Chapter 16: Talents Only I Can Recognize. Hidden gems (2)

 

I left the defense of the territory to Haddin.

What if there’s a problem in the territory in my absence? It sucks. But as long as the gold is intact, it can be taken care of. And I’m the only one who can get into the place where the gold is sealed.

I headed north without a care in the world. On the way to the road, we noticed a long line of refugees.

From the northern border to the Linon Castle, there was an endless procession of the people going towards the capital city, where they felt a little safer. In a sense, it was a natural sight since we were at war. The refugees and the war are inseparable.

That procession of refugees was a good example of how dangerous the Lunan Kingdom is now. In the history of the game, the Lunan Kingdom actually falls but in this world I’m going to stop that.

As we continued against the line of refugees, we finally saw our destination. Linon Castle can mean the castle of the Linon territory lord, but in a broader sense, it refers to the entire walled city of Linon where the lord’s castle is located.

The city’s walls usually have four gates, north, south, east, and west. When I arrived at the west gate, I identified myself and was guided to the command center. I was greeted at the lord’s castle, which is being used as a temporary command center, by the chief of staff of the Royal Army.

[Berchyn Hayna]

[Age: 27 years]

[Martial force: 60]

[Intelligence: 81]

[Command: 55]

The intelligence is superb. Of course, she was a noblewoman and held the key position ‘chief of staff’.

“So you’re the Lord Aintorian?”

“Chief of Staff! It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She was a boss many levels above me in the company. I bowed my head to show her courtesy, but she just stared at me with a cold expression on her face. She didn’t seem to welcome me at all.

“I’m so glad you’re here.”

“It’s a matter of national security, and I have to do everything in my power to help.”

“I’m sure you’ll be a great help to us,” she said, looking at me with a contemptuous look. This meant that Erhin’s lousy reputation was known to them. A rogue lord, a womanizer, and a debauched man, that is Aintorian Erhin’s reputation.

Apparently, I had been summoned by the cowardly King of Lunan. I’m notorious in the kingdom’s military, so I guess that means there’s no need for me. Well, I just need to change that impression thoroughly from now on.

“How is the war going?”

So there’s no need to react to every single look of disdain. I didn’t care, I needed information.

“The situation is not good, we’ve lost Manon territory. The enemy is advancing on Gannen and Bern castles, and we’re currently fighting in Gannen Castle. If Gannen and Bern’s castles collapse, it won’t take long for Linon Castle to fall.

After Linon, the capital city of Lunan will be the next battleground. That’s why they’re trying their best to prevent that from happening, but they were pushed too far in the beginning, and the gap between the forces widened……”

Gannen and Bern territories? The enemy was attacking right in front of the capital city. The Lunan Kingdom, in dire straits!

“This explanation doesn’t mean anything to you. The front line is not the place you’re going.”

Hayna stopped explaining abruptly in the middle.

“But where if not the front line in these circumstances?”

I asked her what I didn’t understand. I know they won’t accept me, but they can’t stop using me since it’s the king’s order. Where the hell are they going to send me?

“I sent a supply corps commander there at short notice because there was a death among the front-line commanders. So you’ll be taking his place.”

The commander of a supply troop huh?

Supply units are certainly not the front line but they are just as important as the front lines.

She looks at me with such disdain, and yet she sent me to a supply unit? Supply is one of the most essential things on the battlefield.

If I think about it the other way around, it was also an excellent unit to follow the given orders. An incompetent commander is not needed in our Royal Army. Isn’t that right? I can honestly only think of it as being ridiculous.

“I see. A supply troop?”

“That’s why you should head to the supply base.”

“Yes, ma’am. By the way, who is the General? I’d like to say hello.”

“The general is busy. You just need to think about the supply corps!”

Oh, I see. There was nothing more to say. I came out of Linon Castle, leaving this cold welcome behind.

Let’s raise a supply unit to my army for now until the opportunity arises. The only way to interfere into this war is with troops that are absolutely obedient to me.