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Volume 1 Chapter 2 Part 6

Since then, there have been no more battles in Selvis’ territory.

But now things have gone back to how they used to be in the past. Since Selvis borders on the east and south of the countries that belong to the Fantasia Union, all of the Lords in Selvis have been united under the flag of the Factory Alliance for the time being.

But it is still dangerous to not keep an eye for the neighboring Lords, which proved especially true now that Mesut Medric, a minor Lord of Clovis who had a territory that neighbored the one that belongs to Lassic suddenly lost his Crest and his entire land to some wandering Lord. Moreover, that wondering Lord then declared that he was going to join the Fantasia Union.

It was an unexpected development, but also a fortunate one, for Lassic, because it means that will be able to seize his territory from him without anyone complaining about it.

「How fortunate. Who would have thought that just as the Great War was about to begin, a convenient Crest and territory will appear a stone’s throw away from my doorstep? 」

Feeling excited, Lassic was wandering aimlessly through the halls of his castle

With each step he took, his tousled blond hair and the long hair on the shoulders of his cloak swayed to the sides. By Lassic’s side is the magician Moreno Dortus, whom he has contracted with. His brown hair, which reached his shoulders, were neatly parted to the left and right, and his robe was adorned with various jewelry. Moreno looked at his excited Lord with an expression that showed that he truly could not be bothered himself.

「We will invade Medrick’s territory as soon as possible, before the other Lords get the chance to get ahead of us. 」

Lasik’s voice trembled as he turned to Moreno, awaiting his opinion.

「I have no objections to that, but it will be an invasion across the border, right? In that case, there will definitely be protests from King Clovis and the Lords of Clovis. 」

Moreno answers in a light tone.

When Lasik inherited the Crest from his father, he purposely went to Elam and worked in a bar near the Magic University while hiding his identity in order to choose a best possible Mage to make a contract with. That is how Moreno was approached one day by Lassic, who wanted him to make a contract with him soon after he graduated from Magic University.

Moreno initially declined his offer, because when he heard of Lassic’s title, he thought he was not a Lord worthy of  serving under. However, as he drank with him, he began to feel that this small Lord was actually a much bigger person than he seemed to be at first glance.

Moreno himself was a swordsman, so he knew right away that at least his sword skills were considerable. Although he has no academic background, he is well versed in the world and can accurately sense the feelings of others. Above all, he was absurdly bright, with overwhelming confidence and ambition radiating off of every inch of his body. Although he was probably drunk at that time, Moreno decided to take a chance and bet on this small Lord, and after graduating from the Magic University, he voluntarily signed a contract with Lassic.

Two years have passed since then, and the times are becoming what Lassik has been waiting for. He thought this man was in luck, because the current developments were too good of an opportunity to pass up, so it should not be a surprise that Lassic was excited.

「Once I take his Crest and territory away from him, I will have so many opportunities before me. I will twist that wandering Lord exactly like that! 」

Lassic said so as he wrung a dusting cloth in his hands.

「I hope that is going to be the case. 」

Moreno distorted his face, at Lassic’s display of self-confidence. The situation did look like it was in their favor, but even so he remained level-headed.

「What are you worried about so much all of a sudden? 」

Lasik asked  him strangely.

「Does this situation not look as if that wandering Lord was practically asking for us to attack him? If he didn’t have a lot of confidence in himself, then he would never has announced that he is going to join a faction that opposes the others around him, because that would turn their hostility towards him in no time. 」

「Such a thing is what we call bravado. I heard that Medrick’s contracted Mage, Saturus, has renewed his contract with the new Lord and is going to negotiate with King Clovis. They must have thought that even if they declared that they belonged to the alliance, they would only be forced to return the territory, so that’s why I intend to dare to show my resolve to fight and draw concessions! 」

「I see, so that is what you intend to do? 」

Moreno looked up at the ceiling and shook his right hand, with one finger held up, from side to side, trying to sort out the situation for a while.

(It’s a shallow idea, but it does make sense…)

They have also heard that Mesut Medric is seeking protection from Alfred Shakes, King of Clovis. Naturally, he will try to reclaim the territory that was stolen from him. However, he has no reason to help those who have lost not only the territory, but also their Crests. If he would do that, then Mesut  could get his title and territory back without any effort.

King Clovis is said to be cautious at best and slow at worst. However, there is no doubt that he wants complete control of Clovis. If the wandering Lord who seized Medric’s land wants to join the Fantasia Union , it is the same as not approving of what if King Clovis wants to do.

These last minute negotiations of joining the Fantasia Union, showing a confrontational attitude towards other Lords, and being accepted into the Union as an independent Lord seem to be the aim of this wandering Lord, and since King Clovis is going to do anything to keep his dignity intact, that looks like that idea of his might just work. In other words, if they want to attack Medrick’s territory, they must do so before the negotiations are concluded.

「So you are you going to do something like that, huh? 」

Moreno nodded towards Lassic.

「However, even if he was caught off guard, it does not change the fact that a small number of people managed to capture Medrick’s castle. So at the very least, I think that our opponent is bound to have a lot of skill.」

「If it’s a sword skill we’re talking about, I’m confident too. We have 50 soldiers who became strong through training, and we also have 5 mercenaries. We can win against any of the neighboring Lords easily. 」

「For a Lord who only governs two villages, you do have a disproportionate amount of fighting power. 」

Lasik’s father was the leader of a well-known mercenary band and had amassed a considerable fortune, but hee threw it away as he was preparing for the war. If the start of the Great War had been delayed, Lassic would have gone bankrupt.

「The acquisition of Meadrick’s territory alone is sure to bring the much needed change. The time for battle has now come, so I will bet everything I have on it. 」

「But if you lose, you will lose everything, right? 」

「Then I just have to win. Am I wrong? 」

「You are right, no doubt about that. 」

Moreno said his usual line. Lassic was as lucid as ever.

There are times when you move and lose, and times when you don’t move and you perish. And unlike reading history books, no one knows what will happen in the future. It is never a mistake to act according to what you want to do, not what you should do. And the situation is overwhelmingly favorable for them now. If this didn’t move Lassic in the slightest, Moreno would have been rather disappointed in him.

「Then please, win. 」

Moreno jokingly bowed to Lassic.

「Yeah, I’ll win. However, the other party has contracts with two Mages. Even though they’re old and small, you can’t let your guard down. I’ll have you work for me, too. 」

「Well, I’ll do what I can. 」

Lassic isn’t the only man confident in his abilities here. Moreno was also confident in his own talent. He has a high level of mastery of the magic of the four colors, and he is on par with other Mages both in military affairs and in domestic affairs.

(But still,  I can’t afford to let my guard down…)