THE RISE OF THE KNIGHTS OF SINNERS
#12# A STEP TOWARDS WAR
Just one month after the eradication of the kidnapping case, Valdia again had to face new problems. In the early spring, 30 inhabitants of the kingdom of Iris who were heading to the holy temple were slaughtered on the border of the Sicilian prince and Valdia's marquess.
The massacre was carried out by viscount Reynald with his 100 troops. It is unclear what the massacre meant. Reynald always argued that they killed were bandits who tried to attack the pilgrims and the reason was supported by the holy kingdom of Deusia. However, there is an opinion from one of the nobles of the Axel kingdom that Reynald killed was a pilgrim Angelus. As a result of Reynald's actions, the holy war of the third volume lives on his drum.
All meetings between leaders and diplomats of the western and eastern alliances continued in various kingdoms to avoid the next holy war. But, again and again the priests of the holy kingdom of Deusia heated up the matter by provoking the kingdom of Angelusia.
Two months of negotiations have taken place and have not found a bright spot. The eastern alliance grew furious because Reynald was sentenced to freedom and still got his title as a viscount. The action instantly made king Iris angry. He led his own 100 thousand troops towards Gerelia and the first region they had to pass through was Valdia. Although it was forbidden by the eastern alliance, the king of Iris did not care. He even blatantly declared his exit from the eastern alliance. The anger of king Iris has peaked because the killer of 30 people was actually released.
Marquis Aiden who got a report about the army of king Iris immediately increased the number of troops on the southern border. A total of 13 thousand troops were on guard to block Iris's forces. In addition, the Caspian army also sent 17 thousand troops to help the Valdia army. However, 3 weeks after the news of the departure of Iris soldiers to Valdia, until now there has been no sign of their arrival.
****
In the palace meeting room, marquis Aiden led a meeting with the commanders of the Valdia military division. They discussed the best and worst strategies when facing Iris later. And as Iris's army had not yet arrived, they assumed that Iris's army was at war with the Sicilian prince for heading to Valdia, they had to pass through Sicily first which in fact was the former territory of the Iris kingdom itself.
The members of the meeting were arguing with each other in search of the best strategy. Some of them chose to fight and die for Gerelia. And some others chose to negotiate with king Iris when they arrived here. Not without reason, actually fighting the kingdom of Iris is a big mistake because the kingdom of Iris is the kingdom with the most powerful military in the world.
The heat of the debate between the division leaders makes Leo a little furious but marquis Aiden tells him to hold back and keep quiet until marquis Aiden gets the right solution to the problem. As the debate heated up, a soldier came to the meeting room.
...Geck! Toks!...
" go inside! " said marquis Aiden.
One of the soldiers came in and immediately knelt to the marquis. " Mister, as many as a hundred thousand Iris troops have already arrived at the border. We have news that they have recognized the independence of the Sicilian prince therefore the Sicilian leader allowed them to pass through. In addition, we have bad news that Gerelia's troops will not advance to the front lines. They'll be waiting in the Aru County area. That's all I want to report, sir. I'm authorized to join forces at the border. "
Boris drew closer to marquis Aiden and whispered, "This sir is terrible. Without the help of the capital's troops, we can't handle it. "
" I will lead the army and try to speak with the king of Iris, "
" Ta-but sir!? Your condition is unstable, if you force yourself, you can lose your life, "
" Boris, I can't hand over the leadership to Thalia. He was still inexperienced against such a large army. In addition, if a war occurs, our main goal is not to win but to save the pilgrims and the population from the impact of the war on the border. "marquis Aiden stands from his seat. He raised his right hand.
" Prepare the troops! " exclaimed marquis Aiden who was immediately greeted by the shouts of the spirit of the division commanders.
" Thalia go first with the division commanders. Lead them and do not do anything until I come there, " continued marquis Aiden.
Thalia, who had been wearing a suit of armor, nodded her head and walked out with the commanders of the military division until the meeting room left only Leo, Marquis Aiden, and then left, and Boris.When Marquis Aiden was about to walk he suddenly fell because of his unstable condition.
" Dad! " worry Leo. He immediately caught the body of the father.
" Mister don't push yourself, "between Boris helps Leo capture the body of marquis Aiden.
" If I don't go, what about the residents and pilgrims. "reply the iron masked man.
" Let me. Although I have no experience with such a large army, but I will do whatever it takes to keep the war from breaking out, "Lo looked at his father with great determination.
