From Mercenary to King Chapter 73 : Reconnaissance Mission (1)

Chapter 73: Reconnaissance Mission (1)

Shatien, who was busy training his unit mbers, received an urgent summons and hurriedly headed to the command tent.

He was concerned that the ssenger was rushing him so much, thinking sothing major might have happened.

But then...

The mont he entered Count Bellua's tent, a stuffy, heavy atmosphere imdiately weighed down on his entire body.

'Why is the atmosphere so ssed up here?'

It was the kind of atmosphere that reminded him of the heated debate before the battle for the supply depot. However, it felt like no conclusion had been reached yet.

Shatien quickly paid his respects and saluted.

"I greet His Excellency Count Bellua."

"Yes, co in. Sir Shatien."

'?'

For so reason, Count Bellua's tone was extrely welcoming. It seed he had been eagerly awaiting Shatien's arrival.

"I hear you achieved great rit in this pitched battle too, yes? I heard you led the rcenary company and stopped the charge of the Emperor's knights?"

"It was not my work alone, Your Excellency the Count. Especially since it occurred under the guidance of Captain Mordo, it is the achievent of our entire rcenary company."

"Well, if you say so, I suppose it is. Haha."

Count Bellua was not soone to take those words at face value. The nobles were also of the sa mind. The rumor had already spread far and wide.

It was true that the Black Raven rcenary Company, led by Captain Mordo, had successfully stopped the charge of the Emperor's knights, but it was Shatien who had pushed them all back and launched a counterattack. He heard that Shatien threw those long lances and brought down the knights, didn't he?

It was truly an astonishing military achievent.

"Of course, such modesty will not sit well with the knights who fell at your hand. If you are to live as a noble in the future, you must know how to uphold your reputation."

"Hmm... I will bear that in mind. Ahem."

Shatien was a little embarrassed even as he spoke. It felt as if Count Bellua was praising him excessively.

'So... Does he have a favor to ask?'

He would not have called him just to exchange pleasantries, and there must be a reason for such praise before making a request, right? As expected, Count Bellua cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

"Sir Shatien. I have a favor to ask."

"Hmm. A favor... you say."

"Yes."

Shatien felt a surge of tension.

'My master said nobles do not easily ask for help... especially not in a public place like this.'

According to his master, nobles did not ask for help unless it was absolutely necessary. They gave orders and dispensed appropriate rewards accordingly.

Yet, asking for a favor ant the following. I cannot do this myself, so I will borrow your strength. There was no action that diminished one's own prestige more than this. Therefore, a noble's request always implied two things.

One was that the task was extrely difficult.

The other was that the reward would be very generous in return.

-Stir.

Shatien subtly looked at Captain Mordo, who was seated. Captain Mordo t his gaze, gave a slight smile, and gently nodded his head.

It ant to just follow along.

It ant there would be no loss.

"Please command , Your Excellency the Count."

Shatien inwardly cheered. However, he had no intention of accepting the offer imdiately. Their relationship was not one of mutual vassalage. Since he had already elevated the Count's honor once, any further requests would be a favor, not an order.

Shatien subtly stepped back.

"May I dare to accept your request, Your Excellency the Count? If I should fail, would not Your Excellency's honor be tarnished? I am greatly cautious as there are so many eyes watching within the tent."

"Ahem."

Count Bellua's expression beca troubled. Shatien had beco a noble, but he did not expect him to act like a true noble.

But what could he do? This knight's charming behavior was necessary for the current situation. Count Bellua read between the lines and replied with a small laugh.

"Do not worry. Your success or failure will not affect my future plans."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes. So, I must ask for this favor. You once excelled as a scout, didn't you?"

"That was during the battle for Akthen Castle. I am surprised you rember that."

"I even gave you a reward, so why wouldn't I rember? Anyway, I want to ask you to undertake that reconnaissance mission again. It is not really a task for a knight, but... the circumstances are difficult."

"Hmm."

Shatien considered declining one more ti, but a sudden question arose in his mind.

Where was he being sent for reconnaissance?

Count Bellua seed to notice his hesitation and replied.

"To the North. We need to investigate the route leading to Feldheim. Since the highway to the North is the only one, you just need to head that way and investigate."

"......?!"

He heard an unexpected word from an unexpected source.

Feldheim.

Wasn't that the place where Baron Ludwig was recently reported to have gone?

Instantly, thoughts swirled in Shatien's mind. The missing Baron Ludwig's whereabouts, and the continuously blocked information from the Northern region. This clearly indicated... that the Emperor was plotting sothing using Baron Ludwig. And if he could uncover that...

'It would be an incredible achievent.'

Shatien's eyes sparkled. He slled an opportunity.

"So do you think you can do that? Captain Mordo said he would provide maximum support from the rcenary company if you agree. Is that not right?"

"Well, that is right, Count Bellua. Shatien's rit is ultimately the rit of our Black Raven rcenary Company, isn't it? Isn't that so, Shatien?"

"Haha, you are right, Captain."

"Tsk."

Count Bellua was displeased to see the two getting along so well. But what could he do? He desperately needed Shatien in this situation.

"Then, I must ask this of you, Sir Shatien."

"I understand. Do not worry, Your Excellency. I will prepare imdiately and depart."

"...I am indebted to you, my Knight"

Count Bellua quietly let out a sigh of relief. At the very least, Shatien would bring back so results.

* * *

Shatien imdiately prepared and mounted his horse. All he carried were the sword inherited from his master, various armants, and supplies like wine and jerky.

"Shatien! We are ready!!"

"Ready, Centurion."

The rcenaries said, holding the reins of their horses. Captain Mordo's promise of full support was true. They had all been assigned decent, sturdy steeds.

That was not all.

