Chapter 148: Plan

It didn’t take long before Roderic and Arthur returned to the estate.

After making their way through several corridors, they entered Arthur’s office.

Finn followed closely behind them, still carrying his precious souvenir.

Once inside, Arthur walked over to his desk and sat down.

Roderic followed suit, dropping into one of the chairs opposite him.

’’Phew...’’

He let out a long sigh, relaxing completely.

’Finally, a chance to sit down properly.’

Unfortunately, his moment of peace didn’t last long.

THUD!

Roderic glanced down slightly.

Finn had placed the mage’s severed head directly in front of Arthur.

’’Here you go, my lord!’’ he said cheerfully.

Arthur stared at it in silence for several seconds.

His gaze slowly moved over the lifeless face, eventually settling on the skin beneath his neck.

’’So this is him...’’ he muttered. ’’Any idea who he was? And how many circles he had?’’

Roderic shrugged his shoulders.

They’d fired the weapon from nearly a hundred meters away.

It’d made him completely unable to estimate the man’s strength.

’’His name was Valther, my lord!’’ Finn said cheerfully. ’’He was a young second-circle mage originating from the Royal Army!’’

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

Slowly leaning back in his chair, his gaze flickered back to the severed head.

’A second-circle mage, huh.’

Someone capable of causing tremendous destruction on the battlefield.

And yet, here he was.

’’Incredible...’’ he said, nodding slowly. ’’That strange weapon of yours must’ve worked well.’’

A wide smile appeared on Roderic’s face.

’’That’s for sure,’’ he replied. ’’He didn’t even see it coming.’’

Arthur studied the head for another moment before looking back at Roderic.

’’So, what do you want to tell the people?’’ he asked. ’’Should we put his head on a stake and announce that we’ve killed their mage?’’

Finn immediately opened his mouth, seemingly about to protest.

However, this time, Roderic was one step ahead of him.

’’No,’’ he said, shaking his head. ’’Putting his head on a stake would be useless. It’s not like anyone would recognize him.’’

Relief instantly appeared on Finn’s face.

Roderic ignored him completely and continued calmly.

’’As for what we’ll announce... why don’t we do it like this?’’

He paused, his smile widening.

’’We’ll announce that we’ve killed a three-seal knight and over a dozen other knights.’’

Raising an eyebrow, Arthur slowly leaned back in his seat.

He immediately understood Roderic’s intentions.

Knights were familiar to the common people, and announcing such a victory would undoubtedly raise morale.

Mages, however, were shrouded in mystery.

Even the knowledge that the enemy had brought one could cause immense panic, regardless of whether he was dead.

’’Good choice,’’ Arthur said approvingly. ’’Many would’ve taken this opportunity to increase their own reputation.’’

Roderic let out a deep yawn.

’’There’s no use in all that stuff if I’m dead,’’ he replied, waving Arthur off.

Arthur chuckled faintly.

’’I suppose that’s true,’’ he said lightheartedly.

Then his gaze flickered over to Finn.

’’You. Your name was Finn, correct?’’ he asked. ’’You were the scout who reported to us this morning?’’

Finn immediately straightened his back.

’’Yes, my lord!’’ he replied, bowing his head. ’’But I’m no longer a scout! I’m now a loyal servant under Young Master Roderic!’’

Roderic paused mid-yawn.

His brows furrowed as he turned towards the ever-so-cheerful Finn.

’The fuck did he just say?’

Arthur couldn’t help but look at him strangely as well.

Clearing his throat helplessly, Arthur continued.

’’No matter,’’ he said. ’’I want you to gather some men and spread the news of our victory throughout the city.’’

Finn’s grin widened.

’’Of course, my lord!’’ he replied, bowing respectfully. ’’It’ll be done before daylight!’’

Without another word, he picked up Valther’s head and hurried towards the door.

BANG!

Before Roderic could even say anything, the boyish man had disappeared from the office.

A deep silence followed.

Arthur slowly turned towards Roderic.

’’From stablehands to beggars, and now this,’’ he said, letting out a chuckle. ’’You really are picking up all kinds of strange breeds.’’

Roderic let out a deep sigh.

’’Tell me about it,’’ he replied.

That creep had assigned himself a role under him just like that.

At this rate, it wouldn’t surprise him if Finn started calling him master next.

Just the thought sent a shiver rolling down his spine.

Arthur couldn’t help but smile as he looked at his son.

’People are flocking under him now,’ he thought. ’He’s managing them well... and somehow, he always seems to know the right way to handle things.’

That made him fall silent for a moment.

Another thought almost immediately came to mind, but was quickly forced down.

’It’s not yet time to think about that,’ he told himself. ’Edric and Liana have yet to return home...’

As if to distract himself, Arthur leaned back in his chair.

Folding his arms, his gaze returned to Roderic.

’’So... what now?’’ he asked. ’’What plans do you have from here?’’

Roderic thought for a moment.

’’For now? Nothing other than defend.’’

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

’’We’ve already dealt them a pretty big blow,’’ Roderic continued. ’’There’s no reason to push our luck any further.’’

He paused for a moment.

’’They’ll likely attack at first light tomorrow. We should minimize our losses there as much as possible.’’

Arthur considered his words before slowly nodding.

’’Agreed,’’ he said. ’’But what do you expect them to do after that?’’

Roderic didn’t even hesitate.

’’It’ll probably turn into a prolonged war,’’ he replied. ’’I’m certain of that much.’’

Arthur raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

’’You’re certain?’’

A small smile appeared on Roderic’s face.

’’Of course, they can surround us and starve us out,’’ he said happily. ’’Who in their right mind wouldn’t do that?’’

That was what he’d been banking on from the very start.

A few months ago, the archive had already shown him they’d do exactly that.

And now that he’d killed the only variable? They’d no doubt stick with the same strategy.

Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’’I don’t see anything positive about this,’’ he said. ’’So I take it you have planned for this?’’

Roderic turned to him right away, still smiling.

’’Of course I have. Why did you think I made you place traps everywhere throughout the forests?’’

A brief silence fell inside the room.

Finally, Arthur slowly nodded.

’’I see,’’ he said. ’’I’ll leave you to it, then.’’

’’Good,’’ Roderic replied, rising from his chair. ’’Because I’m going to get some sleep now.’’

He stretched his arms, letting out another long yawn.

’’Might as well enjoy whatever few hours I have left before all hell breaks loose again.’’

With that, he bid Arthur goodnight and headed towards his room.