Chapter 463: With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility (1)
Ghislain, wearing a mask, and his knights strode confidently back into the castle.
It looked as if a gang of thieves had entered, but no one in the castle paid them any mind. Their attire remained unchanged, and with only the lower halves of their faces covered, it was clear who they were.
Soldiers and servants stepped aside the moment they saw Ghislain’s party.
“Are they up to some crazy stunt again?”
“They’re consistent, I’ll give them that… whether that’s good or bad, I can’t tell.”
“Let’s just act like we didn’t see anything this time.”
Thanks to being treated like invisible men, Ghislain and his knights made their way unimpeded to Elena’s room.
Even the guards stationed to protect Elena exchanged glances before stepping aside to let them through.
Bang!
Ghislain kicked the door open. Startled, Elena cried out.
“What the hell?”
“I am the Plunder King.”
“You lunatic! Cut it out already!”
Elena yelled angrily, but Ghislain ignored her. If words didn’t work, force would have to do.
“Seize her.”
At his command, the masked knights surrounded Elena. The assassins guarding her from the shadows of the ceiling merely closed their eyes upon recognizing Ghislain.
“D-Don’t come closer! I’ll hit you!”
Elena stepped back, raising her fists, but the knights chuckled.
“We’ll escort you with care.”
Whoosh!
The knights pounced, binding Elena in ropes before she could resist. They wrapped her so thoroughly, like a cocoon, that her attempts to break free were in vain.
Even with her innate divine power, Elena, who hadn’t mastered any mana techniques, couldn’t escape the restraints.
All she could do was scream at the top of her lungs.
“Let me go! Let me go! Aaaah!”
Once Elena was subdued, Ghislain gestured to the back.
“Bring the package in.”
A large wooden crate was brought forward. Elena, now gagged, was unceremoniously placed inside.
“I told you we should’ve done this the easy way.”
Once they reached the Northern Army, even Elena would give up. Ghislain smirked as he pressed his ear to the crate.
All he could hear was Elena’s heavy breathing. Elena seemed to have no choice but to accept her predicament.
Sensing victory, Ghislain spoke with gravitas.
“With great power comes great responsibility. Let’s use that power for the good of the people. Stay put, and I’ll let you out when we reach the Northern Army.”
It seemed to be over.
“Mmmph…!”
Crack, crack.
Hearing strange noises, Ghislain pressed his ear to the crate again. Moments later…
Boom!
“Gah!”
A fist burst through the crate, narrowly missing Ghislain as he dodged.
Peeking inside, he saw eyes blazing with fury in the darkness.
“Oh, does anger make you stronger?”
She had been recklessly using her strength ever since discovering her power. Ghislain was more convinced than ever that she needed proper training to control it.
He hurriedly signaled to the knights.
“Hey, hurry up and move! Keep restraining her while we’re at it. She’s turning into a real monster.”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Punches continued to burst from the crate as the knights, terrified, carried it away.
The assassins who had been guarding Elena sighed and followed. It seemed they’d have to accompany them all the way to the Northern Army.
As Ghislain was about to depart, Zwalter appeared, panting heavily.
“Do… do you really have to take her like this?”
“Didn’t you tell me to handle it my way? This is the only method.”
“Hmph, just like your mother… you’re also quick-tempered.”
At Zwalter’s comment, Ghislain and Belinda both turned their heads. They couldn’t reveal the secret of her mother just yet.
Shaking his head a few times as if in resignation, Zwalter continued.
“Fine. If that’s your decision, so be it. Take good care of your sister.”
“Understood. You don’t have to worry.”
“And… take Skovan with you.”
“Huh? Skovan? Why?”
Zwalter glanced away, hesitating.
“Well, he doesn’t seem to be adjusting well to the estate… I thought a change of scenery might do him good. Besides, wouldn’t Elena need a knight to guard her?”
Once in the Northern Army, Elena and Rachel would be under heavy protection. Skovan’s presence wasn’t necessary. The assassins already guarding Elena had joined them, carrying their belongings.
Ghislain clicked his tongue inwardly, understanding Zwalter’s true intent. He was shoving Skovan off to the Northern Army.
“Poor guy.”
One baseless rumor had utterly ruined Skovan’s reputation.
