The Return of the Iron-blood Sword Hound
chapter-452

Chapter 452: Declaration of War (3)

“They will go to Tochka. My son is there.”

Hugo responded to everyone’s skeptical reactions about Tochka.

The determination in his voice, almost autocratic in its firmness, caused murmurs among those around him.

“Tochka might be a formidable fortress, but it has no access to fresh water, rendering it strategically worthless, doesn’t it?”

“There was a foolish general during the Warring States era who camped there and had to retreat due to the lack of water.”

“That’s why it’s called the ‘Castle of Tears and Slaughter’.”

“Reviadon is so cunning and sly. Surely they wouldn’t target such a place.”

The general consensus was negative.

…But Hugo, the head of the Baskerville Clan, was not one to be swayed by such opinions or evaluations.

“So, what are you suggesting?”

Hugo’s blunt retort left everyone speechless.

The name of the Iron-Blooded Sword Clan, Baskerville, was both weighty and sharp.

Hugo spoke with unwavering conviction.

“My son is there. He would never act recklessly. By now, the enemies must have realized that.”

Surprisingly, some began to reluctantly agree with Hugo’s strong stance.

“Hmph. Now that I think about it, my daughter is there too. That girl, so easily swayed by men…”

Respane, the head of the Morg Clan, muttered softly.

“Our saintess is there as well.”

“Hmm… It’s a bit of a stretch to say, but it seems our head of the Clan is also there recently.”

Martin Luther of the Quovadis Clan and Damian of the Bourgeois Clan also nodded.

It was known that Morg’s Camus, Dolores Quovadis, and Sinclair from the Bourgeois Clan were currently at Tochka.

Although they hadn’t reported their positions directly, spies had covertly gathered this information.

‘The Night Walkers’.

The heads of the families were aware that many, led by Dolores and Camus, were gathering there to shelter refugees.

Some clicked their tongues in disapproval.

“Come to think of it, wasn’t Night Hound a descendant of the Baskerville Clan?”

“I heard he was imprisoned in Nouvellebag, so how is he at Tochka?”

“No, we received reports that he had died in Nouvellebag…”

Hugo surprisingly answered these questions readily.

“He escaped recently.”

Everyone’s jaws dropped halfway.

What kind of place is Nouvellebag? The worst prison, where even souls can’t escape once confined. Escaping from such a place seemed impossible.

Hugo, basking in the astonished gazes of everyone, continued with a slightly proud demeanor.

“That kid is really something.”

This wasn’t a simple brag like, ‘My son got into this school’ or ‘He was top of his class’.

For Hugo to call someone who escaped the worst prison, Nouvellebag, a ‘kid with skills’ was naturally met with disbelief.

“Anyway. My son always has a reason for his actions. To respect that, I will go to Tochka.”

Hugo’s stance was both clear and resolute.

Adolf Morg, who knew a bit about Vikir, also nodded in agreement.

“Indeed, little friend is reliable. If he chose Tochka as a base, he must have a plan… However, considering the lack of fresh water, we should send support. So, you’re saying the Baskerville Clan will send an army to Tochka Fortress?”

“No. I’m going alone.”

“…?”

When Adolf tilted his head in confusion, Hugo responded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“I’m not going as the head of the Baskerville Clan but as a father. It’s right to distinguish between public and private matters.”

“…I didn’t realize you were such a devoted father.”

“Do you want to be my son? Why should you know about my love for my children?”

“…”

Hugo answered indifferently, stroking his chin as if feeling the absence of a beard.

Since the head of the Clan was personally taking action, it was only natural that the entire Clan would put all their efforts into supporting him. However, the justification was that a father was privately going to see his son, leaving no room for other factions to interfere.

In any case.

The Clan heads, who had never seen Hugo so adamant about separating public and private matters, whispered among themselves.

In this situation:

“I will accompany you, Father. My beloved is there as well.”

“I will join too!”

“I’ll go too!”

“Count me in!”

Osiris Le Baskerville, the young head of the Baskerville Clan, echoed Hugo’s words from behind.

The three brothers, Highbro, Middlebro, and Lowbro, standing beside him, agreed as well.

The Morg Clan seemed to be positively considering moving their forces to Tochka Fortress.

