Awakening the Great Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Target

The Marquis Hoover House had spent the past two months reaffirming the family's influence.

Whether the loyalty of the vassal lords remained intact, how many troops and provisions they could send, and if they had to wage war against the Duke Saitz House, where and how they would fight, among other things.

Countless pieces of information gathered in one place and took the form of 'words'.

The Marquis Hoover's office.

"...Once again, the desert is the problem. In the end, they did not respond to the military conscription."

Erverbert von Hoover, known within the kingdom as the 'Philosopher on Horseback', a cold strategist, looked down at the wide desk. On it were wooden pieces representing various military branches, such as cavalry and infantry, scattered about in disorder.

"They are those who know no honor. Or perhaps they know but choose to ignore it."

Though his heir Rafael, spat out words filled with anger, the man who had turned 62 this year maintained a cautious attitude.

"Edral."

"Yes, Marquis."

"We must negotiate with Count Mozak. In the end, aren't the lords within his sphere of influence the ones not sending troops?"

"...Though they gave plausible reasons, it's certain that his hand has touched this matter."

"He was never one to co forward actively from before. Hoover tends to the river, and Mozak blocks the sandstorms. Wasn't that the story he used to spout like a habit? A relationship that's neither too close nor too distant is good. That's why what's important now is 'what we must do'. Since he won't send large-scale troops, we must focus on receiving the Desert Knights. In other words, it's important to spread the ssage that we're on the sa side. Have you had conversations about this?"

In this way, his practical attitude symbolically represents Marquis Hoover's governing style. His retainer Edral stepped forward to provide an answer.

"As you know, we've been exchanging letters with Engge, the Count's longti retainer, for quite so ti. Recently, we've been in contact even more frequently. However, as you said, Marquis, it seems Mozak wants sothing. He received correspondence from Duke Saitz's side but hasn't given a definitive answer."

"Hmm, so he wants to make a deal after all. That's just like Count Mozak. Then what should we offer in exchange for receiving the Desert Knights?"

Both his heir, Rafael, and the four retainers, including Edral, remain silent. The Marquis's monologue was a question to himself.

However, the reason the silence stretched particularly long was that what had to be given to the other party was precious to him as well.

"...We'll propose a marriage. Saba needed a remarriage partner anyway."

"Will that be acceptable?"

It was practically a predetermined matter.

However, given that Count Mozak's age didn't differ greatly from the Marquis's, the retainers had to ask at least once.

"My daughter brought it up first, and my wife agreed, so there should be no problem. Hasn't Count Mozak made marriage proposals several tis over the past few years? Since he wants what he's been hoping for, there's no need to be angry. It's surely for political reasons, but I have no right to criticize him either... That settles it."

"...Understood."

"Then we've put one thing on the negotiation table. What more should we add to make it certain?"

"Selkir."

The prepared card ca up quickly.

"Selkir is a place where a river forms when heavy rains fall during the sumr monsoon season, and that river connects directly to the main castle of the Marquis territory. It will serve as a foothold for Count Mozak's dominance to extend throughout the entire desert. Though it will have negative effects on the Marquis territory in the long term, it will be received as an attractive enough proposal."

"We'll deal with the long-term problems later. Would Selkir be enough?"

"Yes. The key is to put 'sothing the Duke Saitz cannot offer' on the negotiation table. He's from Kalahim, or more precisely, he despises desert bloodlines. Though he can join hands with them, he won't let them co out of the desert. He absolutely won't give up Selkir, which corresponds to the entrance to the desert, no matter what happens. Count Mozak surely knows this fact as well."

The Marquis looked down at the map on the table. Selkir was located precisely between the grasslands and the desert, right at the boundary.

Even considering just the comrcial value like trade, it would be trendous, but the key was, as Edral ntioned, that it was a condition 'the Duke Saitz cannot offer'.

"Good. What did Engge say in response?"

"He said Count Mozak would find it acceptable. Though he refrained from direct expressions in the letter, it was clear he wanted to accept imdiately."

Then what would be important next?

Making the negotiation 'definitely' succeed.

Sothing so overwhelming there wouldn't even be room for hesitation.

