LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 37 - Gathering (3)
18. Gathering (3)
Sybilla, upon arriving at Balshad, had been rushing about in busyness.
She met the mage to gather information and sought cooperation from commanders of other nations for the upcoming allied forces.
But such actions were not unique to her alone.
Many nations were intertwined under the banner of the Allied Forces. Political calculations were only natural.
Yet, some countries acted quite the opposite.
Briol had locked themselves up in their tents, only conducting self-training daily, and did not come out.
“Briol seems busy these days.”
“Indeed. The Third Prince is quite a unique character.”
“What could he be thinking?”
“I’m not sure……”
Sybilla was walking alongside Jonathan, who commanded Brusin.
The scenery of Balshad was no different from any other city. Jonathan, who had arrived earlier, shared various information with her.
“The pork dishes there are quite tasty. The menu name was…….”
Suddenly, Jonathan stopped and called out to a knight who was passing by.
“Sir Jose,”
He was an enormous man.
“Oh, commander?”
“Where are you heading?”
“Uh…….”
He hesitated and glanced around.
“Well. So…….”
Sybilla had heard about him already—evaluated as potentially the greatest force of Brusin, Jose Arathur.
“I’m on my way to Briol’s camp.”
“Why?”
“Well…….”
He scratched his head while hesitating. His gentle demeanor was a stark contrast to his formidable muscular frame.
Jonathan patted his shoulder.
“Going to spar with their knights again?”
“Yes…….”
“I told you not to overdo it.”
“We’re taking it easy on each other.”
“I don’t think mixing too often with knights from other nations is good. But I won’t forcefully stop you. Brusin men aren’t known for being controlled.”
“Thank you.”
“Go on.”
As she watched Jose walk away, Sybilla remarked.
“Brusin seems to be acquainted with Briol.”
“Yes. It just happened that way.”
“Briol…….”
Sybilla murmured.
Briol was training as though ready to dash across the plains at any moment.
Yuri Briol was not usually seen as diligent; what could he be thinking?
“What could the Third Prince be thinking?”
“I’m not sure.”
Jonathan smiled.
“Since Her Highness seems curious, shall we go see for ourselves?”
The camp of Briol’s forces was not far. They moved together.
As they passed agricultural lands and the residential area for city dwellers, the sound of clashing weapons reached their ears from a distance.
Passing soldiers from other nations chuckled as they glanced towards Briol’s forces.
“It’s a tough job…….”
“Why are they like that?”
“They’ve got the wrong commander.”
The soldiers, upon noticing Jonathan and Sybilla, chanced sidelong glances and stepped aside.
Though they owed no particular courtesy to noblemen of other countries, they also couldn’t afford to be rude.
Unhindered, Jonathan and Sybilla entered the camp.
Closer inspection revealed the training was surprisingly systematic.
“What brings you here?”
A knight, who was instructing the soldiers, recognized the two and approached. He had stripped to the waist, revealing a sweat-soaked physique.
Jonathan recognized him.
“Was it Sir Jared?”
“Yes.”
“I’d heard about Briol’s reputation, so I came for a look.”
“Should I call for the Prince?”
“It’s fine. I’ll go directly. Where is he?”
“There…….”
Jared pointed in a direction. Jonathan and Sybilla turned their heads.
They saw a massive back—one that seemed vaguely familiar.
Every time he swung a sword, the sharp sound of it slicing through the air echoed.
“It’s Jose.”
“Yes.”
“I only see Sir Jose?”
“If you look carefully…….”
Jose suddenly launched a kick, and someone obscured by his bulk flew through the air like a ragdoll.
The soldiers who were standing by quickly rushed to the one sent flying.
“Your Highness!”
“Are you alright!”
“Open your eyes!”
Witnessing the sight of his country’s knight assaulting a foreign prince, Jonathan hesitated to speak, his lips quivering before asking in a low voice.
“Is he alright……?”
“Yes, well…….”
Jared shrugged, gazing at Yuri who lay on the ground.
“He insists on doing this.”
Yuri staggered to his feet and charged at Jose once more.
The clanging sound of metal resounded through the air.
Though Yuri’s achievements were outstanding for his age, Jose was an almost perfect knight.
