NOVEL NEXT Chapter 163.1
Chapter 163.1. Knights
“…I see. I understand the situation.”
After stripping Count Harvest, a northern noble, of his title and taking him into custody.
Hermes and the others headed to where the Count’s soldiers had gathered.
The reason was, of course, to discuss what would become of the Count and his men.
“As for the Count’s ties to the church—well, to be honest, I suspected as much. I have no doubts about that matter.”
The one who greeted them was a man called Toa, middle-aged yet radiating the aura of a seasoned warrior.
With a sharp gaze and an intimidating presence, he made even Liliana falter slightly.
It was no wonder, given that he was the leader of the knight order here.
After summarizing the situation, Toa spoke.
“So, if I understand correctly, from now on, you will be the one leading us, Princess Liliana?”
“Y-yes, that is correct.”
Despite being overwhelmed by his calm yet piercing gaze—and their considerable difference in size, akin to a bear towering over a fawn—
Liliana nodded.
Watching the two, a man who seemed to be a squad leader stepped forward from among the soldiers.
“Captain, I… I believe these people can be trusted.”
His face was familiar.
He was the leader of the soldiers who had been driven back by the Northern Union upon Hermes’ arrival.
As he shifted his gaze to Hermes—standing behind Liliana—he continued.
“They… even knowing the odds were overwhelmingly against them, helped us. That’s why I…”
With sincerity, he pleaded earnestly.
What they had achieved in the previous battle had earned trust here, seemingly easing the process of persuading the soldiers.
However—
“Ha! Says who?”
A different voice interjected from another direction.
Looking over, they saw another soldier, grizzled yet rough in demeanor, glaring at them.
His expression showed no hint of trust or gratitude.
“At the end of the day, it’s just the whims of nobles like you. You helped us just to win us over and keep us alive for your own convenience. You don’t genuinely value life, do you?”
“Hey, that’s enough—”
“We’re not just pawns!”
Before the captain could stop him, the man shouted.
“Sure, we’re soldiers; we won’t deny being treated as tools of war. But we’re sick of being toyed with by your whims, only to die pointlessly! Every lord we’ve served has been the same. How can we believe you’ll be any different?”
“Yeah, we won’t let you keep jerking us around!”
“To you nobles, those of us without Bloodline Magic are just trash, aren’t we?”
The accusations stirred unrest among the surrounding soldiers.
Everyone seemed to share the same fear.
Except for the unit directly saved by Hermes, the rest of the soldiers joined in, escalating the uproar—
“Silence!”
The knight captain Toa’s single word silenced them all.
Everyone stood still as if frozen.
Even Hermes and his group straightened their backs, intimidated by the sheer force of his command.
Those who had borne the full brunt of it had no choice but to fall silent.
Toa then turned toward Hermes and the others, bowing slightly.
“I apologize. I will deal with my subordinates later—but…”
When he raised his gaze again, it was sharp and penetrating.
“To be frank, I understand some of their feelings. Even if the previous lord was utterly unworthy of respect. You stripped him of his title unilaterally and now demand our loyalty. How can we trust someone like that?”
“…!”
Liliana gasped.
Hermes and the others exchanged glances with the soldiers and realized—
They were exhausted.
Worn down and broken.
From the external injustices of the invading forces, to the internal oppression likely inflicted by the Count,
and the general scorn they endured as soldiers without Bloodline Magic in a kingdom that revered it.
Their mistrust of nobles and magic users was deeply ingrained.
“I do not wish to ostracize you because of this, however.”
After observing the group’s hesitation, Toa continued.
“I have but one question for you, Princess, and your companions.”
With pride and sincerity, he looked them squarely in the eye.
“Will you protect this land of Harvest? Will you allow us to defend the homeland where our families live? A place we hold dear?”
It was a simple, heartfelt question, asked with the weight of someone who had spent years safeguarding this land.
To it…
“That is…”
“That is not something we can prove with words.”
Hermes answered in Liliana’s place, his calm voice steadying the air.
“Master…”
“Interesting.”
Liliana looked up at Hermes, while Toa regarded him with curiosity, perhaps sensing the young man’s capability.
“Whether we can protect this land or not… Even if I say we can, you would not believe me.
Therefore—through action. Only by results can we prove our resolve.”
The quiet conviction in his words drew everyone’s attention.
But before Toa could respond—
“Enemy attack!”
The tense negotiations were interrupted by an urgent report.
All eyes turned toward the source: a messenger, out of breath, running toward them.
“Troops from the Northern Union are attacking from the western side of the fort! They’re already within visible range!”
“How many?”
“Approximately 500! At least three Bloodline Magic users among them!”
Hearing this, despair spread among the soldiers.
It was natural; 500 men matched their own numbers.
Their troops were already exhausted, and with Bloodline Magic users on the enemy side, the odds were clear.
While Toa deliberated with a grave expression,
“How convenient.”
Hermes spoke casually, breaking the tension.
“Captain Toa. Knights, rest for now. We’ll handle this.”
His declaration stunned everyone, including Toa.
“Can you handle it, Hermes?”
“Yes. Their scale suggests this is primarily a reconnaissance-in-force. Their main goal is likely to gauge our strength, with the bonus of dealing damage if possible. Neither Lucius nor Nina is among them based on the magical presence.”
“Who will go?”
“Myself, Katia-sama, and Albert-sama. We likely won’t need healing, so Sara-sama can focus on treating the wounded. Princess Liliana and the Duke should accompany her.”
“V-very well.”
“U-understood!”
“That seems reasonable. Agreed.”