Chapter 24
“There is a reason I gathered so many people.”
At Count Belgrant’s signal, a knight spread out a large map.
It depicted the western part of the Kingdom of Sahar.
The count pointed to one spot on the map.
“This is Belgrant.”
He moved his finger westward from there.
“And this is the Duchy of Scotty.”
Farther west.
“Beyond the border lies the Dran Empire.”
The atmosphere in the hall changed.
“The Empire...?”
Someone murmured.
The Dran Empire.
Of course, I knew the name.
When I was studying at the Valdis estate, I’d also been taught about the neighboring countries.
A major power bordering the Kingdom of Sahar to the west.
They weren’t friendly.
“Five days ago, the Dran Empire’s army advanced toward the border.”
The adventurers began to murmur.
“How large is their army?”
“Have they crossed the border already?”
Questions rang out.
The count waited for the commotion to die down before continuing.
“There have already been clashes in some areas with Imperial soldiers who crossed the border.
The clashes are small so far. However, we’ve received reports that more troops are gathering on the Empire’s side.”
“So there’s a chance they’ll launch a full-scale invasion?”
“Yes.”
The count didn’t deny it.
“The Duke of Scotty, who is responsible for defending the border, has requested reinforcements from the surrounding territories.”
I looked at the map.
If the Duchy of Scotty fell, Belgrant lay to its east.
It was one of the Kingdom’s leading trading cities in the west.
If the Imperial army advanced east, I couldn’t imagine they’d ignore it.
“Belgrant will send troops, too.”
the count said.
“But we can’t send every soldier to the border.”
That was only natural.
Belgrant needed defenses of its own.
The enemy might invade from somewhere other than the border.
Bandits might take advantage of the chaos and grow in number.
We couldn’t leave the city undefended.
“That’s why I’ve gathered you all here.”
The count looked over the adventurers.
“I want to form a mobile force that can operate separately from the regular army.”
“A mobile force?”
“I don’t intend to line you up in formation like soldiers. Adventurers have ways of fighting that suit them.”
Reconnaissance.
Eliminating enemy scouts.
Guarding roads and supply routes.
Dealing with Imperial soldiers who infiltrate in small groups.
Depending on the situation, we might also strike the enemy’s flank.
“You’ll coordinate with the Duke of Scotty’s army and operate in small groups.”
I see.
That would make it easier for adventurers to operate.
We were used to moving in small groups through forests and dungeons.
We were more accustomed to that than fighting in a prescribed formation.
“Will everyone here be joining?”
One of the adventurers asked.
“No.”
The count shook his head.
“This is not conscription.”
The hall fell silent.
“Whether to participate is up to each of you.”
At those words, a few of the adventurers visibly relaxed.
“Naturally, this will be dangerous work. Unlike monsters, your opponents will be people armed with weapons. They may even be soldiers trained to fight as an army.”
People.
That word lingered in my ears.
Until now, almost all our opponents had been monsters.
I’d had a mock battle with Kyle, but that was different.
This time, it would be a real battlefield.
If I swung my sword, someone might die.
“What about the reward?”
Another adventurer asked.
“It will be higher than for ordinary requests. There will also be danger pay. We’ll provide the exact amount for each mission.”
“How long will it last?”
“We can’t say yet. It will end if the Imperial army withdraws. On the other hand, if they launch a full-scale invasion, it could drag on for a long time.”
Several adventurers exchanged glances.
This was different from an ordinary request.
There was no telling how many days it would take.
The risk of losing our lives was high, too.
“What about the royal capital?”
A voice came from the front.
It was Claude.
“We’ve already sent an urgent messenger.”
“So the goal is to buy time until the royal army arrives?”
“That’s one of the objectives.”
Claude nodded slightly.
The count looked over everyone gathered in the hall.
“You don’t need to give me an answer right now.”
After a brief pause,
“Anyone who wants to participate should notify the Adventurers’ Guild by tomorrow morning.”
Then he said one last thing.
“I know this is dangerous, but I’m asking you to lend us your strength.”
◇
By the time we left the lord’s manor, the sky was beginning to darken.
The adventurers who had gathered there began to disperse.
“I’m not joining.”
“Me neither. No way I’m fighting Imperial soldiers.”
I heard comments like that.
On the other hand,
“Depends on the reward.”
“What about the Silver Wolf?”
I heard someone ask.
No one could make a decision lightly.
It was that dangerous a request.
“Allen-san.”
Felicia, who was walking beside me, spoke up.
“Yes?”
“What are you going to do?”
I stopped walking.
I didn’t answer right away.
I thought back to the map I’d just seen.
The Duchy of Scotty.
Belgrant to its east.
If we failed to defend the border, the fighting could reach this city.
Ever since coming to Belgrant, my life had changed dramatically.
I lived at the Silver Wheat Inn and took requests with Felicia almost every day.
I’d become familiar with people at the guild and the weapon shop.
Before I knew it, living here had become normal.
It hadn’t been my choice to leave the estate back then.
But things were different now.
Becoming an adventurer.
Coming to Belgrant.
Even living here had been my own choice.
I wanted to decide my own life for myself.
That meant I had to decide for myself whether to fight to protect this place.
“I’m going.”
Felicia looked at me.
“With the mobile force?”
“Yes.”
I no longer had any doubts.
“If the Imperial army reaches this far, Belgrant won’t be spared.”
“...That’s true.”
“I’ve come to like my life here.”
I said it myself and smiled a little.
“So if I can protect it, I want to.”
Felicia smiled faintly, too.
“I’ll go, too.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“It’ll be very dangerous.”
“That’s true for you, too, Allen-san.”
“I know.”
Felicia stepped slightly ahead.
“I love Belgrant, too.”
“...All right.”
We started walking again.
Tomorrow morning, we’d notify the guild that we were joining.
Waiting for us beyond that would be our first battlefield.
Even so—I would go.
That was what I had decided for myself.
Total P Acquired: 25,300P