Chapter 417 – 119. Before the People of Essenmund (3)
The walls of Harsen were burning.
The soldiers who had been with us since Yutra murmured.
“Bur, did you mean Harsen Castle fell already?”
Harsen was different from small cities like Yutra.
In the history of the empire, it was a county incorporated into Essenmund by the emperor’s decree. It was once one of the kingdoms of the Western Kingdoms Confederation.
Even in that vast territory, Harsen Castle is the center of the Harsen county. And it was the last bastion.
If that castle is captured, the western part of Essenmund is captured. So, the soldiers were embarrassed.
“No. It doesn’t look like it’s been captured yet. What is burning is the village outside the walls.”
A man named Euler was right.
Not all territories can live in the castle. So there were villages outside of huge castles like Harsen Castle. The village outside its walls was burning.
“A battle is already taking place!”
The soldiers shouted. I could see the soldiers fighting on the other side of the burning village.
“Damn it! It seems that the whole area of Harsen Castle has already been surrounded by enemies!”
“There must be soldiers or mercenaries by convocation order like us! We must join them soon! If there are that many enemies, they could be destroyed individually…”
Lucia, who confirmed the figure next to me, said quietly.
“Seeing the demons together with the soldiers. It must be the Kingdom of Byrea.”
The union of the Western Kingdoms was in the hands of the Byrea mercenaries. They established a puppet state called the Kingdom of Byrea in the Union of Western Kingdoms.
Of course, the Byrea mercenary corps is the 1st mercenary corps in the Empire. A single mercenary army was not large enough to swallow the western part of the Empire.
However, the support of Duke Pedro behind it. And they used the demons they could control as their strength.
‘They are dangerous. I felt it in Grius’ rebellion.’
In the rebellion of Grius, the force that was allied with Grius was the Kingdom of Byrea.
He knew very well that they were dangerous. Of course, Essenmund, which borders them, too. The Kingdom of Byrea has been on high alert lately.
Then a man named Euler shouted.
“Damn it! We are surrounded too!”
“No! If we do this, we might really be wiped out before joining the other allies…”
“Stop talking nonsense! First, everyone draws out their swords! Prepare for battle!”
As Euler said, the demonic power around him was rising. The party hurriedly drew their swords.
There was no time to regroup for a moment. The party immediately entered into battle with the raiding enemies.
‘The number of enemies is quite large. Is it natural that the monsters fill the number?’
Nearly 100 Orcs rushed at the party all at once. Of course, they weren’t normal monsters, but demonic beasts mimicking monsters.
Kyaaaaa
An orc with a disgusting boar face swung an ax at me.
The red magic power was on the blade of the axe. It means at least Auror user level. Even if I couldn’t, it was more than type 3.
Seruk-
But before they even got any closer to me, the heads of the three orcs disappeared.
Lucia has defeated an orc. She whispered coldly.
“The filthy pigs dare to throw an ax at Julian…”
As expected, Lucia’s swordsmanship skills also improved significantly. Her body seems to have become more sensitive thanks to her being Unir’s incarnation.
“You did well. Lucia.”
When she praised her like that, the image of her fiercely brandishing her sword a moment ago disappeared within seconds.
Soon, Lucia shyly blushed. And the soldiers who watched it were astonished.
“Bah… Did you just see it? I couldn’t even find a trace of the sword’s swing… But the heads of the three witches ran away!”
“Seo, could it be that the pink-haired female prosecutor… Was the prosecutor who dealt with the type 2 beast last night?”
That was me Now that we had entered the battle, it wasn’t the time to worry about that.
“Lucia. I will leave these soldiers to you for a while.”
“Yulian-sama…”
“As the soldiers said earlier, there must be conscripted soldiers outside the castle who responded to the call-up order. They must have been confused just like us. Someone has to bring them together.”
Soon Lucia seems to have understood what I was saying.
“All right! If it’s Julian-sama’s order, I’ll take responsibility for these soldiers…”
“You don’t have to fight alone. Like the last battle, the people who came with me had enough practical experience. Lucia, you command the soldiers.”
