The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 113

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 113

“Have you adjusted a bit?”

“What adjustment is needed for something I’ve been doing my whole life?”

My question was met with a sharp retort, as if I had asked something utterly obvious. I was merely asking out of concern, but the rebuke left me momentarily taken aback, even though the question was indeed a natural one.

So far, there have been over a hundred Titans activated, meaning the same number of knights have become their masters. If we include those who underwent tests simply to check synchronization rates, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that several times that number of knights have piloted Titans.

Except for a very few geniuses among them, all struggled considerably. It was only natural. No matter how high the synchronization rate, and no matter how similar the Titan was to the human body, it was still not their own body. To seamlessly transition from a body they had moved for decades to a new one without any sense of incongruity would be astonishing.

“Others would be quite surprised to hear that.”

“If they lack effort themselves, they should try harder if they know they are lacking. If there are any who only complain, tell me. They are not even worthy of wielding a sword as knights.”

No sensible merchant would continue a deal that doesn’t even break even. Similarly, there was no reason to keep dragging on a topic that only brought rebukes. I neatly shelved the subject of Titans and tossed it into the mental trash, bringing up a new topic to continue the conversation.

“Please accept this. My brother-in-law and wife specifically asked me to deliver it. They also asked me to persuade you.”

“Persuade?”

“They were saying that once the monster subjugation is over, wouldn’t you like to spend your remaining years in your hometown, watching your grandchildren grow up?”

The same sentiment was probably written in the letter as well. The expression on my father-in-law’s face didn’t change much as he slowly read through the letter, making it difficult to gauge what he was thinking.

“Are you already treating me like an old man?”

“Who would treat you like an old man? I was merely asking about your intentions. Haven’t you been fighting for the Empire your whole life? They’re asking you to dedicate your remaining life to your family.”

Realistically, once this subjugation is over, the Terra Barrier will largely lose its strategic importance. It will still serve as a gateway, but a small number of troops will be sufficient for that role. There was no reason for someone of my father-in-law’s caliber to remain.

Furthermore, considering the time needed for the subjugation and the time needed for the cleanup afterward, the Emperor would have to dedicate all his time to this. The last flames of the seasoned veterans, including my father-in-law, could only burn brightly here and now.

“You know it too, don’t you, Father-in-law? That this war will be the last one where you stand on the front lines.”

“······Let’s talk about that later. There’s nothing more foolish than being distracted by future events that haven’t happened yet and ruining the work that needs to be done now.”

#

After that, neither I nor my father-in-law brought up the topic of retirement. But I wasn’t impatient. There was plenty of time, and my father-in-law would need time to think. From the start, given his personality, the fact that he said he would think about it rather than dismissing it outright was practically proof that he was somewhat inclined to do so. In times like these, it’s best to remain still. Pressuring him would likely backfire.

“It would be good to advance in three directions.”

“What nonsense. It should be at least five directions.”

In the meantime, while waiting for winter to pass, the upper echelons of the Terra Barrier were busy with various meetings. Once past the nearby canyon, there was an endless plain with no obstacles in sight, so there were bound to be differences of opinion on how to begin the subjugation.

Moreover, as peace continued, even the commanders had few with extensive war experience. The war between humans and humans and the war between humans and monsters were bound to be different. The Central Army had only hunting or general subjugation experience when it came to fighting monsters, and the Northern Army had the Autumn Expedition, but this large-scale offensive was their first. There were bound to be difficulties in formulating concrete plans during the meeting.

“Enough! That’s enough raising your voices. From now on, let’s have a more productive discussion. Count Hughes.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Explain.”

From lack of experience, excessive confidence, subtle power struggles between the Northern and Central Armies, to the desire for each to be given more troops and Titans, the factors hindering the meeting were numerous. However, the meeting itself began to proceed smoothly at some point, with only slight hiccups.

There were several reasons for this, but the first was that, as they belonged to different factions, they were greedy for achievements but didn’t cross the line. The Emperor only mobilized the troops of nobles who agreed with his decision, excluding those who opposed the subjugation, so they could unite for a goal rather than personal gain.

The second reason was that the supreme commander was none other than Marquis Ziek. A living legend who had wielded his sword for the Empire his entire life, from the previous Emperor’s reign to the present. Especially in the northern part of the Empire, where he had spent so much time, it was difficult to surpass his influence. As such, no one could easily object once he began to lead the meeting.

Thus, the commanders, knights, and soldiers were each preparing for the start of the subjugation in spring in their own ways.

