Chapter 164 - Episode 159: A Carefree Departure
The day had arrived to send reinforcements to the Baron Wikander territory. Preparations for departure were underway at the territorial army barracks.
The barracks were noisy despite the early hour, crowded with the expedition group rushing to confirm equipment and supplies, and the remaining squires and soldiers who had come to see them off.
"All equipment preparations were completed by yesterday. Once the final check is finished, we can depart at any time. It won't take even an hour."
"I understand, thanks for your hard work... sigh."
While responding to Yuri's report, Noein let out a sigh, though his expression remained calm.
"What, are you still throwing a tantrum because you don't want to go?"
"I'm not that stubborn. If I made a blatantly disgusted face, it would affect the soldiers' morale... It's just that, compared to a battle to protect the country like last year, my spirits just aren't that high."
Noein, whose peaceful days lasting over a year were being disturbed by a mere skirmish over factional disputes, continued to mutter complaints. Seeing this, Yuri shrugged.
"To be honest, I feel the same, but that's exactly why we just have to finish this quickly and come back."
"You're right. That's why I made the composition quite large for reinforcements in a quarrel between nobles."
The territorial army soldiers heading as reinforcements this time numbered thirty. The composition consisted of Noein as the commander, Matilda as his guard, Yuri as the strategist, and Radley as the one to manage the soldiers. Furthermore, two puppet mages employed by the lord would also accompany the army.
Watching Yuri depart after leaving word that he would report again once the checks were complete, Noein spoke to the two of them.
"Gustav, Cecilia, are you nervous?"
"Noein-sama... yes, I believe I am nervous in a good way. My focus is sharpened."
"I'm a little scared, but I'm happy that I can finally be active in a battle!"
Having continued rigorous training for approximately one year and overcome practical training such as monster subjugation and mock battles with the territorial army, they had received permission from Noein to participate in actual combat ahead of the other five golem users.
Although both of them were not yet on Noein's level in terms of skill, they could still each be a combat force equal to dozens of average soldiers.
"That's good. This time, it's basically like a large-scale fight between nobles. There's almost no worry about dying, so I think it's just right for a first battle. If anything, you'll have to be careful not to kill the enemy by hitting them too hard with your golems."
"Hahaha, that sounds like it will be a struggle in a different sense."
"If a golem hits seriously, human soldiers would easily be flattened... I'll be careful."
Told this by Noein in a light tone as he attempted to ease their tension, both Gustav and Cecilia relaxed their shoulders and laughed.
"Noein-sama! Noein-sama!"
Then, Damian, the head blacksmith, came running over with heavy footsteps.
"What is it?"
"Please tell me in detail when you return whether the scatter-shot arrows and the castle-breaking shields were effective in actual combat! I just wanted to ask that again!"
The crossbows being taken on this expedition were all the latest models, modified to fire scatter-shot arrows. Additionally, new equipment consisting of joined iron plates, named "castle-breaking shields" to increase the golems' breakthrough power while defending against fire arrows and the like, were scheduled to be deployed. As the developer, Damian seemed very curious about their effects.
"Of course. I'll tell you in detail myself, and I'll have Yuri and the others summarize a report, so don't worry."
The utility of new weapons was a point of interest for Noein as well, so he didn't need Damian to tell him.
"I understand! I'm counting on you!"
After saying that, Damian was pulled away by Christy, who had overheard his loud voice and admonished him, saying, "You mustn't disturb Noein-sama too much when he's busy before departure."
"...Um, dear."
The next person to speak was Clara. To see her husband off as he led the army on expedition, she had also come to the territorial army barracks since this early morning.
"I am truly sorry. Because of my connection with Big Sister Lory, I've caused you such trouble."
Since the decision for this expedition was made, Clara had repeatedly uttered words of apology with a sorry expression like this.
Because Noein was going to fight in a distant place due to her blood relative, she seemed to be harboring guilt. It was enough to make Noein himself feel sorry for her.
"It's okay, Clara, really don't worry about it. I'd hate to help a noble with whom I have no connection, but if it's fighting for family, I can be satisfied with it. If you're Clara's sister, she's my sister too. Besides, this expedition also leads to protecting this territory."
As for Noein, he wanted to grumble to Arnold, who brought this matter, about making such a tedious request, but he had no intention of blaming Clara. He couldn't possibly. It wasn't Clara's fault that she had many older brothers and sisters.
"...Thank you. Please be safe."
"Yeah. There's almost no danger of dying this time, so don't worry."
In disputes between domestic nobles, non-lethality is the basic rule to avoid leaving lingering resentment. Unless one is extremely unlucky—such as a warning arrow missing wildly and hitting directly, or a blow landing in a particularly bad spot—one does not die.
Rather, Noein viewed this as a good opportunity to test the utility of scatter-shot crossbows, "Angel's Honey" as a paralytic, and the golem squad in anti-personnel combat. Of course, he didn't say this to Clara, whose sister was caught up in the conflict.
"I know, but... still, I'm worried. You are precious to me."
"...Thank you. You are precious to me too, Clara, so I'll come back properly. Right, Matilda?"
"Yes, I will definitely protect Noein-sama. Clara-sama, please be at ease."
Looking back and forth between Noein and Matilda's faces, Clara closed her eyes and took a small breath, changing her anxious expression into a smile.
"I will be waiting for the two of you to return. Until then, please leave the Arqvist territory to me."
While Noein was absent, Clara would once again serve as the acting lord.
"Yeah, I'm counting on you. I'm relying on you."
While Noein and the others exchanged parting words, the other members of the expedition group also spoke with those remaining. However, since they were not heading into a full-scale war, there was no air of tragedy.
"Pence, I believe there's no worry with you, but I'm counting on you to handle the operation of the territorial army properly. The defense of the territory and the maintenance of public order as well."
"Understood. The only dangers here are monsters at most, so there's no need to worry."
Told this by Yuri, Pence, who would serve as the acting territorial army captain in the capital, responded with a laugh.
"You lot are probably used to the patrols and the training guidance of the soldiers. Do your best."
"Leave it to us. We're used to walking the forests around the capital, and we'll make sure the soldiers' proficiency is firmly maintained."
"With our ballista squad here, we'll be fine even if orcs appear again. Radley-san, please be careful too."
"Heh, there's no way I'd die in a mere skirmish. I'll finish it quickly and come back."
The ones Radley was speaking to were Dant and Rick, who had officially become squires last year. To fill the hole left by Yuri and Radley, who possessed the greatest strength in the territory, these two would remain in the territory.
"I'm jealous of Gustav and Cecilia."
"If our improvement had been a little faster, we could have accompanied the army too..."
"Hahaha, I'll be active on everyone's behalf, so don't worry."
"Next time something happens, let's fight together then!"
Gustav and the others were seen off boisterously, surrounded by the other golem users.
Shortly thereafter, the final confirmation of equipment and supplies was completed. As the soldiers lined up, Yuri changed his tone and spoke to Noein.
"Your Excellency, we are ready to depart at any time."
"Good work, Chief Squire... Well then, shall we go?"
Late October of the Royal Year 215. The expeditionary force of the Arqvist territorial army led by Noein departed toward the south.