Surviving as a Knight in a Trash Game

Chapter 177

“Did you say this is a letter from Duke Jacques Marin?”

“Yes, but I was not permitted to open the letter, so I do not know its contents.”

Ellenhower broke the seal of the letter, stamped with Jacques Marin’s insignia, and began to read its contents.

[To my dear Lord Ellenhower.

It has been a long time since I have written such a shameless letter. Seeing the current situation with the Arthur Domain, its power is growing day by day, and our positions, located nearby, are shrinking by the day.

Although it is true that our friendship is not deep…]

As he followed the contents of the letter, Ellenhower found himself reading the last passage of the paper.

[Therefore, I hope that we can join forces to deal with the Arthur Domain.]

It was a proposal to form an alliance against the Arthur Domain. In conclusion, the plan was to launch a two-pronged attack to reduce the Arthur Domain’s military strength.

“…What are the contents, my liege?”

“I will explain after dismissing the messenger. Give the one who brought the letter a room and provide him with plenty of food and drink.”

Following his command, the messenger who had delivered the letter withdrew, and only the personnel of Somerset were left in the conference room.

“It is a proposal to deal with the Arthur Domain together.”

“…!”

The eyes of those present gleamed with their own thoughts.

“My liege, I think it would be good to accept this opportunity. Even if we do not kill the Arthur Domain, there is a need to weaken its power.”

“Is there no justification? They are heroes of the entire continent.”

“Why would there be no justification? Aren't they monopolizing trade with the Dertringen Kingdom and building fortresses in areas near neutral zones, expanding their territory? In the end, this is a military provocation against us and Duke Jacques Marin.”

Justification was something that could be claimed with one’s mouth even while knowing it wasn’t the true intention, like a nose ring if you hang it on your nose and an earring if you hang it on your ear.

“If we do so, it may be beneficial for now, but in the long run, it will be a path that loses justification.”

Ellenhower’s words were not without reason. The path he had to walk was the path of an emperor. It was a path that could only be achieved by becoming a person of a much grander scale than that.

“Even so, at this rate, it will be Lord Karl who seizes the flow of the times. His military power is already disproportionately strong.”

Without anyone knowing when it had happened, the current Arthur Domain possessed a military force that was far beyond a level where they could be kept in check by each other.

“My liege, your grand intention to look at the long term is just, but if the Arthur Domain continues to grow like this, we may not be able to walk the path we desire.”

Viscount Jennings’ anxiety was clearly felt within the conference room.

“…I will make a decision on this matter after sufficient consideration, so for now, you may all withdraw.”

At Ellenhower's declaration to end the meeting, everyone rose from their seats and left the conference room. The faces of those leaving the conference room were generally not bright.

“Viscount Jennings… do we really have to go this far?”

“I don’t wish to do this either, but… we must eliminate even the possibility of a ‘what if’ situation.”

As they walked out, Jennings and Ellenhower’s vassals exchanged various words.

The main gist of their stories was, of course, what kind of relationship they should form with the Arthur Domain. And the words coming from their mouths were not very positive for the Arthur Domain.

***

“The atmosphere is a bit strange.”

An intelligence agent who had come to report to Anne spoke about the envoy from Duke Jacques Marin who had recently entered Ellenhower's side.

“There’s no reason for them to send an envoy to Ellenhower. Especially now, when our alliance with the dwarves is being strengthened.”

Strange information refers to things that can be judged only when various pieces of information are put together.

And if these circumstances continue to be captured, the probability of them being true increases dramatically.

“Keep a close watch.”

Anne gave the order and immediately went to where I was. As it happened, I and the leaders of the Arthur Domain were all gathered in the conference room.

“You’re here, Lady Anne?”

“This can’t be a meeting. Are you engrossed in making strange liquor again?”

“It's not strange liquor, but about producing a more diverse range of beers. The money we're making is no joke, isn't it?”

Anne let out a light sigh and approached me.

“It seems Duke Ellenhower is thinking of joining hands with Duke Jacques to do something about our domain. It wouldn't hurt to prepare in advance.”

“…”

At her one bombshell statement, the conference room suddenly fell silent.

“Recently, evidence has emerged that Duke Jacques Marin sent an envoy to Ellenhower's side. The envoy seems to have moved quite quietly. After that, the movements of Ellenhower’s army are strange. The number of soldiers in the camps close to us has noticeably increased. It seems they are trying to move without making it obvious as much as possible.”

Her story continued in quite a specific manner.

“It’s the same with Duke Jacques Marin’s army. Their troops are increasing starting from the areas adjacent to us. The amount of food and supplies being purchased has increased noticeably.”

“…”

Ordinary intelligence agents would not be able to know in such detail. It was information that only she could know on the continent.

The faces of those who had been passionately developing beer just a moment ago changed, and all traces of beer development disappeared from the conference room. And in an instant, a battle map was brought up, revealing the deployment of our forces and the enemy's at a glance.

“Send a messenger to Count Vito and ask him to deploy more troops to the west. Redeploy our troops to the west and northwest, and convey to Ultore that we need more support with dwarven troops and siege weapons.”

