WeTried Translations

Translator: Hydrogen B

Editor: Hydrogen B

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 143: The Crumbling Boundary (11)

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Kyle asked without hesitation. Since his purpose was clearly to obtain information, he had no intention of dragging things out.

"What did you just say...?"

The marquis and his vassals were the ones taken aback. An unknown outsider had suddenly walked in and spoken casually to the marquis. Marquis Levran was no ordinary noble, but a high-ranking noble of the Kingdom of Russel. It was bound to cause trouble, even if Kyle had arrived with Chevaliers.

"Watch your manners!"

"We do not even know your station. How dare you act this way here...!"

Protests erupted from every side. People who had been shouting at each other moments ago now raised their voices as one.

"Enough."

The marquis, who had been watching quietly, raised a hand. The meeting room fell silent again as if nothing had happened.

"I am Marquis Levran. Who are you?"

The marquis asked without taking his eyes off Kyle. There was faint wariness in his gaze, along with curiosity. Kyle pulled out the emblem Count Perian had given him and tossed it over. The marquis reflexively caught the emblem as it flew in an arc.

"This is...?"

"Check it."

Kyle answered curtly. The marquis's eyes narrowed as he examined the emblem in his hand.

"Ha..."

"What in the world is that?"

With a hollow laugh, the marquis handed the emblem to his curious vassals. It passed from hand to hand, making its way around the long table. Each time, sighs and groans similar to the marquis's escaped from somewhere in the room.

"This belongs to Grand Duke Rivelius...?"

"Could this be reinforcements?"

"The Chevaliers are with them too. It looks like the High Council has issued orders."

"Have we finally been given hope?"

Color returned to the faces of the vassals, who had been deeply despondent moments ago. Kyle, Matis, and the other two silently exchanged looks.

This is becoming troublesome.

Kyle knew the situation was bad, but he had not expected it to be this bad. There were only four of them, yet these people had jumped to conclusions without even hearing the full story. The atmosphere in the city alone showed how desperate they were. They were agonizing over whether they could stop an attack by wyvern knights or whether they should abandon the city. Thinking about it, their reaction was not that strange.

Matis was about to speak when the marquis did first.

"It has been a long time, Matis. And Noel. Has it been nearly three years?"

Marquis Levran shifted his attention from Kyle and glanced at the dark blue cloak and brown coat before speaking. The nearby vassals fell quiet, watching his reaction. Noel looked at Matis, while the Council Knight answered casually.

"The last grand banquet was held around then, so that sounds about right."

"It is regrettable that we are meeting again at a time like this. Under normal circumstances, we would have met again in Renavik early next year."

The marquis swallowed a sigh. Every three years, the Grandecia Federation held a regular meeting and banquet in Renavik, where the council was located. If not for the Empire's sudden invasion, they would have met in the Kalov Kingdom around March next year, after winter had passed. Not under these terrible circumstances.

"It cannot be helped. No one could have expected the Empire to move this quickly."

Matis smiled bitterly. His tone was respectful, but neither overly humble nor overly arrogant.

On the surface, the Chevaliers were an independent organization that could not be commanded by any king or noble except the High Council. In reality, that was not the case. Every knight in the Chevaliers was the child of a noble. Naturally, high-ranking nobles held considerable influence over them. That was especially true for the powerful figures of the Kingdom of Russel, who were practically the Chevaliers' source of funding.

"Let me ask you one thing."

That did not mean they could treat each other carelessly. Their relationship was built on mutual respect. The marquis spoke with the same measured courtesy as Matis.

"Please."

"Who are the companions beside you? One is a swordsman, and one is a mage. Since they possess Grand Duke Rivelius's emblem... should I assume they are Imperial nobles?"

Only high-ranking Imperial nobles who had fled with the grand duke, as well as his important retainers, possessed Grand Duke Rivelius's emblem. Matis glanced at Kyle from the corner of his eye. Kyle gave him a slight nod.

"That is correct."

The moment Matis confirmed it, murmurs spread around the long table like wildfire. The marquis raised his hand again to restrain them.

"A Council Knight, and even a high-ranking Imperial noble carrying Grand Duke Rivelius's emblem..."

"......."

"Has the High Council issued any clear orders?"

"No."

"They are not reinforcements? Then what brought you here?"

"We..."

Ignoring the expectant gazes of the marquis and the other vassals, Matis calmly explained everything that had happened.

