Episode 88: I have to get half of it. (3)
“We… … were defeated?”
Harold’s face turned bright red after hearing the report. One corner of his mouth trembled.
His anger was so intense that he felt dizzy. He couldn’t speak properly and just opened his mouth.
“Hoooooo… … .”
Harold forced himself to take a deep breath, trying to calm his breathing.
Before him sat knights and soldiers.
They all had burns and looked like they could collapse at any moment.
As soon as the defeated troops arrived, I received a report compiled by my staff, but I couldn’t believe it, so I called the survivors myself.
Defeat! Desmond’s army, which prided itself on being stronger than anyone else in the North, has been defeated?
It was an overwhelming number that easily surpassed even Ferdium’s forces.
“How on earth did we lose! Fire magic? A trap? Who in this kingdom can use magic that can burn thousands of soldiers!”
Harold raised his voice.
The knights were speechless.
Even those who experienced it directly could not understand what was happening, so it was impossible for those in the territory to understand.
Harold expressed his strong anger at the sight of everyone keeping their mouths shut.
“You idiots! So many troops were annihilated, and you came back without even knowing what happened? Viktor! What happened to Viktor?”
Those who fled the battlefield early had no way of knowing what had happened to Victor.
Kwaaang!
As the silence continued, Harold slammed his fist on the desk, smashing it into pieces.
Even Victor, whom I had cherished and raised with great care, went missing.
Being missing in war means being taken prisoner… or… dead.
There was no way someone as dangerous as Victor could have been left alive, so he was most likely dead.
Not only did we lose the Engineers, who took longer to train than the regular soldiers, but we also lost dozens of knights who were incomparable to soldiers.
The most painful of all was the loss of an outstanding talent named Victor.
“whoever……!”
Harold analyzed their pre-war performance in detail to make sure he would defeat Ferdium.
He sent an overwhelming force, even adding a magician to it.
According to survivors’ reports, Ferdium’s power was clearly not much different from what was known before the war.
Even the amount of supplies matched the forecast.
If so, that means there was a variable so fatal that it exceeded expectations.
Harold unfolded the report again.
“I guess it’s these guys.”
The report detailed the activities of the ‘Black Unit’.
Harold mentally pictured the battlefield situation described in the report.
The ‘Black Unit’ moved in a way that would have surprised even Harold himself.
The unpredictable and bold movements were like seeing a wild beast.
‘It’s a coincidence. It’s a coincidence, a coincidence… … There can’t be such a person in Ferdium.’
Although he repeated this to himself, Harold knew very well that the activities of the ‘Black Unit’ were no coincidence.
The trap prepared at the last minute was too effective to be dismissed as a coincidence.
‘But how on earth do you do that magic… … .’
Even the two 7th Circle wizards in the kingdom cannot cast such tremendous magic.
Harold gritted his teeth, unable to contain his frustration. His irritation and anger made it difficult for him to think deeply.
As he walked, his face hardened and expressionless. Seeing this, Desmond’s retainers and staff slowly moved away from the Count’s side.
Harold was a thorough and cold man. He rarely got excited and would mercilessly kill subordinates who made mistakes.
I was afraid of getting angry at them when I first saw them, but seeing them grow colder and colder made me think that maybe they were trying to kill us all, holding us responsible for losing the war.
“Huh… … Now is not the time for this.”
Harold looked up from his report and glared at the men.
They don’t even think about recovering from their failures, but rather run away.
I’d rather have the guy I killed last time be better.
‘If I had just had more time, I would have killed them all.’
Harold swallowed his irritation and gave orders to his retainers and staff.
“We must prepare for Leipold’s movements.”
It won’t be right away, but it won’t be long before Leipold gets a rough idea of what’s going on.
Count Leipold, who was always looking for a chance to conquer the North, could not miss this opportunity.
Desmond, who was competing for the top spot in the North, had lost his troops and was now unable to deal with Leipold.
“I will bring forward Amelia’s rebellion. For the time being, all other matters will be put on hold. Just concentrate on that task as your top priority.”
“Oh, I understand.”
The staff members just lowered their heads as they looked at Harold’s bloodshot eyes.
If you refute me even a single word here, you will be beheaded.
But Harold’s furrowed brow would not straighten.
