A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles — Chapter 49

Chapter 49

“Cough!”‌‌

Blasker⁠ coughed as his‌‌‍ stomach churned. At‌‌ the same time,‍ several drops of‍ blood spilled from‍⁠ his mouth, mixed‍‍⁠ with saliva.

“M-master!”

“Silence!⁠ Don’t cause a commotion!”

Blasker‍‌ shouted at his disciples, who had panicked.

When‍⁠ the one above‌⁠‌ becomes agitated, those⁠‍ below grow even‍ more confused.

When⁠‌ the superior wavers,‍‌ the subordinates fall‍⁠ into greater chaos.⁠‍ At moments like‍ this, even if‌‌ he had to‌‍ force himself, he⁠‍ needed to show‍⁠ composure.

“The‍ damage… what are‌ the damages? And‍ the soldiers? His‍ Highness and the other commanders?”

“His⁠‍ Highness is safe,‌ and most of⁠‌‌ the commanders also‍ avoided the worst.‌ But the soldiers…”⁠

The‌‍ disciple reporting quickly left the sentence unfinished.

With⁠⁠‍ a bad premonition,⁠ Blasker forced his eyes open and‍ looked around.

At‌ once, he clenched his teeth at⁠ the scene that‌‍ entered his field⁠‌ of vision.

‘Damn it. At this‌ rate, there will⁠ be almost no⁠‍ soldiers left capable⁠‌ of fighting.’

Blasker’s‌ response had undoubtedly⁠‌ been swift. Before‌‌ the enemy magic‌ struck the camp,‌‌ he raised a barrier with mana⁠‌ and deflected most‌ of the attack;⁠ aside from a few cases, direct⁠ impact was avoided.‍

The‍⁠‌ problem was that‍ most of the‍‌⁠ soldiers were near‍‌ the stream, with‍‍‌ parts of their⁠ bodies wet.

Although⁠⁠ they avoided the‌ direct hit, many received electric shocks‌ through the damp‍⁠⁠ areas of their‍‌ bodies.

“Gh…!‌⁠⁠ Lord Blasker, what⁠ the hell just‌‌‍ happened!?”

The‌⁠ first among the‌‌ nobles of commander‌⁠ rank to regain‌ consciousness was Marquis⁠‌ Bernhardt.

He⁠‌ still had one⁠‌ eye and one⁠⁠ ear damaged by‍ the light, the⁠ roar, and the impact, but he‍‍ forced himself to‌⁠ move.

Blasker‍‍‍ explained the situation‌⁠ urgently.

“It‍ was an enemy‍ attack. They manipulated‍⁠‌ the weather with‍ mana and caused‍‌‌ lightning. Fortunately, we⁠ avoided the direct⁠ hit, but the⁠ current was transmitted‍‍ through the moisture‍‍ left on the‌‍⁠ soldiers’ bodies, affecting‌ their muscles…”

“Forget⁠‌ the academic terms⁠‍⁠ and explain it⁠ simply! Even if‌ you say it‌‍ like that, I don’t understand a thing!”

“There‌⁠ aren’t many dead,‍ but most of‍ the soldiers have‍‌‌ been incapacitated by‍‌ the aftereffects! At‌⁠ the very least,⁠ they’ll need four⁠‌ or five hours⁠⁠ of rest before they can move!”

“Damn it!”

Faced with the worst possible answer, the‌ marquis pushed himself⁠⁠ up, covering his‌ reddened eye.

Aside‌ from a few‌ who had been‌‌ charred, they didn’t‍ seem to have⁠ serious external injuries.‌

However,⁠‍ there were many‍‍⁠ unconscious soldiers, and⁠ even those who‍‍ had awakened were⁠⁠⁠ writhing on the‍ ground, unable to‌ move their bodies‌ properly.

