Chapter 423 - Episode 406: Joint Struggle
October of the fourth year of the Public Calendar, after the visit to the Kingdom of Lancel had ended and summer had passed, leaving the climate pleasant. While Noein was spending peaceful days in the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, an unexpected guest arrived.
"It has been a long time, Your Highness the Grand Duke of Arqvist. I sincerely apologize for this sudden visit."
"It is no matter. I could never find the visit of someone who has looked after me since I was a noble of the Kingdom of Lordberg to be a nuisance, Lord Bechtolsheim."
The guest was Marquis Siegfried Bechtolsheim, one of the heavyweights of the noble society of the Kingdom of Lordberg and the leader who united the northwestern faction, which was closest to the Grand Duchy of Arqvist. In the reception room of the Grand Ducal residence, Noein exchanged a handshake with the Marquis, a smile on his face.
Sitting opposite each other, they began with small talk while drinking tea for the time being. They exchanged seasonal greetings, spoke of their trivial recent circumstances, and once the atmosphere had warmed up, they entered the main topic.
"So, what brings you here this time? For you to visit in person, I imagine it must be a matter of great importance."
"Indeed. Actually, a grave situation occurred recently in the northwestern part of the Kingdom of Lordberg... Due to the location, it was inevitable that it would affect the Grand Duchy of Arqvist as well, so I have come believing I must inform you as quickly as possible."
"A grave situation, you say?"
To Noein, who wore a puzzled expression, Marquis Bechtolsheim nodded and began his explanation.
In the northwestern part of the Kingdom of Lordberg, slightly to the east of the center, there is a vast forest with an approximate diameter of several dozen kilometers. Its name is the "Forest of Limnee."
This forest is not merely large; due to the richness of the vegetation it contains, it has been the primary source of several types of timber in the northwest.
One of these is a timber called Semirawood.
Semirawood is a type of magical plant that contains slightly more magical power than ordinary trees. It is heavier and harder than general timber, and while it can be processed normally using saws and files, it is strong against instantaneous impact. Furthermore, because it is a magical plant, it possesses properties that allow magical power to pass through easily. Therefore, Semirawood has been prized as a material for magic tools, and at times as a material for armor, defensive walls, and gates.
Additionally, Semirawood is known as a primary material for Golems, and it is an indispensable resource for the Grand Duchy of Arqvist to ensure that the operational rate of the Claymores, their most important combat force, is always perfect.
The Forest of Limnee, being the source of Semirawood, was an important place for the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, and Noein naturally knew of its existence.
"However, currently, abnormal monster behavior is occurring in this Forest of Limnee, and it is no longer in a state where people can safely enter. Forestry, as well as other industries including hunting and gathering, have all come to a halt, and the economic damage is expanding day by day."
"That is certainly a situation that cannot go without concern... So, specifically, what is this abnormal monster behavior?"
"...A horde of orcs is running wild. It is believed that a high-ranking individual has appeared within the forest and is leading the other orcs."
"..."
Noein let out a small gasp.
Orcs are monsters that settle deep in the forest, usually at least five kilometers in. From a human perspective, they are known as formidable and terrifying existences. Rarely, they emerge into the shallow parts of the forest or human settlements, and in such cases, they can become a threat capable of annihilating a small village.
The only saving grace is that they are monsters that basically do not swarm, except for mates or children. In many cases, the maximum number of adults appearing simultaneously is two; if there is a trained army of several dozen people or a skilled mage, subjugation is entirely possible.
In recent years, with the spread of the crossbow, there have been increasing cases where even villages with small populations succeed in at least driving them away, if not subjugating them.
The situation where those orcs are swarming is a major incident that requires a response on the scale of the entire faction.
There is only one reason for orcs to swarm. It is when a high-ranking individual, who has lived and grown for many years and accumulated vast magical power, is born and brings other orcs under its command. Depending on the approximate intelligence and size, the name for the high-ranking individual changes to Orc Baron, Orc König, or Orc Kaiser. An Orc Baron is reported to be sighted somewhere in the country roughly once every ten years, and each time, a large-scale subjugation force is organized.
"However, the one that appeared this time is likely an individual of the type called an Orc König. Based on the testimony of forestry workers and hunters who survived the attack, and the mercenaries who later entered for reconnaissance, it is estimated that the number of orcs it commands is several dozen... likely around fifty."
"...In that case, it is no longer on the scale of monster hunting. It will be a small-scale war."
"Exactly. Since the Forest of Limnee, a source of important timber including Semirawood, has been seized, the northwest will soon suffer from a shortage of those resources. Moreover, while the orc horde is currently satisfied with just driving out humans and dominating the forest, if left alone, their numbers will increase further, they will no longer be able to get enough food within the forest, and they will begin to attack human settlements. Likely within a few years."
Marquis Bechtolsheim crossed his arms, his expression becoming grim.
"If several dozen orcs led by an Orc König roam free, the damage will be immense. If orcs, who possess movement speed and physical strength surpassing humans, leave the forest, it will become difficult to clash with them even by preparing a concentrated force. We, the nobles of the northwestern Kingdom of Lordberg, must unite and fight to victory now, at this stage while the orc horde has not left the forest. Preparations for battle are already underway."
The northwest was the earliest part of the Kingdom of Lordberg to strive for the mass production of crossbows and ballistas, and heavy armament had progressed. Even if the opponent is led by a somewhat intelligent individual, they are, in the end, monsters. The advantage of numerical superiority, human organizational power, and civilized weaponry will not be overturned.
That preparations for subjugation were underway at this stage was good news. Noein felt a bit relieved, and his tense expression softened.
