My Villains Chapter 424
64. Fog (11)
The highlands were covered in fog just like Obdorf in the far west. It was a light fog that came for a while only in the morning and evening.
High Castle, a fortress guarding the Western Frontier and the capital of the Highlands. Looking around in all directions from the top of the high fortress there, I felt as if I was standing on top of a shallow cloud.
It was rare among the heroes who had climbed High Castle to dislike this foggy landscape.
The ‘stubborn’ Zach, who was the first Marquis of the Axodbrook family, the ‘King of Knights’ Lionel II, who was not so brave that he even became ferocious, and the ‘Junior King’ Adumir, who was famous for being fair, also enjoyed this scenery.
It was not the Duke of Avillambus.
“Goseiin! Where is Gosein!”
The duke was standing at the window of the manor house located in High Castle in the inner city and shouting wildly. At that angry voice, the imperial knights, officers, and attendants moved busily, and soon after, an old mage wearing a magic robe appeared.
“Your Highness the Duke.”
“How many times have I told Gosei! When the time is right, pop out and disperse the fog! If that goddamn fog causes a hole in the border of the castle wall, will you take responsibility!”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. The wizards have already been deployed, so the fog will soon clear.”
Mage Goseiin replied with a calm face, but the duke’s torch seldom faded.
In less than fifteen minutes after the evening mist had risen, flames had risen around Highcastle. It was the magic flames that the battle mages vomited. The dragon fist wind soared. After flames and gusts of wind stirred the air, the fog that surrounded the area disappeared.
It was the result of more than forty wizards casting spells, including the battle wizards belonging to the Strom family and the destruction magicians dispatched by ‘Linhow on the Mountain’. A hundred and fifty fireballs worth of mana was spent to clear the fog, so there was no such waste, but the vassals who had to point out this were only relieved that Duke Avilambas had softened their anger.
“The meeting?”
“The call is over. We are waiting for His Highness to come.”
The duke, who looked around the city where the fog had lifted at the report of Captain Buakan, turned around without a word. Buakan, who followed him, continued a brief explanation of the war situation.
“Sir Vermillo has sent me a letter. It is said that after a week of fierce fighting, they won and occupied the main points of Unfast. However, it seems that they have not been able to capture the ‘Friggs Change Bag’ or its successor in the end.”
“Since you’re such an idiot… Why is it that there are only idiots under my command?”
Vermilo is a close relative of the Duke of Avillambus and is a high-ranking military officer in command of the Strom family’s soldiers.
He is currently in command of about 2,500 troops, including the duchy’s privates and conscripts, and is occupying Unfast, a province attached to the northern part of the plateau.
“I’m asking your Highness about whether we should go further north and attack all the way to Past.”
“Pastra… It would be nice to catch the frix, but if you hit the fast and go up, the Webelter will move, right?”
In the kingdom of Milanol, there are a total of three nobles who hold the title of duke.
However, it was rare for not only foreign magnates, but also the kingdom’s subjects to think of three dukes.
It was ludicrous to compare the title of ‘Duke of Ofen’, given to the king’s heir, with the other two duchy titles. Even for a duke, the land of Offen was a little better than any other county, and the background of the title was only to enhance the status of the crown prince.
Excluding the duke of Oppen, there are only two actual dukes in the kingdom.
One of them is Duke Caisis, the owner of Ireland. In effect, a person who rules a small kingdom and controls three fleets to the southern ocean.
Another duke is Webelter, the leader of the North. Although his prestige has declined slightly since the Thousand and One Day War, no one will deny that he is one of the most powerful nobles in the kingdom.
“It is the common opinion between me and the staff that there is a 50-50 chance that Duke Webelter will move.”
“Half and half? Ha, that’s useless advice. So what are you going to do?”
“We need to keep a close eye on the movements of Antrum and the royal capital. It would be right to move according to the situation.”
“Once I know. Let’s talk about it at the meeting.”
While the Duke of Avillambus left the manor house and headed for the castle tower, Buakhan’s
explanation continued.
“Currently, there are about a thousand enemies identified within the plateau.”
“What about the commander?”
“Marquis Garwin and Earl Os. We are adjusting our posture around Longdale, a settlement to the southeast.”
The duke narrowed his brow slightly.
“You still haven’t caught these 18-16-year-olds. How long do I have to be patient with you?”
“Earl Oss, befitting his nickname ‘Little Fox’, is as cunning as an adult, and Margrave Garwin, unlike my father, is a typical Axodbrook family man, so he’s not usually tenacious. If you look down on him as
a kid, you might be in trouble. ” It’s their ability anyway, aren’t they just 1,000 ordinary soldiers? I need to see those two kids face to face before April, so hurry up.”
