The Seremuse Plain served as a buffer zone between the Kingdom of Mireana and the Bestia Empire. A vast expanse of forests, groves, and even small lakes, it had been the stage for countless wars between the two nations throughout history.
Ordinarily, given the nature of the terrain, it would have been natural for either country to establish settlements there. Indeed, both nations—and even several smaller neighboring countries—had attempted to do so in the past. However, every attempt resulted in skirmishes or full-scale wars as both sides claimed the Seremuse Plain as their own. Eventually, all parties had essentially abandoned the idea of colonization. As a result, despite its fertile soil, the land remained a neutral buffer zone.
Furthermore, the land had soaked in the blood and flesh of thousands—perhaps even tens of thousands—of fallen soldiers. Having absorbed the terror of death and centuries of bitter grudges, the soil had naturally become a breeding ground for the undead. While safe enough during the day, nightfall transformed the plain into a landscape haunted by wandering skeletons, zombies, wraiths, and living armor.
The Kingdom of Mireana and the Bestia Empire had both attempted to purify the Seremuse Plain by dispatching users of holy magic, hoping to claim the land for themselves. However, the sheer weight of the accumulated resentment was far beyond human power to cleanse. Ultimately, both nations settled for maintaining a minimum level of purification near their respective borders to prevent the undead from drifting into their own territories.
On the Mireana side of the plain, a sea of pavilions and tents now stretched across the horizon. They were there for the coming war—to once again soak the soil of the Seremuse Plain in resentment.
"That's... quite the crowd. Did all these people really gather just for this one war?"
Rei stood atop a small hill in the middle of the Seremuse Plain, looking down at the camp of the Kingdom of Mireana Army. Beside him, Seto stood watch.
"Guruuu," Seto warbled, as if in agreement.
As far as the eye could see, the landscape was filled with tents. Knights engaged in drills, while others began preparing dinner even though the sun was still high. Soldiers sat in groups, focused on weapon maintenance.
Rei couldn't determine the exact headcount from his vantage point, but it looked to be roughly a hundred thousand men.
"And they say this isn't even their full strength," Rei remarked, stroking Seto’s head as he recalled what the escort knights had told him.
Daskar, the central figure of the neutral faction, had ordered his followers to provide as much military support as possible. True to his word, the neutral nobles had dispatched every man they could spare. However, within the noble's faction, things were different. Despite Duke Kerebel’s orders to provide maximum reinforcements, some nobles had only sent half—or even a third—of their strength, claiming the expenses were too high. As for the King's faction, despite being the largest group, the forces they sent were only about one and a half times larger than those of the noble's faction. Furthermore, the soldiers they did provide were mostly troublemakers or those rebellious toward their superiors.
Rei had been exasperated by the news, but he was told that since those nobles hadn't suffered direct damage like Daskar had, they simply didn't feel a sense of crisis. He had to admit that logic made a certain cynical sense.
One unexpected detail, however, was that the specific King's faction nobles dispatched to this front had prepared as much strength as they possibly could. If the faction at large viewed this war as just another routine skirmish, such a commitment would be impossible. Rei concluded that the nobles assigned to this campaign must be outcasts within the King's faction.
(The larger a faction gets, the more sub-factions it breeds. I suppose the ones sent here are the ones who lost the internal power struggles... Hm?)
As he watched the army below, Rei noticed a group of people climbing the hill. A party of about five was heading straight toward him and Seto.
(Knights?)
All five wore breastplates engraved with family crests. It was clear they were nobles.
(I just hope this doesn't turn into a hassle.)
If they were from the neutral faction, there was no problem; Rei was, after all, an employee of Daskar. But if they belonged to the noble's or King's factions, trouble seemed likely.
Ignoring them and heading back to the Larkus Territorial Army camp would probably be considered a provocation, so Rei decided to wait, leaning against Seto's side.
A few minutes later, the five men arrived. They found Seto lying on the ground and Rei relaxing against the creature's flank.
"Do you have a moment?"
Rei was slightly surprised by the polite opening, which was uncharacteristic for a noble. He turned his gaze toward the speaker.
The man wore a green breastplate crafted from a rare metal. He looked to be in his early twenties, with a handsome, composed face and gentle eyes. Rei sensed a distinct aura from the scabbard at the man's waist—the unmistakable signature of a magic item.
What surprised Rei most, however, was that the man showed no fear of Seto. Even if he felt it, he didn't let it show in his voice. This was a stark contrast to his four companions, who had unmistakable terror in their eyes.
Interested, Rei gave a small nod and stood up.
"Guruu?" Seto let out a low thrum at Rei's movement. The sound alone made the four retainers recoil several steps.
This was the normal reaction; the man who remained unfazed by the gryphon’s voice was the anomaly.
"I have time. Do you need something?"
"You! How dare you speak to Lord Siminal in such a way—"
"Now, now. That’s enough."
Siminal’s retainers reflexively moved to berate Rei for his lack of honorifics, but Siminal himself cut them off.
"But Lord Siminal, a mere adventurer speaking so insolently to your face..."
