Chapter 31: Side Story The Earl of Cross Frontier

31: [Side Story] The Earl of Cross Frontier

Because it was already pretty late, I decided to listen to it tomorrow, so I ate our meal and rested.

I thought that if I had to listen to a problem that could not be solved right away, I would be thinking about it all night long.

After being exhausted in the dungeon all day, I slept well as soon as I lied down. I didn’t even dream about anything.

So the next morning, as soon as I got up, I called Aider to the parlor.

“No reinforcements, how did this happen?”

When I asked in an interrogating manner, Aider, who was rolling his eyes left and right in anxiousness, looked into my eyes and answered.

“Well, um. Do you know about the recent war with the enemy on the Western Front of the Empire?”

“What about it?”

“It is said that they are gathering all the spare troops not only from the center but also from various places to the Western Front. So naturally, the reinforcements that were to be sent to the monster front will be sent there instead.”

“......”

I narrowed my eyes. Something doesn’t sound right.

The Empire is always at war. All year round, day and night, the empire quarrels with its neighboring countries

But suddenly, they pulled troops out of these remote southern cities too?

Just ‘so coincidentally’ when I had recently requested reinforcement?

“......”

There was something suspiciously ominous about this, but it was something I couldn't control anyway.

I am only the commander of the monster front here, and I have almost no control over the Imperial Army. All I could do is just ask for support.

So I have to rely on the mercenaries.

“What about the mercenaries? Any newly hired ones?”

“We are hiring every mercenary who comes to the Mercenary Guild. However, since there are not many new visitors yet…”

Aider muttered.

Only a few days had passed since the last battle. It would be unreasonable to expect the guild to be filled with mercenaries right away.

I groaned as my head hurt.

“Hm…”

What should I do? Replenishment of troops is essential in order to progress to the next stage.

It was then. Aider looked at me and gave a subtle smile. What, what is it?

“Do you have somewhere to bring in more soldiers?”

“Well, yes I dooo, but…”

“If you did, then you should’ve told me right away without hiding it. Explain, right now.”

“But it will be a pain for youuu.”

“That won’t be a problem at all. We have to take care of the next stage. Tell me now. Where do you plan on getting more troops?”

Aider gestured towards the outside of his room, still with a subtle smile.

“Alright, then. Follow me.”

Aider led the way, and I quickly followed after him.

“Have you woken up, Your Highness?”

At that time, Lucas, who had overslept for some reason, ran up and joined us. His hair was a mess, this guy.

I pressed my fist against Lucas's head.

“Good morning, Lucas. Looks like you had some nice sleep.”

“I’m sorry for being late, Your Highness. I should’ve done better as your escort knight…”

“Why are you always sorry? It’s fine, let’s just get going. It seems that Aider wants to lead us somewhere.”

We three walked out of the mansion. The morning air was quite chilly because it was still early spring.

Aider headed straight for the stable and pulled out three horses.

“It’s not that far, but we need to get out of town.”

After getting on the horse, Lucas asked.

“Where are we going right now, Aider?

“To the former Lord.”

Lucas and I widened our eyes in surprise. Aider spoke once more.

“We are going to the mansion of the Earl of Cross Frontier!”

* * *

What is an Earl of the Frontier?

To put it simply, it was an Earl that protected the frontier.

Originally, the earl was a local noble and the actual lord who ruled the area.

However, the Earl of the Frontier had a slightly stronger power than the general earls.

This was because he carried out the task of protecting the border from enemies, monsters, and disasters.

In short, he was not just a local nobleman, but also a military commander in charge of the defense of that region.

“Ever since the first people gathered here on Crossroad, the Earl family of Cross has ruled this place.”

Getting out of town on horseback, we headed straight southeast. Aider continued to explain.

“Initially, the fortress was named after the Earl’s surname.”

The road was constructed by the Cross family.

The fortress built on it was given the name Crossroad.

“It is a prestigious family that has been guarding this place for a very long time since the fortress was first built.”

“Then why did he give up his lordship here?”

I tilted my head as I wasn’t able to understand why.

This is the southern edge far away from the center of the empire.

To be frank, the Earl of the Frontier has greater authority than the emperor himself here. The ruler of this land is nobody but Earl Cross himself.

However, he had given up his lordship and requested this land to be ruled by the central empire.

And that is how Prince Ash got to this place which was at the beginning of the game.

Giving up his own land that his family had ruled over generations after generations? Why?

“There were several complicated circumstances. You'd better hear it yourself.”

Aider showed a smile as if he knew or didn't know.

Stop being like that, and give me some spoilers already!

“We’re here.”

* * *

* * *

After running on horseback for about 30 minutes, Aider stopped talking. I lifted my head and looked around.

On a hill overlooking an oak forest in the distance, an old mansion was built.

At a glance, it was not properly managed.

“It was originally built as the country house for the Cross family. After giving up his lordship, the Earl moved here.”

“People live here…?”

“Of course! I send daily necessities here regularly.”

I got off the horse. Lucas and Aider also got off after me. I carefully approached the old mansion.

Why did the Earl, who should rule like the king of this region, give up his lordship and decide to hide in a place like this?

I had many questions in my mind.

But it was at that moment—the moment I entered the yard through the fence of the mansion—a hoarse voice came from a distance.

“Who the hell are you?!”

Astonished, a skinny old man came out of the mansion and yelled at us with a bright red face.

“Do you have any idea where this is, huh?”

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It was a very skinny old man. He had a rough beard messily covering his chin, and his eyes were bloodshot.

The foul smell of alcohol wafted from his body. It looked like he was drinking a moment ago.

The old man shook the empty wine bottle in his hand violently from side to side.

