The first person to deliver the initial report to the Earlkvist domain was an unexpected figure.
“Noein-sama! Excuse me!”
It was Pence who burst into the lord’s office, banging on the door. His unusual urgency and the panicked look on his face caused Noein to rise with a grim expression.
“Have the bandits already attacked!?”
“No, it’s just news that they’re approaching… but we don’t have much time left. The traveling merchant, Philip, came to deliver the information. We need to prepare to fend them off immediately.”
Relieved to hear that the bandits hadn’t yet arrived, Noein still looked surprised by Pence’s report.
“Philip came to inform us? All the way to our domain?”
“Yes, please hear him out.”
After asking Mathilda to gather the retainers, Noein left the mansion with Pence and headed toward the town square.
As Pence had said, Philip was there waiting. He had no carriage, and judging by his tired face, he had likely ridden his horse in a rush solely to deliver the news of the approaching bandits.
“Philip.”
“Noein-sama, word has reached Retvik that the bandit group entered Viscount Keinitz’s territory today. I hurried here to inform you… The bandits are heading west, likely toward the Earlkvist domain. They will arrive by tomorrow!”
“Thank you. Thanks to you, we can prepare to face them swiftly. I don’t know how to express my gratitude…”
“Please, don’t worry about me. More importantly, inform the people as soon as possible.”
“I appreciate it. Please rest at my mansion for now. Your horse needs rest too. After that… I believe it would be safer to stay in Noeina rather than return to Retvik alone.”
“In that case, I’ll gratefully accept your offer to stay.”
When Noein returned to the mansion with Philip, Mathilda had already returned as well.
“Noein-sama, the gathering is complete. Everyone is in the retainers’ office. In addition to the retainers, I’ve also assembled the key figures among the townspeople. Is that acceptable?”
“Thank you, Mathilda. That’s perfect.”
Entering the retainers’ office, which was doubling as a meeting room, Noein saw the assembled retainers and prominent townspeople rise and bow to him.
“Please, be seated. Make yourselves comfortable.”
Everyone followed Noein’s instructions and sat down, though their expressions varied.
The former mercenary retainers—Yuri, Pence, Radley, and Bart—remained calm, but Edgar, Anna, and the commoners were clearly nervous.
Gathering their attention, Noein began speaking calmly.
“As you have all heard, a bandit group is closing in on the Earlkvist domain. Their number is just under 200.”
At Noein’s words, there was a small murmur among those who weren’t combatants. It was understandable.
“However, we still have a day’s grace before they arrive. The only reason we know this so early is thanks to Philip, a merchant well-known to us all. Because he rode to inform us, we can prepare fully to face the bandits.”
Hearing they had more time, those who had been on edge began to calm down.
“…I believe we can win this battle. Not only can we repel the bandits, but I think we can wipe them out completely. We have crossbows. We also have my golems. The bandits don’t know about those.”
As he spoke, Noein smiled slightly. The retainers and townspeople, reassured by the lord’s composed demeanor, began to look more optimistic.
“As for the plan to face the bandits, it’s just as we discussed before. We have the advantage in both weapons and preparation. The only thing left is our resolve… If we don’t let fear control us, we can win. So let’s win. Together, we will all survive.”
・・・・・
… The wooden fence surrounding the city of Noeina, acting as a makeshift wall for the Earlkvist territory, was bustling with activity as preparations to face the approaching bandits continued through the night.
Barricades made of logs had been built at both sides of the gate, narrowing the path to prevent a large number of enemies from rushing in at once.
Additionally, scaffolding had been erected inside the wooden fence, allowing for crossbow fire from above.
A total of 47 crossbows had been produced in time for this day, along with more than 1,500 bolts. Although the production of these crossbows had diverted manpower from farming and development tasks, considering the initial plan to produce just 10 by winter, this number was astonishing.
The townspeople had also undergone concentrated crossbow shooting training over the past few weeks, ensuring that everyone could handle them without issue.
A strategy that capitalized on their geographic advantage had also been devised.
“We’ve done everything we can to prepare. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting… Have the women and children finished preparing for evacuation?”
“Yes. They’re about to head toward the river. As the lord, you should speak to them,” Yuri urged.
Nodding, Noein walked toward the group of women and children gathered in the square. There, they exchanged words with the men who would soon go to battle—their husbands and fathers.
The women and children would only be a hindrance in the fight, and should the Earlkvist territory lose, it was clear that they would face worse than death.
That’s why Noein had ordered them to evacuate toward the southwestern riverside, and if the men lost, they were to escape along the river to the neighboring Viscount Keinitz’s territory.
“Noein-sama, I want to fight too…”
“I’m sorry, Edgar, but I can’t grant that request.”
Even though the women and children were being evacuated, they couldn’t leave them completely unprotected. Noein had tasked Edgar and a few other men with guarding them.
“But… I don’t want to run away and abandon my comrades again.”
