Chapter 90

Chapter 90. A Major Decision

The next day, in the early morning when the rooster was crowing, the subordinate knight Baron Anchio had sent returned.

He came in wearing chainmail, a surcoat riddled with holes, and a torn cloak, then reported the news. As could be seen from his shabby appearance, he said he had gone through considerable hardship.

“You see, on my way back, I ran into the Croa bastards…… I truly nearly died.”

“You saw the Croa bastards? Where?”

“Somewhere quite close to Anchio. They were heading north.”

“How many were there? Was there anything unusual?”

“There seemed to be well over a hundred of them, and ah! They looked extremely exhausted. They were all filthy…… exactly like enemies retreating after a major battle.”

At those words, Baron Anchio’s eyes lit up.

“They must be the retreating ones. They must have met up with the ones who fled from here.”

“Pardon? What do you mean, the ones who fled?”

“I will explain that to you later. More importantly, what happened to the news from the north?”

“The situation is not very good. Four territories have already fallen.”

“How could that be…….”

“Fortunately, however, Monteki is still intact. Quite a large number of enemies have invaded, but they are still holding them off well for now.”

“As expected. I knew it. Count Monteki is the hope of northern Corint. He will not be broken through easily.”

“However, it is too early to be pleased. The Croa bastards came very determined this time. Their main force has several Expert-rank knights stationed within it, and they even have the infamous Crimson Flame Magic Corps. At this rate, we do not know when they will break through.”

“Ahh……. No. Even for the count, it will be difficult to deal with Croa’s elites…… Kuh!”

“Still, what is hopeful is that the surrounding lords are leading their troops and gathering at Monteki in small groups. On top of that, Count Monteki is recruiting many mercenaries, so they may be able to hold them off.”

“Of course! Naturally! Corint will not fall so easily! Of course it will not!”

After watching up to that point, Balun could not help but let out a quiet laugh.

‘Does he have bipolar disorder or something?’

He had no idea why the man was acting like that.

He looked ready to cry, then smiled brightly, then looked ready to cry again, then smiled brightly again…….

Were his mood swings not too severe?

“Hearing this truly makes my blood boil! As a member of northern Corint, how could I remain still just to preserve my own life? It is only natural that I should go to the count and be of assistance. Is it not?”

“Yes, that is absolutely correct.”

“Gather the troops at once. We will leave only the minimum defensive force behind and go to Count Monteki.”

“Yes, my lord!”

The knight nodded, then ran off somewhere with a face full of zeal.

Immediately after that, Baron Anchio turned his head toward Balun.

“Sir Balun. You should come with us as well. I will introduce you to Count Monteki. Then he will make good use of you.”

No, why was the fire suddenly spreading to me?

“I am sorry, but I do not want to.”

“Pardon? Why……?”

“Because I do not want to. Does disliking something require a reason?”

“That is true, but……. There is no opportunity like this. I mean, an opportunity to make your name widely known, Sir Balun.”

“It is fine. It does not need to be known.”

“Since he happens to be recruiting mercenaries, you can go there and sign a contract. Someone as skilled as you, Sir Balun, will probably be paid a great sum. If you accomplish great deeds in a crisis like this, he might even give you piles of gold.”

Balun stopped.

That was a little tempting.

“If not that, you might even receive territory. If you receive even a small manor, your life will truly be set.”

“Hmm.”

“Of course, I know well that such things are not particularly attractive to you, Sir Balun. After all, you must only be interested in raising your name, gaining honor, and showing off your skills.”

Without even dreaming that Balun was a man filled with worldly material greed, Baron Anchio continued speaking.

“However, Sir Balun. There is nothing bad about obtaining such things. If you earn money, you can obtain better weapons and better armor. You can also drink expensive liquor to your heart’s content. So, Sir Balun. Please do not reject it too quickly, and at least think it over…….”

“Enough. You can stop talking.”

“Pardon?”

“As you said, I will think about it.”

“Oh, truly?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent! Ha ha! Please think it over calmly. I will go inspect the territory for a while.”

Baron Anchio quickly left.

Left alone, Balun sank into thought.

Should he participate in this or not?

At first, he had only disliked the idea.

Why would he get involved in a war?

But now that the situation had become like this, his mind changed a little.

In this situation, with the madness of war covering the entire country, would he be able to escape safely to a safe nation and avoid the war?

He did not know. He could not guarantee it. The state of the war said as much, and his instincts said the same.

Balun knew. Once war struck, it could not be avoided no matter how one tried to avoid it.

War was like a spark. Once it caught, it spread in every direction and set everything around it ablaze.

From the very beginning, three countries had already become tangled up in a complicated manner, so was there any reason other countries would not become involved as well?

There was not. That was the only answer he could reach.

Even if he went to a safe nation, he could not guarantee his safety.

After all, this world was not Earth, where one could peacefully travel the globe.

Besides, he was tired and annoyed from constantly running away.

How long did he have to keep running?

If another disaster broke out in the place he had barely managed to reach, would he run away again then too?

Until when?

‘If I cannot avoid it, then it is right to enjoy it.’

Balun’s contemplation was deep, but it was not long.

That was because he knew there was nothing good about worrying for too long.

‘And if I am going to do it anyway, it is better to work hard. That way, I can pick up the biggest and tastiest crumbs. if I am indecisive, I will end up with neither one thing nor the other’ Was it because he had shaken off his worries?

There was still anxiety in one corner of Balun’s heart, but at least his head felt clear.

***

Balun immediately conveyed to Baron Anchio his decision to join him. After hearing Balun’s words, Baron Anchio was overjoyed.

