The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 241

177. The Duchy’s Civil War (6)

“Reporting in!!”

Unlike before, urgent reports suddenly echoed one after another within the White Bunker’s war room.

“This afternoon, Count Kotble, stationed in Brown Ant, engaged with Fran’s forces. They are retreating to Fraun Hat Gorge! Support has been requested from the standing garrison at Fraun Hat. Approximately 3,000 enemy troops are confronting Count Kotble!!”

Tully Lurein, however, showed no change in expression upon hearing the news of the defeat, only letting out a soft sigh.

“So, they were defeated after all. Well, it’s not a complete rout, but the situation wasn’t exactly favorable. What do you think? Would it be better to send the garrison forces from Fraun Hat to support him?”

She said, looking at the man standing beside her.

“It was expected, though. We should have ousted the incompetent ones beforehand. Now, he’ll leave a stain of defeat on my war, which should be filled with victories.”

“The predecessor of Count Kotble, Lord Dvor, was a loyal subject of the Duchy. Even if his successor is incompetent, there are many who remember him, so we cannot simply dismiss him.”

The man said to her with a wry smile.

“In any case, Brown Ant was a battlefield where defeat was anticipated. Fraun Hat, with the twin peaks behind it, is the real defensive line, so there’s no need to worry too much.”

“Hmm.”

The man standing next to Tully Lurein was a burly, sturdy figure with a square face.

His hair, tied tightly back, fanned out like a palm tree. Unlike the image of a strategist, he gave off more of a grand general’s aura.

In fact, he wasn’t just someone who sat at a desk; he was also a knight who had held the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Duchy in the past.

His name was Cox Butler.

It was no exaggeration to say that no one knew the Duchy’s geography better than this man, and Anthem Howard, who was praised as a potential kingmaker, was being pushed back on the battlefield largely due to his influence.

“However, what’s more surprising than the defeat at Brown Ant is that Fran took the offensive.”

“He has his own position, so he can’t stay tied down in Cobb by the Silver Wing Fleet forever.”

“Reports indicate that the Sea King and Water King were involved.”

Tully’s face hardened slightly at Cox’s words.

“Those monsters were the ones who blocked the Empire’s southern expedition, weren’t they? Really… Once this civil war is over, I’ll deal with them all first.”

“However… there’s something that bothers me. The fact that the Water King came all the way to Cobb across the strait, and the fact that they intervened at crucial moments during the Empire’s campaign, suggests that this isn’t a simple matter.”

“You think those monsters are taking orders from someone? Throughout the history of the continent, many kingdoms have tried to control them but failed. Frankly, hunting them down isn’t a problem. The only reason we’ve left them alone is because of greed.”

Tully scoffed at Cox’s words.

“But I think differently. If greed only leads to more damage, it’s better not to have it.”

“Your words are wise.”

He replied, then cautiously asked.

“Could it be that Lord Fran rejected Your Highness’s proposal? I’m concerned about the strategist Anthem Howard he has.”

But Tully chuckled at those words.

“No matter how talented someone is, they can’t wage war alone. That’s why we put him, a commoner, in the position of Cobb Naval Commander for this very day. Isn’t that right?”

Two hundred years ago,

Anthem Howard, a descendant of Nelson Howard, who was called the King of the Islands and ruled several islands in the strait, was not a noble of the Duchy.

The islands he ruled were captured by the Duchy, and like the defeated kings, the Howard family was exiled and reduced to commoners.

Ironically, it was Tully Lurein who employed Anthem.

“From the start, Fran and Anthem didn’t get along. After the islands of the King of the Islands became Duchy territory, many island residents live in the Duchy. Although he was reduced to a commoner, Anthem, from the royal family, accepted the position for them, not for Fran.”

“That’s why Fran didn’t tell Anthem about our deal. Because unnecessary war would sacrifice a lot of blood.”

Tully nodded.

“What can he do in this situation? Especially since Fran isn’t supporting him. It’s a good opportunity. We can take this chance to deal with Anthem Howard as well, on the grounds of insubordination.”

“Your words are correct. But surely, unless Fran comes out of Cobb, even he won’t be able to strike the White Bunker…”

Unlike Tully’s confident demeanor, Cox was still looking at a spot on the map with a slightly worried voice.

It was the defensive line at the mouth of the Vinfredo River.

