The Regressed Mercenary’s Machinations

Chapter 316: Chapter 315: The Forest Must Stop Us (1)



Seeing Ghislain's confident demeanor, Claude nodded.

"So, you've finally decided to return."

"Yes, this is a good time."

"The Duchy must be grinding their teeth. Are you sure it's fine to leave your position?"

"It's fine for now. The Royalist faction is on edge, and there's no one left in the North who can pose a threat to us. Even if someone raises an army, it would take time for them to reach us."

"There's still Rayfold."

At the mention of Amelia, Ghislain chuckled.

"Not yet. She's not that foolish."

If Amelia had intended to crush him, she would have settled things when they met recently. But she chose a different path.

That's why the rebellion of Baron Valois had been left unchecked, with Ghislain merely wiping out the lords and nobles who might be influenced by it.

Given such choices, Amelia wouldn't recklessly move against him.

"Besides, even if we're ambushed, the defensive forces here are more than sufficient to hold out until I return. There's no need to worry."

"Well, if you're that confident..."

As Claude nodded, Ghislain immediately summoned his vassals.

He spoke bluntly.

"We're going to retrieve runestones. While we're at it, I plan to secure a few other things."

At these words, Belinda, Gillian, and Kaor's expressions hardened. They had unpleasant memories associated with runestones.

"You don't mean...?"

"That's right. We're heading to the Forest of Demonic Beasts."

"Ugh..."

Belinda wanted to object but held her tongue. Even back when Ghislain had far fewer resources, he had entered that forest recklessly.

Now that he held the title of the North's strongest, there was no way he'd listen to objections.

Instead, she voiced a different concern.

"Do you know where to find them this time? Last time, you managed somehow, but the Forest of Demonic Beasts is vast."

"Of course. I know exactly where to go. Along the way, we can also gather resources other than runestones."

"How do you always know these things? Is it another rumor?"

She always found it baffling. In the past, she attributed his success to sheer luck or coincidence. But now, everyone knew better.

Ghislain blinked a few times and replied.

"I just know. I have my own source of information."

||n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"I can't explain it now. I'll tell you someday."

Ghislain refrained from joking about having died and coming back to life, as he had done in the past. Back then, everyone had laughed it off. Now, they would likely press him with endless questions out of curiosity.

So, he quickly changed the subject.

"Ahem, anyway, we'll be going deeper this time. Let's prepare thoroughly."

"Ha, the 'Ogre Slayer' is going to have to shine again, it seems."

Kaor arrogantly combed back his hair with a smug expression.

Ghislain had not dismissed Kaor and the hunters after the war. While they officially handled security duties in the territory, it now seemed clear that Ghislain had kept them around for the Forest of Demonic Beasts.

Kaor and his hunters were veterans at hunting monsters.

Ghislain unfolded a map of the Forest of Demonic Beasts. Unlike before, the map now included a few details about terrain and paths instead of just a vague outline.

"This is our target."

Taking out a pen, Ghislain drew a new path extending from the end of a previously made trail.

Finally, he circled a spot much deeper inside the forest and spoke.

"There are runestones here. Far more than we found last time."

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Everyone swallowed hard, unable to say a word. They were dying to know how their lord could know such things.

But that wasn't the issue. If his words were true, this was monumental. Their minds all raced

with the same thought.

'Far more than before?'

The territory's development was fundamentally tied to runestones.

Runestones had brought them wealth and enabled everything else. If they could secure even more, their growth would accelerate.

'We could expand the cultivated lands infused with runestones.'

'Our knights and soldiers could be armed even more powerfully.'

'We could amplify the power of our facilities.'

Until now, they had rationed their runestones carefully, using them only where it was most crucial. If they obtained quantities greater than before, everything would change.

They could even integrate magic engineering throughout the entire territory.

When thoughts align, so do goals. As the excitement in the room reached a fever pitch, Ghislain spoke.

"Now you understand, right? Stop debating and focus all your efforts on preparation. This time, we'll be securing territory as we go."

Having done this once before, there was little opposition. And while it was hard to believe, the rewards were always immense.