“His Highness, we have turned most of our cavalry power to the rear to pursue Ankir’s cavalry and block Asag. Chasing the guys who were engaged in guerrilla warfare using the desolate plateau as the stage, without horses, the
kingdom army, which had been deprived of High Castle, retreated to the east and south and deployed a clear night tactic.
Of course, when it comes to clear night tactics, burning barley fields ahead of harvest season or settlements surrounded by wooden fences in villages was at a clumsy level. The problem was that the highlands were completely desolate, so even a clumsy play with fire destroyed the entire advance of the imperial army. It was difficult to find food, even hay for horses or firewood for fires.
In the end, half of the army that was advancing in four directions to seize the plateau suffered from supply problems and returned to High Castle. It was under these circumstances that the Duke of Avillambus was still here.
The fact that the two armies continued to advance each occupied the Unpast region and preoccupied the road leading to the Antrum region in the east was at least a consolation for the Duke of Avilambus.
“…that’s embarrassing.”
“What do you mean, Your Highness?”
“Aren’t there too few troops to resist?”
The duke, who stood tall in front of the conference hall, looked back at Buakan with his brows narrowed.
“Before High Castle was occupied, Ulkar had over 3,000 troops. The nudes that the red knight used to stab me in the back were not in High Castle from the beginning… Even if you subtract the cavalry led by the giant knight and the number of dead, there should be at least 2,500 left. But only a thousand people?”
“Weren’t most of them scattered because the allies occupied High Castle so suddenly? Lord Ariad, no, the Lord of Ariad said the same thing.”
“Yeah, that’s right… They say that Ulkar-kun without Ulkar is nothing more than a ragtag.”
“I think his expression of a ragged army is accurate. In the first place, it was an army gathered from all kinds of provinces, such as Oden, Loch, Abbey, and Antrum. I barely sewed with the personal charisma of the silver prince, but since he disappeared, wouldn’t it be natural for the ragged army to be torn apart?”
It was the answer he wanted, but Duke Ah Villambus couldn’t shake off his embarrassment.
“…I have to send Sejak to Odenlock and Abiden as well. Check if the troops dispatched to the plateau are returning.”
“I will obey your order, Your Highness.”
“okay. don’t go in.”
The Duke, who wiped his face once, opened the door to the conference room with a confident face.
However, that half-fabricated dignity was shattered at the first words of Prince Savellard, the commander of the Alzenberg army and the heir to his father Burkad.
“We must withdraw our troops.”
“…Prince. What did you say just now?”
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. My father gave me directives, so I have no way to disobey them.”
Thirty or so noble knights, officers, and wizards gathered in the conference hall all held their breath. It was because the face of the Duke of Avillambus was distorted as if it were going to spit fire at any moment.
Fortunately, just before the duke spewed out his words, the prince quickly added another word.
“It is not that the entire army will withdraw all at once. I will keep two of the remaining slave corps as a token of respect for the Duke, who has entrusted Dhyleti, so I hope you will put them to good use.”
According to the organization of the slave corps, one duleti was about five hundred, so it meant that a thousand men would be left behind.
Thanks to this, the Duke of Avillambus was able to temporarily swallow the anger that was about to erupt. However, the fact that all the real people, such as the sword master, Holy Baek Hope, and the imperial knights, the father’s personal soldiers, and the magic corps, did not change, so the duke still argued and listened with an angry expression.
“Are you going to withdraw in the midst of winning and winning? Why would you make such a foolish choice when you could get your hands on the fertile Antrum and Gistol with just a little advance?”
“My apologies, Your Highness, all we wanted was for the Strom family to occupy the plateau and move one step further from the border with the kingdom. There was no greed from the beginning for lands such as Antrum and Gistol.”
“So you’re saying you’re going back now that your goal has been met? Without consulting me?”
“His Highness initially announced that the war would end within January. The reason your father gave you a large army was because he trusted Your Highness’ words. But isn’t it already halfway through March?”
Despite Prince Savellard’s polite attitude, the duke glared at him with sharp eyes. It seemed that he was trying to see through the inside.
“I think I showed enough sincerity for my friend. I provided all the supplies, and I am paying enough compensation for the dispatch. But are you going to withdraw just because the deadline has passed?”
Duke Avillambus bluffed in a low voice.
“Tell me why. If you really consider me an ally of the Strom family.”
His tone was so intimidating that Prince Savellard was silent for a moment. Then he wet his thin lips and said.
“I lost a cousin in this war. To my father, he was as dear a nephew as I am.”
“Yes, Lord Conrad’s work is regretful to me as well.”
