Chapter 338 – THOSE WHO ARE PREPARING (2)
Because of Jude and Cordelia’s actions, the relationship between the wild lands and the northern part of the Sälen Kingdom was much better than before.
But even if that was the case, they did not become close enough to trust each other and act together.
The battle at Snow Breeze Plain was only an exception.
However, Jude did not think so.
The north and the wild lands had clearly been fighting for a long time, but the current situation was different.
Both sides had a common enemy they could not ignore.
The Great Summons.
A demon ritual that would lead the entire Pleiades into ruin.
It was natural to join forces to fight the chancellor for their own future.
Holding hands right away was definitely impossible.
As repeatedly mentioned, their history of fighting each other was not short.
A mediator was needed.
Someone who would stand between the two groups that wanted to reach out to each other, but could not reach out first, and join the hands of the two groups.
“That’s us, right?”
“Because we’re related to both sides. We’re famous n.o.bles in the kingdom and the savior of the wild lands. Aren’t we perfect as mediators?”
Jude’s words were convincing.
“And… from the perspective of the northern army, they really need the help of the wild lands.”
“It’s not easy to go towards the Cilates Plains.”
The Cilates Plains that was called the continent’s largest breadbasket was literally a flat and wide land, but not around it.
Between the borders of the kingdom and the empire, rugged mountains surrounded it as if it had been built on purpose.
The entire border was obviously not composed of mountains, but the area or flat land in the border was too small and narrow compared to the entire border.
Therefore, the Sälen Kingdom had been blocking the empire’s advance by stationing troops in that narrow land since the kingdom’s foundation.
But this also meant that the kingdom had no choice but to go through that narrow land to enter the empire.
“It’s an easy land to defend, but the same goes for the other side.”
The kingdom’s forces needed another detour, especially for the northern army to attack the empire.
“So the wild lands?”
“Yes, the route we used was the best detour.”
From the northern part of the kingdom, they infiltrated the western part of the empire via the wild lands.
“It’s a strategy that needs the cooperation of the wild lands.”
If the barbarians in the wild lands turned into enemies, not only the supply route but also the rear itself would be blocked.
Cordelia grinned at Jude’s explanation.
“But on the other hand, you’ll feel rea.s.sured if you get the full support of the wild lands, right?”
“That’s right. Not only the rear will be stabilized, but the supply will also be smooth.”
The pouch Jude left for Maja contained several doc.u.ments and letters that could put his plan into practice.
Obviously, when he sent Red Wind and Sun Song back to the wild lands, he gave them a heads-up in advance.
“I can feel my heart swelling from happiness.”
“Me too.”
Jude and Cordelia smiled and watched the charging Jackdaws.
Behind the 7,000 Jackdaws were warriors from the wild lands.
There were people on horseback, but the number of those who rode on huge battle boars was overwhelmingly large, so it was quickly distinguished from a distance.
“Unniiiiie!”
They saw Red Wind leading the forces of the wild lands.
In fact, she was too small to be seen, but one could recognize her at a glance because of the Phoenix she summoned.
“Jackdaws! Crush the enemy!”
“OOOOOOOH!”
Count Hræsvelgr at the forefront raised his sword and commanded, making all the Jackdaws shout at once.
Without hesitation, they charged towards the chancellor’s army made up of demon followers.
They spiritedly charged with their lances.
The sound of galloping horses rocked the heavens and earth!
But that was not all.
At the forefront of the allied forces of the Jackdaws and the wild lands was someone that surprised Cordelia.
The Sword Saint of Wind, Count Bayer.
It was not him.
She was surprised by his appearance, but not enough to shock her.
It was the one who was ahead of the Jackdaws charging with their lances.
The person who soared high in the sky before those charging in the ground.
“Father!”
Count Chase who was flying in the sky then spread his arms in response to Cordelia’s cry. He spread out a pair of light wings and unleashed his immense mana.
“W-wings?!”
She did not see it wrong.
It was definitely wings of light.
And there was one more.
An angelic halo brightly shined above Count Chase’s head!
“H-how?!”
Jude grinned at Cordelia’s bewilderment.
Because ancestral regression was not necessarily possible only for Cordelia.
If Cordelia had angelic blood, it meant that her father, Count Chase, also had angelic blood.
