Swordmaster of the Great Wall

Everyone gathered in the barracks was murmuring with unease. Commander August furrowed his brow and spoke.

"What is the meaning of this, chief Mikhail?"

"As you heard. That bastard Albrecht is a traitor from the Watch who colluded with the dead. He's already brought the Barbarians to his side."

Erich gave a bitter smile inwardly.

It had always been difficult to expect political tact from Mikhail. Still, there was no need to stop him from speaking up.

'Albrecht's betrayal needed to become public sooner or later. This is actually a chance to openly reveal suspicions about him.'

Besides, it was possible that this whole scheme with the Mage Tower contained Albrecht's own machinations.

This meant that discussing Albrecht's true nature here might become the key that leads to a trial.

Having organized his thoughts, Erich stepped forward to speak.

"May I say something?"

"Go ahead."

Commander August's face was set in stone. After all, the tale was hard to believe.

Yet, since this was coming from Mikhail, his old friend who had served with Albrecht, the second-in-command of the Watch, for many years, he could not simply ignore it.

Erich spoke calmly, choosing his words with care.

"My suspicions towards Albrecht began after coming to the 6th Fortress and meeting Joseph. Once I learned Joseph's true identity, my doubts intensified."

"... Do you have any evidence?"

"Joseph belonged to the research group, and it was Second-in-Command Albrecht who dispatched him to the 6th Fortress."

"Everyone here now knows that the blood of the dead is dangerous and that its presence nearly doomed the 6th Fortress. But can you declare with certainty that all these things were the intentions of Albrecht, just based on that?"

Erich admitted that he had thought the same, then continued.

"Every time I unravelled a Barbarian plot, there was always an unexpected attack. Think back to when I captured the Barbarian shaman, Kalga, for example."

"... That's true."

"When I caught Joseph, it was the same. Countless dead appeared—along with that monster called the 'Necromancer'. Surely, that can't be a coincidence. Whoever orchestrated all these events must have found my movements troublesome."

The room was now abuzz with greater commotion. Mikhail added his thoughts.

"That's when that damned bastard resorted to a trick."

That was what led to their operation: they would leak the movements of Erich's unit to all senior Watch officers, but give each one a different route, then see where an ambush would occur.

Depending on where the ambush happened, they could deduce, by elimination, who had orchestrated the attack.

If the culprit only saw the dead as research tools, he would have ignored Erich's movements.

But if, instead, he was involved in a grand collusion involving the Barbarians, he would not miss a chance to hinder Erich—just like now.

And, as a result of the ambush, the culprit had been narrowed down to one.

"The one who was caught in this trap was Second-in-Command Albrecht. At the exact time I'd given him, the Barbarians were lying in wait."

"Are you telling us he set an ambush so clumsily? That's hard to believe. Besides, didn't you survive just fine after being ambushed there?"

The question came from one of the fortress commanders seated to the left of the commander. He was one-eyed, with a sharp gaze. Erich recognized him as well.

'Grant, chief of the 1st Fortress.'

Grant was known as a self-made man—a former runaway serf who had risen to become 1st Fortress Commander.

While it was not rare for those of low birth to rise within the Watch, usually this happened only as far as outpost captain or perhaps one tier higher.

To command significant forces, one needed more—proper education, or exceptional intuition and intellect.

In that sense, grant possessed both.

"That's because Second-in-Command Albrecht didn't know about Lord Mikhail's presence. If not for Lord Mikhail, we would have suffered heavy losses."

"... He didn't know Lord Mikhail was there."

Grant nodded slowly.

Knowing Mikhail's prowess, he found this explanation plausible.

If Albrecht assumed he was ambushing a simple commander, then Mikhail's presence was indeed a wildcard.

If Albrecht had known Mikhail was there from the start, he probably wouldn't have attempted the ambush at all.

It was lucky that, before Erich left for the Wolf Tribe, Albrecht had not attended that meeting.

Of course, had he been present, Albrecht might have known, in which case Erich would have chosen a different strategy.

Next, chief of the 2nd Fortress, Hern, spoke—with his usual light, but not too frivolous, tone.

"Maybe he just wanted to kill you because he didn't like you?"

"Hern, restrain yourself."

"Yes, yes."

Erich recalled that, despite his careless speech, Fortress Commander Hern possessed exceptional martial skill.

Some even said he was the second strongest in the Watch after Mikhail.

'I've already claimed that title, though.'

But not necessarily because Erich was overwhelmingly superior—rather, Hern had an unexpectedly short life.

Before the regression, both the 1st Fortress Commander Grant and 2nd Fortress Commander Hern had died together with August, victims of some mysterious incident.

The other fortress commanders didn't add much. Erich's explanation seemed enough.

Above all, with Mikhail's support bolstering his words, there was nothing left to object.

Erich sensed that the members of the Watch were generally convinced. But not everyone was.

One noble from the Empire rose and began to speak.

"I understand the situation, but I cannot say I'm pleased. If the Watch's number two is a traitor, then why are we here? Are our forces only here to mediate some civil war in your Watch?"

"Please restrain yourself. Is there not an Apostle of Incensus present?"

