Chapter 98 - Chapter 97: The News
It was toward the end of early December when a messenger knight from the Marquis Bechtolsheim's territory arrived in the Arqvist territory.
This knight had delivered news to Viscount Arnold Koenitz of Retovik earlier today, changed horses, and ridden further to arrive at the capital city of Noeina before evening.
"Your Excellency Baronet Arqvist, I am grateful for the audience despite my sudden arrival."
"Thank you for your hard work traveling from so far. Let us hear the news from His Excellency Bechtolsheim immediately."
Noein sat in a chair in the reception room, offering words of appreciation to the knight, who looked exhausted from the forced march of delivering news to two lords in a single day. Behind him stood Matilda as usual, and the Chief Retainer Yuri and Deputy Retainer Pence were also present.
"Then... an order has been issued from His Excellency Marquis Bechtolsheim that the northwestern nobles must also prepare for departure to face the war with the Kingdom of Lancel."
Even upon hearing those words, Noein and the others showed no outward signs of surprise or agitation.
This was within the scope of their expectations; they simply chewed over the feeling in their hearts that "this day has finally come."
"The hostilities will likely begin shortly after the end of winter. Therefore, I have received a military order from His Majesty the King to prepare weapons, supplies, and soldiers early, and to assemble at the border with the Kingdom of Lancel in the southwestern part of the kingdom by the end of January."
"...I understand. What will happen to the northwestern faction's banquet at the end of this year?"
"The schedule for the banquet is to be changed to hold a military council for the northwestern faction, where the allocation of mobilized forces for each territory and other matters will be discussed. The date remains the same, but I have received instructions that attendance should be in military uniforms rather than the ceremonial dress used for banquets."
"Understood, I have received the instructions... Were there any instructions from His Excellency Bechtolsheim regarding the estimated mobilization numbers for my territory?"
"It is said that a total of 5,000 people will be mobilized from the northwest. Normally, for a Baronet's territory, the mobilization number is set at around 10 people... however, regarding Your Excellency Arqvist, because you have achieved exceptional results thus far, he says he 'expects a special performance.'"
Being told this by the knight, Noein maintained his composure on the surface but sighed inwardly.
In other words, since he had been flaunting his competence on a regular basis, he was expected to approach the war with a corresponding level of spirit. At the very least, he would not be allowed to just make a token contribution with a mobilization equal to some low-ranking noble and call it a day.
"Please tell His Excellency Bechtolsheim that I will certainly meet his expectations... You must be tired from the long journey today. Please make use of the mansion's guest rooms, rest well, and return tomorrow."
"I am grateful for your consideration. Then, I shall take you up on your kind offer."
Noein had the maid Mary guide the knight to the guest room, and after seeing him leave, he let out a breath.
"Haa... it's finally really war, isn't it."
"I knew it was unavoidable, but it's still unpleasant when the news actually arrives."
Now that they were only among their own, their shoulders finally relaxed. Yuri and Pence flopped down into the chairs on the side where the messenger knight had been sitting, and Matilda quietly sat down beside Noein.
"A mobilization of 5,000 from the northwest means this is a pretty full-scale war."
"I wonder... if that's the case?"
"Yeah, the fact that they're making that many people come from the distant northwest means the territorial armies, mercenaries, and conscripts of the southwestern nobles, as well as the royal army, will gather in even greater numbers. In total, it might exceed 20,000 people."
If more than 1% of the population of the Kingdom of Roadberg was mobilized, it could be called a major war.
"I see. In that case, we won't be able to get through this easily this time. Especially since I was told I'm expected to have a 'special performance'... I'd prefer to be in the rear with an easy mission, but I suppose combat with the enemy will be unavoidable."
"There is no need to worry so much. That is why we are here, to protect Noein-sama at times like this."
"Yes, we will protect Noein-sama even at the cost of our lives," Matilda said, agreeing with Yuri's words.
"I'm not saying this because I value my own life. I would absolutely hate for Matilda to die to protect me. Of course, Yuri, Pence—I'd hate for any of you to die... It might sound stupid when we're going to war, but I don't want just myself, but my subordinates and my people to die as well."
The three of them looked at Noein, who spoke as if sulking, while feeling he was endearing in their hearts.
"It'll be fine. The ones fighting as the main force will be the royal army and the high-ranking nobles who possess consolidated military power. I don't think a low-ranking noble helper from the northwest will be entrusted with a critical battlefield... conversely, that means the high-ranking nobles will steal the opportunities to achieve military merit, but for Noein-sama, that would be a blessing."
