Chapter 260 - Episode 253: Departure
The morning of the departure to face the war with the Republic of Betumia.
Because they were departing with a larger number of people than the Arqvist territory had ever seen, the gathering place was set as the plaza of the territorial capital, Noeina.
Territorial army soldiers, those summoned as the Reserve Corps, retainers, and mages all gathered in the plaza, exchanging words that might be their last with their respective families. In addition to the families of those departing, many territorial residents had gathered to see them off despite the early hour.
Everyone understood that the fate of the Arqvist territory would also be decided by the struggles of those departing in the war that was about to begin.
"...Clara. I leave the Arqvist territory in your hands."
"I will certainly protect your absence. There is no need for any concern. Please focus on your own duties... and please, be safe."
Clara, dressed in formal attire as a noblewoman, answered firmly to Noein, who was clad in military gear. In Clara's arms was Eleos, who still looked a bit sleepy.
In Clara's expression, the lonely appearance from yesterday was nowhere to be seen. She believed that showing confidence as the acting lord through her words and attitude so that her husband could fight without worries about what he left behind was the greatest support she could provide.
Then, Clara turned her gaze toward Matilda, who was standing a step behind Noein.
"...Matilda-san as well."
"Yes, Clara-sama."
The two said only that and smiled at each other. Matilda and Clara had confirmed with each other many times in what form they should each support Noein. Words were no longer necessary now.
"Noein-sama, we will also support Clara-sama with all our might."
"Please rest assured."
Among the retainers of the group staying behind who had gathered to see them off, the couple Anna and Edgar spoke as representatives. In addition to them, retainers from non-military backgrounds such as Mai, Christy, Damian, Zadrek, and Kenooze had gathered to see them off.
The servants, starting with Kimberly, as well as merchants and craftsmen like Philip, Dmitri, Victor, and Daphne, the representative of the farmers Boreas, and the doctor Selfers were also there. It was a situation where all the key figures of the territory were gathered.
"Thank you. I'm counting on all of you. Please work together with Clara and do your best."
Noein believed that as long as there were excellent personnel like them, there would be no problem regarding internal affairs. Regarding the maintenance of public order and defense, he was not worried since dozens of territorial army soldiers, over a hundred Reserve Corps, and several golem users were remaining.
And the others would now head to battle.
Matilda as Noein's guard and caretaker. Yuri, the chief retainer, as the direct staff officer. Pence, the captain of the Guard, as the direct guard protecting Noein's surroundings. Additionally, Radley, Rick, Dant, and Jeremy as officers. Furthermore, the members of Claymore, starting with Gustav. And Conrad would accompany the army as the communications officer attached to Noein.
Henrik and several other stable hands also accompanied them as caretakers for the military and pack horses, and several doctors including Liris, and even Priest Hasel as the army priest, went along.
In addition, the court merchant Philip handled the transport of supplies from the Arqvist territory to the battlefield, and Bart performed the assistance and coordination of supplies with other territories.
Indeed, they would face the battle with the full strength of the Arqvist territory.
Many would leave their families behind to go to the battlefield, and many would wait for their families' return. Scenes of words being exchanged and loved ones embracing unfolded here and there in the plaza.
Among them, there were those having unexpected conversations.
"Hey Mary, listen, actually, I've thought you were cute for a long time! So, when I come back from the war... marry me!"
"Are you serious, Alain-san... I understand. If Alain-san performs well and comes back, I'll become your bride!"
The ones unfolding such a romance at the eleventh hour were Alain, the foremost vanguard of Claymore, and Mary, the head maid of the Viscount Arqvist house.
"Ohhh! All right! I'll smash Betumia and come back!"
"I'll be waiting with anticipation. When you come back, I'll let you hold me as much as you want for the rest of your life!"
"Seriously!"
There were those looking with exasperated eyes at Alain and the others, who were unfolding a boisterous world of just the two of them.
"...Hey, is that guy Alain going to be okay? Making a marriage promise before going to war is bad luck, isn't it?"
"Hah? You're the one saying that? Who was the idiot who made a marriage promise with Rosetta before the war five years ago?"
The one who retorted to Pence's mutterings was Radley.
"No, at that time, Rosetta was sulking, so I had no choice but to say it then. It was an act of force majeure."
"Tch, even that was your own fault to begin with."
As the two were arguing, Conrad ran over to them looking somewhat excited.
"What is it, Conrad? Did something good happen?"
"Please listen! I just proposed marriage to a childhood friend I've liked since I migrated to this territory! I'm turning fourteen now, so I thought it was about time, and I wanted to settle things before going to war, so I made up my mind last night... and then, she nodded!"
To Conrad reporting with joy, Pence, and this time Radley as well, wore slightly exasperated expressions.
"...Oh, that's good."
"How celebratory."
"Thank you very much! I'm even more fired up for the campaign!"
Watching Conrad's back as he walked away in excitement, the two muttered.
"...Well, it'll be fine. I was fine too. Besides, does the war situation change just because one or two low-ranking guys like us make a marriage promise?"
"True. Luck be damned. If we work hard, we won't die."
The one watching this series of scenes from a short distance away was Noein.
"It's youth, isn't it... It's a joyful thing for the retainers to become happy."
During the preparations for departure, Damian and Christy, and Henrik and Kimberly had also decided to become husband and wife. And now, two more couples had slid in at the last minute.
"As I thought, they each have their own thoughts. Regarding this battle."
To Noein's words, Yuri, who had already finished saying goodbye to Mai and the children, answered.
"Departure preparations are almost complete. Noein-sama, please give the declaration of departure."
"Yeah, I know... Gather the attention of the residents."
Saying so, he mounted his own military horse. Noein is short, but once on a horse, his line of sight becomes high, and he can look over the residents. The residents can also see Noein's face.
"Everyone, be silent! Receive the words from the Lord, Viscount Noein Arqvist!"
At Yuri's sharp voice echoing through the entire plaza, the residents fell silent and looked toward Noein. Gathering countless gazes, Noein opened his mouth.
"...I am happy."
That was the first sentence.
"I feel happiness from the bottom of my heart that I am the lord of this Arqvist territory, the lord who protects you. That is because you all love me. And because I myself love you. It is because I can live in this land with you that I am happy."
The residents remained silent, receiving Noein's words.
"I live to feel this happiness. And to protect this happiness, I will now fight together with you. This is not a battle only for those who go directly to the battlefield. It is a battle that everyone living in the Arqvist territory faces, including those who maintain and protect the Arqvist territory, which is the place to return to. It is a battle to protect our... our new home!"
Noein spoke while looking over not only the soldiers but also the residents seeing them off.
"The fate of the Arqvist territory will be decided in this battle. The history of the Arqvist territory, our happiness, will continue from here on. I will weave it with you. I will not let anyone interfere. Let us fight together, and let us continue to live happily together!"
"""Oooooh!!"""
When Noein called out loudly, the residents answered with a shout. It was a voice that made the plaza, the city, tremble.
On this day, the Arqvist territorial army unit of approximately 250 people in total departed the territorial capital Noeina while receiving a grand send-off.
This concludes Chapter Ten. Thank you as always for reading this work.
Chapter Eleven, starting tomorrow, will be a major turning point in the story. Please continue to support this work!
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