Skip to content 
In this era, there was no army that prepared and marched out in complete secrecy. Rumors inevitably spread while gathering, during preparations, and at the time of departure.
It was a matter that took all this into account.
After all, the opponent also had to rely on rumors to make accurate judgments.
When the army gathered in Baien and a campsite was established near the city, the surroundings began to stir.
Winter was about to end, but where exactly were they to march?
“Count Ganolwood, it is an honor to meet you.”
“Y-You are Sir Johan. I, I have heard much about you.”
“. . .?”
Johan was surprised but maintained his expression. Only novice knights show their emotions. He learned to keep a straight face and think inwardly since his time in the fiefdom.
‘𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳-𝘪𝘯-𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘧?’
Count Ganolwood, constantly wiping sweat with a handkerchief, appeared timid with his thin and small stature, the dark circles under his eyes making him look more like a scribe.
Expecting a boisterous noble or a military-like figure to lead the duke’s army. . .
“Is there something I should keep in mind?”
“No, no. There isn’t. You, you lead the army you brought with bravery.”
The armies of this era were not well-organized units but rather collections of various followers brought by individuals.
Even as a commander-in-chief, issuing absolute commands wasn’t possible, and the nobles who brought their soldiers had the autonomy to act independently.
Customarily, at such a gathering, one would at least say ‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘶𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘴𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘺’. . .
“Understood. I will strive to fight honorably.”
“Yes, yes. You may go.”
After seeing off Johan, Count Ganolwood re-entered his tent, his hands and face sweaty.
“How was it?”
“In, indeed. Very, very impressive.”
Inside the tent, an old knight was polishing his sword.
He was Sir Karpati, known as the ‘Lion of the East.’ A loyal retainer of the duke, he was in the city for the punitive expedition.
“Seeing your words, Lord, he must be a remarkable knight indeed.”
“Not, not as much as you, but, but still a formidable knight.”
Ganolwood sat down with a groan, weakened by the cold wind.
Most knights usually couldn’t hide their disappointment when they saw Count Ganolwood, due to his unimposing presence as both a noble and a knight.
However, Johan showed no flicker of emotion in his eyes or expression. Whether genuine or not, this was a remarkable composure for someone his age.
“Moreover, he brought many soldiers, including Eastern barbarians.”
“Those warriors too? Reminds me of my youth, but he surpasses my younger self. Lord.”
“You, you were always great.”
“I am nothing compared to your lordship.”
As mentioned, Count Ganolwood wasn’t popular. Yet, he had managed the County and received the duke’s favor, despite such drawbacks.
Unseen wisdom. That was Count ’s true weapon.
Knowing this, Sir Karpati was always careful around Count Ganolwood. It was not just about status but also genuine respect.
“Has His Grace, the duke, promised you the city of Umdim?”
“No way, that’s absurd.”
The Count waved his hand dismissively. Umdim was not a city to be handed over to others. Its well-developed city’s income was immense.
“One of the stars of Brduhe will receive it.”
“My God. Still?”
Lord Karpati sighed in disbelief. Both he and the Count knew it.
Duke Brduhe was an impeccable ruler, but the succession issue was not.
Instead of simply passing it to the eldest, he incited competition among his children to choose the most outstanding successor.
Despite warnings from his advisors about the dangers and potential internal conflicts, the duke’s stubbornness remained unchanged.
“That’s something pagans would do. . .”
“N-Now, you try to convince him.”
“If he was going to listen, he would have done so before.”
The practice of children competing for succession was common in the pagan empires across the sea. Lord Karpati was uncomfortable with the Duke adopting such customs.
“Then, Your Excellency will be overseeing one of the stars.”
“You too.”
“Yes. Just command me.”
The duke’s children were still inexperienced, but Count Ganolwood and Sir Karpati could sufficiently support them. The duke had likely summoned them for this purpose.
🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
“Isn’t he a weak and fearful stutterer?”
“Watch your words.”
Achladda shrugged and pulled the bowstring. While waiting for spring, Johan and the warriors kept going out for hunting expeditions.
Johan could have stayed idle, but the tribal warriors constantly nagged to go outside.
‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘐’𝘮 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘨, 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸. . .’
He was grateful for the acceptance of his suggestion, but these warriors could be annoyingly demanding at times.
“I too was puzzled. But I think there must be a reason why such a weak and fearful stutterer has been favored by the duke for so long.”
“Perhaps he comforted the duke with his body after His Grace lost his wife?”
“. . .Listen seriously. Achladda.”
“I am being serious. . .”
Johan was shocked at Achladda’s expression. To think that was his idea of being serious.
“Ultimately, dealing with the Count will be my responsibility, but I still want to warn you to be careful.”
“Don’t worry. You’d be surprised how polite I can be when dealing with the nobles of the Empire.”
The group, returning to the encampment near the city, squinted at the distant flag.
It was the banner of the Brduhe family.
It couldn’t be the duke himself leisurely here. . .
‘𝘐𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵.’
Johan dismounted and greeted respectfully. The duke’s youngest looked at him intently with clear eyes.