401

Episode 401: It's like war X. (1)

When Claude appeared, everyone around him slightly bowed their heads.

The same was true for Gillian and Belinda, who could be considered Giselle's closest associates. It was a completely different treatment from the way they usually ignored Claude.

I don't know about anything else, but Fenris's military discipline is strict. It couldn't be otherwise, since Giselle was a warlord.

Claude really liked this atmosphere.

"Hmm, I wish you had treated me this preciously in everyday life. I think I've found my place now."

"… … ."

He is the commander-in-chief with military power in the exhibition. Everyone wanted to say something, but they just kept their mouths shut.

When Giselle first appointed Claude as Commander-in-Chief, everyone was surprised. They naturally thought that Gillian, who was the non-commissioned officer, would take the position.

Gillian, who always put Giselle's orders first, accepted it obediently. This was because he had never had that kind of sense of empathy in the first place.

Instead, other people rebelled.

"Your Majesty! The General is the first one to surrender!"

"That's right! To entrust the entire army to a commander who has never been in a war! He will surely accept a bribe and surrender!"

"There might be a rebellion! I've always had a lot of complaints!"

When the vassals caused a ruckus, it was Claude who felt unnecessarily upset.

"What! Did I ask you to do it? Why are you swearing at someone who is just sitting there! How can you look at people!"

Claude started to run wild and started arguing with the servants, pointing fingers at each other. Strangely, whenever Claude got involved, the atmosphere became a mess.

Jiselle didn't just watch.

thud!

Jiselle, who made everyone around her shiver with a single kick, spoke with a calm expression.

"The commander-in-chief of the defense force is Claude. You should know that."

Once something is said, it can be objected to, but twice it means it has been decided. The vassals glared at Claude, their lips licking.

Claude was also shocked. He confronted Giselle right away.

"No, I didn't even say I would do it, so why are you giving it to me and making me scold you? My lord, you don't like me?"

"Officially, you are the second in command of this territory. Isn't that obvious?"

"That, that's… … ."

It's true that Claude sits next to Giselle in this domain, even though he has no authority.

Jiselle said with a snicker.

"Go ahead and do whatever you want. Just hold out until I get back."

Claude, who was in his first real fight, was told to show off his skills against the strongest fighter in the West. People were dumbfounded, but Claude's reaction was even more impressive.

"Are you really doing whatever you want?"

"Okay, do whatever you want."

"Hehe, that would be fun."

When Fenris was very weak in the past, Claude was only thinking about how to escape. However, now that he has the strongest power and the best technology in the North, he wants to try many things.

Anyway, during Giselle's absence, Claude became the commander-in-chief of the Fenris Army.

The garrison of Silverlight, the fortress where Claude and his men were, numbered 10,000 men. The rest were dispersed to other castles and fortresses.

10,000 was not a small number, but it was significantly small compared to a large army of 60,000. On top of that, the commander-in-chief was Claude, so the people could not hide their anxiety.

Claude looked at those people and asked.

"Ahem, are you ready?"

In the awkward atmosphere, Gillian answered indifferently.

"Preparations are… …as you commanded."

"Uh-huh-huh. Oh my, why does my body feel so ticklish after hearing our officer's answer? Yeah, anyway, let's wait now. The enemies will react as they please."

Under Claude's orders, the Fenris army simply waited. After all, their goal here was to hold this place and buy time. It was always better to minimize damage.

In addition to the difference in numbers, other conditions were not so lacking. Because of Claude, who had been emphasizing Mercury since long ago, the fortress was expanded to the point where it was almost like a new one, and strategic materials were sufficient.

Marquis Rodrik laughed loudly as he looked at the huge fortress crouching quietly.

"I heard those northern country bumpkins made some money and built a really nice fortress."

The reason this fortress was named Silverlight was simple: it was built of white stone, so it seemed to shine like silver.

It was an extremely beautiful fortress, with the dwarves' aesthetic sense fully displayed.

"It's a shame to see such a beautiful fortress fall, but we can rebuild it later."

Marquis Rodrik had no doubt that he would win. No matter how well prepared Fenris was, he would not be able to stop an army of 60,000 men.

It took Rodrik's army three days to set up camp. Not only did they have a large number of troops, but they also needed time to assemble numerous siege engines.

As soon as the siege engines were completed and the camp was fully formed, Marquis Rodrik gave the order.

