524

Episode 524 I came to save you. (2)

The soldiers didn't quite understand what was being said, because it was so sudden.

There was another questionable point.

'What the heck? How on earth did it come through that fog?'

'What happened to the monsters inside?'

'You just broke through and came?'

When you witness an unbelievable situation, your mind becomes rigid. The soldiers of the Seiron Army were not able to easily come to their senses when faced with an army that broke common sense.

The commander of the Seiron Army asked, stammering.

"Who, who are you?"

Even though it was my first time seeing him, I couldn't help but speak politely to him. The momentum of the army behind me was so fierce.

Just the fact that they came through the fog gave me the feeling that this was no ordinary army.

Jiselle spoke again, clearly.

"I am the Duke of Fenris of the Kingdom of Rutania."

I didn't say the word Northern Grand Duke. I still felt embarrassed to use that word.

The commander repeated the name several times.

"The Kingdom of Rutania… … Fenris… … Fenris… … . Gasp! Count Fenris! No, Duke?"

The commander was astonished. Count Fenris of the powerful nation of Rutania was quite famous even in the Kingdom of Ceylon.

"Oh, what's going on? I heard that Rutania is still in the midst of a civil war… … ."

"Everything has been settled. The Kingdom of Rutania has been unified around its new king."

Jiselle gave a brief update. They were trapped in the rift zone and virtually isolated, so it was understandable that news was slow to arrive.

The commander asked with a joyful expression.

"Then, are you really here to help us?"

"Yeah, I already dealt with one of the cracks on the way here. I'll deal with the rest."

"Wow!"

The soldiers of Seiron cheered loudly.

It was a situation where there seemed to be no hope at all. I expected that if I held on like this, I would starve to death or be eaten by the cracks.

There was no escape. I was afraid to leave the area of the exquisitely placed cracks.

In the midst of all this, support came from the Kingdom of Rutania, and hope was revived.

Jiselle said with a leisurely smile.

"I will skip the unnecessary ceremony. I will rest for a day and then move right away, so prepare food and stones for the catapults."

The mobile force always carried only powdered combat rations. In order to eat their fill, they had to get supplies locally.

If the stones for the slinging attack were also airlifted here, it would be easier to push through the cracks.

The commander looked a little embarrassed at Giselle's request.

"Oh, I understand. I will report it first."

The stones are no problem, because they have been piled up in large quantities to form a barrier.

But they had no idea about food. They thought it would be difficult to provide food for an army of 20,000 people at once when they themselves were starving.

Since it wasn't his place to make the judgment anyway, the commander quickly sent a messenger.

A little later, a group of people came on horseback in a hurry to find Giselle.

"Oh, are you the Duke of Fenris? I am Marquis Perrain, Commander-in-Chief of the Ceylon Kingdom Army."

"Hello. I'm here to help you deal with the cracks."

Marquis Perrin smiled brightly.

The reputation of Giselle as the strongest in the North has been known for a long time. In addition, the Kingdom of Rutania has been a military power since ancient times. I heard that even the powerful Duke of Delphine was defeated.

How could I not be happy when someone like this helps me?

"Thank you very much for your kind words. Come on, let's go to the castle and meet His Majesty. We will also hold a grand banquet."

He is a duke of the Kingdom of Rutania. He is someone who must look good at all costs. That is why Marquis Perrein had already sent word to the castle.

Jiselle said, frowning.

"… … It looks like the message wasn't delivered. I'm planning on resting for a day and then going straight to deal with the cracks. Are the supplies ready?"

"Ah, I heard about it. Of course we should provide it. But that is… … ."

Marquis Perrin glanced around. Many of the Ceylon soldiers were listening.

Jiselle quickly realized what was happening. It didn't look like the soldiers were eating their fill.

"Are you short of food?"

"Ahem, right now our food situation is not good… … Your Majesty, let's move to a quiet place for now… … ."

Giselle ignored Marquis Perrein's words.

"We certainly provided enough food. Why is there a food shortage?"

When the rift opened and the Salvation Church was established, and the Allied Forces were formed, Jiselle had already provided enormous support to the surrounding countries.

Although not as much as the countries that participated in the Allied Forces, they gave a lot to kingdoms that were in difficult circumstances.

There was a good reason for that. If they held out, the civil war in the Kingdom of Rutania could end quickly.

