Chapter 265

In the Ernbert family, there was the “Giant of the North.”

It was the nickname people used to refer to Lobel Ernbert, the acting head of the family.

Usually, the term “giant” was used symbolically in these situations, but in this case, it was literal.

I was currently craning my neck, looking up at someone.

It was Lobel Ernbert, the Giant of the North.

Professor Lawrence and Godwin were both over two meters tall, imposing figures, but Lobel was on a different level.

He looked to be over 2.2 meters tall.

His muscular physique made him seem even larger.

There was no better word to describe him than “giant.”

The knights standing behind him were all well-built, but they looked ordinary next to him.

‘He’s even more impressive in person.’

I thought to myself.

This was my first time meeting Lobel in person.

But even in the game, there weren’t many opportunities to encounter him.

Whether you sided with or against the Ernbert family in the Imperial Civil War, he was tied up dealing with Darkhan, who had unified the barbarian tribes, and didn’t make a proper appearance until the war was over.

Despite his reputation, he was more of a supporting character than a main character.

But I intended to make him a main character.

Because it was beneficial to me and my family.

And to my fiancée, Regina, of course.

“It’s been a while, brother,” I greeted him politely.

It was the proper etiquette for the acting head of my fiancée’s family and her older brother.

“Hmm.”

Lobel didn’t reply. He simply looked down at me, his gaze scrutinizing.

Then he said, “You’ve changed a lot since I last saw you.”

As expected of a prominent figure, he could see through me at a glance.

Of course, anyone who knew the old, good-for-nothing Max would have the same reaction.

“If that’s how you see it, brother, then it must be true.”

“Ha, you’ve become quite eloquent as well.”

Lobel patted my shoulder with his large hand.

It wasn’t a friendly gesture from a future brother-in-law to his sister’s husband.

But it was understandable, considering our history.

“Have a seat.”

He said, taking his seat at the head of the table.

I sat down to his right.

Not too close, not too far.

It symbolized the current distance between us.

Lobel still didn’t approve of me.

It was understandable, considering the old Max’s past actions.

Regina sat down next to me.

Having her by my side in the Ernbert family’s stronghold was incredibly reassuring.

Because no one would dare disrespect me with her present.

Looking at the knights standing behind Lobel, I could feel it.

I could tell that they didn’t think highly of me, but they didn’t dare give me any disrespectful looks with Regina next to me.

‘I’m benefiting from my fiancée’s presence.’

I chuckled inwardly.

Lobel spoke again, “How is Count Celtrine?”

“He’s well.”

“Please convey my deepest gratitude for his generous support.”

“Of course, I will.”

“By the way, seeing you here shows me the Count’s sincerity.”

It wasn’t meant in a bad way.

Everyone knew how much Count Celtrine cherished me.

They would interpret it as a sign of his commitment to the alliance.

For the Ernbert family, who would be shedding blood on the battlefield, it was significant that their ally had sent their heir and his knights.

“But I have to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Do you want safety? Or do you want to fight?”

It was a blunt question.

And an unconventional one.

In the Ernbert family, a family of warriors, there was no such thing as a safe place during wartime, unless you were a child, a woman, an elderly person, or someone who was ill.

Even women who could fight were expected to participate in battle.

And yet, Lobel was asking me, offering me safety if I wanted it.

It was such an unconventional act that even the knights behind him looked surprised.

But I didn’t hesitate.

“Of course I want to fight.”

I replied calmly.

I wasn’t the old Max. There was no way I would choose to sit back and watch.

I might be safe, but I would become a laughingstock among the Ernbert family.

I had to prove myself.

That was why I had come here in the first place, and Regina had even asked me to do so.

And to prove myself, I had to be on the front lines.

I was ready.

“Really? I see. Then you’ll be part of the reserves.”

Lobel said immediately, as if he had already decided.

Me and the Celtrine Knights were an outside force.

Considering that we wouldn’t be familiar with their tactics and wouldn’t be able to coordinate properly, assigning us to the reserves was a wise decision.

But,

“I understand that the reserves play an important role. But I came here with my knights, representing my family. I want to fight on the front lines, carrying the honor of the Celtrine family.”

I said with conviction.

Because that was what I truly desired.

“The front lines? Do you think you can handle it?”

Lobel looked down at me.

“I wouldn’t be here if I couldn’t.”

I saw the knights behind him frown slightly.

They probably saw it as the arrogance of a young noble who knew nothing about war.

“You can handle it? You’re quite confident, aren’t you?”

“…”

“But you understand this, right? You have to take responsibility for your words.”

“Of course.”

“Hmm. Alright.”

Lobel nodded at one of the knights behind him, who seemed to be his adjutant.

The adjutant immediately brought a large rolled-up map and spread it out on the table.

It was a map of the north.

Whiteheaven, the capital of the north, was located in the center.

Other cities and territories were also marked.

But that wasn’t the important part.

North of Whiteheaven.

The vast snowy plains.

The land of the barbarians.

Their tribal territories were marked on the map.

Five territories had become four, with one tribe now subjugated.

My eyes were drawn to the territory marked “Darkhan.”

The most dangerous enemy.

The Great King of the Barbarians.

But even he was still just a fledgling white eagle, his wings not yet fully spread.

