Volume 3 Chapter 191 A Serious Miscommunication
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Eleonora and her group had barely eaten or drunk since three days ago at morning, after leaving the ancient temple. Now, at the soldier’s post near the fortress gate, holy troops gave them bread, meat, and wine to refill their strength.
They likely had no important news, so Kian told the messenger to say, “Rest first, then come.” But Eleonora pushed for a meeting right away, saying it was urgent for future plans.
So Kian brought Marilyn, Bertrand, and Natra to the post to hear Eleonora’s report.
Rufna, Sarah, and Linca were working apart to finish the fortress on the hill. Serena chose to stay in the castle to help with chores. They parted ways on the first floor.
Inside the soldier’s post, Eleonora and her team had just finished eating and stood in line, fully armored.
Kian saluted in the Azrael style.
”Lady Eleonora, glad to see you safe,” Kian said with a small bow.
”Hmph. I really thought I’d die this time,” Eleonora answered, crossing her arms, “but all the Sunlightland Knights survived. Before I explain, may I borrow a bird? I wrote a message for the Sunlightland Knight under house arrest in Izerland’s capital, to teleport to Ramsey. Also, here’s a letter asking permission for Her Excellency Maribel to join the fight.”
”I understand,” Kian nodded, glancing at Marilyn.
Maribel seemed careful not to show who she was. Probably worried about Owl’s watch.
Owl cursed Maribel. If her invisibility cloak came off, Owl would sense her. Then Kian’s secret—that he turned Maribel into a Blood Servant—would be found out, causing strange troubles.
To keep things simple, Maribel kept her cloak on, especially near the barrier’s edges.
”Can we send knights to Ramsey to defend our land?” Kian asked.
”That’s possible once the princess’s house arrest ends. The 300 soldiers in Izerland should fly here soon,” Eleonora replied calmly.
”That’s good. We recently lost almost all 300 regular troops I borrowed from Her Excellency…” Kian said quietly.
”I heard most from Homork the Third and Gary,” Eleonora said, signaling two knights by the wall.
”It looks hopeless. The enemy has 3,000 troops, we lost all regulars, leaving only about 150.”
”There are 22 regular soldiers able to move, plus 147 original ones. That’s 169. With Lady Eleonora and the Sunlightland Knights joining, the force grows by 321, almost 500 total,” one knight explained.
”I haven’t got the princess’s okay yet. Don’t get hopes high,” Eleonora warned.
”Still, I doubt they’ll keep the restraint with things like this,” Kian added.
”…I don’t know. Seems the princess doesn’t like me now,” Eleonora muttered.
”I don’t think so,” Lord Bertrand said softly, but Eleonora just laughed sadly, shaking her head.
”I failed badly, was ordered to cross the Great Forest, lost my Defense Minister role and negotiator title. Now, I’m just Eleonora.”
”If you made mistakes, fix them. The princess surely watches your efforts,” Bertrand encouraged.
Kian asked, “Can you tell me what happened at the temple?”
Eleonora closed her eyes, breathing deep to calm down before starting.
”The talks failed. The Beastmen Alliance chose to attack the ancient temple and Ramsey by force. I expected the truce to end, but it broke less than 4 days after Owl’s deal.”
She went on.
”Even after Owl’s talks stopped, Lord Umar and I delayed talks a bit. But Beastmen demanded 1,000 kilos wheat and 500 kilos tea. Umar said he’d give it and left the temple early morning 3 days ago. He hasn’t come back. The alliance got angry and said talks were broken.”
”Did Umar take everyone with him?” Kian asked.
”Yes, and those Wolfmen, Yelmar… I felt uneasy. I thought he’d abandon the temple, thinking it hopeless. Yet he kept negotiating until the day he left. It was a betrayal. I let him go, trusting him, but I was betrayed.”
”Did Umar take all the food? You went three days without food or drink?” Bertrand asked sharply.
Eleonora bit her lip, ashamed.
”Sadly, yes. Umar was in charge of supplies. When I realized, it was too late.”
”No food, no negotiation power, no Ramsey support—must have been a lonely fight. I sympathize with you,” Bertrand said quietly.
