Chapter 623
My Villains Episode 623
72. punitive force(6)
The leaders of the student punitive force moved to their seats and continued the discussion, but were unable to reach a clear conclusion..
First of all, Os, the leader of the subjugation, seemed quite encouraged by Baron Acraden's recommendation. Considering the price that would have to be paid if the most noble members of the crew were sacrificed, it was decided that it would be difficult to take the risk..
Aines agreed with that opinion. She was basically a great lord, and she had a strong say because she served as an implicit representative among the students of the occult science department belonging to the punitive force..
It was Pasitea who put the brakes on this lopsided situation..
“I agree that going on a search is a dangerous situation. But you immediately change your stance just because the war situation is not good. It will be seen as running away from the enemy..”
Although Pasitea is usually quiet and her presence is vague, she is also a true count and was the actual representative of Princess Eadina here. And, although it is often forgotten, he was also a warrior with outstanding skills that made him a member of every class..
“And nobles are those who fight by nature. The true duty of nobles is to raise their swords and protect them, instead of taking advantage of the weak subjects. If we run away out of concern for our own safety, how can we say that we have inherited noble blood?.”
To put it in a good way, it was a principled opinion, and in a bad way, it was an old-fashioned opinion. It may not be appropriate for a 19-year-old girl, but it is something that a fairly fundamental head of a count family would say..
It was also a logic that was difficult to refute as it was fundamental..
What proved this was one of the strangers who sneaked into the leadership meeting while leaving Baron Acraden's command barracks and moving to another military barracks. He was said to be the leader of the southern faction students, replacing Count Grundun, who was unable to participate in the subjugation due to age restrictions..
“Seriously, I'm not even protecting my subjects, so why should I feel that kind of responsibility?.”
It was something she muttered to herself, but it wasn't a very small sound, and Pasitea didn't seem to have any intention of missing it. She glanced towards him as if she had been waiting and shot back in a cold tone..
“Lord Osbrim. Are you serious about what you just said??”
“uh… … . yes, yes?”
“Why should I feel responsible when I am not even my subject? I didn't expect you, His Majesty's subject and Milan noble, to say such a thing..”
“No, I.”
Osbrim seemed embarrassed for a moment, but soon regained his composure and put on a shameless expression..
“Sir, let me be honest with you… … . Aren’t there also customs and precedents?.”
“Customs and Liturgy?”
“yes. Shouldn’t the problems of the territory be solved by the lord? I think this applies even to His Majesty's direct jurisdiction..”
To my ears, it sounded quite cheesy, but there was no sign of much agitation from the people gathered in the hall..
In fact, the lords here are usually walking a tightrope - no, a tightrope - between dependence on the king and the court and independent autonomy. There doesn't seem to be any room to take issue with Osbrim's remarks just now..
The part Pasitea pointed out with a calm face wasn't there either..
“I don't know why someone who supports such customs and precedents participated in this extermination..”
“Well, that’s… … . For the cause of eradicating greenskins-”
“representation? That's great. It's just a pity that that spirit faded before even facing the greenskins..”
“……No, I am. I was just expressing doubt, I didn't mean to back off like this.…….”
In the end, Osbrim had no choice but to look like he had been beaten up. Os and Aines also showed signs of being a little uncomfortable, but could not open their mouths to refute it..
In fact, from the beginning, the opinion that 'the war situation is unfavorable and we are concerned about sacrifice, so let's just go back without subjugation' may have been difficult for noble masters and ladies to accept..
That's how I see it too. You went on a campaign noisily and didn't even draw your sword once before turning around? It's obvious that I'll become a laughingstock of the world.
In the end, the opinions of the leadership converged to ‘hold on for now.’ Of course, this did not mean that they would directly search the mountains to find the enemy, but that they would instead guard and protect the garrison. At that level, the effect of supporting troops indirectly can be seen..
“……It seems like everyone is looking down on the border operation too much..”
“Garwin? what does that mean?”
In response to Aineth's question, Gawin expressed his concern with a shocked expression..
“Clearly, all of our members are excellent fighters. But are these resources suitable for border operations?…….”
To sum up what he said in one word, it was that obedient serf conscripts and skilled veterans were much better than precious masters and ladies in border operations. Honestly, I completely agree with this too..
“I fully understand Lord Garwin's concerns..”
Os, who spoke like that, shook his head with a stern expression..
“However, although our crew may be a bit distracted, they are not just children. They are the elite warriors who are strictly selected from among the talents gathered from all over the country and go to battle. It is also unfair to treat troops that are too useless..”
“hmm…….”
“And if we don't even take charge of the border, the only thing we can do here is deplete military supplies.?”
“Yes, but.”
