Chapter 362
My Villains Episode 362
61. art of war(4)
Prince Ulkar's inspection of the castle ended happily thanks to the dragon knights being defeated without much damage..
The cavalry that returned today was disbanded because they needed time to recover from fatigue, but Ulkar was an exception. He gathered together his chief officer, Harold, and all the effective commanders of each army - General MacNeill of Antram, Lord Ecbert of Abidden, and Sir Dale Reshid of Audenloch..
“……Are you saying you want to have another meeting??”
“of course. Since I've been away for nearly 10 days, I have a lot of work to do..”
“No, Your Majesty..”
Madaz Rao, a middle-aged wizard wearing black robes and a monocle, blocked the prince with the firmness of an expert..
“I really need to get my prosthetic hand repaired today..”
Ulkar raised an eyebrow and held up his silver prosthetic hand..
“……Your prosthetic hand? I thought I got a gift.”
“You manage the gifts you gave me in a messy manner. I can no longer watch this ignorance and negligence. I have the right to interfere with Your Majesty's personal affairs in proportion to the proportion of Your Highness's left forearm and hand..”
“Where is that law??”
“It's in the Rao family..”
The Rao family of the Baden region is a prestigious family called one of the three major schools of magic in the kingdom, along with the Royal Capital's Order of Dawn and Tirin Mel's La-Palais Palace..
Madaz Rao is a wizard whose older brother is the head of a prestigious family. Although he is not very good at combat, he is known as a master of golems and artifacts..
Although his personality is a bit eccentric, his skills are certain, and crucially, he is in the military without any compensation - except for the experience of testing the Silver Prosthetic Hand, which is the masterpiece of his life. Thanks to that, even though he tried to tease him, Ulkar just looked embarrassed..
“I can't do it. Now, take it and repair it.
Do it.”
“Don't say anything when you clearly know this. The job is to harmonize with your body, so you're telling me to just take off the prosthetic hand??”
Ulkar turned to his entourage with eyes asking for help..
“Please follow Master Madaz's advice, Your Majesty. It's important to receive reports, but why not just take care of yourself??”
Sir Gisella actively expressed her agreement with Sir Lyam's advice, and Sir Ankir only chuckled. Master Limond and Master Epoz looked the other way, as if they didn't want to argue with Madaz, and soon the prince turned to me..
What should I do?.
As I silently shrugged my shoulders, Madaz said with an amused look on his face..
“Everyone seems to agree, Your Majesty..”
“……Harold, I'll check while you're receiving treatment, so I'll summarize the report.-”
“Are you telling me to show the Rao family’s vision to outsiders??”
“that,”
“I'm sorry, but I have no right to make such a request even if it is not your Majesty, but your grandfather, His Majesty King Adumir, who comes back alive..”
In the end, Ulkar was almost dragged by Madaz and headed to the inner city..
Seeing the prince walking with a dark expression while surrounded by Sir Gisella and his soldiers, I asked Sir Ankir a question..
“What on earth did you do that His Majesty hates you so much??”
“I don't know, but that maintenance thing seems quite itchy and stinging..”
“……They say they do that because they don’t like it.?”
Are you an elementary school student being dragged to the dentist?.
“If that's the case, wouldn't it be better to get treatment??”
“therapy? Oh, the severed arm.?”
“yes.”
“That's difficult.”
He scratched his beard with a bitter expression..
“More than half a year has already passed since the creeping dragon ate your arm. Now, if you want to attempt rebirth, you'll need to bring in a high-ranking priest who is skilled in healing, even among the archbishops.?”
Among the priests under the prince, the highest level is old priest Gospat Rick. Although his divine power was great, he was at the level of a bishop at most, so he could not make his severed arm grow again..
There is also Princess Theodora, but she is a style that is good at fighting, healing, and exorcism, so even though only the healing ability is considered, it is similar to or even inferior to the Gospa Trick..
“But it's a good thing, because once the maintenance is over, you'll be able to sleep soundly even if you're exhausted. I'll have to pray that you have a comfortable dream today..”
“……Dream spot? Are you having a nightmare??”
“Oh, I don't know sir..”
He watched Ulkar's back and shook his head..
“I heard you've been having disturbing dreams almost every day for two months..”
“what kind of dream?”
“Well, I'm not saying exactly. It must be quite frustrating because you can't go to the priest just because your dream is disturbed..”
w......o ugh”
—
Well, anyway.
Ulkar, an evil boss who loves work, has been eliminated by the dentist, so now my multiplier is free..
As a walled city on the border, High Castle has three more castle walls in addition to the high and thick double walls. These are High Castle, Axword, and Andal-Viren. The fortress with the same name as this city, 'High Castle', is a historic structure that stood in place even before the other two fortresses and the double fortress walls were built. So to speak, this inner city is the original High Castle..