‘What a mess.’
I had been thinking about bringing forward the rebellion, but I didn’t plan on doing it so hastily.
But in the aftermath of the defeat in the war, everything began to take a turn for the worse.
Harold couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that every single one of his plans was going wrong.
“Even the Duke of Gongjak wouldn’t just let it go.”
The assassination attempt didn’t have much of a chance of leading to a war of attrition in the first place, and even if it failed, there were many other alternatives, so it was okay.
However, losing to Ferdium in the Battle of the Territory and losing a large number of troops was a huge mistake that made Harold’s abilities questioned.
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Even if a person as talented as himself didn’t lose his life immediately after making a single mistake, it was certain that he was in a more dangerous situation than before.
Because the Duke of Delphine is so cruel.
And there are those who suddenly appear every now and then to help the Duke.
‘The peacock is a problem, but those guys in particular… … .’
The plan to overthrow the kingdom all started after those guys showed up.
If they fail this time, they will suffer too.
In that case, those who suffered losses… … .
‘No, no. I can’t die here.’
I had done something to rise to the position of lord, so I couldn’t just fall like this.
You have to convince him. You just have to tell him that Leipold is still there and that you will definitely make it happen.
‘If we had won the war, we could have expanded our power further. If only Viktor had been there… … .’
Harold staggered out of the office, clutching his pounding head.
* * *
Meow.
Amelia was sitting in the carriage, shaking the dogbane and playing with Bastet.
Bastet jumped up to grab the dogbane.
She looked at the cat with a kind smile, then let out a small yawn.
“It’s a bit boring.”
Even in Ferdium, they had given up sending messengers, as none of them showed up anymore.
However, since the war was not over yet, Amelia was still blocking the path to and from Perdium.
Even though he had been away for a while, no one would have suspected anything.
Since I often attend various social gatherings, I originally spent more time outside the castle than inside.
The image you’ve built up over time of being able to act freely can be helpful in times like these.
“Why does it take so long?”
Amelia sat up straight, having stopped swinging the dogwood for free.
With that level of power, there should already be results, but it was a bit strange that there was no news for over a week.
“I guess something really happened.”
As soon as she was convinced that it was Jiselle who had ambushed the Digald supply unit, she sent someone to the battlefield.
To find out what that crazy guy is up to.
At that moment, Bernap knocked on the carriage door.
“Miss, the servants have returned.”
Behind Bernap, several people approached Amelia hesitantly.
They presented a report that was equally messy, with a haggard and shabby appearance.
The report was hastily written on the way here, so the handwriting was crooked and difficult to read.
Amelia liked to receive reports in an organized document, so she wrote it in a hurry, but the report wasn’t in good condition due to the circumstances.
Amelia frowned briefly at the sight of the messy piece of paper, but then took the report without saying anything and began reading it.
The hand turning the paper paused several times.
Soon Amelia raised her head and asked.
“Tell me more.”
As soon as permission was granted, the three artists vividly conveyed the war process using gestures and footwork.
Bernap took a small step back as he watched the scene.
‘It’s pretty to be angry, but… … I don’t like it when people are angry at me, so I have to avoid it.’
Amelia has been extremely angry and irritable ever since Giselle ripped her off.
This time it will be no different.
Bastet also noticed Bernap’s movements and Amelia’s mood and took a quick look around to hide in a corner.
“Hmm… … Really?”
But contrary to Bernap’s expectations, she only nodded and didn’t say much.
Amelia thought for a moment and then asked Bernap.
“How could they have created such a trap? A magic that could swallow thousands of soldiers at once? Did they have a magician capable of that? Did Ferdium have the capacity to do that in the first place?”
“Even a 7th circle wizard would have a hard time. If they could use this level of magic, Duke Delphine would have turned the kingdom upside down as soon as he secured a 7th circle wizard. To have that level of power, wouldn’t it be possible to have at least an 8th circle wizard?”
“That’s right. Even the palace wizard wouldn’t be able to do something like this. Then who cast such incredible magic?”
“Wouldn’t someone who can do something like that alone… be someone like the ‘Guardian of the World Tree’ or the ‘Lord of the Dead’?”
Then Amelia smiled and shook her head.
“… … That can’t be true.”
