I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 122

Once all the preparations were complete, the Robeheim Family began their assault on Whitewood.

However, the main goal of this attack was not to demolish Whitewood but to create just enough of a threat to draw the enemy’s attention.

If they felt too significant a threat, they might try to deal with Yulken abruptly, so we had to keep that in mind and control our strength to a certain degree.

“It’s rather tough fighting a battle with no intention to win.”

“Tell me about it. We can’t just fight stubbornly, can we?”

Unlike ordinary decoys, it was quite challenging for the vassals to make it seem like a real battle while only drawing attention.

Moreover, since we couldn’t throw away the lives of our soldiers like mere trash for such a ploy, we couldn’t prolong the siege too long, either.

The good news, however, was that because this ruse was effective, the foreign tribes were becoming quite confused.

“The attack is fiercer than I expected. I thought they’d just be testing the waters, but this is rather unexpected.”

Kelrag murmured softly as he watched the Robeheim soldiers from atop the battlements.

I thought it was a diversion for behind-the-scenes operations as Negir said, but with an attack of this magnitude, it wasn’t out of the question for the castle to fall if we let our guard down.

It was an attack that felt like it could be blocked or not.

At this rate, it was considerably tough for us to divert our attention elsewhere.

The hostage-taking through Yulken could only be a one or two-time affair. If it didn’t work, the moment the castle fell, it would plunge into catastrophe in an instant.

“That’s right. Moreover, minimizing casualties among the front line is only logical, so distinguishing it is quite difficult.”

“Negir, do you think this isn’t just superficial attacks?”

“Yes, at least to this old eye, it seems that way.”

In the first place, there are limits to what can be grasped just by observing the situation from atop the castle.

If this was merely to buy time for behind-the-scenes work, then it seemed that their leader or head was an unusual character in Negir’s eyes.

It made sense since they were avoiding attacks to a level that was somewhat understandable from our perspective.

For instance, they didn’t use large-scale magic that could seriously damage the castle, which could be thought to avoid harming Yulken and the prisoners inside.

In other words, instead of eliminating one side’s options, they were increasing confusion by keeping both sides’ options open.

At least, in Negir’s view, this was trickier to deal with.

“Above all, with no news coming in, it seems they’ve cut off intelligence quite thoroughly.”

“This is problematic. Does that mean we could die of thirst out here?”

“Not quite. We’ve requested reinforcements, so if they arrive, we might be able to break out and engage in open battle.”

Reinforcements.

At the mention of that word, Kelrag’s eyebrows twitched.

“…Are you saying you asked that person for help again?”

“As it stands, we’re in a position of mutual exploitation, so please set aside personal feelings for the moment.”

“They’re the ones who made such absurd demands for food and supplies. Who knows what nonsense they’ll come up with.”

“We have cards to play as well.”

After pondering Negir’s calm remark for a moment, Kelrag nodded in agreement.

It wasn’t entirely wrong.

Although this collaboration was reluctantly accepted, it didn’t mean we intended to be totally dominated.

Also, since the other side was taking on a decent level of risk, there would be room for us to exploit.

“I see. So when will the reinforcements arrive?”

“They said no later than three days. Given the need for discretion, they couldn’t hasten it any further…”

“Hmph, it seems even they feel guilty. If they can’t be honest about it, they might as well not try at all.”

Kelrag scoffed disdainfully, nodding again.

Now that we had received the news about reinforcements, all we had to do was hold out.

Holding Whitewood and capturing Yulken was enough to fulfill the conditions of negotiation, so there was no longer any reason to sacrifice our fellows.

“Let the people rest for now. The offensive has eased somewhat, so we need to catch our breath as well.”

“I’ll relay that. But how do you plan to watch over Yulken?”

Currently, quite a substantial number of personnel were required to keep the hostage, including Yulken.

We could use the barrier we received earlier again, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to redirect some personnel temporarily and replace them with the barrier.

When Negir offered that suggestion, Kelrag thought for a moment and asked one question out of curiosity.

“How extensive can the barrier be set up?”

“I can sense most areas around the place where the prisoners are held.”

“Good. That could be safer than having people guard it.”

Satisfied, he nodded and informed that they would proceed with the plan, then turned back to head down the battlements.

Feeling uneasy about the arrangement he didn’t like, he decided it would be better to enjoy a light drink and retire early to ensure he’d be ready for the next day.

* * * * * * *

Swoosh.

The shadow of Edgar, hidden among the snow-covered grass, was faintly illuminated in the darkness.

‘There must be a limit to infiltration.’