Ghislain turned his head slightly. Skovan stood there, looking dejected, holding his luggage. Beside him was Ricardo, wearing a vacant expression.
Skovan seemed determined not to suffer alone. He had dragged Ricardo, the source of the rumor, along with him as a condition for transferring to the Northern Army.
The Northern Army already bore the reputation of being a "demon army." Adding one more person with a bad reputation wouldn’t change much.
Ghislain chuckled at the thought and nodded.
“All right. I’ll take Skovan with me. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Bang!
Another punch burst through the crate, breaking it again. The knights struggled to hold Elena down, tying her back up with ropes.
“Dad! What are you doing?! This crazy bastard is kidnapping me! Mmmpf!”
Zwalter looked on with a distressed expression. He wanted nothing more than to rescue his daughter from the clutches of his demonic son.
Noticing his expression, Ghislain urgently gestured to the knights.
“Quick! Tie her up again! Come on, hurry up! Let’s get moving!”
With that, the party, now joined by some new members, set off for the Northern Army camp.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Northern Army Camp
In Ghislain’s absence, the Northern Army had stationed themselves on one section of the southern front, holding their position. Their task was to maintain a defensive stance until Ghislain’s return. They were also preparing to intercept the ducal faction’s forces, should they arrive.
Tensions ran high, as news had spread of the ducal faction’s movements shortly after Ghislain’s departure. Vigilance among the soldiers was at an all-time high.
Even amidst this atmosphere, Alfoi found himself forced to study under Vanessa. Recently, a strange rumor had begun to circulate.
The rumor claimed that the ducal faction was targeting not only Claude, but also Alfoi.
“The Chief Overseer has already proven himself in the war, hasn’t he? Plus, he’s the Chief Overseer of a major territory. And honestly, he’s a bit annoying, so they probably want to kill him.”
“But why Alfoi? Sure, he’s annoying too, but wouldn’t they target Vanessa first? They could kill him later.”
The rumor left many puzzled, with some dismissing it outright as nonsense. However, the cautious Vanessa believed no rumor would spread without a reason. As a result, she pushed Alfoi even harder to grow stronger and continue studying, even on the battlefield.
Inside a tent, Vanessa observed Alfoi with satisfaction as he appeared to be deeply engrossed in his studies.
When did Alfoi become so studious? she thought. Could the rumors be bothering him that much?
Watching him stare intently at his book brought a rare smile to Vanessa’s face. She could hardly recall a time when he’d been so focused.
Alfoi, meanwhile, was entirely lost in his own unrelated musings.
I should’ve eaten the whole pie earlier. Is there a way to squeeze more money out of Piote? I wonder if Kkoko is doing well up in the sky. Why do humans even exist?
Man, I really want to go out and have some fun. Maybe I could become a count and get my own territory. What if my parents are actually super-rich nobles? Maybe I’m not an orphan after all, and my master kidnapped me. Yeah, that must be it.
What should I have for dinner? Ugh, why does reading make me so sleepy? Maybe I’m just not cut out for books. And what’s with that Ascon jerk always cursing at me?
These thoughts, wholly unrelated to studying, filled his head.
Despite his supposed focus, Alfoi was completely unable to concentrate on his studies. Ever since joining Fenris, his life had revolved around physical tasks, leaving him feeling intellectually dulled.
I need a spark, he thought. Something to reawaken my brain with a jolt.
Knowing that studying in his current state would be useless, Alfoi abruptly stood up. Vanessa immediately swooped in.
“Alfoi! Why are you getting up in the middle of your studies?”
“...Were you watching me?”
“N-no, I just happened to notice.”
“I need to talk to the Chief Overseer about something. I’m having trouble focusing because of this issue.”
Vanessa narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Given his habit of making excuses to skip studying, she found his claim hard to believe.
“All right. But make it quick, and get back to your studies. You need to master at least one 5th-circle spell soon. Understanding 5th-circle magic requires a deeper grasp of elemental theory, so you’ll need to pay closer attention to the arrangement of mana—”
“Okay, okay…”
As Vanessa’s lecture instincts kicked in, Alfoi slumped his shoulders. He was so averse to studying that her words barely registered.
Once her impromptu lesson ended, Alfoi left the tent, looking gloomy. He made his way to Claude’s location.
