The Count's Gun-Shooting Scoundrel-Chapter 45

"Young Master!"
Skevin came running as soon as he heard the news of Arthur's arrival.
But his jaw dropped at the sight of the giant horses lined up in a long row at the castle entrance.
"Those things are..."
"They are Britannikers."
Hellot approached with a bewildered expression.
"What on earth happened?"
"I don't know either."
Hellot was bewildered, yet at the same time, he found it fascinating that dozens of Britannikers were standing still like meek lambs.
Above all, the one Arthur had ridden looked special even on second glance.
Looking at the creature with its pitch-black hide and red mane, he could feel a powerful aura and a noble dignity.
After dismounting from Khan, Arthur asked Skevin.
"Is there room in the stables?"
"What do you mean..."
"These creatures need a place to rest."
"If we send them to the stables, our horses will be startled and have a fit."
"Then how about we keep them in the training grounds until a place is made?"
"First, could you please explain what happened?"
"First, make sure those creatures can rest. Give them water and food too. After you've taken care of that, come to me. We have things to talk about."
"Understood."
Skevin instructed Hellot to build a temporary stable in the training grounds with the knights.
As Arthur parted from him and entered the castle, Madeline appeared with Rsanna.
"Arthur."
"I've returned."
"Thank goodness..."
Madeline's eyes welled up with tears as she tightly gripped Arthur's hand.
Seeing her haggard appearance, it seemed she had stayed up all night worrying about Arthur.
Leusanna said, cautiously observing Madeline's expression.
"My lady didn't sleep a wink waiting for the Young Master..."
"Leusanna!"
As Madeline frowned, she quickly shut her mouth.
Arthur squeezed Madeline's hand.
"I told you, didn't I? That nothing would happen."
"You did..."
Ever since losing Wesley, she couldn't shake off her worries whenever she had the slightest premonition of misfortune.
Arthur wasn't unaware of her feelings either.
Time was the answer to healing that wound. Still, he wanted to help her so she wouldn't tremble in anxiety.
"Trust me."
Madeline nodded silently and looked at Arthur.
She thought that the golden armor, the heirloom of the House of Count Julius, and the helmet he had recently found suited him very well.
The armor had suited Count Malcolm as well, but there were many times when it felt awkward for some reason.
How should I put it?
It was like he was wearing someone else's clothes.
But with Arthur, there was no such feeling at all.
It seemed the true value of the golden armor was finally revealing itself.
She had heard that the armor was enchanted with a magic that inspired courage in those around the wearer.
Being next to Arthur, she felt a strong confidence welling up inside her, something she had never felt from Malcolm.
"It seems it has finally met its true master."
"Is that so?"
"Get some good rest and come find me later. We have things to discuss."
"Yes, you should rest too, Mother."
Arthur watched until Madeline was out of sight before heading to his room.
As he entered the room, Andrew quickly approached.
"I've drawn you a bath."
"Thank you. Help me take this off."
Arthur took off the armor with Andrew's help.
Then, he entered the space where the bath was drawn and soaked his body.
He was so exhausted that his eyes closed on their own.
Seeing Arthur asleep, Andrew quietly left the room.
***
One hour later.
Having finished his bath, Arthur sat in a chair and made plans for the future.
He had a few ideas in mind, but they weren't things he could decide on his own.
They were matters that couldn't proceed without the cooperation of Skevin, Millerf, and Van, so he decided to tell them first and hear their opinions.
"I should start with Skevin."
Just as Arthur was about to drink some water.
Knock, knock.
With a knock, Skevin entered, followed by Millerf and Van.
He wore a bewildered expression as the very people he needed to meet all showed up at once.
"What's going on?"
"We came to consult with you, Young Master."
"Have a seat first."
Arthur gestured to a chair with his hand and looked at Millerf.
He could see that his complexion had clearly improved.
"How is your body?"
"I've fully recovered. It is thanks to you, Young Master, that I was able to live. I will not forget this debt and will repay you."
Before sitting down, Millerf politely bowed to Arthur to express his gratitude.
Skevin had heard from Aild that Millerf had been on the verge of death.
Perhaps because of that, his words to Arthur just now struck him as truly heartfelt.
Knowing Millerf as he did, he was sure that from now on, he would even throw away his life for Arthur.
He would dedicate the rest of his life to Arthur.
He was so envious that Millerf had a lord he could serve with his life.
He had also heard from Aild that Arthur had accepted Millerf before leaving for the western mountains.
Now, it was his turn to be chosen.
He hoped to become as strong as Arthur wanted, so he could serve him alongside Millerf.
'Just you wait!'
Skevin's eyes shone with determination.
Once Millerf was seated, Arthur asked Skevin.
"Are the creatures quiet?"
"They followed obediently. What are all of them?"
"Before that, there's something I want to ask."
Arthur looked back and forth between Skevin and Millerf as he continued.
"Do you know who Adam Julius is?"
"How do you know of him, Young Master?"
Millerf's eyes widened.
"Is it true he was Lord Teheran Julius's older brother?"
"That is correct."
"And is it also true that he suddenly disappeared one day?"
"Huh? That's something only Count Malcolm and I knew..."
A look of confusion crossed Millerf's face.
"I see."
Arthur nodded meaningfully and decided to tell them the story left behind by Adam Julius.
"I found his grave there."
"What?"
"What I am about to say must never be leaked."
"In that case..."
As Millerf glanced at Van, Arthur nodded as if he understood what he meant.
