The Lord’s Mugong
Chapter One Hundred and Eleven
Chapter Eleven
“Why do you go this far?”
Gajei’s question was quite unexpected.
Gajei held the position of Squad Leader in Iron Fist. Though he was called a Squad Leader, most recognized him as their captain in all but name. He simply hadn’t been given the formal title yet.
Many people followed Gajei. Some even prioritized his orders over mine. Because of that, the weight placed on his shoulders had become significant.
“Why are you curious about that?”
“Because I think I might be able to understand how you are able to go to such lengths.”
“To such lengths… Hmm.”
Leading people is no easy task. Perhaps that was why he had developed such concerns.
‘The situation is different from when he was just a dungeon mercenary.’
Since becoming my vassal, he had changed from before.
“I believe I have watched you, my Lord, from a closer vantage point than anyone else. I have seen many things. You have organized the Spiritual Land, developed it, and beyond that, you are building a new foundation from scratch.”
“I have done quite a bit. So?”
“I am curious about the driving force behind it. Honestly… you do not need to struggle so much alone, do you?”
“Why? Do you feel sorry for me because I’m struggling by myself?”
“…To some extent, yes.”
Indeed, just as Gajei said, he had been by my side through many things. Since we had handled secretive matters together, he knew even more than my father did. Because of this, he seemed to be looking to me for the answer to his own worries.
‘Thinking about it… I really have done a lot of things.’
As he said, I had exerted quite an effort. It was a lot for a humble start where I only intended to live in comfort under my Older Brother. I had cleaned up the back alleys, acted as both an Administrative Officer and an inspector, established an Iron Mine, and even went to the Royal Capital and turned it upside down.
I had taken on a massive amount of work. The reason for doing so wasn’t particularly grand or noble. In fact, it was almost underwhelming.
“It’s because life is precious.”
“Life?”
“Yes. Life.”
It was exactly as I said.
This was already my third life. If I added the weight of the life gained from the Black Mage’s memories, it was my fourth life. In fact…
‘I might have lived even more lives, considering there might be things I don’t remember.’
I might have lived through many more existences. In all those lives, I felt many things. Especially one thing.
“If a person faces a wall they cannot overcome, they begin to be eaten away.”
“By what?”
“Despair.”
I had despaired over countless things. Jegal Hyeon’s life was like that, and the memories of the Black Mage were filled with quite a bit of despair as well. While the life of Kim Seonggeon seemed ordinary…
‘It was a life spent struggling and then dying.’
It was a life full of resentment, ending before I could truly enjoy anything. In particular, it was an intense life where I couldn’t even manage a proper rest.
All those lives were precious to me. And at the same time, I felt the deep lingering regrets within those lives.
“Because it’s precious, I can’t just leave it alone. Not my family, not the Spiritual Land, nor the connections I’ve made. My heart is drawn to them.”
“Is that all?”
“Yes. That’s all. My heart is drawn to it, so I care. I simply act so that I have no regrets.”
“So that you have no regrets… I see…”
I no longer wanted to live a life riddled with regret. Even if it was a bit difficult, I was moving so that there would be nothing left to wish I had done. Thanks to that, I was doing a lot of work for just one person.
‘The talented people helping me is also a factor.’
I had my own sense of satisfaction. By leading those who were with me, I actually had a surprising amount of leisure in my life. That was it.
‘That was a rather plain answer.’
In the end, it was my life and I wanted it, so I acted this way. Even after hearing my answer, Gajei…
“…Regret. I understand. Thank you, my Lord.”
He fell silent as if he had felt something. His eyes were the eyes of someone in deep thought. Once his personal dilemma ended…
‘He will grow.’
Gajei would definitely grow. That might be the day he officially becomes the Captain of Iron Fist.
“We’ve arrived.”
Carrying a few such concerns, we arrived at the Premiere fortress.
***
Premiere was one of the giant fortresses guarding the North. Along with Raylun, it was the largest fortress.
The northern front was formed with Raylun and Premiere at the center, with three or four smaller fortresses stationed around them. Each had 2,000 or 3,000 soldiers, while about 5,000 were stationed at Raylun and Premiere. A total of 30,000 men were deployed in the Northern Army.
The Suppression Force that continued every winter was formed by drafting a portion of these 30,000 men. The subjugation was carried out by going out in advance to clear out monster groups that had grown significantly.
Normally, defense is easier than offense. However, in the case of monsters, if they weren’t thinned out like this, they would often grow to an unimaginable scale.
‘Or they move in unexpected ways.’
Ultimately, the role of the Suppression Force was to manage the size of the monster population through appropriate culling before a monster outbreak occurred. Once the Suppression Force swept through, the North would spend the winter defending against the monsters that attacked during the season.
The problem was…
‘Even though Father wiped out several chieftain-class monsters last year, their numbers have increased.’
Unlike last year, there was a change this year. It was strange for even monsters to increase their numbers like this. Unless the monsters further up north were moving south on a large scale, there was no way there would be this many.
‘I have to eliminate the cause. And if possible, I should push out further.’
Therefore, I didn’t intend to carry out this suppression in the same way as previous years. Whether he knew that or not…
“Welcome!”
“Salute!”
Viscount Heitz, the commander in charge of Premiere fortress, greeted me with a fairly relaxed expression.
