The execution of Viscount Marxit caused quite a stir across the territory.

The royalist nobles couldn’t believe he had actually been executed.

On the other hand, even the count’s faction—those who supported the execution—appeared worried about possible backlash.

“I can’t believe he really executed a fellow noble.”

“We should be careful about how we act from now on.”

“If we provoke him by accident, he might find fault and have us executed too…”

But personally, I thought it was a step in the right direction.

First of all, I unified the military command. Right now, several nobles were gathered within the count’s domain.

Naturally, each noble’s forces had been split apart, and there was no unified control.

Even the famous Ghost Cavalry of one hundred men had been under Viscount Marxit’s command until the moment before his death.

However, once he was executed, their attitude changed completely.

He had executed a noble. So what chance did a mere soldier have of avoiding death?

“W-we only followed Viscount Marxit’s orders! We had no choice!”

“That’s right! Please, spare our lives!”

Despite their name, the Ghost Cavalry were trembling pale, begging for mercy.

Of course, I had no intention of executing all one hundred of them.

With the Imperial Army’s main force on its way, we couldn’t afford to reduce our numbers.

“Ordinarily, execution would be fitting, but considering you acted under a noble’s command and the urgency of the situation, I will let you earn merit instead.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Even Viscount Marxit’s famed Ghost Cavalry had fully submitted to me.

And thus, the military power of the count’s territory was firmly united under me—Kain Blackguard.

Compared to the chaos before my regression, when disputes erupted over who would command the army… at least this time, the first step had been taken correctly.

“I’m feeling down. Want to grab a drink later?”

“Don’t be stupid. You’re on night watch duty.”

“What could possibly happen?”

“Hey, even a noble got executed. What do you think would happen to us?”

“Oh… right…”

And one more thing—the soldiers’ discipline grew far stricter than I expected.

Those who had been competent became even more diligent. And the slackers, at the very least, did everything they could to fulfill their duties.

Apparently, executing a noble had served as a far stronger example than I’d anticipated.

“Send scouts toward the Rock Iron region—especially near the bridge—and have them monitor the area every day without fail.”

“Rock Iron… isn’t that the area facing the royal capital?”

“Yes. The Imperial Army’s main force will arrive here within fifteen days at most. We must prepare thoroughly before that.”

Before my regression, I trusted others blindly and paid the price for neglecting preparation.

But at least now, I knew one thing for certain—the Imperial main force would come.

The nobles, however, were skeptical of my warning. Both the royalists and even some of the count’s faction.

“We don’t mean to doubt your judgment, Baron, but the distance from the capital to this territory takes at least a month.”

“Even for the Imperial Army, reaching us in just fifteen days seems impossible…”

Yeah, f*ck. Even the Empire couldn’t ignore travel distance, could they?

But shockingly, they did. I still don’t know how.

Magic? Potions? I have no idea.

But I did know one thing—the time I had left was only fifteen days.

“The eastern region serves as the Empire’s granary and retreat point. They’ll surely come here with full force to secure it.”

“If you insist, my lord…”

“We will follow your lead.”

Thankfully, the count’s faction only expressed concern. When I spoke firmly, they nodded and sided with me.

Of course, the royalist nobles grumbled openly, but I had no time to waste on such trivialities.

And as expected… three days before the fifteenth day arrived, the scouts returned pale-faced.

“T-the Imperial Army! The Imperial Army is approaching!!”

It was truly unwelcome news—even though I had expected it, the shock still hit me.

So for the nobles and citizens who hadn’t known at all, the fear must have been overwhelming.

“The Imperial main force has actually come here?!”

“We must abandon the castle and flee at once! There’s no way we can stand against them!”

Chaos erupted, naturally.

How could it not? The Imperial Army’s main force was marching upon us.

We couldn’t even handle their advance detachments before—what chance did we have against the main army?

And failing to control that panic… that was the second reason I lost before my regression.

“Do not move recklessly.”

This time, I had no intention of repeating that mistake.