-Squeak.

"I have prepared this beforehand too, Centurion."

Captain Mordo also fully supported them with the newly joined crossbown from the Empire. They were all professional, skilled agents, optimized for this kind of mission. They would be helpful not only for sniping from afar but also because they were familiar with the Emperor's army's habits.

"You sohow survived the pitched battle. But volunteering for this kind of mission... Aren't you going to your death?"

"It feels safest next to the Centurion."

"Hahaha. True that. It is safest next to our Shatien. This guy knows what is what."

"Kee-geek! Kwik! Kwik!"

The rcenaries, Miles, and the pet monkey chuckled loudly and boisterously. They had joined without question when they heard Shatien was leaving the battlefield. As long-surviving veterans of the battlefield, they had an excellent nose for money.

And for an escape route, too.

"So, where are we going?"

"We follow the highway north. We must go as quickly and secretly as possible."

"The northern highway... It has been a while since I went there. Haha."

After chatting and laughing for a while, Shatien and the rcenaries rode along the highway for half a day.

Fortunately, the nobles in the area were maintaining neutrality, so no one tried to stop or attack them.

It would be strange for anyone to attack a group of heavily ard cavalry, anyway. They all just assud they would pass through and let them go.

And after riding for a while, Shatien and the rcenaries were stopped. The Emperor's army was entrenched in a valley path, passing through two hills, controlling access.

'I cannot kill them, so this is awkward.'

It was impossible to travel the highway without being spotted by them.

Shatien decided to rest, and as it grew darker, he gathered the rcenaries.

"We need to find a side road. Two of you, go check the high ground. You only need to return here by tomorrow morning."

"Understood."

"Avoid engagent as much as possible. Our top priority is to bypass this checkpoint."

Then, Miles raised his hand and spoke.

"Why not just kill them all? Why bother with this?"

"My Lord… Miles. This is the Emperor's direct territory. If we kill them, a pursuit will imdiately follow."

"...That is what he says?"

"Ahem. Huhuhuhum. I didn't know that. Truly worthy of a forr Imperial soldier!"

Only then did Miles let out an awkward cough and subtly backed off.

It was a tacit agreent.

The two designated rcenaries climbed the hill. Shatien and the rest of the rcenaries quietly waited for them.

But the next morning.

No one returned.

'Damn it??'

Shatien was startled but held another eting.

"We lost contact with the n who went to find the side road."

"Oh no..."

"Could they have betrayed us?"

Another rcenary shook his head.

"No. There was blood and signs of a struggle. We didn't enter precisely because it might be a trap, but there seems to have been a skirmish."

"It seems these bastards are completely covering the area. Let us try to swing wide around the periter this ti and find a way to infiltrate."

"Understood."

And the next day.

Two more n were sacrificed.

'What is going on?'

Shatien was confused.

They lost contact with everyone sent out.

They were not trying to fight, they were just secretly crossing the mountain to bypass the checkpoint. It was impossible to scout the Emperor's army's camp when they were blocked at the very entrance.

The Emperor's army's surveillance net was incredibly tight.

'There was a reason why Count Bellua was so worried.'

Shatien did not know why they were doing this, but it only amplified his suspicion. The importance of information blockade was obvious, but this was over the line. If they were preparing for an all-out war, they should be letting their soldiers rest. Not exhausting them to completely cut off reconnaissance like this.

'They are hiding sothing. Sothing incredibly important.'

What on earth could it be?

Why were they risking the fatigue of their soldiers to block reconnaissance troops?

This, conversely, implied that the soldiers were not important from their perspective.

"What do we do now, Centurion?"

"Yeah. It looks difficult to force our way through, Shatien."

"Hmm."

He could not sacrifice any more rcenaries. But forcing a breakthrough, as Miles suggested, was even more dangerous.

'We know nothing about the enemy.'

Conversely, the enemy might know sothing about them. They would have tortured the Count's soldiers who attempted to break through this area and the rcenaries captured recently.

They would certainly have supplented their guards. Trying to force a breakthrough in this situation would only lead to them being surrounded and endangered.

"Shatien. Let us divide the unit in two instead. One side causes a disturbance while the other infiltrates."

A decoy.

It was a good idea.

So much so that it was hard to believe it ca from Miles.

However, who would take on that role?

The potentially dangerous role of the decoy.

"Officer Miles, that is an excellent idea. In that case, I will be the decoy."

"Ahahaha. Look at this kid! How dare you try to take it from ? Of course, I will be the decoy. But in exchange, Shatien, I get the biggest rit this ti. You know that, right? Hehehe."

"......"

In the end, after a heated debate, Shatien had no choice but to surrender. No one could break Miles' stubbornness.

Ultimately, the remaining personnel were chosen by drawing lots.

"Everyone, take care! And as you know, there is no need to fight more than necessary. If you think it's dangerous, just run away!"

"Understood, Centurion."

"Oh dear. Why worry? Who do you think I am? Just trust ."

'I am saying this because you, Miles, are the least trustworthy!'

The words nearly rose up to his throat, but Shatien swallowed them back.

"Heheh. Why the serious face? Don't worry. And when I return, you're treating , right?"

"Do you think I’ll only treat you once after that? Please, just co back alive, Miles."

"Oh dear. You worry about yourself."

Thus, the deep dawn arrived again.

Shatien led the rcenaries and waited below the hill. An hour ago, Miles had led his troops to infiltrate the opposite side.

Now, he had to wait for the signal.

And when the appointed ti ca.

-Intruders!

-Blaaaze!

-Stop them!

-Damn rcenary bastards. They are endless, like mice!

Flas rose and a commotion broke out on the opposite side. Muttering and the clanking of armor were frantically heard.

The infiltration had begun.