57 – 15. Urgent work (3)
Could it be because of Cien’s quick response?
Almost at the same time as the Imperial Army was preparing to launch.
Reinforcements dispatched from nearby territories arrived one after another.
“Commander Runnstadt.”
“Welcome everyone. It really gives me strength to come so quickly.”
Up to level 3 or lower, even two territories united can handle it.
However, level 2 turns into a completely different problem.
It was a level that even hundreds of soldiers could not afford.
Although the difference between grade 4 and grade 3 is not that great.
Conversely, the difference between grades 3 and 2 was enormous.
Therefore, when a level 2 demon scene occurs, all nearby territories and the imperial army unite.
Only then could it be dealt with without causing much damage.
So the number of soldiers gathered here was already well over a thousand.
It is safe to say that this is not subjugation, but going to battle.
That’s why the second-class Demonic World, which was tinged with black light, was a heinous place.
“It’s been a while since the 2nd-class Demonic World appeared, and this has happened.”
“That’s right. Didn’t it take a lot of damage not too long ago?”
“I am very concerned. All of a sudden, this time it happened in the most remote place.”
“If by any chance the monsters start to spread in all directions… .”
At that, the nobles gathered in one place got sick of it.
What’s more terrible than subjugating the Demon Lord is the tracking of the Demon Beast.
It would be easier to fight if they were gathered in one place.
If they scatter all at once, then you will have to endure a lot of blood loss.
The number of knights and soldiers who died during the chase was too great to count.
“now. Let’s talk about the ominous story later, later. It’s something you don’t know yet.”
“Okay. More than that, wasn’t there one more surprise?”
Then a nobleman agrees with the words.
“I was also surprised. Lichtenauer’s knights came.”
“Me too. At first, I also wanted to see something in vain.”
This place is still a few days away from the north.
Rather, it should be seen as west, so the appearance of the Fiore knight is more realistic.
That’s why I couldn’t help but be surprised by the appearance of Lichtenauer.
When Lichtenau was mentioned to the nobles, Shien stepped forward slightly.
“This is Lichtenauer, Shien.”
Shien slightly bowed her head and said hello.
Unlike the north, here he is no different from an outsider.
Honey, it would be beneficial to bow slightly first.
“Some of them are people I saw a while ago. It is a pleasure to see you here again.”
There were also nobles who were slightly suspicious of being of mixed blood.
But before they even treated Shien with a lukewarm attitude.
The nobles who were already at the Etenberg family banquet with Shien welcome her.
“So are we. Didn’t the lord of Lichtenau, who possessed great skills, take care of the western land without passing by with the knights under his command?”
“I am ashamed. Compared to all of you who gathered the knights and even the soldiers of the territory, they are not enough.”
“Lichtenauer, the name alone is enough. If there are masters and knights of famous swordsmanship, everyone will fight harder, so saying that they are not enough is absurd.”
Some nobles could not adapt to the sudden situation.
Isn’t that woman the head of Lichtenau?
It is a place that competes with Fiore, which holds the northwest.
And they are the families who can’t help but notice Fiore.
Of course, you should stay away from Lichtenauer, as Fiore does.
However, some people come out and show a very friendly appearance.
Even all of them are family heads, or high-ranking figures corresponding to the family head level.
I know very well that there is a reason for their words and actions.
For those who did not know the news, it was even more embarrassing.
“Anyway, since we’ve gathered here, we’ll start as soon as the sun rises.”
“As you wish, Commander. I will leave the command to you.”
“thank you. If not, prepare at dawn and march right in the morning.”
Youngji should be worried about the demonic scene.
There is nothing more dangerous than a night march.
Furthermore, demons have a far greater advantage than humans at night.
In night battles, nine times out of ten, the Imperial side will lose.
It was impossible to fall into an obvious trap.
The nobles gathered at the table also agreed and dispersed from the barracks.
Cien also lightly greeted them.
He turned to the barracks assigned to him.
“Are you here, Head of the House?”
When Shien enters, all the Lichtenauers who have been waiting stand up.
“Everyone please sit down. Rather, as I said before, our Lichtenauer will also participate in this battle.”
“I understand.”
“… This is not our territory, nor is it the land to the north where our neighboring territories are. In addition, we had a reason to travel after all, so there was no need to get involved in this battle.”
