475

Episode 475: You Should Know by Now? (3)

Morris asked with a frustrated expression.

"You're claiming the territory and claiming it as yours?"

"Yes, the Delphine army is currently advancing north and has taken over three abandoned territories."

"No, even if they were empty, how could you occupy three in such a short time? You have to station troops there! How many Leipold troops are there!"

Just saying it's my land doesn't mean it's accepted. Even if it's empty land, it's only natural that you have to deploy troops to call it your land.

The messenger answered with a still hesitant expression.

"That, that… … I understand that under the pretext of maintaining public order, about 100 soldiers and one or two administrative officers were deployed to Yeongju Castle… … ."

"… … ."

He said that he sent only the minimum number of men necessary to build up a pretext for the invasion. If he attacked those troops, it would be the same as saying that he wanted to go to war.

This was no different from banditry.

No, bandits just steal the goods and leave, they don't take over the entire territory without any morality like this.

Maurice looked at Giselle with a dumbfounded expression.

"Hey, what's going on right now?"

Amelia clearly said that she would take care of any cracks that opened or any lands taken over by the dukedom.

The pro-Prince nobles laughed at the terms and accepted them, because they thought that such a thing could not happen at the time.

Even if that happened, I didn't believe that Amelia alone would be able to recover the lost territory.

But now that she's eaten up so much territory, it's becoming very ambiguous.

"Morris said, pressing his temples.

"Whether it's a crack or a troop, you're going to take the land they're occupying, right? Huh? You're not taking the empty space! Isn't that a little strange?"

The area Amelia was currently occupying was the area that the Delphine army had swept through. Strictly speaking, it was a territory that the royalist faction was unable to manage and that had fallen under the other party's influence.

But again, the Delphian army was not officially stationed there. It was literally empty.

Their goal was the capital, so they left other territories behind and advanced.

It was inevitable that Maurice's mind would become complicated.

"Oh, this. Wow, this. What, what. What should I do?"

Morris, whose thoughts had stopped, continued to repeat the same words.

Of course, the lords who lost their territories will cause chaos. They will be focused only on driving out the Delphian army and reclaiming their territories.

However, it was ambiguous to tell Amelia, who had damaged the Delphine army and taken over the territory, to get out.

Maurice asked Giselle, who was just smiling.

"No, don't laugh. What should I do about this?"

"I have to admit it."

"What? You want me to admit this?"

"Didn't you negotiate like that? On the condition that Leipold join the war?"

"No, that's permission to fight, not to go to this empty land and plant a flag."

"So you didn't fight?"

"Ha… … This is driving me crazy."

The words weren't wrong, but the feeling was very different. They didn't even fight properly, but made a surprise attack and ran away, taking over the empty ground.

As Maurice scratched his head, Giselle continued speaking with a smile.

"I think it would be better to just admit it. We are the only army in the eastern region that has caused damage to the Delphine Army."

"Ugh… … . The lords will probably be very opposed… … ."

"There's nothing we can do. After all, they lost their territory, and it's true that Count Leipold took it back."

"Still! Should I admit that I stole this… … ?"

"Do it. For now, you have to leave it alone."

Jiselle spoke strongly, her eyes shining.

Amelia had agreed to support this cause in return for stopping the barbarian invasion. She was keeping her promise.

But it wasn't just because of the promise. Her strategic judgment and ability were needed now.

Jiselle pointed to the eastern region on the map.

"The place Count Leipold occupied was the rear of the Delphine army."

Of course. According to the agreement, the only place that can be occupied is the place where the Delphine army passed. But that location is… … .

Maurice's eyes lit up as he looked at Giselle's fingers. He may be a fool in most cases, but he is not a fool in war.

"Rear… … Then… … These guys' supply route is in danger?"

"Yes, the Delphine Army will be very troublesome right now. There is a defensive line in front that needs to be fought once more, and the supply line in the back can be cut off by Count Leipold at any time."

"I guess I can try to clean up after myself again."

"Yes, if Count Leipold fights back."

Amelia would not foolishly fight against that great army. She would abandon the place she had captured and run away again.

There are many places to plant your flag in the eastern part of the uninhabited country.

Jiselle smiled and drew several lines on the map.

"For the Delphine Army, Count Leipold will continue to be a thorn in their side like a thorn in their shoe. If they advance, their supplies will be at risk, and if they go back, they will only waste time."

"Yeah, that's right."

