Chapter 418 – 119. Before the People of Essenmund (4)
General Wittner was taken aback.
A young knight I had never seen before stood proudly in front of 2,000 troops.
Not only is he young, he is blindingly handsome. Although Whitner did not show his face.
All those gathered at the gate could not take their eyes off the man.
‘No. This isn’t the time to be distracted like this.’
Just now. That young man clearly called himself Julian von Reinhardt.
As the commander-in-chief of the Harsen Territory Army, there was no way he didn’t know the name. Count Julian. He was the lord of Harsen.
‘I’m sure the count I know, no, the lord doesn’t look like that.’
Last summer. I’ve seen his face at the events of important Essenmund positions in Reinheim.
A body so bloated that it is hard to believe that he is the successor of the frontier wall. And it was Yulian who had an unbelievable look in the eyes of Reinhardt.
Even though I became an adult last year and inherited the Harsen estate. Yulian had never been to the territory.
In many ways, the count was a lousy man who could not be trusted to be of Reinhardt’s blood.
‘No. That was in the past.’
The key positions in Essenmund already knew that the next lord of the Marquis had changed.
Although Wittner was unable to attend. Rumors had been heard since the winter parade that the crazy count had changed.
And even the suppression of the recent rebellion in the ecliptic. Of course, none of that would have been possible if he hadn’t changed.
‘The atmosphere has really changed completely.’
Just as Whitner is a Harsen general, he is an aura expert soldier.
Just look at that young man’s eyes. He already knows that he is a strong man who has surpassed himself.
If he had no intention of dying, he would not pretend to be the Margrave’s successor in Essenmund. Of course, the person in front of her eyes was Julian von Reinhardt.
“I, you really are the lord! Hello! Everyone salute the lord!”
At that moment, one of the viscounts with Wittner shouted. The viscount was a viscount named Heunier, who was acting as the lord of Harsen.
Whitner also shouted at his words.
“He is the lord of Harsen, and heir to the great Margrave, Julian von Reinhardt! Let everyone be polite!”
At the words of the two, the 20 people who had gathered beyond the city gate all bowed in unison.
Those who were not warriors got down on one knee, and the warriors showed an example of obedience by putting a fist on their chest.
The 10 knights, including Sir Lot, all set the example of lions.
“Glory to the bravery of the lion that calms the winds of the northern kingdom!”
In Essenmund, they are knights of the midnight sun who are said to make even crying children stop crying.
Even those knights greeted the young man in front of them very politely.
Of course, it’s not a servile greeting. His eyes were full of fierce spirit, befitting a midnight knight. To the point where I feel afraid to even receive that greeting if I am unqualified.
However, Julian von Reinhardt was very confident. And, as if it were natural, he lightly raised his hand to greet them.
“Greetings later. Outside the castle, Bairea’s army is still encamped. It would be right to hurry and close the castle gate.”
Whitner was taken aback for a moment. He is the commander-in-chief of the Territory Army, who has been through countless battles here in Harsen.
But right now, subconsciously, rather than himself as the commander-in-chief. I ended up thinking that it was right for the man in front of me to reign over these territories.
Whitner hurriedly hid his inner thoughts and shouted.
“Ah, I see! Entry of conscripts is permitted! The guards at the gates hasten to welcome them into the city and close the gates!”
All the conscripted soldiers led by Yulian entered Harsen Castle.
Julian calmly watched him. Said to General Wittner.
“Then guide me. It’s an exhibition now. Instead of Yeongju, I will head to the command center first.”
“Yeah! All right!”
Whitner hurriedly escorted him to the command center.
***
Harsen’s Manor House.
Next to that building was the command headquarters building for the Harsen Territory Army.
There, he held a meeting with the commanders of the Yeongji Army for nearly three hours.
As I rallied 2,000 conscripts, I dealt directly with the Byrea forces. The information I imparted was of great help to the people at command.
“I’ll ask for reinforcements to Reinheim, but it won’t be possible right now.”