“Your⁠ Highness! First Prince!”‍⁠

“Ugh…⁠ aaah…”

The‌ commander-in-chief, First Prince‌ Claude, seemed so‌ shaken by the lightning that his‍‌ legs wouldn’t respond‍ and he could‍‌ barely speak.

Seeing that sight, Marquis⁠‍ Bernhardt ground his‍⁠‍ teeth, approached Claude,⁠ and snatched the‍ command staff from⁠‌ him.

“Your Highness! Given the‍⁠ situation, I will‌ assume command in‌ your place.”

“Uuugh…”‌‍

Even⁠ after losing the⁠‍ command staff, Claude‍⁠ did not react⁠ and only let out groans.

Some‍ commanders, including Blasker,‍ frowned at the‌ marquis’s abuse of‌ authority, but none refuted it.

In‌ Claude’s condition, if⁠‍ someone didn’t take‌⁠ control, the situation could not be‍ stabilized.

“First,‌⁠ let’s accurately assess‌ the damage! How⁠‍⁠ many soldiers can⁠‍ move right now—!”‍

“Waaaah!”‌‍

Before⁠ the marquis could‍ finish giving the‍‌ order, a war⁠⁠ cry echoed from‌ the distance.

Turning‍ his head in⁠ horror, he saw‌‌ troops that had‍‌ been hidden in‌⁠ the forest charging‌‌ toward the coalition.‍⁠

“This‌‌ is madness…!”

The‌‍ distance was still‍ far too great‌‌ for a surprise‌‍ attack to make‌ sense.

But⁠‌ in a state‍ like this, surprise‌ or not, the⁠‍ enemy attack itself‍⁠ was lethal.

The⁠ marquis shouted with‌⁠ all his might⁠ toward the soldiers.⁠

“Get‍⁠‌ up! The enemy⁠ is approaching! If‌ you don’t want⁠ to die lying‌‍ on the ground,⁠⁠‌ stand up right now!”

“Gh…”‌‍

Hearing‌ the marquis’s shout,‍ the soldiers began‌ to rise with‌ difficulty.

Seeing‍‍‍ that half of⁠ the fallen managed⁠⁠‌ to stand, his‌ face brightened for⁠⁠‌ an instant, but‍ soon darkened again.‍

Of‌ those who had‌ gotten to their‌ feet, half could barely keep their⁠ balance; only the‍ other half were‌ truly capable of⁠ fighting.

“Lord‍ Blasker, isn’t there anything that can‍‌ be done with⁠‌⁠ magic!?”

“It’s‌ not possible here!”‍‌

The⁠ marquis tried to⁠ rely on Blasker,‌‌‍ but one of⁠ the disciples stepped‍‌ forward and answered.‍‍

“There isn’t enough time⁠ for casting, and‍‌‌ since it’s a plain, the area‍‍ of effect is too wide. Maybe⁠ from a hill,⁠ but at this‌ distance almost everything‍‌⁠ would miss.”

“While you’re chanting the⁠‌‍ spell, the enemy‌‌ will get closer!⁠‍ Then you could‍ just cast it‌‌ at that moment!”⁠⁠‌

“If‍‌ the distance is⁠⁠ that short, there’s‌ a risk our⁠ own troops will⁠‍ get caught!”

Useless.⁠⁠ The marquis swallowed⁠‍ a curse, seeing⁠ no way out.

Was‍⁠ there really no‍ other option?

Pewng,⁠⁠ popperbang.

“Master?”⁠⁠‌

“Silence…‍ shut up…”

Hearing‌⁠ that sudden roar,‍ the marquis turned‍ his head.

Without‌‌‍ knowing when they⁠ had been launched,‍ colorful fireworks filled⁠‍ the sky.

It‌⁠⁠ was the spectacle that the mages⁠ of the School of Fire sometimes‌ displayed at ceremonies.‌⁠‍

The⁠ marquis looked at‍‌‌ Blasker in disbelief⁠⁠‍ for using such‍‌ useless magic.