"Besides, they haven't brought any siege weapons. If we besiege the capital, Cardenia, they'll probably bring a follow-up force. They have to secure their rear somehow."

"Everything is fine, but what if Count Leipold is caught and killed right away?"

"Can't you see what I'm doing now? Do you think I'll fight even though I know I'm at a disadvantage? The Delphine Army will have to use their brains to catch Count Leipold."

The situation would change depending on what strategy was devised. However, Jiselle did not think Amelia would be caught easily.

'If he was that kind of person, I would have killed him long ago in his past life.'

So, we can leave the Eastern Front to Amelia for now.

Anyway, Jiselle didn't care who ate the land in the east. It wasn't necessary, but if necessary, the land in the east could be taken back later.

His only goal was the Duke of Delphine and the Church of Salvation.

Maurice nodded at Giselle's words.

"That's right, if Count Leipold could just stall for time… … ."

"The Northern Army can move right away after dealing with the remaining Delphian forces."

"Okay, that will do."

Maurice looked confident. With Giselle and Parniel, there was no way he wouldn't be able to deal with the remaining Delphine forces.

To be honest, I got hurt because I didn't have a superhuman, but I was confident that I would have stopped it even if I had a superhuman.

Thanks to the Allied Forces, we had more troops, but it was all because we didn't have any superhumans.

Jiselle said to Maurice.

"Instead, I have an order to give to Count Leipold by my authority as Commander-in-Chief."

"what?"

"Tell them to threaten the supply lines of the Delphian army. Then they will acknowledge it. You must threaten them that if the east is completely breached and the capital is surrounded, they will have to fight the royalist faction as well."

"Huh? Why? If you don't want to die, shouldn't you do that?"

"Because I'm a person who doesn't know where to turn."

Amelia wants chaos. She doesn't want one side to win overwhelmingly.

That's why I'm currently helping the pro-royal faction, whose southern front has completely collapsed, but if the situation changes, it may change again.

So, right away, we had to put pressure on him to prevent an accident.

A person who is tired of dealing with, but who must somehow use that ability. That was Amelia's current position.

Maurice also understood what Giselle said.

"Okay. I'll make sure to tell him so. You guys, proceed accordingly! As for the prisoners… … ."

Maurice glanced at Parniel. To be honest, it was ambiguous to kill all of them, but it was also awkward to take them with him.

Parniel nodded, roughly understanding the situation.

"I don't mind. But please do it on the condition that everyone converts."

Maurice's expression brightened at those words.

To be honest, I was most worried about the opposition from the nobles and priests. However, if I made the excuse that the saint told me to do so, Maurice could get away with it.

Parniel had the power and authority to ignore the priests of Lutania.

'Haha, the saint told me to do it, so what can I do?'

Maurice nodded solemnly, his mind now at ease.

"Then let's convert all the prisoners to the Moriana cult and reorganize them."

Jiselle snickered. She really is a person with a clear mind. If that's an advantage, then it's an advantage, and if it's a disadvantage, then it's a disadvantage.

With the help of Parniel and the priests, the conversion of the captives took place.

Since there were so many people, we had no choice but to group them into a few groups and proceed roughly.

The prisoners didn't feel much resistance either. After all, most of them were originally believers of the four major religious sects.

It was a bit awkward being forced into the Moriana Church, though.

As the conversion of the prisoners was nearing completion, Gordon, the 'Muscle Pisser', stepped forward towards Parniel.

The Fenris knights were confused, and Jiselle also watched quietly, wondering why that guy was acting like that.

"Phew… … ."

Gordon took a deep breath and suddenly took off his armor, ripping off his shirt to reveal his muscles.

"What the hell is that crazy guy doing!"

Maurice pointed and shouted. How dare you take off your clothes and show off your muscles in front of a saint!

"Catch that baby!"

"Poohahahaha!"

As Maurice shouted in anger, Giselle and the Fenris knights burst into laughter.

The royal army commanders and staff members looked at him with rotten expressions. They said that the Fenris army was a total mess except for their fighting power, and it was hard to tell if they were mercenaries or regular soldiers.

Regardless of what others were saying, Gordon worked hard, flexing his muscles and striking poses to show off his pecs, biceps, and triceps.

"Hoo… … ."

Parniel, who saw the sight, made an expression of interest. She observed him while holding back the soldiers who came out to capture Gordon.

Moriana was the goddess of war. Naturally, physical training was also considered a virtue. That didn't necessarily mean building muscle.