For a moment, Lucia made a hesitant expression. But I looked her in the eyes and said.
“All of the cadets in the combat order received command training as officers. And your qualities are enough to lead 50 soldiers.”
“But… I wonder if the Essenmundians will listen to me…”
“If necessary, you may give instructions in the name of the Midnight Sun. If the Knight of the Midnight Sun gives an order, no Essenmund would refuse that order.”
“White night… Knights. That word…”
Soon, Lucia’s expression changed. She seemed determined to do something.
I believed her and hurriedly moved her body.
***
Harsen Castle.
The command headquarters of the Harsen Territory Army there as well. An emergency meeting was taking place there.
“Damn it! I never thought they’d besieging Harsen so quickly. At this rate, it’s a big deal!”
Commander-in-Chief of the Harsen Territory Army. A general named Whitner exclaimed with a serious expression.
And the High Night of the Midnight Night Knights who were listening to him. Lott replied.
“The speed of their advance exceeded our expectations. I didn’t expect them to arrive in Harsen already…”
“And the troops of the invading Byrea army are much larger than expected. If you add the monsters, the number already reported exceeds 10,000…”
At Witner’s words, Rott’s expression hardened even more. Even after gathering all the forces of the Harsen Territory Army, there were only 5,000.
All the soldiers who responded to the call-up order add up to only 7,000. Still inferior to the invading army. Even in the current situation, the conscripts could not join properly.
“If this happens, the soldiers being summoned here will also be in danger.”
“That’s right. Skirmishers say that the troops of the musters have already entered the battle without being able to unite. If this happens, 2,000 soldiers will be wiped out without being able to do anything.”
Having said that, Whitner let out a worried sigh.
“It seems that the information inside has been leaked. To think that such a large-scale surprise attack would happen today, when all the soldiers who had been summoned had decided to join. Such nonsense…”
At Whitner’s words, Rott thought for a moment. After a while he said
“Neither can we lose those musters. We, the Knights of the Midnight Sun, will take responsibility and save those troops.”
“That’s not okay! The Knights of the Midnight Sun are the most elite, and all are high-ranking commanders. If we lose even one of them, it will be a very big loss to the current Yeongji Army.”
“But can’t we lose 2,000 soldiers with our eyes open like this?”
What Rott said was right. But even Whitner knows that fact. He shook his head as if he couldn’t help it.
“The 10 knights dispatched to Harsen. The midnight knights are the last bastion for Harsen. Their lives are more important than 2,000 soldiers. If the knights die while trying to save those conscripts, the future of Harsen will be…”
General Whitner, who paused for a moment, spoke to Lott as if he had made up his mind.
“So I will give up trying to save them and prepare Mercury here at Harsen Castle. We can’t recklessly throw the knights of the midnight sun into dangerous limbs like now. Please understand. And I have no choice but to request reinforcements from Her Highness the Marquis later…”
“No! The honor of the Midnight Sun exists as a sword that protects Essenmund! Since those volunteers are also Essenmunds, we must save them even if it means sacrificing our bodies!”
At Rot’s words, the Knights of the Midnight Sun who joined the meeting also agreed.
“We Knights of the Midnight Sun are not weak enough to be easily defeated by the Byrea army! Sir Loth is right! The spirit of the Midnight Sun is an indomitable spirit!”
One knight exclaimed. And the female knight, Yuriel, who was sitting next to the knight, also agreed inwardly.
‘Even while dealing with the most evil beast, the swordsman did not break his indomitable spirit.’
Fallen angel Graiel.
Even up to now, there has never been a monster that transcends Greiel.
A hundred years ago. Even after mobilizing all the elite members of the White Night Knights, the soldiers of Essenmund were almost wiped out by Greiel’s Demon Beast Army.
After the sword, Atlin finally cut off the beast’s head. If she feared her death, she was an absolutely impossible miracle.
‘It sounds ridiculous if the Midnight Knight is afraid of death.’
And Uriel unconsciously remembered one person. He is a man who will one day become the master of the Midnight Sun Knights.