"We'll add more on top of that. We'll give up Entang as well. Also, propose that we'll support the stone materials used for wall construction."

"Marquis, that seems far too excessive. Entang is a key region in the southwest... Also, supporting stone materials ans permitting the construction of a castle, doesn't it? If castles are built in both Selkir and Entang, the entire desert region except the north would fall under Count Mozak's control."

"That's true. But even if his influence grows, the balance of power won't collapse. After all, it's still just the desert. The advantage in strength remains with us."

"But still..."

"Enough. What's important now is that it feels like an 'excessive proposal’. Since we can't expect the King's diation, the conflict with the Duke Saitz's House won't end quickly either. Our top priority is to unite as one side. That's why we're trying to make a proposal that the Duke Saitz cannot offer, yet cannot refuse."

"...Yes. It's certainly a proposal they absolutely cannot reject."

To face the Duke Saitz, a certain level of sacrifice must be accepted.

Erverbert von Hoover knew this very well.

***

Commander Royce gathered all the official rcenaries of the rcenary company in one place on the night before leaving Hoover territory.

Since the mission was clearly determined, there was no beer or loud festivities to be found.

"We're going west. It's a mission to escort an envoy from Marquis Hoover territory."

"Who are we going to see?"

"Count Mozak."

At just those words, Zahira's brow imdiately furrowed. The western desert region was where she was born and raised, so she instantly understood who Count Mozak was.

"Why, who is he?"

"The Bat of the Desert."

"Bat?"

"As you know, there's no real border between Kalahim and the Astria Kingdom. It's different from the north or east. When food is scarce, they co to trade or raid, and among them are nobles who show attitudes that are neither here nor there."

"...Neither Astria nor Kalahim?"

"Right."

"Just hearing about it already sounds like shit. You an we can't tell if they're allies or enemies?"

However, the Mountain Rabbits had no choice.

"I know well that you want to avoid taking requests in the desert, both Count Mozak and the other parties. But at this rate, the Marquis House will collapse before the fighting even begins."

"The Marquis House will collapse? The mighty Marquis Hoover House?"

"Yes. The vassal lords are refusing the military conscription orders. Whether it's the Duke Saitz House's sche or they're being cautious, I don't know, but... With the conflict between the Duke Saitz House and the Marquis Hoover House escalating, we must draw the desert cavalry to the Marquis Hoover House's side. That's how we survive."

"True, we can't continue rcenary life with a great lord who controls the central-south region as our enemy. But does it have to be Mozak? That man is notorious for being cruel and vile."

"He is a symbol. A symbol of those who don't respond to the Marquis Hoover's military conscription orders. If we can draw him to our side, others will send soldiers too. Then the Duke Saitz House won't be able to recklessly wage war. From then on, it beca a political matter. That's why this mission is important."

"...In the end, it's the noble bastards who are the problem. Usually, they go on and on about nobility and honor, making such a fuss. But when it's truly important, don't they just hide in their holes and not co out? Bastards."

Everyone was convinced.

Being enemies with the Duke Saitz House and having an uncomfortable relationship were worlds apart. Therefore, the next topic beca the detailed request contents.

"We're not going alone, are we?"

"One knight with twenty soldiers will be attached. Since we're facing war, it seems difficult to send troops outside."

"...It's certainly not many."

"There was a proposal to hire and attach two dium-sized rcenary companies, but I refused on my end. Since we have to enter the desert, having too many people would actually be troubleso."

"What about beasts? We can't drag pack animals throughout the entire request."

"We've also arranged to receive support from the Marquis House for that."

"...Hmm, how much is the request fee?"

"Nine gold coins."

The request fee wasn't large, but it wasn't insufficient either. At this flawless amount, the veteran rcenaries rose from their seats one by one, leaving only key personnel like Vice-Captain Marik and Dwarf Basim in the room.

"Commander, you don't intend to go to war by any chance, do you? I an, if war breaks out—"

"That won't happen. First, the success probability looks very high. The Marquis House side was confident about the negotiation's success. We shouldn't let our guard down, but there's no need to be excessively tense either."

"Mm-hmm, then that's settled."

"Commander would have handled things well, of course."

"Still, we need to confirm what needs confirming, you wench."