Ranked as a lower-tier Aura Expert, he held a position responsible for northern defense and was simultaneously the commander of the Vinland Knights. Favored by my father, he had been in the North for several years, constantly engaged in defensive duties. That might be why his tension was low even though winter was approaching.
“Forget the formalities. Let’s start with the handover. Is it impossible to pull more than 5,000 troops?”
“It is definitely impossible. If we exclude any more troops, the defense will become too thin.”
“Hmm…”
His expression was relaxed, but there was no room for compromise. He gave exactly as many troops as he could spare.
“Actually, even 5,000 was a push. As you know, the training of the new recruits isn’t at its peak yet.”
“The problem is that the 5,000 troops I brought are in the same situation.”
“Hmm… A partial exchange is possible, though.”
“I’ll ask for that, then.”
It wasn’t the worst-case scenario. Having moved on the battlefield, Viscount Heitz possessed some flexibility.
He took 2,000 of the soldiers I had brought from the Holy City and gave me soldiers who were already at the fortress. He was taking into account that there would be many casualties if new recruits were sent on their first suppression.
“Thank you for the consideration.”
“I wish the Suppression Force victory. You don’t have to overdo it. This place will always be your final stronghold.”
“This time, I’ll make that stronghold useless.”
“Haha. It’s good just to hear you say that. I’ll pray it turns out that way.”
He laughed heartily, perhaps taking my confidence as a joke. To him, who was in charge of defense every time, the claim that defense wouldn’t even be necessary might have seemed absurd. But I was serious.
‘I plan to make it so.’
I intended to execute it.
*Skreeee. Skritch.*
The hideous cries of monsters reached my ears. Even though they were a considerable distance away, the cries were endless, indicating a large number.
“It’s just as you said. Is this the Letman territory from here?”
“Yes. I’ve sent scouts several times to investigate, so I’m certain.”
The one answering, Kimoa, was a member of the Black Crow.
He was a familiar face, sent ahead for this suppression. He was the one I had seen at the Village Blacksmith when I was looking for the Black Crow in the Holy City. The long scar on his face was his defining feature.
“What’s the scale?”
“There are many of them, as expected of Letmen. 1,000.”
“That’s not a small amount.”
He had investigated this area at my request. To the Black Crow, who were practically rangers by trade, this place was their domain. He had even drawn up a fairly detailed map. Monster habitats, types, characteristics—quite a lot was written down.
‘It’s a waste since this map will be useless next year.’
Monsters’ territories changed constantly. This map would become a useless piece of paper by next year. Feeling it was a pity, I checked the map. The territory ahead was the Letman fief. Boasting a large population, the number of villages in the settlement ahead was quite high.
“Will you engage in battle immediately?”
“Correct.”
There were over 10,000 soldiers. There was no reason to be afraid of Letmen.
“Advance!”
The battle proceeded immediately.
*Skree!*
*Skritch!*
The number of Letmen that appeared was greater than expected.
“The scale is larger.”
“It seems they’ve increased their numbers because it’s winter. I apologize.”
“It doesn’t matter. Is it about 2,000…?”
The Letman swarm that appeared densely was about 2,000. Since we had advanced into their habitat, they weren’t all Letman warriors; young and females were mixed in as well. Even so, they were stronger than untrained humans. The problem was that the soldiers the Letmen were facing were elite, highly trained beings.
“We’ll go with overwhelming force. Send the signal.”
“Understood!”
*Clack. Clack.*
There was no need to cause a commotion. Hand signals using flags were sufficient. According to the orders I gave, the soldiers moved in perfect order.
*Clack. Clack.*
The 10,000 soldiers moved organically. I constantly coordinated them with great care so that they didn’t overlap.
-To think he has a talent for command as well…
-No, this isn’t just a level of talent.
I could hear the surprised voices of the knights surveying the surroundings with me. With 10,000 men, just coordinating and moving such a vast number was a feat in itself.
*Skreeeeek!*
The Letmen rushed toward us. I continued to adjust the soldiers’ positions.
“Expand the left. Narrow the right. The center slows down. We must meet them all at once.”
“Understood!”
*Clack.*
While constantly coordinating, I gave the next command.
“Knights, get ready!”
“Understood!”
*Vroooom—*
The knights who received the order prepared to advance.
‘Strong forces must be utilized to their maximum.’
A perfect advantage. My style was to crush the enemy with overwhelming power. There was no reason for the knights to be left out of pulverizing the enemy.
“Ready!”
“Wait. Wait.”
They were fully armed, their faces hidden behind lowered visors. They were prepared slaughterers, even their warhorses clad in iron barding.
*Skreeeeek!*
The Letmen had completely entered the encirclement.
*Snap.*
The moment I waved the flag, we even succeeded in completely blocking their retreat. Now, all that remained was annihilation and slaughter.
“…Now! Advance!”
*Neigh!*
The horses stomped their hooves. The knights who received the order advanced toward the Letmen in a Wedge Formation.
“Strike!”
The collision between the Letmen and the knights happened in an instant.
*Crunch!*
Infusing their entire bodies with Aura, they swung their lances the moment they made contact.
*Skreeeeee!*
Pieces of flesh flew into the air.
*Snap!*
Lances that could not withstand the concentration of Aura shattered, scattering splinters in all directions.
The first step of the suppression had been taken. Until then, no one in the Suppression Force could have predicted the situation that lay ahead.