A day had passed since Joshua's incident, and a group of the black knights was escorting me to Eburacum, the capital of Britannia. The other part was taking Joshua to receive his punishment in Mancunium.
"Tacatá! Tacatá! Tacatá!"
On the way, they asked me about my stay in Rome, and I answered as much as I could. Tired of responding, I approached Parlot and asked, "Parlot, the training is still the same, right?"
I asked without looking him in the face.
"No, actually, Sir Duran changed the training and divided it into various forms. However, the most noticeable is that the training is based on fighting both as an individual and as a soldier..."
"It's based on how to fight as an individual and as a soldier, am I right?" I interrupted.
"Exactly!" Parlot's surprised expression confirmed it. "I sent information through some letters after seeing how they trained in Rome. You must have felt the changes, haven't you?"
After seeing their training in Rome, I had no choice but to send them the information at the risk of being reported at the beginning.
"Just by looking at your squad, I can see that each of them has been trained to be powerful. I found it strange that the jester there led a unit, and I was discouraged that you guys were also like that. Especially with what I heard recently."
To me, Joshua was very weak. He was at the level of a newly enlisted soldier, so I found it amusing that he had been chasing me for three days.
But when I saw Parlot's unit, I realized that something was simply off.
"What happened to Marquis Northay's real unit?" I asked.
"The truth is, the Marquis Northay's riders on the frontier were... massacred three months ago. The cause is a total mystery. There were signs of a quite fierce battle." There was concern in Parlot's voice.
"Three months ago... is it a coincidence?"
"At first, we thought it was Rome, but Lady Charlotte disagreed."
"Was there a lot of blood?" I asked.
After thinking, Parlot nodded. "Yes, now that I remember, even the horses were mutilated."
Parlot hesitated before continuing. "Where are you trying to get at, my lord?"
"Do you know what Charlotte is, Parlot?" I asked.
Parlot hesitated, turned his face towards me, and then spoke. "You mean Charlotte is... a Vampire?"
"In essence, blood doesn't lie, Parlot. I'm sure I was right! But those old men surely denied it!"
Charlotte must have found the perpetrators; she doesn't forget the taste of blood easily.
"Rome won't attack; they are too afraid of Ventini to accidentally awaken him and get hit from behind. So they will only look this way when they're done with General Hannibal, and all their forces are free."
I saw Parlot hesitate, so I encouraged him. "... There's more, right? Tell me already."
I urged him.
"... The truth is that during these last few months, all the units have suffered losses from these skirmishes."
My reaction was lukewarm. I already suspected it to some extent. But hearing it directly made my blood boil.
Originally, another knight named Charl was supposed to receive me. Both Parlot and Charl were soldiers I grew up with during the war. I could call these men fathers without hesitation.
As Parlot saw that I wasn't responding, he added something more. "Right, one more thing, sir."
Parlot took out a scroll and handed it to me. "It's a message from His Majesty, the King."
I took the scroll and read its contents as I rode.
"Why are you giving it to me now, Parlot? They'll cut our heads if-"
He stopped me abruptly. If what was said in this...
"Tsk! I don't like this! Since they can't fight us, they want us to kill each other. HYAA!"
"Lord Leonhart, wait! QUICK, THOSE WHO STAY WON'T HAVE DINNER! Tacatá! Tacatá! Tacatá!"
I made Nightmare gallop. Everyone, including Parlot, was taken by surprise and stayed a step behind me.
We galloped until we disappeared over the horizon.
Eboracum, Britannia.
I had lost the black knights a long time ago. As soon as I arrived, I left Nightmare in the public stables and wrote a letter, instructing Nightmare to deliver it to Parlot.
"Now that I think about it, Ray was transferred here after being promoted to a count. Should I ask him for a sword?"
"Pff! He might kick me out."
Next, I headed towards the market.
I wandered around for a while, looking at the swords and armor available. I glanced at a few but was not convinced by any.
After a while, my feet stopped in front of a shop with a poorly maintained sign.
Isal's Armory.
"Wow, I didn't think the shop would still be here."
I looked at the sign nostalgically. I wanted to move on, but my feet wouldn't lift. I hated that this was true.
At some point, I was about to turn around when someone called me.
"Done looking? I thought you were going to buy something."
An older man with gray hair called me. He was undoubtedly an old man, but his eyes and body maintained surprising vitality. His short hair and scars gave the impression of a strong-willed person. He had recent scars.
