“You’ll see that sort of activation method on many ancient Empire items.”
“Why’s that?”
“Um. . .probably to prevent the client from taking it without paying, I guess. . .but I don’t know the exact reason either.”
“. . .”
Somehow convinced by the practical-sounding reason, Johan nodded.
“But artifact? Isn’t it just a clock?”
In the ancient Empire era, outstanding dwarf wizards did not simply make works. Along with technique, they would breathe magic into it.
Even then, such a striking clock was a very valuable item. It was highly likely that at the client’s request, desired magic had been engraved inside.
“Oh. . .how do you activate it?”
“. . .Count, I know nothing at all about magic.”
Just as he finished explaining and had to admit not knowing what magic it contained, Volandrunt also looked embarrassed. Fortunately, Johan knew how to handle the power of magic.
When he summoned Valkalmur’s power, the striking clock resonated, producing a beautiful song. It was a sweet, enchanting song.
‘. . .𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭?’
Johan was taken aback. Well, it was surely a good function. Being able to hear such a song while socializing with nobles would earn him praise.
However, Johan had expected some different magic. Something to kill enemies, or deceive them, or break things. . .
“Cou. . .Count, please. . .stop the song. . .”
“!”
Johan was shocked to see Volandrunt’s condition. Volandrunt’s eyes lost focus and he started acting as if enchanted. Johan hurriedly closed the clock in panic.
“I-It’s a siren’s song.”
A siren’s song that enchants the listener with illusion. To think it was made to contain such a thing. Volandrunt shuddered at his ancestors’ nasty taste.
“Were you alright, Count?”
“God always protects me.”
“I see. . .”
‘𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯, 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦.’
Johan rather thought this was better. Since it was this kind of magic, there would definitely be a way to use it. It was better than a completely useless song and poetry.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
𝔞ẇ̇𝘦𝘣𝙨𝐭𝙤𝐫𝕚𝘦𝚜.ċ̇ᴏṁ
It was inevitable that news would leak out about Johan’s side patiently preparing for war while waiting for spring. Of course, all sorts of rumors started circulating in the Jekyllid Hundred Kingdoms.
Despite the lord’s crazy personality, some vassals carefully brought up whether they should summon vassals or hire mercenaries.
However, the Count of Jekyllid just laughed scornfully.
“Don’t talk nonsense. He’s a novice who hasn’t even heard of a family. Do you think someone like that would cross over here for his position? It’s just bluster so it’s fine to ignore him.”
“My lord. Please reconsider one more time. According to the words of merchants and pirates who have fled, his momentum does not seem normal. He says he has occupied the entire south. . .”
“Do you think that makes sense!”
In fact, the Count of Jekyllid was not completely wrong. In the south, there were many long-established families swirling about, from Marquis Crucho to the viscounts who ruled the Emperor’s fiefs in his stead.
It was unbelievable that such a place had been completely overtaken in less than a year as the rumors said.
“Although the mercenary captain brags about having quite a lot of troops, rebellions will break out from all sides as time goes by and tear him apart. Don’t worry. I sent a bribe to the Emperor to attack him.”
The Count of Jekyllid was overflowing with confidence. In this era where it was difficult to obtain proper information, the judgment made by the count was an inevitable fate.
“Still, just in case, please allow me to hire more mercenaries.”
“About how many?”
“If it’s about a hundred. . .”
“Isn’t that too many?”
“Then about fifty. . .”
“Alright.”
While they were having that conversation, Johan had already finished his preparations and was leaving the port.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
𝘢𝘸𝚎𝔟s𝕥𝕠𝚛𝔦ė̇𝘴.ċ̇ᴏ𝕞
Dwarven Captain Mackald was not happy with the southern expedition.
That was because they did not make a proper contribution.
“Don’t be angry, Captain. We won, didn’t we?”
“That’s why you’re the problem.”
“. . . . . .”
The sub-captain, who was scolded for saying a word of comfort, was discouraged.
“The other guys were all active. The centaurs also made such a contribution, but we only. . .”
“There was no need for a siege, so it couldn’t be helped, could it?”
“You’d better just shut up.”
The other sub-captains stopped the young dwarf sub-captain. No matter how you looked at it, he seemed like the kind of guy who would get scolded more and more if he spoke.
Dwarven mercenaries were especially famous among mercenaries. Mackald’s dwarves had one more special talent in addition to this.
That was just siege technology.
From the past, these siege engineers were highly valued and received expensive payments. The order had such expectations when they hired them at great expense.
However, while following Johan, although they were winning, there wasn’t much work making siege weapons. The marquis’s castles, they were also looking forward to it thinking ‘𝘐𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦?’ but their labor was disrupted because of the pirates. . .
Being like this, it was inevitable for the captain to become anxious. Failing to make decent achievements despite being hired by the order at great expense was a disgrace among disgraces. At this rate, it seemed like it would damage the honor built by his ancestors.
“Don’t worry. This time there will definitely be opportunities. Didn’t the count say words of expectation when he left?”
“. . . . . .”
Macald’s expression softened slightly at the sub-captains’ words.
That’s right.
Johan had great expectations for the dwarf mercenaries on this expedition. Fierce siege warfare was expected.
They had brought so many siege weapon materials that they had to greatly reduce the number of warhorses. It was already a great hassle to move warhorses when going on expeditions by fleet.
Johan left the eastern warriors and centaurs behind and organized the expeditionary force with infantry only. Only Johan and the elite heavy infantry protecting Johan could bring horses.
This was encouraging for the dwarves. It was proof that he had high hopes for them.
“You’re right. I swear on my ancestor’s beard that I will definitely bring down the enemy’s castle walls.”
“Excellent!”
Aside from siege technology, the dwarf mercenaries were soldiers as hard as steel. There were very few mercenaries who could resist the charge of cavalry by gathering tightly together. Dwarves were one of those few.
“Hmm. Although the difficult landing went smoothly, I must not fail to thank my ancestors and show them an embarrassing sight.”
The army had finished landing and was now heading towards the Count of Jekyllid’s castle. At this rate, they would arrive in a few days. It was time to encourage morale rather than complain.
“. . .There’s big trouble.”
“What is it?”
“It is said that the enemy has come out of the castle and is heading this way.”
“. . .Why is that trouble━Oh.”
“Ah. . .”