Still, Parniel smirked at Gordon's provocation and rolled up his sleeves to his shoulders.

She folded her arms once and exerted strength.

"iced coffee...."

Gordon felt the strength leave his body.

He couldn't win. You can tell just by looking at those broad shoulders and arms. You don't even need to look at anything else.

Is this what natural talent is? That perfect, gigantic, sculptural body was what Gordon had dreamed of all his life.

Ordinary people don't know. Only those who have lived to build muscle can know.

No matter how well you eat and exercise, you will never reach that level. She could truly be called a saint.

"… … ."

Everyone else also remained silent.

Gordon was the largest of the Fenris knights. He was naturally large, but he had grown even larger through muscle gain.

Even Gordon looked like an ordinary person in front of the saint. He was no match for her.

dump.

Finally Gordon knelt down and said,

"I lost."

"You were great too. You trained hard."

"Compared to the saint's muscles, my body is nothing more than a lump of fat."

"No. There are few people on this continent who are as disciplined as you are."

Parniel smiled happily.

It's been a long time since I've seen someone with bubble muscles like this. That means they train their body regularly without resting and eat well.

Even though he has foam muscles, isn't he also faithfully carrying out the will of the goddess?

So Parniel asked.

"Which god do you serve?"

"I… … currently follow the Juana Order."

In fact, Gordon was also a believer of the Moriana Church at first. He was a former mercenary, so it was just a custom.

Then, after Piote showed strong divine power several times, he switched over. Since he lived without making any donations anyway, he could be considered a believer in name only.

Parniel nodded several times and then said.

"Will you convert? Then I will bless you in this place."

"I will do it!"

"Good, this too is guided by the goddess."

Parniel immediately placed his hand on Gordon's head and recited a prayer.

A bright light radiated out and was absorbed into Gordon's body. Now, even the slightest evil energy will not be able to penetrate Gordon.

And more importantly, believers in God were now told not to mess with Gordon, who had been blessed by the saint.

Parniel said with a big smile.

"From now on, you are a Paladin of the Moriana Church."

"I don't know what it is, but thank you anyway! I feel like my muscles are getting stronger!"

"… … ."

Parniel just kept his mouth shut.

When Gordon gained the title of Paladin of the Moriana Church, the priests who followed Parniel were the most surprised.

"Seo, how can I receive the saint's blessing… … ."

"You just look like a muscle fool… … ."

"That guy is a Paladin… … ."

Everyone else also opened their mouths in amazement. The saint herself gave a blessing!

Even if the king of a country makes a request, it is impossible if the heart of the saint does not move. In other words, it means that in one's entire life, one may only see one or two people who have received the blessing of the saint.

Even those who have received the blessing of the saint can immediately become a paladin without examination. This is a great privilege compared to the original, where only those with strong divine powers could pass the strict examination of the sect to become a paladin.

What kind of strange guy received such a precious blessing just by showing off his muscles?

"… … ."

The knights of Giselle and Fenris, who had been laughing while holding their stomachs, also shut their mouths. How could they give a blessing to such a person? It was clear that the world was at its end.

Jiselle shook her head.

"That guy's luck is really unusual."

Does that fool even know what a blessing he has received? He probably doesn't even know.

I just converted because I was attracted to the saint's muscles.

Gordon was often scammed because he couldn't read or write.

But he survived from the Forest of Demons until now, learned to read and write novels, and now he has secretly eaten all the good things, including the Dragon Heart Fragments.

Gordon could say that his life has been transformed thanks to meeting Giselle.

There was a brief commotion, but in the meantime, the reorganization continued. Including prisoners, the force grew to a whopping 25,000 men.

"Oh… … Thanks to my nephew, I have the strength to fight again!"

Maurice smiled with satisfaction.

How desperate it had been when I was defeated and being chased. Now that Fenris and the saintess had joined in, I thought it would be worth fighting the remaining Delphine forces.

"Gisselle said to a delighted Maurice.

"You can't let your guard down. Just rest for today and get moving tomorrow."

"Yeah, it'll be hard, but I guess that's what I have to do."

The Dark that was left behind in the Northern Army had now lost its magic power, so it was impossible to get news right away.

In terms of power alone, the Northern Army was superior to the Delphine Army in the central region. However, it was bound to be slower, so the key was whether the Northern Army had properly prepared a defensive line.

The next day, just as they were refueling and about to set off, some good news arrived.