The Imperial Army.

That name alone had become synonymous with demons of hell.

And fear breeds rumors, and rumors grow endlessly into monsters of their own.

“They covered a month’s distance in just fifteen days…?!”

“T-they’re demons! They must have used demonic power to reach here so fast!”

Each person added their own explanation to the impossible, fueling even greater panic.

Not only among the uneducated soldiers, but even among the nobles who prided themselves on their learning.

Royalists, and even those who had already fought the Imperial Army before—the count’s faction—looked pale.

“We should abandon the castle and flee.”

“You’re suggesting we abandon the people and run?”

“Then what? You plan to fight those monsters?”

“I-I didn’t mean that…”

Even the brave nobles of the count’s faction couldn’t refute the royalists’ words.

Experience breeds understanding—and those who had fought the Empire knew the truth best.

They couldn’t win. It wasn’t despair—it was simply the undeniable reality before them.

“Do not move recklessly.”

Just then, as the air of defeat thickened, one man spoke calmly.

Kain Blackguard.

The man who had predicted the Imperial Army’s advance when everyone else doubted him.

“Be calm as a mountain.”

And true to his words, Kain Blackguard stood like an immovable mountain.

His unwavering composure gradually stilled the nobles’ agitation.

When people fall into the pit of despair, they instinctively search for something to hold onto. This time was no exception.

“Th-that’s right! Didn’t Baron Blackguard foresee the Imperial Army’s advance?!”

“Indeed! Which means he’s already seen through their demonic tricks!”

“……”

They believed that if he had anticipated the enemy’s movements, he must have also prepared a plan.

That belief became the rope they clung to in the depths of despair.

Of course, it wasn’t that I possessed some divine strategic insight. I just knew because I had lived through it once before.

‘Fine. Let them think that way. Better that than panicking and running off to behead themselves again.’

Last time, when the nobles realized the Imperial Army was near, most of them fled.

But in a siege, where could they possibly run?

They were quickly caught by Imperial cavalry and executed.

And now, even worse—morale had dropped, and the enemy displayed those severed noble heads on spears for everyone to see.

‘More than half our supplies are gone, and morale is in the dirt. The situation’s even worse than before.’

I never truly understood what it meant to lose before a battle even began—until then.

And I had no intention of letting that nightmare repeat.

That was why I let their false hope remain.

Because without it, people eventually collapse.

‘The nobles are settled for now… next are the soldiers.’

Judging the nobles pacified, I began to move.

As soon as I stepped outside, every soldier’s gaze turned toward me.

I didn’t look away from their trembling faces. I understood that fear better than anyone.

I once wished someone else would take this burden for me.

I wanted to escape from the crushing weight of responsibility.

So, I imagined the person I believed was the most ideal, the most trustworthy.

Then, from my lips came a voice so steady and heavy that even I was surprised.

“The art of war says this: those who seek death shall live, and those who seek life shall die.”

I knew better than anyone that I couldn’t erase their fear with mere words.

So I did the next best thing—I imitated.

The only great commander I’d ever admired.

Believing that if it were him, he would not scold me—but encourage me.

“If one man, resolved to die, guards a single path, he can terrify a thousand. And if a thousand men resolve to die, even a million enemies shall tremble.”

Of course, the illiterate soldiers didn’t truly understand the words.

But they didn’t need to. They weren’t listening to my words—they were looking at me.

Kain Blackguard.

The man who reclaimed the castle alone and repelled hundreds of Imperial soldiers.

That was enough. Enough to make them believe.

“So fight with the resolve to die! Anyone who disobeys orders or disrupts discipline shall be punished by military law!”

“The Baron is right!”

“Long live Kain Blackguard!”

“We will win this battle!”

It was only one man—but that one man was enough to banish fear.

The flame called determination began to burn.

And as that flame spread among them, I raised my greatsword toward the sky.

Then, in a calm yet resounding voice, I declared:

“Follow me.”

And we shall be victorious.

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