Though Cordelia was a special existence who inherited abnormally large amounts of angelic blood due to atavism.
Even if Count Chase was Cordelia’s father, it was infinitely low for the angelic blood flowing through his body to be on par with hers.
“But there’s nothing wrong with trying, right?”
It would be amazing if they succeeded.
So they attempted it.
After all, they had enough materials.
Thus, without hesitation, they bet on it and succeeded!
“UOOOOOOO!”
Count Chase’s red robes fluttered as his huge wings spread widely, and he was like an angel of flame itself.
When his mana amplified through angel mode was unleashed all at once, the air shook from the flow of mana.
“”
The skies obeyed Count Chase’s order.
A rain of flames poured down from the sky towards the front of the chancellor’s army.
Boom! Boom! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Due to the flames, the formation of the chancellor’s army collapsed. The ground burned and the Jackdaws continued their charge through the soaring flames.
“UOOOOOO!”
Babababababababang-!
The battle line of the chancellor’s army completely collapsed from the charge that came like turbulent waves. The Jackdaws continued to charge instead of stopping and fighting the demon followers, and the warriors from the wild lands penetrated into that gap.
“ARARARARARAI!”
“ARARARARARAI!”
“KURAHA!”
It was a coalition of several tribes.
All of them unleashed their wildness at the command of Red Gale who had fully recovered.
“Let’s go too!”
Jude also nodded at Cordelia’s excited cry.
Their allies were fighting well, but if the two helped them, they would not only achieve a bigger victory but also reduce the casualties.
“Father!”
Cordelia spread out her wings and soared high into the sky, creating a golden storm.
Jude glanced at the elven knight who took command instead of Elune, and the elven knight did not hesitate to give orders.
“Attack!”
Although the elven knights were few, they were very powerful.
After leaving the Red Gate, they immediately began intercepting the sides of the chancellor’s army by utilizing the amazing mobility of the elven steeds.
“It’s a complete victory.”
They were still in battle, but Jude said so. And it was not long before his words became reality.
***
“We won! We won!”
“UOOOOOOOO!”
The Jackdaws and the warriors of the wild lands roared and rejoiced together. The elven knights also celebrated their victory with their swords raised high.
The battle ended faster than expected.
Because the moment the demonic monsters, the enemy’s main force, were crushed, the chancellor’s army quickly retreated and began to run away.
Why did they do that?
Did they see no chance of winning?
Or did they feel burdened by the absence of First Sword who was their commander?
Various reasons could be guessed, but it was evident that the chancellor’s army retreated for now.
Count Hræsvelgr and Red Gale hastily stopped the soldiers and made them enjoy their victory instead of pursuing the chancellor’s army.
It was good to attack the back of the enemy and win, but they were originally an expeditionary force that had come a long way, so they did not want to overdo it.
“Unniiiiiie!”
“Red Wiiiiind!”
As Cordelia hugged Red Wind who came running towards her, the people around them unconsciously smiled.
Except for one person.
“Ueueue…”
Kirara wanted to act like a spoiled kid because it had been some time since she saw Cordelia.
A battle broke out as soon as they met, so they had not even properly hugged yet, but a thieving cat suddenly appeared and hugged her master who was also happy.
“Ueueueue…”
She grumbled, but unfortunately, it did not reach Cordelia’s ears.
Because Cordelia found a very familiar face after Red Wind.
“Wow! Oh my gosh!”
A small and white bear cub fell behind during the battle, but appeared when victory was certain.
“Violent Avalanche!”
“Ahem, ahem. It’s been a while.”
He coughed for no reason and put on airs, but he was still a little bear cub.
Cordelia hugged Violent Avalanche at once and rubbed her cheeks at him.
“Kya! I’m so happy to see you! I miss you so much!”
“Ugh, I don’t feel the same. I’m not happy to see you.”
When Violent Avalanche hmphed and said, Cordelia smirked like Jude instead of getting sad and asked in a soft voice.
“Oh… really? For real? You didn’t miss me?”
Cordelia was literally an angel.
Moreover, unlike when she was in the wild lands, she had acquired the skill of acting cute.
“Uhhh… I-I did miss you a bit.”
As Violent Avalanche blushed at her repeated cute acting, Cordelia softly laughed and kissed the forehead of Violent Avalanche.
“I really missed you. Thank you for coming.”
