Chapter 32

Chapter 32 - The First Subjugation War (3)

A knight of Barcia spoke.

"The warhorses of other nations are but beasts, yet the warhorses of Barcia know the virtue of loyalty. Our noses do not permit an ambush and our eyes pierce even the darkness; thus all enemies shall crumble beneath the hooves of Barcia!"

They claimed they were the strongest.

A knight of Gord spoke.

"What does it matter if one is slightly poor at riding a horse? If you hurl an axe at the head of a charging warhorse, the knight shall be presented right before your feet! If there be any fellow who has cracked more knightly heads than we, let him step forth!"

They claimed they were the strongest.

A knight of Roman spoke.

"Countless prestigious houses of swordsmanship have vanished amidst disease and war. Yet Roman is different. Even a thousand years cannot wrest our swordsmanship from us. In the Roman Academy, we receive the teachings of heroes from epics."

They claimed they were the strongest.

A knight of Samur spoke.

"We are born within the sandstorms and forged beneath the burning sun. Thirst and mirages are our allies, while venomous insects and quicksand are our servants. He who would challenge Samur, where is he?"

They claimed they were the strongest.

The knights of other nations likewise claimed they were the best. When such fellows are gathered together, it can naught but become a mess.

"It's an opportunity to show the dignity of Barcia! Follow me!"

The knight and his squires, servants, and a few mercenaries exited Bonyard with a majestic air. The flag of the bleeding rose fluttered.

"What are those fellows?"

Eugene was in the midst of discussing the subjugation plan with the Guard Captain, who would be the commander in name.

"Are they departing already? The main force has not even fully gathered yet."

"It's because we cannot control the knights. At the word that a bandit detachment had appeared nearby, Sir Derek stepped forth gallantly." The Guard Captain let out a bitter smile.

"The Pirannian family, correct? The friend of the fellow whose wrist was severed by Karas in the tavern."

"Yes. The Pirannian family is a terrifying place. Even as a vassal knight, if he returned while having suffered such ignominy, his position would become difficult. Perhaps he was anxious to achieve even a small feat, for he dashed out immediately."

The knights staying in the city would certainly be of great help in subjugating the bandit pack. However, there was no way to prevent them from dashing out as they pleased.

"If it's Sir Derek, he shall probably sweep away a few bandits with ease and return."

Apart from being a ruffian, his combat power as a heavily armed knight is certain. He would ruthlessly trample over some minor soldiers who had strayed in a small group. However, regardless of victory or defeat, Eugene felt suffocated.

'I heard from my master that the command system here is primitive, but...'

Those who brought their own forces exercising command individually was the better part. Unbelievable farces even occurred where commanders of the same side fought duels over petty disputes.

"I pity you. You shall have quite a headache, being stuck in the middle."

"I am accustomed to it. It is a comfort just that you recognize it, sir."

"If there is anything you require of me, feel free to command me. I shall fight if told to fight and protect if told to protect."

"A command, you say! I must offer a polite request."

The face of the Guard Captain, who waved his hands in denial, was filled with surprise and gratitude. Though he had met many knights while doing this work, he had never seen a knight like Eugene even in his dreams.

'He seems like a person who has taken and mixed only the good points of a knight and a mercenary.'

Though somewhat irreverent, those were his honest inner thoughts.

* * *

On the day the subjugation commenced. Before Eugene, the Dark Elves stood in line. They were twenty skirmishers armed with curved swords, composite bows, and leather armor.

'It's the first time I have seen proper leather armor here.'

Leather armor is a high-grade piece of equipment that is more expensive and difficult to maintain than one would think. They were truly elite soldiers who emphasized mobility. Usually, mercenaries preferred to add mail or iron plates over a base of thick cloth armor. Such metals are easy to attach and detach, so their owners frequently change depending on the victory or defeat of a battle.

"I am Rex, the captain. I have been ordered to follow your command, Sir Knight."

A Dark Elf male with short-cropped hair and a sword scar on his cheek spoke from a stationary posture. He wore a single piece of armor made of what appeared to be monster hide, while the others wore lamellar armor made of shards of beast hide threaded together.

"I ask for your cooperation. I shall fight so as not to bring shame to the name of a knight."

"We, too, ask for your cooperation."

Because of the bad rumors, he had expected a cynical or cold attitude, but they were unexpectedly polite.

Clack!

As Rex took a military salute, the subordinates behind him also brought their feet together in unison and showed respect. Dark Elves are an ill-fated race with fewer numbers than Elves and no territory to call their own. Through generations of arduous wandering, the entire membership consists of outstanding warriors.

