Chapter 105: Deal with the Duke
When the attack on Madras began, I rotated the red flag in a large circle three times.
At this point, it was obvious that I was giving signals from the sky. Any careless troop movement would be hindered, and units on the move would be vulnerable, so they probably wouldn’t risk advancing.
“Madras has begun their attack. A report says the besieging forces have split left and right as planned.”
“Good. Deploy all units to Madras. Once the encirclement is complete, have the designated troops march toward Emilia.”
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Since Duke Berlant’s forces had begun advancing toward Madras, I moved slightly toward Emilia so I could watch both sides.
For now, no reinforcements were coming from Emilia, so I rotated the red flag twice, then the white flag twice.
“No reinforcements from Emilia?”
“If they know they’re being watched from above, they can’t move carelessly. Any strategist would shift priority to defense rather than launching an attack.”
“Where would Lord Berlant set up a defensive position?”
“Across the Linjueil River. Even if they lose the two towns, it isn’t a severe loss for Holtland. But their pride would be in tatters.”
“Indeed. Even if their occupied territory gets taken back, losing after provoking our kingdom is… quite disgraceful. Still, I didn’t expect the enemy’s movements to be completely shut down by just one man flying around.”
“That is someone we must never make an enemy of. Once this war ends, I intend to recommend His Majesty grant him a title—count at minimum—but he will likely refuse.”
“That’s far too generous a reward, isn’t it? The other nobles would never accept an adventurer suddenly becoming a count.”
“Have you forgotten? Even the royal family was once just a local power. They publicly claim they were viscounts, but who knows the truth.”
“Your Grace, even for you, that is going too far!”
“His Majesty and I are cousins. I know my lineage, as well as our ancestors’. Though one may rule a glorious kingdom today, tomorrow one might be a wandering exile. If we go to war with another country and lose, we will be the ones on the run. That is why we cannot afford defeat, and that is why people like him are invaluable. You’ve heard, I’m sure, of the devastation at Count Fleming’s estate?”
“You mean the rumor that a tornado settled over the estate, destroying everything—the mansion, the master, all of it?”
“What did you think of it?”
“What do you mean?”
“During the dragon incident, he reportedly used a tornado to help subdue the dragon, and afterward it became known that he could fly freely.”
“That startled me too. Manipulating a dragon with wind magic was unbelievable.”
“When Leon ran into trouble with the Warrens Company, I had his magic investigated. The report said his abilities were abnormal for a mere wind mage. But the tornado at Fleming’s estate bothered me… and then, during the dragon incident, he suddenly used a tornado to fly.”
“You don’t mean… he could already use it before then?”
“I once asked the commander of the magic corps. Even if one is granted magic, it cannot be used immediately. It requires mana control and long practice.”
“Then…”
“No one knows the truth, but it’s safe to assume he could use it long before. Among adventurers, he’s called ‘Leon the Breeze.’ I don’t know who named him, but he hid his true strength well. Those who saw the dragon battle say he toyed with the dragon…”
“If that’s true, he’s a monster beyond the dragon itself! We must report this to His Majesty—”
“I’ve already reported it as my speculation. He is hiding his abilities. Before the kingdom’s magic corps, nobles, or wealthy merchants try anything foolish, I intend to recommend he be taken in as a noble. But if he refuses, I will grant him our ducal identification crest instead.”
“A spell that can destroy an entire mansion… mishandling someone like that would bring enormous loss to the kingdom.”
“As you will eventually command the royal army, Your Highness, you would do well not to judge solely by appearances.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
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When I confirmed that most of the units that completed the encirclement of Madras had begun marching toward Emilia, I signaled again and moved to Emilia’s airspace.
“Cursed pest…”
“No one can shoot him down. There’s nothing we can do.”
“If only we’d attacked in greater numbers back then…”
“It wouldn’t have mattered. A fireball hit him and only made him wobble. Even a barrage of arrows bounced off him. I don’t know how he flies, but he can also use barrier magic. What an absurd mage.”
“So we’re going for a siege battle?”
“…Pointless. Reinforcements aren’t coming, and we were ordered to withdraw if Madras fell. Begin retreat before we’re surrounded.”
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“Captain, the encirclement is complete. Permission to attack!”
“No. His Grace wants us to send a messenger and urge surrender. Throwing your life away for a place like Madras is foolish. They have no chance of winning—they’ll surrender whether they like it or not.”
“If we lose the chance for achievements, the soldiers will be disappointed.”
