The Lord: In Another World, I Have a Summoning Card !-Chapter 55: The Consul’s Message (Thanks to Slothfu1 for the Golden Tickets)

Chapter 55: Chapter 55: The Consul’s Message (Thanks to Slothfu1 for the Golden Tickets)

"It’s true that the Qi breathing technique I’m currently using isn’t high-ranked, but that doesn’t mean it’s useless. It can still be used for training and gradually leveling up, or even attempting a breakthrough when I reach the peak of my current stage. It’s just... like trying to explore an unknown path in distant lands on your own."

The profession of the Unusual Knight, which relies on Qi techniques, was forged over countless years—generations, even—spanning tens of thousands of years.

Over time, this path has matured, and the techniques used by great knights today, especially the high-ranked ones, are like precious maps drawn by the sacrifices of countless generations and brilliant minds.

Arthur fully understood that it would be arrogant and foolish to try creating his own Qi technique at this stage. Such an attempt would be utterly ridiculous—the time, effort, and resources required simply wouldn’t be worth the minimal gains.

"I need to find techniques that are suitable for me and have high potential, so I won’t have to replace them later and waste time and effort again. More importantly, I’m not the only one in need of strong Qi techniques—my soldiers do too."

As he thought about this, he lifted his gaze toward Jonathan and the rest of the summoned knight-soldiers spread out in the courtyard.

For some reason, they were all facing the same problem he was. Even though they had been granted certain ranks within this world’s knight system based on their in-game strength, they lacked personal Qi techniques.

The techniques they were currently using—either the Forest Breathing Technique or other basic, low-ranked ones—were the same ones Arthur knew well, having received them during his early family training.

This lack of quality Qi techniques was a hidden obstacle holding them back. It didn’t just prevent them from unleashing their full combat potential—it also slowed their training progress the closer they got to the limits of their techniques, just like Arthur had experienced.

This issue was even more evident in a knight like Jonathan, whose current level far exceeded the capabilities of the breathing technique provided by the game system, effectively halting his Qi cultivation progress.

Arthur knew that strengthening the abilities of these summoned soldiers was just as important as developing his own power.

Each one of them, if given a suitable technique, could become a formidable force on the battlefield.

After all, the combat strength they had already shown using only basic techniques ranged from average to above average—clear proof of their potential.

"If I can provide high-efficiency Qi techniques to each of them..." Arthur murmured, folding his arms thoughtfully, "then the overall power of my unit will multiply beyond expectations."

But it wasn’t that simple. High-level Qi techniques were rare, often hoarded by ancient noble families or major military organizations.

Acquiring them would require massive resources, powerful alliances—or even risking infiltration into forbidden areas.

As Arthur sank deeper into thought, contemplating the future of his unit, hurried footsteps echoed from across the training ground.

"Lord Arthur!"

He looked up to see Gabriel approaching at a fast pace, his serious face barely masking the concern in his eyes.

"What is it?" Arthur asked in a firm tone.

Gabriel halted before him and bowed slightly before saying,

"A messenger sent by the consul arrived a short while ago, carrying urgent news... about the recent battle between the orc armies and the kingdom."

He paused as if catching his breath, then continued in a low voice,

"It seems something significant has occurred on the main front."

Arthur stared at Gabriel for a moment, then turned his body and said firmly,

"Take me to him."

Minutes later, Arthur reached the command hall, where a stranger waited under guard. He looked exhausted, dust covering his shoulders, but his eyes burned with determination.

"You are the messenger?" Arthur asked as he entered the hall.

The man bowed immediately, drew a letter from inside his coat, and offered it to Arthur.

"Yes, my lord baron. I was sent by the consul. The battle that took place a few days ago on the frontier ended in a crushing defeat for the orc forces... the consul sent me to deliver this message."

Arthur opened the letter handed to him by the messenger and began to read its contents carefully. The campaign reports were detailed and described the course of the recent battle between the kingdom and the orc army.

The battle had begun with a clear advance by the kingdom’s forces.

Their tactical plans were well organized, and the troops moved with steady precision, granting them the advantage in the opening hours of the fight.

