Chapter 72 : Temporary Preparations (2)

Chapter 72: Temporary Preparations (2)

"Wow. This is amazing. Shatien. What is this called?"

"A Halberd, Miles."

"Woah! A Halberd? But isn't this just an axe with a long shaft attached to a stick? Ultimately, the form seems like that..."

"Ahem."

Miles had accurately identified the structure of the halberd.

"...But this looks quite tricky to use, and I don't think an average mercenary could ever use it. Considering the weight, most guys wouldn't be able to handle it. Only cool guys like me can, right? Ahahaha."

This was also accurate.

To skillfully use a halberd, one needed to be able to handle both a spear and an axe. The halberd was a weapon created by combining those two functions in the first place. In short, it could only be used by someone with a high level of proficiency and understanding of weapon techniques.

Shatien had already been somewhat prepared for the initially low proficiency level.

"After all, this one halberd is all we have right now."

"Is that so?"

"How about we use this opportunity to create a guide on how to use the halberd together? You will leave your mark, Miles. Miles' Halberd Weapon Technique! How does that sound?"

"Oh... Hehehe. So, this strange axe can only be used by me right now, and we will create a weapon technique based on my methods?!"

"Exactly."

Miles' eyes glazed over. It was human nature to want to leave one's name, even when playing war games as a child. Even though he was a commoner, it was unusual for him not to be excited by the prospect of leaving his name behind.

"Ahemmmm! Geez. Of course! My axe skills are better than any mercenary, aren't they? Even Shatien admits that, right? Ehehe. A weapon technique named after me! That sounds great. Shall we start right away?"

"Oh, calm down. First, get accustomed to it. We still have time before a large number of halberds arrive from the forge in Loren. Let us properly master it and create a weapon technique."

"Hahahahaha! Then, understood, Shatien!! I will properly show you the power of the axe (?) this time!!"

Miles burst into hearty laughter and shouted.

'It will happen.'

Shatien was certain, looking at Miles.

* * *

Another week passed.

Both camps had taken sufficient rest and replenished the troops lost during the previous battle.

In particular, the Black Raven Mercenary Company, which had suffered massive damage, had absorbed countless able-bodied men from the occupied villages in the interim.

One factor causing anxiety was that more than half of the unit members were now new recruits.

It was fortunate that the manpower replenishment was completed before the war resumed.

'The war will begin soon.'

Since both sides had adequately preserved their strength, all that remained was to unleash that condensed energy.

Perhaps because of this, a chilling tension permeated Count Bellua's army camp. Everyone was sharp and volatile, seemingly ready to explode at the slightest provocation.

They expected the battle to resume as soon as this truce period ended.

'The problem is that I still haven't found Baron Ludwig's whereabouts.'

Recalling the past, Baron Ludwig had played a huge role in this battle. Although the future had been altered considerably when Shatien defeated him, he was not someone who would simply disappear and do nothing.

Eventually, frustrated, Shatien invited Branch Manager Marhen to his tent.

"Bold of you to call me here alone when we are man and woman with a special relationship."

"...Ahem. I am afraid of what others might hear. Such jokes could lead to big trouble, Branch Manager Marhen."

"Nyahahah. It is not a joke, though? Huhuhu?"

Branch Manager Marhen said playfully, her eyes sparkling. Her yellow, vertically elongated eyes, characteristic of a cat beastman, glittered with interest.

Shatien wiped off a cold sweat, cleared his throat, and quickly changed the subject.

"Branch Manager Marhen. I heard you will be leaving tomorrow."

"Aww, you are no fun."

Branch Manager Marhen flicked her tail, as if disappointed.

"That's right. I will be leaving soon. You probably invited me because you were curious about the news of Baron Ludwig, right?"

As expected of a merchant, she had figured it out accurately. Shatien nodded at Branch Manager Marhen's words.

"Yes. What happened? The war is about to begin, so this is essential."

"Hmm... Actually, I doubt the accuracy of this information. The information I gathered suggests that Baron Ludwig went to Feldheim? Everyone is being secretive, but they said it was at the enraged Emperor's instruction."

"Feldheim?"

Shatien tilted his head.

Considering the nuance of the city name, it did not sound like a typical human city. It sounded like a city where the crazy, savage Elves involved in the Northern War might live. Wasn't it a region Baron Ludwig, who was based in the South of the Empire, would not visit?

"That's right. A region in the northern part of the Empire. It is a place teeming with Elven warriors of incredible skill."

"Why did he go there? Do you know the details?"

Branch Manager Marhen shook her head.

"They were extremely secretive about that part. They said they didn't know themselves. But I suspect they are hiding something, even though they know."

"Hmm... A matter in the North... What could they be hiding?"

"First, when I asked the Merchant Guild people in the North, they told me that the security in the northern region has improved greatly. They said all recent wars with neighboring lords have ended."

"......?!"

Shatien sensed something strange.

'That cannot be right?'

The place with the most opponents of the Emperor was the Northern part of the Empire. The history of reclamation in the North involved directly dealing with the terrifying savage Elves of the frozen lands for generations. Each claimed their own rights and authorities, and the Emperor and the lords constantly fought and checked each other.

Peace in such a place?

'Could it be that Baron Ludwig went there as the Emperor's secret envoy to negotiate?'

