Chapter 167: Will and Sophie's Determination

“My house cannot possibly handle a thousand monsters, so I have sent a request for aid to the Royal Knights.” Hearing Baron Woodpole‘s words, I felt relieved.

Even though a massive horde of monsters that his house cannot handle alone is attacking, Baron Woodpole is dealing with the crisis calmly. Facing a colossal threat, fighting off the vanguard while immediately requesting reinforcements is not something just anyone can do.

“Oh, you have returned.” It seems the messenger who went to the Royal Knights has just returned. Traveling back and forth while avoiding contact with monsters must have been a difficult mission.

“Good work. You did well to return safely. What was the situation?” “Unfortunately, the Royal Knights stationed in the west are fighting a massive horde of monsters in the Waterford territory, and there are many casualties. Count Waterford and his son died in battle, and the Royal Knights are currently besieged in the domain capital.”

A look of dejection appeared on the Baron’s face. “I see. So we cannot hope for reinforcements.” “Yes. The Royal Guard commander leading the knights said, ‘I am terribly sorry that I cannot send aid. I will request relief for the Woodpole Barony from the Royal Capital.'”

“Relief from the Royal Capital… Even if they hurry, it will take three or four days for the Royal Knights stationed near the capital to arrive.” Disappointment spread among the Baron’s retainers. The massive horde of monsters has already penetrated the Woodpole territory. Some voices expressing dissatisfaction with the Royal Knights could be heard.

“It is regrettable that we cannot obtain immediate reinforcements, but a noble protects their own territory by their own power. We did not anticipate a massive horde of monsters, but the lack of power in my house is the problem. Do not resent the Royal Knights.” The Baron spoke to his retainers in a calm tone.

To not lose one’s composure despite being in such a desperate situation is admirable. Then, the Baron came over to Mabel, Sophie, and me. “Mabel, you heard. It is dangerous here, so you must return to Northernford with Lord William and Lady Sophia.” “Eh? What about Father and Mother?”

“Just because monsters are attacking, the Lord and his wife cannot flee and leave their subjects behind.” Then, the Baron bowed his head to me. “Lord William, please take care of my daughter.”

Mabel chased after the Baron as he walked away, but it seemed he was gently persuading her. “Sophie, Baron Woodpole is a magnificent person.” “He is, isn’t he? Brother, is there nothing we can do?”

“A massive horde of a thousand monsters is a serious matter. Our knights could probably handle it, but our house isn’t a Duchy.” “That is true. Only Ducal houses can deploy troops to another family’s territory without His Majesty’s permission.”

I bit my lip. “Actually, I was recently thinking of making a communication device that would allow talking to people far away. But I didn’t make it in time for this monster attack. It seems I got my priorities wrong.”

If I had a communication device, I could contact the Royal Capital and Northernford immediately. I should have developed the communication device before guiding my fiancée, Her Highness Flora, to the undeveloped lands.

If His Majesty knew that the Royal Knights had sustained many casualties and could not respond, he would likely request the Fairchild Margrave Knights to aid the Woodpole Barony. Since no monster herds have appeared in the Fairchild territory, my father would likely leave a certain number of knights in Northernford and rush to the Woodpole territory, with whom we have ties.

As I looked down, Sophie gently peered into my face. “It is not your fault, Brother. Just because you can make amazing things, please don’t take the weight of everything onto yourself.” “Thank you, Sophie.”

Regretting the past won’t start anything. “We have to think about what we can do now.” “We cannot send a large number of knights to another noble’s territory, correct?”

“That’s right. The Cardiff Earl house has many knights and neighbors the Woodpole Barony, but they can’t move either.” “Conversely, if it is a small number of people, there is no problem with them moving, right?”

It seems Sophie is thinking the same thing as me. “Yeah. If it’s a small group, even if they are nobles, there’s no problem fighting in another noble’s territory.” “Then, a small number of elites, like the companions who explored the southern undeveloped lands, could gather and come here.”

Our companions repelled many monsters in the southern undeveloped lands. Even if we can’t fight a thousand monsters head-on with a small group, if we gather the elites, we might be able to buy time until reinforcements arrive.

“If that is the case, I want to fight here to buy time. Mabel has been my friend since we were small, and if I can save the innocent subjects, I want to save them.” “Mabel is important staff for the workshop to me as well. Besides, I don’t want to leave a magnificent person like Baron Woodpole to die. I will fight too.”

I am neither a Hero nor a Sage, but I hate waiting in the rear. “I can’t use swords or magic, but I have the Magic Gun. Plus, if it gets dangerous, I can escape with Teleportation Magic, so if I’m with you, it will be easier to get Father to understand why Sophie is fighting.”

“I think you are stronger than you give yourself credit for, Brother. The rest depends on whether the companions who explored the undeveloped lands with us will agree to move.” “It involves great danger. Let’s ask only those who volunteer to come with us.” “Understood.”

“Then, let’s return to Northernford once to prepare.” We wrote a letter to leave for Mabel, went to a place where we wouldn’t be seen, and teleported to Northernford.