He explained how he and his squire Noel had received orders to withdraw during a mission. How they had encountered Kyle and Elysia while returning to the knight order's headquarters. How they had met refugees while traveling together, then Imperial cavalry had pursued them at a village where they stopped to rest for the night. He explained that they killed them all, then walked tirelessly from dawn until they reached Marent.

"So that is what happened."

As the story continued, the hope in everyone's eyes gradually faded. The marquis rubbed his face with an expression of resignation.

"Why did you come to Marent?"

"An incident occurred while we were returning to the knight order's headquarters, so we have not been able to properly assess the situation. We need information."

"Information... I am sorry, but we cannot give you a clear answer either."

"What do you mean?"

"It means we are just as frustrated because we do not know the detailed situation at the front."

"You know nothing about the Celestial Knights' movements?"

Kyle cut in. The marquis raised an eyebrow before replying in a flat tone.

"All we know is that they have come right up to our doorstep. Most messenger hawks were killed, or their letters were intercepted along the way. It is the same with couriers. All we can do is question the soldiers who returned alive and the refugees pouring in."

"Cassius Mortein..."

"Even we have difficulty tracking Duke Mortein, the Commander of the Celestial Knights. He moves too quickly, and every report we receive is unreliable. There is one thing we know for certain. They are splitting into groups of three and taking cities and fortresses. We know Duke Mortein is in one of those groups, but... we do not know where they will strike next."

A heavy silence settled over the room. Kyle frowned without realizing it.

This is worse than I thought.

He had expected this much. The most important thing in war was the speed of information. That was especially true for the Celestial Knights, who valued speed above all else. They did not spare messenger hawks. Nor did they spare soldiers and refugees who survived and could slow them down.

Kyle understood that better than anyone because he had fought them himself. Wyverns might lack stamina, but no one could rival their ability to travel great distances in a short time. At this point, they had no choice but to take the risk and confront them directly. Otherwise, they could minimize the danger and keep fleeing farther into the rear.

"It would not be strange if they attacked tonight, if we are unlucky."

The marquis's voice broke through Kyle's bleak thoughts.

"We may have to make a difficult decision."

Kyle raised his head. The marquis stood there, meeting everyone's gaze with calm determination.

"Every knight's strength matters now."

"......."

"Even a small contribution would help. Please, can you assist us?"

* * *

After meeting Marquis Levran, Kyle received the emblem back and left the inner castle with the other three. The once-blue sky had already begun to turn red.

"Are you really going down into the city? You do not have to refuse the marquis's goodwill..."

Matis spoke as he glanced toward the main road in the distance. After they had exchanged enough information, Marquis Levran had asked them to help and offered for Kyle's group to remain in the castle. He promised them every possible convenience.

"No."

"......."

"To be honest... I do not know either. I do not know what decision I should make."

Kyle had given the marquis an evasive response. It was neither acceptance nor refusal, but an ambiguous answer. It showed that Kyle himself had not reached a decision. Stay or flee. He did not know which choice was right.

It is better to be cautious than to let myself get tied down first.

"What about you? Are you really staying here?"

It would have been nice if they at least knew Cassius Mortein's goal. Kyle thought that to himself as he looked between Matis and Noel. Noel nodded without hesitation.

"If I had to choose, I would prefer to return to the knight order's headquarters as quickly as possible... Still, this is not a bad option. If we move carelessly without knowing the Celestial Knights' movements, we may only make the situation worse."

In the end, they would only know whether a decision had been right or wrong after it was over. Noel glanced at Matis beside him. The blond Council Knight wore a troubled expression. His green eyes slowly moved over Kyle and Elysia.

"Do you have a moment?"

"A moment?"

"It will not take long. I would like to speak with you alone."

Kyle looked at Elysia. She lightly nodded as if to tell him not to worry.

"It is fine as long as you return before sunset."

"What about you, Ely?"

"I will look around for an inn first. With this many refugees, it will probably be difficult to find a room even if I pay extra. You can find me on your own, right?"

Elysia curled her lips into a playful smile. Kyle looked down at her for a moment, then placed several Gold Coins and silver coins in her hand.

"Do not push yourself."

"You worry too much. It is not as if I am a child."

"Then would you like me to guide you? I have nothing else to do, and I can guard you for a while in place of Sir Kyle..."

