Chapter 57 – Messenger from Kalenberg

The messenger, who had likely not slept properly for the past few days, was invited into the magistrate’s residence for the time being.

Upon hearing the story, it was revealed that the messenger had left the Kalenberg Territory three days ago, changed horses, took short rests, and continued traveling day and night, arriving in Yanseil in the early hours of this day. Unfortunately, Lord Dafyyd, the head of the house, was absent, having gone to Badalona, so the messenger hurried to catch up.

“Lord, I have a letter from Baron Bruno Kalenberg. Please verify it!”

The messenger took out a sealed letter from his pocket and handed it to Dafyyd.

“Let me take a look.”

After receiving the letter, Dafyyd opened the seal and read its contents.

“Hmm… I see. Sel, your prediction was correct?”

Having finished reading, Dafyyd sighed deeply and handed the letter to Selfers, as if saying, “Read it.”

“Is it okay?”

“Your territory is also affected; you are a significant party, aren’t you?”

Dafyyd answered Selfers’ question with a wry smile. Glancing at the messenger, who nodded slightly, Selfers also read the letter. After finishing, he, too, sighed deeply, just like Dafyyd.

“Well… I suppose that’s how it is.”

The letter explained the outline of the recent monster attack and offered apologies.

The incident began about ten days ago. As Silvio the merchant mentioned, numerous monsters appeared on the road heading east from the city of Bellecoure, prompting a temporary closure of the road for extermination. Leading the extermination squad was Baron Durand Balladale, a retainer of the Count Kalenberg’s household who held territory in the central-eastern part of the region. The Balladale family had recently transferred the succession of leadership from the father to the eldest son, Durand.

Eager to earn the Count’s favor, Durand enthusiastically led the extermination. Initially estimated at around 200, the number of monsters increased to about 300 by the time Durand’s group engaged them, possibly due to reinforcements joining along the way.

Despite the numerical difference, they believed that the 70 knights and 130 soldiers, almost the entire strength of the region, would be sufficient for a successful extermination. However, the miscalculation was that there were two ogres within the horde.

Although aware that ogres were troublesome, as the Balladale territory was not abundant in monsters, most had not experienced the actual threat they posed. Nevertheless, with ample military strength on their side, they managed to reduce the numbers to about half smoothly.

The turning point came when the ogres lurking in the rear unexpectedly leaped forward simultaneously into the frontline.

It was likely the same individual that Selfers and his group had fought. Using the same tactic, creating openings by throwing orc corpses multiple times, they charged in. Even for the seasoned Klaufendamm soldiers with the advantage of having Felis type 2, ogres were formidable adversaries. The inexperienced Balladale soldiers were quickly overwhelmed, creating a gap in the front line.

With the ogres rampaging and additional orcs and goblins joining, the Balladale forces suffered nearly 30 deaths and an equal number of severe injuries. Although they managed to regroup and eliminate over 200 monsters, they let two ogres and over 50 orcs and goblins escape into the forest.

Furthermore, they made a fatal mistake. Having lost a considerable number of forces, Durand gave up on pursuit. Exploiting the initial plan to exterminate over 200 monsters, despite missing a few, he reported that the main extermination mission was a success.

Since there were more than 200 proof-of-extermination parts, this report was accepted without suspicion, and the road blockade was lifted.

On the other hand, the ogres that fled to the mountainous forest in the northeast of the road gradually linked up, increasing their numbers. Once the horde exceeded 500, they moved south and attacked a small town located off the road.

Despite sending a quick horse for reinforcements and putting up a defense, it was too late by the time reinforcements arrived. The town was invaded by monsters, wreaking havoc. Except for those who escaped to underground shelters, sturdy buildings, or the forest, about half of the population became casualties.

When the Kalenberg family’s knight order rushed to provide aid, they witnessed an unbelievable sight. Some of the orcs and goblins attacking the town were equipped with weapons and armor bearing the crest of the Balladale family.

It seemed they had looted them from the knights and soldiers they defeated in the roadside battle. Additionally, among the spoils, a few soldiers’ heads were discovered.

Upon questioning Durand later, the cover-up was exposed. Urgent messengers were dispatched to Viscount Janssen’s territory, believed to be the monsters’ destination, and arrived today.

The letter stated that the Kalenberg family took the matter seriously. The Balladale family would be dissolved, and Durand, the head, would be executed. The family would formally apologize and provide compensation to the affected region at a later date.

The group that attacked Yanseil had split from the horde that assaulted the small town, as expected. The road from Yanseil to the Kalenberg Territory followed an L-shaped path, progressing westward and then northward, with the upper right of the L being a forest. They took a shortcut through this forest, gradually joining forces while bypassing the road, and launched their attack near the capital city of Yanseil.

By the way, Silvio, who had been moving in sync with the movements of these monsters, miraculously avoided encounters with them in Yanseil, Badalona, and Terney displaying an astonishing stroke of luck. This revelation would later surprise everyone.

“Damn, that Durand kid really messed things up.”

“Exactly, he should have reported as soon as he missed them…”

Having finished reading the letter, the two sighed and closed their eyes.

After a moment of silence, Dafyyd spoke again.

“The Count is coming to apologize, but what about your place? We can meet together, or you can come after us.”

“Well, we were actually planning to go to Bellcoure soon. Let’s talk then.”

“Hey, hey, hey, this is rare!? You going to another noble’s place other than ours!”

Dafyyd genuinely expressed surprise at Selfers’ unexpected words.

“Well, it’s for a bit of business… you know.”

“…I see. Understood. Then, tell the Count that the Janssen family is waiting for him. We need some time for the town’s recovery, so we’d prefer it to be five days or later.”

“The Klaufeldt family plans to visit Bellcoure soon, so please let us know when it would be convenient to visit. If the Count family has plans to visit the Janssen territory, he should aim for around 10 days after that.”

“Got it. I’ll convey that.”

“Oh, wait a moment. You should stay the night today. You must be quite tired, and it would be troublesome if you collapse on the way back. Besides, we’ve already repelled all the monsters, so there’s no need to rush.”

After hearing the response and attempting to leave immediately, Dafyyd stopped the messenger, urging him with a wry smile.

“…I appreciate your consideration!”

The messenger hesitated for a moment in his response but eventually decided to accept Dafyyd’s kindness, considering the uncertain state of his strength for the return journey.

After helping with the cleanup throughout the morning, the Klaufeldt Knight Order had lunch and then set off on the return journey to Klaufendamm.

With this, it seemed that the monster turmoil involving the Kalenberg Territory, Janssen Territory, and Klaufeldt Territory had come to an end. However, unbeknownst to Selfers and his group, another small group had hidden behind the first group they fought.

This group, moving through the forest instead of the road, continued east without encountering Selfers and his group.

Just as an emissary arrived in Badalona, this group reached klaufendamm.

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