"That is the best possible news. I express my respect for the unity of the northwestern faction of the Kingdom of Lordberg."
"I am humbled. Regarding that, there is something I wish to consult with Your Highness..."
"Yes, assistance in the orc subjugation and the reclamation of the Forest of Limnee, I presume."
There was nothing else that would lead Marquis Bechtolsheim, the leader of the faction, to come personally to the Grand Duchy of Arqvist to make a request. Thinking this, Noein brought it up himself.
Noein had actually fought orcs with Golems, and at that time, the effectiveness of Golems in anti-orc combat had been proven. Possessing the Claymores, a group of skilled puppet mages, and being a highly skilled puppet mage himself, it was understandable that the northwestern faction would seek Noein's assistance.
"That is correct. After all, we have no experience in a battle against several dozen orcs, and if we were to contend with them using only ballistas and crossbows, great anxiety remains regarding the vanguard. Though the possibility of losing is small, the possibility of suffering immense damage does not vanish. In that regard, if we could have the assistance of Your Highness Arqvist, the reclamation of the Forest of Limnee from the orcs would certainly be achieved in a short period. Regarding Your Highness's participation, I have received permission from His Majesty the King... He said it would be good to have you cooperate out of old ties."
Hearing Marquis Bechtolsheim's request, Noein pondered for a while.
He understood why the Marquis and the northwestern faction did not first beg the Lordberg royal family for help. The pressing problem—the Forest of Limnee being occupied by an orc horde and the inability to obtain the forest's blessings—was a problem of the northwest, and seeking the sovereign's assistance without solving it by their own power would crush the faction's pride.
There was also likely the reason that the military power possessed by the Lordberg royal family, including the Golem units, had the duty of defending the royal lands and various border regions, and could not be easily pulled into the northwest.
On the other hand, the situation for the Grand Duchy of Arqvist was different.
As an immediate problem, if they could no longer import Semirawood from the Forest of Limnee and became unable to manufacture spare Golems or replacement parts, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist would face obstacles in maintaining its combat strength.
Because Semirawood is useful, it is in short supply in every region, and it is not as simple as just ordering it from other regions if the supply in the northwest is stalled. Due to its properties, Semirawood also takes time to process. To be honest, he wanted the Forest of Limnee reclaimed as soon as possible.
Furthermore, if the orc horde proved unexpectedly tough and the northwestern faction struggled with the subjugation, and eventually the orcs increased in number, left the forest, and began to rampage, the northwestern society would suffer serious damage. Immense damage would also occur to the imports and exports between the Grand Duchy of Arqvist and the Lordberg Kingdom side, and the current trade system would collapse. The economic loss would be immeasurable.
In addition to that, there were matters of personal relationships. For Noein, the northwestern Kingdom of Lordberg was his old home, and the House of Count Koenitz, a heavyweight of the northwestern faction, was his in-laws' family—an extremely close relative. There was also the House of Baron Wikander, where his brother-in-law serves as the head.
Besides those direct relatives, there were many in the northwest with whom he should maintain friendship and a relationship of mutual prosperity. The same was true for Noein's retainers and their families; not a few of them, including Anna, Damian, and Bart's wife Michelle, had kin in the northwest.
The favorable connection with the northwestern Kingdom of Lordberg was a lifeline for both the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist and Noein personally. The impression that "the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist did not help us when we were in trouble, despite being in a position of closely shared interests" remaining in the memories of the people of the northwest would be a tremendously large disadvantage.
Considering these circumstances, Noein could persuasively maintain the argument that "he is still in a position where he can be called a comrade of the northwestern faction indirectly, and because it is a situation where the direct interests of his own house and country are heavily involved, he volunteered to assist the northwestern faction."
Marquis Bechtolsheim had likely spoken after calculating these circumstances as well. The fact that he did not say "I desperately want you to help," but used the passive phrasing that "if Noein assists, an early resolution of the situation will be possible," was likely not simply because Noein's assistance was not essential.
Recently, there had been many actions to close the distance with other countries, such as the Kingdom of Reveland and the Kingdom of Lancel. In the words Oscar reportedly told the Marquis, there was likely the intention for Noein to take an action that proves his friendship with the Kingdom of Lordberg, especially the northwest, at this point.
"...Though we have become different countries now, I still intend to be friends with everyone in the northwestern faction of the Kingdom of Lordberg. A crisis for the northwestern faction is as good as a crisis for my country. There is no reason not to help friends who enjoy mutual prosperity when they are struck by a crisis. Please allow the Grand Ducal House of Arqvist to participate in the battle for the orc subjugation and the reclamation of the Forest of Limnee."
That is why Noein answered, emphasizing that "he wishes to join the battle himself," while wearing a favorable smile.
By offering this and actually joining the battle to contribute, Noein could acquire a further positive impression from the people of the northwest, and incidentally, he could appeal to Oscar Lordberg III that "he is still an existence close to the Kingdom of Lordberg."
By joining a battle that already had sufficient odds of victory and simply making that battle even easier, he could obtain great economic benefits... or rather, he could prevent a potential great loss in advance. It was not a bad deal.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your offer of assistance. If we can borrow the strength of Your Highness, who achieved great results in the numerous great wars of the past, our great victory is certain. The morale of the nobles and soldiers who hear of Your Highness's participation will surely be raised to the limit."
"I am glad you say so. I shall strive to protect the peace of the northwestern Kingdom of Lordberg and work to further deepen the friendship between my country and the northwestern faction."
On the surface through friendship and trust, and behind the scenes through complex and diverse political circumstances, the joint struggle between the Grand Duchy of Arqvist and the northwestern faction of the Kingdom of Lordberg was sworn here.