‘Count Julian. He didn’t forget the pride of the midnight sun either.’
Grius’ Rebellion.
In that rebellion, Julian rushed directly into the most dangerous White Flower Palace in the enemy camp of the rebels.
The only heir to the Margrave and the fiancé of the Emperor. Although he was of a noble status to the extent that he was ranked among the top five in the Empire. He took the risk himself and finally cut Grius’ head himself.
‘Even in Baekhwagung, there is definitely the Byrea Mercenary Corps. I said there was also Chris in the pursuit team.’
Even in the Midnight Knights, Chris’ reputation was famous.
It was after his death that his true identity was revealed. He secretly assassinated not one or two imperial officials.
Even the High Knights of the prestigious Royal Guard have been assassinated by his hunting party.
So what Count Yulian accomplished became a hot topic even for the knights of the midnight sun.
‘Can a swordsman as young as Count Julian… Really be capable of such a thing?’
Not only that Chris, but the entire imperial palace was occupied by demons and high-ranking witches.
So when he thought of Yulian, Uriel felt his blood boil.
He is the master of the midnight sun to whom she will someday give her allegiance. And he is a young swordsman who has already become a hero of the empire.
Although he left Reinheim, the capital of Essenmund, and was in the ecliptic. Now that the Pantheon’s term is over, there’s talk that he’s returning to Reinheim.
The young knights hurriedly wanted to confirm his true identity. What the hell happened to him who was famous for being a madman before.
‘It’s only natural that I’m curious about who I’ll be loyal to.’
It was the same for Yuriel, a young knight as well.
In fact, he could not be said to be of the same mind as the knights. Because Julian was, in fact, the man who took Yuriel’s beginning.
‘What… Thinking! Now Julian’s estate… Harsen is in a big crisis! I can’t have such crazy thoughts!’
Uriel hurriedly tried to forget her thoughts that had popped into her head.
‘Yes. I… Am not a woman! Only the Knight of the Midnight Sun! The fact that Count Julian mixed with me… It’s all just for mana awakening! It wasn’t because it was a matter of mutual selfishness. I have to forget it now!’
So quickly, he made up his mind. However, Uriel already knew that it would not be easy.
So to completely forget his thoughts about Yulian. He cried along with the other knights.
“I-I’m going out of the castle! And make sure to rescue the conscripts safely…”
“Sir Uriel is right! Please give the general permission for our knights to rescue the conscripts!”
“That’s troublesome! Lord Lot! Appease the knights. Each and every one of the knights is precious, so I can never put them to death…”
When the knights showed their will, General Whitner was terribly embarrassed.
But that was the time. The door to the command center suddenly opened.
“We have urgent news from the skirmishers!”
A soldier entered the command center and shouted. General Wittner responded urgently to his words.
“What news! Could it be that all of the conscripted troops were wiped out?”
“Oh no! Rather, the troops of the conscripts have all safely joined together in one place and are now breaking through the encirclement of the Byrea army!”
“Really! Uh, how did that happen? The commanders who will lead them will surely be absent…”
Whitner was right. Like he said, the conscripts were ambushed before they even joined forces.
There was no way there was a proper chain of command.
“General Whitner is right. What the hell happened to them?”
Rott also shouted in a panicked voice. The soldier hastily replied.
“They are knights of the midnight sun! Reports have come in that two knights are commanding the musters!”
“A knight of the midnight sun? What do you mean? We are all here!”
What Rott said was right. He is in charge of dispatched knights. All the knights he led were inside Harsen Castle. Wittner seemed puzzled.
“I can’t believe that Reinheim will send additional reinforcements…”
“In that case, we would have been informed first. Whoever…”
“Anyway, this is very good news! Then let us open the city gates even for a moment and hurry to support them!”
General Whitner rose from his seat.
And a few hours later The conscripted soldiers arrived safely in front of Harsen Castle. And General Wittner came face-to-face with one of the knights who commanded the muster.
The young knight looked at General Whitner and shouted.
“My name is Julian von Reinhardt. I will enter Harsen Castle from now on.”