“Think of this as a training exercise. Or would you like to charge in yourself?”
“I’m a coward, sir. I’ll stay and watch.”
“That’s the wise choice.”
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“Your Grace, that man is returning. It seems Emilia has been abandoned.”
“A natural decision. Fortunate their commander wasn’t an idiot. Give the order to signal the occupation forces.”
Before the cavalry rushed into Emilia, I circled ahead and descended, rotating the white flag boldly, then flew just above the lead horse and raised the royal banner.
Seeing the royal banner, the knights roared and charged toward Emilia. The gate stood wide open, guards tossing away their weapons and watching them pass.
The cavalry split—some securing the gate, others sprinting through the streets toward the lord’s manor.
There was no resistance at all.
Seeing the following troops arrive one after another, I knew my role was finished.
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“Hey, you guys ran too?”
“Yeah. We bought new magic bags with our earnings, upgraded our old Rank 3 ones with longer time dilation, then bolted.”
“With your raw strength, you could’ve refused without running.”
“It would’ve been trouble either way. If that guy were here, I’d dump it all on him.”
“Where do you think Leon went?”
“Lindy and the others didn’t know either?”
“We’re grateful he taught us magic basics, but he didn’t even complain once.”
“For us, he pushed us into second-rank Silver—totally above our ability.”
“People jealous of us are gonna pick fights.”
“When that happens, just do what he does: tell them to settle it outside town by hunting beasts.”
“Right. Competing in beast-hunting won’t be considered a private brawl by the guild.”
“With Lindy, we could just bury them all in one pit and no evidence would remain.”
“Muscleheads are scary… how many people have you fed to beasts?”
“Jake, your wife’s no different from him.”
“Anyway, thanks to him, all of us upgraded our magic pouches with time dilation, and we got a magic bag for the party.
For now it’s merchants contacting us, but once the nobles who went west return, things will get troublesome.”
“When word spreads, let’s head into the forest again. We can last a month with supplies.”
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After confirming Duke Berlant had entered the lord’s estate in Emilia, I landed in the garden. His adjutant came to greet me, and I returned the royal banner.
I was told that aside from servants, no one remained in the mansion—they must have been prepared to flee.
In a salon-like room, Duke Berlant was waiting.
“Leon, well done. Your promised reward will be delivered in Kreis, if that’s acceptable.”
“Could you deposit it into my account at the Commerce Guild?”
“That is separate from the reward, but I intended to recommend His Majesty elevate you to the rank of count—”
“I don’t need it.”
“Then take the identification crest of my ducal house.”
“I don’t need that either.”
“At least hear me out first. Even if you refuse, your comrades who fought beside you will be approached. Anyone who employs powerful adventurers gains influence. That applies to you, but Lynas has family, does he not?”
If he’s planning to use their families to bind them…
“If that happens, even if you’re fine, your family will suffer. The same goes for those who fought with you. And for the kingdom, there is an even more serious issue. If you—or other skilled mages—were recruited by another country, it would be disastrous. Especially you. That’s why I intend to give you the identification crest of our ducal house, which is related by blood to the royal family. I won’t place you under my command or issue orders. The point is to show that you belong to the Kingdom of Sutherland. The other adventurers from the dragon hunt will receive the same. If you don’t want a noble title, that’s fine, but the ducal crest will be more than enough protection. If you accept, your family will receive it as well—then even Count Arclight of Lynas’s family won’t be able to interfere.”
So this bastard has thoroughly investigated me.
Count Arclight is supposed to be reasonable, but if anyone tried to use my family against me, it’d be a hassle.
And I especially don’t want that idiot Klein getting involved.
If my family has no means to defend themselves, using the duke’s authority as a shield might be effective.
“I’ll accept the identification crest—but only if there are no conditions attached, and I may return it at any time. Is that acceptable?”
The duke gave a wry smile, and the man who always stood behind him was smiling too.
He wore nothing that indicated rank, but he must be the one the duke called Your Highness earlier.
“Of course. Being under my ducal house is equivalent to belonging to the kingdom. Merchants and nobles won’t bother you. And if envoys from other nations come, notify us—we’ll handle it.”
“Very well. I accept your offer, but please refrain from any condescending favors.”
“Good. I’ll send a letter—fly to my manor in Kreis and meet with the steward, Nilbert.
Also, I’ll notify Count Arclight personally. Though it was a request, this war ended with minimal casualties thanks to your presence. Is there anything you want?”