The Third Son of a Medieval Knight Family Chapter 98 - Knight of Ascension (33)

Yugrichi looked at the back of the prostrated man with an unpleasant expression.

He was trembling yet faithfully delivering his report.

“…and so, the forces that have been interfering everywhere don’t seem to be soldiers belonging to the enemy’s expeditionary force. Above all, considering that they are all mounted and that some wearing the attire of steppe warriors are traveling with them…”

“Is it that man?”

Yugrichi slowly rose to his feet.

Then he looked at those surrounding him in the spacious military tent, their eyes gleaming brightly, and opened his mouth.

“The one who killed Bohdan. So his name was…”

“Viktor Kobarov, Grand Chief.”

“Ah, that’s right. Viktor.”

The Grand Chief nodded while rolling that name around in his mouth for a moment, then displayed a bitter smile at the corner of his lips.

“Amusing fellows. To deliberately set aside a knight of that caliber and fight. If they had done so, the outcome might have been somewhat different.”

“Haha, even if that knight had been there, he wouldn’t have been a match for the Grand Chief’s forces.”

“Do you really think so?”

At Yugrichi’s question as he glanced back, a man with a goat beard answered loudly.

“Of course, Grand Chief. They’re just numerous but weak trash who know only cowardly and shallow tricks because they fear us!”

The warriors gathered there burst into hearty laughter at his words, but Yugrichi didn’t move a muscle.

“Well… Bohdan wasn’t such an easy opponent.”

The laughter died down at the Grand Chief’s words.

“Though Bohdan was excessively greedy, he possessed strong patience to live quietly hiding his ambitions for long years, charisma to draw in subordinates, excellent cunning, and decisiveness.”

The warriors fell silent, not knowing how to respond to Yugrichi, who had suddenly switched to praising the dead Bohdan after always harshly condemning him.

Yugrichi also didn’t seem to expect an answer, continuing his monologue.

“He’s the one who persistently pursued and killed such a man. It would have been fortunate if that were all.”

As the Grand Chief’s face wrinkled, his robust frame also shook and muscles bulged out.

“Though the principality bastards are cunning, they’re a country that consistently produces quite decent knights. But that Viktor fellow is a different kind of existence from simple decent knights.”

“Um, may I ask what aspect concerns you?”

When one warrior carefully posed a question, Yugrichi’s voice suddenly rose.

“Don’t you know that’s why you’re asking? He’s absorbing steppe warriors! Not trying to patch things up roughly with gold and jewels like the principality bastards have done until now, but properly commanding warriors! I was skeptical even hearing the words of those who fled here, but this incident has made it certain.”

“Hmm… but Grand Chief, they’re just remnants of Bohdan’s faction after all, aren’t they? You needn’t worry too much…”

The warrior couldn’t even finish his words before bowing his head.

The Grand Chief was glaring at him with terrifying eyes.

“There has never been such a thing until now. That knight is dangerous. Much more so than that utterly incompetent count.”

At the Grand Chief’s confident words, there was no warrior present who could raise further objections.

Yugrichi was not that magnanimous a person.

Though he had reached an advanced age, the Grand Chief, who was as vigorous as any warrior, glared at empty space while muttering for a moment, then suddenly turned his head sharply.

In the corner where the warriors were gathered, at the very back, a man stood quietly.

Yugrichi, who had been glaring at him, roughly opened his mouth.

“Ibuti. That damned knight who defeated you is now daring to threaten me. What do you think?”

“…Grand Chief. Please allow me to take responsibility.”

“Responsibility?”

Ibuti exploded with killing intent and contorted his face.

“I owe that knight much in various ways. If I had killed him on the spot, such a thing wouldn’t have happened. Give me a chance, Grand Chief. This time for sure, with my own hands! I’ll cut off that knight’s head.”

Ibuti faced the Grand Chief’s blazing eyes head-on and bared his teeth.

At that venomous appearance, Yugrichi suddenly relaxed his expression and burst into hearty laughter.

“Hehe, yes. A warrior should properly come forward like that. It seems you’ve realized something while reflecting. Your spirit has improved considerably.”

Though the attitude that changed quickly might be bewildering, not only Ibuti but all the warriors had accepting faces.

