Price of Management

* * *

John sprints at full speed as the Horn Empire cavalry search takes place near the Royal School. You take off your stolen armor, helmet, and so forth, and hide it somewhere for later, riding your horse with a lighter body. The horse you stole was as fast and strong as a horse from the Horn Empire with nomads. The shape of your nostrils is as courageous as a wild horse.

‘Even one cavalry rides like this, so it would be bad luck to run into the Horn Empire cavalry in the field. ’

Even the nomadic warriors said they were faster and fiercer than the Horn Empire cavalry. The more I think about it, the more I worry about the safety of the Kingdom of Leaden. The enemy is too strong.

‘But I won't lose. I will do my best to fight, and most of all, His Excellency! As long as the President reigns, this country does not collapse so easily. ’

The myth of Caroc Ligand, who chose King Eric without ever failing, was an absolute belief not only among the common people, but among the nobles. John was no exception.

It was during the Hannah Day run.

“John! You're all right! ”

“What are you doing here?! ”

John was able to meet a happy face. It was student council chief Roy McDowell and chief of staff Joey Anthony.

You also see 10 of Julia's servants and the mercenaries attached to the escort. They were headed to the mansion with arrows and food loaded with five wagons.

“You're already here. I thought we'd still have a long way to go. ”

“I was in as much of a hurry as I could, I'm sure you're struggling. Then why did your commander come all the way out here to meet us? ”

In Roy's question, John explained his situation with a dark complexion.

Roy and Zoey look pale with the news that the Royal School was taken over by the Horn Empire.

“W-what do we do now? ”

“A cavalry would be fast. If we get caught, we're done. ”

The two boys, who had nothing to do with fighting, were often terrified.

“That's why I came here in such a hurry. We need to turn around and get to a place where there are no Horn Empires. ”

“What about the kids guarding the Marquis of Ligand? I shouldn't be without supplies.... ”

Roy asked in the meantime, worrying.

John sighs and answers.

“There's still enough food, and arrows are a bit of a problem, but it doesn't collapse right away. Much better than being captured by the Horn Empire. ”

“We're burdened with nothing but help. ”

Zoey mutters in a dead voice. John tapped his shoulder like that.

“What are you talking about? I know how hard you've worked. We won't be able to use this food and arrows right now, but we will. Rather than that, we have to decide where to go first with these luggage.... ”

It was just then.

John pulls out the long sword in a surprise as he becomes more popular everywhere.

‘What?! ’

I could feel hundreds of popular people approaching from all over. Without making a sound, the surroundings appear to be quite professional soldiers, with no gaps in water. Even John, who is an Error Expert, couldn't detect it until he got close.

Are you with the Horn Empire? In a place like this? No way... ’

John was embarrassed by the sudden crisis. But then I shouted aloud.

“Battle stations! ”

“What?"

“Battle?! Me, the enemy? ”

Everyone panics. About a dozen mercenaries accompanied by escorts take out their weapons.

John is sweating cold.

‘When I just arrived, I didn't feel any presence around me. I don't know what it is, but their commander isn't normal. ’

You watch as few men as you can, and then move quickly to surround the area. Stealth and swiftness. An elite man is no ordinary elite.

Did Nigel make it all the way here? That can't be right. Even with Nigel Jurden, it's impossible to move forward with a response like this. Then who are they? Who are they...? ’

John knows better than anyone who fought in the Kingdom of Ledon that the Horn Empire forces led by the late Jurden have not advanced here. It didn't make me feel like a bunch of bandits.

But on the one hand, someone spoke.

“I've seen that face a few times. Is that John Spain?"

The young man's voice echoes calmly. Surprised John asked.

“Who are you?”

Later, a man walked out of the forest. A young man with a cold impression told John.

“Baron Evan Taylor. ”

“Evan Taylor... Ah! You must be the underling of the Chancellor! ”

John's complexion brightened. Just then, Roy, Joey and the rest of the group are relieved that they were so nervous.

“End of situation. Not the enemy. ”

Evan's words reveal a group of people who were hiding in the forest on either side.

They were the underlings of Evan's undercover gang of ligand writers. He had a plain complexion, but was armed with crossbows and daggers, and his eyes were cool and he had an unusual atmosphere.

“I was ambushed by intel that a group was transporting food and munitions to Leaden Castle. What brings you to Leaden City? ”

John explained the past in Evan's question. Having heard all the stories, Evan nods.

“I see. I suppose this means you have work to do. I'm sure your resistance has compromised the siege of the Horn Empire's Kingdom of Ledon. Excellent work.”

“A compliment. But what is Baron Taylor doing? ”

“I've been making trouble for the Marquis of Jurden. ”

“…… Yes? ”

“Earl Juden's forces will soon give up and withdraw from the Kingdom of Leaden. So make sure you get to safety without going back to the Reaper. ”

“Is it true that the enemy will withdraw soon? ”

Evan builds a cynicism.

“We're out of supplies, and there's no way we're gonna find a way out of here without all this shit retreating." ”

The moment I heard that, John's brain twisted tightly.

70,000 legions of the late Judean Marquis who suddenly entered the Kingdom of Leaden. What was most questionable was the supply issue. In the absence of Duke Meutt, how did the late Jurden intend to solve the supply problem?

However, Evan's sudden appearance today was telling me everything.

Evan's group unexpectedly surrounds themselves with food and arrows. He was clearly saying that he had cut off the food supply of the Marquis of Juden.

Then…….

“Merchants!”

John shouts as if all questions were finally resolved. I spoke with an excited face.

“The merchants who were being controlled by Earl Antares and Earl Lindell, who betrayed and turned to the Horn, were the supplies that Earl Jurden believed in! ”

Evan looks surprised for a moment, then smiles.

“I've heard rumors, but you're quite clever. As you have said, the weak merchants within the country are attempting to deliver their stash of rations and munitions to the late Jurden. That way, the Marquis of Juden won't need any supplies or plunder. ”

“Did you stop it? ”

“I stopped it.”

During the battle in the Kingdom of Leaden, Evan mobilized an undercover group as soon as he realized King Kars' intentions. You ambushed the merchant guild with suspicious moves and killed the merchants who received the owner of the Horn Empire and burned or plundered the confiscated rations and munitions.

Such an act of Evan will soon enter the ears of the Marquis of Juden. The Marquis of Juden will have no choice but to retreat. No matter how many troops and strong they are, they can't fight hungry.