"Is that head of yours as short and stocky as your body length? Do you really want to get beaten to death today?"

"Both of you, please calm down."

Basim and Zahira's routine quarrel was settled by Ella, the only priest within the rcenary company, stepping forward.

However, since she also had things to ask, she soon threw out several questions in a calm voice.

"Count Mozak's na is notorious even among priests. They say he's called the Bat of the Desert. This could be a more dangerous request than expected. Wouldn't it have been possible to take missions in the south or central regions?"

"We didn't fail to consider that. If we travel by boat along the river, we'd arrive quickly. But it's dangerous. The central and southern nobles wield powerful control as their territories are stable. Then the remaining option would be to cross over to the eastern regions of the kingdom to take requests, but..."

"That's the Land of Shadows."

"Yes. It's a place that's worse than not going at all. As you know, hunting dogs that follow evil and the monsters that follow them are scattered everywhere."

Despite the polite answer, shadows fell across her gentle face.

For the Astria Kingdom, if the northern Niboria Empire was the most evil among humans, then the beings born from the eastern darkness were like massive evil itself.

She had been with the Mountain Rabbits for a full ten years, yet she blad herself internally for still not being able to properly read the flow of the world.

To this, Vice-Captain Marik offered comfort in his own way.

"Don't worry too much about it. Even if there were no problems in the east, we would have accepted the Marquis Hoover House's request anyway. Because the number of mbers is more than expected. The survival rate of these new recruits was remarkably high."

"Is that... A problem?"

The following explanation fell to Gregor, who was sitting on the floor.

"Healer comrade, you really don't know the world! You're so ignorantly pure. We have nearly 70 combat personnel, and including non-combat personnel, we're close to 90 people. How much food do you think these people consu in a day?"

"Ah... I see. My thinking was shallow."

"No, how much do you think it is? I'm asking because I don't know either!"

"..."

Hahaha.

Just as the old rcenary was lting the room's atmosphere with his nonsensical eloquence, Vice-Captain Marik's gaze suddenly reached one corner of the table.

There was one young man who sat motionless in the sa spot during the eting, after the veteran rcenaries left, and even now, when everyone was laughing.

The one who remained lost in his own thoughts throughout was none other than Calix.

"Well, it's still a good thing that many recruits survive. Usually, only around ten at the least, twenty at the most remain... That guy, with his own abilities and good leadership, had as many as thirty survive."

"Ah, wait. Don't touch the cook, my friend."

"Gregor, am I being a bother?"

"Of course. Leave him alone for now. He ca back after being thoroughly beaten by the knights and is reflecting on himself."

"Hmm, from what I heard, he played around with an apprentice knight."

"That's just an exaggeration. The cook comrade isn't at a level to face a formally appointed knight. Especially not against soone like Sir Estante."

"...Sir Estante personally gave him instruction?"

"That's what I heard. He did all sorts of things to put him in his place."

For a mont, Commander Royce's eyebrows twitching wasn't just imagination.

***

The next day, the Mountain Rabbits headed toward the desert with the Marquis Hoover House's envoy group.

"That's the 'Disappearing River'. It's a specialty of the west."

"Disappearing River?"

"Usually it's just barren land, but when heavy sumr rains fall, a river forms. It connects Selkir to the Marquis territory in one go. The water flow has narrowed quite a bit now. If you had co just a little earlier, you would have seen an amazing sight."

The new recruits let out ‘Ooh’ exclamations at the guide's explanation.

anwhile, Calix sat perched on a supply wagon, contemplating, thinking, retracing, and recalling again. The scene from that day when he fought not a false knight but a real knight.

'There was no room for excuses. I lost.'

Chaeng!

The knight who made his neural accelerator glow blue faced him in an orthodox manner. Without any tricks, using the swordsmanship characteristic of the west to press Calix.

Whiik—

Strength, posture, and even experience. Being overwheld in every aspect, he unconsciously tried to mix in deception, but... Half-hearted trickery was worse than not doing it at all.

The knight saw through the false attack and instead took one more step forward, and Calix hastily retreated with 'Wolf's Steps'.

The opponent's sword thrust toward his lower body, tangling his footwork.

Kaang!

