◈ 031. [Side Story] Margrave Cross
First of all, it was late, so I decided to listen to it tomorrow and had a meal and rest.
It was because I thought that if I had to listen to a problem that couldn’t be solved immediately, I would spend all night worrying about it.
After rolling in the dungeon all day, I slept well as soon as I lay down. Sleep without dreaming.
So the next morning. As soon as I woke up, I called Ader into the drawing room.
“What do you mean there are no reinforcements?”
When I asked a question, Ader, who was rolling his eyes, looked at me and answered.
“Isn’t that the war with the enemy country on the Western Front of the Empire recently?”
“so?”
“It is said that they are concentrating troops on the western front by borrowing all spare troops from each region as well as the central one. Naturally, there are no reinforcements to send to the monster front here… … .”
“… .”
I narrowed my eyes. something is weird
An empire is always a state at war. All year round, day and night, they are fighting with neighboring countries.
And then, all of a sudden, troops were taken from these southern cities?
Now that I requested reinforcements ‘of all necessity’?
“… .”
There was something suspicious and ominous about it, but it was something I couldn’t use my hands on anyway.
I am only the commander of the monster front here, and I have virtually no command over the Imperial forces. All you need to do is ask for support.
That’s why you have to rely on mercenaries.
“What about the mercenaries? Do you have any new hires?”
“Every single mercenary who comes to the mercenary guild is hired. However, there aren’t many new people coming yet… … .”
Ader was speechless.
In the first place, only a few days had passed since the last battle. It would be unreasonable to want the guild to be filled with mercenaries right away.
I put my chin on my chin and groaned in pain.
“Um… .”
What should I do? Replenishment of troops is essential for progressing to the next stage.
It was then. Ader looked at me and gave me a subtle smile. what is it
“Is there a corner where more troops will come out?”
“You actually have it, but… .”
“You should tell me right away. why are you hiding Please explain.”
“But it must be a pain in the ass.”
“Is my headache a problem now? It’s a problem to solve the next stage right now. tell me now Where is the corner where the troops will come out?”
Ader gestured out of the room without erasing a subtle smile.
“Okay. Then follow me.”
Ader led the way, and I quickly followed Ader.
“Did you cough, Your Highness!”
At that time, Lucas, who overslept for some reason, rushed over and joined them. This guy has a magpie in his head.
I pressed my fist against Lucas’ head.
“Did you sleep well, Lucas? You seem to have slept very well.”
“I only apologize for being late, Your Highness. The escort knight… … .”
“Why are you always apologizing? Okay, let’s go. It looks like Ader will lead us somewhere.”
The three of us went out of the mansion. The air in the morning is quite chilly, probably because it is early spring.
Ader went straight to the stable and brought out three horses.
“It’s not that far, but we have to get out of town.”
Lucas, who jumped up on his horse, asked.
“Where are you going now, Aide Ader?”
“To the former lord.”
Lucas and I opened our eyes wide in surprise. Ader spoke one more time.
“I’m going to the mansion of the Margrave of Cross!”
***
What is Marquee?
To put it simply, it is a count who protects the frontier.
Originally, the earl is usually a local baron, and is the de facto lord who governs the area.
However, the Marquess has slightly more authority than a normal Count.
That’s because it’s tasked with defending the frontier from enemies or monster disasters.
In short, he is not just a local baron, but also a military commander who is responsible for the defense of the local area.
“Ever since people first gathered here at Cross Road, Count Cross has been ruling this place.”
Riding out of the city on horseback, we headed straight southeast. Ader continued to explain nicely.
“In the first place, the name of the fortress was derived from the count’s family name.”
Road built by the Cross family.
The fort built on it was named Crossroad.
“It’s a prestigious family that has been guarding this place for a very long time since the birth of the fortress.”
“By the way, why did the Marquis give up his position as the lord of this place?”
I didn’t understand and tilted my head.
This is the southern edge far away from the center of the empire.
To put it bluntly, the Margrave’s authority here is stronger than the Emperor’s. The ruler of this land is Marquis Cross.
However, he gave up his position as lord and asked to be ruled by the central government.
The beginning of the game is the arrival of Prince Ashe in this vacant lord’s seat.
Giving up on one’s own territory that has been ruled by generations? why?
“There were many complicated circumstances. You better hear it yourself.”
Ader showed a tickling smile as if he knew or did not know.
Oh, don’t be like that, just ask for a spoiler!
“Im here. It is here.”
After running for about half an hour, Ader stopped talking. I lifted my head up and looked around.
An old mansion was built on a hill overlooking an oak forest in the distance.
Ivy grew thickly on the walls of the mansion, which had faded to gray, and the windows were so dusty that I couldn’t see inside.
At first glance, it was poorly managed.
“It was originally built as a villa for the Countess of Cross. The Marquis moved here after giving up the position of lord.”
“People live… … ?”
“Okay. I am sending daily necessities here periodically.”
I got off my horse Lucas and Ader followed me. I cautiously approached the old mansion.
Why is the Margrave, who should have reigned like the king of this region, giving up even the title of lord and living in seclusion in a place like this?
Doubts swelled like clouds.
It was then. As I passed through the fence of the mansion and entered the yard, a hoarse voice came flying in.
“What are they doing!”
When I saw it in surprise, a skinny old man came out of the mansion and shouted loudly with a reddened face.
“You know where this is and just come in! ok?”
He was an old man with skin and bones. His untrimmed beard unkemptly covered his chin and his eyes were bloodshot.
A strong smell of alcohol wafted from his body. It seems that he was drinking a while ago.