“You seem to be mindful of the annihilation of the Wyvern 3rd Unit. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s correct. If he heads north, it will become troublesome for us.”

She nodded.

“If the one who led the victory at Vinfredo was not Anthem Howard but someone else’s intervention, we need to identify his identity first.”

“Don’t worry too much. There’s no way Fran would reject Wooden Cloud’s proposal. But for a perfect victory, we must do our best to show what we can do.”

“Of course.”

“The key will be the Vinfredo River flowing through the center. We’ll concentrate the remaining Wyvern units there and turn the tide of the war in our favor in one fell swoop.”

“However, sending the Wyvern 1st Unit will drastically reduce the strength of the garrison remaining in the royal palace.”

“What are you worried about?”

Tully looked at Cox.

“Where will the enemy come from? The Great Wall in the east has never been breached, and the northern part of the White Bunker has never been attacked by the enemy in its 300-year history.”

Then she smiled confidently.

“That pride will continue in the future.”

* * *

“The White Bunker’s reserve forces have been confirmed opening the gates and moving. The direction of the forces is the Vinfredo River.”

“What about Brown Ant?”

“The Tully forces stationed there have retreated and joined forces with the Fraun Hat standing army, currently confronting each other below the gorge.”

Karyl wore a satisfied expression at the soldier’s report.

‘Miliana moved first. Well, she couldn’t have stayed still, being placed on the easiest battlefield.’

A bait that isn’t a bait.

The reason Karyl brought the two people with the strongest competitive spirit was precisely for this reason.

Rather, if it were Suan or others, they would simply obey Karyl’s command if ordered to be bait.

But because it’s these two, they can perfectly deceive even the enemy.

“What about Yoman?”

“They are still in a standoff. No significant battle has occurred, but…”

“But?”

“We have only received reports that he has been scanning around the Great Wall for days, as if checking something. He hasn’t said anything more to our allies.”

Fran frowned slightly at the soldier’s words.

“He’s just bait, yet he’s putting in unnecessary effort. It’s impossible for Yoman to fall. Or is that strange behavior your instruction to deceive Tully’s eyes?”

“No, but you never know. There’s no such thing as absolute in this world. Who knows, we might actually see Yoman fall?”

Even though he said that, even Karyl couldn’t easily grasp Serica’s intentions.

‘I’m honestly curious if she can overcome Ganes. Frankly, with the current forces, it’s difficult for her to beat him, who is a Sword Master.’ [A Sword Master is a highly skilled swordsman who has reached the pinnacle of their art.]

The only Sword Master Karyl had ever fought in his previous life was Ganes.

Also, knowing the skills of Serica, one of the Ten of the Oracle, his assessment was accurate.

Nevertheless, the reason he sent Serica to Yoman was because war is not determined solely by individual combat power.

‘The only battlefield where I can’t predict the outcome among the people I’ve sent so far.’

From Aidan and Mikhail to Suan, who will soon go to the Blood Cave.

Karyl secretly prepared a stepping stone for the growth of his subordinates.

But Serica’s stage was a bit special.

‘Your talent shines even more on battlefields involving multiple people, not just individuals.’

Karyl couldn’t read Serica’s thoughts with just a brief report, but he decided to watch.

“Reporting in!! Multiple forces spotted ahead!!!”

Another scout rushed in, shouting and kneeling before them.

“Finally, they’re here.”

Karyl let out a soft sigh, now that the news he had been waiting for had arrived.

Then he slowly raised his head.

The sound of hooves rushing in the distance, raising dust, was very welcome.

“I’ve been waiting, Hashir.”

At the same time as Karyl’s words ended, a man appeared behind him.

“……!!!”

The knights hurriedly grabbed their swords at the appearance of the man with his face covered and cloaked.

“You’re late.”

“I apologize. Some tribes refused, so it took a little longer.”

“Even after seeing Agnel’s scabbard?”

Hashir knelt on one knee and returned Agnel, which he had received from Karyl before leaving Tatur.

Fran was puzzled by his handling of the old dagger as if it were a precious treasure, but he knew that it was not the time to ask his questions.

“The elders say that they cannot acknowledge you because you have not yet received the title of Great Warrior.”

“The old men are still stubborn… I was going to prove the majesty of the Great Warrior here, but still.”

“The elders say that the Great Warrior is only born in the north, so if you want to prove yourself, you should come to the north.”

