The Count’s Youngest Son Is A Player - Chapter 142

Episode 142:

Clue.

“Damn it…”

Baron Izaak tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword with a grim look on his face.

But no matter how hard I tried, it was no use.

That was because the enemy he was supposed to cut down with his sword was not showing up.

“…So we, the Earl of Ashton, hope that our soldiers will not shed meaningless blood. I believe that you will not be swayed by the instigation of some unscrupulous traitors and hold your sword upside down. Your job is to protect your family and neighbors, never swing your sword at your fellow comrades. Therefore…”

Raoul’s voice, constantly echoing in the castle, was driving them to be ‘traitors’ without any doubt.

The problem was that most of the security soldiers guarding the outer castle had no idea what they were doing.

They simply followed the orders of their commanders and went on duty as usual.

The ones who took control of the castle gate and suppressed the knights were some Chain Knights and nobles who supported Viscount Jayden.

Of course, if the situation had continued as is, the security forces would have had no choice but to follow the orders of their commanders, but after Raoul clearly announced the entire situation through the broadcast, the soldiers’ mood became unusual.

bang!

“Damn it. “How can I not do that fucking broadcast?”

“Send a messenger to the commanders to comfort the soldiers! “If you lose control, it’s a big problem!”

However, there was no way to do anything about the entire broadcast, which had already lasted over thirty minutes.

Cornford Castle, with a population of over 200,000, had over a thousand magic loudspeakers and hundreds of magic screens installed.

However, it was not often used except when festivals or tournaments were held.

So, it was a problem that raised the eyebrows of finance officials every year when preparing the budget, but they never thought it would be used in this way.

“I promise in the name of Raoul de Ashton, the third son of the count, lord of Calypse Bates Frannois-Lucine, and current temporary lord of Cornford Castle. We will not hold any responsibility whatsoever for all soldiers, including junior commanders of the Guards Corps, who were involved in the rebellion against their will. In addition, to the members of the Chain Knights who still remain loyal to the Count family…”

Snap, grab, grab!

“Don’t be fooled! “It’s all lies!”

“The ones who actually started the rebellion are those who took over the inner city! “We are the true corps that will carry on the legitimacy of the count family!”

The rebel knights and commanders were beating their shields and comforting the troops, but their spirit had already been completely broken.

For now, they are somehow holding their ground to keep an eye on the knights, but the soldiers look like they are ready to throw down their weapons and surrender at any moment.

“How do I do this? “It is impossible to maintain military discipline like this.”

Baron Dwine, the head of the guard, spoke with a stern expression as Baron Isaac’s voice trembled slightly.

“For now… I have no choice but to hold on. Anyway, the reason they are using such petty tactics is probably because they have judged that their chances of winning are low if they fight directly. “You have to hold on as long as you can and somehow join Viscount Jayden.”

It wouldn’t be so frustrating if they came out of the castle and fought, but they didn’t seem to have any intention of doing that.

‘What happened? It would have been them who were in a hurry. And Raoul? ‘How can someone who should have returned to the territory be here?’

Baron DeWine gritted his teeth.

I could never have imagined this kind of development. The military is in danger of disintegration even though the battle hasn’t even been fought properly.

But time was on our side. Even at this moment, Baron Jayden’s army is getting closer to Cornford Castle.

They say they are trying to sway this side through psychological warfare, but this side is in complete control of the castle gate.

‘Even if you try such a trick, you will never be able to recapture this place with your insufficient knight power.’

Baron DeWine believed so. But things weren’t going the way he wanted.

* * *

“150m ahead. “About 100 unidentified troops from Sector A of Area 3 are approaching here!”

“Similarly, 20 cavalry units are approaching the castle from Sector C in Area 3!”

The guards who were watching the city from above Naeseongmun were reporting one after another.

Temporary Commander Waylon, who received the report, could not help but be impressed.

‘It’s really going as Viscount Raoul said.’

“What should I do?”

When the adjutant asked, Weyron answered calmly.