"There is much to be done regarding the estate from now on. Therefore, he needs to know as well."
"Understood."
"What on earth happened?"
At Skevin's question, Arthur recounted everything that had happened in the forbidden zone.
However, he did not speak of the Demon King's identity.
He judged that it was not yet the right time to mention it.
Skevin, Millerf, and Van did not miss a single word Arthur said.
About an hour later, Arthur finished his story.
"Ending the territorial war is important, but countermeasures against those fiends who could invade at any moment are urgent."
Millerf asked with a grim expression.
"How many did you say had reached their complete form?"
"From what I saw, there were at least over twenty. Among them was a Kadrazin."
"Damn it!"
Millerf's face contorted.
He had seen a fully formed Ogre when his master was still alive.
At that time, he had keenly felt that it was the strongest monster on land.
It was truly enormous and possessed immense power.
Although it was defeated by his 6th-class master's attack magic, countless mages and knights had fallen to it.
Everyone was shocked by the fact that there was a higher-tier monster that even such powerful creatures were wary of.
The one called the Demon King's guardian deity.
It was the Kadrazin.
As the leader of the Ogres, it was incomparably smarter and stronger than the others.
Five Knight Orders and three 6th-class mages had set out to defeat it, but in the end, they all died along with the Kadrazin.
And now, that monster had appeared again.
"Do you have a plan?"
Arthur replied with a serious face.
"Now that we've confirmed their presence, I plan to do everything we can."
"I will do my utmost to assist you."
A look of grim determination appeared on Millerf's face.
Arthur nodded and shifted his gaze to Skevin.
"Seeing you came with Van, it seems you've brought an answer to my instructions."
"Until I heard your story, Young Master, I was curious about the reason for building a wall at the cliff. I was planning to hear the reason before making a decision, but now it seems we must build the wall."
"So, what's the plan?"
As Arthur looked at Van, he gave a small cough to clear his throat.
Then, he calmly began to explain the plan he had formulated in his head.
"So you're saying the wall can be built in a month?"
"If it's just simply building the wall, then yes. If we were to install mechanical devices for defense as well, it would likely take two months."
"I thought it would take several months, but it can be done quickly."
"This is possible under the assumption that we use Dwarven technology, alchemy, and receive Lord Millerf's help."
"Hmm."
Arthur's gaze deepened as he fell into thought.
What was the best way to protect the estate from those fiends?
After a moment, he asked with a meaningful expression.
"What if we were to enclose the entire western mountain range with a wall? How long would that take?"
"The entire range, you say?"
Van's eyes went wide.
"Considering the safety of the estate's people, wouldn't this be the best method?"
The Great Wall of China, built by successive Chinese dynasties to block invasions from the northern nomadic peoples, came to mind.
Its length was no match for the Great Wall, but it would certainly be much safer than just building a wall on the cliff side.
"Putting aside the construction period, the workload would increase severalfold, making it difficult with our current materials and manpower."
"Don't worry about that. I'll provide them somehow."
"Let me calculate for a moment."
He took a notebook from his pocket and wrote something with a pencil tucked behind his ear.
Skevin and Millerf were amazed at Van, who didn't say it was impossible even though the scale of the construction had grown beyond imagination.
A moment later.
Van finished his calculations and looked at Arthur.
"If you can provide the materials and manpower written here, I will complete it within half a year."
"What did you say?"
Skevin and Millerf were also extremely bewildered and stared blankly at Van.
Van met Arthur's gaze and continued.
"The book you gave me yesterday, it's a compilation of Dwarven techniques. What I had was the first volume, and what I received from you, Young Master, was the second volume."
"Then..."
"I believe I can completely master the Dwarven techniques. That is why I said half a year."
Van's face was filled with confidence.
Seeing him like this, Arthur's trust in him deepened.
"Good. Proceed immediately."
"Then I will return to the forge and make plans with the staff."
"Do that. I'll get you what's written here as soon as possible."
"Yes, sir!"
Van bowed to Arthur and then left the room.
"With the monster issue settled for now, we need to see things through with Count Yarve, right?"
"Are you planning to attack?"
"This time, we go to them."
Skevin nodded and said.
"Information arrived yesterday from the informant we planted in the Nibon estate. Count Yarve is recruiting mercenaries, and the scale is said to be three times larger than before."
"Three times, you say... He must be really determined. What's our situation?"
"Including the injured, we have 150 men."
"Will there be a Sword Master among the mercenaries this time as well?"
"Among mercenaries, Yakim was the only Sword Master, so there won't be one. And one more thing. Count Yarve has sent a delegation to the Balkan estate."
"…?"
As Arthur tilted his head in confusion, Skevin continued with a stiff expression.
"The informant didn't know the reason either. In my opinion, I think he's trying to ask for military support. Since the Rose Knight Order was wiped out, he'll need someone by his side to protect him."
"Bringing in a Knight Order from another territory? That's a violation of Imperial law."
"Count Yarve can't be unaware of that. That's why it's highly likely he'll ask for just one person to be dispatched, not the entire Knight Order."
"One person?"
Arthur's eyes glinted menacingly.
"Who is it?"
"Kapo Mars."
Skevin wore a more serious expression than ever before.
"He is the Commander of the Steel Knight Order and is called the living legend of the Balkan estate."
"A Sword Master, I presume."
Skevin nodded and replied.
"He is ranked 10th in the Imperial Knight rankings."