SWNOVELXO Chapter 550
Chapter 550 ‘Empathy’ Is Enough. (1)
Dark, who had gone out on reconnaissance, approached Ghislaine and whispered very quietly.
“Master, it’s true. Real enemies have appeared! Wow, how did you know?”
“You don’t have to speak that quietly. Even shouting here wouldn’t be heard over there.”
“Ugh, seriously. Let’s liven up the mood a bit.”
Dark grumbled as he recounted what he had seen.
“There are about twenty. They’re all coming through difficult terrain. But you know, every route you mentioned had them on it?”
“Numbers?”
“Uh… about five hundred each?”
In the past, Dark couldn’t properly gauge numbers. But after following Ghislaine and gaining experience in battle, he had developed quite an eye for reconnaissance.
Upon hearing Dark’s words, Ghislaine nodded.
“Some places are bound to be missed.”
The way they were breaking up like that was to move stealthily. As the war intensified, it became easier for a large army to be detected.
Five hundred is no small number, but through forests and mountains, if they only moved at night, they could hide their presence.
Most importantly, the Revolutionary Group was quite accustomed to hiding.
“The rest will have to be tracked down and killed. The ones we miss can be left to Claude.”
Ghislaine tightened her grip on the reins.
It wasn’t hard to infer the path the revolutionaries would take. The roads they could use to hide were too obvious.
When preparing for an ambush, what’s important isn’t just predicting the opponent’s route. It’s being certain that they would launch a surprise attack.
And Ghislaine’s predictions hit the mark beautifully.
“Knowing someone well is indeed very convenient,” she chuckled.
In her past life, the Revolutionary Group often ambushed by lurking around. Especially the method they favored was to strike when the Human Alliance was engaged somewhere else.
So it wasn’t difficult to anticipate how they would come at them.
Moreover, with Dark around, it was easy to keep an eye on things. Once you grasp the opponent’s objective, their movements become clear.
Ghislaine gave Dark new orders.
“Pass the word along to others. They’ll be appearing soon.”
“Got it. Ah, I hope I don’t get caught and eaten on the way.”
Dark’s body split into several pieces. Tiny crows flew off in various directions.
Currently, Ghislaine had divided the Mobile Army into ten units of about two thousand each. Each unit was led by experienced individuals like Yulien, Parniel, Gillian, Kaor, Gordon, and Lucas.
It was impossible to divide them further to ensure safety. The ones they missed could be pursued later.
“Alright, since they’re about to arrive, let’s start preparing.”
The area they were in was a very large forest. The trees were tall, and light barely penetrated.
The Mobile Army tied their horses far away, leaving only a few sentinels behind. The rest applied black camouflage on their armor and helmets, spreading widely throughout the forest.
The armor of the Knights of Penris was black from the start, so they didn’t need further camouflage.
“Shhhh…”
The Mobile Army hidden throughout the forest even muffled their breathing. If the most training Ghislaine provided was for charging, the next most was for hiding and covering.
These were essential elements for her army, which enjoyed pursuits and ambushes.
The forest soon fell into a silence. The unwelcome guests had arrived, and even the birds and insects stopped their sounds.
The Mobile Army remained silent for half a day. For others, it might have been hard, but for them, that amount of time was nothing.
‘Hehe, this is comfy.’
‘I wish it was like this every day. Hehe.’
‘Better than construction work.’
‘Running around everywhere is really tiring.’
‘Ah, what’s this? So comfortable. I might just fall asleep.’
For the Mobile Army, hiding was no different from resting.
‘I hope they’re a little later.’
Everyone prayed with the same thought. During training, hiding was boring and hard to endure, but following Ghislaine made them realize there were much tougher things in this world.
Fatefully, the Mobile Army’s wish did not come true. As night darkened, others began moving stealthily, matching their discretion.
Step.
Several members of the reconnaissance team from the Revolutionary Group cautiously entered the forest, scanning the surroundings. They were checking for any beasts or monsters.
They didn’t even consider the possibility of humans being there. The Allied Forces couldn’t possibly be here.
“Everything’s clear.”
It was only natural. Ghislaine and the Mobile Army had already cleaned the area before them.
Unaware, the reconnaissance team pulled out flint and brush from their packs and struck them together.
Clang!
A small light flickered in the dark forest.
