Swordmaster of the Great Wall

The moment the hearing about the fortress suddenly shifted into Erich's solo show, everything was as good as decided.

Erich presented the necromancer's corpse, insisting that the dead were even more dangerous than the barbarians.

Of course, someone tried to question why their target for subjugation should be changed to the dead.

The problem was that the Church had unconditionally taken Erich's side.

Rather than suppress 'the one who holds the divinity of Incensus in his very body, the one resurrected from death' with mere authority, it seemed they had decided to throw their lot in with Erich, now that things had come to this.

After that, the lords and Church members left, and only the members of the Watch remained.

August let out a quiet sigh.

"... If you shock an old man like this, he'll die of fright soon enough. Erich."

"I apologize. But I had to drive a nail into this matter here and now."

"Still, I'm not sure if it was wise to reveal the truth about the dead so openly."

Commander August looked at him with a worried gaze. But there was no need to be so concerned. In fact, it was now better to impress upon them the existence of the dead.

"I judged that it would be fine. I hadn't expected to reveal it this quickly myself, but after facing that horde of over a thousand dead, I realized something. From now on, this will be full-scale war."

"I can agree with your judgment. But my concern lies elsewhere."

"... Are you perhaps worried about the Tower of Magic?"

August nodded. The 'Tower'. A gathering of madmen, who called themselves mages but were closer to lunatics holed up in their rooms.

If it were to be known that the dead had risen and were moving, they would surely cause a commotion, shouting, "What? Let's go at once!"

They had even done so before Erich's regression.

"They often behave beyond the bounds of common sense. If this matter gets out, they will definitely become a nuisance."

"... That was not lost on me either. If possible, I'd like to finish things before they intervene."

"So would I."

At that moment, Mikhail, his teacher, furrowed his brow.

"But for them to be barbarian half-bloods—I'm not pleased. Their birth alone is problematic."

"What crime are those children guilty of? If there is guilt, it lies with their creators."

"Hmm. Have you grown attached to them already?"

"It's a more practical matter. As confirmed this time, my power was immensely effective against the dead."

"So that's why there were burn marks on that corpse."

"Yes. If those children grow, even if they don't become Swordmasters, they will surely be a great help."

Mikhail slowly nodded.

He felt it as well. Even if Erich was only half right, those children held significant potential.

'Of course, if the time comes when those little ones have to actually face the dead in open warfare, it would already be the end.'

Thus, those gathered here had not decided based on whether the children's power was truly useful; either way, they had agreed with Erich according to their own interests and purposes.

Erich then looked around.

Present were Commander August, senior officer Mikhail, and head quartermaster Konrad. The rest were vice-captains of the Black Citadel assisting Commander August.

'Albrecht isn't here.'

Confirming his absence, Erich spoke up.

"By the way. There's someone I suspect is behind this."

"... Who is it?"

A wave of tension ran through everyone. They were prepared to be shocked by whomever name Erich spoke.

"Albrecht."

"... Albrecht? Are you certain?"

"Yes. His activities must be thoroughly investigated."

Commander August fell into deep thought. It was understandable, as Albrecht, being the chief vice-captain of the Watch, was closely connected to everyone.

"Do you have evidence?"

Erich explained to them what he had discovered during this affair.

That Joseph, of the research division, had colluded with barbarians and the dead. And that, upon investigation, even the barbarians who attacked the fortress had been instigated by someone within the Watch.

Furthermore, what he had learned revealed that the faction colluding with them was that of 'Ungrim', who in his previous life had ascended to the position of Mountain King—and that he was likely to become Mountain King again.

Finally, he stated that it was Albrecht who sent Joseph to the 6th Fortress, but the others did not seem to believe him easily.

Mikhail leaned against the wall and spoke.

"That alone doesn't prove that fellow is behind this. It's grounds for suspicion, I'll grant."

"Suspicion is enough. I'll be the one to uncover if he's truly the mastermind."

A silence filled the office. August wiggled his finger, then asked Richter, the commander of Richter Fortress, who had been listening.

"Richter. What do you think?"

"... Centurion Erich's words are true. I harbor the same suspicion."

At his words, commander August closed his eyes. It must have been hard for him to accept.

But Erich was certain. By all indications, it had to be Albrecht. Even if it wasn't, Albrecht would surely know something.

However, what came from the commander's mouth next was truly surprising.

"If that's the case, I cannot avoid suspicion either. Isn't that right?"

"... That..."

Erich was at a loss for words. He already knew Commander August was not behind all this. He had seen proof of it before the regression.

But conversely, if one removed the fact of his regression, August naturally had to be among the suspects as well. After all, only the commander outranked Albrecht, and without evidence, even an order from him would be suspect.

In other words, at this moment, it looked like Erich was doubting August, but had refrained from saying so out of consideration.

Yet August wore a faint smile, then addressed Mikhail.

"Mikhail, would you assist this young Centurion?"

"... Me?"

"You said you wanted to teach Erich more about the sword, didn't you?"

"When did I say that?"

Mikhail narrowed his eyes, but August laughed heartily and continued.

