Prologue: Those Left Behind

EVEN AVOIDING THE CROWDED CENTER, MARCHING a bunch of soldiers in heavy armor through a deep mountain range was never going to be a walk in the park. Worse, the soldiers would have to make camp along steep cliffs or in narrow stretches of wilderness.

And then there were the monsters.

Because the Wolfsbrook Mountain Range was such a vast, treacherous place, powerful monsters made it their home. The proof was in the pudding: Seatoh Village, seated at the foot of the mountains, was always being attacked by strong beasts. Even today, the village was fielding an assault from a group of large white-scaled wolves, creatures known to hunt in packs. They were swift as the wind, too; normally you’d need five or more knights working together to take one down. A pack could be expected to inflict significant casualties on even a Chivalric Order with mages in tow.

The people of Seatoh Village were used to being besieged by monsters, though, so they lacked any sense of urgency.

“Lord Van! Commander Dee has dispatched the machine bow squad in case any of them get past the ballistae!”

“Their meat is delicious… Tell him to be careful not to get hurt.”

“Yessir!” The soldier who’d come to report to me sprinted back to his post.

If it wasn’t clear from that exchange, the folks in Seatoh Village saw whitescaled wolves as little more than dinner. A normal village could rake in a profit by selling a white-scaled wolf’s tough, pliable hide, so in that sense, we really were blessed. In many ways, the health of our economy and our quality of life far exceeded the royal capital’s.

Oh, Seatoh Village, my wonderful home… All we’re missing is a good confectionary shop.

“I wonder how the folks marching through the Wolfsbrook Mountain Range are doing. Ortho and his people told me they don’t like dealing with nobles and knights… I hope they aren’t getting into any fights.” I cast my gaze out the manor’s window toward the mountains and exhaled a gentle sigh.

Till was preparing some tea. In a surprised tone, she said, “I do not suspect

Ortho and the others would do anything to cause trouble.”

I smirked and turned to her. “When I told him that the king wanted to hire them as escorts and bodyguards against monsters, Ortho made such a face. I wish you could’ve seen him, Till. But when I told him how much he’d get paid, well, he made another wild face.”

Till blinked at me. “I see… In that case, perhaps he sees you less as a noble lord and more as a sort of mayor and village elder? That would explain why he’s happy to deal with you.”

I chuckled dryly at Till’s accidental jab. “A-a village elder…? Suddenly I feel decrepit.” My thoughts turned back to Scuderia’s army, and the challenges they were sure to face on their march. I sipped my fresh tea and said, from the bottom of my heart, “I’m so glad I didn’t have to go.”

“I feel bad for Ortho and the others,” said Till, ever the worrier, “but I’m also quite happy that you did not have to go!”

She beamed, and I couldn’t help but smile back. Man, if the knights on the march overheard any of this, they would be so pissed off.

I stood from my chair. “Well then, it’s time to do my job as the village lord!”

“Good luck!” replied Till with gusto.