Chapter 106

Episode 106

The map was complete.

It depicted our castle and the Gerard family castle on opposite ends, with the terrain meticulously detailed in between. It was truly impressive.

“As expected of a top graduate of the Kalisto Academy. Is there anything you can’t do?”

“Hahaha. You flatter me. There are many more things that will surprise you. Please look forward to them. And if you’re going to praise me, please do it in front of everyone.”

“Good work. Go get some sleep.”

I dismissed Jericho and spread the map on the rectangular table in my office. I took out blue and red pieces, representing our forces and the enemy’s, and placed them on the map.

It felt like I was playing a strategy simulation game.

‘We’ll tie down the enemy’s main force on the plain, and then I’ll lead a separate unit to bypass them and launch a surprise attack on their headquarters.’

Baron Roman would definitely go all out. He would be planning to gain an advantage on the front lines with his cavalry and then overwhelm our defenses with his superior numbers.

‘He won’t even imagine that his headquarters will be attacked.’

The vast difference in our forces was already known to the other lords. He wouldn’t even consider defending his castle.

The strategy was already complete, but I reviewed it several times to account for any unforeseen circumstances.

‘To defeat the retreating enemy, we’ll have to drive them into this canyon.’

The enemy’s forces were estimated to be around five thousand. To annihilate them, we had to lure them into a narrow and long path.

‘We need to give them the impression that there are ambushes along the way, leading them into the canyon.’

The key to this tactic was “fire attack.”

To wipe out a massive army of five thousand, a fire attack was essential.

Tonight, wagons disguised as merchant caravans would enter the area and position themselves on both sides of the path, loaded with materials for the fire attack.

‘I’ll assign Sir Ferguson to lead the ambush, and Deneve and Ionia will be enough for the separate unit.’

They might lack experience, but they were aura users, so they would be helpful.

With “Automatic Combat” activated, no one could stop me from infiltrating the enemy’s headquarters. Once we secured the key documents and hostages, the war would be over.

The key to this war was to open the castle gates as quickly as possible. It was crucial for the separate unit waiting outside to enter without bloodshed.

*Knock, knock.*

I heard a knock. I told them to enter, and Selendis walked in.

“My lord, the residents are gathering outside.”

“It seems like they’ve finally reacted.”

Selendis stopped me as I was about to leave.

“We don’t know their intentions. Some of them are armed. It’s dangerous for you to go out there yourself.”

“If I were afraid of that, I wouldn’t have asked His Grace for a territory.”

I went to the outer castle and ordered the gates to be opened.

The startled residents flinched and stepped back. But when they saw me, they surged forward like a swarm of bees.

“My lord!”

“Please avenge us!”

“Let us kill Roman!”

They prostrated themselves before me, wailing. I didn’t need to ask to understand the humiliation and oppression they had suffered.

I had expected this, but seeing it in person made me uncomfortable.

‘Should I have just killed him back then?’

There was a woman who had brought a pile of belongings and valuables. I asked her what had happened.

“My daughter was taken by that damned Roman! And she never came back. I asked someone who worked in the castle, and they said she’s probably dead… After suffering unspeakable humiliation.”

She placed the valuables before me and pleaded, “I’m powerless. Please accept this, even if it’s not much, and avenge my daughter!”

“My son was beaten to death by him!”

“My father too!”

A mountain of valuables had accumulated before me. Their resentment was palpable. I raised my voice.

“I can’t accept these valuables.”

Silence fell over the crowd. Their eyes and expressions were filled with confusion. Some were even afraid.

“These belong to you. I can’t accept them. And the war is my responsibility. It happened because I became the lord of this land.”

The residents seemed to have a lot to say, but no one dared to interrupt.

“I appreciate your sentiment. And I promise you: I will personally behead Roman and bring you some comfort. Take your valuables back. But those who wish to fight, stay. I’ll provide you with food and equipment.”

Over five hundred people remained. They might not be a regular army, but their morale was as high as the Imperial Guard’s.

Some residents brought meat and alcohol for the soldiers. I didn’t refuse this time.

“Knight Selendis, feed the recruits and train them.”

“As you command.”

The Walker family’s forces had now increased to a thousand. It was still insignificant compared to the enemy’s five thousand, but it was enough for an ambush.

***

The sun was high in the sky. It was early summer now.

Many things had happened in the past few days. First, I had to mention “Fenrir.” The Duke’s personal knight order had received orders to return to the capital.

The important thing was that only “Fenrir” had received the order.

The Lady was still staying here.

“It’s a shame you have to leave so soon.”

“Thanks to you, my lord, we were able to stay comfortably. Thank you for your consideration.”

Sir Leonard, the senior knight of Fenrir, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the knights.

Honestly, I wanted to keep them here longer, but it was the Duke’s order.

As I had mentioned before, I was keeping a close eye on Leonard.

He was a disciplined and dignified knight. Such talent was priceless.