"Check first to see if there are any runestone traps!"

The Marquis gathered information about Fenris again in order to deal with Master Giselle. He also learned the methods Fenris had used in the war.

The most famous were the Runestone Trap and the Hot Air Balloon. The Marquis' staff had certainly taken measures to counter them.

"Protect the wizards!"

At Tennant's shout, the knights surrounded the wizards and stepped forward slightly.

Rodrik's army included three sixth circle magicians, six fifth circle magicians, and over 100 lower circle magicians.

The number of people who could make even the most advanced magicians go away was that high. The level of the wizards in the West was that high.

They cast a wide range of magic detection spells and then shouted.

"Found it! Magical energy detected in several places!"

"It's definitely a runestone trap!"

"It's close!"

Marquis Rodrik hit his knee and shouted at the wizards' report.

"There was a runestone trap after all! Pull back your troops immediately and disarm it!"

Marquis Rodrik laughed loudly. The trap prepared by the enemy was so obvious. After all, they probably had no other way.

"You idiots, did you think the same method would work again? So, how many runestones have you buried? Can we collect them and use them again?"

"There are a total of five locations. We need to first check the engraved technique to see if it can be reused."

"Five? Don't traps like this usually use at least a few hundred runestones?"

"That… … There are only five places where magical power has been detected at the moment. And even those are very weak."

"Hmm… … . Just in case, check it out."

Rodrik's army moved busily and pulled back a little bit. It was because they didn't know when the magic of the rune stone would be activated.

Only after a while did a few soldiers step forward with nervous expressions.

Fenris has a 6th circle wizard. The knights and wizards couldn't go first because they didn't know what magic they would activate while digging.

Instead, he casted several strengthening spells on his soldiers and sent them to dig the ground. He didn't care if the soldiers died.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The soldiers began to carefully dig the ground.

There was no response from Fenris' side as it was close to Rodrik's camp and quite a distance from the fortress.

The soldiers who had been hesitating nervously quickly dug the ground as there was nothing unusual. If the magic was activated, they would have died, but fortunately, that did not happen.

"I found it!"

"It's definitely the Rune Stone!"

"Huh? What is this?"

The soldiers tilted their heads, clutching the small rune stones.

Because there was some paper tied to the rune stone.

Anyway, we can't take something suspicious with us. So the soldiers unwrapped the paper first and unfolded it.

And the expressions on the soldiers' faces when they saw the writing inside hardened.

Tennant shouted loudly when he saw that sight.

"What is that! If there is no problem, bring it right now and tell the Marquis!"

The soldiers hesitated and brought the runestone and paper. Marquis Rodrik, who saw that there was nothing unusual, immediately took the paper and unfolded it.

[You idiot, you got fooled, right?]

"… … ."

The paper was filled with explicit profanity. Marquis Rodrik's breathing began to quicken.

When I opened another piece of paper, there was something different written on it.

[A 60,000-strong army was stopped by five Rune Stones. Five Rune Stones are scary, right?]

[You worked in vain? Are you tired because you're so stupid?]

[Are you angry? What are you going to do when you're angry? What can you do?]

[I am the man who defeated God… … ]

Some of the papers had marks where someone had hastily written something and then erased it. It was difficult to understand what was meant.

"… … ."

Marquis Rodrik held the paper in his hands and trembled.

It was an obvious mockery. They knew they would check the ground and take out the runestone, so they prepared this trick in advance.

But it worked. They even retreated a little bit to the military just in case. They had nothing to say even if they were ridiculed for being stupid.

"Hey, these kids dare!"

It was a first for Marquis Rodrik, who had always been treated with nobility.

I never thought the other person would act so childishly. Only shallow people who don't know honor would do that.

It was even more heartbreaking to see someone as noble as himself suffer like this.

How dare he, the highest noble in this kingdom, take such words for himself and even retreat his army!

"I won't leave these insolent bastards alone!"

Marquis Rodrik jumped up from his seat and shouted.

"Move the entire army immediately! Bring me their heads!"

Then Tennant stopped him from the side.

"Your Majesty! This is a trivial provocation! You must not fall for it! You do not know what kind of trap he has set. We will win anyway, so please calm down for a moment!"

Marquis Rodrik is a very hot-tempered man. He lives without tolerating even the slightest inconvenience.