"You do not need to ride your horse in consideration of us during transit. Since we can sprint through the forest for hours on end, you, Victorious Knight, may move without worrying about stragglers."

"Knight is enough."

The intangible power given by reputation was useful at times like this. For the Dark Elves, famous for being prickly even toward nobles, were courteous to Eugene whom they had met for the first time.

"This is the magician Valda, who shall support us."

The Dark Elves looked up at the Elf atop the horse with emotionless eyes.

"I ask for your cooperation."

"It is reassuring to be with a famous magician of the forest."

Looking at Rex, who spoke calmly, there seemed to be no problems with the trouble he had worried about.

'This is a true army.'

Disciplined combatants who distinguish between public and private matters, with military discipline and drill intact, and who are extremely well-trained! They were the first true soldiers he had seen in this world.

Having finished introducing themselves, Eugene scanned the assembly point.

"It feels as if a mercenary fair has been held."

"Since the city's location is what it is, people visit from every direction—east, west, south, and north. There shall also be those who intend to build connections here and venture into foreign lands."

"You mean that rather than going to a foreign land empty-handed, the introduction of those who have fought shoulder-to-shoulder is more trustworthy?"

"It's so. Although there are not a few fellows who stab one in the back in the midst of it."

"It's interesting. Pray, continue to advise me with such knowledge. For I lack experience."

"Leave it to me as much as you wish." Rex let out a small laugh.

If one combined the City Guard and the mercenaries, the expected number easily exceeded five hundred. Though it was a number similar to the confirmed bandit pack, this side had the advantage in equipment, combat power, and morale. Above all, there were five knights. Including Derek, who had departed first, there were six, so everyone predicted an easy victory. Thanks to that, the mercenaries welcomed the newcomers with light hearts.

"Hey! I heard you went to Roman; what did you come here for?"

"A mercenary came to earn money; what else would he come for?"

"Is this not Vinson? That eye patch is quite splendid. But when we parted last time, did you not have two eyes?"

"Shut it! You son of a bitch!"

Acquaintances waved their hands or stuck out their middle fingers while exchanging insults.

"Babies, did you come here to fight, or to farm?"

"Do not stand beside me when we align the ranks. Regardless of the enemy or whatnot, I shall kill you first."

When a new mercenary group with poor equipment entered, jeers were poured out from all sides. Much like pestering newcomers who had just entered a prison. It was an unavoidable thing. In a battlefield where hundreds are entangled in a fight, the equipment of those standing beside you is also important. Even if I hold out well, if the fellow dressed shabbily beside me falls, my flank becomes exposed. If a spear or a bolt is planted there, would it not be a grievance?

"Eh?"

"Those fellows have come as well?"

The jeering mercenaries fell silent. A mercenary group of about thirty men was entering. They had not a single pair of greaves, and their only blades were daggers or hand axes. There were even many who wore ordinary clothing.

"It's the Sinking Mercenaries. It seems those who were dispatched to Samur have handled the negotiation well." Rex, who knew the industry well, introduced them.

"The Sinking Mercenaries? It's a peculiar name."

"If you look at their flag, you shall understand."

"Ah! So it had that meaning."

On the flag, a human head was drawn, and it was dented in enough for a plum to fit. The secret why the mercenaries did not dare to mock them despite having equipment worse than peasant conscripts... it was the slings hanging at their waists.

"If one is properly hit by their stone-throwing, it is one of two things: death or becoming a cripple."

Samur is a place where deserts and jungles coexist, a bridgehead leading to other continents. Thanks to that, there were many mercenaries who used unique weapons.

"If you speak so of them, they must be useful fellows?"

"I have seen them fight on the battlefield. The noble who was the enemy commander became a fool when he was hit by a stone in the brief moment he removed his helmet. Thus, his twelve-year-old son had to appear in his place at the peace negotiation."

"I am truly glad they are on the same side." Eugene adjusted his helmet for no reason.

After all the mercenaries arrived and the Guard Captain sent out a messenger, only then did the knights crawl out one by one. As if they were the protagonists. The wandering knights also had various compositions depending on their family or their pocket situation. From knights composed of four people including squires and slaves, to those who led more than ten subordinates. However, the attitude of proudly carrying their family flag and looking down on their surroundings with arrogance was the same.

"The mercenaries shall be reassuring, but the Guard Captain shall be driven to exhaustion."

