Akatsuki Translations

There’s a highway that runs from the Count of Retes’s territory, through the Barony of Salgrade, and exits at the Barony of Boulebach.

This highway, known as the Rockarla Highway, is the busiest road on the southern border of the Divine Kingdom of Proulich.

In recent years, the road has seen increased traffic, especially with carriages transporting trade goods from the port town of the Retes Count’s territory.

“Will the bandits show up?”

“They will. Since Count Retes has informed us in advance, they will surely come.”

Usually, this highway is bustling with carriages and pedestrians, but now there’s no sign of them.

Instead, the road is occupied by men with a menacing aura. It might sound disrespectful, but these are the combined forces of the Baron of Salgrade’s army and the Baron of Boulebach’s army.

Including their lords, there are four and three mounted knights respectively, making a total of seven. There are twelve and fifteen armored foot soldiers respectively, totaling twenty-seven. In addition, there are ten mercenaries and about one hundred twenty militia recruited from the populace, making the force just under one hundred seventy strong.

Armed and in armor, the mounted knights looked around with a commanding presence.

These fierce men were blockading the highway.

They had prohibited passage and turned back anyone who approached, maintaining a vigilant watch. They had set up shifts for constant surveillance, creating a battle-ready security network.

This stringent security blockade of the highway had been in place for four days now.

The reason for such a security setup dates back to a letter from a few days ago.

Recently, a bandit group causing trouble in the Retes Count’s territory was expelled by the count’s army.

This achievement was proudly shared in a letter. However, many were alarmed that the contents of the letter didn’t mention the bandits being exterminated or subdued.

Especially the lords of the two baronies directly connected to Retes’s territory along the highway felt the need to take measures.

From mutual interests, they formed a combined force, aiming to eradicate the bandits in one fell swoop.

It was speculated that the bandits expelled from the Retes territory were moving along the highway, attacking travelers.

The combined force was confident that the bandits would appear at the highway’s exit. They planned to ambush and defeat them there, which is where they are currently positioned.

“Your Excellencies, the sun has set. We’ve prepared the tent for your evening meal.” -Messenger

“Hmm.”

With an army close to two hundred strong, the commanders are expected to have a certain stature.

In a coalition army like this one, it’s customary for the highest-ranking noble to take overall command. However, this time it’s a coalition of two lords, both of baron rank and equal in stature.

After much dispute about who would be the supreme commander, it was decided just a few days ago that both would stand side by side as co-commanders, making decisions jointly.

Given that their territories are adjacent, their interests often clash, and they frequently bicker over minor privileges. Neither was willing to yield to the other.

A tent, prepared merely for the sake of appearances.

At a glance, it’s nothing more than a roofless tent, but it’s undoubtedly conspicuous when set up outside in a camp. Many believe that the more prominent you are, the more attention you draw.

Therefore, amidst two fluttering banners, the two commanders dined in a manner designed to be ostentatious.

“Yet, they do not show themselves.” -Salgrade

“Indeed. I believe they are probably intimidated by the might of our army. What do you think?” -Boulebach

Baron Boulebach referred to it as “our army,” making Baron Salgrade slightly tense. However, he seemed to dismiss the provocation.

He tore a piece of soft white bread and deliberately answered while eating.

“I think they’re watching and waiting. Even our enemy, the esteemed count, is a seasoned warrior. If we’re watching the highway, he’d likely notice.” -Salgrade

As Salgrade responded while eating, Boulebach’s soup spoon quivered slightly. Taking a sip to calm himself, he spoke after a pause.

“If we remain passive, we won’t last. I have reserves, so I can maintain a long standoff, but you might not.” -Boulebach

“Oh, don’t worry about me. Unlike some impoverished territories, mine is fertile. You must be getting worried about your own finances.” -Salgrade

“Hmph. My territory has history. Unlike some new upstarts, we have tradition, a short history as nobles, and presumably little in reserves.” -Boulebach

“You dare speak to me like that?!” -Salgrade

Salgrade, with a sharp kick, stood up from his chair.

In the midst of the tense atmosphere, a man rushed into the tent.

Both commanders asked him what was going on.

“We’re under attack! Enemies have appeared from the side of the highway!”

At dusk, in the delicate balance between day and night.

The soldiers were preoccupied with preparing their meals, and the timing of the bandits’ attack was impeccable.

A trained soldier, consisting only of knights and retainers, would have dedicated cooks and helpers. However, conscripted peasants and townspeople have no knowledge of military norms.

Without dedicated servants to prepare meals, they must fend for themselves. All humans, regardless of age, gender, or status, get hungry.

In the midst of a days-long standoff, the inexperienced militiamen were distracted by their meals, providing an opening for the bandits, who attacked with pinpoint precision.

“Ah!”

“Argh!”

Screams echoed everywhere.

Normally, the defenders would prepare lights for a night battle. However, they weren’t fully prepared in the twilight.

All conspicuous lights were extinguished, and darkness spread as time passed.

For the militia, who were not only inexperienced but also unfamiliar with night battles, their only option was to flee in panic.

They couldn’t see where the attack was coming from. It was hard to see anything. Everything that moved looked like an enemy.