While the sudden offensive outside captivated their attention, he managed to discover the location where Yulken was detained in the prison camp, yielding several results.

However, the issue was that even though he found out, it was quite a stretch to pull off an immediate operation.

Even if he tried to squeeze through with ten to twenty people, the level of security indicated a strong determination to expose him if Yulken’s location was discovered.

As Edgar was about to step out of the bush, he suddenly hurriedly concealed himself again at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Judging by the footsteps, he was not alone; sure enough, two sturdy men soon passed by his hiding spot, conversing with each other.

“I hear they’re going to ease the watch. That means we won’t have it so hard anymore.”

“Right? I don’t know why they’re only using the barrier now.”

“We don’t know anything about magic, so we can’t help it. The leader must have had his reasons.”

“That makes sense, I guess.”

Though the words floated by casually, it was news that lit up Edgar’s eyes.

‘They’re lowering the guard?’

Given that there hadn’t been a barrier, he found it oddly unusual before, but judging by what the two men said, it seemed they were in a situation where they couldn’t use the barrier for some reason, and now the conditions were finally aligned.

If the reason for keeping the watch so strict was merely to buy time until the barrier could be set up, then it all clicked into place.

“By the way, that attack is really fierce. I wonder if it might end up being dangerous.”

“Fortunately, reinforcements are coming. I heard today from Negir that he requested them.”

“What? Is that safe? They’re really unpredictable.”

“There’s no choice. If the castle falls, everything’s up in the air.”

Edgar’s eyes narrowed as he eavesdropped on the conversation between the two.

Setting aside other matters, the mention of reinforcements struck a nerve.

Given that they only needed to take Yulken, the arrival of reinforcements wouldn’t pose a problem. However, he had doubts about the identity of those sending the reinforcements.

‘Who are they to do that?’

To send reinforcements meant they were allies to them.

Nonetheless, the conversation indicated that their understanding of the reinforcements wasn’t particularly good.

Perhaps the sudden use of magic and barriers, which the foreign tribes rarely handled, was also supported by the forces sending these reinforcements.

It was still just a suspicion, but there was a significant possibility.

“Let’s go get a drink somewhere. The leader said not to hold back on drinking today.”

“Yeah.”

As the two men wrapped up their chatter and left, Edgar revealed his newly acquired item and hurriedly set off.

He had to proceed with the plan as scheduled.

Whatever the reinforcements arrived, they were drawing attention outside, and soon the guards would switch to a barrier, making it the ideal situation for him to act.

After that, he contacted Ras immediately to discuss details.

They decided to conduct the operation tomorrow, or at the latest the day after, using the secret exit he had previously scouted.

Fortunately, that exit had not yet caught the attention of the foreign tribes, so he could safely evacuate Yulken.

The reinforcements, who were supposed to join from the northeast, had to meet at a more distant location since the situation didn’t allow for optimal conditions, but utilizing the secret exit, they could move as discreetly as possible, which was a better outcome.

‘Elpelt said he is with the Prince. Truly, it would be great if we could save everyone.’

Although he understood that not everyone could be saved in war, Edgar, who learned a lot from Elpelt, wanted to make it a point to try.

“Fortunately, it looks like the moon will be dark for a while. It should be easy to move.”

“That’s good to hear.”

At Ras’s news, Edgar lifted one corner of his mouth and looked up at the sky.

It certainly felt like the nights were especially dark since arriving in Whitewood.

Whether it was a portent of the dark future of this operation or if the moon deity was aiding them so they could move, he wished to think positively.

“It’s time to head in slowly. We need to make our moves tomorrow, and it wouldn’t do to sleep too late.”

“Right.”

Following Ras’s advice, Edgar left behind the cold night air of Whitewood and made his way inside to rest, lying down on the bed.

Now that the person next to him was gone, his thoughts gradually grew heavier.

The sense of duty to carry out everything by himself on the day of the operation weighed heavily on his shoulders.

The moment the barrier was established, no one else would be able to come in and out of the prison camp.

It was solely up to him to save Yulken. Whether that was truly possible was uncertain, but it wasn’t a decision made by considering the possibilities in the first place.

It was simply something he had to do.

Someone he had to save, and that was the direction he chose.

Even if it doesn’t work out, he would make it happen. That was the only way to bring back Ariel’s smile.

‘Was this sword always this heavy?’

Holding the treasured sword gifted by Helene, he felt the weight of it seemed to reflect his own heart’s burden more than usual.

All he could wish for now was that all the tangled threads would unravel easily.