Chapter 155: Just who is that person……? (1)
Imperial Year 377, April 12th.
Just thinking about the Narvilt Conquest Force launching ceremony, which should be in full swing in the Baekslan territory by now, brings a smile to my face that I can’t suppress.
At the vanguard of the Narvilt Conquest Force will be Sir Grenoian, General of the Kingdom Army, Commander of the 8th Legion, and Prince of the Kingdom, Arisein Uck Herduke. King Ecaledon Kinog Herduke will bestow blessings upon him.
Most likely, Arisein Uck Herduke will pledge to do his utmost to meet the King’s expectations, and the morale of the soldiers will soar endlessly.
Thus, the Narvilt Conquest Force, with a total of 180,000 men, will soon adorn a page in history……
“The chroniclers will soon have to discard the neatness and unwavering determination Arisein Uck Herduke displayed at the launching ceremony. What a pity……”
“What do you mean, Risel?”
“Just talking to myself.”
I smiled gently at Levidian, who was tilting her head in curiosity beside me.
I, who should be at the launching ceremony, am currently heading towards Dakard Barony. Of course, at the ceremony, I would be appointed as the vanguard.
What do I mean? Simply put, it means that not only the enemy but also most of our allies are being deceived.
Currently, I am heading towards Aila’s hometown with the five thousand soldiers I commanded in Atzuma. On paper, we are the troops replacing the Kingdom Army stationed in the Barony.
Deceive the enemy while deceiving our allies. It’s a classic tactic, but it’s effective for that very reason.
Levidian stroked the horse’s mane and said.
“Will Lucy and Al be able to pull it off?”
“Al is taciturn, so he won’t ruin things by being loose-lipped. And while Lucy is a bit worrisome…… I’ll trust his acting skills he showed in the Imperial Capital.”
Generals heading to the battlefield usually wear full armor that covers most of their bodies. Therefore, there are many cases where no one would know if someone else was inside the armor.
Taking advantage of this, I put Al forward as my proxy.
There’s a slight difference in height, but that can be masked in various ways. It’s a hundred times better than what Lucy would do. (If Al hadn’t volunteered, the soldiers would have been seriously suspicious of the suddenly gigantic general’s appearance.)
Anyway, with a large army moving, not many people will notice that about 5,000 men have slipped away. At most, the supply officers would wonder if the soldiers had suddenly lost their appetites right before the battle.
“However, Aila and I have a surprisingly large presence. We can’t use stand-ins.”
“I’ll explain that.”
Aila, who had approached us unnoticed, chimed in with a bright smile. The three horses began to walk side by side.
“The method Risel suggested is surprisingly effective. Human psychology is quite flimsy when you look at it closely.”
“I know that. If you practice martial arts, you can naturally draw the opponent’s gaze to one point and strike at their weak point. But will such a flimsy trick, like casually mentioning seeing someone in the morning or where they went, work?”
“Hmm, for example. Let’s say you’re looking for Risel in the morning, and he’s actually having a secret rendezvous with a female soldier about 2 kilometers away, and I, out of friendship, try to cover it up.”
“No.”
“I’m just saying, for example. For example.”
Aila made a dumbfounded expression, and I sighed. You don’t seem to think your example is inappropriate. And if such a situation arises, you’re the type to confess honestly.
Levidian stared at Aila and then nodded with an uncomfortable expression (Don’t you trust me that much?). Aila said.
“In that situation, you ask me, ‘Have you seen Risel?’ I say, ‘Risel? He was washing his face by the river.’ You would nod and either head to the river or go back to the barracks, thinking he’ll be back soon after washing up. From your perspective, Risel was by the river at that time.”
“What if he wasn’t by the river?”
“What would you think?”
“Hmm, ‘He must have finished washing up. He must have gone somewhere else. He’ll be nearby, so I’ll look around.’ I would think that because you wouldn’t lie to me without a good reason.”
“Yes, that’s right. Even if you meet Risel 30 minutes later, and even if he looked very refreshed because he had already finished his rendezvous, you would think, ‘Ah, we must have missed each other. The camp should be a bit bigger.’ Now, do you understand?”