"I said it’s fine, didn't I?"
"...If you say so, my lord. You there—no matter how skilled an adventurer you are, you should mind your tongue around nobility. Lord Siminal is generous, but anyone else would have had you cut down on the spot for such insolence."
The retainer spoke with a dissatisfied scowl, but Rei found himself impressed.
(Hoh... Not bad.)
He had expected them to be typical, useless hangers-on, but the man’s warning was actually quite practical. Rei gave a small nod of acknowledgment.
"I'm not very well-versed in the etiquette of high society. Besides, unless you’re my employer, I don’t see why it matters."
Siminal blinked, momentarily stunned by the blunt response. Then, he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Quite right. To you, I am indeed just a stranger. Very well, let’s start over with introductions. I am Siminal Gypsos, the next head of Count Gypsos's House."
"I'm Rei. A C-rank adventurer from the City of Gilm. This is Seto."
"Guruu."
Rei introduced himself and his companion while patting Seto's head.
Siminal gave a polite nod. He had a refined, dignified face, but his smile was oddly boyish. To Rei, who harbored a significant prejudice against the nobility, the man left a surprisingly good impression.
"I know who you are. I’ve been looking for you."
"...For me?"
"Indeed. I wanted to have a word. Do you mind?"
Rei looked slightly bewildered. It was rare for a noble of Siminal’s rank to treat a commoner with such genuine friendliness, ignoring the social divide entirely. Rei was used to nobles who were either hostile or condescending; being treated as an equal left him unsure how to respond.
Siminal seemed to read his hesitation. He turned to his four retainers.
"Sorry, but could you all give us some space? It seems Rei is a bit shy."
"Lord Siminal!?"
"Wait, my lord! We cannot leave you alone with an unknown adventurer—especially not with a high-ranking monster like a gryphon right there!"
Two of them spoke up in a panic, and the others nodded frantically, but Siminal remained firm.
"If that gryphon truly wanted to kill me, four guards wouldn't make the slightest difference."
"But—!"
"That’s enough. I told you to step back."
His voice took on a sharp, commanding edge—the tone of someone born to lead. Rei noted that for all his friendliness, Siminal possessed the undeniable presence of a future count.
"..."
The four men reluctantly retreated, scattering around the base of the hill under the pretext of scouting, leaving Rei and Siminal alone.
"As I said, I've been interested in you for a while," Siminal began.
"Me? Why?"
"You're famous among the adventurers, you know. Before the war, your reputation might have been limited to the City of Gilm, but now that so many rank D and higher adventurers have gathered here, word is spreading. A man from Gilm—the home of the elite—who travels with a gryphon, carries an item box, and is a monster in combat? Naturally, people talk."
"I haven't even done any fighting in this war yet..."
Rei stopped himself as he remembered Luno’s warning. The story of how he had effortlessly maimed those who provoked him had clearly made the rounds.
"...Right, I get it. So, why the interest?"
"I'll be direct, then. You don't seem like a man who enjoys wasting time. Rei, why don't you come work for me?"
"Work for you?"
"Yes. Ah, I should mention—my family, Count Gypsos's House, belongs to the King's faction. Though, to be accurate, we’re the black sheep of the faction."
"The black sheep?"
"My father had a bit of a run-in with one of the King's retainers. Now, the house is considered a nuisance."
He spoke of his family’s misfortune without a trace of sorrow; if anything, he looked amused. Rei found it strange. He knew how much nobles valued their lineage, yet the man before him seemed to hold his own house in blatant disregard.
"So, what do you think? If you join me, I can promise you excellent treatment."
"I’m sorry, but I have no intention of leaving the City of Gilm for the foreseeable future. I’ll have to decline."
"...Hoh. May I ask why?"
"Being in Gilm is convenient for me in many ways."
Rei couldn't exactly explain that he was hunting for unknown magic stones to fuel his beast magic, so he kept his answer vague.
"I won't pry into your reasons. Still, you prefer the frontier to the Count Gypsos's territory near the capital?"
"Yes. I like it specifically because it’s the frontier."
"Kuku, you really are a fascinating fellow. I didn't expect you to turn down a noble's offer so bluntly. But I suppose it can't be helped. I’d rather not ruin our relationship by being pushy. Besides... it looks like I’m not the only one here to see you."
Siminal glanced toward the bottom of the hill and smiled as a new figure appeared.
"I see. So the Princess General sent an envoy as well? I suppose it's only natural that you’d prefer her invitation over that of a dreary man like me."
At the mention of the "Princess General," Rei reflexively looked toward the approaching figure.
It was a female knight with a battle axe on her back. He could see a small creature perched on her shoulder. Rei knew exactly who it was, and a smile touched his lips before he even realized it.
"Well, consider this just a formal greeting for today. If you ever want a job, or just a favor, don't hesitate to ask. I’m always happy to have a strong man owe me one."
With that, Siminal called his retainers and began his descent.
He exchanged a few words with the battle-ax-wielding knight on his way down, but the interaction seemed civil. Then, he and his men disappeared back toward their own lines.