Wolves of Hader

Chapter 56

An endlessly stretching plain.

I was riding alone across the wasteland, which had become half desert.

It had been three days since leaving the hideout.

After deliberately revealing the greatsword at the west gate of the capital and causing a commotion, I escaped immediately.

After that, whenever a pursuit appeared, our Berserkers took care of them and quickly followed me.

At that time, I seized a horse and was riding it.

The pursuers were only about twenty elite knights of the Syren family.

After two of their fellow knights died, no more were added to their number.

It was clear they hadn't informed the other houses about the incident.

It was also certain that there was no one stronger left who could catch us.

On the third day, the pursuers did not attack us and only followed from a distance.

Naturally, it was a situation that aroused doubts about the grand duke's intentions.

I called Donnie, who was following behind.

"Yes, what is it?"

Looking at the knights far away, I spoke.

"Doesn't that side seem strange to you?"

"It's probably because they don't have enough power to defeat you, young master. I suspect that after watching us like this, they'll try something."

"Do you think there are more guest warriors?"

"There are plenty of strong people they could recruit. The army of some western house could try to block us too."

"Which house do you think it might be?"

"The houses of the capital can't be trusted, but the western houses will obey the Syren family. The houses that drove our house out and took over."

"The western army could block us."

"That's possible."

Our family was originally the margrave of the west, and my father was the commander of the western army.

The grand duke purged our house and gave the marquisate of the west to his sister-in-law's family.

For the grand duke, it would be easier for him to control the information, so he would leave this matter to his in-law's house.

His older brother, the Royal Guard commander in the imperial family, could also send his subordinates.

This military force was within expectations.

The Syren family would want to hide their losses and would provoke backlash if they used the capital's houses.

Even considering that, it was too quiet.

Even if they didn't have a way to deal with us right away, if we hid like this, they wouldn't be able to find us.

It meant they didn't care if they lost us.

Did the grand duke see this incident as insignificant? Or did he realize our true identities?

"Well, that aside, something feels off."

"I'm a little puzzled too. It seems like they'd harass us persistently to exhaust us, then pour in their full strength."

If they truly wanted to capture us, they'd drive us to the brink, and, as Donnie said, introduce a top-level powerhouse once we're exhausted.

That's how they'd win.

But after three assaults, they only kept their distance and followed.

If military forces were lying in wait in our direction, that too would be to exhaust us.

Donnie pondered for a moment and looked at me, realizing that this was what I found strange.

"Could the grand duke have figured it out?"

"If so?"

"If I were the grand duke, and people who should be heading east were instead heading west, I'd see it as a diversion. Then I'd send my forces east."

Donnie was right.

They had figured us out. So, they only sent the pursuers west, where we were, and deployed their main force to the east.

Donnie spoke up urgently.

"We must send a message to Tris. If Russell and the rest go into Tris, they'll be caught."

I collected my thoughts calmly.

If the grand duke realized this three days ago, it would be before Russell's group reached Tris.

Even traveling by horse, it takes three days— they went on foot.

They would have noticed if inspections had become stricter during their travels.

In that case, they likely changed direction to the location I named.

The problem would be if there were no inspections, and nothing unusual, and Russell's group just entered Tris.

Could the grand duke be that meticulous?

Judging by the fact he hadn't informed other houses, there was a high chance he intended to lull us into complacency before striking at the crucial moment.

Of course, the strike squad wouldn't fall so easily to the Syren family's elites, but if they mobilized Tris's security guards, fighting would be harder.

It's likely the Syren family had also sent troops to the fortress.

With the main force absent, they'd want to devastate the place. But Russell and the knights were there.

There was only one thing to do.

I got off the horse.

From the backpack hanging over the saddle, I took out thin, small paper and a writing tool and immediately began composing a message.

I wrote down a piece of news and a single request.

The request was laid out simply.

Brevity itself inspires trust.

"Donnie. Go to the nearest city ahead and send this note to Goose merchant guild's Tris branch. Make it express."

"Understood."

Donnie rushed ahead on his horse. Though his armor and greatsword would stand out, he'd know how to hide them himself.

I mounted again and pressed on.

The Syren family will check the eastern gate and Tris, and send their main force to the fortress.

Even if they move quickly, it will still take ten days for them to reach the fortress.

Russell will reach that location tonight or tomorrow night.

As long as they board the ship safely, they'll reach Mouk within eight days.

A few days' delay wouldn't matter. On hearing the news, Russell will be locking the gates and preparing.

The grand duke still doesn't know of the special forces or our knight order.

He must have thought it would be hard to defend the fortress without myself and the Berserkers.

So, he must be thinking he'll arrive first and commit a massacre.

Russell can hold the fortress.

I've made sure it's defendable against most forces. I just hope none of our members get killed.

By the time we pass the western mountains and stop at the capital, it will be the fifteenth day.

By then, we'd probably learn what happened to our fortress, too.

So, if anyone dies—

We won't just let it go.

The grand duke will have to take up the sword himself.

/ / /

Russell Hader and his group were gazing down at a city sparkling with lights.

They were on a mountain near the port city, Tris.

As everyone held their breath in the darkness, a presence drew near.

The group kept ready, prepared to draw weapons if needed, but the person who approached was an ally.

"How's the mood?"

The approaching man spoke.

"Inspections have tightened a little, it's true. But neither the empire's army nor Tris's guards have increased in number."

Russell Hader hesitated for a moment.