This old building in the form of a typical castle is located in the very center of the city, and as its name suggests, it has a magnificent castle tower over 10 meters high, providing a clear view of the surrounding area..
It was originally a major defense base where the frontier guard captains and knights stayed, and now it has become the core of defense as it is the residence of Prince Ulkar and the lords..
‘‘Axode’ is a castle that serves as a lord’s residence, and is also called ‘Count’s Castle’ because it has been the residence of the Margrave and the Axodbrook family for generations..
Thanks to this, it is the largest of the three fortresses and has a beautiful courtyard. In addition, the appearance of black tiles placed on top of a square three-story granite building gave a beautiful yet solid impression..
Even now that Ulkar's army has entered, the Margrave of Landri, his family, and vassals are staying, and when a full-scale siege begins, it is planned to accommodate major merchants and artisans..
‘Andal-Viren' is the smallest of the three castles, but it is the place where people come and go the most. This is because it is where the city’s only cathedral is located..
Six or seven insignia with ring crosses and suns were hung on the white stone wall, and the sharp spire was so high that it was clear that it was a sacred space even at first glance..
All the clergy who cannot intervene in the war between the Gwangmyeongists are staying here, and hundreds of serfs and day laborers who are too poor to leave the city are being accommodated..
It's not much different now, but once a full-scale battle begins, this place will be operated as a relief station. Its role is to continuously treat injured warriors and return them to the battlefield..
I think this is enough to intervene in the war, but no matter what I think, the residents of High Castle still seem to believe that 'An Dal-Viren' is a sacred place..
Ah, this is where Princess Theodora and the Holy Knights originally stayed..
It was quite unusual for Calandari paladins to eat and sleep in the church of the El Ganor Church. However, the most senior priest in the city at present was Father Gospatrick, the chaplain of Ulcar. And for a wandering priest who turned 70 this year, different denominations and such did not seem to be such an important issue..
“……Still, the paladins have all left, so why do you really want to go back there?” Theodora nodded with a puzzled look at my question..
“I think so. It is a rule set by my maternal uncle that all clergy must stay at the cathedral in Andal-Viren..”
“That's what I'm talking about during the battle. For now, let's go to the lodgings my group has taken. I heard that the space in the cathedral is small because of the refugees, but isn't it impossible to place your precious body on the cold floor??”
“……But, as a priest, how can I just find a comfortable place for myself?.”
““The princess is a Holy Knight of Calandari, but she is also my colleague.” I smiled playfully and persuaded her..
“If you really want to go, I won't stop you. But please know that I won't be able to sleep well because I'm worried about you, princess..”
W ugh »
“Now that you’ve heard this, you probably feel uncomfortable even if you go to the cathedral.?”
“Yeah, I guess so..”
“Then, Andal-Virenbodaya, who is uncomfortable both physically and mentally, would be better off as a priest by my side, where my mind would be a little uncomfortable, but my body would be comfortable. Anyway, I heard that you have found a place close to Andal-Viren, so if you feel uncomfortable, please move there..”
She laughed as if she was dumbfounded and glanced at me..
“A pure sophist and an extortionist, Kyeong-eun.”
“I know. Now, let's go quickly..”
She quickly grabbed Brightmere's reins and pulled them, causing Theodora to grab the handle of the saddle in panic..
“Ouch-”
“What are you doing? Esson, Umberta, take the lead.”
“Sir Phoenics!”
Theodora let out an angry voice, but made no attempt to take the reins back..
Among the three castles, the one where I should have stayed was High Castle..
Well, that's obvious. I am Ulkar's knight, and Ulkar will stay in High Castle. Other knights and wizards are also planning to use it as their lodgings..
But there was a problem: I had a military family of over fifty people..
In the end, I was able to use the good excuse of having to lead my subordinates and head to the lodgings that Ute Kwai, Heila, and others had already set up..
‘rose flower field’.
It was the name of the inn where the group was staying. Despite its tacky name, it was the most expensive and luxurious accommodation in the city..
The inn was a two-story building that looked like two giza buildings joined together. The roof was covered with light red tiles and a red brick wall surrounded it. The stables covered with silver grass were spacious and clean, and there were antique wooden awnings at the entrance and windows..
“……I don't have to tell you who chose the accommodation..”
Esson, who had guided us this far, answered with a grin..
“It seems you liked it. So much so that I bought the whole thing..”
“……You bought it whole? here?”
“yes. The original owner was about to flee, so he bought it at a low price. Well, the discounted price was a lot of money, but from the young lady's perspective, it was probably a bargain..”
“Well, I guess so..”
When I entered the front yard of the inn, there were more than thirty people waiting for me. Half of them were unexpected people..
“nicks!”
Oh, of course I expected Atalanta to be there..
