At this moment, Glen cleared his throat and said, "Knight Henry, Count Sebastian and I are distant relatives."
'Seriously? You could have mentioned that earlier!'
Glen noticed the look in Henry's eyes and explained, "I couldn't bring it up on my own. It was up to Boman to request a combat assignment."
Henry slapped away Bain's wandering hand, picked up a grape, and said, "Then I have no problem. As long as this is an official mission, we'll be able to save a large sum of money! My soldiers only get to eat meat three times a month, and the new recruits just once."
"No problem. This is all within the Count's authority. We won't be losing out."
It was only at this moment that the four of them officially formed an alliance. Before, it had all just been talk.
[Gained favor with a noble of the same sex, EXP +22]
As for the Count using his authority to pull some strings for a relative, it was a trivial matter—nothing more than a small indulgence of power.
After the opera ended, the four of them left. On the way back to their camp, Henry pondered how much he could earn, while also wondering what the hell those Half-Beastmen actually looked like.
"Henry, what are you thinking about? You're not scared, are you? Hahaha."
Bain subconsciously tightened his grip on his sword, but Henry stopped him. "I'm not scared," he said. "I'm just wondering what those Half-Beastmen actually look like. Seeing is believing, and I've never seen one with my own eyes. The pictures in the academy textbooks were all artistically embellished."
Boman's expression immediately turned serious. "Those Centaurs are natural-born Cavalry. A Minotaur in armor is a walking meat grinder. The war cry of a Tiger-man is devastating to morale. As for the Goat-men, Gnolls, and their like, they're equivalent to our serfs."
"They're like the weeds on these plains. The herds graze on them one year, and by the time they return, the weeds have all grown back."
Glen nodded. "Henry, if you'll permit me to be direct—the rewards for hunting these Half-Beastmen are immense, but that's all predicated on us winning."
"Those Minotaurs are practically giant mountains of flesh. They can even topple our Cavalry. If a Knight's skill with a Riding Spear is even slightly lacking, it will be a massacre for our side."
"The men I brought are all competent Heavy Cavalry, not just for show. Don't worry."
Glen nodded, adding reassuringly, "Among the two hundred serfs I brought, forty of them can use Iron Crossbows. Combined with us Knights, we can put up a fight."
Just then, an officer galloped over on his horse and handed Glen a military report.
Glen hurriedly opened it, glanced at it quickly, then passed it to the other three to read.
"We have our mission. We'll collect our rations tomorrow and then move out."
"Good. I'll wait for word from you."
By this time, Claude and Philip had already finished setting up the camp. The large tent flying the Bro Clan banner was Henry's personal quarters.
The four men parted ways for the time being. Henry returned to his quarters, wanting a drink of water.
The moment Bain entered the tent, he asked impatiently, "My lord, are we going to fight Beastmen?"
Henry corrected him, "Our enemies are Half-Beastmen. The ones who fight Beastmen are the empire on the other side of the ocean."
Bain had no interest in pondering the difference between Beastmen and Half-Beastmen, muttering, "Sigh, I just got this new warhorse... I heard Knight Glen say some Half-Beastmen are incredibly strong. I hope they don't get my precious warhorse killed."
Bain only cared about his horse!
Henry snorted and teased, "Since you're so attached to your warhorse, why don't you let it ride you instead?
"That way, you can be in charge of the charge, and the warhorse can hold the Riding Spear. I'm sure it'll catch the Half-Beastmen completely by surprise."
Bain frantically waved his hands. That was a cursed thing to say! Who could possibly carry a charging warhorse?
"I think I'll stick to riding him. Worst case, I'll just go back to riding a Traveling Horse."
Henry pursed his lips. 'Bain still has the disposition of a child. Isn't he just afraid that if his warhorse dies, I won't buy him a new one? How transparent.'
'No, I'm sheltering this little beggar too much. How will he ever stand on his own two feet in the future? I have to let him learn how wicked people can be.'