My instructions flowed without a hitch as I looked at the battle map. By the time everything from food supply, troop movement routes, support methods, and the location of the reserves was decided.

“I will go to the Ellenhower Duchy.”

“You can’t!”

“That’s absurd!”

“Is that any different from walking into the enemy camp on your own two feet?”

The knights, led by Bastien, shouted at me.

“If I put my mind to it, it’s not difficult to escape alone. Besides, if I officially announce my visit, Ellenhower won’t be able to do anything to me either. He is aiming for the emperor’s throne, after all.”

The greater cause and justification were like shackles to someone who wanted to become emperor.

“That makes sense.”

“Lady Anne!”

“Princess!”

“Duchess!”

This time too, those present shouted at Anne. That couple really tormented the hearts of their vassals. And yet, they themselves were carefree.

“There is no more perfect way than this. It would be good for me to go and read Ellenhower’s intentions and try to change his mind.”

“He has already hardened his resolve to go to war with us. What will change significantly?”

Rogério’s words were correct. However, politics could always change.

“That’s why I have to go even more.”

And so, my visit to the Somerset Domain was decided.

The only person accompanying me was Kelvin.

***

“Why are you even a lord if you’re going to be like this? Then and now, you have no entourage, and you’re always going to be traveling like this, eating dust by yourself, my lord.”

Kelvin seemed oddly disgruntled, perhaps because all his appointments with various women had been ruined.

“It seems things aren’t going well with Selena.”

“What are you talking about!? Selena said I’m the best in the world!”

“A man’s face isn't everything.”

“Just because you’re the lord doesn’t mean you can scratch people like that!”

“You’re scratched.”

“Aaaaaah!”

Unable to bear it any longer, Kelvin screamed.

“You’re noisy.”

“…”

Fed up, Kelvin gave up on talking to me.

As the two of us made our way towards the Somerset Domain, exchanging silly jokes, we could clearly read the signs of war. A strange tension and soldiers who seemed to be pulled taut.

They had already completed their preparations for war.

The soldiers of the Somerset Duchy were considered strong even when compared to the entire West Continent, so their strict military discipline and the level of their equipment were certainly much different from other domains.

“This atmosphere is quite unsettling.”

The gazes of the Somerset Domain’s army, watching the two of us slowly riding our horses, were also a bit strange.

“Where are you from?”

Just then, a group of knights with red flag emblems on their armor spotted me and Kelvin and rode over.

“I am Karl of the Arthur Domain.”

“…!”

The Red Flag Knights seemed quite flustered by my sudden appearance. The one who appeared to be a team leader quickly turned his horse's head and moved towards the main camp, while the one who had first asked me the question stared at me with bewildered eyes.

“Why, have I come to a place I shouldn’t have?”

“N-no, sir. Welcome to Lucha, my lord.”

Lucha, one of the domains belonging to the Somerset Domain, was a place used as a kind of forward base.

The very fact that the Red Flag Knights were stationed here was proof that they were maintaining a war footing.

The Red Flag Knights were one of the core military forces of Somerset, a force that ranked among the top three knight orders.

Dudududududu.

Not long after the awkward welcome, someone, flying a red flag, reached me like the wind.

“My lord! It’s been a long time!”

There stood a knight with a bold face, a square jaw, and black hair flying in the wind, just like mine. He was Dominic Cooper, the commander of the Red Flag Knights, whom I had met a few times.

“It’s been a long time, Dominic.”

“What brings you to this distant place without any notice?”

“I came to see His Excellency Duke Ellenhower. There’s something I need to talk to him about.”

“…”

Facing my expressionless eyes that showed no emotion, Dominic felt his body shrink for some reason.

As someone who was bad at lying and had a straightforward personality, he felt uneasy about the current situation for some reason.

“You don’t need to say anything more. Just deliver the news to His Excellency the Duke. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Dominic felt that I already knew everything and was being considerate of him. He quickly turned his horse and spread the news of my arrival to the Somerset Domain.

And so, a few days later, Silver’s hoofprints were stamped on the Somerset Domain, which already knew of my arrival.

***

“…”

A heavy silence hung in the conference room of the Somerset Domain. They were all unable to figure out what to do in this completely unexpected development.

“What is Lord Karl’s estimated date of arrival?”

“Today.”

Silence fell once again inside the conference room.

“It is said that Lord Karl has arrived just now. He says he will come straight to the conference room.”

“Who gave him permission when we didn't even call for him?”

“That is… it was impossible to stop…”

Though it was only a rumor, he was a Grand Master who had reached a level only heard of in legends.

He was not a type of human who could be stopped by anyone stepping forward.

Woooooong.

The conference room vibrated. And the massive doors of the conference room slowly began to open. The strange thing was that there was no one standing in front of the conference room doors.

Thud. Thud.

A person walked from a distance, and the knights blocking his path were all naturally pushed aside.

He was just walking, but it looked as if an invisible barrier was formed, pushing people away.

“…”

Just as everyone held their breath, I stopped in front of them.