Royal Road of the Extra Scribe

57

As the conscription order for troops for war was issued, the nobles began to move diligently.

According to this royal decree, the minimum number of troops to be dispatched was set based on rank, with a Viscount required to bring at least 500 troops.

We decided to take only the minimum of 500 troops. While relocating to Rainfall provided some relief, we lacked surplus food, so we decided not to show off.

Fergus was appointed as the commander of this unit.

I decided to join Fergus’s unit with only a few close officers, but an issue arose here.

“Shall we select those who will go to war this time?”

The elders gathered in one place after a long time.

“There’s a possibility that there won’t be actual combat in this war, and especially since I won’t be leading as a commander, I don’t think I’ll be commanding many soldiers. So, I hope some will stay in Rainfall to handle internal affairs and security. Are there any volunteers to stay in Rainfall for now?”

Anton cautiously raised his hand.

“My lord, I will go to the battlefield. Instead, Iliya…”

“Why is that?”

“Well….”

Anton hesitated unusually. At this, Iliya, the mentor, sighed softly and spoke.

“Alf, can I stay in Rainfall?”

“I thought the mentor would want to go to the battlefield, so it’s unexpected. If possible, I wanted to take the mentor with me.”

“I’m sorry. It seems a bit difficult for me right now…. No, I think it’s possible, but I believe caution is necessary.”

“What’s the matter?”

At that moment, Gaspar chuckled.

“hahahaha! So that’s why the sharpness seemed to have disappeared. Well, if you have a child, it’s only natural to be reluctant to go to the battlefield.”

“A child!?”

Come to think of it, it might be obvious. He was so passionate.

“Is it really true, Master?”

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“…Yes. It seems like it’s been two months now.”

Everyone was surprised by the news of the Master’s pregnancy.

“Congratulations, Master.”

“hahahaha….”

The Master’s embarrassed expression seemed unfamiliar.

“Thank you. It might be odd to say this now, but could you help me choose a name for the child? I’d like to ask you, who connected me and Anton.”

“Of course, I’ll help. But if you have a child, you’ll have to have a wedding soon.”

“Why bother with such formalities?”

“Anton doesn’t seem to mind, does he? I would like to if possible.”

“Ugh…! Think about it, okay?”

Due to the sudden change in plans, the arrangement got tangled up as the Master couldn’t accompany them.

Originally planning to leave Rootger behind and take the Master, they had to rearrange the lineup when the Master stayed back.

“Well, now that it’s turned out this way, it’s probably better for you to stay. The Master might have a hard time alone, so stay back and connect with Viscount Biscetta.”

“Uh, I would like to go with Als.”

“I understand your sentiment, but….”

As they were discussing, Rootger nodded.

“No matter what, we can’t leave a pregnant woman to suffer. I’ll take full responsibility for the affairs of Rainfall. Since I acquainted myself with Viscount Cren not long ago, it should be fine. Anfei, you can rest without worrying about work.”

Anton sincerely thanked Rootger for this.

“Alright, then. Master, please just help with security management a bit. Don’t overexert yourself. The rest – Eo, Yumir, Gaspar, Anton. The four of you will come with me.”

The lineup this time, with Yumir and Gaspar coming in as replacements for Rootger and the Master, who had played a significant role in the previous war, was entirely up to me on how to utilize them.

***

Returning to the mansion with the selected divine beings, Fergie was waiting.

Fergie commanded around 500 professional soldiers, which, combined with our territory’s forces, totaled about 1,000. He now commands a number that can easily execute a single tactic.

“Command a unit close to a thousand troops to me…. 500 is already a handful.”

“Well, isn’t it okay?”

“Yes. With Als’s help, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“I’m just here to assist. Ultimately, the core of unit command depends on how well the officers under your command perform. Excuse me, but are there reliable officers in Fergie’s unit?”

“The kind that you can boast about….”

Seems like there aren’t any.

Well, capable officers tend to gravitate toward units led by powerful noble families.

Unless there’s a significant sense of loyalty, they won’t stay in units that are nothing special. It could block their path to promotion.

“Then it’s going to be a headache.”

