Commander August’s main force set up a supply base at the 6th fortress.

Using that as a foothold, they advanced further north and established an advance base near the point where Erich had met with the Fox Tribe.

With the Wolf Tribe forming an alliance with the Watch, the Fox Tribe and other small to mid-sized tribes who had cooperated with the wolves also naturally became part of the alliance.

Of course, there was some resistance to this. But most accepted it, knowing which way the tide had turned.

However, while establishing the advance base, there was something Erich had been worried about.

‘Armies, by their nature, often resort to pillage during expeditions.’

Thus, Erich feared the main force might lose control.

‘No matter how much you talk about fighting the dead together, it won’t be enough.’

No matter how you frame it, it’s hard to regard those who plunder you as comrades.

Fortunately, perhaps understanding this well, commander August strictly forbade pillaging from the neighboring tribes.

Thanks to this, the Fox Tribe and the other small tribes were anxious just from the sheer presence of the huge army but did not suffer physical harm.

The reason they were able to cooperate with the Watch to this extent was probably thanks to the barbarians’ particular custom of following the chief, which applied in this situation too.

Since the Wolf Tribe was something akin to a chief among the local tribes, the others seemed willing to follow their lead.

However, no matter how strictly you reinforce discipline, it’s impossible to completely control every single soldier.

Some tribes that had launched raids against the main force ended up being pillaged in retaliation or were even raided themselves.

That was exactly what was happening now.

Roughly armored soldiers wielding round shields drove the barbarians together.

“Hurry up!”

“There’s nothing of value in these bastards’ houses!”

The soldiers gathered the unarmed barbarians into an open space, while the rest rummaged through houses, collecting foodstuffs and bits of metal.

However, the soldiers tensed as they noticed another group passing by—they stopped upon seeing an army bearing a noble’s banner together with the Incencus Church.

Just then, the man, apparently the leader of a group of a dozen soldiers, spat out his complaint.

“Spit! Looks like they stopped to give us a talking to.”

“… Hey, Orm. Doesn’t this look bad? They even brought a big barbarian with them.”

“Who cares. What are they going to do to us?”

Orm grinned, baring yellowed teeth. Though they weren’t direct subordinates of the grand duke, they too were soldiers hailing from northern territories.

If those people touched northern soldiers, it would certainly cause diplomatic friction.

Besides, the Incencus Church’s doctrine forbade pillage and murder—except when it came to infidels.

His only discomfort came from the barbarian they’d dragged here, especially the odd look in the eye of the curly-haired man at the front.

There was just something off about his gaze… Something foreboding stirred within him.

As if to confirm this unease, several men at the front of the group walked over, including the curly-haired man and the barbarian.

“… What should we do, Captain?”

“What do you mean, what should we do? Keep going. I’ll deal with them.”

― Thud, thud.

Orm walked over with confident strides until just before meeting them face-to-face.

Up close, the sheer size of the barbarian created an oddly oppressive atmosphere.

Then, the knight following behind, clad in plate armor, shouted in a resounding voice.

“State your name and affiliation!”

“Orm Gudson. I lead a detachment from Count Scandal. And you are?”

“This is Count Erich von Krupp’s army.”

“A noble of rank, I see. A pleasure. Did you stop because you have something to say?”

Gudson let out a thin smile. ‘Erich,’ probably the name of the curly-haired man standing at the front.

‘Such a green youngster.’

Though a count, he was so young he must not have achieved that title on his own; more likely, the son of a marquis or duke who inherited an estate and now called himself count.

One odd point was the so-called ‘count’ wore the cloak of the Watch. Was it merely due to the cold that he’d borrowed Watch gear?

However, that cloak was something worn by conniving swindlers ignorant of honor—exiles from the Empire.

Having observed this much, Orm quickly judged the man.

‘In that case, this is just a naïve young lordling.’

Orm let his gaze sweep over those facing him. Aside from the holy knight and priest of the Incencus Church, everyone else seemed uneasy.

Especially the barbarian, who appeared quite displeased at seeing his kin being pillaged.

‘… Well, what’s the worst that could happen?’

But the important detail was that everyone except the barbarian was an imperial.

Even in the worst case, they probably wouldn’t try anything reckless.

At that moment, the young count called Erich glanced at the soldiers behind Orm and spoke.

“I believe Commander August strictly banned any pillaging in these parts?”

“Ha! Young Count, these scum were some of the ones who attacked us when we first arrived. Strictly speaking, this isn’t pillage but just payback. Heh-heh.”

“If you withdraw now, we won’t lay a hand on you.”

“… Huh?”

Orm thought the young count was bluffing. It was common for young nobles to grandstand about chivalry and mercy on the battlefield.

But Orm puffed out his chest and pointed behind him.

“And just how do you think you’ll touch us? We’re Count Scandal’s direct men, and I hear he’s a distant relative of the northern grand duke. Unless you’re the Incencus Church, you lot will get into serious trouble if you mess with us.”

“… Is that so?”

“Exactly. So why don’t you be on your way, and don’t stick your nose into other people’s business.”

Erich nodded. Orm figured this young noble had taken his meaning. He turned to leave—

When the barbarian’s guttural language halted his steps.

[@#%@^]

[@$%@%]

The young count, Erich, was exchanging words with the huge barbarian. When their conversation ended, Erich spoke.

“You’re right, it would be a problem if we touched you ourselves.”

“… So?”

“So I left the matter to someone for whom it won’t cause any problems.”