That the Grand Chief had a capricious personality was a fact known to all who served him.

Yugrichi raised his hand again with a stern face.

Then Ibuti quickly approached and prostrated before him, bowing his head.

“Ibuti. I’ll give you a chance to make up for the mistake you made. This time, make sure to cut off that knight’s windpipe for certain.”

“Thank you, Grand Chief!”

“I haven’t finished speaking yet. There’s another reason why he must be dealt with.”

Ibuti glanced up at the Grand Chief, but Yugrichi had already turned his head to call another forward.

“Vashi. Come forward.”

“Yes, father.”

“…!”

The warriors looked with surprise at the middle-aged face stepping forward.

A fierce face and curved horns, and an overwhelming bulk that even surpassed the Grand Chief’s already enormous frame.

His giant body, which seemed impossible to mount a horse, appeared plump at first glance, but upon closer inspection, one could see it was all muscle.

He was none other than Grand Chief Yugrichi’s eldest son, Vashi.

“The warriors who fled say they witnessed that worthless bloodline beside that Viktor fellow.”

“Your command.”

At Vashi’s weighty words without hesitation, Yugrichi satisfiedly stroked his horns.

“We can’t just stand by and watch a descendant of the noble White Deer messily consorting with principality bastards, can we? I’ll attach warriors to you, so set out with Ibuti. Go and confirm the truth, and if those words are truly fact…”

Vashi’s small eyes began to gleam coldly.

“Teach your lacking younger brother a lesson. What fate betrayal by a powerless warrior brings.”

“As father wills.”

“Ibuti. Vashi is acting independently. I’ll attach more warriors to you. Don’t worry about Vashi and do your job. Don’t disappoint me this time.”

“I receive your command. As the Grand Chief wills!”

As the two warriors left the military tent in high spirits and some warriors followed in a rush, their momentum was extraordinary.

Yugrichi quietly stroked his horns while watching their retreating figures.

---

The vanguard was slowly advancing toward Roshtov Castle.

Their speed was markedly slower compared to when they had headed south, as they had to accommodate the defeated soldiers they had rescued.

Viktor, who had been watching the steppe warriors busily moving around while maintaining a loose formation but not relaxing their vigilance, turned his head.

Mikhail was following closely behind him with a worried expression.

“Sir Mikhail, are you alright?”

“Ah… sorry. I’m a bit worried…”

Mikhail looked at the defeated soldiers trudging along.

Though they seemed to have regained some energy, their morale still appeared low, and honestly, they didn’t seem ready for combat yet.

“The enemy’s reaction wasn’t ordinary. It seems we’ve properly drawn their attention… but at this rate, we’ll inevitably encounter pursuit forces. Honestly, the speed is too… slow.”

“Hmm… that would be so. Inevitably, matching the pace of those on foot creates a difference.”

At Viktor’s calm words, Mikhail slightly changed his darkened expression and spoke.

“You don’t seem very worried? Both the direction of advance going straight to Roshtov Castle… are you perhaps intentionally planning to clash with the enemy?”

“…As expected, I can’t fool Sir Mikhail. I was intending it to some degree.”

When Viktor nodded at what had been a tentative question, Mikhail calmly posed another question.

“Why? If we fight while encumbered by them, it will be difficult to handle the enemy elite who are already burdensome opponents. Since we’ve been thoroughly harassing the enemy until now, surprise attacks won’t work easily either.”

“There are several reasons.”

Viktor continued while stroking Podaga’s mane.

The now considerably chilly wind brushed past his cheek, but thanks to his thick surcoat, it was a pleasant breeze rather than cold.

“If we break the enemy’s vanguard here, won’t their pursuit will completely wither? Unless the opponent is a fool, they clearly know where those who have been interfering are heading, so they won’t pursue too recklessly anymore.”

“…Well, the words aren’t wrong, but…”

When Mikhail nodded while suppressing his desire to object, Viktor burst into laughter.

“If Sir Krupin had half of Sir Mikhail’s patience, things would have been much easier for me.”

“Hmm, Sir Krupin is quite an excellent knight for his age. If I may say so, I think you’re just incomprehensibly calm.”

