420

Episode 420 Dialogue, Empathy, Persuasion. (3)

Count Zimbar finally came to his senses and asked again.

"Is that all? Did I mishear that?"

"You heard correctly. From now on, all armies in the North will be under my command."

Even if you cross the line, you cross it firmly. What is a lord? A person who has autonomy in return for loyalty to the crown.

It means that one enjoys the same power as a king in one's own domain.

He demands that the lord hand over all his private property and the army that protects him.

Taang!

Count Zimbar stood up from his seat, hitting the table hard with his hand.

"Count! Even if you are the commander of the Northern Army, this is too much to ask! How can you demand the private property of the lords like that!"

"If we don't stop the rift with the Duke, we'll all die anyway."

"Hey, profit!"

Count Zimbar ground his teeth at Giselle's cold answer. He was very displeased that the man who had been a bloodthirsty bastard when he was young was now in a position to threaten him.

As the atmosphere became tense, the other lords nearby tried to stop them.

"Well, isn't this why we're gathered here? Please take a seat, Count."

"Even Earl Fenris was being too sarcastic. Isn't the maximum allowed by royal law half?"

"Well, who would be loyal to the crown if it did not guarantee the rights of the lords?"

"In fact, it is an excessive measure. Even though it is assumed that the kingdom is in crisis, there has never been such a case before."

Count Zimbar sat down, grumbling at the lords' persuasion. However, Giselle spoke with an unchanging expression and attitude.

"Now is the time for the kingdom to be in crisis. The number of monsters coming out of the cracks will only increase."

"Huh, are you really telling me to hand over the entire army?"

"Yes. Instead, we will provide you with sufficient compensation, including food, when the war is over."

Even at those words, the lords shook their heads. If all their troops are taken away, there is nothing they can do even if they change their words later. And honestly, they did not feel the current crisis.

A lord asked cautiously.

"What if we refuse?"

Then Giselle showed her teeth and laughed fiercely.

"Do you think I'll just sit back and watch? If Fenris goes on an expedition and is defeated, you'll come after our territory?"

The lords looked stung at those words. In fact, they had thought the same thing.

Now, Fenris is a territory that has become a symbol of prosperity in the North. If Jisel leads an army and defeats the Rift or the Duke, they may be able to take over the Fenris territory.

So, I also wanted to conserve my troops so as not to miss any opportunity that might come.

Count Zimbar said with a growl.

"Count! Even though you have a reputation as the strongest in the North, you are too arrogant. Do you think we came here just for no reason? Didn't you ask for our help to save yourself from harm? Are you saying you want to fight us here now?"

The lords would not come to a meeting like this without permission. They all brought their troops with them, lest they be taken hostage.

That is why the armies of each territory were waiting in a tense state. The lords were surrounded by knights who guarded them.

Jiselle glanced around. The number of troops the lords had brought as escorts seemed to be over 5,000.

Although the number was far greater than the number of troops that Jiselle had brought, Jiselle answered with a sly smile.

"Do you think I can't do it?"

"Are you really going to go all the way?"

Giselle raised one hand in response to Count Zimbar's threats.

"Gillian."

"Yes, my lord."

"If any lord refuses to follow my will from now on, attack the army he brought with him."

"All right."

Gillian shouted loudly as she mounted her horse.

"All hands, prepare for battle!"

Clank! Clank! Clank!

The knights mounted their horses and the cavalry following them all raised their spears. It seemed as if they were saying that they would rush in as soon as they decided on their target.

Anyway, since the troops that the lords brought were all waving the flags of their respective territories, it was not difficult to determine the target.

As all the knights mounted their horses, only the masked Tennant was left next to Giselle.

The armies of the other lords were in an uproar as they saw Fenris' army preparing for battle.

"What, what is it?"

"Are you trying to fight all of a sudden?"

"Everyone, prepare for battle! Prepare for battle!"

The soldiers who had followed, thinking it was just a meeting, were confused. The lords who were sitting in their seats were the same.

I didn't know that Jiselle would go this far.

A lord said, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Your Majesty, is it really necessary to do this? Isn't there a better way?"

"What method do you mean?"