“I’m worried about my daughter; she’s so headstrong and self-centered.”

“Big Sister, why don’t you go and check on her?”

“Take us with you.”

“If we don’t show up, she won’t let us go, asking where we were hiding.”

“Ugh… Just thinking about her scolding me scares me. I’d rather die fighting in front of her.”

Lespane and Adolf, along with the three sisters, Highsis, Middlesis, and Lowsis, shared the same sentiment.

“Our saintess is there too. I’ve been concerned, so it’s a good idea to check on her.”

“We’ll go too. We need to protect the head of our Clan.”

Martin Luther of the Quovadis Clan and Damian of the Bourgeois Clan nodded in agreement.

As more influential figures seriously discussed reinforcing or relocating to Tochka Fortress, public opinion began to shift toward hesitant approval.

Just then:

“You can’t go in there! We’re in the middle of an important meeting…!”

A flustered cry came from a guard outside the conference room door.

The urgency in his voice suggested he was trying to stop someone.

Bang!

Suddenly, the door burst open.

Step- step- step- step-

Five individuals strode into the conference room without hesitation.

“…!?”

The atmosphere in the room changed dramatically.

Everyone expressed their shock at seeing such unexpected faces, each reacting in their own way.

Some people looked puzzled, not recognizing who these intruders were.

However, a select few seemed to recognize the uninvited guests and had anticipated their arrival.

“…Unexpected guests indeed. What brings the all-stars of Nouvellebg here?”

Even Banshee Morg, the headmaster of the Colosseo Academy, straightened up in his seat, acknowledging their formidable presence.

Major D’ordume. Major Souare. Lieutenant Colonel Bdissem. Lieutenant Colonel Flubber.

…And the Major Black Tongue.

They were the five pillars of Nouvellebag.

Behind them were the notorious and skillful guards of Nouvellebag, standing in a formidable formation.

First, D’Ordume stepped forward.

“Nouvellebag is gone. It was obliterated by a volcanic eruption, leaving no trace. The lucky ones who survived are all unemployed now. Just like us.”

Next, Souaré spoke, her gaze fixed on Hugo since earlier.

“Thanks to your son’s spectacular antics.”

“…The fuck?”

Hugo squinted slightly, causing Souaré to avert her gaze nervously.

BDISSEM, standing behind Souaré, spoke hesitantly.

“We are… technically still imperial officials… so we need to find a place to be… and following the current leader’s orders… we ended up here…”

BDISSEM glanced at the person referred to as the ‘current leader’. Flubber, squirming on the floor, also watched BDISSEM nervously.

“…”

“….”

Surprisingly, D’Ordume and Souaré also remained silent, showing their agreement with BDISSEM’s words.

This was a shock to everyone at the meeting.

Even the fiercely competitive D’Ordume and Souaré, who had fought for the top position in Nouvellebag, acknowledged this leader. Apart from Orca, had there ever been such a figure?

Everyone in the room turned their gaze to the person standing at the back.

Finally, the last warden stepped forward.

Black Tongue.

The current leader of the five pillars of Nouvellebag.

With his red eyes gleaming, he spoke.

“We’re going to Tochka too. And everyone here needs to go there as well. As many people as possible, all together!”

Many expressed displeasure at the Black Tongue’s sudden, almost commanding words.

“What nonsense is this, suddenly appearing out of nowhere?”

“Do you even know the situation?”

“How dare you give orders here? Do you know how many high-ranking nobles are present?”

“More importantly, Black Tongue, did you always look like that?”

“You look very different.”

But the five chief wardens of Nouvellebag showed no change in their demeanor despite the criticisms.

Then, Black Tongue spoke in a chilling voice.

“…That’s enough of asking nicely.”

He drew his sword, shocking many of the dignitaries.

Crack-

The demonic sword ‘Asmodeus’ split the table in the center of the room in half.

The pieces reconnected in a way that transformed them into a whip-like form, creating a truly eerie sight.

Everyone’s expressions hardened.

The atmosphere in the conference room became frigid, and tension filled the air.

In this intense silence, the Black Tongue drove his point home.

“If you don’t want to die, come with us to Tochka.”