novelraw Chapter 100 : Chapter 100
Chapter 100 : Chapter 100
Chapter 100: Duke Theron (1)
Having secured the Fire Dragon Orb, Evan wasted no time and, alongside Gaiard, rode swiftly toward their next destination—Duke Theron’s territory.
“Do you know where his territory is?”
“Yes. Though I’m not sure if he’ll be there.”
Duke Theron, along with the Border Count of the north, was a key force defending the coastline.
However, this barbarian invasion had broken all previous patterns with a surprise attack.
Due to their stealthy incursion, the central part of the main island was on the verge of devastation, and at this point, it was unlikely that Theron would remain solely in his own territory.
“Even if he’s marched out, he’d have done so by now. So we need to hurry.”
“You make a fair point, but if we take this roundabout route, the capital will already be embroiled in a siege with the barbarians.”
The problem was the situation in the capital.
A place where a siege could break out at any moment—or perhaps was already underway.
“That’s exactly why we need to head north.”
“What do you mean?”
“If the capital is already surrounded, we’ll need a powerful army to break through that encirclement.”
In war, individual strength was important, but manpower was the priority.
Of course, Evan and Gaiard were undeniably formidable.
Yet there was no guarantee that the barbarians lacked warriors capable of matching them.
Before engaging in battles between powerhouses, they first needed enough soldiers to wage war.
“And that kind of force is in the north. In the territories beyond the mountain range that cuts across the island.”
The forces brought by the branch family members had all come from the north.
This meant their territories had not yet fallen into the barbarians’ grasp.
“For now, the best course is to rally the lords of the intact territories and lead their forces to the capital.”
The kingdom’s military structure differed from the empire’s.
Aside from a small standing army, the main forces consisted of each lord’s troops.
Thus, uniting these individual armies was the only way to properly confront the barbarians.
“And at the center of that effort will surely be Duke Theron.”
The Twin Swords of the Kingdom.
This referred to the Vaberin Family in the south and the Theron Family in the north.
These two families alone, aside from the king, held the legitimacy and power to rally the kingdom’s lords, and in a crisis like this, they were the only ones capable of saving the kingdom.
“I’ll join him and completely drive out these barbarians.”
“It’s a good plan, but I’m worried the lords won’t follow so easily.”
“What’s there to worry about? If they refuse to act when the kingdom is in danger, I’ll drag them out, even if I have to beat them senseless.”
In his past life, he had devoted himself to the empire, only to be betrayed and killed by that same empire.
Yet, the reason he sought to save the kingdom in this life wasn’t blind loyalty,
but because he genuinely cared for this kingdom.
More precisely, he wanted to protect the homeland of his friends and comrades living here.
“Hahaha! That’s the spirit!”
“So let’s hurry. This is a race against time—every second counts!”
Evan spurred his horse forward with force.
―Clop clop clop clop!
Dust billowed in an instant,
and they galloped even faster toward the north.
***
On the way to meet Heriel Theron, Evan stopped at every territory he passed in the north, meeting their lords in person.
As expected, the northern territories had barely been touched by the barbarians’ destruction.
This was because reaching these lands required crossing a rugged, though not high, mountain range.
The barbarians had opted for a swift, mobile strategy, prioritizing efficient plundering and conquest.
In other words, they took only the resources they needed and moved on.
As a result, the northern territories enjoyed a temporary peace.
This wasn’t mere peace—it meant they had the leeway to preserve their forces.
Recognizing this, Evan personally visited each territory’s castle, revealed his identity, and requested military support for the kingdom.
“Evan Lafard, Little Count of the Lafard Family, requests an audience with the lord.”
When Evan announced himself, most lords looked at him in disbelief.
“Evan? Is it really Evan?”
“You’re alive? By the heavens!”
Their reactions were uniform.
Shock and confusion.
No one was unaware of the great incident on Hell Island years ago.
Evan’s noble sacrifice was a story that had spread throughout the kingdom, and in its wake, some branch family members had tried to seize the hidden Fire Dragon Orb in the Lafard Mansion.
This scheme was uncovered by Duke Theron, leading to the annihilation of an entire branch family, making the Lafard Family’s affairs something even those uninterested in noble society couldn’t ignore.
Thus, the lords had believed Evan was truly dead.
It was only natural they couldn’t hide their astonishment when he appeared after three years.
“I was away in a distant place due to certain circumstances.”
Explaining the details would take too long.
The past wasn’t what mattered now—the present was.
Evan wasted no more time and got straight to the point.
It was, of course, about the fate of the kingdom.
“More importantly, my lord, don’t you intend to raise an army for the kingdom? I alone am not enough to protect it.”
Most lords had children or nephews around Evan’s age.
Thus, the sight of this young little count taking the lead for the kingdom seemed both admirable and courageous to them.
“A splendid idea.”
At the same time, they felt ashamed of themselves.
They blamed themselves for not acting first in the face of the kingdom’s crisis.
“But lords like us aren’t the type to move under someone’s command. Our pride is too strong.”
“I understand.”
“We need a strong leader. Is there anyone fit for the role?”
Evan answered firmly, “I’m heading to Duke Theron. He’s the leader capable of uniting the northern lords.”
“If it’s him, he certainly has the charisma to lead the regional lords.”
