Vol 2 Chapter 16 (1/2)

Chapter 16

Chapter 2, Episode 16: Black God

Iust 24th

The Lichtein Dukedom’s army had finally arrived a stone’s throay froed in battle

They were 5,000 strong A 1,000 camel cavalrymen were positioned on each flank, a 1,000 slave infantryether were fortified by 2,000 light infantrymen

Thethis army is Karl Olivara Lichtein, the second son of the duke house

(TL note: the author change the name)

Supporting hiula Jilberist

They both wore dark expressions as they rode abreast in headquarters

「… I didn’t think the nobles would grow scared after all this」

Said General Ranquil, displeased

At the last minute, a report had come in the day before

It stated that a detached force fro down villages

It’s only natural seeing as how they’ve invaded deep into their territory

But the nobles ant to protect their land have lost their nerves

They began to shout that they should surrender to the Grantz Grand Eotiate

Because of the time these nobles took to persuade others of this, the speed of the army’s advance dropped drastically

「Cowards… When they brought this on themselves」

But having said that, all the nobles who decided to start a ith the Grantz Grand Eainst the rebel army

How fortunate for the any responsibility and pushi+ng everything onto those who remain

Itselfish until the very end

「If they were brave, exemplary warriors, they would welcome death with open arms」

But in reality, things don’t work out the way you want it to

At any rate, surrender is out of the question But if they wish to negotiate, they must crush the Fourth Imperial Army

In order to maintain their status as a country, they must draw out the best possible conditions

Losing without fighting If they took this option, the other countries would mock them

「Lord Karl We are about to enter a critical moment」

「Yes I leave everything to you」

Ranquil was about to give his frank opinion about Karl passing over his responsibilities as usual, but he noticed a scout running towards them

「Your Excellency Ranquil! A group fro this way!」

First, he thanked the scout

「Thank you for the report It seems the mercenaries were able to withdraw successfully」

「Will you have them join with us?」

「No, I’ll have theuard」

If they wish to regain their momentum, they can not have the mercenaries join them and slow them down

Also, Ranquil doesn’t trust those bunch who call thein with

What drives theht isn’t country or people

It all comes down to money You never knohen they’ll betray you or even turn tail

Having such people join the but a hindrance

「I’m concerned about the situation of the battle over there as well Summon the leader of the mercenaries」

「As you wish!+」

Shortly thereafter, a ht armor appeared

There is dried blood clinging to his arence He looks no different from a bandit or the like

Ranq

uil observed the man’s appearance, then suddenly knit his brows

Taking a closer look, the ar turned out to be one from the Lichtein Dukedom

Looking at the dried blood, he could tell that it had been on there for quite some time

Considering recent events, it’s likely a spoil of war he obtained when the duke suffered his crushi+ng defeat in the war

Ranquil’s heart could not re inside him

「Nice to e」

Without noticing he had offended Ranquil, the man faked a smile and scratched the back of his head as he bowed from atop his horse

Ranquil wanted to cut down the uncouth ht there on the spot, but he decided to act prudently and took a deep breath to suppress his anger

Next to him, Karl noticed this and replied in his stead

「Thank you for your hard work My na with us」

「Hehe, I’e pay and all I’ll be working that money’s worth」

The mercenary leader extended his hand, but Karl did not take it

He hesitated partly due to the bloodlust e from Ranquil next to him, but also because thewith

As one who is to take over the duke house, he needs to grow accustos, but he probably couldn’t help but let his emotions take over at this particular moment

Without taking any offense at Karl’s negative aura, the mercenary withdraws his hand

It’s unsure whether he’s used to being hated because of the nature of his job, or sinorant, but you can say there was no point in worrying about it Once this battle was over, he would not be getting involved with this man

「So, how is the battle progressing?」

「Well, the rebel ar pushed back I’d say it’s only a matter of time before they surrender」

「That’s not good General Ranquil, we must hurry」

Karl turned to Ranquil It seeather himself as he nodded and answered

「You are correct Hey, mercenary」

「Yes?」

「Lead us to the battlefield Our scout hasn’t investigated that far out Take us to the Fourth Imperial Army’s flank」

Karl tilted his head at these words

This was because he found this odd Scout reports were being sent without pause

They’ve also obtained intelligence on where the Fourth I

Karl racked his brain thinking it strange, but the conversation ended before he was able to come up with an answer

「Then, if you would」

「Sure, leave it to o show them what for!」

Once the one, Karl spoke out to Ranquil

「Why did you say that?」

「Are you referring to my lie?」

「Yes I’ that the Lichtein Dukedom’s scouts are incompetent」

「He wouldn’t lead us there if I hadn’t said that」

「Even if that would bring us shame?」

「The fate of our country rests on this hich is about to begin There is no greater shah at us, let them do so 」

「Hmm… I see As expected of you, Sir Ranquil You excel in controlling your e such clear cut decisions」

After groaning at Karl who still looked displeased, Ranquil uttered

「More i armor from our country?」

「Well, of course It was dirty… but there’s no way I would ht it from some merchant」

「No, he probably stripped it off a corpse from the time the duke was defeated」

「Are you sure about that?」

「It was ed to a proh because it was slightly dirty」

「Unforgivable They must be punished once this war is over」

Karl snorts wildly with rage

He gripped his reins tightly and glared at the now gone mercenary

Seeing this, Ranquil spoke to Karl to calm him

「That is why I had him lead us there」

「What?」

「The ht So why not use theainst arrows and dispose of theive them formal punishment」

「Hmm That’s a fine idea!」

「And you are , Lord Karl」

「Misunderstanding?」

「Indeed Earlier, you praised me, but I am not such a noble person」

Ranquil shrugged his shoulders and continued

「It’s not that I aer I wanted to ss in a broader sense, even trash have their uses So I thought it would be a bit entertaining if we put them on the frontline」

Karl was taken aback at Ranquil’s evil smile

He was surprised that even this man could succumb to violent emotions

「But still, I would expect no less of you, the way you would cleverly use thes I’m sure I would have killed that man」

「This makes me feel uneasy I wish you would not praise e from this war victorious」

Ranquil rubbed his neck while looking uncomfortable

His anger finally subsided and Karl nodded slightly

「That is true We must first win」

With determination in his heart, Karl lifted his head and looked ahead Ranquil nodded pleased, and they both moved their horses forward

But that relief only lasted a brief roup ofthe way

There were violents sounds of swords clashi+ng Screa war cries shook the atmosphere

When mercenaries threaten their opponents, they slam their swords on their shi+eld and shout in a loud voice

But the location of the battle which the Lichtein Dukedom assumed was still further ahead

As Karl was thinking souard

「We have engaged in battle!」

「What?!」

Karl’s face was in disbelief

Next to him, Ranquil’s brows formed deep creases He stared out ahead of hiet a grasp of the details