A Genius Boy Who Was Exiled From His Family Home for “Not Being Able To Use Magic” Becomes a Witch’s Apprentice and Masters All Magic in the Right Way. This Is How You Use Your Magic, You Know?

Chapter 164.2. Trust And Scheming

On the other hand, after they had driven out the former Count.

Hermes and the soldiers of the Harvist territory, to oppose the Northern Alliance,

did not go as far as to form an alliance, but they had succeeded in establishing a temporary cooperative relationship.

It was natural, considering their immediate interests aligned—but from their perspective, the sudden appearance of someone who now stood above them.

Combined with the conservative tendencies of this country, they couldn’t easily accept it.

But, that’s fine.

After all, trust cannot be built overnight. Just like before, we must continue to show our position.

We need forces to reclaim the royal capital, and as people who serve the royal family, we cannot leave the chaos in the country unchecked.

Therefore, we move to defeat the Northern Alliance to suppress the rebellion. That is all, and there are no hidden intentions. We just need to continue proving it with our actions.

Under this policy, the first task was to build trust with the soldiers, assess their strength, and analyze their cards.

While preparing to oppose the Northern Alliance, Hermes and the others continued to lead the defense.

Repelling the soldiers of the Northern Alliance who intermittently attacked the fortress, likely to prevent us from resting.

And so, two days passed.

“…That should be the end of this raid.”

“Y-Yes! Thank you, Hermes-sama!”

As usual, Hermes single-handedly repelled the Alliance soldiers, this time coming from the opposite side, from the forest.

As Hermes took a breath, one of the soldiers called out to him.

“…Hermes-sama, please. I’m just a commoner, and there’s no need for such formalities or honorifics…”

“N-No, I couldn’t possibly! You are our savior, and I could never be rude to someone fighting against the Northern Alliance for us!”

This soldier was the captain who Hermes had helped escape from Lucius and the elite soldiers of the Northern Alliance when they first arrived.

Because of that, he and his team were the most favorable toward them.

…Though he was perhaps a bit excessively respectful, it was certainly better than being outright avoided.

Likewise, other members like Katia were also fighting to defend the base, gradually gaining the trust of more soldiers.

Time was not infinite, but for now, it was crucial to continue and solidify internal unity—at least that’s what they thought at the time.

That night.

“…So, what do you think?”

It was the time for the night watch, during which the responsibility of guarding was entrusted to Hermes and the others.

Among the soldiers of Harvist’s territory, excluding Knight Captain Toa, the squad leaders had gathered to talk.

The topic was, of course, whether or not to trust Hermes and the others.

“I… I believe we can trust them.”

The first to speak was the captain who had praised Hermes earlier that day.

“Especially Hermes-sama. His magical abilities are incredibly powerful, and yet he is very polite. He doesn’t act arrogantly like that Count. I’m sure, even if we joined their ranks, he would respect us. I believe he will certainly defeat the Northern Alliance and protect this land.”

“Hmph, who knows.”

In response, another captain snapped.

“You’re just biased because he saved your life. Right now, he’s humble because he needs our strength. Once this battle is over, he’ll treat us just like any other noble—like we’re nothing.”

“That’s too hasty a conclusion.”

Then another captain spoke up.

“You too… You’re only thinking that way because you had your family killed by that Count, right?”

“Ugh!”

“At least, from my own experience, these last two days have made me lean in the opposite direction.

In the first place, what would we do if we opposed them now? Without them, could we have even stopped the attacks today?”

The captain who had protested earlier fell silent, unable to retort.

“At least they have demonstrated their trustworthiness up until now. So, regardless of how we feel, the situation makes it clear—we must ally with them and fight the Northern Alliance together. There doesn’t seem to be another option.”

At these words, the other captains had no objections.

After all, it was true. In their current situation, to defeat the Northern Alliance, they had no choice but to follow Hermes and the others.

Just as they were about to reach an agreement, however.

“…Not necessarily.”

From a completely unexpected direction, a voice interrupted.

All the soldiers turned to look in surprise, and even more shocked,

they saw none other than—

“Count…!?”

Aslak von Harvist.

The traitor who had been exiled by Hermes and the others, and was supposed to be on the side of the Northern Alliance,

was standing before them. How had he gotten here? How could he have evaded their vigilance? What was going on?

Confusion spread among them.

“…What are you doing here? What do you want?”

One of the captains, barely managed to ask.

He received a chilling smile from the Count, his face illuminated by the lamp.

With an unusual tone—as though he was being made to say it—he spoke.

“Of course, I’m here to save you fools who’ve been deceived by that devil Hermes.

Your master, me.”

Thus…

The Church’s poison began to close in on the soldiers filled with suspicion and unease.

And—

The red-haired princess, was the first to sense it.