#

Time flowed without stopping. The snow that seemed like it would never stop falling disappeared, and the snow that had piled up to a sighing height melted away, leaving only traces behind. As a result, the ground began to be so muddy that it was uncomfortable to walk on, but being able to walk at all was better than winter.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes!”

“No problem!”

After countless meetings, the expeditionary force decided to split into seven units and advance towards the monsters’ land. Each unit consisted of over ten thousand troops, with slight variations depending on the direction of advance, and more than ten Glory Titans were deployed to lead the vanguard.

Naturally, the defense of the Terra Barrier was bound to be somewhat weakened, but it was difficult to foresee any major problems arising since they were advancing in seven directions. It was true that the scale of monsters appearing in the monsters’ land was beyond imagination, but monsters were also living beings.

Monsters wouldn’t fall from the sky or spring from the ground. If they pushed forward from the canyon where the Terra Barrier was located, sweeping clean as they went, even if the Terra Barrier’s defense was weaker than usual, it wouldn’t pose a significant threat. That was the judgment of the commanders, including myself. Of course, a minimum number of troops were left behind in case of emergencies.

“It seems everyone has gathered.”

At the central gate of the Terra Barrier, had there ever been so many humans gathered outside? I can confidently say that in my experience, no, as far as I know, there hadn’t been. Even if they had considered the near-impossible task of an expedition, no one had ever put it into action.

The monsters’ land was an unknown territory to humanity, the enemy’s base, and an existing threat that no one dared to launch an offensive against. Therefore, the soldiers’ eyes, as they looked at Marquis Ziek outside the gate, were bound to be filled with fear of the unknown and fear of terror. Marquis Ziek was well aware of this fact.

“I won’t say much.”

Although different in kind, soldiers gripped by the emotion of fear, and in some of their eyes, the opposite emotion of confidence began to rise.

Soldiers who had survived the hell that was the Terra Barrier. To them, who had clearly witnessed the divine power that Marquis Ziek had shown, he was close to a god. A god of battle. As such, a groundless confidence rose within them that they could somehow manage if they were with Marquis Ziek. Of course, the Central Army, which had only heard rumors of the reality of the north and had only briefly experienced the terror of the monsters’ land, was still gripped by fear.

“This war is different from the wars you know. It is different from the wars that were riddled with the greed and desires of the upper echelons, which demanded only sacrifice from you. Because your enemies are not the innocent people who you have never seen, who are supporting their parents and children somewhere even at this moment, but those who, from before you were born until after you die, think of you, your family, your friends, and your comrades as nothing more than prey.”

If you want an answer to the question of whether excellent speech and eloquence are essential for a great speech, I would recommend watching this speech.

Marquis Ziek did not have the great eloquence to steal people’s hearts. However, he was proving at this moment that moving people’s hearts and emotions was not only possible through eloquence.

“Are you afraid? Don’t be afraid. If you are afraid at this moment, your families will have to live in fear. Do you want to run away? Don’t run away. If you turn your backs at this moment, your families will have to turn their backs and run away. Do you want to see such a sight?”

“No!”

“Then go forward. I will be in front of you, so there is nothing to fear.”

#

Seven units advancing towards their respective goals, from 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock based on the exit of the canyon. Among them, the most dangerous unit was undoubtedly the 1st Army, facing directly at 12 o’clock. It wasn’t that the other units were less threatening, but it was the unit that was advancing towards the center of the monsters’ land the fastest. That’s why my father-in-law and I were both in the 1st Army.

Marquis Pongk, another asymmetric force [a military unit or individual with unique capabilities], had gathered a small elite group of aces and departed early as a separate detachment. Since his strength lay in showing off his martial prowess rather than commanding someone, it was decided that it would be better to have him stir up the interior and rescue units in danger rather than assigning him to a specific unit.

“How do you feel?”

“What feeling are you talking about?”

“Isn’t this place a place of hatred for you, Father-in-law? A place where you were helpless in the face of a pouring offensive. But now you are launching an offensive in reverse.”

“How about you?”

“Yes?”

“Didn’t you tell me more than ten years ago that you would break the chain of hatred? You’ve taken another step towards that result, so how do you feel?”

Rumble-

As we were continuing our conversation, the ‘enemies’ we had been waiting for appeared in front of us.

“I’ll continue after dealing with those guys first.”

“That’s enough. Your feelings and mine probably aren’t that different. Tell everyone to prepare for battle.”

Baron’s Family Second Son – Episode 113 – End