Chapter 376
My Villains Episode 376
62. deception tactics(3)
Even after the night fell and the meeting was over, my day did not end. There was still a lot to do..
First, we re-examined the alert status of the inner High Castle..
Even though Prince Ulkar's close protection is the responsibility of Sir Gisella, the 'Seahawk Knight', I am the one in charge of security in the inner city. I am also responsible for the assassin's intrusion last night..
After gathering the soldiers and saying a few words, they increased the number of security forces. It was decided to strengthen the night guard by entrusting the 50 newly acquired soldiers to the friendly soldiers, including the veteran Confire, the heavy soldier Dervish, and the spearman McCaig..
Although about sixty new subordinates were deployed, the actual number of troops increased was only about twenty because guards were set up in three shifts. Fortunately, the size of the group was not that large, so the perimeter network became even tighter with only about 20 people..
Well, I felt a little sorry for using them as night guards because they arrived only this afternoon, but given the situation, I couldn't just let them play..
In fact, it was a bit uneasy to place country bumpkins, who had just been brought in as subordinates, at the key point of the city and Ulkar's residence..
Since we confirmed that all of them were natives from Keibor or nearby villages, there was little concern about Sejak or the like being mixed in. I'm worried about the lack of training... … . If the pro-military forces are disciplined, they will do their guard duty well..
My men were added to the originally deployed archers and gunners, bringing the total guard force of High Castle to 113. Oh, of course, this number only counts the troops under my command, excluding the knights and soldiers who stick to the prince's side like gum..
113number of people. In terms of the Korean military, it was medium to large in size, so of course it was a number that was far beyond the scope of my leadership. However, it didn't seem like it would be too much of a burden for Conquer, who had a lot of military experience, and he actually said it was okay. So, as always, the actual command was left to the Conqueror..
‘Fierce’ Merg, who was a sergeant assigned by the prince and was acting as my adjutant, grumbled that some mercenary had become his superior. However, even though she was a woman, she was pressured by the strength of the dervish, who was larger than her, and she obediently kept her mouth shut. I was worried because he seemed like a pretty temperamental guy, but he doesn't seem to be as disabled as Fritz..
In addition to the increase in the number of defenders, it was decided to place wizards such as Master Lymond and Epoz in the manor house where Ulkar's bedroom was located. Even if a bunch of guys come to this level of border, it will be impossible to infiltrate..
You can rest assured about the prince's safety..
After checking the resistance, we headed straight to the Nudein tribe's camp. It was to convey Ulkar’s will to Atalanta..
The Nudein camp was located between the double walls surrounding the city, and getting there in the middle of the night was quite a hassle..
First of all, horse riding is prohibited within the city, especially at night..
Of course, there are exceptions if you are a noble person, such as a great lord, or if you have urgent business, such as a messenger. Since I don't fit into either of these categories now, I have no choice but to walk on my own two feet..
Also, you must carry a torch or lantern when walking down the street at night..
Although High Castle was a prosperous city, it did not have streetlights like the royal capital. So, if you walked around the streets in the middle of the night without a torch or lantern, you were likely to be treated as a thief..
Especially these days, when the atmosphere is serious due to the war, if you are caught by the city guard without a fire, you could be arrested..
Yes, the city guard was also a nuisance in its own way. The city security guards crowded the streets at night, constantly arresting passers-by and interrogating them..
The reason I was dragging Golman around this night, dressed in plate armor, was purely because of the city police. If you walk around alone in plain clothes, you may arouse unnecessary suspicion..
Today as well, while leaving the inner city and heading to the southern gate, I encountered city guards three times. There were quite a few soldiers who recognized me, so I didn't have to get checked just by showing my face, but it was still a hassle..
Actually, I didn't think it would be a problem if I rode without a torch. This is because it is rare for a guard to be big enough to stop the Silver Prince's red knight or put him in a cell..
However, even Ulkar walks on two feet, accompanied by a soldier carrying a lantern, when the sun sets. Even the prince, who was an exception to most rules due to royal privileges, wanted to set an example, but his knights were not allowed to ride horses..
