Merchant Noble is out (1/3 chapters for today)
Leo’s Forces
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A subordinate entered the lord’s manor, where Leo was leisurely drinking wine. Even though the kingdom forces were approaching, Leo continued to enjoy his drink, and no one dared to reprimand him. Anyone who tried would likely find their head displayed in the town square the next day. Despite Leo’s selfish, violent, and crude behavior, when it came to war, his subordinates trusted him completely, feeling no need to interfere.
“Leo-sama! We’ve gathered all the soldiers from within the territory. They’re stationed outside the castle.” (Kureo)
“Well done. But, uh…?” (Leo)
“It’s Kureo, sir.” (Kureo)
“Oh, right, Kureo. Why does it seem like there are more soldiers than usual?” (Leo)
Although Leo had seemed utterly drunk from the large quantity of alcohol he consumed, his voice suddenly cut through the air like ice, frigid and sharp. A wave of tension instantly spread among the subordinates. Even the most formidable ones paled, and a maid holding a wine bottle at the side began trembling.
“We gathered every able-bodied man from within the territory, totaling about 20,000… Ugh!” (Kureo)
Kureo groaned in pain as Leo’s foot smashed into his face. Although Kureo was a giant of a man, standing nearly two meters tall, he was thrown back against the wall.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, you idiot?!” (Leo)
Leo hurled the cup in his hand at the wall, where it shattered into pieces with a high-pitched noise, almost like a scream. Unluckily, a shard of porcelain struck one of the maids standing nearby, but she stifled her scream, knowing that in such a situation, drawing attention could mean immediate death.
“They’ve got over 500,000 troops, don’t they?! You think we can win just by matching their numbers?!” (Leo)
“I-I’m terribly sorry!” (Kureo)
Kureo, despite his usual imposing presence, shrank down, desperately prostrating himself on the floor. Leo stomped on his head, pressing it against the ground.
“Why do you think I keep a standing army, you fool? Send the amateurs back to their fields. Let them plow the fields, you idiot.” (Leo)
“However, our standing army aren’t even 5,000.” (Kureo)
“So what? That’s more than enough to deal with the kingdom’s weaklings. Or are you saying you can’t beat a bunch of peasants?” (Leo)
“N-No, milord! I’ll take care of it right away.” (Kureo)
“Get moving, then!” (Loe)
Leo kicked Kureo’s backside, sending him stumbling out of the room.
“Pfft. Ahahahaha!” (??)
In the tense atmosphere, one voice burst out in laughter, utterly out of place. It belonged to a boyish figure, small as a child, and nearly young enough to be one. He was laughing so hard he was nearly in tears.
“Kureo looked like a four-legged beast crawling out like that! Ahahaha!” (??)
“Hey, Leopold. Bring me a new set of clothes. This wine has stained mine.” (Leo)
Leo, unfazed by Leopold’s inappropriate laughter, responded calmly. The insensitivity of Leopold’s behavior was something the Leo faction had grown accustomed to.
“Ehh, no way! That’s your own fault, Leo-sama.” (Leopold)
“Oh, come on. That’s no way to speak to your lord.” (Leo)
“Ugh, isn’t it unfair to bring up your position only when it suits you?” (Leopold)
“You sure talk a lot for someone your size. You’re still a kid, after all.” (Leo)
“Grr! Stop treating me like a child!” (Leopold)
It was impressive that Leopold could speak so freely with Leo, who everyone else feared. But even more impressive was that Leo actually remembered Leopold’s name. How many people on this continent could boast of Leo remembering their name? Within the Leo faction, at least, there were only two, including Leopold.
Leo decided to stop teasing Leopold and instead called out to a nearby maid.
“Fine. Hey, you there. Bring me some clothes.” (Leo)
When a maid was suddenly called upon, she answered with a hoarse voice, trembling with fear from Leo’s earlier rage. Her face was full of terror, and she seemed paralyzed, unable to move.
Seeing the maid’s hesitation, Leo’s mood soured immediately.
“Did you not hear me? I said bring me my clothes.” (Leo)
“Yes, milord.” (Maid)
The maid replied in a trembling voice but remained rooted to the spot, as if frozen in place.
Leo approached the maid, and behind him, Leopold watched with a smirk, thoroughly enjoying the unfolding drama.
“Leo-sama, I have brought new clothes for you.” (??)
As Leo was about to draw his sword, a tall woman’s voice came from behind him. She was holding a set of clothes.
“Oh, Verite. Thank you.” (Leo)
Leo accepted the clothes from Verite and began changing right there.
“She’s quite terrified now. Please don’t scare the maids like this.” (Verite)
“It’s not a scare tactic. It’s the real deal. Hya hya hya hya.” (Leo)
Despite Verite’s admonition, Leo laughed with disregard. Among those whom Leo remembered by name were Verite, the head maid and chief steward. Verite had been serving Leo as his personal maid for 20 years, dating back to his childhood. She was practically the only person who could scold Leo.
Although Leo had barely prepared despite the approaching kingdom forces, once he made up his mind, he quickly assembled his army, provided horses for everyone, and marched them out of the territory. They set up camp on one side of a vast plain and awaited the kingdom forces.
After a few days, the kingdom forces arrived.
The sight of 500,000 troops filled the land, creating an illusion of an endless sea of enemies. However, Leo’s soldiers remained calm, waiting for Leo’s orders without any sign of unease. Leo distributed a cup of liquor to each of his 5,000 soldiers and, with a cheer, they drank it all at once.
“Listen up, you bastards.” (Leo)
Leo, who was the only one at the front, finished off a large bowl of sake and turned around. The soldiers listened carefully to the commander-in-chief’s speech, trying not to miss a word.
“As you can see from the scene before you, my old man and the nobles have come at us with 500,000 troops. Their aim, of course, is to take my head. They’ve handed over the throne to my sister and brother and now they’ve decided to pick a fight with me.” (Leo)
Laughter erupted among the soldiers. The idea of facing 500,000 troops with just 5,000 men did not deter them. Everyone appeared relaxed and wore soft expressions.
“Listen up. We’re not just aiming to win! We’re going to wipe out as many of them as we can, slaughter as many nobles as possible, and make them regret ever picking a fight with us!” (Leo)
“Wooooooooooooo!!!” (Soldiers)
The entire army roared in unison. The previous calm atmosphere had vanished, replaced by excitement and bloodshot eyes. Even the horses, eager for the signal, snorted impatiently.
Leo drew his sword.
“You bastards! Follow me!” (Leo)
Thus, the battle began with a charge of 5,000 cavalrymen.
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