The Third Son of a Medieval Knight Family Chapter 105 - Knight of Ascension (40)

There was no lavish banquet.

This was partly due to the poor atmosphere as they had been focused on gathering the defeated soldiers after the great defeat to the Grand Chief, but that wasn’t sufficient reason.

‘It seems the financial situation is truly dire.’

Viktor sat before the modestly set table and muttered to himself.

Though the Count had always been practical rather than noble-like in nature, separate from that, he was the type who didn’t spare money on such occasions to show his own magnanimity.

Despite this, the fact that he couldn’t even provide a proper banquet befitting the occasion when welcoming Viktor, who had achieved great merit by delaying enemy pursuit and gathering the defeated soldiers, suggested various meanings.

Financial depletion.

Even the Count’s tremendous wealth, which had been used like water to hire mercenaries and recruit soldiers, was finally reaching its end.

‘Conversely, it was because of his practical nature that he could barely reduce waste in such areas.’

If he had been an ordinary noble, he would have forced himself to prepare a banquet for his own dignity’s sake.

Viktor thought this was fitting for the Count and looked ahead.

Though they hadn’t been separated for very long, Count Yakobski had visibly become gaunt.

Seeming to have suffered considerable mental anguish from various matters, his eyes were darkly shadowed and his cheeks sunken, looking quite pitiful.

Nevertheless, when the Count’s eyes met Viktor’s, he broke into a bright smile.

“Sir… no matter how many times I say it, it won’t be enough, but once again, I’m truly grateful. You always rescue me when I’m in crisis. Truly, you must be the knight God sent to me.”

“I merely did what I ought to do. I’m relieved that you appear to be well.”

At Viktor’s humble words and conduct, the Count burst into hearty laughter as if greatly pleased.

“Haha, it’s truly been a long time since I’ve laughed like this. You wouldn’t know how much mental anguish I’ve suffered during this time.”

“…Your Excellency.”

The Count downed his drink in one go with listless movements, then continued speaking as if lamenting.

“…I didn’t know. I had no idea that the proud soldiers of the principality would fight so poorly.”

“…”

“They were completely undisciplined. Honestly, I expected the other nobles to act as they pleased. I had no justification to stop them from exercising their rights.”

The Count looked at the empty seat beside him.

“But you know what? Even those I scraped together turned out to be just like them. On that day when the Grand Chief came charging in, we were nothing but a flock of sheep. Foolish sheep who insisted on their own opinions while being devoured by wolves.”

Viktor looked at the Count, who had sunk deeper than expected, and the empty seat beside him, offering words of comfort.

“Your Excellency, please don’t worry too much. Victory and defeat in war are always possible. The entire expeditionary force hasn’t collapsed, and we still hold the advantage.”

“…That’s pleasant to hear.”

However, the Count still seemed unable to shake off his melancholy, only letting out a deep sigh.

“…Sir, what would I have to hide from you? Look at the state of this banquet hall. I’m now in such a serious situation that I must be stingy even in such matters.”

At the Count’s frank words, Viktor finally let out a troubled sound.

It was uncharacteristic language for the Count, who always wanted to show only magnanimous aspects to his knights.

“It’s not that I underestimated war, but… such large-scale expeditions cost incomparably more money than mere territorial wars. It was already difficult, but with the recent defeat, even the debts I can take on have reached their limit.”

“Hmm, Your Excellency. Couldn’t you receive support from your subordinate nobles?”

“Hah, they’re too busy looking after their own subordinates. They’re nothing but a pathetic bunch who merely lean on my authority hoping for scraps!”

Bang!

The Count struck the table hard, seemingly heated.

Silence dominated between the two for a moment.

Viktor finally couldn’t hold back any longer and asked the Count in a cautious voice.

“Your Excellency, where is Sir Vasilev?”

“…He is dead.”

“…!”

It was shocking news.

“That can’t be… Sir Uliya and everyone else I met said no such thing.”

Vasilev was a strong and experienced knight called the Grand Prince’s Sword.

That such a powerful knight, whom the Grand Prince had personally sent to assist his heir, had lost his life in such a short time was something that couldn’t be easily dismissed.

“Surely he wasn’t attacked…”

At Viktor’s words, the Count nodded gravely.

“He was at the negotiation site with only a small escort on that dawn when we were attacked.”

“The negotiation site, you mean…”

As Viktor deliberately trailed off, the Count gave a bitter smile.

“You probably know everything, so there’s no need to speak indirectly. It’s true that I ruined things with my arrogance. But even now I wonder. Why was he there at that dawn?”

