Suspicious Sunlight
“Grim Reaper” Gustav’s perspective
“Monarch, this is good.”
Entering the noble district of Legol, I stop in front of the count’s mansion.
My beloved horse Monarch exhales loudly through his large nostrils and lowers his head reluctantly.
Even for a carefully selected war horse, perhaps I overworked him a bit.
Though it was necessary, a long ride carrying me in full equipment might have been somewhat reckless.
“You worked quite hard this time. Rest well in His Lordship the Count’s stable.”
“Brrrr.”
“Don’t be stubborn… Rest up. Understood?”
I pat Monarch’s face and head into the count’s mansion.
Count Legol seems to have already prepared to receive me.
…Yes, what a well-managed mansion guarded by solid retainers. Even those who appear to be mere servants are vigorous, more disciplined than soldiers stationed at ordinary castles.
The current Count Legol… Willem-Blanc-Legol is famous for his good governance. The development of his territory is probably among the best in the Harpelia Kingdom.
I don’t think my visit will be turned away rudely… but well, even if we can arrange a meeting, will he listen to what I have to say? I don’t feel very enthusiastic about it, but…
“Well, hello there. I’m sorry, I’m also in the middle of work. Would it be alright if I do paperwork while we talk? I’ll listen properly to what you have to say.”
“No…”
The meeting with Count Legol was immediately arranged. I was honestly surprised that I wasn’t kept waiting for even a few minutes. Normally nobles are creatures that put on airs to some degree even when they have time. Being able to have a frank discussion is appreciated.
“Well, have a seat over there. Ah yes, I’ll have my Armalco prepare tea. And tea cakes too.”
“No… I am forbidden from receiving food or drink from people.”
“Oh right, I forgot. Sorry about that.”
The count, who was much shorter than I had imagined, met with me while working at his desk. Though his manner seemed busy, there was no sign that he intended to treat me carelessly.
“I can’t very well turn away a direct visit from the ‘Moonlit Grim Reaper’… You must have quite the story. I hate this… It’s definitely not good news, is it?”
“…Willem-Blanc-Legol, Count. It is indeed bad news. I have come to deliver both good news and bad news.”
“There’s good news too. Ah, thank goodness. Then let me hear that first.”
“This year too, the ‘Ghost of Struve’ has appeared.”
“…”
The count’s pen stops moving.
“The usual place?”
“Yes. As every year, near old Struve. A fort that the Sunglaire Holy Kingdom army was apparently building has been destroyed. We captured scouts they had sent out and interrogated them.”
“What was the scale of the destroyed fort? The specific location?”
“Near Struve, on the other side of the Plage River. Completely in Sunglaire territory.”
“…I believe that was a mountain stream. A fort on the other side was destroyed… Hmm. Impressive.”
As expected of the count. He knows well such a remote place.
“The destroyed fort… I confirmed it directly myself. Since it was under construction, the exact scale is unknown, but judging from the size of the foundation and the amount of scattered stone materials, it would have been about 6 meters high.”
“They were trying to build something substantial…”
“Most of the stone materials were crushed, and all the remaining strategic supplies were burned. I couldn’t approach the scene, so this is information I confirmed at night from the mountain areas using ‘Owl’s Eye.'”
“That must have been troublesome work. I see, the Ghost of Struve again this year…”
The Ghost of Struve.
It is something unidentified that appears in the abandoned border village of Struve, which was once a settlement.
Whether it’s human or monster is unknown.
It’s just that for over ten years, every summer without fail, something has appeared near Struve and attacked Sunglaire military facilities – that’s what the captured enemy soldiers say.
Its appearance is also unclear.
Some say it was humanoid, others say it was covered in thorns, still others say it undulated sharp chains like a tail… People testify to different monstrous forms.
The method of attack is also unclear.
After all, there are few surviving witnesses. The Ghost of Struve persistently attacks military facilities and soldiers, and has certainly tormented Sunglaire for many years. Perhaps because it’s so thorough, there seem to be few survivors who know its methods of attack.
Even the previous generation of our “Moonlit Grim Reaper” couldn’t get clear information about it.
According to rumors, it breathes evil flames, uses the souls of the dead, everything becomes defiled… It’s all vague.
It’s assumed to be an undead driven by the lingering resentment of someone who died at Struve… but I’ve never heard of such a type of undead. For now, it’s a mysterious existence that’s pointless to think about.
