Perhaps moved by
Lorist smiled: "That goes without saying. Even if you had refused my request, you and your family are free to go wherever you wish. I guarantee this on the Norton family's name."
"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Norton." Farrea bowed his head in salute.
Lorist reached out and shook his hand: "Call me Lorist. That's what all my friends call me."
Having agreed to serve Lorist temporarily, Farrea was straightforward about it: "Lord Lorist, you mentioned being short-handed earlier. Could you let me know the current situation with your forces?"
Lorist then described how he had led a small force to raid and capture Gildos City, and he also made it perfectly clear about the two slave-soldier garrison squads: "That's the situation. Right now we can still keep things under control internally, but I'm worried that once Count Cobeley learns Gildos City has been taken, he'll immediately march back to retake it. Gildos City is so large that if the Count concentrates just one lancer squad and one garrison company, with his Gold-rank bastards leading the charge, a single assault could retake the city. After all, those two hastily assembled slave-soldier squads are just for show—they can scare people, but they have virtually no combat effectiveness."
Farrea understood what Lorist was implying and turned to survey the entire labor camp: "Lord Lorist, you mean you want to get them moving?"
Lorist smiled: "I heard from Jo that the people locked up here are all veterans from the regular army and territorial garrison, and they've all awakened combat force. So I was thinking of relying on them to form several temporary units. I don't need them to be the main force against Count Cobeley—I just need them to hold off the first few waves of attacks when the Count returns, long enough for my family forces to arrive."
"Lord Lorist, I understand. Please rest assured—I, Farrea, have been in this labor camp long enough to know what the people locked up here are thinking. If not for their hatred of Count Cobeley, they wouldn't be suffering in here. Even those who've already been released only agreed to serve the Count against their will to protect their loved ones from further suffering—it's not like they truly want to fight and die for him. If they find out now that Count Cobeley is about to fall, they'll be overjoyed. They'd be more than happy to pour oil on the fire and cause him even more trouble. Trust me, I'll gather them right away. You there—yes, I'm talking to you—hand me the keys. Lord Lorist, please wait a moment; there'll be good news soon." Farrea snatched a large ring of keys from Tager's hand. He wanted to personally unlock the people imprisoned in the labor camp.
Tager, having had his keys taken, was somewhat unwilling. He stood there muttering under his breath.
Lorist looked at him: "Do you have something to say? If so, speak up, Tager."
Tager glanced at Lorist, hesitated, and finally spoke up: "Actually… actually, we don't need these people to hold Gildos City. My lord, if this mob of forced laborers refuses to follow your orders, they'll only cause you more trouble…"
"Oh? Tager, then why don't you tell me—what brilliant idea do you have?" Lorist was curious.
"My lord, most of the garrison company and lancer squad that marched with the Count are newcomers who've been in his service less than two months. Their roster is kept at the newly built Grand Duke's residence. All you need to do is round up their families using that roster. If the Count marches back to attack Gildos City, just put those families up on the city walls—I guarantee his forces will lose all morale. They might even defect on the spot. That way, my lord, you could win without breaking a sweat…" Tager said.
Lorist was genuinely surprised that this thug-faced brute could propose such an effective tactic: "Tager, who else do you have in your family? Tell me about your background."
Lorist was starting to find this broad-featured brute rather interesting.
"My lord, my family has four members—my old mother, my foolish wife, and my son. I also have a younger brother who's a blacksmith; his family lives in the city too, responsible for forging weapons for the Count. Our family has been tenant farmers on the Count's land since my grandfather's generation. It wasn't until my father became a garrison soldier that we gained some freedom. Later, when my father followed the old Count on a campaign to suppress bandits and was killed in battle, I took his place. After Count Cobeley returned from the imperial capital and began expanding the military forces in the territory, I sensed things were going south, so I spent a large sum to secure a position as a prison guard. I've been doing it ever since, eventually becoming the chief guard of the labor camp." Tager honestly laid out his entire family history.
"Then do you know the situation in Gildos City well?" Lorist asked.
"Of course I do, my lord. To be frank, there's hardly an aspect of Gildos City that I don't know about." Tager began to boast.
Lorist naturally didn't believe him and began questioning him in detail. As it turned out, Tager knew Gildos City inside and out—he could rattle off details about every aspect of the city, even roughly naming the quantities of supplies stored in various warehouses.