"So please don't rush things so hastily and overbearingly… … . First, 'talk' with us a bit more, and then try to 'persuade' us so that we all 'empathize' with the Count's intentions… … ."

Yeongju tried to appease Jiselle in order to somehow get what they both wanted. However, he didn't know what kind of person the other person was.

Jiselle unsheathed her sword and placed it on the table.

chin.

"This sword is my favorite sword. I use it often, especially when dueling with my opponent. That's why the name of this sword is 'Conversation.'"

"… … ?"

Jiselle pulled out an axe from her waist again.

"This axe is something I use for many purposes. It is used for many small tasks, so its name is 'empathy.'"

"… … ."

When Giselle gestured to the side this time, Tennant took a spear from the Black King's saddle and handed it to him.

"This spear is the one I use most on the battlefield. I named it 'Persuasion' because it can impose my will on numerous enemies."

"… … ."

Jiselle continued speaking, looking around at the lords with a fearsome gaze.

"Take your pick. Which one would you like?"

The lords could not even dare to answer and just swallowed their saliva.

He's crazy. When I saw him in person, I realized he was even crazier than the rumors said.

In this situation, I couldn't choose between 'conversation', 'empathy', or 'persuasion'.

Jiselle looked at the lord sitting right next to her and asked.

"If we don't stop the cracks and the reapers, we're all dead. This is our last chance. Will you join forces? Or will you die here?"

"Uh, uh… … ."

The lord was at a loss, sweating profusely in the face of Jiselle's fierce momentum.

I looked at the lords next to me to ask for help, but they were all equally confused.

No one was willing to come forward and join forces to fight Fenris.

In the end, the lord was overwhelmed by Jiselle's momentum and lowered his head without saying a word.

"I will follow your will, Count."

"Huh? Huh?"

"Okay, wait a minute… … ."

The other lords then tried to say something, but when Jiselle glared at them, they lowered their heads again.

When one person gave in, the others had no choice but to give in, one by one.

No one dared to step forward and attack, overwhelmed by the fierce momentum of Jiselle and Fenris.

In the end, Count Zimbar, the first leader of the last remaining Northern Federation, also surrendered.

"… … I will follow."

In an atmosphere that was completely unbearable, all the lords gave in to Jisel. It was easy to say that they should all join forces and show Aesongi an example, but they did not have the courage to openly fight Fenris, the strongest in the North.

Only then did Giselle release her composure and smile pleasantly as she spoke.

"I am glad that everyone agrees with the commander's wishes. Please also make sure to pay for supplies and operating expenses without delay. Once all the cracks are eliminated and peace returns to the kingdom, you will receive sufficient compensation, so please rest easy."

'The compensation is a piece of cake... '

'Now I'm really going to be a dog.'

'My father never did this, so how did this kind of person come to be born?'

Everyone was pouting, but no one was complaining openly.

In any case, the 'Northern Federation', which even Jiselle didn't know about, was disbanded as soon as it was created.

Jiselle stood up from her seat, not forgetting her request.

"You don't have to send it yourself. I will send the managers soon. Please make sure to prepare it properly without leaving anything out."

"… … ."

There's been a rumor going around lately that Fenris's managers are really good at getting things done.

There were rumors that he was merciless and heartless, so it was clear that he would take everything away like a knife.

The lords returned with tears in their eyes. They had no choice but to go back and gather up all the wealth of their estate.

Tennant asked Giselle, who had just finished the brief meeting.

"Do you always do things like this?"

"Well, usually that's true. I don't like procrastinating on important matters."

Tennant chuckled at those words.

Giselle's reckless ways actually seemed no different from what Marquis Rodrik had done. Marquis Rodrik also enjoyed oppressing and taking things by force.

But the purpose was completely different.

Marquis Rodrik was only busy satisfying his own greed. However, he showed no selfish desires towards Giselle.

People point fingers at Jiselle and say she is greedy, but Tennant, who has been next to someone who is truly greedy, can tell.

'For the people.'

I'm not sure yet, but there was something different about his actions than Marquis Rodrik's.

If we go a little further together, we will find out whether he can pay the price for his crimes as a true knight.

* * *

Marquis Ferdium did not join the northern army. He had to be prepared for the barbarians to rise up if the kingdom fell into chaos.

