The Medieval Modern Man With A Gamer Mindset

The Medieval-Modern Man With A Gamer Mindset 71

71. A Plea for Salvation

I learn common sense, but I don’t always memorize it.

I need to be able to use it right when I need it, because if I go around reciting it all the time with the intention of showing off, I’ll just end up tiring everyone around me. Spouting unsolicited TMI is a surefire way to make people dislike you.

But I think I need it now.

Given the situation where an invasion by the heathens is suspected, I also had to get a little serious. After all, people’s lives and the livelihoods of many are at stake.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, I pondered what I knew.

First of all, the Archipelago of Dawn is a composed land of large and small islands. It can be broadly divided into three parts: the Sea, the Moon, and the Star. It’s not particularly difficult, and they’re named according to their actual size.

The Sea Fragment Island, where the five duchies are located, is considered the most central area because it is the largest, has the strongest influence of the church, and is closest to the mainland.

To the northwest of the Sea Fragment Island, the Moon Fragment Island is about two-thirds the size and has less development, but the influence of the church extends to some degree.

Finally, to the northeast of the Sea Fragment Island, the Star Fragment Archipelago is a collection of small islands that form independent towns and tribes.

The Duchy of Penrad is located at the easternmost point of the Sea Fragment Island.

The Duke of Penrad was a considerable lord who, while not as large as the mighty Yubas, was closest to the Star Fragment Archipelago and could exert some influence over the area.

It’s a much more proper duchy than our Duchy of Poros, which is the weakest of the five duchies.

However, everything has its pros and cons. Due to its geographical features, with most of its territory being coastline, the Duchy of Penrad was often plagued by fierce raids from the heathens.

Our Duchy of Poros may be the weakest, but it has the supreme advantage of being the closest to the mainland and the furthest from the Otherworld, the origin of the heathens, making it relatively safe.

That’s why I wasn’t surprised when the Duchy of Penrad requested aid from the Peace Alliance. I’m not the only one who’s indifferent.

Right now, all the vassals and retainers who had gathered at King Athelstan’s summons were nodding their heads with either nonchalant or calm expressions. Among them was Terver, the strongest knight in the Duchy of Poros.

Terver shrugged as he walked through the crowd with me, expressing his feelings.

“Honestly, I just think it’s about time.”

“If we were to look only at the geographical features, it might seem strange that it has remained intact until now.”

A country whose coastline makes up the majority of its territory during an era when raiders would cross the sea and plunder? It is practically an open theme park, lacking only a sign that says, “Come in and play!”

Moreover, the guests are a race that looks down on even the average medieval person, who lived in an age of barbarism, as savage and uncivilized. They will likely regard the screams and cries of the people as lively background music to enhance the atmosphere.

Perhaps they are already dancing after beating the strong ones into submission to the rhythm of the music.

Furthermore, there was another fact that was more shocking than the crisis that had befallen the Principality of Penrad.

“The number of times that the pagans have appeared has decreased in recent years. It is clear that the formation of the peace alliance has put the pagans on their guard in some way. Perhaps this attack on the Principality of Penrad is a reconnaissance mission to confirm the unity of the alliance.”

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“Te, Tervere, Sir…”

“Hmm?”

“Did you study while I wasn’t looking?”

I couldn’t help but be surprised as I watched Tervere, who was deeply absorbed in the Principality of Penrad’s request for help. Our Tervere, whose brain seemed to be connected to muscle fibers instead of neurons, was able to come up with such a useful idea?

Tervere, who noticed my genuine surprise, lifted the corners of his lips and began to flash his characteristic piercing gaze.

“People think that the knights charge without any prior judgment or discrimination.”

“…”

“However, knights are those who see something else amidst the blood, the battle cries, and the clashing blades. Remember, Narva. Only after closely observing the opponent’s breathing, footwork, the way they hold their weapons, and the determination in their expressions do they finally spur their horses forward.”

In an instant, my heart sank.

Our Tervere, whom I had always thought to be a simpleton, was actually the possessor of such deep thoughts. And my knights during my first playthrough were not like this.

Could it be that I had looked down on the race of knights too much, seeing only a fragmented part of them?

I belatedly suppressed the overwhelming emotion and decided to listen to Brother Tervere’s words to the end.

“So, you charge when the battle is in your favor?”

“Yes. Knights charge to drive the wedge that will prevent the tide of the battle from turning against their allies.”

“What do you do when the odds are against you?”

“In that case, they charge to create an opportunity for their allies to regroup and turn the tide.”

“Indeed…”

…?

Something is strange.

“What about when the two sides are at a standstill?”

“Battle is all about momentum, Narva. At such times, knights must believe in their lifelong training and their finely honed equipment and charge to the forefront to give their allies that momentum.”

…..

“Hmm. I thought you would be surprised to see this brother, but it seems you have gained the ability to hide your emotions. Is that because you have become a bishop and have had to do a lot of that?”

I averted my gaze slightly at Tervere’s admiration and replied.

“I have simply realized that there is a reason why people have prejudices.”

“There are many who have the wrong idea about knights… As a bishop knight, you must have a hard time, Narva.”