According to me, the commander-in-chief of the Harsen Territory Army. General Whitner nodded quickly.
“Essenmund’s elite soldiers are directly dealing with the Witchbeast in the permafrost, so it can’t be helped. In fact, supporting 10 Knights of the Midnight Sun is already a great source of strength for us.”
And everyone’s eyes turned to me and Lucia.
Among the conscripted soldiers, there were warriors who made a name for themselves in their respective territories. General Wittner seemed to know them too.
Even such unmanned people could not stop being amazed at the specialty that Lucia had established.
General Wittner looked at the two and said,
“Not only that, but the fact that the lord and the knight sitting next to you joined together will be a great strength for us.”
The ten knights were already making great contributions as high-ranking commanders of the Yeongji Army.
It was today that the 10,000 Byrea army suddenly invaded. Until then, local warfare with the Byrea Army had continued sporadically.
Had it not been for the active efforts of those knights, Harsen Castle might have collapsed long ago. However, the knights gathered here seemed quite tired from the battles.
Witner couldn’t help but be happy that the power of the knights increased like this. Then he asked if it had come to his mind.
“By the way, I heard that there are two Knights of the Midnight Sun among the skirmishers. The lord, who will later become the owner of the midnight sun, has the natural qualifications as a knight of the midnight sun. And I have no doubt, but those who are with the Count…”
Not only Whitner, but everyone gathered at the meeting were curious about Lucia.
Lucia was now wearing the Pantheon’s battle regalia. I told everyone
“She is Lucia May. She is an excellent cadet who finished her semester with the qualification of second in the Pantheon’s combat order.”
“You mean she was second in that pantheon?”
At Whitner’s words, I nodded. Whitner continued.
“The first place must have been the lord, of course. Lucia-sama’s skills are also amazing.”
At Whitner’s words, the Midnight High Night, Rott nodded.
Rott once visited my mansion in the ecliptic while carrying cryolite. He had a one-sided relationship with him.
Said Rott.
“I heard that Lucia-sama led 2,000 conscripted troops with Julian-sama. If that’s the case, it means that he has enough skills compared to our Knight of the Midnight Sun. For a moment. To say that the Count called him the Knight of the Midnight…”
I nodded at his words.
“Yes. Lucia is a Southerner, but she doesn’t have enough skills to become a Knight of the Midnight Sun. As well as her grades in her pantheon, I intend to write her a letter of recommendation for her entry.”
Rott said as if it were true to my words.
“I’ve already seen your skills. As the Midnight High Night, I am also welcome.”
At that moment, I felt that Yuriel, who was next to Rott, was also looking at Lucia. Uriel, who was my escort knight.
She hadn’t seen her for months, but she hadn’t even had time to properly say hello yet. After talking a little more about the current situation, the meeting ended.
Wittner finally spoke to me.
“Then, as the lord instructed, Harsen Castle will immediately go into a defensive posture.”
“Please. And give me an aide too.”
“All right!”
Wittner gave me a salute.
I left the command center with Viscount Hunier for a while.
I was thinking of stopping by the manor house for a while and talking about the Harsen manor.
‘And I have to ask him for the convenience of the other party.’
I walked side by side with him. The face was familiar, so the conversation was not awkward.
“You have suffered a lot in the meantime. Hunaier. You had a lot of trouble leading Harsen instead of me.”
“Oh no! I just did what I had to do as a vassal of His Highness Wilhelm.”
Hunayer was a man in his early 40s. As befits a viscount loyal to the Reinhardt family, he was very respectful towards me.
‘According to Eirin, he is easy-going and good at administrative work, unbecoming of a nobleman.’
So, my maternal grandfather would have entrusted my estate directly to him.
In any case, I personally checked the reports on Yeongji’s work that Hunayer sent periodically.
“Harsen’s finances and supplies were not lacking from the reports so far. According to that report, it would not be unreasonable for Harsen Castle to rush into Mercury immediately. Isn’t it?”
