The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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After the return of Captain Diolia.

While preparing for the next deployment, we once again delved into discussions about the Demonic Realm.

Not only Adelehite’s personal letter but also news about the North spread rapidly through all media in the kingdom.

“The erosion of the North has begun.”

What a provocative article title.

It seems they confirmed that a decayed land, much like our Count’s House in the western region, is forming in the valleys of the northern mountains.

“The Count’s House in the West and the Marquis Family in the North are not famous for their military might for no reason.”

Unlike the usual knights stationed under the royal jurisdiction in Kalia Marquis Family’s regular army, the two families maintain the largest knights’ order under the royal protection within their entire family name, ensuring their autonomy in military operations in that region.

Clearly, they did not gain such authority for no reason; the beasts of the North are known to be ferocious and powerful.

If these monsters have also become more savage due to the erosion by magic, it could indeed be a major problem.

“Nothing comes easy.”

Seeing this significant issue swiftly publicized throughout the kingdom makes me think they aim to rapidly spread the awareness and justification for the royal family’s massive mobilization order regarding this war.

As expected, the Count’s House has now been drawn into the matter as well.

“Deputy Commander Ray Karpel, it’s an emergency summon order from the Lord.”

In my time here at the Count’s House, this type of emergency summon has only happened during the last war.

Observing the servant’s rigid expression as he called for me, I sensed that what has been coming has finally arrived.

Without uttering a word, I followed the servant’s lead to the Count’s House’s expansive special meeting room, where many people were slowly filling the seats.

“Deputy Commander, we’re over here.”

“Captain Diolia has also arrived.”

“Well, it’s only natural for me to come when the Deputy Commander was called. This is our special mission team’s place.”

I sat beside Diolia and looked around.

In the central seat sat Ainel, along with Siabel, Shione, and the youngest, Sion. All members of the family were present.

As I caught Shione’s gaze amid the faces showing confusion at the emergency summon, she blinked at me as if to greet.

I lightly blinked twice in response.

Diolia scanned the room and spoke.

“I’ve heard it’s an emergency summon. It seems not only the Count’s House warriors but also those with magical marks are all gathered. This really doesn’t seem like a minor issue.”

Diolia’s gaze then fell upon Ainel, who was reading a document with a cold expression.

“Seeing that worried face of yours… it seems like you have deep concerns, Ainel.”

While her face showed no sign beyond her usual cold demeanor, Diolia and Ainel seemed to share a bond that made them see things differently.

I figured I’d better brace for a meeting that would demand tougher decisions than I anticipated.

As I chatted with the Captain for a moment, finally, everyone who had been summoned filled the meeting room. Ainel cleared her throat and turned the attention of the room.

“Looks like everyone is finally gathered. I apologize for summoning you all so suddenly amid your busy schedules, but this matter is not only important for the Count’s House but for the entire kingdom moving forward. I hope you all can understand.”

Despite her request for understanding, her ice-cold voice seemed to roar that nobody should bear ill will about this summon.

“News about my name from the royal family and the Alenarr Marquis spread across the kingdom in an instant. Even here at the kingdom’s farthest frontier at the border duchy, I believe everyone has probably heard about this matter.”

Ainel refrained from explaining the foundational background of why this meeting was called. There was much to discuss, but explaining in detail would only waste time.

“Let me get straight to the point. Reports have confirmed the emergence of a new cult, demons, and the rampage of dragons in the North, alongside the sudden onset of erosion. So, the royal family intends to declare a crusade to eliminate the evil that has started arising, and they demanded the Count’s House participate in this war to restore justice.”

Thus, Ainel Shianella proclaimed the impending crusade and revealed the royal family’s request for the Count’s House to join.

“I know there may be discontent regarding the royal family’s orders. The loyal families of the North aren’t exactly easy to deal with, and even if the cult and monsters are powerful, one might argue that it would suffice to suppress them by deploying the royal army without the need for a crusade.”

At Ainel’s words, the room fell silent as one.

The Count’s House and the Kalia Marquis Family already had records of eradicating cults. The Marquis Family holds similar power, and with adequate preparation and royal support, there’s a possibility they could win without relying on our strength.

