The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations

Chapter 272: Chapter 271: He’s Already Making a Move? (1)



In a meeting of the pro-royalist nobles, the topic of Ghislain came up. With the kingdom's road construction project underway, Ghislain had recently become the hottest topic in the capital.

As such, his name was a constant fixture in every meeting.

The kingdom's commander-in-chief, Marquis Maurice Macquarie, frowned as he questioned Marquis Branford.

"That guy, he's assembling a massive force?"

"Indeed. I hear it's so extensive that his entire estate is in an uproar."

"Hah, so that duckling got scared after taking out Count Cabaldi. Well, that's fair enough. He did go after a duke faction noble, so it's understandable."

"The problem is, he's gathering far too many troops."

Although the exact numbers hadn't been reported, rumors suggested that Ghislain had amassed at least several thousand armed soldiers.

Given that Ghislain had caused numerous incidents in the past, Marquis Branford couldn't help but pay special attention to these rumors.

Maurice nodded and added, "Hmm... Considering he's the kind of guy who could jump into anything, isn't he probably assembling those troops to hit somewhere again? We're barely managing to recover from the drought crisis, and if he causes another problem, it'll be a disaster."

"For now, it seems he's preparing for defense after attacking Count Cabaldi and souring relations with the duke faction. Even Count Desmond is raising an army."

At Branford's words, Maurice smirked dismissively.

"In the end, he's just a mere northern lord. Unless the duke faction starts a civil war, Desmond can't accomplish anything on his own."

Other pro-royalist nobles nodded in agreement.

As long as the kingdom's forces remained near Desmond's territory, he would be kept in check. Thanks to Branford's foresight, Count Desmond found himself completely shackled. Branford himself acknowledged and agreed with this reality. No matter how significant Desmond was in the north, he wouldn't dare act recklessly without the orders and backing of the Duchy.

Still, even if an outright war didn't break out, the mere fact that Desmond was gathering troops was significant.

"Tsk, Desmond raising an army means the civil war is drawing closer.'

This was typical of the pro-royalist nobles. Even after being pushed back by the duke faction for so long, they had become arrogant again, thanks to Count Fenris giving them some breathing room.

Their justification and legitimacy stemmed from their claim of supporting the royal family, so their attitude wasn't surprising.

After all, if the Duchy started a civil war, it would be branded a rebellion.

Branford sighed and continued, "A portion of the 2nd Corps is currently assisting nearby lords with road construction, correct?"

Maurice nodded.

"It's better to get it done quickly while we're at it. I ordered it myself. Is there a problem? Those northern bastards are so poor they can't even manage proper construction."

"Recall all of them."

"Why?"

"The 2nd Corps is stationed there to monitor the north and protect Count Fenris."

At Branford's dispassionate words, Maurice scowled even more deeply.

"Why do you care so much about that duckling? Since when did he become so important to us?"

"If a civil war breaks out, Count Fenris will be the first to be attacked in the north. The strength of the 2nd Corps must remain intact to counter any joint attack from Desmond and the duke faction nobles."

"You're already worrying about a civil war? The Duchy is still recovering from the drought; they wouldn't dare start one now! If they do, it'd just mean mutual destruction-no way they'd do something that foolish! All their threats are just bluffs!"

"Other lords and the kingdom's forces are also preparing their strength in case of a civil war. We don't know when the duke faction might draw their swords. The road construction has also sharpened the nerves of the duke faction lords."

"Fine, preparations are good. But why only protect that guy? You're always siding with him and granting his every request, and that's just making him even more arrogant!"

Maurice vented his long-held frustrations, and other nobles nodded along.

The typically impartial Marquis Branford's excessive favoritism toward Ghislain had naturally sown dissatisfaction.

For now, Branford's authority kept everyone silent, but if Ghislain caused a few more problems or even failed once, Branford's standing would be shaken as well.

Even amid this growing tension, Branford maintained his calm demeanor as he spoke.

"I have warned you clearly. Follow my instructions."

"Ugh..."

Maurice scowled, unable to hide his displeasure, and repeatedly twitched his lips. He couldn't fathom why Branford continued to coddle that boy.

As much as he hated it, Maurice couldn't ignore Branford's request. After all, Branford was

the leader of the royalist faction and held more power than Maurice.

"Once the Duchy falls, I'll make sure to behead that brat myself. Don't try to stop me then."

"At that time, I'll pretend I know nothing."

"Hmph!"

Maurice stormed off, muttering empty threats, his face twisted as if he'd swallowed a bug.

The other nobles, sensing the mood, cautiously followed him out.

