Chapter 171 - Episode 166: Rupture
"...Why? You want to go home soon, don't you? I feel the same. What is so tragic that people who don't want to fight must fight each other?"
Noein's composed face crumbled, revealing an exhausted expression. To this, Viowulf answered in a sorrowful voice.
"As I said outside the church, I am a nobleman of the Southwest. I have a position to maintain... I need the achievement of having stood against the Northwest nobles without surrendering."
"...I see."
Sensing what he meant, Noein muttered. Noein and Viowulf's eyes met, and the two sighed simultaneously.
"Lord Barassen's objective was food. Since he obtained nearly all the crops of Karenu Village and the blessings of the surrounding forests, his objective has been achieved. Not only that, he sold potatoes—which are not yet widely distributed in the Southwest—to other territories to obtain even more wheat. With this, Lord Barassen's territory and the territories of his dependents can survive the winter."
Viowulf began to explain the circumstances on their side once more.
"Effective control of Karenu Village is a goal we strive for. It would have been best if we could make it the property of the Barassen house just like this, but His Lordship also understands that everything does not necessarily go so smoothly. Our defeat is likely within the assumptions... however, as the execution force, it is not the case that any manner of losing will do."
"...So you mean you have to fight in order to save face."
"Yes. No matter how excellent a user of earth magic I may be personally, the Rosbroke house is an upstart family that has only just joined the ranks of the high nobility. Considering the future, I cannot show too passive an attitude."
With an expression that looked truly, absolutely tedious, Viowulf slumped his shoulders.
"That is why I want to fight you, Sir... or rather, I want to pretend to fight you. Will you cooperate with me? I ask this as a favor between comrades-in-arms."
"...If I say no here, we'll have to actually fight instead of pretending, right? That sounds even more tedious. Fine, I'll play along."
Having answered, Noein slumped his shoulders with an expression every bit as tedious as Viowulf's.
"However, you owe me one. Please pay me back properly someday."
"Yes, I won't forget. I am grateful."
.....
Outside the church, the main force led by Baron Wikander and the detachment from the Arqvist territorial army continued their vigilance in cooperation.
Yuri stood by Baron Wikander's side, reporting the progress of the negotiations based on the conversation with Viowulf that Noein was streaming via 'Far-Talk'. However, as Noein had promised, information unfavorable to Viowulf was omitted, and it was framed as if Viowulf were "steadfastly refusing to surrender without a fight in order to show his pride as a Southwest noble."
"...It seems the negotiations have ended in a regrettable result. Lord Arqvist will return shortly."
Shortly after Yuri informed Baron Wikander, the church doors opened, and Noein emerged accompanied by Matilda.
"The negotiations have ruptured! Baron Rosbroke, in his stubbornness, wishes to show the pride of the Southwest nobles even at this stage! It will be a fight!"
As Noein raised his voice, the soldiers surrounding the church stirred.
"Baron Wikander, if Baron Rosbroke, a user of earth magic, runs wild, it may not end with just injuries. Shall I face him one-on-one with my golem?"
"...But, to leave the handling of a powerful enemy to you alone..."
"It is a matter of the right person for the right place... Your Lordship, please evacuate and protect your own soldiers, citizens, and the captured enemy soldiers. I believe that is a more important duty than a fight with a single remnant of the enemy."
When Noein spoke in a way that made Baron Wikander's role sound greater than his own, the Baron gave a wry smile and nodded.
"I understand, thank you, Sir Arqvist. The opponent will likely be formidable, so please be careful."
"Yes, I have no intention of getting injured or dying by playing along with the desperate struggles of a Southwest noble."
Saying so, Noein moved away from Baron Wikander and headed toward his golem—toward the earth where the golem was buried.
There, Gustav, Cecilia, soldiers of the Arqvist territorial army, and even soldiers under Baron Wikander's command were helping to try and dig up the golem, but Noein turned both hands toward them and
"Heave-ho."
He let out a voice as if lifting a slightly heavy piece of luggage. In synchronization with that voice, the earth bulged up, and two of Noein's golems crawled out from within.
"...Lord Noein, you were able to move the golems inside the earth so well."
"We could never imitate that..."
Gustav and Cecilia spoke to him with stunned expressions.
"It's practice, practice. You'll be able to do it eventually too."
Noein answered the two with a smirk. In last year's war, he had buried his own golems underground once to deceive the enemy. If he put in a little effort, this level of thing was trivial.
"Now, you all should move away as well. Let's dig up the other two golems after the fight is over."
"...Understood. Good luck in battle."
As the two saluted and ran off, Radley called out to him in their place.
"Lord Noein, how shall we provide support? Even if it's impossible to get close to the enemy, we can at least have the crossbow squad provide a distraction. Everyone still has one scatter-shot arrow left."
"No, sorry, but I'll go alone here... to be honest, this is a farce. I'll tell you the details later."
When Noein said the latter part in a low voice, Radley nodded.
"If Lord Noein says so... I understand."
Radley also led the Arqvist territorial army to retreat, leaving only Matilda by Noein's side.
"No matter what happens, I will protect Lord Noein by your side."
"Thank you, Matilda, I'll leave it to you... though, I doubt I'll get injured. I've made such a promise with Lord Rosbroke."
"Even so, I will protect you by your side. That is my reason for existing."
Meeting Matilda's eyes, Noein smiled at her.
Just then, the church doors opened. The retreating soldiers braced themselves for a moment.
"...Serjan, you stay back. Do not get captured until my fight is over."
"...Yes, sir."
As Viowulf, who emerged from the church, gave the instruction, the chief retainer of the Rosbroke house nodded, drew his sword, and distanced himself from both Viowulf and the soldiers of the Northwest faction.
Noein looked at Viowulf. Viowulf looked at Noein. Their gazes intersected.
"...Viowulf Rosbroke, Head of the Baronial House of Rosbroke, charges!"
"...Noein Arqvist, Head of the Baronet House of Arqvist, let us fight a fair match!"
Regardless of their inner thoughts, with voices and expressions cloaked in spirit, the two clashed.