“What‍⁠‍ are you doing⁠⁠ now? Telling the⁠ enemy to admire‌‌⁠ the fireworks before‍‍⁠ leaving?”

“Listen⁠⁠⁠ carefully. Lord Lucian‌‌ is following us‍ with the thousand⁠⁠ elites of House‍‍‌ Valdeck.”

“W-what!?”⁠‍

“It’s an insurance measure⁠‍ I prepared just⁠‌‌ in case. What‌⁠⁠ I just launched‌ was a signal.⁠ Report this immediately and raise the⁠ soldiers’ morale. Cough.”‍

Blasker‍ staggered and dropped‌⁠ to his knees.‍

After forcing himself to‌ use magic again,‍ he no longer‌ seemed capable of‍‍ continuing to speak.⁠‌‌

The‌‌ marquis wanted to⁠⁠ ask more, but⁠ the urgency of‌⁠ the situation made him shout at⁠ once.

“Hold‍ off the enemy!‍ We have reinforcements!⁠ The forces of⁠ House Valdeck are‌⁠ coming to support‌‌ us! The signal‌‌⁠ has already been⁠ sent—they’ll arrive soon!”‌‌

“…”

“Protect‌⁠ the First Prince!⁠⁠ When the reinforcements‌‌ arrive, victory will⁠‍ be ours!”

The⁠⁠ coalition, whose morale‍⁠ had hit rock⁠ bottom in that⁠ desperate situation, widened⁠ their eyes.

If‍ the marquis’s words⁠‌⁠ were true, then‌ at least there was still hope.‍⁠

***‌⁠

— Waaaaaaah!

— Die, dogs of the Empire!

— Damn cowards!

The⁠‌‍ clash of weapons,‍ curses, and cries⁠⁠ of pain pounded in their ears.‍

Smelling‌‍⁠ the metallic scent‍‍‌ of blood, Count‌⁠ Dominic curved his‌ lips into a smile.

After‍‌‍ all, this war was practically decided.⁠‌

However, no matter how⁠ many they killed,⁠‌ the allied army⁠⁠ showed no signs‌ of collapsing, and‌ his smile quickly faded.

“…How⁠ strange. Why are‍ they resisting so desperately?”

A war doesn’t only‌‍ end when one‌ side is annihilated.‍‌

If‍‌‌ there’s clearly no‍⁠ chance of victory,⁠‍ even if some‌‍‌ strength remains, it’s⁠ normal for the⁠ army to crumble‌‌ on its own.⁠

Unless⁠‍ it’s a suicide⁠ force from the‌ start, not even⁠ elite troops are‍ an exception.

And‍⁠ yet, even when‌ not a fourth‍‍ of their soldiers⁠⁠ could fight properly, they resisted with‍ such desperation.

‘It’s‍ like they believe‌ victory is still‌ on their side.’‍‌

Without‍⁠‍ a clear belief⁠⁠‌ that they could‍ win, it would⁠ be impossible to‍‍ maintain morale like‌⁠ that.

But‍‌‌ what hope could⁠⁠ they possibly have?‌

Unless⁠ reinforcements were coming,‍ all their forces‌‌⁠ were already gathered⁠ here.

‘Could‍‌ the imperial mages⁠‍ be preparing a spell? No matter‌ how powerful, with the troops so‍ entangled, they couldn’t⁠‌‌ use it…’

While⁠‍‍ Dominic was lost‍⁠ in thought, a deep horn blast‍ rang in his‌‌⁠ ears.

At the sound, even⁠ the allied army‍‍ froze. Turning his‌⁠ head, he saw⁠ in the distance‍ a force advancing⁠ with the lion‌ banner at its‍ front.

“…Valdeck!?”‍

“It’s‍‍ young master Lucian!‌‍ Reinforcements from House‌‍⁠ Valdeck have arrived!”⁠

“Waaaaaaaah!”

Alongside‌ Dominic’s astonished shout came the excited‌‌⁠ roar of the⁠ marquis.

