Intermission 1 — The Hero and the Youth

While the visitors from the Twin Kingdoms were being received at the palace, the third son of Margrave Gaziel—and next in line for the title—Xavier Gaziel was meeting with General Pujol Guillén in a fortress on the southern edge of Capua’s royal territory.

The skylight was small, and the thick-walled fortress was dimly lit even at noon, but it was commensurately cooler than the average local home. Xavier, however, could feel a cold sweat rolling down his back, robbing him of the composure to enjoy the lower temperature as he held himself as straight as possible, hands crossed behind him.

This is General Pujol, one of the heroes of the war! He thought to himself as he looked reverently up at the older man. The general, at nearly two meters in height, was tall enough compared to Xavier (165 centimeters tall) that it was a case of quite literally looking up to the veteran as well.

On top of that, Xavier was confident in his martial prowess for his age, but even simply standing there, Pujol seemed to exude a cast-iron faith that no one could measure up to him. The young heir was reporting to a man well above him as a noble, as a warrior, and in military rank. He couldn’t even swallow his spit given how dry his mouth was and how nervous he felt as the fellow in front of him spoke consideringly.

“Oh, so Lord Xavier, you mean to say that the extermination should not be taken over by myself but rather completed by your own hand?”

While Pujol’s voice was low and not loud in the slightest, Xavier needed to focus on his weakening legs before replying. “No, General. I know my place! The moment I requested aid from the royal army, I accepted that my mission was a failure. What I wish is for me and the hundred men under my command to accompany you on your expedition.”

“Oh?”

The word was the same as his last statement, but the intonation was completely different. It held a note of admiration, as if he had reconsidered the young man in front of him.

“Hmm.” Pujol remained composed as he considered Xavier’s reply before nodding shortly and speaking again. “Lord Xavier, there is a strong possibility that this campaign will be protracted. The raptor you observed was massive, and the hunters all say that their physique and intelligence increases with age. If that is true, it will be no easy opponent.”

“Ah, yes, I quite agree,” Xavier answered despite his confusion at the sudden change in tone.

Of course, the general was quite right. If the leader of the raptors could grasp differences in firepower, it might not even make its presence known in front of General Pujol’s Drake Marksmen Knights, which would mean they would need to hunt the swarm through the mountains. Excepting good luck or successfully trapping the alpha beast, such an excursion would inevitably lead to a drawn-out campaign.

“However, that makes the salt supplies for the territory an issue. I believe reserves are likely to last for three months at present?”

Understanding the implications, Xavier nodded with a somber expression. “Correct. Rationing could extend that to half a year, but it would lead to greater unrest and have an adverse effect on the cost of living. I would rather avoid that.”

It seemed to be exactly what the general wished to hear, and he nodded without changing his expression. “To avoid that, I have had a large amount of salt delivered to the fortress. Of course, both protecting the salt and eliminating the wyverns is impossible. Therefore, my original plan was to immediately return and transport the salt after a successful defeat of our enemy. The addition of your men would change the equation, however. If we can entrust the transport and protection of the salt to you, I believe we could force our way through and deliver the reserves first. Naturally, if we are not blessed with an encounter to eradicate the swarm during the journey there, I would have you and your men remain on the front line afterwards. What do you think?”

Ah, that’s how it connects, Xavier thought. Essentially, if they were there as guards for the salt, the general would bring Xavier and his army along. If the general is right and we are attacked en route, we will have no chance to fight. If not, he will allow me to stand on the front line and gain recognition.

Also, as the next in line to his father’s position, Xavier would wholeheartedly approve anything that would get his lands the salt they needed faster. Overall, he had no reason to refuse.

“Understood, General Pujol, you can leave that duty to us. My thanks for prioritizing the delivery of salt to our lands, and allow me to offer thanks on behalf of the margrave as well.”

“Do not concern yourself; this is my duty,” the general answered, smiling for the first time that day.