Chapter 266

*Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!*

The loud ringing of the bell echoed through the air.

Above the castle, the Ernbert family’s banner, emblazoned with a blizzard, fluttered proudly.

The knights shouted, urging the people on.

“Faster! Faster! Hurry!”

“Keep your heads down! Move quickly!”

“Anyone who’s late will be the one killing their comrades on the battlefield! Stay sharp!”

Their shouts were relentless, giving no one a moment to rest.

But perhaps their harsh words weren’t even necessary.

The people of Whiteheaven moved swiftly and efficiently, like machines, without a single complaint.

To their designated positions.

“A-Amazing.”

Annette’s eyes widened in awe.

“How can they move like that when they’re not even standing troops…?”

Camian also looked surprised.

“That’s the power of the Ernbert family.”

I said with a faint smile.

The people of Whiteheaven were accustomed to constant battles against the barbarians.

Not only did they have real combat experience, but their military training was also conducted with the same intensity and rigor as actual battles.

That’s why they could move with such machine-like precision, even though they weren’t standing troops.

“Not everyone can pull off an emergency mobilization.”

I continued.

It was called an “emergency mobilization,” but in most territories, it would take ages just to gather the soldiers.

But the Ernbert family was different.

Their training included practicing emergency mobilizations, where they would run to their designated positions as quickly as possible.

A final farewell to their families before setting out?

A last supper?

There was no time for such things.

It was an emergency mobilization.

They had to move immediately.

And the soldiers didn’t complain.

Their sense of duty was deeply ingrained.

That wasn’t something that could be achieved through training alone.

It meant that they were truly proud to be citizens of Whiteheaven, proud to defend their city.

Perhaps it was the spirit that had been passed down through generations of residents in this historic city.

“Wow, they’re almost all assembled.”

Annette said.

“Heh, let’s move too.”

“Where to?”

Camian asked.

“Where else but where we’re supposed to be?”

I started walking.

Camian and Annette hurriedly followed me.

I was heading towards,

Of course, Regina.

“Professor Regina? You’re joining us in this war?”

“That’s right.”

“I didn’t expect you and the senior to be together…”

“What is this, some kind of anti-nepotism rule?”

I chuckled.

But Camian wasn’t wrong.

I would have been stuck in the reserves if I hadn’t spoken up.

It was all thanks to my eloquent speech.

“I’m glad, senior. You two look good together.”

“You two as well.”

“Ugh.”

Annette blushed.

Camian gave her a look that said, “Why are you saying such embarrassing things?”

“Don’t say such things before a battle…”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Annette glared at Camian with a bright smile.

Camian flinched.

It was his own fault.

He should have known better.

“What did you say?”

“…N-Nothing, senior.”

As expected, a cute junior was the best medicine for an uncute junior.

We joined Regina, who was with the right flank of the army.

The right flank was a powerful offensive force, with a high proportion of cavalry.

The knights I had brought were also all cavalry, so we fit in well.

“It’s hard work during your vacation.”

Regina said to Camian and Annette.

“It’s nothing. We’re here representing our families, not as students.”

“M-Me too.”

Their spirited replies made me smile like a proud father.

I had practically raised them since they were kids, so it was only natural for me to feel a special connection to them.

Regina’s expression also softened slightly, seeing their enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, the castle square was filled with people.

And not just filled, but organized in neat rows, a truly impressive sight.

Above the crowd,

Lobel Ernbert, the acting head of the family, stood on a high platform.

A giant, even among the crowd.

*Bang!*

He slammed his fist against his massive shield.

And then he roared in a booming voice, “You might think this is just another ordinary expedition. Another tiresome battle against those damned barbarians. Yes, this is another battle against the barbarians. But! This war is fundamentally different!”

*Bang!*

He slammed his shield again.

His voice grew even louder.

“We will wipe out the barbarians in this war! We will make sure they never set foot on this sacred northern land again! We will crush them all!”

It was a shocking declaration, even for the people of Whiteheaven, who had been fighting the barbarians for generations.

Their faces were filled with surprise.

But there was no negativity in their expressions.

It was closer to excitement.

Seeing their reaction, I realized,

How much they yearned to eradicate the barbarians.

‘They’ve been raiding and slaughtering us for centuries, so it’s no wonder the northerners’ hatred and resentment run deep.’

What goes around comes around.

I could already see the outcome of this war.

* * *

Darkhan was once again biding his time, keeping a low profile.

He had just absorbed the Black Bear Tribe, so his priority was to integrate them seamlessly.

Even in the snowy plains, where might made right, there would inevitably be discontent.

Assimilate and build strength.

That was his current task.

But it wouldn’t last long.

Now that he had revealed his ambition, the other tribes would be wary of him.

A new battle was imminent.

Darkhan knew that.

*Gulp.*

He took a swig of fermented mare’s milk and said, “Three more days. Kill anyone who doesn’t submit.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

His subordinate bowed.

Your Majesty.

That’s right.

Darkhan wasn’t just a chief anymore.

