The Regressed Mercenary's Machinations-Chapter 282: Now It’s Our Turn to Help (2)
It wasn’t only the 3rd Corps and the Ferdium forces rushing around in concern for Ghislain. Some were more anxious than anyone else about the safety of Fenris.
**[Assembly of the Investors]**
Rosalyn and Mariel, who had pooled a massive amount of investments from the nobles, sighed as they glanced at the banner hanging at the entrance to the ballroom. Most believed that Count Fenris would lose this time. Count Desmond was no ordinary lord; he was a great lord of the North, leading an army of 30,000. Despite Ghislain’s recent success and his reputation as the kingdom's new divine hero, he paled in comparison to Count Desmond.
“Oh no! We’re doomed!”
“I put my entire fortune into this!”
“I shouldn’t have invested!”
They had poured an enormous amount of money into cosmetics and road construction. Although the road construction had been started on the trust in Marquess Branford, the project itself was still spearheaded by Ghislain. If Ghislain fell, the cosmetics business would definitely collapse, and the future of the road construction would be uncertain. They were understandably terrified of losing all their invested money.
One man in particular had invested more than anyone else.
“Damn it! That crazy bastard! I even dragged in the wealth of other bishops and the temple’s donations!”
This man was none other than Bishop Porisco, a devout follower (?) of the goddess Juana. He had attained the status of a saintly figure and was arguably the most influential religious leader in the capital. With his untouchable status, he had revived an old bad habit. Not only had he accepted bribes, but he had also started investing temple funds in various ventures, effectively playing a game with money.
“What do I do? I shouldn’t have trusted him! I should’ve just put my faith in Lady Juana! If I lose this money, I’ll fall to the bottom again... Wait a minute? Wouldn’t it be better if that guy just died?”
Realizing that if Ghislain were dead, no one would remain to know his secrets, Bishop Porisco began to feel relief. However, he quickly reconsidered.
“But then what about my money? Am I supposed to just let that fortune go? I’d be ruined again.”
While he wanted Ghislain dead, he couldn’t afford to lose his investment right now. Porisco was left to believe that this was another test from the goddess.
“Oh, why must the gods test me so relentlessly!”
As the investors wrung their hands in worry, Rosalyn stepped forward and shouted.
“Worrying here won’t solve anything!”
All eyes turned to her, filled with bleak resignation. What else could they do except fret about their investments? Rosalyn, however, looked determined.
“If you’re worried about the business failing, then let’s make sure it doesn’t!”
“...?”
“Don’t all of you have private soldiers in the capital? Let’s gather them and support Count Fenris!”
“...”
Her suggestion was met with hesitation. While many had private soldiers, they were meant as a safeguard in the capital, not to be compared with Desmond’s elite northern troops. Even a few thousand would pale in the face of an army of 30,000.
But Rosalyn, unfazed, continued.
“My father has ordered the 3rd Corps to move! If we move alongside the kingdom's forces, our private soldiers can make a difference! We don’t even need to win the war; we just need to rescue Count Fenris!”
“Oh...”
The nobles’ eyes lit up. If Marquis Branford had indeed mobilized the kingdom's army, that changed everything. They were part of the loyalist faction, and punishing Desmond, who’d started an illegitimate war, was justified. Civil war would bring larger issues, but for now, saving Ghislain and protecting their investments was the priority.
“If he survives this time, I’m pulling out all my money.”
“I can’t live in peace while tied to him.”
“Sigh, I was thinking of backing out too, but the returns were just too tempting.”
Hiding their inner thoughts, the nobles eagerly agreed to Rosalyn’s proposal.
“Fine! I’ll send 100 of my soldiers!”
“I’ll send 50!”
“I’ll commit 200.”
One by one, they pledged troops, quickly gathering a total of around 3,000 soldiers. The nobles were surprised by the number.
“Ha, it seems substantial when we all gather our forces.”
“That’s the way investments work, pooled together.”
“With this many, we can make a decent impact.”
Rosalyn clenched her fists. The support from the nobles exceeded her expectations, and with the kingdom’s army, their chances of saving Ghislain looked promising.
Mariel, smiling contentedly, added, “The Earl of Ailsbury will supply food and war funds.”
“Oh!” the nobles exclaimed in admiration.
As decisions were made swiftly, Rosalyn turned to Porisco, who was in attendance at the banquet.
“Bishop! Please lend us ten priests! And no novices this time—only skilled ones!”
“Uh, but the temple can’t participate in war...”
“You just need to follow along to keep Count Fenris from dying! In the name of humanitarian aid!”
“Mmm...”
“If the Count or important technicians in his territory are killed, all our efforts will be for nothing! Will you risk losing the temple’s precious funds?”
