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 121

Chapter 121   Levin’s Dark Shadow

Late June, Unified Calendar Year 568—

The Cade’s forces successfully captured Cordelia Castle, the stronghold of King Gilmore. This established their control over the entire Roland region.

“Saizeria Castle is difficult to defend. Therefore, we will make Noel Castle the administrative center for the Roland region. Veroverma will serve as the castellan.”

“Yes, sir!”

Veroverma was Ove’s much younger brother, a man of both talent and noble lineage.

“Hmph, that young upstart!”

Viceroy Domel was visibly displeased with this appointment. But perhaps envy was a natural part of the competition for promotions.

“Now, let’s withdraw the entire army!”

“Yes, sir!”

Leaving Veroverma behind at Noel Castle, the Cade army retreated from the Roland region like the ebbing tide.

As for me, upon returning to Ram, I bought toys for my newly born daughters and entrusted them to the traveling merchants who regularly came from the port town of Europa.

◇◇◇◇◇

Mid-July, Unified Calendar Year 568—

Red signal fires blazed in the mountains of the Roland region. These were part of a signal network that Veroverma had established to alert the region of emergencies such as enemy attacks.

“Urgent message! Urgent message!”

A messenger riding a dragonet burst into the lord’s hall in Ram.

“What is it?!”

“Sir! The demons from the wild lands of Levin have crossed the Cordelia Mountains and are pouring into the Roland region!”

Viceroy Domel was the first to react to the messenger’s report.

“What? What happened to the barrier in the Cordelia Mountains?”

“…It seems it was destroyed by someone, sir.”

The barrier in the Cordelia Mountains was a defense system created by humans to prevent demons from entering human lands. The barrier was maintained not by local lords, but by the Norland Church, based in the Ingram region. However, it was reported that someone had attacked the church’s facility in northern Roland, destroying the barrier.

“No demon could have entered the Norland facility!”

“Are you suggesting a human did this?”

“Even so, surely the Norland priests wouldn’t have been defeated by mere bandits.”

The meeting at the hall erupted into chaos as the lords debated the situation, their discussions only growing more confused with the flood of new information.

“Silence!”

Don’s voice rang out, low and commanding, quieting the room.

“Whatever personal agendas you may have, our lands are now under threat. There is no question of holding back troops. Gather every soldier we can muster! We march to war!”

“Yes, sir!”

The Cade Alliance, as its name suggests, was a coalition of small and medium lords. There was a code among them that if any member’s territory was attacked, the others were obliged to unite in defense.

“Death to the invaders!” This was the absolute law of Cade.

Furthermore, the current head of the alliance, Don, held unquestioned authority among the members. Thus, even though the enemy was a powerful demon force, few dared to disobey his order to march.

◇◇◇◇◇

While the entire Cade Alliance was busy preparing for the upcoming campaign, I, who had no soldiers under my command, went to visit Princess Fie.

“How are you feeling, Princess?”

“Oh, Sir Reister? The doctor’s medicine has been working wonders lately. It’s as if my incurable illness was a lie.”

Indeed, the princess looked much healthier, and it seemed her words were true.

“Still, you mustn’t push yourself. Your only priority should be rest and recovery!”

“Haha, you sound just like the doctor! I know, I know. I will take care of myself.”

“That is good to hear. Well then, I shall take my leave.”

“Yes, do.”

I handed the maid a gift of furs from the Gale region and left the princess’s chambers.

Later—

When I returned to my residence in Ram, an old, familiar face had come to visit.

“Arias, old friend! Good to see you. How have you been?”

“Quite well, thanks to you. But tell me, is it true that you’re going to war against the demons of Levin?”

Arias, while known for his womanizing and carefree attitude, was also a former great mage and undoubtedly a man of vast knowledge.

“It seems so. I am only an advisor with the main army, so I don’t expect to face much danger.”

“You must not fight them! Those are no ordinary demons. You must seek the help of the priests from the Heather Basin!”

“Hmm.”

…Normally, Arias wouldn’t care much about my affairs, but this time he was unusually adamant about preventing me from joining the campaign. However, faking an illness to avoid the battle would damage my relations with Cade.

“Don’t worry, I’ll flee at the first sign of danger.”

“Then at least have the Queen reconsider going to battle!”

…So that’s how it is.

Indeed, if something were to happen to the Queen, it would be a serious problem. She must stay here in Ram.

“Alright, I’ll do just that. I leave the task of convincing her to you!”

“Huh!?”

Leaving behind the bewildered old mage, I hurried with my preparations for the campaign. From the start, I had no intention of relying on those dubious priests’ powers.

I acknowledge that they wield great power against the demons, but it feels far from being a holy force…

“Please take care, my lord!”

“Mm.”

With the maids of my residence seeing me off, I mounted Comet and headed swiftly toward the Cade Alliance’s rendezvous point.

The wheat fields of Ishtar along the roadside were lush and green, and the farmers waved at me as I passed. I waved back calmly in return.

…Little did they know, this was just the calm before a harsh battle.