Chapter 274: Chapter 273: He’s Already Making a Move? (3)


    ?


    "I refuse."


    At Ghiin''s firm words, the envoys were visibly flustered.


    "Why? Do you still believe that Rayfold is a territory capable of rivaling Desmond and the strongest in the north? That would be a grave misunderstanding."


    "Why?"


    "First, the usurper Amelia is a woman. She has no experience managing a territory, let alone leading an army. She was nothing more than ady who knew how to hold a teacup gracefully. Her rebellion seeded purely by chance, thanks to ambushing during a banquet."


    "Hmm..."


    "Look at her now, fighting Baron Valois. It''s been months, and she still hasn''t captured the castle. This is despite having an army five times the size of her opponent''s."


    At these words, Ghiin chuckled.


    Baron Valois was a brilliant tactician, and Amelia was intentionally keeping the confrontation minimal. A prolonged war was inevitable under such circumstances.


    If the envoys had given it any real thought, they wouldn''t have made such ims.


    Mistaking Ghiin''s chuckle for agreement, the envoy continued his persuasion enthusiastically.


    "We were once allied with the Rayfold family. The rightful heir, the fourth son Daven, is still alive, so we have sufficient justification. If we attack, Baron Valois will surelye out of his castle to support us."


    "And you think you''ll win?"


    "Of course! How could that woman, who can''t even handle Baron Valois, possibly stop our allied forces? This is an excellent opportunity for you to take part."


    Ghiin waved his hand dismissively, looking bored.


    "No, I''m not interested. You can do it yourselves."


    "The rightful heir of Rayfold is still alive. Allowing a usurper to remain sets a dangerous precedent. Moreover, in the north, women have never been recognized as lords. This situation is absurd and unprecedented."


    The reasons for the lords forming an alliance to attack Rayfold were many.


    First, they couldn''t let a rebellion go unchallenged, as it would set a dangerous example.


    They needed to demonstrate that lords wouldn''t tolerate a usurper. This would deter any simr attempts within their own territories.


    The fact that Amelia was a woman also bothered the northern lords.


    In the harsh and rugged north, strong men were expected to lead and rule. Their traditions and customs were rooted in this idea. For a woman to be a lord, and through rebellion no less, was an affront to those values.


    They couldn''t allow such an event to influence others. Even small incidents like this could umte and eventually change public perception.


    Lords, always eager to maintain their power, didn''t take such risks lightly.


    But above all, their primary motive was something else entirely.


    "Rayfold is a vast and fertilend. If we support the fourth son Daven, we could im parts of the territory as a reward, in ordance with tradition."


    This was the real reason. They wanted to exploit the chaos in Rayfold to divide thend among themselves. Amelia''s apparent ipetence only emboldened their decision.


    Despite their passionate persuasion, Ghiinughed again.


    ''Kill Amelia? With the likes of you?''


    In his previous life, even the Mercenary King couldn''t kill Amelia. If he could have, he would''ve done so immediately after returning to the past.


    Desmond was after Perdium and had left her alone only because he couldn''t act right away.


    That''s how dangerous she was. It was unimaginable that such ipetent people could defeat her.


    Besides, Amelia''s ambitions wouldn''t end with merely bing Count of Rayfold.


    However... for Ghiin''s current strategy, these fools might actually prove useful. They could


    help him buy time while exploiting Amelia''s ambitions to the fullest.


    "I won''t participate in the war. But I''ll support you in another way."


    "And what would that be?"


    "You''re here for provisions, aren''t you? I''ll supply you with food."


    Hearing this, the envoys beamed with delight.


    In truth, they didn''t need Fenris''s troops. They were confident that thebined forces of their six territories were more than enough to defeat Amelia.


    However, securing enough provisions to feed their army had proven challenging. They hade prepared to convince Ghiin, even if it meant offering him the best parts of thend.


    Now, with Ghiin offering provisions himself, they no longer needed to make such concessions.


    ''Ha, the young lord must be scared of Rayfold''s reputation.''


    "That reputation was only valid when the former Count and his heirs were alive. What''s so frightening about an army led by a mere woman?''


    ''Since he''s not participating directly, we can divide the best parts of thend among ourselves. We''ll just give him a token reward.''


    Satisfied with Ghiin''s promise, the envoys left in high spirits. Their war preparations were nearlyplete, and they nned to move as soon as they received the provisions.


    After sending them off, Ghiin sank into deep thought.


    ''I just hope they buy us enough time until my preparations areplete.''


    Those fools were bound to lose. Amelia would have anticipated this situation.


    In his past life, others had also tried to attack Amelia while she was at war with Baron Valois. None of them had seeded.