”‘Sympathize’? Do you really? Then why didn’t you stay?” Eleonora’s eyes held sorrow, not anger.
She looked down at the stone floor.
”Also, Lord Kian, if you had such power, you could have defended the temple. You’re skilled, with great comrades. Arminus, Fraus, Marcomanni, Juji wouldn’t be enemies.”
”……”
”Looking back, if you had fully committed before the battle and weakened the enemy, things might be different.”
(Arminus is impossible.)
”What about the others? Natra, Rufna, Sarah, Linca. Rean, Yelmar, Umar’s forces were there too, right? You recruited the Silver Wolf, bribed half of Steel Tiger and cat Beastmen. I don’t support Umar, but his judgment wasn’t wrong.”
”(…Are you saying cooperating with Umar at the temple was better?)” Kian thought.
”That could have happened. Without leaving Owl, we might have surrounded and crushed the Beastmen. Just a guess now, but learn from this.”
Kian looked down.
Arminus’s weak spot was the magic sword Balmung. Maybe they could have trapped him human form, using Natra to drain his life first. Kian himself stopped that plan, hating Umar, seeing him as danger.
Like a wind helping a bucket maker, the current mess came because Kian left Eleonora. His choice split the fates at the temple.
”Princess Maribel is infatuated with you. But after this, I’m more confused. You said you act only for yourself. Your bond with Maribel is just because of your fight with Oswald, and for money,” Eleonora said quietly.
”That’s true. As an Adventurer, I can’t deny it,” Kian said calmly.
”────. Have you thought about the princess’s feelings? Or do you only care about yourself?” Eleonora asked sharply.
”Lady Eleonora, we’re off topic,” Kian said firmly, “I came specially to hear what happened at the temple. Please, let’s keep small talk for later.”
Maribel stood close, and Kian’s words tried to stop that subject. Eleonora’s face showed clear disappointment.
She shook her head and went on.
”After the Beastmen broke talks, they said they’d hold us captive. I begged them to stop violence and talk first, but they said, ‘We have no words left,’ and invaded the temple. We surrendered. We suffered humiliation as prisoners.”
”You were captured? How did you escape?” Bertrand frowned.
Eleonora looked ashamed.
”He convinced the Beastmen to give up Ramsey’s castle and freed us. As lord of Sunlightland, I must protect these people’s honor. They mustn’t be sold as slaves.”
”Then why aren’t 30 Guild members here?” Kian asked.
”They stayed as hostages. If I didn’t return, they’d be sold as slaves. They were doomed either way. They let me go, begging me to be saved at least.”
”────” “────” “……” “────”
Kian, Natra, Maribel, and Bertrand found no words for Eleonora’s shame and regret.
In the Beastmen’s cage, what desperate talks happened? Hungry and forced, they made a terrible choice. Eleonora and Guild were following orders but failed their comrades. This memory will haunt Eleonora till the end.
”What about Rank 1 Adventurer Rean?”
”He ran away,” Eleonora said firmly.
”What?”
”When Umar vanished, he cut out crystallized comrades from the floor and fled.”
”I see…”
So Ninini was left behind? Rean couldn’t support life and saw carrying the body as useless. A rational choice for Rank 1 Adventurer.
”Some Adventurers who planned to join him also disappeared,” Eleonora added.
”Is that so?”
Eleonora clenched her fist tightly.
”I will fix this failure. I must protect Ramsey, no matter what.”
”I understand well. One more question?”
”What is it?”
”Two days ago, early morning—around this time—you sent a letter saying ‘negotiations go well,’ but that was sent just after Umar left, right?”
”…Yes. What about it? What are you saying?” Eleonora asked.
”────!” Her eyes grew wide.
The lieutenant behind stepped forward, unable to hold back.
”If Umar had wheat and tea ready, talks would have gone well. Then, it wasn’t a lie.”
”Even though food was taken, you still believed Umar? Are you calling yourself a fool?”
”Ugh… W-well, yes…”
”Good.”
Eleonora held back the lieutenant and put a hand on her chest.
”Because of you, we were ambushed by the black panther. Please give accurate info. Without your wrong news, I’d have stayed in Ramsey to strengthen defense. We might not have lost 300 troops.”