The person guarding the southern gate was ‘Captain Arbecon’, a vassal of the Margrave of Landry and the original garrison commander of High Castle. Because he and his men had become familiar with it, they were able to open the castle gate with just a few simple words..
From the southern gate to the northeastern gate, there were more than a hundred tents, large and small, crowded together. It looked like red barnacles clinging tightly to the cracks of the rocks..
The Nudein soldiers guarding the temporary fence made of carts and wooden barrels let Golman and I straight in. After coming in and out a few times, he recognized me right away..
Among the tents decorated with brightly colored bands and sparkling rings, the tent in the center of the garrison stood out particularly. This was because it had a golden banner with a grid pattern made of red and white thread, and it was larger than the quite large tents around it..
Naturally, this tent was the residence of Atalanta, the clan chief of Al Qadari and leader of the Nudein army..
The Hareskis, the Nudein guards guarding the tent, did not appear too surprised to see me visiting at night. One of the dogs announced my arrival in a quiet voice..
“Napidot, a'hmarwala
o'umadha.”
“......a'hmarwala? The Knicks?”
At the sleepy voice of Atalanta coming from inside the tent, I smiled and opened my mouth..
“Uh, it's me. Are you sleeping already??”
“ o Ugh......”
—m .
As she muttered something, Hares Keith opened the entrance and bowed his head to me..
The tent was not the shabby space that people usually think. It was like that on the outside, and even more so on the inside..
The tent made of sheepskin was waterproofed with resin and oil, and was thick enough to block cold winds. The ceiling was higher than that of most houses because there were several wooden lanterns, including a ridge, and the floor was very soft with multiple layers of wool carpets. From the entrance, there was a chimney and a bronze brazier on the left, a round table in the center, and a low, large bed with a curtain and canopy on the right..
“nicks?”
Atalanta was peeking out her face through the curtain of the bed. Her gray hair with a subtle purple tinge was bare, and her amber eyes were half-closed..
“Looks like you've been sleeping for a while.”
“Yeah, I was a little tired... … . “I didn’t know it would happen today.” “I came here to talk about work. “Come out for a moment.” When I said that while sitting at the table, Atalanta shook her head and whined..
“I don't like it, it's cold. you come here.”
“You came here to talk about work? I have to tell the prince, so come out quickly..”
“you come hurry-”
Her begging seemed innocent and cute at first glance, but it was also incredibly alluring. Colors flowed and dripped from his half-closed eyes, and when he twisted his body with a curtain covering the lower part of his neck, the faint scent of dried marigolds wafted out..
“Come quickly. I'll go out if you warm me up..”
“……Yeah, whatever. I can't help it.”
It was some time later that Atalanta sat down at the table. Even though her body was warm enough, I had to sweat again as she tried to close her eyes again, waking her up and dragging her out of bed..
“……Ah, I feel like I'm dying of sleepiness..”
After somehow getting Atalanta to sit down, I also roughly put on some clothes. Only when she was served tea from a teapot hanging on a bronze furnace and a teapot next to it did she stop whining..
“Come to your senses. I'm going to talk about the mission the prince will entrust to you and the land he will give you in return for your participation in the war..”
“……mission, land?”
Only then did Atalanta come to her senses, and her jewel-like eyes opened wide. As Ulkar's message continued, she touched her forehead with a serious look on her face, as if she had suddenly fallen asleep..
“therefore… … . The reason we can't use the Nudein army is because of the Lords of the Church of Gwangmyeong, and they are planning to steal the land of the Mitergeland Empire and give it to us.?”
“Well, to sum it up roughly, that’s it..”
While Atalanta took a moment to gather her thoughts, I gathered up the plate armor I had thrown away and began to put it on..
“……What on earth is your master thinking about taking the land from the empire??”
“I don't know either. At least it seemed like they had no intention of ending the war just by defending themselves. Oh, I'll give you half of the Angst fat..”
“Ah AH......”
O--• •
Atalanta's eyes became hazy for a moment, perhaps because she had heard of this name before. But after a while, she came to her senses and started barraging me with questions..
