Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 846: Rumours of Skywalker

CH846 Rumours of Skywalker

***

“What? The Frontier Stronghold fell to a beast tide?”

“Yes, that’s the rumour. It is also said that it was the troops of Count Skywalker, the new domain lord of the Frontier March enfeoffed by His Majesty, who saved the survivors of the city and put down the beast tide.”

—

“What is going to happen to the Frontier now? Won’t the beasts start pouring into the North-East domains?”

“No. His Majesty’s Pioneer Knight, Count Skywalker, has established a domain and an armed force on the frontier that will keep the beasts away from the Empire. Perhaps, it may even push back into the forest.”

—

“Did you hear? There are rumours that the Empire will finally begin pushing back the Great Berserk Beast Forest.”

“Push back into the Great Berserk Beast Forest? Yeah, right. For how long have they been feeding us that line?”

“It is different now. I hear Count Skywalker’s forces are unlike anything that has ever existed in the region.

“Within a few months, the Count’s troops have already driven back two minor beast tides; one in the Frontier March and the other at the Stronghold.

“As long as they can hold back the next major beast tide in a few years as well, it should become possible for them to reclaim territory from the Great Berserk Beast Forest.”

“I wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you. They said the same thing during the reigns of the last two Commanders of the Frontier Stronghold, but what happened?”

“This is different. Count Skywalker is someone personally sent to the frontier by the Emperor. Surely, you don’t doubt the wisdom of the Emperor, do you?”

“Hey, don’t put words into my mouth. Of course I don’t doubt the Emperor’s wisdom.

“I am just sceptical because this isn’t the first time we have heard such news. What I doubt is the capability and determination of the person in charge to invade the forest. That is a very dangerous place, after all.”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Count Skywalker is different from the cowardly Commanders of the Stronghold.”

—

“Who is this Count Skywalker?”

“Huh? You don’t know? Count Skywalker is a descendant of that House Skywalker.”

“Wait… House Skywalker? As in one of the Two Stars of the Empire, alongside the Picard Imperial House?”

“The very same.”

—

“Hey, have you heard about the return of House Skywalker?”

“Of course I have. That’s the biggest news in our North-East.”

“Yeah, that’s true. So many rumours have been spreading recently. I can’t believe someone from House Skywalker actually exists. Did you hear where the current Count Skywalker came from?”

“I heard the remnants of House Skywalker couldn’t bear their defeat at the hands of the berserk beasts. So they travelled all the way to the Wildlands, where they learnt how to hunt and slay berserk beasts in those untamed lands.”

“Yes! It is said that the current Count Skywalker is the last claimant to the House and has returned to reclaim the lost lands of the North-East from the Great Berserk Beast Forest, and perhaps even push beyond!”

—

“I heard Count Skywalker is a very gentle lord who cares about his people, but also a powerful sorcerer capable of killing hundreds of berserk beasts with a single mystic art.”

“I heard the same thing too. In fact, I also heard that Count Skywalker’s troops only need a single strike to kill different berserk beasts. It seems the Count and his army are so familiar with the various berserk beasts that it only takes one attack aimed at a fatal weak point to bring one down.”

“Looks like it’s true that House Skywalker spent the better part of the last century learning about berserk beasts. The Count and his army are the culmination of that.”

“I know, right? Still, it is an unbelievable level of commitment. Training your descendants for a hundred years with the sole purpose of eradicating berserk beasts. I don’t think I could impose such a life on my children, never mind on my grandchildren and their children.”

“Well, it makes sense if you think about it. That’s why House Skywalker is a great noble lineage while you’re just a peasant. No, that’s not quite right. That’s why House Skywalker is one of the Two Stars of the Empire alongside the Imperial Family—the Guardian House of the Empire—while you’re just a forgettable nobody.”

“Hey, that’s too much.”

“Haha…”

“Jokes aside… it gives me confidence that the North-East is now in the hands of such a competent lineage. As expected of the Emperor. He made no move in the North-East for years—even refraining from appointing a Duke over the region. But when His Majesty finally makes a move, it is a powerful statement.”

“Indeed, the wisdom of the Emperor is boundless.”

—

“Your Grace, I bring news of Count Skywalker.”

“Oh, Butler. Tell me, what has the boy been up to since leaving my Cyrindale fiefdom?”

“There have been rumours spreading throughout the North-East. Sir Count has rebuilt the Frontier March and staved off a minor beast tide. In addition, he aided the Frontier Stronghold in repelling their own beast tide.”

“He helped the Stronghold?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Alright. Tell me everything in detail.”

—

Rumours of these successes spread throughout the North-Eastern region of the Empire just over two weeks after the Battle of Mirador, attracting the attention of many parties, particularly because of the Skywalker name.

Most people were simply interested in the rumours because of the House Skywalker name, while others were interested because of what it might mean for the future of the Frontier March.

After all, the fall—or rise—of the Frontier March and the Frontier Stronghold had far-reaching consequences for the Celahan Empire as a whole.

Even for domains far removed from the frontier, the encroachment of the Great Berserk Beast Forest was not something they could ignore. It might be a distant frontier today, but tomorrow it could be their own domain.

Being a foreigner to the Celahan Empire, Alex didn’t fully grasp the importance of House Skywalker within the Empire.

The discovery that House Skywalker might have been reborn and was now fighting on the frontier with the intention of halting the encroachment of the Great Berserk Beast Forest—and perhaps even reclaiming what had already been lost—caused many old organisations within the Empire to begin moving.

Many of them had once been allies of the old House Skywalker and now intended to help the current House Skywalker in any way they could. Others, however, had never been friendly towards the old House Skywalker and bore no goodwill towards the current one either.

One such organisation was House Brandford.

Suffice it to say, the rumours circulating throughout the Empire did nothing but further enrage Marquis Brandford.

***