Chapter 89

Several months have passed since Raidor began his expedition to the eastern border region.

Sven Arveil, the orphan of the Arveil family, pledged his loyalty as a strategist to Raidor.

The Ulvart family, due to Sven's strategy, was suppressed with minimal casualties on both sides.

Furthermore, despite some twists and turns, the Eladin family and the Oigist family surrendered to Raidor, ceding their territories. Shirley Eladin and Justy Oigist, two strong-willed individuals, came under his command.

As a result, excluding the Ilkas family, which had already been destroyed in the war with the empire, the majority of the border nobles known as the "Eight Families of the East" were now under Raidor's control.

Finally, the reorganized kingdom's army—Raidor's army—moved north.

Their next target was the territory of Count Karsipher, one of the noble families that had betrayed the kingdom and joined the empire, and a powerful noble family that rivaled the Arveil family in the eastern border region.

What was once an army of only a thousand men has grown to five thousand by recruiting soldiers from the conquered towns.

Managing an army that has grown fivefold should not be easy, but the problems have been resolved thanks to the many capable officers and civil servants gained through a series of battles.

Daren Galst, who originally led a thousand cavalrymen, was appointed as a provisional general.

His deputy, the female knight Sara Laifet, and Justy Oigist, who submitted through a duel, support him on either side.

Furthermore, the captain of the Arveil family's knights and the commander of the Eladin family's soldiers, who accompanied Sven Arveil as a bodyguard, were newly appointed as commanders of a thousand men each.

These five, each leading a thousand soldiers, follow behind Raidor, who rides at the front as the general, heading for the territory of Count Karsipher.

Beside Raidor, Sven, who has become his strategist, is also present.

Once a boy who had to flee after being betrayed by his relative, the Ulvart family, and having his territory destroyed by the empire, he now rides proudly on horseback.

"We will soon arrive at the territory of Count Karsipher, Your Highness Raidor."

"Is that so?"

Raidor nodded at Sven's words.

The Karsipher family is the largest noble family in the eastern border region.

Their military strength is unparalleled, and if they had resisted the empire instead of surrendering, the imperial army would not have easily reached the Brain Fortress.

Moreover, the Karsipher family commands the Kirgis family and the Kubertos family under them.

The combined military strength of these three noble families exceeds ten thousand. According to the scouts, the enemy troops have already gathered in the town of Kartlis and are preparing to intercept us.

"This will be the army's first real battle."

"First battle and a decisive battle—what a tough start. I hope the soldiers don't get jittery."

"Don't worry. Daren is excellent, and Justy is there too."

Sven, confident, puffed out his chest in response to Raidor's concern.

The enemy's forces are twice as large as their own. According to the basics of military strategy, it would be wise to retreat without engaging in battle.

However, Sven does not think they will be defeated.

He is certain that the army they have carefully built will not be defeated.

"The Karsipher family is indeed formidable. Even if my family had still been intact, we would not have been able to defeat them in a fair fight. However, their morale is low, and they are not in a position to fully utilize their strength."

The Karsipher family betrayed the Zain royal family and defected to the Alslain Empire.

This might have been a rational decision for them as nobles to survive and maintain their territory. However, many of the soldiers, who value loyalty, are likely to feel dissatisfaction and distrust towards their lord for his betrayal.

"Besides, we have the wielder of the holy sword that defeated the empire. The enemy is the one who is jittery, I'm sure."

"I hope so. Still, I can't be the only one to shine."

"Of course. I also want the newly formed army to gain combat experience and win without relying on Your Highness's power."

Sven nodded in agreement.

No matter how powerful the holy sword is, an army that relies solely on its power will become a disorganized mob when the time comes.

To complete the army they have worked hard to build, it is necessary for them to experience a real war here.

"Please rest assured. I will not trouble Your Highness."

"Of course. A mere Karsipher is no match for us!"

It seems that Daren and Justy had been listening to Raidor and Sven's conversation, as they rode up and declared forcefully.

Daren Galst, with his handsome and noble appearance, and Justy Oigist, with his intellectual face and well-built muscles, are quite different in appearance and personality but seem to get along well as warriors.

They had been discussing strategies for the invasion of the Karsipher family's territory late into the night, and the heated debate could be heard outside the room.

"The glorious first battle of the new Raidor army. I will surely secure victory in the name of the Galst family!"

"Likewise, to clear the name of the Oigist family, which once betrayed, I will defeat the Karsipher family for you to see!"

"Reliable indeed. I count on you."

Raidor smiled in response to the loyalty of the two warriors.

These two will never betray Raidor's expectations.

No matter how powerful Count Karsipher is, he will surely be defeated in one blow.

(Well, let's go to the decisive battle. I, who was exiled to the border alone, have gained vassals, an army, and power! There's no stopping me now!)

Surely, Granard will be envious when he hears of my victory.

Imagining his brother's frustrated face, Raidor let out a faint sneer.

I will definitely win this battle—reaffirming this firm resolve, he gripped the reins of his horse tightly.

However—

"Your Highness Raidor! Urgent news!"

"Huh?"

A person was waving their hands and calling out, as if mocking Raidor's determination.

The person standing in the direction the Raidor army was heading was a spy once known as the "Fire-Eating Bird." The man, who was supposed to have infiltrated the Karsipher territory with his subordinates, was waiting for Raidor with his horse stopped beside him.

"Flarebird...? What's going on?"

"Sure, let me come alongside you."

The "Fire-Eating Bird"—Flarebird—rode up beside Raidor.

The man, as usual, with a cigarette in his mouth, began to report in a lackadaisical tone.

"There's been a problem in the town of Kartlis, so I came to report it."

"Problem? Is there reinforcements for the enemy?"

He was concerned that the imperial army might intervene in this battle.

For the empire, the eastern border region is a part of the territory they had painstakingly taken. If it were to be recaptured, the entire war would be in vain, leaving only defeat.

He had assumed that the empire lacked the resources to interfere after the damage at the Brain Fortress, but perhaps they had decided to join the battle at this point.

Raidor tensed, but Flarebird shook his head.

"No, quite the opposite."

"Opposite?"

"The Karsipher family has been destroyed. The Kirgis family and the Kubertos family were also wiped out."

"What!?"

Taken aback by the unexpected report, Raidor's voice cracked.

The first battle for the new Raidor army, which was supposed to be a glorious victory, ended in an unexpected victory without a fight.