The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 412

Although the Hybris continent denies the existence of an emperor, the calendar compiled by the emperor is still used. According to that imperial calendar, the new year is about to begin. From the very beginning of the new year, a blizzard poured down from the sea onto Banreung. The vassals summoned by Azadin were looking out the window of the royal castle, the heart of the mountain, at the falling snow, waiting for the king to appear. By the king’s order, sugar was given as a gift to the vassals for the end of the year and the new year. Then, Azadin appeared from his residence. “Well, did everyone receive their gifts? I’m sorry that all I could give you was that, considering how much you’ve all suffered.” “Your words are too kind.” “In these troubled times, there’s nothing more to wish for. I’m rather worried it’s too much.” “Uh, um. Uh-huh.” “If you can’t speak, then don’t.” Azadin calmed Selim, who, unlike the other vassals, couldn’t speak smoothly, and looked around at the vassals. “Now, shall we organize the situation ahead? It seems we’ll be busy from the new year.” Currently, Azadin’s Banreung Kingdom was connected to the Rescue Knights Territory through the Arangi Kingdom, whether by land or sea. The Mercy Order of the Rescue Knights was supporting Azadin in every way, and without their help, there was a possibility of future isolation. Even if that wasn’t the case, it was also a problem if those bizarre, heteromorphic messengers kept using miracles. The authenticity of whether Azadin was truly chosen by the angels and the spirits of Yaegas was being questioned. ‘Well, I didn’t say anything in the first place because I thought that might happen.’ Azadin did not openly speak about their choices or revelations when he was chosen by the angels and the spirits of Yaegas. He knew well how ridiculous it would seem if he, a member of the Herald Clan, claimed to be chosen by angels or spirits. Because those who claim to be chosen by angels or gods can be found one or two anywhere a permanent market is open. “So, this is the situation. If anyone has any opinions, please speak frankly.” “If Sir Triodana claims to have received a miracle, it’s highly likely that he was the one who caused the disturbance in Bissen. To manipulate the Holy Knights from the King’s Church in Bissen, one would need to be of a status that can exert influence over the King’s Church, like him or the Northern Empire.” Sir Ject, wearing a sackcloth banner symbolizing a Penitent Knight [a knight who has committed a sin and is seeking redemption] over his armor, subtly glanced towards Sir Karna. Unlike the Northern Empire, which was far away and required subordinates to carry out practical tasks, Triodana was directly handling practical matters while stationed in the Wisdom Order of the Rescue Knights. A key figure in the Wisdom Order who conducts the Celestial Reincarnation Ritual [a ritual to transform holy knights into celestial beings], and at the same time, holds connections with the King’s Church of the Northern Empire. Currently, Triodana was the most likely person to reincarnate Holy Knights from the King’s Church into Celestials. But what about Karna? That was what Ject was implying. ‘This guy really has a bad personality. Has he not come to his senses even after becoming a Penitent Knight and wearing a sackcloth?’ Karna smiled bitterly, seeing Ject openly suspecting and antagonizing him. Jibek spoke up. “First, we must subdue Bissen to stabilize our rear, and then organize the Rescue Knights Territory. If our rear isn’t stable, we don’t know what kind of trouble we might face.” “But the one who plotted the rebellion in Bissen is likely Sir Triodana. Will Sir Triodana stay still while we attack Bissen? It would be better to defeat the enemy’s main force instead.” Sir Karna insisted on defeating Triodana first. Karna and Triodana looked like twins and were close even before becoming Celestials, and perhaps because of that, he wanted to deal with Triodana as soon as possible. “It’s a long way to Saint Mallory, and we have to pass through the Arangi Kingdom. It seems like dealing with Bissen first is the priority.” Bernard also suggested dealing with Bissen first. “If it’s about subduing Bissen, please order me to march.” Inquisitor, no, now Penitent Knight, Sir Ject volunteered to march as the discussion leaned towards subduing Bissen. It seemed he wanted to repay the suffering he had endured in Bissen. However, due to the previous defeat in Bissen, Azadin’s army had a jinx that they would lose any battle where Azadin did not personally lead the charge. In fact, among Azadin’s forces, only Ject, Jibek, and Karna, who were trained as knights, had the qualifications to be a commander-in-chief. The werewolf Legion and the dwarf Kalan had extensive field experience, but their experience was limited to infantry and mercenary captain, and they lacked the capacity to lead a siege or cavalry battle as a commander-in-chief. Excluding King Azadin and the alcoholic Sir Astadier, the most capable commander was Ject, who had returned defeated from Bissen. Azadin’s forces ultimately needed Azadin to lead them personally. Dividing the troops was only suitable for dealing with small bandits or goblin subjugation, not for carrying out proper military operations. “I will personally lead the subjugation of Bissen. As for who should stay to protect Banreung…” The problem was who to leave behind. ‘Sir Jibek has some practical skills, and Karna is also quick-witted. But regardless of my trust, others still see Sir Karna as suspicious. If I leave Karna in charge of the royal castle, there will definitely be complaints among the other vassals.’ He couldn’t leave it to Ject or Astadier either. As for the other vassals, their ability to effectively defend and manage the royal castle was questionable. “I will lead the charge. Scott, how many wagons do we have for transporting supplies?” Then, Scott, who was specially allowed to lie down even in the royal court, raised his hand. The doll next to Scott opened its mouth instead. “There are enough wagons, but most of them are only intact on paper, boss. About half of the wagons need repairs right now.” “……” The other vassals around were dumbfounded. Not only was he lying down in front of the king, but he was also using such an impious tool to answer instead. The orc mage Scott had always eaten three or four times as much as other people. In the current famine, such overeating could never be a virtue. No matter how capable a mage Scott was, he was a different race, an orc, and his usual behavior made it easy for him to make enemies, so it seemed there was a lot of noise from those around him. The solution Scott proposed to address that noise was this. He even used a doll to speak, and he himself lay down all day. Thanks to that, his food intake had decreased to about 1.5 times that of an average person, but it was bizarre and against etiquette. And since there were many Holy Knights under Azadin, his unhesitating use of necromancy also made many people frown. However, Scott’s point was sharp and accurate. “They exist intact on paper, but they need a lot of repairs, you say?” “Yeah, boss. On paper, they’re all the same wagon, but some have wheels that have fallen off, and some have broken axles. And wood is very scarce these days. It’s getting colder, so more people are trying to repair their buildings, and even intact wood is being used as firewood.” “Then, we will lend you wagons. We will exchange the wagons that the Van Dyke Merchant Guild has for the damaged ones. In return, give us the logging rights for the forest near the Naisandokar Road.” Surprisingly, Sion Etar offered to exchange the wagons. Exchanging wagons in exchange for logging rights was a huge act of tyranny, but the story was different if the logging was to be done in the Naisandokar region. The road next to Naisandokar was too dark because there were too many trees, which led to frequent attacks by monsters, wild animals, Bri [a type of monster], and goblins. It was a place that needed to be logged anyway, so asking for logging rights there was the same as saying they would take responsibility for logging it. ‘If the Herald Clan steps in, there won’t be any problems. Is Sion Etar trying to score points?’ Azadin accepted Sion Etar’s proposal. With the wagon problem resolved, the supply plan for subduing Bissen proceeded smoothly. ********* Midiam declared that she would follow Azadin to where he was personally leading the charge. “Surely you’re not thinking of locking me up somewhere safe, are you?” “You’re not the type of lady to stay still if locked up. I received a proposal from Sion Etar anyway.” “Yes? From my brother? What kind of proposal?” “To organize an archer unit made up of Aragas [members of the Etar clan].” Azadin accepted the servants of the Etar clan that Sion Etar had selected into the barracks. There were 10 of them. They were not Heralds, but the servants who assisted the Heralds also had abilities comparable to the Heralds. Especially when it came to archery, they were better than anyone else. Therefore, placing them in a regular archer unit would be a waste. “And I’ll assign Ismail, Indim, and Seraph as close aides. However, Indim and Seraph will be guests. That means they can leave whenever they want.” “Wow. That’s quite a force. Depending on how you use them, that is.” “Well, yeah. Then, shall we go together to subdue Bissen? Even if you are the future queen, you still have to earn your keep in this Pimbulbert situation.” “Of course. I am an Aragas, after all.” Then, Seraph asked Azadin a question. “Um, King Azadin. But is it okay?” “What do you mean?” “No, I mean, Ismail, that….” “He volunteered to be assigned.” Azadin also knew that Ismail liked Midiam. Originally, Ismail was Midiam’s attendant and foster brother, and such people were bound by strong bonds. However, Ismail himself had volunteered to Azadin that he wanted to continue protecting Midiam in the future. ********* When the political marriage, or rather, the arranged marriage with Midiam was decided, Ismail came to Azadin alone. “What is it? Surely you’re not going to challenge me to a duel over Midiam, are you?” “Of course not. I know my place well. I’m from a vassal family of the Etar clan, a guy who has lived as a slave for a long time, so I’ve even come to love the chains around my neck.” “Oh my. You’re still young, but you’re so narrow-minded… No, never mind. Yes. Tell me.” “I want to continue serving Lady Midiam in the future. If necessary, I will castrate myself and become a eunuch. Or you can castrate me directly, as you punished the villains before. It might be bad for rumors if a healthy man is loitering around the queen.” “Stop, that’s enough. You rascal. Why are you in such a hurry? There’s no way I would want that. We’re already short on descendants in the Herald Clan, so how can I use a valuable talent by making him a eunuch?” “Then…” “I know how you feel about Midiam, Ismail. There’s no one who can protect her as well as you. I’ll ask you on my behalf.” Azadin pitied Ismail, who had come up with the absurd proposal of becoming a eunuch. His stress must be severe enough to propose self-castration. Ismail was a being tangled with subtle anger and longing for the Etar clan, who used him as a servant, and love and hatred for Midiam. Although he had the ability to become a Herald, he had hidden his teeth for Midiam’s sake, and it was impossible for him to seek a new life apart from Midiam. For that to be possible, it would take a long time, a lot of time. ‘A lot of time, something I don’t have.’ Azadin smiled bitterly and reassured Ismail before sending him back.