The remaining members of the Revolutionary Group entered the woods upon seeing the signal. They had even donned soft shoes and camouflage to prevent any sounds from their horses.
They moved in a very orderly manner, quickly forming ranks and beginning to advance.
Despite not being regular forces, their movements were very nimble. This meant they were quite accustomed to such tasks.
The 2nd Battalion of the Revolutionary Group had entered the forest. Captain Tarim, feeling inwardly relieved, let out a big breath.
“We’re almost there. Once we cross this area, we’ll be in the Kingdom of Atrode.”
So far, they had made it safely. Just a little more effort and they could reach their prepared hideout.
There, they just had to wait for their comrades to gather all together.
Their goal wasn’t to attack the Allied Forces directly. With this number, it was impossible.
‘But if it’s during a battle, that changes things.’
The Allied Forces were a large army, so to secure supply routes, they would have to capture various strongholds in the Kingdom of Atrode.
Thus, the Allied Forces would also have to split into several legions. The Revolutionary Group planned to pick one of those to strike during a battle.
“Alright, let’s hurry and go. Just a bit more effort.”
Tarim led the battalion while sighing continuously.
It was tiring, but they had to reach the next location before dawn. Once they safely arrived there, they could finally rest.
‘Damn it, I joined the Revolutionary Group out of fear of war…’
He had joined the Revolutionary Group on the condition he would be a training instructor. Though a low-level position, he was still a high-ranking individual with a background as a knight, so he could set conditions.
At first, it was great not having to fight and just resting in the hideout.
But after the Revolutionary Group teamed up with a social club, there was no way he could back out now and just be an instructor.
‘Ah, I need to find the right opportunity to escape.’
Surely there would be chances during the battle. This time, I planned to run far away.
Whatever thoughts stirred in Tarim’s mind, the 2nd Battalion of the Revolutionary Group moved swiftly across the forest.
Having lived in various mountains and forests, they excelled at moving stealthily.
After crossing half the forest without incident, Tarim finally began to feel a bit relieved.
“Good, things are running smoothly this time. We should be able to get to the next spot before dawn. But…”
But there was something oddly off about the situation. Having always lived in the mountains and forests, he soon detected something strange.
“Isn’t it too quiet? Is this place usually like this? Or is it us causing this?”
Tarim tilted his head as he moved. It felt a bit strange to think it was because of them.
After all, he couldn’t hear any sounds, not even in the distance.
It felt oddly unsettling, but Tarim shook his head.
‘That’s ridiculous. The Allied Forces can’t possibly know we’re coming and be lying in ambush here, right?’
It would be impossible unless a spy had informed them.
No, even if there was a spy, it would still be impossible. They moved as soon as the operation was decided.
As he settled his mind and continued to run, he noticed the reconnaissance team that had left earlier was standing still.
“What’s going on? What happened?”
As he approached a bit closer, he saw that the reconnaissance team was surrounding someone.
Tarim walked up to them and asked.
“Who’s that?”
“I’m not sure. They insisted on seeing our leader, so we’ve kept them for now.”
“What? Me?”
He heightened his gaze and scrutinized the person, but due to the darkness, their face was hard to see. They looked suspicious, but since the person was alone, they didn’t seem overly dangerous.
“Light.”
At Tarim’s command, a few lit torches. The area brightened slightly, revealing the face of the individual.
Tarim looked at the man standing with his hands raised and asked.
“Who are you? Why are you here alone? Are you lost?”
The solitary man, Ghislaine, smiled widely as he responded.
“I’m here to collect a toll.”
“……What?”
“To pass through here, each person must pay 100 gold.”
After a moment of blank expression, Tarim burst into laughter.
“Pfft.”
“Cough cough.”
The other members did the same. Though they couldn’t laugh out loud in the situation, they all chuckled softly.
The reconnaissance team surrounding Ghislaine also relaxed their tension and laughed.
One of the reconnaissance members shook his head and said to Ghislaine.
“Do you even know who we are to say something like that? A toll? You want us to pay a toll? Alone?”
Blocking the road and asking for a toll was their specialty. The Revolutionary Group wasn’t called a band of bandits for nothing.
To show up alone and try to collect a toll from professionals like them was ludicrous.
“This guy seems crazy. Let’s just kill him.”
