The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Those Who March and Those Who Wait

After walking half a day on foot from Winter Castle, the porters unloaded their baggage, and the soldiers split into squads to check the stone walls, set up tents, and prepare for camping.

Around this wilderness, within the two weeks before and after the old and new years designated by the church, a large demonic creature known as Pluina appears, a total of four weeks.

The knight order assembled for its subjugation heads to the land where it appears several days early each year, establishing a camp for their stay.

Pluina measures just under six meters from head to tail, with its upper body resembling a monkey with sharp fangs and red eyes, while its lower body resembles a gray snake.

Extremely belligerent, all living beings are prey to Pluina. It strangles its prey with its long tail, bites and devours them with its fangs. But most terrifying of all is the potent magic it possesses.

When Pluina spots prey, it emits a piercing cry, causing its magic to rain down like shards of ice around it. Small animals hit by these shards stand no chance, and where they fall, the potent magic contaminates the land.

Magic, to a certain extent, is extremely useful. It can kindle fire, summon water, and serve as a power source for spells, even manifesting parts of divine miracles like healing and physical enhancement.

However, strong magic also exhibits potent toxicity to the land and creatures.

Those born with strong magic are prone to illness and slow growth in their early years, a well-known phenomenon. Once the land is contaminated by magic, grass and trees can hardly grow, and creatures dwelling there either perish or mutate into new monsters.

If left unchecked, these creatures will seek prey and eventually venture into human settlements to attack. Once land is contaminated by Pluina’s magic, it is said to never return to its original state.

Despite the continued efforts of the House of Duke Oldrand, who have been exterminating them for generations, the once-camped area now appears as barren land with sparse grasses.

“All tents are erected, Your Excellency. The watchtower is also completed.”

“Very well, leave some on guard and the rest can retire to their tents. Rotate shifts every two hours in all directions, and ensure no one stays on watch continuously.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Your Excellency, please come inside. It may get a bit better in the afternoon, but it’s still terribly cold.”

“Mm.”

Alexis’s tent was easily identifiable by the Duke’s crest at the entrance. Inside, it wasn’t particularly warm, but at least the howling wind was somewhat blocked, which made a significant difference.

“Shall I prepare some hot drinks?”

“Don’t bother. There’s a possibility this could be a long wait; I’d rather not deplete our mana stones unnecessarily.”

During this season in the northern regions, the cold was severe, and simply waiting took a toll on everyone. Furthermore, the strong winds and dryness of the wilderness made using fire difficult.

Cooking was done using magic-powered stoves, but resupply was tightly managed, limiting their use to necessities for warmth.

There were no villages nearby, so supply teams constantly traveled to and fro to ensure provisions. Since horses couldn’t be used, everything depended on porters and the soldiers escorting them on foot.

In the food stores, preserved foods and hard-baked bread were stacked. They relied on salted meat, pickled vegetables growing sour by the day, and ale that turned increasingly bitter as time passed.

This land wasn’t fit for human habitation—it couldn’t sustain crops or livestock.

Failure by the House of Oldrand could potentially expand such inhospitable areas even further.

Four generations ago, during Alexis’s great-grandfather’s time, a large number of Pluina’s minions, led by Sasurika, appeared more than usual. The subjugation squad suffered heavy losses and allowed Pluina’s forces to invade human settlements.

Back then, there were still some villages nearby, but they were all destroyed. It was only after Duke Oldrand reorganized the knights and finally succeeded in subduing Pluina that year, at great cost.

Winter Castle now stood where one of those destroyed villages once lay. It served as a memorial to the victims and a testament to their sacrifices.

Duke Oldrand at that time, who passed on the title to his grandfather the following year, met his end in battle against Pluina.

As a knight of the north and Duke of Oldrand, it was a fitting end.

Sitting down on a hard sofa, Alexis gazed up at the tent ceiling.

Amidst the biting cold wind, soldiers on the watchtower remained vigilant, and patrol units continued their strict rounds.

For everyone else, conserving energy until events unfolded was crucial.

Outside the tent, the sound of rushing wind was loud.

Every year, new recruits were disturbed by this noise, their sleep hindered. Coupled with fear and cold, their minds often wore out before their bodies.

But gradually, even this faded from Alexis’s consciousness.

