Chapter 113: The Released Arrow


    Gers is one of thergest cities on the Southern front.


    However, within the Empire, it is only a medium-sized city with about 500 knights. Even if you add all the men who can fight, there are only about 1,000 men in total.


    And now, Gulver is threatening such a town with his 10,000 elite soldiers.


    WAHAHAHA!! Those weakling knights of the South must be shaking in their boots right now!


    Saying so, Gulver gazes upon Gers in good humor.


    The town has a reasonably high gate and a fairly high outer wall. It would be quite formidable as a fort city if properly manned but Gulver knows that Gers only have about a thousand men to defend it.


    Once Gordonmences his n and they are allowed to engage, the town will definitely fall in no time.


    Colonel Letts. Have you heard anything from His Highness Gordon yet?


    No, I havent heard anything. He simply said that we should try our best to scout out the area.


    I see. He is doing something somewhere else huh.


    Perhaps. For now, lets follow his instructions. There is a hill further ahead. We should be able to have a good view of the battlefield from there.


    Good. Guide me there.


    When Gordon bes emperor, those who support him will be promoted. That being the case, only a few will be able to get promoted to the rank of Marshal. For Gulver, Letts is his rival.


    However, now that Letts is serving under him, it means that Gordon has clearly recognized Gulver as the one who has a higher standing.


    Now, Gulver could see himself as an imperial marshal.


    When he was immersed in such an image of his future, Sonia interrupted him.


    General. That hill is too close to Gers. Shouldnt we use an observation point that is a little farther away?


    Hmph! What are you saying? Are you saying that they will start attacking us first? Ridiculous.


    It is not impossible if they have a sniper. As themander, you should be more careful.


    Even if it is near, it is still far away from the city. If anyone can snipe at us from Gers then I would have already heard of such a person.


    The problem here is that such a person might exist, General.


    This is why a half-elf girl like you is.you are being too cowardly.


    While dismissing Sonias caution, Gulver steading climbs up the hill.


    Letts follows slightly behind him.


    Sonia exhales and follows behind them.


    However, for a moment, Letts who was walking in front of her slowed down. The escorts around them also reduced their pace to match him.


    Because of that, Gulver reached the hilltop alone.


    Then a unique noise of the wind reaches Sonias ears.


    It then turned into a sound of something being pierced.


    Ah


    At the top of the hill.


    An arrow stuck between Gulvers eyebrows.


    Gulver slowly falls and rolls down the hill.


    Letts quickly moved to confirm Gulvers safety.


    General!? General Gulver!?


    Gulver whose head was pierced by an arrow died instantly.


    Letts confirm that and give out hismand.


    Alert all men! The General was assassinated! Gers has willingly opened the attack on us!


    Hearing such an instruction, Sonia confirms the look on Lettss face, expecting the worst.


    There was a smile on his face, celebrating a sessful operation.


    You have your own ally sniped.?


    It was the enemys doing.


    While saying so, Letts cleans up Gulvers body.


    He then deres.


    From now on I will takemand. Sonia, as the strategist, you must draft up the n to capture Gers.


    You went that fardo you want to start a war!?


    I didnt want any of this. The one who desired such a thing is them. They have assassinated our general. As we are under an abnormal circumstance, we will be acting ording to my discretion.


    Saying so, Letts walks away without a shred of sadness on his face.


    As things went ording to Gordons schedule, Sonia strengthened her conviction.


    She then gazes at the direction of Gers.


    What have they done


    Did they send a sniper to Gers or did someone from Gers prepare the sniper?


    In any case, if Gers, thergest city on the front line falls, the other cities will soon surrender. If that happens, war will be unavoidable.


    The safety of Leo and the others who are at the enemys headquarters can not be guaranteed.


    If Gers falls this war will turn muddy. The trouble is that Sonia has the power to topple Gers effortlessly.


    What should I do


    Sonia had many advantages when she was dealing with Al in the capital. She had both the letter, Reba, and the initiative to act.


    However, this time it is different.


    It is Gordon who has the initiative and Sonia has little advantage at her disposal.


    Still, even if thats the case.


    I have to do it.


    Thinking that there must be something she can do, Sonia encouraged herself.


    -


    The state of turmoil also happens on the side of the sniper.


    What have you done!? Uncle!!


    The lord of Gers, Earl Alois von Simmel was still a twelve years old boy. His hair is bright brown, the same with his eyes. He is an ordinary boy who cares about little things in his life like boys his age.


    He seeded as a lord when his father passed awayst year while being assisted by his mother and uncle.


    In front of such Alois is his uncle along with his guards.