"An ex-soldier. What is someone with that strength doing behind the scenes?"
I looked him up and down.
*Sigh*
"Haa! For a young man, you're very sharp."
He seemed to be thinking about something.
"My son died a few months ago. It was a very tough blow. The last thing he left me was this old shop and a letter on how to run it."
"...Must have been tough. Was that his name?" I pointed to the sign.
The old man nodded and invited me inside.
Inside, all kinds of weapons and gadgets were being displayed. With a glance, I realized that everything was top-notch material. I even saw some things that were just like before.
I carefully looked and touched the daggers. I even discovered some enchanted ones.
"Interested in daggers? This one here was..."
"Show me the ones in the back. I came here on a smuggling report."
"What!?"
The man was alarmed and looked around for something. Before he could do something foolish, I was already by his side.
"I suggest you not do something stupid," I said, pulling out a plate with the Black Knights' insignia.
I didn't know when, but the nervous man realized I was right in front of him.
"Tsk, with that outfit, you don't look like you're from around here. You just want to rob me."
From here, I could see him sweating. Ignoring his rambling, I asked, "Where's the boy who works with you?"
"..."
No answer.
"Family or employee?"
"He's my grandson."
"Fine, let's make this clear. Hand over all the weapons you're smuggling and tell me who asked you to do it."
"I... I can't."
I grabbed his shoulder and applied pressure.
"Sir, for seven months, they
've been smuggling weapons across all of Britannia to Votadini, Selgovae, and Novantae, respectively. During that time, the border knights have been dying. And you know what's curious? The evidence all leads back here."
Rome wouldn't employ a direct tactic yet. Or at least, that's what I want to believe. Votadini, Selgovae, and Novantae are villages located north of Britannia. Especially Votadini and Selgovae, they already share a border with the Black Fortress. Trade is nothing uncommon on the border, but when a large number of weapons are moving, it's normal to take notice. So the information about them flowed faster to me. He has no choice now.
After hesitating for a while, he led me to the back and opened the upper window to illuminate the area. There were several boxes and a half-fallen wooden door leading to the alley.
"Through here, in those boxes, sir."
He pointed to a blanket covering the boxes. Pulling the blanket, I saw seven boxes over 5 feet and one of 8 feet.
I took a random sword and started uncovering them all.
*Clang!*
"Wow! This is more serious than I thought."
This wasn't a joke. My smile twisted.
"This is not normal. The letter said he had been doing a job for 7 months. If each box had a masterpiece, this is not just something small. Each box has 3 to 5 weapons. And if we add the others..."
My smile gradually faded.
"Do you always carry seven boxes?" I asked.
"No... It was always three. This is the first of seven, and it was supposed to be the last."
"Who sells you the weapons?" "It must be Rome."
"I think it's Rome. While returning from a trade between Lindum and Eboracum of the Kingdom, I was stopped by some strange guys. They killed my son and promised to let my grandson live if we did what they wanted. I'm sorry, my lord, I won't do it again! But please, save my grandson!"
The man knelt and crawled to my feet.
My anger was evident. Three months ago, I received the king's letter, and now I discover why.
For seven months, a total of 9 squads, including the previous black knights on the border, were massacred. Although Parlot didn't tell me, I knew he wasn't on the southern border patrolling.
"PARLOT! COME HERE!"
Suddenly, the back door was smashed, and Parlot entered.
"How many shops have been doing this?"
"Only three more, including this one. Do you think the massacre is related to this?"
"I thought they were just trying to gain ground, but I see they planned something incredible. These orders probably came to give them time."
Yes, to gain time. I don't want to believe that the northern realms have conspired with Rome, and in the worst case, they might already be under Rome's control. Maybe they wanted to weaken our forces by turning the realms and northern barbarians against us.
Turning my gaze back to the traitor.
"As for you, damn fool, it's obvious your grandson is already dead."
"! Please! Mercy-!"
I took the sword from Parlot's waist, and with the whistle of the sword cutting through the air, the man's head rolled.
*Dull thud!*
I felt the temperature dropping in my body.
"These guys killed Isal seeing that they couldn't convince him and used this old man and his grandson to complete their plan."
"I remember Isal's second-hand weapons saving us several times in the past. Stingy, but he always lent us weapons. May his body never wake up," Parlot said.