”────Losing 300 of the princess’s troops is your fault! It’s wrong to blame us,” the lieutenant snapped.
Kian shook his head.
”I don’t want to find blame for reporting to the princess later. I want Lady Eleonora to give facts straight. It’s important for the future.”
”That’s kind of you, Lord Kian,” Eleonora said, her face pale, lips shaking like she was trapped.
”No need for sweet words. If you want to tattle on me to the princess, do it! I’m the one stripped of Defense Minister! A laughingstock! Blame me, and you can stay clean as next Defense Minister!”
”I don’t want to be the Defense Minister,” Kian said quietly, his voice steady.
”That’s a word you must never say to me, Lord Kian!” Eleonora shouted, her face burning with anger.
”Both of you, stop this now! We can’t be fighting among ourselves!” Bertrand barked, stepping between them sharply.
Maribel watched in shock as Bertrand held firm. Eleonora’s glare didn’t fade; sensing her fury, the loyal Sunlightland Knight placed his hand on his sword’s hilt, ready to draw. But Kian stayed calm and unmoved, even as Bertrand gently pushed him back. On Eleonora’s side, Homork III and Gary from the Holy Order were pushing forward.
”Lady Eleonora, you misunderstand Lord Kian badly!” Gary warned, voice full of concern.
”You’ve been through too much pain,” Homork said firmly. “Lady Eleonora, calm down first before you decide anything!”
Eleonora scowled, brushing aside Homork III’s arm roughly as she shouted at her soldiers, “Sheathe your swords now!”
”Lady Eleonora!” Natra called out suddenly, stepping forward from the silent group.
With a sharp motion, Natra released a flood of magic energy. It was so strong it shook the room, rivaling the powers of Sarah and Linca.
”Ugh…” “Tch…” The others made small noises of surprise.
Natra’s voice cut through sharply: “I missed this before, but not again. If anyone hurts my lord, I will act to defend him. Please, calm down.”
Eleonora bit her lip, twisting her face in frustration. After a few deep breaths, she turned toward Kian and asked, “So, what’s the battle plan? I heard you were supposed to explain the details to Homork and the others.”
Kian nodded. “I will explain now. Natra.”
”Yes, Lord Kian,” Natra said promptly.
With a snap of her fingers, a detailed map appeared on the barracks wall. It was the exact map she had taken from Kian’s originals. The positions of Ramsey’s army, the enemy fortifications, predicted paths, and Beastmen troop layouts were all clearly drawn.
Kian thought quietly, (She might be better at magic than Sarah.)
’I may not be as sharp as I think, but she’s really talented.’
(Did I just say that? Sounds dumb.)
’What? I’m not dumb! Anyone calling me dumb is the real fool!’
(Yeah, you sound dumb…)
Kian stood before the map, voice calm and firm. “We will face them using this formation.”
The map was so precise that no more details were needed.
”Are you insane, Lord Kian?!” Eleonora’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Two Sunlightland Knights behind her stiffened with alarm.
”The enemy has three thousand troops. Even with our Sunlightland reinforcements, we have only five hundred! This is suicide!”
”I’m perfectly sane,” Kian said calmly. “The Sunlightland Knights won’t arrive today or tomorrow. The enemy might attack before then. If so, we face three thousand foes with just under two hundred soldiers.”
”Then we must engage their magicians first,” Gary said seriously.
”That won’t work,” Eleonora said sharply. “Beastmen’s physical strength outmatches that. Plus, they still have top magicians.”
”I’ve confirmed fifteen Black Panthers and fifteen Steel Tigers. The Silver Wolves have basic magic like common soldiers.”
”We can’t wipe them out from afar. And Arminus and Fraus can turn into dragons, like Renaud and his children. We’ll be crushed instantly.”
”I already have countermeasures against Arminus and Fraus. Trust me to handle that,” Kian said confidently.
”I don’t believe you! What nonsense are you talking about?” Eleonora slammed her hand on the map, tears threatening to fall. “Ouch…”
”Ramsey fights in its own way—traditional defense!” she said fiercely. “My father and grandfather, even Godfrey the great Margrave, protected this land!”
