SWNOVELXO Chapter 411
The Count’s forces advanced and finally set foot on the northern borders.
Feeling the gradually cooling air at the tip of my nose, I took a moment to relish the scent of the chilly breeze.
Ainel, who had been looking straight ahead, turned around and caught our gaze.
“Finally entered the North, huh? Shione, Baron, do you know what sort of foes the North has been keeping at bay until now?”
Shione immediately responded to the sudden question.
“I don’t know in depth, but I’ve heard there are numerous monsters with tenacious vitality and active predation compared to other monstrosities, which makes them quite troublesome to deal with.”
“I haven’t delved too deeply into it myself.”
“That’s just a common perception highlighted in society. But if that were the case, the Marquis wouldn’t need to secure their castle so vigorously at the northernmost point. They could just hire hunters or mercenaries periodically and call it a day.”
That was what Siabel said to Aria when she was teasing her.
Describing the hunters as catching bears with toothpicks was an understatement; the monsters of the North were anything but easy prey.
“Could you answer in Diolia’s stead?”
“Of course, my Lord.”
Diolia, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, provided the answer.
“In the North lives a descendant of the dragon, known as the progenitor of magic, which blessed the royal family. They are a mere shadow of the original dragon, weakened by age, but a dragon is still a dragon.”
A dragon’s lesser descendant.
Although they don’t quite match the glory of the original dragons,
they still possess overwhelming power due to the great roots of their blood slumbering within them.
“Surrounding a dragon’s lair, a strong aura is always present. Moreover, a living dragon is a beast that has survived since its era of supremacy. No matter how old they become, they cannot be underestimated.”
The royalty, known to carry the blood of dragons.
From birth, they wield mana and possess an extraordinary innate talent for magic.
The creatures—those very beasts—seem to be adept at channeling such energy.
“Basically, the monsters adapted to the harsh and barren environment of the permafrost… and being exposed to that dragon’s aura for generations would have given them special abilities. Hence, we should never underestimate them.”
Thus, the dragon has made a nest in the North for ages.
Having spent not just decades but centuries there,
the monsters adapting to the dragon’s aura appear to have undergone new mutations and evolution in a short span.
“Tough vitality, special abilities, and an obsession with predation. Countless monsters have evolved in a way that is far more dangerous than simply being eroded by magic, and they are constantly eyeing the warmer lands of the South. Especially since they are exceedingly cunning, they pose even greater threats.”
These monsters, unlike those that charge at people blindly, seem to be skilled at pretending to be hunters while strategizing.
“And on top of that, they tend to cause havoc each winter.”
There’s a reason the Alenarr Marquis family is famous for its formidable military might, just as known as the Count’s house.
In a fierce blizzard where visibility is practically zero, I’ll have to capture such cunning beasts—not one or two, but a whole pack.
Against all odds, victory is necessary to thwart them; the North has its own burdens, indeed.
“As Diolia mentioned, once we head North, we will face a new type of enemy. And we must never underestimate them. When I briefly resided in the North helping the Marquis during my youth, I experienced that their dangers were not any less than those of monsters troubling our Count’s house.”
“I still vividly remember that time, and that was already ten years ago.”
“Time flies, indeed. Speaking of which, I just remembered something that happened back then involving Diolia.”
“What about me…?”
“Don’t you remember? I told you to evacuate from the avalanche and you ignored me, saying you’d outshine me. You ended up getting buried headfirst in the snow during the fight, with just your legs sticking out like a delicate orchid, flailing about in midair.”
“Y-You shouldn’t bring that up anymore, my Lord…!”
Diolia’s composure shattered in an instant.
Instantly flustered, her face turned bright red, unlike her usual self.
As Shione and I quietly gazed at her, the Commander cleared his throat and shook his head.
“Deputy Commander, Princess Shione. No, it wasn’t like that.”
“……”
“It absolutely never happened.”
With Diolia’s eyes trembling as if in a shuddering leaf-like manner.
“Why are you reacting to something from the past? At least, it was entertaining at the time.”
“That’s too much. Please consider my dignity.”
The Commander’s woes came to an end with a soft laugh from Ainel.
As the atmosphere lightened, our march continued with alternating periods of rest and movement.
Finally, we arrived at our destination.
“All troops! Unpack and take a breather!”
“Move that over there!”
“Any exhausted fools around? If so, get healed by the priests right now!”
The place we reached after a relentless march was the plains at the heart of the northern region.
While it’s a bit further to the Alenarr Marquis house, the geography isn’t suitable for gathering a large army all at once, so we’ve arrived at this designated area.
Here, other noble houses answering the royal’s call were also dividing their territories and organizing their camps, not just the Count’s house.
“Shione, I’m going to check on the other houses for a bit. It was a long trek, so make sure to rest well.”
“Are you sure it’s alright for me not to come along?”
“Of course. I’ve got to see a few things before the camp is set up, so it won’t take long at all.”
After Ainel left the group,
we continued to command the soldiers in our stead while checking the surroundings.
“Just as expected, numerous houses have gathered here. It’s quite a sight.”
The place where the kingdom’s full strength converged was indeed exceptional.
In the banquet hall, only a couple of representatives from each noble house took part, and the atmosphere wasn’t particularly heavy either.
Since we often meet with nobles referred to as heavyweights, even when someone mentions how strong their army is, it hardly feels as significant as it used to.
Now, seeing the troops gathered under their respective banners, it’s undeniable that the nobles are indeed noble.
“Ray, do you see that flag over there?”
“That flag… it’s from the Kalia Marquis family.”
“It looks like the Kalia Marquis family arrived before us. They must have some young lord or young lady with them; let’s go visit them later.”
I can’t believe the Kalia Marquis family got here so quickly.
Though seeing the smaller troops makes me think they probably brought fewer soldiers due to the losses from the last war.
With fewer numbers, they could reach here faster than us.
‘Abel, huh.’
I heard he’s quite articulate, and he managed to impressively gain their favor, so perhaps I’ll see a more formidable side of him in this encounter.
“Those flags over there too…! It seems the notable dukes and barons are all present here.”
There was much to observe at this place, abundant in sights not just rivaling the Kalia Marquis family but also plenty of counts and barons.
Checking the unique designs of each battalion and the features of their armors was incredibly captivating.
Since it was my first time seeing such a large-scale army since falling here, I made sure to explore whenever I got the chance.
Suddenly Shione, who was inspecting the surroundings more diligently than I was, gently nudged me.
“Ray, that symbol on those knights’ epaulets. It looks like it belongs to your house; wanna take a look?”
Following her lead, I turned my gaze and spotted three women approaching us.
‘They all have different outfits.’
One knight clad in plate armor.
AnotherDonning a blend of leather and steel armor.
And the last one, while having somewhat lower defense, exuded an even sharper, colder presence.
Despite their different appearances, they shared one common feature.
‘That insignia—’
Since it was originally a royal direct territory, the royal family often used the three-clawed dragon’s talon design on either side, depicting a figure tearing apart a demon. It was unmistakably the emblem of the Karpel Baron family.
Cautiously stepping ahead past Shione towards the approaching figures,
“I’d like to pay my respects to the present Baron of the Karpel family.”
As they stood before me, they saluted.
“Firstly, the first commander of the Karpel Baron family’s knights.”
The one in leather armor appeared to be a typical knight.
“This is the head of the Special Assault Brigade. Lastly, this person here is in charge of the reserve magic division.”
The knight in the plate armor had a demeanor reminiscent of Diolia, exuding the atmosphere of a heavy cavalryman.
And finally, the mage followed suit in greeting.
“It’s an honor to meet the Baron.”
They were my knights.