Erich grinned. Orm suddenly felt a chill and reached for his sword.

But an enormous club was swinging his way.

― CRUNCH!

With a noise like something splintering, Orm’s vision slowly sank toward the ground. He never expected this to be the last scene he would ever see.

***

Erich did nothing to stop Hrung-ga from mowing down the soldiers. What they had done was no trivial matter.

‘Pillaging and killing like this just invites trouble.’

Winning the support of the local populace was crucial for an army on campaign.

Most importantly, it was a headache to have even a single hostile faction.

If that faction was the barbarians, especially adept at guerrilla warfare, that headache would double. So Erich decided to nip the problem in the bud.

Of course, Erich had instructed Hrung-ga not to kill them all. You had to leave at least one alive to go back and spread rumors.

For the Incensus underlings, this turn of events was apparently quite unexpected. The holy knight whispered something to his attendant, who then relayed it to Erich.

“You even show mercy to infidels—for sure, you are truly an apostle of Incensus.”

“… There’s a practical meaning to it, more than anything.”

Erich inwardly smirked. Even if he baked bread from mud, these zealots would probably praise it as good.

In any case, Hrung-ga quickly finished off the soldiers and, as promised, left one to return alive (albeit with a face swollen from a few solid punches, which would only serve to be more visually memorable).

Erich’s detachment then resumed their advance. The main force’s advance base was now just ahead.

It was time to face whatever tricks the Tower had prepared.

***

The scene Erich encountered at the main camp was on a scale far larger than any advance base he’d ever seen.

Along with the Watch, there were 10,000 troops from the Empire’s lords. On top of that, it seemed Commander August had summoned the fort commanders as well; four fortresses were stationed nearby.

Well, after all, with most midland barbarians wiped out, there was little for those fortresses to do. So all these troops gathering must have been the result of the anti-barbarian campaign.

After stationing his own men, Erich made for the commander’s tent at a brisk pace.

He was accompanied by Mikhail, Frederick, and Barnes from his own detachment as well as Milon, who had escorted him here, and a holy knight of Incensus.

Upon entering the commander’s tent, a host of dignitaries seemed to have been waiting for him.

Commander August and Chief Konrad welcomed him warmly, while the four fortress commanders seated on either side wore varied expressions.

Some regarded Erich with interest; others, with indifference. But all seemed at least somewhat expectant about the new ‘divine one’.

Meanwhile, several lords openly wore expressions of displeasure. This told Erich something important.

‘… These must be the northern lords.’

Rumors always spread infuriatingly fast. Word had already gotten around that Erich had roughed up northern soldiers.

Clearly, these lords took offense at his actions.

However, as he looked around, Erich noticed certain people who should have been there were absent.

For the upcoming trial, there were two people he needed to focus on.

His advocate, the Partriarch from the Incencus Church, and the one who had convened the trial—the Tower Master.

Yet, neither could be seen inside the tent.

Commander August spoke up slowly.

“Commander Erich. I have already received your reports. You have done an admirable thing.”

“I was just fortunate, sir.”

“It is only fitting to commend those who lead us to great victories. We’ll have a chance to talk about that in due course.”

Erich gave a faint smile. The commander then surveyed the assembly and spoke again.

“Nonetheless, even after such great accomplishments, I’m sorry to say I must mention this: You do know a trial has been convened at the Tower Master’s request, right?”

“Yes, I heard everything on the way here. But I am confused. The Joseph I met wasn’t even a mage, and once someone joins the Watch, isn’t it natural for their previous ties to the Tower to be erased?”

August nodded slowly at Erich’s words. This was the very question that had perplexed Erich from the start.

Coming to the Great Wall for a new life meant erasing your past. Of course, Erich still kept his countship, but that was only because he had an estate.

In the early days of the Watch, the northern lords banded together to defend the Great Wall with their own estates, making title retention something of a tradition.

But the Tower was fundamentally different. That identity was not rooted in something practical but was simply a matter of membership.

Just as a former serf didn’t remain a serf upon joining the Watch, so too should a mage become just another watchman after joining.

So how could this incident serve as grounds to put Erich on trial? That was his core question.

Commander August explained.

“Even I did not know this until recently—but Joseph’s status as a mage of the Tower is confirmed. He was not transferred here, but rather joined through a kind of secondment.”

“That’s quite the exception… And you weren’t aware of it, commander?”

“In all matters concerning the research division, I entrusted everything to Albrecht.”

Commander August trailed off. Erich had been expecting that name.

‘Albrecht… He’s been scheming, then.’

He could guess at Albrecht’s ploy. Making a fuss about harming a mage of the Tower would create a political fallout.

If Albrecht’s man, Joseph, was killed, he would use the incident to punish anyone he saw fit in this manner.

But just then, a voice from beside Erich broke in: cold and unwavering.

“Commander August. Chief Albrecht is a traitor to the Watch.”

The entire room blinked in surprise at Mikhail’s voice—including Erich, whose lips twitched.

‘I hadn’t meant to reveal it like this.’

Everyone held their breath at Mikhail’s bombshell.

In the middle of a discussion about Erich’s trial, out of nowhere came an accusation that Chief Albrecht was a traitor.

What on earth was happening?

Erich now realized he would have to explain Mikhail’s statement—because though Mikhail had spoken, there was little chance he would explain it in a way anyone could grasp.

————-= Clacky’s Corner ————-=

The partriarch is the supreme leader of an ancient church, but below the Pope…

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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