The old man vigorously shook the empty bottle in his hand from side to side.
“Get out of here, get out of my house!”
While Lucas and I were frozen in bewilderment, Ader quickly jumped forward.
“Aigoo~ Master Marquis! How are you! It’s me, I’m Ader!”
“Yes? Not our aide’s friend. It’s been a while.”
Seeing Ader, the old man’s demeanor softened noticeably.
By the way, Ader, what did you just call this old man? Are you a change baek?
‘Then this old drunkard… … Cross Marquee?’
A full-time lord of this city?
Ader continued to talk with Marshal Cross.
“I wonder if you’re doing well, I came here because I was worried. How can you not feel uncomfortable?”
“I’m fine… But the alcohol they send is not enough. Next month, send me another cart full of alcohol.”
“Oh, you already eat a lot. Eating more is really bad for your health!”
“I have already decided to drown myself in alcoholism. Don’t talk nonsense, send more.”
Ader, who had been arguing for a while about the liquor delivery, changed the subject.
“Come on, Marquis! More guests! We have guests!”
“what? customer? Didn’t I tell you not to let anyone find me?”
“It’s fine if it’s just for a moment, so let’s talk. He is a very precious and important person.”
Ader pointed at me and introduced me.
“The newly appointed lord! Ash ‘Bonehater’ He is the Prince of Everblack!”
Marquess Cross’s eyes widened when he heard my name.
My eyes met with the Marquis and I nodded lightly.
“Nice to meet you Marquis Cross. I am Ash, the youngest son of His Majesty the Great Emperor and inaugurated as the lord of the Crossroads this time.”
No matter how much Ash was the youngest prince, he couldn’t treat the Marquis.
It’s similar to a second lieutenant who just transferred to talk to the chief sergeant.
So I spoke to the Marquis in an awkward Hao style.
“I came here because I have something to discuss with you… .”
“Get out.”
“Eh?”
“Get out. I can not hear you?”
Marquis Cross gestured outside with a grim face. In both eyes, there is even a blur of life.
I was dumbfounded and looked at the Marquee in silence.
this crossed the line
The Everblack Empire is a country with a strict caste system.
No matter how much the margrave of cross is the real power who ruled this place for generations, did he dare to speak plainly to the prince? Besides issuing a congratulatory order?
“You disrespectful Marquis! I’ll tell you straight up the relationship between me and you… … .”
Chunk!
I was about to say something when the Marquis jerked something that had been placed at the entrance of the mansion.
It was an enormous cavalry spear and shield. The old man lifted it as lightly as picking up millet, even though he was very skinny.
“… there won’t be any need huh.”
I immediately shrank.
What does the act of arming the royal family mean in this caste country, the Everblack Empire?
It means crazy.
And avoiding madmen is the answer. This is the eternal truth. Shibeol.
“Turn everything off.”
Marshal Cross growled, raising the tip of his spear menacingly.
“When I say nice things, get out of here! Get out!”
Lucas got angry and tried to step forward, but I raised my hand to stop him.
“… See you next time, Marquis. I hope we can have a proper conversation then.”
I took the lead and got out of the mansion. Lucas with a dissatisfied face and Ader with a frightened face followed behind me.
The Marquis continued to yell hoarsely at our backs as we receded.
“Don’t come around again! Leave me alone here! okay?!”
***
Cross Marquee. Full name is Charles Cross.
< Defend the Empire > has never appeared directly on the game.
Nevertheless, the reason I remember that old man is because he is the father of the game’s strongest tank, ‘Evangeline Cross’.
Evangeline is one of the most popular characters among the SSR heroes in < Defend the Empire >.
Because of its overwhelming performance, it was unconditionally included in the five fingers of characters that players wanted to have.
As much as I wanted to get it, I read through Evangeline’s profile and looked for hints on the conditions for her appearance.
There were no hints in the profile, but the name of Evangeline’s father, Charles Cross, was also written there.
Thanks for what I remembered.
‘I have to boil that drunkard old man somehow.’
Returning to Crossroads after being kicked out of the villa, I was lost in thought.
‘Resolving the shortage of troops is important, but it might help recruit Evangeline.’
Like any other SSR grade hero character, Evangeline was difficult to recruit.
The probability of appearance was low and the success rate of recruiting was also low. In fact, Evangeline was not obtained even in the clear round of Hell.
But here is her father.
‘If I do something well, I think I might get a recruitment flag.’
The Cross Road was visible in the distance. I looked back.
“But how does that old man solve the troop problem?”
Ader’s answer was clear.
“The Margrave of Cross has a private in his family. They are the elite who are loyal only to the Marquis.”
“Hoo.”
“If we can convince the Marquis, the privates will also be transferred under the lord’s command, and the problem of lack of troops will be greatly resolved.”
“I’ll have to seduce you at all costs… … .”
But Lucas didn’t seem to like it at all.
“Do we really have to bring in such a reckless person? Moreover, a native of this place may interfere with Your Highness’ future governance of this city.”
“Even if that happens, you have to bring it in.”
Even if there is a problem, it will be later, and survival is immediate.
“But why can’t we even talk face-to-face, let alone talk? What should I do?”
“There is a way.”
“Ohh what is that?”
Ader laughed and made a cup with his hands and pretended to swallow it with his mouth.
“Because drunkards have their own way of getting close.”
It was clear what the gesture meant.
With a dirt-chewed expression on my face, I spat out curse words.
“Damn it.”
I want to live a good and sound life, but this world won’t leave me alone. Damn it.
