The Count's Gun-Shooting Scoundrel-Chapter 53

“There was a mission given since Lord Teheran’s time.”
“A mission?”
“It is to defend this place.”
“...?”
Arthur tilted his head.
He could understand them trying to protect the territory from monsters.
But was there a need to abandon everything and seclude themselves here?
Especially since monsters hadn’t appeared for decades.
Ralph nodded at Arthur’s reaction.
“There’s something I want to show you.”
Looking at Drakan, he stepped inside and spoke to Arthur.
“You can follow me.”
Drakan led the way into the cave.
Arthur and Millerf silently followed him, and the men standing nearby all followed suit.
After moving for about ten minutes, Drakan stopped.
“Huh?”
Arthur was startled to see a large tunnel before his eyes.
“They were making a passage.”
“A passage?”
It was incredibly unsettling.
He couldn't believe that monsters were digging a tunnel to come up into the territory.
Millerf examined the inside, and his face hardened.
“This is the work of humans.”
“What did you say?”
“There are traces of magic cast everywhere.”
“Who...!”
Suddenly, Arthur’s eyes flashed.
He remembered that the Demon King was originally human.
If so, he might have used those who followed demons.
Arthur asked Drakan with a stern expression.
“What happened here?”
“I was young at the time, so I don’t remember anything. Lord Ralph will answer you.”
Drakan looked at Ralph, who was approaching with Linda.
Ralph stopped in front of Arthur, looked up at the high ceiling, and recalled the first time he came here.
Arthur silently waited for him to speak.
After a moment, Ralph opened his mouth in a low voice.
“We fought for exactly three hundred days without a single day’s rest...”
“Who was the enemy?”
“Those who worshipped the Demon King.”
His guess was right after all.
“Among them were Knights and mages, and they relentlessly attacked with monsters, trying to reclaim this place.”
“Why?”
“They believed that if the House of Count Julius fell, the Demon King would be resurrected.”
“Who told such nonsense...”
Millerf shook his head in disbelief.
Ralph continued calmly.
“During the fight with those bastards, the screams never ceased for a single day. Baron Zevra sacrificed everything, saying that if this place fell, everything would be over.”
“Hmm...”
“On the day of the final battle, they brought hundreds of monsters. Baron Zevra also issued a general attack order, and...”
After a hundred Knights sacrificed their lives and achieved victory, it had been a ceasefire ever since.
However, monsters that had disappeared months ago had started reappearing and becoming active again.
“Hm.”
Arthur's face hardened.
The Lannister family had sacrificed everything for Grada Territory, and furthermore, for the Oscar Empire.
Like Teheran, they were truly worthy of respect.
Arthur glanced around at Ralph and everyone present, then spoke.
“On behalf of the House of Count Julius, I express my deepest gratitude for the noble sacrifice of the Lannister family.”
Arthur placed his right hand over his left chest and bowed respectfully.
“Co-Count...”
Ralph’s eyes widened.
Drakan was also flustered by Arthur’s actions.
However, Millerf, having observed Arthur for a long time, wasn’t surprised; rather, he felt a surge of pride.
‘Just like my lord.’
Arthur raised his head and asked Ralph.
“Do you intend to keep defending this place?”
“It is the destiny of the Lannister family.”
“Is that everyone’s will, or just your own thought?”
Arthur slowly looked around.
The men’s faces seemed to waver slightly.
Sure enough, someone cautiously spoke up.
“Please keep your promise.”
Following that, Drakan also added a word to Ralph.
“I wish to carve out my own destiny.”
“Hmm...”
Ralph’s face hardened.
Millerf asked him.
“What’s the matter?”
“Most of them either moved here with their parents when they were young or were born here. Because of that, they want to go outside.”
“Hm.”
Millerf looked at the men gathered around with an understanding expression.
“So I made a promise. That if I ever met someone from the Count’s family, I would make a suggestion to the Count.”
Ralph looked at Arthur.
Arthur met his gaze and asked calmly.
“Speak your mind.”
Ralph looked at Drakan, who was supporting him. Drakan then let go of his arm and stepped aside.
Ralph took a breath, then knelt on one knee before Arthur.
“I humbly beg of you, Count. Please issue an order for us to return home.”
“...”
Just as Arthur was about to make a troubled expression, Millerf’s voice echoed in his mind.
-My lord, I'm sending a telepathic message so they can't hear.
Arthur silently looked at Millerf.
Millerf maintained eye contact with him and continued sending the telepathic message.
-Ralph is currently following Baron Jebura’s last will. However, he seems to have judged that it's insufficient to keep a Knight Order that has undergone a generational change tied to this place by a will alone.
‘I see.’
-Only the head of the House of Count Julius can issue new orders to them. That is why he is doing this to you, my lord.
“Hm.”
Arthur thought for a moment, then asked Ralph.
“Where does this tunnel lead?”
“It will come out at the entrance to the West Mountain Range.”
“If this place is sealed, is there another passage for them to come up into the territory?”
“There’s a way to go around the mountain range to the south, but the path is narrow and treacherous. And because it’s a roundabout way, it takes a long time and they’re guaranteed to be detected.”
‘He must be talking about the path Khan took.’
Arthur shifted his gaze to Millerf.
“Can you cast a barrier here?”
