Chapter 62

The first report of the approaching danger was brought to the Arquvist territory by an unexpected person.

"Lord Noein! I beg your pardon!"

Saying this, Pense knocked fiercely on the door of the lord's office and entered.

His unusually anxious behavior and the change in his complexion made Noein stand up with a stern face.

"Could it be that the bandits have already attacked!?"

"No, it's just a report of their approach... but we don't have much time left. The merchant Philip brought the information. We need to prepare to intercept them immediately."

Hearing that the bandits hadn't arrived yet, Noein was somewhat relieved but still surprised by Pense's report.

"Philip brought the news? All the way to our territory?"

"Yes, please hear him out."

Noein asked Matilda to gather the knights and then left the mansion with Pense, heading for the town square.

There, as Pense had said, Philip was waiting. Without a carriage, and looking quite exhausted, it seemed he had ridden his horse in a hurry to bring the news of the approaching bandits.

"Philip."

"Lord Noein, we received information in Letvik that the bandits have entered the Keinitz Viscount's territory today. I rushed here to inform you... The bandits are heading straight west, likely aiming for the Arquvist territory. They will be here by tomorrow!"

"Thank you. Thanks to you, we can prepare to intercept them promptly. I don't know how to thank you..."

"No, it's fine. Please inform the people of the territory as soon as possible."

"Thank you. For now, please rest at our mansion. Your horse needs rest too. After that... it would be dangerous to return to Letvik alone, so it might be better to stay in Noeina, the capital of the territory?"

"In that case, I will accept your kind offer and stay."

Bringing Philip back to the mansion, Noein found that Matilda had already returned.

"Lord Noein, the knights have been gathered. They are all in the knight's office. I also gathered the leaders of the common people. Is that alright?"

"Thank you, Matilda. That's better, it will be helpful."

Entering the knight's office, which was being used as a meeting room, the gathered knights and the leaders of the common people stood up and bowed to Noein.

"Please sit down. Make yourselves comfortable."

Following Noein's instructions, everyone took their seats. Their expressions varied.

The knights who were former mercenaries, like Yuri, Pense, Radley, and Bart, were calm, but Edgar, Anna, and the common people were clearly tense.

Gathering everyone's attention, Noein began to speak calmly.

"As you all know, a bandit group is approaching the Arquvist territory. Their number is about 200."

At Noein's words, those who were not combatants murmured softly. It was understandable.

"However, fortunately, we have one day before the bandits arrive. We learned of their approach so early thanks to the well-known merchant Philip. He rode his horse to bring us the news, so we can prepare to intercept them fully."

Hearing that there was still time, those who had been somewhat restless calmed down.

"… I believe we can win this battle. I don't just want to drive the bandits away; I think we can annihilate them. We have crossbows, and I have my golems. The bandits don't know about these."

As he spoke, Noein smiled slightly. The calm tone of the lord brightened the faces of those in the office.

"The plan to intercept the bandits is as we discussed. We have the advantage in weapons and preparations. It's just a matter of our resolve... if we don't fear the enemy, we can win. So let's win. Let's all win and survive."

...

The wooden fence that served as a wall around Noeina, the capital of the Arquvist territory. Inside, preparations to intercept the bandits were being made throughout the night.

At both ends of the gate, barricades were built with logs to narrow the path and prevent a large group from rushing through at once.

Inside the fence, platforms were set up so that crossbow bolts could be fired from above.

A total of 47 crossbows had been manufactured by this day, with over 1,500 arrows. Despite the labor being concentrated on crossbow production, ignoring the impact on agriculture and development, this was an impressive number considering the initial plan was to produce 10 by winter.

The residents had also undergone intensive crossbow training over the past few weeks, so everyone could handle them without issues.

A strategy that utilized the terrain had also been devised.

"We've done everything we can. Now we just have to wait... have the women and children been prepared for evacuation?"

"Yes. They are about to be sent to the river. As the lord, please speak to them."

Prompted by Yuri, Noein went to the square where the women and children were gathered. There, they were saying their goodbyes to their husbands and fathers who were about to go into battle.

The women would be a hindrance in battle, and if the Arquvist territory lost, they would face a fate worse than death.

Therefore, Noein had ordered them to evacuate to the river to the southwest and, if the worst happened and the men were defeated, to flee along the river to the Keinitz Viscount's territory.

"Lord Noein, I should also fight..."

"I'm sorry, but I can't grant that request, Edgar."

