Chapter 278
Chapter 278 – Live Together, Die Together (1)
The first engagement in war is more important than one might think.
Based on the enemy’s strength gauged from the initial encounter, plans on how to conduct the war are formulated.
Harold fell into deep thought as he watched Baron Hutton return with severe wounds.
‘Stronger than expected.’
He thought they would easily conquer the enemy. However, the Penris Army was not only fierce but the individual soldiers were exceptionally strong too.
Among them, it was evident even from a distance that the enemy commander was formidable. Thus, they had deployed their strongest tactics, yet Baron Hutton returned battered.
“Are you alright?”
“…I apologize, Count.”
Baron Hutton, pale and unable to stand properly, struggled with his words.
Though they hastily poured potions on him, recovery was not coming easily. Injuries inflicted by mana were like that. The excess energy rampages and stalls the healing process.
The stronger the opponent, the longer that energy remains, and no matter how much potions or divine power was poured in, healing quickly seemed impossible.
After contemplating Baron Hutton for a moment, Harold asked.
“What’s your impression from experiencing the opponent’s strength firsthand? Should we push our soldiers harder?”
“Conquering is certainly possible… but the losses will be substantial. To reduce casualties, we need to take our time.”
“Hmmm… We don’t have much time left either.”
“However, it wouldn’t be beneficial if the losses are too great.”
That was a valid point. It wouldn’t be the end just by capturing Penris and killing Ghislaine. Perdium must also be conquered, and they would have to contend with the Crown Prince faction for a long time after that.
If they lost more than half their troops during the processes of conquering Penris and Perdium, it would be difficult to withstand the conflict with the Crown Prince faction.
They needed to at least maintain over 20,000 troops so that others wouldn’t easily be tempted to interfere.
“That Amelia girl is now stubbornly refusing to listen. I told her to join us right away, didn’t I?”
If Amelia had joined on time, their options would have been broader than now. But now, Raybold was also receiving joint forces from several northern lords, making it truly difficult to move.
Thus, Harold was left with no choice but to wrestle with these thoughts.
‘Should I take a little more time?’
It felt as though he was taking on an army of 10,000 with just a mere thousand men. If he charged through with those powerful elites, the casualties would be severe.
He didn’t want their side to suffer significant losses and have morale depleted.
However, taking too long wasn’t wise given the surrounding circumstances. They needed to capture that fortress as soon as possible.
After grappling with these thoughts, Baron Hutton cautiously suggested.
“Why not… try to win them over?”
“Win them over?”
“Yes, I’ve heard that most of the Penris army are of lowly birth. Especially that Gillian and his knights, they’re said to be mercenaries.”
“Hmmm…”
“It’s clear that Count Penris had been paying them handsomely to lead them. Just looking at their equipment makes that obvious. They probably lived comfortably with favorable treatment from the territory. It would have taken a huge maintenance cost to keep such competent individuals in line.”
Harold nodded, seeming to agree.
The higher the rank of mercenaries, the more exorbitant the hiring fees. But if that guy was the Food King of the North, he should certainly have the means to keep them.
As Harold showed interest, Baron Hutton gained a bit more confidence in speaking.
“Ultimately, they are individuals bound by money. They may adhere to their contracts, but where their allegiance truly lies is another matter. They cannot hold deep loyalty.”
“So, you suggest we promise them better treatment and win them over?”
“Yes, they have excellent equipment and skills, which raises morale, but deep down, they know they cannot win against us. The greatest virtue of mercenaries is not to maintain loyalty, but to survive.”
“That makes sense.”
“The commander of that fortress, Gillian, is too good a figure for Count Penris to have. If we could win him over, things would become significantly easier going forward.”
“Are you suggesting we employ a dog that has betrayed its master?”
“After all, mercenaries are not tied by loyalty. It’s simply tit for tat. If we take Penris, we can offer them better treatment. Despite being a mercenary, seeing how fiercely he fights shows he likely has some degree of allegiance.”
Baron Hutton desperately tried to persuade Harold. Despite the grievous wound he suffered, he genuinely regretted Gillian’s capabilities.
He was among the best swordsmen in the North, battling him on even terms.
If his body was in peak condition, or rather, if they had fought without a time constraint, he might have ended up losing.
It would truly be a shame for such a person to perish meaningless like this.
Harold nodded several times.
“Alright, a person who can fight on par with you isn’t common in the North.”
Baron Hutton was the swordsman teacher of Viktor, who sought the position of the best swordsman in the North under Harold. He didn’t think highly of Jurgen, who was called the best swordsman in the North above him.
