CH 66

Sven’s clever plan

Translated by SoundOfDestiny

Edited by Zil

When the soldiers had finished preparing for battle, Sven cleared his throat.

He ran a hand through his hair, which had been mussed up by Raidorl, and spoke cheerfully.

“There are now two forces in the city that are hostile to us.”

“Viscount Ulfert and the agents of fire, you say?”

“Yes, that’s right. Of the two forces, it is the agents who pose the greatest threat to us.”

It’s not that the private army of Viscount Ulfert is weak, as they are only border guards, but the Royal Army has Raidorl, the holder of the Holy Sword.

Raidorl’s fighting ability is truly heroic.

It’s not impossible for Raidorl alone to take down this town, if that’s what it takes.

“But if his highness starts a battle with the Viscount’s soldiers, the agents will set fire to the town, and even if we conquer the town, we will still be defeated. We will be accused of treason and the people will be afraid of His Highness Raidorl”

The reason why the people of Zain have accepted the powerful holder of the Holy Sword with open arms is because Raidorl is on their side.

They believe that no matter how heinous his power is, it will never be turned against them. That is why they praise Raidorl as a hero.

If Ulfin were to be burned to the ground and its atrocities imposed on Raidorl, the people would be frightened that the power of the sword might one day be turned against them, and they would seek to eliminate Raidorl.

“To prevent that from happening, we need to control the Viscount Ulfert family without creating chaos in the town and without the people or the agents knowing that a battle has taken place.” 

“I understand the logic, but …… how is that possible?”

It was Darren who raised the question.

His second-in-command, Saara, nodded repeatedly, stealing glances at her superior’s neat face.

“It’s not impossible …… because I’ve been laying the groundwork for this day for a long time.”

Sven has a determined look on his face despite his still young, and there is a definite confidence in his face.

What had made the boy so determined was a mystery, but Raidorl decided to leave it at that.

“Hmmm …… Sven’s situation concerns me a lot, but so far we’ve been doing what he says and it’s working. Let’s just trust him for now”

“Well, if that’s what His……Highness says, I’ll say nothing. So how on earth do you propose to subdue the Viscounts?”

“Yes, ……, first of all, we’re going to attack the Viscounts, and I don’t want to be presumptuous as a newcomer, but I’d like to take command.”

“…… over His Highness and Captain Daren?　That would be disrespectful!” 

Saara shouted her protest.

She was annoyed that Sven, the only child of a fallen nobleman, was trying to upstage his superior, His Highness Raidorl And Darren Garst.

Sven glanced at the female knight and nodded as if it was justified.

“ I know that it is too much for a man like me, who has never fought in battle, to be in charge of His Highness’ army. However, both His Highness and the Thousand Horsemen are so well known that the Viscount and the soldiers may remember their faces.” 

Darren narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as he listened to Sven’s explanation.

“…… So you’re saying that we’re not going to invade, we’re going to invade under the guise of allies?”

“That’s right. My aunt is married to the viscount, so I have some freedom of access to the viscount’s household. It’s not so easy to get a soldier to go with me, but …… well, I’ll see what I can do.” 

“I see. …… Well, that would certainly minimize the amount of fighting.”

Darren snorted in agreement.

In contrast, however, Raidorl’s lips pursed into a look of frustration.

“So me and Darren have nothing to do then?　We’ve come all this way and we’re not going to do anything.?”

“Your Highness has a job to do that only you can do”

Sven waved his hands in the air.

Then, after a long pause, he turned to Raidorl and said

“Your Highness and the Thousand Horsemen will have to attack another place. That is to say, the hideout of the agent who set the fire.”