“Hmph. I-I didn’t really come here because of you. I came here because Golden Dragon King told me to go.”
“Ooooh, I see. That’s why you came.”
When Cordelia brightly smiled and spoke, Violent Avalanche’s face turned even redder.
Cordelia’s slyness seemed to have increased at the time they have not met.
“Ahem, ahem! Anyway, put me down and go greet your father.”
“Yes, I will. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
Cordelia politely answered and quickly turned her gaze.
Count Chase and Count Bayer had already met and were talking to Jude, so she hurriedly walked towards him.
And in another place.
Another family reunion was taking place.
“Lucas? Is that really you, Lucas?”
“Yes, father. I am Lucas.”
It was natural for Count Hræsvelgr to be surprised.
Lucas’ appearance itself did not change much, but his inside had completely changed.
The last time Count Hræsvelgr saw Lucas was before the wedding of Gaël and Adelia.
In other words, the last appearance that Count Hræsvelgr remembered of Lucas was before the Leisegang raid.
It was only a few months.
But in those few months, Lucas had become incredibly strong.
“A great swordmaster… you’ve reached the level of a great swordmaster. No, perhaps…”
Count Hræsvelgr could tell because he had already reached the level of a great swordmaster a long time ago.
Because Lucas’ aura was so unusual that he could tell even without seeing Lucas wielding a sword.
Great Swordmaster.
A level below the Sword Saint.
“Yes, father. I am moving towards the horizon.”
It was a good thing.
A Great Swordmaster was one who looked at the horizon, and a Sword Saint was one who moved towards the horizon.
“I really can’t believe it. But… it makes me so happy.”
Count Hræsvelgr was very excited unlike his usual self.
Lucas understood why his father was like that.
He himself was astonished every time Jude showed explosive growth.
‘No, it’s a little different.’
For Count Hræsvelgr, Lucas was his only child.
So Count Hræsvelgr was now full of pure joy.
But that was not all.
There were still things to be happy about.
“Good morning, father. My name is Scarlet Viper.”
Scarlet sneaked in between the father and son, gracefully showing her courtesy.
Count Hræsvelgr blinked at the appearance of a striking beauty.
“Father?”
“Yes, father. Please feel free to call me Scarlet.”
Seeing the bewitching yet elegant appearance of Scarlet, Count Hræsvelgr hurriedly turned to Lucas and noticed that Lucas’ face had turned red.
“Oh, I see. Nice to meet you.”
She was a daughter-in-law candidate who suddenly appeared, but did not seem to be lacking.
Her appearance was outstanding, her actions were dignified, and the power she possessed was also unusual.
But it was then.
“F-Father! Good morning too! I’m Kajsa Ophand from the Ophand family!”
Kajsa who had rushed over greeted him a bit clumsily.
I was in the back because I was attaching my cut arm, and I didn’t know that Scarlet would act like a fox and use that opportunity!
“The Ophands?”
“Yes, I’m Marquis Ophand’s daughter.”
When Kajsa spoke with a bit of cuteness, Count Hræsvelgr looked back at Lucas and narrowed his brows.
Because Lucas blushed again this time.
‘Son, what happened? D-don’t tell me you were two-timing?’
Weren’t you more faithful and purer than anyone else?
Seeing the eyes of Count Hræsvelgr, Lucas stuttered in embarra.s.sment.
Because the situation itself got messy as he recovered some of his past memories.
Scarlet and Kajsa.
Both were his lovers in his past memories.
He obviously did not date them at the same time. It was the first time that all three of them were on the same side now.
“W-well… t-that is…”
At the time when Lucas opened his mouth to give an explanation.
Behind the Hræsvelgr father and son.
Kajsa’s sharp gaze turned to Scarlet.
‘Hey! Look at you trying to get a head start! Weren’t you the one who stabbed Lucas in the chest!’
‘Hmph, so you didn’t hit him in the back?’
‘Hey, I went all the way with Lucas, okay?’
‘I did too, okay?’
It was questionable whether the two could understand each other, but they exchanged fierce gazes.
“Haa… I don’t know. It’s a mess over there too.”
Violent Avalanche’s eyes unconsciously turned cold as he looked up the sky.
The morning dawned from beyond the cold sea of stars.
***
“Let’s organize things first.”