Still, because it was war, I barely managed to suppress my anger and endure it after hearing Tennant's words.

"Check to see if there are any other runestones left."

As he spoke through gnashing teeth, the wizards began to scan the surroundings again, sensing magical power.

Claude, who was sitting comfortably on the top of the fortress and watching the movements of Rodrik's army, asked.

"Did you dig it? Did you dig it all? I can't see that far."

The wizard next to him nodded in response to his question.

"Yes, it definitely went there. Judging from the commotion, it looks like he checked the note too."

"Okay. You said Marquis Rodrik was ill-tempered and hasty?"

The question was answered by the spy officer, Lowell.

"Yes. There was even an incident where a maid was killed because she was a little late in bringing out the food she wanted to eat."

"Oh my, that's really dirty. I can't stand it when someone like that curses at me. I've never been scolded before."

Claude waved his hand a few times and called someone.

"Let's make it a little more exciting."

The one who was called was the foul-mouthed elf Ascon. He stepped forward and muttered with a solemn expression.

"Fuck… … . I lost everything today."

At Claude's command, the wizards immediately cast a spell to amplify the sound. Then Ascon began to curse at Rodrik's army.

"Hey! Marquis Rodrigo, you XXX, XXXX XXX! You piece of shit, XXX! A kid like you will be grilled XXX XXXX… … ."

Unspeakable curses echoed throughout the battlefield. It was so severe that even the Fenrisians on their own side looked trembling.

Claude also clicked his tongue and spoke to Wendy next to him.

"Hey, Ascon performance today was crazy. How can such dirty words keep coming out of a person's mouth? Did he put a trash can in his mouth?"

"… … ."

Wendy didn't answer. She just didn't want to answer. She didn't even feel like fighting.

Even the Fenris Army, who were on the same side, had this kind of reaction. Of course, Rodrik Army, who was being cursed at, just opened his mouth in shock.

Marquis Rodrik held the back of his neck and trembled. His face turned bright red as blood rushed to it.

"I, I, I, I, I, you crazy bastard, what, what are you saying now?"

Not only did he curse at himself, but he also cursed at his parents and his family. The curses were so foul that it was humiliating to even hear them.

He had never heard such insults in his life. Who would dare to insult him like that? Not even the Duke.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that a nobleman of Marquis Rodrik's level had no tolerance for insults.

"Lord, kill them! Hurry up and kill them!"

Marquis Rodrik screamed again. He could not help but feel the fire boiling inside him.

This war was no ordinary war. It was a great journey to defeat Fenris, the so-called strongest in the North, and unite the North and the West.

But those guys were turning this magnificent war into a childish squabble between city thugs.

"… … Okay, I understand. I'll just check the runestone trap and move right away."

This time, even Tennant couldn't object. It was too much for him to hear.

Even if he, who wasn't a party to the matter, heard about it, it would make him hot-tempered, so how much must Marquis Rodrik have felt hurt?

It is not that there were no cases in the history of war where people provoked their opponents with insults. However, because of the culture that valued honor, no one tried it easily.

Tennant asked the Circle 6 Master, Dneish, the leader of the wizards.

"Are there any other runestone traps?"

Dnessi nodded and answered.

"There is no longer any place where magic is detected. That is certain. I think it would be a good time to advance."

Tennant shouted loudly when he heard that.

"All forces! Attack the fortress!"

Chuck! Chuck! Chuck!

The soldiers stepped forward a little further with a stoic pace, and loaded the catapults with stones and prepared to fire.

Gillian, seeing that sight, coughed and asked Claude.

"Ahem, it looks like the enemy is about to attack. But is it really necessary to curse like that? After all, it seems that the honor of your lord… … ."

The operation they had prepared could have been carried out without provoking the enemy, so I wondered about their intention to provoke the enemy more than necessary.

The biggest reason was that I was worried that if rumors spread, Jiselle's reputation would be damaged.

Claude crossed his legs arrogantly in response to Gillian's question.

"Our commander is good at fighting, but he doesn't know anything else. War and gambling are essentially the same. So, before we get into a full-scale fight, there's something we absolutely must do."

"What is that?"

Claude answered with a snicker.

"It's just making the other person angry."

"… … ."

Everyone was speechless. If that was the intention, it worked really well.

The Rodrik army, which had been receiving so much heat, finally began to attack with catapults.