226─Heap of Ashes
“I selected with the utmost care…… “
“This is enough.”
“I see.”
When one of the nobles who had just looked at him and received a clear answer turned his back, Fersen put the documents he had been given aside.
Although we received permission to form a separate unit, we were not able to freely select the number of people we could recruit.
Of course, each noble had troops under their command.
So, except for those who have connections and are close friends.
Among them, he will select those with exceptional skills and send them to his side.
Of course, those who are given the highest priority in the process will be those who are in a relatively hostile position with their own family.
After that, there is a high probability that they will be those who were born as commoners──or, to be exact, they will be those who passed the gateway to the imperial family.
Noble nobles who are resentful of the growing power of the imperial family would not hesitate to cut off the buds that would become the arms and legs of the imperial family.
Yes, Prince Raymond took all of the matter into consideration and allowed himself this opportunity.
‘Then…… ‘
Fersen got up from his seat and walked towards the barracks where his unit members were located.
Because he had ordered them to gather in advance, all members of his unit, including Lizzy, gathered inside the hut and looked at him as he entered.
“I won’t talk at length.”
“Yes.”
“With the permission of His Highness the Prince, I have formed a separate unit, and I will select a few people from among you who are under my command.”
Even if only a few people are gathered in one place, a small murmur arises at the sound of a separate team.
“…… “
But Lizzy, the only one there who kept her mouth shut, smiled faintly as she looked at herself with her blue bruised face.
“May I ask what the timing is?”
The role that the special unit will play and the details of its operation will only be shared with those selected anyway.
For this reason, the troops under Fersen only asked about the exact time.
“From now on, right after one more battle, we will be leaving that night. If the person selected in advance dies in that battle, those designated as reserve will take the vacant position.”
“…… All right.”
“Then I will call you by name from now on.”
He is doing this for his own selfish happiness.
Fersen never once lost the awareness that he was at war.
The picture drawn is to kill Lizzy, cut the knot completely, and then completely block the enemy’s retreat route and launch an all-out war.
He didn’t tell anyone, but he still has two unique abilities that haven’t been revealed yet.
So, if the escape route is blocked and both parties become each other’s enemy, the odds of winning will not be low.
No, I thought the odds of winning were quite high.
When the names were called one after another and a total of six people were selected, two from each of the three groups……
“Lizzy.”
Fersen called Lizzy for the last time and concluded with the selection of 7 people.
“The name ends here. Those who have been called should hear the details from Limbel.”
“That…… ! I know it’s rude, but for a girl of only Keter rank to be assigned to her special unit…… “
Is it sympathy?
Or maybe he developed some affection during that time on the battlefield.
When Astel, her foreman, raised her hand to protest, Ferzen shook her head.
“Don’t you know?”
“…… “
“Because it is her, if she is not selected for this operation…… There will be a backlash among leaders. Also…… “
Fersen trailed off, but everyone here was aware of what she was saying.
That “Lizzy” Is in the place where others should have been.
That is, if she is excluded.
Naturally, another person here must take her place.
And if you succeed, you will have contributed to achieving great results, but on the other hand, the risk is high……
From Noble mtl dot com
“…… “
No one said anything else to Fersen anymore.
Astel also took one look at Lizzy, who was sitting quietly with her bruised face, and then turned her head bitterly.
Of course, Lizzy does not actually participate in place of another person.
But she was able to naturally isolate her just by saying her words so that they could be interpreted in that way, so there was no need to refuse.
Someone may think that this is a cowardly method, but for a villain, cowardice is actually honesty.
“Let me rest.”
Fersen, who had been exchanging glances with Lizzy, who was sitting calmly in the wheelchair, for a while, turned his back.
* * * * *
“…… No transaction takes place.”
“Is that so?”
Inside the El Mark Empire’s camp, there, Empress Gremory sat proudly and narrowed her eyes as she watched the warlock who opened the door to her underworld and attempted to make a deal with her.
She behaved well during the two days of heavy rain in order to reorganize herself and her body.
In fact, what she wanted to find out more than anything else was the gate to the underworld that opened during the battle between Fersen and herself.
As time went by and I thought about it, there were many things that were difficult to understand about the situation at that time.
How was the transaction between the warlock and the monster carried out?
Except for the first floor, it was impossible to induce any monsters to make a deal, and the monsters did not readily agree.
When dealing with a monster living on the second floor or higher, you had to first present an offering and then wait for the monster to respond to the offering.
At that time, the time that passed between Fersen and herself was at most 5 seconds.
Although the gate to the underworld was opened quickly, it would be ridiculous to think that a deal was made with the monster living on the third floor within those 5 seconds.
No, rather than believing that it makes no sense in itself.
Isn’t there a way to achieve that kind of result?
For example, make a deal in advance and add a condition to come when your life is in danger.
“…… “
However, when she gathered Euclid-level warlocks one by one and tested the hypothesis, she was not successful in trading with all of them.
Maybe you have to become an Apollyon-level warlock to have something unique about your trading style?
“It’s complicated.”
Whether or not to believe this hypothesis was a very difficult issue.
If this hypothesis is confirmed, then Fersen’s life should not be threatened more than necessary.
Yes, it was possible to win the war with that alone.
Because according to this hypothesis, Fersen has already made a deal with the underworld, and the condition for the monster with whom he made the deal to descend is when his life is threatened.
The amount of goods consumed by an Apollyon-level warlock when making a deal with the underworld is at a level beyond imagination.
And if some of the goods you own were used in that way, there would not be much left that could be used autonomously.
In particular, the goods that a warlock consumes when trading with the underworld are difficult to replenish in a short period of time due to their nature.
“Hmm.”
If that is really the case, there will definitely be a set period of time for the conditions set in that way.
‘Let’s wait a little longer.’
There was no loss for us by taking time.
No, it would be a waste of national treasury.
Isn’t it the same for the other person?
‘Hopefully…… ‘
Gremory gently curled his hair, thinking that the war would end with just giving up one more leg.
No matter how bad it gets, it would mean giving up both legs and getting prosthetic legs.
Of course, this was only when a little more emphasis was placed on this hypothesis.
The Ernes Empire will also be able to replenish its goods if this truce is prolonged, so it will not necessarily try to take the lead.
After taking a little more time and watching the reaction, it is not too late to take action if the other side first shows that it is urgent.
As usual in war, the national treasury will be empty.
Isn’t it okay to win and take it from the other person?
Therefore, Gremory sat back comfortably and looked at his retainers around him, and gave a look to one man.
“Marquis Louispalt.”
“Yes. Your majesty.”
“So far, it seems like you’ve made the most of the credit?”
“I don’t know what to do under Your Majesty’s rule.”
“If things continue like this, you will be the man who will give birth to an heir.”
“How could I…?” … “
“Leaving aside the unnecessary pretense, I have one question.’
“Please speak.”
“Would you be able to carry your luggage even if you had only one arm left?”
“What are you saying…?” … ?”
“It is a battle with an Apollyon-level warlock. So, how could the price end with just this one arm?”
“This is for the future of the empire, so don’t worry.”
“That’s a boring answer.”
Gremory chuckles, resting his chin on his remaining arm.
When he gave away the princesses of the Kingdom of Auverne, I saw what he did to them.
Do you think people will believe you if you give an answer like that?
Even though a naked man was approaching the bed, she was sure that she would firmly hold the thing between her crotches as she saw that she had no legs and could not even move.
When I imagine it, I feel quite disgusted……
Contrary to his reluctance, he will fully accept the results when he wins this war.
There are no more mountains to climb.
Knocking yourself down is definitely a fun form of entertainment.