They were starting to wonder where their allegiance should lie.

'Marquis Branford must be losing his judgment in his old age.'

'Even if a civil war breaks out, the kingdom's forces should protect us, not that brat. Why protect him at

all?'

'Could it be that Branford is really grooming him as a political successor?'

The other royalist nobles harbored similar grievances. Ghislain seemed to receive excessive benefits and special treatment.

If the Duchy truly started a civil war, Ghislain should be a pawn to be discarded, not someone

to protect.

'If war breaks out, the kingdom's forces would be better used pressuring the duke faction or targeting one of their weaker lords.'

'For now, we've raised Ghislain's influence in the north, but if war comes, it's better to support other

lords instead.'

"The kingdom's forces are our last line of defense. It's a waste to use them to help that guy.'

Most of the pro-royalist nobles shared these sentiments. Though Branford's authority suppressed their complaints for now, their growing dissatisfaction foreshadowed future

conflict.

Left alone, Marquis Branford rubbed his temples and closed his eyes.

'I am tired.'

Dealing with the Duchy was already overwhelming, but the internal disunity among the pro-

royalist nobles only made things worse.

Even though Ghislain had repeatedly proven his capabilities, younger nobles envied his reputation, and older nobles dismissed him as a mere upstart from the impoverished north.

Despite changing times, the outdated mindset of the pro-royalist nobles constantly

obstructed any matters related to Ghislain.

Admittedly, Ghislain's penchant for causing trouble hadn't helped either.

'If civil war breaks out, we'll just be torn apart.'

Branford was convinced a civil war was inevitable. Yet, most pro-royalist nobles still naively

believed they could counter the Duchy through political maneuvering alone.

This was the kind of political game nobles played in pursuit of elegance and legitimacy.

'A nation always falls when fools take the reins.'

He couldn't allow this kingdom to fall into the hands of vultures. For now, he could only rely

on his authority to suppress dissent and drag them forward.

How long this would last, he didn't know.

Ghislain's face suddenly came to Branford's mind.

Always reckless, always causing trouble, yet somehow achieving unbelievable results.

'He's an amusing one.'

Perhaps that unpredictable young man was the kingdom's last hope.

Neither Branford nor the Duchy could anticipate his actions.

'Yes, if I'm going to back someone, it has to be someone like that.'

A powerful weapon raised to fight the Duchy, that young lord rapidly building strength in the

north.

That was Ghislain Perdium.

At some point, a faint smile crept onto Branford's lips.

***

The Lord of Desmond, Harold, asked the adjutant standing before him.

"That guy, he's assembling a massive force?"

"Yes, sir. Anyone can see that he's openly preparing for war. It's estimated that his troop size

is already over 5,000."

Currently, information from the Fenris estate was not being properly communicated to other

territories. Suspicious individuals were all dragged into the "labor assault corps," and any information leaking outside the estate was deliberately manipulated before being released. Still, with the scale of the operation growing, it was impossible to completely block all leaks.

Hearing the adjutant's report, Harold slightly nodded.

"Well, he's not a complete fool. Though he's gone mad and is rampaging recklessly, he's not

stupid." Harold's expression was different from before. There was no anger, nor the look of someone who couldn't understand Ghislain's actions. Instead, it was the face of someone repressing emotions while deeply lost in thought.

After nodding to himself a few times, Harold asked the adjutant again.

"How are our preparations coming along?"

"We've gathered all the resources from the estate. I believe we can't gather any more."

Harold nodded a few more times. His expression now suggested that he no longer cared what

might happen.

"The losses are significant."

To assassinate Ghislain, he had secretly raised a merchant guild and used an enormous

amount of resources as bait. Drawing a lord out was no easy task. However, the assassination attempt failed, resulting in the dismantling of the guild, and all

the resources they had taken vanished completely.

Once used for an assassination, the disbanding of the guild wasn't the end of the matter. Everything associated with that guild was effectively destroyed as well.

Harold had risked everything to kill Ghislain but had failed. The resulting losses were not

something that could be easily recovered.

In the end, Harold had no choice but to resort to his final option.

To use force to capture and kill Ghislain. "What's the situation with the 2nd Corps that's monitoring us?"

"Currently, half of their forces are deployed to support pro-royalist estates, likely due to road

construction."

"They're underestimating us as well."

Count Desmond smirked. The kingdom's forces likely assumed that their surveillance would

prevent him from making any bold moves.

But if only half of their forces remained, he could crush them in an instant.

"What's the status of our troop recruitment?"

"We've issued orders to all vassals to gather their forces. Troops are currently being

assembled from all over."

