Knight Berrki was left stunned, unable to believe what he was seeing right before his eyes.
‘This can’t be’
He stared at the scene a moment ago with his own eyes, wondering if this was even possible, or if it was real at all.
‘A 4-Circle Mage defeats knights without being overwhelmed, and kills them this easily?’
It was a sight that didn’t make sense according to his knowledge, and even if it was possible, it would be absolutely impossible for one person alone to do it.
‘But, to do it this easily? And in just a few minutes?’
It took less than ten minutes to face down more than twenty knights.
No matter how much they said the high 3rd Circle Mage was a one-man army, that didn’t apply here—this was not a 4-Circle Mage, but a high-level mage of 6 Circles or above, rare in the continent.
‘Is this what the capability of mercenaries on the battlefield looks like?’
In fact, Berrki himself had been the one most opposed to this new recruitment.
There was one reason.
Because they were mercenaries.
Mercenaries were a breed that pursued only their own interests, the complete opposite of knights who valued honor.
To Berrki, a typical knight from the nobility, mercenaries were an unbelievable existence—less skilled than trained soldiers.
Moreover, those mercenaries who had names were often not truly that powerful, and their reputations were somewhat exaggerated.
That was why Berrki had come personally to verify this new recruitment.
It was somewhat expected that the Marquis of Tristan would target someone moving alone like himself.
True to that expectation, the Marquis sent no fewer than twenty knights to move against him.
‘The results are so unbelievable, no one would believe it even if I joked about it.’
The Battlefield Butcher.
He confirmed that power with his own eyes.
And he vowed.
‘We can win.’
For the first time, he held the confidence that they could win this war.
He meant that with this man, they could definitely win.
The decision to deploy the Battlefield Butcher by the lord was the right one.
Now, the only thing left was to safely guide him to the lord’s side.
***
Jenny, and I traveled for one more day before finally arriving at Count Lakazet’s main camp.
The morale of the Count’s army was firmly established.
There were sentries stationed in the four directions, and even on the faces of soldiers formed into battle lines, a resolute determination could be felt.
Occasionally, we saw people without armor walking around, and upon seeing them, Berrki kindly explained to me.
“They’re servants and domain citizens working inside the castle. They come here themselves to care for the soldiers’ meals, laundry, and other chores.”
“How wonderful.”
This was truly unexpected.
Not only servants of the lord but also domain citizens were taking care of the soldiers.
On the other hand, it was understandable.
The soldiers here were mostly conscripts or volunteers from among the domain citizens.
To those citizens, these soldiers could be their sons or fathers.
Moreover, the domain was surely aware that this was the final frontline.
So, it was only natural for them to be desperate.
“This is it. You’ll be able to meet the Count himself.”
Following the guide, I headed toward the largest tent.
“My lord, I have brought the Battlefield Butcher.”
“Let him in.”
At the heavy voice that came from inside the tent, Berrki and I entered.
Jenny waited outside.
“Welcome.”
Inside the tent, Count Lakazet greeted me warmly.
The Count was in his fifties, with streaks of white among his dark hair.
He wore light armor beneath his clothes and had a sword hanging by his side, the muscles on his body still firm from years of wielding the blade.
“I am Solo. I look forward to working with you.”
My introduction was simple.
There was nothing flashy—just a bed to lie on and a large table.
On the table lay a roughly drawn map alongside several models.
Though unfamiliar to me, I quickly understood what they represented.
‘Oh, definitely different from other lords.’
Noticing my slight surprise, the Count smiled gently and said,
“Do you know how to read it?”
“I don’t know the details, but I think I understand the general idea.”
Upon hearing that, he picked up a long pointer and began explaining.
“There’s a large forest between the Marquisate and our domain.”
He pointed to the map on the large table.
Indeed, there was a vast forest between the two territories.
Wooden figurines representing soldiers from both sides were arranged, showing eight enemy figures already crossing the forest.
“They’ve already crossed this forest. We tried to stop them there but failed. If we lose this place as well, all that will remain is the castle.”
This was the current situation after several skirmishes.
If they lost this position, domain citizens would inevitably suffer.
“We will hold this place to prevent any harm to the domain and its people.”
The Count seemed prepared to stake everything here.
He set the pointer back on the table and moved to a smaller table where two wine glasses sat.
“Have a drink.”
He poured wine and handed me a glass.
“This is the promised reward.”
It was time for me to focus.
The promised reward was, first and foremost, a noble title.
“Thank you.”
He handed me a small ring.
“This is a Ring of Barony.”