The allied army’s morale‌ surged back instantly,‍‌ pressing harder than‌ before, while Krephelt’s‌ troops, disoriented, began‍‍ to fall back.‍

At‌‍ that unexpected turn,⁠ Dominic’s face twisted‌ violently.

“Damn‌‍‍ it!”

No‍‌ wonder he hadn’t seen House Valdeck’s‍⁠ banner—they had withdrawn to the rear.‌

The⁠‌ sudden shift in‌‌ the situation made his head spin.‌⁠⁠

‘Even‍ if they join,⁠ the number of⁠‌ troops able to⁠ fight is still higher on our‌‍ side. But in‍ the middle of‌ this battle, aside‍‌ from a few‌ reserves, I can’t‌⁠ reorganize the troops…’‌‍

If‍ things continued, they‌‌ would be struck‍‌ from the flank‌‍⁠ without being able⁠⁠‌ to respond.

If‌⁠‌ he didn’t want‌⁠⁠ the formation to‍⁠ collapse and be‌‌‍ swept away, he‌⁠‍ had to stop‍ them—somehow.

There⁠‌ were two options⁠‌ capture the First‌ Prince and end‍ the battle at⁠‌ its root, or capture the commander‍‌⁠ of Valdeck and⁠⁠ stop them.

‘The⁠⁠ first is difficult.’‌‍

The‍⁠‍ enemy knew the importance of the‍‍‌ First Prince and‍‍ protected him desperately.‌ From Marquis Bernhardt‌‍ to Blasker, head‍‍‍ of the School‍ of Fire, and⁠⁠‌ the personal guard⁠ led by Jurgen.

Even if he gave⁠‌‌ everything he had,⁠‍‍ he couldn’t break‌‌⁠ through before they⁠ arrived.

The⁠ only remaining option⁠⁠‌ was to capture‍‌‌ the Valdeck commander‍ first.

Gritting⁠ his teeth, Dominic shouted.

“Reserve‍‍ unit, with me!”‍

***⁠

“They’re⁠ holding up quite‍ well.”

On‍⁠ horseback, Lucian assessed⁠ the condition of‌⁠ the allied army.

Although‍⁠ they were being‍‌ pushed, they didn’t‌ seem about to collapse.

Perhaps⁠ because of the‌ House Valdeck banner,‌⁠ even the enemies⁠⁠⁠ showed signs of⁠ hesitation.

“Young‌‍ master, give the‍ order to attack!”‌⁠

“We‍‍‍ can hit them‌ from the flank…⁠ Wait, what’s that‌‌ ahead?”

Lucian blinked at the sight of a group of soldiers⁠‌⁠ advancing toward them.⁠‌⁠

At⁠‍ a glance, they‌‌ were far too‌‍ few to stop‍⁠ House Valdeck’s elite.‍⁠

If⁠‌ they simply charged,‍‌ those soldiers would‍‌ be swept away⁠ without a trace.⁠

While everyone watched in‌ confusion, a knight‍ stepped forward.

“My⁠ name is Dominic Lyle! Count of⁠‍ Krephelt and commander‌‌ of this army!‌‌ Commander of Valdeck,‍ if you’re not⁠ afraid, come and‍‍ cross swords with‍ me!”

“How⁠ absurd.”

Gerard,‍‌ the aide, let⁠‍⁠ out a disbelieving laugh.

They‍ had broken the Great Agreement, and‌ now they dared⁠‍‍ ask for a duel. The audacity⁠‍‍ was ridiculous.

“Young‍‌⁠ master, there’s no‍‍‌ reason to accept.‍⁠ Let’s crush them‌ now.”

“No.⁠‍⁠ I’ll accept.”

“Huh?⁠⁠‍ What…?”

“But‌ we won’t stop.‌ Just slow down⁠ a bit. This‌‌‍ will be over⁠ quickly.”

“Young‌‍ master!”