“You're not telling me to cross the Gulf of Blades with just my troops, are you? To inflict a significant blow, we would have to hit Duke Avilambus' Hundred Years Castle or Vice King Burcard's Faberis, but we don't have enough power on our own. No, is it possible to cross the blade in the first place? You might get caught in the Strawn family's fleet and become fish food before you even reach the port. Also, what if you enter the land of the Gelan people and the emperor comes forward?” "wait for a sec. I'll answer everything, so calm down..”
I continued speaking step by step, putting on my footpads and then my shin pads..
“The prince didn't exactly complete his plan either. Once you go to Port Auduenne and prepare for departure, troops will be increased depending on the situation..”
“depending on the situation?”
“Only after you push back the enemy, or at least block an attack, will you have the opportunity to aim across the sea. And when that opportunity arises, the prince will surely lend his strength to you... … . Hey, tie this up.”
Atalanta, who had a very distraught expression on her face, neatly tied the straps on the vambrace that I held out to her..
“I am already fully prepared to cross the Bay of Blades. A steel fleet was also borrowed from the Langbold family on the Southern Shore.,”
“There was an iron fleet. Then maybe we can cross somehow... … . Oh, and by the way, I heard that your family declared the lifting of the ban.?”
“……Do you know where my family origins are? did i say?”
When I opened my eyes wide, she snorted as if she was dumbfounded..
“Ha, are you kidding? I know you were an alien soul absorber, but I don't think you knew your last name was Jahakar.?”
“……That's right.”
Now that I think about it, I told her something about my identity when I was staying in Longville. During the battle with Akanku Karamek, several secrets were revealed due to randomly picking up horses, and Atalanta used this as a clue to investigate..
“So, the ban on lifting the ban is?”
“The prince made a deal. Crossing the Bay of Blades will be no problem..”
“The emperor?”
“ that••••♦•
I remembered the prince's words and scratched my eyebrows..
“They say the prince has a secret eye..”
“Compound eye? What a plan?”
“That's a secret.”
“……what?" She frowned as if that was some bullshit, but that was all I could say..
“The prince said so. I'm lucky, but they say it's a secret.”
“Are you saying that now? Dragging them into a ridiculous plan to attack the Empire's lands, what? secret?”
“Now, no need to get too worked up..”
He continued speaking in a calm tone to calm Atalanta down..
“I'm not asking you to go headlong into the empire right now. First, go to Auduenne and join Lord Langbolt. As you prepare to cross the sea there, the prince will send additional troops and inform you of the completed plan..”
“If your master just wants to keep us far away because he doesn't want to pay the price.?”
“The Abidden region where Auduenne is located is also half of the prince's territory. I'm not trying to keep you away. And in the first place, our prince is not the kind of person who would stab someone on the same side..”
“ O......”
•
“At this point, there is nothing you can lose. Rather, you can preserve your troops by avoiding the 15,000 armies that have come right in front of you..”
Atalanta, who was thinking deeply, soon nodded..
“……Yeah, I get it. You say this so I have to believe it. I'll go to Auduenne first..”
Just as I was about to smile brightly, she said, “But,” and put a condition on it..
“If you don't cooperate with the Steel Fleet and Iron Scale Fleet, or if you don't tell me your plan to deal with the Emperor, I will never board your ship..”
«Uh n M 3
It was a condition that I personally could fully understand. To be turned into fish food because you are not escorted by a fleet, or to be trampled by the emperor's 100,000-strong army... … Honestly, it was no different from the death of a dog..
I thought for a moment about how Ulkar was feeling, then nodded..
“……okay. Until I convince the prince and get on the ship, I'll let you know what the plan is..”
“What if your master doesn’t open his mouth until the end?” "well? Then, should I grab you by the collar??”
As he said that and shrugged his shoulders, Atalanta burst into laughter..
“But why do you wear armor??”
“uh? I have to go back now.”
“……already?”
She smiled brightly and blocked my hand from touching her thigh plate. I frowned as long fingers traced my inner thighs..
“Please speak quickly. I wore it all at best.”
“let me help you.”
With Atalanta's assistance, I took off my half-dressed plate armor and headed to bed..
Suddenly, I remembered that the Blood Knight Lord Eordan had promised to come to the Rose Field Inn.…….
Well, I guess I just have to get back by midnight..
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