She spread her arms wide to include everyone.
”To the north of Ramsey, there are four strong forts! We’ll hold them tight against the enemy’s claws. If the enemy sneaks past northward into Azancourt, we’ll strike them one by one from behind! If they stay at the forts, we wait through autumn and win. The Beastmen will retreat before winter!”
”What about the checkpoints?” Gary asked.
”Leave them open,” Eleonora said sharply.
”We can’t expect reinforcements. The key is to use our forces to attack the Beastmen from behind. We leave checkpoints open to lure them. When they retreat, we trap them!”
Her plan was like Kian’s first idea for Owl. Kian wanted to let Beastmen loot Ramsey, then hit them when they were careless. Eleonora wouldn’t let them loot Ramsey fully, but letting the northern fields burn to trap enemies was a softer version of Kian’s plan.
Wait and strike when enemy is scattered looting. It’s not wrong.
Northern Ramsey would suffer, but the castles there are strong enough before Owl’s fall. Victory was likely.
Actually, Kian’s plan to fight three thousand enemies outside with barely 150 soldiers was the unreasonable one.
”Lord Homork, Lord Gary, why didn’t you suggest this plan?” Kian asked.
”Because of Ramsey’s north—to defend Azancourt, Lady Eleonora’s order,” Homork said.
”Also, Ramsey’s castle walls are broken by the Owl. A temporary barrier was made by Kian’s mage, but the enemy could break through if they come here. Unlike before.”
”Compared to an open fight,” Gary said carefully, “isn’t a siege defense more realistic? Excuse me if that sounds rude.”
”Enemy dragon forms make the war uncertain, so we cannot say much,” Homork added.
”Lord Bertrand, your thoughts?” Kian asked.
Bertrand placed a hand on his chin, thinking deeply. “Personally, I think a scorched earth plan—like making Lady Eleonora’s plan even tougher—would win for sure, but Princess Maribel does not want that.”
Gary nodded firmly. “If we protect Ramsey’s grain lands, only an outdoor battle is possible. I trust Lord Kian’s judgment.”
Eleonora looked at Kian and the others with disbelief. Then she forced herself to calm down and gave a determined nod.
”As the princess’s knight, I will fulfill my duty. For the Guild members who helped us escape the ancient temple, we must win this fight, at least.”
She shot a cold glare at Kian.
”Lord Kian, do you have any experience leading soldiers in battle?”
”No. This is my first fight,” Kian said honestly.
”What?” Marilyn gasped in surprise.
(Why so shocked? They must have known my history.)
’I thought you had been with armies before in Azrael,’ she thought sadly.
’Sadly, no one taught me group tactics,’ Kian admitted silently.
”Lord Kian, I have led many soldiers in battle,” Eleonora said calmly.
”Cancel the outdoor battle. Change to a traditional defense and counterattack,” she ordered.
”No. We’re almost ready for the outdoor battle. Changing now will confuse the soldiers and cause defeat,” Kian said firmly.
”──Understood,” Eleonora said, turning sharply. “Let’s go.”
”We’ll fight my way. If you want to die with 170 soldiers, be my guest. I’ll protect Ramsey my way,” Kian declared.
”Please think again. I will explain once more,” Kian said.
”Your explanation is clear. No matter how often, the answer is no,” Eleonora said coldly.
”If you die, don’t blame me. I don’t know why you approach the princess, but I won’t let you fool her,” Eleonora warned.
”Ah, wait!” Marilyn called hoarsely.
Eleonora barely glanced at Maribel, who looked shabby and suspicious, and then left with her knights without waiting for an answer.
Kian hurried after them, shouting, “Wait! Where are you going?”
”To the forts. It’s obvious. We Sunlightland Knights protect the four forts. After you fail, we’ll wipe out the Beastmen coming from behind, like planned,” Eleonora said sharply.
”I technically command this operation,” Kian said.
”I don’t recall being under your command,” Eleonora replied coldly. “I’ll act as I see fit. Even if I were under your command, I would never send my precious knights to die like Her Excellency Maribel’s 300 soldiers. Sorry, but that won’t happen.”
”I would never do something so cruel,” Kian protested.