He barely managed to extend his blade for defense, but only montarily.

Geudeudeudeuk!

Taking advantage of the mont when his body's center was disturbed, the enemy's sword tip crawled up along the blade surface like a snake.

He thought he had to push it away.

That's what he thought at the ti.

Seureung, seureuреuk, whiik!

Soon, four hands beca entangled in confusion. While Calix struggled to shake free, the opponent used the point where their weapons touched as a pivot to swing his sword left and right.

Calix was startled and pulled his grip back defensively.

And with that, the match was decided.

Taak, cheolkeok!

The defender's blade was caught on the upper part of the opponent's sword handle and could move no further, but the attacker's sword tip was already touching the enemy's nape.

Calix was defeated like that.

'That's enough reminiscing. Now it's ti to analyze.'

Questions continued endlessly.

Was the knight's equipnt superior?

Yes. But it couldn't be used as an excuse. Whatever the opponent's level was, he didn't use techniques like 'Wind's Scar'.

Was the knight's neural accelerator superior?

No. There wasn't much difference in output, and his own was even Ashapel Raimund's neural accelerator.

Then was there a difference in swordsmanship level?

'This part is worth thinking about.'

Calix finally caught a hint upon reaching the third question. Looking back, the Marquis Hoover House's knights had very low centers of gravity.

Swordsmanship specialized in protecting or attacking the lower body.

'Is it because they have a cavalry-centered formation? Then how should I have attacked?'

In his mind, the word 'what if' swirled in a chain reaction. What if he had attacked focusing on the upper body, or conversely, if he had engaged in lower body-focused combat? Also, couldn't he have utilized the 'Dance of the Wilderness' composed of eight movents a bit more properly?

At least from what he combined in his head, it seed like a fight worth attempting.

'I simply lacked experience and was flustered by the opponent's unique swordsmanship, failing to respond properly. Yes, now it's becoming clearer. Gregor was right. If the basics were solid, if I didn't need to worry about posture, I would have found solutions more quickly on the spot.'

A smile unknowingly appeared on Calix's lips.

The fact that just thinking could help him beco stronger.

That too had its own fun.

And most importantly,

'One failure isn't what matters. What's important is what I gained from that failure, whether I can possess better skills. Therefore, there are two key points: practice the basics until my posture cos out without thinking, and master the sense of putting strength into the blade. Only then can I fully utilize my abilities.'

Getting through crisis situations with montary wit was good, but in the long term, it should be reduced as much as possible.

Calix concluded the tasks given to him in one sentence and finished his long contemplation. Organizing the swordsmanship used by the Marquis Hoover House's knights in his mind was a bonus.

Dagak, dagak.

"Calix."

"...Yes!"

Just then, Commander Royce approached and spoke to him. Uncharacteristically for the Mountain Rabbits' leader, he seed sowhat hesitant.

"I heard you sparred with Zahira."

"Ah, yes. I heard you arranged the connection. Thank you, though I'm late in saying it."

"...Was that enough?"

"...?"

When Calix didn't understand the aning at once and showed a puzzled expression, the rcenary captain coughed awkwardly.

"Both the sparring with knights and your efforts to gain experience look good, so I'm saying this. I heard you also faced Sir Estante. How was it? Did you have a good experience?"

"Um, actually, the encounter with Sir Estante was closer to one-sided instruction. The expression 'sparring' wouldn't be appropriate given how one-sided it was. The sparring with the earlier knights was much more helpful."

"That would be the case. Sir Estante isn't accustod to teaching others either, so that would happen. Knights by nature prefer to train alone."

"Yes."

"On the other hand, rcenaries like us are different. We like learning from close quarters. Because we can always seek guidance."

"...?"

"...Ahem, I was talking to myself. Go back now."

Though he'd been in the sa place from the beginning, where was he supposed to go back to?

Calix's question was pushed aside by Gregor's angry voice.

"Leader comrade! Don't even think about buttering up the cook comrade! When even strengthening basics wouldn't be enough, what kind of scheming are you trying to pull now!"

"...Gregor, that's not—"

"It's not because of that knight, is it? Jealousy is an ugly thing! Male jealousy is even worse!"

"..."

The old rcenary was honest as always.