The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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In line with the royal decision for a rapid and overwhelming onslaught towards the north, the Count’s House quickly began to organize and survey its internal matters.

The basic framework for these changes was aligned with the resolutions made during the recent three-day conference. Any discrepancies would be immediately addressed to enhance our plans further.

While the activities led by the Count’s House were diminishing, the internal officials became busier than ever.

“My territory has, of course, entered a special situation.”

The Karpel Barony was no different.

It serves as a bridge connecting the kingdom’s center and west. Those traveling from the center to the north or transporting goods from the capital were bound to pass through the barony.

As resources hoarded by various families began to be actively released as war supplies, even the barony saw an influx of supplies. Consequently, matters related to troop stations and deployments within the barony also increased my level of activity.

Of course, as the head of the family, I was also to participate. My family’s knights could not simply sit idle. With the decision made to deploy troops,

“My military, which belonged to my family, will also set out with me…”

In the north, where they would gather with me, I would finally meet the Knights Order that existed under my name.

Naturally, I had expectations regarding the skills of my family’s warriors.

Thus, while juggling various tasks and bustling through days like a blur, many changes were occurring within the Count’s House.

“First—”

The aggressive advancement of Demonic Realm exploration was put on hold for a while.

In-depth investigations related to the Demonic Realm had mostly ceased. Aside from maintaining a foothold for exploration, all such matters had been postponed.

This made our Special Mission Team’s role—which had been focused on operations to scour the Demonic Realm—feel a bit aimless.

Well, whatever the case, that work had been advancing with an expenditure of gold far beyond my imagination. At such a critical time, it is unavoidable that even the Count’s House would find it burdensome to keep pouring the same funds into the Demonic Realm.

“Next, the second point.”

The coerced involvement of Ainel Shianella meant she transferred her authority to Siabel and Sion.

While it seems our head of the family has no intention of stepping down until all the secrets of the Demonic Realm are revealed, life is unpredictable. While performing official duties, she is passing responsibilities to her two children, who can at least understand the basics of governance.

During the upcoming period away in the north, it seems the Count intends to maintain a balance in the somewhat contrasting temperaments of Siabel and Sion.

“There are many other things, but the most important is—”

The Special Mission Team’s decision to participate.

Though we had always been active as a forward unit for Demonic Realm explorations since our inception,

Our Knights Order is officially known as the Great Demon Tribe Special Mission Knight Order. We respond not only to matters surrounding the Demonic Realm but also to incidents involving cults and demons, aiming, if possible, to confront them directly.

The stage for our order this time is not the familiar Demonic Realm, but the north.

“It has been said that the Demonic Realm has appeared upon the cold land.”

Roaming around such an area, which is eroded by magic, would undoubtedly be a perilous endeavor.

However, armed with Shione’s magic, our Special Mission Team can execute what would otherwise be considered madness. We are quite an unprecedented Knights Order with accumulated expertise.

“There’s no better team than ours in the kingdom for exploring the Demonic Realm.”

Thus, while Siabel and Sion would remain, Shione would be participating alongside Ainel.

Both Shione and I were eager to gather supplies for the Special Mission Team and our Knights Order.

“Ray, how is the morale of the Special Mission Team?”

“It’s a bit disappointing that I can’t let you know right at this moment. What do you think of Shione?”

“Hmm… Our family’s knights experienced the war directly last winter. They must be well aware of the calamities war brings… They will likely be worried sick. That’s what I’m concerned about.”

“Everyone will have some anxiety inside. However, I think it’s safe to say they aren’t overly worried right now.”

“…Really?”

“Do you know what the knights say when it’s just me and Diolia present?”

Our entire Knights Order was somewhat off-kilter.

Surely, those who volunteered to join us and risk their lives in the Demonic Realm must be few.

All of them had a glossy glint in their eyes with a shared quiet madness. They’d utter phrases like:

“We absolutely cannot let the most impressive seat at the ceremony go to another unit, it has to be our Knights Order’s… With all our experience in the Demonic Realm, even wild beasts in new erosion wouldn’t pose too much of a challenge.”

“…But they stayed quiet when I was around. Did they really say such things?”

“What do I gain by lying?”

Diolia even chimed in to exacerbate things, but thanks to that, the morale of our Special Mission Team was quite good.

Even I thought, it was definitely better than just being spaced out, unable to properly wield a sword.

