Chapter 399
The time rewinds just a little.
This is a story from right after Duke Marchias's group delivered their formal letter to the gate.
***
The wind in the northern territories is cool even in this season and turns chilly at night.So, tents are pitched in the encampment, and sentry soldiers wrap themselves in cloaks to keep warm.
A group camped in an open area by the roadside.
The forces of the eastern Duke, Duke Marchias.Currently, they are touring villages in the northern territories affected by bandits and monster attacks, supporting public order restoration and reconstruction efforts.
A disciplined army.Everyone earnestly performs their duties, and military order is maintained.
If one turns a blind eye to the fact that the foundation of this order is fear, it could even be seen as an ideal army.
In reality, they haven't engaged in actions disliked by civilians, such as borderline plundering. When they come for reconstruction support, they are initially met with fear, but by the time they leave, they are waved off to a degree that suggests they've earned some goodwill.
"General Ortus, a reply has come from the other side.""I'll receive it.""Yes, sir!"
One soldier approaches a man who was organizing documents inside a particularly lavish tent, surrounded by elite cavalry.
The soldiers of the eastern territory, rich in metal resources, can be issued and maintain steel armor for everyone.Moreover, even though steel armor is supposedly unsuitable for cold regions as it can cause frostbite, they don't seem to be freezing from the cold.It's because each one has been issued a magical tool for warming, allowing them to wear the steel armor that would otherwise cause hypothermia.
Bermuda Ortus, who received the letter from one such soldier, brushes back his somewhat thin hair tied behind him and breaks the wax seal on the letter with that hand.
"Well, well. They welcome us, it seems. I had anticipated they'd set up camp and meet us at a central location."
His eyebrow twitches slightly as he confirms the contents, and he smiles.
"This means I won't have to fret when reporting to His Grace. Don't you think?""Sir, this humble officer cannot answer that question.""Is that so? Well, fine. We move the troops in three hours. Dismantle the camp by then. We might get to sleep under a roof tonight.""Understood!"
At the very least, the information the scouts brought back is that they can enter the walls.Of course, there will be surveillance and they are being watched.
But Bermuda judged that the information about being able to pass through the gates was undoubtedly valuable.
Not sparing a glance at the soldier who quickly exited to carry out the order, Bermuda recalls the appearance of the walls as seen from a high vantage point guided by the scouts.
"...Inadequate."
The height that made them seem high even from an elevated position, the robust texture that absolutely didn't feel like a facade, the width that seemed to stretch to the ends of the earth.
When he received the report that the walls rivaled the royal capital's, he thought it was an exaggerated expression. But the fact that it was an underestimation was shocking enough to make Bermuda resolve to update all the information in his mind at once.
He was convinced that even the magical weapons he'd brought as a precaution could not breach those walls.Even considering the entire army, not just a part, the ballistae mounted on the walls and the walls' thickness made not just "difficult" but the word "reckless" cross his mind.
"Expanding the wyvern unit might also become essential. Well, well, it seems I must produce results to ask His Grace for even more."
Merely coming this far and seeing the real thing is a significant achievement, but he doesn't think his superior would be satisfied with a report of this level.Depending on how he reports, he can avoid demerits.However, that avoidance tactic would become unusable in the future.
From Bermuda's perspective, he wants merits more than avoiding demerits.
Outside, soldiers are shouting as they begin dismantling the tents.
He said they'd depart in three hours, so there's a three-hour grace period. It's not good for the field commander to leave this place.
"Should I load up a bit more in the way of gifts?"
So, he mobilizes his subordinates to take all possible measures.
However, Bermuda does not know the character of the boy named Liberta.This time, he sent the formal letter along with safe gems, but that's not necessarily the correct choice.If Liberta is a person solely focused on martial arts, the gems might even result in a negative evaluation.But if he's thinking of avoiding worsening relations and ending this invitation safely, one must also consider the possibility of not gaining any further connection.
Women, treasure, status—he considers all of them, but considering the information from intelligence and his current position, Bermuda couldn't form an image of Liberta desiring things that people generally want.
"......"
Given that he's currently building something like this fortress, it's certain he's not without desires.But Bermuda cannot discern the direction of Liberta's desires.
Bermuda has also seen many people.
Among them were many who harbored desires that were appalling as human beings.There were people who desired odd things even in aspects like sexual proclivities, ambitions, or the field of collecting habits.
"I suppose I won't know until I meet him."
However, he concluded with the recognition that he was a difficult target to approach due to insufficient information.
The existence named Liberta was completely off the radar until a few years ago.By the time rumors started, he was already under the protection of the House of Edelgard, making him hard to reach and difficult to gather information on.
Furthermore, while they could only watch, he went and built such an incredible facility, making predictions practically impossible.
Understanding why Duke Marchias desires information, Bermuda considered the most beneficial course of action in this situation.
Then, suddenly, Bermuda thought of something he would normally dismiss with a laugh.The temptation to abandon his current master and pledge allegiance to the boy named Liberta, who built this fortress through such wondrous methods.
Bermuda thought it would be easy to dismiss as impossible. But he considered the possibility that, if Liberta turned out to be his ideal person, he might hold even greater appeal than Duke Marchias.