"If that guy is raising his troops on such a large scale, we'll need to gather even more. We'll

overwhelm him and take over his territory."

"If you mean overwhelming him-" "Recruits are unnecessary. Secure 30,000 fully armed soldiers."

"... 30,000, my lord?"

"Yes, relay to the vassals that not a single soldier should be left behind. Bring every last one

of them. If the numbers fall short, I'll have their heads. We'll also mobilize all troops from

every stronghold and fortress. This is a general mobilization order. Understood?"

"Y-Yes, my lord."

The adjutant nodded, sweating profusely.

Due to poverty, the average troop size of northern territories ranged from 1,000 to 2,000.

Even territories with more soldiers rarely exceeded 3,000.

But now Harold was demanding 30,000 troops. Achieving such numbers meant stripping even

the soldiers responsible for local security.

In other words, it meant that even those responsible for maintaining order would be

mobilized to reach that number.

This was the level of power that made Desmond renowned as the strongest in the north.

Leaning back in his chair, Harold muttered with his usual expressionless face.

"It's fortunate that Amelia succeeded in her rebellion."

If that had failed, it would have caused significant difficulties. He wouldn't have been able to

focus all his efforts on the war with Ghislain due to concerns about Rayfold.

He had honestly underestimated Amelia. But when he heard that she had single-handedly

defeated Jürgen, the North's Finest Sword, and seized her territory in an instant, he was

surprised.

"She's better than expected. But to foolishly lose a successor, tsk tsk." However, thinking about Daven Rayfold's existence, Harold clicked his tongue. After all, she

was just a woman who had spent her life reading books indoors, and it showed in her limits.

If not for Ghislain, he would have handled the Rayfold rebellion cleanly himself.

"Didn't you say she's at war with Baron Valois now?"

"Yes."

"Tell her to stop wasting time and join the moment I declare war. I'll deal with Baron Valois

myself."

"Understood."

The adjutant, who had responded, hesitated briefly before cautiously asking.

"If you start the war first... won't you essentially be triggering the civil war? If you kill Count

Fenris, the pro-royalist faction won't stand still. This wasn't part of the original plan, and I'm not sure how the Duchy will react. We also lack any justification."

At the adjutant's question, Harold closed his eyes for a moment. Because of Ghislain, everything had spiraled out of control. Although Amelia had succeeded

in her rebellion, she became entangled with Baron Valois, leaving Rayfold's forces

underutilized. Meanwhile, Ghislain had taken every opportunity to consolidate his position and was now

building roads connecting all the pro-royalist estates.

'I can't let this continue.'

The Duchy was already furious with Harold for ruining everything. To be precise, it was

Viscount Raul Josef, the brain behind the Duchy, who was enraged.

Until Ghislain's appearance, Raul had orchestrated every move, and things had gone as

planned.

That was, until Ghislain entered the picture.

'Arrogant fools.'

Harold's disdain extended to both Ghislain and Raul.

One constantly interfered with his work, and the other stood over him, giving orders from

above.

In particular, Raul was rumored to be planning Harold's replacement, a humiliation and insult Harold could not tolerate as the great lord of the north.

Repeated failures were one thing, but allowing someone else to dictate his fate was another.

'I don't care anymore.'

The threads were too tangled to unravel. It was time to cut through the knots, even at a cost.

Killing Ghislain was now a priority.

This was no longer about the Duchy's orders. For Harold, as the great lord of the north, it was

about restoring his tarnished honor and pride.

So Harold decided not to concern himself with how the Duchy might react. He resolved to wage war based solely on his own judgment and decisions.

Kill Ghislain and unify the north. That would prove his worth once again. Justifications? Civil war? None of that mattered anymore. What was more important wasn/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

washing away the unbearable disgrace.

To deal with a madman, he had to become one himself. If the kingdom's forces interfered,

they wouldn't be spared either.

'After that, I'll negotiate with the Duchy.'

Even if the Duchy tried to remove him, he would use force to convince them.

Even if it meant aligning with the pro-royalist faction.

Harold was prepared to betray the Duchy. That was how desperate his situation had become.

Thus, he pooled all the power of his estate into one place.

All to kill Ghislain.

Harold opened his eyes again. A suppressed voice escaped his lips.

"This war, it has nothing to do with the Duchy's plans."

"Then-"

"This is my plan. This time, I will kill that madman and cleanse myself of this humiliation."

Harold's eyes, filled with firm resolve, radiated an icy killing intent unlike before. [T/L: Please support me and read 320 extra chapters: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans]