Chapter 93 – 9. The Story of the Years Gone by (3)
The view of the Limousin Plain looking out over the steep walls was truly spectacular.
Riding his horse through the middle of the enemy lines, Rome engaged in a bloody battle with Alvenice Aragorn, the mad king. He, who was never intimidated even against a strong horseman, engaged in a fierce battle by repeatedly attacking the sword that Rom had extended.
“The outnumbering is overwhelming. It’s a level where one of our soldiers can barely stand up to seven enemies.”
Ninety cavalrymen spread their camp around Rome. The two men, who had been fighting fiercely like an amphitheater, confronted those who approached them so that they could focus only on each other without being disturbed by anyone.
“By the way, what the hell is the author?”
Standing on the railing, Archduke Tarn continued to admire. Certainly, the cavalry that Rome had selected as a detached unit were the elite with the most outstanding skills under my command. However, it was only the skill of the commander who led them that only about 100 troops were able to advance against a large army of 20,000.
Romuald Dior, a man worthy of being called an invincible knight.
His coercive yet graceful swordsmanship pushed Albenis to the defensive. At the end of hundreds of swords, the magic on the emperor’s helmet and armor was broken, and even his right arm was cut off.
“Albenis Aragorn was one of the finalists in the continental swordsmanship competition held in our capital city. As the Grand Duke knows, the contest was an arena where the strongest people from each country gathered to compete.”
“Thus, the prince who declared revenge was reborn as the mad king and led Aragorn. He proclaimed the unification of the Apostolic Church and invaded Gaul to pursue the man behind the scenes who killed his father, wife, and son. Isn’t that a fact that everyone knows?”
“It is not well known that the winner of that year was that man, Romuald. And this is my personal opinion, but the author must have had that kind of past in mind as part of his strategy.”
In the distance, the hesitant king responded again with one arm. I chased after Rom, probably intending to put an end to it even though my own blood was splattered from heavy bleeding. However, the knight, who had already achieved his intended purpose, escaped the enemy camp while encircling the members around him, and narrowly brushed off the army that was pursuing him.
“The Mad King is a very good-hearted person. Moreover, considering the distribution he has, he would have no reason to refuse the challenge of an old competitor who appeared in front of me.”
“You would have factored that into the calculations?”
“He is a clever man. The fact that he stuck to his plate armor alone despite the hot Southwest weather was probably because he wanted to face the enemies alone from the front. The skill of our cavalry is excellent, but it must also be because he drew attention that we were able to return without much loss against that large army.”
Soon after, the detached team rejoined the main unit and wrapped around the gate. He resisted fiercely, welcoming the enemies who ruthlessly attacked him in pursuit of the knight who cut off the right arm of his king.
And, flutter!
At the signal, the squire, who had been ordered by Rome, raised the flag bearing the grand duke’s family symbol high into the sky.
“Finally the flag has been raised.”
“Shall we begin?”
“Okay, let’s postpone the small talk until later.”
Tarn beckoned. Then Baron Balzac shouted in a booming voice.
“Arise, warriors of the South!”
That was the moment. The soldiers of the Limousin Fortress, who were hiding on top of the wall, woke up all at once. Even if it is rotten, it is said to be a strategic point, and it used a huge amount of gunpowder stored in the fortress to fire shells at enemies who came within range.
Pop! Puffup!
A roar rang out. At the same time, all over the plain exploded. Aragorn’s soldiers, who had been determined to recklessly push, relying only on numerical superiority, were literally knocked down. Indeed, the retreat was urgent, but because of the emperor who lost an arm and the generals who changed their names, there was no command authority to properly settle the confusion.
“The author was right.”
In the end, the large army of 20,000 collapsed like a lantern in front of the wind.
“I really didn’t need any other reinforcements.”
I wondered why they didn’t drag all their troops out from the beginning. I wondered why he had chosen only 2,000 people out of 3,000. Also, the reason for selecting the detached team, which was particularly good at horseback riding, among them.
“Did you say Romuald Dior?”
It was all bait. Even sticking to the plate armor in this heat was a strategy to decorate himself as a target. Because only he was able to knock out the flying arrows one by one. Besides, the more I caught the enemy’s attention, the less risk I would have of losing another soldier.
“It is the quality of the king.”
Everything was calculated. Even the fact that the enemy to be dealt with was a prince who had crossed swords in the past must have been part of the plan.
But even so, who can imitate it?
The bravery of attacking the enemy’s camp single-handedly.
That strength to return confidently without a single injury.
“Um… !”
The Mad King’s army was scattered like a ragtag. The Limousin Plain, which stands at the border between the jungle and the wilderness, has formed a mountain of corpses scattered here and there. Even if the number was not enough, it was packed as if it would exceed 10,000.
Tarn shuddered. I was surprised that there was a man who could raise such a feat against King Albenis of Aragorn, whom even the strongest people on the continent were reluctant to fight. And on the other hand, I thought it was noble.
If only I could have that knight as my subordinate, it would not be a dream to raise the honor of the Grand Duke’s family again.
* * *
That night, Albenis Aragorn retreated with his army.
It was the complete defeat of a madman. It wasn’t long before the news reached both the sultan and the bishop, who were engaged in a decisive battle on the nearby west coast. The Nasrid Navy, demoralized by the alliance’s unbelievable defeat, was eventually forced to turn its bow.
Pour it, drink it!
Inside the fortress, a celebration was held to commemorate the victory. In addition to expensive alcohol, delicacies were given to the protagonist who made the achievement. However, the person who succeeded in protecting the southwestern part of the kingdom had only been confined to the room given to him by the Grand Duke after returning from the battlefield.
“Is it true that I told you that I would not attend the banquet?”
“… Majesty.”
Leaving the riotous banquet hall, Archduke Tarn personally visited such a rom. As a representative of the southern clan, he showed off his heavy dignity of his, and was wearing a rather nice suit, different from the armor he had seen during the day. As if this side was closer to his usual appearance, he casually stroked his beard and stepped inside.
“Everyone was sad when they heard the news that the main character was missing.”
“It’s embarrassing.”
“If it’s okay, may I ask why?”
The narrow eyes turned to Rome. He was very careful in his tone, as if he was concerned that it might be disrespectful.
“Because I have a hard time with alcohol, I was worried that I might end up refusing a glass.”
“Huh?”
“That’s why I just refused early on.”
“Isn’t Lumiere’s invincible knight able to win only a glass or two of wine?”
Tarn chuckled. She was hard pressed for an excuse for refusal. But paradoxically, that’s why the article’s words were highly credible. If that was the reason, he sat cross-legged on a nearby chair as if he would pass, and changed the subject.
“Bishop Ravel sent someone.”
The Baron who represented the western region had no choice but to struggle against the fleet led by the old Sultan. While Tarn deftly spoke ill of the greedy and stingy bishop, he also gladly conveyed his thanks for this help and the fact that he had sent gold and silver treasures as a gift.
“He said he wanted to have a private meeting with Kyung. It must have been because he wanted to make it his vassal. If you’re willing to do even one thing, I’d recommend reconsidering it. That old lady didn’t rise to the position of bishop for nothing. One way or another, as a priest, they will force you to do many things. Not to mention being stingy with religious beliefs as an excuse.”
“Is that so.”
Rom was just consistent in his calm voice of hers. His upright posture his, not showing any disturbance, seemed to be looking at a calm lake. Feeling embarrassed by this, Tarn slightly blushed, but like a seasoned aristocrat, he quickly regained his composure.
Soon, when dealing with this type of guy, he decided that being straightforward would be more effective than going round and round, so he got to the point.
“Actually, so am I.”
“… ?”
“I have seen with my own eyes the inaction you see on the walls of the fortress. I really thought it was a gag. It was strange that people who covet power didn’t covet it.”
He clenched his fists and continued talking.
“Alexandre Dior, your father and I used to be alumni at Lumiere. They were also rivals who were competing over his now widowed wife.”
“I do remember that you said at first that you were close.”
“I was the winner. It’s still a proud fact. Thanks to that, I was able to get a daughter who was too beautiful for me to be able to raise.”
Grand Duchess, Melanie Tarn.
“I have heard the rumors. You say you can’t help it.”
In the south of Gaul, there is no one who does not know the southern summer stone. One of the most notable figures in the kingdom’s society, she was famous for her indescribable beauty. According to several cubs of the Hosa, it was said that she was chosen as the king’s companion.
“In the past, our family’s ancestors built a country to stand up to various foreign powers. If you’re in the Grand Duchy of Tarn, you’ve probably heard of the name too. Just a hundred years ago, it was a powerhouse that held its prestige on the continent.”
“I’m not ignorant at all, but I’m not very familiar with the history of the South.”
Rom politely showed his humility. He found it embarrassing to see a big man the size of a grand duke suddenly visit me and start talking about things he doesn’t understand.
“Aren’t you willing to get to know me?”
Like a high-ranking aristocrat, Tarn, who was used to socializing, knew that well. It was just peeking at the right moment.
So, at this moment, he finally revealed his blatant desire to Rom, who tilted his head as he did not understand the intention of the question I asked.
“I mean, I have no intention of meeting my daughter.”
He paused, and then the article, having grasped the context, asked again.
“Are you saying you’re going to hand over Lady Melanie to me?”
“It’s a pity, but I’m a normal father who would die for a daughter. No matter how much our aristocratic culture is like that, I can’t express that I give away my beloved child like an object. Is it just enough to set up a seat or two? So, if the young man and woman agree, I am willing to actively support them.”
It doesn’t matter how beautiful the southern summerstone is. Even if it wasn’t for her beauty her, the social world status of the daughter of the Grand Duke’s family was enormous.
“How about Dior’s Romuald?”
Tarn said he would introduce his daughter to Rom, who was born in the middle of the city, but was now born.
“What about taking on the name of Tarn?”
To relive the glory of the past.
