274 – I will buy some time. (1)

274th Episode: I will buy some time. (1)

‘… Got hit hard.’

Ghislaine was lost in thought upon hearing that Count Desmond was coming this way.

Harold had moved faster than expected. She thought it could happen, but this speed was beyond her imagination.

‘So much has changed.’

Using information from the future, she had managed to adapt and seize many things ahead of others.

The Crown Prince Faction, which should have already shrunk, was still active, and Perdium, which should have been destroyed, was still alive.

She had also gained numerous benefits from new technologies.

All of this was possible thanks to the knowledge she had stolen from the future.

And now, the price of changing the future was coming.

“Lord! It’s clear that Count Desmond has gone mad! He’s raising troops without even a civil war!”

Claude shouted in panic. Until now, the Penris Territory had always attacked the enemy after preparing secretly.

They hadn’t realized it at the time, but the scenario was always set up to turn out that way.

However, for the first time, the enemy had attacked before their preparations were finished. The situation had completely changed from before.

Ghislaine, without showing any emotions, calmly asked, “How many new bows have been produced?”

At Ghislaine’s question, Galbarik looked troubled.

“Well… just a little over half is complete.”

It was a bow with new technology. There was no way it could be made instantly just by wanting it. Each bow required extremely meticulous work to complete.

Ghislaine nodded and continued, “How insufficient is the armament for the soldiers?”

Claude replied with a similar expression to Galbarik.

“We haven’t even reached half of it.”

Close to 10,000 soldiers had been recruited. There wasn’t enough time to equip them all with Galbarium Full Armor.

No matter how fast the production speed was, the required quantity was enormous.

The retainers were now painfully recognizing why their lord always shouted “Faster, faster!” They were lacking in preparation and their confidence was decreasing steadily.

The anxious retainers began to argue loudly.

“Soldiers’ training is insufficient! No, the numbers alone can’t match!”

“Wait, the 2nd Corps will hold them off for a while; during that time, we need to negotiate and find a way to buy some time!”

“Let’s immediately ask the Crown Prince Faction for mediation!”

Most of the soldiers were recruits, and the Galbarium armaments were not even fully distributed yet.

The difference in troop numbers was overwhelming, so even if they tried to defend, there was no guarantee they could hold. Even if they managed to defend, the damage would be immense.

Amid the noise, a messenger rushed in and shouted.

“The 2nd Corps has been annihilated!”

The retainers’ faces turned completely pale. The only thing they could rely on was the help of the Crown Prince Faction, but it had become useless too.

“Turns out he really has gone mad.”

Someone muttered. He wouldn’t be rampaging alone if he wasn’t insane.

They could feel Count Desmond’s relentless determination to trample over the Penris Territory.

And that realization turned into fear. No matter how great their lord was, this situation could not be resolved.

While their reasons differed slightly from the retainers’, Ghislaine stiffened her expression upon hearing the news about the destruction of the 2nd Corps.

‘This wasn’t someone who moved so recklessly.’

In his past life, Harold had not behaved this way. He focused solely on executing the Duke Faction’s orders meticulously and moved carefully, always observing the surrounding situation.
He moved.

Upon hearing that he was gathering troops, he had kept various possibilities open. However, based on what he had seen, heard, and experienced in his previous life, he thought the likelihood of Harold moving during a civil war was the highest.

Acting like this was definitely not Harold’s style.

‘I had considered the possibility of him acting alone…’

So he always stayed busy, never resting.

It was just that Harold had moved faster than he expected.

‘Looks like he’s ready to abandon everything.’

No matter how renowned Desmond was, gathering 30,000 soldiers was no small feat. The supplies needed to feed them were just as difficult to accumulate.

Ignoring the relationship between the Duke faction and the Crown Prince faction meant he was willing to gamble with his own life. In other words, Harold had truly put everything on the line to start a war to kill Ghislaine.

Those who wish to protect something are strong, but those who have abandoned everything are terrifying.

‘Just like my previous life.’

Penris, who was not yet prepared, found it hard to deal with Desmond.

‘I was too complacent. I think I blindly trusted information from my past life too much.’