He heard he's still a child. Even with genius talent, his thinking should not be fully mature yet.Guide that thinking, support him, and carve out a path.
Considering the sense of fulfillment and the final outcome, it wasn't a bad prospect.
"No, it's interesting."
Such a thought crossed his mind, but he wasn't naive enough to immediately act to make it a reality.
It wouldn't be too late even after understanding Liberta's character.That line of thinking was undoubtedly about weighing Duke Marchias against Liberta.
In itself, that is disrespectful and unthinkable by the common sense of this world. But for Bermuda, rationality takes precedence over loyalty.
A master is merely a piece to accomplish an objective.He thought to achieve his purpose by attaching himself to the immense status of a Duke, but now right before his eyes, there might be an existence with the potential to obtain even greater power.
"Hmm, hmm."
Those walls are a symbol of that.No matter how many slaves are used, no matter how much wealth is invested, the eastern ducal house alone could not build walls of this scale.
Well, perhaps it would be possible over ten or twenty years, spending long years and piling up vast amounts of human lives and money.However, the boy named Liberta built those walls in a period that must be called abnormal—surpassing merely "short" at just one year.
Moreover, it's believed he achieved it with an extremely small number of residents and independently, without trading with anyone.
"A skill? Or, since he's called an apostle of the gods, did he receive something special from them?"
A sinister smile plays on Bermuda's lips as his interest deepens. Madness begins to mix into his expression.He's starting to look forward to the meeting later.
"No, no, no. I got a bit too excited."
He covers his mouth as a chuckle threatens to escape, trying to suppress his emotions, but what's welling up is hard to contain.
"Even when I obtained information on other heroes, none piqued my interest. So why does Liberta spark this interest?"
This feeling is something he hasn't felt in a long time.Excitement born of interest.Why he feels such strong interest is a mystery.
Nevertheless, that this feeling is not false is best understood by the person himself.
"No, no, no. I cannot show such a smile to others."
Liberta knows of the character named Bermuda from the story of FBO.However, that is merely knowing the character named Bermuda as portrayed in the story.
If asked whether he fully understands this person, the answer is NO.He only knows the tip of the iceberg, and only the important elements within that—not everything.
He knows his true nature.
He also knows the reason behind that maddened smile.
He even knows the underlying emotion.
But as for the desire Bermuda himself harbors, one even he doesn't fully understand—even Liberta had no way of knowing that.
Knowing a story that was never written is impossible even for a god.
"Mm, good."
He composes his expression, returning to the usual Bermuda.But inside, he remains as excited and stirred up as ever.
"Excuse me!"
At that moment, whether by good or bad luck, a soldier came to report.
"What is it?""Sir! We have captured a suspicious man nearby.""Is he alive?""Yes! He claims to be a resident of that pioneer village. What should we do?""Hmm... a resident of that pioneer village, you say?"
It was a report of apprehending a suspicious person.And the suspicious person claims to be a resident of the pioneer village beyond those walls.It's uncertain if that's true.
Whether it's a lie or the truth, Bermuda has no method to judge.
"I see, I see."
However, Bermuda saw this as an opportunity.
"Good, a fine opportunity. I shall personally inquire about the village. It's unacceptable to approach a military camp without permission, but there's no need to do anything rough and incur their displeasure. Understood? Do nothing rough. Handle him properly and politely.""Yes, sir!""Ah, yes, yes. If he claims to be a resident of the pioneer village, it would be better for me to personally go greet him. We are heading there afterward. It would be good to have met beforehand."
If it's a lie, they earn goodwill by reporting they caught a suspicious person.If it's the truth, they can extract some concession based on the other party's blunder.
Thinking he'd go see the person now in a prisoner's position, Bermuda stands up and exits the tent.
There are still soldiers working around, but the area where the captured prisoner is held is immediately apparent. With just a glance around, Bermuda saw soldiers gathered in one corner, with a single shabby-looking man kneeling.
A spear pointed at him, bound with ropes, bruises on his face perhaps from resisting during the capture—a treatment far from the "politeness" Bermuda mentioned moments ago.One might expect Bermuda to show anger at this, but instead, he smiles broadly and approaches the man.
"Well, well, I apologize that my subordinates handled you roughly. I hear you claim to be a resident of the pioneer village up ahead?""Th-that's right! You bastards treating me like this! The villagers won't let this slide if they find out!!"
With a smile, an expression that seems kind, a gentle tone that suggests consideration.He puts on an expression meant to give a good impression and speaks.
Judging by his appearance, nine times out of ten, he's a former bandit. A hired rogue who came here to investigate that pioneer village, most likely.
"So, you live inside those walls?""Yeah, that's right! There are tons of golems in those walls!! If they find out you hurt me, those golems will come swarming!""That would be serious.""Hehehehe, then release me right awa—""Then I must go apologize. Fortunately, we are heading toward that gate now. Shall we go together?""Huh?""Why the surprise? You're a resident of that village, aren't you? Shall we go together?"
What will happen when this man is taken to the pioneer village?And what kind of response will Liberta, the lord of that pioneer village, have?Chuckling to himself, Bermuda looks forward to finding out.