“Tch... But this isn’t allowed...”
Porisco hesitated. But he couldn’t bear the thought of losing the temple’s funds... or rather, *his* precious investment.
“Well... if it’s the will of the goddess... I must comply.”
After much inner turmoil, Porisco chose money over Ghislain’s life, rationalizing his decision as divine will. He was a man truly unwavering in his convictions.
“Fine... We’re all united under Lady Juana’s guidance. I will send priests to support you.”
Thus, the capital nobles' alliance, or as they’d secretly dubbed themselves, the *Assembly of Investor Victims*, was formed. Rosalyn exhaled in relief. With the 3rd Corps alongside them, there was hope for rescuing Ghislain.
“Quite a popular guy, isn’t he?”
Whatever their intentions, another few thousand soldiers were mobilizing to rescue Ghislain.
The alliance’s commander, experienced in battle and one of the major investors, was Viscount Etherian. Standing proudly at the departure ceremony, he declared, “I will bring Count Fenris back!”
“Woooo! Viscount Etherian is the best!” The nobles cheered, and the army of the capital noble alliance followed closely behind the 3rd Corps.
* * *
“Are we prepared?”
As Ghislain wrapped a bandage around his hand, Claude replied with tense focus.
“We have 2,000 archers, 1,000 cavalry, and a fully armored unit of 300 knights ready.”
This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.
“And the knights?”
“All fully armed and awaiting orders.”
“No word from Gillian?”
“Not yet...”
A month had passed since the war began. Reports had come of a fallen fortress, but there was still no sign of Gillian. Intelligence had hinted at skirmishes with Desmond’s forces, but since then, nothing more had been heard.
Ghislain spread out a map, studying a single location closely. He nodded thoughtfully, then turned back to Claude.
“My father, the kingdom’s forces, and the capital noble alliance are all on their way, correct?”
“Yes, they departed some time ago and should reach the border soon.”
“Good. We’ll bolster our numbers with them. My message has been delivered?”
“Yes, confirmed.”
Ghislain nodded in silence. He wanted more time to prepare, but delays would only endanger Gillian and the others. Every available hand in the estate had been dedicated to crafting new bows, and while the shortage had been met, there was no time left to waste.
As Ghislain stepped outside the castle, a crowd gathered.
“Lord! We can fight too!”
“We’ll guard the castle!”
“Let us join you!”
These were the newly recruited trainees and armed citizens, all shouting with determination to fight. The residents, usually indifferent to noble conflicts, were now eager to stand up.
But now was not their time.
“I accept your spirit, but it’s not yet your time to fight.”
He couldn’t afford to involve them now. They had just reached stability, and if the land became desolate from war, it would cost even more time to recover.
Ghislain looked over the assembled people and then turned to the army before him. Three hundred knights in black armor stood ready, their fierce expressions signaling their resolve. Gillian and the other knights had been holding the enemy at bay, and Ghislain was eager to join them.
He then turned to a group of mages led by Vanessa and Alfoy. While slightly tense, they didn’t show fear. Desmond’s army included many mages, and Fenris’s mages would need to fully engage.
Finally, he looked to Lumina and Ascon, leading 200 elves and 2,000 archers. They were equipped with newly crafted bows, and behind them, a thousand mounted troops awaited.
Seeing that everyone was ready, Ghislain spoke.
“Right now, our friends are risking their lives and shedding blood to hold back the enemy, to buy us time.”
The knights breathed heavily, looking ready to charge at any moment. Ghislain’s words were soft but powerful.
“The enemy is the northern stronghold, Desmond, with an army of 30,000. Even combined, we have less than 4,000. If anyone feels fear, you may leave now.”
Thud!
One knight slammed his spear into the ground in defiance, and the others quickly followed, the echo of their weapons striking the earth reverberating like a heartbeat.
Ghislain smiled in satisfaction.
“Good. We cannot delay any longer. Their courage and sacrifice won’t be wasted.”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The rhythmic pounding of spears quickened everyone’s heartbeat.
“It’s our turn to help them.”
With those words, Ghislain mounted his black steed. The knights and soldiers followed, mounting their horses. Once everything was ready, he tightened his grip on the reins.
“Let’s go—to rescue our friends and crush Desmond.”
The black steed reared up with a fierce whinny, and then they charged forward.
Dudududu!
With every soldier mounted, Fenris’s army was a formidable sight, no longer confined to the castle but charging with unbridled ferocity. Riding atop his black steed, Ghislain gritted his teeth.
“Hold on a little longer, Gillian.”
His eyes burned with a murderous intent, ready to destroy all that stood in his path.