Yumir excels in intelligence gathering but lacks experience in military command. Eo, on the other hand, performs well in assault tactics but is inexperienced in defense and disruption operations. Their skills in managing subordinates are also lacking.

Gaspar is capable of military command, but being a pureblood vampire, he’s likely to face resentment from the soldiers.

That’s why they had intended to bring the Master, who is adept at small-scale command. But this time, there was no choice.

“I guess it’s best to leave it to Eo.”

Still, it’s much better than being an ordinary officer.

Cha was thinking that when an unexpected reinforcement arrived.

“Mr. Wade, I bring greetings. I am Elbery Colton.”

A man speaking while kneeling on one knee. Behind him, men dressed similarly were following.

“In accordance with Juras’s orders, we will be your subordinates in this war.”

It was as if Juras knew my situation and supported me by sending 20 of his military officers.

“My lord, these are the ones I requested.”

Anton said.

“It was my fault that Ilya couldn’t come to the battlefield, so I asked the King of Parain to lessen your burden.”

“Is that so….”

Individuals exuding an extraordinary aura. They seemed more than just ordinary officers.

“Just out of curiosity, what were your original ranks?”

“I led 5,000 soldiers. Other officers had similar roles.”

“Come to think of it, you look familiar.”

“Yes, I received your command in the last Carrington battle.”

They were elite officers among elites, just a few steps away from becoming generals.

“The commanders from Crossing!?”

Fergie was unable to close his gaping mouth. Judging by their previous ranks, they were several levels above Fergie.

Their joining was reassuring in one aspect but also a cause for concern.

“The things King Parain is hiding…. I don’t want Crossing figures close unless they know about it, apart from Anton.”

But it seemed even Juras was anticipating that.

Elbery speaks.

“Juras also instructed me to convey this message. If you wish, after this war, he will reveal everything you are curious about.”

“!?”

Anton was at a loss, eyes wide open.

“Is that true! Did Juras really say that?”

“Yes.”

“Unbelievable! The King of Parain won’t just stand by!”

But soon, he lowered his head in resignation. Then he said to me,

“Phew…! My lord, if that time comes, I will tell you everything.”

“Alright. I may not know how significant it is, but I understand. For now, Anton, you shall command them.”

“Understood!”

With around 20 officers under his command, Anton, who had weaknesses in unit command and tactical abilities, transformed into an excellent commander with the officers complementing his skills.

“Ugh…!”

Eo, sensing danger, glared as if to restrain.

Soon, he whispered to me,

“Lord Alss, you must not trust these authors. They are undoubtedly spies sent by Crossing to monitor us.”

Eo began to exhibit traits of a traitor.

Rather than truly trying to sow discord, it seemed he was more focused on harboring resentment towards Crossing and exerting control over Anton.

“Thank you for your concern, but it’s okay. I am fully aware of that aspect as well.”

“Yes….”

Eo pouted sullenly, sticking out his lips.

Meanwhile, Fergie Hyung couldn’t contain his excitement since earlier.

Officially, Anton and his subordinates had joined Fergie Hyung’s unit.

“I, I made Anton the enemy knight… as a subordinate….”

Fergie Hyung, unable to continue, Anton lowered his head and said, “Do not worry. My subordinates and I are prepared to carry out any command.”

“That’s why I’m more worried…. Whether I can command properly….”

Whatever the case, their joining was helpful to us who were worried about the absence of subordinates.

I quickly decided to make military uniforms to conceal their identities. It wouldn’t do to wear Crossing’s military uniform as it is.

Eo, Yumir, and Gaspar also needed military uniforms and helmets to disguise their identities, so I was thinking of roughly dressing them in black combat uniforms, but Eo insisted on a specific color.

“I don’t like the color of bats. I want to go for pure white.”

Eo stubbornly expressed his displeasure, subtly teasing Anton. Yumir wanted a forest green color for better concealment, while Gaspar preferred an earthy tone.

“This is not some sort of parade… Anyway, I get it.”

Eo happily accepted the white military uniform.

And so, white and black. Green, brown. Seeing them all lined up together, it felt a bit awkward.