"There's nothing wrong with a Traveling Horse."
"But my lord! A warhorse is a second life! I'm only truly your Attendant when I have a proper warhorse!"
"Hahaha!"
It wasn't Ailia's place to comment on Henry's mischievous sense of humor, so she simply went about silently making his temporary bed.
Orianna came in and asked Henry, "My lord, for your dinner, will Badan roast chicken, Danustika-style dates, along with buttered bread, cured meat, and broth be acceptable?"
Of the sixteen transport carriages, one was dedicated to storing the Heavy Cavalry Armor and other armor, while another was exclusively for Henry's personal belongings, including the cook's utensils.
Claude had to ensure Henry was able to eat palatable meals; it was a matter of a noble's dignity.
In any case, Henry was already up to his ears in debt, so Claude felt that skimping on a meal wasn't going to make a difference. If a noble had to cut back on food to manage his finances, he might as well be in exile already.
"Of course. Go easy on the spices for the roast chicken, and a little salt in the broth will be fine."
"Yes, my lord."
Henry shooed Bain off to help with the cooking, then went out for a brief stroll around the encampment before returning to his tent, taking out a pen and paper, and beginning to write a letter.
This was a secret mission from his great Lord, the King of the Caladia Empire, whose power was at its zenith.
The King needed someone trustworthy to observe the martial virtue of the Border Nobility. If any had grown decadent, the King would find a way to reclaim their fiefs and grant them to new Vassals. He was also to report on the situation with Count Sebastian.
'To my great Lord, ruler of the Caladia Empire, master of the Caladian continent, greetings. I am your most loyal, brave, and trusted landed Knight, Henry Bro.
'Count Sebastian Solza takes the security of Autongard very seriously. Your city is like a beacon, illuminating the plains where trade routes have dwindled.
'The other nobles' military preparations are unremarkable. Many of their fiefs have just been ravaged, and their military strength has been severely weakened. For now, it is difficult to ascertain whether your other Vassals still possess the Bravery befitting a noble.
'The Count intends to conduct an exploratory hunt, which is a wise choice. Knight Boman Monet, Knight Fass Dakos, Knight Glen Taylor, and I will form a joint force to conduct a retaliatory hunt.
'Headmaster, we are all your former students. This mission will be a complete success.
'May you live long, shine upon Caladia, and protect your students and Vassals.
'Written this day, The Lord of Westwood Laine, Knight Henry Bro.'
After finishing the letter, Henry sealed it carefully, called for Claude, and gave him his noble crest, instructing him to take two soldiers and deliver it to the imperial office immediately.
Having done all that, he stretched and worked out the stiffness in his joints.
Henry had to write as factually as possible, because he didn't believe he was the only person the King trusted—or rather, that he wasn't particularly trusted at all.
The King must have also given secret missions to other people. As for how many, that was impossible to guess.
In any case, as long as the King wasn't a madman, he couldn't have given a secret mission to every single one of the Border Nobility.
Suddenly, a clamor came from outside. Henry frowned and walked out of the tent, where he saw a group of soldiers gathered together, arguing about something.
"What's all the shouting about!"
"Lord."
Henry pointed to one of the cavalrymen and asked, "You. Tell me what's going on."
"We've never seen those monsters, we..."
So, the soldiers were nervous and uneasy about the upcoming battle. Henry could understand. They were Half-Beastmen, after all—a true Alien Race. Only his new recruits, who had undergone the "special training" of his Total War panel, would be unafraid.
'No, that's not right. They might be afraid too, but their loyalty to me is enough to make them dare to raise their swords against the Half-Beastmen.'
"What do you think you're doing! Flinching from battle!" Philip ran over, his face contorted in anger.
He was starting to break out in a nervous sweat. After all, he was the one who had been training these very soldiers.
He was terrified that Henry would question his competence! 'This is so unfair!'