Chapter 501
My Villains Episode 5()1
interlude. young fox
“Enough for today, Your Excellency..”
As the middle-aged knight spoke while withdrawing his wooden sword, Count Os, who was sparring with him, took a deep breath and nodded..
“Yes, I do - thank you, Sir Xavier..”
“Not much to say.”
The squire standing in the corner of the courtyard accepted the wooden sword of his superior, the knight, and Os. Meanwhile, the servant standing next to the squire approached the count and held out a soft towel. It was a high-quality product made from a blend of flax and cotton..
“It will soon be time for my master to cough..”
“ O ”
“Would you like some washing water??”
“There's no need for that..”
Os went to the well on one side with a towel around his neck. Then he scooped up water with his hand and washed off the sweat from his face. Rough breathing subsided, and my body, heated by over two hours of hard work, cooled down a little..
The servant, who was around the count's age, looked at his master with slightly pleased eyes..
Even at the age of 16, at the border between a young man and a boy, the count still seemed good and young. Whether it was because of his flawless skin and soft eyes, or his usual behavior, even he, who had served Os since he was seven, couldn't tell..
This young master has long been loved by his subordinates for his gentleness and kindness that is befitting his age and status. However, the views of the vassals represented by the 'Knights of the Golden Age' were slightly different, and many of them were worried about the future of their lord's grandson due to his often weak appearance..
It was like that not long ago. Until Count Ost stood shoulder to shoulder with the heroes and achieved victory..
While the young lords were distracting the main army on the plateau, the Red Knight crossed over the edge of his sword and stabbed him in the lower abdomen, and the Silver Prince crossed over to Asag and bit off the nape of his neck..
Lu Yan, who showed off his outstanding mercenary skills while riding a horse in the vanguard, was nicknamed 'Red Dragon', and Gawin, who made detailed plans for guerrilla warfare, was nicknamed 'Hwangyabaek (荒野伯)'. Osu, who guarded the supply route amid the enemy's tight siege, came to be called the 'young fox'..
It may not have been a great nickname compared to his two colleagues, but it certainly solidified his position as the successor to the Marquis of Eavon, the 'Old Fox of Arriaga'..
“It looks like the practical experience helped more than expected..”
“yes?”
“Swordsmanship, sir..”
Xevier, Count Orth's personal bodyguard and a senior member of the Golden Age Knights, spoke with pride..
“The improvement in my skills over the past few months seems to be greater than my achievements over the past five years. I assure you, you will have no rivals among your peers. Even the grandson of the Frost Lord or the youngest son of Caliora are nothing compared to your Excellency..”
Unlike the Count, whose entire body was covered in sweat, his escort knight was undisturbed, as if he had just walked a light hike. Os smiled bitterly at Xavier's generous evaluation..
“Have you never met them??”
“You don't have to experience it to know it. If this is enough, Your Excellency can feel confident. Even compared to officially ordained knights, it is not much better..”
“Is that so?.”
The Count wiped the moisture from his face and asked a question with a calm face..
“So how does it compare to the knights of His Majesty the Three Princes? my skills
yo. this.”
“……Uh huh. They are more than just 'ordained knights', sir..”
Xavier smiled awkwardly, then brushed his mustache as if he understood what Os meant..
“I guess I need to work harder. To raise you into a knight comparable to them..”
“Is it possible??”
“Maybe so, maybe not. It all depends on you. You learned enough during this war, right??”
“yes. That's right……
The young count stared blankly into space, as if recalling something. It was only for a moment that I moved on, supported by the escort knight and servant..
On the way to Marquis Eavon's bedroom, Os suddenly glanced out into the hallway..
The place where Os and his grandfather Eavon stayed was High Castle, a giant castle on the western border, and in particular, 'Axode', one of the three castles..
Although it is said to be a castle, it is in fact a permanent residence, and it was also the residence of the Margrave, the owner of the plateau, and his family members. That is why it is nicknamed ‘Baekjakseong’..
