The Count's Gun-Shooting Scoundrel-Chapter 29

Arthur stared at the map spread out on the table with a grave expression.
War in this world was different from what he knew.
Territorial wars within the empire were meant to be fought as head-on battles between Knight Orders.
The reason was to minimize the weakening of the empire's overall military strength due to these conflicts.
Unaware of this fact, the plan he had devised to deal with the enemy was now useless.
“We’ll have to change the plan.”
Skevin, who had been silent until now, spoke with a heavy tone.
“I heard you faced Yakim.”
As Arthur nodded, Skevin asked seriously.
“Was he really a Sword Master?”
“I don’t know the standards. But I can tell you one thing for sure. He was strong enough to give me goosebumps.”
“Hmm…”
“Every time he swung his sword, which was wreathed in a deep blue aura, the surroundings were obliterated.”
“Did anything shoot out from the sword?”
“Something deep blue flew at me.”
“As I thought.”
Skevin’s face hardened.
When one became a Sword Master, every swing of their sword would form and launch an Aura Blade.
He had hoped it wasn't true, but Yakim's status as a Sword Master was confirmed.
In any case, it was astonishing that Arthur had faced him and returned alive.
Skevin assumed Arthur had managed to escape only because he had used the CheyTac for long-range attacks.
However, the mere fact that the enemy had a Sword Master meant the tide had already turned against them.
“This won’t be easy.”
“Not necessarily.”
“...?”
As Skevin tilted his head in confusion, Arthur recounted what had happened there.
The moment they heard he had inflicted massive damage on Yakim and the leadership of the Red Warriors, everyone was stunned.
“You injured a Sword Master…”
Skevin’s eyes widened.
Millerf, too, looked at Arthur with a dazed expression, clearly shocked for once.
Arthur responded calmly to their reactions.
“This is no time to be surprised. They’ll attack at dawn.”
“As long as Yakim is alive, the situation won’t change much. I’m sorry to say this, but I fear you’ve only fueled their anger.”
Millerf nodded in agreement with Skevin’s words and added.
“Moreover, this incident will make them realize that the House of Count Julius’s forces are not to be underestimated, so they will move cautiously. It won’t be easy to attack them.”
“That’s possible.”
Arthur looked back and forth between the two men as he recalled Yakim.
Having faced the man, he knew for certain that he was strong.
But he was the type to act emotionally rather than carefully planning to crush his opponent.
“But I think differently. He’ll probably try to wipe us out in one fell swoop.”
Skevin tilted his head and asked.
“Why do you think so?”
“If he had fought properly, would I have gotten away with just these injuries?”
“...!”
“Wouldn’t I have lost at least a limb? In other words, he’s not the type to fight with a meticulous plan. Either that, or he’s drunk on his own power, and his judgment is clouded.”
“Hmm.”
Skevin was lost in thought for a moment.
Hearing Arthur’s words, it made sense.
Although Arthur had grown stronger, he wasn't at a level to take on a Sword Master.
And if Yakim had fought with all his might, Arthur wouldn't be standing here like this.
As he said, it was one of the two.
Reaching the level of a Sword Master required countless battlefield experiences.
Besides, he was a mercenary, wasn't he?
If he hadn’t acted with caution and thoroughness, he wouldn’t have survived until now.
Since he was said to have become a Sword Master only recently, the latter was more likely.
“Hearing your words, Young Master, I think that could be the case. But the Rose Knights are also among the enemies we must face.”
“That’s why I have something to ask.”
Arthur met Skevin’s eyes and asked.
“Can you handle the Rose Knights?”
“What do you mean…?”
“If the Phoenix Knights can hold off the Rose Knights, I will take care of the Red Warriors.”
“What?”
Skevin’s eyes shot open.
“I’m not saying I’ll face them alone. I’ll need Millerf, the Devil Corps, and about 30 men from the Knight Order.”
“Even so, it’s too dangerous.”
“Not necessarily. Their forces are significantly weakened, and if we lure them into the western mountains, I think we have a fighting chance. What do you think, Millerf?”
“The western mountains…”
Millerf stroked his chin in thought, then his eyes flashed as if he had an idea.
“Are you perhaps thinking of using traps?”
“Yes, I plan to use traps to block their mobility and wage mountain warfare. That should give us at least a slight advantage.”
“Mountain warfare…”
A look of excitement spread across Millerf’s face.
“The problem is the Rose Knights.”
Arthur turned his head to Skevin and continued.
“They have nearly twice the number of troops as the Phoenix Knights and have suffered no losses.”
“I will take them.”
Skevin answered without a hint of hesitation.
“Think carefully before you decide. The Phoenix Knights are the guardians of the House of Count Julius. They must not fall.”
“I know.”
Skevin nodded gravely and shifted his gaze to Hellot.
“What are your thoughts?”
“It would have been difficult before, but now we have over 50 Sword Expert Knights. Half of them are intermediate level or higher, so we are incomparably stronger than before.”
“I think so too.”
Skevin looked back at Arthur and continued.
“Take Hellot and his team with you.”
“What?”
Arthur frowned.
Hellot also showed a flicker of surprise.
“If the Devil Corps were at full strength, it would be a different story, but half of them are currently unable to move due to injuries, aren’t they? They will fill the gap.”
“You think you have a good chance of winning even without them.”
“Of course.”
Confidence was written all over Skevin’s face.
Arthur’s lips curled into a slight smile.
“Good. I’ll lay out the plan now, so gather around the table.”
***
“Good grief.”
Van examined the CheyTac and shook his head.
There were cracks in the section where the beads were loaded and fired.
In other words, it couldn’t withstand the pressure even with Millerf’s enhancement magic.
“It seems there’s no solution other than Orichalcum.”
