“Anyway, having the Northern Army return now would be pointless. We might as well make the best of what we have. Tennant.”
“Yes.”
“The forces of Fenris will head to support the Northern Fortress. Meanwhile, you must lead the Northern Army and block the Rift. Can you manage that?”
“Understood.”
Tennant had already suppressed a Rift on Ghislain’s behalf before. While dealing with Equidema would be difficult, holding back the Riftspawn expansion was manageable.
Just then, a messenger sent by Claude arrived.
“We’ve sent the remaining Fenris forces and all siege weapons to the Northern Fortress. Here’s a letter from the Chief Overseer.”
[If they break through here, we’re all dead. We don’t have any more forces left. Finish the Rift and stop the savages as quickly as possible. Honestly, I’ve already packed my bags to run, but Wendy…]
The letter was filled with exaggerated complaints. Ghislain couldn’t help but smirk after reading it.
“Seems like he’s already prepared before I even said anything.”
As soon as Claude heard the news, he immediately sent his forces to the Northern Fortress.
It meant he had predicted Ghislain’s movements.
Despite Claude’s constant grumbling, he truly was a capable man.
Ghislain mounted the Black King and shouted,
“Ferdium is in danger! Everyone, ride at full speed!”
Having already received the news, the Mobile Corps didn’t hesitate to push themselves into a forced march at breakneck speed.
They knew that if Ferdium fell, Fenris would be next.
Moreover, many members of the Mobile Corps were originally from Ferdium. There was no way they would let their homeland be trampled by savages and demons.
Thus, Ghislain and the Mobile Corps set off immediately toward the Northern Fortress.
Rosalyn let out a sigh as she watched Ghislain depart so urgently, without even a proper farewell.
“Sigh… Stay safe.”
Was there anyone in the entire kingdom busier than Ghislain? Probably not. Without him, this war couldn’t be overcome.
So, once again, she couldn’t even bring herself to be properly upset.
Just like before…
She could only watch his back as he left.
* * *
Amelia sat in her chair, biting her lip.
A Rift had suddenly expanded to the point where it threatened to engulf the Northern Fortress. At the same time, there were reports of the savages mobilizing.
It didn’t take long for her to piece the situation together.
“Raul’s scheme, no doubt.”
He must have allied with the Salvation Church and used that connection to incite the savages.
The timing was too perfect.
“If the Rift is left unchecked, it’ll grow out of control.”
Ferdium could retreat from the Northern Fortress, as it is a viable option, but they would still have to fight the savages.
And if they tried to stop the savages, the Rift would only grow larger, multiplying the enemies they’d have to face. Ferdium would undoubtedly fall within the Rift’s expanding influence.
Ghislain and Zwalter, both deeply protective of their people, would want to avoid that outcome at all costs.
Of course, if the situation grew desperate enough, they’d have no choice, but to retreat. It was, after all, the only way to minimize losses.
But the best solution right now…
“I guess I have to make my move after all.”
If Ghislain handled the Rift, she could stop the savages. That would bring about the best result.
The problem was she didn’t want to.
“…Why should I help him?”
Amelia didn’t want to assist Ghislain. Ultimately, he was someone she needed to defeat. That was her honest feeling.
Yet, she was still hesitating.
“He’s not up against the Ducal Family yet.”
The more damage Fenris sustained, the better it was for the Ducal Family. And they still retained their full strength.
If Amelia was to challenge the Ducal Family herself one day, Ghislain and the Northern Army needed to remain strong enough to deal heavy losses to them first.
The Royal Faction alone aren’t capable of wearing down the Ducal Family’s power. The Northern Army and Ghislain were essential for that.
If the Northern Army faltered now, her entire strategy would collapse. It was even making her consider abandoning the north and shifting her base to the eastern regions.
“Ugh…”
Amelia held her head in frustration. If she left the situation alone, Raul would get exactly what he wanted.
That wounded her pride, and letting Fenris suffer only strengthened the Ducal Family her future enemy. She couldn’t allow that.
Yet, the idea of depleting her own forces to help Fenris was equally distasteful.
“Tch, this mess keeps getting worse.”
She didn’t particularly care about the savages rampaging through the north. She could stop them herself or even abandon the region entirely.
But the Ducal Family’s strength was another matter. She knew all too well how powerful they were.
Fenris needed to be at its strongest when it finally clashed with the Ducal Family.
As Amelia was brooding over whether or not to aid Fenris, a crow suddenly flew into the grand hall.
Flap!
The crow flew straight toward her, but was swiftly snatched out of the air by Bernarf.
“Kegh! Let go, you rude fool! Do you even know who I am? How dare you grab me!”
“What… the?”
Bernarf stared in disbelief as Dark squawked and flailed in his grip. A talking crow? He had never seen such a thing in his life.
“Wait… could this be…?”
Ever since Roderick’s forces attacked the north, rumors had spread throughout Fenris. Rumors that Ghislain commanded a spirit.
Many soldiers had seen Dark transform into a crow, so the gossip had only grown.
“You must be… the spirit that Count Fenris commands?”