Karyl chuckled at Hashir’s words.

“This time, it’s my turn to prove myself to them. Good. Tell them that I will meet them soon, as I will not refuse at any time.”

“Understood.”

“Then, is the force that moved this time the same as before?”

At Karyl’s question, Hashir said.

“The four tribes of Jannabi, Hopyo, Red Moon, and Wolf Fox have followed the Lord’s command and moved south.”

As if he had expected a certain amount of force, Karyl nodded. That’s because the four tribes Hashir mentioned were tribes with young chiefs among the immigrants.

“And…”

Hashir paused for a moment and said.

“The Black Eye Clan has joined the war.”

Karyl’s eyes trembled slightly at his report.

“Weren’t they exterminated by the Edict of Heresy?”

“There were survivors. They heard that the Lord had the sword of Kaliak, who was the Great Warrior, and asked to meet you.”

“…….”

His lips felt parched.

‘Who could it be.’

The fact that there were survivors of a clan that was thought to have disappeared was something he didn’t even know in his previous life.

Karyl was curious about those who had come to find him, but he couldn’t easily grant their requests from his position.

He still hid his inner thoughts with a dry voice.

“You can’t get my time without doing anything. Tell them. If they achieve military exploits, I will give them a chance then.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

Karyl turned his head.

“The bridge for you is already made.”

As he said, the place where they were standing was in the middle of the sea.

“They’re coming.”

Karyl said in a low voice, looking at the approaching immigrants.

A familiar face driving a horse at the front came into view.

“How can this be…”

Liliana of the Jannabi tribe, with her red mane, was muttering with a dazed expression, looking at where Karyl was standing.

Clatter… Clatter…

Creak.

The sound of the tight steel chain being pulled taut and then loosening again sounded like a cry.

“It’s a spectacle.”

The warrior of the Hopyo tribe behind Liliana unknowingly exclaimed.

The bridge unfolded before their eyes.

Karyl was standing on it, stretching far to the Duchy. At first glance, it looked like a bridge had really been built.

“I greet you.”

Liliana was the first to get off her horse and pay her respects to Karyl, and the representative warriors of the tribes behind her hurriedly followed suit.

“You’ve done something amazing… That pattern drawn in the control room. It’s familiar.”

Liliana said, tying her hair tightly back and looking around with even sharper eyes.

“That’s right. It’s the Steel Fleet.”

Not only she but also the people following behind her couldn’t help but be shocked by Karyl’s nonchalant answer.

The bridge he made was surprisingly a ship.

Hundreds of ships were placed vertically, and holes were drilled in the sides, with dozens of steel chains connecting each ship as if they were one.

And a solid plank was placed on the ring of connected ships.

Anyone can connect ships.

But the reason they didn’t think of passing through the northern strait in this way was because the current became stronger as the width of the waterway narrowed.

In this situation, connecting the ships would further narrow the water width, and the ship would inevitably break because it could not withstand the current.

Clop- Clop-

The horse that Liliana was riding carefully took a few steps on the ship, and the sound of hooves rang out cheerfully.

Surprisingly, the connected ship was stable without shaking like a flat plain.

“Except for the ships at both ends, I cut off the bottom of all the ships in the middle so that water can pass through.”

“But this way, it won’t be able to withstand the weight…”

People looked under the ship.

The surface of the water was bubbling as if it were boiling, and a faint light was flashing below.

But the immigrants, who had no way of knowing what it was, looked at Karyl as if waiting for an answer.

“It’s a starting stone [a magical artifact]. The principle is the same as that used in the Knights Templar’s airships. Don’t worry, even if more people come than your ships can handle, it won’t collapse.”

Karyl said confidently, tapping the floor.

“How many ships did you use to build this bridge?”

“It’s not just any ship. It’s the Steel Fleet. The Duchy’s best fleet has become like this… !”

Some immigrants shouted as if they were enjoying it.

The ships used as bridges could no longer function as ships. These ships, which were the pride of the Duchy, were now no different from mere pieces of wood.

Considering the cost and time it takes to build a ship, how many people would think of using the Steel Fleet in this way?

“Don’t let your words rest [Don’t get complacent].”

It is something that would never be possible without Karyl.

“When they realize it, the sword will already be stuck in their backs.”

But unlike them, who were surprised, he spoke to the countless immigrants looking at him.

“They will see the pride of the Duchy collapse.”