Engaging in combat with movements akin to acrobatics, Yuri ultimately succumbed to the disparity in strength, losing his weapon.
The wooden sword spun in the air.
Yet, Yuri did not stop.
He pressed forward after discarding the wooden sword, wrapping his legs around Jose’s arm to apply leverage and attempting to bend his elbow.
However, nothing happened.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
“I intend to slam you into the ground. Is that alright?”
“…….”
Jose stood there, holding Yuri aloft with one arm. Despite Yuri’s struggles, he didn’t budge. His strength was immense.
Yuri gave up gracefully and leaped down.
“If you slammed me, I’d have complained to my father.”
“It would be an honor.”
“Let’s call it a day. We have guests.”
He looked at Jonathan and Sybilla.
“What brings you here?”
Jonathan respectfully nodded his head, and Sybilla slightly inclined hers.
Yuri approached them.
“Most just watch from afar and leave, so it’s a pleasure to have you visit in person.”
Briol’s training had become a subject of much chatter. Not only soldiers but sometimes knights from other countries would also watch from a distance.
Yuri didn’t care about exposing his capabilities. Everything would be revealed on the battlefield anyway.
“Would you like to join?”
At Yuri’s invitation, Jonathan shook his head.
“Thank you for the offer, but I have many tasks at hand.”
“Meeting people from other countries?”
“Yes.”
Jonathan laughed awkwardly.
“Since I’m not of a rank like Your Highness, I have to hustle even harder.”
“You’ll regret it later.”
“Your Highness has stayed only in your camp; it seems your perspective is different.”
“Perspective, huh.”
Yuri looked at Sybilla.
“Sybilla, what do you think?”
Despite being of royal blood, there was no barrier in their speech. Unaware of their relationship, Jonathan tilted his head in curiosity.
“What do I think?”
“About this socializing before the assembly, I mean.”
“Well…….”
Sybilla pondered.
Though Ragna, the overall commander of the allied army, had not moved yet, rumors abounded that he would soon summon all commanders.
Before then, countries attempted to meet and forge alliances according to their interests.
Particularly, the Holy Kingdom attracted much interest from multiple nations because of its many priests adept in sacred laws.
Sybilla spoke.
“It’s probably better than not doing it at all, don’t you think?”
Yuri smiled.
“Seems everyone’s confident the Allied Forces will win. Isn’t that a bit complacent?”
“Does Your Highness believe the Allied Forces might fail?”
“Could be, or could not be. Either way, it’s not going to be an easy war.”
He looked at the soldiers training.
These may not be happy times, but this hardship would help them live just that little longer.
“They’ll change their tune once they face the real deal. Nothing we do now will mean much.”
“Well, as Briol, you must know about the orcs.”
“Well, Sybilla knows too. Almost died on the way here.”
Sybilla cleared her throat.
It wasn’t a memory to laugh off. She had truly thought she would burn to death.
“Let’s survive, Jonathan.”
Yuri grinned broadly as he patted Jonathan’s back.
Jonathan glanced at Yuri anew.
He had the appearance of a boy, yet his demeanor was akin to a seasoned knight. No, he seemed even rawer than that.
It reminded him of a mercenary he once hired.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He replied and fell into contemplation.
He thought he’d been sincerely committed to the allied forces, but this prince seemed to be preparing for far worse possibilities than he’d imagined.
Jonathan tried to recall his memories of the orcs.
“I’ve encountered orcs once.”
“Really? I thought you had more experience.”
“If it counts as one, indeed.”
Orcs were settled on the eastern plains, making encounters rare for countries not bordering regions like Briol.
“A merchant brought a group of orcs in cages.”
“Are orcs a spectacle in Brusin? Well, they must be intriguing, having no chance of encountering them there.”
In Briol, many harbor grudges against orcs. Displaying them in public would ensure their death.
“I bought a couple and fought them, and though strong, they were clumsy. Not difficult opponents.”
“You don’t presume an orc in deteriorated condition, dragged as far as Brusin, would be in peak condition, right?”
“I hadn’t thought that deeply…….”
Jonathan inquired.
“Are orcs truly that strong?”
“Hmm…….”
