Merchant Noble is out (3/3 chapters for today)

 

 

Leo’s Assault

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“…Arc-sama, it’s an emergency.” (Yuna)

With Yuna’s report, Mikanda was thrown into chaos as if a hornet’s nest had been stirred. Arc immediately gathered the members of the Warden Household and Casablanca for an emergency meeting.

“His Highness Leo is heading here.” (Yuna)

“Why…” (Arc)

Arc said this as if squeezing the words out. Everyone was left speechless.

Leo coming to Mikanda at this moment. It could only mean one thing. The existence of Casablanca had been exposed.

“We were seen traveling with the Warden Household’s carriage by many of the residents near the capital. That’s probably where it was leaked.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca, who rarely showed such defeat, seemed unusually deflated. She likely realized that it was her fault the Warden Household had attracted attention.

“I’m sorry. I’ll leave here immediately.” (Casablanca)

“Please wait. When you arrived, I said, ‘You are welcome.’ I meant it. There is no need for you to leave, Casablanca-sama.” (Arc)

As Casablanca looked ready to leave Mikanda at once, Arc stopped her.

“Besides, His Highness Leo should be worn out from the battle with His Highness Louis and Her Highness Marie. He won’t recklessly engage in another battle so soon. It hasn’t been decided that there will be a war.” (Arc)

Although Arc felt a great sense of danger, a part of him remained optimistic.

Leo had a reputation for acting tyrannically, but even so, he was still human. He wouldn’t suddenly destroy a rural noble who hadn’t even rebelled. Was he furious because Casablanca, a potential heir, had escaped from him? But if that were the case, he would’ve killed her when she was still confined in the capital.

In any case, Arc thought it necessary to meet Leo.

“Yuna! When will His Highness Leo reach Mikanda?” (Arc

“At the earliest, in three days.” (Yuna)

“Three days!” (Arc)

He’d heard that Leo had been fighting Louis in the western part of the kingdom, but his speed of advance remained as astonishing as ever.

Could he really get here in three days?

With Arc’s command, Mikanda entered a state of emergency.

“Arc! I will gather all the military forces in the territory in the First Town.” (Tyr)

“Got it. I’ll leave the defense to you, Tyr-niisan.” (Arc)

“Minerva, just in case, evacuate the students of the university from the First Town to the Fourth Town. And you should stay in the Fourth Town as well.” (Arc)

“Understood.” (Minerva)

In case Leo’s army crossed the mountains and invaded Mikanda, they had to take every possible precaution. All that remained was for Arc to stall Leo before he reached the mountains.

“I’ll go negotiate with His Highness Leo.” (Arc)

“That’s too dangerous!” (Minerva)

Minerva reacted immediately. She seemed to have anticipated that Arc would say this.

“I’ve heard that he’s a madman who kills people on a whim depending on his mood! I don’t think he’s someone you can reason with.” (Minerva)

After Minerva finished describing how insane Leo was, she noticed Casablanca’s presence and looked awkward, but Casablanca nodded without concern.

“I wouldn’t recommend it either. If Leo has set his sights on you, there are only two options, either run or fight.” (Casablanca)

Though the others didn’t voice it, the atmosphere was overwhelmingly opposed to Arc going to negotiate with Leo. Indeed, given that they didn’t know what could happen, it was entirely possible he’d be killed the moment he arrived. However…

“Our Warden Household once abandoned our people.” (Arc)

Arc’s words cast a heavy silence over the room.

No one could forget.

After being ambushed by Marquis Ivan, the Warden Household had fled through the night and barely made it to the capital. As a result, Baron Warden, Arc’s father, died, and the former Warden territory fell under Marquis Ivan’s control. It was the incident that had brought them to Mikanda.

Though it was an ambush, they had abandoned their people. That was a failure as rulers. Arc would not repeat the same mistake.

“Which is why we won’t run this time. And I won’t let him lay a finger on Mikanda.” (Arc)

They wouldn’t run. But neither would they let it come to war. If it did, they wouldn’t be able to defend all of Mikanda. And if war broke out, the territory would be devastated.

“I’ll hold a meeting with His Highness Leo in front of the mountains. If the negotiations fail, I’ll probably be killed. If what Casablanca-sama says about Leo’s personality is true.” (Arc)

He tried to make a lighthearted joke aimed at Casablanca, but no one laughed. The heavy atmosphere remained.

“So, if I don’t return, shift to defensive operations. Make Yanna-neesan the lord and Tyr-niisan the commander. I want everyone to unite and fight together.” (Arc)

Leo was indeed strong, but they had a natural fortress. Stopping Leo’s army wasn’t impossible.

“Does Onii-sama really have to go?” (Minerva)

With her eyes swollen with tears, Minerva spoke in a faint, trembling voice. It sounded less like a question and more like a child pleading. Arc didn’t answer and just patted her head. Then, to lighten the oppressive mood, he clapped his hands.

“Alright, we don’t have much time! Everyone, get to work!” (Arc)

It was as if a spell had been broken, and everyone rushed out of the room. The quiet midday in the First Town suddenly turned into chaos.

Arc prepared to depart immediately. Although Leo was expected to arrive in three days, factoring in the time it would take to cross the mountains, he had to leave now to make it in time.

“Are you planning to go alone?” (Yulia)

A voice called out from behind Arc as he sat on his horse. When he turned around, Yulia stood there with a dissatisfied expression.

“I’m coming too.” (Yulia)

“Yulia, there’s no need for you to follow me to your death.” (Arc)

“You need a bodyguard, don’t you? I’m your bodyguard, Arc-sama.” (Yulia)

“I appreciate the sentiment, Yulia.” (Arc)

Arc tried to go alone, but Yulia stood firmly in front of the horse, refusing to budge.

“You bought me, Arc-sama. Isn’t it natural for me to share my master’s fate?” (Yulia)

“Yulia, I’ll at worst only be killed. But as a woman, you might face something worse than death. So…” (Arc)

“It doesn’t matter. I’m a gladiator. That’s not enough to faze me.” (Yulia)

Yulia’s eyes were completely resolute. She seemed more prepared than Arc himself. He had no choice but to nod.

“…Understood. Yulia, I’ll rely on you for protection.” (Arc)

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