The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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Along with the Baron family’s troops, Ainel and Shione commanded the remaining forces of the Count’s House. Finally, the march towards the stationed area began.

Now in the plains just behind Marquis Alenard, the route to the front lines was neither too far nor too close, and everyone here were superhumans who had awakened their mana.

Since they weren’t moving over great distances, there was no need to match the pace of the supplies to the number of soldiers. Adelhaite and the Marquis had finished preparing to receive the army, and additional supplies would be automatically transported by the rear units, eliminating any worries.

Thanks to this, they packed only enough supplies for a day’s rest, ensuring swiftness. If the whims of the unpredictable winter weather allowed, it was evident that they could conclude this march without major issues.

Hanelrn looked up at the sky, contemplating the cold world and heavens above.

‘It seems nothing ever goes smoothly.’

Regrettably, problems began to arise after marching for about half a day.

‘It was a bit ambiguous from the start, but it’s getting worse as we head north.’

The season had reached winter, and particularly, Marquis Alenard was notorious for unpredictable bad weather during this time. The sky, checked before departure, appeared unusually clouded, as if it were hiding some secret.

The higher they climbed, the denser the clouds blocking the sunlight became. The biting wind hitting their faces made it clear just how fierce the northern cold could be.

In that moment where they’d been reveling under sunny weather, Hanelrn realized he had underestimated the chill of the north.

‘At this rate, our march might be delayed.’

For now, it was just a cold wind, but it seemed the sky had no intention of stopping there.

Beyond the heavy armor and weaponry, if this cold continued, even the troops who had awakened their mana would find it burdensome.

And eventually, as the clouds began to spit out raindrops and snowflakes, murmurs of discontent began to rise.

‘Just look at the weather. At this rate, even the warhorses will tire quickly.’

Wiping the thin rain from her face, Theia surveyed her surroundings.

‘It won’t be easy for the less experienced ones to hold up. Look, even the wizards are struggling to keep their expressions under control.’

Those who had boasted of their stamina and confidence were now tight-lipped, while the wizards, with less stamina than the knights, were rummaging for usable spells in a bid to endure the bad weather.

However—

‘…Are the knights from the Count’s House not afraid of this weather?’

Strangely, the knights from the Count’s House were calmly carrying on as if nothing had changed, chatting moderately and walking diligently.

As if they had some kind of unsaid confidence that no matter how severe the bad weather became, it couldn’t possibly halt their march.

It was puzzling.

But Theia had no time to inquire about their reasons. The worsening weather had already made visibility poor, and merely brushing the thickening raindrops and snowflakes off while shielding the vanguard kept her sufficiently occupied.

And soon enough, as the situation rapidly deteriorated, the Baron finally responded.

“Dorothy, how many mana potions does the magic unit currently possess?”

“The mages each carry two potions. However, using magic to withstand this weather—”

“It doesn’t matter. The one drinking the mana potions won’t be our mages, but me. Guide, how much longer until the rest area?”

“Just a bit more than half a day.”

“Then that’s fine.”

Upon hearing the guide’s words, the Baron cast a spell, and suddenly a miracle occurred.

The wind that had been striking their faces and the droplets that blocked their vision vanished, replaced by a warm feeling spreading over their previously chilled faces.

As Theia slowly opened her eyes to check her surroundings, an astonishing sight unfolded.

“…Did he just split the weather?”

A long, sleek barrier of wind had appeared, disrupting the fierce gusts.

The raindrops and snowflakes could not breach the boundary of the wind, flowing back gently along its currents, providing a soft breeze filled with warmth and the energy of fire.

The Baron, as if it were nothing, merely took a mana potion from a bewildered Dorothy while effortlessly Twirling it into the air.

‘So this was the reason the knights of the Count’s House managed to remain relaxed.’

Now, Theia was gradually realizing what sort of person her lord was.

‘…He didn’t receive the title of Baron for nothing, huh?’

A man who had earned the kingdom’s recognition entirely through his martial achievements.

With him leading them in this war, she wondered what sort of future awaited them.

Thus, the hopes of all the knights here began to sprout for their lord.

*

‘I thought I was going to lose my mind.’

The weather was relentless.

There had been something off about it, but she never expected it to change so suddenly.

In an instant, visibility had nearly vanished, while her knights trembled from being soaked by the rain.

The Baron’s mages had yet to reach the point where they could completely control such harsh weather.

Thanks to that, from yesterday until this morning, they’d resorted to sipping mana potions and invoking Tania and Elvis’s strength.

In a situation where their energy was faltering, they finally received some good news.

“We’re almost at the fortress!”

Just ahead lay the Marquis’ proud fort where she and her knights would station. It was renowned for only allowing the bravest warriors into its iron-clad walls.

“Rest will be taken at the fortress, and we’ll pick up the pace!”

“Yes! Increase the speed!”

The sky cleared with a brightness that was not as piercingly cold as yesterday. It appeared as if it welcomed them, exuding a clear brilliance.

Everyone was eager to enjoy delicious meals within a warm fortress and share heroic tales of weathering the storm.

‘I wish Shione and Diolia were here with me.’

It would have been nice to chat and joke together, comfortably sharing this joyous moment.

Even though only a day had passed, the absence of Shione and the Special Mission Team felt significant.

‘As Diolia suggested, once we enter the fortress, I should have a chat with our commanders.’

I needed to properly gauge the strength of my knights and ensure I understood the leaders to facilitate easier commanding in the future.

Moreover, the three commanders appeared quite close; I, too, should get closer to them to fit into their circle.

Thus, with united hearts, we advanced at an even faster pace than when we set the camp.

“There’s combat occurring ahead with monsters. It seems the troops will encounter the enemy soon.”

The vanguard reported there was fighting at the fortress’s gates.

This area was famously rife with monsters, so it seemed a purge operation was underway against those that dared to crawl this far.

“Since monsters can come this way, everyone prepare for battle!”

Monsters are manageable even for our knights, but given that the battlefield might extend this far, it’s better to be well-prepared.

I too nocked an arrow and began to advance slowly, and soon a great beast leapt from the thicket ahead.

‘…The northern monsters indeed feel different right from the get-go.’

A creature with the body of a bear but the face of a fox with a disturbingly long snout.

With its giant frame and eyes ablaze with fighting spirit and murderous intent, even the way it constantly snapped the air was ominous.

Although we surely outnumbered it, the monster merely growled threateningly, unlike the western monsters that often charged.

As I was about to shoot to kill it immediately—

“Where are you going!”

A knight suddenly emerged from beside me, launching his sword towards it.

Whether it was that he couldn’t handle his mana or he simply chose not to use it, the resonance between his mana and sword was non-existent, yet the straight trajectory of his strike was unyieldingly confident, seemingly powerful enough that even the tough hide of the beast would tremble beneath it.

In a flash, he darted out and beheaded the monster, taking in a slow, steady breath. Eventually, he brushed the blood off his sword and wiped the sweat from his brow with his reddened hand.

Coincidentally, I found that knight’s silhouette remarkably familiar.

‘…That silky black hair and those sharp yet earnest eyes, wielding sword and shield—those unique swordsmanship moves.’

He was indeed a comrade I fought beside during the last battle against the same enemy.

The traits of the noble House Kalia from the eastern kingdom matched his completely.

It was through recognizing him first that I could identify his true identity.

‘That person is…’

With the understanding that a new horizon opened up through realization, it was the newly appointed leader of the Kalia’s elite unit.

It’s Abel Kalia, proudly announcing he took charge of the Execution Unit.