    If Ghiin got involved, the oue might change, but for now, he couldn''t afford to act.


    ''Not much time left.''


    Everything was happening faster than in his previous life because of his actions. This also meant the civil war was approaching.


    Count Desmond''s mobilization of an army was proof of that. Ghiin couldn''t waste his


    strength fighting Amelia now.


    He needed to buy as much time as possible andplete his preparations to the desired level. Amelia could be dealt with afterward.


    ''I need to keep her from pulling any tricks in the meantime.''


    She was a master of betrayal. That''s why Ghiin nned to support Baron Valois and other territories to tie her hands. This would limit her options.


    ''Just wait a little longer, Harold.''


    Everything was falling into ce as Ghiin intended. The only thing left was his showdown


    with Count Desmond.


    ''Because of me, everything in the north is tangled. There''s no way the duchy or Harold will sit still.''


    When the civil war began, Desmond would undoubtedly target this estate first. After all, Ghiin''s forces had be the strongest royalist faction in the north.


    There was still a little time left, though. In his past life, the duchy hadn''t initiated the civil


    war in the north.


    Even if the war started in the north, the kingdom''s forces were monitoring Count Desmond, so an unexpected attack was unlikely.


    During this brief window, Ghiin needed toplete all preparations. If sessful, he


    could crush Desmond as soon as the civil war began.


    ''When the war starts, I''ll kill him first.''


    At the thought, Ghiin''s heart began to race.


    The duchy might have been the root cause, but it was Count Desmond who directly destroyed


    Perdium.


    In his past life, Ghiin had mutted Desmond''s corpse countless times, venting his immense rage to the point where his subordinates had to stop him.


    Even though Perdium''s destruction had been averted, Ghiin and Count Desmond were destined to sh. To unify the north, Desmond had to die.


    ''Not much longer now. Once preparations areplete, I''ll achieve an overwhelming victory.''


    With that determination, Ghiin silently focused on war preparations and training his


    soldiers.


    Not long after, one day during a meeting with his vassals, a messenger burst into the audience


    hall in a panic.


    "Count Desmond has mobilized his army! They are advancing toward us!"


    Ghiin''s face hardened. His preparations were still iplete.


    "That bastard... he''s already making a move?''


    There had been no signs of activity from the duchy. The man who always moved cautiously,


    following their orders, was now acting on his own.


    And this, despite the kingdom''s army watching his every move.


    For the first time since his return, an event urred that disrupted Ghiin''s carefullyid


    ns.


    ***


    "Hurry up! Move quickly! We''ve received word that Count Desmond is mobilizing his army!"


    Viscount Dorren,mander of the 2nd Corps, had been awakened in the middle of the night by the urgent news and was now hastily moving his troops.


    Their destination was a different position than the one they had defended during Ghiin''s attack on Count Cabaldi. They needed to reach it first, set up camp, and block the way. That


    was his assigned mission.


    ''Damn it... what''s going on?''


    Viscount Dorren couldn''t wrap his head around the situation. There had been no


    communication, no justification for starting a war.


    Count Desmond had simply mobilized his forces and started marching toward Fenris.


    Such an action showed no regard for the dignity of a noble.


    And yet, that disregard made Viscount Dorren even more frightened.


    For the greatest lord in the north to abandon all pretense? It meant he was prepared to use any


    means necessary.


    Turning to his adjutant, Dorren asked, "They said his speed isn''t very fast, right? Maybe it''s


    just a show of force toward Fenris? Let''s hope that''s all it is!"


    "I don''t think it''s just a show of force."


    "Why?"


    "His army is said to be 30,000 strong. That''s why they''re slow."


    "... Oh." Viscount Dorren was momentarily dumbfounded. Could such numbers even be possible? Even


    for a great lord?


    The staggering figure made him feel weak in the knees.


    Regaining hisposure, he shouted in frustration.


    "Damn it! How are we supposed to stop 30,000 troops with just the 2nd Corps?"


    He had no confidence in defeating them. The Desmond forces were known as some of the


    strongest in the north.


    With the soldiers who had been assisting in road construction back, they now had 5,000


    troops. While that was enough to crush most northern lords, it was nowhere near enough against 30,000. "Please, let this end peacefully. Maybe he''s just demanding something."


    They had received orders to prepare and inspect their forces in case of a civil war. But there


    had been no news from anywhere else.


    This suggested that Count Desmond was acting alone. Viscount Dorren clung to that hope. "He wouldn''t be stupid enough to fight the royalist faction alone. Even if he upies Fenris, we''d eventually force him to retreat. This must all be a misunderstanding. Right?"


    Despite Dorren''s optimistic questions, his adjutant had no answers.


