The Extra Wants To Live

After confirming alliance between Carl and Gilbert, Carl finally opened the book.

"… Lady Catherine."

"Yes."

Without wasting time, he immediately handed the book to Catherine.

True to Gilbert's nature, the book contained no illustrations to depict the martial arts techniques. Instead, it was written in elaborate metaphors that caught the eye and were almost poetic.

'In moving forward, there should be no hesitation like an excited bison, but the steps should always be light and cautious like a rabbit. The moment I calm my thoughts and mind and know myself, the other person also comes to know me as well.'

This passage meant that once a decision was made after careful deliberation, one should proceed vigorously but remain cautious.

However, the way it was written made it feel more like poetry than practical instruction. This style was pervasive throughout the book, and describing actual postures and movements was done in such a complex manner that it seemed like an academic thesis rather than a practical guide.

Carl felt dizzy just looking at it for a moment.

"Can you understand everything by looking at this?" Carl asked Catherine, his confusion evident.

"Originally, knights discussing martial arts often write like this," Catherine explained seriously.

"But why?" Carl muttered in horror.

"This is because the goal is not to simply convey posture and movement. It is almost impossible to fully express in writing what one feels and realizes as a martial artist. That's why so much effort is put into making the reader feel as much as possible," Catherine explained.

"And it is also encoded so that the true meaning cannot be realized unless you are close enough to understand each other."

For Catherine, who had experience receiving guidance from Gilbert, these ambiguous expressions were a bit challenging but not insurmountable. However, to Carl and Bilford, it seemed like nonsense.

"Then I guess I'll have to decipher the code," Carl said with a resigned sigh.

"Is that okay?" Catherine asked thoughtfully.

The book was a gift from Gilbert to Carl, symbolizing their decision to join hands, and it could become Carl's weakness in the future if misunderstood.

"It was passed down to me by Sir Gilbert through Lady Catherine, and anyway, am I not currently learning martial arts from you and Bilford?" Carl said with a confident smile.

He had strong faith in Catherine and Bilford, so he was not worried.

Besides, after receiving the book from Gilbert, Catherine had only read the first page out of curiosity and immediately handed it to Carl. Carl trusted that she hadn't read it secretly.

"I have already entrusted my life to you so many times; what do I have to fear now?"

Although Carl had said this several times, Catherine and Bilford were still surprised every time they heard it.

No matter how strong the trust, the relationship between a knight and a lord was ultimately just a contractual one. But Carl's unwavering belief was unusual.

"We will do it as quickly as possible," Catherine said.

"Please. Oh, and Bilford too."

"Me too?" Bilford asked in surprise.

When Catherine narrowed her eyes, Bilford lowered his hand in embarrassment.

"Wouldn't it be good for me if you became stronger?"

"Yes! I will do my best!" Bilford answered vigorously.

Carl smiled and pulled out his long sword.

Mastering dual swords was a goal, but proficiency with long swords and other weapons came first. Increasing his immediate strength was the priority to at least be able to protect himself.

---

"… Thus, the 4th prince, Carl, heads to Davron and look at his soliders with unwavering eyes like the eagle of Hardion, protects the territory and subjects with majestic wings, defeats enemies with fierce claws, and corrects the balance of energy to raise the dignity of the imperial family. Shine."

The majestic and powerful voice of the courtier, whose sole job was to convey the Emperor's words, rang out.

With a stern face and haughty gesture, the courtier elegantly rolled up the emperor's message and placed it on the stand held by the servant.

An attendant carefully walked over, carrying a stand decorated with red velvet and gold thread, and bowed his head politely in front of Carl.

Carl blinked, looked at Azgoth's' message, glanced at the attendant, then glared at the courtier who had shouted so profanely in the normally quiet imperial library, and saw the librarians unable to keep their mouths shut.

... It's an emergency mission.

---

Carl did not make the mistake of reacting angrily to Azgoth's orders. He knew better than to act rashly.

"We were given five days to prepare," Carl said.

"That's too late. By the time we get to D'Avron, at the eastern end of Mold Street, the work will be done," Catherine replied.

Carl suppressed a sigh and rubbed his forehead.

'Holy shit!'

Azgoth knew Carl's situation intimately and yet sent him on a new mission not long after sending Mold to Hilfin.