Given the unfamiliarity of the coalition army, it didn’t take long for friendly fire incidents to start.

“Why are your men attacking us?!” -Salgrade

“Silence, you lowborn! Can’t a parvenu like you even discipline your men? Aren’t your men attacking mine?!” -Boulebach

Normally, it would be the commander’s role to quell such chaos.

But when the commanders themselves are arguing, the chaos only intensifies.

And that chaos played right into the hands of the bandits.

Their leader, Helm, was quite large, standing at least two heads taller than most, with muscles to match. His unkempt, greasy hair and wild beard made it obvious he was a bandit. Originally, he was the leader of a mercenary group based in the royal capital, a seasoned veteran who had distinguished himself on countless battlefields.

Having suspected the highway blockade, he had meticulously gathered information. His leadership in this raid can be described as nothing short of brilliant.

“Boss, there are some high-and-mighty types grouped over there!” -Bandit

“Good, if we kill ’em, the rest’re just fodder. Go get ’em!” -Helm

“”YEAHHH!”” -Bandits

His past experience of leading a mercenary group gave him the capability to face even the regular troops of a count’s territory.

Even in situations like this, where they are clearly outnumbered, Helm doesn’t give up.

Like a carnivore hunting larger prey, he aims for the vital spots to finish them off with a precise strike.

It’s obvious to anyone that the weak point of the noble army in front of him would be the noble commanders themselves.

In the midst of the chaos, both Count Salgrade and Count Boulebach were beheaded before they could escape.

“We’ve claimed the heads of those arrogant nobles!” -Helm

“WOOOO!” -Bandits

In the ensuing panic, with their commanders killed, the militia and mercenaries scattered and fled.

For the knights and vassals, being outnumbered and seeing their allies fleeing demoralized them, making them easy prey for the bandits.

Once the majority of the soldiers were driven off, the bandits turned to looting.

In conflicts between nobles or nations, wounded individuals would become prisoners. But to bandits, they are just prey.

They mercilessly finish off their victims. The number of those killed was more than one could count on two hands.

From their victims, they strip everything, taking useful armor and swords for themselves.

They also took food and even the few copper coins the militia had.

“Boss?” -Bandit

“What is it? Was there any food?” -Helm

“It’s damp. There wasn’t much.” -Bandit

“Tch. Probably ended up as food for those the pigs over there.” -Helm

The “pigs” he referred to were the noble commanders. Both were noticeably fat.

Stripped of their fine clothes, they lay headless and naked.

Helm, with resentment, kicked one of the corpses.

“What about the others?” -Helm

What concerned him was that the number of looters didn’t match the number of his subordinates. By his estimation, over ten were missing. It wasn’t that there were too many, but rather too few.

He wondered if a separate force had launched a small ambush. Knowing the treachery of nobles, Helm became wary.

“Yeah, I think some of them are over there, getting busy.” -Bandit

“What, were there women?” -Helm

Everyone knows the fate of women captured by bandits.

Of course, Helm was well aware that they were typical bandits.

Taking women to the battlefield against such foes is suicidal.

Having women on the battlefield only boosts the bandits’ morale.

Being unable to visit towns and brothels due to their profession, bandits are often forced into celibacy. They’d attack anyone, regardless of appearance.

Knowing this, he wondered why anyone would bring women to the battlefield.

“No, it’s… ” -Bandit

“What?” -Helm

“They seem to be… getting intimate with a boy. Apparently, there was a kid who could be mistaken for a girl.” -Bandit

“Tch. Those idiots. It’s their own fault if they get a disease.” -Helm

The unfortunate victim was probably someone brought as a vassal. It’s not uncommon for offspring from families that have served as vassals for generations to face bandits or monsters in their first battle to gain experience.

Being a vassal means being under a noble’s command.

Helm had no intention of showing mercy.

“Wrap things up. Tie a rope ’round their waists. They can have their fun ’til they drop.” -Helm

The surroundings were already filled with darkness and the smell of blood.

Only a madman would want to linger here.

Helm remembered that his own descent into banditry began from such a blood-filled battlefield.

It had been over ten years, he thought, looking distant.

In a war he participated in as a mercenary, due to the reckless orders of a foolish noble, they were put in a desperate situation and ultimately abandoned as expendable.

After crawling away, he was branded a criminal for fleeing.

He lost everything then: his cherished comrades, his meager savings, and his lover. He was left alone.

With clenched fists, he remembered the anger and resentment.

“So, what will we do next?” -Bandit

One of his subordinates asks.

Beyond the current highway, there’s a town. But, if they were to attack a place with a population of about a thousand, the resistance would surely be fierce.

The town under the baron’s territory would likely have decent defenses, and many even have stone walls.

“We’ll avoid the larger towns and travel through the villages. If we cross the mountains at the border, they won’t be able to touch us.” -Helm

“What about the villages along the way?” -Bandit

“It’s obvious. We’ll take everything for ourselves.” -Helm

Helm sets his sights on the Liptauer Baron’s territory.

He had heard that it was a relatively rich land with about five villages.

After looting there, he looks even further.

Far beyond his gaze lies the territory of Morteln.