It was not unusual for outsiders to be present at the Black Citadel.

They received supplies from all over the Empire, and even the merchant groups in the North were required to pass through the Watch.

Rotating supplies through this place was a way to make money.

However, if those outsiders happened to be knights and soldiers clad in heavy armor, then that certainly was strange.

This was one of those times.

"My, what brings such noble lords out in this cold weather?"

"Are they here to do the shitwork for us, or something? Keh-heh."

Most who came to the Watch were those despised even within the Empire itself.

And so, when knights and soldiers like these set foot on their turf, it was inevitable for trouble to brew.

"You lowborn bastards...!"

"Sir Shane. Restrain yourself."

"... My apologies, sir Milon."

The young knight called Shane barely held back his anger. He was not pleased with the situation at all.

He could not accept that the County of Heinkel, a key strategic point in the South, had become affiliated with a place like the Watch.

Nonetheless, Milon shot Shane a cold glare.

"Your lord, too, is now associated with the Watch. Are you saying that your own lord is also to be called a lowborn?"

"... That was shortsighted of me. However, I believe there is no risk of such a thing. Having grown up as a noble scion of the grand ducal house, my lord will surely shine alone, even among these vagrants."

"... Is that so?"

Milon wore a meaningful smile. True to his reticent nature as a knight, he did not offer any further opinion aloud.

"... W-wait! Entry is forbidden here!"

Milon and Shane both turned toward the same place, where a group in black cloaks was arguing with soldiers.

"Sir Milon, let me deal with this."

"Shane...."

Milon, with his arms crossed, let the impulsive young knight go rather than stop him. When Shane arrived at the scene, three Watchmen were escorting a single prisoner.

"What's going on here? This is not a place just anyone can enter."

"Oh? Are you more than just anyone, then?"

"... We are not like you lowborn. We are knights and soldiers of Heinkel, here by order of Count Erich von Krupp."

Shane spoke with his nose in the air, brimming with pride. At that, the Watchman at the front curled his lips in a smirk.

"Ah, that bastard?"

"... You wretch!"

― Clank!

Shane's hand moved like lightning. He intended to draw his sword and strike down the rude Watchman before him.

But then—

― Kwabang!

"Keugh!"

Shane struggled to understand what just happened. In an instant, he banged his head and staggered on the ground, clutching his spinning head.

Recovering swiftly, Shane jumped up and drew his sword.

― Chakang!

"You cur! How dare you threaten a Krupp knight...!"

"Shane, let's leave it at that. My lord, you as well. This has gone too far."

Milon had approached before anyone realized, baring his teeth in a grin at the Watchman.

Shane stood dazed for a moment, glancing back and forth between the two, then as if realizing something, quickly knelt down.

It had dawned on him who it was that Milon would call 'my lord'.

The Watchman with curly black hair standing before the young knight was indeed his lord, Erich.

"I-I beg your forgiveness! It is an unforgivable offense, even for a hundred deaths, that I dared draw my sword upon you, my lord!"

Shane felt a cold sweat trickle down. To think he had drawn his sword at a scion of the grand ducal house—his own lord.

Even had he been beheaded on the spot, it would not have been unjust.

"It's fine. Besides, you not recognizing me suggests Milon did his task properly."

"Indeed. As you instructed."

Milon permitted himself a small smile. When Erich left his family, he granted Milon the title of viscount and named him deputy.

And so Erich allowed his faction to run the estate smoothly, appointing new knights and ensuring his control.

That a young knight could not even recognize his own lord was, perhaps, proof of this operation.

"You arrived a bit later than I expected. Though to be fair, I too was delayed by some unforeseen circumstances."

"There were so many who swarmed in like angry bees to protect their own bowls. Well, the matter is now well in hand."

"The Watch's tax rate is lower than the Grand Duchy's, but it must still have been a sizeable amount. Good work. You've prepared much in a short time."

"For the preparations in Heinkel, baron Finn handled things brilliantly—no problems there. It was just your sudden additional request on the way here that gave us a bit of trouble. Thankfully, the letter arrived on time."

"... How goes the matter I recently ordered?"

"There's no problem. But what was the command for all forces to be ready to march at any time about... Is there some trouble, my lord?"

Milon asked with a worried look. After the events in Morris village, while waiting for Barnes to recover, Erich had issued Milon new instructions.

Those were to ready Heinkel's forces for deployment at any time. Erich glanced around and then spoke.

"I feel something may happen to me in the near future."

"—My lord! You mean—"

"Shh. I've already taken all necessary precautions, so be at ease. All I instructed you was to prepare in case of some unforeseen event."

"... If you simply gave the order, I would march the forces out immediately. Just name the target."

Despite Milon's reliability, it was actually an unrealistic promise. No matter that Heinkel was affiliated with the Watch now, moving troops without clear justification was another story.

"Just your will is enough. For now, wait here. We'll move out soon."

Milon let out a quiet sigh. Still, knowing Erich's capabilities, he said nothing more.

From long ago Erich had a strange, almost supernatural knack for preparing for and knowing everything in advance. So Milon could only trust and obey.

"By the way, you're Shane, yes?"

"Yes, yes, my lord!"

When Erich called his name, Shane sprang to attention. Erich dusted the dirt from Shane's armor.