The current owner of this castle was Gawin, the 'White of the Wild', who became the new head of the Axodbrook family, succeeding Lord Landry. His grandson, who came from the Antram region, was indebted to the earldom as his comrade-in-arms or neighbor..
While walking through the inner castle, which looks like a flat tower, Osu captured the scenery of a fortress city with a dynamic history at a glance. Three weeks have passed since the war ended with negotiations between Prince Silver and Ruilix II. It had already been a month and a half ago since the last battle at High Castle took place. And yet the city still looked like a war zone..
A wooden watchtower was temporarily installed in place of the palace tower, which collapsed due to a destruction spell, and the warehouse, which was full of arrows and oil, was crowded with naked beggars because it was used as an aid station to distribute food and supplies..
The eastern side of the city was practically in ruins, with the remains of burned-out buildings scattered everywhere, and homeless refugees sat on the streets carrying only large packages. In a store where the plaster was cracked and the skeleton was exposed, a group of people who were either merchants or thieves were rummaging through miscellaneous items..
Count Orth's eyes became heavy. It is because of an unknown guilt weighing on my heart, whether it is not his domain or his domain..
His gloomy gaze soon reached the center of the city, the inner High Castle and its surroundings..
“……“It’s pathetic.” The high inner wall and the numerous military tents surrounding it were waving various banners..
Flames rising from a brazier, a stag with large horns sprouting, a knight riding a large dog, a water drop and three swords, and other embroidered flags fluttered in the spring breeze of May. The one who occupied the highest position, that is, the spire of High Castle, was the golden-maned lion with its front paw raised..
‘No matter how royal or crown prince he is, he acts like an occupying army when he visits a vassal's territory..’
It was an extremely rude thing to do, Count Ost said..
All the residents of High Castle will probably think the same thing when they see that flag..
The crown prince, who only appeared late at the end of the war, was doing things that even Prince Silver, who defended the city against the invading enemy, did not do..
The reason people, including Osu, could only watch was because of the solemn authority of the Jeore royal family and the great army that protected that authority..
Right now, the number of troops stationed in and around High Castle was more than 5,000. All of them were troops directly under the king's command and troops led by the king's bannermen. Even so, due to lack of space, only about 5,000 people were stationed nearby, but more than 10,000 people were stationed scattered throughout the city..
In addition, about 10,000 troops of central and northern nobles, referred to as the 'Geunwang faction', were waiting outside the city..
‘It exudes a sense of intimidation, as if it were in enemy territory..’
If that great prince had arrived just a month or two earlier, he would have been received with great hospitality as an honored guest. But now, they were nothing more or less than uninvited guests who were disrupting the rebuilding of the city by sucking up the already exhausted military supplies..
The young count tried to suppress the contempt and disgust boiling deep inside..
“……What are you thinking so hard about??”
“Ah - it's nothing.”
Os smiled awkwardly in response to Xavier's question..
“I was looking at the banners of the flag bearers. Maybe it's because you've neglected heraldry, but you probably won't recognize half of me..”
“There is no need to put any effort into it, just familiarize yourself with the important places like the 'Free Fire' family. Aren't the rest just bridesmaids anyway??”
‘He pointed at the flag of the 'Thunderbolt Sword' Geisel of Free Fire with his hand and sneered, "Tsk.".
“At a glance, it seems that there is no flag as majestic as the golden age of Arriaga. It's like the wrong people are trying to gain power..”
At the words of the guard, the young earl felt his rising anger cool down..
“……I see. That's right.”
Os recalled Arriaga's army stationed near the east gate of High Castle. The old man, who was excited by his grandson's performance, gathered over 4,000 troops from the vast and rich land of Antrum..
They would be holding up a flag embroidered with gold thread, inspecting people coming and going through the city, and collecting tolls. Under the instructions of the young count's grandfather..
Oss sighed softly as he looked at the flags waving near the castle. It's not that Arriaga's army didn't join in, it's that they couldn't.
am.
The young count, praised as the kingdom's hero who would lead the next generation, turned his head, feeling a quite familiar sense of helplessness..
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