The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations

Not long after the envoy from Marquis Falkenheim departed, new information arrived.

“Oh, we finally got a response. Count Swipel has invited us to a victory banquet at Crest’s lord’s castle. He says we should finalize the distribution of territory there.”

Andrew handed Ghislain the letter from Count Swipel. After months of excuses, Swipel had finally sent a reply, long after the war had ended.

Amusingly enough, Count Swipel had already seized control of all key locations within Crest’s territory. He had only reached out after securing the lord’s castle itself.

By this point, Andrew and Leo couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“He waited until he occupied the entire region before contacting us? Why would he do that?”

“Could he be trying to claim everything for himself?”

“That wouldn’t even work…”

Unless he was willing to fight the Julien Mercenaries, there was no way for Swipel to fully take over Crest’s territory. But fighting them was beyond his means.

Even without the mercenaries, Nodehill and Rask had grown stronger after taking in prisoners. Swipel was already outmatched.

Yet, despite that, he had taken all key locations and only then reached out. It was hard not to be suspicious.

“Leo… Could the Count have found another way to claim Crest’s lands?”

At Andrew’s question, Ghislain nodded.

“He must have found a way to deal with us.”

“Hmph, if it comes to a fight, we’ll win, though.”

“Exactly. He can’t challenge us in open battle anymore. So he must be planning something.”

“What kind of scheme?”

“He’ll likely receive knight reinforcements from Marquis Falkenheim. The plan is probably to assassinate the leadership during the banquet.”

Andrew immediately grasped the situation and scowled.

“That cowardly bastard! He’s lower than a damn duck!”

He was already aware that Falkenheim’s men had approached the Julien Mercenaries, and he also knew that Ghislain had turned them down.

And now, right after that, Count Swipel had invited them to discuss the division of land. It was too obvious. Just as Ghislain had pointed out, Swipel was likely scheming behind their backs.

It was an obvious trap, but an annoying one to deal with. If they ignored the invitation, Swipel would just continue consolidating his control.

“What should we do? We can’t go in person… Do we just abandon the territory?”

“Why abandon it? Falkenheim is going to attack us sooner or later anyway.”

He would march his troops in under the pretense of avenging his vassal. They could wait and fight then, but Ghislain preferred offense over defense.

“It’s better to strike first and whittle down their forces. They’ll have sent elite knights. And while we’re at it, we should take care of Count Swipel as well.”