And night fell.


    I can tell by the air. The enemy is relaxed.


    The Viscounts of Mar must not have fought a serious war for quite some time. They avoid such wars unless they are confident of victory.


    Especially in the east of my land, there are many small and medium-sized lords. Almost no one has a countship to rule a province like Minelia. That is why all of them have avoided a full-scale war and have only managed to protect their lands.


    Many lords have kept such a tacit understanding that they will not attack the other side with all their might, so you should let them off the hook, too.


    If they continue to do so, they will be destroyed by a big power like Mineria. Rules have value only when they are accompanied by force. If one praying mantis tries to impose rules on a big cow, it will be trampled by the cow, and there will be nothing to stop it.


    "We''re going to make a plan now. I hope to see you again in the morning with a smile on your face.


    The unit I''m in aims for the top of the hill where the enemy viscount is.


    Of course, there will be lookouts, and the enemy has noticed us and is shooting arrows at us.


    My soldiers with their big shields block them.


    Gradually we are getting closer to the enemy''s side.


    As we got closer, they switched to spears and swords to defend themselves. It seems that they have decided that we cannot drive them away with bows and arrows.


    Now the melee is about to begin! A slash-and-burn battle begins in front of me.


    The enemy had the advantage of the ground, but they were more hesitant because they did not expect us to attack them. And they''re starting to let us climb up the hill.


    From this point on, the side that feels attacked has the psychological advantage.


    The area where I was is getting caught up in the melee. We are not far now from the enemy''s baron.


    "All right, you guys, you held your bows and arrows off well!　Now all you have to do is think about protecting yourself!"


    I leap out from the shield wall.


    Then I grab my sword and charge forward.


    At close range, arrows that hit my allies are almost useless. With a sword, I can almost lose now.


    One by one, I cut down those who attack me.


    Many of them don''t even know who we are yet. We''re getting pretty close to the enemy general. The morale boost for our allies will be more effective.


    Besides, I need to be a clear hero here.


    "Hey you guys!　My name is Arsrod Neivre, Viscount Neivre!　Get that Viscount out of there!　Let''s have a showdown here!"


    When the enemy soldiers noticed that I was coming, they changed the color of their eyes. Killing me would be a great honor.


    But I have no fear.


    This was my own decision.


    I''m calm. On the other hand, they can''t stay calm. One by one, we''ll get closer to the goal.


    The more they try to force me, the more the formation to protect the general is collapsing. It''s a situation that is out of our control. Of course, my other soldiers are also pushing the enemy. Once we get to the top of the hill, we can go toe-to-toe with the enemy. Our soldiers are the ones who are prepared to fight.


    We will cut down the enemies between us and Viscount Marl in turn. Their abilities are automatically lowered when they fight with me. It''s a bonus of my profession. So you can''t beat me unless you''re really good.


    And while I''m at it, I stabbed the last one in front of Viscount Marl. The moonlight gives me a clear view.


    My movements are light. I am hardly breathing.


    "Come, Viscount Mar, we will fight single combat."


    The other viscount is a middle-aged man of about 40. He''s already scared just by looking at me.


    "Why ...... are you here ......?"


    --I knew it... a punk. I can''t believe I''m in the same lordship with you. You lack any kind of willpower at all. I''d let any opportunity pass me by.


    Your heart is right. You''ve shown no desire to fight from the start. He has no desire to make a name for himself by killing me.


    "d*mn ...... this is the place to run ......"


    How dare the enemy turn his back on me and try to run away.


    I hadn''t thought of that. I wish he''d throw away the title of viscount.


    An arrow pierces the viscount''s leg.


    The Viscount Mar falls down.


    A large arrow pierced through his leg and into the ground. The enemy was completely knocked to the ground.


    "Raviara, the strong-bow, Viscount Nayvre''s liege lord!　As soon as I fired a shot at the cowardly Viscount!　Even in the dark of night, be on your guard!"


    From far away comes the voice of Raviara. Thank God. Now let me do my part slowly.


    He reared his sword to the side with a mighty swing.


    I cut off the Viscount Marl''s head with a single blow from behind.


    I take the head immediately. I guess he doesn''t have much respect from his men since no one comes to take his head.


    "I have the head of Viscount Marle!　We, the Viscounts of Nevre, have won!


    When the enemy camp heard the voice, they ran away in a panic. My soldiers cut them down from behind and charged at them from behind.


    As I thought, skirmishes had become the norm, so they had no plan for dealing with the enemy when they came at full force. From the looks of it... we can put similar forces under control of all of them.


    --Ah, it''s been so long. Reminds me of the time of Nobunaga.


    Oda Nobunaga was also absorbed in something. I guess there must have been a time when Odanobunaga wiped out all the zakos at a breakneck pace.


    I am sure that Odanobunaga also had a time when he wiped out the zakos at breakneck speed.


    With the death of the viscount, the other side became dysfunctional and surrendered without showing any resistance.


    The family was given a certain amount of land for the time being, and was incorporated into the family vassalage. If we completely destroyed the family, other lords might fight against us thoroughly.


    Thus, I was able to bring the counties of Heege and Kinase under my complete control. I now controlled three counties. The greatest territory as Viscount Nayvre was easily realized.


    However, this is not the end of the story.


    I went in alone against the enemy and took Viscount Marl''s head, and made it known all over the country.


    I have never lost my reputation for valor. And if a warrior comes to me for service, so much the better.


    It would be great if the lords around me would follow me out of fear of my military might, but even if they do not, I will destroy them myself. But even if they don''t, I will destroy them myself. It is safer to keep a firm hold on them by force, since they may be disobedient to me.


    Back at Castle Nayvle, there was no end to the number of people coming to celebrate.


    This is a messy situation, but there is nothing we can do about it.


    We had to have four more meetings that day.


    "My shoulders are getting tired indeed. ......"


    "Well, shall I give you a shoulder rub?"


    Laviala said happily.


    "But don''t blow in my ear."


    "Only when it''s your time, you''re selfish. ......"