Damon looked at him with a curious expression.
“What problem has come up?”
“Yes. A rather troublesome matter has arisen. In the worst case, we may not be able to attempt the invasion of Truvenia.”
Duke Ferstein carefully explained the unexpected situation. As he listened to the unforeseen news, Damon’s face gradually hardened.
“At present, a tremendous storm is raging in the seas between us and the continent of Truvenia. Countless whirlpools, fierce winds, and towering waves have turned the sea into hell. It would not be an exaggeration to say it has become a sea of death. Many whaling ships have already been swept up in the storm and sunk. According to the testimony of sailors who barely made it back alive, even large, double-decked whaling ships could not withstand the storm.”
“………”
“In my opinion, it seems the curse of the Silver Dragon from five hundred years ago has been recreated.”
When Duke Ferstein finished speaking, the room fell silent in an instant. It was news that poured cold water on the conquest plan that had been heating up. Duke Ferstein continued quietly.
“The strength of large whaling ships against storms surpasses that of warships of every class. Of course, their sailors are far more experienced than the crews of warships as well. If such whaling ships have sunk, this is no ordinary problem. We must regard the sea route to Truvenia as having been completely severed.”
When he finished, Damon ground his teeth. If the storm had already been activated, then in all likelihood, as soon as Berkis returned, he had incited the Dragon Lord into carrying out the magic.
“Damn it… what a thoroughly meticulous bastard.”
He could not think of any way to deal with it. What use was gathering a great army of one and a half million? There was no way to cross the sea… Looking at Damon’s stunned face, Duke Ferstein cautiously continued.
“I have sought out a great number of experienced sailors and ordered them to try breaking through the sea route. However, it seems we will have to accept a certain degree of sacrifice in crossing the sea.”
Theodore, who had been listening, wore a troubled expression. If the storm was powerful enough to sink whaling ships, he could not even begin to imagine how great the sacrifices would be. If a ship capsized, soldiers wearing armor would have no choice but to drown. The image of countless soldiers flailing before sinking beneath the water was vivid before his eyes, and Theodore could not endure it. He sprang up from his seat.
“Would it not be better to wait for another opportunity? We cannot lose our troops so meaninglessly, can we?”
Duke Ferstein coldly cut off Theodore’s words.
“That will not do. They are likely trusting in the storm and making no particular preparations. Only by striking then can we succeed in the conquest of Truvenia. Even if only half the fleet, or in the worst case half of that half, survives and lands in Truvenia, there is still a chance. But if they finish all their preparations and cross over to Arcadia, then we cannot guarantee our odds of victory.”
“But the rulers of the other nations are not fools either. If they grasp what is happening at sea, will they obediently offer up their troops? No ruler would provide soldiers while knowing full well they are going to their deaths.”
“They have already accepted the request for troops. Therefore, by any means necessary, we will obtain the forces they promised. If need be, we must even be prepared for war, must we not?”
Theodore quietly closed his mouth. The method was somewhat extreme, but in wartime, the judgment of the commander-in-chief had to be trusted completely. Whatever anyone said, among those present, Duke Ferstein’s judgment would be the most accurate.
Even so, his heart grew heavy at the thought of the soldiers who would have to die in vain while crossing the sea. As if to soothe Theodore, Duke Ferstein wore a troubled expression.
“I do not relish it either. People say I am cold-blooded, but not in this case. The soldiers of the expeditionary army are indisputably my subordinates. You know full well how much I value my men, do you not?”
“………”
“Even if we lose most of the one and a half million troops of the expeditionary army, it is something that must be done. If countless people of Arcadia can be saved thereby, then I will do so as a matter of course.”
Once again, the hall turned solemn. At that moment, a piercing voice rang through the room. It was Shrekheimer’s voice.
“There is a way.”
At those words, everyone’s gazes turned to Shrekheimer at once. It was the feeling of a drowning man clutching even at a straw.
“There is a way to set the troops down safely in Truvenia without losing a single one of them.”
Duke Ferstein responded urgently. If all one and a half million troops could be sent safely to Truvenia, then the war would already be as good as won.
“What method is that?”
Shrekheimer quietly turned his head. From between the folds of his robe, eyes gleaming eerily were directed at Damon.
“For that, Damon’s help is absolutely necessary. And a special strike force made up of elites—ah, the Kasim Mercenary Corps should be sufficient.”
After pausing briefly, Shrekheimer looked around at the people present and continued.
“Damon, the Kasim Mercenary Corps, and I must cross over to Truvenia first. If we ride the Bone Dragon, we can cross the continent without difficulty.”
Perhaps impatience had welled up in him, for Theodore pressed him.
“A-and what exactly do you intend to do after crossing over?”
“To the southeast of Truvenia lies the rugged Pelusia Mountains. Beyond them is the forbidden region known as the Elven Forest. Even during the era when humans flourished in the past, no one was able to enter the Elven Forest.”
Duke Ferstein’s following words seemed to reveal his desperate state of mind plainly.
