Chapter 99

The noble families of the northwest of the Kingdom of Roadberg traditionally hold a banquet at the end of the year to reaffirm their faction's bonds and exchange information.

This year, it was supposed to be a peaceful banquet, but things changed when the Marquis Behtramsheim, the leader of the faction, sent messengers to the various nobles.

The nobles of the northwest faction gathered at the Marquis's mansion, not in the luxurious ceremonial attire they would wear for social occasions, but in plain military uniforms, surrounding a large table. The grand hall, which would normally be used for parties, had now been transformed into a conference room for military deliberations.

Noein, dressed in a robe predominantly black, stood at the edge of the gathering. Despite being a rising influential noble, Noein was only a baron and thus played a supporting role in this military council.

"Gentlemen, I must first express my gratitude. Despite the sudden change from a banquet to a military council, I am thankful that you have all gathered here... I thought at least one person might have shown up in ceremonial attire by mistake, but it seems I was worrying unnecessarily."

The Marquis's words were met with laughter from the assembled nobles.

Nobles change their attire depending on the occasion. They wear ceremonial attire for banquets and more subdued military uniforms for military gatherings or ceremonies.

The Marquis sent messengers to each domain before the council not only to start the preparations for mobilization as quickly as possible but also to have the nobles gather in military uniforms. While discussions could be held regardless of what they wore, such formalities were essential for fostering a sense of unity within the faction.

"Gentlemen, you have already heard the gist of the matter from the messengers, but let us confirm it again. Count Marcel, please."

"Yes, sir."

Prompted by the Marquis, Count Marcel, who stood beside him, stepped forward. As a seasoned warrior, he was the ideal person to lead the council.

"As you have all heard, we have received reports that the western kingdom of Lancer is preparing to invade the Kingdom of Roadberg. To counter this, His Majesty the King has ordered us, the nobles of the northwest, to send troops and prepare for war against the kingdom of Lancer."

The nobles present tightened their expressions and listened silently to Count Marcel's words.

"The enemy numbers approximately 15,000. In response, the nobles of the southwest have gathered a force of 14,000, consisting of their domain armies, mercenaries, and conscripts. Additionally, three legions of the royal army will be deployed. To this, we, the nobles of the northwest, will contribute 5,000 troops from our domain armies."

"The nobles of the southwest, whom I thought had become mere merchants obsessed with trade, have shown the resolve to gather a considerable force."

The Marquis added this to Count Marcel's matter-of-fact explanation.

The relationship between the noble factions of the kingdom is, to put it mildly, not very good. The Marquis's jibe at the southwest faction elicited another round of laughter in the conference room.

"As His Excellency said, the nobles of the southwest have indeed gathered a formidable army in terms of numbers. However, more than half of their forces consist of mercenaries and conscripts from their domains. This is why our 5,000 regular troops are crucial."

The nobles nodded, their eyes gleaming. Most nobles enjoy battle.

"It has been decided that the Marquis Behtramsheim will contribute 500 troops, including 100 cavalry, while Count Marcel and Count Schwalow will each contribute 300 troops. I expect the viscounts, barons, and lower-ranking nobles to contribute a number of troops proportional to the size of their domains."

"And do not forget your crossbows. I have already informed His Majesty, and we will use this new weapon to achieve victory and demonstrate the new strength of the northwest faction. Isn't that right, Sir Noein?"

The Marquis's loud voice echoed through the conference room, and all eyes turned to Noein.

"...Yes. I will do my best, no matter how small my contribution, for the kingdom and the honor of the northwest faction."

Noein, who had not expected to be called upon, managed to say this much. The nobles laughed again, perhaps because the small and childlike Noein had spoken like a seasoned soldier.

Noein, who was sweating inside, forced a smile. When his eyes met those of Arnold, who stood beside the Marquis as a senior member of the faction, Arnold nodded, as if to say, "Well done."

"Then, let us decide the specific numbers and distribution of troops from each domain."

Count Marcel called out, and the council proceeded methodically thereafter.

...

After the military council of the northwest faction, Noein returned to the Arquvist domain and was busy preparing for the mobilization.

Following the overall council, Noein had a private conversation with the Marquis Behtramsheim, during which it was decided that Noein, as a baron, would contribute a larger number of troops than usual, 200 crossbows for the conscripts of the southwest, and two ballistae with incendiary arrows.

The end-of-year and New Year's period was spent primarily preparing for the war, and before long, the day to set out for the border of the southwest arrived.

The Arquvist domain's army, led by Lord Noein, consisted of 30 people, including Noein as the commander, his direct guard Matilda, the squire leader Yuri, the deputy Pense, and 26 soldiers from the domain army.

To avoid leaving the domain defense too thin, Radley and Bart were left behind.

"Looking at it this way, it seems more like a supply unit than a combat unit."

"Considering the number of people, there are a lot of supply wagons."

Noein and Yuri exchanged these words as they watched the soldiers prepare for departure.

The heavily laden Arquvist domain army would form a formation with the soldiers surrounding several supply wagons. It might not look impressive, but with more weapons than soldiers, this was the only way to participate in the war.

"Sir Noein, the preparations for departure are almost complete."

Pense, who had been supervising the soldiers, approached Noein and Yuri and said this.

"Understood, thank you... Then, let's all say goodbye to our families. Yuri, you should go see Mai and Yakov too."

"Right, I'll be back soon."

Yuri walked over to his wife and son.

"Also, Pense, you should tell the person you need to tell what you need to tell."

"Wh-what, even you know, Sir Noein?"

"The maids were giggling and talking, so I couldn't help but hear... Also, I agree with Kimberly. Pense should be made happy by Rosetta."

"Normally, it should be the other way around, right? I should make Rosetta happy."

"Oh, you think so too? Then it's easy. Go tell her."

"No, that's not what I meant... Ah, fine, I get it!"

Pense, who seemed to have given up, walked over to Rosetta, who was watching from a distance, flanked by Mary and Kimberly.

"Hey, Rosetta."

"..."

Even when Pense called out to her, Rosetta only teared up and said nothing.

"Um, you know... I'm sorry about the other day. I didn't mean to mock your feelings or anything."

"...I'm sorry too, for the other day."

Rosetta finally responded, albeit hesitantly, to Pense's sincere apology.

"Anyway... I've been thinking since then. I realized that I'm a lucky guy to be liked by you so much. So, I want you to be happy... No, of course, I want to be happy with you too."

Despite his inarticulate words, Rosetta's face brightened as she understood what Pense was trying to say.

"Ah, what a hassle. What I mean is, I like you too. So, will you marry me when I come back from the war?"

"Pense... Thank you so much! I'm so happy!"

Rosetta immediately responded to Pense, who had finally shown some manliness, and even hugged him in public.

Mary cheered, "Wow, so bold!" Kimberly, for some reason, nodded thoughtfully with her arms crossed, and the people around them watched with amused expressions.

"Pense, you..."

"Is it okay...? Making a marriage promise before going to war."

In the midst of the bright mood, Radley and Bart, who were staying behind, expressed their concerns. As former mercenaries, they believed that making such a promise before going to war was very unlucky.

"Ah, damn... But it should be fine, right."

Pense, who showed a moment of unease, smiled wryly as he looked at Rosetta, who was clinging to him happily.

...

While his subordinates were saying goodbye to their families and close ones, Noein approached Clara with Matilda.

"You..."

"It's okay, Clara. I have no intention of dying."

No wife feels no anxiety when her husband goes to war. Clara, too, showed a worried face, so Noein smiled gently and reassured her.

"But I have one request. If... if anything happens, I want you to protect this domain. Knowing that you will do this will allow me to go without any anxiety or regret."

Even if one does not intend to die, the possibility of death exists in war. Noein, as a noble lord, deliberately made this request to Clara.

Clara closed her eyes briefly, as if savoring Noein's words, then looked straight at him and smiled.

"Yes. If anything happens, I promise to protect this domain, the domain you have built. So please, rest assured."

"Thank you... You've grown, Clara."

"Yes, I am a noble's wife."

Noein honestly thought Clara might cry, but she did not shed a single tear in front of her husband. She must have made up her mind.

Noein and Clara kissed tenderly, as if confirming their love for each other.

Then, Matilda faced Clara and took her hands.

"Matilda, please promise me... No matter what happens, stay by Sir Noein's side until the end."

"Of course. I will always stay by Sir Noein's side... Clara, please promise me too. No matter what happens, live on with this domain."

"Yes, I swear it to God."

Matilda, who had resolved to follow Noein even in death, and Clara, who had resolved to live on with the Arquvist domain for Noein, confirmed their roles and their resolve to be with Noein in their own ways.

"Then, I'll be off."

"I will go, Clara."

"Sir Noein, Matilda, please be safe."

That day, the Arquvist domain army, led by Noein, set out from the capital Noeina, accompanied by Clara, the lord's wife, the retainers who would stay behind to protect the domain, and the domain's citizens.