Chapter 100

Noein's army left the Arquvist territory and entered Letvik in the Konitz viscount's territory, where they would join forces with the Konitz viscount's army and move south together.

From Letvik to the southwestern assembly point, it would take about two weeks. The Konitz territory army, consisting of 100 men, and the Arquvist territory army, consisting of 30 men, along with the small forces of minor lords under the Konitz viscount's patronage, would form a large group of about 200 men to advance along the road.

Nobles dressed in high-quality armor are prime targets for bandits. When moving through the deteriorating security situation in the southwest, small forces led by baronets or minor barons are at great risk. Although Noein, a golem master, is part of the Arquvist territory army, an ambush in a poorly visible forest cannot be considered entirely safe.

Therefore, they move together with the large army of senior nobles.

"---In any case, while senior nobles like me, who lead considerable forces, will be on the main battlefield, you small forces will likely be assigned to a position away from it."

While riding side by side in the center of the formation, Noein was being briefed by Arnold on the prospects of this war. Thanks to Yuri's persistent guidance, Noein can now control a horse well enough for marching.

"Then, will we be stationed around the fortifications?"

"Probably. If that's the case, your role will be to hold the fort and stop the enemy's advance... It's not a glamorous job, but the risk of death is much lower compared to the main forces engaged in field battles."

The border with the Lanzel Kingdom changes from the north to the south, transitioning from the Bazel Great Forest, a region where plains and forests mix, to a vast plain.

Among these, the region where plains and forests mix is a fortified area with several forts, which prevent the Lanzel Kingdom army from advancing through the gaps in the forests.

While the main forces clash on the vast plains to the south, someone must guard the fortified area to prevent the main forces from being ambushed. This is likely to be the role of junior nobles like Noein, who lead small forces.

Although there may be fewer opportunities for military achievements by merely defending, the position is relatively safe as long as one does not take unnecessary risks. Noein sighed in relief at this.

"...You really are different, aren't you? If told there are no opportunities for military achievements, most nobles would either hang their heads or get angry because they can't accept it."

"I don't like war in the first place. I understand that fighting is a duty of nobles, and if necessary to protect my territory and the country, I will bravely fight. However, I don't want to risk my life just for personal fame."

"Well, you are that kind of person... It would be good if there were more people like you among the nobles."

Many nobles want to achieve grand feats in war to gain fame and rewards from the king. Therefore, it is a common occurrence on the battlefield for there to be disputes over which army gets the 'juicy roles.'

"This time, the nobles from the southwestern and northwestern regions, who don't get along, are mixed together. I hope they won't openly oppose each other... but there might be some harassment. Be careful when you act in the encampment. You're bringing beastmen slaves from the south, after all."

"...I'll keep that in mind."

Noein accepted the advice from Arnold, his senior noble and adoptive father, sincerely.

...

About two weeks after leaving Letvik, the group, centered around the Konitz viscount's army, arrived at the Gardwin duchy, which borders the Lanzel Kingdom.

The group entered a small city along the way. They would stay here to rest and, a few days later, join the main force at the encampment near the border.

Senior nobles like Arnold would stay at the mayor's mansion, junior nobles like Noein at a reserved inn, and the other soldiers would rent vacant houses or warehouses. Noein entrusted the troops to Yuri and Pense and parted ways with them.

"...This is terrible."

"Yes, the state of decay is quite evident."

Although it was their first stay in an urban area in a long time, the city was far from a place where one could enjoy a rest.

On the streets, emaciated vagrants and children who appeared to be orphans were sitting, the stalls in the square were sparse with few goods, and the shops on the main street were either closed or had already gone out of business.

The city lacked vitality, and it was clear at a glance that the security and economic situation had deteriorated severely.

For Noein and his companions, who had lived in the prosperous Arquvist territory in the northwestern region, which was less affected by the conflict, the stark difference in the situation within the same country was surprising.

Amidst such a dire situation, Noein and Matilda, along with other junior nobles, headed to the inn. Upon entering the reserved inn—Noein received a baptism typical of the southern kingdom.

"Excuse me, we cannot allow beastmen slaves to enter."

While the other junior nobles were allowed to enter smoothly as the inn had been informed, Noein, who was accompanied by Matilda, was stopped at the entrance.

"She is my guard, but is that still not acceptable?"

"I am sorry... but only humans and demi-humans can stay at our inn. We can offer you a stable for your slave."

The innkeeper, while bowing low to Noein as a noble, spoke clearly.

"We are here to protect this land, having come from the north with our army. How can you treat us like this!"

"This is an insult to our patron, the Konitz viscount!"

"Everyone, I appreciate your concern, but this is his inn..."

After calming down the other junior nobles who were angry on his behalf, Noein turned to the innkeeper.

"Considering the extraordinary times before the war... can you make an exception for us?"

As he said this, he slipped a large silver coin into the innkeeper's hand.

"Th-this..."

In the economically depressed southwestern region, a large silver coin as a tip was almost unheard of. The innkeeper wavered between greed and prejudice.

"Is this insufficient? How about this?"

"Y-yes, please come in!"

When Noein added another large silver coin, the innkeeper welcomed them with a fawning smile.

They climbed the stairs and entered the assigned room with Matilda, closing the door and taking a deep breath.

"...Phew. This is the southern kingdom. I'm sorry, Matilda, for making you go through this."

"I'm fine... I just haven't been treated like this in a long time, so it brought back some old memories."

Noein returned a wry smile to Matilda, who laughed softly and self-deprecatingly. He almost said, "Maybe you should have stayed in the Arquvist territory," but he swallowed the words, knowing it would hurt Matilda's resolve.

"I understand what Arnold meant when he said 'be careful.' Even the city inn is like this. The thought of the encampment, filled with southwestern nobles, is already making me feel depressed... Matilda, don't leave my side for a moment. For your protection and mine."

"Understood. I will not leave your side for even a moment."

Once they left the Arquvist territory and the northwestern region, Noein's values, power, and fame no longer held sway. The southern part of the Roadberg Kingdom was a place where the idea that it was acceptable to discriminate against and mistreat beastmen was deeply rooted.

Realizing this once again, Noein felt a sense of gloom as he thought about the war that was about to begin.