Levidian pressed her lips with her finger and fell into thought. It seems to take a while for someone who’s not good at playing mind games.
“Ah, I understand now. You present a fact that’s too trivial to doubt, leading the listener to believe it’s the ‘actual situation.’ And because they thought of it themselves, not because someone showed them a fake situation, they believe it.”
“Correct. That’s what Lucy and Joey will do from now on. Risel can pass off as Al with a disguise, and our absence can be explained by casually mentioning, ‘Speaking of which, I saw Ibi and Aila yesterday……’ As the soldiers overhear this, they’ll nod in agreement. ‘Ah, those two are still the same.’ Unless someone who passionately admires us appears, we won’t be discovered in a short time.”
Levidian nodded. This is a kind of psychological trick, a method often used in planned crimes. You could say it’s the kind of advanced mind game that I or Aila would use.
“Not saying it directly, but casually…… very naturally. It’s cunning, but ingenious. Did Risel come up with this?”
“Yes. We need to deceive our allies before deceiving the enemy. It’s a double deception tactic.”
“I see. I’ll have to keep an eye out from now on. You never know when Risel might deceive me this way.”
“Do you distrust me that much? It’s a bit sad, but I admit that all men have a philanderer’s instinct. However, please don’t think that I would do that.”
She became thoughtful again. But this time, instead of nodding, she tilted her head. Ugh. My heart aches.
“Why? You’re a man.”
“I’m saying that I know exactly which sword I’ll be killed by if I do that.”
She smiled at my lament. Do you finally understand my sincerity?
She said in a voice like a spring breeze.
“No. You won’t know. Because I won’t use my hands.”
“I’m saying I won’t cheat!”
Oh, this woman, really! Is it fun to tease me? Huh?!
I was about to lose my temper for a moment, but then I had to calm down. That’s right. Teasing is fun. Ugh.
“Unni, don’t tease him so much. What if he really snaps?”
“It’s okay. There’s always a shadow following him.”
“Following him?!”
“Whoa. Scary. Even I wouldn’t go that far.”
“What would you do then?”
Aila’s eyes flashed as she stroked her chin. I felt a chill run down my spine. She said in a spooky voice.
“What did the man do wrong? It’s the bitch who seduced him that deserves to die. Uhuhuhu……”
Whoever he may be, I can’t help but offer 30,000 condolences to the man who will embrace Aila in the future. I pray to all the gods that he may be a man faithful to one woman.
It was just as my pride was plummeting faster than a meteor in the midst of this villainess’s banter.
“General, we are now entering Dakard Barony.”
“Did you send the message?”
“Yes, I sent it. There hasn’t been a reply yet.”
“Alright. Continue moving as planned, First Sword Exofi.”
“Yes, General.”
First Sword Doreneu Exofi saluted briefly and spurred her horse forward.
Aila watched the female officer’s receding figure and pouted. She seemed dissatisfied with something.
“Aila, what’s wrong?”
“Lena’s skin is so damaged. I told her to wear her helmet properly, but she didn’t listen. As I thought, being a soldier isn’t a suitable profession for a woman.”
“Lena? Is that a nickname?”
“Yes. Didn’t you know?”
“I don’t need to know the nicknames of my subordinate officers. But how did you find out?”
“How? We’re close, so I know.”
Aila spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world. It was so natural that for a moment, I wondered if the person who asked was a fool.
Once again, I couldn’t help but marvel at her formidable friendliness. I’m sure Aila could make friends in three hours even if she went to a place where words didn’t work.
Just in case, I asked.
“What’s First Sword Aranas’s nickname?”
“Niss. Didn’t you know?”
“It’s more surprising that you know.”
I wondered why the First Swords had become more friendly lately. Is it thanks to Aila? Haha.
With a vacant expression, I looked up at the sky for a moment. The spring sky was indeed bright.
“From now on, please show some interest in your subordinates.”
“I’ll try.”
“Now, that being said……”
Aila slightly urged her horse forward. She rode in front of me and Levidian, then turned around with a nimble movement, standing on the saddle.
