Volume 5 Chapter 19 (1/2)

Editor: Starbuck11

Signiz narrowed his eyes, his blond hair waving due to the strong wind. What he saw was an army with armors dyed in black. In the middle of the day such color was easy to spot, but during the night, it would a.s.similate with the surroundings.

Several kilometers away, from the enemy camp, he could see their flags whose coat of arms was the design of a sword with gold and silver-headed snakes entwined on top of a sable background.  It was such a rare design, and the snakes' red eyes were as if glaring at the surroundings.

(Hmm, their number is around 1000, I guess ?. All of them wore unified armors… Probably it was something that Baron Mikos.h.i.+ba had gathered from a trade, and I would guess that he still have extra money to spend. I think it is foolish for us to underestimate Baron Mikos.h.i.+ba… They said that we will defeat him in one fell swoop, but…)

The number of soldiers of Earl Salzberg which had the ten northern n.o.bles a.s.sembled,  numbered around 2000.

The commanders gathered on the city wall when they received news that the enemy force had arrived. They wanted to look at Mikos.h.i.+ba's army with their eyes.

”How is it, Signiz ?”

From his back, while crossing his arms. Roberto spoke to Signiz who kept staring at the enemy camp.

”This battle… It might turn into something that we can't understand how to handle it…”

Signiz murmured those words in response to his friend's question without looking back and kept starring at the enemy.

It was proof that he himself realized the words he was saying were something he should not have aired.

After all, in term of soldier's numbers, Earl Salzberg' side had twice more. Furthermore, the Earl's soldiers were based in Epiroz city that was known as a fortified city.

They still could also hire the city residents or mercenaries from the guilds.

Speaking about pros and cons, with the current situation the Earl's advantage seems solid.

That was why, if the surroundings heard him spoke so pessimistically, they would think of him as someone like a coward or moron.

However, Signiz spoke his worries daringly…

It was like an experienced warrior smelling the scent of war. His intuition that had been nurtured throughout many battlefields told him something…

The moment he saw the enemy's army, his intuition told him that something very dangerous was approaching.

”Fuuh… Well, if you said that then I guess you're right…”

”You really never change huh ?”

Signiz smiles bitterly at Roberto's unchanging steadfast att.i.tude.

Among Earl Salzberg's army, Signiz and Roberto boasted overwhelming power and the most battle history. And it was decided that both of them would lead the frontline.

The frontline commanders in this world were those who lead the first charge to cut the enemy's line.

Their group was the one who decides the success of their army, while the second and third groups would be the one who finished the war, It can be said their mission was to directly control the flow of the battlefield.

Originally, for men, such a position was considered something very honorable. Since that means the others recognize the ability of the man who holds the role of vanguard, but at the same time that position was the most dangerous position.

However, despite holding such important responsibilities, Roberto remained calm when he heard Signiz's words. He has neither affirmed nor denied them. Or rather, his att.i.tude could be said as indifferent.

”Well, even with you saying that it won't change our work anyway. I just want to kill the enemy in front of my eyes… Afterwards, the old man and those buffoons that need to think…>

Saying that, Roberto directed his sarcastic gaze towards the surroundings. His cold eyes virtually represented the words he wanted to convey.

”Oh, is that Baron Mikos.h.i.+ba army ? Their appearance looks exaggerated.”

”But looking at that equipment, it seems Wortenia Peninsula is a wealthy land beyond our initial thoughts…”

”Haven't you heard it from the Earl ? I heard that they had recruited slaves as soldiers…”

”Although their numbers are splendid, in the end, quality is what matters. He seems to be quite a successful man for an upstart, but I wonder how useful those soldiers would be for him…”

”According to the stories I heard from the Earl, all of the three hundred soldiers he choose to bring as reinforcement to the Zalda Kingdom, were all capable of using magic arts…”

”Truthfully, it must be some kind of bluff… He must have hired some talented people and made it look like his entire army had the same ability.”

”Well, I also think that but…”

From various places, words of ridicule towards Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma could be heard.

Those groups were standing slightly away from Signiz. They were people who one day would inherit the ten n.o.bles' territory. Although Signiz and those people were looking at the same thing, their impression was so different like it was heaven and earth.

There were some people who advocated a somewhat cautious theory, but it seems they didn't show any disagreement at the others' opinion.

Well, in a sense their behavior was something natural. Since they only have fragmented information when it comes to Baron Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma and his territory.

”You don't have to bother yourself with them. What we need to do is to perform our duty.”

Roberto erased the sarcastic smile on his face, then he stared at Signiz's eyes.

Signiz diverted his eyes after seeing Roberto's sharp gaze.

To Signiz, this war was just to help someone, it was something he actually didn't want to do, just like Roberto, but Signiz felt they should still do their best to win.

However, Roberto seemed to have a different sentiment.

”But still, what do you think about the outcome of this war ? Besides, Earl Salzberg was a military man too… If I told him about some plan, I'm sure he would still listen !”

As a commander, he had to do his best to preserve the soldiers' life. That thought was the reason Signiz did his best.

If they could devise some measures, damage could be kept to a minimum.

In extreme case, they might have to hole up inside Epiroz city for a while to gather information regarding the enemies.

Although Roberto understood Signiz thoughts, he still disagreed.

”No matter what we say, no one would hear our opinion. They will only regard us as someone who doesn't know our place, or someone who wants to s.n.a.t.c.h away the inheritance by currying some favor with the Earl. Besides, I heard rumors that if I won this war, I would be killed.”

Originally they were still alive because their families thought both of them had no interests with the inheritance, therefore both of them could become the commander of their territory's armed forces. Truly, their family thought they both were a convenient subst.i.tute for the actual heir that was lacking in courage. Conversely speaking, if their behavior was even a little bit suspicious, the lives of these two people would be doomed in an instant.

The strong men on the battlefield were not necessarily secure men in daily life.

”Signiz, you're thinking too much, you know ? Seriously, you need to do something to that bad habit of yours. You should think about your own self for a bit. We just have to kill the enemies in front of us. And if there is a trap, we could just break it by force.”

”But still…”

”Like I said, think about yourself a bit more…”

Saying that Roberto slightly taunts Signiz.