A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles

Hadn’t Viscount Oleg said in his letter that this was already practically an occupation of the castle?

“Could it be…?”

Covered in blood?

Then what had happened for them to arrive soaked in blood even with victory already decided?

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

But the battlefield is not the only place where blood flows.

It was true that war is, by nature, the act that spills the most human blood.

A horrifying image crossed Viscount Karyan’s mind.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

Nor was it rare that, once a land was won, weapons would be turned against the defeated local inhabitants.

“Damn it, barely a week has passed since I received Viscount Oleg’s letter, and in that time all of this happened…?”

Perhaps it was not a war, but blood shed in a unilateral massacre.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

No, the enemy had five thousand soldiers.

Should he close the castle gates and resist, feigning madness?

What if the enemy had lost their reason and, regardless of receptions or formalities, began a slaughter?

Consumed by an almost sickening anxiety and nervousness, Karyan grabbed his head with both hands.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

But what if, even so, the enemy went mad and decided to kill everyone?

Perhaps the best option was to follow Viscount Oleg’s advice and receive them while pretending ignorance.

“Viscount! wizard The duke’s army is approaching!”

Even if he resisted, it was obvious he would not hold out long before being conquered.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

Before Karyan could make a firm decision, Lucian’s troops appeared before his eyes.

From that distance their faces could not be seen clearly, but the red blood clinging to armor and weapons was unmistakable.

“…!”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Do we close the castle gates? amateur Or do we receive them as we are?”

“M-my lord! anxiety What should we do!?”

At the sight of the five thousand troops covered in blood, the vassals paled and shouted to the viscount.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

Even if it was only a conjecture, it was evident that not only soldiers had died, but also innocent inhabitants.

If they had laid hands on civilians, it meant the entire army was in a state of extreme exaltation.

“It’s an army that has already tasted blood! acoustic We must close the gates immediately and resist!”

For five thousand soldiers to end up so bloodstained, killing just a few hundred enemies would not be enough.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Are you insane!? portal Do you intend to provoke them even more when they’re already exalted!?”

“And if we rush to decide, something that could have been resolved peacefully could end with everyone dead!”

“If we only look at the enemy’s mood, we could die without even resisting!”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

The voices died down, but the underlying problem remained.

“Enough, enough, enough!”

In a little over ten minutes, the five thousand troops would be right in front of them.

Viscount Karyan shouted loudly, silencing the argument.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

Provoke the enemy and take refuge in the castle by closing the gates?

He had to decide now.

Or bow as far as possible and try to avoid bloodshed?

After that, even if he wanted to flee, there would be no escape.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“…We will receive the duke.”

“My lord!”

However, the viscount rebuked them with a firm expression.

At Karyan’s dry voice, some vassals let out cries of horror.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“…”

Even gathering all their resources and troops, it was impossible to withstand an army of five thousand men for even a full day.

“Look at that army! arrow Even if we lock ourselves in and resist, do you think we’d last even a day!?”

Faced with his cold reasoning, the vassals fell silent.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

Even if they scaled the walls without ladders, the numbers were too great to stop them.

They were elite troops that included the Swordmaster of the era and a court mage.

In the worst case, the castle could fall before nightfall.

And it was not a disorganized horde.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Closing the gates just to prolong our agony by a few hours makes no sense at all! acquire Stop babbling without thinking, ruled by fear!”

The vassals lowered their heads, unable to retort.

Who could guarantee that those few hours would not save his territory?

In truth, not even Karyan himself was completely certain of his decision.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

But a ruler had to appear composed before his vassals.

“Stop panicking and prepare to receive the guests. beacon Do not forget that a single mistake can dye this land in blood!”

Forcing a calm he did not feel, Karyan gave the order.

“Yes!”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

Shortly afterward, Lucian’s troops reached the vicinity of the castle.

Seeing their lord’s composure, the vassals reacted and began to move quickly.

“Karyan Baltz greets His Majesty, the King of the North!”

When Lucian approached the gate, Viscount Karyan bowed deeply and shouted.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

Karyan, his lips dry from tension, remained motionless.

“…”

Lucian did not respond and continued advancing.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Your Majesty. afford An interesting title.”

“King or duke? legend It’s not very clear. altitude Viscount Oleg also played with words like that and ended up irritating me. antique Has the entire west come to an agreement?”

“…?”

When Lucian was close enough to cut his neck with a single stroke, he finally spoke.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“It’s strange. adjust According to the rumors, he wasn’t a fool ruled by his emotions. avalanche Is there some reason to act so firmly even at the cost of political advantages? abstract Or perhaps, after ascending the throne, pride has gone to his head…?”

It was true they had come to an agreement, but he had never imagined the duke would pay attention to such subtle nuances.

Lucian knew that politically they could not recognize his status as king, and yet he reacted with unexpected harshness.

At the icy tone, Karyan shuddered.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Viscount Karyan.”

He had been distracted by unrelated thoughts while the man holding a sword was standing right in front of him!

Cold sweat ran down his back.

At Lucian’s voice, Karyan snapped back to himself and realized his mistake.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“For a while now you’ve done nothing but play with words. echo I’m starting to think you’re provoking me on purpose because you want to die. athlete Did the marquis ask you to die for him?”