May his body never wake up. It was a kind of prayer that the dead would not rise. Something common said during the war against Grejard.
"Poor man, I regret his loss."
In the end, Parlot ordered them to take his body away.
"Although Rome instigated Votadini and Selgovae, the massacre was not done by Rome. They are trying to confuse us."
The letter I left on Nightmare was the orders the knights should follow. I told them to surround the shop and follow anyone suspicious.
I let go of the sword and brought my hands to my face.
"These idiots. Get me some paper. I'll write a letter to the other nobles."
"Yes, sir."
"This is bad. If this shop gave an estimate of 100 weapons, then this is no joke. These are at least 300 masterpieces. Northern warriors can easily tear apart common soldiers. And if you add this."
I could feel all the stress accumulating. It hadn't even been a month; I felt my bones chilling.
"I miss Rome. Ha!"
I sighed.
Upon returning, Parlot handed me a sheet and pen.
After a few more words, I handed the letter to a soldier and ordered him to deliver it.
"Sir, aren't you interested in one of these weapons?"
A knight pointed to the boxes.
"Now that you mention it, I've been unarmed for too long."
I approached one of the boxes.
"All masterpieces, but none very impressive."
Even though they were masterpieces, they were all of low quality.
But still, even a child could become the hero of their village if they took one.
In the end, none of them convinced me.
Soldiers and knights were entering and leaving, loading the boxes and weapons from the shop. I had designated the boxes with masterpieces for the nobles near the border.
I saw a person in chainmail with blue fabric and a mask entering.
On his chest was the royal family crest, a crown with a sword.
"Sir Ian, I didn't expect to see you here."
"Marquis Blackend, a pleasure to see you well."
He bowed slightly
.
"I'm here to take you to the palace."
"Before, did you know about this?"
He startled.
"N-no, apparently, he had bribed the guards at the night gate. We got this information because one of the guards overheard this and reported it to us. I'll take care of this, sir."
With a gesture, I indicated my withdrawal.
At the end of loading the shop, sunset was visible. I left Parlot in charge and headed towards the palace.
After following Ian, at a distance, it could be seen. It was an insula exclusive to royalty.
Although Eboracum was famous for its impenetrable fortress, the royal decided to spend his time on the insula and turned it into his home.
Upon arriving, I walked for a few minutes through the hallways, greeting those I recognized.
Having arrived at the King's office, a double door, red in color, faced me.
"Here comes the hard part. Ha!"
I sighed.
I touched.
[Enter]
I heard and opened the doors.
There was little light, but I could glimpse it. Seated behind a pile of papyrus and scrolls.
"Greetings to His Royal Highness, Cendrick Di Britani. Leonhart Blackend, returns to report."
I bowed 45 degrees.
"Leonhart!? Hahaha! You have to be joking!"
The king's surprise made the books fall to the floor.
The person who appeared from behind the books. He was a young man with white skin, blonde hair, and red eyes. He stood at a height of 181 cm and had a defined but slim body.
Cendrick Di Britani, 21 years old, ascended to the throne at the age of 14 after several circumstances that nobody wants to remember today.
"I can't believe it! Long time, how have you been?"
Asked Cendrick.
"Delighted to see you too, Your Highness."
He smiled at him disdainfully.
"Hey, bring me the best wine from the cellar."
Cendrick shouted while touching a bell.
I knew this would happen. I didn't want to last long, but I couldn't refuse Cendrick...
Both of us had idle talk, about my travels and how Cendrick managed the kingdom for the last six years.
During the conversation, I talked about recent events and what I thought about them.
"I see, I understand more or less what the Roman Empire wanted to do. But I didn't call you here for them. I'm sure the borders with Rome would be maintained for another 3 years. My concern is the betrayal with those in the north."
Confessed Cendrick.
"I agree, this move must have been calculated with the upcoming war with Rome, with the sole purpose of ending us more easily."
"Do you think Rome is planting spies to screw us?"
"You already know that. Leonhart, go back to the fortress and get ready. But before that."
Cendrick stood up and handed me a document.
"Go back to the fortress, I relieve you of your spy duties, and you take care of cleaning the house before the main guests arrive."
The hidden meaning was clear. 'Finish those off before they stab us and get ready for war.'
"I understand. I, Leonhart Blackend, hear Your Highness!"
I knelt on one knee.
After the formalities. We continued drinking to our heart's content.