“My pride, ‘Sword of Noon’ Kolzen, is also dead. Sorg, who “knows no retreat,” Odelidis, the “black hand,” and Hafner, “of the bar,” are dead. All of them were knights who reached the peak of their skills. Is this all? Even Holy Baek Hopken, who entrusted himself to his father in spite of the Emperor’s high courtesy, almost died.” “Not only my father, but I also don’t want to see any more blood.”
“Do you think there will be any more bleeding than this? Ulkar’s army has already been crushed, and our army still has 12,000 left. The emperor will take care of the giant knights and red knights who are bothering you in the rear sooner or later… You’re not afraid of old foxes, are you?”
“You mean the Marquis of Eavon? no way Although I may not be as brave as Conrad, I am not an incorrigible coward.”
The prince had a fishy smile.
“But you don’t have to be ashamed to be afraid of lions, do you?”
“…lion? Did you say lion now?”
“yes. It is said that the ‘lying lion’ raised its massive body.”
Numerous families have a lion engraved on their coat of arms, but only one family on the continent could use a lion as a nickname. It is the royal family of Zeore.
And what the lying lion was referring to was none other than ‘Zacharys’. Zacharys Lionelson of Zeore. The Chancellor of Milanol, the duke of Orpen, and the soon-to-be king.
It was natural for those gathered in the conference room to hold their breath.
“…Zacharys said that piglet moved? No way.”
Duke Avillambus also muttered in a bewildered manner, as if it had been completely unexpected. Prince Savellard shook his head with a slight sneer.
“Your Highness… I didn’t expect you to believe in Zacharys so firmly.”
“…What does that mean?”
“What do you mean? Could it be that your wise father sent up 7,000 troops without knowing about your Highness and Zacharis’ affair?”
As soon as he finished his words, all the eyes of those gathered in the conference hall focused on the Duke. Everyone was like, ‘My pain?’ It was a questioning look as if asking. But the duke said nothing.
Ariad, an honorable renegade and who occupied a place as the lord of the castle of Kantz, had his unfocused eyes quivering, but no one paid any attention to him.
As if this atmosphere was amusing, Prince Savellard made a noise with a slightly excited expression.
“Zacharys watched the attack not because of the few gold and silver offers or empty promises from His Highness. It was to get rid of the fearful younger brother or at least reduce his strength.”
“But now, I don’t know if Ulkar has become an idiot or not, but his army has been crushed and scattered in all directions. There is no reason Zacharys won’t move.”
‘Isn’t that obvious?’ Duke Abillambus’ lips twitched several times with a puffy face. At the end of that adversity, the duke finally succeeded in forcing a smile.
“…Heh heh I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “If you say so… I won’t add unnecessary words, Your Highness.”
As Prince Savellard rose slowly from his seat, Saint Baek Hopeken and his retainers rose one after another.
“If it were me, I would clean up the rear while defending High Castle. I’m not brave enough to lend a hand to the Emperor. I can’t even imagine what outrageous things he would ask for in exchange for the Red Knight and the Giant Knight.”
“…Prince. Do you think I’m going to leave like this?” “Then what will you do? It wouldn’t be a wise choice to be torn between the Emperor and Zacharys’ vast army.”
Prince Savellard, who was about to leave the meeting with his vassals, said ‘Ah!’ muttered, looking back at the duke.
“My father told me when I left school that failure had already been decided by the time I wasted three months in front of this fortified city.”
“…do you want to mock me?”
“How could someone like me dare to insult His Highness the Duke? I’m just advising you to face the situation…. Then I’ll step aside.”
Prince Savellard paid his respects and left. As he was about to leave the inner sanctuary, an angry shout came from behind, and the prince clicked his tongue with a smile on his face.
“You look like a stupid bastard.”
“Are you okay, Your Excellency?”
When Seongbaek Hopeken asked a question in a hoarse voice, Savellard shrugged.
“What’s not okay?”
“There is nothing good about provoking the duke. Isn’t he the most powerful Elector Count in the Empire?”
“It did. Until this war.”
The young and cunning prince smiled and said in a light tone.
“You have wasted gold on supplies for a large number of troops, and even your prestige has been put to the ground. For a while, I will have to rush to protect my land.”
Hopeken was a little on the dark side of the world. However, it was not difficult for even him to recognize Al Zenberg’s intentions.
“…that was the purpose from the beginning of this war.”
“Ha Seongbaek will be 70 next year, but he speaks like a child who has been hurt.”
“Well, it would have been nice if we had achieved a glorious victory according to Ablambus’ plan, but… It’s true that I like this way more. The emperor in Miteltang was such a nuisance, but the emperor in Baeknyeon Castle? Ugh, just imagining it takes my breath away.”
Holy Baek Hopeken didn’t say anything. To the old man who devoted his life to the sword, this war had already been twisted.