Ghislain's seemingly reckless plans always yielded results. This time would be no different.

Following Ghislain's orders, everyone began preparing for the second expedition into the Forest of Demonic Beasts.

But this time was entirely different from the first attempt, where they had started with

nothing.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

Three thousand soldiers moved in orderly formation.

They were the elite of the elite, veterans from the Cabaldi War to the recent Desmond War.

These soldiers had undergone rigorous training in the territory and were provided with excellent food and accommodations. Now, they carried the honor of being the strongest in the

North.

Their morale was sky-high, and their confident strides radiated pride.

The knights were no different. Their overflowing confidence was evident. Most had no experience in the Forest of Demonic Beasts, but a few, who had been mercenaries during the previous expedition, remembered it well.

"I was with the lord when we wiped out the Palors... Those creatures are impervious in the dark, you see? So, I used a light scroll..."

Gordon reminisced with a dreamy look. His memories had been heavily distorted. He had conveniently forgotten about wetting himself in fear after being captured.

Nevertheless, the knights were unfazed by the forest's fearsome reputation. After all, they had accomplished countless impossible feats with Ghislain.

Contrasting the disciplined soldiers were a group dragging their weapons casually,

swaggering.

"Hey, I've been there before, and it's no big deal. I even took down a Blood Python with the

lord."

These were Kaor and his hunters, grinning arrogantly.

They were veterans who had survived the trials of the Shadow Mountains. Rather than fear, they were filled with curiosity about the Forest of Demonic Beasts, whose reputation

preceded it. Following them were the elves equipped with bows and the mages.

All 200 elves participated, while 50 mages were carefully selected from both newcomers and

veterans.

Some mages had to stay behind to manage the territory. But with Vanessa and Alpoi joining the expedition, the territory's core magic team was fully present.

Once everyone had gathered, Gillian nodded at Ghislain.

"We're ready."

Claude checked his documents and added.

"All the necessary supplies have been packed. Food and medicine will be continuously

supplied through the soldiers. Laborers for the development effort will follow shortly."

The approach to development was entirely different this time. As they secured each area, they would immediately deploy laborers to build fences and defensive lines.

To this end, a few dwarves and a labor assault corps of 500 had also been brought along.

The soil in the Forest of Demonic Beasts was unparalleled in fertility. Any secured land would become a valuable asset.

"There are enough lodgings for the laborers, so there's no need for additional preparations.

I'll ensure there are no disruptions in supply."

Ghislain had established a base near the forest long ago. Though it was currently being used comfortably by the Perdium garrison, it would now return to housing the laborers.

The preparations for this second expedition had been years in the making.

Looking at his assembled forces, Ghislain smiled.

"Good. We've finally reached the point where we can prepare like this. It took long enough."

Three thousand elite soldiers, 400 knights, 300 hunters, 200 elves, 50 mages, and 500

laborers.

This was a force that could lay waste to most territories.

It was a stark contrast to the fewer than 200 mercenaries he had taken during the first

expedition.

Belinda and Gillian's eyes shone with emotion.

'Back then, it felt like reckless bravado.'

'Everyone tried to stop the lord.'

But look now. He had accomplished what everyone deemed impossible and built upon it to

lead them here.

Having witnessed it all from the beginning, their emotions were different from those of the

others.

"Belinda, everything else is in place?"

"Of course. Don't worry." Belinda smiled at Ghislain's words. Though she would accompany them, her assassins would

stay behind.

With most of the territory's main forces leaving, the remaining key personnel needed protection from potential incidents.

After all preparations and inspections were completed, Ghislain mounted his black steed.

"Let's go."

Everyone else mounted their horses. By now, horsemanship had become a common skill in

Fenris.

They rode swiftly toward Perdium.

***

At Perdium, Head butler Homerne sipped tea gracefully.

"Such peace."

The war, which had nearly stopped his heart, had ended in victory. It was an unbelievable

triumph.

Thanks to this, Perdium was in a festive mood, and its lord, Zwalter, could return to the northern fortress without worry.

"To think the Young Lord could accomplish so much."

