The Blood Knight’s Villains

My Villains Episode 360

61. The Art of War (2)

High Castle is a fortress guarding the Western Frontier and at the same time the capital of the Highlands.

It is not uncommon for the most important city in a province to be on the front lines. The reason why High Castle is standing in such a place is the result of the great-grandfather of the present Marquis, who laid the grounds for this walled city, who was determined not to leave the border.

After that, the brave and stubborn Marquess guarded High Castle. It was attacked by the empire and burned or even captured, but it also flourished trade during peaceful times.

In addition to that, the former king of Milanol – also known as the King of Knights – used this high castle as an important attack base whenever he beat Mittergerant. In addition, the previous king, also known as King Jun-eom, who boasted an outstanding martial spirit befitting a man of the Zeore family, sent a huge amount of gold and silver to build the fortress.

Therefore, today’s High Castle could be said to be a city created by numerous wars, active trade, and the investment of the royal family.

Perhaps thanks to such a background, High Castle boasted an unbelievable grandeur and dignity for being a city built on a desolate plateau.

The city, built on a low hill, had a solid outer wall that was 78 meters high and 5 meters thick. The outer wall

was in an elliptical shape that surrounded the hill, and it looked like a round and fat bastion was built at each vertex.

There was only a steep slope between the outer and inner walls, but it was an empty lot without a single blade of grass. It must have been an arrangement to comfortably hunt down enemies that had crossed the outer wall.

The inner wall built on the slope of the hill was not much different from the outer wall in appearance. The difference was that in addition to the middle bastions built like outer walls, the towers with pointed roofs with red clay tiles were tightly embedded.

The scale of the outer and inner walls alone was so enormous that it seemed that even 4,500 soldiers led by Prince Ulkar could not fill the entire double wall.

“…that’s amazing.”

While admiring, I slowly drove the bicorn along the cavalry line.

Apart from the majestic appearance of the high castle’s double walls, there was a procession of refugees nearby, so it was impossible to speed up recklessly.

But where is everyone running away? Are we not trustworthy?

Ulkar, who was looking back at the refugee procession with a heavy expression as if answering my question, opened his mouth.

“It must have been Sir Lyam’s action.”

“Sir Lyam?”

Lyam Summersong aka ‘Arrogant’ Sir Lyam is the fourth Knight of Ulkar. He was originally guarding Oduene Harbor, but suddenly the Fishman army withdrew and joined High Castle.

“High Castle is an advantageous city for defense, but the enemy’s forces are three times ours. When the fighting rages on, we may have to abandon the double wall.” “So that’s why you let the residents out.”

“exactly. It would be better to drive them out beforehand than to wait and let them be plundered…

I heard that more than half of the residents of High Castle have already evacuated. Those who left were mostly serfs, especially women, the elderly and children.

Merchants and artisans say there are still quite a few left.

The merchants must have robbed all of their goods and fled before the city was under siege. On the other hand, artisans cannot leave because they have to produce materials needed for war.

“I am Prince Ulkar Ulkar.”

“Really…

Some refugees recognized Prince Ulkar, who led the cavalry, and spoke to him.

“Your Highness, please protect High Castle.”

An old man chanted as if praying and bowed his head. Ulkar nodded silently and pulled the reins to pass them.

“Your Highness Your Highness.”

“May the Lord of Light stay by your side!”

“Prince Ulkar!”

The buzz grew.

Ulkar made eye contact with the refugees with a sunken gaze and nodded. He didn’t wave his hand or open his mouth.

This is my guess, but Ulkar seemed to be feeling some sort of guilt. Are they feeling responsible for destroying their peaceful daily lives?

The war was waged by the two electors of the empire, Strom’s Abillambus and Alchenber’s Burcard. Ulkar did not need to feel responsible.

I wanted to drive a bicorn next to him and offer words of consolation, but the wall was already in front of me.

“-It’s the prince! Prince Ulkar has arrived!”

“Open the gates!”

Incongruous with the grandeur of the outer walls, there were only three gates. Among them, it was the northeast gate we had approached, and the soldiers standing at the gatehouse quickly opened the gate, as if they recognized Ulkar with long silver hair.

“The lord has come! Prince Ulkar has returned!”

Baaam-

A low trumpet sound flowed between the noonday sun and the cold wind blowing from the east. Are they welcoming the returned lord or awakening the city that is still asleep?

“Prince Ulkar and his knights have arrived!”

“The silver prince and the cavalry have arrived!”

The shouts that spread from the gatehouse reached not only the outer wall connected to them, but also the inner wall. The turmoil spread in all directions like ink running down a river.

“Welcome, Prince!”

“Long live His Highness Ulkar!”

I entered my wall through a short drawbridge under the shouting soldiers on the gatehouse.

Noise filled the world. It was as if I had gone deaf for a moment.

The soldiers pounded their iron helmets, stamped their feet, hit the chants, and stamped the floor with spears. Shouts of unknown meaning were standard.

The inner walled city also became agitated. Residents poured out of the buildings, large and small, and the narrow road, probably four meters wide, was quickly filled with crowds. A draper and a tailor, a blacksmith and an apprentice, a bard and a monk, a pimp and a whore, a horse dealer and a courier….

Prince, Prince!

His Highness Ulkar has arrived!

We lived, we lived!

My eardrums were so thick that they could barely filter out a few voices.

Residents also screamed incomprehensibly, as if they had been infected by the soldiers. Some climbed buildings and scattered dried flower petals, while others approached the knights and cavalrymen and handed them bottles of beef jerky and wine.