At the reconnaissance member’s words, Tarim hesitated a bit since he was still a knight.
“While it’s unavoidable to remain undetected, he still seems crazy enough to let go… hmm?”
As he spoke, Tarim squinted his eyes a bit. He looked too refined to merely be a crazy person; his clothes were quite luxurious as well.
He was indeed suspicious. Tarim extended his hand.
“Wait, don’t kill him just yet…”
But the reconnaissance team member had already grabbed Ghislaine by the collar and was growling.
“If you don’t know who we are and pulled this ridiculous stunt, it means you’re prepared for the consequences. Die, you bastard!”
As the reconnaissance member raised his sword to stab Ghislaine—
Crack!
Ghislaine swiftly pulled an axe from his waist and struck the reconnaissance member’s neck.
Thud.
The reconnaissance member hit the ground without even letting out a scream upon having his neck struck.
Looking at the fallen reconnaissance member, Ghislaine said,
“What about you? Showing off doesn’t change the fact you’re just a lackey of the Revolutionary Group.”
Clang! Clang!
All the members of the Revolutionary Group drew their weapons.
Tarim’s expression had hardened into a rigid stare. They knew who he was.
He slowly opened his mouth.
“You… who are you?”
“Duke of Penris.”
“……What?”
“Don’t you know me?”
“……”
Who wouldn’t know the Duke of Penris? Anyone who participated in the war would know that name.
But for a crazy person to appear alone at night claiming to be the Duke of Penris was utterly unbelievable.
“Are you… really the Duke of Penris?”
“Yep. Want me to show you my identification?”
His overly nonchalant demeanor made Tarim gulp.
It was hard to believe but hard to refute. There would be very few on this continent who could act so boldly.
“So, you came alone…?”
“I brought people with me to make sure you can’t escape.”
Whoosh…
Tarim and the Revolutionary members looked around. With the sound of leaves rustling, a throng of figures emerged.
They had completely surrounded the members of the Revolutionary Group.
This was absurd. How could they have anticipated their arrival so precisely!
Tarim asked with a trembling voice.
“H-how did you know? Why, Duke, are you here?”
“That’s none of your concern. Each person must pay 100 gold. Will you pay or not?”
Tarim didn’t know what to do. If the person in front of him was the Duke of Penris, then they were certainly the famous Mobile Army.
The opponent had already surrounded them and was far more numerous than they were. There was no way they could handle this with their current numbers.
No, even if it were just the Duke of Penris, they wouldn’t have been able to win. No matter how capable they were, the one before them was a monster among monsters.
Tarim dismounted. Still, since he was asking for money, there might be some room for negotiation.
“W-well, I don’t have that kind of money right now…”
Who carries around 100 gold during a war? Even if there wasn’t a war, no one does that.
Ghislaine then began twirling his shoulders as he spoke.
“Then you all should die.”
“C-can’t I owe it to you?”
“I have never allowed a single debt to go unpaid.”
“I, I’m a knight so I will definitely repay a debt. I won’t cheat you.”
“The world sure is chaotic. A knight resorting to banditry. Anyway, no debts allowed.”
It was Tarim’s pride that he was a knight. Though he was part of the Revolutionary Group now, he still believed he was different from the others.
Feeling hurt by his pride, Tarim shouted.
“Everyone run! Break through somehow! The operation has failed!”
Pride is pride, but life is life. There was no way he could defeat the Duke of Penris.
For reasons unknown, the opponent knew their plans. He had to escape from the encirclement quickly and report this fact.
Shouting, Tarim immediately turned to run, pulling all his strength to explode his mana.
The other members of the Revolutionary Group also started scattering in different directions.
But they couldn’t escape from Ghislaine’s hands.
Crack!
“Graaah!”
While fleeing, Tarim was suddenly struck from the back by an axe.
“Ugh… s-save me.”
Without saying a word, Ghislaine stepped on Tarim’s leg.
Creeeak!
“Gyaah!”
In an instant, Tarim’s leg shattered. Looking down at the trembling Tarim in pain, Ghislaine said,
“I’ll let you live for now. Let’s talk after I kill the rest.”
Ghislaine grinned widely as he twirled the axe in his hand.
There was no need to use another weapon when dealing with these guys.
His small axe, ‘Empathy,’ was more than enough.