It was just that as the lord of a territory, he hadn’t had the chance to fight him unless it came to open war. If there were war and he faced Jurgen, the result was uncertain.
After being persuaded by Baron Hutton, Harold pondered for a moment before nodding his head vigorously.
“Fine, I shall take a few more days.”
An envoy bearing a white flag immediately set out from Desmond’s camp.
Gillian glared at the envoy and asked.
“Is it about surrendering?”
His injuries had not healed, and his face remained pale. Bandages were wrapped tightly around his body. The pain and fatigue that lingered on his face indicated that continuing to fight would be challenging.
The envoy scanned Gillian from head to toe, then opened his mouth with a smug expression.
“Yes. The Count promises you the best treatment.”
His tone was polite, but his expression was anything but. It was as if he were saying, “What are you guys going to do?”
With a tone that implied he was doing them a favor, the envoy continued.
“I’ve heard that most of you are former mercenaries. I can promise you more money and better treatment than you have now. It’s only natural for mercenaries to switch to employers who offer better conditions, isn’t it?”
Lucas, who was beside Gillian, gripped his spear tightly. The other knights did the same.
They were well aware of how they’d appear to outsiders. They had lived their lives as the downtrodden.
Still, to be treated openly as untrustworthy scoundrels and insulted like this was beyond comprehension.
Sssss…
An aura of killing intent began to fill the air from all directions. The envoy and his attendants felt a piercing pain.
The envoy took a small step back and smiled.
“Surely… you don’t really think of yourselves as knights, do you?”
“……”
“You are not knights. You are just slightly stronger mercenaries, devoid of any knightly etiquette. Face reality. There’s no need to throw your lives away for flimsy contracts, loyalty, or pride.”
The envoy leisurely lifted his head and surveyed the knights around him.
“Your virtue should be to survive until the very end. As a mercenary, no less. There’s no need to waste your valuable lives here.”
He shattered their misconceptions and forced them to face reality. Only then could they truly see the fear that loomed before them.
That was the strategy the envoy adopted. There was no need to fawn over a preordained outcome.
They merely needed to make them aware of the reality.
“Surrender Count Penris. And simply sign a new contract with us. If you require, we shall cover the penalty for breaking the old one. We’ll easily retrieve it later.”
“This bastard…”
Lucas couldn’t hold back and stepped forward, exuding killing intent.
The envoy was wounding them with words, not even needing to swing a sword.
Honestly, in the past, he would’ve just laughed it off without a care.
But now it was different.
After growing alongside Ghislaine… he could no longer tolerate such insults and humiliation.
The other knights also exhaled harshly, their bodies twitching. They wanted to kill the envoy on the spot.
Everyone looked to Gillian.
He wouldn’t let such behavior go unchecked. After all, he was the epitome of knighthood in their territory and served his lord with the utmost loyalty.
“Tell the Count that we need more time. I need to persuade the others. And when you come again, bring not just words but real conditions.”
“……!”
The knights were momentarily taken aback, unable to utter a word.
The envoy glanced around at the knights with a mocking expression.
“Good choice. Others should think carefully too. You wouldn’t want to waste your valuable lives here, would you?”
With that, the envoy turned to leave. After a brief silence, Lucas thrust his spear at Gillian’s neck.
“Instructor… are you suddenly valuing your life now?”
The killing intent surged again. The tension was palpable as they were ready to strike based on his response.
Other knights began to raise their spears one by one.
“I didn’t know you were such a coward. Did a good stab from the enemy give you a scare?”
“Are you saying you want to betray the lord now?”
“Thinking like that is why we’re always branded as nothing but scoundrels.”
Gillian crossed his arms and surveyed the knights.
“Why? A good opportunity has arrived. Isn’t there anyone who wants to surrender together?”
“This bastard!”
Pah!
Lucas stabbed out with his spear without a warning. However, Gillian subtly tilted his head to avoid it.
But Lucas didn’t stop and swung his spear again aimed for Gillian’s face.
Thud!
Gillian easily caught the spear’s shaft in his hand. Lucas scowled as he tried to pull it back, but it wouldn’t budge easily.
Gillian held the spear as he looked around at the knights. Seeing their fierce expressions, it seemed no one was keen on surrendering.
With a chuckle, he continued.
“You fools. If they’re offering time willingly, denying it outright would be to your detriment.”
“Ha?”
The knights wore puzzled expressions. Anger from the insult had clouded their judgment, leaving them unable to think that far.
