Chapter 162 – 36. Gray. (6)
Thanks to the arrangement of the King of Hogu, Kali Hill, Allen was able to easily arrange a meeting with the duke.
The old duke was a man far from authority. He liked to drink and play with anyone regardless of high or low, and he had a great flair with women. Even though he already has three wives, he seems to have well over ten illegitimate children from him.
It’s already been ten years since I gave up office work to those below me and didn’t take care of my internal affairs. Still, the reason why the city is run like this is that there must be people.
His personality isn’t bad, but he’s incompetent.
That was the impression of Allen, who was the lord of Kronstadt Castle and first saw the Duke of Norton. He was born in a good time and lived a carefree life, but if he had been born in a dizzying turbulent world, he would have been cut off even if his head was cut off a long time ago.
“Greetings to Your Highness, who is like the sky. Allen-The mercenary leader of the mercenaries, Allen Dwise Pomwell.”
“Oh, yes, yes. Heard the talk A righteous mercenary!”
The duke, who always tilts his glass with a friendly smile, seems completely unaware of the critical situation facing the South. Well, let alone the work inside the city, how could a writer who is only interested in women’s skirts know what’s going on outside the city?
But Allen was much more comfortable dealing with such a simple person. At least he doesn’t do useless calculations with a sly mind.
“Have you heard that demons have appeared in the South?”
“Devil? Oh, yes, there was such a thing.”
The duke who responded indifferently.
“Two cities and countless villages, large and small, have already collapsed. And even at this time, the devil is gradually gaining power. If it continues like this, it will grow out of control.”
“Uh-huh, something like that!”
The Duke looked at his son, Carly Hill, as if asking if that was true. Then he nodded his head slightly, confirming Allen’s words were true.
“Still, we are Kronstolds. Even demons cannot cross the walls here.”
The lord of Kronstadt said so in a tone full of pride. The largest city in the south, Cronstadt, like its reputation, has large and high walls.
“Of course, even demons cannot cross the walls of Kronstadt, but other southern cities do not. If they all fall, and Krontold is left alone, what does that mean… !”
“…… Could it be that it should be so? Because you can’t deal with just one devil?”
In fact, the duke’s words were not wrong. It’s funny how you make such a fuss over just one demon.
If you catch the grass before you grow up, there’s nothing to be afraid of the devil. No matter how strong the devil is, in the end there is no business in front of Daguri. … But it’s not like I’ve witnessed him grow out of control once or twice after being so careless.
And since two cities have already been captured, its power must have grown considerably. It may be a medium city in other regions, but if it is a medium city in the south where the mercenary industry is weak, it will be almost impossible to stop.
“Majesty! Two cities have already collapsed. It means that they have grown to a level that is difficult to defeat easily. If we don’t stop him now, the damage will grow like a snowball on him.”
Allen shook the duke’s heart even more.
“Right now, all other cities are only asking for mercy from the Duke. The peace of the South is entirely in your hands. So please, subdue the demons and let the world know that Kronthold is alive and well!”
However, despite such an appeal, the duke, whose judgment was already clouded by alcohol and women, could not easily make a decision. Instead, this time, he quietly passed his decision to his son, Carly Hill.
“… Carly Hill, what do you think?”
Fortunately, Carly Hill agrees with Allen’s opinion.
“I also agree with Allen Danzu’s opinion. How can the Great South save face when it’s run over by some devil!”
“You’re right. Kronstadt’s face is the face of the South!”
Like King Hogu’s father, the duke’s smile spread quickly at all the flattery attacks.
“Yeah, we can’t just watch our neighbors suffer…. Good night. I will do as you please.”
“As expected, this is a wise decision!”
The duke held another banquet under the pretext of commemorating the formation of the punitive force.
Allen, who had to attend the banquet, could not refuse the drink offered by the Duke, so he thought he would die if he drank it all.
…… And the next day, he got sick and spent the whole day whimpering in bed.
· · ·
The duke allowed the formation of the punitive force, but after that, considerable dissatisfaction poured out. What to do if the mercenaries who will protect the city fall out like that?
So, originally, in addition to the Kalihill-Mercenary Corps, several mercenary groups hired by the Duke Castle were to be formed as a subjugation party and follow along, but the plan went awry because of the cowardly Duke.
Thus, the formed subjugation group consisted of Kalihill-mercenary group, Allen-mercenary group, and two additional mercenary groups. The remaining thirteen mercenaries decided to remain in the city.
Of course, he was going to add more mercenaries to each city he passed through as he continued to go south to the province where the demons were located, so there was nothing to worry about if a few mercenaries were missing.
None other than the duke’s son and the mercenary leader directly under the duke’s family took the initiative to subdue the devil, and there must be no castle lord who would not lend his strength to it. After increasing the size of the punitive force in that way, the plan was to defeat them by joining the city the demons were about to attack.