But it makes no sense that the Kingdom of Seiron is already short on food supplies.

Giselle pressured Marquis Perrein in front of everyone.

"It seems that our administrators have not done their job properly. I apologize. I can't check every single thing like this."

"No, that's not it."

"Please tell me here how much you received. If you did not receive as much as I ordered, then you must hold the administrators accountable."

"Ah, I, that… … Duke, that is… … ."

Marquis Perrin kept breaking out in a cold sweat.

The reason the Kingdom of Ceyron was able to survive until now despite all production having stopped was because of the large amount of food aid provided by Fenris and Ferdium.

So I couldn't lie and say I didn't receive it properly. The other person knew how much I had given them.

'No, of course I'll give it to you, but why here of all places…?'

But how can you say that in front of everyone when you said there was no food and cut rations?

Giselle spoke coldly to the hesitant Marquis Perrin.

"What happened to the food?"

"That, that's… … y, enough. We're stockpiling it well."

At those words, Seiron's soldiers began to stir.

Since the entire kingdom was caught up in the rift, they also understood to some extent that their rations had been reduced.

The nobles complained that they ate well, but they thought that since there were only a few nobles, they could afford to eat that much. It wouldn't be enough to feed all the soldiers and refugees.

The nobles always said that the kingdom was struggling because its finances were running low.

But, having received such a huge amount of food aid and having stockpiled it all, everyone began to feel betrayed.

Jiselle snickered and spoke openly.

"Are you crazy?"

"… … ."

"I'm sure they told us not to spare any effort. The soldiers don't look too bad."

Although it was a rude remark, Marquis Perrin could not say anything. It was true that he had intentionally held back food and not properly supplied it.

But he also felt a little wronged.

"Your Majesty, our kingdom's production base has already been completely destroyed. So we had no choice but to conserve."

"It's good to save. After saving so much, what are you going to do with it?"

"… … ."

How could I? I tried to run away and abandon the kingdom before it all fell apart. Isn't it better for the country to perish than to die?

Jiselle looked at Marquis Perrein with pitiful eyes.

"It looks like the higher-ups are skipping out on it since you're even preparing a banquet?"

"… … ."

Jiselle clicked her tongue. How can these nobles all be so similar?

'There's nothing we can do about a kingdom in chaos. Claude will take care of things.'

It's not that I don't understand. I don't think he has the courage to fight the cracks openly, but he doesn't want to give up his kingdom either.

No matter what, they were even sparing food for the soldiers. They were told to hold out, but they were barely holding on, barely holding on.

It would have been better to eat a full meal and run away to another country.

"Bring us the food now. We'll fix the cracks. And distribute it to the soldiers properly as promised. I repeat, it's all my property."

Now that the civil war was over, there was no need to look after the surrounding nobles. He planned to resolutely strike down any place that was not helpful in trampling on the Salvation Church.

Marquis Perrin answered with a sullen expression.

"All right...."

The soldiers of Seiron bit their lips and held back their anger. They fought hard to protect the capital's defense line even if they gave up on other areas.

But the nobles only enjoyed themselves and did not properly distribute the food even though there was enough.

The more I learned, the more I felt betrayed.

'If this is going to happen, I might as well just go under.'

'I would rather be occupied by the Kingdom of Rutania.'

'They'll at least feed you.'

Marquis Perrin, who felt the cold gaze of the soldiers, quickly left the place. If this continued, there would be no answer even if a real rebellion broke out.

'Damn it! That damned bastard! That rude bastard! Shouldn't we understand each other as fellow nobles! Are you ignoring us because we're a weak country? What the?'

It's not that he ignores me because I'm weak, it's that he ignores me because I'm stupid, but there's no way he'd understand.

The next day, a large quantity of food was shipped to the garrison. The Fenris Mobile Force ate its fill and prepared for battle again.

Seiron's soldiers also participated in the battle, but their role was to transport stones and food rather than fight directly.

They couldn't hide their fear as they followed Jiselle. They had always stopped the Crackers outside the area, so this was the first time they had gone in so openly.

And soon they witnessed an amazing sight.

Kaaaak!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A massive magic swept away the rift people. The mobile force did not stay still while the wizards swept away the front line of the rift people.

Phew!

Arrows rained down on the Crackers. At the same time, over a hundred catapults were created.