War is not a productive activity; it consumes resources and lives. Whether warrior or magician, jumping back into war is undoubtedly burdensome, especially at a time when the development of the Demonic Realm has finally stabilized and matters within the Count’s House have begun to resolve.

“However, the princess who directly commanded the northern troops and the Alenarr Marquis informed me about the potential for devastation in the North. Even the noble queen personally notified me through a written letter to mention the importance of fulfilling the ‘contract’ should a great demon or an equivalent being be confirmed. That threat hasn’t yet broken out, but it’s likely to be absurd beyond our imagination.”

The Count’s House helped the Marquis Family because there was an absolute contract between the two families.

I still know very little about how that contract was formed and why it cannot be rejected, but I did sense that everyone sought to honor that contract through my experience in the eastern war.

This seemed to exist not only between families but also between the national royal family and the great families, indicating that the royal family, besides offering a noble cause, also brought up the matter of contracts.

As Ainel continued speaking, I couldn’t help but seal my lips.

“Thus, Her Majesty the Queen has commanded me to assist in containing the dragons that are increasingly descending from the North.”

Adelehite had preemptively informed me about these three troops.

I never suspected that my master Ainel would be commanded to participate in one of them.

What kind of force and legitimacy might be behind that contract to place one of the strongest and most absolute Counts in history, Ainel herself, on the battlefield, especially in the dangerous front lines?

As I reeled from that shock, Ainel uttered something even more remarkable.

“Furthermore, the minimum troop required to maintain the dignity of the Count’s House and defend the West. All remaining forces are to be concentrated in the North.”

This was a direct order for the Count—a command that would mobilize the largest possible troop that she could lead herself from the family.

Dazed by the sheer scale of preparations for the northern war swelling into an absurd level, I glanced at Diolia to gauge her reaction.

“Whoa…”

Diolia also sighed deeply, her expression a complex mix.

“All this will be conducted under the binding power of the contract that was agreed upon… So let us all put our discontent aside for now—”

Ainel instinctively began tapping her index finger on the desk.

Unlike her usual rhythmic tapping, her movements grew slow and contemplative.

“Today, all warriors and magicians should come together to determine how we should manage this situation, aiming for the most reasonable solution.”

As Ainel’s gaze slowly moved around the room.

Lost in thought, it eventually landed on the firstborn, with the cool and cold visage reflecting her own.

“Death on the battlefield does not discriminate against people. Whether it’s the master or anyone else, being torn apart by a beast’s fangs or cut down by a sword means losing one’s life just the same.”

“…Mother.”

“Therefore, leaving open the possibility… I wish to leave the next Count here to respond more swiftly to worst-case scenarios.”

Ainel methodically presented her idea based on the worst assumptions.

“I would like to temporarily entrust the internal affairs of the Count’s House to Siabel. What do you all think?”

Listening quietly to her words, the family’s vassals began to cautiously voice their opinions in an unusually solemn atmosphere without the heated discussions sparked by the war.

The kingdom was established by achieving victory against the demons. The royal family and the great nobles were the descendants of those war heroes.

After a three-day-long meeting, the Count’s House returned—their former fierce and aggressive nature restored.

*

“Ray, we just received a communication from the Kalia Marquis Family. Young Master Abel’s assassination squad will be joining this war.”

“Abel Young Master, you say? Well, he did mention that he would lead a knight order directly before his return…”

Knowing that Abel, who could be called a friend for piling up achievements to break through walls, would also gather his troops in the North.

The reports from Shione indicated that several prominent families would converge in the North.

“It seems I’ll get to witness the strength of the kingdom in this war.”

With so many renowned figures’ names mentioned, this war would surely become a monumental event recorded in history, provided the kingdom doesn’t collapse overnight.

After exchanging all sorts of stories with Shione for a while, finishing my remaining tasks, I returned to my room and collapsed onto the bed, whispering.

“Just two weeks left.”

Only two weeks until the northern deployment.

The autumn breeze grew increasingly cold.