Dragon Knight Chronicles ~ From a mere mercenary, rise to success through tactics! A small harem with the princess and the lord's daughter!? I'll also develop my territory! ~ - Chapter 120

Chapter 120   Roland’s Brave General Gilmore

“Lord Barkworth! We are here to support you!”

Just as the internal conflict erupted within Leroy Castle, the forces led by Veroverma of the Cade Alliance appeared. Taking advantage of the chaos, Veroverma’s troops broke through the gates and flooded into the castle.

“Lord Gilmore, the enemy is here!”

“What are you talking about? The enemy is Barkworth!”

“But Cade’s forces have also arrived!”

“What?!”

Upon hearing the news, the usually bold Gilmore turned pale.

“Damn it, it’s over! Everyone, retreat!”

“Yes, sir!”

Recognizing the disadvantage, Gilmore quickly fled from the battle. However, many of his men were unaware of the retreat and ended up being captured by the Cade Alliance forces.

“Should I say, I’m grateful for your aid?”

“The gratitude is mutual.”

Veroverma, with a smile, extended his hand to the confused Barkworth, who had just been rescued. Both commanders were covered in mud, sweat, and blood, a testament to the brutality of the battle at Leroy Castle.

Thus, the impenetrable fortress of Leroy, which had withstood numerous attacks from the Cade Alliance, finally fell. This marked the near-complete conquest of the Roland region by the Cade Alliance.

Consequently, the local lords, who had been torn between siding with Gilmore or Cade, unanimously pledged their allegiance to Cade. Even some of Gilmore’s own allied lords switched sides and submitted to Cade.

Many of them traveled to Cade’s stronghold in Ram, bearing tribute and offering hostages.

As a side note, it is said that the primary credit for the capture of Leroy Castle goes to a previously unknown man named Reister. His feat earned him the rank of senior baron within the Cade Alliance, a fact recorded in the history books.

◇◇◇◇◇

Late May, Unified Calendar Year 568—

King Gilmore sat in his castle, Saizeria, receiving report after report of betrayal from his own allies.

To make matters worse, even the castle’s own defense soldiers were disappearing day by day.

“My lord, at this rate, we won’t even be able to fight!”

“Indeed, we must act swiftly…”

Gilmore’s senior retainers all voiced their concerns, their words bordering on desperate pleas. Gilmore, though appearing somewhat fatigued, suddenly remembered something and regained his composure.

“Yes, we can turn to the Levin forces!”

“My lord, you mustn’t!”

“Have you forgotten? They are not human!”

“It would be better to surrender to Cade than to rely on those monsters.”

The senior retainers quickly interrupted their lord’s suggestion, panicking at the thought.

This “Levin” was a faction that lay beyond the northern mountains of the Roland region, a country ruled by demons. It was said that the queen of that realm was half-human, half-demon.

In the past, Gilmore had once sought the help of the Levin forces to repel Cade. The cost, however, had been severe— not only were many of his subjects sacrificed, but much of the farmlands and water sources were poisoned by demonic corruption, leading to plagues and a hellish famine.

“I will never surrender to Cade, even if it kills me! If we submit to Cade, it won’t just be me—your families won’t be spared either!”

“Th-that’s true…”

“Yes, perhaps you’re right.”

While the Cade Confederation was known to be lenient to those who surrendered, they were brutal in their retribution against those who resisted multiple times. Not only were the leaders tortured, but their families and associates were humiliated and killed in horrific ways.

One such method was sawing. The victim would be buried up to the neck, and slaves who had served them would be forced to slowly saw through their necks.

Cade used these methods to instill fear, often forcing their enemies to surrender without significant resistance. Worse yet, the punishments for traitors were even more terrifying…

“Then, my lord, who will you send as the envoy to Levin?”

An elderly general asked Gilmore. The entire council of retainers shared a sentiment: they despised both Cade and the demon-controlled Levin.

“Do not be afraid. I will go myself.”

Gilmore, a commander who had led many with strength and defied Cade’s forces, declared his intent to personally journey into the demon-ruled lands.

◇◇◇◇◇

Early June, Unified Calendar Year 568—

The Cade Confederation capital, Ram, was brimming with celebration over their recent victories.

Cade’s dominion now stretched across the Ram Basin, the Jif region, the Neville region, the Heather Basin, and most of the Roland region. It was said that the harvest yield of Ishtar wheat had surpassed one million dinars.

For reference, even in the legendary Unified Dynasty, only Grand Duke Dinar had lands that exceeded one million dinars. Thus, a yield of one million dinars of Ishtar wheat was still a prestigious figure.

“Congratulations!”

“Yes, yes, a most joyous occasion!”

I attended the victory banquet, though I was seated at the far end. Naturally, the main representative of the Rillburn family was Her Highness, but since I wasn’t fond of banquets, I excused myself early.

“Welcome home, my lord.”

“Oh, I’m back!”

As a newly appointed upper baron, I had been granted a modest stipend and a small estate. With that came the ability to hire a few servants.

Upon returning to my room in the estate, Eclair was waiting for me.

“Anything happen?”

“Yes.”

I assumed it wouldn’t be good news, but—

“Lady Adelheid and Lady Nataraja have both given birth to daughters.”

“…Eh!? They’re my children?”

“There is no mistake.”

“Oh!!”

I was overjoyed and named Adelheid’s daughter Ruby and Nataraja’s daughter Sapphire.