Chapter 78:

Chapter 78:

Chapter 78

Give me everything I want Do you know what I want?

Family freedom. Your daughter. And the ability to run this land and improve it, even if only in a small way.

Hmph!

You are not ambitious. If you were, youd have rebelled years ago. Youre just fed up with the kings ungrateful, backhanded treatment of you. Youve had enough of being treated like a slave in the name of loyalty. Dont you think so?

Honestly yes.

If all goes well, Ill grant this land independence as a duchy and arrange a peace treaty with the Kongurat.

What about the Kingdom of Magritte?

Helmut asked, and when Otto smiled instead of answering, he understood at once.

Lotas going to have a field day with this.

Exactly.

Does the Kingdom of Lota have the power to do that?

Well see, we either have the power or we dont.

Hmm.

It wont take you long to make up your mind, youre not a fool. Then, lets do this.

Otto pointed to the setting sun in the distance.

By the time that sun is completely over the mountains, make your decision, give me your answer.

Understood.

In the meantime, Id appreciate it if you could show me a place to rest. Im tired from all the riding.

As you wish.

Helmut led Otto into the parlor and served him hot tea and dessert.

If theres anything else you need, just ask, and Ill take my leave.

After the servant left.

Ugh.

Otto buried himself in his chair as soon as the tension left him.

I almost peed myself ugh gross.

Otto shuddered as he remembered being surrounded by Helmuts men earlier.

He had the nerve to show up alone and without arms, but it was only a bluff to impress Helmut.

If Helmut had lost his temper, it was obvious what would have happened to Otto.

To a certain extent, Otto had thrown down the gauntlet.

This is why you always have to have a failsafe, Otto thought, and Helmuts lucky he didnt. He almost lost his life today. Phew.

Otto secretly breathed a sigh of relief as he patted his chest, knowing that no matter how strong he had become, he would never be able to survive in the middle of enemy territory.

But he wasnt done being relieved yet.

What if I refuse the offer, then Im dead?

There was a 99.9% chance that Helmut would make a rational decision.

But the world doesnt work 100% rationally and logically.

In the unlikely event of a 0.1 percent chance that Helmut declines the offer

Huh?!

Otto shuddered, imagining for a moment his skull impaled on a metal skewer and dangling over the city walls.

No, of course not, thats impossible, Helmut loves his daughter, and besides, how could he refuse my offer at this point?

Otto forced himself to think positively.

* * *

An hour later.

Otto was called back to Helmuts side.

Ive been thinking about it, and my choice is.

At that moment.

Boom!

Otto swallowed hard and tensed up, afraid that Helmut would reject his offer.

I accept your offer.

Ottos legs momentarily gave way, and he nearly fell to the ground, but he managed to pull himself together and smile lazily.

Thats a wise decision, sir, and Ill make sure you never regret it.

I hope so.

You will.

So, what do you want me to do from here on out?

Well.

Otto thought about Helmuts question for a moment, then opened his mouth.

First of all.

Go ahead.

Ill start by killing the Kerrates warriors stationed here.

It wont be easy, the difference in numbers is staggering. You realize that my army, if you scratch the surface, is a mere eight thousand men, while the enemy has fifty thousand. They say theyve suffered losses in this battle, but theyll soon be back to fifty thousand with additional reinforcements.

Thats true, but it doesnt really matter, does it?

What do you mean, it wont matter?

Shall we walk a bit and talk about it?

Helmut was puzzled by Ottos out-of-the-blue suggestion, but he agreed to walk with him for now.

He thought he might have something he wanted to talk about in private..

Marquis Helmut.

Speak.

Why is the House of Valdemar so good with siege defense?

What do you mean by that?

The House of Valdemar has never lost a siege since it took root in these lands long ago, even under the most unfavorable of circumstances.

Thats true but isnt that because our family has ruled with a military focus?

Is that true?

?

Is it really military might that has always allowed you to prevail against the warriors of the Haver Prairie? I dont think so.

Otto cut in.

Its one of the basics of tactics that defense is many times easier than offense, but historically, House Valdemar has a one hundred percent siege victory rate. A hundred years ago, they defeated an army of a hundred thousand nomadic warriors with less than five thousand men.

You mean my great-great-grandfather, who was a Marquis back then.

No.

Otto shook his head and pointed to the city walls.

House Valdemars mysterious siege victory rate is all thanks to this.

The walls you mean?

You cant see the forest for the trees.

Isnt it the other way around?

Helmut was dumbfounded.

Although there are sayings that one sees only trees without looking at the forest, or only sees fingers when pointing at the moon, this was the first time anyone said the opposite.

See?

Otto said, tapping one of the many bricks that made up the castle wall that was unusually green.

This brick here is a tree, and the wall is a forest.

What do you mean, its green because its got moss on it, but isnt it a normal brick?

You really dont know anything, do you?

No, Im just making a pun with me.

Lets see.

Otto poured mana into the greenish brick.

Swoosh!

A faint glow emanated from the brick, and an intricate, geometric magic circle emerged.

What is this?

Helmut exclaimed.

What he thought was just an ordinary brick with a little moss on it had turned into a magic circle.

What in the world is this brick.

About two hundred and fifty years ago.

Otto spoke of a long time ago.

Construction had just begun to build this castle, and its owner was Kieri de Valdemar, is that right? The first to wear the surname Valdemar, your ancestor. The progenitor of the House of Valdemar.

Exactly.

A shaman a shaman from the meadows of Haver who was favored by Kieri de Valdemar at that time? He blessed these bricks with an ancient spell that would make this castle an impregnable fortress.

!

Marquiss Resolve. An ancient, enchanted, holy artifact.

Helmut was the games main character, the Lord of the 100, so there had to be a holy artifact available in the main scenario.

What looked like a mossy brick was actually Helmuts holy relic.

** ** **

TL/N:

Steppes

*Large, flat, grassy plain with few or no trees

*Dominated by short, drought-resistant grasses and shrubs

*Supports a variety of wildlife adapted to arid conditions

Prairie

*Grassland ecosystem characterized by tall grasses and herbs

*Characterized by tall grasses and a diverse herbaceous flora

*Provides habitat for diverse grassland species