I had been trying to build a relationship with him. I was even considering dropping the formalities and speaking casually to him. But then, the order to return came.

“We travel all over the territory on our missions. We’ll definitely visit you again if we have the chance, Baron Walker.”

“I appreciate your words.”

“I hope we can speak casually next time.”

“Hahaha. I feel the same way.”

We parted ways with smiles. I personally escorted them out of the castle.

That’s how relationships worked.

When someone leaves, someone else arrives.

On the afternoon of Sir Leonard’s departure, a guest arrived from the capital. It was Sir Edric, the Lady’s tutor.

He had brought three wagons, all loaded with thick books. If he had encountered bandits, they would have threatened his life, thinking he was carrying nothing valuable.

“I’ve come here on the Duke’s orders. I’ll be continuing the Lady’s lessons here.”

“Welcome, Sir Edric. I’ll escort you to the Lady’s quarters.”

I had spoken to him a few times before. He was a strict teacher. But he would be putty in the Lady’s hands.

With her genius intellect, she had probably already memorized the contents of all the books he had brought.

A few hours later, the person I had been waiting for arrived.

“Sir Paris! Welcome!”

I personally descended from my seat and greeted Sir Paris and his family. His two young children ran towards me and hugged me.

“Big brother! We missed you!”

“Big brother!”

“Yes, yes. How have you been?”

I was glad Knight Selendis wasn’t here. If she had been, she would have reprimanded them for being disrespectful to their lord.

“Ziek, Daisy, Sir O’Brien is a lord now. He’s our master.”

“Um… a lord?”

“Yes. He’s a very important person now.”

The two children stepped back, slightly intimidated by Paris’s stern tone. But I knelt down and patted their heads.

“Don’t be afraid. I consider you both my siblings. You can call me whatever you like.”

“Really?”

“Wow! Big brother is the best!”

Ziek was Paris’s son and was six years old. He had inherited his father’s talent and was already practicing swordsmanship.

Daisy was Paris’s daughter and was five years old. She was a cute child who resembled her mother.

I had spent a lot of time with Sir Paris’s family since I had transmigrated into this world. We had many fond memories together.

For example, Paris had wanted to raise his children strictly, but he couldn’t overcome his wife’s insistence on raising them freely. I had sided with his wife back then.

That’s why I loved hearing them call me “big brother.”

“Madam, I apologize for making this decision without consulting you.”

Paris’s wife, Imelda, was a simple and elegant woman. If she had dressed up like a noblewoman, she would have been the belle of the ball.

“Not at all. I’m grateful that you’re looking out for my husband’s future. I knew he wanted to go to war and earn glory, even though he never said it out loud. He wouldn’t have been able to achieve his dream if he hadn’t come here.”

She glanced at Sir Paris, who cleared his throat and looked away.

They were such a lovely couple. I envied their simple life, raising their two children together.

“Aren’t you worried? Our territory is at war. The enemy has already started moving.”

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried. But I want my husband to do what he wants to do. That way, our children will remember him as a proud father.”

“You’re a wonderful woman, Madam.”

I arranged accommodations for the family within the castle. Paris and Imelda refused at first, but they couldn’t overcome my insistence.

“I can never repay the kindness you showed me when I was an aide. Please make yourselves comfortable in the castle.”

“Thank you, my lord. Children, say thank you to the lord.”

“Thank you, big brother!”

“Big brother is awesome!”

I received heartfelt thumbs-up from the children and headed for the office with Sir Paris. I summoned all the vassals and knights.

“I’ve gathered you all here today to welcome our new vice-captain. Sir Paris, step forward.”

Paris stood before me, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head. He presented his sword to me with both hands.

I drew the sword and placed the blade on his shoulder.

“I hereby appoint Paris Hilden as the vice-captain of the Walker Knight Order. You shall dedicate your life to protecting me, our family, and the Kalisto Dukedom.”

“I pledge my eternal loyalty.”

I sheathed the sword and handed it back to him. Our lord-vassal relationship was now established.

“I look forward to working with you, Vice-captain.”

I shook his hand and returned to my seat.

“And now, I’ll appoint the scribe who will handle all the affairs of our family. I appoint Jericho Ashikoff as the scribe of House Walker.”

I hadn’t told anyone about Jericho’s appointment except for the Lady.

But everyone seemed to accept it as a matter of course.

I chuckled and looked at Jericho.

“It seems like everyone already considered you the scribe. Say a few words since things have turned out this way.”

“Ahem! What can I say? I might be a caught fish, but I’ll keep flapping my fins.”

Laughter erupted from the crowd. He was a natural mood maker.

“Next, I’ll appoint the new administrator. Balzac, you’re in charge.”

Balzac bowed silently. His loyalty was evident even without words.

“This concludes the appointment ceremony. We’ll now begin the strategy meeting. Selendis, get ready.”

As everyone gathered around the rectangular table with the map, a soldier rushed in.

“Report, my lord! We’ve received a messenger from House Gerard!”