To be honest, it’s not that difficult a plan, but the end of this plan is a war against demons. … That in itself is already hellish.
Fortunately, Carly Hill Danju was a confident person. A war against the demons was scheduled, but he had no doubts that he would defeat them unconditionally if everyone joined forces.
However, some members of the Allen-Mercenary Corps, who had already gone through a war with the Necromancer, never relaxed their tension.
… Still, it was fortunate that he was only half. If the real gates of hell had been opened, two or three of the top 10 would have had to stick together.
When they left Kronstadt and arrived at the next middle city ten days later, they heard that the city had been captured by demons again. There were already many refugees there.
After coming out of the city and realizing that the situation was much more serious than expected, Carly Hill Danju moved more aggressively than usual.
Of course, the count of the middle city readily declared that he would help. In the first place, the duchy took the lead by example, but the first was that the count was embarrassed to watch it, and the second was that the southern temperament was not that harsh. In addition, the promise that they would definitely help if the devil attacked this place also gave strength to their persuasion.
In this way, whenever they passed through the city, two or three mercenaries joined them, and the size of the subjugation force gradually increased.
Another month passes like that.
Not long after the news that the neighboring city had been captured by demons reached Armo, the middle city, the subjugation force, which had grown to over 300, arrived just in time.
Armo’s castle lord, Count Lokier, who was seriously contemplating whether to abandon the city or defend it even at the cost of his life, really ran in a hurry whenheheard the news that reinforcements had arrived.
In such a dire situation that even the mercenaries who had already been hired ran away, they were like a ray of light in the darkness.
“This is Carly Hill Norton, the representative of the Norton Alliance.”
Of course, no matter how much Earl Lokier had no interest in the mercenary business, there was no way he was ignorant of Cronstall’s Carly Hill-Mercenary Corps. It’s the most famous mercenary group in the south.
“Welcome very well! … It’s not like this here, let’s go inside!”
The Count quickly sent a subjugation party into the fortress, fearing that they would leave. And he ordered them to be treated as honored guests among honored guests.
Since it was an urgent situation, as soon as the meal was over, the count, the viscount, and the mercenaries gathered in the meeting room.
“How is the current situation?”
When Danzoo Carly Hill asked, the viscount who assisted Count Lochier opened his mouth.
“Not long ago, the news that Sherbing was captured. It is a city not far from here.”
“So, that means the wire has come up here.”
“You’re right.”
Arlen Danju, the powerhouse of the punitive force who had been listening quietly, patted his chin with his finger and asked quietly.
“Do you know how large the enemy forces are?”
“… No information has been passed on so far.”
“Have you not dispatched a separate scouting party?”
When Allen asked, the old Viscount rolled his gaze aside as if embarrassed.
“No, no.”
Big hum. When Carly Hill Danju let out an uncomfortable salivation, the Count gave a small shout at the Viscount.
“You don’t have to do that even if you’re not told to!”
“I have no face, Your Excellency.”
And the silence that followed. The count and the viscount, whose insteps were on fire, only noticed the subjugation party.
After thinking for a long time, Danju Kalihill opened her mouth.
“Anyway, we’re going to fight here. Four cities have already collapsed.”
Only then did the count let out a sigh of relief.
Of course, that was not the end of the decision. Preparation starts now.
It is certainly encouraging that the number of professional combatants increased by more than 300, but it was not easy to turn the tide of battle with them alone. A situation where the entire city has to unite and fight against the enemy.
Allen came out again.
“Everyone who can fight in the city now has to be armed. Everyone, regardless of gender or age.”
“Okay.”
“I would like the county to support without sparing supplies. And from now on, you must collect all the holy water in the cathedral. The devil’s army is very vulnerable to holy water.”
The demon of ashes, Famalius, has now swallowed four cities.
When one or two cities passed, the progress was still slow, but from the third it increased dramatically. The original calculation was to fight before eating four, but it took one more than expected.
…… This is getting a bit vague…… !
No matter how much it was, Allen couldn’t help but be sensitive to such a small number because he couldn’t throw away his one and only life. …… However, this is still within the margin of error.
After her meeting, Allen returned to her quarters and gathered her crew.
“I decided to fight here. The city will spare no physical and human support.”
Everyone nodded their heads with determined expressions.
Allen, who glanced at them, spoke in a slightly lower voice.
“I came here because of my decision, but I don’t want you to die because of my greed. So, everyone be sure to take good care of yourself. … Understand?”
She read the heavy atmosphere, and the furry Geese giggled loudly.
“Don’t worry! Have we gone through this once or twice? Even if you tell me to die, I will survive until the end! I will live until I paint shit on the wall!”
Only then did the heavy air dissipate, and light smiles appeared on the faces of the crew.
…… Yeah, that’s really nice
But.
Allen, she couldn’t be relieved.