“No one can enter the inner city. Explain the situation and have them transferred to a temporary unit.”

“all right!”

It’s already been an hour since the broadcast began.

Raoul’s recorded voice echoed through the castle repeatedly, as if he had prepared it in advance, and it was enough time for everyone in the castle to understand the situation.

“Tyrrhenian de Ashton. Although we are weak, we have brought cavalry and knights to help subdue the traitors!”

“welcome. I salute your loyalty to the Count family. “I will leave the organization of the unit to the adjutant, and you will join the command barracks over there.”

Blood relatives living in Naeseong heard the news and came to visit with their families.

“This is Zenito Talen. Please let me participate in the punitive force!”

Officials and nobles living in the outer castle also wanted to join with guard knights and cavalry.

The number of troops gathered was already 1,000, and the number of knights was over 50.

And, more than anything, there were people who gave me strength.

“Welcome, seniors. “I’m sorry for making you have to take this difficult step.”

Raoul went outside the camp and bowed his head to greet them.

“Cluck. “I came here because I was curious about what kind of people they were because I heard that there were big people who dared rebel against the count family.”

“Hehe, Viscount Raoul. You really have become more enlightened while we haven’t seen each other. indeed!”

Dozens of old men with wrinkled faces and graying hair stood before Raoul in shining armor.

“We are immature and have caused strife within the count family, so we have no shame in meeting the elders. But you don’t have to worry, the traitors will be eliminated soon.”

Even though a rebellion had actually occurred, the situation within the castle was quiet, and the faces of the knights and soldiers, including Raoul, did not appear to show any signs of embarrassment.

Rather, the old knights who saw Raoul’s confident face nodded and smiled.

“Viscount Am Raoul will take care of it. But it is also true that this is not just a problem for the family. “These old people are also responsible, so please help us out.”

“I knew that Jayden would cause a serious accident someday. “I told you over and over again that you shouldn’t just leave him alone.”

“Now, isn’t Viscount Raoul having a hard time? “Let’s all be quiet and listen to what the Viscount has to say!”

These are retired knights and mid-ranking officials. In a way, they were living witnesses who had personally experienced the battle for succession rights between Earl Melvin and Viscount Jayden.

‘These are the hidden powers of a prestigious family.’

There were old men in their 70s who had completely lost their hair, but there were also quite a few relatively young(?) knights in their early 50s.

What is important is that their prayers are not easy.

‘It looks like no one can see it easily.’

Even though their mana amount decreased and their physical strength declined as they got older, the level of each of them was Intermediate Expert or higher.

If decades of experience were added, even active members of the Golden Bear Knights would not be able to easily deal with them.

They seemed eager to wipe out the traitors right away, but since they had years of experience, they followed Raoul’s instructions in an orderly manner.

Once enough reinforcements had been gathered, Raoul also began to move in earnest.

Excluding the 1,000 central troops guarding the inner city, there were 2,000 private soldiers and volunteers from each family.

The number of knights, including retired old knights and guard knights from each family of the First Knights of the Silver Bear Knights, is as many as 150.

Part of the central army joined and 2,500 troops and 150 knights lined up in an orderly manner in front of the inner gate.

Raoul climbed up the castle tower and issued an ultimatum using a magic loudspeaker.

“Notify the foolish rebel leadership. If you disarm and surrender even now, I will show mercy to your family members except yourself so that they can avoid capital punishment. However, if you resist to the end, you, your family, and everyone involved will be held accountable! I will give you exactly 10 minutes from now on. If there is no response in the meantime, we will assume that you are no longer a member of the count family and will forcibly suppress you.”

The atmosphere in the enemy camp was tense after hearing Raoul’s declaration.

Unlike before, when they thought they were ahead in terms of military power, I could feel from afar that they were agitated after seeing the troops gathered in front of the castle with their own eyes.

Raoul spoke one after another as if he wanted to drive a wedge.