He was a king.

For now, it was a self-proclaimed title, but it would soon become a reality.

The King of the Snowy Plains.

No, the King of the North.

Darkhan’s eyes gleamed with ambition as he took another gulp of the strong drink.

It was then.

“Your Majesty!”

One of his subordinates rushed into the yurt.

Darkhan’s one eye narrowed.

He sensed that it wasn’t good news.

“What is it?”

“T-The Ernberts are moving!”

“The Ernberts?”

Darkhan’s face contorted in surprise.

He had expected a rebellion from one of the other tribes.

“Yes! A-And they have a massive army!”

“A massive army?”

“Troops keep pouring out of Whiteheaven! There must be at least 10,000 of them!”

“Over 10,000?”

*Bang!*

Darkhan jumped to his feet.

His face was grim.

He knew the Ernbert family better than anyone, as they were his enemy and his nemesis.

An army of over 10,000 meant that they were going all out.

No, even going all out wouldn’t be enough.

Because they didn’t have the resources to maintain such a large army.

Their land was vast, but its yield was meager.

That was the Ernbert family, that was Whiteheaven.

And yet, they had mobilized over 10,000 troops?

“Speak clearly. If you’re lying, I’ll cut out your tongue and shove it down your throat.”

“I-I swear I saw it with my own eyes, Your Majesty! I swear on my life and my family!”

His subordinate slammed his forehead on the ground, his voice filled with desperation.

His actions showed that he was telling the truth.

‘Damn it, have they been secretly stockpiling supplies?’

Darkhan’s eyes narrowed.

“They’re heading towards the snowy plains, aren’t they?”

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Damn it. I have to join forces with those cunning old men.”

Darkhan spat out the words.

The “cunning old men” he was referring to were, of course, the chiefs of the other tribes.

He needed their help.

Because the Ernbert family had mobilized a massive army.

It wasn’t a force that any single tribe could handle.

“There’s no other choice.”

After a moment of contemplation, Darkhan spoke again.

“Inform the other chiefs. Darkhan of the White Eagles proposes a scorched earth tactic.”

Scorched earth tactic.

A tactic where you destroy anything that could be used as food by the enemy, such as farmland, crops, and livestock, and then retreat.

But in the snowy plains during winter, there was no need for such elaborate measures.

They could simply take their food and supplies and flee.

Because there was nothing to be gained from the snowy plains in winter except snow and ice.

“S-Scorched earth tactic, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. The Ernberts can’t maintain that large army for long. Even if they’ve stockpiled supplies, it wouldn’t last more than a month. Or perhaps even less.”

Darkhan was accurately exploiting the weakness of a large army.

Their logistical limitations.

Time was on their side.

“I understand. I’ll go right now…”

“Y-Your Majesty!”

At that moment, another subordinate rushed in.

Darkhan frowned.

“What is it now?”

“T-The Ernbert cavalry…”

“What about them?”

“T-They’re heading towards the Star Canyon at full speed!”

“What? Already?”

Darkhan’s face contorted in anger.

The Star Canyon, which the locals called the Polaris Canyon, was the only northern passage out of the snowy plains.

If it was blocked, they would have no choice but to go south.

And the south was not a viable escape route for a scorched earth tactic.

Because it was the land of the settlers.

It was a path for raiding, not retreating.

“Damn it. That giant bastard was meticulously prepared to finish us off.”

He had thought Lobel was a brute with superhuman strength and courage, but no brains.

He still believed that.

There must be someone behind him.

Someone cunning and shrewd.

“Hmph, interesting.”

Darkhan chuckled coldly, his mind racing.

They couldn’t use the scorched earth tactic anymore.

A full-scale war on the snowy plains?

That’s what the Ernberts wanted.

Unlike the Ernbert troops, who were united and disciplined, the barbarians of the snowy plains were a fractured bunch.

They were tribes that had been divided for centuries.

Well, they had never been truly united in the first place.

Small-scale skirmishes were fine.

Each tribe could handle those on their own.

But an all-out war?

Even if they were forced to join forces, there would inevitably be friction and discord.

They couldn’t win like that.

Playing into the enemy’s hands was something only fools would do.

Darkhan’s eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

“We’re going to run.”

“Huh?”

“We’re going to take a detour and attack their undefended base.”

Darkhan’s gamble was a bold one.

A flanking maneuver to strike at the enemy’s weak point.

Their base.

It was a risky move, but a daring one.

If it failed, they would face utter defeat. But if it succeeded, they could turn the tables completely.

Darkhan was proving why he was the king who had unified the snowy plains.

“Don’t tell any of the other tribes.”

To deceive the enemy, you had to deceive your allies first.

Especially if those allies were untrustworthy.

“We’re leaving now. Now.”

Darkhan threw open the door of the yurt and strode out.

* * *

“Hmm?”

I narrowed my eyes, staring at the distant sky.

My hidden trait, “Hero’s Intuition,” which had been unlocked by the significant increase in my heroism, had activated.