Becoming a Swordmast Chapter 172 : Chapter 172

Chapter 172. Coward (2)

The 3rd Corps advanced towards Jengin Castle.

They wanted to go sowhere else, but they had no choice.

Because the Glockner unit had already occupied Gallan Castle, the first castle of the Andasia region, and was advancing towards Betalin Castle.

In effect, there was only one choice for the 3rd Corps.

“…….”

Roden's expression while looking up at Jengin Castle was strange.

It was understandable since Jengin Castle was a very familiar place to Roden.

‘It's natural since I visited several tis for food trade.’

Furthermore, it was also the place where Roden first established food trade.

When all other lords did not want food trade with the Billem Caravan, only Graden opened the opportunity.

Of course, successfully closing the deal was solely thanks to Roden's ability.

For that reason, Roden visited Jengin Castle frequently whenever he had a chance.

And there were not a few cases where he t Graden at that ti.

Considering that he mostly t treasurers in other territories, it was an exceptional case.

‘When I last saw him, his health didn't look very good, I don't know how it is now.’

Roden thought and smiled bitterly.

Because worrying about Graden's health in a situation where he ca to conquer Jengin Castle was nonsensical.

When Roden was imrsed in sentint like that, he discovered soone on the castle wall and made a surprised expression.

Alexis approached without checking Roden's expression.

“Originally it's my turn, but how about you open the castle gate here and step back. I think that would make you feel at ease.”

Alexis proposed this knowing Roden felt uncomfortable about attacking Jengin Castle.

But Roden shook his head.

“Before that, I want to talk with the lord of this castle first. Please allow it.”

Only then did Alexis discover the figure of Graden standing on the castle wall.

“…Right, then. Do so.”

Roden, having received Alexis's permission, slowly approached the castle wall.

Then Graden, who was standing expressionlessly, opened his mouth.

“Eventually things turn out like this. I never wanted to see your face again.”

“…Have you been well all this ti?”

“I also want to end it around here, but I just couldn't collapse even though I felt like I would. It must be regrettable for you.”

“It is not regrettable. The current situation is just lantable. Please open the castle gate. I do not want to fight with the Lord.”

“Kkeul kkeul kkeul. How can that happen as one wishes. My son still remains on the battlefield. I have one question.”

“Please speak.”

“What kind of future do you see?”

“…Why are you curious about that?”

“Because I need to know your future to understand who you were, you who were full of lies.”

“!”

It was an unexpected question.

Because Roden naturally thought Graden would rebuke or resent him.

But Graden's question contained pure curiosity.

And Roden had been weak to those who held such curiosity since long ago.

Like that, Roden revealed his future goal to soone who wasn't his person for the first ti.

Even knowing that many people were listening to this conversation.

“My dream is to leave the original nest and build a new nest as soon as this war ends.”

“…Will that be possible?”

“There is no aning in discussing possibility. Because it is sothing I must accomplish.”

Graden thought for a mont and quietly nodded.

“Unfortunately, I won't be able to see you holding the future in your hand. I have a duty to protect this castle, and what remains for

is only petty pride.”

“Is there really… no way?”

Roden asked out of pity, but Graden only wore a smile on his lips.

“Show

your future briefly in this place. If you can show it.”

Like that, Graden left his last words, turned his body, and left the castle wall.

A short while later.

Roden exploded a Sword Blast to open the castle gate, and the 3rd Corps cleared the inside of Jengin Castle.

Should it be called fortunate.

Graden had already ended his life quietly with a peaceful expression on his bed.

***

Jengin Castle, Betalin Castle, Gallan Castle, Mabale Castle, Kosinak Castle.

The 3rd Corps and the Glockner unit, who succeeded in conquering a total of five castles, subsequently subjugated the cities of the Andasia region one by one.

Because in the case of the Andasia region, the cities also had powerful strength.

For that reason, they couldn't just occupy the castles and pass by like in the Davilar region.

It was also for this reason that Roden predicted a harder fight in the Andasia region.

Like that, the 3rd Corps subjugated seven cities sequentially.

On the other hand, the Glockner unit planted flags in eight cities.

And these were all places where branches of Billem atballs existed.

Of course, among these, there were only three places where directly managed stores existed, but the fact that they were places with connections to Roden remained unchanged.

For that reason, Roden intentionally excluded the Special Task Force Company from the task of subjugating cities.

Because in the case of the Special Task Force Company, they could suffer significant ntal damage from the fights occurring here.

Watching people they built relationships with while laughing haha hoho until not long ago dying was that difficult.