＊　＊　＊

“They’ve appeared! It’s Sasurika!”

On the fourth day of setting up camp, around midday when the sun was high, knights gathered in the command tent, amidst their lunch. Almost simultaneously with the sharp tolling of a bell, one of the soldiers on patrol burst in.

Dirty from several falls on the way here, panting heavily with dust clinging to him.

“In sight, approximately twenty of them!”

“They’re early this year. Well, better early than late.”

In the tense atmosphere, August’s nonchalant voice caused the knights in the tent to shoot him stern looks.

Yet, that slight crack in the tense air seemed to ease the tension momentarily.

Having emptied his cup and set it down on the table with a clang, August stood.

“Reinhardt, lead the advance team. Herman, gather the main force for the assault on Sasurika. Otto’s squad provides support, while Bruno and Theodore remain at camp to guard the priests and tend to the injured. August, take your shield bearers and stay close to me.”

“Yes, immediately!”

“Understood.”

“Please wait, Your Excellency! Take me along as well!”

Bruno, tasked with guarding and standby as a priest, raised his voice. Though he held back from shouting, Theodore wore the same expression.

“We’re still at the stage where Sasurika has come out. The big players are yet to arrive. As soon as the front line squads tire out, we’ll switch immediately. Rest your body for now.”

“But—”

“No time for questions, Lord Bruno.”

Bruno, currently active as the head and a knight, and August, who is serving in the army as the next head due to the current head leaving after the battle with a leg injury, are generations apart in age, but August shows no signs of being intimidated. He speaks in a casual tone.

“We need to hurry up or the soldiers being detained will just wear themselves out. We can’t even use horses here.”

“But—”

“I’ll protect you, Your Excellency. If I turn into a snow statue with Pluina’s breath, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“August! Don’t joke like that, even if you’re a young man!”

“Monsters who come attacking for meat won’t discriminate between a young man or an old man. So, shall we quickly earn some military exploits?”

“August!”

After lightly bowing to Bruno’s voice, Alexis left the tent, and other knights also hurriedly ran out.

“Oh, scary scary. After Lord Bruno’s scolding, I can’t help but tremble.”

“Don’t tease too much. It wouldn’t be acceptable to die of anger before the battle.”

“Back when we drank with the knights, it was about time for me to become a meat shield for the young ones, a boring joke, but he was ahead of me.”

“It must be about our drinking sessions.”

August snorted disdainfully. It wasn’t an attitude to display before his lord, but it seemed he was agitated not like someone facing a battlefield.

“I do wonder about these men from the north, eager to die on the battlefield. Well, when you’re stuck in a cold place eating tough, terrible meals, all sorts of bad thoughts come to mind.”

“That may be true.”

“Your Excellency, let’s defeat Pluina quickly and return! Sitting around a fireplace, nibbling on thick-sliced dried ham grilled, and sipping Lady Melfina’s ale would surely dispel such thoughts. Shall we have Leonard and Diethard as shield-bearers?”

“I leave it to you.”

“They both eagerly await their promotion. If they achieve great deeds this time, please consider their advancement.”

“It depends on their performance.”

Nevertheless, if August is keeping an eye on them, they must be well-trained and promising squires.

House Oldrand boasts a strong martial tradition. Many knights from outside the north knock on their doors, seeking to become strong knights. There’s also no great fixation on status for those who promote from common-born soldiers to knights under their command.

Promotion requires substantial support from their families, and while some end as squires, those recognized for martial prowess in the north benefit from equipment and support from House Oldrand.

Hence, the younger and more spirited individuals tend to be eager for feats, but the older knights skillfully control this enthusiasm.

“That’s reassuring.”

“Yes.”

A slight smile curved at August’s nonchalant response.

While the older knights often nag him to adjust his attitude, everyone knows Alexis isn’t seriously reprimanding this protective knight.
Though they could never be called friends on a formal basis, August continues his steadfast attitude, which could easily provoke hostility, yet no one questions how devoted he is to Alexis.

Not even while offering candid criticism, forgoing the reproof of his capabilities, it seems a certain kind of emotional bond exists between them and the Oldrands who’ve been with Alexis since his father’s or grandfather’s time.

“We’ll join you.”

“I’m with you, wherever you go.”

Thus, the battle begins.