Yuri scratched his cheek and then hit the shoulder of Jose standing next to him.
“Jose, this tough guy here.”
“Yes.”
“That bunch is going to swarm just like him.”
Jonathan’s eyes widened. Jose scratched his head.
“Are they really that formidable?”
“Aren’t they, Sybilla?”
Sybilla shrugged.
Of course, not all orcs possessed Jose’s capabilities. However, it was true that even regular orc soldiers could fight knights, and higher echelons like orkbal were much stronger.
Within their ranks were monsters even more formidable than Jose.
Initially, the allied forces would fail.
Reflecting on it, most of the individuals Yuri was currently interacting with had perished at the hands of orcs on the plains in the previous life.
Jonathan and Sybilla were no exceptions.
Contemplating this, Yuri could feel a chill run down his spine.
Killing his emotions, Yuri crafted a wry smile.
“There’s no time to waste. This isn’t the moment to plan how we celebrate a glorious victory or divide the spoils. We must struggle just to survive.”
“Hmmm…….”
“Well, it might not hit home yet.”
“No, not at all.”
Although it could be dismissed, Jonathan sensed something genuinely unique about Yuri.
For some reason, it couldn’t be let go.
Perhaps Yuri knew something the other nations didn’t.
“Do you happen know something?”
Responding to Jonathan’s question, Yuri mused. He couldn’t declare it his second life.
“Have you heard of Okuah?”
“What is that?”
“The king of the orcs.”
“A king?”
After the Allied Forces’ campaign, Okuah indeed declared itself king.
“The one gathering all the fragmented orcs together.”
“Such a thing…….”
“This isn’t a hunt; it’s a war. Shouldn’t we at least try to save even one more life we’re bringing along? That’s why I’m doing this.”
Jonathan glanced back.
Briol’s forces were sweating and training hard.
Those idly resting versus the seasoned soldiers honing their skills, it was clear who would survive.
“I see.”
Jonathan felt a fresh shock.
While he had been occupied pondering how to earn distinction in battle, the younger Third Prince seemed to be harboring much more mature thoughts.
He felt a surge of embarrassment.
“I’ve much to think about. I’ll return to my unit for now.”
“See you again.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Jonathan took his leave, showing proper respect to Yuri, and then turned away.
Jose followed after him.
As soon as they exited Briol’s camp, Jonathan inquired of Jose.
“Sir Jose.”
“Yes.”
“How was it, crossing swords directly? With the Third Prince.”
Though he had anticipated an immediate reply, Jose paused to choose his words. It was an unusual act for him.
Jonathan urged him on.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“It’s difficult to describe.”
“Difficult to describe?”
“I still don’t know…….”
Jose was set to become the top knight in Brusin. Jonathan even envisioned him rising to the rank of the Ten Greatest someday.
Could Jose really find something he didn’t understand, facing an eighteen-year-old lad?
“You seemed to handle him well earlier?”
“That’s just from watching.”
“Is his ability remarkable?”
Jose sighed.
“If we fight with real swords, I can’t guarantee anything. And it feels like he’ll become incredibly powerful soon.”
“What?”
“It’s just a feeling. I’ve never experienced it before, so I can’t explain why.”
“You can’t be certain even now?”
“If it’s a life or death matter.”
As a knight, Jonathan could somewhat grasp what he meant. A life-or-death battle was an entirely different realm from a sparring match.
Jose continued.
“This is purely another intuition.”
“What is it?”
“Be friendly with that prince.”
He grinned broadly as though to shrug off complicated thoughts.
“It’ll be good for us, for sure.”
“Hmmm…….”
“Let’s go then. Let’s train like Briol does.”
“Shall we?”
They chatted while returning to Brusin’s camp.
Upon their arrival, Proin was anxiously searching for Jonathan. Jonathan waved a hand.
“What is it?”
“Oh, Commander.”
Proin ran over.
“You need to leave right now.”
“Where to?”
“The Empire has convened a meeting.”
Jonathan’s eyes widened.
“A messenger arrived. By the name of Prince Ragna, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, each nation’s leader is to attend to the Mage Tower alone.”
Ragna had begun to move.
The Allied Forces were starting to gather in earnest.