How to Live as a Genius Knight in a Fantasy World

46.

Frederick, who boasted a power that could easily crush most nobles, was like a burnt boar, but he could not treat even the royal bloodlines lightly.

The identity of the woman who was rampaging like a burnt boar was none other than Kiara, Princess of Arden, the 6th of her name, known widely as the fighting princess.

She had shown bravery even as a mere knight in the dragon’s subjugation, and due to her courage that was hard to distinguish from recklessness, she was one of the few surviving royals in Arden from the calamity that befell the kingdom.

With a face befitting a princess, showing signs of relentless training on her body, the reason she caused a commotion every day was clear.

Her mentor, comrades, and relatives were all staying inside the fallen Arden, a kingdom where familial affection stood out uncommonly among noble lineages.

Upon hearing news from Talun, she started rampaging.

Yet, what prevented her was not her status but the fact that her words were close to the truth.

It was true that the sorcerers grew stronger over time and that as subjects of the kingdom, they had to rescue the king.

However, what was fundamentally right was not always applicable in reality.

Given the already powerful sorcerers, if they were to lose troops haphazardly while launching an attack, Arden would be doomed for the day.

Although the Byungbaeks and southern forces remained, the enemies were capable of raising a force that even they alone could not stop.

The reason for firmly holding this place was to utilize the fortifications to block their overwhelming forces.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t understand her sentiments, but continually hearing arguments that didn’t align with reality was close to torture.

While Lord Frederick inwardly cursed, he maintained a solemn expression, but then, a statement burst out from her lips, causing his eyes to widen.

“Or, better yet, send me with just fifty knights. I’ll survey the situation at Arden Castle and return. I feel like I’m going crazy just sitting here like this!”

As her words mixed with frustration continued incessantly, the Viscount could exchange glances with at least eight nobles.

They all communicated through their eyes.

‘Let’s just send her away.’

Though a seasoned player in the royal court for many years, the clarity of their eyes expressing such a decisive intent was unprecedented.

Facing the princess who now spoke fiercely to the point of spitting, the Viscount found himself deeply contemplating in a short time.

In reality, losing the princess at a time when the royal family was on the brink of extinction would be a significant problem.

To establish a new royal family, much blood would inevitably flow.

By safeguarding the princess, the likelihood of establishing the legitimacy of the royal family and minimizing the post-war chaos increased significantly.

However, despite being aware of this fact, Count Frederick felt an irresistible surge of emotions.

“Indeed. If you have a desired knight, please make the nomination.”

The magnitude of this impulse was so immense that it led the seasoned Count Frederick to speak without going through rational judgment.

After speaking, the Count, who gradually regained his composure, felt a slight regret, but he couldn’t bring himself to retract his statement in front of the excited princess.

A seasoned politician he may be, but the Count was also human.

For over a month, the Count, who had been pestering the princess, began to regain his humanity and operate more like a “person.”

Instead of rectifying his own mistakes, he chose to rationalize them as fitting choices.

“Well, there’s nothing to be done even if the princess remains here. It might be better to contribute through reconnaissance, at least.”

“After all, there are as many as six knights, including the princess herself. No matter how numerous their forces may be, it wouldn’t be difficult to subtract one body from them.”

Humans are most easily swayed by their own temptations.

Even a well-experienced Count like Frederick couldn’t completely escape this truth.

In the end, the Count did not pick up his own words, and the princess, who accommodated his minimal demands, entered the council chamber with a noticeably brighter complexion.

As the princess ran off and disappeared, a brief silence ensued.

“It’s my mistake. I should have judged more carefully…”

Only then did the regret of having made the wrong choice flood in, but it was already too late.

When the Count anticipated the reprimands of other nobles, the noble who first locked eyes with him began to applaud.

“Indeed, it is you, Count. You have made a decisive victory.”

Starting with him, a multitude of nobles showered the Count with applause.

It was a sight that revealed how much they had been pestering the princess.

The next morning.

Horses carrying six knights fully armed rode out of Frederick Castle.

Count Frederick’s deeply contemplative gaze lingered on them for a long while.

“Time is passing too quickly.”

On the eve of the scheduled departure, as Rohan unpacked his belongings, the thought suddenly crossed his mind.

In the morning, he taught Sophia, and in the afternoon, he focused on improving his proficiency in archery and swordsmanship.

Although his days were filled with the same routine, a week had vanished in the blink of an eye.

After a brief rest, the moment to head back to the front lines had arrived.

The season had swiftly turned to a harsh winter.

The weather was too severe for waging war.

But time was not on their side, and no one knew how long the tense standoff in the north could last.

As it was something he had long anticipated, Rohan accepted the departure without surprise.

“After joining the other nobles in Tigrun, we’re supposed to head to Arden.”

Considering only the geographical conditions, it would have been a much better choice to gather in Talun or Russell before departing, but Tigrun had its distinct advantages.

The first was the promise personally written in a letter by the Tigrun Count to “support with spare supplies,” and the second was the close proximity of one of the Arnesian shrines to Tigrun Castle.

Over the years, they had accumulated wealth from fertile farmlands, abundant mineral deposits, and numerous aquatic resources.

Since it was impractical to transport the prepared supplies separately, soldiers capable of moving the goods were naturally brought to Tigrun.

Though now an experienced warrior, Rohan felt a considerable burden regarding this campaign.