As soon as she found me, she rushed over and jumped as if she was stepping on air and landed on the bicorn..
“Ugh, I missed you..”
“Hey, wait a minute. “Get down a bit-” I frowned, but Atalanta only let me go after finally kissing me..
“This is Maxiago and Annenso. These are the people who help me.”
Upon her introduction, a man and a woman dressed as Nude people came forward and greeted her in a very polite manner..
“It is an honor to meet the renowned knight Nari. It's Magsiago from Jaladdup..”
“May the Supreme Father protect you. It's called Lejun's Annenso..”
They were a large middle-aged man and a stooped old woman, respectively, and they were the chiefs of a clan that Atalanta had recently brought under her command..
Behind them stood the captains of the newly formed Nudein elite warrior unit, ‘Hares Kiss’..
One of the dogs had a familiar face, Agos, Atalanta's henchman, and the other two were people I had never seen before. Judging by the subtle differences in the bands on their arms and the rings on their clothes, they appear to be from the Zaladdup clan and the Rejun clan..
“……Why did you bring me here in such a hurry??”
Atalanta smiled bitterly at my whisper..
“If not at a time like this, when will I put my stamp on Lee, the knight of the Silver Prince?.”
“what?”
When I heard the story, it was said that only a few leaders, including Atalanta, were here, and that the eight hundred Nudein soldiers she led were stationed between the inner and outer walls of High Castle..
“No, why?”
“There are so many people who hate our people..”
“who? lords?”
“It's the same for the lords, but it's especially worse for the residents here..”
“Even so, they didn't bring people into the city to fight the enemy together.?”
Come to think of it, when the various commanders counted our troops, they did not even mention the eight hundred Nudein soldiers. Since we are in a situation where we are overwhelmingly outnumbered, it would be a shame to lose one cat's hand.…….
“It's clear they don't see us as a force. I used it to my heart's content at Oduenne Port, and now I'm enjoying this cold meal..”
“no way. The prince is not the type of person to do that..”
“I don't know, maybe they don't want to pay the price they promised us. Well, maybe I just forgot... … . Anyway, I'll have to face it in person..”
Ulkar is considered one of the most outstanding commanders in the kingdom, no, on the continent. Would a gentleman like that have forgotten that there were as many as 800 troops??
No way, it can't be.
I scratched my eyebrows for a moment and then reassured Atalanta..
“let me ask you a question.”
“ you?”
“huh. The prince is not a stingy person when it comes to giving rewards or paying compensation to allies. When I was a mercenary and had nothing, I received a knighthood and a manor for one act of merit..”
“……I hope that fairness does not discriminate between ethnic groups..”
She spoke with a sigh, but then her eyes sparkled and she smiled. And he put his arms around my neck.
“Still, I feel good.”
“what?”
“I feel like you're on my side.”
“That's nonsense. There are a lot of people, so can you please let me go??”
Familiar faces appeared next to Atalanta, who retreated after another kiss..
“......uh?" A warrior with a sturdy body despite not being very tall for a woman, and an archer with a slim body and short black hair..
“long time no see. No. It’s been a while, Nari, should I say that??”
“Grania, Arnal.”
They were mercenaries who were with us in South Harbor. In addition to Grania and Arnal, Grania's younger brother Farel and the not-so-trustworthy battle nun Olga were also there..
“Yeah, I heard it was here. “Did you manage to find me?” “Of course you should come. He's an old comrade in arms..”
It is said that Grania, who led his mercenary corps, was recognized for his contribution in protecting Oduenne Port and became Prince Ulcar's direct army. Since he went from being a mere wandering mercenary to becoming the prince's personal soldier, he must be successful in his own way..
It was a little uncomfortable to see former comrades speaking respectfully to me, but I didn't try to stop them..
Led by the ponytail-haired Fritz, his foul-tempered subordinates, including crossbowman Gidon, heavy swordsman Umberta, burnt-out Donell, and iron-gloved Taggart, are glaring at him. If you use informal language carelessly, Grania may end up in trouble..
I wanted to talk to them more, but I couldn't. It was because Utequai standing in one corner of the yard, or rather, the girl hiding behind him, caught his attention..
“……Nothing much happened?”
“hmm. There was something worth being angry about..”
Utekwai crossed his arms and shook his head..
“……I'll tell you later. Let me start with an introduction..”
The girl was hiding between Utequai's log-like waist and the large direwolf, with only her eyes peeking out. Unlike the gazes usually directed at me that contained fear or wariness, her large eyes seemed to contain only curiosity, with the exception of a little shyness..
“……You are EOP?”
When he bowed down and asked, the girl was startled and hid behind Ute Kwai's back..
……Another soul shaman.
Every hero character I've met so far has, um, a unique personality. I'm more worried than curious about what kind of kid this is..
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