"The only difference between a lowborn and a noble is what they're wearing at this moment. So remember what happened today, and take it as a lesson."

"... Yes!"

Shane gazed at Erich, evidently shaken internally. But just then, a mocking voice came from behind.

"So you brought a brat along, huh?"

"My lord, that fellow is...?"

The person appearing behind was, of course, Frederick. Sensing something as soon as they met, Milon and Frederick shot icy glares at each other.

It figured—their temperaments were not compatible.

"This is senior Watchman Frederick."

"... Forgive me, my lord, but judging from his speech and appearance, he truly is a lowborn."

Frederick stepped forward, growling.

"Lowborn, my ass... Want to step outside?"

"Strong words from someone who looks so weak."

Both reached for their swords at once. Erich quickly moved between them.

"I knew you two would clash. I'll let you settle it someday, but for now, let it go."

Frederick and Milon both withdrew, disgruntled.

If it hadn't been for Erich, a bloody brawl would likely have erupted on the spot.

But now was not the time. Not with the complete resolution of the Orca-roid problem close at hand.

"My lord. I'll return to my duties, then. As requested, I'll leave 200 soldiers of the estate here."

With that, Milon departed. Frederick, looking surprised, spoke up.

"... Two hundred men?"

"They already know I've been ordered to suppress them. So they'll be preparing thoroughly."

Indeed.

Erich now, having placed the Centurion unit under his command as ordered by Commander August, was about to assault the supply base for the Orca-roids, guided by Max.

Receiving 200 soldiers from Heinkel was in case of unforeseen circumstances.

"Do we really need that many troops?"

"Anyone who spread drugs this deep into the Watch is bound to get wind of this quickly. Who knows what traps they've set—it's best to prepare as many backup forces as possible. Even if there's no real fighting."

"Hmm, when you put it that way..."

The "mastermind" behind the Orca-roid distribution had likely prepared enough power to slaughter all 100 Watchmen Erich planned to take.

So Erich decided to make an unexpected move from a place their opponent couldn't anticipate.

That was the 200 soldiers from Heinkel. Their presence would be unknown even to the Watch's upper echelon, the 'mastermind'.

The command structure being different, the informants inside the Black Citadel would think that the force Erich was bringing numbered only about 100.

"Now we'll gather the members, combine the 200 soldiers, and cross the Great Wall. Frederick, be ready."

"You got it."

Frederick curled his lips in satisfaction. The unexpected reinforcements had improved his mood.

Yet despite all these preparations, Erich's expression was not bright.

There was a lingering sense of unease.

Despite being more thoroughly prepared than anticipated, there remained an odd sense of discomfort, as though he was walking into the maw of a tiger.

***

Within a dark cave. The only light shining within was that of the raging fire in the hearth.

― Bubble bubble.

A huge cauldron sat over the hearth, and within it, a smoky purple vapor rose ominously.

Stirring the cauldron was a barbarian, his massive frame barely concealed beneath a robe.

His skull-shaped helmet, emblazoned with a swallow, revealed only his nose and mouth as he silently stirred the unknown soup.

[... You may enter.]

The robed barbarian spoke as if he'd known they were coming all along. Soon, several barbarians lurking outside the cave entered.

[Shaman Kalga. A message has arrived from 'them'.]

The shaman paused and looked at them.

[What did they say?][That same guy will soon be heading our way.][... Anything else?][About a hundred people in size. They claim we'll be able to handle it easily, but just in case, they also offered assistance....][Tell them we do not need it. What I requested is far more important.]

As Kalga uttered his chilling words, the barbarians held their breath, awaiting his response.

They felt as helpless as prey before a tiger.

But Kalga, shaman of the Swallow Tribe and their leader, harbored no ill will toward them.

What truly concerned him was not the young member of the Watch, but something else.

'... The real, greater danger is approaching from behind.'

One of the barbarians, unable to wait any longer for Kalga's answer, finally spoke.

[Shaman, what shall we do? Do we need to make any preparations?][No need to worry about him. We've sold all the Orca-roids we need, and gained sufficient power. Rather, this is a good chance to test 'it'.]

Under his skull helmet, Kalga smiled faintly. The barbarians nervously glanced around for no reason.

It felt as if something in the surroundings was moving.

[... But, elder, Artu was defeated. There's no warrior like him left in the tribe....]

He never finished his sentence.

A strange light flashed from the eye sockets of the shaman's skull helmet, and the barbarian fell to his knees.

"Kerk. Keueeegh!"

Bubbles frothed at his lips, his eyes rolled back in overwhelming pain.

"F-forgive me... keugh!"

"What does it matter if that Artu fell?"

He could not recover from his agony, and the other barbarians could not even think of opening their mouths in the face of such a sight.

Then, at that moment—

― Thud thud thud.

The surrounding cave walls shifted, shaking out stone dust.

[... Finally, we'll have revenge on them. With this power, there is nothing I cannot do. I will avenge every humiliation of being driven to this wretched southern land.]

The barbarians held their breath and watched.

As the cave walls twisted and coiled, Kalga's hands manipulating that monstrous energy; a strange power gathered there.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=The unease Erich feels is probably coming from Kalga.【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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