A commander, especially one leading a massive army like the principality’s expeditionary force, would never easily expose himself.

Not only was there the threat of sniping or assassination, but it was the position most likely to become a target on the battlefield.

‘Sir Vasilev didn’t seem like someone who would act so carelessly…’

While Viktor was lost in thought, the Count continued to unfold that day’s tragic tale in a heavy voice.

“He probably didn’t think they would launch a surprise attack the very dawn after the talks. With his unexpected death, we fell into great confusion. What followed… would be as you know.”

Even Viktor couldn’t help but be flustered by the fact that the principality’s greatest knight, who was expected to play a major role in the war, had died so futilely.

Viktor hardened his face and spoke.

“…If that’s true, this is serious. Sir Vasilev was practically the center of the support forces sent from the capital. His death is…”

“Also the reason the current expeditionary force is in this state. They’re already uncontrollable. I… honestly, I can’t even tell where the current expeditionary force is heading.”

The Count’s face as he spoke looked extremely aged.

It was hard to imagine he was the same person as the Count who had remained dignified even in the face of mortal crisis at Permikoff.

Viktor instinctively knew that continuing conversation with him was meaningless.

Though outwardly the expeditionary force appeared to be overcoming defeat and rallying again, internally it was already on the verge of festering collapse.

It was only one battle, but the enemy had managed to completely wreck the expeditionary force with that single battle.

Viktor moistened his drying throat.

The lukewarm taste of alcohol felt particularly bitter.

And the Count finally brought up the main point.

Ultimately, the conclusion of this long story came down to money.

“…So going forward, I won’t have the means to pay wages to the vanguard. Though it’s hard to face you after you’ve achieved such excellent merit, I must bring up such matters…”

As the Count covered his face with his hands while speaking, Viktor nodded with an impassive face.

“It can’t be helped. Naturally the main force takes priority.”

“I’m sorry, Sir. If that happens, maintaining the vanguard will be difficult, so regarding your commander position as well…”

As the Count trailed off and reddened, Viktor spoke in a calm voice.

“Could you leave that matter to me?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Though I failed to properly fulfill the duty of one participating in war, relying on Your Excellency’s grace until now, if you would give me the opportunity now, I will take on paying their wages myself.”

“…!”

At the unexpected words, the Count’s eyes began to gleam strangely.

“Sir, are you saying you’ll become the employer of the mercenaries belonging to the vanguard?”

“If Your Excellency would permit it. And actually, wouldn’t that be proper? Since they are those I lead, I think it’s right that I take responsibility for them.”

Viktor’s words were reasonable.

He wasn’t strictly the Count’s direct vassal, and if anything, he was closer to an external noble serving under the Count.

Therefore, naturally the Count had no obligation to provide all wages and necessary supplies.

Until now, it had been nothing more than the Count’s goodwill, considering that he had achieved many merits and was merely an impoverished individual knight.

Of course, it was also true that this contained the Count’s intention to somehow keep Viktor under his command.

The Count’s deliberation wasn’t long.

“If you would do that, nothing could be better for me. Honestly, losing excellent soldiers like the vanguard would be a great loss!”

At the hearty declaration, Viktor bowed his head deeply in gratitude.

He could have found fault if he wanted to.

No matter how bad his situation was, he had his dignity as a great noble, and it could also be seen as a statement suggesting Viktor was trying to escape his influence.

However, the Count acknowledged Viktor’s words far too easily, considering all of this.

This was because guilt dominated the Count’s mind—that he couldn’t provide anything to the knight who had returned after achieving merit, but only burdened him instead.

“Hmm… actually, I should be the one apologizing to you. I’m essentially dumping on you what I said I would support from the beginning but couldn’t handle.”

“Please don’t say that. I’ve always felt heavy-hearted as if I was only receiving.”

“…Sir, you really are…”

Words differ depending on who speaks them.

After dealing with expeditionary force personnel who wouldn’t listen at all, encountering Viktor’s humble words and conduct again after so long moved the Count.

The feeling of his exhausted and tattered mind being healed!

“Is there anything else you desire? Though the financial situation isn’t great, if it’s your request, I can squeeze out anything!”

‘I can trust Sir Viktor. He has consistently helped and saved me from the beginning. To win this war, Sir Viktor is absolutely necessary!’

Honestly, when he returned having achieved another ridiculous feat, it wasn’t as if the Count didn’t feel somewhat uncomfortable.