The North, in particular, was a region with many mixed-race Elves, and many Elves had been absorbed into the Empire. As such, Elven culture had deeply penetrated, and the atmosphere greatly favored only the strong.

Given Baron Ludwig's skill, he was certainly a suitable envoy for that Northern culture.

Of course, the problem was that all of this was mere speculation, and there was no concrete evidence.

"I am sorry I could not be of much help, Sir Shatien."

"Not at all. This is sufficient. The news that the war in the North has ended is quite important information."

Shatien made an effort to say that, defending Branch Manager Marhen.

However, a recurring ominous premonition kept creeping up, making Shatien feel uneasy.

That same ominous premonition that always proved to be true.

* * *

Late at night.

The dense forest absorbed all the light, making the already dark space pitch black.

And something, illuminated by the faint moonlight, was sprinting wildly through that space.

-Clip clop clip clop clip clop!

-Neighhh!

The horse was panting heavily. Nevertheless, the rider tightened the reins, trying to ride faster.

"Damn it! Faster! Run! You can run more!"

Through the perilous forest path where they could not see an inch ahead, relying only on the faint moonlight in the dark night, they could not stop.

Right behind them.

The pursuit team was close behind.

"You bastaaard! Where are you running!"

"If you are a knight, come back immediately! Accept my sword honorably, you man who knows no honor!"

The pursuers continuously hurled insults, trying to distract the fleeing man.

A little closer, and they would be able to grab the hem of that fluttering cloak. Simultaneously, despair settled in the eyes of the rider ahead.

Their horses were of a far better breed than his own.

The large gap had been closed in an instant.

He would be captured soon. But the rider's conviction did not break. He could not give up after coming all this way.

The rider's eyes were burning with the conviction to complete his mission.

'I must inform His Excellency the Count, no matter what!'

The rider's identity was a knight sent by Count Bellua.

'Almost. Almost there! A little... more!'

Seeing the rapidly passing scenery, the rider felt himself entering allied territory. If he held out a little longer, he would soon receive help from his comrades.

But that turned out to be a vain hope.

-Swoooosh!

A sharp sound cut through the air from somewhere.

-Thwack!

It immediately pierced the knight's chest. There was clearly a considerable distance, but some formidable knight had closed that space and thrown a spear.

'D-Damn it... His Excellency... the Count...'

The knight pursued the figure of the one who struck him down through his gradually blurring vision. A figure resembling... a demon. They were the ones he absolutely had to warn Count Bellua about.

* * *

"......"

"......"

A heavy silence had descended upon Count Bellua's tent. The Emperor's nobles, who had joined with his vassal lords, merely glanced at Count Bellua's expression. His mood would determine the atmosphere of today's meeting.

"Sigh..."

Fortunately, Count Bellua chose composure over fury. After all, expressing anger would only release emotions without solving the problem.

"So... even Sir Gerard is completely missing?"

"Yes... He failed to arrive by the promised date."

"We heard that the soldiers waiting in standby received no signal whatsoever."

"Still, might we wait a little longer, just in case?"

"It has already been three days overdue. Wait longer? The battle is about to start."

At Count Bellua's words, the nobles instantly fell silent.

During the truce with the Emperor's army, Count Bellua's forces had sent countless reconnaissance troops. This was because, given the vast territory of the Holy Empire Emperor, they did not know where reinforcements might be gathered.

But uniquely.

The reconnaissance troops sent to the North were the only ones whose news was cut off.

Despite repeated failures, he had sent a skilled knight just in case, but it seemed this attempt had failed as well.

"That is... We truly do not know, as there is no information. There isn't even a body, is there? Whether he fell into a trap or was captured as a prisoner... Might there not be an unknown possibility?"

"Ah. So, they all deserted?"

"T-That is not what I meant."

"Yes, that wouldn't be it. So, Baron Ludrick, do not state information that everyone knows as if it were a profound insight."

"......"

The subordinate nobles all fell silent again. Count Bellua's disposition appeared very uncomfortable.

'I must be careful.'

'Why is that fool spewing useless nonsense to upset him?'

In peacetime, there would have been no need to be so cautious. After all, weren't the nobles all mutually equal? But in a war of this massive scale, the dynamics changed.

Currently, Count Bellua's authority on the battlefield was almost as powerful as that of a king. With another pitched battle about to unfold, no madman would dare to act insolently in front of Count Bellua.

Then, a noble who had been cautiously watching spoke softly.

"How about sending a more skilled person, Your Excellency the Count?"

"A skilled person? Knight Gerard was one of the most skilled men here. Where can I find another skilled person to send again?"

Knight Gerard, who had won the jousting tournament several times, was a knight of high reputation. It was not easy to find a replacement with comparable skill.

Then, an answer came as if on cue.

"How about Sir Shatien?"

"...Sir Shatien, you say."

It was an unexpected name.

But at the same time, it was a very appealing option.

"As I recall. He achieved great merit on a previous reconnaissance mission, didn't he?"

"That is correct, Your Excellency the Count."

"He possesses the skill of a knight and is rich in battlefield experience as a mercenary, so he will surely be able to carry out the mission."

"Hmm..."

However, assigning dangerous tasks to him repeatedly like this was quite a loss of face. But his deliberation was brief.

"Very well. Summon him immediately."

The situation was simply too dire to hesitate. Count Bellua resolved that he must grant Shatien a great reward if he achieved merit once again this time.