Noel spoke while watching Kyle's reaction. Kyle looked at Matis and Noel before answering in an indifferent tone.

"I would appreciate it."

The four parted ways in front of the inner castle gate. Elysia disappeared into the crowded city with Noel, while Kyle followed Matis toward the city wall.

"Who goes there? This area is off limits..."

"Huh? C-Chevaliers?"

"Those are the people who went to meet the marquis earlier..."

Several guards on watch recognized Matis and Kyle, then stepped aside. Matis climbed the city wall without hesitation and leaned against the parapet made of solid brick. The city, dyed by the sunset, filled his view.

"So? What did you want to say?"

Kyle watched the fading light of the sunset before speaking.

"If you have not decided where to go next... would you stay with us?"

After hesitating for a moment, Matis said what Kyle had expected. Kyle did not answer immediately. He only glanced at the blond knight before turning his gaze forward again. The cold winter wind brushed against his skin.

"I know you are being cautious because you have a protection mission. That is probably why you did not accept the marquis's offer."

"And?"

"That is why I think we should stand together. To be honest... I rather like you. Even putting aside your connection to Grand Duke Rivelius. A skilled knight is always welcome."

When they annihilated the Imperial cavalry that attacked the village yesterday, Matis had seen some of Kyle's fighting.

A knight with strangely sharp instincts, someone who used magic skillfully and wielded pure white Sword Aura with ease. Matis knew Kyle was strong, but seeing him in person had exceeded his expectations. It was natural that he would take a liking to him. At first, he had simply been curious about the knight escorting an unknown high-ranking Imperial noble, hoping to build ties with the grand duke. Now, it was different.

"The times are not good. Not only the people who originally lived in Marent, but refugees from all over are pouring in like a flood."

Leaning against the parapet, Matis nodded toward the countless people in the city below, who looked no larger than tiny dots.

"They are weeds that cannot even protect themselves. If someone tramples them, they can only be crushed to death."

"......."

"If we are not here, they will fall helplessly. Noel is right. Under normal circumstances, returning to the knight order should be our priority... but I find it difficult to turn away knowing they may die."

"Is it a sense of duty?"

Kyle had watched the city for some time before asking that without realizing it. When he turned slightly, Matis wore a faint smile.

"Perhaps."

"......."

"Or perhaps there is another reason. Either way, I have never forgotten the oath I made when I was knighted."

All kinds of complicated emotions were mixed across Matis's face. Kyle could read one emotion there that he knew well.

Regret and remorse.

Kyle did not know the details, but a knight's duty was probably not the only reason Matis had chosen to remain in Marent. Perhaps another reason weighed even more heavily. Kyle slowly closed his eyes and began recalling everything that had happened today.

Stay or leave.

He stood at a crossroads. Which path was the right one?

The Imperial Army might attack tonight. Three wyvern knights, accompanied by cavalry who would ravage the city. Yet even if three wyvern knights possessed enough strength to break through the front or conquer a city, they were not invincible.

Considering Marent's size, the level of its stationed forces, Matis as a Council Knight, and Kyle himself, they had a fair chance of fighting back. In fact, the odds might favor them. Even with Imperial cavalry in the rear.

The problem was Cassius Mortein, the Commander of the Celestial Knights.

He was on an entirely different level from the other wyvern knights. Even Ksalak, the Wyvern he rode, far surpassed ordinary Wyverns. If the force attacking Marent was led by Duke Mortein rather than another wyvern knight group, they had no chance.

But would fleeing change anything?

They could not accurately track the Celestial Knights' movements anyway. If Marent fell, the rear would still be in danger. It might be better to stay here and kill three wyvern knights, reducing the Imperial Army's strength. As long as Duke Mortein did not come, they held the advantage. If Kyle and Elysia carelessly headed northeast toward Rier and were caught from behind by other wyvern knights while they were alone...

"I am not forcing you. The choice is yours."

Kyle opened his eyes. Matis, who had been leaning against the parapet, straightened up.

"I will go first. Think it over carefully and give me your answer by tomorrow morning. I will be waiting."

With that, Matis disappeared down the city wall. Kyle watched the dark blue cloak recede, then lifted his head. By then, the first shadows of night had settled over the crimson sky. After watching the view for a moment, Kyle finally moved and disappeared into the city where Elysia was waiting.

Footnotes:

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