‘Am I the gray one since there are five of us?’

I even thought that we might end up forming a Power Ranger team.

Once the uniforms were sorted out, Max Hyung finally completed the organization of 500 soldiers in the territory, so I decided to follow Fergie Hyung to the muster point of the army, Breck.

* * *

Breck was a city located in the northwest, bordering Crossing. Our Caliper was planning to organize the army in Breck and move to the front lines.

With a clash between the Western Alliance of 420,000 and the Central-Eastern Alliance of 400,000, the battlefield was vast.

There were a total of eight main fronts. Our Caliper had decided to take charge of one of them, the Galarn Mountains.

“Son of the Earl of Illein. Fergie Illein. Commanding 500 regular soldiers, and additionally, brought 500 territorial soldiers from the territory.”

The military officer in charge of the gatekeeper, upon Fergie Hyung’s words, looked unimpressed.

“500? Ha, got it. Go through the formalities at the integration barracks and get organized. Well, with this number, there may be no need to go to the integration barracks.”

“…Understood. Then I will go to the organization barracks right away.”

“Hurry in. It seems like a big shot is coming from behind.”

He was looking at our back.

A massive unit making up the vanguard.

The combined forces of Duke Salleon and Viscount Milias had arrived, totaling 20,000 troops.

An army forty times the size of our territorial soldiers.

At the forefront stood that Casper fellow, gleaming in his gray armor, proudly displaying himself.

“Ridiculous. Let’s go, Als.”

“Yes, sir.”

We headed to the organization barracks for the procedures.

If we had a large army, things might have been different, but that wasn’t the case, so it was decided to simply merge Fergie Hyung’s unit, and the organization was completed in a flash.

Thanks to that, it seemed like we could get some personal maintenance time, but whether it was due to making personal military uniforms and all, not long after, all military organizations were completed.

An order to attend a general military meeting was issued.

In the military conference room located in Burek, all of Dugnan’s aides had gathered.

At the highest seat, General Dugnan was seated, with his subordinates and soldiers lined up according to their ranks in front of him.

As for me, I was huddled in a corner with Perji Hyung.

We were so tucked away in the corner that voices barely reached us, requiring us to concentrate fully on Dugnan’s words.

The content was a briefing on the Galarn front we would be facing.

“The army we will be up against is the military force of the Tonkai Kingdom. Their numbers are 70,000, similar to our forces.”

Since our Calipha’s forces also numbered 70,000, the outcome of the battle would depend on strategy.

“While higher-ups consider the possibility of a full-scale confrontation unlikely, we, on the ground, should not entertain such thoughts. Be prepared for immediate combat.”

“Yes, General!”

Following that, a briefing on the local terrain ensued.

The Galarn front took the form of gentle mountainous terrain.

The height of the mountains wasn’t significant, but the terrain was vast, with dense tree cover.

“I will provide each officer with a terrain map of Galarn. Study it thoroughly before arriving on-site. There are key points marked by mountain warfare specialists throughout the terrain, so focus on remembering those areas.”

This was why the Byurang Union entrusted the Galarn front to Calipha.

The Calipha Kingdom, with many mountainous regions, traditionally had a weak cavalry and a strong infantry. Mountain warfare was their specialty.

“On the other hand, the Tonkai Kingdom is traditionally strong in cavalry. Our opponent has come prepared for a mountainous battle.”

This seemingly mismatched confrontation stirred an inexplicable unease within me.

“General Dugnan’s words are true. However…”

There was no law prohibiting the use of cavalry in the mountains.

Despite the abundance of trees in Galarn, the terrain itself was gentle enough for skilled riders to effectively maneuver their horses.

“Well, they must be considering that as well.”

As I pondered, Casper raised his hand to speak.

Unlike me, he was seated relatively close to the high seat.

“General, has the enemy’s identity been confirmed?”

“Not yet. Intelligence should be coming in soon.”

Just then, an officer hurried into the conference room.

It was the same guard who had embarrassed Perji Hyung earlier.

He rushed over and whispered something to Dugnan. Upon hearing it, Dugnan furrowed his brow.