“I also convey this to the Guard Corps and the Chain Knights. I do not want the blood of the innocent young people of the count family to be shed. I know you were simply faithful to your duties guarding the walls. Therefore, as the Chief Officer of Cornford Castle, I hereby give you this order. Don’t be agitated and stay where you are now. Please do not waste your life by engaging in a worthless battle, but rather maintain your position until the defeat of the traitors is completed. “I promise on my honor that none of you will be punished for doing nothing wrong.”

* * *

The ten minutes that Raoul had predicted were passing by in vain.

The rebel leadership gathered at the central castle tower of the First Outer Fortress was engulfed in confusion.

“How do I do this? “Nearly half of the troops have already deserted.”

“Can we trust the Knights of the Chain? I wonder if I will get stabbed in the back if I do this….”

“The number of punitive forces is too large. “We are also falling behind in terms of military strength.”

“Aren’t we falling behind in the number of knights? And those in the middle look like squadron knights and instructors…”

Only bad stories were coming out of everyone’s mouths.

In preparation for a battle, the scattered troops from each castle gate were called, but not even half of them arrived.

So, the number of troops here is 3,000. Among them, the Guard Corps had as many as 2,000 troops, and it was questionable whether they would actually follow orders.

And many of the military commanders, the Knights of the Chain, were showing signs of leaving.

They had kindly opened a hole for Raoul to survive, so it seemed unlikely that they would follow through on this unwinnable fight until the end.

‘Ha, how did it end up like this?’

Baron Isaac sighed.

Just two hours.

The time we had to occupy the castle gate and dream of a brilliant future was only two hours.

Viscount Jayden would arrive in the next two or three hours, but I wasn’t sure if I could hold out until then.

‘no. Still, I have to do it.’

There was no way out since Raoul had already branded them traitors using the magic loudspeaker.

They had to fight hard to protect the gate and bide their time.

‘Even if that doesn’t work, we’ll have to inflict as much damage as possible.’

If that happens, there will be a greater possibility that Viscount Jayden’s troops will be able to occupy the castle even if the castle gate is closed.

‘If Viscount Jayden takes over the castle, we will have another chance. He’ll need a collaborator anyway.’

At that moment, a bright idea occurred to Baron Isaac.

“Baron DeWine, wait a minute…”

“What’s going on?”

“Is there any need to choose means when things have already come to this?”

“…?”

“Let’s just break down the gates and burn the city down!”

“What is that!”

“Isn’t it dead anyway if you lose? If they break down the castle gates and burn down the houses, will they be able to clean it up in three hours? In the meantime, Viscount Jayden will arrive with his troops, and since there are no castle gates, you will be able to join us right away.”

“No, how can we stop the Central Army and Dylan from returning? And if you burn the castle, it’s impossible to gain the support of neutral nobles!”

“What does it matter if I look like I’m going to die right now! “You can think about it again later.”

At that time, the 10 minutes that Raoul had predicted passed.

Pow!

In the inner city, trumpeters sounded their trumpets, and the waiting punitive forces finally began to move.

“We have to decide quickly! There is no time!”

“….”

The movements of the punitive army made the troops more agitated.

Among the private soldiers waiting under the castle gate, some were shaking and even lost their weapons.

No matter how much I thought about it, it didn’t seem easy to fight them and win.

‘damn.’

Baron DeWine closed his eyes tightly.

Although he was a relative, he also had the Ashton surname, so it was not easy to make the decision to burn down the family home.

But eventually his mouth opened.

“…I will do that. “Tell the archers to load fire arrows and select the agile ones to light the city of the second outer castle on fire.”

“That’s a great decision. “You will have to repay this debt to them sooner or later.”

The moment Baron Isaac turned to give instructions to his subordinates, there was someone who bumped his shoulder.

“Ah, Baron Lamarr. That’s good. To some of the Chain Knights…”

“I can’t stand listening to it. “I feel like my ears are going to rot.”

“What do you mean? You insult me!”

“Suppress everyone!”

Hundreds of yellow mana blades shot up simultaneously from the rebel camp.

(Continued in the next part)