Chapter 165 - Episode 160: Baron Wikander's Territory
Leaving Noeina in the Arqvist territory, entering the Viscount Koenitz territory once, heading south along a major highway, and then deviating from that highway to pass through several small villages... after a journey of approximately ten days, Noein and his party arrived at Jotevle, the capital of Baron Wikander's territory.
With a population of about 1,500, Jotevle was a city of a scale that made one think the Arqvist capital of Noeina would look like this if it developed a bit more. However, unlike the newly emerging city of Noeina, the streetscape possessed a dignity that suggested a certain amount of history.
On the other hand, it lacked the vitality of Noeina, which was in the midst of a growth period, and gave an impression of being stable as a city, for better or worse.
"I am glad you came, Lord Arqvist. Welcome."
"It has been since the banquet at the end of last year, Baron Wikander. Thank you for coming to meet me."
At the Baron Wikander estate, which was as seasoned as the streetscape, Noein received a greeting from the head of the house, Baron Noah Wikander.
To Noein, Baron Wikander—a distant step-brother who shared the same stepfather—was a gentle man with a youthful air for someone in his mid-twenties, or to put it harshly, an atmosphere that seemed a bit unreliable.
"First, let me introduce my wife. This is Lory Wikander. I believe you have heard about her from your wife..."
"Nice to meet you, Lord Arqvist. I have heard about you through letters from my father and younger sister. Thank you for being so kind to Clara."
"I am happy to meet you, Lory-sama. I have also heard about you from my wife. She told me you are a very bright and intelligent older sister she is proud of."
"My, that makes me happy."
Lory, who welcomed Noein with a bright expression alongside her husband, certainly had facial features similar enough to Clara for one to tell they were sisters. However, unlike Clara, who had a rather quiet personality, she gave an impression of being cheerful.
"I feel sorry that you have been put to such trouble, Your Excellency, simply because I am your sister-in-law."
"I will ensure you have no inconveniences during your stay, and I promise to express my gratitude with sincerity for the dispatch of these reinforcements. I humbly ask for your assistance."
"As the step-brother of Baron Wikander and Lory-sama, I am happy to be able to provide my help. I shall do my utmost."
Having come this far, it would be pointless to sulk and say he didn't want to fight, so Noein put on his best fake smile to try and leave a good impression on the two.
"I appreciate you saying that... You must be tired from the long journey, so please rest well today. We shall discuss the specifics from tomorrow onward."
Guest rooms were prepared at the Baron Wikander estate for Noein, his guard Matilda, the Chief Retainer Yuri, and the two puppet mages, while the other soldiers headed to the lodgings provided by the Baron under Radley's command.
The fact that the Baron had rented out an entire warehouse within the city to serve as a simple inn, providing beds for everyone down to the lowest-ranking soldiers, showed just how much he was relying on Noein's reinforcements.
.....
The following day, after resting comfortably at Baron Wikander's estate and deepening their friendship to some extent by sharing dinner with the Baron and his wife, a military council was held between the Arqvist territory army and the executives of Baron Wikander's camp.
From the Arqvist territory army side, Radley, Gustav, and Cecilia were present, centered around Noein and Yuri. Matilda stood beside Noein as his adjutant.
Opposing them from the Baron Wikander territory army side were the Baron himself, his Chief Retainer, and a gathering of subordinate lower nobles.
The key figures of both houses sat facing each other across a large conference table in the Baron's meeting room.
"First, let me express my gratitude once more. Lord Arqvist, despite being relatives, we have had almost no connection until now; I thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing such a force of reinforcements for our sake."
A reinforcement of over thirty people was a considerable scale, considering Noein was still only a Baronet. Furthermore, if one added Noein's two golems and the golems of Gustav and the others, the combat power exceeded that of a hundred-man squad.
Baron Wikander, who seemed to have heard from Arnold about the strength of the golems Noein controlled, and the lower nobles, who seemed to have heard it from him, wore expressions full of expectation as they looked at the golems lined up in the council room.
"Since I am providing assistance, I wish to show my worth and be of help. I have brought new weapons in addition to the golems, which I believe will also be useful."
When Noein gave a brief explanation regarding the modified crossbows and scatter-shot arrows that would be the main armament this time, Baron Wikander's eyes widened. His subordinates also wore surprised expressions.
"Our territorial army is equipped with some crossbows, but... to think such an advanced version existed. Indeed, it seems very effective for these kinds of internal conflicts. I see, so 'Angel's Honey' can be used in such a way..."
The idea of using "Angel's Honey" diluted for anesthesia as a paralyzing agent seemed to be quite shocking even to him.
"Now, Your Excellency, may I hear the details regarding the village that will be the site of this battle?"
"Yes, of course."
When Baron Wikander gave a nod, the Baron's Chief Retainer stepped forward. It seemed he would provide the detailed explanation.
"Currently, the village occupied by the nobles of the Southwest Faction is called Karenu, located half a day's journey southeast from here in Jotevle."
As he spoke, the Chief Retainer spread a piece of parchment that looked like a map on the conference table. The map seemed to be recorded with a reasonable degree of accuracy regarding positional relationships and terrain, if not the exact distance between the city and the village.
Karenu Village was said to be located by heading south from Jotevle and passing through a road carved into the forest. The forest stretched from the north to the east, while gentle hills spread to the west and south, and the village population was said to be fewer than 200 people.
"However, since a fair number of villagers fled during the attack by the Southwest nobles, those remaining are likely just under 150. The enemy's total strength is approximately 100. We send scouts regularly to confirm the enemy's movements, so this is almost certain."
"The Southwest nobles appeared during this year's autumn harvest season, and upon occupying the village, they seized the harvested crops and took them south. Since then, they have been hunting in the forest as they please and using the villagers as labor to gather materials in the forest. Forcibly, by threatening them with weapons."
"That is... a terrible story."
Noein frowned at the words of Baron Wikander, who supplemented the Chief Retainer's story. He shuddered to think what it would be like if the victims were his own subjects.
"Indeed. According to the scouts' reports, the villagers being forced to work are clearly wasting away. I believe they aren't being killed or raped, but... they likely aren't getting satisfactory meals. It is pitiful."
"I sympathize with your feelings... Now, I heard that the Southwest nobles have fortified the village."
When Noein asked, the Chief Retainer nodded and continued the explanation.
"Exactly. Karenu Village was surrounded by wooden fences as a measure against beasts and monsters, but now a moat has been dug around it, and the wooden fences have likely been reinforced using the soil dug up during that process. The gates have been reinforced, and they have even built watchtowers. It is practically a small fort now."
"...Do they really go that far just to occupy a farming village?"
Noein spoke in a voice of sheer exasperation at the actions of the Southwest nobles, who were doing whatever they pleased to an almost exaggerated degree.
"The border around that village was originally ambiguous, and skirmishes occurred occasionally... Using this clash as a catalyst, they may intend to establish full effective control. I have dragged Lord Arqvist into our border disputes."
To Baron Wikander's apologetic face, Noein responded with a wry smile.
"No, regardless, I also think this behavior of the Southwest nobles is too much. As a relative sharing the same stepfather, and as an ally of the same Northwest Faction, I cannot overlook this."
If a relative noble's territory was left to be looked down upon by another faction, there was no telling what negative effects it might have on the Arqvist house later.
"Thank you... For the honor of my house of Baron Wikander, and for the sake of the residents of Karenu Village whom I should originally protect, I can no longer overlook the tyranny of the Southwest nobles. I must certainly reclaim that village and show our pride as Northwest nobles."
With an expression as if he had been backed into a corner, Baron Wikander declared his resolve.