Brandil regarded Phillip’s County as a sort of close neighbor.
The rookie Rangers tended to blindly view Phillip’s County as an enemy since it was part of the Empire, but such forced hostility usually faded with time.
Occasionally, Brandil even felt a small sense of empathy toward the county.
‘They don’t receive proper support from the central powers of the Empire and still have to consider our movements.’
Of course, there had been no direct military conflict between the Rangers and Phillip’s County so far.
A Ranger incursion into the area would signify a full-scale war between the Rubia Kingdom and the Empire.
Since the establishment of the Rangers, tensions between the Rubia Kingdom and the Empire never escalated to that point.
However, if the Rangers were determined to harass Phillip’s County, they had plenty of ways to do so.
After much deliberation, Brandil finally spoke up.
“Since we’re neighbors, I’m telling you this. We can relate. Both our nations are busy trying to read each other’s moves, aren’t we?”
It was a veiled threat: It wouldn’t be good if information about Phillip’s County leaked out.
Ray chuckled.
“We have no intention of picking a fight with you guys, so stop the intimidation and get to the point.”
Ray’s certainty made Brandil smile faintly.
“That knight and his offspring. Fine. Recently, a high-ranking noble from the Empire attempted to defect to the Rubia Kingdom through this route. We received orders to protect this noble from their pursuers.”
“…So that’s why you reacted sensitively when we met in the Sigini Mountain Range.”
“That’s correct.”
Ray pulled a clean bandage from a drawer and tossed it to Brandil.
“What exactly is the identity of this high-ranking noble from the Empire?”
“You’re trying to get information too cheaply.”
“Answer me.”
“I apologize for disappointing you, but we don’t know either. We can’t even confirm if the person is truly a noble from the Empire. Field operatives usually don’t receive more information than necessary. Of course, even if it were top-secret information, I couldn’t tell you.”
“I see.”
Ray didn’t press further and moved on.
The Rangers were a special force meticulously trained by the kingdom. They weren’t the type who could be easily swayed or tortured for information.
There was no need to engage in pointless power struggles.
“Judging by the looks of it, you seem to have clashed with the pursuers. Why are you here then?”
This time, Ray retrieved a pile of dried meat stored deep in the drawer and threw it at Brandil.
Catching the meat, Brandil chuckled.
“Do I look like a pet dog receiving snacks now?”
“Answer me. Or is this also classified information you can’t share?”
“Hmm… As you guessed, we did clash with the trackers sent by the Empire.”
“…Is the reputation of the kingdom’s proud Rangers just a myth? You got injured fighting on your home turf and crawled all the way here?”
Ray suspected Brandil might be lying.
It seemed more plausible that internal conflicts arose among the Rangers, leading Brandil to flee to the Imperial territory after being injured.
Frowning, Ray prompted Brandil to explain further.
“The trackers sent by the Empire were far beyond our expectations.”
“…?”
“At least five Graduates among the trackers. ‘At least.’ That’s what I’ve been informed; there might have been more.”
“…”
Nonsense.
Though Ray wanted to dismiss Brandil’s story as a lie, it wasn’t entirely implausible.
Recent shifts in the royal power structure had occurred.
It was certainly possible that a high-ranking noble from the Empire, fearing the cruel tactics of the second Crown Prince, chose to defect.
If the defector held significant influence within the Empire, the royal family wouldn’t have let them go easily.
‘But even for the Empire…’
Dispatching Graduate-level trackers in squad units was no ordinary matter.
What was the purpose of these trackers sent by the Empire?
‘Secure the target? Or eliminate them?’
Prioritize securing, but if not feasible, proceed with elimination. Wasn’t that likely the directive?
As Ray pondered alone, he turned back to Brandil.
He couldn’t help but ask.
“How did the operation turn out? Did you successfully secure the noble attempting to defect?”
“…”
The Ranger standing beside Brandil openly emitted a killing intent.
Even Ray understood that revealing such precious information in this situation wasn’t wise.