Not only was the battlefield so perilous that death could come at any moment, but he had also been entrusted with the role of commanding the Isel army that was setting out.

While no specific duty was assigned, being the sole knight within the unit and leading a force of barely seventy soldiers, he was effectively assuming the position of the top commander.

Due to the significant number of soldiers who had died or been wounded in the sieges of Prielle and battles in the Talun Mountains, despite mobilizing all of Isel’s resources, this was the best they could muster.

Once they departed, the only ones left at the easel were the minimal forces needed to maintain security.

Knowing that Sir Rowe would stay behind, Lord Rohan could leave without worry.

Due to the cold weather, the soldiers lined up in the square were about half a size larger than in summer.

Though their mismatched attire seemed somewhat comical, a fierceness gleamed in their eyes.

With the Countess’s plea for their safe return echoing in their ears, the final troops from the easel marched out of the castle gates.

Whether it was the satisfaction of a well-prepared mission or the fierce cold, the soldiers’ march continued without issue.

Mounted on his horse, Rohan surveyed the faces of the soldiers and suddenly felt a sense of melancholy.

Among them were too many familiar faces.

From fellow soldiers like Chris and Kenneth, to the memories shared with Argen, and even Charles who taught him swordsmanship.

They were all heading to the battlefield to face a formidable enemy.

Despite the newfound social barrier preventing casual conversations with other soldiers, Rohan still regarded them as friends, comrades, and mentors.

“They… might die a lot.”

No matter how hard Rohan tried, he couldn’t scrutinize each and every soldier.

Moreover, considering the strength of their enemies, the mere thought of their safe return felt close to miraculous.

Yet, deep in his heart, Rohan couldn’t help but wish.

He hoped they would survive, return to the castle of Ezel.

Three days after leaving Ezel Castle.

Despite enduring fierce winds and bitter cold, the soldiers who left Ezel arrived at Tigrun Viscountcy without a single casualty.

Surrounded by magnificent walls far surpassing Arden’s, Tigrun’s grand castle enveloped a beautiful stronghold.

Of course, it was clear that Rohan’s party wouldn’t be allowed to explore inside Tigrun Castle.

Guards were heavily stationed at the gate, and the arriving troops were setting up tents near the outer walls to seek shelter from the wind.

While the soldiers from Ezel created a resting area, Rohan headed towards a large tent near the outer gate.

Upon reporting the arrival of Ezel’s forces, they requested additional weapons, armor, and winter supplies necessary for battle.

The promised supplies were indeed delivered before sundown, along with some extra rations.

Until the day of the Viscount’s formal reception, five days passed.

Nobles from the southeast of Arden began to arrive, filling the plains in front of the viscountcy with numerous tents.

With many gathered, discussions about troop placements and the Viscount’s procession route continued in the nearby tents.

Of course, the conclusions drawn were merely speculations, as no one truly knew the intentions of the Viscount of Tigrun.

Two days before the scheduled procession, the leaders of each regional army received summons from the Viscount.

Representatives from seven territories, including Tigrun, took their seats around the round table in the Viscount’s office, while Rohan found a suitable spot for himself.

Though the atmosphere varied slightly among them, their noble status was evident from their elegant attire.

“It seems… I’m the only knight here.”

As others seemed to realize the same fact, a few nobles cast sharp glances in disapproval.

Ignoring their gazes and maintaining the silence, the Viscount finally spoke.

“Firstly, I wish to express my gratitude for all of you coming here. I was quite concerned that some territories might abstain due to the unfavorable timing and the imminent danger of the upcoming battle… I am truly relieved that such a mishap did not occur. As mentioned in the letter, the supplies have been adequately prepared, so you may request what you need from the supply officer near the outer gate. Each regional army will operate independently, but please adhere to the decisions made during the command council regarding combat matters.”

“Understood.”

“Now, let me inform you of the size of the punitive force to be organized this time. Sixty-two knights from eight territories, thirty-one mages, and three thousand seven hundred twenty-four soldiers have gathered. Among them, there are two thousand eight hundred seventy-two infantry, two hundred sixty-seven cavalry, and five hundred eighty-five archers. Additionally, fifteen of the mages will be participating in the punitive mission as Wyvern Riders, so please take note of that.”

The expressions of the nobles darkened upon hearing the Viscount’s words.

Having participated in the Shiryong suppression, most of them were well aware of how formidable the enemy’s forces were.

Even though the forces of eight different territories had gathered, the knights’ strength barely exceeded fifty, vividly feeling the void left by the fallen troops from the previous expedition.

But the Marquis’s words were not over yet.

“And the Arnishian Order has also decided to move with us.”

“What? The Order?”

“Is that really true?”

To the unexpected news, several nobles expressed their surprise.

“Yes. A holy knight order and a priesthood are already staying in the fortress. In two days, they will head to Arden with us.”

“Truly devoted to the gods…”

At the mention of elite troops being dispatched despite the kingdom and temple maintaining a distant relationship for over twenty years, an aged noble murmured softly.

With the unexpected good news, the meeting concluded on a positive note.

Abundant resources, a considerable military force, and the reinforcement of the Order’s knights.

Considering the formidable forces in the north, the addition of this strength seemed sufficient to subdue the black sorcerers.

With a lightened heart, Rohan also left the Marquis’s study.

Leaving the castle, nearing the fortress gates.

“Hey, you!”

A stranger’s voice called out to Rohan.