Marquis Aiden was silent for a moment. " W-what about your trauma? I don't want you to see bloodshed when negotiations fail, "
Leo smiled and leaned his father on the meeting room door. " Dad just relax. I've been cured. I've become the knight you wanted me to be. So let me handle this, trust me, "
Seeing Leo's determination, marquis Aiden nodded his head and said, "I'll leave it to you. Put on my armor and my new iron mask in my drawer no matter what happens, try not to make war happen. Please protect the residents and pilgrims! "
" Hmh! I'll do it! " Lo kissed the right hand of marquis Aiden and went to get his father's iron mask and armor.
***
In the courtyard of the palace already stood 6 thousand troops dressed in combat complete with the banner of Valdia's marquisery lined up to fill the courtyard. They wait for the command of the marquis and do not know that the one who will lead them is Leo.
Before long, Leo took the iron mask out with his father's armor and vest the coat of arms of the Valdius family. Marquis Aiden who watched from the room his entire body trembled. He seemed to see himself as a young man.
" I don't know why I've seen myself in the past" Marquis Aiden muttered to Boris.
" I also think so, my lord. Looks like Leo inherited everything from you even your authority and courage sir. I don't know why I have a hunch Leo will surpass you in the future, "reply Boris.
" That's what I was expecting too. He does not want to be a leader but still protect and help from behind the scenes. He imitated his ancestor Valdius. "marquis Aiden witnessed the departure of his son to the battlefield with 6 thousand troops and 20 buffalo carts containing 100 humming sacks.
As it exited the palace gates, the entire town of Valdia came out and lined up on the side of the road. Their eyes only went in one direction: a handsome iron masked man led his army into battle. The views of the residents are brought to the past when their hero, Marquis Aiden, also wore the armor during the second holy war.
***
On the Southern border directly adjacent to the Sicilian prince, Thalia along with 13 thousand troops and plus 17 thousand troops from the Caspian army had made a battle formation and ready to face the troops Iris who was still not seen.
The Southern border was a prairie territory that stretched to the princely state of Sicily. If Iris's troops had come, from a distance it would have already been seen. However, for 3 hours the army led by Thalia still did not find the presence of the troops Iris estimated as much as 100 thousand troops.
Seeing the many troops of Iris, clearly not a few Valdia troops began to tremble. Their bodies trembled and some even vomited so afraid that they saw the large army. Thalia herself was trembling too. He thought for a moment when he saw the huge army.
Iris's 100-thousand-strong army stopped at the boundary between Valdia and Sicily. They waved white and green flags as a sign of negotiation. But because Valdia's main army had not yet arrived, Thalia ordered one of his troops to deliver a message to king Iris to wait for Valdia's main army to come.
King Iris, who received the message, agreed. He waited for 1 hour until Leo with 6 thousand troops began to be seen from the north. The army carried the royal flag of Gerelia and the flags of the Valdius family.
The arrival of Valdia's main forces instantly raised the morale of the other forces. Their eyes were fixed on the supreme leader of the army, the marquis Aiden, who was actually represented by Leo, but because of Leo's posture which was very similar to his father, his disguise was not discovered by the troops. Not with Thalia. He clearly knew who was behind the iron mask. Thalia panicked at first because she thought Leo was inexperienced and was afraid that he would anger the king of Iris during the negotiations. However, there is a warrant from the father so that Thalia does not interfere in the negotiation process.
***
Seeing the arrival of the leader from Valdia, king Iris and 6 horsemen immediately advanced across the border. Leo, along with 10 Yurei troops disguised as cavalry troops, also advanced towards the king of Iris who wore a covered iron helmet and gold armor.
They faced each other on horseback. An instantaneous atmosphere of silence awaited negotiations between the two leaders. Whatever the outcome, for Iris's army they were ready to die for the king. As for Valdia's forces, it was clear they were eager for these negotiations to result in peace.
King Iris approached Leo and stopped a metre ahead of him. " I hope that you will return to your home safely and leave this matter to us. If you let us pass, I promise not to cause any trouble in this holy land and will give you all protection" said king Iris.
" I'm a marquis from Valdia wishing you guys back to Iris unharmed. Reynald and his troops will be punished according to their actions. I promise! If you don't want to leave this matter to us, we'll all die here. I know Iris's army is very much, but it should be that his Majesty looks back on our Valdia squad's history, "replying to Leo by showing his authority as leader.
" How could a marquis caste persuade its king to punish the perpetrator? " the king's lips Iris. He underestimated Valdia's position which was only marquess.