The black ring was large enough to fit on my thumb, but when I slipped it onto my left index finger, it shrank to fit snugly.
A noble’s ring was a Magic Item.
Not only did it prove one’s nobility, but it could also be used to seal documents.
The moment I received this, I truly became a noble.
“Thank you.”
Perhaps because I accepted it so calmly, the Count’s expression subtly shifted.
“Your place will be in the rear. You will work alongside the mages.”
It seemed that business was concluded.
I hurriedly said,
“Excuse me, but… could I be stationed at the frontline?”
“The frontline? A mage like you?”
“Yes, I have a plan. I will never disappoint you, Count.”
“Hmm…”
The Count seemed to ponder for a moment.
That alone wouldn’t be convincing enough, so I added,
“The reason I’m called the Battlefield Butcher is because I excel when the enemy is clustered together. I have the ability to inflict the greatest damage at such times.”
The Count nodded.
“Indeed, there are two reasons you became famous. One is your ability to kill many enemies at once, and the other is that unlike other mages, you don’t get exhausted easily and can keep casting many spells.”
After I explained why I was famous, his expression showed understanding.
“Very well, so be it.”
I accepted the nod.
Now all that remained was to perform well.
And against these well-trained elite soldiers.
That would make him an incredibly experienced man by the time he returned.
“Then I will withdraw.”
“Indeed, we will wait. But once the enemy moves, we will move immediately. Keep that in mind.”
“Yes, understood.”
I left the Count’s tent.
***
Count Lakazet.
He was one of the few nobles who truly cared for his domain citizens.
He understood that the domain needed its people to function, and for the domain to function was how he could exist.
That was why, unlike other nobles, he took care of his citizens and nurtured the domain himself.
Thanks to his efforts, the Countdom was cleaner and more livable compared to other territories, with crops yielding better harvests year after year.
Naturally, other nobles coveted this territory…
And because Count Lakazet did not covet central authority but maintained an independent position, it made his lands an even more attractive target.
While many other territories eyed the Countdom, none had just cause to strike quietly, but the Marquis of Tristan moved.
He used the forest between the two domains to create a pretext.
The Marquis claimed that goods bound for the capital were robbed in the forest and that soldiers were wounded.
Surprisingly, they had received a request from a thieves’ guild, and the evidence even bore Count Lakazet’s seal.
Thus, the domain war broke out.
“It’s all my fault…”
I had merely been practicing swordsmanship and living for the domain citizens, but it ended like this.
Lately, I often thought, if only I had served the central power, maybe things wouldn’t have gotten this tragic.
‘It’s no use now…’
It was already in the past.
The only thing left was to win the domain war.
My knights and soldiers had become seasoned veterans from the ongoing domain battles but were still underdogs.
However, knowing war doesn’t always follow the textbook, I prepared a wildcard.
The “Battlefield Butcher.”
That wildcard was the mercenary and mage Solo, famous across the Londinium Empire.
‘We will win.’
Count Lakazet took a sip of the wine in his glass as he looked over the map on the table.
***
The next morning, I returned to the Count’s tent for the meeting I was told about yesterday.
Inside, twenty allied knights and three mages were waiting.
‘Hm?’
I wasn’t sure why I was invited to this meeting, but since I was called, I came.
“Since everyone is here, let’s start the meeting.”
Seeing me, Berrki announced the start.
Everyone took seats arranged so all could see the table.
“This morning, we observed the Marquis’ soldiers withdrawing their first defense line tents. We expect them to finish by noon.”
At this, the other knights exhaled heavily.
Everyone knew what this meant.
Such a move was a signal that a battle was imminent.
That was the reason for this meeting.
“Numerically, we are at a disadvantage. But if we maintain our battle lines well and hold out, the mages’ firepower and the knights’ activities will turn the tide in our favor.”
At that, the mages and knights nodded.
Simply judging the quality of knights, ours were somewhat superior.
They had three top-tier users, while we had five.
Also, while we had no lower-tier users, the Marquis had ten.
As for mages, their side had eight 3rd Circle Mages.
We had one 4th Circle Mage and two 3rd Circle Mages.
Including myself, there were two 4th Circle Mages total.
Though superior in quality both in knights and mages, our numbers were insufficient.
“We will proceed with the usual tactics. At the start, Solo, you will reduce the enemy’s numbers with your magic. Then we can secure a definite victory!”
At his words, everyone nodded.
Finally, Count Lakazet said,
“Let’s all survive this.”
With a hearty response, everyone headed out.
It was time for us to move in response to the enemy.