Edgar had a past where he abandoned his village, leading the survivors to seek refuge in the Earlkvist territory. His current role likely reminded him of that time.
“Edgar, you’re born from a village chief’s family and have a talent for leading many people. That’s why I’ve entrusted this role to you. You’re not abandoning your comrades. You’re ensuring their survival by preparing for the worst. I want to entrust the lives of the women and children to you.”
“…Understood. I promise to protect them.”
“Thank you. One more thing—if I die, please release Christy from slavery. You’ll be the witness.”
When Noein said this, Edgar nodded, “I’ll make sure of it,” but Christy, who had overheard, turned pale and clung to Noein.
“Noein-sama! Please don’t say such sad things! I don’t want to be freed if it means you’ll die! If that happens, I’d rather stay a slave forever!”
Noein gently stroked Christy’s head, looking at her with a kind expression.
“Christy, you’re smart. If the worst happens and you’re freed, I want you to rely on Viscount Keinitz. You have those potatoes and soybeans with you, right? Your task is to spread the value of those crops. That’s how you’ll preserve the legacy of what I’ve achieved as lord.”
“No… I don’t want that… Please, Noein-sama, come back alive…”
“Of course, I plan to return. But preparing for the worst is also my duty. I’m entrusting you with the proof that I lived as a lord. I’m counting on you, Christy.”
“…I understand. No matter what happens, I’ll make sure to pass this on. But please… come back. Let me keep working for you.”
Noein lightly embraced the tearful and sobbing Christy, then asked Edgar to take her away.
Next to approach was Anna.
“Noein-sama… I just want to say the same as everyone else. Live and win.”
“Thank you. I’m responsible for bringing you here to my domain, so I’ll survive and make sure you continue enjoying your life here.”
“Oh, I moved here of my own free will, so it’s my responsibility, really.”
“Actually, once I heard you were interested in my territory, I subtly nudged you toward deciding to move here. I wanted a capable administrative officer like you.”
“Is that so? Hehe, as expected of you, Noein-sama, you’re quite sly. But I’m satisfied with my life here, so it’s fine.”
Noein chuckled mischievously, and Anna responded with a quiet laugh of her own.
“…You’ve got everything you need, right? I’ll be counting on you when the time comes.”
“Yes. If it comes to that, I’ll use this money to ensure a future for everyone who survives.”
Noein had entrusted his entire fortune to Anna as the lord. If the women and children were the only survivors, the plan was to distribute the money to support their future livelihoods.
“And when that time comes, please send a message to Viscount Keinitz.”
“Yes, what should I tell him?”
“Tell him, ‘I’ll come back as a ghost and destroy the Keinitz family.'”
“Fufu, are you sure it’s okay to say something like that?”
“Yeah, once I’m dead, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Noein declared this with a carefree grin.
“…Both my husband Edgar and I want to continue serving you, Lord Noein. So, please win this fight.”
“I will.”
They exchanged a final, serious look.
Meanwhile, the other men were also saying their goodbyes to their loved ones.
“Yuri…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll survive and come back. But if the worst happens, take care of the children.”
Yuri said this as he embraced his wife, Mai.
“Bart, we’ve only just started our lives together.”
“Don’t cry, Michelle. I’m not going to die. This fight will be over soon, and then we’ll be back to our happy days.”
Bart also hugged his new wife, Michelle, tightly and sealed the moment with a kiss.
“Radley, please stay safe.”
“Heh, I’m tougher than an orc. There’s no way some bandits are going to take me down. I’ll win and be back eating your cooking tomorrow at noon.”
“Haha, yeah… I’m sure you’ll be fine. Just… live, okay?”
“You fool, don’t cry.”
Radley, embarrassed, tried to comfort the tearful Gina.
“…Pence.”
“Hmph, doesn’t matter to me, I’m all alone anyway.”
When Noein approached Pence, who stood awkwardly to the side, Pence mumbled, sounding a bit sulky.
“The women and children should get going soon. We’ll see each other later.”
Yuri called out to everyone, and despite the lingering sadness, the men parted from their families, each silently vowing to reunite.
As they watched the women and children walk toward the riverbank, Noein turned to Mathilda, who stood at his side.
“…Mathilda, I’ll ask you one last time. You won’t evacuate with the other women, will you?”
“My apologies, but I cannot follow that order. Please allow me to stay by your side and protect you.”
“The enemy is a band of thieves. If I’m captured, they’ll only kill me, but for you…”
“I have a fire-starting magical tool with me. If it comes to that, I’ll bite my tongue and set myself on fire. Every hair, every piece of my skin, every drop of my blood belongs to you, Lord Noein. Besides, if you were to die, there would be no meaning for me to live.”
“…I understand. I’m grateful for your resolve and loyalty, Mathilda.”
“It is my honor, Lord Noein.”
Noein met Mathilda’s gaze and they exchanged a soft smile. Then, he turned to the men and declared, “Let’s prepare for battle.”