    The adjutant, like hismander, waspletely in the dark. "Damn it! Just move faster! Their massive army is slow, so we can get ahead and block their


    path. I''ll sit him down with some tea and ask what''s wrong. I''ll hear him out, promise to


    address his grievances, and send him away."


    As they moved, Viscount Dorren couldn''t stop talking, his unease evident.


    Thud thud thud thud!


    The distant sound of galloping hooves grew louder. Hearing it, Viscount Dorren felt a sense of


    foreboding.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Why do I hear cavalry charging at full speed?"


    The 2nd Corps consisted mostly of infantry. While they were marching briskly, they couldn''t


    match the speed of the cavalry.


    The cavalry, too, were moving at the infantry''s pace. There was no reason for the sound of


    full-speed galloping.


    Thud thud thud thud!


    Viscount Dorren wasn''t foolish. He was amander of the kingdom''s army and quickly


    understood the implications.


    "It''s an ambush! Everyone, prepare for battle!"


    At his shout, the soldiers immediately formed ranks, ready forbat. Their swift response


    showed why the kingdom''s army was considered elite.


    Thud thud thud thud!


    The sound of hooves grew closer. But they weren''ting from just one direction.


    "This... this can''t be..."


    Suddenly, the sound of galloping came from behind them as well. This meant the enemy had


    timed their movements to surround them.


    "They let the first sound be heard to force us into formation, then nned a rear ambush...''


    Thud thud thud thud!


    Soon, the sound of hooves came from their sides as well. Viscount Dorren''s brow twitched.


    Traveling at night made it difficult to scout their surroundings properly, and the enemy had exploited this perfectly.


    Assessing the situation quickly, Dorren shouted an order.


    "Extinguish all lights! Make it dark and force them into closebat!"


    All the surrounding lights were extinguished. The first charge would be inevitable, but in


    close quarters, the cavalry would lose their momentum, and chaos would ensue.


    That was their only hope.


    "Damn it... why is the moonlight so bright tonight?"


    But luck wasn''t on Dorren''s side. The moon was exceptionally bright, and it seemed the


    enemy had anticipated his response.


    Fwoosh!


    Suddenly, countless torches red to life on one side, their numbers nearing a thousand.


    Seeing this, Viscount Dorren murmured in despair.


    "They had an ambush prepared..."


    The enemy was serious. They truly intended to crush the kingdom''s army and attack Fenris.


    Fwoosh!


    ming arrows began raining down on the kingdom''s soldiers.


    Watching the sky light up with fire, Dorren muttered.


    "Count Desmond has truly gone mad."


    He didn''t get to say anything else. The ming arrows fell mercilessly.


    Thwack thwack thwack!


    "Ahhhh!"


    The 2nd Corps soldiers, caught off guard, were helplessly struck down. They had been


    marching and were in no position to defend themselves.


    No one had expected the enemy to act so recklessly without any prior notice.


    To openly fight the royalist faction alone? It was unthinkable. The only conclusion was that


    Count Desmond had lost his mind.


    Thud thud thud thud!


    The fires spread, illuminating the area. The sound of galloping grew louder.


    Cavalry swarmed into the chaotic ranks of the 2nd Corps from all directions.


    Boom!


    "Ahhhh!"


    "Reform the ranks immediately!"


    "Force them into a melee somehow!"


    Officers shouted orders, but it was no use. Desmond''s forces tore through the elite 2nd Corps


    with terrifying ease.


    Viscount Dorren had no choice but to acknowledge the truth.


    "Incredible... as expected of Desmond."


    The enemy had anticipated when, how, and where they would move and prepared everything


    in advance.


    Even now, the main force was slowly advancing toward Fenris.


    ording to the initial reports, the cavalry had been part of the main force. This meant they


    had broken off at high speed and sessfully executed a perfectly timed ambush. Only one person in Desmond''s forces was capable of such a feat: the renowned master of


    maneuver warfare in the north.


    "Emerson."


    He was the same man who had failed to block Ghiin''s attack on Cabaldi. If Emerson was


    leading, everything made sense.


    "So... surrender isn''t an option."


    No doubt, Emerson harbored a grudge from that previous encounter.


    Sure enough, Emerson, with a sinister grin, was charging toward Dorren.


    "Viscount Dorren!"


    Hearing Emerson''s shout, Dorren sighed and raised his sword. It seemed he wouldn''t make it


    out alive tonight.


    He had already given up on his life.


    But...


    "What about my daughter''s academy tuition..."


    That was the only concern left in his mind.


    [T/L: Please support me and read 320 extra chapters: https://ko-fi/revengerscans]