With a smiling face, she placed her right hand on her chest and bowed politely and elegantly.
“Sermaila Hind, the only daughter of Dakard Hind, welcomes Arisein Uck Herduke, Duke of Grenoian and Prince of the Herduke Kingdom, Commander of the 8th Legion of the Kingdom Army, and his lover Ibi. May you experience all the joys in the land of salt, Dakard Barony, which is more beautiful than snowflakes and softer than the spring breeze.”
Aila was the owner of a rare talent, greeting formally while exquisitely balancing on the saddle of a moving horse. I was momentarily speechless at the sight, which was like acrobatics. Only after Levidian nudged me in the side was I able to open my mouth.
“Ah, um. I express my deepest gratitude for your welcome. Arisein Uck Herduke, son of Ecaledon Kinog Herduke, promises not to lose his manners through friendship. Also, Aila!”
“Huh? Hey! St, Stop! This horse, why, why is it doing this! Kyaaah……!”
Aila’s horse, which suddenly started to run wild, disappeared into the distance with her. Her fading voice was faint.
With a blank expression, I spoke to Levidian.
“Do you see her?”
“I don’t see her.”
The sound of the surrounding soldiers trying to stifle their laughter after being impressed by her playful yet formal greeting was irritating.
April 20, 377th year of the Imperial Calendar.
Except for the fact that Aila’s horse, stung by a bee, ran wild, the 5,000 troops safely entered ‘Lexil,’ where Baron Dakard’s castle was located.
Baron Dakard, along with the Barony’s defense forces, came out to greet us. Officially, I am not Arisein Uck Herduke, but First Sword Lucerne Fonts. The Baron greeted me by that name.
“Welcome, First Sword Fonts. You’ve worked hard.”
“Reporting the arrival of First Sword Lucerne Fonts of the Herduke Kingdom Army’s 3017th Legion and 5,000 troops. Thank you for your hospitality, Baron.”
“I praise His Majesty’s consideration for dispatching the defense force in these difficult times. Now, please rest from your journey.”
Baron Dakard, whose grayish hair, which appeared to be half-white, suited him well, rode close beside me. He spoke in a low voice that couldn’t be heard by others.
“It’s been a long time, Your Excellency.”
“It has been a while. While you are here, please treat me as Aila’s friend.”
“I will. And thank you for allowing me to see my daughter after a long time.”
I didn’t say anything and just smiled.
Baron Dakard seemed truly happy. He wasn’t Aila’s biological father, but he undoubtedly had the face of a father happy to see his daughter return home after a long time.
Suddenly, seeing him made me even more curious. Who is the person Aila calls ‘Dad’? Perhaps Baron Dakard might know.
Aila and Levidian, dressed as ordinary female officers, are at a reasonable distance from the front. I would like to show Aila to Baron Dakard, but there are many eyes watching.
After instructing the 5,000 troops to wait outside the city and set up camp, I and some officers were invited to Baron Dakard’s house.
A delicate, if not luxurious, dinner awaited us, and I was able to honestly admire the various dishes that freely utilized salt.
Towards the end of the dinner, I received a personal invitation from the Baron to his study. The Baron’s study was small but filled with books. I thought that Aila probably spent her adolescence here reading books.
“Is the person who came with you named Ibi?”
“Yes. As Aila may have mentioned, her real name is Levidian.”
“She told me. And she told me most of the current situation. Please have a seat.”
While I sat on the sofa, the Baron took out cognac and glasses from a cabinet. He placed a glass in front of me and poured a brown liquid that was almost golden, saying,
“As you may have heard, I am not her biological father. And I don’t know who her biological father is.”
“Did Aila tell you? That I was curious.”
“Yes. I think she probably knows her biological father…… but she hasn’t shown any sign of telling me for 20 years.”
I was about to reach for the glass, but I paused at the number of years he mentioned. 20 years?
Baron Dakard smiled subtly, like the aroma of cognac, and affirmed my question.
“Yes. She’s a foundling.”
Leave a Reply