"Centurion Erich, come here."

"Yes."

Erich knelt before August.

"As commander of the Watch and North's guardian, I, August von Ludenwald, now assign you a new duty."

"... Yes."

Erich's body tensed with anxiety. Perhaps his suspicion was about to make August sideline him. Such thoughts briefly flickered in Erich's mind.

August drew his sword and placed it on Erich's shoulder, then continued.

- Clack.

"Centurion Erich, from this moment, you are to serve as deputy-commander under direct command of the commander. No one but me will have authority over you."

Erich almost raised his head in surprise. He was simply too stunned. Dıscover more novels at NoveI-Fire.ɴet

'... Deputy-commander?'

While technically lower than fortress commander, it was, in some aspects, a freer position—and as it authorized him to command several Centurions, sometimes he would have more men under his command than a fortress commander.

In short, it was a shockingly fast-track promotion that skipped several ranks.

In the Watch, unless it was a time of civil war, advancement this rapid was nearly unheard of.

August then took out a badge from his pocket and pinned it to Erich's black cloak—a gold badge signifying senior officer rank.

'Even though he must suspect I doubt him, he trusts and entrusts me all the same.'

Erich closed his eyes quietly. August then raised his sword.

"Arise, deputy-commander of the Watch, Erich."

"... I will do my best."

"I'll make sure no one exerts outside pressure on you—do as you wish. Instead, I'll assign Mikhail as your unit's advisor. But don't misunderstand; it's not for any strange reason."

"I understand. I know you are considering my position in many ways."

August flashed a kindly smile.

"Good. I won't interfere in your affairs, but tell me—what is the first thing you'll do as deputy-commander?"

Erich made up his mind in an instant. His next objective upon promotion was very clear.

"First, I will pursue Ungrim."

His objective was to the east, even beyond the Great Wall. The stronghold of the most powerful barbarians, and the base of Ungrim.

***

By the time Erich left the room, half a day had passed. And as he was about to leave the official residence—

"My lord, you look well."

"You look half-dead. How's the northern cold treating you?"

"It's killing me."

Milon grinned. He had stuffed his cumbersome armor full of fur, something Erich could easily guess the reason for.

'Full plate is a liability in cold like this.'

When metal gets that cold, it freezes to your skin. So, all the knights, including Milon, seemed to have stuffed as much fur under their armor as possible.

"Anyway, it looks like you have something you want to say to me?"

"Is that so? I suppose I can never fool your eyes, my lord."

"Ha... is it about father?"

Milon nodded.

"Dragon blood never thins, so you will inevitably return to the nest. Do not resist any further."

"You've grown up, Milon. You speak to me so curtly now."

"T-that's not what I meant, my lord."

"I'm joking. I'm sure that was father's message."

Ever since becoming Heinkel's vice, Milon had become more mature somehow. Teasing him gave Erich a new, thrilling feeling.

Then Milon drew his sword—the 'Dragon Fang' he hadn't been able to present before.

"... Something feels odd."

"What do you mean? This is the message and sword His Excellency the Grand Duke ordered I deliver."

"Why is father so fixated on me these days?"

"I don't know, but there was definitely something strange about it."

"How so?"

"Before, it was like he wouldn't care if you didn't accept it. Now, it was as if he'd drag you back himself if you refused. The courier who brought the letter was shaking as if he'd seen a ghost."

Erich could feel it instinctively. The grand duke's odd obsession. This was not normal.

'He's the type to always follow through.'

If he truly wanted something that badly, he wouldn't just turn over the Watch—he'd overturn the whole Empire.

'But why?'

That was the problem. He hadn't made any major moves lately. He hadn't achieved any special feat or become someone of great renown.

All he'd done was pull a bit of a trick.

But for the grand duke to go this far, just for that?

It was hard to believe, unless he had some way to observe Erich's growth.

"... Wait. Milon."

"Yes?"

"The troops brought from the fief, are they all from the Roland and Heinkel house guards?"

"Of course not. We don't have that many men to spare. They're a mishmash from everywhere. Why do you ask...?"

"Just in case—among them, did you see a small house of riders called 'Snape'?"

"Snape... I'm not sure. Do you know their family crest?"

"A black flag with two snakes and a sword drawn in the middle."

Milon thought a moment, then frowned.

"Now that you mention it, I vaguely recall. They were so gloomy the soldiers disliked them. But how do you even remember such a humble house?"

Hearing that, a chill so cold it felt paralyzing swept over Erich.

The grand duke's words were not just a message. It was a threat—if you do not come, I will not leave you alone.

To put it bluntly, it meant he might actually kill him.

"... Oh."

"Well, house or not, if His Highness the Grand Duke commands it, isn't it best to accept?"

Erich gazed at the sword, lost in thought.

So, the Snapes had come.

In the worst case, he might have to fight to the death. In the best case, he could gain a powerful ally—this was a moment of choice.

Erich knew the true nature of this house.

The grand duke's hidden blade, the meaning of the 'sure-kill' that descends from Krupp.

Shadow.

The grand duke's eyes and ears had come north, right here after all.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】