“I can cast one, but it will break quickly.”
“It doesn’t matter. I just need to know if they’ve entered this place.”
“If that’s the case, it’s possible.”
Arthur nodded and met Drakan’s eyes.
“Are you the successor of the Lannister family?”
“Yes, I am.”
Drakan respectfully bowed his head and knelt on one knee.
Arthur spoke solemnly and gravely.
“I, Arthur Julius, command you. The Lannister family shall return immediately.”
“...!”
Drakan’s eyes widened.
Linda covered her gaping mouth with her hand, and the others couldn't hide their joy at Arthur’s words.
Ralph, on the other hand, pressed his lips together and shed silent tears.
‘Master of the House...’
Arthur firmly grasped his shoulder.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Ralph’s heart swelled at his words, and he finally sobbed.
“H-h-huk.”
As he cried, everyone else also shed tears.
But their faces were filled with joy.
Arthur moved away with Millerf to give them some private time.
Millerf grinned and asked Arthur.
“What plan have you devised?”
“I plan to build defensive walls in stages along the West Mountain Range.”
“Van will be so busy he won’t even have time to sleep.”
“Give him recovery buffs and encourage him, like when I train.”
“Ah, that would be better, hahaha.”
Millerf burst into hearty laughter.
Arthur laughed along, looking at the men of the Lannister family rejoicing with Ralph.
If they joined the Knight Order, the House of Count Julius’s military strength would more than double.
And if they even hired a mercenary group...
‘We can win!’
Strong confidence settled on Arthur’s face.
A deep smile appeared on Millerf’s face as he saw Arthur clench his fists.
‘The Count’s family is growing stronger.’
***
“It’s truly remarkable. I can feel that everywhere we go, they do their best to make a good impression on the Count.”
“Of course they should.”
Yarve grinned at Hazan’s words.
In every territory they passed through, he delivered the Emperor’s command and demanded military support.
The lords, without a moment’s hesitation, provided Knights and soldiers.
Currently, the Knight Order alone numbered over five hundred, and the soldiers reached a thousand.
As he leisurely moved, leading such a large force, everyone looked up to him and bowed their heads.
He felt as if he had become the Emperor.
‘Power is essential, after all.’
As Yarve moved towards Grada Territory, he formulated a grand plan.
He decided to utterly crush Grada Territory in a cruel manner to pressure the lords under his influence.
After that, he intended to crush them with the power of authority and money, forcing them to become his vassals.
That way, he could use their strength whenever he needed it.
It wasn't a violation of imperial law, so there was no need to worry about the Emperor’s watchful eye.
On the surface, he would pretend to be loyal to the Emperor, but in reality, he would divide the Oscar Empire in half and rule it amicably.
“Heh heh.”
Yarve chuckled meaningfully and asked Hazan.
“Those beasts are coming along well, aren’t they?”
“They are moving through the mountains to avoid being seen.”
“My, that’s strange. How do you control those fellows?”
“It seems difficult, but once you know, it’s really easy.”
“Tell me.”
Hazan replied with a cunning smile.
“Those fellows, their paternal love is no joke. If you hold just one family member hostage, they can’t move a muscle.”
“Well, I’ll be.”
Yarve made a deflated expression.
“And their wives are stunningly beautiful. They’re so beautiful they’d make you think of elves. And their children are prettier than dolls.”
“Really?”
When the topic suddenly shifted to women and children, Yarve’s eyes widened, showing interest.
“I told them. That every time they disobey an order, I’d kill their wives and children.”
“Are you holding their wives and children?”
“Are you perhaps interested?”
When Hazan gave a meaningful smile, Yarve grinned with sly eyes.
“Tsk, as expected, the Count knows how to enjoy himself.”
“Life only lasts a few decades; shouldn't one enjoy everything there is to enjoy?”
“You are absolutely right!”
Hazan clapped his hands in agreement.
“If there’s something enjoyable, we should enjoy it together, shouldn’t we?”
“Indeed. If you need anything, just say the word. I’ll pick them out according to your preferences and provide them.”
“But if those women aren’t there, how will you control those beastly fellows?”
“You just need to show them that they’re safe once a month.”
“Huh? That’s too much trouble then.”
When Yarve made an annoyed expression, Hazan smiled slyly and said.
“You can return them and exchange them for others. You’ve probably never experienced a system like this before.”
“Return them for new ones?”
“Exactly. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a variety of tastes.”
Hazan nodded and added another word.
“As for the wives of the ones who die, you don’t need to return them; the Count can simply keep them.”
“Good! Let’s crush the House of Count Julius and go see those women.”
“Understood.”
Just as Hazan was wearing a cunning, rat-like smile, the scouts he had sent out returned.
“Count.”
“What is it?”
“It seems the Steel Knights of Balkan Territory have arrived in Aslan Territory.”
“Oh?”
Yarve was surprised.
He had sent a letter to Count Damore, but there had been no reply, so he had given up hope.
But at the news that they had arrived in Aslan Territory before him, the corners of his mouth turned up.
A man came into view, riding a horse and exuding a powerful aura from the front.
Armored cavalry and black plate armor!
And a man wielding a long spear and a halberd!
It was Kapo Mars, the Commander of the Steel Knights and a Sword Master.
Yarve burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahaha, God is helping me!”