"Even Marquis Bechtolsheim wouldn't want the promising Noein-sama to die so easily on a dangerous battlefield. You probably won't be allowed to slack off in the rear, but I'm sure you won't be placed in a heavy combat zone."
"...I hope that's the case."
Hearing this from Yuri and Pence, who were former mercenaries, Noein's anxious expression softened slightly.
.....
After the meeting with the messenger knight and a brief discussion with Noein, as Yuri and Pence were about to leave the mansion, the maid Rosetta came running toward them.
"Pence-san~! W-wait, please wait~!"
Rosetta, who usually had a gentle atmosphere, showed a rare look of panic. When she ran up to Pence, she boldly grabbed his arm.
"...I'm heading home first."
"Huh? Why, Chief Retainer! I mean, what's with Rosetta too?"
Yuri, reading the room, left the mansion first, and Pence, not understanding why he had been left alone with Rosetta, raised his voice.
"What is it, Rosetta? Do you need something?"
"...Um, I heard that the war is starting, and that soldiers will be sent from the Arqvist territory too~"
It seemed the situation had already reached the maids. Mary, who had guided the knight to the guest room, had likely spoken of it.
"Yeah, that's correct. It seems the nobles of the northwest will also deploy troops for the war with the Kingdom of Lancel to the west. Naturally, Noein-sama will also deploy troops and participate."
"Does that... does that mean Pence-san is going to war too?"
"Well, I'm a retainer of a martial house and the deputy. I'll likely be going."
Hearing Pence's words, Rosetta's eyes welled up.
"Hey now, why are you the one crying?"
"T-that's... because I like Pence-san~! Because I like you, I'm worried about Pence-san going to war~!"
When Rosetta summoned her courage to confess her feelings, Pence's eyes widened.
"Whaaat!? You? Me? Are you seriously saying that?"
"I'm serious~! I mean, why haven't you noticed until now~!"
Rosetta raised her voice at Pence's denseness. It was unbearable that this was the result after she had appealed so much with the cooperation of those around her.
"No, but you... there's a big age gap between you and me."
"Yuri-san and Mai-san, and Edgar-san and Anna-san are actually marriages with quite a bit of an age difference too~!"
"Well, that's true... but I'm..."
"Am I not good enough? Do I lack charm as a girl~?"
Stared down directly by Rosetta, Pence flinched.
Pence's preference was women around his own age. Considering that, Rosetta was still a bit lacking. To put it bluntly, she was a bit childish.
"...Wouldn't a man closer to your age, a younger man, be better than a man nearly 30 like me? For your own sake."
"..."
When Pence said this, Rosetta fell silent.
"Hey, Rosetta?"
"...Pence-san is a dummy~!"
Pence placed a hand on Rosetta's shoulder out of concern. However, Rosetta brushed it off and ran away down the mansion's corridor, screaming.
"Ah-ha, you've gone and done it, Pence-san!"
"Rosetta's resolve has been ruined."
"Whoa!?"
Pence, who had been staring at the departing Rosetta, was surprised by a voice that suddenly flew in from diagonally behind him.
Turning around, he saw Rosetta's colleagues, Mary and Kimberly.
"Since when were you guys listening!?"
"From the beginning!"
Mary answered Pence's question with an inexplicably confident tone.
"Pence-san, speaking that way is equivalent to completely denying Rosetta's feelings. Do you hate Rosetta? Do you not think she's cute?"
"No... I don't hate her, and while she's not the adult woman of my preference, I do think she's cute."
When Kimberly asked, Pence replied after thinking for a moment.
"Then you should just accept Rosetta's feelings and marry her."
"Huh? That's crazy."
"Think carefully, Pence-san. Do you think a woman better than Rosetta will appear in your future? You are almost 30 and already past your prime, and you will continue to age. Your physical strength will decline, and eventually, you will retire from the front lines as a retainer of a martial house. Your charm will fade more and more. How many people do you think would want to marry someone like that?"
Hearing Kimberly's merciless delivery, Pence swallowed hard.
"Will you grow old and die all alone, feeling your body stop moving as you wish? Right now, you can change that fate. A young and devoted woman like Rosetta will support you and bear your children. Do you think there will be any story more joyful than this in the future?"
"I-I get it. I get what you're trying to say, so just wait a moment."
Pence called for a timeout against Kimberly, who was cornering him with precision.
"I heard you depart for war before the end of winter. I think it would be best if you thought about it carefully by then. Farewell."
"Please do your best before Rosetta changes her mind!"
Pence watched blankly as the two maids left those words behind and chased after Rosetta.