However, knowing how the battle in the Sigini Mountain Range concluded was essential for Phillip’s County to appropriately navigate its position.
If the Rubia Kingdom successfully secured the noble, the Empire might send a second pursuit team, or worse, escalate the situation.
“Answer me.”
“Hey.”
Brandil leaned slightly toward Ray.
“Don’t you think you’re pushing too hard? How about being satisfied with what you’ve learned so far?”
“I’m not asking with ill intentions.”
Ray unsheathed the sword from his waist.
It was the last weapon Ray carried on his body.
Without hesitation, Ray hurled the sword toward the Rangers.
Chack!!
The scabbard scraped against the ground, making a harsh sound.
Now unarmed, Ray stood among the Rangers.
“Phillip’s County is like a rabbit caught between wild boars. I merely wanted to understand how to maneuver safely.”
“…You’re quite bold.”
No matter how skilled Ray might be, he couldn’t resist the Rangers without a weapon.
Yet, Ray walked right into the midst of three Rangers without even a sword.
For a moment, Brandil considered cleanly cutting down Ray and leaving.
However, the young man’s spirit impressed him, and he understood Ray’s sentiments well enough. Thus, Brandil didn’t draw his sword.
“We failed.”
“…”
“The trackers from the Empire broke through our defenses, sacrificing themselves to cut the target in half.”
“Did the trackers show any hesitation in eliminating the target?”
“Nope. They finished the job cleanly and retreated.”
Meaning, either they received an absolute order to eliminate from the start or decided to prioritize capture but judged the situation as unfavorable.
“At that point, our mission shifted to pursuing and annihilating the trackers. After that, as you can see, we were counterattacked while chasing them, suffered injuries, and decided to make a brief stop here since it’s too far to return to base.”
“Thank you for letting me know.”
Ray looked conflicted.
If the Empire successfully eliminated the target, the probability of a second clash in the Sigini Mountain Range has almost disappeared for now.
The issue arises if the failed Rangers decide to retaliate by targeting this side…
“I hope you won’t stir things up by seeking revenge.”
“Hahaha. You’re quick-witted, aren’t you? Yeah… It’s understandable to feel uneasy. After all, everyone needs someone to vent their frustrations on.”
Brandil, after wrapping his waist and leg wounds with the bandage and pressing them firmly, continued speaking.
“However, escalating tensions with the Empire isn’t something the higher-ups want either. I’ll make sure my subordinates don’t take any rash actions.”
“I hope you’re not just saying that.”
Holding the doorknob, Ray added,
“Reorganize quickly and leave. Don’t harm anyone.”
“I’ll enjoy the dried meat. See you again if there’s another chance.”
“I’d rather never see you again in my life.”
Click!
The door closed, and silence returned once more.
*
“Commander…”
“Are you worried that I disclosed too much unnecessary information?”
After departing from Phillip’s County and crossing over the Sigini Mountain Range, Brandil glanced to the side.
Brandil, Mori, and Merok, who had guarded the Sigini Mountain Range together for over ten years, were on the move.
Both looked displeased, especially Mori, whose expression was particularly sour.
“You went too far.”
Mori’s pride was hurt.
He wasn’t upset because Brandil divulged operational information but because Brandil compromised unnecessarily when there was no need to.
“Sharing confidential information with an imperial citizen could cause problems later.”
“If it gets to others’ ears, it could become a major issue. If you report this to the higher-ups, your heads will roll.”
“So why did you do it?”
“It’s insurance, insurance.”
“…”
Mori immediately fell silent.
Brandil was mentioning dangerous topics again.
“Mori, you know. We were created to counterbalance the Empire, but we shouldn’t recklessly antagonize them. Just look at the difference in scale.”
The Empire doesn’t refrain from conquering the continent because it can’t; it chooses not to.
The Rubia Kingdom must monitor but not provoke the Empire.
That’s why this incident crossed a line.
The Empire mobilized forces comparable to the Royal Guard.
In large-scale wars, one might understand, but for a special mission without adequate rear support, it’s rare to deploy Graduates in squad units outside the royal family of the Empire.