People poured out from the three strongholds ‘Axod’, ‘Angal-Viren’ and ‘High Castle’ standing tall within the inner wall. Lords and knights Priests and wizards Officers and sergeants Butlers and envoys Scribes and stewards Heralds and scribes…

I’ve been waiting for you, Your Highness.

I’ll set up a meeting right here.

Word has come from Blade Bay, Your Highness. The Iron Fleet has finally arrived.

Your enemy is scouting the perimeter of Asag. A messenger must be sent to Farast immediately.

People poured out urgent news. As the air shuddered with all the noise, Ulkar listened intently and shouted back.

Puffy Esson and heavy swordsman Umberta appeared out of nowhere and were talking to me. It seemed to be saying something like ‘Angal-Viren Inn Accommodation’, but I didn’t hear it properly.

As I gradually got used to the devastation, I looked around at the people surrounding Prince Ulkar.

Their eyes were all filled with hope, trust, respect, and all kinds of bright things. In particular, what was in the eyes of some knights and officers and sergeants was rather close to piety.

Most of the people seemed to have forgotten their worries, as if all their problems had been resolved now that the prince had arrived. And instead of sinking down on the empty land, those countless worries and worries rode on Ulkar’s shoulders.

If he were an ordinary person, he would have been weighed down by that heavy burden, but Prince Ulkar’s shoulders and back were still upright. To be honest, I was a little respectful.

Dark blue eyes scanned the screaming people.

Soon after, the prince raised the corners of his mouth to show a confident smile, then raised his hand.

Wow!

Finally, the shouts of unity resonated in High Castle.

Right after taking care of the city’s urgent business, Prince Ulkar headed for the western outer wall. I also had to figure out the charter, so I followed him.

As they walked through Eson and Umberta to check on the safety of their colleagues and other subordinates, a group of people approached them.

“……It’s been a while.”

He was a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed beard and an impressive helmet worn on his side.

“Ah Sir Layam. Long time no see.”

“It’s only been 8 months to say it’s been a while… but a lot has changed since then.”

“haha.”

After pushing Eson and Umberta back, Sir Lyam walked side by side with me and introduced the people next to me.

“Let me introduce you. From this side, Sir Salton, Sir Stied, Sir Volsom, Sir Edbert, and Sir Hendry…

They were none other than Ulkar’s direct subordinates. Sir Lyam, who was trying to get acquainted with his colleagues for me, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, was considerate.

They were all knights under the prince’s command after I, the seventh.

There were six knights, including Sir Langbolt, who were loyal to Ulkar before me, and ten knights who belonged to the cavalry roaming the highlands. And now, since I met another seven people here, it was like meeting all twenty-three of Prince Ulkar’s direct knights, twenty-four, not me.

“Nice to meet you. I have heard the name of Sir. You are really tall.”

“I see you at last. It is an honour.”

I’m sure I became famous, but my fellow knights knew me well even though it was the first time I met them.

There was nothing wrong with being friendly with them, so we were exchanging moderate greetings when Lord Ankir, who was serving Prince Ulkar three or four steps behind us, glanced at us. Then, after observing the prince conversing with the lords, he sneaked closer.

“I am one step too late. I was going to introduce Lord Phoenix to the social world.”

“Kyung can’t even dance, so why are you so lucky to be a socialite? Go and stay by my lord’s side.”

“I’m so big that I can’t fit into a crowded place like that. Sir Gisella is perfect for this kind of mission. Look over there.” Bird Magister Sir Gisela stood by Prince Ulkar as usual. The sword handle was sticking out through the lily-patterned cloak, and both hands were placed on it.

For some reason, her eyes felt overly sharp, so I asked Lord Ankir.

“…Today seems particularly harsh. Why are you so vigilant?”

“well? Isn’t it because of him?”

What Lord Ankir pointed out was a gentle-looking man who seemed to be in his mid-30s. Judging by the fact that he was wearing a blue chaperon with long ends and a velvet tunic with a square pattern and a fine coat, he was clearly a high-ranking nobleman.

Standing next to him was a boy in his late teens with his face uncovered. He probably looked like a son or nephew, but unlike the previous man, he was quite large and armed with light armor.

“Who is that?”

“You’re the Marquis Landry.”

“…Marquis Landry?”

The man who likes that man?

…I wonder if I was a bit prejudiced. He doesn’t look gay at all.

“What about the kid next to him? He looks like a son.”

“I am the son of His Excellency Marquis.”

“yes?”

I asked, narrowing my eyes and lowering my voice.

“From what I’ve heard…

When I let go of that rhyme, Lord Ankir smiled and shook his head.

“Don’t be too hard on your reputation. His Excellency Marquis is a solid man. An ordinary, good man who respects his wife, cares for his son, and loves his daughters.”

He shrugged and added.

“Well, of course, I have a few concubines, but what does that matter? It’s not even courting me.”

“…Don’t talk like that. It makes me imagine the scene where Gyeong is courted.”

As I was frowning with nausea, Sir Ankir chuckled and tapped his shoulder.

“Even if you are disgusted, don’t let it show. No matter what the unusual walls are, there are so many people in this city who respect the Marquis.”

“Yes, be careful… Then maybe Sir Gisela is doing that.”

“It’s because of His Excellency’s reputation. Anyway, she’s a woman who can’t control her expression. But thanks to Sir Gisela, it’s good that the rumors are gone.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

As if he didn’t even want to think about it, the gigantic knight’s face twisted into a grim face.

“About those unpleasant rumors about your lord.”

” ah.”

“If, by any chance, Landry does anything dirty, Sir Gisela’s sword will cut him off before the lord can step out.”

By the time the trivial talk was over, we climbed the outer wall.

For me, it was my first encounter with Mittergerand’s army.