'Davron is a perfect location, but sending me there at this time means putting me in danger.'

Mold had been sent to Hilfin, near the northern tip, and even if contacted immediately, he couldn't join them in time. Removing Mold from Hilfin would create more issues.

'There is nothing more dramatic than overcoming an unreasonable situation. But this is too extreme.'

Azgoth seemed to be setting Carl up for failure.

"This is ridiculous. It's about subduing renegade mercenaries!" Bilford cried, gritting his teeth.

The Salgarez mercenaries, hired by Davron to protect the border, had defected and started looting villages. The mission given to Carl was to subdue them.

The Salgarez mercenary group was a well-trained, battle-hardened force, almost equivalent to a regular standing army, making this mission too much for Carl's current capabilities.

"Are there any special troops assigned?" Catherine asked calmly.

"Just Milton and the 30 imperial soldiers who were with us last time," Carl replied.

"It doesn't seem to be a simple subjugation mission," Catherine noted.

"The enemy is a real mercenary group fighting on the border with Tumaria. It's not possible with that small military force."

"It must have taken Davron's military into consideration. I know that."

Davron was a powerful fiefdom of a marquis protecting the frontier of the empire.

"But I feel uncomfortable about the situation where Davron was unable to deal with even a single group of mercenaries."

Carol pressed her eyebrows and sighed. Whether it was the gnoll subjugation or the hunting mission, things never went as expected. He felt uneasy that this time might be the same.

Sure, I'll continue from where it left off.

---

Davron was a powerful fiefdom of a marquis protecting the frontier of the empire.

"But I feel uncomfortable about the situation where Davron was unable to deal with even a single group of mercenaries," Carl pressed his eyebrows and said. Whether it was the last gnoll subjugation or the hunting, it never went down as normal. He felt anxious because it seemed to be the same this time too.

Catherine nodded in agreement. "There might be more to this mission than what appears on the surface. We need to be cautious."

"We need to prepare thoroughly," Carl said, his mind racing with plans. "Bilford, ensure the soldiers are ready and equipped. Catherine, gather all the information you can about Davron and the Salgarez mercenaries. We need to know what we're up against."

"Yes, my lord," they both responded, determination evident in their voices.

Carl knew that this mission was a test, a way for Azgoth to gauge his capabilities. It was a dangerous game, but one he had to play. Failure was not an option.

"We leave at dawn. Every moment counts," Carl commanded, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.

At that moment, Catherine cautiously opened her mouth.

"Just in case, why not contact Mold?"

But Carl shook his head resolutely.

"The mold needs to grow as fast as possible to keep the heelpin ball in check. I am grateful, but it is better not to move the mold as it will be more helpful in the long run if it is on the heelpin... And to be honest, I don't think the current mold will be of much help."

"… … sorry."

The mold was weaker than Carl expected.

Although Kurtval is a warrior who controls mana, he has little else that can be used as a fighting force.

Excluding Kurtval, Bester and 6 private soldiers, who are still young and inexperienced, are the only troops, so they are of no help in such a big matter.

Catherine, who had no choice but to admit that the mold would not help Carol right away, felt a little embarrassed and uncomfortable.

"It's not something you should feel sorry for. Phew… . First, let's do what we can."

Carl organized his thoughts about what he had to do.

"lady Catherine, I have a quiet word to say to sir Gilbert."

"yes."

Catherine answered Carl's words resolutely.

This is something that must be conveyed secretly to Gilbert, the leader of the Imperial Knights and with whom he have recently joined hands behind the scenes, so it must be very important!

"Could you please ask if the Imperial Knights can find some armor that fits my body and give it to me?"

"… Yes, lord Carl."

Because Carol grew so quickly, he can no longer even wear the armor he received in the past.

In battle, the presence or absence of armor is a critical issue.

However, Catherine, who became the messenger of a petty embezzlement scheme between the prince and the head of the Imperial Knights, was a bit like that.

If the current Carl tries to use Gilbert properly, checks will come in from all over, and both mice and birds will lose their heads before they know it.

Carl like petty things like stealing armor.

Gilbert would probably laugh out loud at the absurdity, but he would be willing to do so because he knew Carl's situation.