"That method for holding the city you mentioned is indeed a good one. But there are things you can do that I cannot. If I won victory using your method, I would tarnish a noble's honor and lose a knight's dignity. No noble would resort to threatening the families of enemy soldiers to achieve victory—it would bring shame upon his family. So, I'm glad you offered such a suggestion, and I appreciate it," Lorist said.
"My lord, I didn't think it through well enough. I'm just a brute, and I didn't consider the need to uphold a noble's honor. It was my fault," Tager said, alarmed.
"Tell you what—from now on, you'll serve at my side. Of course, once things are settled here, I'll be continuing northward, and you'll bring your family along with us. Your brother's family should come north as well," Lorist said.
"Um… my lord, can I say no?" Tager's face was bitter. He hadn't expected his showing off to catch Lorist's eye and earn his attention.
"Of course you can. I just won't agree to it," Lorist said with a laugh.
At that moment, lights were flickering to life all over the labor camp. Crowds bustled about, growing livelier than a market fair, gradually converging on the small plaza ahead. Bursts of rough laughter and cheering could be heard here and there…
Lorist walked with Tager toward the small plaza and saw
Jossk was flushed with excitement. He grabbed Lorist and eagerly began introductions: "My lord, this is North, the Garrison Captain of our Umado barony. This is Lynde, a Family Knight. These are the retainers Hauk, Maris, Ait, Seabolt…I thought they were all dead. I can't believe they've been locked up here for the better part of a year…"
Lorist nodded and greeted them one after another. Just then, Farrea pushed through the crowd: "Lord Lorist, I've already briefed them on the situation. Everyone here is eager to serve you. Oh, and in the slave camp outside, there are many more slaves who used to be their old subordinates. Give them weapons and equipment, and we could assemble a full company right away."
"You've worked hard, Farrea. Here's what we'll do: first, assemble one lancer squad, then three garrison squads. These four squads will be under your command, with Jo as your deputy. Assign the personnel for each squad first. For the garrison squads, recruit from the slave camp outside. I need them combat-ready as quickly as possible. Once assembled, keep one garrison squad to defend the labor camp—after all, everyone's families are staying here for now, and their safety must be considered. The other three squads will be stationed at the city's military camp for recovery training. Does that work?" Lorist made his decision.
Farrea and Jossk stood up straight and performed a hand-over-heart salute: "My lord, as you command."
"I'll have weapons and equipment delivered as soon as possible. Farrea, Jossk—I'll leave things in your hands. If you need anything, send word to me."
"Yes, my lord."
…
Lorist returned to the Duke's estate with Tager. Reidi and Pat were both curious about the broad-featured brute who had appeared at Lorist's side. As for Tager, he was a mess—he'd been ordered to tidy up the side hall, but the moment he walked in and saw the aftermath of the slaughter, he threw up. And he wasn't alone—over a dozen slaves who had received the same order all vomited up everything they'd just eaten.
"Damn, how is anyone supposed to eat here!" Lorist grumbled. He had just been about to have some porridge and gnaw on a few roasted ribs to fill his stomach when he saw the group outside, heaving and retching.
"Reidi, go close all the windows and doors." Lorist decided it was best to keep the sight out of mind. "Tell that lot outside to throw up quickly and clean up when they're done."
…
A busy night passed, and Gildos City looked no different from usual, with Count Cobeley's bull-head banner still flying. For the city's residents, aside from the many unfamiliar garrison soldiers on the streets and the order forbidding anyone from leaving the city, the only other change was that the slaves had stopped their usual work—apparently they were searching for spies and assassins who had infiltrated the city. Nothing else seemed out of the ordinary. No one knew that Gildos City had changed hands overnight.
The day passed without incident…
Another night came, and the great hall of the Duke's estate was brightly lit with candles.
Lorist, Jossk, Farrea,
"…Count Cobeley has a total of sixty-seven bastards. Under the Count's careful cultivation, seventeen reached Gold rank and thirty-eight reached Silver rank—that was ten years ago. Later, the Count took over thirty of his bastards to serve the Eldest Prince, and six Gold-rank and thirteen Silver-rank bastards were killed. However, in the two years since their return, one more Gold-rank and five Silver-rank bastards were promoted, but outsiders don't know about it, and the Count hasn't publicized the fact."