"I met him before departing; though he smiled on the outside, he was weeping on the inside."

Indeed, the Guard Captain was out of his mind handling the civil complaints flying in from all sides.

"Listen here, Captain."

"I am not a Captain, but the commander of the subjugation force."

"Aiyoo! We have seen each other once or twice; let us not be so cold between fellow businessmen."

The mercenary captain who subtly initiated a mental battle was only the beginning.

"Pray, change the formation. We were on the outskirts last time too; let us rest comfortably on the inside this time, eh? Why are we the only ones on the outside every time!"

"What manner of fellows are you to jump in like this, damn it. We were first!"

"If your subordinates do not number fifty, all of you shut your mouths."

"And who are you to jump in?"

They had not even departed for the expedition, yet a dispute broke out over the assignment of positions. Expertise in avoiding pesky positions was just as important as soliciting profitable work. A captain who received a defense contract was respected more than one who received a siege contract, and a captain who continuously stood on outskirt watch for every contract was talked behind his back. Though they acted haughtily before their subordinates, the position of a mercenary captain is one where one must run until their feet sweat in places where the subordinates are not watching.

"I shall swap you every time the formation moves, so for now, stand!" The Guard Captain shouted. He, who had lived nobly in Bonyard as if he did not envy nobles, envied a true noble now. For they would have settled everything with a single shout.

The knights were even worse.

"Captain. Sir Osram has demanded that we draft two soldiers for scouting. What shall we do?"

"Sir Cain has taken a sack of grain piled up for cooking porridge. He said he would use it as horse feed."

"...God damn it."

He already knew the presumptuousness of knights. Yet, they would raise the Guard Captain's blood pressure in new ways every time. Moreover, true to being wandering knights, they acted rowdily while being good at walking a tightrope. Even if they demanded something, it was not at a level that touched the regular command, and even if they embezzled supplies, the amount was too small to step forward strictly. If he were to make an issue of this, he would only hear a reprimand from the Magistrate, such as 'Could you not have endured that much?'.

"Shall we gradually go..."

"Sir Derek has fallen!"

The moment he tried to manage things somehow and depart for the expedition, ill news arrived. The Dhampir knight Derek was dead, and only one subordinate had returned alive. Even he had severe injuries and soon breathed his last.

"The forces led by a knight lost to something like a bandit detachment?" The Guard Captain was bewildered.

"The numbers were similar, but they said there was a robber knight. Sir Derek fell in the midst of a one-on-one battle with that fellow."

Though it was news that threw cold water on them from the start, it did not dampen the morale of the subjugation force. Rather, it made the knights excited.

"Listen here, Guard Captain! I need naught else, so report the position of the robber knight precisely! I shall surely cut off his head and return. You must absolutely not give the opportunity to any other fellow, eh?!"

The Guard Captain felt like spitting on the face of the knight who was threatening him right before his eyes.

"I... I shall try my best. Sir Galia."

'Damnable fellow. Step on some dung.'

All he could do was speak different words with his mouth and in his mind at the same time.

"No effort is needed; just get it done. I shall avenge Sir Derek and uphold justice in my name!"

Galia had never even shared a single conversation with Derek. However, adding the seasoning of avenging another knight brought greater honor. He could also place the Pirannian family in a small debt. From the Guard Captain's perspective, his head only throbbed more at the situation of controlling a hodgepodge army.

* * *

"Sir Knight. May I have a word?" Rex said while looking at the mercenaries marching in the lead.

"Speak as you wish."

"If you desire achievement, it seems it would be best to wear your armor at all times."

"Is there a reason for that?"

"As you might expect, those knights shall have naught in their eyes. The moment an enemy is discovered, they shall charge like mad dogs in heat without looking forward or backward." Rex pointed to the knights acting haughtily beside their flamboyant family flags.

"..." Eugene was somewhat flustered by the attitude of speaking without restraint while having the same manner of knight before him. The other Dark Elves also stared at the knights with eyes full of contempt.

"If you do not wish to have your achievements stolen, you must be prepared to set out at any time."

"It's fine. My job is to return with all of you alive, not to run wild like a mad dog." Eugene returned the words he had heard from his training instructor in the past.

"I understand." Rex, wearing a strange expression, bowed his head.

Compared to the Palace War, the eradication of a bandit pack was not a matter where such great glory was at stake. There were no monsters whose hide could be stripped, nor nobles to receive a ransom for. Eugene's thought was that rather than stepping forward enthusiastically for such a task, it was enough to simply take the basic allowance well.