Should they go into Tris as planned, or should they head straight to the spot his brother had mentioned?

Getting into Tris wasn't difficult. The city didn't have fortress walls or anything.

The problem was that the Syren family might be watching the Goose merchant guild's branch.

The Syren family only knew Russell Hader's face. They probably didn't even know the strike squad existed.

Goose merchant guild's trade ship would leave at noon tomorrow.

If they didn't get into the merchant guild by then, they'd miss the ship.

The total number with him was twenty-three.

Leaving behind armor and heavy weapons at the hideout, they were dressed to resemble merchants.

He finally made a decision.

"From now on, split into groups of three or four and scatter. Try not to attract the attention of the guards, and team one will go into the Goose merchant guild's branch first."

The company nodded.

He continued.

"If anything happens inside the guild, those who went in first will fire a signal flare and get out as they see fit. If they didn't spot my face, they won't make a move. Otherwise, they'd miss me."

"When will the family head go in?"

"I'm not going."

"What?"

All the team members turned to look at Russell Hader in surprise.

He added,

"They know my face. If I go in, they might bring in guards right away, and the enemies could storm in. If I'm not seen, you all will just be taken as ordinary merchants."

"You can't be left alone."

"I'll go to the place Roger mentioned with Bellen and Lok. As long as I'm not there, the rest of you should be able to reach the fortress safely."

No one could argue.

It was the family head's order, and it was the logical course of action from their perspective too.

Still, the fact that the family head would be in danger bothered them.

"If Roger were in my position, he would have made the same choice. And if things go wrong, just escape and head out by land. It'll be tough, but we can treat it like a trip. Bellen, Lok, are you okay with that?"

"I'm fine."

"Me too."

The Elin siblings replied with a smile.

Russell Hader stood up at once.

"Let's go ahead."

"Yes, family head."

As the entire strike squad got up and saluted, Russell and the Elin siblings grabbed their things and quickly headed down the mountain.

Russell's party ran straight down from the mountain. Other than the city itself, it was pitch dark everywhere, so moving was easy.

A while later.

Russell and the Elin siblings arrived near a grand mansion on the outskirts of Tris.

It wasn't far from the mountain where they had just waited.

However, under the large tree where Roger Hader had told them to wait, there was a carriage.

It was unusually fancy for such a remote spot.

Russell observed the carriage for a moment, then boldly walked up to it.

The coachman, sensing someone, looked over at Russell.

"Are you from the Goose merchant guild?"

"That's right."

"I was told to wait until dawn, but you're here sooner than I thought. Hurry and get in."

At Russell's signal, the Elin siblings ran out.

Russell checked inside the carriage and let the two board first before following them in himself.

The carriage left at once.

The place where Russell's party was dropped off was the back door of an inn not far from the docks.

The carriage let the three off and left.

While the three were glancing around the inn, the door opened and a man in his forties stepped out. He said,

"Please, follow me."

The three entered the inn as the man led them upstairs, to a room on the third floor.

For a shabby inn, it was a rather large room.

The man offered them seats, then sat down as well.

"Thank you for your trouble coming here. By any chance, does the marquis still remember my face?"

"I remember seeing you at my maternal relatives' when I was young. You are the steward of Count Mals' house, right?"

"I'm glad you remember. The truth is, the count wished to come here himself, but I dissuaded him. I hope you can understand that."

"It was the right call, as you wouldn't know what had happened. We're just grateful that you honored our request."

"The lord said, 'If the Hader house ever asks for anything, give everything but your own life.'"

"That's more than enough to hear."

"The ship will depart in the morning. Rest for now. I'll come find you again early in the morning."

The steward of Count Mals' house showed a polite bow and retreated. As Russell saw him out, he asked urgently,

"Do you know what Roger said?"

The steward smiled and replied,

"I received a note from the Goose merchant guild. It said, 'Count Mals, I'll make you thirty thousand gold coins a year. Will you shake hands with us?'"

"That's all?"

"And two more words— the location and to help."

Russell looked incredulous, then soon smiled.

"Did you ever secretly send anyone to our house?"

"In fact, yes."

The steward bowed again and left with a smile.

Russell Hader at once understood the reason why Count Mals had helped them.

It was because Count Mals already grasped the situation of House Hader.

/ / /

Beyond the wide rolling hills.

At last, a huge mountain range like a great wall appeared.

After five days, we finally arrived at the western mountains.

It was so high and rugged that it was said attacking the capital from beyond this range was impossible.

As we were headed toward the mountains, someone had been running from the southwest for a while.

It was Donnie, who had left two days ago to send a message and was only now returning.

He was literally raising a cloud of dust as he ran.

His horse was loaded with food and water, and judging by Donnie's bright face, he must have obtained unexpected news.

"Whoa, whoa—"

Donnie, who had ridden hard, stopped his horse and caught his breath.

He actually looked more exhausted than his horse.

"You got a reply?"

"Both the family head and the strike squad left Tris safely. They've also been warned to prepare the fortress against the Syren family's assault."

"That's a relief."

Donnie had another reason for hurrying back.

He said with a look of joy,

"It seems negotiations with the Dran tribe village will go well."

"Did you learn something?"

"This friend says he'll help."

"A friend?"

"Greetings?"

Someone poked their head out from behind Donnie.

It was a young member of the Dran tribe.

It seemed we had met one of the western Dran tribe's clansmen.

I hadn't expected the Dran tribe to give up magic materials so easily, but this worked out well.