    Whatever are you talking about?


    Please stop pretending you dont know! That sniper was surely acting ording to your order!


    I dont know anything about that.


    Uncle! Please exin yourself!


    Exin myself? You are still too foolish to understand huh, Alois. I have joined forces with the imperial army.


    The imperial army..? Then why did you use the sniper!?


    Alois couldnt make sense of what his uncle was saying.


    Most of the Southern Nobles have their rtives taken hostage by Duke Kruger. Aloiss mother was also taken hostage by him.


    Thats why he cant surrender. Still, he doesnt want to be proactive in the war either. This is because he knows that he will definitely lose.


    There may be a chance to win if Duke Kruger leads the whole Southern army but their chance as a single city is non-existent.


    Despite such a delicate situation they are in, his uncle just ordered a sniper to attack a general of the imperial army while saying that he has joined forces with them.


    Alois is now seriously considering that his uncle might have gone crazy.


    The reason is war. His Highness Gordon wants to start a war. Sniping that general gave birth to a cause for that. They will be enraged by his death and it will turn into arge-scale civil war.


    You are being crazywhat would His Highness earn by doing all of this!?


    His Highness Gordon will get control of the army and will take the throne with it. After that, I will be appointed as a lord. That would be a much more preferable situation than the one we are currently in.


    Saying so, Aloiss uncle smiles.


    Seeing the ambitious smile on his face, Alois realized that it is meaningless to say anything more to him.


    The situation is now unsalvageable.


    The imperial army will soon attack. You must not do anything until then, Alois.


    Do nothing.? Thisnd has been inherited by our house for generations, we must protect our people!


    They are not my people.


    Seeing his uncle said that, Alois powerlessly drops his shoulders.


    It is impossible to resist.


    What can a child like him do?


    While Alois was depreciating himself, his eyes found the sword resting on the lords chair.


    It was the sword his father gave him at hisst moment. It was still too big for Alois and he never once pulled it out.


    His eyes still fixed on it, Alois had a determined expression on his face.


    He pulled out the sword.


    What are you doing?


    Im Earl Simmel. The lord of this territoryI will protect my people!


    What are you saying when you are rebelling against the Emperor? Your responsibility to them is already long gone!


    Even sothis is the pride I inherited! Dont think that everything will go the way you think!


    Alois res at his uncle while holding the sword that is still too big for himself.


    His uncle who was taken aback by the determined look of a child gave an order to his guards.


    Ca,..Capture him!


    However, there is no reaction from the guards.


    Wondering what is happening, his uncle looked back at them.


    His guards were sleeping on their feet.


    Why thinking how ridiculous the scene is, his eyelids also became heavy as he grew sleepier and sleepier.


    This ismagic..?


    Indeed. I made them go to sleep for a while. I have a little thing to talk about with the young lord after all.


    When he heard such a voice, his uncle fell to the floor, sleeping.


    Only one man remained standing in front of Alois.


    You are..?


    SS-rank adventurer, Silver. If you want to do something about this situation, I will offer you my help.


    Silver!? Why is the guardian of the capital here


    As an adventurer, I dont want the war to happen and spur up the monsters. It will affect public security. Some people will certainly have more jobs to do but it will cost much more than it worth in the long run. With that said, having peace is for the best right.


    Saying so, Silver slowly approaches Alois.


    Then, Silvers appearance changed in an instant.


    He turned into a mysterious person wearing a gray robe from head to toes. With the hood covering his face, no matter how you look at him, he looks very suspicious.


    That being said, as an adventurer, it would be a problem for me to involve myself in the Empires problem in a major way. So, I will be disguising myself but if you are fine with this arrangement, I will serve you until this matter is over.


    ..are you serious? Why would someone as great as you go so far for us?


    Currently, the Emperors envoy is heading to Duke Kruger. Their intention is to capture the Duke and end this conflict with as little damage as possible. The reason the army is doing so much to make the war happen is that they want them to fail. Still, when there are people who want to sabotage the n, there are also those who want to protect it.


    You are here because the person who wants to protect the n asked you to.?


    I dont mind if you take it like that. How about it? Do you want my help? Or is my help unnecessary?


    Alois who was faced with the simple alternative was a little lost.


    However, he immediately made his decision.


    I will be borrowing your power.


    Good. then lets start our strategy meeting. Hmm.when Ie out, can you introduce me as a wandering strategist?. Now a name huh..how about you call me [Grau].


    (TLN: Grau = Gray in German)


    Gray huh.after your appearance I see.


    A name should be simple.


    Saying so, Silver became Grau, Aloiss vassal.