“The bigger issue isn’t morale but how well our knights can adapt to the scheduled gathering point and the cold of the north.”

The most significant problem is adapting to the environment of the north.

Although the west also faces snowstorms and can be quite cold in winter, I heard that the north is on a completely different scale.

The biting cold of the harsh winter can freeze a person just by being. Thus, how quickly we can adapt and find ways to turn it to our advantage is crucial.

So Diolia and I were brainstorming over this issue.

Shione, however, shrugged as if to say, “Why think so deeply?”

“What’s there to worry about? Our knights don’t need to tremble in the cold.”

“Is there a way around it?”

“Yup, right in front of me.”

“…But it’s only me in front of you.”

“Isn’t that right?”

Are you saying I’m the solution?

“Ray is a Spirit Mage. With the top-tier spirit, Tania, melting away the cold, it should be a breeze.”

In a moment, Tania became akin to a bio-wide heater.

“Don’t worry, I’ve prepared plenty of mana potions for you.”

Thank goodness Tania didn’t hear Shione.

An upset spirit can be quite capricious.

“…It’s fortunate that Tania is absent.”

“Fortunate? Why?”

If Tania had heard Shione, she might have incinerated a whole mansion.

*

After two weeks of preparation, the Count finally mustered the troops.

With a minimal number of wizards, the Count’s House, known for its sword-worshipping martial lineage, was not merely ready for defense but for attacks, and the sense of intimidation was considerable.

“Shione, and Ray. Diolia as well. Just like always, I trust you all to return safely after achieving victory.”

“I believe Siabel will capably lead the family in the meantime.”

“Thank you for your faith. If that’s the case, I will have to earnestly support from behind so you won’t feel any regret for what you’ve learned until now.”

A farewell with Siabel.

“I’ve replenished the holy artifact with divine power. When the divine power depletes, be sure to ask the local priests to refill it.”

“Are you worried about me now?”

“…Do you think I won’t?”

“And Baron, I’ll always pray for divine protection. Just as everyone was magnificently saved in that previous incident at the Academy.”

“Since you helped me get my formal attire fitted last time, I assure you I’ll meet your expectations. If Lord Sion prays for me, even arrows shot at me will surely miss.”

“Talking to you is just so much clearer compared to conversing with other Young Adults. It’s still valid, you know, to pose the question of whether you’ve thought about coming to me instead of asking my sister?”

“…Sion, that won’t do.”

“Sis, please be quiet. I’m in the middle of making a proposal.”

“Isn’t it strange doing it in front of me?”

Sparring verbally. Yet amid the laughter, the conversation with Sion concluded.

Ainel called us.

“Shione, come to my side. The Special Mission Team with Diolia and the Baron should follow right behind us.”

Following her command, the troops began to move.

Knights and various soldiers started to march ahead along the prepared path.

Their precise formations reflected strict discipline and remarkable prestige.

Upon arriving at the land’s center, Ainel briefly halted the reins and shouted to the local populace.

“Among the four masters of the kingdom, two have responded to His Majesty’s summons today! How can the brave amongst us lose in war!”

Only four masters exist, with half being of the Count’s lineage.

From the last war, the ties formed within the Count’s House created a close bond with the local populace, igniting a natural allegiance to their home.

The Count had labeled both the volunteers who sought to serve and the local populace who sacrificed their meager means to support the army as war heroes. Those faithful to the exploration of the Demonic Realm and their main duties were now celebrated as glorious pioneers of a new era.

Regardless of how flowery the words seemed, having such laudations coming from the renowned Count instilled a sense of pride among the people, leading them to realize they were no mere serfs or traders but full-fledged constituents under the great bloodline; thus building a collective consciousness of existence.

“We shall not forget the valor of that time and will grasp victory once more! Bless our proud army!”

With that invigorated spirit, everyone’s emotions erupted.

Children sparkled with admiration while gazing at the magnificent knights, parents brimmed with pride tinged with worry, and a one-armed retired soldier, unable to join the march, expressed his bittersweet farewell.

Even mercenaries, who weren’t passively pursuing the dream of exploring the Demonic Realm, felt the shock of the Count’s overwhelming influence, igniting fervor within them.

“All troops, from now on, we fulfill our sacred contract with Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family!”

The army marching north proceeded with the sound of rattling metal armor, horses’ neighs, and bold battle songs.

They advanced as if there was no one in the world who could stop them.