Time passed quickly, and the next day arrived. From early morning, numerous knights at Bekins
Plains were arming themselves and preparing to depart.

The sky, obscured by countless clouds and threatening snow, made everyone uneasy.

Winter subjugation campaigns are arduous. With the abundance of magical beasts and weather that makes people vulnerable, it’s an incredibly difficult task.

Nevertheless, if they could subjugate the magical beasts that pour out during winter, they could spend the rest of the year in peace.

Medric looked at the knights forming ranks behind the Anas knights, who were at the front.

Directly behind the Anas knights was the knight order led by Kuzan Maltein.

After briefly glancing at Kuzan’s face, Medric turned his gaze away. Before him, he could see the high mountain range covered in white snow.

Although it was due to treating the knights and sorting out the situation, the delayed departure was regrettable.

‘Still, it’s better to depart with even one more person recovered.’

In a subjugation campaign, those without strength might die in unknown numbers. If there were more people, they could stick together and survive, so having more personnel was naturally better.

Medric raised his head to look at the dark sky, where dawn was about to break.

“Snow will fall soon. Prepare to depart!”

Medric shouted to the knights standing behind.

The knights answered with a resounding voice.

“Yes!”

The surroundings suddenly fell silent. And as if no one had been mocking Count Miriam’s words just moments ago, the nobles quickly changed their stance.

“Ahem, then I too will set up camp near the Anas knights. It should be safer where more knight orders gather.”

“Then I should do the same.”

“Well… then I also…”

This subjugation force had only a lead knight order without a separate commander. The lead knight order was the Anas knights, chosen directly by Gregory for their extensive experience in subjugating magical beasts. Though not explicitly stated, everyone assumed that Medric

Archild, the commander of the lead knight order, was the overall commander.

No one here would contradict Medric’s opinion.

Kuzan gritted his teeth in frustration at the rapidly changing atmosphere.

Regardless, Medric just wanted to end this pathetic meeting quickly.

All opinions and decisions change according to battlefield conditions. With nobles who had never been to the battlefield and lacked experience, the meeting made no progress. It would be wiser to ask the knight orders for their opinions and make decisions based on that.

‘What a waste of time.’

Medric said he would return to his position, left the tent, and moved to where the Anas knights were stationed.

The sun, which had been at its zenith, had already descended halfway. Frowning as he looked at the sun, Medric quickly led his knight order to set up camp at the edge of Bekins Plains.

Being somewhat distant from the Berenta Mountains and on flat plains made it easier to watch
for magical beasts.

Kuzan moved deeper than where the other knight orders were stationed. His pride intact, he seemed determined to set up camp near the Berenta Mountains as he had insisted.

“Tsk, tsk. What good is pride if it doesn’t feed you? He’ll only come to his senses after being severely attacked by magical beasts.”

David clicked his tongue as he watched Maltein and his knights pass by and enter the forest. He had heard everything from the meeting while standing behind Medric.

Winston watched Maltein’s group disappearing into the forest and then looked at Medric, asking:

“Aren’t you going to stop them?”

“Sir Winston. I told you, His Grace gave ample warning. Young Duke Maltein is being stubborn. There’s no point in trying to stop him.”

David interjected. As an aide, David had always been by Medric’s side and had observed Kuzan’s behavior. He would often add jealous remarks about Medric and, due to his pride and stubbornness, would mess things up.

Until now, Medric hadn’t cared what the Maltein family did, but recently, for some reason, Medric had been making occasional comments that relieved David’s pent-up frustrations.

David silently mouthed curses at the backs of Maltein’s group, now no longer visible.

Ignoring David’s feelings, Medric focused on setting up the tents.

Although the plains offered the advantage of being able to spot approaching magical beasts easily, being closer to the Berenta Mountains meant magical beasts appeared frequently.

Since they could be attacked by a horde of magical beasts at any moment if they let their guard down, Medric planted barrier stones at each tent location.

Walter was about to cast a wide-range barrier spell nearby when Medric stopped him.

“Walter, I have something to discuss with you. Come here.”
Walter nodded and followed him. Medric began the conversation not far from where they had set up camp.

“I wanted to let you rest after meeting again after so long, but the situation doesn’t allow it. I have a separate request.”

“I came prepared to work hard, so feel free to give me orders.”

Medric said it wouldn’t be that bad and continued.

“I’d like you to interfere with communications so that no messages can come from Ptotr.”

“A communication interference spell? For how many people?”

Medric curled the corner of his mouth.

“For everyone here.”

At Medric’s words, Walter burst into a hollow laugh, saying, “I knew it—isn’t that exactly ‘working hard’?”

The subjugation force consisted of knight orders scraped together from all regions. There must be at least several thousand people.

“What’s the reason?”

“My wife is planning something. If troops start returning after hearing news from Ptotr, it would be troublesome for her.”

“Does your wife know about this?”

“No, she doesn’t. I’m trying to help her quietly on my own.”

“At times like this, it seems you’re truly devoted in your love.”

Though Walter clicked his tongue, he nodded and said he understood.

“It doesn’t seem impossible. If it helps your wife, I welcome it too.”

“Good, then I’m counting on you.”

Medric and Walter discussed in detail what needed to be done. Then, suddenly remembering Walter’s appearance earlier, Medric asked:

“By the way, did you ride a horse all the way to Bekins Plains?”

“Of course not. I came using teleportation magic.”

Medric looked at Walter with puzzlement.

“I thought you had traveled by horse since you seemed to be running from the edge of the plains.”

“I used teleportation magic but set the location incorrectly.”

“…I thought your sense of direction had improved a bit when I saw you in the Grand Duchy.”

“Unfortunately, it remains the same.”

Medric ended the conversation with a regretful expression. He released the barrier spell and moved back to the tents to rejoin the knights.

The knights who had set up their quarters were busy preparing dinner.

Though not elaborate meals, the warm food for those who had traveled for a long time dispelled both their previous fatigue and future anxieties.

In the cold winter, the snow that had seemed unending finally stopped, and from the edge where the sun had set, the cries of magical beasts could be heard continuously.

Winter nights were when magical beasts moved with frenzied activity.

Having planted multiple barrier stones here and there, the subjugation forces could rest easy in the deep night.

Medric looked at the forest filled with darkness.

He was looking in the direction where Young Duke Maltein, Kuzan, had led his knight order.

When Medric gave Walter a nod, Walter bowed his head slightly and disappeared.

Medric let out a brief sigh as he watched Walter, who had gone to check on the Young Duke Maltein’s group who had set up camp deep in the forest.

Young Duke Maltein was a man of strong pride.

Out of pride, he would set up camp right at the foot of the mountains and ostentatiously spend the night there.

Medric didn’t want to see his entire knight order annihilated because of his pride.

“You’re different.”

David, observing this, said to Medric.

“How so?”

“You’re paying attention to things you would have just ignored in the past.”

Medric looked at David for a moment before shifting his gaze back to the forest.

Living his second life, Medric had become even more cautious.

It pained him to think of how many people had lost their lives in his previous life due to his lack of caution.

He couldn’t bring back past connections, but he wanted to be more attentive and look around him now.

Even if it meant dealing with someone who might hinder his success.