”Your words mean nothing. You crushed 300 regular soldiers in one night, so you have no trust here,” Eleonora said flatly.
”──” Kian fell silent.
”Excuse me,” Eleonora said, walking toward the castle gates.
Her knights, including the lieutenant behind, bowed to Kian apologetically and followed her.
Bertrand placed a hand on Kian’s shoulder. “Lady Eleonora will clean up when we fail. Consider it insurance.”
Homork III and Gary came out, looking sorry.
”We’re sorry, Lord Kian. Maybe we could have persuaded her better,” Gary said.
”No…” Kian shook his head and looked back.
Behind him, Natra stood quietly with lowered eyes. Behind her, the old witch Marilyn looked small and lost, like an abandoned child.
Regret weighed on her face as Maribel muttered weakly, “I’m sorry, Eleonora,” to the former Sunlightland Knights she had once cast aside.
* * *
After that, Kian spent hours meeting with envoys from the border lords who arrived at Ramsey, responding to their questions carefully. Other tasks waited but had to be handed off to the Holy Order and Owl Knights.
Though called border lords, Kian expected only powerful lords with towns or streets to come, but even small lords from tiny villages showed up.
For them, joining events like this in the borderlands was important. If they ignored what happened in Izerland, they risked losing their rights and lands unnoticed. Kian felt they were saying, “We are here.”
Through the day, proxy knights explained strategies again and again, forced to revise their plans to keep it simple later.
Just before the fourth strategy meeting was about to start, Homork III teleported inside from the south gate.
”Lord Kian, Lord Guy, Lady Priscilla, Lord Louis, and Lady Lishena arrived from Châtillon,” Homork said quickly.
”So they are finally here,” Kian said.
”Aisha came from Izerland too. She’s my former colleague, the dark elf,” Homork added.
”I remember her. Is she waiting at the south gate too?”
”Yes. She and Lord Guy are riding horses toward Mizuhashi now, heading this way.”
Horses, Kian thought. He wanted to greet them on horseback, but all military horses went with Eleonora. After the ancient temple escape, a horse had rampaged and left him behind in the marsh. He had no choice but to walk.
”Sir Kian, I will accompany you,” Natra said kindly.
”Thank you, Natra,” Kian said.
”Lord Kian, I will join you as well,” Homork said quietly.
”Thank you, Lord Homork. If I go alone, it might be as bad as this morning,” Kian replied.
Homork patted his shoulder silently. Natra opened the castle gates with a spell.
Feeling a familiar presence on the other side of the gate after a long time, Kian stepped forward and passed through the space.
Notes:
• Bertrand – The recent knight recruited by Maribel from bandit. He is from boar tribe and have goblin-like face.
• Marilyn – Female. An elderly witch who uses a hoarse voice. She is versatile, skilled in basic magic, teleportation gates, and large-scale group chants. Despite her age, she is sturdy and capable of frontline combat. She acts as a mentor figure to Botti and Aerial.
• Serena – Wolfmen Girl
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Marcomanni – Male. Member of the Steel Tiger Clan. Known for his strength and tactical skills. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Arminus – Male. Leader of the Black Panther Tribe. Possesses extraordinary physical abilities, enhanced by the tribe’s unique technique that repels energy and magic attacks. His speed and strength surpass those of High Warlord Isthbaran. Wields the magic sword Balmung, capable of cleaving through an ice dragon with a single strike. His black fur provides camouflage in low visibility, making him nearly undetectable. Relationship: Leader of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Fraus – Male. Son of Arminus. Member of the Black Panther Tribe. Shares his father’s enhanced physical abilities and combat prowess. Relationship: Subordinate and family to Arminus.
• Juji – Male. Leader of the Wolfmen’s ‘Jinsou’. A skilled warrior with sharp senses and combat abilities. Relationship: Part of the Beastmen Alliance’s delegation.
• Azancourt – A location mentioned by Kian when discussing his terrain survey of Ramsey’s wetlands. Likely near Ramsey.
• Lishena – Trusted subordinates from the Châtillon family, part of Guy’s elite force.
• Louis – Trusted subordinates from the Châtillon family, part of Guy’s elite force.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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