We had to clip his wings now to ensure the peace of the north, the peace of the Ernbert family.

“Let’s see if you’re qualified. Ah, before that, Regina.”

“Yes, brother.”

“Just to be sure, you didn’t tell your future husband anything, did you?”

“Of course not.”

He didn’t specify what he was talking about, but it was clear that he meant military plans.

Even though we were allies, it was the Ernbert family who would be leading the war.

There was no way Regina would have revealed their top-secret military plans to me, even if I was her fiancé, before the expedition had even begun.

“My apologies, I shouldn’t have said that.”

Lobel apologized briefly, knowing Regina’s personality better than anyone.

But I think I understood his intention.

By explicitly mentioning it himself, the acting head of the family, he was eliminating any possible doubts.

“Now then, show me. Let’s see you command the troops, as if you were the supreme commander.”

*Clank.*

Lobel placed a miniature soldier figurine on the map.

There were various types: infantry, cavalry, archers, and fully armored knights.

‘So this is his test?’

My eyes gleamed with excitement.

Military tactics.

It seemed like a simple test, but it required a deep understanding of many factors to answer correctly.

It was a difficult question to answer properly, unless you gave a vague and superficial response.

But I didn’t hesitate. I rested my chin on my hand and replied, “First, we can assume that we have approximately 15,000 troops at our disposal.”

The knights couldn’t hide their surprise.

It was because my answer was incredibly accurate.

Accurately estimating the available troops of another territory wasn’t an easy task.

Only the leadership of that territory would know the exact details.

But I was different.

Because I knew how many troops the Ernbert family had been able to mobilize during the Imperial Civil War.

Even though most of those troops had been tied up dealing with the barbarians.

“15,000? Do you think that’s all our family is capable of?”

But Lobel countered, his expression unchanged.

It was another test.

He wanted to see if I had just guessed correctly or if I truly understood the situation.

“You could mobilize up to 30,000, if you issued a summons to your vassal lords. But that’s not possible in this war. It would alert the barbarians.”

I replied without hesitation.

I hadn’t come here with my knights without thinking things through.

I had carefully analyzed all the information I had, both known and inferred, and had thought long and hard about how the war would unfold.

“Hmm.”

Lobel smirked and crossed his arms.

“So you’re saying our family can only muster 15,000 troops on our own? What’s your reasoning?”

“Population. The harsh climate might have produced strong warriors, but it also resulted in a severe population shortage in the north.”

The Ernbert family was a major power in the north.

Their name was as prestigious as the Cavern family in the east and the Henatus family in the south.

But even though they were all major powers, the Cavern and Henatus families could easily mobilize twice as many troops.

Because their lands were fertile and prosperous.

“Population? How do you know about our family’s census data?”

Census data was crucial information, directly linked to a territory’s revenue.

It was never leaked to outsiders.

He was questioning me.

“Don’t forget that I’m the son of a merchant family. It’s not difficult to estimate the population of a territory based on the volume of goods flowing in and out of its cities.”

I replied casually.

Of course, I hadn’t actually obtained the information that way.

As I had mentioned before, I already knew it because of the civil war.

I had simply given a plausible answer.

And it seemed to have worked.

“Haha, I see. Interesting.”

Lobel chuckled.

It was clear that I had earned some points.

“Alright, continue. I’m curious to see what else you have to say.”

“I will.”

I picked up a cavalry figurine.

*Clank.*

And then I placed it firmly on a section of the sharp mountain range that marked the northern border of the snowy plains.

“We need to block this passage first. Speed is key, so it has to be cavalry.”

Once again, the knights couldn’t hide their surprise.

It seemed like I didn’t even need the map.

I chuckled inwardly.

“Block it? Why?”

“Because it’s the only exit from the snowy plains. If the barbarians escape through here, this war will end in failure.”

The Kalkar Mountain Range, the highest mountain range on the continent, stretched across the northern border of the snowy plains, like a wall.

But there was a gap in that wall.

A canyon known as the Polaris Canyon.

If we blocked that passage, the snowy plains would become a closed-off area, with only one way out: south.

And there,

Of course, was the Ernbert family.

“And how many troops do you propose to use for that?”

“1,000. That should be enough. It’s a highly defensible position, like a natural fortress, if we block it off first.”

“Only 1,000?”

“Do you really think so?”

“Haha, my, my.”

Lobel burst into laughter.

And then he said, “You’ve grown up. You’ve grown up a lot.”

…It felt strange to be praised by a giant.

“Alright, so far, so good. But I need to hear the rest. Continue.”

And so, I presented my final answer, the location where I believed the decisive battle would take place.

The knights’ eyes changed as they listened to my answers.

They were filled with admiration and surprise.

Lobel also looked at me with newfound respect.

“Yes, you’re definitely qualified. But proving it on the battlefield is another matter.”

“I intend to do just that.”

“Of course. Hmm, then the deployment… Do you have any specific requests?”

“If I have a choice, I want to fight alongside Regina. Not just because she’s my fiancée, but because she’s the best knight and commander.”

“Hahaha, that’s a biased statement, but I can’t argue with the truth.”

Lobel chuckled and nodded.

“Alright, that would be more comfortable for you as well. Show me what you can do, by my sister’s side.”