At Evan’s proposal, the lords made their decisions.
“Very well. I’ll leave a minimal garrison and march out.”
Thus, Evan traveled the northern region, joining forces with lords, and their army grew like a snowball.
However, not all lords decided easily.
Raising an army was ultimately at the lord’s discretion, and some inevitably refused.
“I must decline. We’re already struggling to fend off rampant bandits. Please understand my position.”
A flimsy excuse.
Most refusals were mere pretexts.
To them, preserving their position and lives outweighed the kingdom’s survival.
‘To think such people hold titles.’
Evan’s gaze turned cold.
Just days ago, every single cadet had stepped forward without exception, making these lords’ choices starkly inferior by comparison.
“Understood.”
“You’re leaving just like that?”
The refusing lord asked awkwardly, but Evan responded in a firm, emotionless voice.
“Yes, I’m in a hurry.”
He gave no room for negotiation.
Only a few had refused, and there was no time to waste persuading them.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Evan rode toward the next destination.
“Evan, don’t take it too hard. Who can blame them for being cowards?”
“Exactly. They’re too steeped in peace.”
The lords who joined him offered words of comfort, riding alongside.
“Thank you for your words. Your willingness to join me is already a great strength.”
Though not all lords had come, the gathered forces now exceeded two thousand.
This was a scale capable of conducting independent operations.
While leading these troops north, they arrived at a territory where a familiar flag caught their eye.
Duke Theron’s flag.
Surrounding it were flags of various families, and knights bearing their crests on their armor bustled about.
“Duke Theron is already here!”
“As expected of the duke, right, Evan?”
It was fortunate.
At the very least, the process of uniting forces from various regions was proceeding smoothly.
The foundation for a counterattack to save the kingdom was being laid.
‘As expected, the duke was gathering forces too.’
Just as Evan’s allied forces spotted Theron’s troops, Theron’s forces noticed them, and a knight approached.
“Bertrand, knight of Belsen, greets the lords. Have you come to join us?”
A lord, speaking on behalf of the group, responded to the knight who introduced himself as Bertrand.
“Indeed. Viscount Nikolai and many other lords share our intent.”
“We’re truly grateful. The duke will be greatly pleased.”
One of the lords smiled and said, “Give your thanks to this young man. Without Little Count Evan Lafard, we wouldn’t have gathered.”
At the name ‘Evan Lafard,’ Bertrand’s face froze momentarily.
“Little Count Evan Lafard… is alive?”
His voice trembled with shock.
Evan gave a light chuckle and said, “I’m right here, perfectly fine, aren’t I?”
He spoke playfully, but Bertrand still seemed incredulous.
“I-I must report to the duke. The little count is alive…”
He hurriedly saluted and rode back to the castle where Duke Theron was staying.
“Let’s go too.”
“I’m exhausted from riding so long. I need a rest.”
“You should exercise instead of holing up in your castle all the time!”
After ordering the soldiers to rest, Evan and the lords headed to the castle where the duke and the territory’s lord awaited.
―Clop clop.
As they neared the castle, the scale of the encamped forces came into view.
Flags from various regions filled the area around the castle.
―Flap.
At that moment, Gaiard tilted his head, noticing one of the flags.
‘Hm?’
But he said nothing and quietly stepped back.
Meanwhile, Evan entered the castle with the other lords.
As the inner gate opened, lords who had arrived earlier greeted them warmly.
“Card Laper! You’re here too! I saw your flag.”
“Good to see everyone here. Oh, others have arrived as well.”
Card Laper exchanged greetings with the lords, his face beaming.
But the moment his gaze landed on Evan, his expression stiffened briefly.
“Evan Lafard.”
Evan greeted him calmly, and Card spoke awkwardly.
“Uh… you’re alive?”
“Yes. Surprised?”
Card subtly gauged Evan’s reaction.
But Evan treated him the same as the other lords, showing no change in expression.
‘Is this guy deliberately hiding his emotions?’
Evan recalled seeing the names of branch families in the real Evan Lafard’s diary.
But at this moment, he couldn’t recall the details.
It might have seemed like Evan was deliberately concealing his past with masterful acting, but in truth, he simply didn’t remember.
Card Laper, unaware of this, mistook Evan for a calculated actor and grew wary inwardly.
“Well, wouldn’t anyone be? Rumors of your death have been rampant for years.”
“There were circumstances.”
“I see…”
Card recalled the events at the Lafard estate.
Seeing Evan alive and well, he wondered,
‘Could Evan have mastered the power of the orb?’
His mind grew tangled with thoughts.
At that moment, another figure entered his view.
Pale skin, sharp eyes, a man exuding an eerie aura, almost inhuman.
‘What is this? Is he even human?’
The moment he saw Card Laper, he threw out a cryptic question.
“Have we met before?”
A blunt remark, devoid of pleasantries.
Card showed a flash of displeasure.
“No way. I’ve never seen you before.”
Card clearly didn’t recognize Gaiard.
But Gaiard knew him.
Staring intently at Card’s face, Gaiard raised the corner of his mouth and muttered briefly,
“Is that so? Alright.”
With a secretive smile, Gaiard glanced back and forth between Evan and Card.
‘Should I tell him or not?’