Merchant Noble is out (1/3 chapters for today)
Encirclement
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The moment Leo’s retreat spread throughout the kingdom, all previous efforts to suppress the rebellion were undone. Forces such as Louis and the nobility, as well as Marie and the church, who had been crushed by Leo, once again raised the flag of rebellion.
On Leo’s side, half of his army, including Leopold, had been lost. The already small force now numbered slightly over 1,000.
“Your Majesty! His Highness Louis’ army has invaded the territory. They will reach the castle within a few days.” (??)
“I see. Gather the soldiers and head to the back mountain. There are too many hindrances for battle in the town.” (Leo)
Leo had returned to his domain, but anti-Leo forces from across the kingdom were closing in, and he had to deal with them hastily. Though Leo had won dozens of battles, with just one defeat, he was now cornered in an overwhelming crisis. Considering that he had not gained the people’s trust due to his daily actions, it was his own fault. However, Leo himself understood well that he was to blame, and bore no grudge against the fact that almost the entire kingdom had turned against him.
At that moment, the door to the room opened.
“Father!” (Leone)
“My son. It’s been a while.” (Leo)
It was Leo’s son and the head maid, Verite, who entered the room.
“It’s Leone. At least remember the name of your child.” (Leone)
“Haha. I remembered it was a girl-like name, but I just can’t recall it.” (Leo)
Verite sighed in exasperation at Leo’s inability to remember his own son’s name, but she was used to it since he only remembered the names of a few people.
Leo, though indifferent toward his affectionate son, spoke seriously to Verite.
” Verite. You’ve worked hard as the head maid all this time. His mother died giving birth to him. You’ve been like a mother to him.” (Leo)
“Your words are too kind for a mere maid like me. However, I have raised him with that intention.” (Verite)
“My son is probably an ordinary man. If I’m gone and you’re left with him, don’t hesitate. Live as you wish.” (Leo)
It was a will.
For a subordinate, when their master spoke as if leaving a will, it was important to deny it and offer encouragement. However, between the two, such things were unnecessary. If Leo was resolved to face death, empty encouragement or superficial denial was pointless. Verite respected Leo’s resolve.
“I intend to serve Leone-sama until the end.” (Verite)
“This is my final order. Leave this castle by the end of the day. It would be a waste for you to die here.” (Leo)
“… I wish you good fortune in battle.” (Verite)
Verite had served Leo since she was 18, when he was the crown prince at 10. After nearly 20 years of service, their parting was shockingly sudden. However, it was the reverse. There was nothing left to say at the end because they had always been together.
A few days later, Louis’ army was the first to reach Leo. He attacked with 20,000 soldiers, including nobles. Louis quickly occupied Leo’s castle with little resistance and learned that Leo had taken refuge in the mountains nearby.
“Begin the mountain hunt.” (Louis)
Louis’ soldiers immediately began climbing the mountain but were met with fierce resistance as soon as they stepped foot in it.
“Ahhh!” (??)
“Arrows! Arrows are coming!” (??)
“Boulders! A boulder is falling!” (??)
Arrows flew precisely from unseen places between the trees and from atop them. From Leo’s soldiers hidden in the mountains, the climbing Louis’ soldiers were easy targets. Leo, like the Marquis of the Eastern Borders, had the role of defending against neighboring countries. Therefore, this mountain was well-equipped.
When Louis heard that Leo had abandoned the castle and fled into the mountains, he initially thought it was because Leo didn’t want to involve his people in the fighting. However, Leo remained Leo. He had coldly analyzed that the mountains were better suited for defending against Louis’ army than the castle. How badly Louis’ soldiers retaliated against his people didn’t matter to him.
“Surround the mountain and slowly tighten the encirclement. Do not let him escape.” (Louis)
Louis decided to surround the mountain and advance steadily. As more nobles arrived, time worked in his favor. There was no need to rush. Though they advanced only a few dozen steps a day, Leo and his forces were gradually cornered.
Meanwhile, at the mountain’s summit, Leo received a report from Kureo.
“12 men were killed today.” (Kureo)
“I see. How many are left?” (Leo)
“403 men, including Arc-dono, making 405.” (Kureo)
“You’re holding up well.” (Leo)
“However, we will soon run out of arrows. When the arrows are gone and we engage in close combat, the number of casualties will rise significantly.” (Kureo)
Leo’s soldiers had been acting alone since entering the mountains. They would choose their locations, harass the enemy until they ran out of arrows, set traps, and move up a little to repeat the process. It was a strange form of guerrilla warfare.
Five days later, in the middle of the night.
“Charge!” (??)
Suddenly, in the dark, loud voices echoed as the soldiers began climbing the mountain.
It was Louis’ side that was the first to panic. At first, Louis had focused on gradually tightening the encirclement by advancing only a few dozen steps per day. Why had he suddenly switched to an all-out attack?
The reason was simple. He didn’t want to share the glory with other nobles. The arrival of more nobles was helpful in terms of numbers, but it reduced the amount of individual credit. Having arrived at the battlefield early, Louis couldn’t bear the idea of sharing his achievements with those who came later. However, this brute-force attack, relying on numbers, proved effective. In the darkness, Leo’s soldiers couldn’t use their arrows effectively. Losing mobility and having no place to retreat, they each fought valiantly but were gradually overwhelmed and killed.
From the summit, Arc watched as the torchlights carried by Louis’ soldiers flickered as they approached. Though it was too dark to see clearly, what kind of expression was Leo wearing beside him?
“You can hear their voices even at the summit now.” (Leo)
“Your Majesty… please prepare yourself.” (Arc)
“… Arc. Take this.” (Leo)
Leo handed Arc a small bag as if he had made up his mind.
“What is this?” (Arc)
“It’s a drug. If you take it all at once, it’s several times more pleasurable than when you’re with a woman. It’s leftover drugs. You can use it too.” (Leo)
Drugs? Come to think of it, there were rumors about drugs circulating in the eastern part of the kingdom.
“Your Majesty. I appreciate the offer, but I’ve heard that drugs are addictive. Therefore, I must decline.” (Arc)
A brief silence filled the summit.
“Ha, ha, ha! Ahahaha!” (Leo)
Leo was dumbfounded, which was unusual for him, but then he burst out in tears laughing. It wasn’t his usual sneering laugh, but a pure, childlike, joyful laugh. Even Kureo, who had been tense just moments ago, was laughing.
“You’re really something. Worrying about your health at a time like this.” (Leo)
Leo spoke with genuine amusement. But Arc, with a serious expression, responded.
“With all due respect, Your Majesty. I do not intend to die just yet.” (Arc)
Hearing Arc’s serious tone, Leo stopped laughing. Once again, silence enveloped the summit.
What was Leo thinking?
After a while, he spoke again. The carefree smile from earlier had disappeared, and his eyes now gleamed with determination.
“You’re right. Dying here would be far too lonely for a king. Yes, you’re right, Arc. In that case, I will live. Even if I have to grovel or lick boots, I will live and escape this mountain!” (Leo)
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