Even if the women and children were evacuated, there needed to be men to protect them. Noein had assigned this role to Edgar and a few others.

"But... I don't want to abandon my comrades again."

Edgar had left his birth village and brought the surviving villagers to the Arquvist territory. This role must have reminded him of that time.

"Edgar, you were born into a village leader's family and are skilled at leading people. That's why I'm entrusting this role to you. You're not abandoning your comrades. You're keeping them alive in case of the worst. I want to entrust the lives of the women and children to you."

"... I understand. I promise to protect them."

"Thank you. One more thing, if I die, I want you to free Christie from slavery. You will be the witness."

When Noein said this, Edgar nodded, but Christie, who had heard it, clung to Noein with a changed expression.

"Lord Noein! Please don't say such sad things! I don't want to be freed if you die! I'd rather stay a slave forever than have that happen!"

Noein gently stroked Christie's head, looking at her with a loving expression.

"Christie, you're smart. If the worst happens and you are freed, go to the Keinitz Viscount. You have potatoes and soybeans, right? Your role will be to spread their usefulness. You will carry on what I have done as the lord here."

"No, no... Lord Noein, please come back alive..."

"Of course, that's my intention. But it's also my duty to prepare for the worst. I'm entrusting the proof of my life as a lord to you. I want you to carry it on because it's you, Christie."

"Ugh... I understand. No matter what happens, I will definitely pass this on. But please come back. Let me work for you more."

Hugging Christie, who was crying and sniffling, Noein asked Edgar to take her and entrusted her to him.

Next, Anna approached.

"Lord Noein... what I want to say is the same as everyone else. Please live and win."

"Thank you. I have a responsibility for bringing you here. I intend to survive and let you enjoy the pioneering life."

"Oh, I came here by my own choice, so it's my responsibility."

"But actually, after learning of your interest in our territory, I gradually guided you psychologically to decide to move here. I wanted an excellent administrative knight."

"Is that so? Haha, as expected, Lord Noein is quite devious. But I'm satisfied with my current life."

Anna chuckled at Noein's mischievous smile.

"... Have you prepared everything? I'll rely on you in case of the worst."

"Yes, I will use this money to secure a place for all the survivors."

Noein had entrusted all his wealth as the lord to Anna. If only the women and children survived, he intended to distribute this money to support their future lives.

"Also, please deliver a message to the Keinitz Viscount if the worst happens."

"Yes, what should I say?"

"Tell him, 'I'll come back as a ghost and destroy the Keinitz Viscount's family.'"

"Haha, is it really okay to say that?"

"Yes, I won't be afraid of anything when I'm dead."

Noein said this with a grin.

"... I, and my husband Edgar, want to work as your knights forever. So please win."

"I understand."

Finally, Noein spoke seriously with Anna.

Meanwhile, the men were saying their goodbyes to their partners and families.

"Yuri..."

"It's okay, I will win and survive... but if the worst happens, take care of the children."

Yuri hugged his wife, Mai.

"Bart, we just met..."

"Don't cry, Michelle. I won't die. This battle will be over quickly. Then we'll have happy days again."

Bart hugged his new wife, Michelle, and kissed her firmly.

"Radley, please be safe."

"Hehe, I'm as tough as an orc. The bandits won't kill me. I'll win quickly and eat your cooking again by tomorrow noon."

"Haha, that's right. You'll definitely be fine... sniff, please stay alive."

"Stupid, don't cry."

Radley, embarrassed, spoke to Gina, who was crying and clinging to him.

"... Pense"

"Hmph, I'm single anyway."

When Noein called to Pense, who was standing awkwardly, Pense muttered somewhat sullenly.

"The women and children should leave soon. We'll meet again later."

Yuri called out, and the men, feeling a sense of farewell, parted from their families, vowing to meet again.

Watching the women and children walk to the river, Noein asked Matilda, who was standing beside him,

"... Matilda, this is the last time I'm asking, but you won't evacuate with the other women, will you?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't follow that order. Please let me stay by your side and protect you."

"The enemy is bandits. If I'm captured, I'll just be killed, but you..."

"I have a fire magic device. If the worst happens, I will bite my tongue and set myself on fire. I am Lord Noein's property, down to the last hair, skin, and drop of blood. Besides, if Lord Noein dies, I have no reason to live."

"... I understand. I appreciate your resolve and loyalty, Matilda."

"It is an honor, Lord Noein."

Noein and Matilda smiled at each other, then Noein turned to the men and said, "Let's prepare for battle."