“That’s right! Besides, since the lord saved all 2,000 of the recruits… There is no shortage of soldiers! With current supplies, it is enough to handle 2,000 people!”
His report continued as we walked to the Yeongju Hall.
The opponent is the 10,000-strong Byrea Kingdom. Although the Harsen Territory Army is inferior to a total of 7,000. Since it was a defense battle, it was worth trying.
‘Still, I won’t be able to tell anyone about that fact right now.’
She knew from her mother’s future stories that the Siege of Harsen would be a fierce battle.
First of all, the westward Keiatic Gate, Paludis. That there would be an existence that surpassed the Witchbeast attacking from there.
Mentioning that fact in advance might only lower the morale of the allies. Instead, I decided to thoroughly prepare for the battle.
As the lord of Harsen. Hunier continued.
“The lord has returned like this… I’m sorry I can’t hold a grand welcome ceremony right away.”
Hunier said that and bowed his head to me. But I shook my head.
“I don’t need a welcome ceremony for me. No, it would be better to give a very warm welcome to the enemies of Byrea who dare to invade Harsen.”
At my words, Hunier nodded vigorously.
“That’s right! As expected… The lord is from Reinhardt! It’s time to properly inform the enemy of the fear of Harsen!”
It was a satisfactory answer.
When I arrived at the Yeongju Hall, I unpacked my belongings with my companions.
***
He arranged accommodation for the party at Yeongju Hall.
Except for me, everyone in the party was female. Hunier was puzzled at first. Soon, his face brightened.
“You are Eirin! And I already knew about Cecilia-sama through correspondence!”
Eirin was famous among the retainers of the Reinhard family as a very outstanding maid.
First of all, she trusted Ai-Lin very much from her maternal grandfather. And Eirin was the one who always arranged and reviewed the reports on the territory sent by Hunayer.
So, to Hunier, Eirin was no different from being the middleman. She had a reason for his face to light up.
“While I’m here, Eirin will help with the administration of the territory. I’ll have to stay at command center. I will ask Eirin and you to do the rest of the administrative work.”
Hunier nodded vigorously.
“If it’s Eirin-sama, you can trust that skill!”
And he was very pleased with Cecilia as well.
“Among Harsen’s artisans, there is not a single one who doesn’t know Lady Cecilia’s name! In particular, the production plans for all kinds of weapons provided by Cecilia-sama to our estate…”
As Hunayer said. I periodically sent Cecilia’s production drawings to Harsen. I knew what would happen in Harsen in the future.
Cecilia’s blueprint provided in this way was of great help in arming the Harsen Territory Army.
Although Tricia did not know Hunier. Still, if you’re an Elementalist, you’re doing more than one person’s job anytime, anywhere.
Tricia decided to follow Lucia and join the Harsen Territory Army.
I entered the lord’s office in the lord’s residence and received his report for a while.
It was already late at night when everything was over.
“Then I will step back! Rest in peace!”
“Rest in peace!”
Hunier and the adjutant assigned by the command center left the office. When the two of them left, I was quite tired.
‘Come to think of it, I haven’t had a moment’s rest since the battle that started in the morning.’
Although Hunier had already prepared my sleeping quarters. I stayed in the office to do some more work.
Eirin tried to bring out Minchoti, but she sent her to her bed first.
I leaned back in my chair for a moment and closed my eyes.
‘Maybe I should at least take a nap.’
Right at that moment. I inadvertently thought of a way to recover from the fatigue I was feeling.
‘Demon characteristics. Shall I use it after a long time?’
And the command center next to the Yeongju Hall. There is a person who can bring out that dreamy characteristic to its maximum.
There is Yuriel, the knight who helped me to awaken mana.
‘Uriel looked pretty tired too.’
Not only that, but if you use the dream magic trait, you can relieve the opponent’s fatigue. With my eyes closed, I imagined the image of Yuriel I saw today in my head.
Soon, I entered her dream.