“Yes! Release me this instant! I am a Spirit King! If you don’t let me go, I’ll curse you!”
“Why does that territory have so many kings? And all of them are rude and weird. But you’re saying you can actually curse me? Seriously?”
Bernarf asked naively, causing Dark to growl.
“Yes! My power will devour your soul! The beings of the heavens will descend to tear you to shreds, and the forces of the earth will drag you into a pit of fire”
Before Dark could finish his dramatic threats, a cold voice cut him off.
“He’s loud. Bring him closer.”
At Amelia’s command, Bernarf approached while still holding Dark.
Dark’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Amelia.
“So, you’re Amelia! I’ve come to deliver a message from Count Fenris!”
Amelia replied with a bored expression.
“Like master, like spirit. You’re as arrogant as he is.”
“I am a being of great power! Now, accept the will of Count Fenris immediately!”
“I refuse.”
“…What?”
“Looking at you, whatever message you bring will just annoy me. He’s that kind of person.”
“Well… that’s true, but”
“Whatever you say, I’ll refuse it. So, get lost. I have no intention of listening to the words of some rude creature. Deliver that to Ghislain.”
“Huh?”
Dark blinked, his beady eyes rolling in disbelief.
So far, everyone he had dealt with had been thoroughly intimidated by Ghislain, always treating him and by extension, Dark, with excessive respect.
This was the first time he was being treated with such dismissiveness, and it caught him completely off guard.
“I…I still need to deliver this message! Fine! Just take it!”
All he needed to do was pass on the letter.
But Bastet, who had been curled up in Amelia’s lap, reacted faster.
“Nyaang!”
In a flash, Bastet leapt onto Bernarf’s arm and delivered a swift cat punch directly to Dark’s face.
Thud!
“Ugh! What the?! What is this miserable creature?!”
Dark exclaimed in shock, but Bastet wasn’t finished yet.
Papapapapapak!
A relentless barrage of rapid cat punches pummeled Dark’s face. The blows came so fast that he could barely comprehend what was happening.
“Stop Ugh! Listen The message! This damn cat!”
“Nyaang!”
Dark screeched as Bastet continued his assault.
It was the first time Dark had been treated like this since meeting Ghislain.
Due to the nature of their shared consciousness, Dark’s sensations were linked to Ghislain’s perceptions. While pain was dulled for practical reasons, the sheer speed and persistence of Bastet’s punches left him completely disoriented.
“Wa-wait! Count Fenris! Ugh! He’s asking you to ugh!”
He tried desperately to deliver the message, but Bastet gave him no chance, the cat’s punches causing his head to snap side to side.
Strangely, despite the numbed pain, a cumulative ache was starting to build.
“Nyaang!”
Papapapapak!
While enduring the relentless assault, Dark had a sinking realization:
‘These wretched creatures! But…what if she refuses to help because of this? What if she blames my attitude and refuses to act?’
Dark knew how serious the situation was. Being tied to Ghislain’s consciousness, he understood the gravity of the situation better than anyone.
His sole purpose was to deliver the message and ensure Amelia took action. If he could just relay the message verbally, it would be enough.
But if Amelia rejected the call for help…
And if Ghislain found out it was because he had been disrespectful…
Dark shivered.
‘No! She has to stop the savages! If not, Ghislain will have my head!’
Up until now, he had lived a relatively sheltered existence. Most people feared Ghislain enough to treat Dark with excessive caution. Only now was he learning the hard truth
Not everyone worked for Ghislain.
Leaving the safety of his home truly had been a harsh awakening.
Desperate, Dark finally broke.
“Cou-Count Fenris! Ugh! Please! Just listen to me! Please!”
For the second time in his life, Dark’s arrogant speech softened into genuine pleading. The proud spirit was finally learning humility.
“Nyaang!”
Papapapapak!
“Ow! Enough! Stop the violence!”
“That’s enough, Bastet.”
At Amelia’s command, Bastet finally ceased his relentless assault.
Dark hung his head in humiliation, seething inside.
‘Just you wait, you wretched cat. I’ll curse you. One day, I’ll unleash a proper spell on you.’
Seeing Dark finally humbled, Amelia beckoned with a flick of her finger.
“Where’s the letter?”
“R-right here… ugh…”
Dark opened his beak, and a neatly folded letter emerged from within his mouth. Being made of mana, storing objects inside his body wasn’t difficult.
“……”
Bernarf, eyeing the damp letter with clear disgust, used the tip of his finger to grab it gingerly before shaking it out and handing it to Amelia.
Amelia frowned, prompting Dark to hastily explain.
“H-he was holding me too tightly! I had no choice!”
Dark always stored messages safely within his body. But since Bernarf had grabbed him so roughly, the only options for retrieving the letter were his mouth or… somewhere far worse.
And he wasn’t that reckless.
If he had chosen the other option, he’d have been thrown out of the castle instantly.
Amelia took the letter with a clear look of disdain, unfolding it to read.
Her expression darkened almost instantly.
“…That bastard.”
Just as expected, the letter was filled with threats.