“Get the hell outta my property!”

While Lucas and I were frozen in confusion, Aider quickly jumped up to the front.

“Oh, my~ Earl of the Frontier! Have you been well? It’s me, Aider!”

“Hm? If it isn’t the aide buddy. It’s been a while.”

Upon seeing Aider, the old man's demeanor softened noticeably.

But wait a minute, what did Aider just call this old man? The Earl of the Frontier?

‘Then this lousy drunkard old man is… Earl Cross? The former lord of the city?

Aider and the Earl continued to have a conversation.

“I came to see how you were doing. Is there any inconvenience at all?”

“I’ve been well… But I need more alcohol. From next month, send me an extra cart filled with alcohol.”

“But you’re already drinking so much. Any more than this will seriously harm your health!”

“If there’s anything that’ll kill me, it will be alcohol. I’ve made up my mind about that. Just send me some more.”

Aider soon changed the topic after he argued against the old man about the delivery of alcohol.

“Now, now, Earl Cross! A visitor! I brought you a guest!”

“What? A guest? Didn’t I tell you to make sure that nobody looks for me?”

“It’s okay if you could spare just a moment to talk to him. He’s a very precious and important person.”

Aider pointed at me and introduced me.

“ This is the newly appointed lord! It’s His Majesty, the Imperial Prince, Ash ‘Von Heiter’ Everblack!”

The Earl’s eyes widened when he heard my name.

My eyes met with the old man, so I bowed lightly.

“Pleased to meet you, Earl Cross. I am Ash, the youngest son of His Majesty the Great Emperor, and was appointed as the Lord of Crossroad.”

No matter how reckless Ash was, I cannot treat the Earl of the Frontier poorly.

That would be like an ensign who just transferred to the unit being rude to the Command Seargent Major.

So I tried my best to sound as polite as possible, awkwardly.

“I’ve come here today to talk about…”

“Get out.”

“Huh?”

“I said, get out. Did I stutter?”

The Earl gestured his hands outward with a grim face. I could even sense hazy murderous intent in his two eyes.

Lost for words, I just quietly stared into the Earl.

This has crossed the line.

The Everblack Empire is a strictly class-based country.

Even if the Cross family was the real ruler who governed this place from generation to generation, he dares to speak ill of the prince? Not only that—he also ordered his guest to leave right away?

“How rude, Earl of the Frontier! It seems that a conversation to educate you that I am your superior is—”

Clunk!

As I was about to say a word, the Earl grabbed something that was lying at the entrance of the mansion.

There was a huge cavalry spear and shield. The old man lifted them easily even with his skinny body.

“... Not in need, I see...”

I backed off immediately.

What does it mean to lift a weapon against the imperial family here in the Everblack Empire, which is a class-based country?

It means that he’s a crazy bastard.

And avoiding crazy people is usually the right answer. This is the eternal truth. Damn it.

“Get the hell out.”

The Earl growled with his spear threateningly.

“Get outta my sight before you get hurt! Get out!”

Lucas was furious and tried to step forward, but I raised my hand to stop him.

“... I’ll be back next time, Earl of the Frontier. I hope that we will have a proper conversation then.”

I led the way and left the mansion. Lucas with a dissatisfied face and Aider with a frightened face followed me.

“Don’t you ever come back again! Just leave me alone, you understand that?!”

* * *

Earl of the Frontier, Cross. His full name is Charles Cross.

He’s never directly shown himself in the game, .

But even then, the reason I remember that old man is because he is the father of the game's strongest tank, 'Evangeline Cross'.

Evangeline is one of the most popular SSR heroes in .

Because of the hero’s overwhelming performance, the character was unconditionally ranked among the top five of the characters that players wanted.

I too wanted the unit so much that I read the profile thoroughly to see if there was any hint about the condition of recruitment.

There wasn’t any hint in the profile, but the name of Charles Cross, who was the father of Evangeline, was written on there.

That’s why I remembered his name.

‘I have to persuade that drunkard somehow.’

As I returned to Crossroad after getting kicked out, I was lost in thought.

‘It is important to solve the problem of troop shortage, but this might be helpful in recruiting Evangeline.’

As it is for any SSR character, it was very difficult to recruit Evangeline.

The chance of appearance was very low, and the success rate of recruiting was also very low. I actually couldn’t manage to recruit Evangeline in my final playthrough of Hell Ironman.

But her father is right here.

‘Maybe I could set something up that could help me in recruiting her in the future.’

Crossroad could be seen in the distance. I looked back.

“So, how is that old man going to solve our problem in shortage of troops?”

Aider’s answer was very clear.

“The Earl of the Frontier possesses his personal elite troop that only shows allegiance to the Cross family.”

“Hmm.”

“If we can persuade the Earl, his troops will also be transferred under m’lord’s control, and the problem of troop shortage will be resolved.”

“It looks like I have to persuade him at all costs…”

However, Lucas didn’t seem to like the idea at all.

“Do we really have to ask for help from such an insolent person? Besides, if they are the indigenous people of this land, they might prove to become problems in the future for Your Highness's authority over this land.”

“Even if that happens, we must bring him to our side.”

Even if problems arise, that is a matter of the future. Survival is what matters presently.

“But he’s refusing to even meet us. What should we do?”

“I do have a plan.”

“Oh, let’s hear it.”

Aider, with a smile on his face, made the shape of a cup with his hands and pretended to swallow it with his mouth.

“Drinkers have their own way of making friends with other drinkers.”

What that gesture meant was pretty clear to me.

With a grumpy expression on my face, I spit out a curse.

“Damn it!”

I want to live a good, healthy life, but the world won't let me do that. Shit!

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