Chapter 65

Chapter 65 You wretches will fall into ruin as well! Macline! The wives and daughters of Soto Sylvan, cursing with voices filled with evil, were chased out of the domain with some belongings after the calamity. Noblewomen, who lived without a drop of water on their hands their entire lives, now faced a future without husbands and fathers, but their plights were not considered. The focus was to notify the citizens of Sylvan Castle, now part of the new domain, of their new ruler, to reassure the people, and to prepare for the war that lay ahead. However, a week after the conquest of Sylvan, Logan received magical communication from an unexpected source. The Beifros Count? The communication was unforeseen, and its content was essentially a warningthough it came too late. The Sylvan and Pereta, Macline, should cease fighting. As the Lord of the Southwest, I will mediate the war. How dare they claim to be the Lord of the Southwest?! Though Padrics face reddened with anger at this proclamation, reality was reality. Maclines vassals placated their enraged lord as they responded to the Counts communication. Sylvan has already fallen into Maclines hands, and the self-proclaimed Lord Soto Sylvan is dead. It was a rightful retaliation against threats, and Macline has no intention of escalating the war further. Perhaps due to the unexpected turn of events, the Counts response came only days later. The Counts envoy will visit Macline and Pereta for assurance there will be no further escalation, and to convey the intentions of the Beifros Count. The Counts intentions? Though its a bit worrying, the lack of mention of Sylvan probably means they acknowledge our occupation. Well, it seems a bit different than expected, but it looks like it turned out as Logan wanted, barring Peretas silence. In our current situation, what else could happen? What about Testron Castle? With Clayton there, they could hold, should anything happen. Yes, they can hold The war with Sylvan came to an end quickly, but that was because Macline used their maximum strength without looking back. They still had one defeat to conceal at Testron. Managing three castles was no longer as simple as before. Previously, with just Macline and Testron, they could focus most of the forces in Testron and use Macline Castle symbolically. But now, setting aside the fact that Pereta was considered an enemy, the occupation of Sylvan meant a border with Beifros, and they couldnt act as they used to. We must move the center of the domain from Macline Castle to the town. Next to the Mage Tower, weve prepared a residence for the lords family. Summer is approaching, and the Monster Forest has been completely logged. We can leave but a minimum force in Macline without any significant issues. Well station the knights around Macline Town and prepare so they can be dispatched to Testron and Sylvan at any time. I recommend splitting the soldiers for garrison duties. Yes. Thats a good idea. Change was inevitable, and since it was a positive change, decisions were made swiftly. The gains from the war were not only lands. We captured 75 knights? Yes. Besides the 42 who died, subtract three deserters, all are confined in Sylvans prison. There are eight intermediate knights. Hah, thats more than our own knights. Weve certainly become stronger. Indeed. Though the team was convincingly stronger, they didnt dwell on the fact that Soto Sylvans complacency led to an early capture. They simply smiled in harmony with their lord. All of them can be persuaded to switch sides, right? Who would be devoted to Soto Sylvan? I believe its all possible. True loyalty to a tyrant was questionable, and if such a person existed, they werent needed anyhow. Now, with above-average compensation, all under the same king and country, there was ample justification. Who would refuse a stronger lord while maintaining their honor, position, and wealth? Logan was confident that nobody would decline. Perhaps the most surefire method to increase knight numbers was not selecting talented individuals but conquering domains. So overwhelming a victory filled Logan with frivolous thoughts. If only Soto Sylvan acted with more caution, there would have been significant casualties. Fewer knights wouldve been captured, and enemy soldiers wouldve perished. Soldiers might become future knights; they were relatives, friends, lovers of the current citizens. Though overshadowed by the capture of over half the knights, the fact that over a thousand soldiers surrendered alive was also an encouraging outcome. Moreover, our situation may appear to be improving, but its precarious. Far from the kingdoms center, previously uninteresting Macline was now different. Having devoured Testron and Sylvan successively, the current Macline would undoubtedly have caught Beifros attention. With their lands bordering each other, any misstep out of pride could lead to being trampled. We need time. Time to integrate Sylvans knights, to decisively subjugate Pereta, and to reorganize their forces. Time for him to master the Three Forms of the Holy Sword according to his growth, and for the knights to advance as well. The father would know this as well, yet The situation is different from other borderlords in the region. If Beifros uses their position as Lord, others will resist. The state of affairs in Southwest had been quite complicated when Maclines ancestor committed misdeeds four generations ago. Despite quelling the rebellion, Beifros failed to eliminate the old masters blood, and the royal family protected Macline, conserving the lineage. Since then, unlike other borderlords or Lords, Beifros couldnt demand subservience from southwestern nobles. It was unclear what tangled circumstances led to this reality, but Father Padrics view held its own logic. Nonetheless, unbeknownst to him, the situation had slightly changed. Beifros northern neighbors, Percival and Lupfman, have long been under Beifros. This was confirmed during my visit to the capital. Though the confirmation came not from the capital but rather from his past life, it was convincing enough to change his fathers perspective. What?! If theres backlash, it would mainly be Pereta, which, as you know, is currently How can that be? If we resist now, we might be crushed as an example. When did matters deteriorate to this point? Im truly ashamed. I neglected the encroaching threat. Padric slumped as if he lost all his strength, prompting Logan to gently assuage him. You neednt blame yourself. I only learned by chance at the capital. Our familys weakness has caused you to suffer. Im sorry, my son. Essentially, it was acceptance of Logans intent. Considering my skill, there will be no issue. Lets see how lands once owned by our ancestors have changed. And theres certainly something I must verify. As he watched Fathers bitter expression, Logan withheld his final words and simply swallowed them down. * * * Master! Is it true were being sold off to enemy lands?! It seemed the tale from Sylvans grand hall had been distorted as it spread. Not long after returning to Macline Town, Logan encountered Hamar, whose face was full of sweat and urgency, as if he had hastily rushed over. What kind of nonsense is spreading If the master dies! What about our promise? My freedom?! Im not dying! And Im not being sold. Disregard such baseless rumors, would you! But most of the ridiculous rumors about the master have actually been true! Unable to refute the point, Logan was speechless. Anyway, take this with you wherever you go. What is this? I couldnt properly finish the scabbard decoration due to urgency, but its yours, master. I assure you its functional. After placing the sword in his care, Hamar quickly turned and left. What is this Be sure to come back alive! Bang! Without hearing a full response, Hamar stormed out the door and disappeared. Sheesh. Im not marching to my death Amidst exasperation and involuntary laughter, Logans gaze naturally settled on the sword left behind by the dwarf craftsman.