Before‌⁠ Gerard could say‍‍‌ anything else, Lucian‌ sped up and⁠‍⁠ dashed forward.

Seeing‍ Lucian approach, Dominic‌⁠ felt a moment⁠‌ of relief, thinking‌⁠ his plan had‍‌ worked.

But⁠‌‌ realizing Lucian had‍ only slowed, not⁠ stopped, he panicked‌‌ and shouted.

“What’s‌ the meaning of‌‌ this?! If you‌ accept the duel,‍ stop the charge‍‌‍ first! Don’t you‍ know the rules‌ of a duel?!”‌

“Not‍⁠⁠ something I need⁠‌ to hear from‌ those who broke the Great Agreement.⁠ And besides, what⁠⁠ rules are needed‌‍ to take out‍ trash like you?”⁠

“What?!”

“Well,⁠‍ I heard your‌ name. You don’t⁠‌‌ need to know‍ mine. I’ll just⁠ knock you out‍‌ of the way⁠ and move on.”‍‍

“Damn‌ you…!”

Dominic’s‌ face turned red.‌ He wore armor,‌⁠‍ but by his⁠ build and voice,‌ it was obvious‌⁠ Lucian had just‌‍ come of age.⁠‍

To⁠ be treated as⁠ garbage by such‍‍⁠ a brat—not even‌‌‍ by a veteran—no‌⁠ matter how much‌‌ he tried to‍ stay calm, rage‌ boiled inside him.‌‌

“Fine‌⁠‌ then! You’ll pay‍ for your arrogance!”‍

Furious,‌ Dominic spurred his⁠‍ horse and charged at Lucian.

Though‌ the situation didn’t‍‌ unfold as planned, the enemy commander⁠ had come forward,⁠ and that didn’t⁠⁠ change.

If‍‍ he could cut‌ off his head⁠ here, House Valdeck’s‍‌‍ troops would fall⁠⁠ into chaos.

Even⁠ if he died‍‍‍ with him, as‌ long as he‌⁠ stopped the enemy,‍ Dominic would consider‍ it a victory.‍

‘From⁠⁠ his posture, he’s⁠ aiming to end‌‌ this in one strike. The famous‍⁠ Swordmaster of the‍‍⁠ Lion’s Heart.’

Just‍ by observing Lucian’s‌‍‍ stance while charging, Dominic immediately understood⁠‌ his intention.

It‌‍ was a technique known for its brutality.

In‍ mounted combat, where⁠ fancy moves are‍ hard to execute,‌ it was certainly‍ a strong choice.‍⁠

But‍ that decision made⁠ Dominic smile.

‘In‌ the end, he’s‍ still a novice.‌ No matter how⁠ strong the strike,⁠⁠⁠ if the trajectory‍ is limited, there⁠‌‌ are ways to⁠ counter it.’

In‌‍ a fight like‍ this, you can’t‌ move subtly, but‍ you can clash‍ head-on. And, conveniently, the technique Dominic‍⁠⁠ used also prioritized‍‌ brute strength.

If‌‌‌ they clashed, the‌‍ impact would knock both off their‌ horses.

‘And⁠ while he’s disoriented‍ from the fall,‌ I’ll get up‌ first and strike.’⁠⁠

Dominic⁠ had experienced falling⁠ in combat several‍ times before.

But‌ this boy?

In‌ a first-time situation, people always need⁠⁠‌ time to react.⁠

No matter how great⁠‍ his technique was,⁠ he wouldn’t respond properly.

‘Now!’‌

Clang!‍

The‍‌⁠ moment they came‌‌ within range of their swords, Dominic‌ swung his.

Just‍ as expected, a brutal impact surged⁠⁠ through his body.‍‍⁠

And‌‍ at the same‌ time, his head went flying through the air.

A heartbeat later, Dominic realized that his‍ sword had shattered,‍‍ and Lucian’s was‌ still intact—piercing through‌ his neck.