But the situation shifted when the orcs revealed magical equipment and advanced military devices—artifacts crafted only in the lands of the elves and the deep mountains of the dwarves.

That gear proved unexpectedly effective, reversing the tide of battle and forcing the kingdom’s forces into a sudden retreat.

However, the kingdom had not yet played all its cards. After assessing the situation, a reserve force of high-ranking sorcerers was activated.

These sorcerers joined forces with the technical support units to deploy a wide magical formation, using advanced gear the kingdom had prepared specifically for this kind of crisis.

The magical formation was backed by field-deployment enhancement devices, which restored balance to the battlefield.

The surprise lay not only in the effectiveness of the countermeasure but in the kingdom’s ability to exploit the chaos created by the orcs’ sudden escalation.

In the end, the kingdom’s troops capitalized on these rapidly unfolding events, reorganized their lines, and launched a coordinated counterattack that routed the orcs.

Arthur folded the letter, placed it aside on the table, and sat in silence with his eyes closed, reflecting on what he had read.

"Damn it! After all that flattery and the gifts I sent—promising that I’d deliver critical news quickly—this greedy consul sends back a few scattered lines with no real detail or follow-up."

"Elven and Dwarven equipment in orc hands? And that massive magical formation those unknown sorcerers executed under the kingdom’s banner? ...He can’t just sum all that up in a couple of sentences—does he expect me to fill in the essential details from my own imagination?"

Arthur scowled at the messenger standing before him, who dared not speak for fear of drawing his wrath.

Of course, Arthur had no idea what was going through the man’s mind.

He shifted his mood and turned his thoughts elsewhere, recalling the spoils he had seized from Gehrom—items clearly not of orc make but originating from Dwarven and Elven craftsmanship.

He knew that civilized peoples—such as the Elves and the Dwarves—never parted with their magical technologies or military equipment, and only made them available through official channels or under special treaty arrangements.

The fact that these weapons had ended up in Orci hands—despite the Orcs’ notorious brutality—suggests a hidden collusion or secret network linking all three races.

Nevertheless, Arthur did not rush to inform his superiors of this conclusion.

Not only did he wish to keep the details of his own spoils confidential, but he was also fully aware that clandestine, illicit trade among the races had long been an open secret.

Some of these transactions had even taken on a semi-public character, driven by profit and conflicting interests.

For example, certain high-ranking human nobles maintain covert ties with Orc chieftains to exchange "resources and manufactured goods" in the Tarifin region for immense profits—some have even established monopolistic markets and exclusive trade routes, barring others from access.

Although the kingdom’s laws forbid such dealings, these channels persist under the protection of the elite, becoming symbols of status and power.

And yet, Arthur still delayed reporting his suspicions to command—not only to safeguard his own gains but because he understood all too well that these shadowy trades between the races had existed for ages.

Some deals had become almost overt, spurred by financial incentives and the clash of vested interests.

"Some of the highest human nobles maintain covert ties with Orc chieftains—exchanging ’resources and manufactured goods’ in the Tarifin region for immense profits. Indeed, a few have even established monopolistic markets and exclusive trade networks, operating under the radar despite the kingdom’s prohibitions. These channels have become symbols of power and elite status."

’If I submit that report, I’ll look like nothing more than a jester, groveling for the approval of the high command.’

’The most important point revealed in this message is that, although the consul didn’t specify the scale or exact nature of the equipment, its decisive impact on the battlefield proves it’s far from trivial. This shows that the relationship among the three races is far more intricate than mere personal dealings, as I once believed. And we cannot underestimate the kingdom’s role—its willingness to deploy this hidden force implies they had foreknowledge of the battle’s likely course.’

’No—that conclusion is still too simplistic. The precision and complexity of these events defy a few spare words. Both sides wield real authority over millions of lives, and what unfolds inside and beyond the battle lines is far more convoluted than I can yet grasp.’

’It seems my plan to step back and refuse to share—just as that scoundrel suggested—may doom me. Even with all my current strength, my fate won’t be a good one if misfortune befalls me in this war.’

Although the letter made no mention of casualty figures, the human toll must have been severe.

The greatest losses undoubtedly fell upon the conscripted civilians, along with unlucky nobles and young soldiers who never had the chance to survive.