" This is the noble Gerelia. In this kingdom, the marquess of the Valdius family stood above the archduke and grand duke. Your majesty should understand that, "reply Leo with confidence.
King Iris was silent. He thought about the bad thing first because Valdia's army is the most powerful army. If Iris dared to contact a weapon directly, it was not impossible that they could lose or at their luck they would be able to win at the expense of half an army.
Leo approached the king of Iris, then extended his right hand. " We have a deal? "
King Iris, who had no choice, shook Leo's hand. " Yes, we agreed. But you know this peace is not free? "
" Yes! We will pay two million gold coins as well as a hundred sacks of grain. I know the lives of 30 noble citizens are worth more than my gift. But at least what I give can support thousands of Iris residents, right? "
" Yes, well I'll withdraw my troops. But remember, I gave a two-month deadline for this matter. If I find Reynald still free, I won't hesitate to attack. "
" It's only one month! In one month I will send Reynald to Iris and you are free to give him any punishment, " Leo said confidently as he let go of his post.
King Iris was stunned by Leo's confidence, he turned around and rode slowly towards Iris's army at the border crossings.
" I can't believe a child who was mentally ill is now as good as his father. I'll wait for your promise, "the king Iris murmured to Leo.
Leo was surprised to hear the words of king Iris.he did not expect the king to know who was behind the iron mask.
" B-how do you know? "
" I fought with your father. When viewed from the way you ride horses, you are more authoritative and look like a king. Your father looks like a hero. I'm a little interested in you. If you have time, go to Iris. We can talk more and peacefully there. Then see you. "king Iris waved his hand.
Before long, Iris's army immediately retreated. Unstoppable happy cheer on the troops of Valdia and Caspia. They are very happy because negotiations are going well. Leo ordered 100 Yurei troops to bring a chest of gold coins and 20 carts of wheat to Iris. He immediately returned to the city with Thalia and 6 thousand troops. While the rest of the troops returned to their post as usual and Caspian troops also immediately returned to their territory.
When he arrived in the city, the entire population came out and called out the name of marquis Aiden. Leo is proud that he can represent his father and restore the trust of the population to the father because the residents of Valdia had begun to doubt the leadership of marquis Aiden because of the fire poison he suffered began to make his physical condition is weakened. There was even a coup plan to depose marquis Aiden but the plan was successfully thwarted by Yurei forces led by Indra.
However, the same welcome did not take place in the palace. Upon arriving at the palace, Leo and Thalia are ordered to meet marquis Aiden in his room. The two of them went straight to the father's room as instructed.
" Thank you. Thanks to you two, peace is back. Oh yes, when you left, there was an emissary from the kingdom sending me this letter, " said marquis Aiden, putting a letter on his desk.
" It was the invitation letter of the meeting of all the nobles of Gerelia in the capital next week. In addition, the king questioned the reason we expelled the royal army. But he also did not bother about it too much because of the actions Reynald had done. Now the king wants to hear our decision for Reynald. "said marquis Aiden.
" Are we just sending a letter about the king Iris's desire to punish Reynald and his army? " thalia Sahut.
" Reynald was a Deus fanatic. He was very dear to the Deusian priests. If we just send a letter, I'm sure it won't be effective. The only way is for us to accept the king's invitation and give our decision directly there. Our family has a great influence in this kingdom and with our presence directly, I am sure the king will not be able to resist it, "reply marquis Aiden.
" But the father's condition has not yet recovered. The journey to the capital takes 5 days. My troops also said there was a movement of hitmen who were targeting our families, "between Leo took off the iron mask he was wearing.
" Therefore, Leo, I want your troops on our way to the capital. And I want you two to be my personal bodyguards at the meeting. With the presence of the two of you adding to our strength at the meeting later, "said optimistically marquis Aiden.he intends to show the strength of the Valdius family after years of being underestimated by the tragedy that once befell him.
" I have to wear heavy armor anyways..? " complained Leo.he really hates to use full armor because it is very heavy and does not fit with his fighting style that requires agility and speed.
" If it is not wrong at the headquarters of the guard, there is still one unused armor. Wear the armor even though it is as heavy as possible to hold it. I bet you're tired, go get some rest. Tomorrow morning we're leaving. "
Leo and Thalia came out of the father's room and went back to their own. Marquis Aiden ordered his personal bodyguards to prepare various items needed before leaving for the capital.
^^^To be Continue.^^^