"Since the Count began his wars against the surrounding lords over a year ago, he's lost two more Gold-rank and five Silver-rank bastards in battle. This includes the two that Knight Jossk infiltrated Gildos City to assassinate. Before the Count dispatched his sweep through the western mountain region, he still had ten Gold-rank and twenty-four Silver-rank bastards. In addition, there were nine bastards whose combat force hadn't reached Silver rank or who hadn't awakened it at all—they all held managerial positions in Gildos City."
"Gold-rank and eight Silver-rank bastards. But the lord said their convoy forces had already been wiped out. The lancer squad reinforcements that Count Cobeley sent next were led by two Silver-rank bastards, and they were finished off too. Then the lord took Bodok Estate Castle, and the Gold-rank bastard stationed there was killed as well."
"When the Count led his army out, the lord used a stratagem to pin him at the Moz Hills. According to the captured lancer messengers, the Count lost one Gold-rank and one Silver-rank bastard right at the start of the assault on the camp. After that, the lord raided and seized Gildos City, killing the Gold-rank bastard and two Silver-rank bastards defending the city in the side hall. Of the nine bastards with sub-Silver-rank or unawakened combat force, seven more were killed by the lord in the side hall. Now only the two who marched with the Count remain."
"Besides the one Gold-rank and two Silver-rank bastards at Williams Mills Castle, the Count has only three Gold-rank and nine Silver-rank bastards left at his side. Even including the Count himself, that's only four Gold-rank fighters. The lord has already prepared the city's defenses—there's really no need to worry about the Count taking Gildos City with just these Gold and Silver rank bastards." Tager finally finished analyzing Count Cobeley's current strength, putting everyone at ease.
Lorist laughed: "I'm not worried about Count Cobeley's army. I believe that even if he marches his forces back to the walls of Gildos City, they'll already be in a panic from supply shortages and the family forces pursuing them from behind, with morale completely shattered. What I'm thinking now is whether we should strike again and take Williams Mills Castle while the news hasn't leaked yet."
Lorist tapped his finger on the map at the location of Williams Mills Castle.
Lorist's plan was simple: take one squadron in under the pretense of reinforcing the garrison. Kill the three bastards holding the castle, and the garrison squad defending it could be absorbed—after all, these garrison soldiers' families were all in Gildos City. Just tell them that Gildos City was also under his control, and there would surely be no fierce resistance.
El raised an objection, thinking there wasn't enough time. Williams Mills Castle was a full day's ride from Gildos City—two days round trip. And these two days would be the most critical period, when Count Cobeley might very well march his army back. If Lorist was still at Williams Mills Castle and couldn't return, the situation could become dire.
Lorist shook his head. He believed that if they left Williams Mills Castle unattended, Count Cobeley might feint at Gildos City and then turn toward Williams Mills Castle, giving himself a foothold. Then there would be prolonged entanglement ahead. The best approach was to cut off his retreat, leaving him with nowhere to fall back, so they could settle this once and for all at the city walls. Now was precisely when Williams Mills Castle's defenses were at their weakest—if they didn't seize this opportunity to strike, when would they?
Lorist ordered Yuri to take a small detachment of light cavalry, Terman to lead a knight squad, and Jossk to bring two newly formed lancer squads. Everyone was to change into lancer equipment, with two horses per person, and set out that very night within the hour. Lorist would bring Tager along. As for Gildos City's defense, that would be entrusted to Farrea and El, along with Mr. Tim.
Farrea was a bit hesitant, thinking it would be better for Jossk to stay behind. He was willing to accompany Lorist to Williams Mills Castle.
Lorist laughed heartily: "You won't do, Farrea. Most of Count Cobeley's bastards know you and would never believe you'd so easily serve the Count. The moment you show up, they'll get suspicious. It's better if Jo goes. I'm leaving you behind because I don't suspect those I employ, and I don't employ those I suspect. Since I've chosen to use you, naturally I trust you. El, Tim—Farrea will be in primary command of Gildos City's defense, and you will assist. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord," El said.
"Rest assured, my lord. Tim will not let you down." Tim performed a bow.
Lorist patted Farrea on the shoulder: "I'm heading out now, so I'll be counting on you for these next two days. The moment we take Williams Mills Castle, we'll rush back as fast as we can."
Farrea stood ramrod straight and performed a hand-over-heart salute: "My lord, as long as I'm here, the city stands. Please rest easy."
…