Amelia also did not join the Northern Army. She had been quickly secured independence in advance, so she could not be forced to join. And she had no intention of doing so.

Because Jiselle knew very well that if she forced herself, she would really get stabbed in the back. That would make her very tired.

And judging from the fact that he requested the eastern territory, I think I have a rough idea of what he is thinking.

'Well, since you said you'd do it yourself, I guess I'll just leave you alone for now. It'll be helpful for now.'

If a civil war breaks out, the Duke's family will probably have quite a headache because of Amelia.

Neither Giselle nor Amelia have yet achieved what they wanted. They have come to this point because they have been using each other.

So the armies of the lords, excluding Ferdium and Leipold, began to gather in Fenris.

"The soldiers of Zimbar Estate have arrived!"

"The soldiers of the Brevan domain have arrived!"

"The soldiers of Promel Estate have arrived!"

The north was more barren than other regions, so it had fewer people and fewer soldiers.

But when all the territories in the north were combined, it became a considerable force.

Giselle asked Claude.

"Are they all gathered?"

"Yes, an army of about 60,000 men has gathered."

"There are more than I thought."

"Because our managers have collected it all without fail."

"We have to follow our military discipline. Since we don't have time to train separately, we'll have to train as we go."

"Everyone is dying from marching."

Giselle also smiled as she looked at Claude who was smiling.

"What about the wizards?"

"We've also brought in wizards, but there aren't many of them. Weren't there not many wizards in the North to begin with?"

"That's true. But we have a lot of wizards, right?"

"Yes, we are now approaching 200. In terms of magician power, we are competing with the Duke for the best."

I captured all the wizards of Marquis Rodrik and made them into slaves. I even received royal approval to make sure they wouldn't escape.

Now, Giselle has the power to force others to do whatever she wants, regardless of custom or law.

Of course, there may be someone who betrays you, runs away, or causes an accident along the way. You have to take that into account.

"But Alfoy is in charge of managing the wizards?"

"Vanessa will take care of the two 6th circle wizards and the 5th circle wizards, but I think it would be better for Alfoy and his friends to take care of the rest. Doesn't that guy have a bad temper? He's supposed to be held firmly in the beginning."

"okay...."

Although she felt a little uneasy, Jiselle nodded.

Still, Alpoy had been managing the wizards to some extent. He even caught and brought back the ones that ran away.

I was a little worried because the number of magic troops suddenly increased, but I had no choice but to trust them for now.

"The priests?"

"Each denomination sent additional priests. A total of 120."

"Good."

120 priests is a great number. That's how important Fenris's presence became to the kingdom.

"You decided to let Piote be the representative?"

"Yes, there was some resistance, but we pushed ahead at the Lord's command."

"Yes, we should do that. Fiote will play an important role in the fight against the cracks."

Jiselle smiled faintly. Although they are priests who cannot participate in the battle of the spirit world, the fight against the cracks is different.

We need to work hard to push the other priests who have been living comfortably so far.

"The mercenaries?"

"We are moving all over the place to secure as many mercenaries as possible. Because of the current rift, hiring of mercenaries is becoming more active in various places, so it will be easy to contact them."

"Okay, that's important too, so don't spare your resources and spread them around."

"All right."

Claude said after finishing his report on preparations for the expedition.

"The prince's faction has been urging us every day. In some places, the cracks have already widened and the army seems to have been unable to hold out and has retreated."

"Did you tell them to isolate any troops that come into contact with the crack as much as possible?"

"Yes, I told you before that I would empty some cities and fortresses and then check the situation there and reorganize."

"Yeah, it won't be able to stop it, but it might be able to reduce it a little… … ."

Jiselle trailed off and shook her head.

Events were happening simultaneously throughout the kingdom. He couldn't control and care about everything, since he wasn't a god.

Now we need to stop thinking about the little things and look at the big picture. We need to move as reliably and quickly as possible to resolve this situation.

"Let's go. We have to get moving now."

Fenris' total force was 30,000. Of these, 20,000 were incorporated into the Northern Army, and 10,000 were assigned to the defense and supply of the entire North.

Finally, the northern army of 80,000 men led by Jiselle began to move towards the nearest rift.