Anyway, for the 3rd Corps and the Glockner unit who almost succeeded in getting their hands on the Andasia region, all that remained now were three castles and four cities.

The fortunate point was that there was no relation between the three castles and Roden, and the unfortunate point was that there was a big relation with the four cities.

‘Among the remaining four cities, Alan, Gerna, Julias, and Vinchih are included.’

Vinchih was the base of the Billem Caravan, so there was no need to ntion more.

And as much as Vinchih, Alan, Gerna, and Julias were cities with many connections to Roden.

Because the three places where he first opened branches and managed them as directly managed stores were Alan, Gerna, and Julias.

However, it wasn't ti to worry about occupying these cities yet.

Because to head to these cities, they had to clear the three castles first.

‘Originally, we would have occupied these castles without difficulty too. Furthermore, these castles are places without much relation to .’

These three places were castles ruled by three lords who refused Roden's food trade proposal at first in the past.

So for Roden, the feeling was inevitably different from when he occupied Jengin Castle.

However, the 3rd Corps and the Glockner unit were unable to occupy these castles easily like before.

Because reinforcents of the Imperial Army had currently arrived at these castles.

Soldiers dispatched from the 1st Corps and 2nd Corps and the Imperial Royal Guard were the very identity of these reinforcents.

“To think Maxim Karpov participated. It has beco a headache.”

Michael muttered like this in the conference tent, and Alexis received those words.

“Furthermore, the reinforcents didn't bring just one 9-star knight. Following Vlad Tiaref, they even brought Dmitri Sokolov.”

Vlad, the head of the Tiaref family, and Dmitri, the head of the Sokolov family, were 8-star experts.

In other words, it ant two people who could fight equally with Roden had co to the Andasia region.

“Now opening the castle gate with the Sword Blast is dangerous. Because the Imperial Army's 8-star knights won't miss this opportunity.”

Chevalier spoke, and everyone present nodded.

To deal with two 8-star knights, the 8-star knights on this side also had to preserve their combat power intact, but opening the castle gate with the Sword Blast would leave one person in a state unable to fight.

“That doesn't an we can expect the Glockner unit to occupy other castles. Because that side will have to deal with Maxim Karpov.”

It was as Tobias ntioned last.

Even the Glockner unit, which showed an overwhelming appearance consistently, was currently in a situation where they couldn't exert their strength.

Since the situation beca one where Albrecht couldn't step forward rashly.

Eventually, a situation where they couldn't do this or that with the entry to the capital right under their nose.

But even when everyone was feeling frustrated, Roden's expression was peaceful.

And Roden finally opened his mouth to explain the reason.

“If we cannot conquer the three castles, we just don't have to conquer them.”

Then Alexis tilted his head as if he couldn't understand Roden's words and asked back.

“But aren't we the ones at a disadvantage as ti passes? While our supply line has beco infinitely long, the Imperial Army's supply line is very short.”

“That is true. However, apart from the supply line, the pressure the Imperial Army feels will be considerable. Because it will feel like a lion is opening its jaws right in front of their nose.”

“That may be so but… in my eyes, having a long supply line still looks more disadvantageous?”

Those present agreed with Alexis's words.

To others as well, it still looked like the Allied Forces were the ones at a disadvantage as ti passed.

But as Roden brought up the next story, the thoughts of others including Alexis changed.

“The fact that we have occupied a lot of land so far. This is also a reason why we are at an advantage.”

“…Why?”

“Because the confusion the Empire will experience due to the refugees who left that land will be beyond imagination.”

“Ah.”

“Above all, our 1st Corps and 2nd Corps are intact. Of course, the Imperial Army probably drafted troops with so counterasures in place, but there will be limits.”

Everyone wore expressions of understanding at Roden's explanation.

Certainly, the Imperial Army's situation wasn't good compared to the Allied Forces.

In other words, it ant the side that had to produce results in the Andasia region sohow was the Imperial Army.

So conclusively, what the Allied Forces had to do was simple.

Locking the castle gates or engaging in field battles to buy ti as much as possible.

Needless to say about defensive battles, and even in field battles, the Allied Forces had nothing to be inferior to the Imperial Army.

Furthermore, the 3rd Corps was more confident in field battles.

Because the Main Battalion and the New Recruit Unit using Imprinted Weapons belonged to the 3rd Corps.

For that reason, Alexis nodded and spoke.

“Then it would be good for us to switch to a defensive stance.”

But in the following words, an unexpected variable was ntioned.

“But will your father accept that?”