Given that the royal family was this agitated, the Rubia Kingdom should have been much more cautious.
“Haa, ever since the commander changed, the atmosphere has been unsettling. Look at us now. Are we really going to wage a real war against the Empire? What madness is this?”
“…”
“Having failed to protect the target, we should have stopped there. Issuing an order to pursue and eliminate? Isn’t that guy insane?”
“…”
“This new commander seems to only pick meaningless fights… That’s why I’m trying to build some trust beforehand with the other side.”
“The other side meaning Phillip’s County?”
Mori frowned and asked.
“Are you planning to defect?”
“Not that. If the tension between the kingdom and the Empire escalates, they’ll be scared too. There might come a time when we need their help, so I’m just trying to establish some connections ahead of time.”
“What help can those hicks possibly offer?”
“Did you forget watching that young master break Merok’s sword earlier, Mori?”
Merok, who had remained silent, finally spoke.
“It was a flow of mana so powerful it defied appearances.”
“See? That young master is already an Expert. Those knights from the county aren’t pushovers either. I was surprised the first time I met Jenkins.”
“Hmph…”
Sighing deeply, Mori added,
“I understand your intentions, Commander… But please be careful not to get stabbed in the back by me.”
“I’ve been feeling uneasy lately too.”
Brandil replied with half sincerity and smiled kindly.
*
After conversing with Brandil, Ray immediately visited the Manor.
There could be other Rangers hiding within the Baron’s Territory besides Brandil’s group.
Not all Rangers possess the same flexibility as Brandil.
Upon receiving Ray’s report, the Count carefully acted based on opinions gathered from the knights, including Ray, Jimmy, and Matthew.
Moving troops recklessly could lead to greater losses if hidden Rangers decided to act out.
Thus, Luna and Alesya’s wind spirits were deployed for reconnaissance.
Wind spirits provided a tremendous tactical advantage in scouting missions.
Thanks to the spirits’ efforts, three additional Rangers were discovered apart from Brandil’s group.
The two Rangers resisted naturally after their positions were exposed.
However, the knights calmly persuaded them by offering prepared supplies.
The persuasion was simple: “We don’t wish to be adversaries with you. We’ll provide support, so please leave quietly.”
With somewhat awkward expressions, the two Rangers accepted the supplies and departed towards the Sigini Mountain Range.
The remaining single Ranger was problematic, having already killed three residents of the Baron’s Territory to hide.
“Crossed the line.”
Didier crushed the Ranger’s jaw with a grip.
Knights surrounding the Ranger sequentially plunged their swords into its joints and twisted them.
No sword aura emanated from the knights’ blades.
Sword aura could too easily kill a person.
After meticulously dismantling the Ranger, the knights wiped the blood off their swords.
“He should have been hung.”
Unfortunately, they couldn’t openly advertise having killed a Ranger.
Walking out of the house where the Ranger hid, the knights left behind the bodies of the murdered family.
Ray watched the scene, contemplating.
‘Was the noble who died this time… the one who harmed Mom?’
Considering the circumstances, things seemed to fit somewhat.
Well, unless someone brought the corpse to Bella for confirmation, there was no way to be certain.
Still, imagining that the thug who harmed Bella might be dead lifted Ray’s mood slightly.
‘Now, if only the Rangers stop causing trouble…’
Time flowed.
For a while, the entire Phillip’s County lived under tense conditions.
The vigilance duties and intensity of the knights and soldiers skyrocketed, and Ray significantly reduced the activity range of the orphanage children.
Fortunately, two months and fifteen days passed without any special incidents or accidents occurring in Phillip’s County.
Just as everyone began to relax a bit,
The bombshell dropped.
“What did you say?”
Ray stared wide-eyed, wondering if he had heard correctly, and repeated the question to Bella.
Bella scratched below her ear and answered sheepishly.
“Lately… my periods haven’t come. And I feel a bit nauseous…”
“Shit, Mom! Are you serious right now?!”
“Son! What kind of language is that to use with your mother?!”