I don’t want to be associated with the race of knights.

It was then that a familiar voice cut in.

“Tervere, I have told you time and time again. I am not denying Narva’s talent, but he is better suited to be an administrator than a knight.”

Aethelred, the next successor to the Principality of Powys.

In the midst of his gentle and mild expression, there was a hint of wariness.

“If Narva is to stand on the battlefield, we must worry about the extinction of our family. Stop your nonsense and come quietly to where His Majesty the King is.”

“Brother, how can you say such things when wasting a knight’s talent is the greatest waste of all!”

“Do you know who provides your fellow knights with their estates? It’s all well and good to have your own opinions… but you should know that every word you utter here costs your fellow knights one of their estates.”

Etheldred, a filial son who diligently supports his father, King Athelstan, in managing his vassals.

And a man who was racking his brains over how to manage his land, particularly the issue of his knights’ estates and pensions. Of course, money talks, both now and then.

Even Terbear, the strongest knight in the duchy, didn’t have the guts to ignore his fellow knights’ desire for a peaceful retirement.

“We have knights in the capital, so why can’t we have bishop knights…”

“Shhh!”

“Ahem.”

Etheldred’s sharp gaze silenced Terbear, then he cautiously looked this way.

“Our Bishop has so much to do already. I would hope that he has no intention of mounting a warhorse just yet…”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’ve already brought in an excellent scribe who can copy the customary law books.”

“Oh, really!!!”

This was a time before the printing press. Copies had to be painstakingly transcribed by hand, and it was hard work to do it alone. The cost of feeding, housing, and appeasing them all was money, money, money.

Fortunately, I had two incredibly talented individuals who could work tirelessly and without pay, and I had brought them in as reinforcements.

Etheldred was overjoyed to hear this. He jumped up as if he could fly and exclaimed,

“hahahahaha! As expected of Narbada!!! I knew you were going to be great when you sold me the right to appoint!”

“Brother, isn’t it too much to use them without fair compensation?”

“Tut! It’s a virtue to save money when you can.”

The naive Terbear was horrified by the phrase “tirelessly and without pay” and defended the two men, whose faces he didn’t even know. Of course, Etheldred looked flustered.

But my attention was elsewhere.

“Do you still remember selling the right to appoint?”

After more than four years, I thought you’d forget.

“Father will probably remember until the day he dies. Now, let’s go to the audience chamber. It’s an important matter.”

***

When more than five people gather, there’s always one who doesn’t care about teamwork.

The Duchy of Powys, which had been a family business just a few years ago, was even worse. The awkwardness and discomfort of relatives who had lived far apart for ten years meeting at the ancestral home filled the audience chamber.

This discomfort was unpleasant when the envoy from the Duchy of Penrad spoke urgently, stating the facts.

“Your Majesty King Athelstan, I apologize for my rudeness in interrupting, given the urgency of the situation. However, the threat that has befallen our duchy is truly terrifying…”

The envoy from the Duchy of Penrad was Sir Gavin, a knight.

It is said that he traveled like a madman, alternating between three horses, without even taking the time to gather his retinue. As if to prove his claim, his once-fine cloak and clothing were stained and even torn in places.

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And the reality of the Duchy of Penrad, as claimed by Sir Gavin, was far more grim than expected.

I didn’t even have time to greet King Athelstan, whom I was meeting for the first time in a long while. King Athelstan was listening intently to Sir Gavin’s story, having cast aside all pretenses.

Indeed, it was a story worth hearing.

“Mist?”

“Our Bishop of Penrad speculates that it is due to the unholy influence of the Otherworld.”

It was as I had heard from the refugees who had fled long ago.

About five years ago, a thick fog began to rise over the waters near the Duchy of Penrad. This fact had been kept secret for fear that Yubas would invade while Penrad was weakened, but now it could no longer be hidden.

Furthermore, it couldn’t be hidden.

Sir Aubert, a close aide, approached King Athelstan, who had been listening silently, and stated the facts in a clear voice.

“There are rumors that the sea fog has also been seen in Yubas territory. It seems that Yubas is also a target of this invasion.”

On the surface, it seemed like he was speaking to King Athelstan, but in reality, he was speaking to everyone present.

King Athelstan cleared his throat and spoke carefully.

“So the Duchy of Penrad knows nothing more about this invasion?”

King Athelstan’s question was valid. The story Sir Gavin had told had focused on the dangers of the mist and little else.

Sir Gavin seemed to realize this, and after moving his lips soundlessly a few times, he finally squeezed his eyes shut and spoke with difficulty.

“The heathens have come ashore and are raiding everywhere. Most of the vassals and lords were already isolated before they could be called up, and His Majesty’s soldiers are spread too thin to even grasp the situation.”

However.

Sir Gavin added that afterthought.

“They have shown no strength beyond the mist. Assuming that no otherworldly influence is involved, we in the Duchy of Penrad estimate that the total number of heathens participating in this invasion is about 10,000.”

“10,000…!”

Everyone who had been nodding off or listening half-heartedly suddenly snapped to attention.