A little sudden, everyone listens to her words.
“But nonetheless, I chose to fight. A desire for honor, or a desire for the ball. There must be some of those things. But the biggest reason is that I couldn’t ignore this situation that happened in front of me. We have to help each other and get out of this hell.”
At that, everyone nodded slowly.
If you say it’s not my business, keep silent and turn your head away and ignore it.
There will be no one to help me when that happens to me.
“We won’t get anything. Conversely, we may lose something. It may be very stupid, but I’m still fighting. Can you follow the will of this family head? I just wanted to ask you one more time.”
Cien’s worries were very natural.
There is no need to participate in battle, just go on your way.
There is no reason why the people of Lichtenau should be involved in battle.
Even the 2nd grade demonic spectacle is extremely dangerous.
They have no reason or obligation to be together.
Some may have doubts about why they should participate in the war.
“You speak plainly.”
However, it seems that her worries were in vain.
All of the knights, including Blender, made determined faces.
“We are the knights of Lichtenau. A demon appeared before my eyes. Demonic beasts are harming people, but how can you just watch it? We know very well how the head of household cares for us. But if you just overlook it, that would be even more unfortunate.”
At the words of one knight, everyone nodded.
They have already put their will into this battle, so they shout.
Seeing the knights’ reactions, Shien gave a slight smile and said,
“We march tomorrow morning. Rest early, everyone.”
* * *
That night.
“… .”
Shien, lying on a cot in the barracks, couldn’t fall asleep easily.
No matter how many times I close my eyes, I think more and more.
Perhaps it was because of the fear of the Witchbeast that still lingered somewhere in my heart.
Or is it the fear of losing someone else due to my judgment?
What was certain was that for some reason I couldn’t sleep at all.
“ha.”
From tomorrow, the arduous days that you have never experienced will begin.
It’s not something someone asked for or forced to do.
It’s just that everything is the path you choose for yourself.
Therefore, it should not hinder the advance of the army.
Honey, I need to pay more attention to managing my condition.
‘It’s a big deal. I’m really going to spend the night with my eyes open.’
Shien sat up and sighed heavily.
Did you say that there is no use in forcibly closing your eyes when you can’t sleep?
I thought it would be better to get up and relax lightly.
Seruk-.
“My lord?”
“You do not sleep at this late hour… .”
The knights standing guard in front of Shien’s barracks are surprised.
If I woke up tomorrow morning, I would wear a hat even if I had a good rest.
“It’s because I can’t sleep. Rather, I’m worried about the two of them.”
“it’s okay. That much is enough.”
“What could be more important than protecting the head of the family?”
At the words of the knights, Shien smiled and said thank you.
Then, I headed toward Adele’s barracks, saying that I would walk for a while.
Originally, it was right for Adele to be by Shien’s side.
But in preparation for tomorrow’s march and battle.
Shien told Adele to get some rest tonight.
Just in case things go wrong.
Adele was the last remaining trump card for Liechtenau.
So, managing his condition was even more important.
‘He stayed by my side all the way back to Lichtenau.’
Adele always calls herself a vigilant.
I’ve rarely seen him even sleep properly.
Even if I was sleeping, if I felt a presence, I would open my eyes right away.
Sabak-.
Arriving in front of Adele’s barracks, Shien stared blankly at it.
If possible, I would like to speak with him for a moment.
I just wanted to do it because I like any story or trivial thing.
But now it is too late.
To the point of feeling sorry for even asking if he was sleeping.
So, Shien just looked at him for a while and then tried to go back.
“… ?”
But suddenly, I felt something strange.
Come to think of it, Adele never lost sight of herself.
Even if you seem to be sleeping, if you feel your presence.
I was quietly following her or watching her.
But now there is no reaction as strange as it is.
It’s quiet, it’s so quiet, I can’t even feel it.
As if Adele wasn’t in the barracks.
“Adele… ?”
No way, I call his name with a heart.
However, there was no response and no sense of presence.
‘Uh… ?’
Shien, who blinked, cautiously looked up at the entrance to the barracks.
Stepping inside, she soon realized that the barracks were empty.
‘What?’
Shien frantically checked Adele’s barracks.
Before long, she knew two things for sure.
One is that Adele really disappeared from here, from my barracks.
And the other thing was that his sword also disappeared along with it.