25-124

EP.124 [The Tyrannos Attack, and the Valor of Mercenary Eugene Schneider.] 

“Wow~ I’d only heard about it, but the scale of the caravan is really amazing! Ivan, about how much is this, would you say?” 

Secular priest Sophia was astonished at the length of the main caravan’s first line. 

The main caravan’s staging area was half a day’s distance from the Iron Cross Knights’ base camp. So, except for Jeanne and Eugene, most of the Red Fox Mercenary Band had only heard about the caravan’s size. Seeing it in person left them speechless. Even turning a corner, you couldn’t see the end of the caravan line. 

“At this scale, it’s probably about a tenth of the annual budget of one of the four great cities. All the guilds’ funds have been pooled and prepared for months. Especially since these are out-of-empire trade goods, the monetary value is exponential, Sophia.” 

Ivan, drawing on his years as a mercenary, estimated the economic scale. But even he wasn’t certain. Even from the Empire’s perspective, this caravan was a rare, massive event. 

“Wow, a tenth! That’s not just a few houses maybe whole villages??” 

Sophia tried to calculate, but when she heard Ivan’s estimate, her mind stalled. Her eyes widened in amazement. 

“At this scale, I understand why Tyrannos is interfering, Captain. I’d heard about their obsession with the Alexandria caravan in meetings, but I never really got it until now.” 

Thomas, standing beside Jeanne, commented after overhearing Sophia. 

“No matter how anti-Empire Tyrannos is, technically, out-of-empire trade isn’t deeply tied to the Empire. They’re more like neutral parties, so I thought it was pointless for them to make enemies. But seeing the scale, maybe it’s not a matter of common sense.” 

The Red Fox Mercenary Band had joined the quest after hearing about a dispute between Tyrannos and the Empire-friendly Count Alfonso. But on the ground, it was clear Count Alfonso just provided the route the real core was the merchant guild alliance. Realizing this, Thomas, a former assassin with underworld experience, was puzzled. Merchants could side with either the Empire or the anti-Empire alliance, so why would Tyrannos risk open conflict? Normally, they’d try to win them over. 

“That’s right. The volume is so huge, just offering carrots isn’t enough. This could bring a huge new wind to the Empire. That’s why Tyrannos is desperate and using extreme measures.” 

But that’s only the usual approach when there’s time. The Alexandria secret trade was different a scale that could create a wave of rapid change. Out-of-empire trade worth a tenth of a great city’s budget is massive. Tyrannos feared that if they took it easy, their enemy, the Empire, might gain more than expected. The Elysium Empire could shift policy to focus on more external trade, boosting both the Empire and the merchant alliance potentially making them as powerful as Tyrannos itself. 

Because of this project’s destructive potential, Tyrannos was more desperate and aggressive than ever. 

‘And with Vivian at the center, that makes them even more anxious.’ 

Jeanne agreed with Thomas, though she didn’t share all she knew. 

‘Vivian has deep love and pride for her father. She’d never go anti-Empire. She’s desperate to prove her father’s path was right. If this project succeeds, Vivian will have even more control over the Alexandria alliance, and that worries Tyrannos.’ 

Vivian’s feelings toward the Elysium Empire are complex. She felt deeply betrayed when her father, once hailed as the next emperor, died suddenly and the imperial family, nobles, and commoners all turned cold. That abandonment pushed her into despair. Yet, despite the betrayal, she never turned anti-Empire, knowing it would destroy her father’s last honor. Instead, her revenge was to prove her father’s path right by making the Empire and its people prosper. 

Because of this, Tyrannos has always been wary of Vivian’s influence. If this historic trade succeeded, she’d become even harder for them to control. 

‘That’s why I think Tyrannos will attack even harder than expected.’ 

If negotiation isn’t possible, they’ll strike even more fiercely. But so far, Tyrannos hadn’t shown the expected aggression. Jeanne suspected they were saving all their strength for today’s caravan. 

“Tyrannos!! Tyrannos is here!!” 

Jeanne’s analysis came true. As the caravan reached a plain with a looming cliff, Tyrannos cavalry charged down the slope, striking the first main caravan’s flank. The Iron Cross Knights’ scouts shouted the alarm. 

The main caravan’s guards quickly formed up for battle. 

“They’re not just at the cliffs Tyrannos forces are on the sides too!” 

Thomas, surveying the terrain, pointed out that even more troops were appearing on both flanks, their numbers obscured by dust. Tyrannos’s main force was surging forward. 

“That’s a huge number. They must have dug tunnels and lain in wait.” 

Shing...! 

Jeanne drew her sword, staring down the advancing Tyrannos army. This wasn’t just a raid it was a full-scale assault on the main caravan. 

“Is that so?” 

Vivian, riding in the guild leader’s carriage, responded gravely to someone. 

“Yes, Guild Leader Vivian. Their numbers far exceed our expectations. That means any forces that might appear here could also surpass our estimates.” 

On her right was Davis, the Iron Cross Knights’ deputy commander, who had just arrived from the main caravan’s flank, where Tyrannos’s forces had attacked. He was reporting directly to Vivian because trust in the Iron Cross Knights was at a low point. With the risk of spies, Davis rushed over as soon as the attack began. 

“So, how’s the main caravan holding up? Can we handle them?” 

Just because the enemy exceeded expectations didn’t mean they couldn’t be stopped. Realistic and theoretical estimates differ, and the guard force was planned based on theory. Still, exceeding expectations meant more variables and likely losses. Vivian’s question was to gauge the situation. 

“We’ll fight desperately. Our knights don’t fear death. And the enemy is Tyrannos. We will protect the caravan.” 

Davis’s answer was indirect, but made it clear the situation was tough. 

‘Hmm, but...’ 

Eugene, sword at his side, riding to the left of Vivian’s carriage, listened in silence. 

‘I have a bad feeling about this.’ 

He sensed something was off. 

‘The first caravan is the bigger target, but the timing and scale of the attack feel staged almost too dramatic.’ 

Eugene thought Tyrannos would attack after the caravan advanced further, in a place better suited for ambush. But they attacked on ground that was still almost flat, despite the cliffs. If they wanted a pitched battle, this made sense, but choosing a pitched battle now was odd. Their goal was to disrupt the caravan, not annihilate the Iron Cross Knights and Red Fox Mercenary Band. 

‘If that’s the case...’ 

Feeling uneasy, Eugene nodded to himself, as if something was taking shape in his mind. 

“The fire is burning well. Thanks to that, all eyes are on the main caravan.” 

As the caravan passed from cliffs into forest, a man in a black helmet, watching from another cliff, received a report. 

“Some Iron Cross Knights from the second caravan are moving to reinforce the main line, Captain Adan.” 

A subordinate, kneeling beside the black-helmeted man, reported the details of the clash between Tyrannos and the Alexandria caravan. 

The black-helmeted man’s name was Adan, captain of Tyrannos’s special detachment. The main Tyrannos force usually defends their nobles’ lands or leads battles against the Empire. Attacks on other enemies or expeditions are handled by the special detachment, and Adan commands its main force.