Inside the command tent, Claude was engaged in a discussion with Ereneth. Seeing Alfoi enter, Claude raised a hand in greeting.
“Hey, Alfoi! What’s up? I thought you were busy with your studies.”
“Hmm. I need a quick consultation.”
“Of course! I’m always here for my bro’s problems.”
Alfoi sat down with a serious expression.
“You know, I’ve been having a hard time studying lately. It feels like my brain has rusted over. I used to be sharp enough to be a successor to the magic tower.”
“Well, that can happen if you don’t use your head for a while.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Do you think there’s a way to stimulate my brain? I need something intense, but not physical something that makes me think.”
Claude nodded knowingly. This was his area of expertise.
“You’ve been stuck on just playing odd-or-even. It’s no wonder you don’t use your brain when you’re cheating with magic. Why not switch to card games?”
“Hmm… card games?”
“Exactly. Unlike odd-or-even, card games require you to read your opponent’s hand, constantly think, and engage in psychological battles. It’ll definitely stimulate your mindyou have to use your brain.”
Alfoi nodded in agreement. It was true; odd-or-even required no real thinking, especially when he was cheating with magic. Besides, there wasn’t anyone willing to play with him anymore.
However, he found Claude’s suggestion lacking something.
“That makes sense, but isn’t it a bit too mild? I’m looking for something more intense.”
“Then raise the stakes.”
“Ah.”
Of course. The higher the stakes, the greater the thrill.
As expected of Claude. He might be insufferable, but Alfoi had to admit his intelligence was unmatched.
Ereneth, listening silently, stared at the two with a blank expression.
They looked like a pair of fools delivering a comedic act in the middle of a theater. Yet, these were supposedly key figures in the Northern Army.
She began to regret involving herself with such people.
Claude turned to her abruptly.
“What do you think, Lady Ereneth?”
“…What about?”
“Alfoi switching games for mental stimulation. Don’t you think my idea is great?”
“I… don’t know.”
“Oh, I see. It’s because you’ve spent your life in the forest, isn’t it? Such a shame you’ve missed out on the fun.”
“…”
As a dignified elven chieftain who had lived for countless years, Ereneth had never encountered such absurd behavior. Even human nobles knew better than to speak such nonsense in her presence.
Faced with these individuals who were entirely “natural” in their behavior, she had no idea how to respond.
The awkward silence was broken when a scout burst into the tent, shouting.
“The ducal army has been sighted nearby! They’ll reach this location soon. Their scouts have likely already spotted us.”
Claude, wearing a bored expression, asked, “How many?”
“Roughly 100,000, by our estimate.”
“Wow, that’s a lot. I heard they split their army into three divisions to march on the capital, but 100,000 in just one area? They’re serious about wiping us out.”
Clicking his tongue, Claude stood up.
It was no surprise the ducal faction alone could muster an army of over 100,000. On top of that, every vassal lord in the south had joined their campaign.
The southern region was historically rich in wealth and resources. With such an abundance of food and money, the number of soldiers they could raise was almost incalculable.
The ducal forces were the undisputed strongest in the kingdom, far surpassing even the once-dominant Marquis Roderick of the west.
Claude stroked his chin a few times, muttering to himself.
“Let’s see… Since we can’t inform the lord, it looks like we’ll have to handle this ourselves.”
Dark had long since disappeared, having expended all his mana. While the lord would likely send another avatar, battle was imminent.
The Northern Army had taken up position on the shortest route to the capital from the south. It was the most critical point, so the strongest forces had been stationed there.
Claude smirked deviously.
“They must think that without the lord, they can crush us easily… I wonder what they’ve prepared? Probably something predictable…”
The Northern Army was renowned for its strength. Their equipment, tactics, and individual soldier capabilities were unparalleled. Sheer numbers alone weren’t enough to overcome them.
The ducal forces must have prepared something special to counter them.
What they didn’t realize, however, was that Ghislain wasn’t the Northern Army’s only powerhouse.
Claude turned to Ereneth with a grin.
“It looks like we’ll need you to unleash your full strength this time, Lady Chieftain.”
“Fine. Watching you two fools has convinced me I’d be better off fighting outside.”
As Ereneth rose, a mountainous aura began to radiate from her.