“But that’s good. If the Ghost of Struve appeared, the pressure from the east will probably be weak this year too.”
“Yes. Their army seems considerably intimidated too. …Given that the fort under construction was also unmanned, they’re probably reluctant about eastern invasion. The problem is…”
“The south.”
“Exactly. That becomes the bad news.”
Sunglaire’s food situation is tight.
If they weren’t advocating poverty by doctrine, how many of their people would starve?
In Sunglaire, which is all mountains and hills, grains barely grow. Their meals consist mostly of famine foods.
Therefore, they come to plunder. They turn their abundant iron into weapons, constantly scheming to carve out pieces of Harpelia’s fertile land.
Until a few decades ago, invasions from the east, from Baron Hermite’s territory side, were common, but recently they often bypass Struve and attack from the south. Thanks to this, Basin has become quite militaristic with increased forts in recent years. …Well, there had always been loud calls for military bases to be needed in that land anyway.
“There was word from Slavebat that there are movements of military supplies near the southern border.”
“This autumn?”
“The scale is unknown, but probably. Before the harvest, or after the harvest… As soon as their sunflowers are harvested, they’ll probably attack. Of course, if this is just our needless worry, that would be fine. But just in case, I would like to have troops positioned in the Basin area.”
“…This is unpleasant… ugh…”
The count bit into a baked confection on the table and groaned pitifully.
“…Yes. Since this is information our country has obtained, we can’t let them figure out our interception scale from our movements. Let’s hold off on notifications to the military and guilds until the last minute. On top of that, we’ll keep preparations in order.”
“That would be best. And regarding mobilization from Legol…”
“I’ll deploy the Legol army. I’ll also negotiate with the guild. As per regulations, we’ll mobilize Silver rank and above guildsmen. Bronze will be logistics and miscellaneous duties.”
“Thank you. Can I have written confirmation immediately?”
“Ah, understood. …Where and how many units to send to the Basin side is still undecided though.”
“A messenger will come from the national army later. If you follow that, it’s fine. In other words, business as usual.”
“So all I have to do is secure provisions and military supplies. That’s easy. Though it’s complicated having to send soldiers to the battlefield.”# English Translation
…Count Legol’s abilities are tremendous. Even before, when there was a small skirmish at the border, he swiftly dispatched troops.
At that time, Legol’s harvest yields weren’t particularly outstanding yet, but even so, compared to other territories, he was skilled at managing supplies.
He possesses wonderful talent as a count. If only the military had someone like him.
“Haah… I wanted to put all my effort into developing the city this year too… but… how unpleasant…”
“We apologize. We understand this is a crucial period for Legol.”
“It can’t be helped, you’re not at fault. The ‘Moonlit Grim Reaper’ always works well for us.”
“…If the count says so, our fallen comrades will surely rest in peace.”
I see. I think I understand why Count Legol is beloved even by servants of low standing.
He’s gentle and kind… As I thought, the rumors flowing in the royal capital are unreliable. I wonder who exactly is spreading such bad reputation…
“Ah, that’s right. I forgot to ask your name. Er, what was it again?”
“I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Gustave.”
“Gustave. If this doesn’t go against the orders you’ve received, I’d like you to hear this.”
“Yes.”
“If possible, could you refrain from investigating ‘Lord Chaos’ in this city?”
Hmm.
“For what reason, may I ask?”
“Just a feeling.”
“…Just a feeling.”
The count is looking at me with probing eyes. For my part, I’d like to read his thoughts from his expression, but… it seems he’s created a “wall” that prevents me from probing.
…Can’t be helped. That was just a side job anyway. It’s close to a chore that I don’t need to bring back results for.
Personally, I don’t want to displease Count Legol either.
“Understood. I will not investigate Lord Chaos here in Legol. I swear it on my scythe.”
“I see, thank you. I’d be happy if you could do that.”
Hmm. There are various parts that concern me… but this is fine for now.
Just being able to secure a reservation for troop deployment in autumn is sufficient.
If we can mobilize Legol’s soldiers and guildsmen in an emergency, we can flexibly defend both the Basin direction and the Hermit direction. It’s also ideal as a supply depot.
…If we’re talking about the best case scenario, it would be that the Sunglaire side doesn’t attack at all… but just praying for the enemy’s docility will only result in things being taken from us. We cannot afford such foolishness.
We must prepare as much as we can. Even if it’s somewhat excessive.
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