Ghislaine let out a self-deprecating smile. It wasn’t just the problem of trusting information from his past life too much; he had driven Harold into a corner, which also contributed to the current situation.

His opponent was someone who could think and had emotions. It’s natural for someone pushed into a corner to lash out and do anything.

Even if he had reincarnated, it didn’t mean it was all-powerful. The more he tried to change the future, the greater the uncertainty that followed.

Belinda, perhaps annoyed by the trembling retainers, stepped forward and shouted.

“Young Master! Let me go! I’ll go assassinate Count Desmond! That way, the enemy will fall into chaos! We can buy enough time to prepare!”

“No, you won’t succeed.”

“I can do it!”

Belinda was persistent, but Ghislaine did not allow it. Then, this time, Vanessa stepped up.

“My Lord! We can’t give up this place! I’ll do everything I can to hold them back!”

Alfoy grabbed Vanessa’s sleeve, trying to stop her. But she coolly shook him off and continued speaking.

“How did we develop this place! If we all fight with our lives on the line, we can fend them off! Why is everyone silent! We always won! We can win! We can set up traps or whatever! I can keep attacking with magic!”

Despite Vanessa’s outcry, others remained silent and looked away. They understood her feelings, but it was simply stubbornness.

The reported strength was 30,000 soldiers, with 8 siege towers and 12 catapults.

On top of that, Count Desmond’s exclusive mage was an impressive 6th Circle. The number of mages following him was in the dozens.

Even if Vanessa could unleash tremendous firepower, it meant the enemy could neutralize that attack.

‘If both sides’ magic is neutralized, what’s left is the fight of the soldiers.’

‘I heard they had over 100 knights—real knights, not half-baked ones like ours.’

‘Desmond’s soldiers are strong. Our soldiers are strong too, but the difference in numbers is too great.’

There were only 4,000 properly armed soldiers in total. Certainly not a small number, but it was no match compared to the enemy’s strength.

Ghislaine closed his eyes and fell into thought. Even he believed that facing off now was risky.

‘I could defend if I had to… but the training state of the soldiers and their armament are far too lacking. The damage could be immense.’

He never thought about losing. However, if the damage was great, even if they won, it wouldn’t feel like a victory.
Winning wouldn’t mean anything either.

Ghislaine had to fight not only against the Duke Faction but also against the hidden forces beyond that.

‘Winning this time won’t matter to me at all.’

Even if he defeats Desmond, it wouldn’t be the end. The war would break out again soon after.

That’s why preparations had to be made swiftly and sufficiently. To minimize damage and keep fighting against the enemies.

‘If only I had a little more time…’

With help from his father and Marquis Branford, reinforcing his lacking troops wouldn’t be difficult. By the time they sent their troops, the new bows would almost be completed.

But right now, he didn’t even have that much time. If he waited for them to send troops while defending, he would lose nearly all the troops he had cultivated so far.

Count Desmond had really moved at a good timing. With overwhelming forces at that.

‘It can’t be helped. For now, I have no choice but to retreat. I need to rearrange my plans.’

Having finished his thoughts, Ghislaine opened his eyes and spoke.

“Move all supplies and troops back to the old Penris region.”

At those words, all the retainers bowed their heads. Moving to the Penris region meant giving up the Cabaldy region.

There was no denying the disappointment. Everyone felt the same way.

‘What a pity. It was such a developed territory.’

‘Still, there’s no choice. We can’t manage an army of 30,000 just yet.’

‘We can only plan for the future.’

On one hand, the retainers sighed with relief. It would have been troubling if their lord insisted on fighting without trained soldiers.

They all misunderstood Ghislaine as a stubborn, reckless lord, not knowing he had returned.

However, Ghislaine had never acted recklessly without thought. He always moved while considering efficiency and time.

He had the confidence to take risks because he could achieve results.

Someone like him wouldn’t hastily accept a war that was bound to bring huge losses.

“I will establish a defense line centered on Penris Castle. We’ll finish our remaining preparations and regroup there, then retake the Cabaldy region.”

Claude nodded with a relieved expression.

“We have expanded it in preparation for war for a long time, so it should hold out just fine.”

“Right, let’s destroy all important facilities and move as quickly as possible. Inform Gillian and Kaor to return quickly as well.”