Since there was nothing he could do, he put down the CheyTac and picked up the Kukri.
This, too, had a completely ruined blade.
Some parts were even dented or had pieces broken off.
“What on earth did you hit with this?”
Van, utterly bewildered, began to heat the Kukri in the forge and hammer it.
A good while had passed like that.
Arthur entered the smithy.
“How is it?”
Van, who was sweating buckets, put down his hammer and bowed to Arthur.
Then, he asked with a face full of discontent.
“Just who did you fight?”
“Is it hard to fix?”
“The sword, I can hammer it out by dawn, but the CheyTac is beyond my abilities.”
“Hmm.”
“Still, they’re just hairline cracks, so if you apply another enhancement spell, you should be able to use it a few more times.”
“That’s a relief.”
Arthur went to the table and looked at the CheyTac.
Seeing the cracks everywhere reminded him of the fierce battle with Yakim.
It was made of Mithril and even had enhancement magic on it, yet it couldn’t withstand the attacks.
He couldn’t help but be astonished by his strength once again.
“He really is a monster.”
“What kind of man was he? It wasn’t this bad even when you fought the Ogre.”
“Of course not. He was a Sword Master.”
“A Sword Master…!”
Van’s eyes widened as if they would tear.
Did that mean the man Arthur fought was a Sword Master?
Yet, seeing him return alive and well, his mind suddenly became a jumble.
He had heard rumors that Arthur had become incredibly strong.
Vice-Commander Hellot was no match for him, and he’d even heard that Commander Skevin was a step below him in hand-to-hand combat.
But a Sword Master was a being on a completely different level.
He couldn’t bring himself to believe that the scoundrel from just a few months ago had become strong enough to face a Sword Master.
But seeing the state of the Kukri…
“Ahem, anyway, please use it carefully. It’s not easy to make a new one or to fix it.”
“I know. But what can I do when my opponent is a monster like that?”
Arthur walked over to a wall where weapons were hung.
He was thinking of grabbing a few more things, just in case.
But what he wanted wasn’t there.
“Hmm.”
Van, who was watching Arthur, asked.
“Is there nothing to your liking?”
“Yeah.”
“If it’s something simple, I can make it for you.”
“Will you have the time?”
“With the enemy about to attack at any moment, I’ll have to make it even if it means cutting into my sleep.”
Arthur grinned, went to the table, and quickly drew something on a piece of paper.
Unlike before, he finished the drawing quickly and handed the paper to Van. He put another one in his pocket.
“It should be easy to make.”
“It seems so. It’s like a dagger, should I make it without a handle?”
“Yeah, make them about palm-sized, and make as many as you can.”
“Understood.”
“See you later, then.”
After leaving the smithy, Arthur climbed the castle walls and looked around.
The territory, cloaked in darkness, was dead silent.
Even the usual chirping of birds could not be heard.
It was like the deep calm before a typhoon.
Arthur ran a simulation in his head, envisioning the battle that would soon take place.
His objective was singular.
To annihilate the enemy with minimal casualties.
To do that…
After thinking for a long while, his expression became resolute, as if he had made a decision.
“There’s no other way.”
***
“How is the mood?”
“Everyone is on edge.”
At Leusanna’s words, Madeline’s expression hardened even more.
This was the first time in a hundred years that a war was taking place in the Grada territory.
It was understandable that those who had never experienced war would feel afraid.
Then again, it wasn't just them; she was just as anxious and fearful.
“Did you tell Arthur?”
“The Young Master has been moving around constantly, so I couldn’t meet him. I relayed the message to Andrew instead.”
“He must be incredibly busy.”
Just as Madeline’s face filled with worry.
Knock, knock.
With the sound of a knock, Arthur entered the office.
When he appeared, a look of welcome spread across Madeline’s face.
“You’re here?”
Arthur approached her and bowed politely.
“Sit here… no, over there.”
Madeline pointed to the seat next to her, then quickly gestured to the one opposite her.
He felt too unfamiliar and imposing to ask him to sit beside her like before.
Before sitting down, Arthur took a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Leusanna.
“Please make this.”
“What is it this time?”
Leusanna unfolded the paper to see something that looked like a strap or a band.
“When do you need it by?”
“As soon as possible. It will be used in the territorial war.”
“Understood.”
“When it’s done, take it to Van.”
After making his request to Leusanna, Arthur sat down.
Madeline, despite her stiff expression, asked in the kindest voice she could manage.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes.”
“I have something to give you.”
“I also have something to show you, Mother.”
Arthur held out his right hand to her.
Madeline tilted her head and looked at his hand.
A familiar ring came into view.
“That’s…”
“I received it from my brother.”
“Why would Aild…?”
“He said he thought I was a more suitable owner for this ring than he was.”
“…I see.”
Madeline didn’t say it out loud, but she had been thinking the same thing as Aild.
Since Wesley’s death, the one who had led the House of Count Julius wasn’t her or Aild, but Arthur.
The preparations for the upcoming territorial war were also proceeding under his command.
Above all, now that he had inherited Teheran Julius’s legacy, the Count’s family was bound to revolve around him.
It seemed Aild had also grasped the atmosphere within the castle.
“That ring is the symbol of the family head. I believe you will do well.”
“Thank you. And there is something I must tell you.”
Arthur met Madeline’s eyes and explained his plan for the territorial war.
Madeline’s face was filled with worry.
“Will they really fall for our plan?”
“That’s why I’m asking, may I use the family heirloom?”
“The Count’s family heirloom…”
Madeline seemed lost in thought for a moment before her eyes flashed open.
“You, don’t tell me!”
Arthur nodded with a serious expression.
“I will wear the Armor of the Family Head and lure them in.”