“You made the right choice! Count Monteki will be very pleased! He knows how to recognize talent. Ha ha!”

“When do we depart?”

“In truth, we could depart immediately, but I cannot simply leave my territory empty like this…… I need to make some preparations, so please wait just one day.”

And so, the next morning, Baron Anchio finished all preparations to leave for Monteki.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

“You do not look well. Is something the matter?”

“There is no problem. Let us depart.”

“Yes.”

In truth, there was a problem.

Their numbers were far too meager.

Four knights under his command and twenty soldiers. Even with Balun added, there were only twenty-six people…….

‘Will this even be helpful? Would adding this amount even make a dent?’

Well, he decided not to worry about it.

At least they were helping.

There was a saying that dust gathered to form a mountain, after all.

“How long will it take to reach the destination from here?”

“Even if we go leisurely, it should take two days.”

“Let us hurry a little. Nothing good will come from dragging our feet.”

“Yes.”

The road was not smooth. In two days, they encountered bandits no less than twice.

The state of the country truly was a mess. They should have been joining forces to stop the invading enemy, yet they were busy robbing travelers’ pockets instead…….

“The world is a strange spectacle.”

“Indeed. I hope it returns to normal soon…… Ah! Sir Balun! Look over there! I can see our destination!”

Baron Anchio pointed somewhere with his finger. When Balun looked in the direction of his fingertip, he saw many tent-like structures set up at the far end.

“That must be the encampment.”

“Yes. It is quite large. I knew he would still be strong! Ha ha!”

As Baron Anchio said, the scale was considerable.

At that size, there had to be thousands of them.

As Balun’s group approached the encampment, a sentry’s voice rang out.

“Who are you? State your affiliation.”

“I am Renato, lord of Anchio. I have come to join Count Monteki’s army.”

When Baron Anchio revealed his identity, the sentry widened his eyes, then saluted.

“Please enter. I will guide you to the count.”

As they followed behind the sentry and looked around the tents, Balun could not help but be impressed.

Even as someone who had fought countless wars, it was his first time seeing an encampment established on such a large scale.

‘At a minimum, there must be three or four thousand people here.’

“Please go in. He is inside.”

When they entered the large tent, a dignified-looking man with a splendid mustache greeted them. This man was Count Monteki, the leader of northern Corint.

“Welcome. At a time when even one more hand is precious, I am truly grateful that you came running here like this.”

“As a fellow member of northern Corint, how could I ignore this crisis? Naturally, I had to come running. More importantly, Your Excellency, have you been well during this time?”

“I have had no great problems myself. The damned Croa bastards are the problem. More importantly, I heard Anchio suffered quite an ordeal. I hope you are all right.”

“Fortunately, we were lucky enough to hold them off. It was thanks to this dependable warrior.”

“Hmm?”

Baron Anchio indicated Balun with the edge of his hand. Only then did Count Monteki look at Balun, who was standing in the corner.

A strange light soon appeared in his eyes.

“This Barbarian?”

“Yes. This warrior saved us when we were on the verge of being wiped out. With that axe, he slaughtered the Croa bastards and cut down three knights. It was truly incredible.”

“Oh. A skilled warrior who cut down three knights. Impressive.”

“Please make good use of him. I have no doubt that he will be of great help to you, Your Excellency.”

“Very well. If Baron Anchio says that much, then he is worth trusting. If he is a skilled warrior who cut down three knights, then he has value, even if he is a Barbarian.”

Count Monteki rubbed his chin and looked Balun over. Soon, he let out a low exclamation of admiration. Even at a glance, Balun’s body was no joke.

Count Monteki was also a knight, so he knew well. A body like this was not one that just anyone could build.

“Barbarian. What is your name?”

“I am Balun.”

“Where are you from?”

“The Great Plains, the Red Fang Tribe.”

“I have never heard of it. Well, since it is not important, I suppose it does not matter.”

“That is right. You do not need to know.”

When Balun spoke that far, the face of a subordinate knight standing beside them turned red and blue. Soon, a thunderous rebuke fell.

“You wretch! How rude! How dare you speak to His Excellency in such a manner! Lower your head at once and speak respectfully!”

“Sir Louis. Do not scold him. Barbarians are unfamiliar with our etiquette. It is only natural that he looks rude.”

“But……!”

“If anything, is it not commendable? I have never seen a Barbarian who speaks our language so well.”

Count Monteki quickly silenced the subordinate knight and continued.

“In any case, you have come well. Please show your skills to your heart’s content. As long as you achieve merits, I can give you many things.”

“What are those many things? Do you give gold too?”

“If you achieve enough merit for it?”

“Then territory too?”

“That too should be possible if you achieve enough merit for it.”

“Good!”

Balun nodded in satisfaction. He had been a little uneasy, but hearing that Count Monteki really would give such things set his mind at ease. The fact that he spoke so readily meant he truly intended to give them, did it not?

To Balun, that was a very important matter.

How had he come here? He had come after making a truly major decision. He had suppressed the desire to run away and come here.

For that reason, a reward absolutely had to follow. Without that, there was no reason for him to stay here.

“Can you promise that?”

“Of course.”

“Then let us write a contract.”

“What?”

Count Monteki’s eyebrow twitched.

That was because Balun had suddenly taken a folded piece of paper and a fountain pen from his chest.

“What are you doing?”

“I said we are writing a contract. Now, I will write the basic terms. The count can just stamp it.”

And when Balun placed it on the war map table in the center and began writing in crooked letters, Count Monteki could not help but let out a hollow laugh.