Gillian’s sharp gaze sharpened.
“It’s a good thing that no one’s thinking positively. Preserving our pride can wait until later. Save your anger over this insult for when we confront the enemy. Right now, stretching out time is what benefits our lord.”
“Oh…”
“It’s surprising our instructor could let go of his pride and act so shamelessly.”
“Is he unexpectedly deep in thought?”
Misunderstandings cleared, the knights lowered their weapons and began to chuckle again.
Gillian shook his head at their antics.
“Simple-minded fools.”
But perhaps that is why Ghislaine likes them. They are always honest with their feelings and do not engage in scheming behind the scenes.
“After all, they won’t give you much time on the other side. So use whatever time you have to recover your mana and stamina.”
The knights scratched their heads awkwardly and began to withdraw.
After receiving the envoy’s report, Harold nodded with satisfaction.
“Indeed, lowly scum are just that. They know nothing of honor and are only after money.”
If they were truly knights, Harold wouldn’t have easily trusted them. But his preconceptions about their lowly origins clouded his judgment.
Such scum switching allegiances for better conditions was a common occurrence.
“Well, it’s good. It means we can reduce the losses a bit. They possess decent skills, so be generous with the terms.”
The envoy reported back triumphantly. Thus, all he had to do was wait generously.
About two days later, the envoy returned to the Penris camp. He emphasized the tremendous conditions they could offer.
“Surely this will satisfy you. But have you not completed the persuasion yet?”
With a slightly troubled expression, Gillian replied.
“I like the terms, but a few are still refusing, so please wait just a bit longer. Some may not understand the terms yet.”
As the envoy glanced around, he indeed spotted a group of knights wearing dissatisfied expressions huddled on one side.
Though more knights were siding with Gillian, it seemed there were still those not yet convinced.
The envoy spoke with sharp eyes, warning them.
“Tch… We don’t have much time either. Ditch those who are unworthy. Conditions like this won’t come easily from any other place. I’ll return tomorrow.”
Thus, the envoy visited daily, pressuring Gillian. It became apparent that more knights were gradually joining Gillian’s side, but the pace was too slow.
Suddenly, the envoy realized something.
‘These fools are dragging this out to negotiate for better conditions!’
The envoy gritted his teeth. These lowly scum were focused only on money.
Even in the dire situation of war, they were playing these games. Reluctantly, he proposed slightly better conditions.
Still, Gillian insisted on convincing them all, asking for more time.
The back-and-forth lasted an entire week. After receiving a final warning from Harold, the envoy rushed back in desperation.
“How much more time do you need to be given? I can’t give you any more! Today is the last day!”
“One remains.”
As the envoy turned, he spotted a knight standing alone, sulking off to the side.
“Who is that person?”
The answer came from the knight standing there. He spoke with a solemn voice.
“I am Lucas, a genius of spear techniques.”
“Why aren’t you surrendering alone? Is it pride?”
“I don’t want to talk because I’m angry.”
“Why are you angry?”
“Don’t you really know why I’m angry?”
“……”
Although he felt like he might explode from frustration, today was the last chance. The envoy, fearing for his life, spoke soothingly.
“If… I have done something disrespectful, I apologize. So please, just tell me.”
“What did I do wrong?”
“……”
“You started with an apology without knowing what you did wrong?”
“……”
“Fine, I won’t say anything. It just makes me angrier.”
The envoy suppressed his rising temper. If he couldn’t take them with him by the end of the day, his life would truly be forfeit.
Reluctantly, the envoy spent hours persuading Lucas. He desperately begged to know why he was angry.
In response to the envoy’s sincerity, Lucas seemed a little calmed and casually replied.
“I don’t want to surrender because I’m not satisfied with the conditions. The terms I desire are different.”
“What, then what are your desired conditions? The current terms are already quite good! If you just follow Count Desmond, you could live comfortably for life!”
“That’s not enough for me. Give me a noble title and a small territory. I want to become a lord. That’s my mother’s dream for me.”
“Y-you… crazy…”
Demanding something that’s utterly absurd considering his lowly origins. A person like that would obviously be hard to convince.
The envoy shouted, looking at Gillian.
“Kill this bastard! We don’t need to persuade anyone else at this point!”
“I refuse.”
“W-what?”
“We live together, we die together. So I cannot accept that proposal. If you give me about a week more, I will persuade him.”
The envoy’s face went pale. He finally realized.
‘They never intended to surrender in the first place!’