“What of it? Please, I beg you, get to the point.”
“Beyond the Elven Forest…”
When Shrekheimer’s lengthy explanation ended, the people let out long sighs. Shrekheimer had presented a plan no one could have imagined. Duke Ferstein asked again, as though he found it hard to believe.
“Is it possible?”
“Of course. Long ago, I once crossed the Elven Forest. And though only from a distance, I have seen that place as well.”
“After you became a vampire?”
Shrekheimer slowly nodded.
“The undead cannot receive the elves’ permission. At that time, I was still a priest. In general, elves are tolerant toward the clergy of the Berhazel Order, so I was able to obtain the permission of an elven elder and pass through the forest. However, although I arrived, I could not enter. I had gone with the intention of drawing in reinforcements from Arcadia, but I had no choice but to abandon the plan. It was beyond my abilities.”
Duke Ferstein let out an exclamation.
“Astonishing. To think you even devised such a plan… Then do you think it is possible now?”
Shrekheimer glanced at Damon’s face.
“If Damon assists us, I believe it is possible. Using the Bone Dragon and the Death Knights, we can sufficiently break through that place’s defensive barrier. Moreover, with Damon’s black magic skills, activating it should also be possible. It seems a plan worth attempting. What do you think, Damon?”
Without a second word, Damon nodded.
“I agree with the Grand Prelate’s proposal. It is a plan with sufficient feasibility. There is no need to think about it at length. I will cross over to Truvenia with the Kasim Mercenary Corps.”
Theodore quietly furrowed his brow.
“But is it not too dangerous? Crossing over to Truvenia, which is swarming with orcs, without support from the army is an extremely dangerous undertaking.”
Damon cut off Theodore’s words simply.
“Do we have any other choice anyway?”
“………”
Having easily silenced Theodore, Damon looked at Duke Ferstein.
“You should reorganize the troops and wait at your leisure. Since they are forces gathered from many kingdoms, you will need to drill them so they can be controlled smoothly. Do not worry. I will succeed in the mission without fail.”
“Will you be all right?”
Damon thumped his chest and looked at Duke Ferstein.
“Who do you think I am? Am I not the man who escaped even from that damned Berkis bastard’s lair? Set your worries aside and wait. I will be sure to bring you good news…”
A smile spread across Duke Ferstein’s lips.
“Very well. Leave the rest to me and cross over to Truvenia. But in return, you must succeed in the mission without fail.”
Duke Ferstein paused for a moment, and a strange light flickered in his eyes.
“Please take care of yourself. As you know, my life depends on you, Damon.”
“You mean the Bloodworm of Subordination. Do not worry. I will never die. Not until I have accomplished my revenge.”
Having finished speaking, Damon looked at Theodore.
“You are to join forces with Duke Ferstein and drill the expeditionary army. So that they can be deployed immediately if I succeed in the mission.”
“Understood.”
Theodore nodded with a worried expression. Damon was no different from an elder of his family, so he could not help but worry. Damon, however, was instead burning with fighting spirit.
“It seems the time has finally come for the Kasim Mercenary Corps to show its strength. Shrekheimer, you too are a member of our Kasim Mercenary Corps. Let us do this splendidly.”
“How could there be any doubt?”
At that moment, Duke Ferstein called to Damon.
“There is one thing I would like to ask of you, Damon.”
“What is it?”
The duke’s request was completely unexpected.
“Please take my son, Cransia, with you. With that boy’s skill, he will not be a burden.”
Damon’s eyes widened.
“What are you saying? This is a dangerous mission for which I cannot dare guarantee our safe return. And yet you mean to send your eldest son, the one who will succeed you, into the jaws of death?”
But there was no wavering in Duke Ferstein’s resolve.
“I want to broaden that boy’s experience. Only by overcoming all manner of hardships and adversity will he earn the right to succeed me. And I trust you, Damon.”
“Would you look at this old fox?”
Damon smiled bitterly. He could roughly guess the duke’s true intention in acting this way. He was trying to improve his relationship with him. Whether the ambitions he harbored could be achieved depended solely on Damon’s will…
Duke Ferstein continued persuading Damon.
“In any case, if you fall into danger, I will not be safe either. Besides, the Kasim Mercenary Corps already has two Duke Knights, does it not? Above all, Cransia has experience with Truvenia.”
“Experience with Truvenia?”
Duke Ferstein continued with a flushed expression.
“During the Paladin qualification examination, Cransia went to Truvenia twice. I assure you, he will be a help to your fighting strength, not a burden.”
“If that is so… Very well. I accept.”
When Damon nodded, a smile spread across Duke Ferstein’s lips.
“Thank you.”
Whether he knew it or not, this decision would surely be of great help to Cransia. After all, was it not the way of humans to grow by overcoming hardship? Once the decision was made, they all began preparations in earnest.
They had to prepare all the necessary supplies so that the members of the Kasim Mercenary Corps, with Damon at their head, could act freely. In order to carry out Shrekheimer’s plan, there was a great deal—far too much—that had to be prepared.