Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Assigning a New Camp

Early in the morning, Marquis Oscillate found something odd.

For some reason, three letters had appeared on his desk, all concerning the same person.

One was from his friend in the Gutierrez family. It told of a Knight named Robson who had just broken out of a heavy encirclement by the Beastmen. His army had suffered devastating losses, and the letter hoped the Marquis would look out for him.

The second was from Viscount Riman of Sunset Fortress, an old friend from the Marquis’s younger days. It described a Knight named Robson whose troop training methods and personal skills were quite formidable. It mentioned he had even saved Viscount Leo’s life and hoped the Marquis would give the young man a chance to prove himself.

The third was from his granddaughter, Countess Valentino. It also spoke of a Knight named Robson, whose troops were well-disciplined with formidable combat strength. She hoped that Marquis Oscillate would assign him under her command.

The Marquis looked at the three letters, momentarily at a loss.

He had some recollection of this Knight named Robson. It seemed his name had appeared in a letter from Count Offman before.

So, what was the real story with this Knight Robson?

’Are his troops devastated, or are they formidably strong? Should I look out for him, or give him a chance to prove himself?’

Marquis Oscillate knew this was most likely a political blunder, probably caused by a failure to properly coordinate interests behind the scenes.

Although he suspected something shady was afoot, Oscillate didn’t pay it much mind. The life of a noble was a political game; exchanging favors was the norm.

In the end, he decided to place the Knight under his granddaughter’s command.

The war had progressed to a point where it was no longer about isolated skirmishes. Shirel Fortress had been divided into several defensive sectors.

The Mold Castle region, for which Countess Valentino was responsible, was a sector of moderate importance.

It wasn’t critical, but it wasn’t insignificant, either.

During wartime, this kind of defensive sector would see a low intensity of fighting, but it wouldn’t be completely quiet.

It happened to satisfy everyone’s requests.

’I’ve collected favors from three families at once,’ Marquis Oscillate thought.

...

Robson was still unaware that his fate had just been decided by three different parties. At that moment, he was strolling through the military camp with Viscount Luke.

Having accepted the man’s investment, it was only natural to show the investor his capabilities.

Watching the tall, imposing soldiers in the camp—each with a solemn expression and a palpable killing intent—Viscount Luke was so envious his mouth was practically watering.

The Gutierrez family, being great nobles, certainly didn’t lack for soldiers. But what did the Gutierrez of the Royal Capital have to do with him, an Akxsi Guterres?

The Northern Nobles had always been extremely wary of their southern counterparts, to say nothing of the southern branch of the Gutierrez family. As a result, Viscount Luke had very few capable units under his command.

"Viscount, what do you think of this army?" Robson asked with a smile.

"I have long heard that you are a master of military discipline, Sir. It seems the rumors are true," Viscount Luke replied.

"Oh? In that case, about that batch of supplies... As you know, blades have no eyes. I can’t let my boys go to the battlefield unprepared," Robson said with a laugh.

After their conversation about the cavalry the previous day, the two hadn’t parted ways but had instead discussed various possibilities for collaboration.

Ultimately, Robson had successfully secured a promise of military supplies—arrows, rations, leather armor, and so on...

Unfortunately, Viscount Luke had decided to wait until the cavalry training showed tangible results before committing the supplies.

This was all to put Viscount Luke’s mind at ease.

"Quickly! Of course, it must be quick!

How can we let our soldiers go to war unequipped? I will have these supplies delivered as soon as possible. However, I must inform my family, so I hope you can grant me two days, Sir," Viscount Luke replied.

’These nobles sure know how to change their tune. Last night, he was timid and hesitant, unwilling to invest heavily. Today, after seeing the results with his own eyes, he’s singing a different song entirely.’

"Of course. Viscount, just have the new recruits bring the supplies with them when they come," Robson said.

That was right—the supplies weren’t free. Robson had to exchange them for trained soldiers.

The only difference was the exchange ratio, which was now four-to-one. After all, the upkeep for infantry wasn’t low.

Robson didn’t mind. A system was meant to be used. In any case, his number of Commanders had a cap. If he was full, this would be a perfect way to clear some slots.

Even peasants, after a bit of training from Lord Robson, could be turned into Tier Two or Tier Three Soldiers, which were more than sufficient for the trade.

’Robson even felt like he’d discovered a new moneymaking scheme.’

’If he kept trading like this, wouldn’t he be getting both rations and soldiers for free?’

Of course, this was just a thought. He still didn’t understand how the "Mount & Blade system" worked, and he worried that if this business got too big, someone might notice something was amiss.

Until he had the strength to protect himself, Robson decided it was best to play it safe.

After they talked for a while longer, someone arrived to summon Robson to an officers’ banquet.

Robson figured his assignment from the higher-ups had come through. He gathered Knight Ed and his other men and headed to the feast.

....

Ever since discovering that Huang Na could gain experience by eating Magical Beast Meat, Robson had developed a great enthusiasm for banquets of this sort.

’Who doesn’t love a freebie?’

The faster Huang Na developed, the greater his own chances of surviving the war.

Although they hadn’t signed a servant contract, judging from Huang Na’s current disposition, Robson felt he was safe as long as he didn’t go looking for trouble.

"Is that your pet? Quite cute."

Robson turned to see Countess Valentino raising her glass. He smiled and returned the toast.

’I have to admit,’ Robson thought, ’under the intense pressure from the Beastmen, the Franks possess a certain optimism. In any other kingdom, the aristocracy would have likely collapsed under such stress long ago.’

"She’s just a little greedy," Robson said.

"A big appetite is a good thing. I hope you maintain that same appetite on the battlefield, Sir." After saying this, Countess Valentino offered another toast and departed. She had only come over to introduce herself.

Robson was a little confused by her words, but he understood their meaning soon enough.

On the high dais, Marquis Oscillate, who had traveled through the night to be there, gave a speech and then began to announce the assignments.

Robson breathed a sigh of relief when he heard he was being assigned to Mold Castle.

Mold Castle, built along the Somme River, was responsible for guarding its ferry crossing.

’A front that wasn’t too intense, yet not completely quiet, was the perfect place for Lord Robson.’

If the fighting was too fierce, he valued his own skin too much to charge in recklessly.

If the fighting was too weak, he couldn’t train his troops. And if he had to grind experience at the turtle’s pace shown on his Mount & Blade panel, he’d be at it until the end of time.