When Mikhail replied as if it were absurd, Viktor scratched his chin.

“Well, individual differences are inevitable. The second reason is because I had some confidence. Even if they come rushing like disturbing a beehive, I was confident that the Grand Chief’s entire force wouldn’t come charging.”

“Hmm…?”

“We didn’t attack the enemy’s main force, just interfered with the hunting they were enjoying. Though annoying, they’d likely think deploying their entire force would be wasteful. Moreover, there’s a possibility it could be some kind of trap.”

“…Well, hearing it, it doesn’t seem wrong… but can you really be confident? If the angry Yugrichi charges with his full force… wouldn’t the risk be too great?”

Mikhail’s words were valid.

Viktor nodded as if agreeing and concluded.

“That’s right. That’s also connected to the third reason. While I deliberately go slowly because I have some confidence, the fundamental cause is the defeated soldiers, isn’t it?”

“That’s right. Matching their pace, we can’t make the fast advance the vanguard takes pride in.”

“From the moment we took them in, we couldn’t easily abandon them. Slowing down was inevitable. Then wouldn’t it be better to go boldly rather than sneaking?”

“…!”

“If we face enemy pursuit, we’ll fight if it’s worth fighting, but if the situation really turns bad, we just retreat.”

“…Don’t tell me that’s why!”

“The entire vanguard is cavalry. There won’t be problems escaping. Of course, I have no intention of abandoning them from the start, but you could say the risk is low.”

It was talk that would have driven the defeated soldiers, who were frantically devoted to Viktor, mad with betrayal if they had heard this conversation.

Mikhail also momentarily looked at him as if shaken, but Viktor remained calm as ever.

“Well, the possibility is low, but a commander must consider even the worst possibilities. I’ve paid attention to their rearmament as much as possible, and we’ve done light formation training together, so there shouldn’t be major problems. I’ll also do my best.”

“Indeed. I understand. It seems I worried unnecessarily.”

“Haha, not at all. It was a valid question. Since I don’t have much experience yet, feel free to ask anytime if you see problems.”

Mikhail looked with deep eyes at Viktor, who remained calm and composed from the beginning without wavering.

As a commander, Viktor was making impeccable judgments.

‘Has he been considering even such cases from when we first took them in…’

He had been quite worried seeing what appeared to be recklessly upright movement, but now he could see Viktor had grown to make even more cold-hearted judgments than his experienced self.

He had long known that Viktor as a knight was undeniably perfect from before, but he had become quite mature as a commander as well.

‘Huh… how at such an age… I’m getting tired of even being amazed. It’s an honor to be able to assist such a knight.’

Mikhail unconsciously muttered to himself.

The crack that had begun to form little by little in this veteran yet solid old knight’s heart, starting from the Count’s blunder, was gradually growing larger and larger.

Viktor, who had been watching such Mikhail with unreadable eyes, was about to open his mouth to say something when it happened.

“Enemy attack!”

“Report from scouts! A group, rapidly approaching!”

“Sir Viktor!”

Viktor nodded heavily and gathered all his strength to shout.

“Enemy attack! Prepare defenses! Scouts, where are you!”

Buuuuu-!

The trumpet sounded and the mercenaries belonging to the vanguard began preparations at high speed, displaying the aspect of complete veterans.

The steppe warriors also formed ranks at incomparable speed, and military banners rose high into the sky.

And passing through the defeated soldiers standing awkwardly among them, Viktor shouted.

“Get your heads together!”

When his eerily low and clear voice struck their ears, the defeated soldiers began moving busily like wild boars struck by arrows.

It was unbelievably quick response for those who had been noticeably panicking and fearful at the signal of enemy attack.

Viktor, who nodded while watching this, gave orders to Mikhail running alongside him.

“Please go to the center. I’ll entrust overall command to you.”

“Leave it to me. Then you will…?”

“After hearing about enemy information from the scouts, I’ll stand at the front.”

Viktor gripped the battle axe he had drawn at some point and shouted in a fierce voice.

“A beast that’s been beaten and is furious doesn’t look ahead or behind. I intend to teach them harshly. What happens when you rashly respond to provocation.”