"This matter doesn't concern the church! Stop meddling if you don't know what you're talking about!"

"Y-you insolent! That is blasphemy. Blasphemy!"

Priests and lords from the church bickered, but the overall situation became clear to Erich.

'The lords want to go home. They brought their soldiers along because of the atmosphere, but now they've come too far into a place without much gain.'

Still, with the battle against Wunggrim and such grand forces assembled here, it wasn't entirely meaningless. What Erich now needed was to sway the lords' hearts.

Erich addressed the lords slowly.

"Those who wish to return may do so."

"... Ahem. It's not that I want to leave, just a matter of trust."

"Isn't it that you feel there's nothing to be gained from this fight? The Barbarians are poorer than you expected, and the lands beyond the Great Wall are worthless."

"Well, not necessarily, but..."

The lord smacked his lips with displeasure. But what they thought was obvious; to change the situation, there was only one way: dangle a tasty reward.

"However, I would like to announce this to the world. The lords joined forces and drove out the vanguard of the enemy for the first time in a hundred years."

"... Hm?"

"Families that participate in this glorious battle will attract warriors who respect honor. Of course, those who leave can claim they repelled the vanguard, but... usually, people who care about honor are drawn to greater feats, aren't they?"

Erich gave a sly grin.

At that, the lords who grasped his meaning widened their eyes.

—If we go back now and the ones who remain defeat the enemy's main force...?

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The achievements of those who only broke the vanguard and left would obviously pale in comparison to those who destroyed the main host, too.

There haven't been any major wars in the Empire lately. The lords knew this—that's why they'd come, to earn fame.

But what if they could claim the glory of defeating the Mountain King, appearing for the first time in centuries?

Even the northern families that helped crush the Mountain King a hundred years ago still trade on that reputation.

For those who left midway now, who knew what rumors would cling to their names?

Realizing this, the previously incensed lord quietly sat back down and muttered in a subdued voice.

"... Well, I didn't really say I wanted to leave. It's just a matter of trust..."

Milon, watching from the side, wore a strange smile but said nothing. His master, surprisingly, was talented in more areas than anyone could guess.

"It seems everyone here is convinced. Then, we will conduct a detailed investigation into Albrecht's betrayal."

"... Commander, where is Second-in-Command Albrecht now? If what you've just told us is true, shouldn't you be summoning him, not Sir Erich?"

"Albrecht left to inspect his research facility. As soon as this meeting ends, I will send someone to summon him. Don't worry."

The lords nodded, apparently reassured by these responses. But although this issue seemed resolved, the bigger question had yet to begin.

'Now comes the time to talk about the Mage Tower's trial.'

August also gave a genial smile and continued.

"Now, let's talk about the trial. Although the accuser couldn't attend, this is just for clarification. The trial will be held three days from now, at midnight."

"To be honest, Lord Commander, I don't like this at all. How can the Mage Tower demand a trial for a Watchman, especially a commander-level officer? It doesn't make sense."

This protest came from Fortress Commander Grant. In truth, the Watch had every right to be indignant.

Though the Mage Tower had great authority and was empowered by the imperial court to conduct trials and mete out punishment, the Watch was strictly extraterritorial.

'The whole premise of the Watch's oath is to protect the Wall, regardless of outside grudges.'

For the Mage Tower to so brazenly override that tradition was reason enough for discontent among the Watch.

August exhaled a low sigh as he replied.

"I know your feelings, commander Grant. But the Mage Tower holds equal rights. Moreover, this order comes straight from the Emperor himself. By naming me as judge, his Majesty has actually done us a favor."

"If he's being lenient, why not go a little farther? Stingy as ever."

"Hern, refrain from insolent words."

But about the trial, many other lords had similar views.

They couldn't understand why the Mage Tower would convene a trial, even recalling an officer deployed on an outside campaign.

Thus, the talk about Erich's return ended. None of those present were supportive of the Mage Tower, so there was no reason for the meeting to drag on.

But as he returned to the barracks with his unit, Erich was seized by another question.

'... What does the Mage Tower stand to gain from all this? Absolutely nothing.'

There was nothing to gain from such maneuvering, especially since, with Commander August as judge, the trial itself was of little consequence.

If there was one thing to note, it was the fact that the Mage Tower's forces had crossed the Great Wall.

But at that moment, a thought flashed through Erich's mind.

'Does the very fact that the Mage Tower has come beyond the Great Wall mean something?'

He felt now, little by little, that he was beginning to understand something.

What would the Mage Tower desire in the north? No doubt, the dead and something magically connected to them.

Erich's gaze shifted to the rows of barracks around him. Representing every power of the Empire, each had set up its own camp.

In at least one of those, the Mage Tower's delegations would be quartered. Erich's lips curled upward.

"Frederick, Barnes. Let the troops rest."

"... Where are you going? You look like you're up to something strange again."

"I'm going to see the Tower Master."

"...???"

Frederick blinked. The Tower Master wasn't some village chief you could just ask to meet. Could he really just go in and request an audience on a whim?

But Erich had just one idea now: meet the Tower Master in person.

If his hunch was correct, there would be no barriers to meeting the Tower Master at all.

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

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】