Sure, they could have made such a move on their own, but there was no way they would have helped Ferdium.
Why would they, who do not belong to any organization and live by building their own independent power, show up in a remote territory like this?
At that moment, a satisfied smile suddenly appeared on Amelia’s lips.
“i get it.”
“What?”
“How could someone like Ferdium use such great magic? There is only one way.”
“What is that? Huh? No way… … .”
“It’s a runestone. If you use a lot of runestones, it’ll be possible. Since flames are rising from the ground, you must have buried the runestones beforehand.”
Bernap looked incredulous.
“If it was an explosion of that scale, then they must have used a huge amount of runestones… … Does that make sense? That amount would be equivalent to several decades of Ferdium’s budget. And they poured all that into the trap.”
This is an absurd and ignorant method.
But isn’t Giselle the kind of person who doesn’t hesitate to do things that go beyond common sense?
“No, that crazy guy could easily do that. Right, that’s right. You can afford that level of damage now, right?”
Amelia could be confident that no one knew Giselle better than she did.
When dealing with Giselle, you shouldn’t think in terms of common sense.
She looked over the report again, mentally mapping out the situation, and smiled eerily.
“You trained and moved your troops this quickly? Even that scoundrel had all these abilities. Or did he have another advisor or figure? Maybe I missed out on a good man.”
Bernap pouted, but Amelia simply ignored him and fell into deep thought.
There wasn’t enough information to be certain yet. I needed to gather more information and wait and see.
“Let’s go back. We don’t need to stay here any longer. And gather all the kids and wait for them.”
Bernap asked dumbly at the unexpected order.
“Gather troops? Why?”
“You think my dad would just sit by and do nothing if Desmond gets screwed? That stupid, greedy old man wouldn’t do that.”
“… … .”
“Obviously, as soon as the information comes in, you’re going to find a way to hit Desmond? You’re messing with our ally, Ferdium! I found out a little late, but I won’t forgive you even now! You’re making excuses like that.”
Bernap, who could neither confirm nor deny the answer, scratched his head.
“What does that have to do with gathering our kids… … .”
“Bernaf, I always told you to think about it, didn’t I? Harold’s troops were blown away. A lot of them. What would happen if Dad raised an army now?”
As Bernap stood there blankly, Amelia sighed and added.
“Don’t you think Harold knows that? He may be a sinister man, but he’s not stupid. Then what would Harold do?”
“Shouldn’t we ask the author for support?”
“No. The duke is pressuring the royal family right now. If the duke raises an army, the royal family won’t stay still. Things will get too big.”
“Oh, then?”
“Yeah, I’ll speed up my rebellion. They’re out of options now. Thanks to them, I’ll get half a Rayfold.”
If the rebellion progresses too quickly, the damage to the territory will also increase. Then, you will not be able to take possession of the entire territory.
Amelia let out a disgruntled sigh.
It was a shame that Leipold was ruined, but there was another reason why I was even more upset.
“Giselle, I really thought I was going to die this time, but you survived in the end. I guess you can’t just say it was luck anymore. You punk.”
I had been denying it because of my pride, but I had no choice but to admit it.
Jiselle was no easy opponent.
Anger boiled inside her, but the more it did, the more she tried to remain calm.
The stronger the opponent, the more cold-hearted she becomes.
This was the true form of Amelia that Giselle had been wary of.
“As a result, he’s bought himself quite a bit of time. Desmond’s spirits are broken, and the Duke is busy with more important matters, so he won’t be able to touch Giselle right away.”
“Would it have been better to strike before the war?”
“well…….”
Amelia hesitated for a moment at Bernap’s question.
I was sure then, but I’m not sure now.
“I’ll have to take Rayfold first and think about it.”
“How about we just ignore it and leave it alone? The Duke will probably deal with Ferdium later anyway.”
Amelia sighed again.
I definitely want to kill Giselle, but I have other things to do. I can’t waste time on personal grudges.
“Okay, let’s leave him alone for now. He’s going to die anyway since he’s been targeted by Harold and the Duke of Delphine. We’ll focus on our work.”
The Countess Leipold position was not the end. It was only the beginning. She had greater ambitions and goals.
“Of course, when the opportunity comes, I will definitely destroy it.”
Amelia’s face was colder than ever as she spoke her last words.