“F-forgive me! altitude The majesty of the king is so imposing that it left me speechless…!”

“No, great king! arrow I was a fool and failed to choose my words! alien I beg you to forgive me!”

“Can’t you hear me? alert You haven’t answered.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

Seized by terror, he fell to his knees and even went so far as to call him “great king” in a desperate attempt at flattery.

Seeing Lucian bring his hand to the hilt of his sword, Karyan’s face turned completely white.

“I will rest here for two days. wizard Bring the food.”

Lucian silently observed that servile attitude and then removed his hand from the sword.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

This was probably his last chance.

Even if only for a single day, he had to attend to him with absolute sincerity and win his favor by any means.

A sigh of relief escaped Karyan’s lips.

“Yes!”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

If Lucian returned safely to the north, he would inevitably pass through here again.

With a sense of crisis tightening his chest, Viscount Karyan clenched his fist tightly.

Unexpectedly, Lucian’s army behaved with the utmost courtesy.

***

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

Not only did they refrain from leaving the camp, they did not even touch alcohol; their attitude was so austere it could almost be described as ascetic.

They enjoyed without restraint the food that Viscount Karyan offered them, but that was all.

Karyan and the vassals under his command bowed their heads, bewildered by a scene so different from what they had imagined.

‘Is this really the army that completely ravaged a territory?’

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“We rested well during these two days. advance The treatment was appropriate. advance I expect the same when I return.”

Even considering that they were elite troops, their discipline was excessive.

A soldier who had committed a massacre usually went mad until returning to his homeland.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

As soon as Lucian’s army left his territory, Karyan immediately sent a messenger to the lands of Viscount Oleg.

Two days later, Lucian departed smiling, as if the initial coldness had been a lie from the very beginning.

What was strange was not only the soldiers’ behavior.

The change was so radical in such a short time that Viscount Karyan could not help but wear a stunned expression.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

The bridge that had recently been repaired had collapsed again.

The scout departed at once, but was soon forced to return.

“Find out exactly what happened in Viscount Oleg’s territory! sphere If he is still alive, meet him in person and bring back a detailed report!”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Yes. amber Judging by their progress, it seems the duke’s army crossed it and destroyed it again immediately afterward.”

“You’re saying that the newly repaired bridge broke again, and that Viscount Oleg’s men are once more working to repair it?”

Even so, the messenger brought important information.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“Then the duke ordered the rear troops to tear it down as soon as they crossed?”

Whatever Lucian had done in Oleg’s territory, that same bridge was what he himself needed in order to return.

The question of why filled Karyan’s mind.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

‘But the fact that they’re repairing it immediately means Viscount Oleg is still alive. crystal A house that had lost its head could not react so quickly.’

As soon as he received confirmation, he sent another messenger.

It made no sense to destroy it after crossing.

Karyan let out a quiet sigh of relief and decided to wait until the bridge was fully completed.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

***

“You’re saying Viscount Oleg came in person?”

Days later, while awaiting the report, Karyan blinked in surprise at completely unexpected news.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

He did not look ill, but anyone could see the immense mental exhaustion he had suffered.

Viscount Oleg greeted Karyan with a haggard face.

“It’s been a while.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

After leading him to a guest room, Karyan could not contain his curiosity and went straight to the point.

“A massacre? avalanche Well, depending on how you look at it, it could be called that.”

The ambiguous answer made Karyan frown.

“What the hell happened in your territory? orbit The duke’s army arrived covered in blood. palette Was there a massacre?”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“The duke did not touch a single person. portal Instead, he exterminated all the livestock in my territory.”

“Don’t beat around the bush. crystal If it was a massacre, say it clearly. album How can it be and not be at the same time?”

“What did you say?”

“All that blood was the blood of the livestock we raised on my lands. absorb Cows, pigs—they killed them all.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“What kind of joke is this? alpha I was used as a toy by the duke—and by you?”

So that blood was not human, but animal?

Karyan’s eyes widened.

At first he let out an incredulous laugh, but the sense of absurdity soon turned into anger.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

At Karyan’s anger, Viscount Oleg exploded with even greater fury.

“A joke? anchor Didn’t you hear what I said? arctic All the livestock in my territory was annihilated! arctic Does that sound like a joke to you?”

The intensity of his rage made Karyan instinctively step back.

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

He knew he had spoken too lightly, but once the dam had burst, Oleg showed no intention of stopping.

Terrified by Oleg’s fury, Karyan continued to retreat.

Only after venting at length about the ruin of his territory did Oleg collapse exhausted into a chair and speak in a weary voice.

“Do you have any idea what state my territory is in? abstract It was completely plundered! ability From food reserves to livestock, everything disappeared. atom I don’t even have enough to pay the knights’ wages, much less a few coins for the workers! sphere Half the servants have already left, and you talk about jokes!”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“…No right? autumn What do you mean by that?”

“Wasn’t it you who dragged other lords along with me when you decided to follow my advice? airport You did it knowing perfectly well what would happen.”

“And above all, you have no right to reproach me.”

Content of A Mercenary’s Rebirth Among Nobles - Chapter 191 published by TrungTu Reads.

“I wonder what the marquis will say when I inform him of what you did.”

“…!”

Faced with a speechless Karyan, Viscount Oleg smiled meaningfully.