Fenris was now hailed as the strongest in the North. The region was stable, the roads under

construction provided work, and food was abundant. No one could call Perdium poor anymore.

This was all thanks to Ghislain. Homerne's heart was at ease.

While he enjoyed his leisurely tea, a soldier rushed in, breathless.

"T-the Young Lord has arrived!" "Oh, really? What brings him here?"

"H-he's brought a large army."

"What? How many?" "Over 4,000."

Homerne's face turned pale. Ghislain had never brought such a large force before, not even

when taking lumber.

Homerne jumped up, spilling his tea, and shouted.

"That ungrateful wretch has finally revealed his ambitions! He intends to seize this place by

force! That treacherous scoundrel! After all we did to help him in the war!"

"That's not it!"

"Then why?"

"He says he's resuming the development of the Forest of Demonic Beasts." Embarrassed, Homerne sat back down and muttered as he cleared his throat. "Ahem, why is he always acting first, notify later? Well, at least he's not attacking us."

Even as the territory's Young Lord, Ghislain couldn't just barge in with an army. At any other

estate, such actions would have sparked a civil war with his father.

Though, in this case, it was certain Perdium would lose. Smacking his lips, Homerne said.

"You couldn't stop him anyway, could you?"

"No..."

"Then just let him do whatever he wants. He never listens to anyone anyway."

"Yes..."

Homerne had learned through countless experiences that it was pointless to oppose anything

involving Ghislain.

He had once tried to stop him and ended up in countless awkward situations. He didn't want

to embarrass himself again.

Flying Fenris' flag proudly, Ghislain's army passed through Perdium's territory.

"It's the Young Lord!"

"The strongest in the North!"

"Look this way!"

Wherever Ghislain passed, the people poured out to cheer.

To them, Perdium and Fenris were one. Their pride swelled at being part of the strongest

territory in the North.

Watching Ghislain receive such raucous cheers, Belinda felt a lump in her throat.

She had seen this a few times before, but it hit harder now. His position had changed.

'It feels like just yesterday he was called the North's scoundrel...'

Once dismissed by everyone, he had revived the territory and become the North's great lord. Having cared for him since childhood, Belinda's eyes glistened with tears. 'Please, no more trouble. Can't you just live peacefully and leave everything to the Royalists?'

She clasped her hands in prayer, though she knew well enough that such a day wouldn't come

anytime soon.

After basking in the people's cheers, they arrived at the Forest of Demonic Beasts, where the garrison was already waiting.

Ghislain waved to the person at the front.

"Hey, Skovan. Long time no see."

Skovan, who had been held at the northern fortress during the war, had only recently

returned.

After a brief pause, he said.

"You're going in, right?"

"Of course. Right now."

It was just like before, except this time there was no request for secrecy-he was openly

declaring his intentions.

Skovan extended his hand and bowed slightly, like a knight escorting a lady.

"Please proceed."

Ghislain chuckled and acknowledged Ricardo, who stood behind Skovan.

"You're still as good-looking as ever."

"...Thank you."

Ricardo didn't try to stop him. When it came to the Young Lord, it was best to simply watch.

Standing at the entrance to the Forest of Demonic Beasts, Ghislain took a deep breath.

Seeing it again brought back memories. 'Back then, I risked my life to enter.'

But that didn't mean it was easy now. The Forest of Demonic Beasts remained a perilous

place.

However, he had the knowledge from his previous life, trusted subordinates, and a wealth of experience, both for himself and his people.

It couldn't be the same as the first time.

What remained unchanged was his determination. 'Always do your best with what you can.'

Ghislain raised his hand high once more.

"We have returned to this place."

Knights and soldiers straightened their backs and gripped their weapons. Despite the forest's

ominous reputation, they showed no fear.

Their lord had built an unbroken legend in the North. No matter what challenges lay ahead,

they believed they would emerge victorious.

Ghislain's voice rang out, calm yet firm.

"This time, we are not challenging the Forest of Demonic Beasts."

Looking at the dark woods before him, Ghislain smirked.

"The Forest of Demonic Beasts must stop us."

Red light began to radiate from his eyes.

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