"Bring me the stone!"

As the knights shouted, the soldiers of Seiron carried stones diligently. They were so busy that they could not even see how the battle was going on up ahead.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Over a hundred catapults fired stones endlessly. The Crackers could not even approach.

It was a truly overwhelming attack force. By the time Seiron's soldiers came to their senses, most of the rift people who had been rushing in had already been annihilated.

"Wow, woahhh… … ."

"You're saying we can catch all those guys so easily?"

"Wow. Just how strong is it?"

The fear on the faces of the Ceylon soldiers disappeared and was replaced by admiration. They had never seen such a strong army.

"let's go!"

At the signal of Giselle's shout, the army moved again.

The first day of fighting the Cracks is the most intense, as Crackers come from all directions.

Once you get through that first day, the rest won't be difficult. Most of the Crackers die on the first day. In fact, it took longer to get to the area where Equidema was.

There was no need for the military to participate in capturing Equidema. Only superhumans including Giselle, magicians, and priests had to come forward.

Kaaaaang!

They alone are comparable to the power of a single country. No matter how powerful Equidema was, it could not handle that power.

The soldiers of Seiron cheered loudly when they were able to remove all the cracks in just a few days.

"Wow!"

"You really cracked it!"

"We survived! We survived!"

I thought I was going to die without being able to move, so I couldn't help but be happy that it was resolved so easily.

This was possible because there were no Salvation Church forces on this side. The Salvation Church forces in the vicinity had all flocked to the Kingdom of Rutania.

Giselle and her party returned to the capital of Ceylon amid cheers from soldiers and people. By then, the 100,000-strong northern army led by Claude had also arrived.

The people of Seiron, who had seen such a large army for the first time, were amazed by its scale.

All the high-ranking nobles of Seiron came out to greet Giselle.

"As expected, it is the Kingdom of Rutania."

"The Duke of Fenris's reputation has been known since ancient times."

"I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of Your Majesty."

"Come on, let's go to the castle. Enjoy the banquet and relieve the fatigue from the day."

The nobles tried to look good to Giselle by offering flattery. It was obvious that they were trying to build a friendship with Giselle through this opportunity.

Because it is not common to have the opportunity to become friendly with a noble from the military powerhouse of Rutania.

There was also considerable fear of Jisel, who led an army of 100,000 men.

But Giselle flatly rejected the nobles' offer.

"I'm busy, so I'll go first. I have to go to the next kingdom."

Marquis Perrin, the representative of the nobles, was flustered and grabbed Giselle.

"No, how could you send your benefactor away like that? Why don't you just rest for a few days and go?"

"No. We must reduce the Salvation Church's power as much as possible before it gathers together."

"Okay, then there's nothing I can do. I wish you good luck."

Marquis Perrin thought it was a good thing and did not hold on any longer. The cracks had already been prevented from spreading, and it was better to not have a burdensome presence like Giselle.

But then, words like a bolt from the blue followed.

"The Director General will remain and investigate the use of this aid. Please be advised of this."

"yes yes?"

"If you break a promise, shouldn't you take responsibility?"

"Ah, no… … ."

The Marquis of Perrin and the nobles were perplexed. They promised to distribute it to the soldiers and people, but how could they actually investigate it?

Even if we were to do it between fellow nobles, I thought it was too much.

Before the Marquis of Perrin and the nobles could make any excuses, Giselle turned around and left. Claude spoke with a blank expression to them, who were just licking their lips.

"I must meet His Majesty and conduct some investigation."

"Ahem, ahem. Are you the General of Fenris?"

"Yes, that's right. I'm from the Kingdom of Seiron. I studied at Seiron Academy."

Claude gave a subtle smile.

His master was involved with a revolutionary group in this kingdom, was accused of treason, and died.

The king and the nobles killed him even though they knew he was innocent, simply because he was from a hostile faction.

Also, Anna, who was the teacher's daughter and Claude's fiancée, was sold to another nobleman because she could not pay the ransom.

Claude lived as a wreck until Giselle showed up and saved him.

The Revolutionary Group and the Kingdom of Ceylon were objects of his hatred. He lived his entire life with that pain buried deep in his heart.

Claude, who had been like that, finally returned to the Kingdom of Ceylon.

With full authority from Giselle, he brought an army of 100,000 men.