While the Count himself only failed despite bringing tremendous forces, Viktor had repelled enemy pursuit with just a handful of vanguard troops and even gathered the defeated soldiers.

It was true that he felt both ashamed and a little afraid.

However, such feelings of wariness completely vanished from the Count’s mind.

This was because Viktor’s attitude—remaining humble and seemingly serving him despite achieving great merit yet not properly receiving compensation, only increasing financial burden—touched the Count’s heart.

And at the Count’s words, Viktor smiled inwardly.

“I have nothing immediate. If something becomes necessary, would it be alright to mention it then?”

“Hahaha, you’re always welcome. I swear once more. As soon as we defeat that Grand Chief and have breathing room, I will give you the best treatment and compensation I can provide!”

‘…Good. He’s more favorable than expected, so I’m saved. From now on, I’ll gradually build it up.’

Without offending the Count or arousing suspicion, Viktor had finally obtained his own army.

The situation of his employer-like Count being strapped for cash was unexpected, but it had actually turned misfortune into fortune.

‘Since we’re dealing with barbarians anyway, it seems unlikely the Count will profit much… he’ll probably continue to struggle financially for a while. That’s fortunate for me.’

What could be received in replacement from a powerful employer who could no longer pay gold was limitless.

And what Viktor needed wasn’t gold but certain dominion over this land.

The Count and knight raised their glasses with bright smiles.

Both had somewhat resolved their inner concerns and wore bright expressions.

Just then, the Count suddenly spoke.

“Ah, come to think of it, there was something I absolutely had to tell you.”

“What is it, Your Excellency?”

“You might have noticed on your way here, but do you know that the Church’s army is currently stationed within the castle?”

“…Ah, come to think of it, their flags were hanging there. Did the archdiocese send support for the expedition?”

At Viktor’s words, the Count frowned and shook his head.

And at his following words, Viktor wore the same expression.

---

‘Are they sane? Or perhaps this is some elaborate scheme to get me?’

Viktor frowned as he waited for someone.

Looking at those who welcomed him warmly, he had to suppress his increasingly unpleasant feelings.

-It’s true that they contributed to capturing this castle by helping the reserve forces. But they say they won’t listen to my commands.

-Uh… so you mean they’ll participate in the expedition but move independently?

-If it were just that, I would have accepted it without much complaint! They’re being stubborn, saying they won’t move at all until they see you, and if it weren’t for the fact that they were truly sent by the Church…!

-…

Thinking about it again made him dizzy.

If the Count had been just a little more suspicious by nature, he would have faced serious questioning.

‘Why would they say such suspicious-sounding things… that they won’t move until I arrive… ah, so that’s it.’

Viktor finally understood what the writing on the parchment meant.

He had thought it strange that they specifically mentioned only his name, but they were trying to mess with him this way!

‘No, no. Let me be calm. There are rumors spread publicly, so it could be that. Since it’s a group where faith comes first…’

Just as Viktor was trying to calm his mind and maintain composure.

Slam!

“…!”

However, when someone burst through the door without permission and suddenly embraced him, his efforts to maintain equilibrium shattered instantly.

“I’m truly delighted to meet you like this, brother in faith! To think the day would come when I’d see the knight sent by God with my own eyes!”

“…First, let go of this and speak. Who are you?”

As Viktor gently pushed him away and spoke in a low voice, the man burst into embarrassed laughter.

“Haha, my apologies! I was so delighted that I committed a breach of etiquette.”

The man briefly adjusted his attire, then spoke solemnly.

“Commander of the Holy Land Recovery Knights Order, Vino of Radoga. I have come here carrying the message of the Ruth Archdiocese to support your great holy war!”

“…Great holy war?”

“Ah, the great holy war! I heard about you clearly from the archdiocese! That you received an angel’s revelation at such a young age and performed miracles? You couldn’t imagine how much I wanted to meet you!”

“…Angel?”

Though Vino’s voice was solemn and dignified, he spoke quickly with a strangely odd manner that was difficult to understand.

Nevertheless, certain words came through clearly, making Viktor unconsciously frown.

Vino, who had been watching this, wore a meaningful smile.

“The flag is prepared, so all that remains is to plant it. Come, let us go! Let us embark on the great journey to behead those heathens and record your name and mine at God’s right hand!”

Looking at the brightly smiling Vino, Viktor felt goosebumps rising.

Though they had just met, he could sense it.

This man called Vino was consumed by mad passion.

“Ah…”

Viktor unconsciously let out a sigh.

‘What kind of person did you send, Church!’

Vino of Radoga was a fanatic.

A very fervent one at that.