“Don't worry too much about it. As long as you have strict rules, nothing will happen..”
What was decided at the meeting was immediately disseminated to Baron Acraden and the subjugation team..
The Baron looked displeased, but he seemed to understand the situation of the student punitive force and forced himself to accept the opinion..
However, the entire station guard mission was not handed over to the student punitive force. The two watchtowers, the most important of the eight lookout points, were decided to remain in charge of the game wardens..
Meanwhile, the subjugation team members did not show much opposition even after hearing the disseminated information..
Actually, it was a little surprising. I thought that some of them would start yelling at me to go harvest oak branches right away, or that they would get angry and say that they couldn't do guard duty, something that was done by just soldiers..
But everyone seemed to quietly agree. Seeing these guys who had been spouting all kinds of shit over the past few days become calm made me feel uncomfortable..
The person who had the greatest influence on this phenomenon was, surprisingly enough, none other than the bastard Lionel. Yesterday - no, just a couple of hours ago, the guy who was leading a faction that was not a faction and was running wild at the front suddenly became calm..
Lionel, who had been staring at the rain streaking through the darkness for a while, put on his armor and checked his weapons with an expressionless face as if he had been stung by something. He even poured out all of the finest wine he had filled in the water skin, filled it with clean water, and went into his military tent to kick out the girl he had been hanging out with for a few days. And I went to bed early.
Some students whispered that it was because they had been summoned to Count Pasitea and given a stern warning, but I thought that was bullshit. Would a fool who draws a sword without hesitation even in front of a prince be noticed by the king's wife's nephew?.
It seemed that Lionel could smell the battlefield through the soldiers at the garrison, especially the wounded soldiers. Although he himself was not conscious of it, he could tell at a glance that he was caught up in a strange sense of tension..
However, the tension was not based on fear. He was quietly excited, eagerly anticipating something that was very close, or that might come here soon..
Well, he may be an incorrigible bastard, but can't even his blood line be deceived?.
Anyway, thanks to Lionel's calm behavior, the discipline of the punitive force was naturally established. The problem children of a vague level took care of themselves, and the ordinary members also appeared to be raising tension, as if they felt something was unusual about the atmosphere..
“……really. what should i say.”
When Os heard the story about Lionel, he reacted ambiguously. I'm grateful for the unexpected help, but when I think of all the trouble I've been through, I can't find the words to say that..
Anyway, it seems like the mood has been set properly, so you can rest assured today..
Having come to that conclusion, I quietly left the military camp, leaving behind the leadership who were holding various meetings..
The student punitive force was worrying in many ways, but that wasn't the only thing I had to worry about..
“Fritz, what is this guy?.”
The whereabouts of seven subordinates, including Fritz, Goleman, and Geliamon, who were disguised as mercenaries, are unknown..
It could be safely inferred that he followed Baron Daeon along with other mercenaries..
Also, since they are part of my bodyguard, they are elites whose skills cannot be hidden. They also contributed a lot while tracking down the greenskins, so they are probably by Dae-eon's side - that is, in the main unit. This is the only thing that remains intact..
But this is just my wish. It is not impossible that they belong to the five units that are said to have disappeared without a trace..
I wanted to immediately go around the garrison and ask about them, but it would have seemed very awkward if the swordsmanship teacher from the Royal College was suddenly going around looking for mercenaries..
However, it would not be strange to meet mercenaries who have been moving with the student punitive force until now. This is a gang that includes Cole, Ellen, and others, who followed along with their mercenary comrades who left earlier under the pretext of supporting them..
Puddles of water were already starting to form between the tents due to the heavy rain, but I didn't have much time to spare, so I walked quickly. After a while of walking through the mud, a familiar but not very pleasant voice called out to me..
“Huh? teacher!”
In the direction I followed the voice, there was a woman standing leaning against the entrance of a military camp..
“……Euphria?”
Seeing him smiling and waving his hands, my eyebrows narrowed unconsciously, and Euphria's face also crumpled when she saw him..
“What is that reaction? I feel bad.”
“Oh, no, not that. It was raining so hard that I couldn't see my face clearly..”
“The excuse is… … . Don't stay out there in the rain, come on in..”
“Well, I have a job to do as an advisor..”
“Don't talk nonsense, come here. Because I know for sure that you just ran away from the conference hall..”
“…….”
Oh, if I get caught by this girl, I'll just melt for an hour..
As if she had no intention of paying attention to my brief hesitation, Euphria grabbed the hem of my shirt as if she were grabbing myself by the collar..
“Oh no, he’s not coming. If you take off your clothes and scream, I will come then.?”
“……Hi go.”
I waved my hands as if surrendering and turned around, and only then did Euphria smile, brightly showing her white teeth..
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