“What? Is that true?”

“Yes. I understand we are in a meeting, but I wanted to deliver the message as soon as possible…”

“Sigh, we can’t refuse the king’s request. Come in and deliver it.”

“As you wish!”

The king’s request. At this, everyone tilted their heads. The Calipha’s king was currently in the capital.

“Hmm, well, you all seem to be working hard.”

Said the elderly man as he revealed himself.

Some who recognized his status gasped in astonishment.

“K-King of Crossing…!?”

“Why is he here!?”

Murmurs filled the conference room.

Dugnan rose from his seat to offer a greeting, but the Parain King raised his palm, signaling him to stop.

“I have no intention to disturb, so feel free to stay comfortably.”

This was due to the fact that this place was on the border with Crossing.

Crossing had been organizing troops in the nearby area, and the King of Paraine had come down there to encourage the soldiers.

“Hmph, indeed, the military formation of Caliper is so well-organized to the point of being intimidating. Well, I’m not envious at all.”

It was Juuras.

With a sly smile on his face, he was assisting Paraine, and as soon as he spotted me, he grinned sinisterly.

Beside me, Fergie seemed overwhelmed by this snake-like gaze, trembling.

“Your Highness, what urgent message do you have for us?”

General Dunn inquired.

“Well, it seems that the commander of Tunkai’s forces has been captured in our intelligence network. Since Caliper’s side seems unaware, I’ve come to inform them personally.”

“Even using a messenger would have sufficed…”

“hahahahaha! I just wanted to see your faces, that’s all.”

“Very well. Let us blame our intelligence network for being a step behind. Please proceed.”

“You are straightforward, which I find appealing.”

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In place of the King of Paraine, Juuras stepped forward and began delivering the intelligence.

“Kraus Forkner. He has appeared on the battlefield. Due to his unique nature, the Tunkai general who appeared on the battlefield is likely to be him alone.”

“…!”

The council chamber erupted once again.

“The demon is coming to the battlefield…?”

“It can’t be…!”

Kraus the demon. A special forces general of Tunkai, notorious for his name.

He was originally a Western immigrant bandit, known as the Bandit King until he was scouted by the Tunkai Kingdom.

As befitting his bandit origins, his way of waging war was exceedingly ruthless.

To the extent that despite achieving victories, he tarnished the kingdom’s reputation, leading to an indefinite internal disciplinary action for atonement.

Now, breaking his indefinite atonement, he had come to this battlefield.

‘Kraus Forkner. That’s a name I’ve never heard before.’

It was a story that was not part of the main plot.

The fact that Caliper and Tunkai were engaging in battle was surprising. Kraus Forkner was a character not introduced in the game.

“General Dunn. Tunkai has sent Kraus to this battlefield, even releasing him from his atonement. You can probably guess the reason for this, right?”

“…Do you mean to say…”

“Yes. The possibility of an all-out war has increased. Therefore, I think Caliper’s military should start considering that aspect.”

“What aspect are you referring to?”

“I hesitate to say this, but Dunn. Your rigid nature doesn’t bode well with Kraus. His provocations will eventually wear down your patience, leading to mistakes. On the other hand… Wade is different. He will calmly discard what needs to be discarded and seize opportunities, ultimately strangling Kraus. So, hand over command to Wade. That is the best option Caliper’s military can take.”

Indeed, this guy is out of his mind. Coming to someone else’s military council and saying such things.

Dunn, perhaps feeling insulted, silenced Juuras with a stern look.

“Valuable information is appreciated, but further interference is unnecessary! Your Highness, will you please withdraw with that individual now?”

“Hmm, understood. I’ve confirmed what I wanted to, so I shall take my leave.”

The Paraine group departed.

The rumors they left behind were not insignificant.

Thanks to Juuras’ final statement, meaningful glances were directed towards Casper, who was impersonating Wade.

“Ugh….”

Casper was lost in contemplation, not knowing what to do.

The boy who had been pretending to be a guard was now feeling uneasy as Wade, the king of Crossing, and his nobles were showing signs of discomfort.