Chapter 99

The army led by Noein departed from Earlkvist territory, making a stop at Retvik in Viscount Keinitz’s lands to join forces with Keinitz’s army before heading south together.

The journey from Retvik to the assembly point in the southwest would take about two weeks. With 100 soldiers from Keinitz’s army, 30 from Earlkvist’s, and the forces of the minor lords affiliated with Viscount Keinitz, a large group of approximately 200 people traveled down the highway.

Nobles adorned in fine armor made tempting targets for bandits. In the increasingly lawless southwestern areas, the small retinues of baronets or lower-ranking barons faced considerable danger. Though Noein, a skilled golem user, was present in the Earlkvist force, it was still not entirely safe from ambushes, especially in dense forests with poor visibility.

Thus, the decision was made to travel as one large group with the armies of higher-ranking nobles.

“—That being the case, higher nobles like myself, who can command a respectable army, will stay closer to the front lines, while those with smaller forces, such as yourself, will likely be placed away from the main battlefield.”

Riding at the center of the procession, Noein received an overview of the impending war from Arnold. Thanks to Yuri’s thorough instruction, Noein had now learned to ride a horse well enough to march without issue.

“Will we be assigned to the fortress area?”

The border with the Kingdom of Ransel extended from the north to the south, with terrain ranging from the Bezel Forest in the north to areas of mixed plains and woods, and eventually to wide, open plains in the south.

The mixed plains and forests area was fortified with numerous strongholds, designed to intercept any invasions from Ransel through the forests. While the main forces clashed in the southern plains, someone had to defend these fortresses to prevent the main force from being flanked. This task was expected to fall to lower-ranking nobles like Noein, who commanded smaller forces.

Although this defensive role offered fewer opportunities to achieve military glory, it was a relatively safe position where the risk of death was low, provided no extreme risks were taken. Noein took a breath of relief at the thought.

“You really are different. Normally, if told they wouldn’t have a chance for glory, most nobles would sulk or object angrily,” Arnold remarked.

“Since I dislike war, I am content with that. Although I understand it is the duty of nobles to fight, and I would fight to protect my territory and the kingdom, I am unwilling to risk my life solely for personal glory.”

“Yes, I suppose you are that kind of person… It would be beneficial if more nobles were like you.”

Many nobles sought fame and rewards from the king by achieving grand feats on the battlefield. Disputes over which forces would get the “best assignments” were commonplace in war.

“This time, we’ll have nobles from both the rivaling southwestern and northwestern regions mingling together. I hope there will be no open hostilities, though a bit of harassment might occur. You should be careful in the camps, as you’re traveling with a beastman slave in the south.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Noein sincerely accepted the advice from his father-in-law and senior noble, Arnold.

…

Two weeks after departing Retvik, the combined forces led by the Viscount of Keinitz arrived at the border-facing territory of Marquis Gardowin in the Kingdom of Ransel.

The entourage entered a small city en route. Here, they would take a short rest before regrouping with the main force at a nearby border camp in a few days.

Arnold, as a high-ranking noble, stayed at the governor’s mansion, while Noein and other lower-ranking nobles were assigned an inn, and the soldiers were arranged in rented houses or warehouses. Noein left his soldiers under Yuri and Pence’s supervision and parted ways.

“…What a sad sight,” Noein remarked.

“Yes, it’s visibly run-down,” Pence replied.

Although it had been a while since they’d last stayed in a city, the streets weren’t in a state for relaxation. Emaciated vagrants and orphaned children sat along the roads, and few stalls were open in the square, with scant goods for sale. Even the shops along the main street were closed or out of business. The city lacked vitality, and the deterioration in security and the economy was painfully evident.

For Noein, who had been living in the prosperous Earlkvist territory in the less affected northwest, the drastic difference in conditions was shocking, even within the same kingdom.

They passed through the desolate streets, and Noein and Mathilda, along with other lower nobles, headed to the inn. Upon entering the inn that had been booked for them, Noein encountered the kind of treatment that defined the southern regions of the kingdom.

“Excuse me, but it’s problematic for you to bring in a beastman slave.”

While the other lower-ranking nobles were admitted without issue, Noein was stopped at the entrance because he had Mathilda with him.

“She’s my guard. Is there really no way for her to stay?”

“I apologize, but we only accept humans and demi-humans here. However, I can offer her the stables,” replied the innkeeper politely but firmly to Noein, who was a noble.

“We’ve come all this way to protect this land from the north, and this is how we’re treated?”

“It’s an insult to Viscount Keinitz himself!”

After calming down the other nobles who were standing up for him, Noein turned back to the innkeeper.

“Given that we’re in a state of emergency due to the war… will this suffice?” He slipped a large silver coin into the man’s hand.

“This is…!”

With the recession in the southwest, such a tip was unheard of. The innkeeper hesitated, torn between his desire for money and his prejudice.

“Not enough? Then how about this?”

“Please, go right in!”

Adding another silver coin, the innkeeper finally welcomed them with a sycophantic smile.

After climbing the stairs and entering their designated room, Noein and Mathilda took a moment to breathe.

“So, this is the south of the kingdom. I’m sorry, Mathilda, that you had to endure such treatment.”

“I’m fine… Although it’s been a while since I was last treated like this, it reminds me of the past,” Mathilda replied with a self-deprecating smile.

Noein managed a wry smile. He wanted to suggest that Mathilda might have been better off staying in Earlkvist, but he held back, not wanting to insult her determination.

“Now I understand Arnold’s warning to be careful. If even the inns are like this, I dread what awaits us in the camp where southwestern nobles are concentrated. Mathilda, stay by my side at all times—for my safety and yours.”

“Yes, I will not leave your side for a moment.”

Once beyond Earlkvist and the northwest, Noein’s status, authority, and reputation meant little. In the kingdom’s southern regions, where deep-rooted prejudices against beastmen justified treating them as inferior, Noein was painfully reminded of the cultural divide. He couldn’t shake a feeling of dread as he thought about the war ahead.