Reincarnated as a Villainous Aristocrat in an Otome Game, So I Bought the Main Heroine with Money - Chapter 13: Heading to the Battlefield

Chapter 13: Heading to the Battlefield

《Cerios’ POV》

As the wind whipped up clouds of dust, we made our way along the mountain path.

Our target was the stronghold of a notorious bandit gang operating within the Egrid territory. They were a group of dozens, not only terrorizing the locals but also blocking trade routes and relentlessly attacking merchants.

I had wanted to deal with them for a long time, and after finally acquiring solid information, we launched this large-scale operation.

According to reports, the bandits had established their base in an abandoned village further ahead in the mountains.

The natural terrain made the location akin to a fortress. As we advanced cautiously, wary of ambushes, the knight captain Kanon rode beside me as my escort.

“Feeling nervous, Kanon?”

When I addressed her, she gave a small nod, her expression calm and composed.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that, Lord? You’re younger and practically a kid.”

“Fair enough. I’m counting on you.”

“Of course. Their numbers are troublesome, but as long as we don’t let our guard down, we’ll handle it.”

When I first recruited her, she spoke in polished formal language, but after fighting alongside me on the battlefield, her tone had grown much more casual.

Even as she spoke, Kanon’s sharp eyes were fixed ahead, scanning the terrain with precision.

Tall and commanding, her presence exuded the authority of a knight captain. Her years as a mercenary had honed her skills and instincts, enabling her to remain calm and decisive on the battlefield.

Her abilities were exceptional, and I placed immense trust in her leadership.

As the abandoned village came into view, a scout team rushed in with an urgent report.

“Lord Cerios, the enemy has spotted us! They’re preparing to engage!”

“Hm, faster than expected.”

Gripping the hilt of my sword tightly, I called out to the knights.

“Everyone, move forward! Attack before their formation solidifies!”

Kanon followed with her own commands.

“First unit, raise your shields! Second unit, flank them! Third unit, prepare for rear support!”

The knights swiftly moved into their assigned positions. As they advanced, we launched our charge at the enemy’s frontline.

The bandits surged toward us like an avalanche, relying on sheer numbers to overwhelm us. But such crude tactics wouldn’t work against a trained force like ours.

The knights countered the attacks just as we had practiced countless times in training.

Drawing my sword, I slashed at the bandit in front of me. The sharp edge struck with a piercing metallic sound, knocking his weapon aside. I didn’t hesitate to exploit the opening, cutting him down with precision.

“Next.”

Glancing to my side, I saw Kanon skillfully handling multiple bandits at once. Her fluid swordsmanship made quick work of her foes, earning admiration from the other knights who watched her in action.

The enemy, however, wasn’t about to let us break through so easily. From the abandoned village’s buildings, archers began targeting us, their arrows raining down.

“Archers in the rear! Advance with shields up!” 

While Kanon commanded the knights, who swiftly adapted to the threat, I found myself face-to-face with a hulking bandit wielding a massive sword. He swung it with brute force, aiming to overpower me in a single strike.

“You little brat, what do you think you can accomplish on a battlefield like this?”

“Shut up! I won’t forgive you for ravaging my territory!”

I raised my sword and blocked his powerful strike. The force of the blow reverberated through my entire body, but I held firm, looking for an opening. Spotting a slight gap, I countered with a swift slash. My blade knocked his massive sword aside, and with the momentum, I sliced through his torso.

“Next?”

The battle intensified as the bandits’ formation began to collapse. Amid the chaos, I suddenly heard Kanon cry out.

“Gah…!”

She had been struck by a bandit who had attacked her from behind. Though she swiftly retaliated and took him down, the blade had found a gap in her armor, leaving her shoulder bleeding.

“Kanon!”

I rushed to her side immediately. She was clutching her shoulder but remained calm, staring coldly at the fallen bandit.

“I’m fine, Lord Cerios. A wound like this won’t slow me down.”

Despite her words, it was clear from her strained movements that she was pushing herself too hard. She tried to use her sword as a crutch to stand, but the effort was clearly too much for her.

“Enough! You’re retreating now!”

I snapped at her, taking her arm to support her. She looked at me in surprise before turning her gaze away with a faint, bitter smile.

“…How pathetic of me. A woman, covered in scars, not beautiful in the slightest, am I?”

Her words stunned me for a moment.

It was the first time I’d ever seen her express such vulnerability. But I quickly regained my composure and answered her clearly.

“What are you talking about? You’re an incredible woman and beautiful too. A scar doesn’t diminish you in the slightest. Knights, listen up! Your wounds are badges of honor—wear them with pride. But never lose your lives! That’s an order!”

I took over for Kanon and roused the knights with my words.

Kanon looked at me, her eyes wide in astonishment.

“Lord Cerios… Do you really mean that?”

A cheer erupted from the knights, and their renewed vigor drove the bandits into a corner.

“I know better than anyone how much you’ve done, how many people you’ve protected, and how much you’ve helped me. A wound doesn’t change any of that. Hold your head high.”

I gently placed my hand on her injured shoulder and looked her directly in the eyes.

“Kanon, you’re someone I trust completely. So don’t say things that belittle yourself.”

For a moment, she was speechless, simply staring back at me. Then, with a small sigh, she relaxed and spoke softly.

“…Thank you, Lord Cerios. Hearing you say that… maybe I can learn to forgive myself, even if just a little.”

With the battlefield cleared and the remaining bandits hunted down, the battle ended in a decisive victory for the knights, eliminating another threat to the territory.

On the way back in the carriage, Kanon sat quietly, her shoulder wrapped in bandages as she gazed out the window. Her profile was serene, a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the battlefield just hours earlier.

“Lord Cerios.”

She suddenly turned to face me, her expression softened ever so slightly.

“The words you spoke today… I won’t forget them. I want to remain a knight you can be proud of.”

I gave her a small nod.

“As long as you’re by my side, I feel like we can win any battle. I’m counting on you, Kanon.”

“Of course… but next time, I’ll become even stronger. Next time, it’ll be me protecting you.”

Her resolute determination brought a faint smile to my face.

Kanon had always been a knight I could depend on, and now, more than ever, I was certain she would continue to fight by my side in the battles ahead.

With the large-scale bandit eradication completed, a major threat to the Egrid territory was finally eliminated.

“Looks like the territory is safe for now.”

I had addressed the pressing concerns, ready to turn my attention to preparations for the academy.

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[Afterword]

Hello, this is the author, Iko.

That’s it for today!!!

It’s getting a bit harder to keep up, haha. I’ll continue writing with gratitude for everyone supporting me!!!!

Thank you so much!