The Cabaldy region had developed to an extent that couldn’t be compared to its former self. Plus, it was a territory overflowing with iron ore.

Perhaps Count Desmond would be satisfied after conquering Cabaldy. Even if he wasn’t satisfied, it would take time to completely seize the Cabaldy region.

‘Just enjoy your moment of joy.’

Regrettably, it was time to retreat. Once preparations were complete, they would need to plan a counter-invasion and seize an opportunity.

It wouldn’t be easy to face the stronger Desmond after taking over the Cabaldy region, however.

Following Ghislaine’s orders, the retainers moved busily. Calming down the territory residents who were panicking upon hearing the news was also a task.

Ghislaine walked around the territory, reassuring the people.

“Don’t worry! Count Desmond will not harm you! I will definitely come back!”

To maintain a developed territory, a sufficient population was needed. Harold was no fool; he wouldn’t commit massacres.

With the 2nd Corps decimated, there were no armies to pin down Count Desmond. The retainers moved even busier, looking tense.

Even if Desmond’s Army wasn’t particularly fast, it was obvious they would arrive soon enough, given the not-so-great distance.
Even if it’s slow, it’s obvious we’ll arrive soon since it’s not that far away.

A while later, a multitude of recruits and supplies arrived at the Lord’s Castle. Gillian had sent soldiers training in the southern region upon hearing the news.

Ghislaine tilted his head in confusion upon receiving the report.

“Where is Gillian?”

Gillian had not returned from the fortress with the 100 knights and 1,000 soldiers he sent there.

Claude, looking quite vexed, handed over a letter.

As Ghislaine read through the letter, his face began to twist with concern.

[My Lord, I understand that you decided to retreat because we are not fully prepared yet. However, if we lose this place, we may never regain our footing. You must not abandon this place. You said we would certainly win once the new bows and soldiers’ armament are ready. I will stake my life to buy that time. I still remember what you told me, my Lord…]

— I will surely break the territory’s poverty. Not as a drop of water, but as a rainstorm.

[…I know that you have achieved what was deemed impossible, my Lord. I also know this place is essential to fight against even tougher enemies. So please, do not give up this place. My knights and I will find a way to buy time. Do not stop preparing and ensure victory. Then… my Lord, you will spread over the North not as rain, but as a storm.]

“Gillian…”

Ghislaine wore a serious expression. Gillian was willing to sacrifice his life for Ghislaine’s dream.

In the heavy atmosphere, Claude handed over another letter.

“What is this?”

“It’s from the knights there.”

Ghislaine unfolded the letter again, finding a message from 100 knights directed to the Lord, each with a line written.

— Is our idiot Lord scared?

— Don’t worry, we’ll hold them off.

— You boast every day, and now look at you.

— What did you do to me?

— Oh, I’m a bit sad I didn’t get to see the captain’s troubled face.

…

Leave it to those mercenaries; the letter was filled with bravado and insults. If they were going to face death, they might as well say everything they wanted.

Ghislaine couldn’t help but chuckle as he read it.

After a while of laughter, Ghislaine suddenly stopped and muttered.

“Yeah, sometimes things like this happen. A plan is just a plan.”

There’s no such thing as a perfect plan. Situations change, and it’s normal to adapt accordingly. As long as the result is perfect.

“…Um, you’re not having strange thoughts right now, are you?”

Ignoring Claude’s anxious tone, Ghislaine continued speaking.

“Honestly, I didn’t like the idea of retreating. I was too considerate. I didn’t think like that when fighting against the kingdom.”

Another nonsensical statement came out after a long time. Claude and the retainers looked even more anxious. Regardless, Ghislaine kept saying what he wanted.

“The training of the soldiers continues.”

“Pardon?”

“We’ll keep producing the new bows and Galbarium armaments. I want all resources directed toward that.”

“My Lord! There’s no chance of winning if we clash! You know that’s why you decided to retreat, right?”

“I won’t accept any opposition. We trust Gillian and the knights, and we will finish preparations as soon as possible. Then we will go rescue them.”

Ghislaine crumpled the letter in his hand with a fierce smile.

“Count Harold Desmond will die in this war.”